5 Bullet Friday: This Week’s Must Read Top 5 Effective Skills

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Another week has gone, where does the time go? Here is a list of 5 things this week has taught me and I hope it can give you some insight on these topics. They are in no particular order – just like our thought processes!

  • Motivation to Continue When You Don’t See Quick Enough Progress

Don’t lose your motivation! Just because you are not seeing results to what you are working towards, it does not mean that you won’t ever achieve your goal. It does not matter how slow you go, what matters is that you do not stop!

Anything worth having does not come easy and success does not happen overnight.

If you haven’t noticed, we haven’t been posting as much lately, and this is partly due to lack of motivation. By remembering our vision and why we are here as a platform, our motivation to work hard for our subscribers and readers got us back on track!

  • Time Management Skills

This was so crucial to learn and fully understand. The ability to plan and control how you spend the hours in a day to effectively accomplish short and long term goals. Some of the skills we learned to include our daily routine included buying a planner and make a schedule – daily, weekly, and monthly schedules to be exact. Be sure to set some boundaries and account for all kinds of distractions. One thing that helped was to write things down right away – not in 5 minutes, not when I had time later, but right away. I also made a list of things to do before 11 am, courtesy of Tim Ferris’ book 4 Hour Work Week. We will be doing a book review on this effective book to talk about the benefits of doing things early in the day.

  • There is a Time for Learning and a Time for Earning

Instead of jumping into tasks and work without knowing the full details, we decided to take some time and learn. By taking the time to learn how to effectively run a website, how to connect with like-minded people in your niche, and take advantage of the resources available to you, you can then take time to earn by implementing what you have learned.

It’s exactly how school works. You go to university or college to learn a career in detail before you go out in the field, work and earn money with the skills you have learned.

  • Learning to Time Block to Increase Focus and Get Things Done Properly

We all do this – multitask. Granted, some things are better done this way, but not the important things that can affect your long-term goals. Try sending an email to your boss, while cooking dinner and trying to watch your favourite show on Netflix. All three of these tasks and activities individually are important to you, but by doing them all together you aren’t doing focused on all of the three equally. By time blocking, you set aside certain times for certain tasks or activities. For example, you can set aside 4 hours out of your day to respond to emails and do some work from home, uninterrupted and fully focused. You can then set aside an hour and a half for cooking your meal with love and actually taking the time to eat and enjoy it. Your Netflix and chill time can then be fully enjoyed with no worries before bed!

  • Take a Moment to Breathe and Relax

Sometimes we are so busy and try to convince ourselves that we have everything under control, including a healthy mindset. This week we tried to really try to take a moment. Stress and a rapid thought processing mind can take control of our lives, resulting in stress overload and anxiety. If we don’t manage our stress in healthy ways, It can create higher cortisol levels which trigger the body to react in a fight or flight response.

By taking a moment to just be and relax the mind, we reduce the stress response in our bodies and calm down our warning signals in our body. It can help increase your mood and make you more aware of your emotions. Having control over your own life is important for your mental health and your physical well-being.

These are, again, in no particular order and are just a few things we learned over the past week. We will be turning each of these into blog posts so we can dive into each topic.

10 Health Benefits of Celery Juice and Why You Should Start Juicing It Today

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Celery is one of the most underrated vegetables that have enormous benefits and is not talked about enough! It has so many health benefits that a majority of the general population face and it is not recommended by physicians and professionals. Along with it lowering inflammation, supporting weight loss, helping heal the digestive tract, it also fights infections, reduces bloating and even helps with skin issues like eczema and psoriasis!

Juicing celery is easy with the right tools, and the Breville The Juice Fountain Cold Juicer is amazing for juicing all kinds of fruits and vegetables. You can also use a nut bag to extract any leftover juice from the pulp that the juicer generates. The best time to drink celery juice is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Try not to have anything else for about 15 to 20 minutes after. You can sore away freshly juiced celery juice in the fridge for up to 5 days. A beneficial dose of celery juice is about 16 ounces, but you can also build up your tolerance to that amount. For best results, drink celery juice every day for 7 days and you can start to feel the effects!

Here are 10 health benefits of celery juice that are helpful to our bodies and can detox your system to restore it to optimal health.

Fights Autoimmune Disease

Pathogens are the actual cause of inflammation that is most commonly mistakenly considered autoimmune. Celery juice has undiscovered sodium cluster salts that can break down and flush out these pathogens.

Helps Eradicate Strep Bacteria

Strep is responsible for many conditions like acne, UTIs, small intestinal bacterial growth (SIBO), yeast infections, and more. Celery juice helps destroy strep.

Contains Undiscovered Sodium Cluster Salts that Reverse Illness

Celery juice’s undiscovered sodium cluster salts act together as an antiseptic. When they make contact with viruses & bacteria—troublemakers responsible for chronic illness—the salts begin to break down the pathogens’ cell membranes, eventually destroying them.

