American Muslim Mom Blog » Family

Co-Author a Muslim Marriage Tip Book With Ponn Sabra!

Ponn Sabra — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:24:54 +0000

How would you like to co-author a Muslim marriage tip book with American Muslim Mom Ponn Sabra?

We are looking for 32 Muslim moms/wives with their three best tips (plus Ponn), totaling in 99 tips for a Muslim marriage tip ebook.

Through this online form, you have the opportunity to share three personal marriage tips. All tips cannot exceed 200 words, but should be more than 1-2 lines. Recommended is a viable tip plus an anecdote–a funny and personal story that showcases why or how the tip worked or works in your marriage.

Make your submission unique!

Personalized, personable tips make the difference in helping others take action in their lives. Simple tips, with no “storytelling”…even pains or struggles-to-success stories change people’s lives. One person’s 3 tips should be no more than 600-words in total so, 2-3 pages long. You can even add an ayat or hadith. Maybe include how you found out about this tip: Who recommended it? Who inspired you? What didn’t work and what turned around?

The form is your final draft.

Make sure to submit through this form, otherwise we can’t consider your contribution. Please reread and edit your submission, because it will be your final draft, so the less grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, the better. There is only one submission per person, so make sure you write your best tips, Insha’Allah.

Looking forward to those 3 tips! Submit them here.

Co-Author a Muslim Marriage Tip Book With Ponn Sabra! is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

This Fantasy Called Time Management

Ponn Sabra — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:45:08 +0000

While we don’t believe in fantasy, this title should grab your attention right away! But, the deep emotional ride in reading every word my dear, dear colleague of many years and moons ago (back in my Empowering Women Entrepreneurs days), Ann, takes us on a harsh reality shock.

Moms never seem to grasp the true meaning, let alone, the application of mastering quality time management skills, so please emphasize with Ann here on her passionate guest post.

This Fantasy Called Time Management

Like so many mothers, I wanted the flexibility and time to enjoy my daughter while she grew up–something the corporate world didn’t offer. So, I quit my job to start my business.

I didn’t start my business so my young daughter could watch her mother collapse on the floor from exhaustion. But that’s exactly what happened.

My business experienced phenomenal profit growth in less than 3 years.

I worked hard… real hard…working 16 to 18-hour days…hardly any sleep…7 days a week… to create this 6 figure business. No sleep! Within 3 years I could barely move… every joint ached. I felt constantly exhausted with very little energy left. My health and immune system ruined.

Then it happen… one morning, I collapsed on the kitchen floor… terrifying my daughter.

Yes, I took several time management classes, and my bookshelf is filled with several dog eared highlighted time management books. Yet, they didn’t solve the problem of not enough time to get everything done.

Time Management is a Fantasy

It’s something created by the corporate world to measure the productivity and efficiency of their employees. It meant business could turn time into money. Managers looked at how they could “save time” through measuring and controlling how long a worker took to complete any task.

The more an employee could output in a time frame, the more money a company could make. Workers soon found themselves performing under the pressure of the clock. Scheduling each hour in the day to take advantage of every minute. Squeezing more and more activities into a jam packed day.

Traditional time management actually works against the business owner. The invention of time management is for the benefit of the business–created to control employees. It doesn’t deal with the most time draining, pressing issue every successful business owner experiences…Multiplicity of Stuff

What is Multiplicity of Stuff?

First, it’s a sign of a successful business.

Second, it occurs naturally in every successful business.

With each sale and each new customer creates more work, more details, and more paperwork–many of the tasks you don’t have the skills or experience to do.

And you keep putting in more and more hours to keep up with the “stuff” of your business.

When “multiplicity of stuff” hits your business, you tackle it like an employee. Our education system trains and conditions us to become good little employees, to work under the pressure of the clock. The clock controls our lives from the moment of birth. Unfortunately, the employee mindset works against you once your business experiences success.

Traditional time management focuses on squeezing in more and more activities. There are only so many hours in a day, and you can only squeeze so much in it. Time management works against the entrepreneur and keeps you trapped in the “Multiplicity of Stuff” Syndrome. That’s why all those books and classes don’t solve your time issue.

You can see time management has nothing to do with managing your time…

It’s about clock control. You can control the clock.

You, the business owner, have freedom, flexibility, and power over the clock–an option not afforded to the employee. You can decide what activities you want to do and when you want to do them.

Forget time management… think clock management.

We’re so curious of your thoughts and reactions to this post. Please share your a-ha moments. You’re parallel life’s experiences. Your questions and concerns. Just share what it means to You to become a Time-Diva!

Ann Rusnak, The Time Diva, exposes the 3 biggest time management myths that traps your time and profits in her new book Thinking Outside the Clock. Get your free copy for a limited time at www.ThinkingOutsideTheClock.com

This Fantasy Called Time Management is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

4 Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms

KimberlyBen — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:15:53 +0000

If you’re a mom, chances are there’s never a dull moment in your world. Between taking care of the kids, husband, maintaining the home, work and all those errands that keep you on the move, you barely have enough time – let alone energy – to breathe. And that’s a real problem. When it comes to priorities, women tend to place themselves pretty low on their lists. We nurture and care for everyone else assuming that once the kids are older, your husband gets that promotion or when you retire that you’ll find have some spare time to take care of yourself.

So many women feel guilty for wanting to take time out for themselves. Everyone deserves some downtime. You need a chance to rejuvenate and recharge your batteries regularly, otherwise you could find yourself running on empty toward total burnout; and how would that benefit your loved ones? The best thing you can do for your family is make sure you’re at your best mentally, physically and spiritually.

Get Enough Sleep

I’m as guilty as anyone of staying up late to clean, fold laundry or put away the dishes after a busy day; but constant sleep deprivation can predispose you to some very serious risks including weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and other illnesses. Bottom line: you need 7-10 hours a sleep each night.

Avoid Stress

Did you know that chronic stress can make you fat? It triggers the release of cortisol into the bloodstream which causes fat to accumulate around your waist. This in turn increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Chronic stress is also related to high blood pressure.

In today’s world, avoiding stress can seem virtually impossible when you’re constantly worrying about job stability, your children’s well-being, paying bills, etc. Perhaps the first step is to recognize that Allah t’ala is in control of all things, and that He alone knows what is best for us. Sometimes a stressful period is simply a trial, and it needs to be met with patience and understanding that Allah provides ease after difficulty.

You can also find something you enjoy doing that relaxes you, and make time to do it – even if you have to schedule it. For some people, it’s reading or gardening. For others, it may be hiking, martial arts or yoga. Maybe you enjoy painting, knitting or crafting. Allow yourself time to regularly indulge in activities that bring you the most peace.

Delegate

The old saying, “no man is an island” is so true. We all need help from time to time. Unfortunately, it’s not easy for some o to ask for help – even when we know we need it.

Stop trying to carry the load alone. Not only will you end up overloaded with responsibility, but you also assume those around you are completely incapable, and that’s just insulting. Let your husband handle watching the kids while you visit with friends. Trust the kids to fold and put away their own laundry. Assign chores for everyone in the house. Make the next sisters’ luncheon a potluck by delegating dishes and other organizational tasks.

Exercise

Regular workouts strengthen your heart, condition your body, keep your weight under control, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. It also significantly increases energy and creativity. Set aside at least 30 minutes a day – even if it’s just a brisk walk around the block.

Even though you’re a wife, mother, employee or business owner, you have individual needs. Paying attention to those needs means you can do a better job of taking care of those you love.

Do you make regular self-care a priority? What are some things you do for some personal “me” time?

4 Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Extracurricular Exhaustion & Overscheduled Families: When Is It Enough?

