Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim....




The Mujahada in Prada

Saturday, February 27, 2010

~Globetrotting~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Afternoon My Stylish Sisters!

For those of you who wake up first thing in the morning looking forward to my newest blog post, I apologize there wasn't one today.  (Although I have a strong feeling I didn't disappoint too many ladies LOL)  I am actually on a brief, weekend trip with my family.

Alhamdulillah I looooove travel.  Whether it's to a neighboring town to peruse a local art show, or jet-setting across the globe to visit the Middle East, traveling to me is like food for my soul.  I enjoy seeing new sights, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people.  I love the exotic architecture of the Middle East and hospitality of its people.  I enjoyed the cultural masterpieces and delicious desserts in France.  I savored exploring the countryside and small towns of Ireland.  And I adored the hustle and bustle of the double decker buses, and the fashion disctricts in London.

Alhamdulillah I've been blessed with parents who felt that traveling was vital to in order to cultivate a well-rounded personality, and when I was little we took a trip almost every year.  Granted, it was usually to DisneyWorld and Epcot Center and places like that, but we were also expected to behave and absorb the beauty of the many paintings and sculptures at the numerous art galleries we would visit.

I have traveled so much that it is hard for me to understand that some people have never even left their home state, or even their home town.  It's been my experience that the majority of the Muslimahs I have been blessed to meet in these past few years have had the opportunity to travel to other countries.  I think that may be largely due to the fact that many of us converts are married to Egyptian, Jordanian, Palestinian or Yemen husbands, and so have been able to travel to see their husband's countries.

In fact, in my recent years I have had a sort of epiphany, realizing that my concept of Home is quite different than most.  Because of circumstances that have happened in my life, after this next relocation coming up, I will have moved four times since 2008.  But honestly, as long as I have my family around me, and am surrounded by loving hugs and helpful advice I am fine with that.  I know that some people may feel it is not healthy for a young child to be shuffled around as much as my daughter has, but you know what?  She is so used to traveling that she is sleeping across the room from me in a borrowed crib from the hotel, hugging her bear and dreaming her sweet baby dreams.  Insh'Allah by her traveling so much she will be able to meet people from all over the world, of different cultures and all of the beautiful shades of human complexion. 

It is important to me that she grows up to be a strong Muslimah insh'Allah, that she knows the importance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and has an ingrained sense of living according to those guidelines set forth.  But it is also important to me that she knows there are many other people in this world, and that our differences are what make all of us beautiful.

Ma'Salaama and Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Fashionably Yours,
The (Constantly Commuting) Mujahada in Prada

Friday, February 26, 2010

~From The Eiffel Tower To Aisle Fourteen~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

Pop Quiz: What does Jean Paul Gaultier have to do with Target?





Answer: Absolutely NADA until March 7th, 2010.

That's right, Target (pronounced Tar-jay by true fashionistas) is going to start carrying Jean Paul Gaultier!

The fashion house responsible for outlandish, costume-like couture, flowing gowns, and exotic perfumes is coming to mainstream America.  After learning a bit more about Mr. Gaultier and his personality, it really isn't such a shock that he would choose to present his line at such an "American" store.  He is, after all, the man who simply can not wait to get to America so he can eat a hamburger.  "A real big, good hamburger."  He also has said about American women, "A lot of women here are very well dressed, more than in Paris. Parisian women don't want to look dressed. I don't know! I think I have never lived in Paris in a time when people were well dressed." (Go here to read the whole interview)

I don't know about you ladies, but I am over the moon at the idea of having Jean Paul Gaultier not just within my reach, but within my budget.  There may be some who will say he is "cheapening" his line by selling it to mainstream America, but it worked for Isaac Mizrahi, so why wouldn't it work for Mr. Gaultier as well?

Here are some great little pieces that will be making their appearance at your local Target March 7th.


At first glance these looks might seem like nothing we, hijabis, could ever wear.  But if you take these outfits piece by piece, you will see it's definitely possible to make these funky little numbers wrk for you.  That red dress in the middle, for example, would be adorable over some pinstriped slacks, with a black blazer, black scarf and some funky red shoes!


Love the little sundress on the right, it would look great with some dressy black slacks, some kitten heels and a white cardigan with coordinating scarf!


