Thursday 30 October 2014

Behold... THE BURPEE

Err, what's a burpee?

The burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as an aerobic exercise. The basic movement is performed in four steps and known as a "four-count burpee":

1. Begin in a standing position.
2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground. (count 1)
3. Kick your feet back, while keeping your arms extended. (count 2)
4. Immediately return your feet to the squat position. (count 3)
5. Jump up from the squat position (count 4)
I haaaate burpees. Whenever I have to do burpees in an exercise routine, I always end up doing like 2 or 3 or 5 (cheating in-between). Burpees are actually good for you and one of the best exercise routines, why? Because:

1. They work your entire body.
Unlike isolation exercises like biceps curls and triceps kickbacks, burpees are a full body exercise. That means you’ll work pretty much every muscle in your body while doing them, so you’ll actually burn more calories in less time when you do burpees.
Do them quickly with intensity and you’ll get an even bigger calorie burning effect that will last all day long.

2. You can do them anywhere.

Since burpees require nothing more than your own body to do them, you can really do them anywhere. Such exercises like burpees are awesome because they give you no excuse not to work out.

3. They’ll get you stronger.

Burpees are the ultimate example of functional fitness, meaning they'll not only help you meet your weight loss and fitness goals, they'll also help you perform better during everyday activities like carrying groceries, lifting a suitcase over your head, carrying a bucket of water (when the water woes start) etc.

With every rep, you’ll work your arms, chest, quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles. After a few sets of burpees, your legs will feel a bit like lead, your arms will shake and you’ll feel your muscles getting stronger. (My body always feel like jelly).

4. They boost your endurance (no treadmill necessary).

Want to get fit in a hurry? Whether your goal is to train for a race, try a new sport, get in shape for spring hiking season or just to look good, burpees will get you there, fast.

In fact, burpees are one of the best exercises EVER to boost your conditioning and endurance for sports and other activities. Even just 10 burpees in a row will make your heart pound and your breath get quicker. Do them consistently and watch as your conditioning level skyrockets!

5. They’re a great addition to any workout

Burpees are a dynamic, fast-paced, never-boring exercise, and a perfect addition to any workout, whether you’re doing a HIIT-style workout or need a quick tabata workout any time of the day.

Okay, okay, the burpee does wonders, I still don't like them. Well, I guess I will try the burpee challenge.

DECLARATION

I, Mariam AM, vow to take and complete the burpee challenge to commence on the 1st of November 2014.
I challenge ya'll to join me in my quest for 'liking the burpee'
It will do wonders for all of us, so why not. :)

Sneakers, Heels and everything in between!

I'm a huge fan of shoes... shoes of all kinds (as long as they look good on my size 8 foot), but I'm a bigger fan of heels and sneakers. I was 11 when I got my first pair of heels. Dad took me on a shopping spree for getting good results in school and the first thing that caught my eye, was that silver grey wedged platform heel. I loved those sandals. I would wear them all the time, to school functions, family gatherings, playing with my friends... they were always the star of my show. Anyway, I no longer have them, because firstly, I grew out of them and secondly, my cousin and I swopped our fav heels.

Finding the right pair of shoes (heels) is never fun. First of, considering my shoe size, all the good ones come in and up to size6 *Sigh* and that's when my love for sneakers developed and of course being a sporty person I had to have something with oomph. I will always cherish the day sneakers and heels met, fell in love, got married and created these awesomazing babies. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take a look... (I'm soooo excited!)



I still remember my baby blue All Star boot (see the one in black n white) which I had to give away coz they were causing grievous harm to my poor toes. I miss them.




Say yes to colour. After all, we are the Rainbow Nation :)


This is just too much for one woman to bear. I'm going to shop online for these babies. I'll tell you how it was ;)

Saturday 25 October 2014

Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn & Severe Acid Reflux

My good friend (whom I won't mention and who happens to be expecting), was the inspiration behind this post. As a person who is expecting, you can 'expect' a lot of things to happen and heartburn is one of them. Before we get down to the remedies of heartburn, we need to find out what we're dealing with.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a mild to severe pain in the chest that you may feel after eating a meal. It can be a burning or tightening sensation, and bending over or lying down can make it feel worse. The term “heartburn” is somewhat of a misnomer because the heart actually has nothing to do with the pain. Heartburn actually occurs in your digestive system, specifically in the esophagus. Heartburn is quite common. Most people will experience it at some point in their lives, usually after eating or at bedtime. You may take medication such as an antacid, to help relieve the pain if you experience it periodically. While over-the-counter and prescription medications are available, if you suffer only from occasional heartburn, lifestyle changes and heartburn home remedies may be the route you want to take.

