Ayesha Recommends: K'nafeh Cookies, NYC map, & May Favorites.

Summer's hottest lipgloss is olive oil.

Paid Subscribers, you get my NYC map I’ve been compiling for YEARS and will continue to update as I visit often. I’m talking food, shops, things to see. It’s all in there. And, you also get my K’nafeh cookies recipe, as Eidi <3
If you’d like to subscribe, I’m doing an Eid special for 10% off until the end of this month.
You’ll find these at the end of the newsletter (past the paywall). Let me know what you think!

Hi. Me again. Today is the day of Arafah, and had I not been reminded what a powerful day it is, I would’ve forgotten. So, here’s my friendly muzzy reminder that today is an excellent day to sit with Allah and pour your heart out. I love that Yaqeen institute has been sharing short episodes to help with these ten days before Eid al Adha.

As I’ve mentioned before, faith has been the only thing that gives me any hope as we reach month 9 of the genocide in Gaza. At this point, I don’t know what else to say.

Surah Baqarah, Ayah 12

Things I recommend from May:

• I did QEEG (brain mapping) testing. I love learning about my brain. And it was really interesting to see the parts I excel/struggle with.

• Saffron Cowboy coffee. They sent me a sample to try. Texan Arab owned, I’m so here for it.

• “Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food” by Fadi Kattan. Stunning book. And I have immense respect for Chef Fadi’s work.

• Protein bread. Specifically, making protein bread at home. All you need is greek yoghurt, flour of your choice and unflavored protein powder. And you now have protein packed pitas. They’re obviously not as delicious as normal pita, but I struggle getting my protein goal everyday so I’ll do what I can.

• De Ra Coffee in Plano, TX. Went here for Eid morning and they were so sweet. They’re a neighborhood fave for us. I have a soft spot for Yemenis.

• Doing a whole lot of nothing. That’s what May felt like (in terms of work). Not my choice initially, but my brain has felt like a puddle of nerves (hence QEEG testing), and now that it’s June, I feel much more mentally capable since I did what I always don’t: Rest.

• Jasmine Pandan tea. I am obsesssseeeeeedddddd.

• Getting some sun. I feel like I photosynthesized this May and I’m tanner and happier. I take vitamin D supplements everyday, but getting the real thing was nice. But wear your sunscreen!!!!

• This Boiler Room Laylit set with MYYUH. I listen to it like once a day.

• Dip Bar exercises. I love trying these (I can’t do half of them), but I bought myself dip bars so every hour when I’m at my desk, I take a break and play on the dip bars.

My lipgloss is olive oil. Mwah.

Btw - would love to hear what you’d like me to write more about! I don’t really have a strategy for my newsletter, kind of like my social media, I just post and write what I want. BUT I’m trying to be more efficient in delivering what YOU guys want, so comment, message, DM, email - all of the above. I want to hear from you.

K’nafeh Cookies!! Recipe below paywall, but I’ll get to sharing it eventually.

I’ll do a roundup of NY eats next month, but y’all neeeed to go to SYKO.

The rest of the newsletter has the K’nafeh cookies recipe and my NYC map. Join my subscription if you’d like access! I’m doing an Eid special for 10% off until the end of this month. I’ve already kept it low to be accessible - it’s literally cheaper than a coffee. Otherwise, chat to ya next month 💋