Now, I'm not sure we could do much with either of these outfits, but the cute peach shirt with the eyes would be adorable for an all-girls gathering with some casual black pants and trainers.  And I looove the fedora, I've always wanted to have an excuse to wear a fedora over my hijab but have never found the right occasion.


And saving the best for last, I looove this trench!  The striped military accents on the chest add a little bit of pizzazz to a very simple coat.  It's a light weight fabric that works great over tanks in the summer with some cute slacks or jeans.
(All pics from SassiSamBlog.com)

I had my doubts when I first read the news in my March, 2010, Vogue.  But I've come around.  I guess the marraige of Paris, France and Paris, Illinois;  the introduction of high-end couture into middle-class convenience; the juxtaposition of the Eiffel Tower and Aisle 14 work out better than I thought.

Ma'Salaama and Happy Shopping!

Fashionably Yours,
The (Tar-jay loving) Mujahada in Prada

Thursday, February 25, 2010

~Are You A Perfume Polygamist?~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

First of all, please forgive me for missing our time together yesterday, but I was feeling a bit under the weather.  Alhamdulillah I am much better today.  I missed chatting with you ladies soooo much, so insh'Allah today's topic will be fun for all of us.

Now that the title got your attention, I wanted to have a little chat about the two different styles women have when it comes to perfume.  Are you a loyal lover of one scent, and that scent only? Or are you a perfume polygamist, wearing whatever fragrance you think goes with your mood for the day?


Now, granted, a lot of us sisters do not wear perfume outside of the house, and I would not be a good Muslimah if I didn't remind you that we are not supposed to wear it out of the house.

Hadith - Abu Dawood 4162, Narrated Imran ibn Husayn, r.a. (similar hadith found in At-Tirmidhi #4443)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I do not ride on purple, or wear a garment dyed with saffron, or wear shirt hemmed with silk. Pointing to the collar of his shirt al-Hasan (al-Basri) said: The perfume used by men should have an odour but no colour, and the perfume used by women should have a colour but no odour. Sa'id said: I think he said: They interpreted his tradition about perfume used by women as applying when she comes out. But when she is with her husband, she may use any perfume she wishes.
http://muttaqun.com

As the interpretation of this hadith explains, this does not mean it that we can't wear it as a part of our routine to keep ourselves beautiful and fragrant for our husbands.  (And let's just be honest here, many sisters wear it outside as well.)  Personally there are times I do wear a tiny bit, just under my chin, so that only those who are close enough to hug me will smell it (which are only my sisters in Islam, and my family anyways) but as usual Allahu Ahlem.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let's get down to the business of our perfume habits.

You see, up until this past year I was a perfume monogomist.  I was completely faithful to one perfume, and one perfume only and wore it until it was GONE.  And then, I usually just went back to get more of the same scent.  That all changed when my husband mentioned to me that he looove the scent I used to wear when we first met, but I couldn't remember what it was.  I ended up buying three different perfumes until I figured out which one it was, and I have been a perfume polygamist ever since.

My perfumes of choice are:

 Estee Lauder beyond paradise

I love this scent for it's tropical tones of Hyacinth, Orchid, and Honeysuckle.  It also has a hint of Citrusy Grapefruit.  It is pretty strong, so when applying I tend to spray once in the air, and walk through the mist.  Otherwise it is sooo overpowering I can barely breathe.  I bought this perfume before I decided to boycott Estee Lauder, so I will not be getting a new one when I'm out, but I am enjoying it for the time being.
Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise


DKNY Be Delicious
Hmmmmm...this perfume IS delicious! As the bottle suggests, it has strong green apple notes, along with more subtle undertones of rose and woody scents.  The combination is fresh and vibrant, youthful but still sophisticated and classy.  Not as strong as the Estee Lauder, but still pretty potent so one spritz does the trick. You can get it at Sephora.com

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Okay ladies, here it is...the princess of all perfumes, the superior of all scents.  This perfume has gotten me sooo many compliments over the years-as well as helped me land my husband : )  A fresh combination of citrus, apple, bamboo and white rose this perfume is the sans pareil of the perfume world.  I honestly feel guilty when I wear my other scents, because I know they simply cannot stand to this one, but I like to save my Light Blue for quiet evenings with my husband and special occasions.  You can get this fabulous fragrance at Sephora.com.