1. Baking soda/sodium bicarbonate

A spoonful of sodium bicarbonate, or teaspoon-full to be exact, can help put an end to the gnawing, burning, sensation of heartburn caused by acid reflux.
You will need…
-1/2 teaspoon or 1 teaspoon of baking soda
-a glass of fresh water

Directions
Mix either a ½ teaspoon or 1 single teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water that is no more than 1 glass. Give it a good stir and drink all of the mixture. You can repeat this as needed but should not exceed seven ½ teaspoon doses in a 24 hour period. Also, avoid using this as a remedy for more than a week straight, as it is high in salt and can have side effects such as swelling or nausea.

2. Avoid tight fitting clothes

Things cinched tightly about your waist or middle can worsen heartburn. If you have super tight jeans on, when you sit down, the waistband is going to sink into your abdomen region. Same goes for tight belts-and even shirts can be a problem for some. This is because all of the above puts extra pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter, which make it more likely stomach contents, will push through and you’ll experience reflux.

3. Chew gum

This is because chewing gum stimulates the salivary glands, and increases the flow of saliva. Any acid that has built up in the gut is diluted and washed away or cleared out more quickly. Make sure you chew for 30 minutes and it must be sugar-free gum.

4. Make ginger-root tea

Ginger-root can help ease up a number of stomach woes, from nausea to acid reflux. Sipping a cup of fresh tea about 20 minutes before a meal can help calm down your tummy and act as an acid buffer.

You will need…
-3 quarter sized slices of ginger-root
-2 cups of water

Slice up 3 quarter sized pieces of ginger-root and simmer gently in 2 cups of water, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove the ginger pieces, or leave them in, pour into a glass, and drink all of it about 20 minutes before a meal.

5. Snack on almonds

A natural remedy for heartburn from Reader’s Digest, eat some almonds after every meal, every snack, every time you ingest something basically. Try to track down organic almonds if possible. These tasty nuts do something to seemingly neutralize the juices in your stomach, relieving and preventing some instances of heartburn.

You will need…
-3 to 4 almonds

Directions…
Directly after every meal, every snack, basically every time you ingest something, eat 3-4 almonds afterwards.

6. A cup of chamomile

Having a spot of chamomile tea about ½ – 1 hour before you plan on going to sleep can help reduce inflammation in your stomach, and possibly balance out the acidity levels as well. It also does wonders for relieving stress, which can trigger acid reflux, and will help you sleep through the night as well. You can use instant chamomile tea, or you can easily make your own fresh.

You will need…
-1 teaspoon dried chamomile flower petals
-Strainer
-1 cup of boiling water
-Honey or lemon (optional)

Directions
Boil one cup of water in a cooking pot, and then reduce the heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile petals, and let them simmer for 45 seconds. Remove from heat and let the petals soak for another minute or two before straining them. Pour the tea into a mug, and add a bit of honey or lemon if you wish.

7. Eat a banana or an apple

Bananas contain natural antacids that can act as a buffer against acid reflux. If you want to try out the simplest home remedies for heartburn first, try letting a few bananas ripen up nicely and eating one every day. Another option is to try an apple a day. Slice one up and eat it a couple of hours before bedtime to relieve or prevent discomfort.

8. Get more acid

When you have acid burning your esophagus, it seems quite counter-intuitive to ingest even more acid. In many cases though, acid reflux is caused by having not enough acid in your stomach, rather than having too much, as over-the-counter or prescription “acid blockers” imply (although that can also be the case, among other factors.)
You will need…
-3 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
-1 cup of fresh water

Directions
Mix 3 teaspoons, or up to 1 tablespoon, of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup of fresh water, and drink. You can do this before each meal (probably the most effective,) before bedtime, or 2-3 times during the day. If you feel is worsens your reflux, do not continue to ingest it. Too much may also contribute to the problem.

