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Stories From An American Muslim Mom

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[Free Printable] The Four Agreements By Don Miguel Ruiz

January 8, 2020 Natasha K

Have you ever had a rival? In my 20’s I had one. In my mind, I was constantly competing with her to dress better, look better, succeed more. And constantly wondering if I was falling short. I came to a … Continue reading [Free Printable] The Four Agreements By Don Miguel Ruiz

Foodie, Holidays

Irresistible Slow-Cooked Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

December 12, 2019December 14, 2019

One of my favorite things about fall and winter are the specialty hot drinks, my favorite being spiced apple cider. My palate has changed over the years, and hot spiced apple cider is the perfect combination of sweet and spice. … Continue reading Irresistible Slow-Cooked Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

Holidays, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

A Lesson on Thanksgiving and Islam

November 26, 2019November 27, 2019 Natasha K

My two boys know that the holidays are coming based on the ridiculous amount of decorations that go up in our home.  Living in LA, sometimes it’s the only way to know that the seasons are changing. Both my kids … Continue reading A Lesson on Thanksgiving and Islam

Foodie, Holidays, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

Making The Perfect Halal Turkey For Thanksgiving + Recipe

November 23, 2019November 28, 2019 Natasha K

I celebrated my first Thanksgiving in Dallas, Texas in 1987. It marked our first full year in the United States and my mother, father, and I felt blessed to share a meal with my family members who sponsored us. I … Continue reading Making The Perfect Halal Turkey For Thanksgiving + Recipe

Holidays, Thanksgiving1 Comment

Download Free Bismillah Placemats For Thanksgiving

November 21, 2019November 27, 2019

Though I’m tempted to buy everything I see in Pier1 imports, I love creating homemade decorations for Thanksgiving. I like to keep the decor simple because, let’s be honest, most of the dining table will be decorated by the turkey, … Continue reading Download Free Bismillah Placemats For Thanksgiving

Kids Crafts, RamadanLeave a comment

Making A Festive and Delectable Graham Cracker Mosque

May 30, 2019May 31, 2019 Natasha K

Find Inspiration I first learned about graham cracker mosques from my Ramadan Crafts Facebook group. But they were mostly kids crafts. I wanted to create something elegant for the adult crafter. So I searched the web for inspiration. I came … Continue reading Making A Festive and Delectable Graham Cracker Mosque

Ramadan1 Comment

The Twinkling Palm Tree Bringing Ramadan Cheer To Our Home

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019 Natasha K

If you’ve read my article about “Ramadan Trees” then you know that many Muslims around the world are looking for a way to bring the magic of twinkling lights and evergreens into their home. For our home we chose a … Continue reading The Twinkling Palm Tree Bringing Ramadan Cheer To Our Home

Ramadan

A Tour Of My Palm, Floral, and Glimmer Themed Ramadan Decor

May 23, 2019May 24, 2019 Natasha K

I’ve been a maker for as long as I can remember. Crafting was my first love. Because as a  little girl, whatever I couldn’t afford I could make. #immigrantlife So its only fitting that for the biggest holiday of my … Continue reading A Tour Of My Palm, Floral, and Glimmer Themed Ramadan Decor

Ramadan

How To Make Unique Sticky Note Eid Favors

May 22, 2019May 23, 2019 Natasha K

This year I gave my family and friends Insha’Allah sticky notes as an Eid favor. They were incredibly easy to make. I’m a stickler for giving gifts that are useful. I utilized the sticky notes template on Vistaprint. They had … Continue reading How To Make Unique Sticky Note Eid Favors

Islamic Parenting, Ramadan

A Guide To Sharing Ramadan With A PreK-K Classroom

May 8, 2019May 22, 2019 Natasha K

Ramadan Mubarak! I just taught a room full of preschoolers (from different backgrounds) what that means…I hope. Last month, I asked my sons’ preschool teachers if I could share Ramadan with their classmates, holding my breath as many Muslim Americans do … Continue reading A Guide To Sharing Ramadan With A PreK-K Classroom

