Assalamu Alaikum 

Summer is approaching and this is a time when schools are out, families plan vacations, and outdoor activities increase. It is a great time to get in shape and stay in shape. Healthy eating and ample outdoor activities are good ingredients to a healthy life. But there are some cautions we need to observe.

Vacations may be a time to take a break from reality, but it might be wiser to continue to watch what we eat and maintain that exercise regimen if we want to come back home in as good a condition as when we left. Some of us prefer to stay closer to home and enjoy “stay-cations.” Swimming, picnicking, and bike-riding are just a few activities the whole family can enjoy.

Gardening is another outdoor activity the entire family can share. It is good exercise and offers an opportunity to teach the young ones about where their food comes from. This year you might try planting something new, like an exotic vegetable. If you are blessed with a bumper harvest, share it with the neighbors or try canning.

While increased outdoor activity is great, we do need to protect ourselves from the sun, be cautious if we have allergies, and stretch those muscles before putting them to work. Sunscreen, antihistamines, and common sense will go a long way in avoiding uncomfortable situations that can waste part of our summer.

Summer is a great time of the year. Use it to improve your lifestyle and health and as a building block for the rest of the year.

As we welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, we look forward to the peace and tranquility that it brings and ask The Lord to enable us all to share in its blessings. From all of us at Halal Consumer and at IFANCA, we congratulate you on the blessed month of Ramadan and wish you an early Eid Mubarak and success in the coming year.

Sincerely, 

Roger M. Othman, managing editor