Thursday, October 31, 2013

Can you Really Have it All? ( A Battle of Work and Home)

         

We all know the popular phrase ‘you can have it all’, but is it true?  Can women really have a career, kids, husband and home and be successful in each aspect? 

This is a question that I have asked a few women and I have even tried to answer myself. I have tried to have it all and I will say that while it is not impossible, I found it extremely difficult and for me I had to make some decisions. In doing so I came up with a few points in which to follow in order to keep me on track and I hope that they work for you. Of course everyone will have their own experiences and ways in which to cope these are just a few suggestions that I found to be helpful.

   


  • Set goals and plan how to reach them.  “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” - Napoleon Hill.
  •  If you are married, it’s essential to be on the same page with your spouse. 
  • Be realistic.  Don’t over-extend yourself or you will become stressed which could result in failure.  Remember, you are human, not a robot.
  • Be willing to ask and accept help.  No one can do everything by themselves. 
  • Allow yourself to be open to suggestions as well.  Sometimes an outsider can see something you are too close to notice. There’s no shame in seeking advice and help.  In your home, assign chores.  If you have children involved in activities, make transportation arrangements with parents of other children in the same activities.  At work, delegate small jobs to others, allowing you more time and mental energy to focus on the bigger projects.  
  • Be prepared for failures.  This is only natural.  Every person walking the earth will experience failures, trials, and rough times.  It’s how you handle the failures that determine your success.  Don’t give up or let it stop you.  Use it as a learning tool.  Brush yourself off, and keep moving forward.  Determination and perseverance is the biggest key to success.
  • Prioritize and this one should have been at the top. Sisters place everything in perspective of what is most important. Remember to keep Allah and Islam first, children, husband, and home are essential and they are our first responsibility. Our role as women is to nurture and educate our children in Islam, so if we are finding that our careers are interfering with that or things are beginning to fall apart at home, we must decide what is most important and how we can salvage it. If at all. So the key is to prioritize and constantly reevaluate. 






Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wellness After 30

Wellness in Your 30's 
 UmmHaya Salahuddin   











They say the human body is at its peak at age 25. As you grow older and get to the onset of your 30s, that is when metabolism slows down, our muscles lose mass, bones lose density, strength and metabolism declines, and body fat accumulates faster than ever. Physiologists say that a woman gains an average of 22lbs between the ages of 20 and 65. Yet, you don't have to be a statistic. Don't just sit back and embrace the physical decline that is bound to happen sooner or later. The answer is to stay active in your thirties, this is proven to slow down the natural processes of our body and leave you feeling good about yourself.


From 20's to 30's 

From her late twenties up to her thirties, a woman spends more of her time with the responsibilities and priorities that come with family and career. Often, it gets difficult to squeeze in enough time to work out and stay fit until the day comes when you notice those unwanted flabs. More than your physical appearance, you might start feeling exhausted or lethargic most of the time or worse, you develop health problems. While there is no fountain of youth, every woman can minimize health risks as her body matures by taking time for age-appropriate exercises – on top of adapting a healthier diet.




Basic Exercise Program for your Thirties.

A woman in her thirties still needs a good balance of aerobic, cardiovascular, and weight training exercises. 60 minutes of medium intensity exercise three times a week would be sufficient in meeting your fitness needs. Yet, you don't need to do it "all in 60 minutes" you could break this down into 6 x 30 minutes sessions.

 




So how can you become more active in your thirties?

It can be tough to make time in your schedule for exercise when you’re in your thirties, especially if you have a career, an active social life and a family to look after. The chances are exercise doesn’t make it high up on your list of priorities when you have so many other things to worry about.  I understand, you are tired, the children have run you ragged and the work just never seems to end. However, it is definitely worth making time for exercise while you’re still young and healthy, so that you can potentially avoid developing health problems as you get older.

If you don’t get enough exercise you could find yourself at greater risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, which you obviously don’t want to get if you can help it.
You therefore have to find a way to incorporate more exercise into your schedule. You may however feel as though you don’t have enough time for exercise, but you only have to set aside an hour a day for some kind of physical activity to feel the benefits. I will repeat you don’t even have to do this hour of exercise all in one go and so you could easily squeeze in a few lunges or sit-ups while you’re waiting for dinner to cook and take the stairs instead of an elevator. As long as you get your body moving and your heart pumping you should notice a difference, but you have to ensure that you get more active regularly.
Thus, there is no point in creating a home gym with the intention of using it every day only to find that your schedule doesn't make it easy for you to do this. You might start off with enthusiasm, but soon find that your job or family takes precedence over a workout in that gym. You therefore need to find an activity you enjoy doing which you can actually squeeze into your schedule, or which you want to do so much that you’re prepared to make room in your schedule for it.
You might decide to get up early to go for a brisk walk with your husband, this can double as a chance to reconnect and exercise.   You could also buy a fitness DVD.  In the end, it is up to you what kind of exercise you do, but you have to be prepared to do it regularly if you are going to be able to appreciate the benefits.

