My Never-Ending Love Affair with Food

I only have two vices; raccoon videos and eating out. 

I love checking out new eateries and I'm always daydreaming about my next meal or compiling lists of places I want to try. So I thought why not jot down some of the greatest hits.

Picture stolen from sister's Instagram

Nutella Milkshake from Happy Ending

The drink is a concoction of nutella topped with heavy whipped cream served in a mason jar with chocolate sauce drizzled on the sides. The milkshake is so rich and luxurious, it is like wearing a warm fur coat on a cold day. I imagine the chocolate river in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory must taste like this.

Another of sister's. She ocassionally takes nice pictures

Banoffee Waffles from The Urban Cafe

The best breakfast I've ever had was at lunch time.The waffles there are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside and the warm toffee syrup poured over sliced bananas is the perfect consistency. Also their serving size is more than generous so that really makes it the breakfast of champions. 

21 inches of goodness

21 Inch Pizza from Manhattan Bites

And how can I forget pizza? The one thing I could eat everyday for the rest of my life. Manhattan bites makes a killer 21 inch monstrosity which is a challenge to eat (I fold it up like roll). I always go for the Manhattan Special which has all the fix-ins including chicken fajita chunks and pepperoni slices. Paired with their southwestern sauce, the pizza makes any ordinary day extraordinary

Heaven CAN'T wait (Source: OmNom)

Heaven Can Wait from OmNom

I only ever order chicken burgers except that one time I tried ostrich meat (it was not bad). So amongst all the burgers I have ever had this delicious juicy chicken burger is the one that stands out. It made me fall in love with honey mustard. It has a succulent patty and fresh vegetables in a soft bun which actually made me say OMNOMNOM. 

Salivating looking at this

Cake Alaska from Jammin' Java

I am always craving something 'sweet to eat' as I often say. So my favourite dessert has to be this chocolatey goodness which is basically two slices of chocolate fudge cake sandwiching a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and drowning in a pool of chocolate sauce. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

Everything I've had here so far was perfect!

Fiery Red Dragon Chicken from The Rice Bowl

I was skeptical about this place because it is hard to find good Chinese food. However, the spicy chicken gravy coupled with chowmein and rice was a treat for my taste buds. You can tell by the name it was super spicy and had plenty of delectable chicken and veggies. My friend had the Sweet and Sour Crispy Chicken which was equally yum!

Y-U-M

Belgian Molten Lava Cake from Sweet Tooth

For me the ice-cream that accompanies the molten lava cake is just as important and sweet tooth had the yummiest vanilla ice-cream ever. The lava is made of Belgian chocolate and hits just the right spot. It is hands down the best molten lava cake I've had so far. 

Visually appealing right? (Source: The Lahore Social)

Tortellini Pasta from The Lahore Social

I don't usually like alfredo sauce; it's always too creamy or too doughy so imagine my surprise when this pasta's sauce was the perfect consistency. The dish looked very appealing as well with colourful tortellini, fresh mushrooms and sprigs of coriander arranged tatsefully.

Perfection

   
                                                               

Chocolate Malt Cake from Nando's
A soft and rich sponge that melts in your mouth slathered in delicious malt frosting is the reason this cake is hardly ever available at the restaurant. It is the perfect way to end the meal.

Ugh I knew it was a bad idea to write this down on an empty stomach. Luckily, there's chicken tikka for lunch at the office today. Until the next time I eat something nommy, good bye!

High Up Above and Down Below

Today I'm going to share the story of my two-day hiking trip to Azad Kashmir. 

(Oh and yes, the title is a Coldplay reference. I understand I could have used Adventure of a Lifetime but I'm saving that for something bigger.)

Day 1, 6 a.m.

You would think it was a bad idea for my first college trip to be full of intense physical activity but it wasn't like that at all. I  must admit I was almost on the brink of throwing up on our way to Muzaffarad but I held my own by taking small sips of Sting and listening to Noori. When we stopped at Kohala Bridge for a bathroom break, I had to take a moment to stop shaking but the pleasant cool weather and gorgeous sunrise over the mountains cured me of the motion sickness. 

At Jehlum River, overlooking the Kohala Bridge

Day 1, 10 a.m.

Our captain soon realized that letting us check-in before breakfast was a terrible idea. We were supposed to freshen up and come down to eat in half an hour but that was out of the question with 4 girls sharing a single bathroom and mirror. 

Day 1, 2 p.m.

The first stop was Zalzal lake. A water body created by a a major landslide following the 2005 earthquake. The actual lake is a 90 minute descent from where our bus was parked. Before leaving our driver warned us to beware of crocodiles swimming in the lake. He highlighted the warning with a video of two suspiciously Chinese looking girls being gobbled up by a CGI lake monster. 

15 minutes in, I became aware of the fact that it was a bad idea for me to hold a water bottle in my hand while attempting to climb down the precarious, rocky terrain. Thankfully, a chivalrous fellow offered to keep my bottle in his knapsack. 

