Ramadan 2012

[Cathi 5,696]

I will be spending the first 12 days of Ramadan in Jordan this year. It will be nice to finally get to experience it in a Muslim country

[Sarah B 26]

I spent Ramadan 2008 and 2009 in Tunis, Tunisia with Anis and his family. I grew up in Kuwait, so I experienced 10 years' worth of Ramadan there as well. I grew up with my dad doing Ramadan (he's from Algeria) and my husband does it. I don't usually fast but I do support the menfolk in my life

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Yes, we will be fasting. We both shift our schedules around a lot, depending on work, so not much organization on meals - we don't often make the "traditional" giant, elaborate iftar. However I am trying to psyche myself up for the challenge of the long, hot days. I spent part of Ramadan and also the Eid in Palestine once - it was quite amazing.

ramadan will be interesting this year for me

My youngest died in ramadan and his name meant gates of heaven so ramadan for me is very special

My mother even knows ramadan very very well because of what we all went through

I am going to be taking my youngest around mena people and probably going to some iftars with her somewhere.

I like ramadan.. everyone behaves themselves

[sandinista! 1,816]

Bumping this up to the first page, just because.

[Danni and Hamza 36]

I'm not Muslim, but I did Ramadan with my husband last year and plan on doing it again this year. There were a couple of days I have to admit that I cheated. There were a few times when my dad made some food that I just couldnt resist, and took a lil nibble. My daughter didn't fast, but she really enjoyed Ramadan, because we did big late dinners, and then walked to my parents house to share leftovers, and stayed up late, and she also really liked after dinners we tried to share a little about our religions, and relate the topic to good life lessons that can be found in every religion. I thought it was alot of fun. It was a challenge not to eat, but so much fin talking about and planning big dinners, cooking together, looking up menus, and making goodies to share. Then that few moments before the sunsets, and we are waiting at the table and we all start to smile cause we know how we are going to just jump into the food and make pigs of ourselves, and then finally its times and the food tastes even better then normal. However I think my stomach must shrink during the day while I am fasting, cause I was never able to eat as much as I thought or wanted too Anyway, its a fun times for us, and I am looking forward to it. I can't guarantee a full fast EVERY day, but I try my best. I hope everyone will enjoy there Ramadan as well.

Edited July 14, 2012 by Danni and Hamza

[msheesha 548]

Thanks for bumping Sandinista.

Danni - that does sound really nice.

I think it might have been the daily thread that ppl were talking about what to eat in the morning to try to get through the day. I agree about egg for the protein. I think egg on whole grain bagel or toast or bagel thin with some fruit and water and some form of caffeine if you're used to caffeine helps. Back in the 90's when it was my first year of Ramdan I ate Clementine oranges in the morning. (back then it was around Christmas time & my mom always had clementines on hand). So when I see them I always think of Ramadan!

Peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread/toast is something I also found sticks and gets you through a long-ish period during Ramadan.

I also found cutting back/giving up caffeine before you start fasting is better than during fasting. That way you can take something for the caffeine withdrawal headaches you get and you can focus more on the first days of Ramadan not suffering caffeine

withdrawal headaches!

[meno-is-mine 37]

I hope everyone enjoys Ramadan with their families this year. May the fast be easy on us all in this heat!

[Mithra 1,185]

Msheesha, my first ramadan was also in the 90s. I thought it was a good time to start since the days were shorter. If we had leftover meat or chicken from the night before we would have that with bread or a bagel for suhoor. If not we would make eggs. If I was too sleepy to eat I would just have water or juice. My favorite thing to have in the house for ramadan was date mamoul. I would have that with coffee or tea for iftar instead of just dates sometimes.

[sandinista! 1,816]

Msheesha, my first ramadan was also in the 90s. I thought it was a good time to start since the days were shorter. If we had leftover meat or chicken from the night before we would have that with bread or a bagel for suhoor. If not we would make eggs. If I was too sleepy to eat I would just have water or juice. My favorite thing to have in the house for ramadan was date mamoul. I would have that with coffee or tea for iftar instead of just dates sometimes.

or in tom haverfood speak, suhoor could sometimes be deja food.

[RFQ 110]

I usually do oatmeal with some flax/chia seeds, add some berries and some water/caffeine, and especially Excederin!! I need the excederin for the first 2-3 days as I have to break my caffeine habits and they cause me a bit of grief.

Sometimes I just do fruit and nuts, or peanut butter and fruit spread... long as I get some whole grain/fiber, healthy fats, and some liquids, I feel pretty okay.

[sara..... 371]

I have spent Ramadan in Pakistan, Egypt, and India my favorite place is Pakistan for Ramadan spending Ramadan in the USA is very difficult for me and seems to lack the unity that we feel when we are over seas during Ramadan......we are the only Muslim family in our small town so I guess that attributes to that feeling

sara

Edited July 15, 2012 by sara.....

[mounir412 101]

RAMADAN KARIM to everyone

[Louza 10]

It's my favorite time of the year. Ramadan Karim to you all

[Ihavequestions 419]

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[Zee Bee 61]

I have had Ramadan either in the US or Saudi Arabia. Having others around you who are fasting and understand what Ramadan is definitely a plus. Depending on the time of year I don't really get the chance to go for taraweeh prayers because they are so late. I was pregnant last year so did not fast. This will be the first year that I get to experience it in the heat.

Ramadan Kareem!!!!!