MWA asks: what is it about Ramadan and fasting that you particularly enjoy?

[If viewing from the "Home" page, be sure to click on the "Read More" link after the introductory text to read...the rest of the story!]

I'll kick-start the post, and as some of you may already know, I oftentimes lean toward a touch of humor, so this is something silly that popped into my head one evening in Ramadan as I started to peel the toppings off a pizza that just arrived for suhoor. One of the reasons I might particularly enjoy the fasting aspect of Ramadan is that: I have food issues to start with! lol

Food. It bothers me to spend money buying it. It bothers me to spend time putting it away. It bothers me spending time to prepare it. It REALLY bothers me having to clean up after preparing it! And it UBER bothers me that all of that money, time and effort are consumed within 5-10 minutes from the start of eating it! AND THEN!!! And then we flush it down the toilet!!!! WTH?!?!

In the first week I was trying to make iftar and suhoor a little more photo-op-ish (lol) (for the MWA Ramadan blog's photo section), but as Ramadan rolled along this month, iftar's began to slim down to a mug of tomato or lentil soup, a handful of jelly beans (what! no dates?!), a cup of coffee and a tall glass of water (or two) before jumping out the door to pray Isahah and taraweeh. For suhoor, now maybe I'll eat a little more since I went light on the iftar, but light is the pattern that seems to be working best for me going into the second half of Ramadan.

On the serious side, subhan'Allah...it seems I have enjoyed listening Quran more than ever, and I have particularly enjoyed visiting different masjids for taraweeh prayers.

Last, but not least, helping maintain the MWA Ramadan blog has really helped keep me focused on the essence of this Holy Month. Al-hamdulillah. And I'm so grateful for the contributions of MWA's members. Salute!

MWA's Saba N. Taylor shares her southern-style July 20 iftar

Homemade mac 'n' cheese, fried fish (tilapia) and collard greens.

Alhamdulillah, I channeled my southern roots with this iftar :D

Homemade mac 'n' cheese, fried fish (tilapia) and collard greens.

I was going to make hot water cornbread but just wasn't feeling up to it.

Unfortunately, I could not partake in the fried fish as I am still recovering from dental surgery but I was happy to see my family really enjoy it. :)

Alhamdulillah for all of His blessings on me and my loved ones.

A Ramadan iftar journal entry from MWA's Saba N. Taylor: July 15, 2013

For the past few years, the some of the sisters in  my community have gotten together and hosted all-sister iftars. These iftars encourage sisters in the community to make new friends while strengthening their bonds with old friends. It is also a great way for converts and new sisters to the area to make new Muslimah friends. (See 'read more' link under photo.)

A lesson on patience and positivity in Ramadan by MWA's Saba N. Taylor

While reviewing Be Positive, a children’s book that introduces how to be positive, my mind immediately went back to an experience that happened the night before. 

At around ten in the pm, my sister and I left home to go to the mosque. It was as we were leaving that she remembered that our usual route would be closed due to highway construction. So, we were going to be a little late by taking an alternate highway. “Ugh,” she said in frustration. I chose to stay positive. “It’s going to be a one and a half hour prayer, we will get there in time to join in,” I reminded her and off we went.

MWA's Saba N Taylor shares an Eid Poem

It was the night before Eid and all was well, 

until there came a knock on the door and a ring of the bell.  

Who could it be at this time of night, but no one could tell. 

It was an old man with tattered clothes. 

A stranger, he had no food or family and no home to go.

"As Salaamu Alaikum, Can you help me?" he asked 

"Some food, a blanket or maybe an old coat?" 

Father opened the door wide, 

"Wa Alaikum As Salaam. Ahlan wa Sahlan. Please come inside."  

Mother entered the kitchen and it wasn't long, 

till she returned with some bread and hot soup to warm the bone. 

With a prayer of thanks on his lips and a fluffed pillow under his head, 

the stranger laid warm and cozy in a bed.

So always remember dear little Muslims (and big ones too)

Eid is not just about receiving money, gifts, candy or even new shoes. 

