My top Natural Energy Boosts & Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

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Here I am enjoying my Strawberry Chocolate Mint Shake as a Mid-Afternoon Snack…Refreshing and Healthy!

Strawberry Chocolate MInt after Farmers Market

If there is one thing we all wish we had more of…it’s energy, right!  I am not talking about just energy to get through the day, but ENERGY to actually enjoy the day!  After all, isn’t that what life is about.  Living every day feeling happy, healthy and full of life is not easy when we’re dragging.

So today I am going to share a few a few quick, simple, & natural tips I use that help me daily and give me tons of energy to last all day!  And bonus… all these natural energy boosts have many other health benefits as well.  How cool is that!

How to Boost Energy Naturally with Food

Let’s start with what you put into your body.  The old saying “You are what you eat”, still holds true today everyone!  To increase your energy naturally eat healthy food!  Many times when we need an energy boost we reach for a combination of sugar and caffeine, which usually means a crash later on.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  Here are my favorite natural food choices to boost energy….

1. Lemon Water & Apple Cider Vinegar

Let’s talk about lemon water combined with a small amount of apple cider vinegar…because that’s how I love to start every single day.  When we sleep we lose water and once we become dehydrated we can become more fatigued.  (This explains the reason why most runners during a longer run carry (or stash) some water to hydrate to keep our energy up.)  Never wait until your thirsty to drink!  So after 8 hours of sleeping with no hydration, this freshly squeezed lemon juice gives you bio-available vitamin C, plus just the scent of citrus is very refreshing.

cold glasses of fresh lemonade

For added health benefits, add about one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.  This is not only cleansing, but the health benefits are endless.

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2. Matcha

I love coffee as much as most coffee connoisseurs, but you can also get a more healthful boost of energy from one of my faves…..Green Tea.  They say it’s the second healthiest beverage on the planet next to water.  You get that same calm, focused energy with Matcha.  Matcha is made from finely ground green tea leaves.  It contains caffeine, but much less than coffee.  The L- theanine in Matcha is what gives us that focused, alert feeling.  And Matcha is also a great source of antioxidants…much higher than traditional green tea, since you are consuming the whole leaf.  It is also said to boost metabolism and aid weight loss.  Matcha is made by simply whisking the powder into hot water.  You can turn it into a Frappuccino by blending with coconut milk and some sweeter.  Be just as creative with your Matcha as you are with your coffee.

Apple Cinnamon Tea

I have a cup of this almost every morning hot, and on ice in the afternoon with a protein bar or one of my homemade energizing bites.

So forget coffee and amped-up sodas.  Here’s a safe and natural way to head off the slumps when you need a quick pick-me-up.  An exclusive blend of antioxidant-rich green, white and red teas, as well as taurine, naturally boosts your energy and enhances alertness.  Enjoy morning or afternoon, hot or cold.

3.  Protein for Breakfast

We’ve all heard this before right….“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”.  Thought so.  When you wake up, you’re not only somewhat dehydrated, but your blood sugar is also low and needs to be replenished to make your muscles and brain work their best.  Breakfast helps replenish it.  Many people skip this important meal because they are rushing to get out the door.  BIG MISTAKE!  Most likely if you skip breakfast, you’ll get hungry later on and than you snack on high-fat, high sugar foods.  You don’t need a big breakfast but do your best to eat something within an hour of waking up.

Resist that pastry or doughnut, though. Your best bet is a mix of foods that have carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.  Carbs will give you energy right away, but the protein will give you it later on and keep your blood sugar stable.  Fiber keeps you feeling full.

Some suggestions may be a high protein whole-grain cereal, low-fat milk with fresh berries, homemade breakfast bars, or try my favorite way to start the day….a breakfast smoothie.  Immediately after my lemon and apple cider vinegar concoction, I take a few minutes for devotions, do a few warm up exercises, and than head out for my run and workout.  The first thing I do when I get home is whip up a yummy Protein Smoothie.  I use the Shaklee Life Energizing Shake because this delicious meal shake contains nutrients clinically proven to help create the foundation for a longer, healthier life.  It is designed to increase your energy, help you achieve a healthier weight since it’s loaded with leucine, and provide incredible digestive and immune support from fiber and probiotics.  I love the way it makes me feel, plus it’s lactose and gluten free.

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie
This is a Delicious Shake Recipe with both Protein & Matcha Tea! Give this a try!       Recipe below:

2 scoops Shaklee Life Shaklee, Vanilla
1 c. skim milk (or milk alt. of choice) I used almond milk
1/2 banana
1/2 c. frozen mango chunks
2 handfuls fresh greens (kale or spinach)
1 tsp green tea matcha powder

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.

Simple Exercises for a Quick Energy Boost

If your energy is lagging throughout the day, sometimes it just means you’ve been sitting too long. Get up and move! Here are my favorite ways to get an instant natural energy boost through simple and fun exercise….
1. Go for a Walk or Run

A walk or, in my case a run outdoors is ideal.  Even during the cold Winter months here in Minnesota, I run outside because I love how the fresh air makes me feel more alert and awake.  So not only does movement help with increasing your energy, so does exposing yourself to natural light during the day.  You’ll sleep better too.

I also never run with my phone, but I never have.  Many runners run to music or listen to podcasts, but try leaving the phone behind and really pay attention to what’s going on around you.  My favorite time of the day to run is early in the morning when the birds are singing and the bees are buzzing.  Their energy is contagious!

Listen to the birds

2.  Yoga

I am a yogi fanatic.  If you haven’t tried it, I suggest you start.  Almost two decades ago my friend talked me into being her guest at a yoga class.  I swore I’d never go back.  Ha…..with patience, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with yoga like I fell in love with running!  I am now teaching 3 to 4 classes a week.  It took awhile, but over time, I started to really notice an improvement in my flexibility, mind set, and even my running.  If you too have experienced mixed emotions about yoga, my only suggestion is patience.  The health benefits are endless…..yes they are!

Paddleboard yoga

One More Important Tip To Boost Energy when you’re Tired

Ok….I have shared some of my favorite beverages that give me an energy boost but also have amazing health benefits.  And if you didn’t know that just getting up and moving can also give you energy, you do now!  But guess what else…..our minds are powerful.  Try this exercise next time you’re feeling down in the dumps or tired.  Make a quick mental list 5 things you’re thankful for. It works every-time.  In fact, I bet you can think of more than 5.  Shoot for 10, and soon you’ll be smiling and feeling good again.

Mind is Powerful



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One response to “My top Natural Energy Boosts & Matcha Green Tea Smoothie”
  1. Thanks a ton for writing this! I’m a long time lurker but I had to sign up to comment and let you know how much I enjoyed this,
    I even shared it to facebook! Keep up the good work!

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