Powerful Weapon Against SIBO and Bloating

Celery juice is a powerful stomach acid replenisher so that gastric juices can kill strep, which causes SIBO. It also breaks down rotting protein & rancid fats in the stomach & small intestinal tract, helping bloating.

Brings Down Toxic Liver Heat

Celery juice purges a sluggish liver while bringing down liver heat.

Repairs Hydrochloric Acid and Liver Bile Production

Celery juice strengthens hydrochloric acid and bile production, which help strengthen the liver, and therefore allows for better bile production.

Kills Epstein-Barr & Shingles Viruses

The white blood cells of the liver’s personalized immune system add the cluster salts to their cell membrane coatings, making them toxic to viruses. The viruses are flushed out of the body.

Neutralizes and Flushes Toxins Out of the Liver

Celery juice’s sodium cluster salts bind onto neurotoxins, dermatoxins, and other viral waste. They also bind troublemakers and draw them out of the liver.

Critical for Chronic Acid Reflux

Acid reflux means 3 things are happening: low hydrochloric acid production, unproductive bacteria such as strep and e. Coli and a weakened liver. Celery juice helps improve these.

Helps Restore Adrenals

The same undiscovered sodium cluster salts in celery juice help keep your adrenals stable and functioning. The adrenals are at the top of each kidney and the hormones secreted by the adrenal glands help the body regulate blood sugar, burn fat and protein and react to stressors such as a major injury or illness. Most importantly they help regulate blood pressure. Two of the most important hormones they secrete are aldosterone and cortisol, which are directly related to stress.

Learn about the miraculous healing powers of celery juice and more in the books Thyroid Healing, Life Changing Foods and Liver Rescue written by Medical Medium.

Qasil: Skin Care World’s Best Kept Secret: How To Use It and Where to Find It

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You’re probably wondering what qasil powder is and why you never heard of it. That’s because it isn’t widely known about but is insanely popular in East Africa, more specifically in Somalia.

What is Qasil?

Qasil is an age-old secret of the nomadic tribes in Somalia. It is made from the shredded leaves of the Gob tree, which is native to Somalia and countries that share a similar environment in East Africa.

It is considered a natural soap due to its gentle cleansing components. It leaves the skin feeling clean and soothed. When it is finely grounded, it appears as a green powder and gives out an aroma similar to dried hay. When mixed with water, it creates a paste that is used as a face mask.

What Is So Great About it?

Qasil has numerous benefits. When mixed with various ingredients to make a face mask it deeply cleanses, balances and purifies the skin as it draws out impurities! It also gently exfoliates and moisturizes the skin, leaving it soft and supple. The qasil powder face mask can improve the condition of your skin and making it even-toned with a healthy glow.

Common Ingredients to Add to Your Qasil Powder Face Mask

So if you’re wondering how to best use your qasil powder, here are a few ingredients you can try.

You can add various ingredients to help with whatever facial problems you are currently experiencing, or if you just want to enhance your beautiful skin appearance.

I usually add organic honey, lemon, egg white, and water to qasil to make a paste ready to use on it.

Honey is great because of its moisturizing, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Lemons also possess antibacterial properties that can help treat acne. It is also high in vitamin C so it contains skin-brightening properties as well. This is great for those with hyperpigmentation to help even out their skin tone.

Egg whites are excellent to include in a face mask because they have astringent properties that help shrink pores by tightening the skin. It also has a purging effect so don’t add egg whites if you have an important function to attend, do not add them! It is best to add egg whites when you have serious downtime and no major events planned for yourself.

Other common ingredients you can add to your qasil face mask include turmeric, olive oil and coconut milk.

Turmeric is excellent because of its anti-inflammatory qualities. It can help heal the skin and reduce scarring.

Olive oil works great if you have dry skin and can help keep your skin moisturized while cleansing.

Coconut milk is fascinating because the fats in them do not clog pores and works great to help gently exfoliate the skin. It is also high in vitamin C, which can help maintain elasticity and flexibility in the skin.

“A popular mask that many Somali women make is by combining qasil and turmeric. Create a small mask by mixing equal parts of each product and then applying it to your face. Let it sit for a couple of minutes (five to 10), and proceed to wash it off afterward. Your skin should feel soft and look more vibrant.” — Said via Byrdie

What Are the Benefits of Qasil Powder?

Ok, so now that we know all of the great benefits of qasil powder, how often can you use it? Depending on the ingredients you include in your face mask, the number of times per week you use it can vary.

For example, if you consistently add lemons to your face mask and you live in a location where it is sunny, then try to only mask 2 to 3 times per week at night. This is due to the effects vitamin C has on your skin; it makes it more sensitive to the sun and can cause serious damage. If you do have to go outside after using the face mask, use sunscreen!

If you only add water, I don’t see a problem with using the face mask 3 to 4 times a week. I say this because over-exfoliating is a real thing and can actually strip your natural oils from your skin. If you aren’t replacing moisture into your skin after you mask, this can cause more problems.

