Why Matcha Green Tea Is Amazing! - Matcha Organics Review

If you're anything like me you are always looking to add nutrients and minerals to your daily intake. Sometimes it seems like there isn't enough time (or calories!) in a day to get it all in. This is why I love matcha, it comes in powder form and you can add it to just about anything! It is abundant in antioxidants, minerals and nutrients to keep you healthy and happy. In fact, one cup of matcha is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea!

Matcha is a specially grown and powdered green tea. It is the center of both Chinese and Japanese traditional tea ceremonies. Most recently, it has been used to dye and flavour foods and treats (We've all heard of the infamous Matcha Green Tea KitKat bars!). There are two different grades of matcha -ceremonial and culinary, each use different blends and preparations (today I'm testing culinary). Ceremincial matcha is typically mixed with hot water while culinary can be used in a variety of ways such as baking and smoothies.

Matcha is produced from shade grown tea leaves, this is important because it boosts the production of chlorophyll and in return amino acids. Chlorophyll is an antioxidant and assists in keeping our blood healthy, kills germs and acts as a wound healer. Once picked the leaves are then dried, steamed and stone ground to produce the powdered matcha that we know and love today. Because it is powdered and you use the entire leaf your body is able to use 100% of the nutrients from the tea. It is important to ensure that the matcha you purchase has not oxidized, as it degrades the product - always look for vacuum sealed tins/bags to ensure optimum freshness and maximum antioxidants.

As mentioned above, matcha hosts a powerhouse of antioxidants (over 1300!), minerals and nutrients. The health benefits of matcha include:
- Energy Booster (Replace your morning coffee!)
- Mental clarity
- Boosts metabolism and burns calories
- Detoxifies
- Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
- Prevents disease

I was recently given the opportunity to try Matcha Organics Culinary Grade Matcha and have been loving adding it to my daily smoothie! The best thing about Matcha Organics is that it is quality made. This company truly cares about it's product and their customers, which is of great importance to me. Their matcha is 100% organic and USDA approved. As previously mentioned, it is culinary grade which means is perfect for mixing in your morning smoothie or adding to your cupcakes! This product also comes with a 100 recipe e-book that is sure to give you plenty of ideas on how to get your matcha in!

Have you ever tried matcha?! Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

* Matcha Organics kindly provided me with a bag of their Culinary Matcha Green Tea in exchange for an honest review. All purchases receive their free Top 100 Matcha Recipes E-Book! As always, all opinions and experiences are my own! This post is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links. Thank you so much for your support!

Top Five Must Have Tools in Your Vegan Kitchen!

Hello!

When I first went vegan what seems like so many years ago now, I was concerned about all these specialty tools I was seeing! I didn't (still don't haha!) have the money for a $700 blender and I don't have the space for a ton of kitchen gadgets! If you are just starting out or trying to minimize your kitchen here are my top five items that you need to be successful with your vegan diet!

1. Glass Containers -  I use mason jars and glass Tupperware, I really like glass because it doesn't leach any chemicals into your food, it's easy to clean, and it's very durable! (I have yet to break one!) The items I purchased I've had for 10 years! On another note I've seen some great metal containers, I just haven't tried them yet myself. Let me know if you have!

2. Blender - Yes, I do believe you need a blender but don't worry if you don't want to spend all your savings on one. While I recommend you purchase a better quality one but it doesn't have to be the best. I've tried many low end blenders (>$60) and they just don't last. However, I've had my Ninja Blender for a couple of years now and it was only around $100.  It has lasted through daily smoothies, hummus and many other recipes and I would definitely purchase one again!

3. Knives and Cutting Board -  These two go hand in hand. What's great about being vegan is that you don't need an entire knife set! I purchased a few great quality knives that should last me a lifetime. The knives I keep in my kitchen are: Chef's Knife, Bread Knife, Salad Knife, and Paring Knife. As for a cutting board, I absolutely love the wood ones, they're durable and last forever if cared for properly. I rinse mine off after each use and clean it with lemon and olive oil once a week!

