Eating in Light of the Sunnah | Food for the Mind and Soul

With Ramadhan coming up, now more than ever we need to be aware of the important sunnahs around eating and drinking. No doubt, if you are fortunate enough to have family and friends around for iftar the food and drink will be flowing inshaAllah. But don’t think just because the fast is over for the day, that you’re goal of attaining good deeds is done until suhoor.

Here are some the sunnahs of eating and drinking!

Wash Your Hands Before You Start Eating

As hungry as we’ll all be, it’s important to wash your hands before you start eating. Not only is this part of the sunnah, it’s general hygiene. And as you will see, you’ll be eating with your hands so you’ll want them to be clean.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “The blessings in the meal is by washing before and after it.” [Abu Dawud]

Make Du’a on Breaking Your Fast and Say “Bismillah” Before Eating

Even before we have taken the first sip of water, we should say the following du’a:

“The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched, and reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills” – Thahabadh-dhama’u wabtallatil-‘urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru inshaa-Allaahu. In Ramadhan, and for the rest of the year, it’s important to remember that any sustenance that comes to us, has only come to by the permission of Allah swt. He swt is Ar-Rizzaq (The Sustainer).

Eat with the Right Hand and with 3 Fingers

Now, I know how this may seem strange especially if you’re used to eating with a knife and fork. I myself did not take too well to this concept of eating with my hands but over the years I have gotten used to it alhamdulillah. It really does help to build a relationship with your food and curbs over-eating as you can only pick up 3 fingers worth of food at a time.

“When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, because the Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.” [Muslim]

Eat From What is Directly Infront of You

In the UK especially, the hours of fasting are long and warm. I personally have never exerienced a Ramadhan in the winter so I know nothing but the long summer fasts alhamdulillah. But one thing is certain, when it’s time to break your fast you are HUNGRY. But, we should only take from the food that is infront of us as according to the hadith of the Prophet (saw) in which He (saw) said “O young boy, say Bismillaah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is directly in front of you.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Pray for Your Host

There is great reward in providing food to a person and that reward is increased when that person has been fasting. Whether it is your husband, children, family members, friends or even a homeless person on the street sharing food during Ramadhan is a noble task alhamdulillah. Cooking for a group of people can be stressful during Ramadhan so keeping your host in mind is beneficial.

The Prophet (saw) made this du’a for Sa’d ibn Ubaadah who brought him a simple meal of bread and oil. “May fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels send blessings upon you.”

The 3 Second Rule in Islam – Eating Food That’s Dropped

I’m sure we’ve all heard of the 3 or 5 second rule from when we were younger but I’m sure you never knew about it in relation to the sunnah. It’s easy to take for granted the food that we have in Ramadhan. Every grain of rice, every vegetable, every morself of meat is a blessing from Allah swt and we should all strive to remember that.

“If any one of you drops a piece of food, let him remove any dirt from it and eat it, and not leave it for the Shaytaan.” [Muslim]

Lick Your Fingers When Your Finished and Clean the Plate

“Whenever the Messenger of Allah (saw) ate food, he would lick his three fingers.” [Muslim]

“You do not know in which portion the blessing lies.” [Muslim]

In some cultures, this may be seen as disrespectful or bad manners but in Islam it’s part of the sunnah. Remember though, this is the sunnah AFTER you’ve finished eating, don’t be a double dipper and lick your fingers and then go in for a second taste. Islam praises good hygiene!

And remember to clean the plate! The same rule applies, you don’t know where the blessing is, that knowledge is only with Allah swt. Cleaning your plate also lets the host know that they’re a really good cook mashaAllah.

After You’ve Finished Eating

So you’ve come to the end of your meal, alhamdulillah. Allah swt has provided you with sustenance to go ahead and pray Tarawih with energy but the sunnah doesn’t stop, it’s a guide to life!

When you’ve taken your last bite say “Alhamdulillah” or follow the hadith in which the Prophet (saw) used to say, “Al-hamdu Lillaahi hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan fihi ghayra makfiyyin wa laa muwadda’in wa laa mustaghnan ‘anhu rabbana (Praise be to Allaah, much good and blessed praise. O our Lord, You are not in need of anyone, and we cannot do without Your favour nor dispense with it).” [Bukhari]

These are some of the sunnahs of eating. If there’s anymore you’d like to add leave a comment below inshaAllah.