Wellness in your thirties is about more than exercise it’s about the whole person.
We have to ask ourselves the hard questions and be honest with our answers in order to be truly well in your thirties.

·         Do you manage to complete all or most of your tasks by the end of each day?
·         Do you have all the tools you need to run your life, such as an effective schedule?
·         Do you delegate effectively?
·         Do you give time to people who don't deserve your time?
·         Do you manage your home efficiently?
·         Do you put off handling things that could and should be dealt with now?
·         Do you say yes to additional work, knowing that you do not have sufficient time to complete the task?
·         Do you have a cut-off point each day when your time becomes yours?
·         Do you need help looking after the children so that you can spend more quality time with them?
These questions seem simple and yet they are an accurate reflection of what can potentially go wrong in the average day. Effective time management frees up mental and emotional space, allowing you to act more effectively and efficiently.

Set about getting the basics right: time for work; time for family/social activities; time for you.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

How to Get Dinner on the Table in 20 minutes

Help for Dealing with a Hectic Schedule


How to Get Dinner on the Table in 20 minutes
By: Nailah Salahuddin

It's 6pm and you walk through the front door. Keys on the foyer table, shoes at the bottom of the stairs, pocket book and/or briefcase on the counter. What a day it has been long hours at work and the drive home just about killed you, but it's over now you are home and can just sit back and relax. Um.....In what lifetime will that happen, the reality of the situation is so much different than the one you have imagined in your mind on the hectic drive home from work. So much different, yes your day outside the home has ended but it is now time to drop that hat and pick up the second hat of your day. (MOM and WIFE)

Mohamed needs help with his science project, Haya needs you to look over her latest math quiz, little Jannah needs some attention from you as well and while all of that is taking place you all still need to eat. Eat that is right, dinner still needs to be made and the last time your husband volunteered to do it, let's just say the meal was a bit Cajun.

This is where I come in, I can't fly over there and take Haya off your hands or Jannah off your hip but I can give you a few quick, easy, and delicious recipe ideas that can make just one part of your day a little easier. Plug up your printers, pull out a few pots, and put Jannah in the playpen it is time to cook.



Easiest Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches Ever


Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 3-4 hours
Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients
6 chicken breast halves, skinless and boneless
1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (whatever your favorite is)
Directions
Place chicken breasts into the bottom of a slow cooker and pour barbecue sauce over them.
Lid and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high until cooked through and nearly falling apart.
Shred the chicken well -- two forks does the job quickly -- and serve on burger buns.
Note
Top with coleslaw and shoestring fries for a different, and delicious, version..

Italian Turkey Sliders with Honey Dijon Mayo


Ingredients
20 ounces lean ground turkey
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 clove garlic - minced
1/2 teaspoon basil,, dried
1/2 teaspoon oregano,, dried
1 teaspoon salt
 freshly ground black pepper
16 dinner or slider rolls
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
Directions
Combine ground turkey, cheese and all seasonings. Mix together well.
Shape turkey into 16 small patties.
Place patties on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 - 10 minutes or until cooked through. Be careful not to cook too long or they will become dried out.
Combine mayonnaise with honey Dijon mustard and stir until well blended.
Place on rolls and top with honey Dijon mayo.

Chicken Fajita Tostadas


Hands-On Time: 15 minutes
Ready In: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Cost Per Serving: $1.50
Ingredients
8 tostada shells
2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1 cup refried beans
1 medium green pepper - thinly sliced
1 medium onion - thinly sliced
1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded lettuce, diced tomato, salsa, sour cream and guacamole for garnish -- optional
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine taco seasoning, water and lime juice and stir well.
Pour half of the taco seasoning mixture over the shredded chicken and the other half over the pepper and onion.
Cook chicken in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the sauce starts to thicken slightly -- 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken and keep warm. Add peppers and onions and cook until the sauce starts to thicken and veggies start to wilt -- about 3-4 minutes. Remove and keep warm.
Lay tostada shells on an ungreased baking sheet.
Top each shell with 2 tablespoons refried beans, 1/4 cup shredded chicken, peppers and onions and cheddar cheese to taste.
Bake until the cheese just starts to melt -- about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with optional garnishes.

Chicken Taco Soup


Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 20-25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cooked and shredded 
2 cups cooked kidney beans 
2 cups prepared salsa
6 cups chicken stock
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups tortilla chips, crushed

Directions
Combine chicken, beans, salsa, stock and seasoning in a 2-quart soup pot.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat until soup is simmering.
Let cook for 15 to 20 minutes so flavors blend well.
Top each bowl of soup with crushed tortilla chips.
Note
Switch the beans to pinto if you like and add sour cream and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese to each bowl for a change of pace.


Try these out and many more, I promise your family will love them and they are truly 20 minute meals. And that is a big help for all of us busy moms whether you work outside the home or are a stay at home mom. 
remember to adjust recipes according to halal standards.