Our Beautiful Souls

Colombian Arepas!

Seriously, the most gorgeous thing ever…

I spent (literally) 2 hours trying to make the perfect arepas, and I did it! I tried different recipes, and stuffed some with goats cheese and feta cheese, made small ones, big ones, fat ones, and tried not to eat them all before I take pictures of them!

The secret to making them super delicious is to add a teeny bit of milk, a pinch of sugar, melted butter, and lots of mozzarella!

I didn’t weigh my ingredients, so here we go…

Warm water
Pre-cooked cornmeal (Harina P.A.N.)
A cube of butter, melted
A large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar
Lots of mozzarella
A teeny bit of warm milk
And love!

I poured the water in a bowl and added the flour, mixing with my fingers until it formed a dough. Then, I added the melted butter, salt, sugar and started kneading. Finally, I put the mozzarella in, making sure everything sticks together beautifully. I added a bit of warm milk so the mixture is moist, yet, easy to shape. You can apply some oil to your hands so it doesn’t stick, and form a soft ball with the mixture. Afterwards, place it on an oiled plate and slap it so it flattens. Take a round bowl and place it on top of the arepa so it comes out perfectly circular – alternatively, you can just use your hands to shape it. Then, I gently placed it on a buttered non-stick pan. I left it for about 8 minutes on one side, and flipped it so the other side is golden brown. Repeat the process until all the mixture is used and make more (what I did)!

My dad said it’s one of the best things he’s ever tasted (woohoo!) and my cat was growling, trying to munch on any available crumbs on the floor, like he’s never seen food before!

A fat arepa stuffed with melted goat’s cheese… Super yummy! I spread the cheese on one arepa, then added another one on top, & pressed the edges together so they merge into one.

My first, not very sure what I was doing Arepas… I made them just using mozzarella, flour, water, and salt, but also shaped them using my hands!

I miss long nails!

I miss having long nails, and it’s actually quite easy to achieve. The ultimate tip is to massage your finger nails (specifically cuticles) with olive oil or coconut oil (and love) every day before bed. Do it more frequently for even better results. Your nails would not only grow longer quicker, but also stronger and healthier.

Protein Supplements and Building Muscles

If you are interested in building muscle, please visit my Get Ripped guide.

We don’t need supplements to build muscles, but because our bodies does not absorb or take in all the nutrients it needs, taking multi-vitamins, fish oils and protein supplements may be beneficial to ensure optimum performance and results. It’s an on-going debate on whether protein supplements are really necessary and the truth is, they’re not. However, protein powders are easily absorbed by the body after working out, so they can reach your muscles quicker compared to, for example, steak which needs a lot more time to be digested. In addition, they help escalating your total protein intake to efficiently build muscles.

When and how much should I consume protein shakes?

Protein shakes should be consumed within 20 minutes of your workout so your muscles can absorb them. Make sure to read the instructions on the pack to ensure you are getting the right amount of protein (should be around 25g). They can be added as part of your daily diet for extra protein, but they should never be used to replace real food like eggs, meat, chicken, fish, etc.

Below I will explain the pros and cons of different types of protein powders.

Whey Protein Powder

Whey protein is the most commonly used type of protein powder, and it’s made from the clear liquid that’s left over from cheese-making, which gets dried up to form a powder. There are 3 types: concentrate, isolate,and hydrolysate. The main difference between them is simply how they’re processed and what they offer e.g. faster absorption rate, less fat/carbs. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what type you consume, unless you have specific requirements.

Pros-

Quickly absorbed by the body
Can be easily blended in a drink
Tastes great, with a variety of flavours
High in protein (around 25g per portion)
Contains all necessary amino acids

Cons-

May cause stomach upsets in certain individuals or bloating – hydrolysate protein is the most recommended for these symptoms
May cause acne for some individuals, if combined with a high-dairy diet
Not suitable for vegans or individuals who are lactose-intolerant

Casein Powder

Casein is similar to whey, as it’s another compound found in cow’s milk. The main difference is that casein digests slower than whey, making it a better option when you need a slow release of protein (usually before bed as you will go several hours without food). However, I would not recommend it for beginners as it’s not really essential.

Hemp Protein Powder

Hemp protein is my favourite as it always makes me feel more refreshed, and funnily enough, it’s a derivative of cannabis but it’s completely safe to consume.