Now, the way I choose my scents is kind of a routine.  I honestly tend to go for those perfumes with beautiful bottles first.  I can't help it, I'm an aesthetic kind of girl.  Once a bottle has caught my eye I smell it on the sample paper first.  If it passes the sample paper test I will lightly spritz my wrist or the back of my hand and wait...1....2....3....4....5....6....7 seconds until it's dry.  Yes, seven.  In my experience it takes at least seven seconds for a perfume to dry and to reveal it's true nature.

You have to keep in mind that every scent smells different on every person.  Once the chemicals in the fragrance mix with our pheromones, the result may be completely different than in the bottle or on the sample paper.  Personally I have to buy very citrusy, fresh, or floral scents because everything smells twice as sweet once it hits my skin.  That means NO vanilla, NO baby powder scents.  If I go that route I end up smelling like a baby's bottom.  (not quite what I'm going for)  My next fragrance purchase will definitely be Marc Jacobs Lola:

I mean, really-how beautiful is that bottle?  And it smells amazing!  You can find Lola at Ulta.com

The other day I read a very interesting article in Vogue about the whole "Perfume Polygamist" controversy.  The lady writing the article was talking about how our scent helps to define us.  It is a scent our children hold on to, our husbands (hopefully) look forward to snuggling with, and our friends are comforted by when they cry on our shoulder.  This lady was going through some huge changes in her life and had decided to try a new scent to help her redefine her new life.  She struggled for days, smelling hundreds of scents, second-guessing herself and her fragrance choices until she finally settled on one.  And even though I have never gone through quite that intense of an experience with my scent, I can definitely relate.

I can remember smelling my mom's perfume as she sprayed it delicately on her wrists and neck before going out with my father when I was little.  It is the same scent she wears today, and on days when I am blue or just need a hug that scent is like cozy blanket, enveloping me with its familiarity. 

Our scents do help to define us, but I don't think they have to be quite so permanent.  I like knowing I can wear a happy, citrus scent on sunny days, and an exotic floral fragrance on date nights with my husband.  Insh'Allah my daughter will remember my smell with the same fondness as I remember my mom's, and also be comforted.

So, if you have been waiting for an excuse to take that plunge and look for a new fragrance, I found this great online quiz where you can find your Signature Scent according to your personality. What Is Your Signature Scent?  I'm not sure I would blindly follow it, and order a bottle online without smelling it first, but who knows-it's worth a try!

Ma'Salaama and Happy Spritzing!

Fashionably Yours,
The (Light Blue-loving) Mujahada in Prada


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

~Take It To The Max~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

Have you all been rinsing fifty times?  How is that glow coming along?  Are any of you going for the Detox ride with me?  I know there is a lot to remember, and a lot to think about when you are a Fashionista Muslimah, but insh'Allah it all pays off in the long run!

So, the other day when I made that post about abayas, one of our dear sisters in Islam mentioned wearing maxi dresses as an alternative to abayas or skirts in the summer time. (thanks Nora habibti!)  Maxis are a great way to stay cool, be fashionable, and maintain our modesty throughout the summer months.  They are definitely one of my summer staples, so I thought it might be fun to take a look around and see what styles I could find, as well as give a few tips on how to Muslimah-fy these maxis.  (new word, ya like it??)

Now, there are a couple of tricks to wearing maxi dresses...

Length is Imperative:
When buying a maxi dress, watch out for those that are advertised as "ankle length".  Unless you are under 5'4" they will probably be too short.  You need to look for ones that are called "full length" or "floor length", regardless of how they fall on the model wearing them.  Remember, most models are around 5'10" to 6'0" tall and a size 4, so how a maxi looks on the model will probably not be how it will look on you.  (except for our sisters blessed with that body type)

Know Your Body Type:
Alhamdulillah, there are more and more stores and websites out there who are catering to all sizes.  While searching for maxis I found quite a few beautiful dresses that came in plus sizes.  The problem with getting a maxi in a size that is too small, is it will probably be too short and too tight for us to feel comfortable in.  I don't know about you, but if my skirt falls any shorter than brushing the top of my foot-it's too short. (especially because I like to wear them with my high-heel clogs)  So knowing your body type is very important when selecting a maxi.

Pay Attention To The Neckline: 
Granted, most of us will not be wearing the maxi the way it is shown, but it is important to think about how you will be wearing the dress when you select it.  For example, is the neckline high enough that you can get away with draping your scarf down, and wearing a cropped jacket?  Or will you need to wear an extra t-shirt, tank top, or long sleeve shirt underneath?  I do either of these options when needed, but when it is really hot outside, an extra piece of fabric is not something I savor.  

