Stirring Up Fun with Ingredients for 
Lifetime Success 

My Omar with fellow chefs Adiba and Faisal (Family Flavours, March 2015 edition)

Experts say that getting your child involved in cooking teaches him science, math, culture and more. Omar initially got involved in cooking and baking after trying to imitate his baba and mama in the kitchen, which is a central hub for our family. 

I'm grateful to my in-laws for raising a son who can cook and be independent. But in addition to doing a favour for Omar's future partner, I know cooking teaches valuable life skills - it teaches independence, encourages curiosity and develops problem-solving skills. Some schools, such as Omar's (International Community School), offer after-school cooking clubs. Hania Anabtawi Bitar is also well known for her cooking classes (for adults and children) - check out www.facebook.com/HaniasRecipes. You can also try Crafty Cooks (www.facebook.com/craftycooks2009).

Omar and I especially love this arrangement of white chocolate covered strawberries!

For Adiba's Yummy Fun recipes, check out Family Flavours' March 2015 edition. It's perfect for Mother's Day but also for a hostess gift any time 
of year! http://familyflavours.com/familyflavours/public/DefaultDetails.aspx?id=10&type=menudetails

Sometimes, the hard but important things to tell our children are easier done in a letter. Ultimately, however, our own actions speak louder than words.

It’s okay to like pink when society says you shouldn’t. It’s not okay to disrespect any woman, even when society accepts it

On my way to running an errand last week, a uniformed guard whistled and snarled vulgar remarks. It doesn’t matter what he said. It’s how it made me feel.

Anger consumed me at first as I thought of him and so many others who don’t care how their snarky stares and lewd gestures make the recipients feel. I was walking in Amman, Jordan but I could have easily been in Berlin, Germany or in Washington D.C. in the United States. He was a guard but he could have easily been a CEO of a company or a frequent worshipper at a mosque or church. The likes of him are not confined to any particular culture or background.

But then I thought of what this man may be like outside the context of our brief encounter. After he was done with his shift, would he go home to a wife and children or to a loving mother and loving sisters? While he may be a jerk, or even abusive, I suspect that he actually treats his family members and loved ones with care and compassion, like so many men. He is probably well liked too by his colleagues and supervisors.

On my way home that day, all I could think about were my sons, one turning two end of March and the other seven in April. My attention shifted to them as I wrote this letter:

Dear Omar and Shareef,

Today my priority as a parent is keeping you safe, happy and healthy – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. My worries revolve around you, Shareef, running into the street or falling out of your highchair; and Omar, you not getting the stimulating, engaging environment you need to explore, learn and grow. Playdates are still manageable and your relationships uncomplicated. Letting you know that it's okay with your baba and I not to simply go with what everyone else is saying or doing means you don't have to hate red apples even if your classmates do, and you can like pink even when everyone says you shouldn't. 

As each day goes by, and we find you teenagers in the blink of an eye, I know these questions and reflections can only multiply and deepen. I don’t know where your future paths will lead. With your tricultural background, your Jordanian-American-German upbringing could take you anywhere and lead you to anyone. But I certainly hope and pray that you’ll aspire to treat everyone with respect and be able to recognise when you’re not. This includes treating every woman with respect regardless of:

• What she’s wearing or not wearing
• Her sexual history or lack of with you or anyone else
• What others think or say about her
• Whether you’re offended by her beliefs or actions
• Her family name or lineage
• Where she’s from, where she lives or where she’s at now
• Who’s she’s with or not with
• What she’s saying or neglecting to say
• Her education, her achievements or lack of
• If she comes across as weak or strong, assertive or timid, kind or rude, arrogant or humble

You don’t have to agree with her or even like her. You don’t have to befriend her, date her or marry her. But when your baba and I nurture in you to be loving, kind and respectful, it’s not selective. Regardless of whether you or anyone else deems her worthy, respect is what you owe her, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

Love,

Mama

Here are a few posts/sites for further reading:

http://drkellyflanagan.com/2014/06/11/a-fathers-letter-to-young-men-about-how-to-treat-a-woman/

http://mic.com/articles/103840/but-what-was-she-wearing-tumblr-proves-any-outfit-can-be-a-target-for-catcalling

www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0418/Street-harassment-of-women-It-s-a-bigger-problem-than-you-think 

www.stopstreetharassment.org

http://goodmenproject.com

  

www.7iber.com 

www.barakabits.com

http://therepresentationproject.org/blog

www.amightygirl.com/blog

www.huffingtonpost.com/the-blog

http://msmagazine.com/blog

Dancing for a Good Cause! 

Just wrapped up a cultural dance session with a wonderful group of women. Many of them are new to Jordan and to Middle Eastern dance. Their contributions will go to supporting the children at Bal'ama Society for Special Education in Mafraq, Jordan. 

Are YOU On Your Priority List?

Like so many working mothers, I’m juggling a dozen tasks at once. I couldn’t function without my To-Do List but hardly ever see myself on it. I seem to make time for everyone else but me!

And I know I’m not alone – while at an International Women’s Day event organised by Solace Skin Care Center and Al Marji’ Publications, the working mothers around me expressed the same sentiments. Yet it doesn’t seem to be a conversation I see working fathers having or struggling with.

Samar Aboura, owner of Solace Skin Care Center, stressed “how important it is for a woman to make time for herself.” 

“We know how hard a woman works and how important her mental and physical well-being is for the health and happiness of her family,” said Hind-Lara Mango, Publisher & Managing Director of Al Marji’ Publications. She added, “This is why we thought of celebrating her here, where we know she will receive the attention and pampering she so deserves.”

So as we celebrate International Women's Day, let's not feel guilty about carving out "me time" to take better care of ourselves. With the newfound energy we'll get, everyone benefits! 

The Solace Skin Care Center Team

A Worthwhile Way To Celebrate International Women's Day!

Head to Rainbow Theater to view films portraying women's stories from all over the world. The Women’s Film Week starts today, 8 March, with two daily screenings at 6:30pm and 8pm. Held under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, Women's Film Week is brought to you by UN Women Jordan, in partnership with The Royal Film Commission Jordan - RFC and in collaboration with the Artistic Director Ghada Saba. 

Welcome! Ahlan wa Sahlan! Herzlich willkommen! 

Welcome to my blog!

"What's your favourite colour?" we get asked from as young as our toddler years. I never understood why we're expected to have a favourite. This question stressed me out and I always made up an answer. Now, as a parent, I see this question is just as popular (and universal) today! 

But in life, as in cooking, it's far more enriching to experiment with different colours and flavours. Some days I cook with vibrant sumac, other days wth soft green dill. I crave raspberry sorbet one day but reach for pistachio ice cream the next. 

Flavour of the Day, the blog, celebrates this diversity - sometimes with humor, sometimes with deeper reflections. 

So what's your favourite...or rather, what's your flavour of the day? 

Sweet wishes,

Laura