Why Matcha Green Tea Is Amazing! - Matcha Organics Review

If you're anything like me you are always looking to add nutrients and minerals to your daily intake. Sometimes it seems like there isn't enough time (or calories!) in a day to get it all in. This is why I love matcha, it comes in powder form and you can add it to just about anything! It is abundant in antioxidants, minerals and nutrients to keep you healthy and happy. In fact, one cup of matcha is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea!

Matcha is a specially grown and powdered green tea. It is the center of both Chinese and Japanese traditional tea ceremonies. Most recently, it has been used to dye and flavour foods and treats (We've all heard of the infamous Matcha Green Tea KitKat bars!). There are two different grades of matcha -ceremonial and culinary, each use different blends and preparations (today I'm testing culinary). Ceremincial matcha is typically mixed with hot water while culinary can be used in a variety of ways such as baking and smoothies.

Matcha is produced from shade grown tea leaves, this is important because it boosts the production of chlorophyll and in return amino acids. Chlorophyll is an antioxidant and assists in keeping our blood healthy, kills germs and acts as a wound healer. Once picked the leaves are then dried, steamed and stone ground to produce the powdered matcha that we know and love today. Because it is powdered and you use the entire leaf your body is able to use 100% of the nutrients from the tea. It is important to ensure that the matcha you purchase has not oxidized, as it degrades the product - always look for vacuum sealed tins/bags to ensure optimum freshness and maximum antioxidants.

As mentioned above, matcha hosts a powerhouse of antioxidants (over 1300!), minerals and nutrients. The health benefits of matcha include:
- Energy Booster (Replace your morning coffee!)
- Mental clarity
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories
- Detoxifies
- Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
- Prevents disease

I was recently given the opportunity to try Matcha Organics Culinary Grade Matcha and have been loving adding it to my daily smoothie! The best thing about Matcha Organics is that it is quality made. This company truly cares about it's product and their customers, which is of great importance to me. Their matcha is 100% organic and USDA approved. As previously mentioned, it is culinary grade which means is perfect for mixing in your morning smoothie or adding to your cupcakes! This product also comes with a 100 recipe e-book that is sure to give you plenty of ideas on how to get your matcha in!

Have you ever tried matcha?! Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

* Matcha Organics kindly provided me with a bag of their Culinary Matcha Green Tea in exchange for an honest review. All purchases receive their free Top 100 Matcha Recipes E-Book! As always, all opinions and experiences are my own! This post is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links. Thank you so much for your support!

Top Five Must Have Tools in Your Vegan Kitchen!

Hello!

When I first went vegan what seems like so many years ago now, I was concerned about all these specialty tools I was seeing! I didn't (still don't haha!) have the money for a $700 blender and I don't have the space for a ton of kitchen gadgets! If you are just starting out or trying to minimize your kitchen here are my top five items that you need to be successful with your vegan diet!

1. Glass Containers -  I use mason jars and glass Tupperware, I really like glass because it doesn't leach any chemicals into your food, it's easy to clean, and it's very durable! (I have yet to break one!) The items I purchased I've had for 10 years! On another note I've seen some great metal containers, I just haven't tried them yet myself. Let me know if you have!

2. Blender - Yes, I do believe you need a blender but don't worry if you don't want to spend all your savings on one. While I recommend you purchase a better quality one but it doesn't have to be the best. I've tried many low end blenders (>$60) and they just don't last. However, I've had my Ninja Blender for a couple of years now and it was only around $100.  It has lasted through daily smoothies, hummus and many other recipes and I would definitely purchase one again!

3. Knives and Cutting Board -  These two go hand in hand. What's great about being vegan is that you don't need an entire knife set! I purchased a few great quality knives that should last me a lifetime. The knives I keep in my kitchen are: Chef's Knife, Bread Knife, Salad Knife, and Paring Knife. As for a cutting board, I absolutely love the wood ones, they're durable and last forever if cared for properly. I rinse mine off after each use and clean it with lemon and olive oil once a week!

4. Cook/Bakeware - Before going vegan I had so many pots, pans and dishes. I've cut mine down to one big pot, one medium pot with steamer, one small pot, one frying pan and one baking sheet. As always, I suggest doing your research and choosing a quality product (I believe in quality over quantity!). The ones I've been using for the past 10 years are from Lagostina and they've held up great!

5. Kettle - If you're anything like me then you love tea! I use my kettle once or twice a day and it makes it so easy to heat up water quickly! I chose a stove top version just because I like the way they look but the electric ones are just as great!

Of course there are many other tools for the kitchen but these are the ones I use on a daily basis and would consider the basics. What items in your kitchen do you consider must haves? Any favourite brands? Let me know in the comments below!

* I purchased all the items above with my own money, as always all thoughts and opinions are my own! Links above are affiliate links. Thank you for your support!