Where Can You Find Qasil Powder?

After reading all of that, you’re probably wondering where to buy qasil powder, like ASAP! If you live in a major city like in the UK or Toronto and have an East African or a Somali store near you, they will most likely have qasil powder. It is insanely cheap (you can get a decent amount for anywhere between $5 to $10).

If you live in a rural area and do not have any stores nearby that carry qasil, then you can purchase a pre-made blend by Qasil Organics on Amazon. So if you’re like me and literally live in the middle of nowhere, have no fear, qasil is available Amazon now! Be sure to read the ingredients they included in case of any allergies as the one on Amazon comes as a pre-prepared blend face mask.

By having qasil on Amazon, it doesn’t matter where you live, you could be in either Japan or Kenya and you can get it shipped right to your door!

So there you have it! An affordable and natural skincare remedy that can help with common skincare issues like acne and scarring. It is also very versatile to suit your skincare needs by adding the appropriate ingredients your skin needs at any time for any season.

 

Try it out and let us know what you think! Leave us a review on our Forum section and tell us what you added to your qasil powder face mask!

8 Winter Skincare Tips to Keep Your Skin Glowing Until the Spring

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Winter can be extremely hard on our delicate skin. Here are a few helpful hints that will help you make it to the next season with glowing and radiant skin.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen 

Sunscreen in the winter too? Yes! Sunscreen isn’t just important during the summer; it’s actually necessary to apply sunscreen year round. Harmful sunrays reflect off snow and ice. You need sunscreen on a sunny day, a cloudy day, and even if you are just going to spend the whole day at work (fluorescent lights actually emit UV rays!). Also, remember to reapply when you’re going to be staying outside for long periods of time. This includes commuting to work via public transportation or driving. A great and low-cost one I love is the Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30. It is lightweight, non-greasy and sheer enough to wear under your makeup.

Stay Away from Super Hot Baths! 

Super hot baths might be nice in the wintertime, but they are actually horrible for your skin and should be a no-no in your winter skincare
routine. Hot water strips your skin of the natural oils and moisture, and more so as you turn up the heat in the shower or in the tub. Hot water evaporates fast, and if the skin is not immediately moisturized, the cracks in the skin let the skin nerves get exposed to air, resulting in what feels the ‘winter’s itch.’ Instead, go for shorter lukewarm baths or, if you can handle it, cooler baths. You should also apply the right moisturizer after you bathe.

Pro Tip: If you cannot live without a hot bath or shower (which is obviously tempting even thinking about it!) then keep your bathroom door closed if possible, and after you dry, moisturize. Look for products with ceramides as well as hyaluronic acid, to keep the barrier of your skin from losing a lot of water. An excellent and affordable product to use on your skin is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid.

Drink Enough Fluids and Keep it Moving! 

Ever wondered why you look better in the summer and dull in the winter? One of the main reasons is because you probably drink a lot more fluids in the summer to stay hydrated in the heat. This winter, don’t forget to drink enough fluids and get enough exercise. If it is too cold in your city to go to a gym, there are tons of exercises that you can do at home. The important thing is to get your pulse rate up and your blood circulating. This will give your skin that beautiful summer glow all year round. If you have stairs, use them! You may feel a little silly, but running up and down even one flight of stairs can give you a quick workout.

Pro Tip: Have a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to worry about not getting enough water throughout the day. I like the Prime Pack Sports Water Bottle because it has a super leak-proof lid, which is so important when you are packing your lunch bag.

Switch Up your Fall Routine Products 

Your skin has different needs during the winter. During this season, switch from oil-fighting cleansers to hydration boosting products. The main problem you face this winter is your skin drying out and losing its natural and beautiful texture, so you might want to stock up on products that actually hydrate your skin. Also stay away from using water-based moisturizers during the day and switch to thicker or oil moisturizers to seal in moisture. I like The Ordinary 100% Plant-derived Squalane because it is an oil that’s amazing for your any skin type and it is thin and not too heavy so if you have oily skin it won’t break you out.
Pro Tip: Use the steam from your shower and slather coconut or avocado oil all over your body to seal in the moisture.

Natural is the Way to Go

Natural products always are a default when all else fails and things like coconut oil and olive oil are some of the best products to have on your skin during this season because they are generally heavier and lock in moisture better than other products.

Love your Hands the Way they Deserve to Be Loved

With all the hand washing we do and sanitizer we use during the winter to get rid of germs and avoid the flu, it is no fun for our poor drying hands. Carry a small hand cream in your purse to use after you wash or sanitize your hands, and don’t forget to wear gloves when you are outdoors to protect your precious hands from drying and cracking. I personally love the Sephora Collection hand masks, they are moisturizing and nourishing for your precious hands.

Exfoliate to Let the Goodness Sink In!

You can make a great exfoliator with the products you already have. Grab some olive oil, sugar or sea salt, and a lemon to make a quick recipe for an exfoliator that will scrub away the dead skin that’s blocking your skin from soaking in the serums and moisturizers you are using.

