As a girl who is always on the run, but also obsessed with living my best life, I'm constantly looking for hacks to help me run around town at full speed while feeling my best.  I spend my days in the marketing world running to meetings, agencies, clients etc. and that means I have to have the right tools with me at all times.  

Here are a few things I keep in my (very big) bag to keep me well throughout the day. 

1. A water bottle: Hydration is so important.  I cannot stress how important.  When you run around all day you might forget to drink water.  That can lead to fatigue to feelings of hunger to muscle aches.  To do my part for the environment, I keep a refillable version in my bag. Nalgene has great options and Brita even has a version that has a little filter in the cap.  Opt for a version that is BPA-free, as you don't want those chemicals leaching in your water.  During long, hot summer days in NYC, I keep Nuun electrolyte tablets in my bag to add to my water. They provide some additional magnesium and potassium I might be losing from all that running around.  

2. Multivitamins: I get regular blood work to look at my micronutrients, but to fill in the gaps I like to take multivitamin packets.  My favorite ones are called Daily Dose from Dr. Frank Lipman.  These little packets have vitamin D3. probiotics, fish oils and a multi.  They are free from all the unhealthy additives and come in a convenient to-go package.  

3. Biofreeze: Any girl who has spent more than eight hours per day in heels, knows why this is in my bag.  Rather than taking an OTC pain reliever that isn't so great for my system, I rub on this topical biofreeze cold therapy.  The active ingredient is menthol so it's a more natural alternative to pain relievers.   

4. Healthy Snacks: No 4pm blood sugar crashes for this girl!  I keep healthy snacks in my purse all the time.  I carry a stainless steel Eco Lunch Box to put my goodies in.  They usually consist of raw almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or veggies and hummus.  Don't be caught unprepared and then have to run to the corner deli for something loaded with sugar.  You'll be on a roller coaster all day.  

5. A healthy energy boost: Most people, when they feel their feet dragging, reach for a large cup of joe.  A little bit of coffee and caffeine can be good, but too much can tax your system.  Coffee is very acidic and too much caffeine (with a hectic and stressful lifestyle) can over-exert your adrenals and lead to adrenal fatigue. So, I like to take a tip from my friends in Japan and use green tea matcha.  Matcha is stone-ground green tea and you can make a mean latte from it.  I keep a tiny hand blender in my purse so all I need to do is go to a coffee shop and ask for some steamed almond milk, add my matcha, and blend for a few seconds. 

I'd love to know what you keep in your bag!

It's mother's day here in the US and to celebrate my fabulous, larger-than-life, wonderfully-loving mother, I made her these raw, vegan truffles.  

Every woman, well almost every woman, loves chocolate.  And we don't have to beat our selves up for loving it, because it can be pretty great for us!  Cacao beans contain natural chemicals called flavonoids.  Flavanoids are an antioxidant compound that promotes great health and can lower your risk of certain diseases.  Antioxidants are super important as they help to destroy free radicals within your tissues and cells.  Cacao also is rumored to have cardiovascular benefits as it has shown to reduce LDL, or bad cholesterol.  Are you sold yet?  I am.  Now let's make these delicious truffles, shall we?

Ingredients:

2 tbs of coconut oil

12 dates, pitted and soaked in water

3 tbs of cacao powder

Toppings

4 tbs of shredded coconut

2 tbs of cacao powder

Add your dates, coconut oil and 2 tbs of cacao to a high speed blender and blend until everything is smooth.  Scoop out the contents into a bowl and then roll about a tbs of the mixture into a ball.  Roll the balls in your chosen toppings until covered evenly. Place in the fridge until you're ready to serve.  #foodporn.

Breakfast is, by far, the most important meal of the day.  However, more people skip breakfast than any other meal because they don’t think they have the time.  But if Beyonce has time for it, we all do!  Skipping breakfast can lead to dips in blood sugar which can contribute to poor performance, lack of energy and mental acuity.  Here are several super quick and delicious recipes that are sure to take you from grumpy to Gwyneth status with no muss and no fuss!

Pro tip:  I do meal prep the night before and put all my ingredients in a mason jar (minus the liquids) so I just have to wake up and blend or assemble!

Chocolate Chai Pre-workout Smoothie

We all need a little extra energy before we hit the gym.  This recipe will get you fired up, but not too full, so you can sweat it out to your full potential. 

1 scoop of your favorite protein powder ( I love VegaOne)

1 tsp of chia seeds (they’re great for keeping you hydrated!)

1 chai tea bag soaked in a 1/3 of a cup of boiling water

½ a frozen banana

2 dates (if you want to keep this low GI, sub your dates for stevia)

1 tsp of Cacao

1 tbsp of cashew butter

¾ cup of almond milk

Soak your tea bag in boiling water and let it stand for a few minutes.  Add all of your other ingredients to the blender.  Remove the tea bag and add the tea to the blender as well.  Blend until smooth and then serve over ice and enjoy!

Blueberry Power Smoothie

This is my favorite Monday morning smoothie because the green coffee bean extract gives me that necessary jolt to start the week right. 

¾ of a cup of frozen blueberries (choose organic if you can)

1 scoop of protein powder

1 tbsp of cashew butter

2 packets of stevia (you can sub in a banana if you don’t like the taste of stevia)

1 cup of almond milk

2 tbsp of unsweetened coconut shreds

¼ of a tsp of green coffee bean extract

Blend everything together in a blender and enjoy!