Ponn Sabra — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:00:38 +0000

Ponn Sabra shares numerous tips, resources & experiences in the article “Overscheduled Families: When is It Enough?” Page 51-53, in the “Islamic Horizons” magazine, written by Kiran Ansari.

Kiran directs readers back to these resources:

She even touches upon the girls’ post in that last link!

We’d love to hear your input regarding the debate of what’s considered “too much”? Do you overschedule your kids’ after-school and weekend hours? Or, do you do nothing at all and let them run free? As you know, everything in Islam should be done in moderation; so finding your family’s sweet-middle-spot is most important.

Extracurricular Exhaustion & Overscheduled Families: When Is It Enough? is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-05-05

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:36:00 +0000

As A Muslim Mom, What Are Your Biggest Problems?: Have you downloaded, read, taken notes, and applied the many t… http://t.co/kb0Vv3um #
http://t.co/Aag0KyQp The Prophet sallah Allahu alayhi wa salem interpreting dreams… #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-28: @VerizonInsider LG Spectrum doesn't have NFC, does it? Do any of your sma… http://t.co/3LvgiBbH #
@ThinkFun > Your games are all about "healthy brain play" that's why we love your stuff so much! in reply to ThinkFun #
@CathyPresland Thanks for following. What timing–my problem today/all week, the book is handwritten & done, just need to type it out in reply to CathyPresland #
@CathyPresland I'm weighing the time difference of my voice recognition prg vs. my 110WPM typing which isn't quite enough in reply to CathyPresland #
Who's out there willing to keep each other accountable to our goals this slow moving Mon? I have 3 To Do Tasks due at 4pm. Can we do it? #
I'm half way done with TO DO Tasks, yay! How productive is your Monday so far? #
Had a BBQ lunch, planning a BBQ dinner, watching @kidbloggersclub climb trees as I type my book. No complaints here #
How can there be tweets from people I'm not following? #annoyed #
RT @MariSmith What is your Reach on Facebook? http://t.co/4YvJsLSg via @jfouts [Good read]=>Engagement is Key, NOT Reach. in reply to MariSmith #
No more lost USB cords with this popup plug! http://t.co/gWlSxJYI #
Can't wait to get our hands ON this! Been watching the developments for months now. http://t.co/JLvHMnyJ #
RT @janehoffer As always, a stimulating conversation!=>Ditto. Looking forward to staying in close touch for both of our many adventures! in reply to janehoffer #
@jfouts My pleasure–great stuff. Engagement is & should always be paramount in our social media relationships. in reply to jfouts #
@jfouts Yes, very cool. The problem is we're a PC-family and Android users. Still optimistically watching the tech-news though. in reply to jfouts #
Haven't gotten a Pinerly invite yet (#Pinterest analytics tool)? Well, come & join me today: http://t.co/sUekvsPm #
HELP: What #Twitter & #Facebook #Android App Do You Use & Love? @Hootsuite? Ideally I want 1. What about #Pinterest #
WP Pinner: FREE #Pinterest Tool Directly From Your #WordPress Blog. Opinions please? http://t.co/3IYDIl0v #
@jfouts LOL No chance baby! But, did u see this Kickstarter campaign? If I were you, I'd totally back this up: http://t.co/gWlSxJYI #iPhone in reply to jfouts #
@Leighbra Wow, never heard of Seesmic. Is it web-based too? in reply to Leighbra #
@jfouts I'm so for backing kickstarter technology, that I'm thinking of getting 1 for my sister – the only Mac-chick in the fam in reply to jfouts #
@wppinner If it wasn't for your following me & the chance that I actually was here when you did, that I'd find out about your new tool! in reply to wppinner #
@wppinner My @kidbloggersclub & I just watched & pinned your adorable video, but Tip: The font is very hard to read in reply to wppinner #
@newspapergrl Did you see this new #Pinterest tool for #WP http://t.co/s6rkpAe0 Ambitious! Pls weigh in your thoughts! #
@Leighbra So far you're the only 1 who made a recommendation. But, only for Twitter right? in reply to Leighbra #
@jfouts I totally agree. My @kidbloggersclub watches @kickstarter's Tech section for inspiration & good marketing tips in reply to jfouts #
@wppinner The finger people are classic & definitely makes you want to squint to read more. BTW adding multiple accts to the plugin is ideal in reply to wppinner #
Still looking for #Android recommendations for #twitter #facebook & #pinterest app. @hootsuite or @seesmic? #
Still looking for #Android recommendations for #twitter #facebook & #pinterest app. @hootsuite or #
@Curalate Thanks for following. Nice website. Looking forward to your public beta. #
@Leighbra It's definitely what I'm looking for; as any service will have to ultimately add pinterest so I'm not worried. I'm down to y in reply to Leighbra #
@Leighbra I'm down to yours & hootsuite, which I've always loved. so what's new with your #homeschooling adventures? in reply to Leighbra #
@Digitwirl My @kidbloggersclub & I are catching up on ~6mons of twirls. Question: Most/All your reviews iPhone apps? #
@Digitwirl Cuz I get sucked into your great twirls only to be bummed there's no #Anroid app, like today's or Siri. Need 2 delegate! #
@Curalate Yes I applied & nice 2 meet:@operationnice Yeah @kidbloggersclub thinks I get cornier each year. My laugh marks make me agree! in reply to Curalate #
Are You Taking The Ultimate Social Media Challenge with @mariagudelis & @Tina_Williams? @kidbloggersclub & I Are! #
Love Stories About Kids Making A Difference: http://t.co/8xq2yyhh at @KidsAreHeroes (cc @kidbloggersclub) #
@Digitwirl Yay, I saw @orchestra's web-based app, but would prefer #android of course in reply to Digitwirl #
@Digitwirl Yay @kidbloggersclub & I know. We love all your green-twirls, paperkarma, mail bins; but @orchestra & Siri would be life-changers in reply to Digitwirl #
@drelly>Would love 2 see all the graphs melissa lavigne-deville is presenting at #womenanddigitalv @ComcastVentures will it be made public? in reply to drelly #
#womenanddigital is totally inspiring my 3 girlbloggers of @kidbloggersclub! Finding new toys for these STE-chicks ie @appguppy @kaggle #
@dbdj1007 That's why they're succeeding, cuz they know how to fill the void! @plumdistrict @digitwirl @StyleforHire @drelly #womenanddigital in reply to dbdj1007 #
@drelly @comcastventures If @kidbloggersclub I can hop in my car to see these stats & meet inspiring #womenanddigital pros, I would! in reply to drelly #
@drelly @comcastventures @digitwirl Enjoy the rest of #womenanddigital I'll be sure to check the thread for more inspiration! Thanks. in reply to drelly #
@HollyPavlika You need to watch this thread #womenanddigital & Hook up with @WomenatNBCU – if you don't know them already #
@WomenatNBCU My pleasure.@HollyPavlika is 1 of the best #womenindigital in NYC I know. @kidbloggersclub & I are learning so much! in reply to WomenatNBCU #
@jfouts I taught an Inventions curr 2Xs. All 3 of @kidbloggerclub are award-winners, but we stopped at production costs in reply to jfouts #
Wasn't @Tina_Williams' Social Media Challenge supposed to start at 11am? I Haven't rec'ed login yet. @nicoledean #
Still looking for a Pinerly (#Pinterest tool) invite? Here you go: http://t.co/sUekvsPm #
@kidbloggersclub is totally motivated by @appguppy's founders & startup story! Can they interview you? #
@KidsAreHeroes @NoorKids Thanks for the RTs in reply to KidsAreHeroes #
@NewspaperGrl Yeah, I think the more referrals you give, you're higher on @wppinner's list to get an alpha version http://t.co/Iuhn5cuU in reply to NewspaperGrl #
@jfouts Yeah, we have tons to learn from you. We love all things STEM, I'm opening a nonprofit & the girls are all horseback riders in reply to jfouts #
@appguppy Happy about your growth. Eagerly waiting for May 11th, so we can start building apps on your system! #
@jfouts Totally agree. We horse-sat last summer & I never realized how much I could easily fall in love with these gorgeous creatures! in reply to jfouts #
@Digitwirl Determined to find something like Siri I read your comments & giving Vlingo a shot right now…here's praying for my PA #
Great to be back in NEng! BBQs & sun yesterday, now rain & worm-digging for the next sunny day to go fishing. #
Life in Gaza: Our Best Day Yet: Wordless Wednesday Which picture is your favorite? Please share with us in th… http://t.co/AVbfgHBP #
@appguppy Great! We'll do (@kidbloggersclub) in reply to appguppy #
@NoorKids Slowly getting in the swing of things, been overseas since our Hajj, alhumdulilah. @kidbloggersclub wants to know what's new. in reply to NoorKids #
@Leighbra Downloaded @Seesmic last night, very intuitive interface! Do you use the web-based version too? #
So happy to get into @Pinerly (#Pinterest analytics & scheduling tool)! Need an invite? Here you go: http://t.co/sUekvsPm #
@Leighbra Good to know. My tweeting from the web-based @seesmic right now. Very pretty! Come try it. Also has both this & @kidbloggersclub! in reply to Leighbra #
@Leighbra Ooo, @seesmic web-based is so clean & big. Haven't put my FB accounts in here yet, will do soon. Yes, $0 is a great price! in reply to Leighbra #
@Pinerly has Awesome Customer Service: Prompt & Thorough! Highly-informative #Pinterest Tips Blog http://t.co/HalCzEJP http://t.co/qnvHTpRg #
@TheOnlineMom @TheTechDad @verizoninsider Any #VZWBuzz Today? @kidbloggersclub & I are setting up our schedule & wouldn't want to miss it! #
TECH HELP ASAP: I need to convert a SQL file to CSV in 1-hour. Advice? It's a big 4-MB file #
Awesome Customer Service Makes A World of Difference! I often forgo little things as long as they treat me respectfully, Don't You? #
@NewspaperGrl I'm sure you saw this, right?=> 5 Interesting #Pinterest Marketing Campaigns
http://t.co/knXrIvTT via @mashable #
Add #Pinterest to #Facebook Fan Page In 2 Easy Steps. I Just Did The 1st Step & It's Up! http://t.co/0kquSWMD #
Ask American Muslim Mom!: Do you have a question for American Muslim Mom, Ponn Sabra? She wants to answer! The c… http://t.co/vCVB8OHt #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-05-05 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Ask American Muslim Mom!