Turn on the Humidifiers 

Humidifiers aren’t just for babies. During the wintertime, it’s a good idea to fire up the humidifiers inside your home. If you live in a dry city, the air moisture level is typically way below what your skin needs. By using a humidifier, the humidity in the air will keep your skin from drying out. Aim for a cool mist humidifier as the warm mist types can cause mold growth in the home. The one I’ve been using for the past year and absolutely love and recommend is the Vicks FilterFree Cool Mist Humidifier. It is also perfect for when you get a stuffy nose, there’s a slot where you insert Vicks VapoPads and it gives you up to 24 hours of relief.

We hope some of these tips help you get your skin all ready for the dry winter season. What other tips do you have that we haven’t mentioned? Let us know below. Make sure you sign up if you already are not a member and subscribe to our posts!

Morning Rituals You Must Include In Your Routine For a Successful New Year

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Let’s face it – mornings are hard for all of us. Being an effective early riser is very important for a productive day. Your morning should be about putting yourself in a positive mindset and getting important things done. Also, waking up early to just sit on your couch to watch television isn’t worth it either. Your mornings can be the best time of your day if you do it right on your own terms.

To start your day right, you’ve got to get into some really good healthy habits.

Here are 5-morning rituals that may seem hard to get into at first, but will ultimately reap major rewards if you stick to doing them regularly.

Wake up Early So You Can Wake Up Slowly 

One of the best life changes I ever made was waking up earlier so that I can wake up slowly. I started this habit after I had my baby 11 months ago. Having the time to do some stretches, lie around, meditate, take a shower, or make a good breakfast allows me to start my day off right. It also allows for other good morning rituals—keep on reading for those!

Put Your Phone on Do Not Disturb For The Duration of Your Sleep

If you sleep with your phone on your bed or next to it while it charges for the next day, I highly recommend placing it on Do Not Disturb for 2 big reasons. Number one – you limit the number of disturbances that can cause instant stress such as texts, notifications, and emails. Number two – you limit the amount of blue light that actually can directly affect your sleep. Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, which is important for a good night’s rest.

 

Do Not Disturb allows you to set your phone to not turn the screen on for notifications and calls. You set the time you want it to start and end. You can also set it to only allow your Favourites list to call you and if someone really wants to get a hold of you, you can set it so that repeated calls get through. If the person calls more than once, the call will come through. I don’t recommend using Airplane Mode at night for this purpose. Emergencies happen at any time, that’s why it is called an emergency!

Pray Fajr on Time Every Time

As Muslims, one of the pillars of Islam is praying the obligatory five prayers every day. The timing of the prayers is spread across the day depending on the sun. It all starts with Fajr in the morning. The lines below discuss the importance and significance of Fajr prayer under the light of different hadiths of Prophet (PBUH) and various verses of the Holy Quran.

“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

‘The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the Isha prayer and the Fajr prayer. If only they knew what (reward) there is in them, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.'” (Sahih)

Let’s face it: it’s hard to get out of bed when you are tired! But remembering that prayer is better than sleep always plays in my head like a mantra and it quickly gets me up for prayer.

Another bonus is those who perform the Fajr prayer become energetic and having a good temperament. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“The Satan ties three knots on the back of your heads when one of you goes to sleep. He blows (an incantation) on every knot, (saying): ‘You have a long night, so sleep (through it).’ so if the person wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is untied. And if he performs Wudu (ablution), another knot is untied. And if he prays, another knot is untied, and he arises (in the morning) energetic and having a good temperament. Otherwise, he arises with a bad temperament, feeling lazy.” (Al-Bukhari 3269).

By sleeping earlier and setting more than one alarm for Fajr prayer, it helps me wake up on time and puts me in the mindset to prepare to focus during prayer and to take advantage of the benefits that come with praying salah.

Make Your Bed as if You Have Guests Coming Over 

I’m sure we have all heard this before. One of your morning tasks should be to make your bed every morning. The reason behind this is actually quite simple. By making your bed every morning, you will have accomplished one of the first tasks of your day next to praying Fajr. It will give you a small sense of achievement by completing a task and will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will turn into many tasks completed. It will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can do the little things right, you will be able to believe that you can do the big things right. And what’s better than coming home to a bed that’s made and ready for your tired and exhausted self after a long and mentally drained day? A bed that you made.

Nourish Your Body With a Healthy Breakfast Filled with Goodness

I’m pretty sure eating a healthy balanced breakfast every morning is on everyone’s list, but let us dive a little deeper into this topic. Add things on your weekly grocery list that you know you can actually prepare for any kind of morning – whether it’s a quick breakfast on the go or a relaxed easy Sunday morning. I recommend stocking up on frozen fruits to add to a powerful blender like the Ninja blender. You can whip up a quick breakfast smoothie for busy mornings and it makes for a tasty treat without the empty calories. You can add Greek yoghurt and some chia or flax seeds for extra goodness to nourish your body for the day. Also, don’t forget to add water for hydration!

