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Matcha Green Smoothie

May 8, 2015

 Mmm, matcha green smoothies. Now that the weather is warmer again, I have gravitated towards having good ol’ green smoothies again. I have been using the same green smoothie recipe for ages and feel as if I have completely perfected it. It is healthy, creamy and delicious all in one and such a good and easy way to sneak in some vegetables. And seriously, it’s hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like them if you give them the right green smoothie to try. I clearly remember giving my husband his first green smoothie and smiling with glee at the fact that he actually liked it! He was SO sure he would hate it (“Alice, it’s green”) but even he had to admit it was “alright, pretty good.” Men, haha!

Matcha Green Smoothies

Matcha Green Smoothie

I have been on a matcha spree recently (remember my matcha yuzu mango mint popsicles?) and wanted to incorporate matcha green tea into a lovely green smoothie for you all. Matcha green tea is such a healthy and flavorful ingredient; unlike most green teas, matcha green tea powder is made from ground green tea leaves. Although normal green tea (where you steep the tea bags in tea) are great, research has shown that the amount of antioxidants in matcha green tea are at least three times higher than most other varieties of green teas. Amazing! See why I wanted to make matcha green tea recipes for you all?! I experimented by adding the lovely matcha green tea powder from The Republic of Tea in two different ways into my green smoothie recipe. Both turned out wonderfully so I wanted to share them with you all. 

Matcha Green Smoothie

Matcha Green Smoothie

Matcha Green Smoothie

Alice Williams
A delicious and antioxidant rich matcha green smoothie; the perfect refreshment or snack.
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Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 tsp of The Republic of Tea matcha green tea powder OR 4 matcha green tea ice cubes made by freezing 1 cup water mixed with 1tsp matcha green tea powder
  • 1 cup frozen banana slices
  • 1 handful spinach approx. 1 cup
  • 1 small tub plain Greek yogurt
  • Dash of unsweetened almond milk approx. 2-3 tbsp
  • Optional
  • 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tsp chia seeds

Instructions
 

  • Blend all the ingredients together and either drink now or store in the fridge for later! Do not store for more than one day.

Notes

Add more unsweetened almond milk if mixture is not blending properly.
I used Stonyfield Plain Greek Yogurt
I used a Ninja blender
Matcha Green Smoothie

Matcha Green Smoothie

This matcha green smoothie is really lovely for breakfast, as a snack or as a healthy dessert. Basically, it is amazing anytime of the day, haha! I really hope you enjoy this quick, easy and healthy recipe. Healthy eating does not have to be time consuming nor does it have to be boring and tasteless. The possibilities are endless and I am so excited you are letting me help you become the healthiest and happiest version of yourself. It really means the world to me and I thank you so much for your support of my blog and my social networks!

Honestly yours,
Alice

Thank you for always supporting me! For more Honestly Fitness, check out my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest and don’t forget to subscribe!

Disclaimer: The Republic of Tea provided me with the matcha green tea powder but I received no financial compensation for this post. Rest assured that my opinions will always stay unbiased and that I would never recommend a product I don’t personally use or like.

Friday Fare, Health, Products I love

Matcha Yuzu Mango Popsicles With Mint

April 27, 2015

Summer is fast approaching and the weather is heating up fast! I have been absolutely loving the longer, warmer days and as such, my appetite has adjusted along with the weather. This past winter (not sure I can really call what San Francisco had winter though), I have been living off of warm zucchini pasta, soups, teas (best tea EVER) and oatmeal. I admit that while my love for these foods lasts year round, light and cool foods such as smoothies, fresh rolls and ice-cream have been calling my name.

Matcha Yuzu Mango Popsicles With Mint

Sure, I will have the occasional cheat meal (what’s up Ben & Jerry’s), but since I try to keep things healthy around here, I have become quite creative in my attempts to make desserts that are both healthy and delicious. I am absolutely obsessed with matcha green tea, and when I was younger I would always get the sugary and highly calorific green tea frappes from Starbucks and matcha green tea ice-cream whenever I could. 

