Sunday 23 November 2014

The Day I Decided to Quit

Pics Courtesy of Mr Google
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
“God,” I asked.
“Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”
Pics Courtesy of Mr Google
His answer surprised me…
“Look around,”  He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
“Yes”, I replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them... I gave them light... I gave them water...  The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor... Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed... But I did not quit on the bamboo."
Pics Courtesy of Mr Google
"In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo," He said.
“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit..."
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit,” He said.
Pics Courtesy of Mr Google
“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.”
"It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”
He asked me, “Did you know, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.
“I would not quit on the bamboo.I will never quit on you.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said.
"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.”
"Your time will come”, God said to me.
“You will rise high”.
Pics Courtesy of Mr Google
“How high should I rise?” I asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.
“As high as it can?” I questioned.
"Yes.” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”
I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never, Give up.
Don’t tell the God how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the God is!
Pics Courtesy of Mr Google
Peace & Luv Alwizzz.....
~Mardhiyah Lim~

Saturday 22 November 2014

Quick Recipe: Yummy-licious CarrotDew Milkshake!

CarrotDew Milkshake (yields 1 jug)
CarrotDew Milkshake: Refreshing, Healthy & Nutritious.. Yummy!
Ingredients:
1 stick carrot [lobak merah]
5 slices honeydew [tembikai susu]
A few pitted dates [kurma] - depending on desired sweetness
1/2 cup fresh milk
3 tbsp Shaklee French Vanilla Mealshake*
3 cups water
How to:
  1. Dice carrot & honeydew into big chunks.
  2. Add carrot, honeydew & dates into the blender.
  3. Add fresh milk & just enough water to wet ingredients, cover blender & turn it on high speed for a few seconds.
  4. Ingredients will be thick. Turn off the blender & uncover the blender.
  5. Add French Vanilla Mealshakes & the rest of the water into the blender. (You may add/reduce the amount of water depending on desired consistency). Cover the blender.
  6. Resume blending on high speed for a few more seconds until the ingredients have turned smooth.
  7. Pour CarrotDew Milkshake into a drinking glass, add ice cubes & ready to serve! Enjoy! :)
Note:
* Shaklee French Vanilla Mealshakes can also be replaced with ESP but the taste may differ a little.
** Strain the CarrotDew Milkshake for a smoother texture.
Recipe by:
Free Consultations Guaranteed!

Friday 21 November 2014

Dakwah! Susah ke Nak Berdakwah Ni?

Dakwah... bila disebut perkataan ini, ramai yg berasa gentar... tidak kurang juga ramai yg merasakan bahawa tugas dakwah ini sesuatu yg amat berat dan hanya boleh dilakukan oleh mereka2 yg mempunyai ilmu agama yg dalam spt para Ustaz Ustazah mahupun Alim Ulama.
Namun, hakikat dan kewajipan dakwah ini jatuh ke atas setiap umat yg menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai Muslim atau Muslimah. :)

Persoalannya, perlukah modal yg besar serta ilmu yg tinggi utk melakukan dakwah ini? Sudah tentu tidak. Setiap Muslim dan Muslimah mampu berdakwah dgn cara2 mereka yg tersendiri...
Cerita ini saya temui sewaktu saya tgh membaca Newsfeed FB saya... sharing dari FB Page: Indahnya Berpurdah... Jom baca...
Kagum dgn seorg akhwat!
Cara berdakwah lain dari yang lain!
Akhwat ini menerima tempahan menjahit tudung labuh secara PERCUMA, hanya perlu bekalkan kain tudung untuknya jahit.
Jikalau tidak mampu sekalipun untuk membeli tudung labuh, dia akan bekalkan sendiri kain tudung itu.
Dalam kesibukan bekerja, belajar dan berdakwah, dia melakukan kerja amal ini!
Katanya,
"Ana mahu menjadi seperti Nabi Daud, sewaktu menjahit satu tasbih, tahlil dan tahmid diucapkan."
"Ana mahu beramal. Ana mahu jahitan ana ini, amal ini menjadi saksi ana cuba utk tolong kaum hawa berhijrah."
"Ana mahu menolong kaum hawa yang baru berhijrah. Mungkin mereka tak biasa, namun mereka mahu. Ana mahu tolong mereka."
Subhanallah, Moga Alla beri syafaat padanya...
[AraniAnwah]
MasyaAllah... tersentak hati saya seketika semasa membaca post ini... Well, Hendak Seribu Daya... Tidak Hendak Seribu Dalih... tidak kah begitu? :)
Semoga bermanfaat perkongsian ini terutamanya buat mereka2 yang ingin berdakwah tetapi tidak tahu bagaimana... 
Peace & Luv Alwizzz...
~Mardhiyah Lim~


Thursday 20 November 2014

Rahsia Terbongkar! Hanya dengan SATU Langkah MUDAH, Anak Boleh Jadi Genius

Teks Oleh: Mardhiyah Lim



Sambil scroll fb hr ni terbaca tips genius yg menarik ni yang dikongsikan oleh Syila Rapal. Oleh itu saya copy paste dalam blog saya ni untuk rujukan saya sendiri dan semoga ianya juga bermanfaat untuk anda semua.



