It’s February 2021, just one month shy of the global pandemic’s anniversary in the United States. Everyone has had to adjust to a new normal - some homeschooling while working from home. Others, still going to work as the pandemic rages on, as essential workers. This month a common theme is the need to sign off to take care of one’s mental health.
That may look like taking a short walk, cozying up with hot chocolate and a book near the fireplace, or your favorite corner in your house. That can also entail calling a friend, making a homecooked meal, or donating to your favorite charity. It also means being gracious, forgiving, and loving to yourself.
The gift of love begins inside of you.
Sincerely,
Nargis Hakim Rahman
P.S. If you’re new to Saa Nasta, check out my previous posts about Bangladeshi food and culture here. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @thesaanasta.
Learn More:
Is it okay to take care of ourselves first and then others? Read my article Should We Carry the Mental Load of Others During Stressful (Pandemic) Times? (Haute Hijab)
How do you prioritize mental health? Here are 12 tips, from writing a love letter to yourself (to re-read on rainy days) to creating healthy sustainable routines of mediation and intentional happiness.
Books on Mental Health:
📕 The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. Written by a Holocaust survivor who takes a deep dive into how we can change grief into a gift for survival. (Amazon)
📒 The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. This book takes you deep into the mind, using neuroscience to explain why you think the way you do, and how you may examine how to relearn healthy habits. I recommend reading it in chapters, not all at once. Reflect on what memories come up and how they lead you to heal. (Amazon)
📘 You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. Need someone to push you to do better? This book is for you. Meanwhile, you can also enjoy the audio version in the author’s own voice here. (Amazon)
Happy Healing Journey.
What are you doing on February 14? - From our readers
Nothing
Sleeping in
Galentine’s celebration on Zoom
What is Valentine’s day even 🙄
Baking and watching our favorite from coms for Galentine’s Day
Valentines baskets for the kiddos and having a virtual friendship party with their classmates
This mom created a small business out of a hobby
by Nargis Hakim Rahman
Nabeela Ahmed moved to Michigan five years ago from England, after she got married. She taught kindergarteners and then middle schoolers at Oakland International Academy in Detroit for a year. She also worked with students in afterschool programs through the social service agency ACCESS.
Then she had her son.
During his first birthday celebration in November 2018 she decided to look up some recipes on Google to add desserts to spruce up the dessert table. She wanted to have more than just Bangladeshi sweets and a cake.
“I’ve never even baked before. I just wanted to do something a little extra,” she says.
The dessert table added a nice touch to the party. Then she was asked to decorate a dessert table for a cousin’s bridal shower.
“Since then I had just been uploading it on IG not really with the hope of it being some kind of business venture,” she says.
She realized she enjoyed baking. She kept practicing. Ahmed shared treats with friends or family. “I guess I’m never buying desserts anymore,” she laughed.
“In my household, none of the people I live with, my in-laws or husband, have a sweet tooth says Ahmed.
After posting her concoctions on her Instagram page, she started getting requests to make more dessert tables, giving birth to Zayans Dessertz. The page is named after her son.
Now Ahmed has curated about 10-15 dessert tables for weddings, parties, bridal showers, and baby showers.
“I like to be part of peoples’ celebrations and big days. Friends and family can always count on me to make desserts,” she says.
Although Ahmed caters, decorates, and delivers, she also takes orders for pick-up. She likes to be flexible in her work. “Being a mother is full on itself,” she says.
Ahmed enjoys baking “anything that looks pretty” such as cupcakes with sprinkles and frosting, macaroons, meringues, shot cups, colorful truffles, and cake pops.
“I prefer more visual things with a pop of color that looks pretty,” she says.
Ahmed says her skills have gotten better with practice, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have to start all over again sometimes. “I can’t deliver something I am not happy with,” she says.
“Baking is like one mistake… you just messed up the whole thing,” she says.
For orders contact her via Instagram or email zayansdessertz@gmail.com.
Bonus: For Nabeela Ahmed’s milk chocolate chip recipe, click here.
Community News:
Part-time Office Manager needed at Detroit Friendship House: Bilingual in English and Bangla preferred. Contact Cathy at 313-874-7443 or email resume to cathymaher@att.net.