5 must visit places of Islamabad.

Written by: Syeda Sheeza Ali

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan and is quite famous for its greenery, Margalla Hills, and several landmarks, for instance, Faisal Mosque. In my opinion, the five best places to visit in Islamabad are as follows:

Margalla Hills

Margalla Hills are part of the Himalayas and surround Islamabad. They are lush, green, and rocky. They are full of hiking trails that snake their way up ridgetops and down through forested valleys.  Margalas is an excellent place for birdwatchers. The area is home to a large number of birds, including robins, sparrows, kites, crows, larks, paradise flycatchers, black partridge, and many others. Also, on top of the hills a great restaurant, Monal, which has both amazing ambiance and food. 

Faisal Mosque

My personal favorite because it is so serene and peaceful that it helps me ease my mind. it is currently the fifth largest mosque in the world and the largest in South Asia. It is located at the foothills of Margalla Hills in Islamabad.

Lok Virsa Heritage Museum

It is a museum of history and culture in Islamabad,. The museum has its own research center, media center, publishing house, and heritage library.

The Centaurus 

 The Centaurus Mall is four stories tall and comprises more than 300 shops. The Centaurus Mall also includes entertainment in the form of a play area for children, known as "Fun City^[", and a movie cinema, known as "The Centaurus Cinema", which shows some of the latest Lollywood and Hollywood movies and also a food court comprising of many franchises of food chains. The food court, the play area, and the cinema are located on the fourth floor of the mall.

Shah Allah Ditta Caves

Located around a km north of Shah Allah Ditta village are a few prehistoric limestone caves that have been in human use for thousands of years. Reportedly these caves have been under the use of Buddhist and Hindu monks. They contain a few very old banyan trees with numerous roots falling to the ground and a freshwater spring. There is a big car park just next to Sadhu Ka Baagh. From the caves, one can take a westerly climb and hike to Ban Faqirian stupa that is located at the top of the mountain. A very nice place to visit that is less than an hour’s drive from most places in Islamabad.

How to Maintain and Keep Strong Friendships as an Adult

Written by: Ayishm Zia

As long as we humans have existed, we’ve thrived off of social contact. Basic human contact is a necessity for our survival, just like food and drinks. Sharing strong bonds with other people helps in mental and emotional prosperity as well as helps one in excelling in all other walks of life.

As adults, we all have millions of responsibilities on us and most of the time we forget to maintain our old friendships. Our family commitments as well as work responsibilities take most of our time as we keep growing and in this, we often forget to share our lives with people we knew from the very start of our life journey - our friends. Thus our friendships fade away as the clock keeps ticking.

Fortunately, there are ways in which we can maintain our friendships without ignoring our responsibilities:

Stay connected through a group chat

Making a simple group on WhatsApp or Facebook to keep all your friends connected is a great way to start. Even texting one message a day can make a difference. This way you know what your friends are up to and you can share your own life with them as well because at the end of the day good friendships are something we all want. We can have serious health problems and issues without good social contact with our friends.

Maintain less but meaningful friendships

Instead of running after so many people and making new friends every day, stick by your old friends even if they are just two. We need people when we are having break downs and when we are having happy moments. As an alternative of having hundreds of friends who do not stand by you in your hard times, leaving you lonelier than before, have quality friends even if they are less, who stand by you through thick and thin. This way half of your anxiety will disappear on its own.

Your friends will make mistakes and you should embrace those mistakes

Friendships are not easy to maintain. You and your friends will have fights from time to time on the smallest things. But friendships are built with time. They revolve with time. Instead of fighting over each other’s mistakes, embrace each other’s mistakes and imperfections. Always try to make up for your mistakes and be grateful for the little things you have.

Do a reunion every year

A reunion at a café or at a friend’s place can help keep the bond strong and tight. Engaging with each other and doing something that means a lot to you and your fellows can help you create new memories. Planning events even once a year can help you have something to look forward to, and the planning itself can be a great opportunity for communication with your buddies.

Communicate your expectations

It is said that expecting too much from a friend will always end up in heartbreak. To be honest it will keep happening if you don’t communicate your expectations in a proactive way. Always be mature and sit back and talk about how you feel and what you expect from each other. This way you won’t tuck your feeling and anger inside and can talk in a proactive way.

We live in a world where it is very hard to make new friends and even tougher to keep our old friendships. However, if you follow these tips it might help. Personally, I do all these things and they have definitely helped me!

 

 

 

 

 

5 books to read once in your life !

 

"I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book" J.K Rowling. You might be missing out on something big if you don't read ,whether it's a book ,news ,blog or any content on the internet. Regular reading have many benefits such as :

1) More focus and Concentration.

2) Knowledge.

3)Wisdom.

4)Improvement in personality.