~Tips genius~

Sejak dulu saya selalu dengar kawan-kawan yang hantar anak ke tahfiz sejak kecil, kemudian selepas menjadi hafiz Quran, mereka hantar anak tu ambil SPM, selalunya mesti keputusannya cemerlang...

Padahal yang sekolah akademik sejak kecil, tak semua sehebat tu...

Begitu juga para ulama terdahulu, kita sering baca kisah hebat mereka menghafal ratusan ribu hadith dan sebagainya....

Dan menjadi hafiz Al-Quran pada zaman ulama silam merupakan sesuatu yang terlampau biasa sehinggakan orang yang tidak hafiz Al-Quran pula dianggap sesuatu yang aneh dan aib.

Jadi saya terfikir, apa rahsia mereka?

Saya mulanya hanya beriman bahawa asbab keberkatan mereka menjadi hafiz Al-Quranlah Allah bantu mereka walaupun dalam pelajaran akademik...

Tapi selepas lama mengkaji, memerhati dan bertanya kepada para ulama serta saintis, saya dapati satu conclusion yang saya kira agak baik.

Rahsianya terletak kepada pembacaan Al-Quran itu sendiri...

Melazimi membaca Al-Quran dengan istiqamah akan "melajukan" otak kita....

Kata-kata itu saya dapati dari guru-guru saya... walaupun mulanya saya tak berapa faham...

Tapi apabila saya mula amati pembacaan Al-Quran saya, memang benar, otak kita perlu bertindak dengan pantas untuk mengawal seluruh aktiviti pembacaan Al-Quran yang lancar...

Sekiranya otak saya lambat berfungsi, maka pembacaan saya akan menjadi tergagap-gagap dan tersekat-sekat.

Hal ini saya fahami ketika saya masih sekolah menengah di MRSM dahulu, guru Biologi saya ketika itu menceritakan tentang otak dan dia juga menyebutkan tentang pembacaan Al-Quran dapat mengaktifkan banyak sel-sel otak tanpa perlu minum susu Anmum Essential....

Bagaimana ia berlaku?

Ok, logika dan saintifiknya begini...

Bila kita buka mushaf Al-Quran dan mula melihat ayat-ayat Al-Quran...

Kita akan buka mulut untuk membaca, dan ketika itu otak kita dengan lajunya memproses data berkenaan Al-Quran itu, misalnya huruf apa yang terpapar, bunyinya macam mana, makhrajnya dimana, jika ia bersambung dengan huruf lain, bagaimana tajwidnya, harus dibaca panjang, pendek, jelas, dengung, isymam atau imalah dan sebagainya...

Apatah lagi ia perlu dibaca dari kanan ke kiri, berbeza dengan kebiasaan kita membaca dari kiri ke kanan...

Dalam masa yang sama, mulut kita perlu mula bergerak untuk bunyikan ia. Bermakna, otak kita perlu buat keputusan dengan segera bagaimanakah cara bacaannya!

Berbeza dengan baca surat khabar atau buku dengan bahasa Melayu atau Inggeris, otak kita tak perlu susah-susah buat keputusan sebab hukum bunyinya tidak banyak berbanding membaca Al-Quran yang hukum bunyinya terlampau banyak. (melainkan kita baca Al-Quran tanpa tajwid dan tanpa tartil).

Dan yang menariknya, bila mulut kita masih membaca perkataan Al-Quran yang pertama, mata kita sudah pun melihat kepada perkataan kedua dan mula memproses data sekali lagi secepat mungkin untuk pembacaan yang lancar.

Jadi ketika membaca Al-Quran, otak kita perlu bekerja dengan sangat laju. Data yang dihantar-diterima otak bergerak sepantas kilat untuk menghasil aktiviti bacaan di lidah, dan mata yang memandang kepada mushaf tersebut.

Jadi apabila seseorang itu membaca Al-Quran sambil melihat mushaf (naskhah Al-Quran) dengan lancar dan cantik lengkap dengan tajwid dan tartilnya, itu bermakna otaknya sedang bergerak dengan sangat laju.