Ponn Sabra — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:45:09 +0000

Do you have a question for American Muslim Mom, Ponn Sabra? She wants to answer!

The community’s top questions will be answered in future articles, podcasts, cinch tips, and more Insha’Allah. Whatever your question is–whether it’s sustaining a strong relationship with our Lord, being a devout Muslim mom/wife/daughter, succeeding as a social media blogger, halal affordable trips with the kids, homeschooling…anything–ask your one question today!

Submit your question through the form by clicking here.

Ask American Muslim Mom! is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Recipe: ‘Good Morning Pumpkin’ Muffins

AmnahIbrahim — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:32:50 +0000

I love a good muffin. Life as a busy mama to three kiddos doesn’t always allow time to sit down for a leisurely breakfast. Muffins are a great way to grab breakfast on the go. With a cup of coffee, milk, or juice, it gives me just enough energy to get through my hectic mornings without feeling starved.

This pumpkin version came together from a recipe I make often. I found myself without bananas and was able to substitute pumpkin puree with super yummy results. These were a hit at my daughter’s Girl Scout meeting.

‘Good Morning Pumpkin’ Muffins

Slightly adapted from Wake Up Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or pieces

Directions

Line 24 regular muffin cups with paper cups. In a small bowl, combine chopped nuts, the 3 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar with an electric mixer until well combined.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the bananas, coffee powder, and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the cream cheese mixture on low speed until combined. Stir in the chocolate pieces.
Stir in half of the nut mixture into the batter. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about two-thirds full. I measured out 1/4 cup per cup. Made exactly 24. Sprinkle with remaining pecan mixture. I used about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of topping for each muffin.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove muffins from pan and serve warm.

Have you ever tried making your own muffins? How did they turn out? Leave us a comment below!

Recipe: ‘Good Morning Pumpkin’ Muffins is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-28

