Posts Tagged ‘Ramadan’

Night of Power: 2013 Edition

Posted: August 4, 2013 in Challenge, Food, Ramadan
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Yesterday was the night before the 27th of Ramadan. Without getting into too much religious detail this day is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or Night of Power. This night can fall on any of the odd days in the last 10 days of Ramadan, but it is commonly believed that it falls on the eve of the 27th. It’s believed that this was the night that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) while was he was meditating in a cave. It’s mentioned in the Quran that this night is better than a night of a thousand months, meaning praying this one night is worth more than praying on any other night for a thousand months. While we have now spent this month fasting, giving to charity, praying, and purifying ourselves, Muslims tend to go the extra mile on this night.

The mosque was packed more than the other nights because not only was it a Saturday, potentially Laylat al-Qadr, and free food had been served, it was also the day the recitation of the Quran was completed during Taraweeh prayer. During Ramadan, Muslims gather each night and are led in prayer as the Imam recites the chapters of the Quran cover to cover over the course of 27ish days. On this day after the Imam finishes the recitation, there is an extra prayer which ends up going on for about 30 minutes (we timed it) while you are standing. Thank you CrossFit and mobility for somewhat keeping my back and legs intact for this. After all this, people usually hang out at the mosque until Sahoor. There are more prayers throughout the night but it’s generally a joyous occasion.

There is something about that night. You don’t feel tired, annoyed, or grumpy because of the lack of sleep. You tend to take in every minute and hope the clock slows down because even with all of the praying and asking for forgiveness, you have this feeling that you are having fun. Maybe it’s just me but I had a great time and inshAllah I will get to do it again next year.

For Sahoor

I had some extra chicken left over from the night before that I ate. Why do I keep forgetting that it isn’t easy to eat chicken in the morning? Anyways, I had a serving of fruit that consisted of watermelon and an apple. I finished it up with a protein shake.

WOD

I didn’t do a CrossFit workout but I did do the next day on the Ab Challenge calendar.

For Iftar

This is going to sound nuts or like a cheat meal but I had butter chicken (that’s not really made out of butter.) It’s a recipe my chef mentor, aka mom, came up with. It essentially avoids using butter yet still achieves the creamy look and taste. I think it’s some of the best butter chicken I’ve had even when comparing to some big time restaurants. I’ve made this dish before but on this night I can’t take any credit:

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Just about every ingredient in it is Paleo friendly with the exception of a little bit of dairy. Oh what’s the recipe? Yeah.. about that. Sorry this one I can’t give away. Truth is I don’t even know it completely. I’ve made it a couple of times before but there are always a couple of steps that mom has taken care of. I’ll find it one day, and I may just share it with you all.

I did want to touch on another thing. As great and happy of a night this is for the majority of the Muslims around the world, the only bit of anger I do carry on this night is what I hear about it on the news. I’m referring to the idiots who have hijacked this religion of peace and demonized it for their perverted agendas. The thought of them using the Night of Power to possibly carry out acts of evil on innocent people is sickening and even during prayer where one should disconnect from the outside world, I can’t help but hold anger towards them. May Allah bring sense into these peoples’ heads and bring peace into everyone’s hearts.

Hey Want a Date?

Posted: August 1, 2013 in Challenge, Food, Ramadan
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I realized I have left out one of the most important things I eat for Iftar. Well maybe not important but traditional? I open every fast with a date or two… or three. They are delicious, naturally grown in Saudi, and despite being a little on the higher end of sugar content, carry tons of great vitamins. They are a great source of fiber, vitamin A, and magnesium. Some studies have linked them to health benefits for your brain and heart while reducing risk of stroke and high blood pressure. If you haven’t had some before, I encourage you to try them. Like I said though, they are high in sugar so just don’t go overboard (even though it’s natural).

For some comic relief, a video I ran across a couple of weeks ago by some goofy kids in NYC:

For Sahoor

I had chicken leftovers from the night before that I had intentionally made extra of. I keep forgetting how much of a challenge eating chicken is in the morning. It tastes good but requires effort for me. Any how I finished that up and then had a protein shake.