Raspberry Avocado Beauty Booster

With the combination of the omega three’s from the avocado and flax, this one is sure to get your skin glowing!

½ avocado

1 scoop of protein powder

¾ cup of raspberries

2 dates

1 packet of stevia

1 tsp of flax seeds

1 cup of almond milk

Add of the ingredients to a blender, blend until smooth and enjoy!

Overnight Blueberry Almond Oats

This is one of my favorites because it requires no prep time in the morning. 

1/3 cup gluten free oats

2 packets of stevia (or coconut palm sugar if you prefer)

2 chopped dates

1/3 cup almond milk

1/3 cup plain coconut yogurt

1/4 cup fresh blueberries

Dash of cinnamon

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Extra blueberries and cinnamon, for serving

Stir oats, almond milk, coconut yogurt, blueberries, dates, stevia and cinnamon together in a jar or bowl. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.  In the am, take out of the fridge, add your extra toppings and enjoy!

Amina’s Ultlimate Acai Bowl

This one is delectable and so decadent that I often save it for the weekend so I have time to savor the awesomeness.

Acai bowl

1 frozen banana

1 packet of unsweetened sambazon acai

2 dates, chopped

1 tbsp of cashew butter

Toppings

1 ripe banana, sliced

1/3 cup of shredded coconut (unsweetened)

1/3 cup of gluten free granola

1 tbsp of cashew butter

A tbsp of goji berries

Blend all the ingredients for the bowl in the blender until they are smooth.  Pour into a bowl and add your toppings.  Delight in how delicious and guilt free this is!

Coconut Yogurt Parfait

Time can never be an excuse with this lightening-fast option!

1 container of coconut yogurt (I’m obsessed with Coyo!)

2 tbsp of gluten free granola

1 tbsp of raw local honey

1 tsp of goji berries

Open your container, add your toppings and away to go!

Avo Toast

Can’t live without your bread in the am?  No worries, we’ve got an option for bread lovers too!

2 slices of gluten free toast, toasted until golden brown (you can use whole grain if you prefer, just opt for something that is less processed)

1 avocado

A drizzle of olive oil

A dash of salt

A dash of garlic powder

½ a sliced tomato

Cut your avocado in half and lightly mash it.  Add the salt and garlic powder and mix well and then spread across your toast.  Add your sliced tomato and then drizzle olive oil across the top.  Yummy, yum, yum!

Avocado Sriracha Eggs

Eggs are a morning go-to and a great source of protein.  If you can’t live without them, but want to add in some good fats, try this yummy recipe from my little sister dreamed up.

1 egg over easy

A dash of salt

½ an avocado

A drizzle of sriracaha sauce

Cut your avocado in half and scoop the side without the pit, out of the skin and sprinkle on some salt.  Fry your egg and place it inside the avocado basket.  Drizzle with Sriracha and enjoy!

Banana Cashew Bites

Not time to fry or blend?  No problem!

1 frozen banana

3 tbsp of cashew butter

3 tbsp of coconut shreds

Roll your frozen bananas in the cashew butter until fully covered.  Then roll in the coconut shreds.  Slice into bite size pieces and enjoy!

Got any of your own super quick breakfast recipes?  Share with us in the comments section below.

In good health,

Amina

I've talked a lot about my obsession with avocado and my love for them is real!  They're a great source of healthy fats and potassium. And they are a fantastic way to keep your baked goods moist. I wanted to try a grain free recipe so I made these with hazelnut meal and they do not disappoint. 

Ingredients

2 cups of hazelnut meal 

1 ripe avocado 

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup of seeds (I used sunflower, pumpkin and apricot kernels)

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp of coconut oil 

a pinch of cinnamon 

1 tsp of vanilla 

1 chia egg 

I container of coconut yogurt

mix the avocado, bananas and coconut oil together until smooth. Mix all dry ingredients together and then add to the wet mixture. Mix until even and then bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool and then cover with coconut yogurt and top with cherries. Enjoy!

You may have noticed already, but I'm obsessed with breakfast.  Actually, I'm obsessed with fast and nutritionally superior breakfast.  I'm always looking for ways to make something that takes no time, but will fuel me through lunch.  Enter, these bad boys.  

Having a gluten, egg and oat allergy can make breakfast a challenge, so I've had to get creative.  After all, there are only so many days in a row you can eat a banana.  These bars take about 5 minutes to prepare and are so delish you'll think you're eating dessert!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of sunflower butter 

1/3 of a cup of sunflower seeds

1/3 of a cup of pumpkin seeds

1/3 of a cup of apricot kernels

1/2 cup of coconut shreds

2 scoops of your favorite protein powder

2 tbs of coconut oil

2 tbs of agave or brown rice syrup

Set aside the coconut shreds and the agave syrup and then mix all of your other ingredients together.  I mixed everything by hand so I would have a nice crunch texture from the seeds.  Add half of the coconut and mix in.  Then form your bars into rectangles (I used a rectangular silicone mold) and place on a plate.  Cover the bars with the leftover coconut and then drizzle the syrup across until adequately covered.  Pop them in freezer for 10 minutes, and then keep them in the fridge until you're ready to eat them.  Enjoy!