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:36:00 +0000

@VerizonInsider LG Spectrum doesn't have NFC, does it? Do any of your smartphones have it? cc @thetechdad #VZWBuzz #
@VerizonInsider Just really wanted Google Wallet capabilities w/NFC & @thetechdad you said, LG Spectrum is a bloggers' dream, pls expand #
Have you downloaded my FREE ebook, Balancing Life as a Muslim Mom, yet? http://t.co/lnWPwUgJ #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-21: Unique Articles Only $1 http://t.co/EANBZ612 # Twitter Weekly Updates for… http://t.co/JiNczNQH #
Website Inspiring Kids to Become Entrepreneurs: http://t.co/WIOnuDZV http://t.co/NmQZZVFa #
Risk It When You're Young by @entrepreneur ~ @WePay Co-Founders http://t.co/sVP2J2d5 #
Instagram Co-Founders' Awesome 'From Stanford to Startup' Video Presentation http://t.co/XVjykQQl #
Pebble – E-Paper Watch for #iPhone & #Android ~ A Crowdfunding Success Story! http://t.co/tVO1AObq #
Inspire Your Techno-Kids By Reading This Interactive #Infographic Silicon Valley & Silicon Alley http://t.co/gQP0Xyn9 #
The $-Making Benefits of Having Professional Youtube Videos for Your Kid's Business http://t.co/6Vb0i2sJ #
The World's Awesome-est Islamic Online Store. Much More than Muslim Toys & Dolls ~ Simply Everythin http://t.co/j234rmZx #
Journey is a piece of torture 4 it disturbs 1's sleep eating & drinking. So when u fulfill ur job u should hurry 2 ur Family. ~Buhkari #
Daily Tips for Saving on Electricity: After spending nearly 6-months in oppressed land, no dedicated electricity… http://t.co/eFMUcvoW #
Where People Spend $Money$ Online #infographic Surprising Data! http://t.co/WQqZHR79 #
How #LinkedIn Works #infographic & How You Can Use It Better http://t.co/AiU4BpIx #
Multiple Ways to Use Google Docs for Teaching & Learning http://t.co/8pTgHxfS #
The Beauty of Raindrops: Amazingly Colorful! http://t.co/mA9F9oQ4 #
U.S. Student Debt #infographic Is This Our Next Bubble!? Insane #s http://t.co/pXMAhpQ4 #
Where Do You Fall in the Creativity Gap? #infographic http://t.co/iNwoiTiH #
Who needs some accountability this morn? I have a deadline in 3-hrs & I'm 1/5 done, will you help motivate me? Tweet me your deadline. #
@charetprjobs I agree. LinkedIn is often under-rated, but for biz contacts is still my #1 place to go. in reply to charetprjobs #
I'm using http://t.co/7vTY5KJe in 20-minute intervals to help me reach my deadline this morning, and your #productivity tips today? #
Do U ever place 1 of ur kid's artwork right next 2 U cuz it makes U so happy u're forced 2 admire it with a proud smile? I do right now #
RT @jeffbullas What Are The 10 Top Social Networks 4 #Marketing http://t.co/CTX3IWUe> I use #1 4 very much #5 10-not at all…and, You? #
Congrats @ShellyKramer @mombizcoach @melcoach @lizstrauss 4 being listed: 50 Women U Should B Following on Twitter http://t.co/ZaQUjCe5 #
Pinterest CEO: Here's How We Became The Web's Next Big Thing slideshow http://t.co/XQhV4t0M #
@mombizcoach Well-deserved, you're welcome! @MelissaOnline is a tireless supporter of women. Follow her too!>Nice to meet & follow! in reply to mombizcoach #
Why does it feel like Monday, but I'm SO glad it's Wed? Only 2-hrs til deadline. Can I make it? Must stop tweeting. #
Teaching Your Child About Sustainability: We live very simple, green, as-natural-as-possible lives, and I’m happ… http://t.co/SyNO71fw #
@melcoach You're welcome. Well-deserved sweetie! in reply to melcoach #
Anyone using Pinerly yet? If not, you should, check out why here: http://t.co/sUekvsPm #
Come Follow the New American Muslim Mom Pinterest Boards here: http://t.co/gtekrers #
@newspapargrl Here's the List of 50 Women You Should Be Following on Twitter http://t.co/ZaQUjCe5 #
@TheOnlineMom @VerizonInsider Better late then never. Hi All! #VZWBuzz #
@Tink4everbell howdy! what are we discussing now–I'm always looking for Productivity TIps
#VZWBuzz in reply to Tink4everbell #
@thetechdad Glad to be here, though late, sorry.
#VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Q5. I have SO many lists is my problem, I just downloaded app for To Do Notes
#VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@RobynsWorld Q5 I'm downloaded Astral Memo for To Do Lists #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@RobynsWorld Q5 But, I'd like a more organized Short-List-Task app. I have an idea how–any App Developers here today ? #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@RobynsWorld Q5. That's why I love my voice recorder app to go with my lists & use google calendar together #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@TheTechDad I just fancied the MiFi @VerizonInsider yesterday–So majorly cool. Is it international? Probably not, huh? #VZWBuzz in reply to TheTechDad #
@thetechdad @verizoninsider I ask, because we were traveling MiddleEast for 6 mons with limited electricity let alone Net, but 3G #VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad @verizoninsider cont. But, 3G wireless was always available. #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld: Google tasks/Google calendar/Astral Memo apps, voice recorder & TONS of little pieces of paper…Need some help! #VZWBuzz #
@me_N_theguys yay, I'm looking forward to the GDrive (Google cloud) release! This will help immensely cc @gods_smile #VZWBuzz in reply to me_N_theguys #
RT @RobynsWorld: TIP – I take a pic with my iPhone of my whiteboard lists so that I have them with me on the go!>Thanx, will do! #VZWBuzz #
@TheTechDad Yay, hubby got stuck in Colorado mountains–there was no network…urgh, looking forward to switching 2 @verizoninsider #VZWBuzz in reply to TheTechDad #
@RobynsWorld Q7, Yes, now I limit myself to 3-To-Do's a day in each category: Me, Marriage, Motherhood, Money/Biz. #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@RobynsWorld Q7 The less To Do's the more doable, acceptable success accomplished. Priority listing = Productive Success #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@Gods_Smile Try to limit yourself to 3-To-Do's a day, when those are done, reward yourself before adding more To-Do's to accomplish #VZWBuzz in reply to Gods_Smile #
@TheTechDad: I agree, ie: Toshiba's 13" #VZWBuzz in reply to TheTechDad #
RT @RobynsWorld: @TheTechDad I LOVE the BIG phones that are coming out now – so helpful!>Totally agree. #VZWBuzz in reply to TheTechDad #
@RobynsWorld: Q8 FB yes. But, Twitter keeps me accountable to deadlines, bc I often ask followers to race-the-work-clock with me #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Q8: I use my Twitter feed as motivational task-accountability-tool 4 major deadlines & I always find 1 or 2 to join me #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
RT @Tink4everbell: @RobynsWorld Q8 I agree, Pinterest is so much more fun then FB, so more distracting/hindering #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Q8: There's a couple colleagues & I using twitter to touch base for work-projects this weekend #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@RobynsWorld Q9: Yes! That's why I list 3 To-Do's at a time, once those are done I reward myself & my homeschool girls #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
RT @VerizonInsider: There's also a great blog by @TheOnlineMom http://t.co/CJP9kNRh about apps for your mobile office! #VZWBuzz #
@geekbabe Nope, we're considering the Toshiba 13" or Samsung Galaxy–No Mac users in this home! #VZWBuzz in reply to geekbabe #
RT @RobynsWorld: Are you all ready to win some prizes????> Like always. #VZWBuzz #
RT @RobynsWorld: The winner of the Verizon Insider Swag Bag is……. @pscherry78 Congratulations!!! > Enjoy, Enjoy! #VZWBuzz #
RT @VerizonInsider: Speaking of hotspots–check out 2days prize! http://t.co/mGpL7MQ2 >Totally looking at MiFi. Great name BTW #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Q10 Our 5 daily prayers anchor our day fortunately #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@RobynsWorld Q10 Limit to Only 3 To-Do-Tasks per day, in different areas of life: Me, Marriage, Mom & Work. Reward when done #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Q10 Be proud of self, when you tackle your ToDoTasks, b/c typically Moms List Too many Outrageously-unrealistic ToDo's #VZWBuzz #
@NerdMom Q10 I agree. My life & biz would be nothing without my partner/companion: Happy Hubby! #VZWBuzz in reply to NerdMom #
@RobynsWorld Q10 Work wisely, play hard in life, marriage, kids & biz. Work with passion. #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Q10 I mean work, live & play with passion; less to disappoint you if things don't turn up the way you expect #VZWBuzz #
RT @VerizonInsider: @zebastyandylan Playing memory games and such is a good idea.>We love @thinkfun & @ohanarama for this reason! #VZWBuzz #
Congrats! @me_N_theguys who has won Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4510L + $125 Verizon Gift Card!! #VZWBuzz gt; ENJOY! #VZWBuzz #
RT @geekbabe: @TheOnlineMom hey welcome back!> Ditto! Flying Online–Gotta love it! #VZWBuzz #
RT @tannawings: @RobynsWorld @TheTechDad @TheOnlineMom @geekbabe TY for the nice party!>As always, informative & fun! #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld @TheTechDad @TheOnlineMom @geekbabe @verizoninsider> Thanks again–til next week! Have great weekend. #VZWBuzz #
RT @VerizonInsider: Thank U all for joining! RT @RobynsWorld: A huge thank u again 2 @VerizonInsider who sponsors our wkly parties! #VZWBuzz #
Luv 2 get your hands on the slim, light, & amazingly powerful Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7? Tweet 2 win 1. #IWannaGalaxyTab http://t.co/DHWHj0sd #
#IWannaGalaxyTab to go along with my LG Spectrum 4G LTE for homeschooling @kidbloggersclub & my online biz #
@HashTagCat Less, more realistic 3-To Do List is more motivational then draining, sad long list that never gets finished in reply to HashTagCat #
@RobynsWorld I put reminders in google calendar the time I'm out of the home to listen to my voice recorded lists @vzbuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
@VerizonInsider I'll try never to miss #vzbuzz great educational, informative way to end the week. Always very energizing too! = Fun! #
Melinda French Gates: What nonprofits can learn from Coca-Cola: http://t.co/wC5oZLZx via @youtube>& Small Biz Owners can learn! #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-28 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

As A Muslim Mom, What Are Your Biggest Problems?