Sources: https://christalblogs.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/eating-in-light-of-the-sunnah-food-for-the-mind-and-soul/

11 Benefits of Lemon Water You May Not Know About

I was first introduced to the concept of lemon water when I started doing yoga. An avid drinker (of water!), it was refreshing to learn a new spin on an old favorite. When I started having a glass of lemon water every morning, it was after learning only two of the benefits of lemon water. Little did I know just how many there are!

Why lemons?

Lemons are packed like a clown car with nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. (Fun fact: they contain more potassium than apples or grapes!). Because of how hard lemon juice can be on the enamel of your teeth, it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature (though lukewarm is recommended). Drink it first thing in the morning, and wait 15 to 30 minutes to have breakfast. This will help you fully receive the benefits of lemon water, which are listed below.

11 Benefits of Lemon Water

1. Gives your immune system a boost.

Vitamin C is like our immune system’s jumper cables, and lemon juice is full of it. The level of vitamin C in your system is one of the first things to plummet when you’re stressed, which is why experts recommended popping extra vitamin C during especially stressful days.

2. Excellent source of potassium.

As already mentioned, lemons are high in potassium, which is good for heart health, as well as brain and nerve function.

3. Aids digestion.

Lemon juice not only encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, it helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating.

4. Cleanses your system.

It helps flush out the toxins in your body by enhancing enzyme function, stimulating your liver.

5. Freshens your breath.

It also helps relieve toothaches and gingivitis (say wha?). Because the citric acid can erode tooth enamel, either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or brush your teeth before drinking it.

6. Keeps your skin blemish-free.

The antioxidants in lemon juice help to not only decrease blemishes, but wrinkles too! It can also be applied to scars and age spots to reduce their appearance, and because it’s detoxifying your blood, it will maintain your skin’s radiance.

7. Helps you lose weight.

Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings.

8. Reduces inflammation.

If you drink lemon water on a regular basis, it will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur. It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation.

9. Gives you an energy boost.

Lemon juice provides your body with energy when it enters your digestive tract, and it also helps reduce anxiety and depression. (Even the scent of lemons has a calming effect on your nervous system!)

10. Helps to cut out caffeine.

I didn’t believe this until I tried it, but replacing my morning coffee with a cup of hot lemon water has really done wonders! I feel refreshed, and no longer have to deal with that pesky afternoon crash. Plus, my nerves are thankful.

11. Helps fight viral infections.

Warm lemon water is the most effective way to diminish viral infections and their subsequent sore throats. Plus, with the lemon juice also boosting your immune system, you’ll simultaneously fight off the infection completely.

How much?

For those who weigh less than 150 pounds, squeeze half a lemon’s worth of juice into a glass of water. If over 150 pounds, use an entire lemon’s juice. You can of course dilute the lemon juice more, depending on your personal taste. Not only are the benefits of lemon water endless, it’s one of the most substantial yet simple changes you can make for your health.

Source: Life Hack 

Is Honey Healthy? Should you be consuming it?

Honey is a sweetener that has been used for thousands of years. It has some health benefits as well as some negatives. In the end I will answer whether honey is something you should have in your diet or not?

Dr. Axe is on a mission to transform the health of millions all across America. In 2008 Dr. Axe founded Exodus Health Center and it quickly grew to one of the largest wellness clinics in the United States. He has authored 3 books, The Real Food Diet Cookbook, Superfood Super You, and most recently The Dr. Axe Detox.  These books combine the power of advanced nutrition with recipes, superfoods and cleansing to help people reach their optimum level of health. 

Sources:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WozKwVTqgog

How Honey is Good for Health? - Benefits of Honey

Honey is one of the most powerful ways to protect your body. Honey is found in nature, it provides a wonderful delicious array of natural sugars found in fruits. Eating honey will promotes your good health. Especially benefits of honey, it is one of the simplest & most powerful ways to protect your body.

1. It boosts your immune system.

Raw, organic honey is loaded with vitamins, minerals & enzymes which will protect your body from bacteria and boosts immune system. Cold & flu symptoms, such as coughs, sore throats and congestion are kept away when treated with honey. In improving your immune system add 1-2 spoons of honey to warm water daily. For extra boost add fresh lemon juice & a dash of cinnamon to it.