So, keeping those tidbits in mind, let's take a look at some of the maxi dresses that are out on the market right now. 

Maxi #1: Simple and Sophisticated
 
I personally love this very casual, very chic, floor-sweeping maxi from Alloy.  You can get it here. 



I would wear it with this adorable cropped jacket from forever21.com  along with a peach or salmon scarf, like this beautiful one below from Shukronline.  And some peach bangles like these from ShopBeachCombers.com.




Maxi #2: Bohemian Chic
For those sisters who prefer something with a print, here is a beautiful maxi from TheBuckle.com:


I like maxis like this one, because although it is tight around the bust, it comes up nice and high, so if you have a long enough scarf to drape over the bust area, all you need is a cute cropped jacket to go with it.  I would dress this casual dress up by wearing this elegant scarf from hijabgirl.com and super cute cropped blazer from forever21.com.:



Maxi #3: Fun and Funky
Here is a really funky, and feminine maxi by Sam & Max, available on Overstock.com:
This dress is so colorful, I would probably wear it with a very simple, basic black blazer, and light blue scarf like these:
            Forever21.com Basic Black Blazer       2hijab.com Blended Egyptian Cotton Scarf


Maxi #4: Beautiful Plum Paisley
Here is a gorgeous maxi of similar design from JCPenney.com that goes up to size 3X:

This dress you would probably have to wear a black tank underneath to ensure full coverage, but if you had a wide enough scarf you may get away without it. 
I would wear this dress with a cardigan like this one shown in the Raisin color from WomanWithin.com and one of these beautiful coordinating Plum colored scarves from ScarvesandMoreBlogSpot.com Monotone is a great way to go to help slim your figure and maintain a streamlined look.

Maxi #5: Basic Khaki
Here is another beautiful simple maxi that could be dressed up for a special occassion, or worn with a jean jacket for a picnic.  You can find it on Asos.com

Personally I would wear this dress with a cropped military style jacket such as this one from Forever21.com.  This one is extra cute because of the ruffles around the collar and edge. 


Because both the dress and coat are plain colors, you can wear a funkier hijab to spice it up, and accessorize with a funky gold bracelet like this one from Target.com or fun flats like these leopard print from Asos.com.

Maxi #6:  Everyday Luxury
This maxi from Spiegel.com is definitely on my wish list.  It comes in black, and plum and has a coordinating drapey cardigan.



Like I said before, monochrome is great for creating a slim appearance, and also to mix and match.  I would probably wear a striped or printed hijab to brighten up this outfit, such as this one from AlHijabWorld.com, along with some fun silver accessories like these from Forever21.com.

Maxi #6: Beautiful Boho
This dress is not only summery and cool with a casual hippie style to it, but ideal because you can adjust the straps so it will range from 56"-58" long.  You can find it at BabyGirlBoutique.com, which also has some other great maxis in pretty prints.
Now, obviously this dress is way too low cut for us to risk simply draping our scarf in the front, so you can get great, basic tanks at Nordstrom.com that come in 20 different colors, and are perfect for layering.  I would probably get it in the Dune color to wear under either of these maxis.

I would finish off the outfit with a casual bleached out denim cropped jacket like the one shown from FreePeople.com, a contrasting scarf like these:

HijabGirl.com                              AlHijabWorld.com
 
Well, I don't know about you ladies, but after this post I definitely have the urge to go do some summer shopping.  Insh'Allah I have found a dress that suits your taste, whether you prefer a simple, monochrome maxi, or a fun and funky patterned one.  Remember you can always pick a nice, simple dress, and make it something special with the right accessories.  Maxis are a great way to stay cool in the hot summer, while still mainting your fashionista Muslimah look!
 
Ma'Salaama and Happy Maxi Shopping!
 
Fashionably Yours,
The Mujahada in Prada

Monday, February 22, 2010

~Are You Bald Under That Scarf?~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

Insh'Allah you all enjoyed your coffee this morning...I definitely savored my lemon juice and flaxseed concoctions. *gag*  Actually the smoothie of berries and soy milk was quite enjoyable, and kind of killed the taste I had in my mouth from the others.  Alhamdulillah, one Detox breakfast down, only 13 to go!

