Have you ever tried matcha green tea? Whether you are new to it or a long-time fan, we have a recipe for you today that we can’t WAIT for you to try.

It’s packed with super-foods but tastes like a treat (really!). This recipe will help you stop dropping so much $$$ on Starbucks’ version, which isn’t as tasty or nearly as nutritious.

It’s perfect as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up and you also can drink it before your workout if you need a little oomph to get moving.

Here’s why: you’ll get a definite energy boost from the matcha, which some studies show also can increase mental focus AND the rate your body burns fat. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and cinnamon has been proven to help balance blood sugar. Win-win-win!

Not only that, but this tastes amazing. Note: Starbucks version uses vanilla syrup, but we’ve switched that out for protein powder. If you have some vanilla stevia drops, those might work as well, or you can add a drop or two of pure vanilla extract!

Matcha Iced Protein Latte

1 tsp. Organic Matcha Powder

¼ tsp Turmeric

¼ tsp Cinnamon

1 cup Coconut Milk (I used the milk from a carton, not a can)

1 tbsp. Vanilla Protein Powder (or to taste)

Optional: Stevia or Honey, to taste

Ice cubes

Mix the matcha, turmeric and cinnamon together in a bowl until fully blended, and then slowly add the coconut milk, whisking as you go along to avoid clumps.

Pour the mixture into a blender and add protein powder. Blend until frothy! Taste, and add Stevia or honey if you want more sweetness. Pour over ice cubes and enjoy. 

Be sure to let us know what you think if you give this a try!

We have a little extra “exercise” for you the next time you get your sweat on.

Ever heard the saying, “Train how you want to look”?

So simple but some of the best exercise coaching advice. Why, because it makes such a HUGE difference.

We’ll get into exactly HOW you “train how you want to look” in a second, but first let’s talk about what good posture is and why it matters so much.

Most of us don’t normally give much thought to our posture. It’s automatic – we rely on our muscles to take care of it for us. There are a lot of muscles that are involved in maintaining proper posture and paying attention to them 24/7 would be overwhelming!

So, what is “good” posture, anyway?

Think of your body like a mountain, with its base at your feet. The mountain rises up tall through the front of your body – your shins, quadriceps, core, chest and shoulders – and then goes down your back, hips, hamstrings and calves.

All of those muscles work together to hold your body in place, keep your balance, etc.

They can even affect your breathing! For example, if your shoulders are rounded forward and your chest muscles are tight, it can be hard to expand your lungs for a deep breath.

That’s why it is super important to think about your posture when you exercise. After all, you are working to make your body STRONGER, and you want to make it stronger in an upright, aligned posture… right?

Now, it’s time for that extra “exercise” mentioned above.

The next time you pick up a set of weights, crank out a set of core exercises, go for a walk, jog or do any kind of workout, take a good look at your posture. If you can’t do a quick posture check in a mirror, take a moment to at least think about it.

Are you standing tall with your core engaged? Are you grooving good body patterns: shoulders back, chest up, and legs strong?

Or are you reinforcing patterns that you don’t love so much, with your shoulders rounded or your joints locked?

When you start training your body the way you want it to look, you’ll reinforce your mind-muscle connection and you’ll reap the benefits.

Your posture will start to improve 24/7 (even outside the gym), your core will get stronger, fast – and there’s a good chance you’ll notice a boost in your confidence, too.

Who doesn’t want that!?