5)Improvement in memory and many more...

All of these points tell why you should read a book. Now you have decided to read but can't decide where to start or what to read? we have made a list of books that you should read at least once in your lifetime .

1) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

if you are a new reader this novel is the perfect place to start. Paulo Coelho exceptional story telling and lessons have made this book one of the best sellers ever. It's a story about a young shepherd who travels the whole continent in pursuit of his dream. This book emphasizes on spirituality ,faith and hope. Choice of words is exceptional ,it's a great dose of wisdom and lessons for any reader. so make sure to read this once in your life !

2)Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

This is known to be the best finance book of all time. No matter who you are or whatever you are doing ,being financially educated is the need of the time. it's something not being taught in the educational institutions. In this book the author emphasizes upon letting your money do the work for you. rather than saving you should use that money to make more money ,this is something most people are not aware off and they spend their whole life saving money rather than multiplying it ,this is a must read as everyone should know a little about finance no matter what field you are in.

3)Kite runner by Khaled Hosseini

This novel is one of the best sellers of all time. it's a heartbreaking story of a friendship between a rich boy and his servant. it's based in the country in which civil war is going on and the it's being destroyed. It's full of tragedies ,suspense and betrayal . It's a story which is capable of moving the coldest of heart. 

4)To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee.

It was published in 1960  . It became an instant success when it was released . It went out to win the pulitzer award. The story revolves around a child who faces many hardships in life. it's one of the classics !!

5)The Great Gatsby 

It's considered as one of the greatest piece of literature .This is the oldest book in this list .It was published in 1925. this novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby ,a self made millionaire ,who falls in love with a young female who belongs to a wealthy family. This whole story revolves around his pursuit of here . The main thing about this book is how neatly the words are woven which makes many readers to acknowledge this book as the greatest piece of literature.

Disclaimer: This list is based upon my own experience as a reader.

Self-care ideas and how to unwind after a stressful day

 Written by: Sana ul Haq

In an urban lifestyle, there’s a lot of stress caused by the daily influx of work and so it is necessary to take care of yourself and unwind. Here are a few tips and tricks on how you can do just that:

1. Take a break every 30 minutes

White-collar work means stressful work, or so it feels. Knowledge workers don’t have to pick a shovel and dig a well, they must dig down their thought process and solve problems. This causes the brain to get tired. Keeping on sitting for long hours causes obesity and other health related problems and that's why standing desks and other ergonomic sitting settings are gaining popularity in modern workplaces.

Health experts recommend that a knowledge worker who works in eight hour shifts in a closed office environment should take a 5-minute break every 30 minutes. It’s also called the pomodoro technique. This helps improve health and reduces stress. It also sort of gives you a little reset and gets you a new thinking point about the work you are doing.

2. Exercise daily

Exercise should be a necessary part of your daily routine. Either you do it in the morning or in the evening, it has its benefits. Some people like to jog in the evening or take a stroll in the garden after their evening tea. This particularly is beneficial when you've had a hard day and want to offload your thoughts and stress.

3. Take it easy, it will all be fine

Usually, daily work-related problems take too much of your thoughts. This doesn’t have to be so. Remember the basic rule: you work and earn for a better lifestyle; you do not live a life to work. So, life and family should always come first. If a work-related problem is taking too much of you and causing your life to get affected, it’s not worth it. You can’t obviously resign from the job just because of one problem but shouldn’t also resign from life because of work. So what’s the way out? Simply give yourself time, take it easy and tell yourself ‘this shall too pass’. Give it some time, and you will find a way out.

4. Self-care and try to adopt healthy habits

If you have a lazy Sunday here and there, it’s fine. But if this becomes a pattern, then it’s a problem. You need to adopt healthy habits like going to bed early, avoiding fast foods and avoiding eating out as much as possible. Eat fruits and vegetables more often. Avoid smoking and other such things.

5. Make a routine to write down a summary of your day

Writing a daily journal is a wonderful healthy habit. It makes you feel like you are sharing your thoughts to a trustworthy friend without having to actually do it. Talk to your diary, talk frankly, talk every night, and keep talking until you feel light.

6. Spend time with your loved ones

The same rule again, you work to live a life, not live a life to work. So, yourself, your spouse, your family, your parents, your kids – your life in a nutshell, should come first. Writing a journal is great but you know what’s even better? Spending time with family and friends.

7. Share your problem with your trustworthy friend or partner

Most problems start with not sharing. You are struck in a problem, talk to the colleagues. If it still doesn't get solved, talk to your boss. Still not solved, share it with your spouse or friends. That’s where problems find their solutions, that’s where you find the light the end of the tunnel. Sharing is where the roses blossom, expressing is where the birds cheer and compassion is where the best of the best live. Live that life - a shared, expressive and loving life.