Well, I don't know about you ladies, but I have had some hilarious comments made to me by people who just really have no idea why I wear a scarf.  Anything from "Do you wear that in the shower?" to my favorite "Are you bald under that thing?"  I personally try not to get offended by comments like these, because it is obvious they are made out of ignorance, and it is my responsibility as a Muslimah to help to inform them.  So I usually politely inform them that we do NOT wear it in the shower, in fact we take it off at home, or when we are only around women and some male family members.  I also like to explain that when we are home, we do style our hair and wear makeup to look our nicest for our husbands.  (well....when we have time and energy)

Not so long ago I was getting my hair trimmed, and the lady doing my hair let me know that my hair was getting very thin on the top of my head.  She told me it is probably because I wear tight underscarves, and pull my hair straight back, and that I should cut some bangs to give my hair a break and let it heal.  Well the jury is still out about the whole bangs issue, but have started parting my hair on the side before putting it in a bun, and try not to wear underscarves every day.

So I thought it would be interesting, and insh'Allah beneficial to do a post about hair health.  It can be something that we easily push to the side of our brains, because we are otherwise occupied with school or work, kids or husbands, shoes or handbags...LOL ok maybe not all of us are occupied with those last two, but you get my point.  But just because we may not share our hair with the world, does not mean that it is not an important issue.  I personally do not want to be bald by the age of 40, and I do like to look nice for my husband, so I did a little research into good health-care tips and this is what I came up with:

Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair:
Just as we talked about with the healthy skin post, our consumption of healthy food is absolutely vital in order to have healthy, strong, shiny hair.  This includes getting plenty of Protein and Beta-carotene, as well as a good variety of vitamins.  Here is a quick rundown of essential nutrients for healthy hair:

Protein:  Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products are all high in protein, as well as soybeans, seeds and nuts for our vegetarian sisters.

Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that helps your body process protein, and helps encourage hair growth, as well as helps to prevent hair loss.  It can be found in many different fruits and vegetables, especially those that are orange in color.

Vitamins: Vitamin A fosters scalp health; B-complex vitamins may help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss and breakage; Biotin-rich meats, dairy foods, nuts, and whole grains helps to keep your scalp healthy; Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, helps keep your blood vessels healthy, helps prevent hair breakage, and promotes hair growth; Vitamin E helps your cells repair themselves and encourages hair growth; Vitamin K can promote hair health.

Minerals:  Minerals can help promote hair growth, as well as protect against hair breakage.  Minerals and trace minerals can be found in many unprocessed foods, especially organic foods that have a higher concentration of minerals in them.  Some of these foods include: meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, liver, eggs, rice, oats, whole-grain, sunflower seeds, lettuce, onion, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, strawberries, dates, and raisins.

For a more complete list of foods to eat for healthy hair go here.

Healthy Hair Maintenance:

Here are some very simple tips that actually work, to help you gain and maintain more beautiful hair:

Brush Before a Shower:
By brushing your hair before getting into the shower, you are helping to remove any dirt that might be clinging to your hair, as well as detangling it while it is dry (you should never brush wet hair, as it will cause breakage and split ends)

Pick a Shampoo That is Good For Your Hair:
Sounds simple doesn't it?  Well, as women we tend to try to find whatever products will work well for us AND our husbands, our kids, our sisters, our mom, or whoever you may reside with.  In this case though, it is worth the extra money to get something that is specifically formulated for your hair, whether it is thin or thick, dry or oily, curly or stick straight.  Here are some good tips on finding the perfect shampoo for you.  My advice is don't skimp on getting a good shampoo, I did that once when I was a broke college student, and my hair has never been the same.  I recommend Paul Mitchell shampoo, which you can get at any beauty supply, or even at Target.

Massage Your Scalp:
Once you have chosen a shampoo that will work for your hair, massage it gently into your hair and scalp while you are in the shower.  This will boost the circulation in your scalp which will encourage hair growth, and scalp health.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize:
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?  Conditioner is always important for your hair health, but it is especially important in dry climates, during winter months, or for people who spend a lot of time in the pool or the ocean.  You can also pick a conditioner according to your hair type.  I highly recommend that for those sisters who are on a budget, if you absolutely must skimp on your shampoo, don't do it on your conditioner.  A good, quality conditioner can make all the difference, and you don't need to use a lot at a time, so it should last a while.  I highly recommend Paul Mitchell Super Strong Daily Conditioner, which you can find at Target for a reasonable price.

