MATCHA GREEN SMOOTHIE

I recently started adding matcha green tea powder to my morning smoothies. Not only is matcha packed full of nutritional benefits, it also contains caffeine and other properties that boost energy. So on mornings when I'm tight for time, adding a little bit of matcha to my breakfast feels like I'm killing two birds with one stone.

So what is "matcha" anyway?  Matcha is green tea leaves finely milled to form a fine powder. For centuries the Japanese have used matcha in part of a traditional tea ceremony that includes the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. Buddhist monks have also relied on this powder to keep them awake and focused during long days of meditation.  

A few benefits of matcha: 

  • high in antioxidants 
  • detoxifies the body by removing heavy metals and toxins 
  • increases metabolism and helps the body burn calories 
  • improves cognitive abilities and concentration 
  • contains cancer fighting properties 
  • increases energy levels 
  • boosts immunity 
  • helps relieve stress 

MATCHA GREEN SMOOTHIE: a healthy and energizing breakfast or snack on the go. 


INGREDIENTS: (yields 1 serving) 

  • 1 cup of spinach 
  • 1 banana 
  • 1 cup of water 
  • ½ granny smith apple (core removed, chopped) 
  • ½ kiwi (skin removed) 
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds  (I added these in at the last minute so they didn't make the ingredients picture above) 
  • 1 tbsp raw honey 
  • ½ tsp matcha green tea powder
  • 2-3 ice cubes 

Wash and prep fruits and vegetables and add to your blender. Add water, chia seeds, matcha green tea powder, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth, pour and enjoy. 



PINEAPPLE CAYENNE DETOX

This gorgeous pineapple sat in my kitchen ripening for four long days. Although the anticipation was slightly painful, it did bring me a little joy each day just having this tropical accessory in the home. And when it came time for juicing, it did not disappoint- I could drink this glorious juice recipe every morning for the rest of my life, if pineapples were only so abundant in Canada. 

PINEAPPLE CAYENNE DETOX: an immunity booster, energizer and toxin detox. 

INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings) 

  • ½ pineapple
  • ½ cucumber 
  • 1 apple 
  • 1 lemon
  • 1- 2 inch piece ginger root (to taste) 
  • a pinch of cayenne pepper 

Wash and prep fruit and vegetables by removing the rinds of the pineapple and lemon, and removing the core of the apple. Cut everything just small enough that it will fit into your juicer with ease. Juice the above ingredients and add cayenne pepper at the end, stir and serve.  

HEALTH BENEFITS:  

PINEAPPLE: anti-inflammatory, digestive benefits, rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as an excellent source of magnesium. 

APPLE: reduces cholesterol, rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants, and promotes heart health. 

CUCUMBER: natural cooling and hydrating properties, digestive benefits, and a rich source of vitamin B.

LEMON: natural detoxifier, rich source of vitamin C, and contains limonene that promotes immunity and helps fight infection. 

GINGER: anti-inflammatory, anti-cold and anti-flu agent, clears microcirculatory channels of the body, promotes heart health, and improves absorption of nutrients.

CAYENNE: anti-irritant, circulatory stimulant which aids in the detoxification process, promotes heart health, and supports weight loss. 

Enjoy! 

GINGER LEMON & TURMERIC TEA

We all feel run down from time to time. Generally, we'll ignore the first weary signs of exhaustion and just push on through until we are suffering from illness and in need of repair. Knowing this, when I woke this morning and was feeling less than awesome, I asked myself, "what does my body need?". The answer was a Ginger, Lemon & Turmeric Tea. Made up of natural detoxifiers, anti-inflammatories and super foods, this concoction is jam packed with immune system boosting agents.  

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GINGER LEMON & TURMERIC TEA: a daily detox, stress reliever and/or cold remedy. 

INGREDIENTS: (yields 1 serving)

  • 1 ½ cup hot water 
  • ½ lemon, juiced 
  • ½ tsp grated ginger 
  • ½  tsp turmeric powder (or grated fresh turmeric root) 
  • a pinch of cayenne pepper 
  • raw honey, to taste 

While water is boiling, grate the ginger, and place in a small tea basket to keep the ginger from getting in the way while sipping the tea. Then add lemon, turmeric, cayenne, honey and ginger to mug and pour hot water in. Stir and enoy. 

Turmeric will settle to the bottom, so ensure to continuously stir the tea to reap the full benefits of the turmeric.  

HEALTH BENEFITS: 

LEMON: a natural detoxifier, rich source of vitamin C, and contains limonene that promotes immunity and helps fight infection. 

GINGER: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and clears microcirculatory channels of the body which include the sinuses and throat. Also, ginger is a warming agent and promotes sweating, which is healthy when sick. 

HEALTH BENEFITS: 

TURMERIC: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and considered to be highly cleansing of the body especially in the liver.

CAYENNE: anti-irritant helping ease sore throats and coughs, and circulatory stimulant which aids in the detoxification process.

RAW HONEY: antioxidants, and a rich source of minerals and B vitamins that help support the function of the heart, muscles and nervous system.

Today was a refreshing reminder that a simple morning routine could help promote feeling better on the daily, not just from time to time, and after it's too late.