Very Filling Slow Cooker Chili

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 3/4 cup diced onion
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 3/4 cup diced green bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans tomato puree
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans with liquid
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions
Place the beef in a skillet over medium heat, and cook until evenly brown. Drain grease.
Place the beef in a slow cooker, and mix in onion, celery, green bell pepper, garlic, tomato puree, kidney beans, and cannellini beans. Season with chili powder, parsley, salt, basil, oregano, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
Cover, and cook 8 hours on Low.

The best thing to eat this Ramadan

Cottage cheese is not only versatile, but has significant nutritional benefits Discover why eating cottage cheese is so healthy.

Cottage cheese in one of the most versatile cheeses around, and with its soft texture and rather mild taste it’s an easy food for almost anyone to enjoy. This soft cheese earns its name from the fact that it was originally made in small cottages as a way to use leftover milk. In addition to being versatile, cottage cheese can be a nutritious addition to almost any diet. What are the health benefits of eating cottage cheese?

It’s Low in Calories and Fat

Even four percent milk fat cottage cheese is low in calories with about 120 calories per serving, but you can also buy low fat and fat-free versions which only have around eighty calories. Standard cottage cheese has anywhere from four to six grams of fat, while the fat-free is completely free of fat, although fat-free may have added starches to compensate. Because cottage cheese is filling, a single serving of this low calorie food can be quite satisfying.

It’s High in Protein

No wonder body builders swear by this food. A single serving of cottage cheese has up to fifteen grams of protein, much of it in the form of casein, a slow digesting form of protein. Although not as high in protein as meat and poultry, it’s one of the best non-meat sources of protein around. The high protein content of cottage cheese and its high casein content make it a high satiety food so it reduces hunger for longer periods of time.

It’s Low in Carbohydrates

Most cottage cheese is low in carbohydrates with carb contents ranging from three grams to six grams. The low fat versions are often higher in carbs since they have added starches.

It’s High in Bone-Building Calcium

Calcium is important not only for building strong bones, but also for maintaining normal blood pressure. With around seventy grams per serving, cottage cheese can go a long ways towards meeting the daily calcium quota.

Don’t forget about the versatility of cottage cheese. It can be used as a healthy, low fat substitute for other higher fat soft cheeses. When pureed in a blender, it can be a base for a heart healthy, but tasty dip. Simply sprinkle in some herbs and spices to add flavor. It makes a refreshing warm weather side dish or dessert when served with fruit. Use it instead of sour cream on baked potatoes or as a substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna. Mix it with yogurt or puree it into a smoothie. It also tastes great as a side dish with just a little added seasoning. You’ll find lots of other exciting ways to use this healthy, versatile food. Enjoy the health benefits of eating cottage cheese!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 egg whites

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients in blender.
2. Spray skillet with cooking spray and cook just like”silver dollar” pancakes, a few small ones at a time.
3. Top with your favorite pancake topping!

5 Ways to Increase your energy in Ramadan

Today is day 1! Today might be the hardest fast, because the day is long, and you haven’t been going hungry for this long in the last few weeks. You might feel sluggish, slow, not wanting to work on your goals…

But the good news is, there are ways to boost your energy. Don’t let day 1 get you…follow these tips below to assist you in increasing your worship and connection with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala):

1. Grab a nap

Carving out time for a 10- or 20-minute nap during the day will make you feel more alert and boost your mood, concentration and motor skills. If your schedule allows for it, find a cool quiet place to lie down to make it easier to fall asleep. Make sure you don’t nap for much longer than 20 minutes or you’ll wake up groggy. Take your nap just before Asr so that you’re good to go for taraweeh.

2. Hit the gym

It may be the last thing you want to do when you’re already tired, but exercise is an excellent way to recharge, according to Beth Mansfield, a clinical exercise physiologist and registered dietitian in Ottawa. Any amount of physical activity—even a 10-minute walk—will increase blood flow to all parts of your body making you feel more energetic. Take three 10-minute breaks for exercising throughout the day, or even before taraweeh.

3. Eat for energy

Even a modest amount of sleep deprivation can affect grehlin and leptin, the hormones responsible for keeping your metabolism working properly. This can make you feel hungrier and may lead to cravings for high-calorie, high-carb foods. But munching on those will only make you feel zonked again later when your blood sugar crashes. To eat for energy, start your day with a suhoor/breakfast made up of healthy carbohydrates, such as oatmeal with one-half cup of fruit, or cottage cheese.