Ponn Sabra — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:26:11 +0000

Have you downloaded, read, taken notes, and applied the many tips in my FREE 23-page ebook, “Balancing Life as a Muslim Mom” yet? I conquer the top priorities to being a Muslim Mom: Challenges of Marriage, Motherhood & Money, based on the incredibly supportive feedback I’ve received.

I’m honored and humbled that at least three Imams have used my ebook for khutbah topics, discussions, halaqahs. Plus, dozens and dozens of personal emails co-written by husbands and wives sharing that the hubby downloaded the ebook and read it first to “approve” its content, only to find themselves the biggest supporters. Husbands rave they’ll have all their wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, mother-in-laws…all the women in their lives read it. MashAllah!

I’ve read dozens and dozens of emails, comments, and social media posts asking for more–more tips and more practical and DO-able advice.

I have handwritten 49 Daily Du’a for the Muslim Mom all designed as expected, not arrogantly or scholarly, nor in a way that talks down to you like a man telling you you’re wrong. It’s profound and deep, but I think also hysterical, even stomach-wrenching at times for the very a-ha’s I gained in the process that gave me some guilt for my mistakes I often admit in the book. But, I want to make sure I didn’t leave out a single pressing problem that’s a priority in Your Life!

Did I tackle your most pressing concerns? Issues? Fears? Worries? Faults? Weaknesses?

I also praise you quite a bit…no guilt-trips here. You’re sure to laugh at my own harsh realization that I’m by far NOT close to perfection…rather a fallible, sinful, mortal. Being dedicated humbly to serving our Lord, eager to please only Him is the primary goal. But often we let the perils of our long exhausting day as Mom…let alone the added ~~pressure~~ uniqueness of being a Muslim Mom living in America.

So, lay it on me…please comment openly, honestly…and, kindly, of course below!

As A Muslim Mom, What Are Your Biggest Problems? is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-21

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Unique Articles Only $1 http://t.co/EANBZ612 #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-14: What Kind of Couponer Are You? I'm Seasonal; but I definitely have 3 Prod… http://t.co/HRVUx8WR #
Kids' Safety on #Facebook #infographic – Startling Stats! http://t.co/ZL2LwItF #
Preparing for the Transition to Motherhood: When a woman is expecting, she eagerly anticipates the birth of her … http://t.co/0fdtt3q9 #
Make Your Own QR Code & Share Contact Info via Smartphones <5 mins setup. Cool FREE app @JumpScan! Here's Mine: http://t.co/SwNbCZBW #
I'm getting real-time search results at TweetGrid http://t.co/dEHUXMAv #XboxFamily #
@theoneline Q8: I read trusted reviews & play the games with the kids first #XboxFamily #
@theonlinemom better late that never, just RSVPed to be here #XboxFamily #
@geekbabe How are you sweetie? My 1st twitter party in over 6mons, traveling overseas #XboxFamily #
@theonelinemom Q8: The family likes action but family-approved scenes #xboxfamily #XboxFamily #
@cin_20 Thanks, in 3 yrs we've never lived in 1 place longer than 4-mons, its our lifestyle #XboxFamily #
@geekbabe My girls changed their lunch schedule so I can be here for an Xbox360 #XboxFamily #
CONGRATS!! RT @kinectfamily: WINNERS of the Kinect Rush game. Congrats to @angelmom037 and @frymommy #XBoxFamily #XboxFamily #
RT @TheTechDad: Here are all the family games for Xbox 360, incl those for Kinect http://t.co/hmP9xbBQ #xboxfamily #XBoxFamily #XboxFamily #
@cin_20 Adventure is definitely an understatement–not always fun, but adventurous #XboxFamily in reply to cin_20 #
@TheOnlineMom Girls are telling me a Kinect 360 is easier to play with then our Wii b/c no remote #XboxFamily in reply to TheOnlineMom #
@TheOnlineMom No, but opening up the link now–fun! #XboxFamily in reply to TheOnlineMom #
@cin_20 World experiences help my girls appreciate the luxuries & conveniences of being American #XboxFamily in reply to cin_20 #
@kinectfamily Even though we're a home of all girls, we like our hubby's Action-Games picks, no dancing in our house #XboxFamily #
@kinectfamily, I mean we Dance A Lot, but no Dance-games we prefer Action-Games, cars, exercise, etc #XboxFamily #
RT @TheOnlineMom: Who is ready for an Xbox 360 with Kinect today? #xboxfamily Me Me! #XboxFamily #
@lisasamples Miss you, Congrats on the growth of BrandBuzz #xboxfamily #XboxFamily #
@geekbabe who won the grand prize? #XboxFamily in reply to geekbabe #
RT @lisasamples: Thank you to @KinectRush for sharing time today with us. We LOVED having you! #XboxFamily Thanks #
@lisasamples definitely have to catch up, been traveling overseas for past 6mons, so will become active again! #XboxFamily in reply to lisasamples #
@WiCProject Nice to meet you. #XboxFamily in reply to WiCProject #
RT @CarlaYoung: Keep your eye on the #XBoxFamily hashtag for more fun stuff> Cool! #XboxFamily #
How to Store Fresh Produce: Remember our previous post, Life in Gaza: Produce. From Stand to Shelf? If you haven… http://t.co/2uCvVgGK #
There Are Two Blessings Which Many People Lose: (They Are) Health & Free Time For Doing Good. ~ Sahih Bukhari 76:421 #
How Stress Affects The Body #Infographic – Prioritize Stress Relief Today! http://t.co/JYQx26Lk #
The Best Times To Blog – Chalkboard Graph. Blogging After Fajr/Dawn…hmm… http://t.co/LIXTcwr4 #
Make your blog more pin friendly with these tips. http://t.co/LYM8m0VD #
How to Pin Images from Facebook http://t.co/wGyqA3em #
Why Is #Pinterest So Addictive #Infographic http://t.co/FzBuDEs8 #
12 Fun Recycled Art, Craft & Activity Ideas http://t.co/F2nVhi5Y #
Social Impact – How Sharing influences consumer behavior #infographic http://t.co/D6rWq1bt #
Great tips: Key principles of effective web design #infographic http://t.co/re4ZqfeA #
The Power of Pinterest & 5 Major #Brands Using It. #infographic http://t.co/akutpwzs #
How Memory Works & How We Can Improve It – Fascinating #infographic #homeschool http://t.co/qbcpsNcD #
This teacher's math stuff is fabulous for early learners http://t.co/a44xt6SA #
@OnlineMom @VerizonInsider Hi! Great Topic for this party, but What's the TweetGrid url? #VZWBuzz #
@TheTechDad that & on our blogs, not just social media sites #VZWBuzz #VZWBuzz in reply to TheTechDad #
@onlinemom So many pix, no time to upload, save or share. If I do, I forget who I shared with or where I saved to #VZWBuzz #VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad A4. I always loose my phone, then it dies so I can't call. Want a Smartwatch to help me out #VZWBuzz #VZWBuzz #
RT @VerizonInsider: @ostmega heres all the 411 on Backup Assistant Plus: http://t.co/r2Qdlxib #VZWBuzz #
RT @TheOnlineMom: @RobynsWorld I love my Android phone – they are so easy to use and have gazillion apps>Better than my laptop! #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld Makes sense. #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
RT @TheTechDad: Losing a smartphone can be worse than losing a wallet – contacts and photos are harder to replace> Definitely! #VZWBuzz #
RT @TheTechDad: More on Backup Assistant Plus http://t.co/zHhHm6HE Great alternative for non iPhone users. #VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad A4. I made my 1st google spreadsheet last night, amazingly simple & not thumb-pain #VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad A5. Made my 1st google spreadsheet last night on Android, Loved the "fill in blocks" & surprisingly simple #VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad A5 I've been using google docs Android all week with my voice-recognition app. Awesome!
#VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad Tech-SWAG is always welcomed
#VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad Q5 via Android google docs & spreadsheet is much better than other office apps. Using google docs exclusively #VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad Q5 for google docs, the voice recognition is a nice replacement to Swype-typing, but I miss swipe-typing big-time
#VZWBuzz #
Recipe: Foolproof Baked Brown Rice: I’m always trying to improve the way my family eats. I strive to serve meal… http://t.co/3Wu2cWvd #
RT @CatherineBuell: @TheTechDad @dragonfly777 Congrats on your Swag!!! >Ditto #VZWBuzz #
@TheOnlineMom Totally…I do that for work emails, social media–it's time for movies under the sheets #VZWBuzz in reply to TheOnlineMom #
@CatherineBuell Yes, all @thetechdad & @theonlinemom twitter parties are informational & fun, so time always flies by so fast #VZWBuzz in reply to CatherineBuell #
@geekbabe not a surprise. this week I've used android to do more work then laptop with voice-recognition to help…and in bed too #VZWBuzz in reply to geekbabe #
@thetechdad @verizonwireless what's the best 1 link for all the resources shared today, have to read on syncing & security!
#VZWBuzz #
@thetechdad who couldn't use more speed & storage/easy-syncing for pictures, videos etc? @verizonwireless
#VZWBuzz #
RT @TheTechDad The Spectrum is a great bloggers phone. #vzwbuzz gt; Who uses the WordPress app? Thoughts? #VZWBuzz #
@RobynsWorld @thetechdad Like OhMi!!! Are You So Like Serious? @verizonwireless #VZWBuzz in reply to RobynsWorld #
RT @Leighbra: @TheTechDad Yay! @ponnsabra is a homeschooling mama, too! That phone will be well loved > Yay by @kidbloggersclub! #VZWBuzz #
RT @TheTechDad: Don’t forget to check out the Family Buzz blog on Verizon Insider http://t.co/DrnNLswx> Thanks for the link. #VZWBuzz #
After being overseas for 6-months, it's time for an updated new smartphone! Thank You @thetechdad @verizoninsider @theonlinemom #VZWBuzz #
RT @TheTechDad: Join us next week for a chat on being more productive with your smartphone! > Will be here to learn more #VZWBuzz #
RT @geekbabe: love you guys! glad to stay in synch with you all, see you next Friday in the #VZWbuzz fast lane!> HeeHee LOL! Me 2 #VZWBuzz #
RT @TheTechDad @TheOnlineMom Im so taking a nap now. Ill be syncing with my pillow. > Me too, last time w/o new smartphone #VZWBuzz #
RT @VerizonInsider: Congrats to @dragonfly777 and @ponnsabra for scoring some SWEET prizes in this weeks #tweetchat gt; Thank You! #VZWBuzz #
@geekbabe @CatherineBuell @TheTechDad @dragonfly777 @Tink4everbell @g0t_bliss @LifebyCynthia ? ?@Leighbra Thanks for the Congrats!
#VZWBuzz #
@ostmega @RobynsWorld @lilac_the_bunny Thanks 4 Congrats! Def a Fabulous Friday! Enjoy your weekends @thetechdad @theonlinemom #VZWBuzz #
The Prophet used to recite the following at Fajr prayer on Fri, Alif Lam Mim Tanzil (S.Sajda) & Hal-ata-ala-l-Insani (S.Dahr) Bukhari13:16 #
@thetechdad @onlinemom FYI: 20 Essential Twitter Chats for #Homeschoolers gt;My thoughts of Your Awesome twitter chats, posted last week! #
6 Fun Recycled Cable Organizers for Real Geeks. Kids Can Join the Fun! http://t.co/VzVPLwwn #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-21 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Recipe: Foolproof Baked Brown Rice