4. Cook/Bakeware - Before going vegan I had so many pots, pans and dishes. I've cut mine down to one big pot, one medium pot with steamer, one small pot, one frying pan and one baking sheet. As always, I suggest doing your research and choosing a quality product (I believe in quality over quantity!). The ones I've been using for the past 10 years are from Lagostina and they've held up great!

5. Kettle - If you're anything like me then you love tea! I use my kettle once or twice a day and it makes it so easy to heat up water quickly! I chose a stove top version just because I like the way they look but the electric ones are just as great!

Of course there are many other tools for the kitchen but these are the ones I use on a daily basis and would consider the basics. What items in your kitchen do you consider must haves? Any favourite brands? Let me know in the comments below!

* I purchased all the items above with my own money, as always all thoughts and opinions are my own! Links above are affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

All About Apricot Kernel Oil!

Over the past year I have been trying out as many different oils as I can get my hands on! One that I keep going back to is Apricot Kernel Oil. Not only do I find it moisturizing and light but it is also very affordable!

Apricot kernel oil is derived from the seed (or kernel) of the apricot fruit. The apricot tree is said to have originated in Armenia (it's scientific name is Prunus Armeniaca meaning Armenian Plum) although others believe it was first found in China or India. What we do know however is that it has been widely popular throughout the ages, there are stories and accounts of this tree all over Asia and Europe and more recently Africa, North and South America and Australia. Today, the top exporters of apricots include Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Algeria and Italy.

The fruit has long been used both fresh and dried in a variety of ways such as drinks, desserts and medicinal purposes. In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine they are known for being able to cure many ailments including coughs, asthma and even tumours! Dried Apricots are one of my favourite snacks and perfect for taking on a hike! The seeds from apricots grown in central Asia and the Mediterranean are so incredibly sweet that they began using them in place of almonds. It is commonly used in cooking but also has amazing properties that benefit your skin!


Reasons why I love Apricot Kernel Oil:
- Very light, easily soaks in to your skin leaving it without that oily feeling.
- Rich in Essential Fatty Acids which soften the skin and improve it's texture.
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is said to be great for soothing skin conditions such as eczema or keratosis pilaris.
- Contains vitamin E which is an antioxidant and vitamin A which normalizes and repairs the skin.

I am currently using it for:
- Massage
- Face Oil
- Body Oil
- Carrier Oil
- Skin Scrub (with sugar!)
- Hair Treatment

Do you use Apricot Kernel Oil? Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

** I purchase my Apricot Kernal Oil through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

How To Save Money On Groceries! [Canada]

This has always been a place I've struggled with, groceries can be super expensive and it doesn't help that the best quality, nutrient dense foods are the worst offenders. It has never made sense to me that a bag of apples was more expensive than a bag of chips!

While we all know that our health is the best investment, most of us have a budget to stick to and unfortunately can't always get what we want. What we can do however is use the following tools to help save and put those savings back into our cart with the purchase of those healthy foods.

1. Plan your shopping trip. I keep a magnetic shopping list on my fridge so that I can write down items that are used up throughout the week, my husband will also jot down anything he needs here so that it's all in one place. The day before my grocery trip I go through my pantry, cabinets and fridge to determine what needs to be restocked and add these items to my list. I will also come up with a quick meal plan, 7 meals that I can make throughout the week in addition to lunches and add the necessary ingredients to my list.

