G’day guys! I’m super excited to introduce to you our February Featured Friend to you… our very own, super talented and beautiful Raw Blend Rockstar… the amazing Ameka Benton. Ameka is a long time friend of mine and a true inspiration to me and everything we do at Raw Blend.
Ameka is a blogger, motivator, singer, health & fitness enthusiast, model, fashionista, raw food recipe & yoga lover, Creative Coordinator and visionary behind Raw Blend’s ‘A Healthy Mix for Life’ BLOG.
Ameka began her Raw Blend journey almost 5 years ago and “is blessed to be able to work with passionate, like minded individuals that encourage people to live their best life possible. These people continue to inspire me professionally and personally and make work a wonderful place to be” Ameka says.
Wholehearted, inspired, passionate, Ameka is devoted to encouraging others to “not sweat the small stuff” and be grateful for the beautiful things in this world.
Ameka’s aura is contagious and her compassion motivates and encourages others to lead healthier, happier, more loving and fulfilling lifestyles.
Firstly, what does creating ‘A Healthy Mix for Life’ mean to you?
I have a cliche answer for that question. Balance … A Healthy Mix for Life has to be something that is attainable and maintainable everyday. Eat well, rest, exercise but most importantly have fun and be in love with your life! As far as I know, we get one shot at this crazy thing called life and it should be full of happy, crazy cool memories but you want to be here long enough to enjoy them, so look after yourself too, does that make any sense?
What does your day on a plate look like and why do you eat the way you do?
My day on a plate has evolved over the years! I eat a plant based, gluten-free diet which makes me feel AMAZING. BUT … not one size fits all. People respond differently to different foods. So what works for me might not work for you and I think people need to understand that. I have food allergies so there are things I have to stay away from, then I combine it with really listening to my body and what it’s craving and needing. I believe in eating intuitively. I am very in tune with my body and you can be too. When your body craves certain foods, you are usually lacking the nutrients that are in those foods and your body knows it needs to consume more of X to get Y & Z.
Breakfast for me is either a Smoothie to-go or, I will eat a gluten-free bagel with organic peanut butter topped with blueberries & I always have a vanilla latte … without fail. Listen, I am all about balance and people need to indulge in their guilty pleasures. My two are coffee and red wine! Don’t hate.
Lunch Is usually left-overs from my dinner the night before, but if I don’t have any I will make a big green salad with beans & quinoa or brown rice.
Dinner – Oh my goodness this is my favourite meal of the day … I will make either a vegan chili, curry or pasta, vegan tacos or I love a big baked sweet potato with roasted veggies. Yum! Or sushi … shoot there are so many things I eat haha.
Snacks – Honestly being prepared is the key to healthy balance success. There is nothing worse than being stuck in traffic and hunger turns to hanger … I carry in my bag gluten-free protein bites ALL THE TIME. I also like to roast up chickpeas in the oven with some paprika, salt and pepper and they are a great go-to snack for all you savoury tooths out there.
Living a healthy life doesn’t just mean eating well … how do you keep your mind and body healthy?
It’s all connected. Making healthy choices with your food, how you care for your body,how you move your body and how you care for your mind is one big balance wheel. When I eat right my energy levels are up, I exercise more, which gives me even more energy and pumps those feel good endorphins through my bod which makes me super happy. Like annoyingly happy …
My schedule is so crazy that there is never a day the same, so it’s hard to get a routine to help you keep that balance. But it’s not impossible. I try to practice yoga three times a week, even if it’s just a quick 30 mins at the end of my day. Pilates – especially WundaBar Pilates is my absolute FAVOURITE go-to workout. I have never had results like it before and Amy Jordan, the founder and #wundawizard herself will kick your butt if you are ever lucky enough to take her class. If I can’t get to a class I will either do a HIT circuit at home or pound the pavement. I try to move my body 5 times a week … it doesn’t always go to plan. And guys, that okay!
Every morning I set my intentions for the day. I am all about positive mantra’s. I believe in a balance of solitude and socializing and I believe if you show others love, kindness and light it will be returned. Everyone has their bad days and you don’t know what battle that stranger in the grocery store is going through, so I try to remember those three things whenever I encounter someone. I also think as I get older I’m learning to let things go that no longer serve me positively. It’s easy to stay in jobs, relationships, friendships etc because of history and a feeling of obligation but sometimes these things make us feel like crap. Sometimes it’s hard but you have to eliminate the toxins in your life and that isn’t always food. It can be people or situations … learning to identify things that impact on you negatively and choosing to not feed them is very empowering.
Who is your health, wellness or fitness guru and why?
I don’t have one … I have so many people I admire that have helped me evolve as a human being and a woman. I read a lot of Deepak Chopra & Wayne Dyer and I have a wonderful spiritual guide and healer that I work with called Wanda. (she’s not a fish I promise), She is the bees knees and will blow your mind. I think women that are making a positive impact on this world are incredibly inspiring and I get to meet those women everyday and I try to surround myself with the people I aspire to be like in my life. Your relationships are a direct reflection of yourself …
What is your ONE Super Hero Food that you cannot live without?
I am pretty obsessed with anything coconut. I think I love it so much because it’s so diverse. It smells AHHH-Mazing and I use the coconut oil as a moisturizer, hair mask and I make body & face scrubs with it too. I also use coconut oil instead of perfume! I put coconut oil, milk or water in my smoothies & desserts because it’s so delicious. I use coconut milk in my lattes. I drink coconut water after a workout to put electrolytes back in the bod … seriously … I may turn in to a coconut.
If you could share with the Raw Blend Family one piece of your wisdom what would it be?
That is tough … I don’t think I am wise yet but I can share what I am learning along my personal journey. I am learning that when you believe in yourself and your dreams anything is possible. What you put out to the universe you receive. A negative mind will never build you a positive life and you are a product of your surroundings. Your body is your home and it’s the only guaranteed one you have in this life so look after it, and be kind to yourself and the world around you. Combine all of that together and BOOM!
We are lucky enough to have you share one of your favourite recipes with us, why do you love this recipe?
Matcha … I am obsessed with it at the moment. I am not usually and Ice Cream kind of gal but this recipe has quickly become my favourite!
Matcha Ice Cream
Submitted by Ameka @ Team Raw Blend
Makes: 0.5 – 1L
Serves: 2
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cans of coconut milk 15oz, CREAM ONLY not the liquid (I found the best way to do this is to set the cans in the fridge overnight and then scoop out the cream. Yum).
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 5 dates
- 3 Tbsp Green Tea Matcha Powder
- 3 cups of ice
Method
- Put all the ingredients into the Vitamix 2L container in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Select Variable 1. Turn the machine on and quickly increase the speed to 10, then override to High.
- Use the tamper to effectively press the ingredients into the blades whilst processing.
- Blend for 30-45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.
- Stop the machine and serve.
You can follow Ameka on her Instagram page: www.instagram.com/amekajane/
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all what Ameka was saying & totally agree
Question?
With Matcha Ice Cream is there Green tea also included
Cheers
J
Thanks for your kind words Jen! 🙂 It’s a Green Tea Matcha Powder… We have amended it. Sorry for the confusion! Matcha Maiden is a great brand if you are on the search x