It is giving and sharing our hearts and homes with family,
friends and the stranger in need. 

The best Eid gift is the gift of compassion, kindness, and mercy indeed.

Eid Mubarik!!!!

Saba N. Taylor loves to travel, read, write and blog (and not particularly in that order.) She writes children's stories and book reviews of children's books. Check out her blog, The Family-Ship Experience, for picture and chapter books that engage, entertain and educate. You can also find more book reviews, author interviews, giveaways and updates of her own writing experience and works on her writing blog, Of Thoughts and Words. Saba's published works include three teacher study guides published by Muslim Writers Publishing, a fourth in the works. Saba's work has been published in three anthologies and an assortment of online magazines. She has been a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) since April 2010. On the web: Facebook, Twitter @worddiaries, The Family-Ship Experience (blog), Of Thoughts and Words

MWA's Saba N Taylor shares her day 15 iftar: Tuna Egg Rolls

Masha Allah! My sister made the best tuna egg rolls EVER for iftar tonight! Tuna is a favorite in our house-hold! This is one of her specialty items that is always a big hit when she serves it to guest. They are a great side dish or if you eat them the way I do, are a meal in their little selves!

MWA's Saba N. Taylor asks: to Suhoor or Not?

On a regular day, I don't often take breakfast. I know, I know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but for some reason, I always feel iky if I have something on my stomach early in the morning. I usually don't take breakfast until around 8:30 or a little later when my stomach is actually awake! So Ramadan is especially hard on me when I have to get up before dawn to have suhoor. What makes it even harder is that now, suhoor comes in really early in the Northwest, like 4+ hours before I have to get up to go to work. After prayer, I usually have 3 hours and often go back to sleep. Not good on even on a remotely full stomach.

This Ramadan, I considered skipping suhoor so that I would not have to feel the iky effects of an early morning meal through out the day. But I was reminded of the importance of the suhoor meal by a few hadiths I read regarding fasting.

MWA's Saba N. Taylor shares her Ramadan day seven enchilada iftar recipe

Masha Allah, I love all things cheesy! Yesterday I was in the mood for enchiladas but did not have all the makings for it so I decided to stop by the store today after work to pick up some things. I have two different recipes that I go between, the more commonly version, meat/beans with cheese rolled in corn tortillas then topped with red enchilada sauce, cheese, olives and green onions. Then there is the newest version that I picked up from a friend that does not require enchiladas sauce. So Good! Masha Allah!

Before I add the recipe, I must admit, I lost the recipe my friend gave me so I kind of winged it from the last two times I made it. I also did not have enough corn tortillas so I stretched it a bit. Here is the recipe I used to make this tasty iftar dish tonight. :) Insha Allah I hope you enjoy it! (should you try it out :D)

MWA's Saba N. Taylor shares a Ramadan poem, 'Month of Mercy'

Month of Mercy
By Saba N. Taylor 

The sunsets
The new moon rises
All eyes gaze to the mountian's horizon

The month is new
The air is swift
As believers welcome the blessed guest

With vows of patience
And lips pressed sealed
Hearts are washed as heads are kneeled

Fasting by day and praying by night
Seeking guidance and closeness
to Allah the Most High

Moon waxing, moon waning
To the beginning and the end
The Month of Mercy will pass and come again

Ramadan Mubarik! 

Saba N. Taylor loves to travel, read, write and blog (and not particularly in that order.) She writes children's stories and book reviews of children's books. Check out her blog The Family-Ship Experience for picture and chapter books that engages, entertains and educates. You can also find more book reviews, author interviews, giveaways and updates of her own writing experience and works on her writing blog, Of Thoughts and Words. Saba's published works include three teacher study guides published by Muslim Writers Publishing, a fourth in the works. Saba's work has been published in three anthologies and an assortment of online magazines. She has been a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) since April 2010.
Facebook, Twitter @worddiaries, The Family-Ship Experience (blog)
Of Thoughts and Words (blog)