matcha!

do you know matcha?

i know matcha.

i love matcha.

Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea. It is special in two aspects of farming and processing: the green tea plants for matcha are shade-grown for about three weeks before harvest, and the stems and veins are removed in processing. During shaded growth, the plant produces more caffeine. This combination of chemicals is considered to account for the calm energy people might feel from drinking matcha. The powdered form of matcha is consumed differently from tea leaves or tea bags, and is dissolved in a liquid, typically water or milk.

The traditional Chinese and Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha as hot tea and embodies a meditative spiritual style. In modern times, matcha also has come to be used to flavor and dye foods such as mochi and soba noodles, green tea ice cream, matcha lattes, and a variety of Japanese wagashi confectionery. Often, the former is referred to as ceremonial-grade matcha, meaning that the matcha powder is good enough for tea ceremony. The latter is referred to as culinary-grade matcha, but there is no standard industry definition or requirements for either.

okay, okay, that's all great.

the short and sweet is that matcha is bright and delicious, has amaaaaazing health benefits (hello, antioxidants!) and can be used in a thousand different ways!

go get some and get started!

matcha latte:
1/2 teaspoon matcha powder, sieved and whisked into 1/2 cup of hot, hot water or milk until frothy!

and below is my new fav recipe for energy bites!

enjoy!

Matcha Energy Bites

Makes about 12-14 balls.

*be aware! 1/2 teaspoon of matcha (the amount in each of these balls) is equal to the caffeine in about a cup of green tea!!*

1/2 cup pitted dates (whole is best but as you can see, i used chopped and it worked out just fine)

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder, plus extra for rolling if desired

1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all in a food processor and pulse until a coarse paste forms.

Roll by the tablespoon in your palm until a small ball forms.

Roll in extra matcha, if desired, and chill until very firm.

Enjoy!

lately...

busy month so far!
all our christmas fun coming soon!
but for now, enjoy, and enjoy your holiday season!

swinging on the gate...what a good life these boys have :)

my mil brought fun pumpkin treats when they came to visit...this one is a pumpkin cookie base with caramel and coated in white chocolate :)

our beautiful road

meyer lemons from my mil's tree!

my tiny baby.
my last one.
pictures like these make me, the non-crier, tear up.

peanut butter cookies and toy lions.

when mv turned 6, he got to go "hunting" with daddy.
he can't shoot anything till he's 7...

good mail day :)

love playdates with our fav friends.
8 blonde cuties.
4 boys, 4 girls :)

fresh milk!

first frost!

we attempted a family picture before church :)

our gorgeous church at night

off to see the lighting of the wonderland of lights in our town's square!

i'm sorry.
i can't resist sweet treats and coffee and fall light.

working on the deck with daddy and paw paw

we let the boys pick out and cut down our christmas tree this year...

it is probably the charliest of charlie brown christmas trees but they were so stinkin' proud.

decorated it all themselves!

and eggnog to celebrate!

and a tiny one for their room!

beginning of advent...simple soup for dinner...

...making our advent wreath...

and singing hymns.

and a huge piece of leftover thanksgiving pie for mama since the hymn-singing ended up being a huge meltdown.
#reallife folks.

i make the boys' stockings so this year is robert's year!

early morning sewing and scriptures!

and late night sewing with my mama!

figuring out where to place everything...

finishing touches...

finished!!

all four boys done!

:/

more playdates with our sweet friends.
i love gabe trying to do the peace sign like yuri :)

mv and jack took their "monies" and bought their siblings christmas gifts at the dollar store :)
and wrapped them!

and this year, jack even spelled out the names!

fresh rainbow chard from our greenhouse!

off to a girls' night!
with baby spit up alllll over me.

but i adore these ladies.

jack and robert :)

our town's art museum hosted a fun evening of art exhibits, ballet, and cookies!

and crafting!

love this scene.
i come out from quiet time and my workout and my sweet husband is working, with his headlamp on and the baby :)

second sunday in advent treats!

working on our advent calendars!

gabe sings happy birthday every time i light the candles :)

jack and his twin :)

ornament making!

holiday baking!

good friends have warm homemade bread when you arrive :) :)

and the sweetest calves and goats to love on!

big smile from my old man elf baby!

must have been a good playdate when he passes out literally 3 minutes after we left :)

eggnog oatmeal!

my little elf!

perfect holiday snack

more playdate fun!
(excuse jack, he had already stripped down to his undies for his nap!)

rudolph the red nosed reindeer dessert and movie!
(i only had 4 1/2 red m&ms! :D)

wrapping christmas gifts and a late night snack

apple crisp!

a special treat for breakfast!

christmas parade in downtown marshall!

advent snack!

christmas partying with my mama!

sweet, strong boy!

kale and chard overload

more partying with my handsome man!

mrs. lyn making robert laugh :)

we still have a few fall colors!

my sweet boy and his first performance at church :)