By incorporating these beneficial morning rituals into your daily routine, you will start to notice your days are not that brutal. You start with a fresh mind and a good mood and get into good habit making as a result. There is no point in setting your alarm clock at super early hours if you aren’t doing anything positive. By indulging in a good routine you will begin to see this mindset spill into other aspects of your decision making throughout the day. It can also help you make better judgment calls on how to spend your time wisely.

5 Hijab Myths We Need to Leave Behind in 2018

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1.The Hijab Protects Women Against Sexual Assault

The myth that there’s a correlation between wearing the hijab and a low prevalence of sexual harassment and violence against women actually systematically victimizes them. Those that place blame on women who do not cover themselves and at the same time insinuate that women who are attacked while wearing the headscarf somehow did something to deserve it are essentially taking the blame away from the attacker. By placing the blame on the victim, it prevents future victims from speaking up about sexual assault.

2.You Have to Wear the Hijab Only if You’re Married 

Sometimes I wonder how people rationalize certain things they believe about religions. If this theory were true, I would have been married at 4 years old. I think that’s illegal. So yeah, absolutely not true.

3.You Have to Wear It All Day Every Day, Everywhere, At Any Given Hour

I laugh at this assumption all the time, especially those that innocently ask if we shower with our hijabs on. I personally don’t think that’s hygienic but to each their own!

4.Women Who Wear Hijabs Can’t Be Stylish

It is time this misconception vanishes. I mean, did you see the #HijabFashion hashtag on Instagram? The Muslim fashion industry is currently valued at $96 billion internationally, and mainstream fashion designers have even begun catering their style lines to the newly coinedhijab couture. Hijab couture has also reached America, as evidenced by the flowing long skirts, palazzo pants and turbans in style this year. The trend has been magnified by a refreshing new wave of Instagram and YouTube hijab fashion bloggers who erupted onto the blogger scene. You can read about some of those in this blog post. Recognizable and fashion-forward thinking, they push the limits on the hijab couture and modest fashion industries.

Nowadays, these women have seen as global influencers, summoned by fashion companies to act as representatives, ambassadors and promoters for different brands.

5.All Hijab-Wearing Women are Quiet, Voiceless and Traditional 

This is likely my favourite stereotype. Hijab-wearing women hear it again and again: “Where are your voices? Why are you not speaking up? Stand up and say something, you seem oppressed.” Women who cover are one of the most visible of Muslim communities; I think that alone speaks volumes. Muslim women who wear the hijab are also some of the most commonly attacked during Islamophobic hate crimes.

But despite these stereotypes, hijab-wearing women have been and will continue to be a vibrant community of women, who defy stereotypes by example, who succeed as neurosurgeons, Olympic competitors, and lawyers. We are also as diverse as the multi-coloured fabrics we so proudly display on our heads.

Of course, some Muslim women wear the headscarf are also quiet and shy — but they are not shy because of the covering.

Hijab-wearing women remain, time and again, the topic of popular discussion, yet consistently are told to sit down and keep quiet when they attempt to enter conversations about them. While that might have worked before, it won’t work much anymore: Muslim women who cover are not willing to remain silent any longer, entering mainstream media, culture, and production industries as individual forces to be reckoned with. Want an example? You just finished reading an article written by a woman who happens to wear the hijab.

 

7 Simple and Easy-To-Do Hijab Hair Care Tips: Hair Care Under the Hijab

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As a Muslim female, it can be very difficult to take care of your hair when you wear a hijab every day. We get so used to just throwing it in an uncombed bun and calling it a day by quickly putting on a hijab. Here are a few quick tips that can very beneficial for our Muslim sisters who wear the hijab:

1.Treat Your Hair At Least Once a Week

Life can get so busy at times that you forget to tend to your hair. Try to pick one day out of the week to treat your hair. I choose to do this on the days where I am already having a self-care afternoon or evening, usually on Sundays. I’ve noticed that it is best to use natural homemade hair masks for the best results. I also stacked up on leave-in conditioners and it does wonders for your hair. One combination I use during the winter months when my hair is super dry and needs a moisture boost is avocado, honey and olive oil. Also, one of my favourite leave-in conditioners is the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leave-In Conditioner.

2.Put Oil In Your Hair!

The best thing you can do is put oil in your hair. To prevent your hair from getting too dry and brittle you MUST put oil in it. Some of us have naturally dry hair so moisturizing it occasionally would help your hair tremendously. What I usually do is mix a few oils together into a spray bottle and focus on moisturizing the roots and the ends of the hair. Also, try to minimize washing your hair to only once a week with shampoo. On the days where it isn’t hair care day for me, I usually just use conditioner only and follow up with a leave-in conditioner before I use my oil blend.

Some of the oils I add to my blend include peppermint oil to help stimulate the scalp, tea tree oil, Jamaican black castor oil to promote hair growth, avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. I use a spritzer bottle from Amazon since I don’t have a beauty supply store near me.

