The Perfect Ramadan Smoothie

by Noor H. Salem

Ramadan is almost complete, and you’ve probably become accustomed to eating less and fasting for long hours. It’s important to properly nourish your body during the short hours in which you are eating and drinking.

While you might think you are better off skipping Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, it is in fact best for you to stick to this habit for multiple reasons.

First and more importantly, it has been recommended by our beloved Prophet (saaw), as he teaches us in a famous hadith, “The Messenger of Allah (?) said: Eat Suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” [Sunan Al- Nasa’i].

Additionally, there is great Barakah (blessings) that comes with eating suhoor, and it will aid you in having energy during your long day at work or school. Even if it’s dates and water (or this delicious smoothie), don’t miss out on this great habit. Once you begin to implement this incredible habit, you will begin to see a difference in your energy during the day.

Instead of being a couch potato, staring at the clock until Maghrib prayer comes in, use your energy to maximize your worship and productivity in this Blessed Month. Undoubtedly, the food you consume has a direct effect on your energy levels, mood, and health all in all. With that being said, it’s crucial to seek viable methods of gaining energy while fasting long hours during the scorching hot days.

While it’s highly recommended that you have dates daily, you’re not limited to solely consuming them on their own.

Why not toss them into a smoothie, toss in walnuts and almond milk, along with a few delectable spices, for a mouthwatering and satisfying drink?

Dates provide your body with a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals which you especially need when you’re fasting all day long. Moreover, dates balance blood sugar spike, improve digestion, and prevent countless health ailments from developing down the road. This smoothie is loaded with potassium, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and taste to please every taste bud. Feel free to omit the banana, and add in extra spices to your preference.

Aim to have this smoothie for Suhoor to boost your mood, energy levels, and nutrient intake. It will grant your body and mind better capability to face a long day of fasting.

You can also have this with your iftar, once you break your fast, to nourish your body with nutrients you may lack. Make this smoothie with your kids, and enjoy a twist to having dates at Suhoor for some change.

Ingredients:

• 6-7 fresh dates, pit removed
• ½ banana
• 1 cup homemade almond milk (or organic grass-fed milk)
• 2 ice cubes (too much ice will ruin the taste)
• 1 teaspoon organic cinnamon, ground
• ½ teaspoon ginger, ground
• 1/4 cup raw walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1/8 cup of organic dried cranberries or goji berries, unsweetened

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients (except walnuts) in a high-speed blender and pulse until smooth.
2. Top with the chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, and a dash of ground cinnamon.
3. Serve chilled for optimum flavor. Enjoy!

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.