Mr.Falafel

So me and my sister went to Shepherds Bush Market last weekend and decided to try Mr Falafel as we heard good things. We got there just before midday so it was empty and took a seat. The man behind the counter was so friendly and smiley. I ordered a number 9: Supreme falafel wrap which comes with avacado and feta. My sister ordered number 11: Falafel and Halloumi cheese wrap.

What the shop looks like from outside. This was taken of a picture on the wall inside the shop.

It arrived pretty quickly, wrapped up neatly thus making it easy to eat. In addition to the falafel there was so much more going on inside the wrap – tomatoes, pickles, hummus, cabbage. The only downside is that I would prefer the halloumi to have been grilled (can’t resist some grilled squeaky halloumi) and the chilli sauce more spicy.

The menu is straight forward, they only do falafel wraps and platters and a small selection of drinks. Next time I think I’ll get a batata harra wrap mmm.

When paying the elderly man (also very friendly) gave me £10 back from £20 when he should have given less, nevertheless, we gave the remainder and left with a huge smile at the generous hospitality and friendly smiles.

Meal 9: Supreme falafel wrap with hummus, tomatoes, fried aubergine, feta, avocado, olives and pomegranate syrup.

Home Made Remedies to get Rid of a Sun Tan

- A mixture of lemon juice, rose water and cucumber juice should be applied on the face as a face pack. Lemon juice is citric acid that helps remove the tan and the cucumber and rose water are cooling agents.

 - Mixing together some honey and lemon juice and applying it on the affected area can be one of the best anti tan pack mixtures.

 - Preparing a paste of some raw milk, turmeric and some lemon juice. This mixture should then be applied on the skin and be allowed to remain till it dries up. Thereafter, it should be washed with some cool water.

 - Prepare a mixture of oats and buttermilk. This mixture should be rubbed onto the tanned area as the oats will help in exfoliating the skin and on the other hand the butter milk is known to be extremely soothing for the skin.

- Mixing together some gram flour (chickpea flour), lime juice and some curd on the affected area on a regular basis gives best results against tanning.

 - Applying some fresh lemon juice and allowing it to remain for at least 15 minutes on the elbows, knees or patchy areas helps remove the tan and making it fair.

- A regular use of fresh coconut water on the hands and face is known to be very effective in getting rid of a tan as well as making the skin supple and soft.

- Aloe Vera gel is an excellent remedy for taking care of dark tans. It will lighten the skin in as little as a week, if applied everyday to the affected area. However, aloe has the property of making your skin photosynthetic and can darken it if you go out in the sun without sunscreen lotion. This makes it important to remember to use sunscreen every time you go out.

- A cream with equal parts of milk powder, lemon juice, honey and almond oil can be applied and left on for 20 minutes. This will help lighten your tan. You can store this for about a week and use it thrice daily for best results.

- Apply a paste made with turmeric powder and lime juice thrice a week. This will lighten the skin colour considerably and remove the tan.

- Soak almonds overnight and grind them into a fine paste the next morning. Add equal quantities of milk cream to the paste and apply on the affected area to make the skin fair.

- Apply a paste of oatmeal, yogurt, a few drops of lime and tomato juice. Wash this with cold water after half an hour and see the difference.

- Mash the papaya pulp and massage the sun tanned area. Papaya is excellent for the skin and also helps in anti-aging.

- Combining ash gourd juice with Fullers Earth (multan mitti) and applying it all over the face helps reduce the tan considerably.

Source

I also found a Q and A style article from Khaleej Times which has natural remedies including for suntan, open pores, dandruff and facial hair.

Nail Art: Mambo Melon + Vintage Floral Nail Wrap

For this look I used Avon's Speed Dry in Mambo Melon which is a pinky coral shade teamed with a black/floral nail wrap from Primark.

Avon Mambo Melon with floral nail wrap

The nail wrap was a bit of a nightmare to apply as I you need tiny scissors to cut around it. However, one I applied a clear nail varnish on top, the wrap lasted until I peeled it off (around 6 days).

Avon Haul + Mini Argan Shampoo review

Here's my Avon Spring Haul (which I was supposed to put up a few weeks ago but the pic wouldn't upload).

Clockwise from left: Glazewear lip shine in Pink Watermelon;
Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo;
Speed Dry Nail Polish in Mambo Melon;
Hydrate and Grow Nail Conditioner;
Nail Art Tool (brush and pin double ended - as seen on top of the catalogue);
Blemish Mark Treatment (in roller ball form, containing glycolic and salicylic acid).

I have used the shampoo and it feels really silky lathering up and your hair feels soft once dry too. Would purchase again. I got it for £1.40 for 400ml.

Muslim Personality Test Challenge

I took the Muslim Personality Test which can be taken here. It also shows you your ideal partners personality. Anyone reading this MUST take the test and post it on their blog (but leave a link/let me know in the comments section below) or if you don't have a blog, post the results in the comment box!  Here are my results:

You in a nutshell

You are compassionate and loyal to your family and friends and place a higher value on those relationships than on work. You are sensitive and kind so you become deeply affected when people are in pain or unhappy around you and feel compelled to help them. You are a very private person and it takes a long time for others to get to know you. You like to have your own space and to work within your own time frame so you are not very organized and find it difficult to make long term plans. You enjoy the present moment and what is currently going on around you, leading you take pleasure in simple everyday things. You dislike disagreements and conflicts so you are extremely tolerant of people’s beliefs and opinions.

Your Personality

The BLUE Personality

Avoids Conflict Calm Caring Cautious Helpful High Standards Indirect Loyal Nurturing Patient Respectful Sensible Sympathetic Thorough Thoughtful Tolerant Understanding  Take the test for yourself and see what it will say.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon

Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
Surat An- Nahl (16:69)

It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey ...as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour beforebreakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

The Prophet (PBUH) said : 'Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you remedies, the Qur'an and honey.' (Bukhari)

The Prophet (PBUH) himself used to drink a glass of honey and water each morning on an empty stomach

(Taken from http://fatalfacts.com/index.php?/topic/1308-facts-on-honey-and-cinnamon-it-is-found-that-a-mixture-of-honey-and-cinnamon-cures-most-diseases/ )

*Best type of honey to use is raw, unpasteurised honey.

Henna - Best Ready Made Cone & Tips

(For the wedding season)

Usually ready made henna cones get a bad rep, but I used "Mehak Dulhan Henna" and the quality was very good - not bad for £1.

Tip 1: The henna came out a dark cherry/mahogany colour when left overnight with a lemon/sugar mixture.

Tip 2: Another tip to get a dark colour is to wrap the hand in a plastic bag - this will not only protect your bedding (and face!) from getting henna onto it, but the heat generated will activate the henna to darken further. You could also use a large disposable plastic glove.

Tip 3: Apply oils to moisturise and protect the henna from fading once you have washed or scraped the design off.

The henna colour was much darker in real life!

Mehak Dulhan Henna Cone