Matcha: the Magical Green Powder

From time-to-time, I like to splurge on labels. So, you can bet I did the same when I discovered a new  a magical powder that can help me loose weight, slow aging and reduce my risk for cancer. These benefits have catapulted matcha to be my new morning go-to drink.

I am still crazy for kale and coo-coo for coconuts. But I've recently stumbled upon a new superfood: matcha. Matcha is green tea, but processed and consumed in a different form. Matcha is the result of a process that involves grinding green tea leaves to a fine powder. And this is what you receive when you purchase it: an expensive can of green powder.

There are also some distinctions in the harvesting and growth process which leads to selection of higher quality leaves, but the real difference you will notice is in tea preparation. To do so, you simply mix the powder directly into hot water, as opposed to the traditional tea-preparation method. Traditionally, green tea preparation requires the discarding of the tea leaves before consumption once some of their essence has been infused into hot water. With matcha, you are quite literally ingesting the tea leaves themselves.

I might be a bit late to the game with my finding on this one. Matcha has been quickly gaining steam as the new "it" superfood for at least a year. These days you can find  this powder mixed into everything from smoothies to baked-goods. Apparently, this magical green powder was the talk of last year's New York Fashion Week. (I'll be sure to tell you about what they are talking about this year in my 2017 blog post :)) And, to give credit where it is due, matcha has long been consumed in Asia from where the tradition originated around 1000 years ago.

So, what are the pros of consuming matcha over traditional, steeped green tea? Aside from the obvious observation that you are consuming a higher concentration nutrients from higher quality green tea leaves, some research has suggested that the antioxidants found in matcha can protect against heart disease and slow the growth of cancer cells. Moreover, these same antioxidants have been found to increase metabolism and act as an anti-aging agent.

Still, I recommend consuming only one cup a day. As we all know, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. With matcha, I can give you two good reasons this is true. Firstly, matcha contains a lot of caffein. We all know there is caffein in green tea. When you drink concentrated green tea powder, you will obviously consume more of it. The caffeine found in a single serving of matcha can contain around the same amount as that of brewed black coffee.

But, more importantly, at least one study by ConsumerLab has shown that matcha can contain high amounts of heavy metals, such as lead. When green tea is grown in lead contaminated soil, it is then absorbed by the plant. By consuming matcha, and ingesting a larger amount of the plant itself, you risk consuming a higher amount of lead. For plants grown in contaminated soil, it has been shown that tea produced from matcha can contain almost double the amount of lead as that of traditional, steeped tea.

One way to avoid the potential for consuming high amounts of lead is to be mindful of the source of your matcha. High concentrations of heavy metals in matcha have been found in tea imported from China. But, less so from Japan. For example, the brand Teavana was found to contain no detectable led in the aforementioned study by ConsumerLab. Alternatively, many producer commit to heavy metals testing which can provide some consumer confidence. So, be mindful of the source of your matcha. Of course, this can lead to increased costs as the pricier brands from Japan are better quality products. So, if you are looking to try matcha for the first time, you might want to spend a little more.

Personally, I love my new morning beverage and I hope you do too. Live healthy and be creative; life is more interesting when you add variety.

If your interest in magical Matcha is piqued, it's always best to do your own research and consult a medical professional before altering your diet. Below you will find a few articles that I found useful in conducting my research.

Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. "7 Things You Should Know About Matcha." Health. March 27, 2015. 

Daily Health News. "Matcha Tea Can Be Super Healthy - If You Head This Warning." BottomLineInc. August 17, 2015.

ConsumerLab. "What's Really In Green Tea Supplements, Brewable Teas, and Bottled Drinks?" Originally posted: December, 21 2012; Updated on: August, 25 2015.

Laura Johannes. "Does Matcha Beat Green Tea in Health Benefits?" Wall Street Journal. December 14, 2015.

A talk with Kami Evans founder of Elahi Yoga

Kami is an inspiration to me and others because of all the good she does for a great cause.  I wanted to share her story with all of you as example of how certain changes can bring so many blessings.  Once upon a time she was in the corporate world trudging through the concrete jungle, then she became a wife and mother.  She realized she had to shift her life and career choices for her child.  In the midst of this process, Kami has helped her daughter and many other children.  The key is she feels passionate about what she does, which creates a healthy mindset, and that is why she is successful.

As a side note, since my interview with Kami the Busy Bee Foundation is now called the Elahi Foundation.

Kami Evans with her beautiful daughter Hannah

                                                                                  Elahi

                                                          
                                                         Elahi Yoga on Twitter
                                                         To find "Buzz Learns Yoga"
                                                         Elahi Yoga Website

Just a thought!  If there is anything that makes a light bulb go off in your head about starting a business, foundation, organization etc. you shouldn't be afraid to try to make it happen.  Even if you are already settled into your career, why not just do some research, taking the steps to see if it is possible.  If nothing comes of it at least you tried and maybe learned some things to carry with you through life, and have a giggle with yourself when reflecting.  On the other hand, if something does come of it you could be helping yourself and possibly benefiting the lives of others.

Live Healthy Be Creative and never fear acting on what might be possible!

Intro to Aerial with Yoga Principles

My first post for Live Healthy and Be Creative.  Just an example of how to live outside the box a bit.  Maybe seek a new exercise routine.  Here is an example of a new challenging workout I have been working on.  Aerial infused with yoga and dance elements.  Its great for core body strength.  

There are also positive benefits to hanging upside down.  Not only does it improve body strength, it also helps increase flexibility, posture, decreases muscle tension, and encourages better circulation.  Inverting with the silks gives the body the opportunity to reverse gravity, using the body as an anchor encouraging blood flow to the brain all the way through to the roots of the hair.   Hanging upside down also helps to relieve pressure on the spine,  decreasing pressure on nerves and allowing discs to recover lost moisture returning to their original shape.  Just make sure you talk to a doctor before you begin a new practice like this.  People who have high blood pressure and are pregnant might experience certain risks.  

Lets just face it, who wouldn't want just a few moments to return to childhood and  play upside down.  Doing aerial has allowed me to visit my inner child, and gives me another chance to investigate  a new adventure for my over all well being!  

So even if an exercise like this isn't for you, I hope that this might spark some kind of interest and motivate you to seek your own exercising routine, taking you from the mundane to adventurous! 

Something that might trigger your inner child and bring back all that creativity which was once so easy to attain.