 

3.Make Sure to Thoroughly Dry Your Hair Before You Put On Your Hijab

When time is not on your side you will be tempted to just tie your hair in a bun while it is wet and put on your hijab. I’m so guilty of this myself, especially in the mornings when I wash my hair and I’m in such a hurry. Tying up your hair while wet is more prone to breakage and it can be very damaging to your hair. My suggestion would be to find a time where its best to wash your hair to allow it to dry naturally. If this isn’t possible and you wash it before you have to leave, then I suggest using a t-shirt to first dry the hair. I then use a heat protector after my regular leave-in conditioner and oil blend and use a blow dryer on medium heat at a safe distance a few inches from my hair. This is important to do so that I do not dry out the hair too much and retain as much moisture as possible.

4.Let Your Hair Down

Wearing a hijab all day with your hair tied up can make it hard for your hair to breathe. Make it a habit to untie your hair and let it loose after having it under the hijab all day long. Try to also give yourself a quick head massage to increase the blood circulation to your scalp. When doing a head massage, turn your head upside down so that blood can rush to your head and by massaging the head it will help the circulation of blood to the scalp. This can potentially stimulate hair growth.

5.Use Silk Bonnets and Pillowcases to Protect Your Hair While You Sleep

Silk pillowcases help reduce friction to limit hair breakage or damage. Also, because it is silk the pillowcase doesn’t pull on your hair while sleep. I also recommend using a silk bonnet if you do not have a silk pillowcase. They both essentially function in the same way, just in different styles. Both of these items also help retain moisture. You can find these in most beauty supply stores if you live in a major city, or you can get them on Amazon.

6.Get Regular Trims

Let’s face it, split ends are not pretty. They can make your hair look brittle and lifeless and trust me you do not want that. Split ends also can continue to split up the length of your hair if you do not trim them regularly. By scheduling a regular trim on a schedule of about every 3-4 months can help keep your beautiful hair stay that way and can also encourage growth. Who wouldn’t want that?

7.Wear an Underscarf to Protect Your Hairline!

As mentioned before in my blog about hijab care tips, wearing an under scarf has many advantages. Besides keeping your hijab collection in good shape, it can also protect your hairline from thinning. As mentioned above with the use of silk pillowcases and bonnets, the same ideology can be applied here. A silk underscarf will act as a slippery surface and protect the hair from rubbing on the hijab material if it isn’t silk or something similar. Also, try not to wear your hijab too tight! This can actually cause headaches/migraines for some. In fact, I had a friend literally cut her ear from wearing her under scarf too tightly!

While doing some research to find something to help me out when it came to products that took into consideration I was a Muslim woman who wore the hijab, I stumbled across @NatashaSomalia.

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Motivational Monday! STOP WASTING TIME! Stop procrastinating! Stop leading people on! Stop being late! Stop making excuses! Stop comparing yourself to others! Stop being negative! And Stop talking yourself into being sick! Stay on track, don't look back. You have come too far not to finish what you started. You can improve, you can change, you can progress, you can make a difference. You can do it, if you stay on TRACK. WHY DO WE CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF US SO MUCH!! Stop minding other people's business. What they are thinking about you! their business. Don't mind it get off it. NEVER GIVE UP🖤 #iamNatashaSomalia #stressfree #motivation #success #inspiration #business #lifestyle #goals #love #life #successful #entrepreneurship #money #happy #marketing #entrepreneurs #hustle #motivational #inspire #businessowner #wealth #work #luxury #determination #networkmarketing #businesswoman #grind #entrepreneurlife #boss #dedication

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She is a Muslim woman who has been a hairdresser for 27 years. She created a line of products directed at women who wear the hijab called Covered Infusion. She even designed her own comb to help tease apart matted hair – let’s be honest, we’ve been there in that stage of our hair!

Do you have any other hijab hair care tips that you would like to share? Sign up and join the conversation.

5 Simple Ways to Flawless Skin With or Without Makeup

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Cleanse 

I always wash, tone and hydrate my skin to create a blank slate for my makeup. I allow time for the moisturizer to sink into my skin prior to using a primer. When taking your makeup off, double cleanse! Massage facial oil with your hands to remove your make up and then follow up with a face wash of your choice.

Pro Tip: Instead of buying expensive facial oils, you can household products like coconut and olive oil! They do an excellent job of removing all your makeup.

Know Your Skin Type, Know Your Products

Do you have dry, oily, normal or combination skin? Knowing this will help you decide on all your products from your face wash to your foundation. Personally, my skin is oily in the summertime and drier during the winter months. If you have oily skin, make sure to cleanse more often to keep your pores clear of bacteria and oil build-up, which will help prevent breakouts. Also, using mattifying primers and matte foundations would help keep oil and shine at bay. For dry skin, hydrate hydrate hydrate! Use skin oil and hydrating products. Knowing your skin goes a long way to make flawless.

