Matcha for the New Year

 
We all need something to inspire us, and sometimes, for foodie-nutritionista’s like me, its a new superfood. Especially as we change seasons to winter.

Let’s talk about matcha.

Unlike its relative, green tea, matcha is comprised of the entire plant. Grown under specialized conditions to maximize growth and nutritional value, quality brands contain 10 to 15 times the overall nutrients and 100 times more antioxidants than traditional green, white, black, rooibos and yerba mate teas. Love that!

Matcha has become a new darling on the nutritional stage because of its high concentration of polyphenols, which protect against heart disease and cancer, help regulate blood sugar, and decrease blood pressure. It also strengthens the immune system, alkalizes your body, and helps detoxify the blood. It contains the illustrious EGCG, known for boosting metabolism and slowing damage from chronic inflammation or stress, too.

Unlike coffee, matcha produces a calming effect — improving mental cognition and mood while simultaneously reducing stress. That’s one of the reasons I love my Runa tea, so when I met Maya Organic founder Mel Bryant and learned about the purity of her product line, I was eager to give it a try.

Including just a small dose of matcha in my morning routine made a subtle but noticeable difference in my life. It’s been a very busy time these last few months, and being on the go can make it hard to keep fatigue at bay. (see my other solutions for holiday/stress fatigue here) On its own or coupled with my favorite Be Well smoothie packet, this power plant is my new favorite superfood.

In just a few days, I’ll be introducing something new that I am super excited about (yay!). To celebrate, I’ll be giving away some of Maya Organic’s delicious products. Stay tuned, the countdown is ON.

In the meantime, here’s a morning green smoothie using matcha, or for an afternoon cocoa treat, check out this Hot Choco-Matcha.

Matcha Marvel

Ingredients
1 cup coconut water
2 cups romaine lettuce (1/2 large head)
Handful (1/4 cup) of Bok Choy or other green leafy vegetable
1/2 cup grapes (we like red, but green are great too!)
1 banana (freeze it first for added creaminess)
1 tablespoon matcha powder
A pinch of cinnamon

Instructions
Blend coconut water and greens first on high for 20 seconds.
Then add grapes and banana, blend again until smooth (may take longer with frozen banana).
Finally, add the matcha and mix once more.
Sprinkle some cinnamon on top for a warming boost.

Pour and drink right away, or chill and save for later. Great to enjoy while running errands!

*Add a protein packet or a spoonful of almond butter if you have a workout planned or a busy evening.

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