Pros-

Helps ease muscle pain for quick recovery
Suitable for vegans and those who are lactose-intolerant
High in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
Easy on stomach and doesn’t cause bloating
Contains all necessary amino acids

Cons-

Doesn’t taste good
Less protein per portion, so you often need more scoops to have 25g of protein
May be expensive, specifically in the US since it’s illegal to grow, so it has to be imported

Pea Protein Powder

Pea protein usually comes from, yes, peas…

Pros-

High in protein per portion
Suitable for vegans and those who are lactose-intolerant

Cons-

Does not contain cystine (essential amino acid)

Soy Protein

Soy Protein comes from soy beans, which are legumes native to East Asia

Pros-

Contains all the essential amino acids
Cheap
Suitable for vegans
High in protein
Suitable for individuals who are lactose-intolerant

Cons-

Studies say that soy can interfere with hormones if taken in large quantities, potentially lowering testosterone levels and increasing oestrogen levels

Yummy Green Wheatgrass Smoothie

Blend together the following ingredients for a super-yummy, greenie smoothie:

– 2 Bananas

– 1 Avocado

– 2 Kiwis

– 1 Tbsp Honey

– 1 Tsp Wheatgrass Powder (available in any health store)

– Water for desired consistency

Benefits of Wheatgrass…

Wheatgrass juice is an effective healer because it contains all minerals known to man, and vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, l and K. It is extremely rich in protein, and contains 17 amino acids, the building blocks of protein.
Wheatgrass juice cures acne and even help to remove scars after it has been ingested for seven to eight months. The diet, of course, must be improved at the same time.
A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet helps prevents tooth decay.
Wheatgrass juice helps to keep the hair from graying.
Improves digestion
Wheatgrass juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries.
Wheatgrass juice can remove heavy metals from the body.
Wheatgrass juice is great for blood disorders of all kinds.
By taking wheatgrass juice, one may feel an increase in strength and endurance, renewed health and spirituality, and experience an overall sense of well-being.

Source: http://thechalkboardmag.com/50-reasons-to-drink-wheatgrass-everyday

Nature

Sweet Potato Banana Magic…

It’s one of the best feelings, to ‘bring a new dish’ to the world (no matter how simple it may be) and so I invented some crazy sweet potato yummyness. I roasted the sweet potatoes as always do, but they were white-fleshed and I didn’t like them, so I made this which was just too delicious…

This recipe makes around 8 mini-cakes:

1 white flesh sweet potato – (roasted for 1 hour)

1 banana

butter

Mash the sweet potato with the banana and shape them into circles using your hands, making sure they’re well bonded and stuck together. Heat butter in a non-stick frying pan, and place the mini cakes on top. Then flip carefully until the other side is golden brown. Best eaten hot, so it’s all buttery!

We’re Like the Big Bang!

While everyone in this world strives to get somewhere and become someone, only to leave it all behind after death, you aim for the supreme stage of nothingness. Live this life as light and empty as the number zero. We are no different from a pot. It is not the decorations outside but the emptiness inside that holds us straight. Just like that, it is not what we aspire to achieve but the consciousness of nothingness that keeps us going – Shams Tabrizi

This quote makes me feel like we’re similar to the big bang – born or created from a point of singularity, and as we grow, we expand into a sea of universes, worlds, colours, and shades (our false egos), only to forget that point of nothingness/singularity of peace, quiet, and humbleness. Doesn’t that show how the universe is a manifestation of ourselves? Everything is so interconnected…

Real Friends vs. Fake Friends

I’ve been hurt a lot by friends of all sorts and one day many years ago, I came home from school crying because I didn’t have any friends, because I didn’t find anyone who ‘thinks’ like me. I’m not saying that I was better than anyone else, or more mature, but being the only child, you naturally get more influenced by grown-ups. So when I’m in class, and start talking about the current economic climate or corrupt politicians (because I hear my parents talk about that stuff), other kids naturally run away… My mum told me ‘you are your own best friend’, and my dad told me ‘best friends don’t exist, because they come and go’.

I found that girls are the worst. They get jealous, they gossip behind your back, they want you to look/act a certain way, because somehow their image depends on that, they pretend to be your friend, but you’re actually secret enemies. Of course, that’s a massive stereotype, but I’ve always experienced those sorts of girls in my life.

I thought it would get better when I’m older, since we become more mature, and it does, depending on how you look at it. We all have different priorities, and again, massive stereotype but it’s what I’m currently experiencing: people my age tend to have priorities of being ‘social’, whether it’s having accounts of every single social media company that ever existed or going to parties, getting drunk, etc.

I’m not interested in that, because my soul is not going to benefit from that, but someone else might. I’m not saying I’m ‘right’ or ‘better’, but I’m saying that we’re all taking different paths. And hopefully, we’ll reach the same destination of self-discovery, and self-improvement, even if our methods or ways of living is completely different.

So, what is a real friend?

I define it as someone who uplifts you for no advantage or gain of their own. They do it because they simply love you, respect you, and trust you, which are three highly important things in any friendship or relationship.

But when it comes to friends, it’s totally quality rather than quantity. I feel like just one real, genuine friend, who truly loves you is equal to a million friends, and you would be very lucky to find a friend like that, so smile if you do (and smile if you don’t!)

