The Live Journal EP6 "Light On The Shadows" Amina AlTai
Meet my dear friend Amina AlTai, 33 years young in this lifetime, with an ancient and wise soul. Our paths crossed again following a brief disconnect, and I'm ecstatic I get to see her lovely visage regularly during our coaching sessions (Amina is MY wellness and business coach... yes.. wellness coaches get coached too :)
Please read below for our .LIVE Journal Q+A, and listen in as we discuss shedding light on your shadows, how what you hide owns you, and the direct link between nutrition and career performance. p.s If you're loving our podcasts, Arden and I would love you even more if you leave us a review :)
Hi Amina! How would you define your occupation? Nourishment Expert, Healthy Business Coach.
What's your nationality / background? Half Welsh, Half Iraqi. What were you favorite and least favorite foods mom cooked for you as a child? Favorite: Bamya... It's an Arab dish made with okra and lamb in a tomato sauce. That was my jam! Least favorite food: Anything with raisins. Why not just eat grapes?! I seriously didn't get them and used to tell my mom they "gave me a headache" so she wouldn't make me eat them.
What is your favorite healthy home-made recipe? I eat pretty simply at home and I'm a creature of habit so I like to make things I can eat for a few days at a time. This time of year I like lots of soups and broths so I'm really into Red Lentil Bolognese. It's gluten free, vegan and super delish (in my humble opinion) Ingredients 1 cup red lentils 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped 2 cloves of garlic 1/2 onion, chopped 1 carrot, shredded 4 celery stalks, diced 1 cup veggie broth 4 tbs sundried tomato powder (or tomato paste) 1 tbs oregano 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp chipotle powder Salt & pepper to taste Instructions Sauté onions, garlic, celery, carrots and tomatoes in 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat until tender, about 5-10 minutes. Add veggie broth to pan along with lentils and remaining spices. Continue to cook over medium heat until lentils are soft, about 30-45 minutes. You may serve this dish over spaghetti squash, quinoa, brown rice or on its own. What are your "keep my sanity"’ essentials? I have at least 4 baths a week—they are so key to my sanity! I'm also a Vedic meditator which really really helps in this busy city. Also, working out 4-5 times a week is my sweet spot and those are major stress busters for me!
What was your favorite bonding activity you did with your mom as a child? We used to go on Sunday family hikes and those were always the best. I loved being out in nature with my parents and just running free. Great times.
What has been the best beauty / health / wellness advice your mother has given you? Always wear sunscreen! I have much more melanin than my Welsh mom—but I'm not immune to sun damage. So, protecting my skin with hats, good quality sunscreen and a great skin care routine are clutch.
What is your non-negotiable self care routine or tool? Sleep is everything to me. With two autoimmune diseases I try hard not to mess with it. It's so key not only for a well-functioning brain but in my case it really impacts my digestion. ---
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