I too sometimes have a hectic day. Well, frankly most days are like that, but I try to not let this take a toll on me. And I follow the above mentioned tips to keep myself light and happy. I practice what I preach and so I am sure following these tips would also make you a happy, stress-free, charming, charismatic and healthy person.

How to reinvent yourself during Covid-19 pandemic?

Written by: Muhammad Arsam 

These past six months have been very difficult and challenging for everyone.We humans cannot survive alone. As pack animals, we prosper on involvement, connection and association. Many fruitful lessons have been learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has grievously affected the global economy, financial markets, and health industry. It brought chaos, changed and effected our lives in a variety of ways. Disastrous disturbance have been created by the pandemic in our everyday lives, most importantly the social and financial sectors.

                                        

   

To reinvent or not to reinvent? That is the question. One can reinvent himself through support and global solidarity. Only together can we overcome the intertwisted social, health and economic disruptions on the society and prevent its escalation into a extended humanitarian and food disaster. We should be focusing on positive thinking, actions and energy. It requires changes so efforts should be made and personally I think the key to making solid changes is to start them in a unique place much like the unique setting of quarantine. 

Having a positive and healthy attitude, is the first step towards reinventing. “Whether you think you can and you think you can’t you are right,” said Henry Ford. Our thoughts are the outcome of our attitude, which effects our beliefs and as a result it has an impact on our actions. We need to focus our energy on few essential goals:

·                     One’s emotional development

·                     Economic goals

·                     Interpersonal relations and social perspective

Writing everything on a piece of a paper plays an important role in your personal reinvention. Focus on what is brings happiness to you. For most of us, family, friends and health means true happiness. 

Focus more on ordinary activities such as climbing, yoga, listening to music. Spend your time in learning new skills such as learning a new language, cooking, driving, painting and much more. It is of great importance because simple exercises improve your mental and physical energy. You can also improve your confidence levels and the way you used to feel about yourself.

Take into consideration all the available chances. You should be willing to fail, in order to succeed. Modify yourself both personally and professionally. Surround yourself with people who support you and give off positive energy. Indulge on different areas of your career and do not underestimate your career goals. 

Work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Focus on having regular physical exercise, an easy option includes taking a five-to-six mile walk at least five times a week. Having good nutrition and proper sleep are equally important.

We all should be thinking about what changes can we make for a greater tomorrow. No one can do everything but everyone can do something. Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

Must try foods of Pakistan

Written by: Ayishm Zia

Pakistan is a diverse and extremely beautiful country. We are the most welcoming people on the planet - not even kidding! More so, our hospitability is incomplete without our food. There is no match for our food and us Pakistanis are some of the foodiest people you'll ever meet.

Every city of Pakistan has its own taste. It has its own specialty and trust me, if you have not tasted our food, you are living in dark! Here is a list of some of the must try foods of Pakistan!

1.       Biryani

Biryani is the epitome of Pakistani food. It is evergreen because everyone loves it. Be it chicken biryani, mutton biryani, matka biryani or khofta biryani. Everyone loves an appetizing plate of biryani. All in all, a true Pakistani knows that biryani is not just a dish, it's quite literally a way of life. Us Pakistanis also celebrate National Biryani Day on the 11th of October!

2.      Samosa

Try a samosa with mint chutney. It's like a tiny burst of heaven in your mouth. The crunchy triangles are deep fried and filled with different ingredients varying with your liking, be it chicken, meat, onions, carrots, peas or potatoes. Samosas are known for their crunchiness and are eaten as snacks in Pakistan. They are served with sweet chutney and can also be paired with tea.

3.      Chaat

Chaat is also consumed as a crunchy snack. But honestly, it is light enough to be consumed anytime. There are many different types of chaats varying from aloo chaat, channa chat, dahi bhalla chaat, fruit chaat, paapri chat and many more. Chaat is a snack which can satisfy all your sweet, sour, spicy and salty cravings. Oh and chaat and lassi - winning combination!

4.      Qatlama

Qatlama is a big round orange roti which is made up of flour, herbs and different spices. Primarily, the dough is covered with a mixture of spices like garam masla, chilli powder, dried pomegranate seeds, herbs and so much more and then it is deep fried. It can be paired with pickle, raita and tamarind sauce.

5.      Bun Kabab

Bun kabab is a street food which basically consists of a bun and a shami kabab paired with raita, chutney, tamarind sauce, omelet, onions, cheese and tomatoes. The shami kabab is made up of daal, chicken and even with mutton or beef sometimes. A true delicacy, I must say.

 

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A dish to serve is a lifestyle blog where you will learn about health and beauty, food and recipes. We will show you how to cook, how to live a healthy life, how to stay spiritually sound, what are the latest fashion trends and what’s new in technology.