Workout of the Day

3 rounds
15 Ring dips*
Kettlebell swings 53lb – As many reps as possible without stopping
Rest 2 minutes
15 Sumo-deadlift high pulls with KB – 53lb*
Wall balls 20lb – As many reps as possible without stopping
Rest 2 minutes

Your score is the lowest amount of reps you were able to complete for each movement
*this must be done unbroken. If you stop/pause, you must start your reps from 0

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I think I might be done with metabolic conditioning workouts for the remainder of Ramadan. I don’t remember feeling like this last year but I definetly require a lot more rest after finishing the workout. I don’t think I’m going any harder than I was last year. Maybe the workouts are more challenging? Maybe I’m just that out of shape? I enjoy the workouts very much but I hate that feeling afterwards of not wanting to move. I think I will stick to strength training for the remainder and maybe throw in some short met-cons.

For Iftar

Thai spiced chicken

  • 1/2 lb of boneless chicken
  • sea salt
  • chili powder
  • about two fist-fulls of lettuce
  • 1 scallion
  • 2 tsp of thai curry paste, Mae Ploy brand
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 1 cup of broccoli, cut into pieces
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 Tbsp of coconut oil
  1. Heat up a skillet and add in coconut oil.
  2. Marinate the chicken with the desired amount of salt and chili powder.
  3. Place the chicken into the pan and let it brown. When it starts to brown, flip it.
  4. Cook both sides of the chicken on high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add in the curry paste and mix it around a little bit.
  6. Cut up the lettuce, carrot, broccoli, scallion and add it to the skillet. Squeeze the lime onto it as well.
  7. Stir everything up and then lower the heat to low-medium. Continue to stir until the vegetables are soft and the curry paste has mixed in with everything.

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I honestly was a little unsure how this would turn out, especially since I’ve never used curry paste without using coconut milk. It took a lot of mixing and some lemon juice but it spread out real well across all of the ingredients. I love Thai food so anything with that type of kick to it I will enjoy. Needless to say I finished it pretty quick. Feel free to add as much green to it; it will fill you up better and of course the nutrients don’t hurt.

With that said, less than a week left! Wow..

Revitalizing Through Mercy

Posted: July 31, 2013 in Food, Ramadan
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For those of you who reached Surah (chapter) Rahman last night during taraweeh can probably concur that it’s the fastest taraweeh prayer of the month. To me it’s the most powerful and emotional chapter in the Quran and it really puts this whole month into perspective. It talks about the free will we have and what we are blessed with yet warns us about disobedience. It’s a very poetic chapter and very soothing to hear. The content of it really makes you reflect on your life but at the same time brings calm knowing that the title of the Surah translates to Lord of Mercy.

For Sahoor

I made a quick dish of salmon and eggs. Look before you write me off for caving into eggs…again. The eggs were only a compliment to the salmon so it doesn’t count. I used a minimal amount so the taste didn’t take away from the salmon but gave me the protein and nutrients I needed for the day.

  • 3-4oz of salmon filets(smoked salmon would work well here too)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 scallion, diced
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • sea salt
  • chili powder (optional)
  • coconut oil
  1. Heat up a pan and add in coconut oil.
  2. Marinate the salmon with sea salt and chili powder.
  3. Place the fish into the pan and let it cook.
  4. Meanwhile, add a little bit of water to a bowl and beat the eggs in it.
  5. Once the fish is ready to be flipped, flip it and add the eggs into the pan.
  6. Mix it all around so the eggs get scrambled.
  7. Add in the tomatoes and scallions.
  8. Keep mixing around until the salmon is finished. Should take less than 10 minutes from the time you put it into the pan.

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You can add more salt and spices after it’s on your plate if you want but I don’t recommend it for Sahoor. You can also add an avocado which would go real well but I was too lazy. Oh and I’m out of avocados. 10-15 minute meal, done.

For Iftar

I decided to revisit a recipe I tried last Ramadan that didn’t turn out too well. I’m referring to the apple chicken recipe. I made some modifications to it using ideas from Paleomg.com and the results were great. The recipe for the chicken portion of the dish is a bit excessive since I intended to use some for Sahoor the next morning. Here is the recipe for sweet and spicy lemon chicken:

  • 1lb skinless chicken breast, diced
  • 1/2 onion, sliced thinly
  • 1 medium sized apple, sliced thinly
  • 2 lemons (juiced)
  • 2 Tbsp of raw honey
  • 1 tsp of sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp of black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp of coconut oil
  • separate mixture of sea salt, chili powder, black pepper and chaat masala for the chicken
  1. Mix the sea salt, chili powder, black pepper, and chaat masala to your taste with the chicken and set it aside.
  2. Fire up the stove and add in 1 Tbsp of coconut oil to a hot pan.
  3. Add in the apples and onions. Stir them around until they become translucent.
  4. Add in juice from 1 squeezed lemon, salt, garlic, black pepper, 1 Tbsp of honey, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Keep mixing it and let it caramelize.
  5. Let it cook on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  6. Heat up another skillet and add 1 Tbsp of coconut oil. Add in the chicken to it and let it cook.
  7. Add the remaining honey, cinnamon, and lemon juice to it. Let the chicken cook and flip it as needed.
  8. Crank the heat to high and put a cover over the pan. Check on it every couple of minutes to stir and flip as needed.
  9. Once the chicken is brown/done, remove the apple mixture from the pan and lay it down as a base on a plate. Add in the desired amount of chicken over it.

