Category: Uncategorized

7 Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

Matcha tea has many benefits. You can use it is a tea, latte or even in desserts. It has become very popular for young and old alike.

Some of the health benefits are:

  1. High in antioxidants – Matcha contains a concentrated amount of antioxidants, which may reduce cell damage and prevent chronic disease.
  2. May help protect the liver – Some studies have shown that matcha could prevent liver damage and decrease the risk of liver disease. However, additional studies are needed to look at the effects on humans in the general population.
  3. Boosts brain function – Matcha has been shown to improve attention, memory, and reaction time. It also contains caffeine and L-theanine, which can improve several aspects of brain function.
  4. May help prevent cancer – Test tube and animal studies have found that the compounds in matcha may inhibit the growth of cancer cells
  5. May promote heart health – Studies show that green tea and matcha can decrease several heart disease risk factors.
  6. Helps you lose weight – Some studies show that green tea extract helps increase metabolism and fat burning, both of which may aid weight loss.
  7. Matcha tea is very easy to prepare – There are many ways to prepare matcha, so you can choose the one you like best. It can also be incorporated into a range of different recipes.

Matcha Green Tea Latte (Hot or Iced)

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Honey
  • 3 Tbsp Warm Water
  • 250 ml Cold Milk or 300 ml Hot Almond Milk

How to Prepare:

  • Spoon the Matcha Green Tea Powder and the honey into a mug or cup
  • Add the warm water and mix with a spoon or with a frother whisk until it is a smooth dark green paste to ensure no lumps form
  • Warm the milk in a small saucepan and pour into the mug until nearly full. Use cold milk for an iced latte.
  • Use a frother whisk to mix the past and milk together until smooth and light green in colour.
  • If you so wish, you can add a few sprinkles of Matcha Green Tea Powder on the top for decoration…or add ice for an extra cold iced latte.

Contact me: Shirley Thompson Email: sthompson096@gmail.com
Alberta, Canada

Garden Plot

While out for a stroll around Telford Lake yesterday, I came across a garden plot that is a part of the City of Leduc Community Gardens. It is a great way for people who don’t have a large yard to plant a garden and enjoy fresh produce that they have planted themselves.

Anyway, this particular garden plot caught my attention. At first glance, my eyes were drawn to the placement of the flowers at the end of each row as well as the two (2) chairs. This got me to thinking about who would take the time to add such detail to their garden. It had to be someone who not only enjoyed taking care of their garden but also liked to add some colour. I’ve heard that marigolds will keep mosquitoes away…could this be the reason they were planted?

Then, I noticed the two chairs and for those who know me well, my mind took off with lots of thoughts! Why are they there? What do they represent? Are they elderly and need to rest while they garden or do they just take a moment to sit and reflect about their garden and life in general. Could this be their “quiet place”?

I thought about this garden all evening and even woke this morning thinking about it and wondered how I could share my thoughts about it.

My Thoughts

I loved how they cared for their garden. The rows were straight and weeded.  The plants were well watered. They took great care to add flowers which added colour and would catch the eye of those walking by.

The chairs suggested to me to stop, sit awhile and spend time with my creator. I can get so caught up just doing life that I forget to stop and see the beauty around me. Taking time to be grateful for the blessings I have in my life, not worry about tomorrow or what path I should take.

A dear friend had given me a book “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young – Devotions for every day of the year. A recent devotion:

“Keep walking with Me along the path I have chosen for you. Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to My heart. I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not My way for you. Together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain. The journey is arduous at times, and you are weak. Someday you will dance light-footed on the high peaks; but for now your walk is often plodding and heavy. All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you. It is truly the path of Life.”

Psalm 16:11 says it so beautifully; taken from The Message – “Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.”

I am reminded to take my eyes of myself and focus on God. He is the one in control of my life and has His hand on the throttle (my life). When I try to take over and do it my way, I usually end up getting discouraged and then finally realize that when I have moments like these, I need to surrender my will to His and follow His leading.

What I have found is once I start each day with Him by reading a short devotion with some scripture and spending time in prayer, my day goes much smoother.  I then have better focus and a much more enjoyable day. The things of this world don’t weigh me down.

I came across a popular gospel song published in 1912 that a friend shared on Facebook and it brought back special memories from long ago and soothed my soul.

Here are the words and a video link In The Garden

“In the Garden”

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear,

falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

CHORUS:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody

that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.  

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go;

through the voice of woe,

His voice to me is calling.

To your spiritual health,

Shirley

Vegetarian Recipe

Having our 18-year-old granddaughter living with us has exposed me to some new recipes since she has now recently gone to eating vegetarian. Being the “bestest” grandma that I can be, I began searching for recipes that would suit her new healthy eating program.

I am not against vegetarian; actually, I rather enjoy eating lighter meals with less meat and bread. The challenge is to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet and with ample information that is available on the Internet, it is not too difficult to find what you are looking for. My husband and I still eat meat in smaller portions along with lots of veggies and fewer carbs.

I came across a recipe for vegetarian burgers and was amazed how well they tasted and how nutritious they were. When I made them for the first time, I realized that it does take some time to make but isn’t that what cooking is all about. I enjoy making nutritious foods that satisfy my family’s needs and tastes good.

Cheesy Red Lentil Burgers

Cheesy Red Lentil Burgers

I hope you give this recipe a try and also let me know your thoughts. Tweak it to your own liking especially when adding your own favorite spices, etc.

Cast

Don’t let me hear you say that it was too difficult to make!! I This is me with a 3-week cast on my arm. Baggies work great!!

Psalm 118:14 – “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”

He gives me strength every day to accomplish the things I enjoy doing like cooking for my family.

To your health and happy eating.

Shirley