From the many months of my not sleeping more than 1 1/2 – 2 hours at a time it’s not surprising to anyone that my adrenals were challenged. So back in mid August 2018 my cold brew was pushed to the back of the fridge and my hot brew coffee beans (being Mother’s favorite as well) were only in the cupboard for her regular visits, when I think I took deeper breaths just to smell it longer. But I’ve progressed.
I sleep now. Regularly. And I wake rested. I slept nearly 12 hours again last night! I’ve introduced a few foods without set back ( sesame , citrus, cashews ) and thought it might be a safe time to try out some coffee/tea. Both were eliminated on the AIP elimination (decaf or otherwise). And I’ve found that although I don’t need caffeine to wake up and get my engine running, I miss the ritual. So I made a cup of hot coffee one morning recently and my stomach got acidic. I had to take some digestive enzymes and peppermint pills to feel better. Not going that route again soon.
So I thought about tea. Matcha tea. I used to get the Matcha Green Tea Frapp at the cultural coffee mecca…..did you know there are 65 grams of sugar in it? Ouch! And that’s not even the largest option on the menu (and the size I always chose). I thought I could mix in a good bit of coconut milk (healthy fat) and ease into some caffeine. I didn’t want to spend my morning shaking over my keyboard and matcha has a quarter the caffeine of coffee. On top of that, I could control the sugar.
But there are ever greater benefits. Matcha is chock full of nutrients. It has flavanoids such as catechins which are in high number and are also antioxidants that protect our cellular structure and integrity. They fight dis-ease. Add to that, the caffeine doesn’t shoot into your system the way black coffee does creating a glucose spike and thus a “high and a crash”. Glucose instability from those spikes come with issues of anxiety, hunger, lack of concentration. Insulin resistance is impacted and if you have weight loss goals to go along with your health goals that’ll be challenged as well. Glucose instability is a must avoid on a health journey. Just another vote for team matcha.
Matcha is known for the “long high” of calm mental clarity. Your acuity enhances smoothly (meaning its caffeine doesn’t “hit” you like coffee does- the high). Nor does it abandon you without a moment of notice- the crash. Matcha is the Steady Eddie of caffeine. The impact is slow to grab hold and extends for some time. This is a result of the caffeine binding to the phytonutrients (plant nutrients that support health).
It might be considered an acquired taste. It’s earthy. But mixed with something rich like coconut milk and coconut cream I have found it to be quite the treat. And being the preferred tea of Japanese tea ceremonies I see no better option to honor the ritual of a hot drink to begin a morning.
I have found matcha-do about matcha.
Inner Calm 