Hiii guys!
Ah, it feels so good to be back on the blog. I know I said I was planning to blog from Bali, but guess what? My laptop crashed and wouldn’t turn on all throughout our trip, so my post from China was the first and last update I was able to write from vacation.
While retrograde hit me hard and I was super bummed at first, it was actually such a blessing in disguise. Without a computer or the ability to do any work, I was able to get so deep into my relaxation and completely check out in the trip, which re-inspired and invigorated me in so many ways.
More to come on all of that. I will do lots and lots of Bali recaps as I finally ease back into real-life over here, but today I wanted to bring you a matcha recipe featuring my FAVORITE new Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen… and I’ll tell you why.
Why Matcha for the Coffee Addict?!
When we were traveling around Bali I allowed myself to pretty much eat and drink whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. For a control freak with food allergies and a past with eating disorders… food freedom on vacation is always AMAZING for my mind, but very tricky waters for my body.
My body is sensitive AF. I can eat as I please for a few days, which still includes my staple musts like remaining gluten-free, dairy-free, and having no refined sugar. But after a few days, things start to feel funky in my body. My digestion starts going out of whack, my stomach starts hurting, I don’t sleep well, the bloat is out of control, on and on.
So when I am on a 14-day trip eating some of the yummiest foods I’ve ever had in my life, you can imagine things went a little wonky for my bod! I was eating foods I know I have allergies to like eggs, gluten-free toast (#yum), alllll of the coffee, certain veggies, lots of fruits, ridiculously delicious desserts, and more.
And if you’re thinking I’m crazy for doing that while KNOWING how it would make me feel, I probably am. But also, a girl’s gotta live and I do believe in the mental freedom of easing up on our rules every so often, especially in a new country where the food is fresh as can be and MIGHT not cause the same issues, so it’s always worth a shot.
By our 10th, 11th, and 12th days… when we were staying at Nihiwatu, otherwise known as the #1 rated resort in the WORLD (more on that later), my physical reactions to food were getting so bad it was really hindering the trip. My body was freaking out and I had a perpetual migraine / headache that wouldn’t go away.
In other words, I felt like SH*T.
But this was another blessing in disguise, because I finally noticed exactly what kinds of foods I need to stay away from, and which ones I can be more lenient with.
While we were in Ubud and I was eating mostly raw vegan foods, I felt great. I was full of energy and unless I had the random red pepper or mushroom in my meal by accident I was completely fine and felt abundant and wonderful.
But it was when we left Ubud (otherwise known as “the holistic city” #swoon) and I started really loading up on the coffee, getting super lenient with gluten-free breads (all the hotels had SUCH GOOD homemade gluten-free breads!) and eggs and desserts that things started getting real bad.
In Nihiwatu I ate it all, falling back into my old trap of, “Wait, WHY am I feeling this way? I eat so well! This isn’t fair!” But in hindsight I was doing it to myself. It’s unfortunate to have to be so careful, but if I want to feel well then it is an absolute must.
Because of that, when we left Nihiwatu I made a promise to myself and to Jonathan (who was so patient and amazing and sweet with me while I complained and cried and laid in bed with a migraine and felt like crap for days on end): No more coffee. No more grains (even g-free grains). No more eggs. No more desserts with real sugar. Until I get this stomach issue back on track.
he is so patient with me 🙂
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I will share a lot more details when I go into more detail about the trip itself, but THAT, my friends, is why I am on the matcha train right now.
In fact, I have always loved matcha. I usually even drink matcha after having coffee! But my body is really loving and thriving off of cutting it way back on the caffeine train and sticking to matcha.
I use Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen which I am hosting a GIVEAWAY (!!!) for right now on Insta. We are giving away three canisters to YOUUU GUYS as long as you’re in the U.S. and Canada. All you have to do is comment on my photo with the matcha, tag three friends, and tell me why you want to win!
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So let’s talk about some matcha facts:
+ matcha green tea is packed with antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in the body and promote long-term health.
+ rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins
+ enhances mood and aids in concentration
+ calms the mind and relaxes the body
+ the powerful polyphenol EGCG in matcha is known to boost metabolism and burn calories (just an added bonus to the health benefits
+ provides slow & sustained energy versus the jolt and jitters that coffee gives us, so it’s also easier on our adrenals + hormones (the BIGGEST plus for me)
and then the additional health benefits of the Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen are the collagen benefits…
+ the most abundant protein in the body.
+ responsible for the maintenance of healthy connective tissues, such as bones, joints, skin, hair, and nails.
UMMMM, yes please.
My favorite way to enjoy matcha is either with hot water or steamed with warm coconut milk. My favorite yummy matcha holiday recipe is below!
Holiday Coconutty Matcha // TBB Style
Ingredients:
+ 1 scoop Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen
+ 1 cup warm coconut milk (easy to find at Whole Foods or any healthy grocery store), heated up on the stove or in the microwave
+ 1 tablespoon coconut butter
+ a few shakes cinnamon
+ a few shakes pumpkin pie spice
Method:
+ heat the coconut milk on the stove or in the microwave
+ melt the coconut butter if you want it to blend smoothly
+ add all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth
ENJOY this creamy and delicious holiday treat! I like to have this first thing in the morning and then have breakfast about an hour or two later.
Matcha is so much easier on our hormones than coffee is, so even though I am saying goodbye to my BELOVED coffee for now… my adrenals, liver, skin, and energy levels will thank me. Trust me, nothing additional needs to be messing with my cortisol levels right now!
I hope you all enjoy this recipe, and I am sending so much love to you this holiday season! Thank you for baring with me while my posting schedule has been all over the place… Spirit Juice and the blog will be much more consistent in 2018 and I can’t wait. <3
And don’t forget to enter the Vital Proteins giveaway on Insta for a chance to win! It will be open until the day after Christmas! Thank you to Vital Protein for sponsoring this post and providing such healthy deliciousness for us all. I continue to feel so lucky to partner with brands I adore. XX