Pro Tip: Hydration is important for maintaining flawless skin for all skin types. Make sure you get plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out the toxins from your body and give you radiant skin.

Know Your Shade, Know Your Tone, Know the Difference

In a time with 40+ shades of foundation for many major makeup brands, it can be hard to pick the perfect one for you. Shade would be the actual colour of your skin and can change throughout the seasons. Going lighter may lead you to appear ashy and dry, and going darker will leave you with a forced tanned look that won’t match your neck and hands. The tone is your undertone and the most common tones are warm, cool and yellow. Swatching will determine best what colour and tone match the undertone of your skin.

Pro Tip: I recommend swatching on your face, preferably your cheek, and not on your hand because most people’s face and hands are not the same skin tone.

Colour Correcting

Have dark-spots? Just got a very red pimple? Colour correcting is here to help. By using colour-correcting products under your foundation, you can cancel out the colour that you want to cover. Red is ideal to conceal dark spots under your eyes, green is great for redness, and yellow and/or orange is good for veiny purple under eyes or a random bruise.

Contour and Highlight

If you want instant definition on your face, creating a shadow and highlight in strategic areas can help. Try to go two shades lighter than your skin tone under your eyes with concealer and two shades darker to contour under your cheekbone and jawline.

Pro Tip: Go only one shade darker when you are contouring your nose. Also, make sure to blend harsh lines or it will throw off your whole look.

 

 This article was written and submitted by Maryan. Her Instagram handle is @Makeup_bymaryan. 

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Happy Holidays! Diamond Cut Crease 💎 Eyes: primed with @colourpopcosmetics concealer in 00 Fair @anastasiabeverlyhills #softglampalette in; Rustic, Cypress Umber and Noir. @fentybeauty #fentykillawattfoil in Diamond Ball Out and #fentydiamondbomb in How Many Carats Topped with @stilacosmetics #glitterandglow in Diamond Dust Brows: @anastasiabeverlyhills #sultrypalette in Distopian Lips : #fentymattemoiselle in Griselda #melaninpoppin #makeuptutorial #makeupaddict #holiday #toronto #tuesday #hijab #somali #canadian #eyemakeup #eyebrows #eyeshadow #colourpopme #yesfentybeauty

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How Do You Respond as a Muslim When Someone Wishes You a Merry Christmas?

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It’s that time of year again – the season where you have to awkwardly end conversations with your peers and co-workers in creative ways. And yet till this very day, I still struggle with finding a suitable and appropriate way to respond when someone says Merry Christmas at the end of a conversation. So how do you respond when someone wishes you a Merry Christmas?

I have worked and gone to school in spaces with all sorts of different religions and cultures. During late November and most of December, the preparations for Christmas begin everywhere. You see the commercials for gift ideas on television, the ads on social media, the stores and malls filled with red and white décor, and so on. And then the sayings – the wishes begin. ‘Merry Christmas’ becomes the new ‘goodbye’ ‘hello’ and ‘take care!’ It has become so routine for some that they do not discriminate or filter who they say it to either. Saying Merry Christmas has become so mainstream that the fine line between religion and a holiday phrase has become blurred for those using the term.

Being in public places and institutions during this time frame as a Muslim brings about a lot of first-world problems. Almost every other conversation ended with someone saying ‘Merry Christmas’ ‘Happy Holidays!’ and so on. I would have classmates, patients at my workplace, and non-Muslim friends of mine commonly wishing me farewell for the holiday season. During every single one of these encounters, you could blatantly see my confusion and fear wash over my face as they stood there waiting for a similar well-wish statement back. I never knew what to say or how to respond without looking like the ‘extremist Muslim friend.’

Along with the slogan for the holiday season come the gifts you receive. I received many gifts in the past years and I always felt guilty and had a look of confusion as I would awkwardly take the gift.

What do I say? Can I take it? Is this entire situation haram and should I give it back? Do I have to bring a gift for them tomorrow? Help!

Quickly I would take the gift with a forced warmish smile and mumble something along the lines of ‘thank you’ and quickly place the gift on my desk, hoping something would come up or my desk phone would ring to save my life. The gifts would range from small chocolates and cards to big, neatly wrapped boxes that I would have to find a way to carry home. But the burning thought in my head was that I just let someone give me a gift and said to have a happy day associating partners with Allah. I was conflicted and honestly lost for an alternative that wasn’t going to be hurtful to the person who was trying to be nice.

So I started to get creative – last year I mentally prepared myself for this season in advance. I had to know what to say and how to say it without sounding rude, unappreciative, and most of all, awkward. A friend of mine told me to respond to a ‘Merry Christmas’ exchange by responding with ‘Merry Christmas – to you’ but that sounded kind of standoffish and so unlike me. So I settled on a couple of middle ground comments back:

Okay, bye! – When someone says it at the end of a conversation (and quickly walk away – not in the same direction!)

Seasons greetings! – I mean, it is a season and I am greeting you…right?