Dan yang lebih menarik, bilamana Al-Quran dialunkan, tentu ianya bernada indah tanpa kita sedar. Padahal kalau kita baca buku selain quran, tak pulak jadi macam tu.

Jadi nada indah beralun yang keluar ketika quran dibaca tu menjadi terapi telinga yang sekaligus menghantar terapi tu ke otak dan merehatkan seluruh badan kita.

Jadi, walaupun otak bergerak laju semasa membaca quran, nada yang indah tu membawa kita ke situasi badan yang rileks dan tenang menyebabkan kita tidak penat.

Berbeza kalau kita gunakan otak untuk perkara lain, misalnya nak selesaikan soalan Add Math. Kadar tenaga otak yang digunakan sangat tinggi, dan lepas selesai dijawab, kita terasa sangat penat. Sedangkan badan kita tak bergerak pun. Penat tu berlaku sebab otak kita yang penat.

Pembacaan quran pula menggunakan otak kita dengan kuat, tetapi tidak memenatkan langsung!

Dan apabila latihan otak ini dilakukan setiap hari, maka sel-sel otak kita akan berhubung dan menjadikan kita genius dengan izin Allah...

Maka gejala kebodohan khususnya yang berlaku pada zaman ini dapat dikurangkan dengan perbanyakkan membaca Al-Quran...

Oleh sebab itulah umat Islam terdahulu majoritinya genius walaupun kemudahan rujukan mereka terhad....

Manusia zaman sekarang, kemudahan merujuk sesuatu itu sangat hebat, misalnya google, sekali klik, keluar macam-macam maklumat. Tapi manusia bukannya semakin pandai, sebaliknya semakin bodoh.

Ini kerana, manusia yang muslim khususnya pada zaman ini, mereka meninggalkan pembacaan Al-Quran...

Di fb mereka mungkin Islamik, dengan jubah, serban, kopiah, purdah...

Berdebat sana-sini, berhujah sana-sini, bagi pendapat sana-sini....

Status tiap hari mesti Islamik-islamik....

Tapi sejujurnya, berapa juzuk Al-Quran kau baca setiap hari? Itu antara kau dan Allah, kau boleh tipu manusia, tapi kau tak boleh tipu Allah dan diri kau sendiri....

Jangan kita gembira dengan kemunafikan kita, kerana itulah tandanya kita seorang munafik yang sebenar.

Anyway, semasa saya belajar di madrasah dulu, setiap pagi, kami diwajibkan membaca surah Yassin selepas solat Subuh, kemudian diwajibkan pula untuk membaca 1 juzuk Al-Quran setiap hari. Setiap 30 hari, kami akan khatam Al-Quran.

Aktiviti inilah yang paling "tidak disukai" para pelajar, sebab waktu tu sangat mengantuk. Tapi mereka tidak faham, mengapa ulama anjurkan pembacaan Al-Quran selepas Subuh.

PALING KURANG, kita diarahkan Rasulullah untuk baca surah Yassin pada setiap pagi.

Satu lagi, seeloknya, bila kita baca Al-Quran, bacalah surah yang jarang kita baca dan mulakan dengan tertib dari mula hingga khatam. Jika kita hanya baca surah lazim yang kita sudah hafal, otak kita sudah biasa dengan ayat itu dan kadar tenaga yang digunakan otak tu tidaklah sebanyak yang digunakan ketika membaca surah yang belum dihafal.

Rahsia mengapa Rasulullah dan para ulama anjurkan baca Quran pada awal pagi ialah kerana, ketika awal pagi, otak kita masih fresh selepas rehat yang panjang (tidur).

Jadi untuk mengaktifkannya, kita perlu membaca Al-Quran. Hasilnya, terbentuklah para pelajar madrasah yang genius, boleh menghafal matan-matan Arab, hafal ribuan Hadith, hafal Quran, hafal perbahasan ulama, mampu membaca kitab Arab tanpa baris dengan lancar dan sebagainya yang saya kira agak mustahil untuk dikecapi oleh pelajar akademik sekular (melainkan mereka juga amalkan rutin yang sama).

Note: Saya harap Wahhabi tidak MEMBIDAAHKAN amalan ibadah membaca Al-Quran sambil melihat mushaf...

Maklumlah, kan tiada dalil Nabi pernah baca Al-Quran guna mushaf.

Bahkan zaman Nabi dulu, mushaf Al-Quran seperti yang ada pada kita hari ni pun belum wujud.

Bahkan lagi kalaulah ada sekalipun di zaman Nabi, Nabi tetap tak kan baca guna mushaf sebab Nabi kan ummiy (tak boleh membaca/menulis).