The lake appeared to be some sort of mirage, no matter how far we went it didn't seem to get any nearer. But after two hours of slipping and a little sliding, we made it to our destination.

Down, down, down

Day 1, 4 p.m.

We barely had two hours of wading, swimming and even fishing in the cool water when the trek leader called for us to begin climbing back up. That's the downside of short trip, you're always running on a tight schedule. Surprisingly the ascent was much easier even with gravity acting against us. We did get a little lost but the cute little local kids came to our rescue by guiding us back to our bus. 

On returning to the bus, we found the driver near tears as his mobile phone had been stolen. He suspected the local teens who were loitering near the vehicle of nicking it. When we complained to the kids' father, he picked up a heavy stick to give them the most brutal beating I've ever witnessed live. The boys all scampered to the hills with their tails between their legs.

Zalzaal Lake, Chakar

Day 1, 7 p.m.

After chai and pakoras at a dhabba we returned to the hotel for a little R&R (read: charge our phones and cameras). Only after lying down on the bed did a massive headache strike, forcing me to skip dinner. You have to remember I was functioning on zero hours of sleep in the last 36 hours. I took an hour-long power nap and woke up feeling a lot better; just in time for a trip to the bazaar. And some kind soul had saved me a plate of biryani and seekh kebabs. Yay!

Day 2, 5 a.m.

Wake-up call was at dawn and we were all drowsy and grumbling. After a long session of giggles and gossip with the roomies we had finally quieted down at 2 a.m. to go to sleep.

The view from Sangam Hotel which is named so because it is situated at a point where the Neelum and Jehlum river meet. 

Day 2, 10 a.m.
We arrived at the base of Pir Chinasi, the shrine of a revered saint situated at 10,000 feet above sea-level. Even though this trek had a paved road, it was a massively steep ascent. You could feel each step right up to your thighs. I have no idea where the adrenaline rush came from because I powered through and managed to stay in the lead with a few others 

(with frequent breaks to sit down, breathe and drink copious amounts of water, of course). 

Day 2, 12 p.m.
It turned out I made that tiresome journey for nothing because right outside the shrine in big bold letters was a sign saying Auraton ka daakhla mana'a hai (Women are prohibited from entering). Not that it affected me; I don't really believe in that stuff. The scenic view with the snowy Himalayas as the backdrop was totally worth it.

Pir Chinasi's shrine

Day 2, 3 p.m.

We only spent an hour at the top, most of which was utilized having chai and the most scrumptious aloo pakoras ever. While we were being rushed to head back, I completely forgot to buy mementos from the stall outside the darbar. I was amongst the first ones to reach the bottom which gave me and my friends time to take more pictures. 

The Himalyan Range

Day 2, 8 p.m.

We stopped at a restaurant in Lala Musa for dinner which was actually not bad. The journey back was entertaining with games of Antakshari and hilarious dance performances. But soon a feeling of melancholy set over the bus when realization struck that our two exciting days with new friends were coming to an end.

All in all, it was the perfect getaway right before finals. Even though, we were so strapped for time that we couldn't even stop to take pictures at certain points. And everyone basically passed out for 12+ hours as soon as they got home, skipping all classes. Also legs were sore fore at least 3 days after the trip.

But I would gladly relive those two days over again.

                     

Nestlé Unites Pakistan for Healthier Kids Aaj Se

Nestlé Pakistan hosted a pre-launch bloggers event in Lahore for its national United for Healthier Kids campaign. The event was to create awareness amongst social media influencers about the importance of introducing children to a healthier lifestyle Aaj Se.

United for Healthier Kids is a program that aims to engage children from the ages 3-12 and embolden parents, siblings and teachers to motivate them. Partners like Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, Geo Network, Jang Media Group, Lahore Grammar Schools have joined Nestlé Pakistan to influence the behavior of young children.

Nestlé Corporate Media Manager Atika takes the stage -TDF

                                                       

The information session revealed the deplorable state of our kids’ health.  Here are some of the startling facts in numbers:

·        

• Pakistan one of 34 countries where 90% of the global malnutrition problem lies.
• 1 out of 3 Pakistani children is iron deficient.
• 43.7% children under the age of 5 have stunted growth.
• 31.5% children are underweight.

The movement features three major resolutions:

1. Move More Sit Less

As the famous saying goes ‘a healthy body leads to a healthy mind’ which is why the first and foremost objective is to get children involved in physical activities. Using the laptop, tablet or gaming console for longer periods of time should be discouraged and children should join at least one sport to get their daily dose of exercise.

2. Choose to Drink Water

Not many people realize how essential it is to stay hydrated. The reality of the situation is that 89% people are under-hydrated in winters while 54% don’t drink enough water in summers. Water or freshly squeezed fruit juice should be given to children instead of fizzy drinks.

3. Choose Nutritiously Varied Options

It is vital to construct a healthy and well balanced diet plan for children to ensure they receive the recommended amount of all major food groups. It is a common misconception that taking small meals after a short interval is the key to losing weight when one proper meal is the way to go.