Happy holidays! – This one still confuses me because honestly – What is the holiday that I am saying to be happy for?

Yes this list isn’t the greatest, now do you see the dilemma? I do know this though – I am a Muslim woman. As a Muslim, we are to be kind and to treat others with respect. So that was what I decided to go with. By smiling and even at times telling them as a Muslim I did not participate in the holiday but I wished them well, I knew I was not compromising my religious beliefs for a gift or cheerful moment. I would thank them for the gift and silently make dua for them.

What are your experiences in this type of situation? How do you avoid the awkwardness?

 

 

5 Must-Have Baby Products for First Time Moms

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Being a first-time mom brings about a million and one emotions – happiness, joy, a fresh start, fear, anxiety … need I continue? Well, don’t worry you are not alone and you can help make this time a beautiful transition for you and your growing family. Here are a few things I found to be extremely helpful when I was pregnant with my first-born and I hope this will help those who are feeling anxious and scared about being a new mom.

1.Pick a Baby Bottle that is Close to Breastfeeding

 

I researched a million baby bottles and came across so many that I was overwhelmed. Dr. Brown, Avent, Tommy Tippie, you name it I read and read about them to cure my insomnia. Ultimately, one bottle stood out among the rest, Comotomo Baby Bottles. Comotomo baby bottles are designed to closely imitate breastfeeding to help eliminate your baby rejecting the bottle’s nipple. It has a unique neck design that is ultra-wide, which makes it super easy to clean with or without a brush for those nighttime feeds. It helps with colic by having two anti-colic vents on the nipple. This will reduce the amount of air your baby sucks while feeding and reducing colic. My favourite part about this bottle is the material it is made with. It is made with medical-grade silicone, which makes it lighter than most bottles and makes it easier for your baby when they are able to hold up their own bottle. It also comes with cute accessories like these handles, green and pink. It is safe to use in a microwave, boiling water, dishwashers, and sterilizers.

 

2. Reduce your Waking Hours During the Night with a Powerful Machine

 

Probably one of the BEST gifts I received after giving birth was the Baby Brezza Formula Pro. It makes those nighttime feeds when you already are sleep deprived less of a hassle. You fill one side with water (distilled or boiled, remember it’s a newborn baby!), and the top with formula. The water doesn’t have to be perfect because this amazing machine will heat the water you add to near body temperature, which is optimal for your baby. There are different settings for how much milk it will make – 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ounces to be exact. It doesn’t matter what formula you use and works so well with any bottle size so it can grow with your baby. Each formula fill can make about 20 8-ounce bottles. It is super easy to clean and easy to refill when necessary. The Baby Brezza Formula Pro instructions are simple to follow and beyond convenient for those first few weeks postpartum.

3. Pump Like a Pro and Never Miss a Feed with This

Not everybody will want to breastfeed directly, and some babies take longer to latch than others. And that is okay. If you truly want to breastfeed but cannot seem to get your precious newborn to latch, or if you had a C-section and are having a hard time holding your baby while trying to feed, this one is for you. The Medela Pump In Style Double Electric Breast Pump became my best friend – second, of course to my baby – and I was beyond relieved when I could pump both sides at the same time without wasting precious sleep time. It is a little pricey for a double breast pump, and luckily Medela does have a cheaper option. There is the Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump, which is also perfect for when you are on the go or travelling and need to do a quick pump. The Medela does have come with cool accessories, like their breast milk storage bags and their super convenient and easy to use quick clean micro-steam bags. They also have great extras like their disposable nursing pads and my relief from cracked nipples, lanolin cream.

4. Imitate the Womb from the Outside to Help Your Baby Adjust to their New Surroundings

There are so many swings out on the market today and it honestly was a lot of work trying to pin down a good one without wasting money in case my baby didn’t like it. I asked a lot of moms and what they used and the consensus was easy to determine which was going to be a good match for me. The Rockaroo was an excellent fit. It has many features like different swing styles, speeds, and sounds. It mimics your heartbeat like your baby would have heard if they were still in the womb, and it even connects to your phone via Bluetooth! You can control all the features along with whatever soundtrack you want to play and it is a quick soother for those sleepless nights.

5. Get as Close to a Good Night’s Sleep with your Baby

We all have that fear of co-sleeping with our baby and accidentally rolling over on them – believe me, I had nightmares about this all the time! I searched everywhere for a way to sleep close to my baby without actually having to, and that’s where this bassinet came in. The Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet was my ultimate choice for a couple of reasons. It had a flat surface which was important to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and a calming motion that could be started up by me or by my baby! It also has two light modes and a feature to stop the rocking motion in case it startles your baby. My personal favourite feature was the sides – yes the sides! It had mesh on both sides to ensure my baby was breathing ok while he was asleep and I didn’t have to worry about him rolling onto his side and suffocating against the side of the bassinet.

I hope my suggestions for first-time mom tips were helpful and my recommended products eased some of your worries! Congratulations and good luck with your new transition and journey!

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