Eat Less Rice! Why?

The human body was never meant to consume rice! You see, our genes have hardly changed in more than 30,000 years. However, our food choices and lifestyle have changed dramatically. The caveman would hardly recognise our food or way of life.

Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed. Thus, he ate only those foods that you can eat without treatment with or by fire. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish (sushi anyone?), eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat! You can even eat meat raw if you were starving in the forest. You have the necessary enzymes to digest meat.

However, rice, like wheat and corn, cannot be eaten raw. It must be cooked. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form.. This is because we do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. You were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, you not only eat rice, but also make it the bulk of your food.

In some parts of Asia , rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Even if you take rice, keep it to a minimum. Remember, it is only for your tongue - not your body. Actually, rice and other grains like wheat and corn are actually worse than sugar. There are many reasons:

• Rice becomes sugar - lots of it!

This is a fact that no nutritionist can deny: rice is chemically no different from sugar. One bowl of cooked rice is the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This does not matter whether it is white, brown or herbal rice. Brown rice is richer in fibre, some B vitamins and minerals but it is still the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. To get the same 10 teaspoons of sugar, you need to consume lots of kangkong-10 bowls of it. 

• Rice is digested to become sugar. 

Rice cannot be digested before it is thoroughly cooked. However, when thoroughly cooked, it becomes sugar and spikes circulating blood sugar within half an hour-almost as quickly as it would if you took a sugar candy. Rice is very low in the 'rainbow of anti-oxidants. ' This complete anti-oxidant rainbow is necessary for the effective and safe utilisation of sugar. Fruits come with a sugar called fructose. However, they are not empty calories as the fruit is packed with a whole host of other nutrients that help its proper assimilation and digestion.

• Rice has no fibre.

The fibre of the kangkong fills you up long before your blood sugar spikes. This is because the fibre bulks and fills up your stomach. Since white rice has no fibre, you end up eating lots of 'calorie dense' food before you get filled up. Brown rice has more fibre but still the same amount of sugar.

• Rice is tasteless-sugar is sweet.

There is only so much that you can eat at one sitting. How many teaspoons of sugar can you eat before you feel like throwing up? Could you imagine eating 10 teaspoons of sugar in one seating?

• Rice is always the main part of the meal.

While sugar may fill your dessert or sweeten your coffee, it will never be the main part of any meal. You could eat maybe two to three teaspoons of sugar at one meal. However, you could easily eat the equal value of two to three bowls (20-30 teaspoons) of sugar in one meal. I am always amused when I see someone eat sometimes five bowls of rice (equals 50 teaspoons of sugar) and then asks for tea tarik kurang manis!

• There is no real 'built in' mechanism for us to prevent overeating of rice:

How much kangkong can you eat?
How much fried chicken can you eat?
How much steamed fish can you eat?
Think about that!

In one seating, you cannot take lots of chicken, fish or cucumber, but you can take lots of rice. Eating rice causes you to eat more salt. As rice is tasteless, you tend to consume more salt-another villain when it comes to high blood pressure. You tend to take more curry that has salt to help flavor rice. We also tend to consume more ketchup and soy sauce which are also rich in salt.

• Eating rice causes you to drink less water.

The more rice you eat, the less water you will drink as there is no mechanism to prevent the overeating of rice. Rice, wheat and corn come hidden in our daily food. As rice is tasteless, it tends to end up in other foods that substitute rice like rice flour, noodles and bread. We tend to eat the hidden forms which still get digested into sugar.

• Rice, even when cooked, is difficult to digest.

Can't eat raw rice? Try eating rice half cooked. Contrary to popular belief, rice is very difficult to digest. It is 'heavy stuff'. If you have problems with digestion, try skipping rice for a few days. You will be amazed at how the problem will just go away.

• Rice prevents the absorption of several vitamins and minerals.

Rice when taken in bulk will reduce the absorption of vital nutrients like zinc, iron and the B vitamins.

Are you a rice addict? Going rice-less may not be easy but you can go rice-less. Eating less rice could be lot easier than you think. Here are some strategies that you can pursue in your quest to eat less rice:

• Eat less rice-cut your rice by half.