Rinse Well:
Rinse your hair well after both shampooing, and conditioning.  Always use cool water for your last rinse of your shower, because it closes your cuticles and encourages shine. Also, when possible, try to rinse your hair with vinegar, preferably apple vinegar.  Personally I can't stand doing this, because I looooove the smell when my hair is freshly washed, but vinegar will rinse any perfumes out of your hair that can cause drying.

Air Dry:
If possible, always let your hair air dry.  Blowdrying can cause excessive drying of your hair and scalp, and too much heat is detrimental to your hair's health.  Simply squeeze the excess water out of your locks (never ever ever rub your hair), and blot your scalp, then let it air dry.

Brushing and Styling:
Like I mentioned before, it is very important that you don't brush your hair while it is wet.  This will cause breakage and split ends, which will cause your hair to look lifeless and tired.  Also, if you style your hair try to use blowdryers, straightening irons, or curling irons as little as possible.  Hair spray is also not healthy for your hair, so if you have to use it, do so sparingly and try to pick as natural of a spray as possible.

Lifestyle:
As I said at the beginning, what you eat affects your hair in big ways.  There are also other factors that contribute to hair health such as not smoking, exercising, trying to eliminate extra stress, and getting enough sleep.  Your hair is an organ, just as your skin is, so it is a safe bet to assume that anything healthy for your skin is healthy for your hair as well.  If you are a sister who likes to dye your hair, try to use a dye that is as natural as possible, and condition your hair very well after dying.  Also, get shampoo that is specifically formulated for dyed hair.

You can get more information on hair health by going here.

So ladies, hair health should be a part of our daily routine whether we wear hijab or not.  I know it can be hard to set aside any extra time for ourselves, but really caring for your hair doesn't take any time at all.  Just a few minutes a day of some scalp massage, along with making healthy lifestyle choices, and you'll have long, luscious locks in no time!

Ma'Salaama and Happy Brushing!

Fashionably Yours,
The (NOT bald under that scarf) Mujahada in Prada

Sunday, February 21, 2010

~It's Time To Detox~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

I don't know about you ladies, but when I was attending university I would eat horribly during finals week.  Late (more like all night) study sessions and a lot of stress would cause me to eat nothing but junk food and drink nothing but soda and coffee. (usually whichever had the most caffeine)  I literally would survive off of potato chips, pizza, Ramen noodles, and ice cream.

I can remember by the end of finals I felt horrible! Bloated, greasy, and had usually gained at least five pounds from my junk food grubbery.

So, after every finals week I would go on a detox diet.  I would drink only green tea or water, and eat only fresh fruits or veggies.  The veggies could be cooked, but only in olive oil.  I ate absolutely NO sugar, NO gluten, NO white flour, and NO dairy products. (which is really hard because I loooove cheese)

Now, I didn't do this diet so much to lose weight, but to rid my body of all of those preservatives, and weird ingredients that come in fast, cheap food.  By the third day of my detox diet I would feel healthier, my skin would have its glow back, and I could fit back into my jeans. (and take off the sweats I'd been living in)

Well, ever since having my daughter it has been really hard for me to lose my baby weight.  Sometimes I look in the mirror now and cannot believe that my reflection is me! I had always been very athletic my whole life, and although I was never stick skinny I was always in excellent shape and had a perfectly flat tummy.  Sisters- I WANT MY FLAT TUMMY BACK!!!!

I was able to lose quite a bit of weight last year by counting calories and walking a lot alhamdulillah but then I hit a plateau.  Even though I've been eating well and exercising, I just cannot seem to lose even one more pound and it has been frustrating me.  I want to be healthy, I want to live a long life and see my daughter grow up insh'Allah, and I want to have more children insh'Allah so it is important to me to get back in shape.

And that is why I am going to do a two week Detox Diet.  I found a very good website that details how detox diets work, and how to do them SAFELY.  The point of a detox diet is not to starve yourself, but to flush those toxins out of your system that remain stagnant long after you have digested your food.  As explained by Cathy Wong on About.com: "This is a sample two-week detox diet plan to support detoxification by increasing elimination from the body, cleansing the colon, enhancing circulation to clear toxic substances, eliminating foods from the diet that require detoxification or are allergenic, and providing nutrients to support and protect the liver, the main organ involved in detoxification."

