~And Now I Am A Nine....~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters...

I know it's been a loooong time since we last saw eachother, and I'm so sorry!  It's crazy to me sometimes how quickly time passes subhan'Allah.  It seems like only yesterday I was sitting down at my laptop, determined to start a blog where I could express myself and my views on topics important to me, and now we've had over two years together!  When I sat down this evening to check in with my favorite fashionista muslimahs, and noticed it's been almost two months since we last visited, I was shocked and ashamed at how negligent I had been! 

Well, anyways, I'm glad to be back, and I hope insh'Allah that you ladies are glad too.

I guess the biggest news to share with you is that I've lost some weight! Yay Me!  I was so fed up with not feeling comfortable in my own skin, that I made a conscious decision to make some changes in the way I was living my life, and alhamdulillah it has definitely paid off!

The first step to my transformation was a Detox Diet that I did for one whole week.  I didn't eat any dairy, meat, white flour, sugar or caffeine for seven days.  It was hard to stick with (it doesn't sound too hard, but once you start thinking of all of the things you normally eat, you'll realize they probably have one or more of what I just named) but alhamdulillah I was able to finish the week, only cheating once because I ate two Ritz crackers.  Since I finished the diet, my cravings for chips and sweets have pretty much disappeared, and I get full much faster than I did before.  Two months ago I was a size 14....and now I am a nine!!  Insh'Allah I can keep it up and get close to my pre-baby weight so I can feel comfortable with myself once more.

One of the best things about losing weight is that all of your clothes stop fitting anymore which means YOU HAVE TO BUY NEW ONES!!!  My mom and I planned a Girl's Day together, and this past week that "Girl's Day" turned into three "Girl's Day"s in a row!  It was a great Mother's Day present to eachother to spend the day chatting, lending support, enjoying eachother's company, and of course encouraging eachother to spend way too much money LOL.  I can't wait until my own girls are old enough that they enjoy these girl's days with me, the way I've always loved them with my mom.

Because work has been picking up alhamdulillah, and there is a possibility that my position within the company might change sometime in the next few months, I decided that I should invest in a few classy business pieces.  I had never shopped much at Express in the past, but I decided to check out what they had, and ladies....I think I may have found my new favorite store.  They had beautiful suit jackets of varying lengths, colors, and fabrics...the most adorable collared short-sleeve shirts in tons of colors to wear under them, and some of the nicest quality jeans I've seen since Seven Jeans went downhill.  I decided to wait on the jeans until I got down to my ultimate weight goal (they were pretty pricey for jeans I will insh'Allah only be wearing for a month or so until I lose more weight), but I got a suit jacket and this adorable shirt to wear under my work blazers in a few different colors. 

Okay, so it's hard to picture how well it can hijabified just by looking at this picture, but I wear these tops with a tank underneath (just in case my scarf rides up) with a longer blazer (like the one below by Ann Taylor) and loose fitting trousers or a skirt and (of course) a pinstriped, or color-block scarf.  All in all, these are basically a professional-looking pop of color to go with your business suit.

Ladies, if you live here in the United States, and live anywhere that the seasons actually change and tank tops and short skirts are the only thing available in the summer, then you KNOW how impossible it is to find nice, modest, cotton clothing that will be cool, yet still modest enough for the summer months.  That's one reason I loved Express so much, the store had plenty of long skirts, long sleeve cotton shirts, and tunic length tops to be just the right amount of "fashionable", while still maintaining the vital "modest" factor!  I have definitely found my new favorite store!

Well my Amazing Muslimahs, I would love to sit and chat all night, but unfortunately my java is wearing off, and my eyes are slowly drooping.  I must be off to get my beauty sleep (I need as much as I can get LOL), and to dream about the chocolate cakes and potato chips I can longer eat.  It was lovely to see you ladies again, and insh'Allah I will be back sooner than later.

Ma'Salaama and Happy Healthy Eating!

Fashionably Yours,
The (Size Nine...yay!) Mujahada in Prada

~No Bones About It~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Amazing Muslimahs!
 (thought I'd change that up a bit-what do ya think?)

