17

Jan

THE POWER TEN / 10

some of my favorite links this week. rounded up and presented with a sweet bow!

have a wonderful weekend everyone. be safe, be loving and be loved.

anything to add. find me on my fb page or instagram and let’s talk.

x

1. my good buddy and creative coupterpart from university’s home was featured in this months designlines magazine. check. it’s a real beaut.

2. in light of the attacks in paris last week, one self-proclaimed celebrity muslim has this to say. i dig it. can you?

3. i found this because i’ve been thinking about switching up the colours of a few pieces of furniture, but am not willing to reupholster right now and think i might just give it a try. anyone else want to take on this challenge?

4. i really want to learn arabic. let me rephrase that - i want to understand and comprehend the language of my book and i’m thinking this might help. anyone heard of it?

5. all of this. every last bit of advice.

6. my soup exchange is in one week. have you got your ticket yet? i’m still debating which soup to make. what do you think of this one? ahh… decisions decisions. check out my pinterest for more soup inspo.

7. i follow the dalai lama on facebook. this is what he had to say the other day. what a prayer, what a man.

8. nigeria. a few months ago i read a book called half of a yellow sun. it was a glimpse into the everyday at a time of war. it was based in the 60’s and it’s so sad to see that it’s happening again. on what seems to me to be a far worse scale. i’m trying to pay more attention to these things that matter.

9. discovering the best of instagram is made easy with this beautiful app. i found this gorgeous feed from the uae recently. timely as i am now preparing for our family’s first overseas vacay there. check out these photos from @genyvb.

10. you keep me safe. i’ll keep you wild. fair trade, no?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 month ago Short URL Comments

ART/BOOKS/DESIGN/FOOD/LIFE/LITTLE GEMS/PEOPLE/PLACES/SPACES

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14

Jan

CAUSE / SEE THE GOOD X 20x20x20

SEE THE GOOD / 20x20x20 / tahsin, the good

i made my decision on which cause to support with the proceeds from the soup exchange coming up as well as all the other exchanges planned for this year. i mentioned in this post that i wanted to give back and help those who cannot see or have a hard time with their vision. it’s something that affects me on a daily basis (-7.00 and -7.25 anyone?) and with the aid of glasses, regular optometry visits and care that is so readily available here, i can.

i know this is not the case for so many around the world.

so i set out to research various causes in this realm of giving back and in doing so i came across 20x20x20. it’s a charity that aims to restore vision to blind adults and children in very poor and rural areas. you see, without vision there are so many things you just cannot lean into. be it small things like being invited to play or big things like not being able to provide for your family. and without proper life-essentials education, or a place to learn to live with your disability, it becomes so difficult for many of these people to thrive, let alone survive, in their own ways in their lives. “the WHO reports that 60% of children die within 1-2 years of going blind. whether you are 8 years old or 80 years old, in most developing countries they say a blind person is like a “mouth with no hands.”” - 20x20x20

it’s just bleak. and that is no way to live.

this charity has somehow found a “miracle surgery” that takes as little as 15 minutes and costs $300 to perform. it also aims to empower local doctors and nurses with the tech and training to provide these life-changing procedures. so its like a win win win. it just seems like the right fit.

so since the exchange is $11*, i have upped the number of guests to 30 from 25 so that we can collectively provide one person their sight.

to me, that’s huge.

mother teresa, that bad-ass good girl, said, “if you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

FEED ONE > FEED NONE / tahsin, the good

this is me doing what i can with, what i’ve got, where i am. and i hope you will join me and some friends in doing that. the exchange is on january 24th from 1-4 pm. it’s a ladies only thang. sorry, fellas and kids. it’s our time to connect, share, inspire and most importantly nourish ourselves socially and spiritually and obviously, physically. trust me when i say, there will be much simple, colourful deliciousness that will make your tummy full.

you can buy your tickets here. please, if you are planning on coming, get your tickets sooner than later, because the last day to get them is one week from now. and the earlier we sell out, the earlier we can start preparing for you all! and the more prepared we are…well, you know. it’s just so good to be prepared.

thank you with all my heart!

x

*one dollar from each donation will be going towards admin fees. sorry guys, but i cannot seem to escape that.

1 month ago Short URL Comments

CAUSES/FOOD/LIFE/LIGHT+GOOD/PEOPLE

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10

Jan

THE POWER TEN / 9

This spicy, luxurious lamb stew comes from a recipe shared by Lahore home cook Fazilat Alamgir.

hey hey! here are some links and things that have been clogging my phones safari quota. had to clear some out for the eventual new and thought i’d record them here/share a few with you.

have a warm and wonderful weekend.

x

1. the soup exchange is set for jan 24th. have you got your tickets yet? wouldn’t this nihari be an awesome soup to add the to mix?

2. a new-ish shop on the block.

3. came across this website the other day. so much natural goodness here. think I might try making this for me and some friends soon.