Matcha Yuzu Mango Popsicles With Mint

I was thinking hard as to how I could make a matcha dessert using the Republic of Tea’s matcha yuzu powder (what a freaking amazing combo, right?!) that was delicious, healthy AND unique. I like to make things easy for myself, don’t I lol? And then suddenly it hit me: popsicles!! I feel as if popsicles are THE epitome of summer 🙂

 Recipe

Matcha Yuzu Mango Popsicles with Mint

Alice Williams
A refreshing and healthy popsicle for summer made of mango, mint and matcha yuzu from Republic of Tea.
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Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp matcha yuzu powder from Republic of Tea
  • 1 1/2 cup frozen mango cubes can be found in most supermarkets
  • 3 large or 5 small mint leaves
  • 1 small tub plain greek yogurt I used Stonyfield
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp honey

Instructions
 

  • Firstly, get your popsicle molds out and ready to be used!
  • Put all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. This could take a few minutes depending on your blender.
  • Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze it overnight.
  • The next day, run the popsicles under hot water for a few seconds to easily take the popsicle out of the mold.
  • Eat and enjoy!

Notes

Almond milk can be subbed for other milks but may affect taste.
Greek yogurt can be subbed for dairy free yogurt such as coconut, but may affect texture and taste.
Honey can be subbed for sugar-free sweetener such as stevia.
Matcha Yuzu Mango Popsicles With Mint

I dare you not to like these Matcha Yuzu Mango Popsicles With Mint 🙂 Please let me know what you think about it if you do try it either by commenting below or giving me a shout on social media. 

Honestly yours,
Alice

P.S. The popsicle molds are Zoku Classic Pop Molds. I absolutely recommend them!

Thank you for always supporting me! For more Honestly Fitness, check out my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest and don’t forget to subscribe!

Disclaimer: Republic of Tea provided me with the matcha yuzu powder but I received no financial compensation for this post. Rest assured that my opinions will always stay unbiased and that I would never recommend a product I don’t personally use or like.

 

Friday Fare, Health, Healthy on the cheap

Bircher Muesli: Honestly Fitness Version

March 19, 2015

Being a part of the general health and fitness community, bircher muesli isn’t a new recipe for me. However, I sometimes have to take a step back and realize that just because I know about it doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone else knows about it. I wanted to share this bircher muesli recipe with you because I have been having it regularly for the past few weeks and think it is a brilliant and healthy breakfast!

The History of Bircher Muesli

The creation of bircher muesli has been credited with the Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner in the early 1900s. He created it for his patients whose therapy included plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, which sounds very sensible to me! As the story goes, he was apparently inspired by a dish he had received when he and his wife hiked the Swiss Alps.

The Original Bircher Muesli Recipe

The original bircher muesli recipe is said to be made up of rolled oats, lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk or cream, grated apple and topped with hazelnuts or almonds. It was also advised to soak the oats overnight, which is a practice I still do with my oats today. The idea behind soaking your oats comes from the desire to decrease the phytic acid in oats. because a decrease in phytic acid through soaking of oats allows for better mineral absorption. For a pretty intense peer-reviewed article regarding this, click here.

Honestly Fitness’ Bircher Muesli Recipe

In an effort to lower the fat content and calories of the original bircher muesli recipe, my bircher muesli recipe makes some simple swaps and additions. I have found that the combination of the ingredients I use create a delicious bircher muesli that is satisfying to eat, keeps you full for hours and is packed with vitamins and minerals, and healthy portions of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein. A perfect addition for an active lifestyle because remember; healthy eating and exercise go hand in hand 🙂

Bircher Muesli Recipe

Honestly Fitness Bircher Muesli

Alice Williams
A delicious and nutrient packed breakfast which can be made the night before. Just grab the jar and go in the morning!
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Ingredients
  

  • Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk or your choice of milk
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 1 tbsp sliced almonds or nut of choice
  • 1 tsp ground flax seeds
  • 1 tsp chia seeds
  • 1 tsp hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds
  • Juice of half a small lemon

OPTIONAL

  • 1/2 scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder
  • Matcha green tea powder

Instructions
 

  • Simply mix together all the ingredients (EXCEPT for the Greek yogurt) and then store in a jar overnight. In the morning, enjoy it cold or slightly warmed up and top with Greek yogurt and anything else you wish!

Notes

For the bircher muesli in this photo, I used hemp milk to soak the oats!
Adapted from Original Bircher Muesli Recipe

What’s Your Verdict?

Let me know if you make this bircher muesli recipe and how it turned out for you! I absolutely love hearing your feedback and it is assuring to know that other people are enjoying the foods that I love eating. 

What is your usual go-to breakfast?

Honestly yours,
Alice

Thank you for always supporting me! For more Honestly Fitness, check out my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter!