It is the end of Ramadan, I cannot even believe how this month flew by and I know that it will be missed. One of the things that I did a lot this month and through quarantine is take time to reflect.
Some of my personal reflections:
- We cannot control everything in our lives, we have to accept that there is a higher power
- We cannot be thankful enough for all our blessings big and small. Just breathing daily is a gift
- Cooking can be fun if we get creative
- We take grocery shopping for granted
- Walking in solitude allows us to be more mindful
- Having our loved ones around us is a gift, when so many people are forced apart
- Zoom calls are allowing us to include more people, we may not even see or meet
- Realizing who your true friends are without having parties
- Life has its ups and downs and it is okay
- Taking one day at a time
- Learning to live with what we have, rather than wanting more
- Smile, laughter can lighten the mood
- Do things that bring you joy, having fun relieves stress
- We do not have to be or look perfect
These are just some, I am sure you all have many of your own.
I truly believe with all the sadness comes hope, and I am hopeful that this time apart will bring us closer as a community as a country and as humans.
Coming back to food, I have spent a lot of time baking and with a lot of dates leftover, I made a date and nut loaf and I have to say it was delicious and nutritious. Dates are high in fiber and potassium and walnuts are a great source of healthy fats.
Date and Nut Loaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts/pecans
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3 Tbs unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup white flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Method
Grease a loaf pan and heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Put the warm water in a bowl add the chopped dates, butter and baking soda. Use a spatula to mix it all up. Beat sugar and eggs, then add to date mixture and beat again. Fold in both the flours with the baking powder and the chopped walnuts and pour the mixture into the loaf tin.
Bake for 50 minutes. Let it cool and then cut slices and store in fridge.
I toast mine and spread some butter and it is bliss!!
Eid Mubarak and a Happy Memorial day!
Thank you to all the front line Heroes for everything you do!