Note 2: Lazimkan pembacaan Al-Quran beramai-ramai dengan suami/isteri dan anak-anak SETIAP PAGI. Berjemaah lebih bagus sebab kita rasa lebih bersemangat dan kebarangkalian untuk istiqamah itu lebih tinggi.

Ini silibus pertama HOME SCHOOLING yang diajar oleh Rasulullah.

Note 3: Bacalah Al-Quran kerana Allah, bukan sebab nak jadi genius. Sebelum baca quran, takafur dulu 10 saat sambil niat dalam hati, "Ya Allah, aku cintakan engkau, aku baca quran ni semata-mata untuk engkau, untuk cinta ini, dan terimalah bacaanku."

Orang yang baca quran niat nak jadi genius sahaja, dia akan dapat genius, tapi dia tak dapat pahala.

Tapi orang yang baca quran kerana Allah, genius dapat, pahala pun dapat. CINTA Allah pun dapat.

Jadi bijaklah "berbisnes" dengan Allah.

Credit : Ibnu Batoota






Recipe... As Requested ~Seaweed Popiah Chips~

Tadaaa~~~
Seaweed Popiah Chips...  My first attempt in making these was during Chinese New Year last year... i was preggie at that moment and was craving for it. Since we could not get our usual Seaweed Popiah Chips from our "supplier" in Bintulu, and i was craving so badly for it, I asked for the recipe from our "supplier", kak Timah. Her Seaweed Popiah Chips was the best i had ever tasted. ;)
This year, is my second attempt in making it and yes, my skill did improve... alhamdulillah... Now, let's go through the tutorial... Step by Step.
Ingredients:
  • 1 packet of Large Spring Roll Pastry (I used Figo)
  • 2 packets (10 pcs each) of Sushi Roll Seaweed (this year, we were lucky to get those from Japan as my hubby just returned from there, else, you may get any brands suitable from any major supermarkets... I usually get mine from Jusco)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon of Chicken Stock powder (I did not have any at home, so i replaced it with Maggi mee's soup powder - the one you get in your instand noodles... hehehe... if you wants a healthier version, you may skip this)
  • Some curry leaves
The MAIN ingredients to make Seaweed Popiah Chips

The seaweed that had flown all the way from Japan... :)

Method:
1. Beat the eggs together with the Chicken Stock Powder until the powder is totally dissolved.
2. Place 1 sheet of popiah skin on your cutting board. Lightly brush some of the egg mixture on it. Ensure that the whole popiah skin is covered with the egg mixture including the edges.
Brush egg mixture lightly onto a piece of popiah skin
3. Place the seaweed on the egg-coated popiah skin. Press lightly to ensure that the seaweed are stuck properly.
Note: I cut my seaweed into 3 portions since the seaweed are larger than the popiah skin. This also avoids the popiah from being crinkled. ;p
Place the seaweed onto the popiah skin
4. Lightly brush some egg mixture onto the seaweed (do this part by part) and cover the seaweed with another piece of popiah skin.... repeat the step until the whole piece is covered.
Cover the seaweed with another piece of popiah skin
5. Leave the seaweed popiah to dry a little... Then cut it into strips (or any other shapes that you prefer).
Cut into strips and ready to be fried... ;)
6. Heat up your oil in the wok... throw in some curry leaves and the cut seaweed popiah and fry till golden brown.
Note: Ensure that your oil is hot enough before turning down your stove to low fire to avoid your fried Seaweed Popiah Chips to be too oily and'or burnt too quickly.
7. Strain the oil, leave to cool and store in airtight container... Enjoy.... :)
Munch... Munch... Munch.... Yummy.... :)

My family LOVES this much that we had to do rationing on it.... Ahahaha.... 
~Mardhiyah Lim~

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Are You a Breastfeeding Mum? BEWARE of These Foods

For me, I chose to give my kiddos the natural food from the day
they were born by breastfeeding them exclusively...:)



Do you know that whatever that you eat or consume while breastfeeding will be "channeled" to your baby via your breast milk? Therefore, adopting a proper and well- balanced diet is absolutely crucial in order to properly nourish your baby and yourself. This is even more important during the first few months of your baby's life as your baby is fully dependent on breast milk to fulfill their dietary needs.

