80--- Strawberry Green Tea Smoothie

Matcha powder is a finely-milled high quality green tea. It can be found at your local specialty-foods market (I purchased mine in bulk). Don't be afraid- it is expensive but you only need a little bit (mine was $75 per pound but I only paid $8 for ~1/2 cup). There is also such a thing as green tea powder-- they are not the same. Matcha can be used to make green tea ice cream, mixed with powdered sugar for a fruit dip, folded into cookies (stay tuned), etc.

Green tea naturally contains antioxidant compounds called polyphenols, and has long been touted as having health benefits ranging from promoting heart health, to preventing breast cancer, to assisting with weight loss. Only a few human studies have been conducted to verify these health claims, but most health professionals agree that it can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet (use with caution if taking Coumadin) and may have heart-healthy and antioxidant-driven benefits.

This smoothie was delicious and so easy (as most smoothies are). Will drinking one give you the health of a 20-something long into your 90s? Most likely not, but it can't hurt to try.



Strawberry Green Tea Smoothie
Makes one ~12 oz smoothie


8-10 large organic strawberries, stemmed (if frozen omit ice cubes)
1/2 cup low fat plain yogurt (if you want to use vanilla-flavored, omit honey)
4-5 ice cubes
1 tsp matcha
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract


Place all ingredients into a blender and puree to desired consistency. Add skim milk to thin if necessary. Enjoy!



Nutrition Info per 1 smoothie: 140 calories, 2 g fat, 7 g protein, 22 g carbohydrates, 2.5 g fiber