4 Tiny Ideas+Rituals
#4 A Softer Start to Your Week
Before I share my 4 Tiny Ideas+Rituals, here are 2 tinier, lovely things:
This Thursday, March 6th: Zoom Cookalong (exclusive for my newsletter subscribers!). Details coming on Tuesday. I’ll be making this Chickpea & Pomegranate Salad and sharing my Top 2 Meal-planning Tips.
Coming in April: My Food Styling Workshop—details soon! 🌸
Happy Monday.
I hope your weekend has been lovely. Here are 4 Tiny Ideas+Rituals I am leaning into this week—simple things that make the week feel a bit more intentional. I hope they inspire you in a small way.
1) Chocolate-Dipped Dates: Childhood Nostalgia
Growing up all over the world, this was one constant in our pantry: plump, caramel-like dates which friends and fam brought back from trips abroad, along with a box of Ferrero Rocher. Who remembers those? In my Toronto home, I always keep a batch of chocolate-dipped dates in my fridge, and this week I’m sharing my version with almond butter and pistachios.
And for those observing Ramadan, I know that small rituals—like having a batch of dates ready in the fridge—are even more meaningful this time of year. These dates are my Baba’s (father) favorite, a presence at every suhoor and iftar, always accompanied by his cup of chai.
2) A Cake Tradition (Because It Just Works)
As you know, I love a tiny baking ritual that makes the week feel gentler. I remember taking this cake photo 10 years ago for a commissioned newspaper piece—I didn’t think much about it. Just a dusting of powdered sugar, and a scattering of rose dust. Recipe here 🥀🥀🥀
There was no overthinking, no second-guessing—I just felt the instinct to create something beautiful. There’s a kind of magic in that, isn’t there? The way creativity flows when we let go, when we stop worrying about perfection and simply create.
3) A Floral Touch to Your Tea
Lately, I’ve been steeping hibiscus, rose petals, and chamomile in my tea. A friend brought these dried edible flowers for me from her travels to Turkey. I love to brew the petals and buds into a deep crimson, floral, and slightly tart tea—just the thing for a cozy pause.
It’s perfect with a slice of my rosewater cake, the floral notes in both complementing each other beautifully.
In case you’re curious—I’ve found food-grade dried flowers from trusted sources. In the US, you can find them from this female-owned business Cherry Valley Organics, and in the UK, from Nurtured in Norfolk. Enjoy 🌸
4) Infusing Everyday Moments with Beauty
Drinking tea infused with dried edible flowers (you know my obsession with them) has me thinking: how can we bring small, natural joys into our lives and spaces?
A scattering of these dried roses (on a plate I thrifted) or a sprig of rosemary in a bud vase. A few lavender stems tied with twine, or a bowl of citrus with their leaves still attached—these little details make a home feel softer, more inviting.
This week, find one small way to bring a touch of beauty indoors.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just something that makes you pause and appreciate the moment.
May my 4 Tiny Ideas+Ritual be useful, and bring a little ease to your week. If you give any of them a try, I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts in the comments (and a ‘like’ ❤️ helps this post reach more readers, so I’d be grateful for that). Wishing you a calm and intentional start to the week ahead.
All love, Shayma x