Cheese grits are a beloved dish in the black community. Yet, although some of us may have grown up eating them, grits are not in accordance with How to Eat to Live.
How to Eat to Live Book 2, chapter 26, page 96: "Do not eat popcorn; eat fresh corn in its milk stage (known as milk corn). And do not eat hominy grits."
Grits are very course. They are not the appropriate type of corn for us to eat. Fortunately, a suitable substitute is cream of wheat (also known as farina). Both are popular hot breakfast cereals, both can be eaten sweet or savory. When we know better, we do better.

Today numerous laboratory tests and a number of clinical trials support its use by demonstrating that hawthorn leaves, flowers, and fruits contain chemical compounds that increase blood flow to the heart muscle, as well as positively affect other aspects of cardiovascular health. Hawthorn has been used successfully for angina pectoris, functional heart disease, arrhythmia, early manifestations of circulatory insufficiency, and as a heart tonic to regulate circulation. Hawthorn is safe for long-term use and needs to be taken over a period of several months to achieve results.

Hawthorn should not be given to children. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use hawthorn.

Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.

As we become truly satisfied with what Allah has made lawful for us, most of our problems cease to exist. Petty jealousies are eliminated, and we lose the desire to covet things which are not ours. We gain peace in our lives. Satisfaction with whatever we are blessed with keeps us from living outside our means. Contentment encourages one to embody humility and modesty, two essential traits of a Muslim. The above plea to be pleased with the straight path is particularly pertinent to the subject matter of this blog because it offers protection from the desire to follow the ignorant trends we see being aggressively pushed in the “natural health” community. It reminds us to be comfortable and secure, understanding that How to Eat to Live is sufficient. In fact, it is superior to any innovations that popular "gurus" have to offer us. This prayer develops a pristine desire to submit to our dietary law in a perfect manner, or as closely as we possibly can.

As-salaam alaikum.

This is a very simple, but delicious recipe for pescatarians. Begin the preparation one day in advance to allow time for marinating. Salmon makes a great presentation with minimal effort.

Tip: serve along vibrantly colored vegetables to enhance visual appeal.

Clove bud oil is an inexpensive, yet highly effective remedy for many tooth, throat, and mouth pains. Similar to Benzocaine, it numbs the problem area, instantly offering relief from discomfort. Cloves help fight off parasites, infections, inflammation, and may help prevent tooth decay. Eugenol, a chemical compound found in cloves, has been used by dentists since the 19th century. It is still found in many toothpastes, mouth washes, and dental products.

I took on the same habits. I believed the other changes I had made were radical enough. Luckily, as the teachings developed my refinement and awareness, I began observing the habits of different cultures of people. What I saw made me cautious about eating food that was not prepared by me or my close circle of believers. Slowly, I began to stay away from most peoples' foods.

*Disclaimer: The following are my personal experiences. It is a generalization and does not apply to every individual.

In my studies yesterday, I came across this quote:

As-salaam alaikum.

I love trying ethnic foods from around the world. Culinary anthropology is a fascinating subject. Much can be learned about a culture through its food. One thing indigenous cuisines usually have in common is simplicity; they have no need for decadence. Recently, after spending several months teaching abroad, I really began to desire a warm pot of navy beans. Unfortunately, navy beans were not one of the varieties of legumes I was able to find (I found soybeans and black beans). Even amidst all of the chicken, mangoes, lemongrass, noodles, and curries, months without beans made me feel quite deprived because I am used to eating them nearly every day. Nothing satiates like beans.

The Messenger teaches us repeatedly in How to Eat to Live that simple foods are best. Simple is not synonymous with the adjectives “boring” or “bland”. The word “simple” implies that we create our meals using wholesome traditional foods, specifically our dietary "trinity" (beans, wheat bread, and heated {not raw} milk), along with plenty of fruit and some easily digestible vegetables. This menu puts us in harmony with the rest of the original people of the Earth who base their diets on staple foods prepared in ways that are for more delicious than typical Western "delicacies". Ful/Foul Medames (pronounced "fooll meh-DAH-mehs") is one such iconic breakfast dish eaten across Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. It is one of the dishes I craved while abroad.