Personal health and wellbeing became a significant priority over the past year as the Covid-19 pandemic drastically changed the patterns of daily life. Confinement inside houses and apartments meant opportunities for physical activity were limited. The extra time spent at home combined with the psychological toll of lockdowns made it extremely easy to slip into unhealthy eating habits. In addition, many people felt isolated and uncertain about the future, which put their mental wellbeing at risk.
When the UK went into lockdown, the Ismaili Student Network (ISN) decided to find a way to bring people together amidst the isolation of the pandemic. As cooking at home had gained immense popularity during the pandemic, members of ISN decided to share their personal recipes on social media for the Jamat. This became the start of the Foodie Friday campaign.
Over the next few months, the initiative grew rapidly as members of the Jamat from different parts of the UK and Europe volunteered their recipes as well.
Contributors included students, parents, professional bakers, and chefs. The result was an eclectic collection of recipes from a number of cuisines including Afghan, Syrian, Pakistani, Mexican, and others. The dishes ranged from popular delicacies to healthy options.
Endearingly, three-year old Zaki sent a recipe for his favourite gingerbread cookies with the help of his parents. On the occasion of Imamat Day 2020, Foodie Friday shared a recipe for the traditional sharbat and cake that would have been served in Jamatkhanas had they been open, keeping a cherished tradition alive despite the pandemic.
In September 2020, ISN launched “The Tastes of ISN”, an electronic cookbook containing all the recipes they had posted. The e-book was sent free of cost to Jamati members upon request.
From healthy chicken ramen to lamb biryani and Syrian Ma’Arouk to oreo truffles, Jamati members prepared the recipes at home with enthusiasm. Many shared comments and pictures of their cooking on social media. In a time of isolation and uncertainty, food offered the Jamat a respite and a chance to connect.
Minaz Charaniya, a nutritionist from Surat, India, runs a holistic wellness center which offers online and in-person services. While Minaz initially planned for a career in education, she serendipitously found her calling as a nutritionist after she was required to take a food and nutrition course during her college years.
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Early in her career, she observed that patients suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions showed marked improvement in their health after adopting a natural, healthy, and tailored diet. Her experiences lead her to take a holistic approach rather than focusing on just one element of health and wellbeing.
"Mind, body, and soul go together," said Minaz. “Balance is the key to happiness.”
Minaz's holistic wellness practice, D'N'Y Health Center, offers nutritional guidance, yoga therapy, and naturopathy to improve general wellbeing. In glowing testimonials on social media, her clients praise her for helping them adopt healthy lifestyles that improved their holistic wellbeing rather than promoting short-term solutions.
“My purpose is to help people,” shared Minaz. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit India, Minaz launched a free helpline for those affected by the pandemic. Front-line workers, police officers, pregnant women, and many others turned to the service for assistance. Through counselling, dietary advice, as well as breathing and yoga techniques, the service eased their concerns regarding Covid-19 and helped them cope with the psychological toll of living through the pandemic.
Nazim Chagla from Doha, Qatar is an entrepreneur by profession but has been passionate about health and fitness since his teenage years. In spite of struggling with rheumatoid arthritis in his 30s, he remained committed to staying physically active and overcame his condition through effort and determination.
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Nazim is a self-taught expert in cardio exercise, strength training, yoga, Tai Chi, and acupressure. Before the pandemic, he would often motivate his friends and family to adopt a healthy lifestyle. When the pandemic forced people into the confines of their homes, many of his friends encouraged him to share his expertise by posting at-home exercise tutorials and fitness advice online.
His YouTube channel encompasses a range of tutorials, including targeted exercises, acupressure, and breathing exercises to help people deal with the stress of the pandemic. Several of his tutorials have also been featured on The Ismaili TV.
Nazim strongly believes that people should focus on their health before aging and chronic diseases begin to set in.
“We can prevent or delay many illnesses with our lifestyle,” he said. “Health is a top priority in my life. If you are not healthy, it doesn’t matter how much money you have. You will not be able to travel, enjoy your life, or enjoy your time with your children and grandchildren”
