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7 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 14,2020 theifp.ca 130 Mill Street East, Acton Full & Partial Dentures Implant Retained Dentures Precision Dentures (BPS® Certified) Same Day Service for Repairs & Relines Dental Lab On Site No Referrals Needed 519-853-0079 Stay Inside. Stay Informed. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we will be making some changes to our website and newsletter. In regards to Canada's federal government advising against all unnecessary travel, we will not be promoting any flights, travel deals and travel packages until further notice. But, just because our travel deals have been put on hold, our team is dedicated to providing YOU, our amazing subscribers, with inspiring and informative blog content during this time! If you haven't done so yet, please sign up for our weekly newsletter so we can keep you up to date! Please Visit Travelalerts.ca for fresh travel content, exclusive tips and more! I know if I close my eyes, I'm doomed. The third of three alarms I set is ringing on the nightstand. I roll over and look at the time. 4:04 a.m. I'm a night person. If I'm awake at 4:04 a.m., it could mean only one of two things: 1) I'm going to the airport; 2) I haven't gone to bed yet -- Hey, when 'Shawshank Redemption' comes on at 2 a.m., you are obligated to watch it for the 37th time. Of course, I knew this was part of what I signed up for when I agreed to take part in virtual Ramadan, including the fast. Muslims began cele- brating Ramadan Apr. 24. One of the key elements of the month-long celebra- tion is the daily fast be- tween sunrise and sunset. It is an annual reminder to be grateful for what you have. So rather than dwelling on having 2.5 hours of sleep, I should be thankful I have a warm bed to sleep in and some food to eat. Speaking of which ... it's time for suhoor. "Break- fast" definitely doesn't seem like the appropriate term, since this will be my last meal for 16 hours. The advice I've received is a good, protein-rich meal. Normally, this would have me going all Joey Chesnut on bacon sand- wiches, but since eating pork is prohibited in Mus- lim culture, out of respect, the bacon stays in the fridge. So I break out the eggs, lots of eggs. Four scram- bled eggs, four pieces of toast with butter, a banana and a litre of water to keep me hydrated throughout the day. And potato chips, just because. And then back to bed. Now I can appreciate the challenges of fasting while trying to maintain a daily routine. Lucky for me, I'm fasting on a weekend, so I sleep until 11 a.m. Judging me would not be in the spir- it of Ramadan. At least I'm not waking up hungry. I know from busy days at work, if I keep myself occupied, time not only passes quicker, but I also don't get hungry. It's not unusual for me to not even think about lunch un- til 3:30 p.m. And even then, I only stop because I know I should take a break and eat, not because I'm hun- gry. I work on a project for my hockey pool. I play my guitar. I watch a movie. Still, a couple of times, I wander aimlessly into the kitchen without even real- izing I'm doing it until I open the cupboard. Surprisingly, I don't get thirsty much throughout the day. I also don't really do anything too physically taxing, either. This has to be tough when Ramadan falls in the summer for those in warmer climates, or when you have a physi- cal job. By 6 p.m., I'm starting to think it would be nice to have something to eat, but I'm in the home-stretch now. Just before 7 p.m., I join a Zoom call with members of the Milton Muslim com- munity, local politicians and others participating in virtual Ramadan. Prayers are recited from the Quran. Messages from Prime Min- ister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford are played. Charity is a major as- pect of Ramadan, and some of the work of the local Ah- madiyya Muslim Jama'at is highlighted, particularly their work with the Milton Hospital Foundation that has raised more than $40,000 for a delivery room and an exam room in the emergency department. Through the window, I can see daylight starting to fade. Those of us not used to fasting share our experi- ences. While the Muslim community would usually gather for iftar, the meal to break the fast, this year ev- eryone is staying home due to COVID-19. So everyone shares the meal they plan to break the fast with. Traditionally, the fast is broken with dates. Dates are the food of choice be- cause they are high in sug- ar and provide a boost of energy. I haven't had dates since my Grandma made date squares when I was a kid. My brother and I would take our trucks and flatten them into her carpet. Sor- ry, Grandma. Then, of course, we ate them, be- cause that's what you do when you're six, and for some reason they tasted better after G.I. Joe had run over them with a tank. Needless to say, I don't have any dates in the house. The best alternative I have for a small, sugar- laden food is a Caramilk cream egg. It's delicious. Ramadan is also a time of self-reflection. My advis- er for all things Ramadan, Maqbool Sheikh, says each year during Ramadan, he focuses on one aspect of himself he'd like to im- prove. This is great idea re- gardless of your faith. Over the past 24 hours, I'd like to think I was con- serving energy. But I real- ize I've conserved a lot of energy since the stay-at- home order. Probably lon- ger, if I'm completely hon- est. Starting tomorrow, I'm getting on our dusty tread- mill. I'll work on procrasti- nation next year. Right now, I have to finish this leftover pizza. Herb Garbutt is a re- porter with Insidehal- ton.com and TheIFP.ca. TAKING PART IN MY FIRST RAMADAN FAST Reporter Herb Garbutt took part in his first Ramadan fast earlier this month. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at photo OPINION THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INVITATION, BUT NO DATES HERE, WRITES HERB GARBUTT HERB GARBUTT Column 905-877-8828 360 Guelph St.Georgetown (Knolcrest Centre) Keep your family and our community safe - PLEASE STAY HOME