4. we love oliver jeffers in our house. daani recieved the day the crayons quit for her birthday this year and it’s pretty freakin hilarious and very imaginative if you ask me. since we have the alphabet on our brain lately, this one might just become our new favourite. note. the day the crayons quit was only illustrated by mr. jeffers, but his hand is sooo nice. 2015/01/img_9709.jpg

5. it’s a vice for a reason.

6. i am equally scared and hopeful for the future when it comes to my girls and their (and my) realtionship with tech after watching this movie.

7. a stunning look at turkey. not the gobble gobble kind.

8. the secret’s out. this trail is where you want to be on a cold winters day. so sharpen those skates, pack some hot chocolate and bundle up. it’s the canadian thing to do. DAVID DELFIN HOME / tahsin, the good GREATER THAN EVERYTHING PRINT / CUSTOM COLOURATION / LIGHT+GOOD / tahsin, the good.

9. psa! prints in the shop can be customized. don’t let all that pink deter you. your home is filled with nudes and greens and blacks, no problem. just add a custom colouration item to your cart and select which colour you’d like.

10. laugh out loud, trust your gut, and find time for a little solitutde and reflection this weekend. http://lalalovelythings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wordstoliveby_lalalovely.jpg

1 month ago Short URL Comments

FOOD/INSPIRATION/INTERIORS/LIFE/LIGHT+GOOD/LITTLE GEMS/STYLE

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06

Jan

CAUSE / SEE THE GOOD SOUP EXCHANGE

SOUP-EXCHANGE-JAN24

ok guys, the soup exchange date in january has been set. i hope you all follow along on my instagram and already marked your calendars when i announced the date there a week back. if not, now’s your chance - save january 24th from 1-4pm for some major yumminess in richmond hill.

you can purchase your ticket to reserve your spot here in my shop right now.

“ticket?” you ask.

well, yes. you see, the way the exchanges work is that there are a limited number of spaces for participants, and there is a buy-in/donation to the cause we are collectively raising money for. this year i hope to collect funds from the different exchanges i’m planning for a cause that i hold dear to my heart - eyecare and sight.

SOUP-EXCHANGE-SEE-THE-GOOD

it’s something that affects me on the daily. i am practically blind and if not for the care i receive here in canada, i would not be able to function as i do. and at times i’ve taken that care for granted. but as i’m getting older and the more i think about it, i realise i am so blessed that i have the ability to see which then, among other things of course, allows me to work. and be inspired. being such a visually based person, i sooo rely on my sight. and i feel for those who do not have this essential sense.

so that’s generally what your donation will be going towards. i haven’t yet affiliated myself with a specific organization, and am totally open to suggestions in this area. if you are aware of an amazing charity or non-profit or school that you think i should know about, then please share. i will let you all know what i end up deciding on.

so back to the soup. i’m excited to be co-hosting this one with one of my most favourite cooks, sally. check out her insta for some mouth watering-food inspo. i am soo lucky blessed to be able to share meals, that she has cooked, on the regular and am happy for you that this is your chance to taste even a fraction of her skills in the kitchen.

once you’ve bought your ticket all you have to do is make one big pot of soup and divide it into four 500mL mason jars to bring. and then you get to sample a variety of feature soups, munch on the perfect partner to a warm bowl - sandwiches, hang out, chit chat, you know, all that good stuff and then go home with four different soups. it’s the perfect amount for a hearty and healthy lunch during the week. trust me, you’re going to want in.

mason jars

and it’s fun. so it’s a no-brainer.

if you are not feeling super inspired right now, that’s ok. why not think international? you could go moroccan harira, vietnamese pho, pakistani nihari, southwestern taco, canadian mushroom barley, thai tom yum. i could really go on here!! i made this persian soup jough the other day and it is so. so. good.

SOUP JOUGH / tahsin, the good

you decide if you want to try something new, or go with your own personal specialty.

if you’re still feeling unsure of what to make check out my soup pinboard for some inspiration from all over. some of my faves right now are this, this and this.

so if you are free and want to hang out, please click here to reserve your spot. and if you can’t make it, but still want to contribute to this cause, whichever one it ends up being, you can send me a message and we can work something out.

i really hope to see you there.

x,

t

ps. stay tuned. my ridiculously easy and nutrient-filled stock recipe is coming this week. so start saving your scraps and bones!

 

1 month ago Short URL 2 Comments

CAUSES/FOOD

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05

Nov

EAT / ROASTED CAULIFLOWER & LEEK SOUP

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER + LEEK SOUP / tahsin, the good

my sister and i decided a few weeks ago that we wanted to do a weekly soup exchange. we were making a big batch of soup for the weeks lunches and some dinners anyway, and thought why not just mix it up a bit and share. and we didn’t want to wait for my annual (yes, i’m calling it annual even though i have only had one, it’s the intention that counts!) soup exchange that’s being planned for january, we want soup now. i got sally on board and now we have a threesome! we see each other every wednesday already for family dinner, so the tradeoff can happen without any disruption to our already busy schedules.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER + LEEK SOUP / tahsin, the goodROASTED CAULIFLOWER + LEEK SOUP / tahsin, the good

these days i finalize my meal plans, that now include a soup, after i go to the market because i’m trying to get inspired by the fresh produce there. and most weeks there is a bit of carryover in my crisper so i take a little of the old and a little of the new and come up with something.

