Perfect for Kitchens

Whether it’s steeped and hot from the pot, or cold and refreshing from the fridge, something that almost everyone can agree on is that Tea is a soothing, satisfying drink. There are, of course, many different kinds of tea, and the one that I want to focus on today in actually Green Tea. No doubt you’ve heard many good things about green tea over the last few years. I’d like to take all that good stuff, expand upon it, plus give you a few simple, but very unique ways to use green tea in your everyday nutritional regimen.

First, let’s take a better look at why gr.een tea is so good for us.

In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, a diuretic, an astringent and also to improve their patient’s heart health. Other traditional uses of green tea include treating flatulence, regulating body temperature and blood sugar, promoting digestion, and improving human mental processes.

It appears that the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG for short — don’t ask me to pronounce this) is a powerful antioxidant that is responsible for gr.een tea’s fat burning properties. In addition, this powerful compound inhibits the growth of cancer cells and also kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.

And if all that’s not reason enough to consider the daily use of gr.een tea, here a few common medical conditions that green tea can also help with:

High cholesterol levels Rheumatoid arthritis Cardiovascular disease Infection Impaired immune function Tooth decay Atherosclerosis Liver disease Diabetes Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Despite the wide spectrum of benefits associated with the use of green tea, fat loss is one of the leading reasons people have been drawn to this simple, unassuming leaf. It is not so easy to believe that some naturally occurring substances can actually promote fat loss. It is however, very true fact that pure gr.een teas promote not just fat loss – they are also one of the most powerful, naturally occurring detoxifying substances available.

Now, for some fun stuff! Let’s take a look at 3 ways you can use gr.een tea anytime as part of your regular healthy meals.

Green Tea Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 decaffeinated tea bag

2/3 cup of water

1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango, cubed

1 wedge of fresh lime juice

2 cups ice cubes

Directions:

Heat water and brew tea. Let it cool. Place cooled green tea, mango, lime juice and ice in a blender. Blend until thick and smooth. Adjust ice to the consistency you prefer. Enjoy!

Chicken & Broccoli with Green Tea Pasta

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts

4 tbs olive oil (give or take)

1 tsp (give or take according to taste) crushed red pepper

salt & pepper to taste

1 onion, thinly sliced

1/2 bell pepper

1 box pasta

5-6 green tea bags

2 stalks fresh broccoli, diced

14 oz can of diced tomato

3 tsp garlic

1/4 c fresh basil, or 1 tsp pesto

1 tbs balsamic vinegar

1 tbs oil

1/2 c mozzarella

Directions:

1) pan fry chicken in olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper2) remove chicken, and saute peppers and onions3) boil water, add tea bags, turn off heat and let seep 5 mins3) remove tea bags, return water to boil and add pasta4) add broccoli for last 2-5 min of pasta boil5) in a separate bowl, mix tomato, garlic, vinegar, cheese, oil and basil together6) combine all ingredients and serve

Green Tea & Coconut Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp whole green tea leaves

1/2 cup shortening

1/4 cup water

1 tbsp vanilla

1/2 tsp coconut extract

1 1/4 cups flour

1/3 cup coconut flour

1 tbsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

green decorating sugar, optional

Directions:

In a coffee grinder or small food processor, combine sugar and gr.een tea until tea is finely ground. In a large bowl, cream shortening and green tea sugar mixture until fluffy. Add water, vanilla and coconut extract, beat well. Mix in flours, cornstarch, baking powder and salt until well blended. Preheat oven to 375F, line cookie sheets with parchment or SilPat. Scrape batter into a spritz gun or piping bag fitted with a large star tip and deposit cookies on the prepared sheets. Sprinkle with sugar if desired.Bake 8-9 minutes. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

There you are. Lots of great reasons to add green tea to your regular diet. Not only will you be doing yourself a favor where your health and wellness are concerned, you’ll also be enjoying the great taste of what I consider to be a true “super food.” Why not try some today?