My top Natural Energy Boosts & Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

If there is one thing we all wish we had more of…it’s energy, right!  I am not talking about just energy to get through the day, but ENERGY to actually enjoy the day!  After all, isn’t that what life is about.  Living every day feeling happy, healthy and full of life is not easy when we’re dragging.

So today I am going to share a few a few quick, simple, & natural tips I use that help me daily and give me tons of energy to last all day!  And bonus… all these natural energy boosts have many other health benefits as well.  How cool is that!

How to Boost Energy Naturally with Food

Let’s start with what you put into your body.  The old saying “You are what you eat”, still holds true today everyone!  To increase your energy naturally eat healthy food!  Many times when we need an energy boost we reach for a combination of sugar and caffeine, which usually means a crash later on.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  Here are my favorite natural food choices to boost energy….

1. Lemon Water & Apple Cider Vinegar

Let’s talk about lemon water combined with a small amount of apple cider vinegar…because that’s how I love to start every single day.  When we sleep we lose water and once we become dehydrated we can become more fatigued.  (This explains the reason why most runners during a longer run carry (or stash) some water to hydrate to keep our energy up.)  Never wait until your thirsty to drink!  So after 8 hours of sleeping with no hydration, this freshly squeezed lemon juice gives you bio-available vitamin C, plus just the scent of citrus is very refreshing.

For added health benefits, add about one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.  This is not only cleansing, but the health benefits are endless.

2. Matcha

I love coffee as much as most coffee connoisseurs, but you can also get a more healthful boost of energy from one of my faves…..Green Tea.  They say it’s the second healthiest beverage on the planet next to water.  You get that same calm, focused energy with Matcha.  Matcha is made from finely ground green tea leaves.  It contains caffeine, but much less than coffee.  The L- theanine in Matcha is what gives us that focused, alert feeling.  And Matcha is also a great source of antioxidants…much higher than traditional green tea, since you are consuming the whole leaf.  It is also said to boost metabolism and aid weight loss.  Matcha is made by simply whisking the powder into hot water.  You can turn it into a Frappuccino by blending with coconut milk and some sweeter.  Be just as creative with your Matcha as you are with your coffee.

So forget coffee and amped-up sodas.  Here’s a safe and natural way to head off the slumps when you need a quick pick-me-up.  An exclusive blend of antioxidant-rich green, white and red teas, as well as taurine, naturally boosts your energy and enhances alertness.  Enjoy morning or afternoon, hot or cold.

3.  Protein for Breakfast

We’ve all heard this before right….“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”.  Thought so.  When you wake up, you’re not only somewhat dehydrated, but your blood sugar is also low and needs to be replenished to make your muscles and brain work their best.  Breakfast helps replenish it.  Many people skip this important meal because they are rushing to get out the door.  BIG MISTAKE!  Most likely if you skip breakfast, you’ll get hungry later on and than you snack on high-fat, high sugar foods.  You don’t need a big breakfast but do your best to eat something within an hour of waking up.

Resist that pastry or doughnut, though. Your best bet is a mix of foods that have carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.  Carbs will give you energy right away, but the protein will give you it later on and keep your blood sugar stable.  Fiber keeps you feeling full.

Some suggestions may be a high protein whole-grain cereal, low-fat milk with fresh berries, homemade breakfast bars, or try my favorite way to start the day….a breakfast smoothie.  Immediately after my lemon and apple cider vinegar concoction, I take a few minutes for devotions, do a few warm up exercises, and than head out for my run and workout.  The first thing I do when I get home is whip up a yummy Protein Smoothie.  I use the Shaklee Life Energizing Shake because this delicious meal shake contains nutrients clinically proven to help create the foundation for a longer, healthier life.  It is designed to increase your energy, help you achieve a healthier weight since it’s loaded with leucine, and provide incredible digestive and immune support from fiber and probiotics.  I love the way it makes me feel, plus it’s lactose and gluten free.