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I added a couple of slices from a bell pepper to garnish it. If you want, you can add more lemon or honey as well.

This recipe was a much improvement from last year’s attempt. It tasted great and the best part is I knew I had some chicken left over for the morning. I had planned on staying up late for extra prayer since it’s the last 10 days of Ramadan, so I stashed some chicken away for the morning so I wouldn’t have to cook much.

After what felt like the shortest night of taraweeh prayer, we power on as the end is in sight.

Snoozed

Posted: July 29, 2013 in Food, Ramadan
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I’m off for the next two weeks from work so I plan on working on some cooler recipes. I get a lot of questions about Sahoor and I feel I’ve been a bit of a let down when it comes to recipes for the morning. Of course this means waking up on time. These days Sahoor is ending around 4:30 am on the East coast but it’s getting harder to wake up for some reason. I’m hoping with some time off I can adjust my schedule a bit so I can make better meals and as we head into the last 10 days of Ramadan, work more on Ibadah, or worship. I’m almost considering just staying up until Sahoor so if anyone else is up and wants to google chat me, hit me up haha.

For Sahoor

Ok I failed. I guess my other vow should have been that I shall wake up with enough time to cook something other than eggs. Well, you can guess what I had this morning.. Good news is I am out of egg whites and won’t be restocking anytime soon! This will force me to wake up and cook something better, God willing…

For Iftar

I realized I had a large supply of almond flour that I needed to start using so I made Almond Crusted Chicken that was spiced, given a hint of mustard, and glazed with honey. It’s very easy to prepare but leave your self some time to bake it. I found out the hard way and spent 10 minutes after Maghrib staring at the oven. Stupid oven timer was set to 10 minutes so it shut off before fully cooking the chicken while I stepped away to go pray. Here is how it’s done:

  • 1 chicken breast, diced
  • 3/4 cup of almond flour
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp of chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp of chaat masala
  • sprinkle of black pepper
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 tsp of mustard powder
  • raw honey
  • 1/4 of a red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/4 of a green bell pepper tomato, sliced
  • 1/4 onion, sliced
  • coconut oil
  1. Preheat the oven to 380 degrees.
  2. Mix the almond flour, salt, paprika, chili powder, chaat masala, and black pepper into a bowl.
  3. Add the egg whites and mustard powder to a different bowl
  4. Heat up a skillet and add in the coconut oil.
  5. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture and then roll it around in the flour mixture.
  6. Place the chicken into the skillet and cook it for around 2 minutes, each side. I did a little bit at a time so it was manageable and didn’t over cook it on the skillet.
  7. As each batch finishes, transfer it to a baking sheet.
  8. Add the bell peppers and onions to the baking sheet.
  9. Place the baking sheet into the oven and cook for about 17 minutes.
  10. Once it’s done, serve it on a plate and drizzle some raw honey over the chicken. Add some greens on the side.

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The mustard taste was very subtle but made it taste right. Most people add the mustard to the flour mixture but I prefer to add it to the eggs. The honey is a perfect touch for me but if you aren’t a fan, it isn’t necessary.

For those keeping count, or who have lost count, the last 10 days of Ramadan are coming up! I’ll jump more into the importance of that period in the coming days for those who may not be familiar.

Keep pure and stay Paleo!

Restless

Posted: July 24, 2013 in Food, Ramadan
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Sorry I didn’t get a chance to post last night. I came down with a slight fever and the lack of sleep the night before didn’t help the fatigue. We are half way through and I still haven’t figured out a good sleeping pattern. I’m pretty sure there isn’t one that’s possible unless I skip out on things. On another note, more than half way through and everything (outside of sleep) has become a solid routine.

For Sahoor

Same 2 egg/4 egg white omelette. I had a large peach as well which helps with replenishing electrolytes. Also, since I found that protein powder the other day, I had another protein shake. I had about 32oz of additional water. This breakfast seems to hold me up real well throughout the day. I really don’t feel hungry at all now. If anything, the heat makes you thirsty, especially while working out but other than that it’s great. I’m still experimenting different ways to hydrate enough so I can make it to Iftar time without over doing it and having my body pass the water right through.

