On Common Purpose and other thoughts around recognising leadership in the Pakistani diaspora

A few months ago I started a series of instagram posts about my experience of returning to the world of work having taken a number of years off to bring up my two children. I spoke and wrote about some of the challenges I faced and how I worked through them. I have written and…

On girls and other thoughts around building resilience

Yesterday my daughter came home from school in tears. She had been disciplined for hitting someone. I found this very strange as it was unlike my daughter to throw the first punch, so I met with her teacher to discuss it in more detail. I later found out that she was standing in line when…

Banana, date and oat breakfast loaf

I keep seeing banana bread everywhere; what is it about this weather and the urge to have a slice of warm and gooey banana loaf? I usually use a banana bread recipe that contains yoghurt, but yesterday I didn’t have any, but I did have a bunch of ripe bananas that were screaming out to…

On Eva Zubeck and other thoughts around being a British Pakistani

Eva Zubeck doing the Kiki challenge on a PIA aircraft is amazing.

Who is Eva Zubeck?

Google her.

Eva Zubeck is the single reason why I welled up and had a little cry when I went to drop a relative to the airport today to catch their flight to Pakistan. Her recent portrayal of Pakistan is simply breath-taking.

Like many British Pakistani children our yearly holiday destination was Pakistan. Every year, at the start of the summer holidays, our suitcases would be packed, and off we’d go for six weeks in the sun with the relatives. My earliest memory of Pakistan was being seated with one of my uncles on his motorcycle, god knows where we were going, but I am sure I couldn’t have been more than about seven years old, and I was told to hold on tight – which I did, for dear life! We loved going to Pakistan; we were like celebrities; the cousins from London. It was a novelty, being treated with so much care by all our aunts and uncles, going shopping and having late night ice cream or a soda. It was a completely different world to London.

Caalm Camp

My kids break up a little earlier from school than most other children, so last week we decided to take an early holiday to a destination they’ve been bugging us to go to for absolutely years – camping! Now there was no way I was going camping for anyone (despite promising my husband that I…

Mushroom Gnocchi

I really miss Ramadan. I don’t know about anyone else but I seem to have lost my appetite. These days I’m finding myself just working with leftovers and whatever’s in the kitchen cupboards. If Ramadan this year taught me anything, it’s to appreciate what we have. We have so many things to be grateful for…

Strawberry Pie

Who doesn’t love strawberry pie?! Haven’t made pie in years!! Just couldn’t help myself today! Recipe below if you’re into pie (swap for any berry tbh). Ingredients: – 2 packets fresh strawberries / 1 packet frozen – 1 packet shortcrust pastry – 150g coconut sugar – 3 tablespoons cornflour – 1/2 cup water Method: – Blitz…

Apple, Banana and Date Oat Bars

I do love my porridge, but every now and then it just gets so boring. These breakfasts bars are a great alternative and you can add just about whatever you like to them so that they taste just like your porridge (on the go)! I saw something similar in my local supermarket a few days…

Fool-proof Flapjacks

Who else is fed up of the snow now?! Anything more than 24 hours and I seriously get cabin fever. This week we worked from home, played in the snow, stood in the park for all of ten minutes freezing our toes off, in what has now become the shortest trip to the park ever –…