My 40 Days Challenge!

Salamo A'alikom Sisters!

I posted earlier that I'll be blogging about my new year's resolutions every once in a while...well one of the resolutions on my list is/was waking up at 5 am (for prayer) and not going back to sleep...I wanted to do this for years! Whenever I think about doing something to be a better, much more productive Muslima, I remember the Hadith of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) : بورك لأمتي في بكورها - “The early morning has been blessed for my ummah.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2841)
In addition to this Hadith, whenever I read the biography of a successful person or a self-development book, waking-up early is the only thing all of them have in common! So I took a decision a couple of weeks ago! I won't sleep after Fajr prayer. Despite having to live on caffeine and Panadol to stay up and headache free, I felt adventurous and excited to see if I'll be able to achieve this new goal or not .
I managed to stick to my resolution for a week, but I was always tired regardless of the number of hours of sleep I got..always drained...didn't have any energy... looked exhausted and couldn't function accurately at work..which isn't fun or safe being a pharmacist!lol!
I thought that maybe being an early bird isn't my thing (I use to wake-up at 9 am)..I went to my mum (she's a medical doctor) and asked " Mumi, do you think that some people are just born with the ability to wake-up early and some aren't..well scientifically..you know?"..She immediately knew where this conversation is going so she gave me the look saying "Stick to your program..you'll get use to it by time..everything is a habit". Later that day while reading "The Leader Who Had No Title" by Robin Sharma (just finished reading this inspiring book today) I came across this paragraph which answered all of my "Why?" questions :

" Because during that initial transition period, you will be in the process of installing new habits. You'll be releasing the old, comfortable ways of doing things and shedding the previous behaviors that no longer serve your ascent into personal mastery.During those first forty days, you'll be setting up new patterns and literally rewiring your brain while recalibrate your inner controls.It's a stressful process, filled with discomfort. It'll feel hard and confusing. So it's natural to think that something is wrong.But that is not at all the case.You're just changing and growing.Everything is perfect, actually.Your former habits of thinking and being must disintegrate before better ways of behaving can begin to integrate. "

This paragraph was an eye opener for me and inspired me to start "The 40 Days Challenge" :
New Habit Number 1 : Waking -up at 5am :)

Who's in? :)

p.s I'll be blogging regularly enshaa Allah regarding this habit and other new habits I am installing!lol :) so watch this space xxx

2011 New Years Resolution Series -Part 1 : Sunni-wood Smile :))

Get Sunni-wood Smile!

1) Visit Your Dentist ( I'll be taking an appointment this week..and yeah I hate going to the dentist too!lol) :
If you are having a gum problem or should get that wisdom tooth removed , DO NOT wait..the more you procrastinate the more things get worse...so pluck up your courage and set a date.

Gum diseases are linked to heart diseases…so care for your heart and get your teeth+gum fixed!
2) Switch To a Medicated Toothpaste:
Although I am a lover of whitening toothpastes, but the truth to be said most of them damage your teeth’s enamel…I have noticed that the more I use those types , the more sensitive my teeth gets. As part of my 2011 Resolution I switched to medical toothpaste to keep the bacteria away without being harsh on my enamel! lol

3) Tongue Scrapers:



I thought that brushing my teeth 3 times daily after meals does the trick..well I wasn't 100% right. Tongue scrapers get rid of the bacteria that causes bad breath and if you are thinking of using your tooth brush (or its back) for scraping, DON'T! You are actually helping with the spread of bad-breath causing bacteria and you are damaging your tongue tissues.
Use the scraper after brushing your teeth (1 to 2 times daily)…been use it for a week now and loving it!

Here is a very informative video to show you how to use a tongue scraper :

                     

Now for the fun part!


4) Use Suwak/Siwak/Miswak :


If you aren't familiar with the Suwak/Siwak/Miswak here is a brief introduction :
The miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak) is a teeth cleaning twig made from a twig of the Salvadora persica tree.
Effect of Miswak from a scientific point of view : Suwak/Miswak strengthens the gums, preventing tooth decay and eliminating toothaches. Moreover, the miswak is also said to halt further increase in decay that has already set in. Furthermore, it is said to create a fragrance in the mouth, eliminate bad breath, improve the sense of taste and cause the teeth to glow and shine.
In addition, benefits not related to the teeth and gums include sharpening memory, curing headaches, creating a glow on the face of the one who continually uses it, strengthening the eyesight, assisting in digestion and clearing the voice.


A 2003 scientific study comparing the use of miswak with ordinary toothbrushes concluded that the results clearly were in favor of the users who had been using the miswaak, provided they had been given proper instruction in how to brush using it.The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of the miswaak in 1986.( source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miswak)
From a religious point of view : Using Suwak is part of the Sunna ( following Prophet Muhammed PBUH), so I'd like you all to update and check your intention before using the miswak, for you'll be rewarded while keeping your gum and teeth healthy ..Bingo! :))

How to use the Miswak/Siwak/Suwak is crucial for getting great results ( for me Suwak acts even better than whitening toothpastes) :




STEP ONE:
Simply scrape off about half an inch from the tip.
STEP TWO:
Then chew the tip gently until brush-like/or using a knife press gently the tip of the Miswak more than once until brush-like
STEP THREE:
Start brushing horizontally.(side-to-side motion rather than up-and-down for this may harm the gums)
STEP FOUR:
After brushing wash the tip.
STEP FIVE:
Store miswak in packet provided so it doesn’t become dirty.
STEP SIX:
Before going sleep store the miswak in a glass filled with water and put the part of the miswak that was used and leave it overnight to be soaked.
STEP SEVEN:
In the morning cut the bristles and start from step one again, this ensures u have clean bristles every day so that it is more hygienic and effective.


Etiquette of using Siwak:

• That a person should not use the siwaak in front of others or in public, because this is impolite.

• That the siwaak should be washed after use, to get rid of any dirt that may be on it.

• The siwaak should be kept in a clean place.

[Source: Collected & Edited by MiracleBrush.com Team]

Additional tip : DO NOT use the 'flavoured' ones for they contain artificial fragrance/scents

Here is a cool video on how to use Miswak :) Enjoy ;)

                     

















5) A Good Massage! :

Give your gums a good massage using cold-pressed,extra-virgin olive oil. Apply a few drops of the oil to your finger tips and massage your gum. Olive oil will improve your gum's health and whiten your teeth.

2011 Resolution :)

Salamo Aalikom (Peace upon you) all!
Al Hamdulil Allah I consider myself a positive and optimistic person (most of the time ;)) ...and with only few hours left in 2010 ...am looking forward to 2011! Most importantly I have been working on my "New Year's Resolution” list :))

Truth to be said, few years back I wasn't good at getting any of the tasks/resolutions done...but Al Hamdulil Allah…for the past 2-3 years I managed to write down challenging but achievable goals on my resolution list AND get most of them done! :)
I am still working on my new list...but would love to share with you most of my beauty, health and fashion resolutions :)

I'll be posting the name of the resolution and my practical steps to get it accomplished...and would love to hear your thoughts if you agree or disagree (or have a different experience you'd like to share :) )
Stay tuned: New Year's Resolution Series- Part 1: The Muslim Sunni-wood Smile! :))) Hehee :)

New Year's Resolution!

Salamo Aalikom (Peace be upon you) to all of you fashionistas :))
With only a few days left for the new year, most of us are getting our "2011 New Year's Resolution" list written down/updating the old one (or is it just me?heheee) ...I would love to hear some of your New Year's Resolution (especially if they are related to looks,beauty,hair..).
Comment on this post or send me an email at modnmod at yahoo.com :))