At the end of the day, you have to learn to become your own best friend, as cheesy as it sounds. You will always have yourself, you sleep with yourself, you wake up with yourself, eat with yourself, and you’re inside yourself. So, make the most out of you, and make sure to have alone time, when you can just talk to yourself and self-reflect, it’s golden time. Funnily enough, the more you bond/connect with yourself, the more easier it will become to bond/connect with other people, since you’re more familiar with your needs and priorities in a friend. And when you can provide for yourself, you can definitely provide for others.

40 Rules of Love (Novel)

This is not a book review, it’s more of an expression of my love to this novel! The people who know me well are highly aware that I hardly read. I start reading a (fiction) book and my mind escapes into a universe of thoughts and I forget that I’m even reading a book, as my attention span disappears within seconds. Until, one day, my mum got me a novel and she stated that it had a very unique structure and that it has been translated into several languages, so I thought I’d give it a go, since I’m taking English at school, so I better start getting used to reading.

The truth is, I’d recommend this novel to people who love reading, but I’d recommend it even more to people who don’t!

It takes you to a magical place, where you seriously just can’t put it down. I can’t believe I just finished reading a book (massive achievement for me!)

Firstly, it teaches you to discover a deeper dimension of yourself and the people around you. It’s very spiritually charged, yet humble, that would appeal to everyone of any beliefs or backgrounds.

Secondly, it links modern times to ancient times, as it talks about events in history like the crusades, the Mongolian empire as well as exploring lands from an ancient perspective such as Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, which makes it so mysteriously and exotically beautiful. It ties religions and faiths together, as the author wanted closeness of traditions that we’re often encouraged to see as distant from each other.

Thirdly, every chapter is an insight of a character, so you get in their mind, whether it’s the star of the book, a killer, a prostitute, a beggar, and so much more. It’s like you get connected to people of all shades so powerfully. Yet, every single character is somehow spiritually inclined as time goes, so you grow with them.

Fourth, it talks about Rumi (a very popular Sufi poet) and the hardships he faced as he declined in the eyes of society as being a ‘respected scholar’ to a very spiritually humble individual, as he was inspired by the star of the book, Shams of Tabriz, who you will inevitably fall in love with! In fact, the title, ’40 Rules of Love’, was written by Shams, who was an enlightened man who enabled to change and inspire every single character in the book, no matter who they were.

Finally, the story is simply touching and it made me experience larger-than-life emotions while reading it, I must admit, it made me cry (not because it’s so sad, but because it’s so heart-touching). It made me laugh, smile, and think. In addition, every rule of love is something that you can tie to your own life, for me, it’s: While everyone in this world strives to get somewhere and become someone, only to leave it all behind after death, you aim for the supreme stage of nothingness. Live this life as light and empty as the number zero. We are no different from a pot. It is not the decorations outside but the emptiness inside that holds us straight. Just like that, it is not what we aspire to achieve but the consciousness of nothingness that keeps us going – (Rule 33). It inspires me to leave my false ego alone, and to connect more with my true self, not my image. Hence, this website is called ‘Our Beautiful Souls’ as it’s meant to encourage people to focus more on their mysterious and beautiful souls, rather than their outer appearance. This is absolutely relevant to this age today, as a lot of things, such as music, for example, depend on image rather than quality.

To conclude, you have homework, get this book today!

I think that the best indication of how much you love and care for yourself is the time where you don’t have the people who love you connected to you emotionally. When people provide you with love, it feeds your ego. It makes you feel secure, content, and it gets too comfortable. When they suddenly go, and stop feeding you with love, all there is to provide you with genuine love and care is yourself.

I learnt this because I’m naturally independent, but I still need love and care. But when someone who once provided me with everything I want, hurt me, I felt empty, as if a part of my heart was filled by that person, but I can’t fill it with my own love to myself. Suddenly, I just started not caring about things. My health declined, and self-content too. I even stopped blogging and talking to people (well, as much people), as I wanted alone time to self-reflect.

I do feel vulnerable when I write my deepest emotions on the internet, especially when a lot of readers know me in person but have no idea what I’m experiencing. But we need to let go of our egos, and just be transparent with our feelings, because we are all vulnerable. When we were born, we were vulnerable, but didn’t hide it. So, why are we hiding it now?

What happened to me wasn’t bad, it was a mini phase of self-growth. The fact that I point out these negative feelings I have towards myself now, means that I will avoid these feelings in the future. I’m being sensitive enough to distinguish and indicate my emotions, however major or minor, to become a better version of me.

It’s important to become sensitive enough to the workings of your body, mentally, emotionally, and physically, so you can clearly sense when your body is telling you a something (in my case, it’s an unwanted feeling, and my body was telling me to sort it out).