I hope these tips will help you my dear friend :D and everyone else who suffers from heartburn. If the problem persists, you should visit your doctor and have it checked out. Your problem could be bigger and require more attention. Stay safe, happy and healthy! :) ;)

Thursday 23 October 2014

OSCAR CRIED HIMSELF TO SLEEP- Report (Courtesy of NEWS24)

So OP was sentenced to 5 years in prison (which I'm sure you all know) and he spent his second night at the Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria. Reports claimed that:

OSCAR CRIED HIMSELF TO SLEEP

Johannesburg-The correctional services department on Thursday declined to comment on a report that convicted paralympian Oscar Pistorius wept himself to sleep on his first day in prison.
"We have never given a blow-by-blow account of how an offender is progressing on a day-to-day basis," department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said.
"We have never done that for other offenders and we won't do that for him."

'Broken'
The Times quoted sources as saying that Pistorius cried quite a bit before falling asleep at the Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria on his first night there.
"You could hear him. Shortly after the door closed you could hear the tears ... he was torn up. Broken. The crying went on and on. We think he stopped when he fell asleep. It was really bad," a prison source said.
Another source said he was being monitored constantly.

Routine
The newspaper reported that his routine in prison would include waking up at 05:30 daily, eating breakfast at 07:00, lunch at noon, and dinner at 16:00 - all in his cell.
It reported that this week he would begin a 21-day risks and needs assessment. His orientation would include warning him of the dangers such as gangsterism and contraband, and determining whether he was a suicide risk.
Pistorius was sentenced to prison for five years for the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He shot her through a locked toilet door in his Pretoria home thinking she was an intruder.

(Courtesy of NEWS24)

Foods that destroy belly fat

Have you always wanted to get rid of that belly fat, but couldn't? You do sit ups and crunches every day, but nothing seems to change. You know why? Your diet needs to change. Add these to your nutritional and exercise guide and prepare to see the bulge melt away.

There are certain foods that KILL belly fat and others that CAUSE belly fat and belly bulge. Here are some that will flatten that bulge

1. Avocados: These little suckers are loaded with two nutrients that are KEY to killing belly fat: hunger-crushing fiber (11 to 17 grams per avocado), and monounsaturated fats, which studies have shown to actually “spot reduce” belly fat.

2. Peanut Butter: Okay, not just peanut butter, but mostly any seeds and nuts and these are the best: pistachios, walnuts, almonds (or almond butter, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Why? They keep you full and satisfied for long periods of time, and they’re stuffed with healthy, belly-burning fats and minerals. (Lemme grab my pack of almonds).

3. These Veggies: Turns out certain vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, and cabbage contain special phytonutrients, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which help to fight against environmental estrogens that can add belly fat. Mom was right…eat your veggies! (but go easy on the cabbage to reduce flatulence.)

4. Omelets: Eggs aren’t bad as some people think. They’re nutrient-dense and loaded with belly-burning protein, vitamins B6, B12, A, D, E, and K, folate, choline, lutein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, they keep you full for long periods of time. Choose eggs that come from free-range chickens. You’ll get more healthy nutrients.

5. Dark Chocolate: Yep, you read correct. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants with nearly eight times the number found in strawberries and it contains stimulants that can have a positive effect on fat burning, including theobromine and caffeine. It also contains a nice dose of oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fat. Make sure to choose the 78% or higher cocoa levels for best results. Now who said chocolate was bad for you?

6. Oats: Packed with fiber and whole-grain goodness, you can’t go wrong. Just be sure to avoid the processed, high-sugar junk out there and stick to slow-cook oats. Add a dash of cinnamon, some walnuts, berries, and a natural sweetener to taste. BhAM! Good stuff.

7. Green Tea: Not only does it contain a potent antioxidant, many scientific studies have linked green tea to increased fat burning, including a report that found green tea extract boosted the daytime metabolism of test subjects by 35- 43%. Add some lemon juice or honey to combat that bitter taste that comes with it.

8. Beans: Black beans, navy beans, refried beans, and lima beans all have 6 or more grams of fiber per ½ cup. Fiber can clean your system of pounds of “toxic waste” and reduce your belly bulge in a big way. See #5 for details. (Again, go easy on them beans to avoid farts at the gym)

9. Berries: Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are loaded with fiber, which slows sugar absorption, and they’re packed with vitamins that can fight cravings. Note: cravings can come from vitamin deficiencies.

