I've always had a special love + admiration for Japan. It’s a place I consistently look to for inspiration: from beauty practices, food preparation, tea ceremonies + more. One of the many things I love about Japan is their Matcha. But what is it exactly? Matcha is vibrant, bright, grassy + bursting with antioxidants, vitamins + life force minerals. Known to enhance mood + create a relaxed yet focused alertness, drinking matcha consistently improves everything from the appearance of our skin + hair to our hormonal health, cardiovascular system + immune response.
I love matcha whisked up on its own, with a splash of nut milk or mixed into a paste with honey for a nourishing + rejuvenating face mask. I love it's vibrant green color + the potent power of plants that nourish us inside + out.
This traditional Japanese beverage, whisked together with water until frothy, can be a bit too grassy in flavor for some when sipped straight up, so the matcha latte, made with lightly frothed milk + honey for sweetness, appeals to those who want something a bit creamier + sweeter.
If you’re new to matcha, it may take some time for you to find a recipe that you like but, I've simplified the hunt for you with the...
OWL Venice
The OWL Matcha Gift Set includes: a beautiful Betsey Carter ceramic pinch pot for mixing, a bamboo whisk for a smooth blend + a tin of OWL's Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha which you can purchase HERE.
OR...
If it's not a gift + you already have a bowl + whisk you can also purchase the OWL Venice Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha as a standalone with just the tin of Matcha HERE.
Be sure to enter my 10% OFF Coupon Code at checkout:
GHXVAYZS2S10
BENEFITS Of MATCHA
An excellent source of L-theanine: A unique amino acid that promotes relaxation + stress relief by stimulating the production of serotonin, dopamine + GABA.
EGCG (a powerful antioxidant in matcha) that acts as a potent free radical that prevents oxidative cell damage + fights premature aging (aka it firms + brightens skin). Fun facts: Matcha contains 100 times more EGCG than green tea + 90% more absorbable than green tea! EGCG also has cancer fighting properties + inhibits tumor cell growth (especially in breast, colon + liver cancer). EGCG improves the detoxification process in the body which helps decrease overall inflammation + regulates blood sugar levels.
Catechins help curb sugar + hunger cravings.
Chlorophyll supports skin clarity.
Caffeine supports lipid metabolism.
Matcha leaves have detoxifying properties that naturally eliminate chemicals + heavy metals from your body.
OWL Venice Matcha is: 100% organic, ceremonial-grade + quadruple toxin screened
MATCHA + Your Skin
Think of your skin as your first line of defense. More than just your largest detox organ, your skin reveals early warning signs when your body is out of balance. Things like:
Tired, dull eyes
Sallow, dry skin
Acne, redness, or puffiness
Stiff, tense posture
Each of these is a red flag that something's off: sluggish digestion, gut bacteria imbalance, poor sleep, stress, losing the battle against sugar cravings…but real radiance doesn’t come from creams + serums – it happens on the inside. Your skin is simply the outward manifestation of balance + vibrant health.
The OWL Venice Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha is my holy grail for glowing skin, especially during these colder months. Organic matcha is delicious + a healthy intervention that gives you a major bang for your buck. Matcha is full of antioxidants + has been shown to be a preventative against various diseases.
ANTIOXIDANT Rich
Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the body's cells, including the skin, from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by exposure to UV radiation + other environmental factors. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals + minimize their harmful effects.
Foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, citrus fruits, dark chocolate (ensure quality + organic) + green tea or matcha, provide a plentiful supply of vitamins (such as vitamins C and E) + other phytonutrients that can enhance your skin's resilience to UV damage. Regular consumption of these antioxidant-rich foods supports your skin's health + provides an additional layer of natural protection against sun-induced damage.
MATCHA Strengthens Your MICROBIOME
The gut is home to more than a trillion microbes that have evolved with us over the course of millennia. A diverse gut microbiome not only contributes to healthy digestion + metabolism – as I shared above, it can affect almost every system in the body: from immunity to skin to mood + cognition.
Immunity: Gut bacteria helps to support immune function by producing short chain fatty acids that communicate directly with the immune system + other organs.
Mood + Brain Power: The gut brain connection is real. A healthy microbiome contributes to a better mood, healthy cognitive function + improved focus.
Skin: Even radiant skin starts in the intestines. Microbial imbalances in the gut can contribute to skin issues from stubborn acne to rosacea + psoriasis.
Matcha: A concentrated source of catechins + antioxidants that support the inflammatory response + enrich the gut with short chain fatty acid producing microbes.
