The phrase "you are what you eat" is commonly used to convey the idea that the food we consume has a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. It follows then that the nutrients our bodies absorb affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Ramadan is just around the corner and many households have been focused on various preparations. Alhamdulillah, all praise and thanks are to Allah, in our home and in my classrooms, the holiest month of the Islamic year has been a hot topic.

Ramadan is a blessed time for the Muslim community.

Each year, the month of Ramadan comes in all its glory as a reminder for us, to reflect upon the essence of obedience. That is to be connected to Allah, to be conscious of His pleasure, and to seek His approval in all aspects of our lives.

Intermittent fasting has become trendy, and people from all walks of life are suddenly using this technique as a weight loss tool. It turns out that there are many health benefits to fasting that go beyond a slimmer physique.

Here is a trivia question: How many times does Allah mention “Ramadan” in the Quran? If you said once, then you guessed correctly. While fasting is cited on a few occasions, the name of the oft-awaited month of fasting, Ramadan, only appears in the following verse:

March is National Reading Month, and this year it just so happens that Ramadan is also set to begin during this time. National Reading Month was established in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Education to encourage everyone, young and old, to read daily.