Besides that, breastfeeding also places a heavy demand on a mother's body so it is essential to take extra care of mommy's diet to ensure that the nutritional needs for both mommy and baby are met. A large majority of foods can be eaten while you are breastfeeding. However, some food may cause the child to develop some severe reactions to your breast milk, so it will be good if you can keep a food diary to list down those foods. Other than that, it will also be a good practice to pay attention to certain foods that maybe detrimental for your baby's health and development. Below are some drinks that you should be cautious of taking if you are breastfeeding your child:

1. Alcohol
Avoid consuming alcohol immediately before breastfeeding. If you do consume alcohol, limit yourself to small amounts (preferably half a glass or less) as this will minimize the amount secreted into your breast milk. Alcohol in breast milk can have undesirable effects on your baby and may lead to decreased milk-ejection reflex in nursing mommies. Alcohol used in cooking is generally safe for consumption as the actual alcohol content would have evaporated.


2. Caffeine
Love to drink teas and coffees? Well, maybe you should start cutting down the intake for your child's well being. Why? Because they are loaded with caffeine which can cause agitation in your baby and result in interference with his or her sleep. If possible, avoid caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks (and also excessive amounts of chocolate drinks) as much as possible. :) Hmmm... maybe this is the time to kick the caffeine addiction or maybe you can consider to grab this opportunity to switch to de-caffeinated drinks?


I Bet You Don't Know This!

Some foods that you consume can influence the taste and content of your breast milk, so be on the alert for the type of foods that could cause your little one distress. ;)
a. Citrus fruits


Fruits that is high in Vitamin C such as lemon, lime, oranges and grapefruit are acidic and may irritate your baby's immature gastro-intestinal system and digestive tract. This can lead to irritability in your baby. Babies who are particularly sensitive to citrus in breast milk may develop diaper rash. Take other tropical fruits like mangoes, guava, apple etc that is less acidic.



b. Seafood with high levels of mercury


Click to Enlarge
Avoid consuming fish which is high in mercury especially shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tile fish. High levels of mercury will affect you baby's brain and nervous system. Seafood choices that are low in mercury include shrimp. salmon, canned light tuna and freshwater fish.





c. Food intolerance or allergies
Click to Enlarge
Be alert for signs of intolerance or allergies in your baby - upset stomach, trouble in sleeping or development of hives, rash and eczema or wheezing. If your baby has any of these symptoms, try to limit your intake of milk and dairy products, wheat products and shellfish. Avoid peanuts and other nut products as well as these are the most common allergens in babies and children.




Your baby is what you eat... so eat well to breastfeed well and this will help you to achieve the minimum of six months of exclusive breastfeeding that can benefit both you and your baby. 

For me, I chose Shaklee's Breastfeeding Set as my companion in my breastfeeding journey... because it is Always Safe, Always Works & Always Green. :)


My Best Buddies in My Breastfeeding Journey


Ref: Positive Parenting


Peace & Luv Alwiz...
Free personal consultations for you! 

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Rutin Harian yang Kecil TAPI Membahagiakan Rumahtangga




Bahagia Itu TIDAK Ada Syarat
========================

Gambar ini telah dishare di dalam program "Family as the Essence of Change bersama Dato Dr. Hj. Fadzilah Kamsah pd 8 Nov 2012.



Beliau mengulas: "Saya sgt suka gambar ini... tgk pasangan suami isteri ini sangat bahagia walaupun kerje mengutip sampah. Si suami hanya memakai selipar & si isteri tidak berkasut pun. Bahagia itu tidak perlu ada syarat"

And yes, sy sendiri sgt terharu melihat gambar ini... bergenang air mata kerana sgt menginsafi diri... di kala org2 yg kaya, berkemampuan etc tapi rmhtangga kacau bilau, masih ada yg sgt bahagia walaupun hidup mungkin kais pagi, makan pagi, kais petang, makan petang. Mari kita sama2 muhasabah diri kita... 


Memaafkan Semua Orang, SEBELUM Tidur

===================================

Bagi mereka2 yg biasa mendgr tazkirah Dato Dr. Hj. Fadzilah Kamsah, mesti biasa dgr dia berkata, "Setiap malam, sebelum tidur, pastikan kita maafkan semua org."  Bagi saya ni mmg "trademark" beliau. 

Anyway, semasa menghadiri programnya tu, dia kongsikan manfaat2 yg kita akan perolehi apabila kita memaafkan org lain. Antaranya adalah:


1. Hati kita akan menjadi bersih.
2. Minda kita akan menjadi bersih & tenang.
3. Badan kita akan menjadi lebih sihat.
4. Muka kita menjadi lbh comel sb bak kata beliau: "Your face is a mirror to your heart." Dan apabila hati kita bersih, muka kita pun akan nmpk "bersih", insyaAllah.
5. Doa kita jadi makbul.
6. Hidayah mudah turun utk kita.
7. Kita akan disayangi Allah swt dan semua mahkluk di dunia ini..


[Sharing dr Dato Dr. Hj. Fadzilah Kamsah: Family as the Essence of Change]


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