Hello there, how are you doing today?

I’ve had one of those busy, slightly overwhelming days of work where my brain feels like it’s been running a marathon. And now that the sun is setting and the heat of the day is finally softening, it feels so good to be home. There’s something about evenings that feels different — slower, calmer, almost like the world is telling you to pause and breathe.

That’s exactly what tonight is about. A cozy evening at home, just the three of us: Joen, Lara, and me. I want to take you along as I unwind, cook a nourishing dinner, enjoy a little movie nostalgia, and finish the night with my skincare and gratitude rituals.

These evenings aren’t glamorous, but they’re the ones I cherish most. They remind me that simple things — good food, good company, and feeling safe at home — are the real luxuries in life.

A Slow Start: Evening Shower & Skincare

The first thing I always crave after a long day is a shower. It’s like washing away the stress and stepping into a calmer version of myself. Tonight, I really took my time with it. No rushing, no multitasking, just enjoying the warm water and the little rituals that make me feel grounded.

I washed my face properly in the shower and gave it a gentle peel. Since I started going to the gym more regularly, my skin has been acting up a bit. That’s why I’ve been extra intentional with my routine. It’s funny — sometimes we think of skincare as vanity, but for me it’s also about self-care. When my skin feels healthy, I feel better in my own body.

After my shower, I moved into my full skincare routine. I’ve been using this organic, natural brand for a little over a year now. It was actually recommended by my Ayurvedic doctor, and it’s one of those rare times where a product really lives up to the hype. My skin feels nourished, cared for, and calmer whenever I stick to it.

Taking those 10–15 minutes just for myself sets the tone for the rest of the evening. It’s almost like telling my body and mind, “okay, the busy part of the day is over — now we relax.”

Dinner: Homemade Tan Tan Ramen

After skincare, it was time to cook one of my absolute favorite comfort meals — Tan Tan Ramen. Normally, this dish is a little indulgent, rich with minced pork and thick noodles. But since I’m on my weight-loss journey, I’ve been tweaking recipes to fit my diet without losing the joy of eating.

This evening’s version turned out so satisfying. Instead of pork, I used tomato-basil tofu. It’s high in protein, full of fiber, and has such a nice bite when you fry it until it’s golden and crispy. Honestly, the secret to tofu is patience — let it sit in the pan long enough to develop that perfect texture, and it can rival any meat.

For the broth, I used some vegetable stock I had prepped and frozen earlier. It’s one of my little hacks: whenever I have leftover veggies, I boil them down into stock and save portions for later. It makes dinners like this so much easier, and the flavor is so much deeper than store-bought cubes.

Since I’m skipping ramen noodles these days, I used protein noodles made from beans. They’re surprisingly close to the real thing — chewy, satisfying, and packed with protein and fiber. Plus, they don’t leave me feeling heavy afterwards.

I also added a soft-boiled egg to mine, because to me, no ramen is complete without it. The way the yolk blends into the broth adds that extra creaminess I crave.

When it all came together — the creamy tan tan paste mixed into the broth, the tofu, the noodles, and the egg — I honestly felt so proud. This recipe has been a work in progress for months, and now I feel like it’s finally ready. In fact, it’s going into my cookbook, which I’ve been slowly creating behind the scenes.

Food has always been my love language, and recipes like this remind me why I love cooking so much. It’s nourishing, balanced, and comforting all at the same time.

Cooking for Lara: Our Journey to Yumwoof

While Joen and I enjoyed our ramen, it was also time to prepare dinner for Lara. Over the years, feeding her has been quite the journey. I’ve tried everything — cooking meals for her at home, switching between brands, and experimenting with different approaches to support her sensitive gut. For a long time, nothing seemed to work perfectly.

I used to cook batches of chicken, rice, and veggies for her, carefully portioning them out. And while she loved it, she still had issues. It was frustrating, because I just wanted her to thrive and feel her best.

That’s why discovering Yumwoof was such a relief. Their food is 100% natural, with no fillers, no weird additives, and nothing ultra-processed. Just real, wholesome ingredients. The change in Lara has been noticeable — her digestion is better, she has more energy, and her coat even looks shinier.

For me, it’s also about peace of mind. I don’t have to second-guess what’s in her bowl anymore. And it’s one less thing to stress about when life already has enough going on.