i think my sister was nervous i’d make her an apple based soup since i was going three/four weeks strong on that tip. apple squash, apple zucchini, apple apple apple. i knew i needed to diversify my ingredients and to her luck (and mine) i came across a really delicious soup on jeanine donofrio’s blog, love & lemons, using cauliflower and leeks. i was searching for a soup with leeks, but did not want to use potatoes and voila, this one caught my eye!

it’s creamy, cloud-like and flavourful.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER + LEEK SOUP / tahsin, the good

come, have a bite.

i didn’t have cashews, marjoram or white wine vinegar like the recipe calls for, so i subbed in sunflower seeds, coriander powder and white rice vinegar. i guess that’s the consequence for my new method of meal planning, but i look at it as being resourceful and a little bit creative in the kitch. isn’t that how the best recipes are developed anyways?

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER + LEEK SOUP / tahsin, the good

x

ps. thinking of starting a soup exchange? do it! i’d suggest keeping it to four committed peeps that live close by, or that you know you will see on a regular basis, who you think are good in the kitchen. i mean, you wouldn’t want to trade your awesome soup with a sub-par one right? just kidding. haha ;) check out my soup exchange post for a few guidelines on getting one started.

pps. in case you missed the link to the recipe above, it’s here. and seriously this blog is so good. lots of great easy and seasonal meals, beautiful imagery that makes you want to eat everything up, and a really well-rounded use of vegetables for a non-vegetarian food blog. bookmark that.

 

4 months ago Short URL Comments

FOOD

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25

Sep

EAT / BEET SOUP

fall is officially here and that means more soups in our house. and now, since i had a soup exchange a few months back, there’s no shortage of recipes for me to try out. i’ll be sharing the recipes with you guys as i make them, so sit tight and get your stock pots and homemade broth ready! (ps. a post on my stock recipe is coming!)

up first, i tried my friend zehra’s beet soup. i had a surplus of this soups main ingredient suddenly in my kitchen as i was the lucky recipient of some beet carpaccio leftovers from a dinner party.

i know, fancy huh?

they were really good as they were, but i wanted to mix it up a bit and make it easy for my kids to eat as well. as you can imagine, beet carpaccio is not really their flavour!

but this soup is. just be careful when preparing and eating it. no white clothes, ok?

those beets have a mighty pigment.

here’s a fun pic of niyya demonstrating this fact in her first foray into beet territory. she makes it look so yum, no? 🙊

so, here is the recipe. and i promise, it’s quick and easy to make. just chop, drop and stir. well, just about.

zehra’s beet soup

all you need is…

  • 3 medium beets (about 1 pound)
  • 1 tablespoon grapseed oil
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 pound carrots, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • freshly-ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 teaspoons sour cream (optional)

and all you have to do is…

  • under running water, peel the beets with a vegetable peeler. with a chef’s knife, cut the beets in half, then lay them flat side down and cut them into large chunks.
  • in a stock pot over medium heat, heat the oil. saute the onion until it is translucent. add the carrots, ginger, and garlic. cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • add beets, bay leaves and stock. simmer the soup, covered, for 50-60 minutes.
  • add lemon juice and zest and stir well.
  • in a food processor or blender, puree the soup in batches then stir in the salt and pepper. taste the soup, and adjust the seasonings, if you like. serve the soup hot or chilled, garnished with dollops of sour cream or feta and fresh cilantro.
  • this recipe serves 4.

and while i planned on having this batch last me a few days for lunch, i ended up eating a few bowls throughout the day!

what?! i really like this soup! ok?

and i think you will too. enjoy, and listen, if you end up making a batch i’m a quick phone call away. sharing is caring, right? ;)

5 months ago Short URL 2 Comments

FOOD

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15

Apr

EAT / SOUP JOUGH

as promised here is the recipe for this traditional persian soup. my friend shahnaz made it for the soup exchange i had last month and the flavours are so divine you have to try it out at home.

shahnaz’s soup jough

what you’ll need is…

  • 2 tbsp grape seed oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups pearled barley, rinsed and soaked in cool water for an hour
  • 4 cups of stock, chicken or vegetarian
  • freshly ground salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
  • 2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
  • water
  • chopped flat-leaf parsley for garnish

and all you have to do is…

  • sautee the onions in the butter and oil until translucent
  • add the pearl barley to the pot and stir for one minute. stir in the broth, salt and pepper.
  • bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
  • to the pot add the shredded carrots and mix. add more hot water if needed. cover and cook for another 40-45 minutes on medium-low heat.
  • in the last 15 minutes of cooking add the lemon juice, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
  • serve the soup in a large bowl, sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve with warm bread.

what i love about making soup is that there is very little prep, long low-maintenance cook times and a hearty, healthy and delicious outcome every time. thanks shahnaz, you are awesome mama!

who’s going to try this one out?

10 months ago Short URL 3 Comments

FOOD

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