Healthy, homemade Peppermint Mocha Matcha

We’re officially in the last days of 2020! It’s been interesting to find little ways to get in the holiday spirit despite this weird, absolute rollercoaster of a year. For example: the fitness studio I work at canceled our outdoor, socially distanced party in favor of Holiday Scavenger Hunt. I made a Christmas TikTok, wrote an original holiday carol (which was pretty hilarious), baked and decorated cookies, and took pictures around town of different Christmas decorations. It’s not the same as being all together, but our creativity certainly came out and we had fun.

The challenges of this season can either make us feel really discouraged and frustrated with this time we’re living in OR they can make us more intentional, more determined, and more grateful than ever for what we do have and the moments we have with our friends and family.

A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to a friend of mine, Rayna, talk about Hanukkah and how people usually think the miracle of Hanukkah is that a tiny amount of oil was able to provide light for 8 days, even though it should have only lasted the first night. She said the real miracle of Hanukkah was that the Jewish people even tried to light the lamps to begin with! That blew me away.... How many of us have had a time where we thought “this probably won’t turn out, so I might as well not even try?” and yet a group of persecuted people did try and because of that, they experienced the miraculous event that led to a holiday they still celebrate today.

I think about Jesus being born where animals ate because there was no room for Mary to give birth at the inn… and I think about hospital workers who are sacrificing and working so hard this year, often without even having enough PPE, so that their patients can take another breath. Both thousands of years ago and today, there are moments of fear and moments of hope, moments of discomfort and frustration and moments of humanity and love.

Regardless of your faith, I want to tell you, there is gold here right now. I believe to my core that if you’re reading this, there is a reason, and that there are amazing things ahead of you if you just keep showing up and trying-- even if it seems impossible, even if the environment isn’t ideal, there is opportunity for growth and success available to you.

I decided to make this Peppermint Mocha Matcha because my Pumpkin Spice Matcha recipe was SUCH A HIT and because matcha has amazing stress-busting, mood-boosting benefits! You deserve it! You’ll still get a small dose of caffeine (comparable to decaf coffee or less), but the energy actually lasts longer. Thanks to L-theanine and tryptophan, it reduces your cortisol and can encourage your body to make serotonin. Peppermint is also great for digestion and cacao has an array of amazing benefits, from fighting inflammation, to boosting mood through magnesium, to iron, and more. That classic peppermint mocha flavor that you love and order from Starbucks in those red cups is a holiday favorite, but you can make this from the comfort of your home with ease! You’re going to LOVE IT! I imagine all of us (in our own little parts of the world) making this Peppermint Mocha Matcha around the same time, sitting in our favorite chair with our favorite mug, and journaling, reading, or just taking a moment to relax and savor the moment. It’s an indulgent, delicious, almost luxurious experience because of our intention and how we care for ourselves. Our very own tiny opportunity to practice showing up, to practice trying, to find the light, and be in the holiday spirit…

Peppermint Mocha Matcha

Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon matcha powder

• 1-1 ½ teaspoon 100% cacao (depending on your preference)

• 1 teaspoon coconut sugar (or monk fruit)

• ⅛ teaspoon peppermint flavor or extract

• 1 ½ cups non-dairy milk (I used coconut, but almond or milk work fine)

• Optional: 1 tablespoon MCT oil & 1 serving Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (unflavored)*

• Optional: Non-dairy whipped cream

Recipe:

• Heat non-dairy milk on the stove until it warms to your desired temperature.

• Put matcha, cacao powder, coconut sugar, peppermint flavor, and (if you choose) MCT oil and collagen into a blender.

• Pour in milk and blend.

• Pour beverage into your favorite mug-- no really, your FAVORITE ONE!

• Add the whipped cream (if you’re feelin’ sassy)

*Adding a fat and protein source, like MCT oil and collagen, will help stabilize your blood sugar levels if you don’t plan on eating this with a meal. The MCT oil also helps make it nice and frothy. You can enjoy this with a balanced breakfast and skip those ingredients if you choose! This is a simple way you can enjoy a treat and keep your hormonal health in mind at the same time.

Share this with a friend and spread the holiday cheer!