Barry Sears, author of the Zone Diet, advises 'eating rice like spice'. Instead, increase your fruits and vegetables. Take more lean meats and fish. You can even take more eggs and nuts.

• Have 'riceless' meals.

Take no rice or wheat at say, breakfast. Go for eggs instead.

• Go on 'riceless' days.

Go 'western' once a week.

• Take no rice and breads for one day every week.

That can't be too difficult. Appreciate the richness of your food. Go for taste, colours and smells. Make eating a culinary delight. Enjoy your food in the original flavours.

• Avoid the salt shaker or ketchup.

You will automatically eat less rice.

• Eat your fruit dessert before (Yes! No printing error) your meals.

The fibre rich fruits will 'bulk up' in your stomach. Thus, you will eat less rice and more fruits.
 

It's your life. Decide what you want to eat! But eat less rice!

"JOM Seiring Sejalan"

"If you focus on results, you will never change.If you focus on change, you will get results"

Shayk Al Qaradawi's Poem

 

Shayk Al Qaradawi's Poem:

"Oh My nation, the struggle has become obligatory, so put aside chattering and screaming. Put aside dallying. He who dallies and rests is of no help. Put aside all pretence, since massacres and wounds have said their word.The Missionaries of Peace are lying, for there is neither peace nor pardon.Weeping over the ruins of our camp is no longer of avail, nor crying.We should no longer speak with words; rather let the spears have their say…

* * *

Oh men, the matter is grave. The time for jesting has passed. Call things by their real names, for it is men's way to be frank.The veil has fallen from the face, and their secret workings are revealed. The Crusaders have returned once more, and they move about in the [Iraqi] lowlands.They spread perversion in the land, as though it were ground free for all to graze in. They are again spilling blood, without shame of exposure. And the Shi'ites play well the role assigned to them. The treacherous role, whose beginning and end are known to all. They returned when in the East there is no Nur al-Din in power, or Salah [Al-Din]. [4] We have forgotten the past, but they have now scratched the scabs. They did not recoil from slaughtering old men … or small girls. Their hate is not slaked by the blood they spill with such arrogance and impudence. They gleefully abuse the victims' corpses, and violate the honor of women, fearing no retribution or punishment. There is no Mu'tasim [5] to succor those who cry for help. Don't you see how conspiracies against Islam are hatched openly in the light of day? Don't you see how the land of the prophets suffers from wounds? Don't you see how the Jews commit outrages, while we excel in crying out? They violated our Palestine, and declared that they will not leave it. They heed not the censure of U.N. resolutions, nor any proposal…Were it not for the firmness of young men, unwilling to part with their religion, Young men who offer up their blood – and he who offers up his blood is blameless.

* * *

Apostasy has become blatant, having no fear of exposure. In the marketplace of hypocrisy plain falsehood is being peddled Moral depravity is sold there under the name of art and openness Perversion prevails arrogantly and openly day and night…

* * *

Oh Islamic nation, rise up and act! For there is no time to be lost. Heresy has gathered its forces. Why are we frightened and fighting one another? Assemble, and equip yourself as you can with that which is at hand. Oh thousand million [Muslims], where are you when the wounds call out? Bring one million from the billion, the select of the select. One from every thousand, and with them we shall make war on all fronts…

* * *

There is no escape from producing men, this is like the making of arms. The making of heroes is a science that was made clear in out tradition. Heroes can only be made in our mosques, in the garden of the Koran, and in the shade of the true Prophetic traditions. In the company of the righteous, who walk in Allah's abode. Those who guide by example, rather than by eloquence… Those who betray the call to prayer, betray as well the call to struggle. Oh my Islamic nation, stand fast, for night will soon give way to morning…"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Al-Jazeera TV (Qatar), January 16, 2005.
[2] www.qaradawi.net, January 5, 2005.
[3] In a Friday sermon broadcast on Qatar TV on January 14, 2005, Al-Qaradhawi said: "Allah, help the
fighters of Jihad in spirit and assist them with your many soldiers… Allah, [harm] your enemies, the
enemies of Islam. Allah, [harm] the treacherous and aggressive Jews. Allah, [harm] their oppressive and
patronizing allies. Allah, [harm] all the enemies of Islam and of the Muslims…"
[4] Nur Al-Din Al-Zengi (1146-1174), head of the Zengid confederation, who initiated a Jihad against the
Crusaders, and Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi (1169-1193), conqueror of Jerusalem.
[5] Al-Mu'tasim, an Abbasid caliph (833-842), who in 838 defeated the Byzantine army and conquered the
fortified city of Amorium.

