These are challenging times. Social distancing has underscored for all of us the paramount importance of health, family, kindness, and community. How are you coping? Please feel free to share (in the comments below) what you’re finding helpful!
So, this post is about Matcha green tea, but as a bit of a side note, here’s what’s helping me through these tough times. I’m trying to make self-care a daily priority for emotional balance, starting each morning with gratitude before getting out of bed. When I don’t do that, the news completely unnerves me. So I’m spending more time reading, doing yoga, and walking my dog, and planning into each day time for my work – writing, designing recipes, creating blog content, developing course material, and connecting with clients who need support either virtually or by phone. I’m also making a point of cooking and baking throughout the week as needed, but sometimes just as a personally soothing activity to help me feel just a little bit in control of at least something, while the world around us is in chaos. I have found I need to consciously unplug and/or distract myself just to avoid disheartening news. My husband and I are watching more comedies than usual on Netflix and HBO, and (for the first time ever) working on 1000-piece puzzles.
AND one more thing! I found a new where-have-you-been-all-my-life friend. Matcha green tea…
In case you’re unfamiliar, matcha tea powder is ground from fine Japanese green tea leaves. Traditionally whisked in a bowl with hot water to create a frothy, bright green, nourishing beverage, it’s been the star for many centuries of Japanese tea ceremonies.
Unlike regular green tea, matcha powder is comprised of the entire ground tea leaf (and this is the cool part), which means it provides all of the plant’s nutritional benefits. So it’s like green tea on steroids because it’s the whole-food, with actually 10 times the amount of antioxidants in regular green tea!
It’s jam-packed with immune boosters that may help fight cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease, and regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Plus, matcha contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which slows the release of the tea’s caffeine, and creates a relaxing and calming effect. Matcha is known to reduce anxiety, inspire mindfulness, create sustained and focused energy, and enhance mood! This is good stuff.
Here’s an easy way to start treating yourself to all the benefits of this miraculous superfood.
MATCHA GREEN TEA LATTE
1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder
1 1/2 Medjool (or 3 Deglet Noor) dates, pitted
1/2 cup nondairy milk*
1/2 cup water
Instructions
Spoon matcha powder into a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix). Add dates and milk.*
Heat water in an electric kettle or on the stove, until almost boiling. Add hot water to blender.
Blend until all ingredients are completely dissolved and nice and frothy. Pour into mug and enjoy immediately.
* Note: If you have a milk frother, reserve 2 tablespoons of nondairy milk to steam. Carefully spoon foam over latte before serving.
Copyright © Vicki Brett-Gach | Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen
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