Soya chunks- Veg biryani

This yummy dish, is just for those lazy days.. when u don't want to get up or are hard-pressed for time ..but the stomach still grumbles:-) 

The soya-chunk veg biriyani is a one-pot dish, with preparation time of 15 min and cooking time of 15 min. Its finger licking good... laden with proteins and all the other goodies the soya and vegetables provide. Soya chunks are also a good meat substitute and may do well for vegetarians if you also skip the chicken stock I added.


Well, my daughter vouches for this, ... "Mommy I love this rice with broccoli. You are an awesome mumma" she says. If I can satisfy her taste buds and her mood and still pack in some nutrients, I consider my day an accomplishment. 

Psst..... Zain just called up from work to tell me the lunch was super-yummy... Double delight!!

                                                                                                                                                        FARZ

This post is linked to 

Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party 48

Food-porn Thursdays @Domesticatedmomster 

Inspirations from Despicable Me

The excitement in our child starts peaking up on a Thursday morning. "Mommy, I want to watch despicable me tonight"... And when all she gets is a "hmmm" from her mother... She quips, "Are you a 'despicable me' mumma?"                            

This baby knows how to get herself across... Any way Thursday night, she is jumping up and down on the couch as we put on the movie... 

The movie "DESPICABLE ME" has begun and she giggles, dances ballet with the little girls.

She requests for the umpteenth time to get her a 'fluffy unicorn'.

We are half asleep by now, and we can still here her chanting 'knocked over!!'

This movie is from 2010, but for our little girl, it’s a new discovery every weekend...

There is definitely something new in it for her every time she watches it. Be it the name of the minion, or the puppet book, or the fair.... 

Guess she is inspired by the movie a lot...

She watches the moon more, and realizes that it can't be shrunk. She wants to know where to find a real unicorn. She loves to dance on her toes, and wants to learn ballet. Anytime, mimicking "He's so fluffy, I'm gonna die!!!" and one tight hug melts her tantrums away :-). Well the truth is we enjoy the antics too...It never hurts to ignite the child in you, doesn't it.

Nothing can beat watching Mr. Gru and his minions, the adorable girls Margo, Edith and Agnes, and of course Vector. Even as the bad guy Mr. Gru is an attractive personality.  The movie has some hilarious inventions like the minions, the fart-gun, the shrink-ray and the cookie monster. Our favorite is Agnes and her fluffy Unicorn, the girl is just too cute. Be it the annoying noise that she makes, or the way she clings to Mr. Gru’s legs. And how the love from the little girls actually wins over the aspiring "world's greatest villain", who in the end looks super-duper cute in his pink space suit.

The world has many "Despicable Me" fans. Here are some inspirations drawn from people who have been inspired by the movie.

Look at these inspirations for parents with kids who dream about the movie all time.

1. "Despicable Me" pages to color, for a quiet-time activity.

www.pagestocolor.net

                                     
                           

www.thekidscoloringpages.com

2. "Despicable me" learning activities for the vacations.

www.1plus1plus1equals1.net

4. "Despicable Me" Themed parties. They are wow!!

www.karaspartyideas.com

obsessivelystitching.blogspot.ae

5. A "Despicable Me" cake to set you baking.

jembakes.blogspot.ae

6. A special something to make for you child if you can crochet

www.allaboutami.com

7. Some paper craft toys to create

www.uhu-bts.com

www.paper-replika.com

8. A despicable me school-lunch.

www.lunchboxdad.com

If you thought this post is all for kids, you are wrong... for the adults who want to let loose the inner child, here you go!!

1. A dedicated "Despicable Me" page

fuckyeahdespicableme.tumblr.com

                

2. A guide to identifying the minions, for the obsessive ones.

blog.collectib.ly

                  

3. Free  "Despicable Me" icons for your online use.

www.iconarchive.com

                   

4. For any fashionista, who is a fan, Here you go...

nailcake.blogspot.ae

                                                               

5. And finally endless hours of gaming with the minion rush!!

play.google.com/store

                      

Oh well!!  We are waiting for the weekend to watch it again...and see our daughters eyes light up and her sweet laughter fill our home and hearts...She melts our hearts faster than Agnes... 

Knocked over ???!!!       

  Zain & Farz  

HIGHWAY: destination "Khorfakkan"

Day: One sunny afternoon on a boring Friday.

A sudden idea: To explore the idyllic town of Khorfakkan (part of Sharjah), bordering on the blue waters of Gulf of Oman on the east coast. 

Flop no 1: On the road only by 4 pm.

Travel route and time: Took the Dhaid road, almost two hours with stops for rest.

Agenda: Khorfakkan beach before sunset, the Al Bidiyah mosque, the Friday market at Masafi.

Travel alert no 1: Be ready for a humid climate and do wear cool summer cottons, the moment you get out of the car, the heaviness of the air welcomes you.

Travel alert no 2: If you have a bored and hungry four-year-old, strapped in the child-seat of your car, do have an unlimited stock of snack, water and playthings.

Vehicle: Preferably 4x4 esp if you want to visit wadi wuraiyah, or any other unpaved locations.

Success no 1: A relaxing and rejuvenating drive on the near empty roads,compared to the daily stress filled commute to work.

Success no 2: A breathtaking view of the Hajjar mountains on all sides, in the late afternoon sun, transporting us to a different world.

Flop no 2: Reached Khorfakkan corniche beach at sunset 6 30. Did not have much time to get into the water in a ferry or jet ski .Loads of private operators providing the service at reasonable rates.

Success no 3: Enjoyed the waves of the ocean, the colors of the water, and the Hajjar mountains on either side.

Flop no 3: Reached Al Bidiyah mosque after darkness set in.

Success no 4: The mosque still looked awe-inspiring, reminding us of the times long long ago in the history of the region. Prayers are still held, so many generations have prayed here and we continue to do so.

A final victory no 5: Every information online said that the Masafi market is open only till 10 pm.. and we thought we had missed it. But much to our delight most of the shops were still open on our way back ... and we even haggled a good bargain for some carpets:-)

And now the pictures do the talking.

The Hajjar mountains

The Khorfakkan beach

Al Bidiyah Mosque under the Govt of Fujairah

The Friday Market at Masafi (open on all days though!!)- we had a glimpse of it en route to khorfakkan and decided to stop there on the way back.

A drive on the Highway always makes memories... and please do remember to drive safe.

                                                                                                                                              ZAIN & FARZ

A glimpse of "THE GRAND MOSQUE" ...from our eyes

Sometimes we feel entrapped in the woes of the present world that we just need to get in touch with our inner self, and our Almighty. Though out history there have been many monuments built to signify this truth and to create the ambience for prayer and self-realization.

The UAE has in recent times built one such beautiful masterpiece, “The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque”.It is such a hidden beauty in comparison with the glitzy towers and malls built in this country, and is in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country.This recent piece of Islamic marvel was initiated and concieved by the late president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who is buried near the mosque.

We were just going through some photo albums of ours, and we came across some great photos, couldn't resist sharing them... so here you go.

The mosque itself was built over around 10 years and completed in 2007. Its the largest mosque in UAE and has a capacity of around 40,000 worshipers at a time. The mosque is open to visitors to take a tour of the grand place and its various cultural activities. It also houses a library filled with books and other artefacts of the Islamic world. 

Coming to the mosque, you can stop wondering about the sheer talent of the artisans who have contributed. There are many marvels in the main prayer hall

- The seven chandeliers from Germany all studded with millions of swarovski crystals, they are the third largest in the world.

- The world's largest hand knotted carpet by an Iranian designer, weighs around 35 tons and took two years to finish.

- The 99 names of Allah written on the Qiblah wall ( the direction of prayer towards the Kaabah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia), designed by calligrapher from UAE.

- The beautiful courtyards lined by marble, the floors so cool to the feet.

- These pillars conceal lighting, and on the backdrop of the white marble, produces an effect that reflects the light of the moon through out the month.

- This clock highlights the five prayer timings, throughout the day.

Both Muslims and non- Muslims are allowed to visit the mosque, during non-prayer times. Women of all faith must be covered in Abayas (Hijab) also provided at the mosque.The mosque is open to visitors all week except friday (before noon). 

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of this artistic splendor...

                                                                                                                                         ZAIN & FARZ