Ramadan daylight fasting is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.

This June, our blog site Guest Author is Teba Abdul Lateef, a Registered Dietitian from Pakistan who is contributing to a two-part blog series on Ramadan. Teba is sharing some of her expertise as a devout Muslim when it comes to Islamic traditions. Please see Part 1 of this two-part blog series for links to Teba’s background. (Grand Mosque picture courtesy of barunpatro at rgbstock).

Part 1 covers some background from Teba concerning Ramadan as well as some reported culinary trends during Ramadan for Muslims living in various parts of the world. This Part 2 includes some thoughts from Teba for devout Muslims to consider when it comes to maintaining their health during Ramadan.

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In Part 1 of this blog series we provided some background on chocolate and cacao including some cultural information surrounding the growing of theobroma cacao trees around the world and processing cacao beans from grower through manufacturer.

In our Part 2 of 3 blog post we discussed some of the best known varieties of cacao trees, as well as some of the flavor notes associated with beans grown in different places in the world.

Choco pieces courtesy of lusi via rgbstock.com.

In this blog post, we’ll provide some infotainment regarding perceptions of “chocolate cravings” and a bit about flavor sprays, as well as mention some potential antioxidant (including flavonol) health-related attributes of consumption of natural (not alkalized Dutch process) cocoa powder and prudent consumption of true dark chocolate.

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There have been many kinds of storms including hurricanes, tornadoes, nor’easters & more over the years & such storm activity will continue in the future. One can’t stress enough how important it is to have an emergency plan of preparedness that includes a checklist for supplies & be ready at a moment’s notice to actually implement any such plan.

Dietitians who operate feeding centers have to be prepared to serve thousands of meals, even if there is no power available and limited water supplies.

We have personally experienced 11 days without power after a microburst storm hit our area back in 1998 around Labor Day that year. Farther north of us earlier that same year many people experienced microburst storm activity to a much greater extent with freezing rain/ice.  Just two years prior that area had experienced similar microburst winter ice storm activity and been without power for at least 17 days (and in many instances for several weeks) during the height of freezing cold winter.

Many people have experienced much worse storm damage and much longer periods without power, so know that being prepared really is essential.

(Image of potential disasters striking from 1993 Federal Emergency Management Agency aka FEMA materials developed in conjunction with the American Red Cross)

Disaster preparedness includes much more than just having adequate water and food supplies.

This two-part blog series is a compilation of some advisements put out by various emergency preparedness agencies and other sources to encourage readers to implement any emergency planning should you be in the path of any storm system at any given time.

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As Fall heads into Winter, many people become more concerned about themselves or a family member or close friend succumbing to a cold virus, or worse yet a strain of flu virus.

Besides following vaccination recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), along with their recommendations for hand washing, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing, etc., they are eager to know if there is anything else they can do to boost their own defenses and those of their loved ones and friends against a  viral illness this Winter.

Image of vitamin pills (and bottle) courtesy of http://www.stockfreeimages.com/ and © 2008 Fotoplanner

Some may wonder if “tweaking” their diet and/or taking nutrient supplements might have any potential to improve their level of resistance to assault by viruses as Winter approaches.

Are you perhaps curious about how nutrients impact immunity in a normally healthy person?

Might you be looking for authoritative advice when it comes to the question of should you consider purchasing nutrient supplements and if so, which ones and from where?

Read on for potential sources of reliable & helpful information when it comes to nutrient supplementation issues. Please keep in mind that the following is offered as infotainment only, as is always the case for any pieces of information mentioned on this site. You are encouraged to seek personal advice for your individual health situation status from your own state licensed, nationally and/or state registered and/or certified health care practitioner(s).

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