Energizing Smoothie for Ramadan

by Noor H. Salem

 With Ramadan just days away, it’s time to equip your body and mind with energy, motivation, and perpetual strife. 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 bit of 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. Enjoy!

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. In fact, having suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) is the wisest choice if you’re looking to optimize your health this Ramadan. It comes along with immense reward, and is a Sunnah of the Prophet (SAAW). “The Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said: Eat Suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” [Sunan Al- Nasa’i]. 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. Surprisingly to many, skipping out on suhoor will put your body on starvation mode, causing you to overindulge at iftar time. Even if it’s dates and water (or this delicious smoothie), don’t miss out on this great habit.

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

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.