For Iftar

I made some Paleo Tacos by making some almond flour tortillas and ground chicken (beef can be used as well). It’s fairly easy to make with the challenge being in your flipmanship with the tortillas. Here is how it’s done:

  • 1/2 lb of ground chicken or beef
  • olive oil
  • 1 banana pepper
  • 1/4 tsp of sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp crushed ginger
  • 1/2 tsp of crushed garlic
  • 1/2 tsp of chili powder
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1/2 tsp paprika

For the tortillas, I used the same recipe as I did when I made the enchiladas.

  1. Add the olive oil to a hot pot.
  2. Once it’s warm, add in the beef, garlic, and giger. Stir it up occasionally until it starts to brown, about 10-15 minutes
  3. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir.
  4. Cook for another couple of minutes and then let it simmer for a few minutes after that on low heat.
  5. Serve on tortillas

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The third tortilla might have been a bit much. It was a lot of food but it tasted great. I sprinkled some lime juice on top of them and added a little bit of Cholula hot sauce. The tortillas were a little thick but other than it was fine. I had some fruit a little bit later in the evening and crashed early since the fever was kicking in stronger.

I guess I can complain about sleep but I stop when I think about the purpose of this month. It’s a month to sacrafice and to put yourself in the shoes of those who are less fortunate. I have a bed to sleep on and the ability to make any meal I want. That’s a lot more than what others around the world have. I’ll keep that in mind the next time I wake up fussy because I’m tired!

Trading the Grain for Almond

Posted: July 14, 2013 in Challenge, Food, Ramadan
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Today I made a couple of dishes that are usually heavy in starch, carbs, sugar, and everything else that leaves you with a stomach ache. For the most part, it’s as simple as swapping out the grain for almond flour! I made pancakes for Sahoor and enchiladas for Iftar. The recipes below are examples of how you can still enjoy everyday food without feeling guilty or fat.

For Sahoor

This is a recipe for about 2 servings of Paleo Pancakes with syrup. Huh? Syrup? Just read on..

For the Syrup:

  1. Pour the juice into a sauce pan and and heat over high. Bring it to a slight broil.
  2. Once it starts to broil, lower the heat to medium and let it reduce. This takes about 10 minutes but in my experience, once it starts to reduce, it goes fast and becomes thick. You want it to thicken up a bit but too much is annoying.
  3. Once it’s at syrup thickness, take it off the stove and let it cool for a little bit before pouring it on your pancakes.

For the Pancakes:

  1. In a bowl, mix the almond flour, baking powder, sea salt, and cinnamon.
  2. In a seprate bowl, mix the milk and eggs. Mash in a banana if you want to.
  3. Combine into a cup that you will use to pour the mixture into the pan. I use a measuring cup that has a spout. Mix it all up.
  4. Heat up a skillet and add a little bit of coconut oil to it
  5. Pour less than 1/4 cup of the mixture into the skillet at a time.
  6. Cook on medium heat for a couple of minutes or until the sides start to brown up
  7. Flip and cook the other side for only a minute or so. Be careful while flipping, these are very fragile and take one or two rounds to get the feel of it before you can flip them without breaking them. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Once everything was done, I placed the pancakes on to a plate, put a little bit of the Kerrygold butter on top and then drizzled syrup on it. Tasted better than packaged pancake batter and kept me full in a healthy way throughout the day.

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For Iftar

I love Mexican food. Mexican food does not like human bodies or else it wouldn’t be so evil. It helped Mexico beat America in becoming the fattest country in the world! I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. Today with the assistance of my sister, I made open enchiladas. This dish is a little more time consuming to make so plan ahead and have a partner. It serves 2-3 people.

For Enchiladas:

  • 1 lb of chicken, diced (you can actually use whatever meat you want)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups of tomato puree
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2-3 tsp of chili powder
  • 1 tsp of cumin
  • 1 tsp of dried oregano
  • 1 tsp of sea salt
  • coconut oil

For Tortillas

  • 4 tablespoons of Almond Flour
  • 1/4 tsp of baking powder
  • 4 egg whites
  • 2 table spoons of almond or coconut milk
  • 1 tsp coconut oil per tortilla
  1. Preheat your oven to 370 degrees
  2. Place the meat onto a baking dish and bake it for about 15 minutes
  3. Heat up a pan and saute the onions on medium heat until they become soft.
  4. Add in the tomato puree, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. Stir it up while it simmers on low heat for about 15-20 minutes
  5. Pour the mixture into a food processor and blend until it’s a smooth sauce.
  6. Place the tortillas in the baking dish and place the almost cooked chicken on top of them.
  7. Pour the enchilada sauce on top.
  8. Cover the enchiladas with aluminum foil and place back into the over for about 10 minutes.
  9. Cut up an avocado and some lime to enjoy with the dish.

