At long last I’m able to give you a bit of an update on my recent health struggles! If you’re catching up, read this post and this post (and the comments) first.
Well, where did we leave off? To start, I’m so thankful to have found a great naturopath after not having an overly helpful experience earlier in the year. I’ve been struggling with my symptoms on and off for years now, so it’s been a huge relief to finally get some answers! Slowly but surely I’m starting to feel like a new person. My recent tests showed that my hormones are a hot mess…estrogen is too high, my morning cortisol is way too low (hello, feeling like a zombie even after a decent night’s sleep), and one of my thyroid hormones is also too low. My doctor had suspected many of these results based on my symptoms, but it was interesting to see them on paper! I’m definitely no expert on this stuff, but I learned that when one hormone is off, it can impact another…and on and on the cycle goes, often throwing your entire system out of whack in the process. I felt such relief knowing that how I was feeling wasn’t just in my head all this time.
It’s so easy to push through feeling awful, blaming your symptoms on other things. I can’t even tell you how many times I told myself that I felt like crap because I was a new mom, or I was nursing and up in the middle of the night, or I was working out too hard (or not enough), or I wasn’t taking my vitamins, or my diet wasn’t balanced, or I was just feeling anxious about changes in my life. Some of those things may have been part of the issue, but I overlooked the real possibility that something beyond my immediate control was at work.
Dear self: it’s okay to ask for help.
Speaking of which, my biggest regret is that I didn’t get help for my symptoms sooner. It’s easy to put off, especially when Dr. Google is at your fingertips. Everyone would tell me how important it is to take care of myself while raising two young kids, but most days I just pushed it aside and tried to rely on the fact that I am a generally healthy person who eats well and exercises. My mom and Nicole were the ones who finally pushed me to get help…we all need those people in our lives who look out for us! Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, but I’m grateful for this lesson and wake-up call. I may have ignored my body’s messages for quite some time, but once I commit to something, I’m all-in, and I’ve been such a good “student” these past few months!
Taking the time to heal has set me back on some career goals this year, but sometimes there’s no better goal than good health. I actually can’t think of a better way to celebrate OSG’s upcoming 10-year milestone than circling back to my journey to health, which is the reason I started my blog! It’s just another reminder that our journey is always changing and evolving over time.
I’ll try to update you again as soon as I have more to share, but in the meantime if you have any questions, or would like to share your own experiences, I would LOVE to read them below.
Oh, and I should probably mention this recipe before I go! My naturopath recently encouraged me to add more green tea to my diet, and this has been my go-to mix. I had requests for the recipe after sharing it on Insta Stories last week, so I decided to put it up on both the app and blog! I hope you’ll find this warm, creamy matcha blend as calming and gently energizing as I have.
Sleepy Morning Blender Matcha
Yield
1 1/3 cups (330 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
You know when you wake up on a chilly morning and need a hot drink now? Well this is my go-to on fall and winter mornings (or afternoons!) when I want a change from coffee. The thought of this smooth, warm, creamy drink seriously lures me out of my cozy bed. I love how effortless this recipe is, especially on those half-awake, barely functioning mornings (just make sure you’re alert enough to operate a blender with hot liquid!). I love matcha green tea powder because it delivers calming, jitter-free energy as well as powerful antioxidants. Be sure to see my Deluxe Version in the Tips section below for a more decadent way to make this beverage—when I want an especially comforting treat, I’ll forgo the water and only use canned coconut milk.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 mL) water
- 1/3 cup (80 mL) canned light coconut milk, room temperature*
- 1/2 teaspoon matcha green tea powder, or to taste**
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) pure maple syrup, or to taste (optional)
Directions
- Add the water to a kettle or pot and bring to a boil.
- While the water heats up, add the coconut milk and matcha powder to a high-speed blender.
- Once the water has boiled, remove it from the heat and let sit for 15 seconds. Carefully add it to the blender along with the maple syrup (if using).
- If your blender’s lid is vented, secure it on top. If you don’t have a vented lid, keep the lid slightly ajar so air can escape. Blend on the lowest speed, very slowly increasing to medium, for about 20 seconds until frothy and combined.
- Immediately pour into a mug and enjoy your cozy cup o’ green!
Tip:
* If using already chilled canned coconut milk, add an extra 1/3 cup (80 mL) hot water to ensure your blend is hot enough (nobody wants lukewarm tea, if you know what I mean!). Be sure to stir the coconut milk before measuring.