Benefits of FASTING with MATCHA
Matcha has been used by monks for centuries as a fasting aid. As I mentioned, it supports healthy digestion + metabolism with polyphenols (catechins). I enjoy matcha because I experience a boost of natural energy + at the same time, it promotes calmness with amino acids like l-theanine.
Since my craniotomy I have been spending an embarrassing amount of time in bed + have put on some extra weight from not working out. I read about intermittent fasting + learned that it is an ancient weight loss technique. It works, but per my OBGYN who is a fan of it, "some may find intermittent fasting difficult." To improve the fasting experience, I remembered that OWL Venice makes an Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha which has helped me get back on track managing my cravings + calming my nerves as I heal from my surgery.
HORMONE Love
Low energy? Fluctuating hormones have a huge impact on energy levels + stress. Support healthy cortisol production with slow-release caffeine, powerful phytonutrients + calming l-theanine from matcha.
Your hormones are incredible messenger molecules that work together to keep your body + mind in balance. Your hormones also play an enormous role in intimacy + desire.
In fact, overall hormonal balance can have amazing effects on your well being + intimate relationships by:
Boosting libido
Elevating your mood
Increasing energy
SELF Love
Fostering intimacy + nurturing healthier relationships begins within. Clearing the mind primes the body for deep listening to your own desires + even more deeply attunes you to mindfully connect with yourself as well as others.
Activate SELF LOVE with: OWL Venice Matcha or their OWL Matcha Gift Set which naturally provides clarity of mind + a calm spirit with powerful catechins + calming L-theanine.
LIVER Love
Spring isn’t just a time to refresh your home, but the perfect opportunity to reawaken + rejuvenate your body. Springtime cleansing isn’t like any fad diet or “cleanse.” Instead, I prefer gentle shifts like swapping my coffee for matcha for better gut support, adding a 10-minute meditation to my morning + a nature walk to my afternoon. Tips: For those with sensitive stomachs, drink during your eating window or after food. Drinking matcha mid-day helps curb sugar cravings + revs up your metabolism + it will give you a gradual onset of calm energy that lasts about 4-5 hours.
Anything you do to shed the old, from taking a break on social media to sipping a nourishing cup of matcha after dinner, will help you to usher in new energy, vitality, + balance – just in time for spring!
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, every season corresponds to an organ + spring is associated with the liver. Your liver works hard as one of your major detox organs –
Filtering blood
Detoxifying harmful substances
Storing essential nutrients
And producing bile to aid in digestion
As spring emerges, the liver works to release this stagnation + promote renewal. And there are things you can do to help the process.
By focusing on liver health in spring, you’re naturally promoting more vitality, balance + resilience for your body + mind.
Matcha = A Liver Loving Favorite
Chlorophyll, the pigment that makes matcha a beautiful emerald green, is known for liver support. Powerful antioxidants in matcha fight harmful free radicals + help liver qi flow.
CYCLE Syncing
Your lifestyle + menstrual cycle go hand in hand. Cycle syncing emphasizes working with, not against, the menstrual cycle. Prioritizing a healthy gut is a great place to start when considering cycle syncing. I'll be sharing a recipe soon for a Blueberry Iced Matcha Latte that is perfect to drink during your menstrual phase.
STRESS Relief
About 75% - 90% of diseases are related to the activation of the stress system. So, reducing stress can help lower chronic inflammation + keep immunity strong. For the ultimate in stress relief, swap your coffee for nourishing matcha, with slow release caffeine + L-theanine for clear, balanced energy. Source
OWL Matcha GIFT SET
I want to thank the lovely team at OWL Venice for generously gifting me their OWL Matcha Gift Set which includes a beautiful Betsey Carter ceramic pinch pot for mixing, a bamboo whisk for a smooth blend + a tin of their organic ceremonial-grade matcha. Be sure to enter my 10% OFF Coupon Code at checkout: GHXVAYZS2S10
Supports healthy metabolic function.
Provides jitter-free energy.
Regulates hunger hormones.
I enjoy drinking a glass of OWL Venice Matcha between meals or pair it with a light, protein packed breakfast.
Keep in mind that not all matcha is made the same. For example, a grande matcha latte from Starbucks has 32 grams of sugar aka 8 teaspoons! With matcha, you want high quality (organic + ceremonial grade + third party tested) for the most benefits + the best taste.
STAY TUNED For My Upcoming Blog Post:
MATCHA Food + Drink RECIPES!
Photo Credit: All photos courtesy of OWL Venice + Wix.
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