Making the tortillas is pretty simple. Adjust the amount of ingredients to make how many you want. I would make these during step 4 above.

  1. In a bowl or cup that has a spout, mix in the almond flour, baking powder, eggs, and milk. Mix until all of the lumps are gone.
  2. Heat up a pan and add in coconut oil.
  3. Pour the batter into the pan. Move the pan around to thin it out. You can make the tortillas small if you want to make open enchiladas like I did or make them large if you plan on wrapping them closed.
  4. Cook for about 1 minute and flip them. Cook for another 30 seconds or so and they are done.

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So there you have it. Delicious meals that normally would have you feeling guilty for a week done in a healthy way. I hope you enjoy them!

Ramadan 2013 Mubarak!

Posted: July 8, 2013 in Challenge
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Can anyone believe that almost a whole year has gone by already? For those scratching their heads thinking that Ramadan seems to be starting earlier this year, you’re right. Ramadan follows the lunar calendar which results in it starting about 10 days earlier each year.

My fellow athletes that train with me know of my struggle with fitness this year. Between major projects at work, my board positions, and businesses, I found myself in the midst of a perfect storm that kept me away from all 3 major dimensions of fitness: exercise, nutrition, and rest. I’ve seen my metcon ability go out the window and my strength numbers drop dramatically over the past 6 months. Sad times.

As I debated restarting this blog this Ramadan, I remembered how much fun it was and how dedicated I became in all aspects of my life. I was doing well in the gym, my nutrition was on par, and I practiced this month’s duties better than ever. Not to mention, the month flew by. It became an obvious answer; the challenge that I started last year as an experiment will be my fitness revival this year!

I plan on following a similar format as I did last year however I will be experimenting with some new techniques for working out and obviously new healthy recipes. I also hope to collaborate with some great nutrition minds that surround me. If you would like to be a part of this project or have any suggestions, please reach out to me!

Also I want to reiterate like I did last year that I am not in any way an expert of scholar in Islamic scholar nor should anything I say be taken as professional advice . I simply want to journal the experience of a Muslim breaking the common mindset that this month is an excuse to overindulge with samosas and avoid fitness.

Here is to the next 30 days! Oh and make sure to stretch out….38863_10150237681965263_2865409_n

The Home Stretch

Posted: August 9, 2012 in Ramadan
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Here we are in the home stretch of Ramadan 2012! The last 10 days of Ramadan is a special time for Muslims all around the world. It’s said these last 10 nights are Nights of Power. In one of the Nights of Power hides a moment where whatever you pray for will come true. No one knows what night this is or what time it will be at but it’s said to be on an odd number night. Muslims will stay up and pray, read the Quran, and go to Mosques to worship.

It’s truly a blessed 10 days and it’s one of the few times of the year where I feel at peace. I’m able to shut out the world and concentrate on purifying myself. It’s also a time for slackers like me who may not have taken as much advantage as I should have in the past 20 days to make myself  a better person. If I’ve wronged anyone, I ask for your forgiveness. If you want me to pray for you, please ask. To my Muslim brothers and sisters, let’s make the absolute best that we can of these last 10 days!

Meals

For Sahoor I had scrambled eggs again. I also had a beef pattie that I warmed up. I drank 1.5 liters of water. I made guac today though! Can’t wait for Sahoor tomorrow.

Iftar was a cheat meal with the family today. Again, it’s my dirty little secret so I won’t share what it was. However, I will say that it is one of my favorite foods and rhymes with leaning tower of…pisa.

Workout

Pray! Do extra tahujjad in these last 10 days! Make sure you are donating to the less fortunate and volunteering your services to those who can use it. See you all tomorrow

Raise the Steak

Posted: July 31, 2012 in Food, Ramadan
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No I haven’t lost it, there is a point that goes with the cheesy pun. This is the blessed month of Ramadan. The devil is locked away, Muslims are generally feeling good about life, time is spent reflecting, praying and giving thanks. It’s a month for Muslims to go above and beyond, whether it’s being extra nice to your neighbors, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or giving more to charity. You try to get away from your luxuries and attempt to comprehend how people less fortunate than you might be feeling. You push your self to be humble. It’s a month where you Raise the Stake. As we watch the Olympics this week you see these athletes who have trained for years for those 2 minutes or less on that stage. The stakes for them are at the highest they will probably ever be. Let’s think of this month as the Olympics of Islam. This is our 2 minutes on stage. Are we doing everything we can to get the Gold? This month the podium is almost handed to us. Let’s Raise the Stakes and work for the gold in all aspects that we can.