Recording all the action -TDF

                                    

The event featured a quiz competition to test the minds of bloggers present. Keeping with the ‘Move More Sit Less’ theme, a game of musical chairs was next. Also inspired by cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq, around 20 boys and girls took the Misbah pushup challenge completing 10 pushups.

United for a behtar kal aaj se -TDF

                              

To get more information on the campaign follow the hashtag #U4HKAajSe on Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

Kapray Comes To Lahore

The One-Stop Shop for the Entire Household!

Kapray took the whole nation by storm this weekend, launching half a dozen stores all over Pakistan. Out of the six, two retail stores opened in Lahore (Y-Block DHA and Fortress Square) on 18th December 2015. 

I was invited to the opening night of the Y-Block outlet which is adjacent to HKB. The store is huge and has 6 levels including a basement. This large space is divided into 4 sections of the store, namely: Kapray Man, Kapray Woman, Kapray Kids and Kapray Home. You can restock the whole family's wardrobe as well as remodel your home all from one brand!

Classic kurtas to stylish sweaters, the store has got it all! Don't be fooled by the name of the brand, the store has a large collection of footwear and accessories as well. And when I say accessories I don't just mean ties and belts but also leather breif cases and laptop bags!

Men's section

I particularly liked this sweater for men. Isn't it festive and perfect for the holiday season?

                                       

There are many styles to choose from and women also have the option of buying ready-to-wear kurtas and trousers or getting the same prints in unstitched cloth. You can match shoes, bags, jewelry, scarves with your outfit there and then. There is no need to scrounge the market to find the perfect tights to go with the shirt.

Unstitched for those who want to add their own touch.

They have amazing shoes and bags too!

The kids section is painted in a bright colour scheme and also has a play area to keep the little ones occupied. And how can I forget the Home section which had furniture as well decorative items for your bed and bath. 

Kapray Kids

Such a pretty floral arm chair!

The launch was hosted by the stunning Juggun Kazim who gushed over the chic designs and the quality of the material. Other celebrities in attendance were: Pakistani cricketer Muhammad Yusuf, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza of Noori band and top fashion models.

Noori performed a number of songs on the audience's request and confessed to this being their first unplugged performance. The brothers were decked in outfits by Kapray Man. 

Juggun looking flawless in a Kapray kurta and acessories

Noori rocked the house!

The first Kapray store opened its doors to Karachiites this summer, and soon won a place in the hearts of shoppers with their wide range of fashion choices and affordable prices. To make the collection more accessible to their customers, Kapray has also launched their very own e-store. 

Want to see more? You can visit www.kaprayonline.com to view their catalog and order your very own "kapray" from the comfort of your own home.

Our First 1000 Definitive Days

In the health and nutrition sector, Nestlé has always maintained its giant presence. It is great to see the multi-national using their position and resources to promote a serious issue. 
As part of their "Start Healthy, Stay Healthy" campaign, a bloggers meetup was held at Pearl Continental, Lahore on 17th October 2015. 

The objective of the event was to educate people on the importance the first one thousand days of a child's life have on their physical and mental development. Dr. Huma Fahim, the medical adviser at Nestlé, shed light on the impact nutrition received from conception to age two has on a person's whole life. Her presentation included startling facts such as 43.8 percent Pakistani children under the age of five suffer from an iron deficiency. Also a person attains up to half of their adult height by the age of two. 

Dr. Huma Fahim - The Digital Factory

All the local "tweeps" (Twitter users) and bloggers were in attendance. The guests were encouraged to live tweet about the event to pass on the facts and tips learned from the session. The event was a great success in promoting healthy lifestyles because not only are we the leaders of tomorrow but also the future parents and care-givers responsible for raising a better generation.

Tweeting away - The Digital Factory

Nestlé's initiative to engage the younger audience are to be commended and I think such events should be held on a regular basis. 

Group Photo - The Digital Factory 

Follow the hashtag #First1000Days on Twitter and Instagram to learn more.

City Mornings

I am waiting for the college bus. It's 7:05 a.m. The birds are about, searching for breakfast and the Sun still needs its cup of coffee to wash away the grogginess.

 Among all this I observe the woman who comes to sweep the road and sidewalk. I think she's hired by the Municipal Authority or maybe the Town Council; irrespective of that she shows up ever morning without fail. In the blistering cold she dons a thin sweater and drapes a frayed shawl over her body for warmth.

I watch her hands moving effortlessly, a simple twist of the wrist and the broom collects all the litter, stray leaves and dust. I cannot bring myself to stop looking; at all the waste lying on the road being swept up, gathered and thrown away by this lady. Purifying it of all the corruption, immorality and horror.

The Universe is in equilibrium again.

Window

When she talked, she never revealed anything about herself. 

You could never guess what she was thinking. 

Her emotions were masked by a stony expression.

But if you looked closely. 

If you ever caught her when she was staring out the window or engrossed in her work, you would realise, that she was an open book afterall. 

For all her hopes and dreams and fears were right there.

Her eyes giving it all away, while she was in her own world. 

Unaware.