Ah, so Matcha better ☘️☕️💗
Monday calls for a Matcha Mocha, or maybe even a Banana Matcha Chocolate Chip Muffin ☘️
St. Patrick’s Day is a big day for the Irish-side of my family, and I can’t wait to share some fun “green” matcha recipes with you, today ☘️
You’ve probably seen matcha lattes listed on numerous menus in your favorite coffee shops or tasted delectable desserts dyed bright green with this powdered tea. Matcha not only has an insta-worthy hue, but this healthy beverage provides a sustained energetic boost, a unique flavor profile, a plethora of culinary options and is stocked-full of health benefits.
So, today I’d like to wet your taste buds with all things Matcha (pronounced: "MA-cha"). Matcha is something you might want to consider adding to your routine, for a nice change of pace. Plus, I’ve included two recipes for you today, Hot Matcha Mocha and Banana Matcha Chocolate Chip Muffins (just in time for St. Patty’s Day this Friday) ☘️☘️☘️
Before we get started, here’s a link to last week’s short-n-sweet newsletter on ”The healthy “spring cleaning” tips everyone needs to know",if you missed it, click Here.
Didn’t know that I come from Scottish and Irish heritage? Yup, maybe that’s why I sunburn so easily, and gravitate to all thing green, LOL ☘️
Read on for more about Matcha and my Matcha recipes….
"Ah, so matcha better." 😀
What’s a Matcha?
Matcha is a type of green tea made from whole, powdered tea leaves. It’s cultivated from plants that have a very precise and regimented growing process, and is made from Camellia sinensis, the same plant as white, green, black and oolong teas.
This superfood has roots stemming from traditional practices in China and Japan, and gets its unique savory, umami taste and antioxidant boost from a labor-intensive growing process that involves shading and tarping of the tea fields.
Interesting health facts about Matcha
Matcha has more antioxidant power than goji berries, blueberries, and spinach! The antioxidant content in one cup of Matcha equals about 10 glasses of green tea 🤩
It has anti-aging properties, and an abundant source of the antioxidant EGCG which continues to gain attention and credibility as a broad-spectrum nutrient that promotes healthy cellular function, and supports all of the systems in the body. EGCG is also shown in many studies to aid in weight loss, is rich in chlorophyll and helps with detoxification, and many other health benefits.
If those aren’t big enough reasons to try or drink matcha it also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which calms while simultaneously enhancing focus, memory and concentration. Oh, and it gives you a natural energy boost without jitters or the crash.
You can read more interesting facts about the power of Matcha, HERE.
So many manufacturers and kinds…. which is best?
Since not all matcha powders are of the same quality (i.e., drinking versus cooking), we found an in-depth, non-biased, side-by-side review of some of the most popular and high-quality brands of matcha powder on the market.
Their goal was to test color, aroma, texture, flavor, and overall quality. They wanted to see which brands stood out and which ones weren’t worth the hype, in order to save you the time and money of doing the research yourself. Check out matcha comparisons, HERE.
Matcha Mocha Recipe - serves 2
A slightly sweet blend of hot cocoa swirled with a matcha latte. While I call it a mocha, there is actually no coffee in this drink.
Ingredients:
2 cup non dairy milk (I prefer coconut milk or a barista almond milk for a rich creamy texture)
2 TBSP cacao powder
1 tsp matcha powder
Optional Additions:
1 TBSP cacao butter or coconut oil
1 scoop collagen, or substitute 1 scoop Matcha Collagen for the matcha powder
1 drop peppermint oil
sweetener to taste
Instructions:
Method #1: In a blender, mix milk, cacao powder, matcha, and any optional ingredients you would like to add, transfer to a medium saucepan and heat.
Method #2: Heat everything together in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk ingredients in.
Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired. If using sweetened milk (such as a Vanilla variety) you will likely not need sweetener, so test before adding.
Sprinkle with cacao powder and/or matcha.
Enjoy!