 

Sometimes we just have to smiles, 

pretend every things is okay, 

hold back the tears 

and 

just walk away.

[Anon]

Salam 1433 Hijrah!

The world is like a race
It does not totally depends on how you started it.

It matters the most on how you FINISHED it.

“It is never too late to change and we never know when will this ‘race’ ends”

Salam Ma’al Hijrah!

Let’s hijrah together to become a better servant to ALLAH!

The Blind Man's Eyes

I walked down that street,

A thousand times,

I swam the seas,

Ran the forests down.

I jumped over the moon,

Look at the other side.

I ran the globe, to,

Find the corners,

I drew my dreams on papers.

Eccentric.

I looked inside death,

And in my mother’s womb.

Counted the rays on the ball of fire.

I searched the underneath of my brain,

I even cleaned the cupboard.

I clipped hair,

Go down the memory lane.

Mesmerized.

I flew,I crawled.

I shot, I smiled.

I heard, I spoke.

Life.

For all I did,

I did not.

And all the times,

I bled, I cried.

I smoked, I cracked,

I did none,

For all that I said,

I knead, I plant.

I reaped to sow.

I loved, I lost.

I prayed, I lied.

And all these times later.

I find.

Me.

- Rohan

I Don't Care

 

I sat in the room, alone, observing my new dress that I wore, and carefully examining my accessories. I was dressed in the most stylish of clothes with perfect matching accessories, and along with my new haircut, I thought I looked the most beautiful of all.

“But would others approve?” As I asked myself this question, I started to perceive many flaws in my appearance. Suddenly my best friend entered the room, looking very graceful and elegant; I smiled at her and remarked, “You look beautiful –as usual.”

“Thanks,” she replied.

“But the makeup is too heavy,” I continued in a frank tone. “I mean people are going to be like: why is she so dressed up? She looks like a bride.”

“I don’t care what people think,” she retorted back.

I looked at my friend in wonderment; how can you stop caring about what people think? This had always been an unresolved mystery in my mind. I could never understand the reality of the “I-don’t-care” phenomenon, and a very big reason for this was that my heart was a captive to the love of this world. I had spent a large part of my life pleasing people, but I would never admit this to myself.

“Let’s go” my friend shouted, and my train of thoughts stopped with the “let’s have fun” signal.

We both went to a family dinner, and as usual, these dinners are more of a family type fashion show: where everyone from the toddlers to the grandmothers is dressed in the most stylish way. The aunties are like the fashion analysts who are just too busy eyeing every girl for their sons, and merely judging the girls on their dressing sense. While the young ladies are like social butterflies, mingling with everyone, be they from amongst the men or the women.

In such a gathering, I was talking to my friends, enjoying the compliments I received, constantly refreshing my makeup, and eating as less as I could so as not to ruin my dress.

As I was eating I said to my friend, “Why are those aunties staring at us?”

My friend turned to look, and then replied to me, “Why do you care? Stop caring so much about what people think.”Again a series of questions sparked off in my mind.

I silently continued with my dinner, but suddenly my attention was drawn towards someone sitting a far, covered from head to toe in black. She was wearing a niqab and eating her dinner in a way that seemed to be very difficult to me.I stared at that lady, who appeared very obviously to be isolated by everyone as no one dared go near her. Everyone just walked and talked around her as if she didn’t exist.

But I was too much in awe of her character, her attire, and how she was just sitting there in a black burqah –giving up all her desires that every girl has to dress up; how she preferred her Lord over the world, how easily she seemed satisfied with her decision, how true she seemed in front of her Lord. As I observed her, I took a deep sigh, and prayed: Oh Allah! Allow me to reach such a state where I also stop caring about the world and give up everything for You.

My friend turned to me and said, “Hey look at that ninja! I wonder how she can dress like that.”

I replied, “She doesn’t care what people think about her.”