10. Cinnamon: Researchers have found that cinnamon contains a type of antioxidant that increases insulin sensitivity and effectively helps to stabilize blood sugar. Bottom line… you’ll store less belly fat. Some also say blueberries. A study which was done on rats found that the more blueberries they ate, the more belly fat they burnt. (Don't really know how effective that is though)

11. Chillies: Studies have shown that the active ingredient in chili peppers and powder, something called capsaicin, increases calorie-burning, stabilizes blood sugar levels which decreases fat storage, and is a potent antioxidant. Add some of this “spice” to your life.

12. Yogurt: Most regular yogurt is bad for your belly. It’s loaded with belly-bulging sugar that you want to avoid. However, Greek yogurts like Greek Yogurt (plain) are loaded with probiotics that fight belly bulge. See #6.

13. Wild Salmon: Hands-down one of the best belly-blasting foods because of its protein and high omega-3 fatty acid content. This is like a “double shotgun approach” to killing belly fat. Many people are deficient in omega-3s and when they add them to their diet the fat can really start coming off.

14. White preferred- but any lean protein source is a good belly-blasting food. This includes wild salmon, free-range chicken, whey protein powders, and most especially grass-fed beef because it contains natural CLA—a fat that studies have actually shown to burn fat. The interesting thing about protein is your body will burn off as much as 30% of its calories after you eat it.


There you go. Eat these foods and watch the belly bulge melt away. Don't forget to exercise.

Tuesday 21 October 2014

The status of parents in Islam

What does Islam say about caring for our parents in their old age?
All religions and all societies have given parents an honourable status. From a purely material viewpoint, we find ourselves indebted to our parents, particularly our mother. Remember the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - “Paradise lies under the feet of the mother”. If Paradise lies under the feet of your mother and your father holds the key, will sending your aged parents to an old-aged home get you Paradise? Stop for a moment and reflect on the sacrifices our parents have done for us.

• Our mother carried us in her womb for 9 months. She not only nourished us in her womb, but during this time, she became ill with nausea, she got stretch marks, her feet swelled, her back ached and she could hardly walk.
• She experienced excruciating pain during child birth and she looked after us like a precious jewel. She attended to all our cries, whether it were for food; relieve or comfort. She toiled when we were totally helpless infants.
• She used to hear us before we could talk, hold us before we could walk and when we were ill, she sacrificed her sleep, stayed up all night, just to make sure we were better. She spent sleepless nights caring for us. She loved us even before we were born.
• Our father was there to support our mother. Our parents as a team provided for all our needs: physical, educational, psychological, and in many instances, religious, moral, and spiritual.


Our indebtedness to our parents is so immense that it is not possible to repay it fully. It becomes obligatory for us to show the utmost kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents. The position of parents, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities, have been addressed in Islam in great detail. The Quranic commandments, as well as Hadith guide us in this matter. The parent-child code of behaviour in Islam is unique, since rules were laid down by divine command.
References to parents have been made at least 15 times in the Holy Qur'an with numerous others made through the Hadith.

"And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in two years was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents; to Me is thy final goal." (Quran 31:14)
According to the above verse, gratitude to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) go hand in hand with parents- Gratitude to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) is incomplete without showing gratitude to one's parents. Since being grateful to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) is a form of ibadah (worship) which earns heavenly rewards, it can therefore be said that being grateful to one's parents also earns heavenly rewards.

"Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or more attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say, "my Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood." (Quran 17: 23-24)

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." (Quran 46:15)


Dumping our parents at old age homes

Parents and children have the purest relationship. It is the duty of children to look after their parents when they are old and cannot care for themselves. Unfortunately, recent trends show that people would rather leave their parents in old age homes, an act which has devastating effects on the emotions of the abandoned parents. Is it fair to abandon aging parents because we are too caught up in our lives to spare some time for them? How can we forget that they cared for us when we were dependent infants? These people sacrificed outings, friends, vacations and other pleasures only to make us feel happy, wanted and part of the family. We are what we are today because of them. This is the greatest form of disrespect. This would not be done by a person who has fear of Allah the Exalted in their hearts.

