Kuwait Times

Published Date: October 12, 2007
By Shamael AL-Sharikh, Staff columnist

Ramadan is a blessed month, there no arguing about that, but even the most devout Muslim must admit that she or he misses having breakfast, drinking coffee or munching throughout the day. Fasting is tough because it takes a substantial amount of discipline to refrain from eating during the day. This is true for all those who fast, whether they care to admit it or not. All our daily activities and special occasions are centered on food, so we have to do some major adjustments when food is temporarily not pa
rt of the equation.

Think about it.

What is the first thing you do when you are sad? Hit the fridge for some refreshing scoops of ice-cream.

What do you do when you go to the movies? Get a tub of popcorn, a hotdog, some nachos, or all of the above.

What you do when you are watching TV? Get a bag of potato chips.

What is the best part of a wedding? The wedding buffet.

What is the best part of girls' night out? Pigging out without having the fear of being judged by our husbands/ little brothers/ co-workers, etc.

Needless to say, Kuwaitis love their food and they love their restaurants even more. If ever there was a striving industry in this country, it is the food and catering industry. I would not be surprised if Kuwait develops a reputation for being the gastronomical capital of the Gulf, if the rate of new restaurants opening up continues.

We have a choice of cafés and restaurants that range from steak houses to sushi bars to gourmet burgers to those Hawalli restaurants that prepare traditional Kuwaiti food and stay open until 3am in the morning. May a Kuwaiti housewife does a little catering on the side for her friends and neighbors, and more often than not, it beats professional catering, including that provided by five-star hotels.

Why shouldn't we love food? It is not only a necessity, but also a pleasure. It helps you plan your day in phases. It can be used as an excuse for anything, like "I hate the hotel. The items on the room service menu tasted bad" or "I can't deal with this issue now. I'm on my lunch break" or "I'm too hungry to care" (The latter is a personal favorite of mine.)

Food will definitely be on my mind tomorrow. So on Eid day, the first time I have breakfast in a month, I can assure you that I intend to eat all those breakfast items I have yearned for throughout the month. I will have that creamy, foamy, skimmed latte followed by a taste from the Fertile Crescent with some warm Lebanese bread and labaneh and olives. I might end it all with a donut or a muffin, depending on whether I have reached my saturation point or not. After all, I have to make some room for a hear
ty lunch and for the evening receptions, when we go from door to door sharing our Eid blessings with our family members.

Of course, there is a chance I might get heartburn, indigestion, both diarrhea and constipation at the same time from mixing all those dietary items together, but it is all for a good cause. Food is a pleasure that is missed and needs to be honored with a little overeating, even if it is for one day only.
Eid Mubarak everyone and may the holidays bring you and your family all the happiness that you deserve.

Email: Shamael@kuwaittimes.net