**********************************************************************************

A year later, I returned back from my best vacation ever which was spent in Egypt. I used to believe that that trip gave me a new sense of liberty, but I little realized that it actually made my soul restless.

When I returned back home, I felt empty. My friends tried counselling me but I would always reply with a silent nod to their kind words. My family could not understand my deep silence and I myself could not recognize what my heart searched for, even though everything seemed to be in the right place.

I started living my life by the “I-don’t-care” rule: wearing more immodest clothes, listening to music, doing what the entire “I-don’t-care” crowd does. But inside my heart, I knew what I was doing wasn’t right. I could feel the guilt of breaking my promise to my Lord –though I knew that no matter how much anyone claimed to understand me, only my Creator could understand me. In the middle of sleepless nights, I would cry and try to make sense of my life. I had everything but I wanted something else. I knew this world was temporary so why was I allowing myself to be fooled by it?

I would think to myself that my grave would be dark just like this room; in fact it would be so much draker and smaller. I could still call out to my parents for help if needed in this room, but in my grave who would I be able to call out to?

Then I would confess to my Lord, indeed I have wasted my life, and a tear would roll down my cheek. And then I would assure myself, I still have time, I can change, but Shaytan would make all this thinking useless by making me feel hopeless again.

But one night, as I was crying, I told myself I can change; and just as Shaytan started messing with my mind, I firmly told myself:

“ I am a slave of Allah. My job is to take a step and it is Allah’s will if He wants me to get to the end of this road, He will help me through it. I promised myself that this time I will change, and even if I failed, I had firm faith in Allah’s mercy, and that no matter what the end result would be, at least on the Day of Judgement I would be able to tell Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala that at least I tried, at least I took a step.”

A month later, I joined an Islamic course, and with the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, and in the company of my pious and beautiful teacher, I changed. I became a completely new person. But this process of change didn’t come easy. You have to really struggle a lot to overcome your own desires. It is easy to achieve triumph over things in this world but it is extremely difficult to defeat your own self.

One of the biggest battles I had to fight was starting the hijab. Everyday I would ask myself, when will I start wearing hijab? I would then answer, “Tomorrow.”

After which the arguments would begin in my head: “what will people say? What if I stop wearing it suddenly? What if it doesn’t suit me?

And a series of “what-if’s” would change my mind every time. But I continued to make immense du’a to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and finally, by His Mercy, I started hijab and the niqab.

The first time I went to a dinner party with my hijab and niqab I was extremely nervous. As I entered I kept looking at my feet, trying to avoid the negative vibes that came from the fashion-conscious aunties. I felt that I didn’t have the courage to face them. My mind kept telling me, don’t look up, don’t look at them, just ignore them. I secretly made du’a to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to create ease for me in this step, and my heart then told me: it’s time to face them.

Something in my mind instantly replied, “No. What must they all be thinking about you?”

I humbly looked up, smiling to myself, and answered that daunting question with a simple reply: “ I don’t care what people think.”

And that was the day when I actually understood the reality of these words. That was the day when these words came from my heart and I understood that when you do something for your Lord, then it is His Mercy that surrounds your heart and thus you give in to true submission to Him; and that is when He makes the trials of this world very easy.

When the hearts are fully submerged in the ocean of submission to Him — that is when the high tides of this world cause no harm to the one who is already overcome –overcome by the storm of Hubbu lillah (love for Allah).

~ Copied from ProductiveMuslim.com

In Every Tear He Is There

Some might say this world today shows
God’s left us to our mistakes oh
He has never been
So far away
Some might say
How could any father stand
See his children across many lands
Suffer so and give no helping hand
No helping hand

Somewhere tonight
Far away and out of sight
There’s a child that’s too weak to cry
Hmmm
Deep in those eyes
Can’t you see him in disguise
Reaching out to the heart that’s in you
And I

In every tear
That is where
He is there

He’s the hand that wipes that brow
He’s the tear that trickles down
Upon the face that cries without a sound
We need you now
What a simple choice to make
Between what you give and what you take
When what you give
Such precious life could save, life could save

Somewhere inside
There’s a part of you that asks why
Would he leave so many so far behind
And deep in those eyes
Can’t you see Him in disguise
Reaching out to the heart that’s in you
And I…