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

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!

Spring has sprung in nyc...well sort of!  The warmer weather means being outside more and more social gatherings, yay!  My good friend invited me to dinner last night and I needed to whip up something quick and easy, but also nutritious, since she's pregnant.

I've talked before about how great cashews are because they are nature's seratonin, so I didn't hesitate to make them the star of this dessert.  I combined them with coconut yogurt, another one of nature's miracle foods, to make the creamiest "cream cheese" filling EVER!

Can't wait for you to try and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

Crust:

8 pitted dates

1 1/2 cups of pecans

3/4 cup of coconut flakes

A dash of salt

A tsp of vanilla

"Cream Cheese" Filling

1 1/2 cups of cashews (soaked)

1 pot of unsweetened coconut yogurt

3 pitted dates

1 tsp of vanilla

Strawberry Topping

1 1/2 cups of frozen strawberries

3/4 of frozen peaches

2 tsp of coconut sugar

Blend all ingredients for the crust and press into a dish.  Blend all the ingredients for the "cream cheese" and layer on top of the crust.  Pop the dish in the freezer until the top layer is firm.  Blend all the ingredients for the strawberry topping and then layer on top of the firmed up "cream cheese."  Pop it all back in the freezer until an hour before you want to serve it.  Cut it in to 2 in squares and top with kiwi slices for a pop of color. Then just keep it in the fridge until you're ready to wow your quests with your cooking skillz!

Cauliflowers are full of B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin k.  If you're looking for a rice substitute that is packed full of nutrition, cauliflower should be your go-to.  This fried rice was super healthy and easy to make and tasted delicious as well!

Ingredients:

1 whole cauliflower, grated

1/3 head of broccoli 

2 cups of peas

1 yellow pepper

2 tablespoons of sesame oil

1 onion

1 clove of garlic

2 tablespoons of coconut amino (or soy sauce / tamari)

1 teaspoon of sriracha sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Grate your cauliflower and set aside.  Chop your onion and garlic.  Add your sesame oil to a pan or wok and sauté the onions and garlic until tender. Add the broccoli, yellow peppers and coconut aminos.  Add the cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes until it's tender but not mushy.  Then add the peas, salt and pepper and sriracha and gently stir in until evenly distributed.  Cook for another minute or two and then serve.  I topped mine with hemp seeds to add some additional protein.  Enjoy! : )

Avocados are one of my absolute favorite foods. They have so many health benefits and the texture makes them a great addition to smoothies or tarts like this one here!  They are full of fiber, potassium and monosaturated fatty acids.  Their creamy texture makes them a great addition to desserts or substitution for items like mayonnaise or butter.  To make this decadent avocado-full dessert, all you need is 20 minutes and a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

Filling:

1 1/4 avocados 

1/2 cup of mango

1 1/2 limes, juiced

2 tablespoons of coconut sugar or honey

Crust:

1/2 cup of shredded coconut 

1/2 cup of cashews 

1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds 

8 medjool dates, pitted and soaked for an hour

Blend all crust ingredients together in a blender.  Press into a dish and pop in the freezer for 15 minutes.  Blend all filling ingredient in the blender and then spread evenly across the crust.  Top off with coconut, pumpkin seeds and strawberries and keep in the fridge until you're ready to serve.  Enjoy!