Even if we call them every other day or visit them on Eid, can the phone fulfil the anticipations and expectations that a parent has to meet his / her son and /or daughter? Can the visit fulfil having their child whenever they need them?
How would you feel if your child did this to you?! When you age and become sick they take you and place you in an old age home. How would you feel? How angry would you be at them? And what would be the sin that he; your child, would incur? Why then do you demand the rights that are due to you but you do not want to give the rights which are required from you?!
Parents and children in Islam are bound together by mutual obligations and reciprocal arrangements. Allah Says (which means) “…No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child…” [Quran 2: 233]
There are heartbreaking stories of the elderly in other old-age homes, in which they were dumped by their children, against their will.

According to Islamic principles, old-age homes should not be in existence. As our parents have cared for us when we were younger, we should do the same for them in their old age. It is unfortunate that in this age that we are living in, we have attached so much importance to attaining material wealth. We have failed to realize that our greatest wealth and treasure are our parents.

The responsibility for aged parents falls not only on their children though. The “sandwich generation” should be getting help from the Muslim community in taking care of their aged parents. This means helping them with errands like going to the doctor, for instance. If the child does not have the means to look after their aged parents, they can get donations in terms on money; groceries; nursing and other needs from people or NGO’s. Remember, Hazrat Yousuf (Joseph), as a royal Minister in Egypt, called his old, poor parents from their far off home and offered them seats on a high platform (he did not feel shy of behaving in a kind manner to poor parents in the presence of his officials).

Our elderly have to be revered and cared for. They are the reason we are here, they are responsible for us, and that they are old and infirm, they are our responsibility. Roles get switched, they need us now, later we will need our children.
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If a young man honors an elderly on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honor him in his old age." (At-Tirmidhi)

Let us pray to Allah (Glorified and Exalted) that He guide us to be respectful, kind, and obedient to our parents, and that we continue to show them humility regardless of the power, position, wealth, and influence we may possess. Let us also pray that we be patient, kind, thoughtful, and friendly with our children, as we guide them through their lives, and that we discharge our responsibilities towards them as required by our religion, so that Allah (Glorified and Exalted) may be pleased with us, and may He Bless and reward us, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

Monday 20 October 2014

My Workout Playlist

I often workout alone and when I do I need something pumping to go in tune with my hopping, skipping, jumping and other workouts I do. Working out without music makes my workout seem much more longer and boring. Okay, I don't mind hearing my heart beating (coz I know I'm doing a good job), but I should be able to get in tune you know. Get into the rhythm of it all. Eventually, my workouts turn out to be quicker than I anticipated. So behold... my workout playlist. You can listen and download these and add them to your workout playlist. These are subject to change on availability of new awesome stuff I come across. ENJOY!!! 1. Eye of the Tiger- Survivor 2. Let's Go- Calvin Harris ft Ne-yo 3. Beautiful Monster- Ne-yo 4. So Excited- Pointer Sisters 5. Final Countdown- Europe 6. Titanium- David Guetta ft Sia 7. I Turn to you- Mel C 8. Black Widow- Iggy Azalea ft Rita Ora 9. Pound the Alarm- Nicki Minaj 10. Party Rock Anthem- LMFAO 11. Work- Ciara 12. Hey Brother- Avicii

Saturday 18 October 2014

Going Turquoise & Brown

I've always liked colour, but I've also been very afraid to wear colourful pieces. I always stuck to black and other dull colours. Did I miss anything? Perhaps, but all is not lost coz' I am now embracing the colourful side of me. So when my sister was getting married, I picked out this turquoise and brown dress for the nikkah ceremony. Paired it with a matching scarf and cute turquoise pumps. The entire outfit cost me less than R700. So who says you can't look great for less :)

Wrong email address

A couple going on vacation but his wife was on a business trip so he went to the destination first and his wife would meet him the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email. Unfortunately, when typing her address, he mistyped a letter and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint. At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen: Dearest Wife, Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here. Smile a while and don't let this be you :)

