The table helps the housewife to take into account the economic situation of the family and at the same time provide a varied and satisfying table (Pixels)

Choosing food items for the iftar table constitutes an additional burden on housewives during Ramadan, especially with traditions that require them to provide a variety of favorite foods and sweets to family members.

In order for the housewife to be able to make the best use of the month of fasting and spend as little time as possible in the kitchen, experts advise preparing Ramadan Iftar table schedules for 30 days to facilitate her tasks.

Not only that, but they also recommend sitting with family members to set dates for worship, charitable deeds, and family activities, and setting schedules for distributing tasks.

The meal schedule gives the housewife time to pay attention to worship and performing obedience during the month of Ramadan (Pixels)

The schedule organizes family time

Family consultant Dr. Amal Burshak says, “Giving Ramadan schedules the importance it deserves makes the housewife’s tasks easier during the holy month. For example, it is possible to photograph Ramadan, express everyone’s desires, specify days for supplications, and allocate times for worship and charitable works, which It contributes to an optimal investment for the holy month.”

She adds, "Pre-planning helps you gain time that can be invested in worship and performing obedience, and keeps you away from the busyness of preparing for the Iftar table, and not repeating what consumes your time and effort. Simply thinking in advance about organizing the schedule for the Ramadan table allows you to consult and participate with family members, express their desires, and think about managing financial matters as well." ".

“Pre-planning also has many benefits for family participation; it has a positive effect on the diversification of emotional support, allows objection, addition, or change, and also provides a space for all family members to express their desires and become aware of each other’s desires,” according to Amal Burshak.

Amal Burshak: Setting a Ramadan schedule reminds of the importance of family sharing and the importance of each individual’s opinion (Al Jazeera)

The family consultant concludes by emphasizing that organizing daily tasks between duties and requirements contributes to spiritual rapprochement and provides psychological reassurance that culminates in family cohesion. “It is also an application of the theory, as sharing burdens leaves everyone feeling happy for supporting the mother in her household duties and giving her time for worship and contemplation.”

Samira Kilani: The dining table must take into account the general taste of the family to please everyone and not cook more than one main dish (Al Jazeera)

Food schedule and desired dishes

Regarding the Ramadan meal schedule, home economics expert Samira Kilani says, “The housewife is often confused about the dishes she will serve to her family, paying attention to all the details. To prevent this confusion, the housewife can set a schedule for the dishes she intends to cook, and she knows best, of course, what her family wants.” What dishes should she avoid?

This schedule is drawn up based on several important matters, according to expert Samira:

  • The economic situation of the family:

    It is necessary to take into account the available capabilities and reconcile the commitment to the budget, and serving a varied and satisfying table.

  • The health condition of family members:

    If a family member suffers from a chronic disease, and his condition requires a certain type of food, such as: diabetes and high blood pressure patients, or if a prisoner suffers from obesity and follows a specific diet, this must be taken into account.

  • The general taste of the family:

    It is necessary to choose dishes that suit the tastes of all family members, so that the housewife does not bear the additional burden of cooking more than one main dish.

  • Assistance with shopping:

    Advance planning helps the housewife with shopping, so that she knows exactly what raw materials she needs if she is shopping weekly, for example, which saves her effort and time.

    Pre-planning meals makes it easier for the housewife to fulfill her needs during the shopping process (Pixels)

Meals for a whole month

Regarding how to create a meal plan for an entire month, the Fork in the Road website provides some tips that can be adopted monthly and benefited from during the month of Ramadan. Here is how to organize your meal plan:

  • Make or print a monthly calendar to write down your meals.

  • Review your schedule before making a meal plan.

  • Check your pantry and refrigerator to see what food you already have.

  • List each day's meal and the ingredients needed for it.

  • Write the name of the meal you want to cook.

  • List the ingredients needed to prepare the meal under the name of the meal.

  • Cross out any ingredients you already have on hand.

Remember, planning your meals and listing ingredients does two things:

  • Automatically creates a shopping list directly into your meal plan.

  • It reminds you of the ingredients you need every day when cooking.

    • Source: Al Jazeera + websites