First of all Jummah Mubarak! Insh'Allah you all had a wonderful week, full of love, laughter, and all the happiness your hearts could contain.  May Allah swt bless you with what is best for you and your families and keep you safe and healthy.  Ameen....

Well, we are still in the middle of our travels across country.  Having taken a little detour to visit some family members in the SouthWest, we are taking our time and enjoying ourselves along the way.  The southwestern states have a beauty that is so totally unique from the rest of the United States, with their turquoise colored rocks contrasting with bright pink sunsets.  There is a sense of solitude here that one very rarely feels on the West and East Coasts.  The desert is a beautiful, but also foreboding place that can be spectacular, and a little scary all at the same time.  I am planning to insh'Allah do a post about our trip and all of the beautiful inspirations from nature and the people of the southwest and Mexico as soon as I reach my destination insh'Allah.  It is something I would like to plan, and share some pictures of our adventures, so insh'Allah it will be worth the wait.

Tonight, though I wanted to share with you some tips that I received in an email about something that is a very sensitive, and important topic for us sisters.  It is something that people don't discuss much when discussing women's health, but is very important to our well-being as we mature.  This subject is Osteoporosis.  (I can hear the yawns eminating through my computer screen LOL)

Please don't stop reading now: Osteoporosis is a devastating disease that causes bones to become fragile and eventually fracture, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists.  These fractures are most serious in the hip and spine areas because they can cause debilitating conditions that make the victim unable to walk, and create horrible pain and deformity.  According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, women are FOUR TIMES more likely to develop Osteoporosis so it is absolutely vital that we take every measure possible to prevent this from happening to us and to our sisters.

So...What Can We Do?

Well, one of the easiest things we can do to avoid getting Osteoporosis is something we've been talking about a lot lately, and that is to simply eat a healthier, more balanced diet.  Preventing Osteoporosis, and treating it includes eating diets that are, "...very much the same and largely involve calcium and vitamin D, and getting a lot of fruit and veggies in the diet as well,” says Felicia Cosman, MD, clinical director for the National Osteoporosis Foundation.  If you are experiencing age-related bone loss, then simply eating a bone-healthy diet alone may not help to rebuild your bones, but if you are diagnosed when you are young (or simply want to take precautions to avoid a diagnosis) then changing your diet can be very effective.

A bone-healthy diet does not just include Calcium but also requires a healthy intake of Vitamin D.  For those sisters who are not the biggest fan of drinking milk (I must admit I am one of them) never fear: there are many other foods you can eat in order to reach your recommended daily dose of 1,000 mg of Calcium.  These foods include:
Ricotta Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Canned Sardines
Dark, Leafy Green Vegetables
Various Foods and Juices that are Calcium Fortified

Also for those cheese-loving sisters (I am one of these as well) you can add a serving of cheese to just about any meal or side dish to increase your calcium intake.  Add a slice of melted cheese on top of a side of cauliflower or broccoli, or have a cup of yogurt with your breakfast to instantly boost your daily calcium dose.

In order to get your recommended daily serving of Vitamin D (400-800 IU) you can eat:
Salmon
Mackerel
Tuna
Sardines
Egg Yolks

Although any of these foods can be a great source of Vitamin D, the best way to get your Vitamin D fix is 15 minutes of direct sunlight without sunscreen.  As long as you keep your exposure to 15-20 minutes, you'll be okay not wearing sunscreen, and will also boost your Vitamin D levels.

There are a few other suggestions to help prevent the development of Osteoporosis.  Most of these are simply common-sense measures to ensure a healthy lifestyle, like we've discussed before.  They include:

Eat Fresh Produce:
Maintaining healthy bones requires eating a varied diet of your essential vitamins and minerals.  This is easy to accomplish by simply eating a rainbow of different colored fruits and veggies.  By making a range of fruits and veggies a regular staple of your diet your body will also be able to retain more calcium, which (as we discussed before) is a vital part of a bone-healthy diet.

