How do you feel after your morning cup of coffee? Are you more anxious, more jittery? Do you have heartburn? How do you feel before your drink? Are you already anxious? Are you simply exhausted? Are you ignoring your bodies need for rest and relying on this stimulant to get through the day?
So often, we attach to these habits, falling into routine, failing to truly tune into our bodies unique state of mind each day.
While caffeine gives us a synthetic boost of energy, the long-term impact of relying on stimulants to create energy you don’t naturally have, has the potential to push you towards adrenal exhaustion.
If you find yourself exhausted without it, perhaps it's time to reassess your sleep patterns. Your body is speaking to you.
Although I don't believe the occasional cup of coffee is harmful for any constitution, it's the mis/over use of coffee that gives the bean a bad name.
These cues (tiredness) our bodies give us, have a purpose, and while some days we simply must push through, I believe most are way too comfortable overstimulating / overworking.
A great practice in beginning to examine / redefine your relationship with caffeine is to take the time to tune in each morning, and truly ask yourself if it’s necessary.
If you wake up feeling anxious or scattered, perhaps a less stimulating beverage such as herbal tea, kava, chicory coffee or a nourishing turmeric latte could be better. What I've found is the less caffeine I enjoy, the less I feel I need, and the more I make rest a priotirty.
That being said, there are still days I want to indulge in caffeine, choosing Matcha as my source, due to its rich source of antioxidants.
Also said to contain concentrated levels of L-thianine, known to calm the mind and body and fight anxiety, Matcha tends to give a less jittery energy than its competitor coffee.
While less dangerous than coffee, according to Ayurveda, black and green teas are still a significant source of caffeine, with similar impacts such as insomnia, panic disorder, peptic ulcers and chronic constipation, when consumed regularly, which is why I personally choose to consume in moderation.
For a delicious way to enjoy the power of Matcha with the nourishment of spices and ghee, try this Coconut Chai Spiced Matcha.
Using less Matcha than the average recipe, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric & ginger are added to make caffeine easier to digest. Milk, coconut milk, ghee (clarified butter) and my new favorite addition - nut butter also makes it more nourishing and easier on the stomach – especially if this is the first thing you are consuming after your nighttime fast.
Feel free to omit the ghee if you are vegan or spices you don’t have, but I promise, it’s worth it to get all the supplies.
While I personally feel much better when drinking Matcha vs. coffee, there is no one size fits all drink for everyone, which is why I encourage you to experiment by simply observing how you feel with or without whatever you choose to consume in the morning.
Coconut Chai Spiced Matcha
Ingredients
1 tsp matcha powder of choice
¼ cup hot water
1 tbsp coconut milk powder
1 tsp ghee OR 1 Tbsp Macadamia Nut Butter
1 cup milk alternative of choice (See below for best milks for each dosha)
1 tsp Chai Spice Mix (recipe below) You can also use premade 1 tsp Pumpkin Spice mix + ¼ tsp cardamom or keep it simple with ½ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp cardamom.
Directions
1) Add matcha powder, coconut milk powder and spice mix to large mug. Using matcha whisk, blend into smooth paste.
2) Once smooth, add hot water (It’s important to not use boiling water in order to preserve the nutrients and eliminate any bitter flavor) and mix until powder is no longer visible.
3) Over medium low heat, add milk and ghee or mac butter and whisk until hot and foamy. You may also blend in a Vitamix for more creamy texture.
4) Pour milk mixture over matcha mix and enjoyyyy!
Milks by Dosha
Vata: Soy, Mac Nut, Oat
Pitta: Soy, Coconut, Cow
Kapha: Flax, Soy, Goat
Chai Spice Mix
6 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground nutmeg
3 tbsp ground cardamom
3 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cloves
2 tbsp ground turmeric
Directions
Blend all powders together. Store in airtight container.