Your Go-To Matcha Latte Just Got A Fruit-Inspired Summer Refresh
Can we talk about the grip that matcha lattes have on us? While I’ll always be an iced caramel latte (with oat milk) type of girl to the core, matcha lattes have become a must-have, pick-me-up to get me through the day.
If you’re anything like me, your FYP and explore page is probably filled with pretty matcha recipes that are just begging for you to try. And with these green, semi-sweet lattes quickly becoming a go-to for emotional-support beverage drinkers, it’s hard not to resist the temptation of a delicious and calming sip or two.
Matcha is a type of green tea that originated in Japan and is known for its vibrant green color, fine powder texture, and distinctive flavor. The traditional way of preparing matcha involves whisking the powder with hot water until it forms a frothy mixture, which can then be combined with smoothies, lattes, and other treats.
Not only is it high in antioxidants, but it also has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, and a good source of L-theanine, an amino acid that can promote relaxation and improve mental focus.
Some newcomers to the tea may need a little convincing to come around to its distinctive, leafy taste, however, some new variations to the transitional technique could offer a sweet experience that will make them a true matcha believer.
Outside of milk, which is matcha’s creamy companion, strawberries and mango are two of the latest fruits to be paired with matcha and are unlocking new, refreshing recipes to try for the warmer months ahead. To get you started, we’ve provided a simple, yet tasty recipe for strawberry and mango matcha that you can try at home:
Easy Mango and Strawberry Matcha Recipe
@vanessafaga pink everything all february🍵🍓💕 #fyp #matchalatte #matcha #strawberrymatcha #pinkeverything #pinkmatcha
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of oat milk/almond milk
- 1/2 cup of strawberries, hulled and sliced (or),
- 1/2 cup of mango, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
- 1 teaspoon of honey/agave
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder.
- Add a small amount of hot water to the matcha powder (about 1/4 cup) and whisk vigorously with a bamboo whisk or a small whisk until the matcha powder is dissolved and there are no lumps. You should end up with a thick paste-like mixture.
- If desired, add 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar to sweeten.
- Add 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries or diced mango to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the fruit and matcha mixture over the ice.
- Sip slowly and enjoy!
Here are 4 more matcha recipes in action:
@kristeacafe fruity matcha lattes >> 🤭🥭 #matchalatterecipe #mangomatchalatte
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
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Your Sacral Chakra Is The Key To Cultivating Creativity, Pleasure & Joy In Life
Feeling uninspired, uncreative, or struggling with your sense of self-worth? Chances are, you might be experiencing emotional blockage in your sacral chakra. The sacral chakra (also known as the Svadhisthana) is the second chakra of the seven chakras according to ancient Indian tradition. Located just a few inches below your belly button, the sacral chakra is all about unlocking your creativity, basking in the joy of life, and forming deep connections with your emotions.
This energy center is all about unlocking your creativity, basking in the joy of life, and forming deep connections with your emotions.
What is the sacral chakra responsible for?
Creativity
Are you into painting, writing, or even creating videos or content for fun? That's your sacral chakra doing its thing! When this chakra is in harmony, you'll find your creative juices flowing freely. Your inner creative will be brimming with ideas, and you'll be able to express yourself in ways you never thought possible.
Emotions
The sacral chakra houses the emotions of your energy system. It allows you to connect with your feelings, both the highs and the lows. When this chakra is balanced, you'll find yourself observing and riding these emotional waves with grace and understanding.
Sensuality
The sacral chakra is also your passageway to embracing sensuality and pleasure. Sensuality looks like enjoying life's little luxuries, whether it's relishing a meal at a new restaurant, soaking in the beauty of art galleries, or finding tranquility through yoga. When this chakra is in sync, you'll feel a deep sense of contentment and comfort in your own skin.
What blocks the sacral chakra?
Because the energy of the sacral chakra is all about creativity and emotional flow, a blocked chakra can manifest in different ways energetically as you move through life. Things that block the sacral chakra include:
- Carrying emotional baggage
- Feeling stressed or overwhelmed
- Repressed creativity
- Unhealthy relationships
- Negative self-perception
- Ignoring pleasure or experiencing a lack of pleasure in life
- Fear of vulnerability
How do you know your sacral chakra is blocked?
Your body and emotions have a pretty awesome way of dropping hints when your sacral chakra is blocked. Though this is not an exhaustive list, here are some signs that your sacral chakra might be blocked:
- Experiencing creative blockages
- Low libido
- Riding an emotional roller coaster
- Lack of passion
- Self-doubt, especially in your creative abilities
- Avoiding joy and pleasure in life
- Resisting change
- Difficulty in self-expression or emotional expression
How do you unblock your sacral chakra?
Release your emotions.
Address past emotional wounds through practices like journaling, talking to a therapist, or engaging in meditation to release those old feelings.
Practice effective stress management.
Practice mindfulness, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to manage stress and keep that chakra from getting all tense.
Indulge your creative side.
Make time for your creative passions, whether it's drawing, painting, writing, or any other form of self-expression that speaks to your soul.
Embrace self-love rituals.
Practice self-love and affirmations to increase your self-worth and create a positive environment for your sacral chakra.
Set healthy boundaries.
Establishing healthy boundaries in work and life protects your energy by ensuring that you are being nurtured in life rather than drained.
Indulge in pleasure.
Take time to indulge in life's pleasures without guilt, whether it's through delicious food, love, art, or simply a moment of pure relaxation.
Cultivate vulnerability in the way you show up.
Gradually work on opening up and embracing vulnerability. Vulnerability is vital to connection, including the connection you have with the self.
What happens when the sacral chakra opens and is unblocked?
When you unblock the sacral chakra, it opens the energy center up. Then, energy flows freely, and it's like opening up to receive a whole new level of creativity, emotions, and overall well-being. You will express yourself in new ways as your mind becomes a playground for new ideas, artistic pursuits, and innovative thinking.
As we previously mentioned, with an open sacral chakra, your emotions flow smoothly. You'll be able to understand and process your feelings more easily, leading to emotional clarity and balance. Your connection to your senses deepens. You'll fully appreciate the pleasures of life.
Your ability to connect with others on an emotional level blossoms. Your empathy and understanding grow, leading to more meaningful and fulfilling relationships. As that self-love and creative energy flow, your confidence will flourish. You'll feel a strong sense of self-worth and radiate positivity from within.
Adaptability becomes more possible. Change becomes less scary. Releasing old emotional wounds becomes a thing of the present instead of the past. Life takes on a new vivid color. When your sacral chakra is in harmony, you'll feel energized with a new lease on life, a deep sense of joy, and a passion for exploring new avenues. All in all, you'll feel more alive.
How do you balance your sacral chakra?
In order to balance your sacral chakra, take time to pamper yourself and enjoy life's pleasures without guilt. It could be as simple as treating yourself to a day of doing nothing or immersing yourself in the world of art in a local gallery or museum. Below are some additional ways to balance your sacral chakra:
- Tune in and listen to your body and emotions and notice any mood swings or creative blocks
- Engage in activities that speak to you on a soul level to get the chakra's energy flowing again
- Practice yoga and recite affirmations that target the sacral chakra to encourage flow
- Meditate and visualize while focusing on the chakra's area to release stagnant energy
- Address past wounds and emotional baggage through therapy, journaling, or inner child healing
- Surround yourself with healthy relationships that support you and your growth
- Develop self-care routines that nourish your soul and prioritize your emotional well-being
- Use crystals like carnelian or orange calcite to aid in balancing your chakra
- Engage in dance and movement freely
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