In my kitchen, the familiar fragrance of spices and the warmth of ghee fill the air, evoking memories that span a lifetime. This Channa Mewa Pulao, a favorite dish of my dad that my mom lovingly cooked while we were growing up, is a testament to the power of food to create cherished moments. The aromas it carries meant more than just a delicious meal; they signaled that guests were coming over, turning ordinary days into celebrations of togetherness. It’s more than a recipe; it’s a heartwarming journey back in time, a taste of family, love, and the joy of sharing. I hope this dish brings your home and your family just as much joy, memories, and full bellies!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 1 lamb shank
• 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas (channa)
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, raisins)
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rinse and Soak the Rice: Rinse the Basmati rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Lamb Shank: In a separate pot or pressure cooker, heat a bit of oil and sear the lamb shank until it’s browned on all sides. Remove it from the pot and set it aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the ghee and oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
4. Add Onions, Garlic, and Ginger: Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chilies. Cook for another couple of minutes.
5. Add Chickpeas and Rice: Return the lamb shank to the pot, add the boiled chickpeas, and stir in the drained rice. Sauté the rice for a few minutes to coat it with the aromatic mixture.
6. Cook the Rice and Lamb Shank: Pour in 2 cups of water and add salt to taste. Stir gently. If using a pressure cooker, cover it with the lid and cook for about 2-3 whistles or until the lamb is tender and the rice is cooked. If using a regular pot, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the lamb is tender.
7. Fluff and Garnish: Once done, fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with the reserved toasted nuts and fresh coriander leaves.
8. Serve: Your Channa Mewa Pulao with Lamb Shank is ready to be served hot. Enjoy the flavorful combination of lamb and rice with the chickpeas and nuts. It’s a hearty and delicious meal!

Note: You may need to adjust the cooking time for the lamb shank depending on its size and tenderness. Always ensure the lamb is thoroughly cooked before serving.

This recipe is really similar to the Classic Peshawari Pulao recipe I posted a while ago here!

The post Channa Mewa Pulao first appeared on Style With Kitty.

The post Channa Mewa Pulao appeared first on Style With Kitty.

Understanding the Fragility of Life

The fragility of childbirth became painfully clear to me in the spring of this year. In April, I experienced my first miscarriage, followed by another in July. It’s been a challenging year, to say the least.

I remember those days when tears flowed endlessly, and I couldn’t look at my husband without crying. My hormones were undoubtedly on a rollercoaster ride. Despite the unwavering support and love that surrounded me, it was still incredibly difficult to accept that my body, after giving birth to two healthy babies, had lost a child. People often said things like, “You should be grateful for your healthy kids, and you’ll get pregnant again.” It’s not that I’m not grateful for my healthy children; I adore them. What I wanted was to experience that profound happiness all over again – the moment of holding a newborn in my arms and feeling their tiny heartbeat against my chest. It wasn’t ingratitude; it was a longing for more of that joy.

The Weight of “What Ifs”

In the weeks following the losses, I found myself haunted by questions of what could have been, what should have been, and why things didn’t unfold as they were supposed to. I blamed myself, thinking it was the cup of coffee I drank, my water intake, or the day I missed a prenatal vitamin. I felt like my body had betrayed me.

In reality, my body responded precisely as it needed to when faced with a pregnancy that wasn’t viable or healthy. Deep down, I know that when the time is right, I’ll be blessed with a healthy baby.

Finding Healing

When faced with such a loss, the only person who can truly guide you out of that dark place is yourself. Here are some things that helped me cope with my pain and loss:

1. Consistent Therapy: Seeking professional help was a crucial step in healing.
2. Nature Walks and Music: A simple walk in the fresh air with my favorite music or an audiobook offered solace.
3. Connecting with Friends: Meeting with friends, sharing stories, and finding comfort in their company was invaluable.
4. Journaling: Writing down my thoughts and emotions became a cathartic outlet.

Sharing my journey through loss and hope is both vulnerable and liberating. While I created this space for the lighter aspects of life, I’ve come to realize that our struggles and triumphs are also part of our story. I hope that by sharing this, I can offer solace and strength to those who may be navigating similar waters.

Remember, it’s okay to grieve, to long for what was lost, and to hope for what the future may bring. We are stronger than we know, and healing is possible, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges.

The post Navigating Loss and Hope: My Personal Journey first appeared on Style With Kitty.

The post Navigating Loss and Hope: My Personal Journey appeared first on Style With Kitty.

Embrace the western spirit with a classic denim jacket, a plaid button-down shirt, distressed jeans, and cowboy boots. Don’t forget a stylish Stetson hat to complete the look.

