Eat your greens!

I can still hear my mother yelling saying this to me at the dinner table.

Growing up, I was the pickiest kid on the planet.  If it was green, the only way I’d eat it is if it was raw and covered in so much ranch dressing (specifically, Marie’s ranch) there was no possibility of tasting it.

Fast forward 20 years and I’m voluntarily starting my day with this sludge:

Matcha Green Sludge

• 1 tsp matcha
• 1 T gelatin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2-3 T water
• 5-6 drops liquid stevia

Mix together in a small bowl and a allow to sit 1-2 mins to allow the mix to gel.

It’s a very “green” tasting mix, which is why I add a little stevia… even my altered taste buds need some help.  Here’s the “why” behind the ingredients:

Matcha

One cup of matcha green tea has as many antioxidants as 10 cups of regular tea.  As if that’s not enough reason to start supplementing with it, it also enhances metabolism, reduces stress, lowers cholesterol, and combats aging and cancer.

One of my favorite benefits is the caffeine.  It’s perfect first thing in the morning.  It doesn’t cause the shakes though!  The relaxing properties of L-theanine in matcha promote concentration, memory, and mood.

Gelatin

This isn’t your cafeteria nastiness.  Gelatin is actually flavorless, making it easy to add to just about anything.  I began taking it for digestion at the suggestion of Lindsay (see her post here).  It 100% works for that!  I’m more “regular” than I’ve ever been.  It can help to heal the lining of your stomach and digestive tract, and is a detoxifier.

For someone who is active, gelatin is especially beneficial because it contains half of the 18 essential amino acids, which help build muscle.  With 6 grams of protein per tablespoon, it’s a great way to add more protein to your diet.  It is not a complete protein, but it helps the body fully utilize the complete proteins you eat.  It also supports skin, hair and nail growth, and is good for bone strength and joint recovery.  Rumor has it that it can help tighten loose skin and improve cellulite.

Cinnamon

Aside from making everything taste better, cinnamon is good for your health!  It stabilizes blood sugar levels, making it popular for those with Type 2 Diabetes.  Cinnamon might also reduce the effects of high-fat meals by reducing response of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood but as much as 30%.*

It can also lower your bad cholesterol (LDL), reduce inflammation, and can decrease cancer risk (especially leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells, which my dad had).  It can control yeast with it’s antifungal properties. Allegedly, candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment.  When added to food, cinnamon acts as a preservative, slowing bacterial growth and food spoilage.  Even smelling cinnamon can have positive effects on cognitive function, memory, and headaches!

*This is not a license to raid the nearest Cinnabon… it has been found to be toxic in large doses.  And I don’t think even OD-ing on it will fight that sugar rush. 😉

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