Don't Drink Alcohol:
As Muslimahs we have a huge advantage in this department.  Alhamdulillah as Muslims, Allah swt has already instructed us not to consume alcohol, but just in case any of us needed another reason (and we DON'T), or in case anyone reading this blog is not Muslim (and mash'Allah I'm happy you're joining us!) then this is it.  Alcohol can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb calcium, so it's best to keep your consumption to a minimum.  (or better yet: don't drink at all)

Limit Your Caffeine Intake:
Now, this opinion varies between sources.  According to http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/osteoporosis/amount-of-calcium-in-foods.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20100304 it is best for us to limit caffeinated beverages as they "have a negative impact on bone health", but when I researched this further (because let's face it: Diet Coke is my best friend) according to The Beverage Institue For Health and Wellness the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements has stated that "the effect of dietary phosphorous on calcium is minimal" and that "some researchers speculate that the detrimental effects of consuming foods high in phosphate such as carbonated soft drinks is due to the replacement of milk with soda rather than the phosphate level itself."  So, for the time being Diet Coke will continue being my best friend, but if any sisters find any additional information regarding this: please share with the rest of us insh'Allah.

Please Pass The Salt:
And keep passing it right on by.  According to NutritionMD.org it has been proven that eating too much salt can literally leach the calcium from otherwise healthy bones.  Try to change your favorite snack foods to lower sodium options, and don't add any salt to your meals.  It may take some getting used to at first, but eventually you will realize that often times when you skip the salt you can taste the actual food much better.  Most foods are available in low sodium options, and by taking this precaution you will be looking out for your bone's health in the long run.

So there you have it.  By making a few simple changes to your diet you can easily help to maintain your bones' strength.  Because let's face it.  Without our bones we are little more than a quivering pile of Jell-O, and I have NEVER seen a pile of Jell-O look good in a pair of Manolos...I don't care what flavor it is.

For some great bone-healthy recipes you can go here: Recipes For Healthy Bones

Ma'Salaama and Happy Snacking!

Fashionably Yours,
The (Cheese-Loving, Diet Coke-Drinking, Healthy Bone-Having) Mujahada in Prada

~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!!!

~7 Secrets For Healthy Skin~

aSalaam uAlaikum my Stylish Sisters!

Insh'Allah you've had a restful night's sleep, and if you have...great! That means you've already got one of these seven secrets down!

I find that skincare is especially important for hijabis, specifically those of us who choose not to wear any makeup.  We are baring our faces to the world, pores, pimples, laugh lines and all, so it's always a relief when you're having a good skin day.  So insh'Allah if we can put these secrets to use, we will have more good skin days, and fewer "Oh no...where did I put that concealor?" days.

Healthy Skin Secret #1: Catch Your Zzzzzzzz's (all 8 of 'em)
     See? I told you ladies who got your eight hours last night that you were ahead of the game!  Sleep is the most important thing we can do for ourselves to improve our skin. (and our general well-being)  Dr. Dennis Gross, a New-York based dermatologist, stresses the importance of eight hours of sleep every night.  It is shown that chronic lack of sleep can set off the human body's fight or flight response because fatigue causes a mild state of physiological panic.  This response triggers production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, and prompts the body to divert more blood flow to the major internal organs, and away from the skin.  When our skin is deprived of this blood flow in this way it can become dull and pale.  Believe me, I know how hard it is for us moms, or career ladies, or students, to make sleep a priority, but it is a must!  Not just for our skin either, for our health in general.  So grab your pillows and blankies and go take a nap.

But wait...let's finish this article first.

Healthy Skin Secret #2: Your Output is Proportional to Your Input
     Okay, so that's actually an electrical term, but it's the same idea.  “When the arteries become clogged from an excess of fat in our diets, all of the tissues of the body, including the skin, receive less blood, oxygen, and nutrients,” says Dr. Gross.  If you eat fatty foods your skin quickly shows it by appearing dull, being less elastic, and unable to repair itself when plagued with any blemishes.  So try to incorporate more foods in your diet that are high in vitamins C and E and lycopene.  These include citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, sunflower seeds, and tomatoes. These foods along with green tea, berries, broccoli, red grapes, garlic and spinach are wonderful antioxidants as well, which destroy free radicals and restore your skin's collagen and elastin. 

