Celebration

Ramadan, as most people know, is a month of fasting for Muslims. All Muslims, who have physical and mental ability to fast, observe fast, which means they don’t drink and eat from dawn to sunset. I want to talk about my typical day in Ramadan, which is quite different from other days and how I prepare for it.

 I actually start preparing for Ramadan two weeks ahead.  I make a shopping list for all the things I need to prepare freezer food and other food for Ramadan and go with my husband to buy the stuff. Then I make food that I can store in the freezer like, samosas, spring rolls, pastries, pies, chicken squares, cheese balls and many other items. After I finish making all the foods, I clean up all the house.

When Ramadan starts I wake up early in the morning. First, I pray, and then start preparing an early breakfast, called sahoor for the whole family. I make sure it is healthy and light. My children are young for fasting, to fast so they don’t get up. After breakfast, I clean up kitchen and do the early morning prayer, called Fajar.

When my son and daughter wake up, I help them get ready for school and when they leave for school, I take a much-needed nap for couple of hours. In the evening, I start preparing for Iftar, the dinner after breaking the fast. At that time the food I have made ahead comes in handy. All I have to do is to take it out, fry or bake. I also make salad, refreshing cool drinks and one main course meal. I try to finish everything 10-15 minutes before the time, so that we all can relax, say a short prayer, sit at the table, and get ready to break the fast at sunset. We check the time-table to make sure it is the right time and break it with dates and a nice cool drink. The whole family then enjoys my food.

In Ramadan we also send special food to friends, give money to less fortunate people, and give food to the food bank. So somedays there is more work but everybody is happy.