Super Foods for Ramadan

Super Foods For Ramadan

By Umme Faatimah (B.Dietetics Univ. of Pretoria) | 08 July 2013

 


The modern world has swept us off our feet in so many ways… our
dressing, our lifestyles and most noticeably our eating habits. We
have so casually adapted the western culture of unhealthy eating,
moving further and further away from the Noble teachings of the Quraan
and Sunnah of The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him).

Yet, the newest nutritional research continues to discover the
benefits of certain foods, labelled as “Super Foods”. They have
also unravelled the great benefits of certain eating habits, such as
washing the hands before and after meals, eating with the hands, not
drinking with meals…just to mention a few. However, all of this has
already been outlined in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah more than 1400
years ago.

We are certainly the losers if we do not make an effort to practice
upon the Sunnah in our homes and kitchens. What better time to bring
about these changes than now? Our beautiful Deen offers us the
opportunity during the beautiful month of Ramadhaan, to bring about
positive changes in our lives- changes that benefit us mentally,
physically and spiritually which Insha Allah (Allah Willing) can be
sustained for the future.

Physically, fasting gives the digestive system a much needed rest.
Energy normally used for digestion is now directed to body
detoxification, tissue repair and system healing.

With that in mind I have chosen to highlight just a few of the
favourite foods of our The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon
him). With the special month of Ramadhaan fast approaching, we can all
ensure we have these foods on our shopping lists. InshaAllah, by us
adopting the lifestyle of The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon
him) we will be rewarded enormously… Ameen.

DATES

Dates are the most mentioned fruit in the Quraan. They are high in
energy, fibre, iron, vitamins and minerals. The Noble Messenger of
Allah (Peace be upon him)said: “ The home with no dates is like the
home with no food”.(Hadith- Sahih Muslim)

The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)used to break his fast
with fresh dates and a few sips of water. If he did not find fresh
dates, he would use dried dates. He (pbuh) said: “When one of you
breaks the fast let him do so with dates, for they are a blessing and
if he cannot find dates then with water for it is a purification”
(Hadith-Tirmidhi)

He often consumed dates with cucumber, butter, cream or bread. A
dessert called “Haisa” made with ghee (butter), dates, cheese and
yoghurt was also prepared.

Tips: At iftaar (breaking fast) time, dates can also be used to
prepare date milkshakes, date chutney, date desserts as well as
sprinkled over salads. For sehri (pre-dawn meal), dates can be used as
a softened spread over bread or added into muffins, rusks etc.

OLIVE OIL

Dieticians and nutritionist the world over have been advocating the
use of olive oil for its excellent cardio-protective, anti-oxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects. Ongoing research is revealing more and more
great benefits on the consumption and application of olive oil.

The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)said: “Eat the olive
and use it as an ointment as it comes from a blessed
tree”.(Hadith-Tirmidhi)

Tips: During Ramadhaan, olive oil is best used raw as a dip for breads
or as a salad dressing. The lighter olive oils are well suited for
cooking and baking purposes. Whole olives can be added to salads as
well as de-pitted and added to breads, muffins, pies and pizzas.

BARLEY

A recent Readers Digest article highlighted barley as one of the five
healthiest foods we tend not to eat. Yet it was barley that was one of
the staple foods in the diet of our The Noble Messenger of Allah
(Peace be upon him). Modern research is discovering that barley has a
very high soluble- fibre content. This helps to keep the arteries
clear and healthy. It has an extremely low glycaemic index (GI), which
means it takes a longer time to digest, keeping one fuller for longer.

It is mentioned that The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)
consumed barley in the following ways:

SAWIQ – a coarse broth prepared from ground wheat and barley – very
much like a haleem (soup)

THARID – Barley bread covered in gravy cooked with meat

TALBEENAH – A porridge prepared using barley and milk

A Hadith in Mishkaat narrates that The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace
be upon him)never used sifted flour in his lifetime. We should take
lesson from this, as we are all moving to consuming more refined and
processed foods where all the beneficial nutrients have been stripped
off. Allah SWT mentions in the Holy Quraan grains with their husks,
amongst His many gifts to us. Un-sifted flour as used by The Noble
Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)contains all the valuable
nutrients found in the bran and germ layers and has a lower GI.

Tips: During Ramadhaan, barley can be added to soups and broths or
prepared as a drink by boiling and straining mixture. A hadith in
Bukhari mentions that The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)
consumed “Sawiq” at iftaar. Barley flour can be used for preparing
breads and rotis. Substitute 1.5 cups barley flour for every 3 cups
regular flour. Cereals containing barley flakes like muesli can be
purchased, or barley flakes can be added to biscuits, muffins, breads
and other cereals.

Barley can be prepared as a filling porridge for sehri -Talbeenah.
Soak 1-2 tablespoons whole barley overnight in a flask filled with
rapidly boiling water. At sehri time, strain water out and prepare
porridge with honey and milk. (Store bought “pearled barley” has
been polished with some of the bran layer removed).

HONEY

Modern research has been abuzz with the myriad of health benefits
associated with honey- anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, energising
tonic….to name a few.Our beautiful Deen has encouraged the use of
honey 1400 years ago. The Holy Quraan mentions“there comes forth
from the bee’s belly, a drink of varying colours, wherin is a
healing for men”.(Qur’an 16:68-69)

The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) further said “ Make
use of two cures- honey and the Quraan”(Hadith-Ibn Majah)

The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) loved drinks that
were sweet and cold and often consumed honey water.

Tips: Honey can be used to sweeten items like tea, fresh juices, milk
drinks and cereals etc. Raw honey which is thicker and creamier has a
lower GI, and can be mixed with cinnamon and used as a spread on toast
for sehri.

GRAPES AND RAISINS

Grapes have been found to contain resveratrol- a powerful antioxidant
that protects the body on a cellular level from damage. The seeds are
rich in flavonoids which lower the risk of fatty plaque accumulation
on the lining of blood vessels to the heart.

The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) loved eating grapes.
Hadith in Abu Dawood mentions The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be
upon him )often consumed a drink “Nabeez”- prepared from soaked
raisins. Nabeez can be prepared by soaking raisins after Esha
(evening) prayer in clean water covered with a plate. The following
morning the water can be drunk and the soaked fruit eaten or just use
the blender to obtain a beautiful cloudy Nabeez. And, if you soak in
the morning, drink in the evening. Nabeez should be consumed within
twelve hours of soaking to prevent fermentation.

Tips: Nabeez or fresh grape juice can be prepared as a drink after
Taraweeh (evening prayer in Ramadaan). Grapes can be served as part of
salad or dessert. Raisins eaten with nuts can be enjoyed as a healthy
munch after taraweeh salaat.

The Sunnah way of eating is the healthy way of eating. InshaAllah, let
us all strive to revive and bring alive the Sunnahs of The Noble
Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) in our homes this Ramadhaan. I
have highlighted just a few. Make an intention to eat on the floor,
share eating utensils and to fill a third of your stomach with water,
a third with food and a third left for air.

Besides the immense health benefits outlined above our greatest
rewards really lie in following the Sunnah, as it comes in Hadith
mentioned by The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him):

“ The person who follows my Sunnah is the one who truly loves me,
and will be with me in Jannah” (Hadith-Tirmidhi)

Allah Ta’ala said to His Messenger (pbuh)“Say (to mankind), if
you love Allah, follow me – Allah will love you and forgive your
sins.” (Qur’an:3: 31)

Wishing you all healthy eating, the Sunnah
way………………….Ramadhaan Mubarak!

(Courtesy: E ISLAM)
http://www.ciibroadcasting.com/2013/07/08/super-foods-for-ramadan/

5 Drinks to Help You Lose Weight

5 Drinks to Help You Lose Weight

 

 

The secret to losing weight isn’t just watching what’s on your plate; it’s also about watching what’s in your glass. Popular soft drinks, fruit juices, and energy drinks can be loaded with added sugars and carbohydrates that can sabotage your weight-loss strategy. Here are five tasty ways to drink up without packing on the pounds.

1. Water

We all know this one, but it’s important to remember that water is the single best choice for effective weight loss. Whether it’s still or sparkling, aim to make water your go-to beverage choice. Think water is boring? Try adding fresh lemon slices, lime, cucumber, and even a slice of tomato to add flavor without adding many calories.

 

2. Vegetable juice

Whether in a can, bottled, or homemade, vegetable juice is an excellent way to get the fiber and nutrients your body needs to fuel your weight loss. If you can find a low-sodium variety, even better. The veggies will keep you fuller longer and the tangy flavor will keep your taste buds happy.

 

3. Unsweetened tea

Green tea has been proven to help boost metabolism and speed up weight loss. Try it hot or iced with a bit of honey for a low-sugar sweet drink. Don’t forget black and oolong teas, too! Both are filled with antioxidants, which can help rid your body of toxins.

4. Black coffee

A morning cup of joe or an afternoon iced coffee can help spur your weight loss by providing a boost of caffeine that suppresses hunger. Also, coffee has been shown to stimulate thermogenesis, which heats up the body and boosts metabolism. Just be careful about what you add to your coffee — stick to skim milk and very little sugar.

 

5. Skim milk

Milk is an excellent source of lean protein, vitamin D, and calcium that can help build your muscles and keep your bones strong. Opt for low-fat or skim milk for all of the vitamins without the added fat. If you are feeling indulgent, add a little chocolate — low-fat chocolate milk is a great option for post-workout muscle recovery.