For me, I’m taking that challenge on by maintaining my religious obligations but also trying to spread knowledge about healthy living. Every day around Iftar I’m seeing people post pictures on Facebook or making comments about all of the carb loaded sugar meals they plan on over stuffing themselves with. I understand that we abstain from eating and drinking all day but the point isn’t to stuff our faces the second we can! When did humbleness turn into gluttony? Most health issues these days stems from a bad diet and lack of exercise. God gave us our healthy bodies and the least we can do is take care of it. Let’s raise the stake and work on living healthier. This Ramadan, take a pledge to eat healthier, do a few push ups, work towards making yourself better in all aspects of life.

Well with real-talk out of the way, let’s talk about food. I still had some left over pasta from the other day so I decided to have that for Sahoor. Note to self, that stuff does not taste too good 2 days later. Anyhow, I also had 2 scrambled eggs with 3 egg whites. I added some sea salt and sriracha sauce to it.  I still have a few paleo muffins left over so I ate one of those as well. I washed it down with a little over a liter of water.

For dinner, as promised, I made a beef dish! Paleo Pepper Steak Bites (Raise the…Steak..). Enough of that, here is what went into it:

    • 1/2 lb of beef diced up
    • 1 Tbs of coconut oil
    • 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
    • 1 green pepper, diced
    • 2-3 plum tomatoes
    • 1/4 cup of water
    • 1/4 tsp of sea salt
    • 2 large carrots

Add the oil to a hot skillet over medium heat and add in the beef and onion. Stir it around until the beef is brown and the color of the onion changes. Stir in the water, pepper, tomatoes and salt. Cook for another few minutes while stirring constantly. Shred the carrots onto a plate and serve the beef on top of it:

The onions and pepper gave the beef a great taste and the carrots gave it the perfect crunch. If you want it to be a little more spicy, add in some sriracha right before you take the beef off of the skillet. I decided to lay off of the spices for the day because I have been having wayyyy too much recently. This is a very easy dish to try out but just make sure you leave some time for the beef to cook.

That’s all I have for today. Give what I said a thought. We are almost half way done with Ramadan and there is still time to make some good goals. Let’s purify our spirit and make the body it lives in a bit healthier too!

First Workout

Posted: July 20, 2012 in Challenge
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First day of Ramadan and my first Ramadan workout are in the books. Maybe it was the fact that I was busy at work all day today or that I knew I needed to stay strong for a good workout, but I didn’t really feel it. I felt a bit of grumbling during my normal breakfast time and then again during my routine lunch hour but other than that it was great.

As for the workout, I didn’t exactly stick to my plan but for the better. Since it was my first day, I had decided this morning I would stick to a less intense strength based working. Probably something with olympic lifts, nothing that involved a time challenge. However as tired as I was, when I got to the gym I felt great.  I made it for the 7.30pm session and randomly decided to take on the Workout of the Day (WOD) that the rest of the gym had done. I did decide to modify it a bit by reducing the amount of running I would have to do since it was afterall my first day trying this. Here is what I did:

3 Rounds for time
Run 200 meters
15 Power Snatch 75#
7 Chest to Bar Pullups
7 Ring dips
Completion time- 10 minutes
 

I felt pretty good afterwards, I wasn’t completely wiped and even felt I could have done it a bit faster. I was surprised to find that I still had some energy left in me but I decided to leave it at that, no need to push my self to the edge on day 1. I managed to get home just in time for Iftar. Enough text, let’s see a picture of my dinner

What you see is chicken marinated with spices, sauteed in olive oil with broccolli and some lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers on the side. For the chicken you can ready it in advance by getting chicken breast, cutting it into small pieces, and dip it into a mixture of lemon juice and various spices. I then freeze it for future use. Oh and I love spices so I throw some siriracha sauce on top it.

All in all a successful first day. I ate pretty Paleo, was able to do a met-con workout, and then made it to taraweeh prayer. 1 day down, God willing I can keep this up for another 29!

p.s. time to hydrate hydrate hydrate!

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