AmnahIbrahim — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:00:48 +0000

I’m always trying to improve the way my family eats. I strive to serve meals using as many healthy ingredients as I can fit into a recipe. I’ve attempted making brown rice in the past, but I have always had unappetizing results. It would either be too mushy or crunchy–sometimes even a mixture of both. I gave up and went back to cooking to more forgiving white rice.

I recently came across a recipe that called for baking the rice in the oven. It was a technique I never considered, but I was willing to give it a shot. It required a short list of ingredients and was a cinch to assemble. I was pleasantly surprised when the rice was cooked thoroughly but still had a nice bite to it. The texture was exactly as it should have been. In one attempt, I was convinced that it was possible to make brown rice successfully. The great part is that my family enjoyed it. Yay for fiber!

Foolproof Baked Brown Rice via Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups long-grain, medium-grain, or short-grain brown rice
2 1/3 cups water
2 teaspoons unsalted butter or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 375 degrees. Spread rice in 8-inch square baking dish.
Bring water and butter to a boil, covered, in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, immediately stir in salt and pour water over rice in baking dish. Cover baking dish tightly with 2 layers of aluminum foil. Transfer baking dish to oven and bake rice until tender, about 1 hour.
Remove baking dish from oven and uncover. Fluff rice with fork, then cover with kitchen towel and let rice stand for 5 minutes. Uncover and let rice stand 5 minutes longer. Serve immediately.

Variation: Curried Baked Brown Rice with Tomatoes and Peas

Increase amount of butter to 2 tablespoons and melt in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add 1 minced small onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.
Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add one 14.5 ounce can drained diced tomatoes and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
Substitute vegetable broth for water and reduce amount of salt to 1/8 teaspoon. After pouring broth over rice, stir tomato mixture into even layer.
Bake as directed, increasing baking time to 70 minutes. Before covering baking dish with kitchen towel, stir in 1/2 cup thawed frozen peas.

Note: I doubled this recipe and used a 9×13 baking dish.

Have you ever tried cooking brown rice? How did it turn out?

Recipe: Foolproof Baked Brown Rice is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

How to Store Fresh Produce

Ponn Sabra — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:57:57 +0000

Remember our previous post, Life in Gaza: Produce. From Stand to Shelf? If you haven’t read it yet, click on the link to discover how the family and I managed to store fresh in Gaza without a refrigerator.

Subhanallah, just when I had finished writing that post, a friend shared this awesome blogpost, “How to Store Fresh Produce from Apple to Zucchini.” She made a handy printable too! Never let those fresh fruits and veggies spoil again, InshaAllah!

Do you have any tips to prevent produce from getting spoiled? If so, please share in the comments section.

photo credit: William Ismael | Willpower LifeForce

How to Store Fresh Produce is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Preparing for the Transition to Motherhood

Guest Blogger — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:29:13 +0000

When a woman is expecting, she eagerly anticipates the birth of her baby. For nine months she has dreamed about holding her infant, counting the tiny toes and examining every inch of the newest member of her family. Most women can’t wait to get to know this precious, brand-new person. Whether a new mother is preparing for her first baby, or an experienced mother is trying to plan for how to balance a new baby with other children, the transition to motherhood is different with every baby.

Preparing for labor and delivery has probably consumed most of a mother’s time. Taking childbirth classes, planning for natural or medicated pain management and setting up a nursery are all common steps that consume much of a woman’s pregnancy. Although labor and delivery is a big event in a mother’s life, it is a small stepping stone on the journey to motherhood, so many preparations should be made for post-delivery as well.

Planning Ahead

Just like anything else, making a plan can help diminish worries. A new mother should plan for the inevitable chaos that a new baby will bring to her usual schedule as much as possible. An expectant mother may want to consider making a few casseroles for the freezer that will feed the family in the first few weeks of the baby’s life. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, an expectant mother may want to make an effort to keep the house clean and the laundry caught up so she doesn’t have to worry about those chores when she returns home or when guests visit the new baby.