Watching her wag her little tail and eat with so much joy honestly makes me as happy as cooking a beautiful meal for myself. It’s a reminder that food really does connect us — whether it’s ramen on my plate, or Yumwoof in Lara’s bowl.

Evening Mood: Balcony Views & Neighborhood Festivities

After dinner, the evening unfolded in its own quiet rhythm. While the neighborhood around us was buzzing with energy, Joen and I weren’t really in a party mood. Instead, we stepped out onto our balcony for a little peek at the celebration happening nearby. It seemed like the whole area had gathered — music, laughter, lights. I think it was a Christian feast day, and the atmosphere was joyful and loud.

But I found myself more drawn to the sky than the party. There was something magical happening above us: a blood moon and a lunar eclipse. The kind of sky that makes you pause, breathe a little deeper, and feel the weight of how small we are in this big, beautiful universe.

We didn’t stay long on the balcony, but that moment stuck with me. The contrast between the lively party below and the serene, mysterious moon above felt symbolic somehow — like a reminder that life can hold both chaos and calm at the same time.

Movie Night Essentials: Snacks, Nostalgia & 

Goodfellas

For me, a cozy evening isn’t complete without a little movie night. Joen and I don’t actually watch movies very often — usually we’re both on our computers or reading in the evenings — but every now and then it feels nice to just let go and sink into a film together. Tonight, Goodfellas made the cut. A true classic, and the kind of movie that still holds up decades later.

But of course, movie night means snacks. I can’t sit down and relax unless the kitchen is clean first (a little ritual of mine), so I tidied everything before prepping a simple spread. We had black grapes, washed thoroughly in mountain spring water, and a big bowl of popcorn for Joen. I flavored it with a touch of chipotle salt, which gave it this smoky kick. I had just a little taste, but it brought back memories of when our evenings used to include chocolate and chips — so much fun, but not so aligned with the lifestyle I’m embracing now.

Still, there’s something magical about sitting down together with a plate of grapes, a bowl of popcorn, and an old movie. The familiar sound of popcorn crunch, the nostalgia of watching a film like Goodfellas, and the cozy feeling of Lara snoozing nearby — it all came together to create such a peaceful little moment.

Late Night Walks & Lunar Magic

Halfway through Goodfellas, we paused the movie to take Lara out for her evening walk. Normally, our neighborhood is very quiet at night — peaceful streets, the sound of the ocean in the distance. But tonight was different. There was a big neighborhood party, music spilling through the streets, people laughing and celebrating.

It felt festive and a little chaotic, but also strangely cozy. Lara, however, wasn’t the biggest fan. She’s not really into loud noises. She did her little evening business quickly and then looked up at me as if to say, “Alright, let’s go home now.” That’s just who she is: cute, funny, and endlessly herself.

After the walk, Joen and I took a moment outside to soak in something truly special — the blood moon and lunar eclipse. The sky looked magical. We both believe in the power of moments like these, and the idea that lunar events carry a certain energy. It was grounding to stand there together, quietly observing the sky before heading back inside to finish the movie.

There’s something beautiful about these small pauses — how a normal walk with Lara can turn into a little adventure, or how stepping outside makes you feel connected to something bigger. It’s a reminder to appreciate these in-between moments, even in the middle of a cozy night in.

Bedtime Rituals & Gratitude

By the time the movie ended, both Joen and I were exhausted. I could barely keep my eyes open, but before bed, I always make time for my skincare ritual. Tonight, I washed my face and tried a new hydrating mask I’d been excited about. There’s something so calming about these few minutes in the bathroom at the end of the day — it feels like I’m telling my body, “Okay, it’s time to rest now.”

I honestly love going to bed. Maybe it’s because I love sleeping (and I really do), but I think it’s also because of the comfort it brings. There’s nothing better than slipping under clean sheets, knowing that Joen and Lara are right beside me. That feeling of being safe, loved, and exactly where I’m supposed to be — it’s something I never take for granted.

Some days are hectic, others are quiet, but nights like these — filled with home-cooked food, a nostalgic movie, a little bit of magic in the sky, and the warmth of family — remind me of what really matters. It’s not about everything being perfect. It’s about noticing the beauty in the small, ordinary things.

Thank you for being here and sharing this cozy evening with me. I hope you also find little rituals that bring you peace. And if you’d like to follow more of my everyday life, you can always find me on Instagram: @DearJamilaa.