Healthy Skin Secret #3: Sweat it Out
     I would normally never consider sweating as a good thing, BUT if you are sweating because you are exercising then it is exactly what the doctor ordered.  Exercise improves your body's circulation and ensures an optimal flow of blood and nutrients to your skin, which help creates that glow I keep referring to.  Sweating also is the body's way of filtering out any unnecessary water or toxins.  Just be sure that if you wear makeup, you don't wear it while exercising, and always gently wash your face after your workout to rinse off any grime or oils you sweated out.

Healthy Skin Secret #4: Rinse, rinse, rinse...
     Okay, so the fifty rinses didn't jive with you (or maybe you haven't put it to the test) but either way, you have to find a beauty regimen that works for you.  It may take a little bit of experimenting, but in the long run it will pay off.  Remember your skin is a living, breathing organ (as creepy as that may sound) and so it will react as your body changes, your hormones fluctuate, and your lifestyle evolves.  Try to wear gloves when doing any cleaning to avoid making contact with any chemicals; in the winter (or if you have dry skin) try to keep your baths or showers to ten minutes or shorter, and use warm water instead of hot; try to use natural cleansers that don't strip your skin of its essential natural oils; if you have dry skin then use non-foaming creamy cleansers and always always ALWAYS moisturize after every shower, face-wash, and before bedtime.

Healthy Skin Secret #5: The Sun Is Your Enemy
     So I exaggerate. (a little)  But in reality, the sun can be very dangerous to the health of our skin.  Always wear sunblock on your face, or at the least use sunscreen or foundation with an SPF of 20.  Those of us who wear hijab don't really have to be concerned with all-over sunscreen, but for those sisters who don't: make sure to wear sunscreen every single day. (just on your trips to the beach is not enough)  Protect your skin in the winter too by wearing gloves and scarves to protect against the cold or wind.    

Healthy Skin Secret #6: Remember What I Said About No Scrubbing?
     Well... that wasn't entirely true.  You do need to exfoliate once a week or so to remove dead skin that can otherwise make skin thicker, rougher, and less radiant.  Exfoliating is also important because it allows your skin to benefit more from your mosturizer. For those sisters with dry skin, simply using a washcloth that is damp with warm water is enough.  Gently rub the washcloth against your skin in a circular motion, then rinse with warm water.  For those sisters with normal to oily skin you can use a moisturizer or cleanser that contains alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy (salicylic) acid to exfoliate more aggressively. But never rub too hard, or for too long, and always moisturize immediately.

Healthy Skin Secret #7: Humidity is a Good Thing
     Are you tired of hearing me say moisturize?  Because I'm going to say it one more time.  Moisturize!  In the winter, or more arid parts of the world this is especially important.  Always apply a good, natural lotion to your skin especially when it is cold outside.  Also, using a cool-mist humidifier can help stave off dry skin, and range from $17.00 to $60.00 depending on the model.  You can find cool-mist humidifiers here.  In the summer avoid staying in the ocean or swimming pools for too long, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.  Also if you are a frequent traveler, those airplane cabins have almost zero percent humidity, so moisturize before, during, and after your flights.

So there you have it.  Seven steps to a truly fabulous face, an excellent epidermis, a gorgeous glow!  I will just add one more if you don't mind...

Healthy Skin Secret #8: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
     Notice I didn't say moisturize? LOL...  No seriously, I mean drink a lot of water, green tea, or natural fruit juices to replenish your body of the fluids that it loses throughout the day.  Especially after exercising or eating, it is very important that we drink at least eight, eight ounce glasses of water every day.  If you want to read more about the importance of water in our diet go here.  It is not only important for our skin health, but our overall body health so don't wait to rehydrate only when you're thirsty, take along a fashionable and earth friendly water bottle with you like these wherever you go.

Well, I don't know about you but I am off to do some yoga.  So go ahead, take a skin-loving snooze or do some step aerobics...but don't forget to wash your face when you're done.  Oh and....moisturize!!

Ma'Salaama and Happy Hydrating!

Fashionably Yours,
The Mujahada in Prada

I must give credit where credit is due.  Sources: Healthy Skin Secrets, Top Ten Antioxidant Foods, Water, How Much Should You Drink Every Day?