2. Coupons:  Every week I go on all the following websites (Save them to your favourites!) to print the coupons of items that are on my list. Some of the sites below send you coupons in the mail, I order from these sites weekly but only the items that my family uses. In addition to the websites listed below, you can also go directly to company website for coupons, there are often promotions going on!
- WebSaver [Printable + Mail]
- Save [Printable + Mail + Cash Back App]
- Walmart [Printable + Mail]
- PG Everyday [Printable]
- Flipp [Printable + Price Match App]
- Smart Source [Printable]

3. Price Match: Looking through all the paper flyers to find matches is incredibly time consuming and honestly I never found myself doing this until I found Flipp. Download the app on your phone, make your shopping list and it will find matches for you. (This app also has coupons that you can print out at home). I use this all the time at Walmart at have never had an issue. Bonus * You don't waste gas and time by having to go to multiple grocery stores!
- Google App
- Apple App

5. Never go grocery shopping hungry! If I do, I find that I make poor food choices and pick up quick and easy meal and snack items that I wouldn't normally purchase! If I eat before I shop, then my mind is clear to make healthy choices.

6. Shop the discounted rack! I don't know about your local store, but mine has a rack for produce and for baked goods that are close to expiry. I have often picked up a bag of oranges or buns for $1 that are still more than good to eat. However, this can backfire if you pick everything up off the rack just because it's been discounted, always buy only what you know you can eat before it goes bad.

7. Do the work yourself! Although it may be tempting to buy that fruit or veggie tray, they are super expensive and unless you are in a hurry they aren't worth it! I always try and buy the whole food version rather than the packaged one, it might not save you time but it will save you money!

8. Instant Savings Apps: These are apps that you can use in-store for discounts on your groceries at the cash register (aka digital coupons). The one I use is Coupgon!

9. Store Point Cards: These are always great as you get points that you can use at the register on your groceries, they can add up quickly! The ones I use are PC Plus and Shopper's Optimum.

10. Cash Back Apps: I don't always find the best coupons, especially when it comes to produce but this where the cash back apps come in. 9 times of 10 one of these apps will offer cash back on produce. Once you've reached $20, they'll send you a cheque in the mail!:
- Caddle
- Checkout51
- Zweet 
- Save 

What are your favourite sites, tips and tricks for saving money on groceries? I'm always looking to learn how others do it! Although I've seen Farmer's Markets on many, many lists they're always more expensive in my location so I didn't include it. Do you find that they save you money? Be sure to let me know in  the comments below! Happy Saving!

Five Easy Ways To Green Up Your Cleaning Routine!

This was one of the first things I fully switched over on my path to living a more natural life. You use these products daily, they end up covering your entire house, you may even have children or pets that crawl or play on the floor. Typical cleaners contain many harmful ingredients and chemicals that are just unnecessary! Did you know that manufacturers are not required (by law) to list the ingredients? That's pretty scary! By switching over to more natural products not only will you save money but you will be playing a part in keeping our water clean and forests beautiful.

1. Make your own cleaners.

There are hundreds of different recipes out there but honestly these are the ones that I find myself making over and over again!:

Dishes:
castille soap - That's it!

Glass Cleaner:
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
* Mix and use a lint free cloth for streak free windows, mirrors and stainless.

All-Purpose Cleaner
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
1 tsp liquid castille soap
1 tsp baking soda
20 drops of your favourite essential oil (I like to mix it up! Some of my favourites are orange, lemon and lavender)
* I also use this for carpet stains! Be sure to test a small area first.

Daily Shower and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 part vinegar
1 part water
20 drops tea tree essential oil

Refresh Carpets/Rugs
1 cup Baking Soda (Depending on size)
10 drops of your favourite essential oil
Mix well, sprinkle all over rug or carpet, leave for at least 30 minutes and vacuum.

Heavy Duty Cleaner
 For heavy duty cleaning such as the oven (I do not like using the self-clean function!) I simply sprinkle baking soda all over and then spray it with my all-purpose cleaner then let it sit for about 30 minutes. Wipe away with vinegar you'll be amazed at how well it works!

2. Purchase natural detergents/cleaners.

In addition to making your own cleaners there are also many great brands these days! Some of the ones I recommend and use are:

- Seventh Generation
- Method
- The Honest Company
- Mrs. Meyers

3. Replace Paper Towel with reusable cloths or rags.

You can simply use old shirts and towels cut into squares or purchase micro fiber cloths, they work way better than your old school paper towel! If you do use paper towel, please find one that is made from recycled materials (Both Seventh Generation and Cascades offer options.)!

