Awaken Matcha Cafe

Soundtrack to a rainy eve

My mellow inspiration for this evenings musings:

Ah, yes. John Lennon. He reminds me of lullabyes sung by my dad, and the birth of my son, and countless other great and small moments in my life. So melodius, so political and yet so peaceful. So nice for a rainy night like this one.

Calorie dense foods=Winter cravings?

I was inspired to write this when a dear friend mentioned he was craving a lot of Guinness lately, and that he attributed it to the desire for creaminess during the colder months.

Why is it, in the winter, I want oatmeal, and macaroni and cheese, and lots of carb-laden, calorie rich, yummy, yummy treats?

Evolution. Survival. Adaptation. All of these things make my winter pants resist the nice, smooth buttoning process of yester-season. And, really, it makes sense if I were going to hibernate or face a food shortage. But I am lucky enough to be able to avoid the hunger scenario, and since this is no longer a hunter-gatherer culture, I don't have to "store up the energy."

My butt disagrees, so I fight with it sometimes. And sometimes, I give in and trick it with good stuff... like lovely wheat pasta. Or black bean and cheese enchiladas...or nice, creamy butternut squash soup. Or tofutti cuties. Ok, maybe those aren't really healthy food. They're soul food.

This is, by no means, a complete list of the winter cravings. I think of warm mashed potatoes at my grandma's house during Christmases gone by, and my mom's wonderful linguine with broccoli and cream sauce, and I could just go on and on and on....

One more thanks...

I read my list below and realized that I am also thankful for the health of my father, who has brought himself into wellness with the help of Earth Healers...and that I am thankful many of you are, or will, do the same. That is a big, big thing to be grateful for... can't forget that one.

Thanksgiving!!

I am thankful that all of this family (which includes anyone reading these rantings! Thank you!) cares about our planet and about its people.

I am thankful that the message of the necessity of preservation is quickly becoming mainstream, thanks to like-minded, high-profile individuals. Awesome.

I am thankful for time off with my kids. Every time I look at them, they seem like they've grown in some small way...and to savor that by shirking my duties and reading or doing a puzzle, or taking a walk, well, that rules.

I am thankful for my health. I try not to take it for granted.

I am thankful because tomorrow, I will eat a wonderful meal with my wonderful husband's (for whom I am also very grateful!) family. And that many, many households will do the same.

I am thankful that both my sisters-in-law will bring gorgeous, intelligent, and perfect babies into our family next year (one is a sweet little girl...and I think the other is going to be a darling little boy).

Indulgently, I am thankful for the good sales on Black Friday. Oh yes, I AM that brave.

My wishes for next year...

Someone with nowhere to go tomorrow (or tonight...) will find the strength and the resources to change that situation. I hope they can at least get a hot meal tomorrow. I hope I can help to serve it to those like them next year.

More and more people will heed the message of peace, and make it part of their life.

And, of course, that the word or preservation of this beautiful planet will spread like wildfire, and people will realize that they don't have to suffer to save, but if they don't save, we will suffer.

I love Thanksgiving because it makes me see how lucky I truly am, and those things give me the strength to examine my wishes and goals for years to come.

I would love to hear your thankful list.

How to stay forever young, lovely, and unbelieveably cool

I was in line to grab lunch today, and I experienced these musings.

Not that I'm an expert, but I think more people should make a concerted effort to SMILE, rather than look irritated when they're just sitting there. I don't want the frown wrinkle, because then, I'll scare small children...I'll be that woman that always looks angry. It would be a cruel irony.

I also think we should all eat more veggies. I always say that it's no wonder kids hate vegetables, because most of the time, the greatest exposure is at school-- which, by necessity, serves canned vegetables. Which I dislike immensely, and I adore my veg. Canned asparagus? Canned green beans? Canned peas?? Why, God? Why?? I would hate them too if all I ever saw were these mushy wonders. Seriously. So, eat more of the good, crisp stuff. And for goodness sakes, pass it on to a child.