The postpartum period is not the time for a mother to try to do it all on her own. Mothers with a newborn should try to recruit help from family and friends in the first few weeks. However, a new mother should choose her helpers wisely; having trusted family and friends around will keep a mother comfortable. Mothers should not be embarrassed about taking advantage of friends who offer to help in the first few weeks. Most of the time, people are eager to help and would gladly come watch the children while the new mother takes a nap or a shower.

Mental Adjustments

Motherhood changes the mindset of a woman, especially for first time mothers. A woman who is accustomed to staying busy with work may chafe at staying home on her maternity leave. Feeling too tired to get anything done can be frustrating to women used to having a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. New mothers should understand that, although they may not get to household chores or workplace tasks each day, they are still accomplishing a lot by feeding, changing and holding their babies. Women who are frustrated in the postpartum period should realize that this season of life is very short, and it will not be long before they are back to normal.

The postpartum period can seem a bit overwhelming, but by recruiting help and planning ahead, mothers can stay positive and enjoy this transient period of their lives. Although a new mother may be exhausted, the first few weeks of a baby’s life are a precious time that should be savored.

“This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.”

As the trimesters quickly fly by, the last one is usually filled with mixed emotions: from excitement to anxiousness. Fortunately, Katie’s guest post is filled with great tips for New Moms or reminders for mothers expecting their 2nd, 3rd or even 11th baby!

photo credit: kmroselle

Preparing for the Transition to Motherhood is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-14

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:36:00 +0000

What Kind of Couponer Are You? I'm Seasonal; but I definitely have 3 Prodigies! Do You involve your http://t.co/Oij5Rphu #
Those Phone Crazy Teens #infographic SCAREY data–I don't use 1/4 as much! What about You & Your Te http://t.co/vX4Iih13 #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-07: Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies with Your Kids: Making Tiny Buttery Cru… http://t.co/WHKS8zHK #
Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies: The Finished Product: Asalaamu Alaykum! As you may recall, a few days ago, we posted… http://t.co/m8OvhepM #
Pinterest Image Optimization #infographic by @Janet Thaeler of http://t.co/lct7ZI0r http://t.co/myEG2TIq #
Are You A Productive Muslim?: Procrastination. We’ve all encountered it and fallen deeply into its trap. When fa… http://t.co/J3YUfVJo #
Recipe: Power Biscotti: Having three little girls ages five to newborn is very tiring. My calories and time hav… http://t.co/ofloVbBS #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-14 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Recipe: Power Biscotti

AmnahIbrahim — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:02:32 +0000

Having three little girls ages five to newborn is very tiring. My calories and time have to count. To get a bit of a recharge I bake a batch of biscotti. It’s not as labor intensive as one may think. I remember being quite intimidated by biscotti recipes in the past, but after making it the first time, I realized how simple the process actually is. Just over 100 calories a piece, I get a good dose of healthy ingredients that come together in a tasty way.

It’s nice to briefly indulge in my hobby of baking and reap the reward of a healthy snack once it’s complete. It’s a small boost that helps get me through my day of mom duties.

Power Biscotti

via Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2001

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/4 wheat bran or wheat germ
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine oil, extracts, and eggs; add to flour mixture, stirring until well blended (dough will be dry and crumbly).
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 7 to 8 times. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into an 8 inch long roll. Place rolls 6 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; flatten each roll to a 1 inch thickness.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove rolls from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Cut each roll diagonally into 15 (1/2 inch) slices. Place slices cut side down on baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes. Turn cookies over, and bake an additional 8 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on wire rack.

Try it out and leave us a comment on how it turned out! We’d love to hear your feedback, InshaAllah.

Recipe: Power Biscotti is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Are You A Productive Muslim?

Ponn Sabra — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:00:36 +0000

Procrastination. We’ve all encountered it and fallen deeply into its trap.

When faced with a daunting to-do list (or even a short manageable one), it’s amazing what suddenly becomes of interest to us. Friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter will be updating you constantly on their lives, your closets and desk space will call for reorganization, that dessert you’ve been meaning to try out for months becomes an instant craving.

Productive Muslim presents a clever animation to inspire us to conquer that pesky procrastination, to which we so often fall victim:

What do you think? Are you feeling inspired to be a productive Muslim? What do you find motivation in?

Are You A Productive Muslim? is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies: The Finished Product

Ponn Sabra — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:55 +0000

Asalaamu Alaykum! As you may recall, a few days ago, we posted a recipe with an accompanying video for Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies with Your Kids.

Many of you seemed intrigued with this recipe. So, based on all the comments stating your interest, we decided to share pictures of the finished product with you. Check it out:

They are in fact edible ‘real’ cookies!

Have you tried the recipe out yet with your kids? Leave us a comment on how they turned out!

Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies: The Finished Product is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-07

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies with Your Kids: Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies is so easy & fun. It obvious… http://t.co/UU04WtUD #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-31: Life in Gaza: Sharing a Sunset From Our Orchard: The past two Fridays, th… http://t.co/KLIoy2oX #
Four Reasons Why Allowing Your Children to Spend Time Overseas Alone is a Good Idea: As a mom today there is a l… http://t.co/kq6rni08 #
7 Tips for Building and Working Your LinkedIn Network: When I first created a profile on LinkedIn, I honestly ha… http://t.co/7tQHyNhA #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-07 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-31

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Life in Gaza: Sharing a Sunset From Our Orchard: The past two Fridays, the girls have been able to get fresh air… http://t.co/uVDi9VVu #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-24: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-17: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03… http://t.co/8NhZM3LE #
5 Work-at-Home-Mom Tips That Make Achieving Home and Work Life Balance Easier: Last week I spent some time chatt… http://t.co/6SJgBvBr #
Video Review: The Digital Mom Handbook: Muslim mommy bloggers and mommies involved with digital media in general… http://t.co/gpOFkvPV #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-31 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies with Your Kids

Ponn Sabra — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:00:38 +0000

Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies is so easy & fun.

It obviously takes minutes if I have a nice measuring-tablespoon to scoop up the crumbs as a cookie cutter and plop them onto the tray…it’s so much fun that my girls fight for the chore!

But, the shaped spoons are not readily available here in Gaza.

So, the video tutorial below shows how I use my hands to shape Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies. This is definitely a bit challenging for the girls to do with me to speed up the process–so, I see it as more of “family fun time” together as they play around with crumbs.

Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups of white flour*
1 cup of sugar
Half a stick of melted butter – 4 ounces

* For a healthy variation, we use wheat flour back home–and we actually prefer wheat flour because it makes a thinker texture with butter and is absolutely delicious! It’s the only wheat flour recipe we use straight, without adding white flour to lesson the hearty taste. It crumbles ever so pleasantly on your tongue too…Yummy!

Instructions:

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix the flour & sugar together. Then add the melted butter to the mixture and swirl around with a spoon to make sure the butter spreads evenly. Use your hands to crumble all the crumbs together to assure the butter spread evenly. Watch the video to use your hands to make a tiny shape. Place on a buttered pan for extra buttery crispy bottom.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.

Please give this recipe a try and let us know what you think…both its taste AND the experience of making them.

Making Tiny Buttery Crumb Cookies with Your Kids is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Video Review: The Digital Mom Handbook

Ponn Sabra — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:27:47 +0000

Muslim mommy bloggers and mommies involved with digital media in general can really benefit from The Digital Mom Handbook. You can check out my review (see all those marginal notes? My handbook is very well-loved ) below:

Have you gotten your hands on The Digital Mom Handbook? What did you find most helpful about it?

