Popular Toronto-based hijabi fitness influencer and coach Zehra Allibhai shares her healthy, flavor-forward recipes inspired by her East African and Indian roots.

Before Muslims eat, they say, "BISMILLAH." It means “I begin in the name of God” and it is like saying grace before a meal. In Bismillah, Zehra Allibhai shares share a new way to think about family food. Her own cooking evolution started with her Indian Kenyan family, expanded through culinary adventures with her husband, and grew again as a mother and fitness influencer. She has developed a style of cooking that is flavorful, easy, wholesome–and above all–meant to be shared with joy.

Bismillah is a terrific blend of lifestyle and cookbook—but make no mistake, recipes are at the fore. Allibhai’s kitchen is welcoming to everyone—she’s all about good food, recreating the dishes from her Indian/East African background, for family-friendly, nutritious, easy recipes. In her training, she quickly realized that women wanted her guidance on how to eat. It can feel overwhelming to have a job, care for your family, work out and eat a healthy diet. Allibhai gets it: that’s her life, too! In Bismillah, she provides readers with recipes–some updated traditional dishes from her own family, and some of her own inventions–that would make eating real and healthy food easy.

Zehra Allibhai has a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and has been a fitness coach for more than 15 years. Her passion is helping people feel strong, confident and good in their own skin. Seven years ago, she launched her online platform, The Fitnest, and from there has built a vibrant and supportive community on Instagram and YouTube. Her platform reaches across borders, she has followers in Toronto, New York, London and Dubai. She lives just outside of Toronto with her husband and two kids.