Friday 17 October 2014

About me

Some facts about me: *I am a proud Muslimah all the way from the cap city in South Africa. *I am 1.73m tall, but I like to think I'm taller. *In addition to my height, I love wearing heels, but not all the time. (Comfort first). *My shoe size is 8. As much as I love shopping for shoes, it's always a mission finding nice pieces in my size. *I still watch cartoons and I lurv Regular Show. The day is incomplete without it. *While all the girls were crushing on Goku (DBZ days), I was crushing over Vegeta... *I still have crushes on bad boys. The good ones get 'friend zoned'. Forgive me, I'm trying. *I come across as intimidating, but I'm really down to earth and sweet, and crazy. *Family is EVERYTHING to me. I will choose them over you any time, because they always have my back. *My best friends are my sisters and my cousins and my mom too. *I'm not into skinny guys, sorry, but I need some meat to hold on. *Oh I'm definitely into muscle men ;) *And short guys.. it's a no-no. I have 'Short Man Syndrome' :( *I'm a good cook and slowly turning into a great cook and an awesome baker:) *I have a passion for fashion, but I never follow trends. *Writing is one of my passions, hence, a good enough reason for me to start a blog. *I really like junk food, but not as much as my sister. *I'm such a sports fanatic and now slowly transitioning into a fitness freak. Fit n flare baby. *I like helping people, but I don't like being taken advantage of. *I believe in karma. I just wish she'd work faster. *Reality shows are awesome. My friends and I are equally awesome, we should have our own show. *I always feel obliged to correct people, but I never do because I've been told that they don't like it. *I break down easily. Don't let the strong exterior fool you. *I like making people laugh. Happy people means happy me. *Horror movies are my favorite. *Fast cars and bikes are soooo my thing. *I like being alone, but I equally like being with those I love and like. *I'm such a dreamer, I want to able to fulfill most of my dreams. *I sleep commando. What can I say, comfort first. *If I could stay in my pjs all the time, like I do when watching series with my sister, I would. *I love life. There's only one me and I try to be the best person I can be.

Quick n Easy yummy dessert

So my sister got married a month ago and she wanted a simple dessert that she could make and impress the hubby. This dessert only requires 4 ingredients and practically, anyone can make it. All you need is some time (about 30mins) and some flare :). Brace yourself, for the 'Peppermint Crisp Dessert' (Well, it may not sound so dazzling, but you should see the end result, fit for a Queen... or King). Oh yes, I had to coach her via a social network, so it can be done. The ingredients are as follows: 1 360g can of caramel treat 1 500g packet of tennis biscuits 1 350ml carton of fresh cream 1 mini slab of peppermint crisp chocolate Dessert dish or bowls or some nice coffee cups.
The method is simple. If you want a more smooth finish or if you're making the dessert in a cup or bowl, you might want to crush the biscuits, other than that, you can just use them as is. In a a large bowl, add the caramel treat and mix until smooth. Add the cream according to how sweet you want your dessert.(I would add all). Fold the two ingredients together. In the dessert dish/bowls/cups, layer the biscuits. Add the cream mixture on top of the biscuits and add more biscuits on top of the cream mixture. Repeat this process until the mixture is all used up. Break the peppermint crisp into smaller pieces and scatter on top. You can also use peppermint leaves for extra pizzaz. Here's the end product. I'm so proud of you lil sis :)

Wednesday 15 October 2014

I was always an active person growing up, getting involved in sporting activities, outdoor games and other stuff that got me up and moving. 
After school, I just kinda threw that all away and let myself go. But that's in the past now :). If you're like me and just can't stick to one workout, you might wanna try these. 
I stumbled across these workouts after countless searches of exercise I can do at home. I started with the hips, buns and thighs workout last month and after completing that workout, I just wanted to do more. This month is all about cardio and abs. Try it out. You might just like it. I do!
More workouts will soon follow :)




My first official blog on my blog.

Hey ya'll, I am Mariam, known to some as Mimz, Meme, Aki (to my sister), Miss Mimz and well, I could go on about my nicknames, but that would be pointless. 

So this is my first official blog. I've come a long way alhamdulillah, but I'm here now and I plan on staying for a very long time. Best get used to it and enjoy the stay :)

This blog is all about the things that I like and love and is close to my heart. Some of those things include: fashion and beauty; food; gadgets; fitness and more. Keep a lookout on reviews coming soon.