Sources: http://www.rdasia.com.my/5-drinks-to-help-you-lose-weight#sthash.IbNDbjDg.dpuf

14 Ways to Cleanse the Body from GMO’s and Environmental Toxins

From the chemtrails being sprayed over our neighborhoods to the poisons killing our bees and making our food toxic ‘medicine’ we need a way to purge the deadly elixirs of a greedy government, owned and run by corporate interests. For the sake of keeping your attention, I won’t go on ad nauseum about fluoridated water, oil spills, and contaminated air and water due to fracking and mining.

As research since the early 1900s suggests, our bodies simply cannot handle the level of toxicity in our environment without some help, though it was originally designed to cure itself from every conceivable toxin – from heavy metals to the common cold. We have simply burdened the mechanism so profoundly, that the intelligence of the human form is being strained to its acme. We either learn to adapt to the toxic environment that our governments so blatantly support, or we die. We can’t wait for congress or the senate to do the right thing. It’s time to get radical. It’s time to tell your friends about this, even if it is absolutely rabble-rousing.

For some time we have been able to simply ignore, or turn an apathetic ear toward warnings about our food, air and soil being polluted, but when the EPA and FDA, arguably puppet institutions meant to placate farmers and citizens into thinking that their concerns over our war-time and consumer-based lifestyles are benign, states that yes, pesticides ‘are harmful to human health,’ then its time to pay attention. That kind of confession is like telling us the sky is blue. If they didn’t at least state the painfully obvious, it would be very difficult to maintain even a modicum of respect in social and political circles.  Most people are already laughing them out of the room.

Our Blood and Bones Contain Over 85,000 Different Toxins

We are a toxic world. Our blood and bones now contain over 85,000 different chemical pollutants. Depleted uranium from bombs, and nuclear energy sites like Fukushima, as well as chemicals as sinister as Agent Orange and toxic mold are now part of our genetic make up. There are too many other toxins to name here. Their names and devastating health effects could fill books. These toxins have seeped into our cells, causing cancer, depression and even insanity.

These pollutants are making our children less intelligent and slowly breaking down our immune systems until they can’t even fight a simple virus. Our hormonal systems are so out of whack from these toxins that both boys and girls are starting puberty way too soon, and fetuses are not developing properly. ADHD, ADD, and Autism are on the rise like never before. Our bodies are fat and tired too, because a toxic body can’t metabolize fats and proteins properly.

Channels of Toxic Elimination

Under better conditions our bodies can get rid of toxins through numerous natural channels:

·    Hair

·    Finger and Toe Nails

·    Skin

·    Bowels

·    Sweat

·    Blood

·    Bile

·    Urine

In lab tests, extremely high levels of toxins can be found in a single strand of hair, even in people who think they live a ‘healthy’ lifestyle – they workout, don’t smoke, try to eat their vegetables, etc. Hair is actually one of the most telling when testing toxicity levels. It even contains remnants of LSD and cocaine in people who used drugs more than six months prior to testing. It also shows traces of aluminum, mercury, bismuth, lead, arsenic, tin, titanium, silver, asbestos, chlorine, tar, uranium and antimony, just to name a few toxins.

If any of the channels of toxin elimination are compromised, it can make the body very ill and eventually cause it to die. Our liver works diligently to eliminate toxins through bile production. Our skin, one of the largest detoxifying channels, is constantly shedding skin cells to rid itself of poison. Our bowels and digestive organs including the bladder and kidneys, large and small intestines also work very hard at keeping us toxin free. The lymph system keeps T-lymphocyte cells circulating to help kill foreign invaders like viruses that come from mold exposure.

Recycling of Toxins Leads to Disease

The problem is that once the body tries to get rid of a toxin, repeatedly trying to make it water soluble, for example, (though this is just one way of eradicating a toxic poison from our systems) so that it can be excreted, then it starts to recycle that toxin in an effort to find some channel, any channel that can expel it properly. This is how disease starts to happen. A Russian scientists and naturopath named Eli Metchnik did extensive research on this phenomenon in 1904.

In Ayurvedic medicine this is called the ‘multiply and localize’ stages of disease development. A toxin starts to move through blood plasma, and into the reproductive cycle of cells and tissues, so wherever you are weakest in your body, you are likely to develop disease. A disease is ‘born’ in the physical body when genetic predisopositions for disease give way to environmental stress – i.e. toxicity.

What Can I do to Detoxify My Body?

Fortunately, there are inexpensive ways to start to cleanse the bowels, hair, skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, and even the cells, but it starts with realizing we are toxic. Then we must take action.

·    Install a HEPA filter or a High Quality Air Purifier. You can also spend time in nature, since trees and flowers act as natural air purifiers.

·    Start by throwing out all the toxic cleaners we use to spruce up our homes. Turn to vinegar, baking soda and citrus, particularly lemon juice, and sunlight. These four items can clean our houses (and sometimes us) from top to bottom without causing depression, hormone disruption, cancer, and a host of other diseases caused by the carcinogenic and toxic substances in household cleaners, like diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) just to start.

·    Sweat. Indian sweat lodges aren’t just for inducing a vision quest. While many people attain spiritual insights from participating in a sweat lodge, they also help to clear the mind and body of toxins, so we naturally become more lucid. You can also use a dry-heat sauna for the same effect.

·    Fast. Most of us don’t want to skip even a single meal, but just taking one day off form eating to allow the body to purge toxins stored in fatty tissue can make a world of difference. Fasting has been practiced by different cultures and religions around the world for centuries as an effective way to detoxify. Nutritional cleansing programs like the Isagenix cleanse include periods of intermittent fasting (alternating periods of fasting and non-fasting).

·     Purge. There are ancient yogic teachings, which cleanse the mouth, tongue, trachea, stomach and intestines by drinking sea-salted water and then eliminating it. Much like a natural enema, Shankhaprakshalana helps to clean out the entire intestinal tract. The term is actually a Sanskrit word meaning Conch, as in the shell, and it refers to the circular and winding shape of our internal cavity – from mouth to anus.

·    Use the six Shat kriyas or Shat Karmas practiced in Hatha Yoga. These Sanskrit words refer to six ancient cleansing techniques. Shankhaprakshalana is just one of them. Some like, Nauli, or stomach churning are difficult for beginning students, but Jala Neti, nasal irrigation is easy for almost anyone to practice.

·    Drink more water, but only if its purified. Many toxins are water soluble, so if you drink clean, purified water, you can help to remove them. Just make sure you aren’t drinking unpurified municipal water, it is often full of hundreds of toxins.

·    Bathe in hot then cold water. Bathing in the ocean was practiced by the Kumu Hula (master teachers) as a means of purification, but not everyone has ocean front property, so bathing is a great purification ritual. It is also practiced all over Japan, Turkey, India, Africa, and Australia, just to name a few places with bathing purification traditions or rituals. Bathing in first hot water, expands the blood vessels, and helps the ‘brown’ fat cells work more efficiently to reduce fat and toxins from the body. The cold water allows multiple dips, and also allows us to remain in the hot water longer. If you live near a hot springs or untainted, natural underground water source, many of these pools have excellent nutrients in them, which help to draw toxins out of the body. Also, just warming the body improves the lymph system and immune function. Epson salt baths can help if you don’t have a natural hot springs or the Dead Sea near you (but even the Dead Sea is becoming toxic!)

·    Try one of the myriad natural cleansing products available on the market today. There are lots of products that are affordable and help to cleanse everything from the bowels to the liver.

·    Eat Detoxifying Foods. You can detoxify with green tea, coffee enemas, and cilantro even. Turmeric is great for detoxifying the body, as is sour sop fruit. Apple Cider Vinegar is wonderful and so is lemon juice and ginger.

·    Use Shaolin Clay to Draw Impurities From the Skin. Shaolin Monks used a special clay to help draw impurities from their bodies and to heal more rapidly from injuries received practicing martial arts. It was made into a paste with several herbs and placed on the skin, or ground into powders and taken with herbs (like Dan Gui, Nan Xing, Bai Zhu, etc.) as an oral herbal treatment. Clay baths are especially effective at removing heavy metals and mercury or lead.

·    Take Milk Thistle, or Dandelion Root to Detox the Liver. This important organ removes toxins from our blood stream. These two herbs can greatly help the liver process toxins before they ever reach the bloodstream, so that they can be purged from the body via the feces or urine.

·    Increase Your Vitamin C. Several studies pointed to a simple Vitamin C supplement in higher doses (which are safe since Vitamin C is water soluble) as a very effective means of detoxiing from Nuclear Fallout.

·    Consider Aboriginal Kanwa Minerals are extracted from bubbling pools deep in the desert areas of Australia that are full of hundreds of trace minerals that can help detox the body. Also known as Calcium Montmorillonite Clay, this special ‘mud’ can do everything from absorb bad bacteria to reverse bone decay. Only because this soil had been untouched for millions of years, is it filled with important minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, silica and manganese, as well as other trace elements that help restore a toxic body.

Even though companies like Monsanto, Bayer, Pfizer, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline and the military industrial complex want to keep pouring toxins into our world and us, we can detox with some simple remedies to make living a healthy possible in a contaminated world. We may not be living in a pure environment, but we can still treat our bodies as temples, and purify them of the spoils of war and a fast food, pharmaceutical empire.

Source: Truth Theory