Go for a boho-chic look with a flowy floral sundress, suede ankle boots, and a wide-brimmed hat. Layer on some statement jewelry for a touch of country glam.

Keep it casual and comfortable with denim, a tank top, and a lightweight flannel or white shirt tied around your waist. Complete the look with sneakers and a crossbody bag.

For a versatile look that works for different seasons, try a pair of denim shorts, white tank top, women’s tassel jacket, and knee-high leather boots. And if the tassel jacket isn’t your vibe you can even layer with a cozy cardigan when it gets chilly.

Hope you get to rock that country concert look! Now I’m itching for a trip to Nashville!

The post 4 Country Concert Stylish Outfit Ideas first appeared on Style With Kitty.

The post 4 Country Concert Stylish Outfit Ideas appeared first on Style With Kitty.

First off, Mark your Calendars for these key dates:

Women’s Must Haves

Women’s Shoes *Add to Cart ASAP*

Beauty Must Haves

Accessory Must Haves

The post Your Ultimate Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale first appeared on Style With Kitty.

The post Your Ultimate Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale appeared first on Style With Kitty.

Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Gallon Whole Milk
• Tablespoon Grocery Store bought Yogurt (This is your starter bacteria to get the process going)

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk on medium heat and stir gently, so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Let the milk come to boil.
2. Once it boils and bubbles for about 30 seconds turn off the stove and let the boiled milk cool to room temperature.
3. Stir the tablespoon of grocery-bought yogurt (starter bacteria) with your room-temperature boiled milk.
4. Pour the milk mixture into a plastic Tupperware and place it inside your oven next to your oven light! Turn on the oven light! (This is the most important step! ONLY TURN ON THE OVEN LIGHT)! *The light will help to warm the starter bacteria in the store-bought yogurt and will ultimately lead to the creation of Yogurt!
5. Let the Tupperware sit in the oven for 7-9 hours
6. Place Tupperware in the fridge and let it cool! And Voila, you have yourself DELICIOUS homemade yogurt!

You can enjoy this homemade yogurt as a parfait – add some granola and berries with honey! Save this recipe in your books because I have a fantastic recipe coming with yogurt next week! If you’re interested in other recipes I’ve shared check out the food page of my blog here!

Let me know how this turns out and if you have any questions in the comments below!

The post Homemade Yogurt first appeared on Style With Kitty.

The post Homemade Yogurt appeared first on Style With Kitty.

My husband always prides on his man cave at home in which you will find all things aviation, gaming, and all his tech stuff also known as his “home office” to which now my boys have chosen to call their bedrooms their mini-man-caves. With two boys and a husband I’m outnumbered in this house and it was time to have my own space. And so this mama ambushed the kids playroom and turned it into a studio. The bigger dream is a she shed but for now this room will do! And having a space dedicated to my content creation has been incredible for my creative outlet. In addition to my studio I have also created a small nook right in my bedroom where I’ll sit and write my articles and work on my blog it’s my home office space.

My top priority was turning this home office space into an aesthetically pleasing, cozy, functional nook. Any area more significant than what I have now would have turned into a junk zone! For example, the kitchen desk, the kids draw there, do their homework there, paint there, and that’s my space for bills! Instead, when working on my creative content, I’d rather not be in a stress-giving environment and more of a relaxed, cozy corner. So today, I’m sharing six tips for creating a stress-free and functional home office space.

6 Tips to a Stress-Free & Functional Home Office

1.) Choose a space near a window for outdoor light. Sunlight or daylight brightens and helps you keep track of time for frequent healthy breaks.

2.) Add a small plant to your home office space; this helps to keep your environment fresh. Plants do more behind the scenes than meets the eye. These succulents are low maintenance and add an aesthetic touch to your home office.

3.) Choose comfortable office furniture with drawers for storing pens and knickknacks. Here’s my desk at home in my bedroom.

4.) Have your basic home office supplies at all times. This home office supply kit on amazon is fantastic!

5.) Add a few favorite books and pictures to your space. These add a personal touch to your area.

6.) Include a mood board or a bulletin board in your space to help put ideas to vision.

These tips help you create a home office nook of your own so you can be creative and bring your visions to fruition because there is a visionary in all of us. And if you’re having difficulty finding that creativity within you for whatever reason, start journaling. Here is a peek into my journal to help you get started.

The post 6 Easy Home Office Decor Tips first appeared on Style With Kitty.

The post 6 Easy Home Office Decor Tips appeared first on Style With Kitty.