To swirl like shown in the picture: (mix matcha with half the milk, then cacao with other half)
Banana Matcha Chocolate Chip Muffins - serves 12 standard or 24 mini muffins
These muffins are naturally sweet from the banana and the matcha green tea adds an earthy flavor. The addition of chocolate really takes these Matcha Chocolate Banana Muffins to the next level. You can change things up by substituting blueberries for the chocolate chips, too 🥰🫐🫐🫐🫐☀️
Ingredients:
• 3 Ripe Bananas (the more ripe, the sweeter)
• 3 Eggs (room temperature)
• 3 Tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup 100% Apple Sauce, unsweetened
• 1/3 cup 100% Almond Butter
• 1/2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups Super Fine Almond Flour
• 3 Tbsp Matcha Green Tea Powder
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tbsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 3/4 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
Optional:
• 1/2 cup blanched almond slivers, roughly chopped cashews, or unsweetened coconut flakes
Cooking Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 355 degrees F (180 degrees C). Prepare the muffin tin with coconut oil cooking spray or paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, mash Bananas with the Salt. Add Eggs, Coconut Oil, Apple Sauce, Vanilla Extract and Almond Butter. Whisk until all the ingredients are combined.
3. Fold in the Almond Flour, Matcha Powder, Ground Cinnamon, and Baking Powder .
4. Gently fold in the Dark Chocolate Chips to the batter, and Optional chopped nuts or coconut flakes.
5. Fill 2/3 of the muffin cups with the batter. Add on top a slice of fresh banana if you fancy.
6. Bake the preheated oven for about 22-25 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick. Remove from the oven and let your muffins cool down on a wire rack.
7. Serve immediately. Store extras under a glass bowl for 2 to 3 days, or in your fridge for up to 5 days.
NOTE: This recipe can be made differently by substituting Fresh Blueberries for the Chocolate Chips as a refreshing Springtime favorite 🌷
WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS ABOUT MATCHA
"Thank you very matcha.”
I hope you will enjoy these matcha recipes. Remember, matcha is full of antioxidants and other healthful compounds. It's a high-quality type of green tea that has a long list of health benefits that are evidence-based.
With Matcha caffeine, there is no crash in energy levels or caffeine jitters. Actually, research has shown that l-theanine in matcha may help foster a state of deep relaxation and alertness within 30 to 40 minutes of ingestion. Drinking matcha may help help sharpen your memory, improve your focus, and shorten your reaction time.
Matcha is one of the planet's best natural sources of antioxidants, serving over 10x the amount of antioxidants typically found in a cup of green tea.
Drinking matcha could be one of the simplest ways to help manage your cholesterol levels naturally. Plus, matcha has high concentrations of EGCG, which is particularly effective at alleviating inflammation and enhancing overall immunity. Read more, HERE.
Studies have shown matcha may increase your body's rate at which it burns calories. Just 2-3 cups of matcha daily may help the average person lose 3lbs over three months. Read more, HERE.
So, in short, matcha can be a fun and tasty way to benefit your health. For all (32) Evidence-based ways matcha can benefit your health, read further, HERE.
Did you enjoy these two recipes? If so, check out my cookbook, Eat Like your LIFE Depends on It, for more recipes that you’ll just love! You can order it online HERE, or buy one at a reduced price at the front desk 🤩
If you are concerned about how your health may be trying to tell you something; I’d suggest making an appointment with me in the office to take a look. You may need a bump up in one of your vitamins, or it may be something more bodily related. Feel free to contact me using this link: HERE.
Or, give us a call at (973) 210-3838
I want to hear from you! What ways do you enjoy using matcha? Did you find this newsletter helpful?
Share your thoughts in the comments on our
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Remember, the (5) Essentials of Health we talk about at Transformational Health Centers are…
MINDSET - if you have a broken mindset you cant even begin the health journey.
NERVOUS SYSTEM - if you have subluxation or pressure on the nerves going to any cell, tissue or organ in your body its impossible to have 100% health.
NUTRITION - we are what we eat and food is medicine. If you are eating McDonalds there is no way your cells can make healthy new ones out of that damaged food.
EXERCISE - movement is life and life is movement. If we are sedentary we are dying slowly.
DETOX - simply don’t put anything bad in, on or around your body (easier said than done).
There are NO LIMITS of what you can create, you are POWERFUL and there is nothing that you can not have or achieve! Believe in your power, believe in yourself and let go of what no longer serves you! ♡ Design your life, Create your reality…
This is life changing!
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