Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert or Pre-workout Power Snack – this decadent, protein rich, ice-cream alternative is great for whenever you feel like you need an energizing boost. I have two delicious versions, one low carb.
This matcha smoothie is healthy enough to be called your new detox drink! It packs in a whole lot of nutrients not only give you energy, but also to help detoxify your liver. It also has some powerful antioxidants to help your body fend off the damage from toxins and free radicals that occur from everyday living while also providing some anti-bloat and possible metabolism boosting benefits.
Matcha Tea vs Green Tea
Matcha green tea comes from the same tea leaf that green tea comes from—only with matcha, the tea leaf that is steamed, dried, then ground into the fresh green powder and is even more powerful than green tea because instead of just getting the benefits and the antioxidants that leach into the tea, when you drink matcha you drink the entire ground leaves and 100% of the nutrients in the leaf, so you get more potent antioxidants and benefits. That means you consume more of the catechins that have been associated with everything from reducing cancer and blood pressure to protecting your brain against aging. Catechins appear to speed up liver activity and increase the production of detoxification enzymes.
Combine romaine, spinach, or other fresh greens which aid the liver in its detoxification process with grapes, which are packed with antioxidants to help fend off damage from overindulgences that cause inflammation and wreak havoc on the body.
Greens are rich in water, hydrating you and helping you to “rinse” out bloating sodium from your body, “de-puffing” you and making you feel lighter. I love adding greens to my smoothie! If you want to keep this smoothie low carb, sub out the banana for cauliflower rice. You only need a few grapes and since you’re using more veggies you can get away with the grapes. Besides, they are good for you. Top with grain free granola, hemp seeds, coconut & nut butter for a very energizing low carb & delicious smoothie.
Have I convinced you to make this smoothie yet? If not here are more Matcha benefits….
- Energizes you
- Protects against a myriad of cancers
- Lowers blood pressure
- Fights the flu
- Keeps the cardiovascular system healthy
- Improves insulin sensitivity in type-2 diabetes
- Helps build strong bones
- Protects the liver
- Promotes fat loss if that is your goal
A Natural Energy Lift
Besides all the health benefits, Matcha tea is a great afternoon pick me up. Did you know it’s the healthiest beverage on the planet next to water? I have glass on ice almost every afternoon before my late afternoon yoga class. It’s not only refreshing but a great & heathy natural energy lift which helps me power through my class. Yoga may not be my first choice of exercise, but I am really glad and proud of myself for sticking with it.
It has taken me years to get the courage to do wheel and even longer to try it with one leg up. It’s way harder than you think. Most of my yoga students stay in bridge which is a great modification for wheel. Remember to do only what your body allows on that particular day. Every day is different!
Some days I can barely touch my toes without bending my knees, espeically after a longer run. Some say stretching is over rated, which may be true if you are not careful. I tell my students in order to advance to the full yoga pose you first need to get uncomfortable where ever you are at. You should not feel pain but you will be uncomfortable.
Only move on to the next phase of the pose when you are ready. I like to compare it to dating…which is always uncomfortable to begin with, am I right? Trust me, I am the queen of dating since I didn’t get married till I was 46 years “young”. The older I got, the the more I was ready to be done with the dating scene😉. Luckily I said yes to a few more dates with my now current husband❤️.
But lets get back to our Matcha Tea Smoothie which I love after a run, or as a mid afternoon snack, or pretty much anytime! The one on the right happens to be low carb. Both are equally as delicious. I happen to use the Shaklee 180® Energizing Tea because it is an antioxidant-rich blend of green matcha, white, and red teas that provides a safe, natural energy boost. The tea mix packets are perfect on the go—just add hot or cold water and enjoy. I love the Green Matcha, but it’s also available in juicy Pomegranate, and immune-supporting Elderberry. Any of the flavors would work in this smoothie, or use your favorite green tea.
GREEN GRAPE VANILLA MATCHA SMOOTHIE (2 ways)
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 scoops (1 serving) Vanilla Plant Protein
- 1 frozen green tipped banana (or sub out cauliflower rice)
- Green Matcha Tea Powder** (or substitute green tea)
- 1/2 unsweetened almond milk
- splash vanilla
- ½ avocado (low carb option)
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Handful fresh greens
**No matcha? No problem, you can use green tea powder or take several bags of green tea and steep in 1-1/2 cup of water to make a very strong green tea. Let it cool and use that in the recipe. Ideally, you’d use 10 tea bags but we understand that you probably won’t want to use all your tea! You’ll still get many benefits that matcha offers since green tea is also so powerful. Just remember to eliminate the coconut water or almond milk
DIRECTIONS:
- Add frozen bananas or cauliflower rice to your food processor/blender slowly adding your coconut water or almond milk to get the right consistency. I like my smoothies thick.
- Next add all other ingredients and blend again until completely smooth.
- Top with honeydew melon, kiwi fruit, or more grapes, granola or toasted coconut (for some crunch) and hemp seeds (for added protein and amazing nutty flavour).
Matcha tea fan?
Do you practice Yoga?
Are your muscles tight after a longer run?
Are you a fan of cauliflower in your smoothies?
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