Entry Four: Reflections and sweets
Time really does fly when you’re having fun, because, sadly, it is officially the last week of Ramadan.
It’s funny to think that a month ago I was on the phone with my mom and sister stressing about how I would make it through 30 days of juggling work and fasting. They suggested meal prepping, which worked for a week but failed after that.
Because now, in the final stretch, I think my month-ago self would be pleasantly surprised to find that there wasn’t anything to worry about. I was able to not only strengthen my spiritual connection but also hone my cooking skills and explore family recipes.
The Ramadan Kitchen Diary: Intuitive cooking at 4 a.m.
Entry Three: New recipes to start the fast
Stuffing my face before the sun has risen is one of the harder things for me during Ramadan. But suhoor (the meal that starts the fast) is also a time I feel spiritually motivated.
Because waking up at 4 a.m. to make food and eat before the
athan (call to prayer) sounds at sunrise takes a lot of discipline and
sabr or patience – especially when you work a full-time job and live alone.
Back home, I had the privilege and joy (though waking up then didn’t seem so) of my mom waking me up on time.
Entry Two: Cravings
Despite what most people think, fasting for 16 hours (no food, no water) isn t really that difficult. Part of it is the practice of doing it for many years, but for me, it s the strength of my
Iman (faith) and the knowledge that 1.5 billion other Muslims around the world are doing it with me.
As a self-described foodie, fasting is something even more special because as the saying goes distance makes the heart grow fonder. And during this month, I m reminded of that fondness for food with fasting cravings.
They’re not like your normal cravings where the desire for a certain dish takes hold. No. These are a collection of all the foods you can possibly think of combined into a super craving, usually stimulated by food posts or (for me) Buzzfeed’s “Worth It” videos and food Tik Tok.