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Have you ever had a rival? In my 20’s I had one. In my mind, I was constantly competing with her to dress better, look better, succeed more. And constantly wondering if I was falling short. I came to a revelation recently. She was never my rival. The competition was an illusion. I was using her as an actor, an antagonist, a character for the negative dialogue I had streaming 24/7 in my head. It wasn’t she who made me feel inferior, I was doing it to myself. “The antagonist” was making me feel how I thought I deserved to feel. The antagonist was my own ego. (Wait, did I just describe the plot from “Fight Club”?) Fast forward, new city, new age, but I still find myself letting my mind drift to the negative space (I am not enough). There are so many things that can happen in life that can make someone feel unworthy. I am sure we all have our stories. It is a constant battle. I am on a mission to internalize love and compassion, and stop elevating my own self doubt. One of my tools is the book“ The 4 Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. These agreements might seem obvious, but during difficult times, it provides simple clarity. I created this cheat sheet for my planner and you can download it in the bio link. 💜 #fouragreements #thefouragreements #hennatulip #melaninmagic #wordstoliveby #stylingtheseasons #flatlaystyle #flatlayphotography
Scrolling through my IG feed, a photo caught my attention. A woman in a stylish tee, championing a beautiful message, "keep our sea plastic-free." The ad from @WholesomeCulture got me. I clicked on their IG page, and the marketing nerd in me fell in love with their brand mission. After scrolling for several seconds, my enthusiasm started to fade. The confident, beautiful women on their feed did not look like me. Me, with brown skin, freckles, and eastern features. 2009 Natasha would have ignored it, and filed it under everything that makes me feel "other," but 2019 Natasha had hope that people want to do better if given a chance. So I left a comment, "Love your message, but wish your feed promoted more diversity. I don't see myself in the women that you are posting." Their response floored me. WC responded immediately. They offered to send me product so that I could take photos. They also quickly updated their content calendar to include more women of color. They lived their mantra, "Be kind." When I clicked on the @WholesomeCulture ad, I wanted to learn how I could be a better, environmentally conscience citizen. What I learned is, "Empathy is the path to a better world. " The empathy we have for each other and all living beings. And brands can be a part of that conversation. 💜 #beekind #bloomwhereyouareplanted #empathy #ethicalfashion #melaninmagic
Zayn turned 4 this month and we celebrated with Stitch and a luau. I was all in for this theme. The movie (Lilo & Stitch) is beautiful and so is the island it’s inspired by, Kauai. Kids seem to always be on “island time”. They take in this world in a way that I wish I remembered how to: a wonderment, an appreciation, a slower pace. Maybe that’s why I love planning my kids parties, they are easy to please and receive everything with joy. The crafter in me went bananas at Michaels and Oriental Trading creating the decor, but the experience is thanks to these vendors: Food: @criticschoicecatering , @kianakaishaveice @susiecakesbakery Entertainment: @corneroftheskyart & @darlenasjumpers #liloandstitch #stitchlovers #kidspartyideas #kidsbirthdayparty #makeitwithmichaels #papercrafts #orientaltrading #nationalsonday
The first time I was told “go back to where you came from” I was 6 years old. A group of newly wed Bangladeshi immigrants (which included my parents) had decided to take a trip to Houston. The women had separated from the men to take a stroll near the water. Their hair in long braids, dressed in modest salwars, and me trailing behind them curious of my new surroundings. When suddenly, I saw a man speaking to us, he shouted “go back to where you came from”. Without missing a beat my mother replied, “go back to where you came from.” Her brown skinned squad erupting in laughter. He shared some expletives (which were then added to my new English vocabulary) and walked away. Since that day, I’ve heard that statement said to me, time and time again. The default comeback of racists with no creativity. An attempt to diminish me, my worth as a citizen, based on my ancestry. Every time I hear those words, I think of my mom in 1988, refusing to be diminished. Knowing she was worthy of her dreams, worthy of the American dream. I have been a citizen of Bangladesh, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California. What I know for sure: we all want the same things: safety, prosperity, and a better future for our children. Yet, 70% of the nation's wealth will be in the hands of millionaires and billionaires by 2021. As I approach this newest political season, I do it with an open mind that everyone is worthy of being heard, America is worthy of civilized debate, and all people are worthy of the American dream. #americandream #muslimgirl #immigrantsmakeamericagreat #gobacktowhereyoucamefrom #sendherback

About Natasha

This is a simple blog of things that bring joy to my family. I hope it will inspire yours!

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