As many of you know, for the past five years the Chicago Muslim community has mobilized to provide Thanksgiving dinner to those of our neighbors who would not have the opportunity otherwise. By God’s grace, last year area residents donated 231 turkeys to needy families, and this year, God Willing, we aim to provide even more! Once again, the beneficiaries of our community's generosity will be needy families of the children at Emmett Till Academy (formerly Mc Cosh Elementary School) at 65th and Champlain in Chicago.

This year, the drive will be under the auspices of the Sabeel Food Pantry, a community based project of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). Sabeel Food Pantry has provided food for anyone in need for years on Chicago's North Side, and with the help of AMAL volunteers to coordinate and distribute the turkeys, will extend their services this Thanksgiving. IFANCA/Sabeel is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the state of Illinois; this means that for the first time, your contributions will be tax deductible, and all who donate to Sabeel will receive a receipt for tax purposes. (For more info, check Sabeel's website at www.sabeelpantry.org.)

We are now accepting donations for the drive. Please send your tax-deductible check written out to "Sabeel Food Pantry" with "Turkey Drive" written in the memo section to:

Dr. Jihad Shoshara
(Board Member AMAL)
18 N. Edgewood Drive
La Grange, IL 60525

The Turkey Drive has become a symbol of the true nature of our faith at a time when it is sorely needed. Please help us to continue it and make it grow!

July 2006, IFANCA certified select coffee and tea varieties available from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the oldest and largest privately held chain of specialty coffee and tea stores in the United States. With a reputation for excellence, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf serves more than 100 million coffee and tea beverages annually worldwide.

Providing the highest quality coffees and teas for forty years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf currently has more than 315 stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Brunei, Indonesia, UAE, Israel, Australia, China, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, and the Philippines and continues to expand both domestically and internationally. Some locations also offer drive-thru service.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf recently partnered with Ralphs Grocery Company, CA and introduced on-site cafés. These in-store locations will provide a greater level of service for customers wanting to enjoy fresh products from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

IFANCA currently certifies more than 30 coffee and tea varieties, with the list growing each month. The coffee and tea used in-store in a wide variety of beverages is IFANCA certified, as well as an assortment of delicious coffees, tea bags, and loose leaf teas you can brew and enjoy at home.

For more information, visit www.coffeebean.com.

Check out full story at: www.fooddudes.co.uk.

Food Dude Video Adventures

The Food Dudes are four young superheroes - Charlie, Tom, Raz, and Rocco

"Our evaluation is that the food from cloned animals is as safe as the food we eat every day," said Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's veterinary medicine center, responsible for risk assessment of this project, according to the Chicago Tribune.

But advocacy groups think otherwise. They have "filed a petition asking the FDA to regulate cloned farm animals one type at a time, a change that would slow approval." Further, according to them, the new technology hasn’t eliminated risks to pregnant animals and their offspring.

When it comes to questions of Genetic Engineering, Europe seems to have a more conservative approach than the U.S. Perhaps they read the fine print better. Until, then in the US, let’s hope milk and meat at least come packaged with indication that what you’re about to eat is "Dolly-Part 2."

According to a Washington Post report, on Thursday, October 19, 2006, "Muslim scholars were concerned at first that cloning was an usurpation of ALLAH's unique right to engage in creation. But discussions have since led to an acceptance of cloning and other animal alterations, on the rationale that the human talents under girding the work are the gifts of ALLAH," said Harold Coward, director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria, B.C.

Read the original story at: www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0610170153oct17,1,4935848.story

And at: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101801713_pf.html.

Whey protein is a mixture of some of the proteins naturally found in milk. It has one of the highest levels of protein digestibility, and is more rapidly digested than other proteins, such as casein. The major proteins found in it include lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin. Whey protein is separated from milk during the process of making milk into cheese. It's found in many foods, such as ice cream, bread, canned soup, infant formulas and many other food products. However, before you consume any, make sure it's Halal certifed. Whey is Haram if prepared with non-microbial enzymes.

Benefits of Whey Proteins

• It provides the body with amino acids.
• It is a common ingredient in many meal replacements, which are designed to provide a large amount of nutrients with a minimal amount of calories.
• It is also necessary to rebuild tissue, which is especially important for bodybuilders. Whey protein increases lean body mass resulting from exercise. For athletes, a commonly used amount is 25 grams of whey protein per day, and should not exceed 1.2 grams per 2.2 pounds body weight.

• According to a study, people who consume whey proteins had more hunger satisfaction and reduced the amount of food intake considerably, as compared with people taking casein protein.
• People who are allergic to dairy products could react to whey proteins, and therefore should avoid it.
• Long term excessive intake may be associated with deteriorating kidney function, and possibly osteoporosis. However, neither kidney nor bone problems have been associated with whey protein consumption.

Company: Herbalife International of Luxembourg, S.aR.L
Products:
ShapeWorks^TM Formula 3 Blended Soy and Whey Protein Powder, 8.4 oz (240 g)
ShapeWorks^TM Soy and Whey Protein Bar Lemon Flavor, 14 Bars – 1.47 oz each

IFANCA Halal Certified Whey Protein Suppliers: Non-Retail

Dairyman's Inc./ Land O' Lakes Western Div.
URL: www.landolakesinc.com

Davisco Foods International, Inc.
URL: www.daviscofoods.com

Foremost Farms USA
URL: www.foremostfarms.com

Glanbia Ingredients Inc.
URL: www.glanbiausa.com

Grande Cheese Company
URL: www.grandecig.com

Hilmar Ingredients
URL: www.hilmarcheese.com

Protient Ingredient Technologies
URL: www.protient.com

Trega Foods, Inc.
URL: www.tregafoods.com