4. Use Steam!

This is my favourite way to deep clean my floor! I spot clean using my all purpose cleaner throughout the week and then twice a week I steam them using my Shark Floor Steamer. It eliminates up to 99.99% of germs and bacteria without the use of ANY chemicals! If you've never used one I highly suggest adding one to your wish list! Be sure to look for one that comes with reusable microfiber pads!

5. Clean often!

If you find that you are needing heavy duty, foaming or chemical action it could be because you need to clean more often. By cleaning daily you cut down on tough grime, allergens and the time it takes! I clean one or two rooms daily in addition to a few small tasks which has worked really well! I find that my home is always clean with this routine. If you want an in depth post on my cleaning routine let me know!

How do you keep your home clean? What are some of your favourite cleaners or recipes? Leave them in the comments below!

* I purchased all the items above with my own money, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan] 3

Hey Everyone!

Here is another full day of vegan eating! I don't normally count calories or track macros but have put them together to give you an idea.

Breakfast

As always, I have a glass of lemon water to wake up my system and help flush out any toxins! I then enjoyed 3 yummy oranges and 2 pieces of roti!

- 460 kcal, 83.4g Carbs, 10.4g Protein, 12.8g Fat

Morning Snack

I enjoyed a bowl of frozen mixed berries!

- 140 kcal, 30g Carbs, 2g Protein, 1g Fat

Lunch

I made myself a bowl of barley (I like it plain!) and my favourite salad which included hemp hearts, chia seeds and some homemade Italian dressing. 

- 535 kcal, 84.7g Carbs, 25.5g Protein, 13.6g Fat

Afternoon Snack

Mixed Nuts

- 200kcal, 7g carbs, 5g Protein, 14g Fat

Supper

My favourite supper of all time is a chow mein inspired dish with tofu, rice noodles, mixed veggies and a homemade sauce!

- 678 kcal, 85.2g Carbs, 30.1g Protein, 23.3g Fat

Alright! That is it for the day! I was full from supper and didn't need an evening snack although I would like to start drinking tea.. Any suggestions for a fruity, caffeine free flavour?

Days Total: 2013 Calories, 290.4g Carbs (68%), 73.1g Protein (17%), 64.9g Fat (15%)

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!

Jules

* I used S Health to find the nutritional information.

30 Day Minimalism Challenge! - Day One

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had an amazing holiday season with your family and friends!

January is always a time of reflection, self-evaluation and resolution making. I am always striving to better myself and the world I live in. One of my goals last year was to downsize and if you read my previous blog post ' The Beginning of My Minimalist Journey ', you'll know that my husband and I sold our house and moved into an apartment! Now, you can imagine the amount of stuff we got rid of! We have now been in our apartment for a few months and I can see that items are slowly creeping in, we have bins that are full in our storage room and everything is not as organized as it once was.

Well, I feel like there is no better day than today to do something about it! With the new items I received for Christmas and the old stuff that I am still hanging on to, I am going to to the 30 Day Minimalism Challenge! The way it works is that on day one you use/donate/sell/trash one item, on day two you use/donate/sell/trash two items, on day three you do the same with three items and so on. You continue this all the way up until day 30 where you get rid of 30 items! It's pretty amazing because by the end of it all you will have reduced your belongings by 465 items! Wow!!

At this point, on day one, I'm not so sure I have that many items left to get rid of but I am excited to see where this journey takes me! I will be using Marie Kondo's mantra " Does this item spark joy?" to help me along.

My one item today is a broken eye shadow brush that I've been holding on to so I could fix it! Well, it hasn't been fixed, it isn't bringing me joy and I have been using other brushes! Find me on Instagram where I'll be posting updates of the items I get rid of!

Let me know in the comments below if you want to join me in this challenge or if you have done it before!

Peace & Love!

Jules