Video Review: The Digital Mom Handbook is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

5 Work-at-Home-Mom Tips That Make Achieving Home and Work Life Balance Easier

KimberlyBen — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:33:32 +0000

Last week I spent some time chatting with a lovely mum from the UK on Twitter about balancing business building strategies while raising small children. She asked how I managed to build a home-based business and care for my four children at the same time. I’ll be completely honest – it wasn’t easy, and there was quite a bit of trial and error involved (there still is!). I deal with things best one small bit at a time, so I started by setting daily and weekly goals, and then plotting how to meet them.

That was the business part. The home/family part was another matter entirely. When I first started my business, I was homeschooling my oldest daughter and her younger twin brothers. Like many women, I wanted everything in my home to be “just so,” so I set out to do everything by myself (because no one knows how I like things in my home better than me, right?). Big mistake. Trying to do it all soon became overwhelming and exhausting. It didn’t take long for me to realize I needed help. Thankfully, there are six of us in our immediate family – more than enough hands to get things done.

Balancing a business with my home life is an ongoing challenge. If you’re not careful, your business/work time can spill over into precious family time. I’ve found a few simple ways to improve productivity so that more of what needs to get done in my business and home gets done efficiently:

Create a Chore Chart

Anyone with a husband and children knows that you rarely clean a house just once during the day – especially if other family members spend time home with you during the day. My husband and I tend to like things very clean and done a certain way, but we quickly realized we were doing our children and ourselves a disservice by not including them in the collective maintenance of our home. We immediately created a daily/weekly chore chart and assigned each member of our family age appropriate tasks to help us keep an orderly home.

Meal Planning

Have you ever finished a long day of work and found yourself scrambling around trying to figure out what to make for dinner? Yeah, me too – more times than I can count. A good friend of mine with nine children who runs a very tight ship of her own suggested that I plan all of our meals ahead of time. I plan meals for the entire month in advance (yes, you read correctly) and shop according to the ingredients needed for each meal.

I plan everything: breakfasts, lunches (my children take lunch to school), snacks and dinners. I used to shop a month in advance (it really saves money in the long run to do this – and if you can spend one weekend cooking a month’s worth of meals in advance, it saves you some serious time too!), but as long as I plan our meals at least a week in advance I keeps me from wasting time trying to figure out what to cook each day.

Prepare the Night Before

I learned this tip from my mother – I make sure the children’s school uniforms, socks, homework/backpacks and lunches are all prepared the night before. If they need forms signed, we do it after my husband and I check homework (to keeps from being asked to sign things at the very last minute during the morning rush).

Time Blocking

I work on a wide variety projects throughout the day. I make a daily “to do” list and block aside time during the day for prioritized tasks (e.g. writing blog posts, spending time on Twitter/Facebook, reading and responding to emails, writing my book, etc.). My brain works better if I work on different projects during different times of the day, but blocking aside time for each project on my list ensure that I get everything done. Big tip: working offline really minimizes unnecessary distractions.

Outsourcing

As I mentioned previously, in a perfect world, I’d do everything myself, and it would be perfect. In the real world, I don’t have the time or skills to do everything I need done for my business, so I outsource.

Over time I have assembled a small, reliable team of skillful, trusted individuals that I turn to when I need to have certain tasks done. For instance, I am in no way a skilled graphic or website designer, so I turn those projects over to someone who is. I now have more administrative duties to manage than I did five years ago, so I hire the services of a virtual assistant.

Balancing work and home life isn’t always easy, but it’s possible once you implement a few strategic systems into your daily life. It can be the difference between chaos and a harmonious, comfortable, well-kept living environment.

Do you have any useful tips or advice for achieving a balanced home life?

photo credit: tiziano.ciccone

5 Work-at-Home-Mom Tips That Make Achieving Home and Work Life Balance Easier is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-24

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-17: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-10: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03… http://t.co/atn1jeWS #
Balancing Life While Preparing for the LSAT: Last month I had the opportunity to fulfill one of my dreams. For … http://t.co/Ur6bfbbf #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-24 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Balancing Life While Preparing for the LSAT

Amanda Mouttaki — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:13:02 +0000

Last month I had the opportunity to fulfill one of my dreams. For some people that dream might be taking a special vacation, having a child, getting married or another major life event. However, for me that dream was to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) exam. Ten years ago as I entered university, there was only one thing in my mind – become a lawyer. Life threw several curveballs at me and while I have finished my MBA the dream of law school always lurked.

I am blessed to live within 75 miles of one of only two law programs in the US that offer a weekend study option. I knew that I could never go to law school full time due to income and time demands and always hoped I could find a part time program. Once I discovered that it truly did exist I (perhaps on impulse) signed up for the LSAT so that I could begin my journey to law school. When I began to sign up I realized that I would only have one month to prepare for the test. Unlike some entrance tests that measure your skill level the LSAT is used to measure how you think – can you think like a lawyer? Are you analytical? Can you think through complex logical situations? In other words you have to study for this test. I had to study for the test while still being a wife and mother, working 30+ hours a week and maintaining my own website. At first it was daunting, but I did it and feel confident that I scored well on the test. I’ve put together 10 suggestions if you find yourself preparing for a big exam (or project) like the LSAT.

10 Tips when Preparing for a Big Exam

Set a schedule ahead of time – factor in your day job or home duties, kids activities and other commitments. Erase any social fun…okay, just kidding but really you’ll need to cut it down big time. Consider it a practice run for law school.
Before you start your study routine try and prepare some meals for the freezer ahead of time – not having to cook dinner will help you have time to study.
Enlist the help of your spouse, mom, sister, neighbor, cousin, kind unsuspecting neighbor – really whoever you can get to help with your children! Line them up during your free time and weekends. If you can get this help for free – TAKE IT. If you need to pay a babysitter – PAY THEM! You can not study well if you are tending to the needs of little ones.
Plan your time and have a place to study. I went to our basement where it was quiet and no one would bother me. If you need quiet to study then go somewhere that you can get that (see point 3).
Take the practice tests to see where you stand and find as many free materials to use as possible. Purchase one or two test practice books – I got one directed just at logic games and one at the overall test.
Focus on the sections you struggle with – this was the logic games for me – and spend your time practicing these.
Give yourself a lot of time on test day. I didn’t, and I ended up being late and frazzled. On that same note, make sure you know where you’re going if the testing center is out of town and don’t rely on a GPS.
Follow their directions to a “T” for test day – it’s serious stuff. Show up early and make sure you have everything with you that is required.
During the test if you don’t know an answer, or how to find an answer – don’t stress. This is even more true for logic games. In the end I knew how to do about 3/4 of the games. I spent my time on these. I gave the few others that came up a chance, but gave an educated guess if I wasn’t sure.
Remember this isn’t a test that really is going to say much about your future success. So learn the test, but don’t let it define your law school future or experience. Most schools consider this as a factor to admission, but not the only thing. If you do poorly, retake the test, and make sure to talk about why in your application.

I hope that these tips help you to get through preparing and taking the LSAT exam. In the end, if any of these seems overwhelming it might be time to re-assess if it’s really the right time to go to law school. I’ve waited until my kids are older and in school full-time to consider this and I know some moms will struggle with the time needed for studying and attending classes. Make sure to consider all the aspects of life that will be affected by this major decision!

If you’re a mom who is in, considering, or applying to law school, I’d love to hear tips from you for balancing life and school!

photo credit: Tulane Public Relations

Balancing Life While Preparing for the LSAT is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-17

Ponn Sabra — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-10: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-03: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-02… http://t.co/QlzHem6B #
5 Networking Tips for Work-at-Home Muslim Moms: One of my primary goals in 2012 is to spend more time and effort… http://t.co/nXZSi6AD #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-17 is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog