Any snack if made right, could prove to be a beneficial catalyst in your struggle for weight loss along with many other enhancement to your health.
Chickpea chaat / Kabuli Chana Chaat / Garbanzo Bean Snack comes to your screens by glittercut.com in its Ramadan Special segment, making a valued addition to your many easy-peasy recipes.
Chickpea chaat loaded with protein and fibre is decadent and dripping delicacy which can make anyone go weak in the knees.
So, here it is:
Ingredients:
Chickpeas (soaked overnight) 250 gm
Yogurt 250 gm
Cumin powder / zeera powder 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Sugar 2 – 3 Tbsp
Apple 1/2 cup (chopped)
Pomegranate 1/2 cup arils
Mint leaves 1/4 cup (chopped)
Garnishing:
Coriander leaves
Tamarind Chutney / Imli ki chutney (optional) for recipe, click here.
Method:
Wash and soak chickpeas in water overnight. Boil the chickpeas with some salt in a pressure cooker till tender. It should take around 15 -20 minutes to pressure cook. (NOTE: The cooking time may vary.). Once done, drain the chickpeas and set aside.
In a bowl, take yogurt add sugar, salt, cumin powder and mint leaves – mix it all well.
Just before serving, add the mixed yogurt to the chickpeas along with the chopped fruits.
Mint as we all know is a great source of refreshment and hence is used in various ways and products as a refreshing coolant, along with its many health benefits.
Adding mint to our lemonade doubles up the refreshing gush of the drink, is a great way to beat the scorching sun and the heat on a summer day.
Glittercut.com, in its Ramadan special segment brings to you the easy-peasy recipe of a mint lemonade..
Ingredients (serves 2)
Freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup
Mint leaves 2 cups (leave aside 3-4 leaves aside for garnish)
Ice cubes 1 cup
Water 1 cup
honey (as per your taste)
Cumin powder a pinch
Equipments
Blender
Strainer
Method
Add all the above ingredients to the blender and blend until all the ingredients blend together really well.
Strain the drink into the serving glass or jug using a strainer.
All over the world regardless of the ongoing season or the weather conditions, our desires, our wants and needs pay no heed. Rising with passing time, quenching the craves becomes a task. Feasible at a click of the button for some, while, regulating for the vital supply itself gets crippling for some.
The ratio of the crippling is way more than the haves.
Instances of both classes are spotted in our vicinity. At times, the contrast is distinct, but, many times to differentiate the indigent is confusing.
Shielded amour-propre refrains the impoverished from imploring, while expectations soaring their speculation of acquiring aid.
While the secret desire of the deprived remains cloaked, the glare of the leisure blocks the effluent from spotting the needful.
On the contrary, the benevolent irrespective of their financial holding selflessly reach out to the needy with available means, winning the ‘philanthropist’ title.
Helping comes with the pleasure of its own, the realization of the wonders every good deed can do.
Various channels of approaching the unfortunate are accessible. Charitable organizations or charitable events, they all aim to provide for the needy and deal with poverty one man at a time.
However, we don’t need to bank on such events or organizations entirely for helping the deprived.
Apart from dropping a dime in the charity box at the mall, or spending on a charity coupon, ways like feeding the poor, giving old clothes, distributing blankets or other essentials, setting up a water cooler in the neighborhood add to the list of admired charitable ways.
At times, the deserving may be contiguous to us in relation or distance. Mindfulness to their needs is what it requires to make the first step forward to provide support.
Upon giving alms, the giver is not helping the needy, but, instead is helping himself to become a better person, to be more empathetic, and helps himself to be more generous while expecting null in return. However, the sanctification of giving charity and the elation of easing the misery of a soul is indescribable. Yet, some boastful individuals brag about their blessed cause and let the value of the deed go in vain.
Negligent of the scar left on the hearts of the receiver by their hurtful act.
The mortified receiver strained by the circumspect acceptance of funds, already burdened by the affliction and compromising their dignity, generally, expect the giver to be attentive of their emotions.
All form of charity is a component of many religions and culture. Hence, being taught and inculcated in the young minds from an early age, building a sense of service to humanity.
Similarly, in Islam, charity throughout the year is instigated while in the holy month of Ramadan, charity by the name of Zakat has been made obligatory. Zakat, the third out of five pillars of Islam, is a term used for the 2.5% of the wealth, investment or savings to be paid to the poor and needy. (to know more about the Zakat and its terms and rulings, click here). Economists have confirmed the fact that if each believer makes the due payment of zakat and does not withhold it, poverty will surely be eradicated from the face of the Earth. Sadly, that is not the case yet.
There are various types of people in need depending on their situation, hence, broadening our opportunities for charity.
Generosity could be in the form of giving wealth, clothing, essentials, groceries and many other desired objects which eases the gainers’ situation to some extent.
A man helping a dog.
However, it does not remain restricted to the same. If you possess knowledge of any kind, sharing it is charity. Helping any seeker in any manner without expecting any returns while not boasting is also a form of charity. To smile at someone is charity. Clearing the pathway of any obstacle to ease the passage for others is charity. Charity is also when you help a blind man cross the road. Showing directions to the lost is as well a form of charity. Helping out animals is also charity. planting trees as well is charity and the list goes on.
So, for reaching out and helping, you need not be rich or have a huge bank balance. Without these also you can be charitable and earn the rewards and be blessed.
Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said :
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is a charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is a charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is a charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is a charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is a charity for you.” Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1956, In-book reference: Book 27, Hadith 62, English translation: Vol. 4, Book 1, Hadith 1956
No good deed is small. A deed which may be minuscule for us might make an enormous difference in the life of the beneficiary. So, never belittle any act of help and seize every opportunity which comes your way, doing your part in making a life lead to a better future.
What are your thoughts on charity, and is there anything you would want to add to our post, let us know in the comments below?
Blue has been the colour of the year 2020 since its commencement. 2020 arrived at our cribs with handouts containing loneliness, unemployment, miserliness, depression and too much free time for the empty vessels to make a lot of noises.
Many coping up with the plight by shifting their daily ways to innovative ones. Giving rise to virtual offices, makeshift work stations, online classes, virtual interaction and many more. On the other hand, a larger group is categorized under the unemployed, sick, hungry, broke and stranded.
The world came to a standstill overnight before we could even realise.
Inflation in uncertainties came paired with the plunge in the economy.
As the months passed by, while nature enjoyed its pink interim, the population adopted and complied with the need of the hour and stayed put with the rules and regulations.
Each one has been put through a unique trial to survive on its own during these times. Uninformed of the twists and turns the future holds.
Withstanding the struggles, May 2020 knocked on the doors with the glad tidings of the blessed month of Ramadan.
Since the dawn of my existence, Ramadan to me has been the most exciting month of the year, a month full of worship, fasting, celebrations, gatherings, feasting, invocations, frequent visits to the masjids (mosques), new outfits, gifts and many more.
Like every year, the nearing of Ramadan filled our hearts with excitement and optimism, but, with a spark of apprehension. Several doubts came into being as the serene drive through the divine month seemed futile.
However, it arrived on its destined time and like all the years, this year as well, it came with all the love, peace, serenity, alacrity and even better, more bonding.
On day 1 of Ramadan, After suhur (early morning breakfast at dawn for entering into the day of fasting), perched on the rooftop, adoring the soft wind caress my skin while the ethereal sun rays swelled up in the sky, made me appreciate the moments I had forsaken for the sake of my busy schedule and my stressful life, it was then the blissful dawn of my Ramadan.
A girl saying her invocations
This Ramadan stopped by with the intentions of more than just spirituality, devotion and celebration, but, with gratitude, awakenings, reinforcing the values, counting our blessings, and with comfort amidst the crisis.
As masjids were shut, homes have turned into masjids, as all the five prayers are being offered in a congregation with the family, yet again bonding the family even closer.
No work, no school, meant more time for reading the holy book of Quran, getting to know the religion better, while spiritually getting more aware and every time feeling more harmony with the lock-down, making our offerings and invocations ardent than ever. For the first time in months, during the Covid 19 crisis, I was pleased with the lock-down, as we all stuck together while fulfilling the chores assigned to each one of us making the rituals of Ramadan more fun and lively. My dad leading all the prayers of the day makes my heart swell up with pride as he succeeds in preserving the true spirit of the month.
Seizing the free time, I instil knowledge all about Ramadan, religion and Quran to my son, which I doubt I would have been capable in a regular Ramadan.
However, there are traditional Ramadan happenings which we miss, like exchanging of dishes with our neighbors, the night prayers at the masjids, the massive tents set up at masjids for free-give-away Iftaars (a meal had after the sunset to open the fast), no new outfits for Eid (the month is then concluded by celebrating a festival known as Eid – al – Fitr). no gatherings and many such simple pleasures.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, the believer is in good shape in every situation. He praises Allah Almighty even while his soul is taken out of his body.”
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 2475.
I am thankful to my Lord, I have this Ramadan amidst lock-down. I guess it’s what we needed the most to comfort our souls, mind and body while awakening ourselves spiritually amid all the stress and adversity.
What is your take on Ramadan during this lock-down, do let us know in the comments below?
Do let us know what has been your comfort element this lock-down. in the comments below?
New fashion, new trends are being offered to us constantly through out the year. Style is what we choose to do with fashion choices being offered to us. So, Style is being yourself with the fashion you choose.
You can always be immensely creative with your outfit and your approach to style.
I firmly believe that a person dresses according to their personality. A creative person tends to be more inclined towards trying out new trends and is not afraid to try out loud colors and accessories.
Fashion is what product you buy of the shelves, be it a simple tee, or a regular jeans, but, style is what you decide to with the tee or the jeans you purchased. A tee can be paired with the jeans or to add little twist to your day, pair it with a skirt and accessorize with nice pair of long earrings. and voila!! your good to go..
A little about my fashion choice: I like to pick out the most eccentric choice available on the shelf. I hardly own a simple tee or a regular top, if in need, I beg, borrow, steal from my sister’s closet (isn’t that’s what sisters are for? :D), as our style statement is poles apart.
Whereas, about my style, I habitually amplify my outfit, either by accessorizing or by makeup or pairing up with the weirdest color combinations.
Today, for our Panache Le Glittercut, we have a dressy outfit, yet classy and elegant.
A regular maroon t-shirt is worn in shirt with the wide legged maroon trouser and paired with a similar color hijab. The reason for choosing the monotone basics is that, I wanted my over coat to be the center attention along with my cut out stilettos.
The single color outfit is then topped off with an overcoat of net of a lighter shade of peach. Using a contrasting dark underlying color is for highlighting the color of the overcoat. The chic thread work on the overcoat is elegant and the single color acts as a canvas for the embroidery to be displayed on. The frilly bell sleeves itself are dramatic, narrowing down my accessory choice to just a rose gold ring.
The trousers chosen are not floor length as the length of the over coat need to be flaunted, so, to make sure the length of the trouser is slightly shorter than the floor-length gown in order to flaunt your heels adding to your style statement. The heels I chose for the outfit are rose gold as they compliment the peach netted coat and go well with the monotone outfit as well.
The reason, why I mentioned creativity and style statement in the beginning of this post is because, I got my overcoat from a very improbable isle of the store. While wondering in the isles of a boutique I happened to cross the lingerie section, where the overcoat proudly stood grabbing my attention. the moment i set my eyes on it, I had already visioned myself in the above outfit. So, yaaa, it is basically meant to be a nightwear for ladies, while I nominated for the above outfit.
So, YEAH… that’s where all your creativity and your style comes to use.
What is the most erratic fashionable look you have ever tried? Whats your fashion choice and your style in the comments below???
If your liked the look of the day, share it with your friends and spread the sparkle.