4. Fill your cup

Lack of fluids can make you feel fatigued, so make sure you’re drinking about 1 mL of fluid for every calorie you eat, says Mansfield. That means if you consume a 2,000 calorie diet, you need about eight cups (2,000 mL) of fluids per day to stay hydrated and energized. Water isn’t your only option: you can also hydrate with milk, tea and wet foods, such as yogurt and soups. If you’ve got a coffee habit, drinking caffeine will temporarily make you more alert by blocking sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain. Just be sure to limit your intake to one 8oz. (250 mg) of caffeine per day to ensure that your coffee habit won’t block out your mind.

5. Do a mini-meditation

Meditating can re-energize you by relaxing your mind and body, says Toronto mind-body therapist Louise Gabrielle. In the middle of the day, spend five minutes doing a conscious relaxation exercise: lie down on the floor with your legs on a wall, your arms at your sides and your head on a pillow (keep your hips close to the wall to avoid knee strain). Focus your mind’s attention on each body part, inviting your whole body to relax.  Another option is lying on the ground with your calves and feet up on the seat of a chair. “When your legs are raised up, it’s very good for regenerating the body,” Gabrielle advises.  If you like, add in some gentle breathing, inhaling slowly and fully.

So there you go- Get energised and get going!

What are the absolutely first things that you’d do in Ramadan?

As salamu alaikum

Here’s what I came up with, but of course, there can only be one ‘first’:

1. Call everyone I know and wish them
2. Thank Allah for this opportunity to correct my mistakes and become better
3. Make a list of my goals and things I want to do
4. Call my friends and see if we can meet up to learn (did this)
5. Throw an iftar party!
6. Clean the house
7. Go to Taraweeh early and meet everyone there
8. Last minute grocery shopping (did this too!)
9. Start preparing sehri/suhoor for the first day
10. Go to bed early.

What would be yours? Leave a comment below.

7 Top Tips for Exercising in Ramadan

Even before you think of having an exercise plan during Ramadan, you need to make sure you are fueling your body in the right way, which I will deal with in a separate post.

1.       Clearance from your doctor:

I know you’re eager to exercise, but your doctor must be aware, especially if you are taking any medication or suffer from any condition. Staying on the cautious side by taking your doctor’s advise can save you a lot of pain later on. If your doctor is not Muslim, this is an excellent opportunity to explain how Muslims fast. However, your doctor might tell you not to exercise at all just so that they don’t take any chances. In that case, if you feel there’s no reason why you can’t exercise, then go for it.

2.       Best time to workout:

If you can, get in about 25 minutes of exercise right before sehri/suhoor. This way you do not dehydrate your body while working out during you fast, and you are able to fuel yourself right away. However I realise this is not feasible for everyone, so another option is spending another 25 minutes just before iftar. If you find yourself really exhausted and in no shape to workout at that time, then have a light iftar, wait for an hour, and exercise right before taraweeh.

3.       25 minutes is adequate.

10 minutes of cardio, 15 minutes of strength training. Alternate between upper body and core and lower body and core, and this will ensure you are targeting your body overall.  The duration is short enough to keep you from feeling thirsty. And if you feel you need more cardio, go for taraweeh early, park far away, and run/jog to the mosque.

4.       Avoid foods that will slow you down

As I said in the beginning, food is your fuel, and you want to make sure you avoid fatty foods, overeating, and too much sweets to ensure your workouts are successful.

5.       Drink a lot of water

when you can. This is essential. Water has 100s of benefits, from weight loss to optimal bodily functions. Stay away from other sugary drinks, and drink as much water during the evening as you can. Carry a bottle to taraweeh.

6.       Listen to your body

If you are tired or exhausted, then either shorten your workout, or change your routine. Change the time. Try different things to see what works the best for you. In the end, the purpose of Ramadan is spiritual development, so nothing should take away from that.

7.       Consult an expert

A lot of the times we don’t know if what we are doing is enough, right, or even necessary! Don’t stay in doubt, find your local fitness expert and nutritionist and get your questions answered.

[This post originally written by me first appears on ProductiveRamadan.com]

Crock Pot Lasagna with cottage cheese

Ingredients

• • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 onions , chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves , smashed
  • 1 (28 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 12 ounces cottage cheese (we like 2%)
  • 1/2-12 cup grated parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup asiago cheese
  • 12 ounces lasagna noodles , uncooked
  • 16 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded

Directions

1. Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in frypan.
2. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt and oregano.
3. Cook long enough to get it warm.
4. Spoon a layer of meat sauce onto the bottom of the slow cooker.
5. Add a double layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (break to fit) and top with cheeses.
6. Repeat with sauce, noodles and cheeses until all are used up.
7. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.

Ramadan Mubarak!

As salamu alaikum
Wednesday August 11, 2010 is the first day of Ramadan.