** My preferred brand of matcha powder is DoMatcha Organic Summer Harvest Matcha Powder.
Deluxe Version: Heat 1 cup (250 mL) canned light coconut milk on the stovetop over medium heat, watching closely to ensure it doesn’t boil over. Once it starts to simmer and froth, immediately remove it from the heat. Add this to the blender along with the matcha powder (and maple syrup, if using). Follow steps 4 and 5 above and enjoy your extra-creamy tea!
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I have a habit of drinking coffee every morning, but the idea of drinking blender matcha on new days is fine, it’s great, it’s okay, I will try. Thank you very much.
I’ve been looking forward to figuring out how to make a cup of hot matcha for awhile. I already have “The Republic of Tea” Matcha so I used that for this recipe. I followed the recipe to a “T” using my vitamix to blend it up. Mine came out white as milk as if I didn’t put anything green in it at all so I added another 1/2 tsp of Matcha. Now it is white with a faint green tint, nothing like what you have pictured. And the flavor is well… not so good.. Any ideas on why this might be? Is it my Matcha? I’ve always considered the brand to be a good one and I use it in my smoothies with good success. Of course there’s so many things in a smoothie the Matcha quality could be lost.
Any input would be appreciated…
Thank you..
Hey Cindy,
Love your pun ;) Quality of matchas can vary quite a bit. One big indicator of quality from what I have learned is the colour – look for brands that have a rich, vibrant green hue. Does your matcha look like a really bright green colour? Also make sure you’re using “ceremonial” grade of matcha as it’s premium quality. Hope this helps!
Hi Angela, I’m trying to read your other posts you reference in this one to get caught up, but the one you wrote in July seems to be missing alot of the text. Is that something that has been deleted or perhaps it’s on my end? Anyway, hope all is getting better for you and you’re feeling well.
Hey Jen! Oh no so sorry to hear that! We did have a few blog errors over the weekend. Would you mind doing me a big favour and checking the post(s) again? I just did and they seem to be working/presenting correctly. We also had a blog comment error that I think has since been fixed (older pages were not showing up). Hope this helps!
Hi! I’m a long time reader and when I was a vegan, I basically just made your recipes! Looking back on my veganism, I realize how much healthier I was then since I focused so much on smoothies and salads, and I’m trying to get back to that way of eating. That being said, can these matcha drinks be prepared in advance? I’m thinking of making them at night so when my boyfriend and I leave for work at 5 something in the am, we can grab and go. Thank you!
Hey Daniela, aww I’m so happy you make my recipes so much! Thank you. I haven’t made this in advance but you could store it in a mason jar in the fridge then give it a good shake it the AM
Hi Angela! Sorry to hear about your health concerns :( I, too, had issues after my two babies and ended up diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (antibodies extremely high even though thyroid levels were “normal”). It really is hard to tell what’s normal postpartum stuff and what’s not. Glad you’re working on figuring things out!! All the best :)
I’m sorry to hear that you went through that Tricia! I agree it’s SO hard to know what “normal” and what’s not. I’m glad you were able to get help too. Hugs! Hope you’re feeling better these days.
I dont have endomitriosis but I had very similar symptoms despite only being 32! it happened 2 years ago I saw my naturopath did some tests and it turned out to be food sensitivities, but mostly coffee. My periods were painful, irregular, and I too was a walking foggy mess. Same thing w low cortisol and too much estrogen. I was diagnosed with perimenopause. I had no idea that food our body cannot matobolize correctly could have such an impact/ chain reaction on our female hormones. I got off the coffee and wheat and have been feeling so awesome! A year later I got tested again, estrogen was still leveling off but my cortisol checked out, and officially wasnt in perimenopause. I now jump outta bed, kill my workout, and no more fogginess. Also thank the book “woman code” which was an amazing read as I was working w my naturopath.
I’m so happy you got help, Yuli! And that you have seen such a difference…that is so encouraging. I am slowly but surely :) Thanks for sharing your story!
Hi Angela,
Sorry to hear about your health struggles. I too have been struggling, during my second pregnancy I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism which turned out to be hashimoto’s disease (where your immune system attacks your thryroid). It’s been a struggle to work on diet and stay close to my beliefs (not eating animal products etc.). I wish you positive vibes and energy to overcome these, you can do it :). Life is definitely not easy going when you have a family!
This is so soothing. I have been trying to find a yummy morning drink to wean myself off of drinking too much coffee, and this is perfect. Thank you.
Please share the provider you found that was helpful. Milli
Ok this is actually genius. I make matcha every day and I’ve never thought to use coconut milk but your right, it comes out SO delicious and creamy!