2. Helps in reducing weight.

Drinking warm water with lemon plus honey on an empty stomach, taking 2-3 spoons of honey on daily basis is the best way to cleanse the liver, remove toxins and removes fat from the body. For good benefits add 1 spoon of honey and lemon juice to warm water before morning breakfast.

3. It reduces the risk of heart disease.

When cinnamon mixed with honey has shown to revitalize the arteries & veins of the heart and reduces cholesterol in body up to 10%. If you take this on regular basis it may reduce the risk of heart attacks & stop.
Add 1-2 spoons of honey and 1/3 tea spoon of cinnamon to warm take this mixture and drink daily.

4. It soothes indigestion.

People who suffer from indigestion taking 1-2 spoons of honey will relieve acidity in the stomach and smoothens digestion process. Honey Neutralizes gas and becomes the ultimate stomach soother due to overeating. Take 1-2 spoons of honey before heavy meals it is the best way for indigestion, if you already overindulged add honey plus lemon water will help to moves the food to the digestive system.

Sources:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V24ZfPLb1Mw

Raw honey is still one of the best natural antibiotics around to this day

 Conventional antibiotics make users sicker in the long run

Doctors carelessly prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, which is useless since antibiotics are only effective for breaking up bacterial infections. To make matters worse, overprescription and overconsumption make future infections harder to fight, since antibiotics deplete the good bacteria in the gut.

In this medical travesty, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are rising up, adapting to the singular mode of action that the prescription antibiotics lean on. The CDC has recently identified 20 resistant strains of bacteria, thanks to reckless dependency on these prescriptions. A 2013 report by the CDC sounds the alarm, reporting that over 2 million people contract antibiotic-resistant infections each year. Conventional antibiotics are making users sicker in the long run, more vulnerable and more prone to infection.

As this disturbing trend continues, scientists are looking for simpler answers. Researchers from the Salve Regina University in Newport, Rode Island, are rediscovering the reasons why raw honey is still one of the best natural antibiotics around to this day.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/044685_honey_natural_antibiotic_bacterial_resistance.html#ixzz3Gfc1eekk

Best Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice For Skin, Hair And Health

  Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice

How many of you love to pick these glorious red fruits, pomegranates known for their amazing medicinal powers? Pomegranate is a thick skinned super seedy fruit, with a brilliant red hue which is now touted as a wonder fruit by scientific researchers. The name pomegranate derives from the French word “pomegranate” or seeded apple. They are believed to have originated in Iran and brought to Egypt in 1600 BC, where it was not only revered as an important food source but was also widely used for its medicinal value. It was held in high esteem even during those times, as it is evident by their depiction in Egyptian paintings and tombs. Inspired by the abundance of jewel toned seeds within the bright red rind, pomegranate is considered to be a symbol of fertility and prosperity in some cultures.

Drinking pomegranate juice benefits our health and skin in a myriad of ways. It is one of the few fruits whose juice is as beneficial as the fruit itself.  This is because the peel contains the maximum amount of antioxidants which are released in abundance when the fruit is squeezed while juicing. It is currently ranked alongside blue berries and green tea for its nutritional benefits.

Some people might find it a bit cumbersome to deal with the little seeds, which is why, extracting its juice is the best way to utilize the benefits of pomegranate juice. Drinking it allows for a quick and easy assimilation of all the nutrients found in the bloodstream by the body. In comparison to other fruits, pomegranates contain the maximum amount of anti-oxidants. It contains approximately 3 times more antioxidants than green tea and oranges. A single glass of pomegranate juice can provide you with 40 % of the daily requirement of folic acid and vitamins A, C, and E. Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, being completely unprocessed, triumphs over packaged juice any day, as it retains the maximum number of vitamins. Make sure that the juice is unsweetened as sugar being inflammatory can counteract some of the health benefits of this fruit.

Nutritional Value of Pomegranate:

Pomegranate is a great source of ellagic acid, and antioxidant and punicic acid, an omega 5 polyunsaturated fatty acid which is highly beneficial for cell regeneration and proliferation. The juice of this fruit is an exceptional source of vitamin A, C and E and minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, potassium, iron, folic acid, niacin, thiamin, folates and riboflavin.

Sources: http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-benefits-of-pomegranate-juice-for-skin-hair-and-health/