They provide a Detox Diet screening quiz to assess your personal need for such a diet, asking simple questions like "Do you often feel tired or sluggish? Do you eat more than one serving of vegetables a day?"  The higher you score, the more of a need you have to do a similar cleansing diet, I scored an 81% on mine.  You can take the quiz by clicking here and then hitting the link that says Start The Quiz.

They also provide a great article about the benefits of a Detox Diet, who should and shouldn't try one, and what it exactly does when followed correctly.  You can read this article by going here.

There is a short list of foods to eat, and to avoid, and an explanation about something called your Ayurveda type.  Now, honestly, I have no idea what this is.  I'm sure it is some ancient homeopathic designation to different body types, blood types, personality types or what have you.  I have never read anything about this, nor incorporated it into my Detox Diets, but that is entirely up to you.  If you would like to know more about it you can go here. 

As an alternative to the Ayurveda body type, I would suggest getting the book called "Eat Right For Your Type" by Dr. Peter J. D'amo.  This book explains what your body needs the most according to your actual medical blood type.  I just got this book, and haven't had the chance to delve into it, but I have heard excellent reviews, and Amazon.com has it for a great price here.

As uncomfortable as it is to discuss, proper....umm...elimination of wastes is very important during this diet, and every day.  If you retain excess water or toxins it can cause puffiness of the skin, dark eye circles, bad breath, and body odor. (and how unfashionable is that??? ugh)  So it is important to eat plenty of fiber during this diet. (as well as when you're not on the diet)  Fiber One cereal is a good source for fiber, or ground flaxseed or psyllium is recommended.  Also, you can drink some lemon water throughout the day to assist in the flushing out of wastes.

Now so far this diet may seem a little scary, but it doesn't have to be.  It's actually quite delicious (if you like fruits and veggies) and I guarantee you by the third to fifth day you will feel a huge difference.  There is a great example of a daily Detox Diet menu here.

Next this article discusses a condition called Hypochlorhydria, which in layman's terms is low stomach acid.  This condition can manifest itself in a variety of ways including acne, eczema, and food allergies as well as many other things.  I think it's worth your time to take the hypochlorhydria screening quiz, even if you are not over the 35 year mark, because I am younger than that, and I know for a fact that I suffer from this.  You can take the screening quiz here.

Now you can go on to read the rest of this article, which continues to discuss how to make sure you drink enough water, as well as how to make a castor oil pack, meditation, detox spas, and other tips.  Personally I feel much of the remainder of the article is part marketing, and part hullabaloo (just my personal opinion LOL) but there is one part that I must quickly discuss and this is the Yeast Overgrowth section.

Yes, this is considered very controversial.  Yes, some doctors will tell you it is as useless as a sixth toe.  But, I will testify otherwise.  Someone very close to me was very sick for almost three years, and after going to at least 20 doctors (and I am NOT exaggerating) and taking dozens of different pills from antibiotics to allergy treatments she was no better off than to begin with.

Until she met a doctor who decided to step out on a limb, ignore the pharmaceutical company's bullying, and put her on a strict, yeast free, sugar free diet just like the one in the book "The Yeast Connection" by William Crook MD.  Alhamdulillah she is much better now, much healthier now, and much happier now.  I know from personal experience that if you can stand to go on this type of diet (and it's no walk in the park) that it will pay off big time, especially if you suffer from allergies.  You can get Dr. Crooks' book on Amazon.com by going here.

So tell me ladies, are you up for it?  Are you ready to get rid of all of those Girl Scout cookies and Doritos you've been munching on? Are you ready for a healthy glow, a smaller waist line, and more energy?

I'm starting first thing.......

tomorrow morning.....because I have a date with some delicious Mexican food tonight! :)



Ma'Salaama and Happy Detoxing!

Fashionably Yours,
The (soon to be skinnier) Mujahada in Prada

P.S. In no way am I medically trained, nor am I telling anyone to try this diet-especially if they suffer from any type of medical conditions.  I am merely sharing with you my experiences on a similar diet, and informing you of a website that can give you more information about it.  You should always consult with your doctor before starting a new diet plan, because I want all my Stylish Sisters to be healthy!!!