I am going to preface this by saying that I don't want to sound preachy. Honest. But put out the smoke. I came upon this thought when I saw a lovely woman in her car as I walked in to get my salad. I thought, "She's lovely." Then she lit a cigarette, and all sort of thoughts about wrinkles and life expectancy, etc. etc., sprang into my mind all at once. And I thought, maybe it's cool to look older when you're 17, but it still makes folks look older when they're 40. And that, friends, is not cool. Yes, I know it's hard to quit. But childbirth, college, and resisting the call of the chocolate fudge brownie ice cream are all really hard too. I know you can do it. You know who you are, and you know you can, too.

Walk there. No, don't drive. Yes, I said walk. I am guilty of wanting to drive to the neigbor's house, but maybe if someone made me walk, I would.

At the risk of sounding like Ally McBeal, have a theme song. I think mine is Crazy (Gnarls Barkley). Subject to change, but your beat can keep you feeling upbeat. Wow, as lame as that sounds, it's true. Quick. Think of your song.

Vitamins. And less coffee. Whiter teeth. Happier body. Nicer hair! Longer nails! A Cleaner House! Whoo hoo!

Sexier (ok, well, at least nicer) shoes. I feel totally classier in my tee and jeans when I avoid the dirty converse rip-offs and slip on something a little more grown-up. Same goes for the ratty bra and undies.

So...what's your list to add on to mine?

Sometimes I just want to watch House...

Let me preface by saying that I love this time of year. But lately, I can't stay up past nine, and I certainly am having trouble finding the motivation to exercise. I love to work out; once I am in a groove I love the way I feel, I love the way I look-- it's like a win-win deal. But I have kids, and a job, and a husband who recently had surgery, and three cats, can errands, and cooking to do, and messes to clean...

So I am POOPED.

It's a sad irony that exercise gives me more energy to do this stuff. OK, so back to the point. This time of year-- when it gets dark earlier, and it's colder-- just saps me of my usually irritating-to-others motivation. Is it biology? Should I be getting ready to hibernate? The idea of pumping iron makes me cringe come September.

I think the point is that I should listen to my body. Drink some tea, do some yoga or walk a bit. There must be a reason why I want to slow down, so I am going to try it with the idea of a happier, less guilty me in mind. My idea of quality time right now is a blanket, my husband, and a new episode of House.

It seems like every day, I say to myself, "Self, we will stay up later and actually put away that laundry, and maybe go for a run in the morning."

And then myself ignores me. Sigh. I wish she'd listen sometimes.

Is it just me?

Awaken Matcha cookies?

So, every year I make those spritz cookies from the 60's-- the ones with the cookie press that are flavored with almond extract...they come out looking like wreaths or trees or hearts or whatever, depending on the plate you use with the extruder. Like yummy, fattening play doh.

What I'm thinking is that I am going to add a big scoop of Awaken Matcha to the bowl to give them a health boost and a nice, festive green color...as well as that flavor. I was thinking that it tastes so good with almond milk, that this would be drool-worthy.

Oh. My. Goodness. I can't wait!

Why this cafe' is better than the others

Because I can visit and chat in my undies.

Because I can come for camaraderie in the middle of the night.

Because I can shop here too!! Two vices, one place. I am all about the time savers.

Because I can vent and no one outside will hear me.

Because I can drink all of my Matcha and don't have to pay by the cup.

Because there are no fakers in here (you know who I mean...you've seen them at your neighborhood cafe).

Because if I am avoiding someone, they won't accidentally show up.

Because if my hair is really bad, no one will say anything.

It's great.

Tea...mmmm...

In honor of this lovely new cafe', I thought I would muse for a moment about the happiness that is tea.

Tea is like a blanket for your insides. My parents, both aged hippies, bless them, gave me teas even as a small child-- more unusual in the US than in other places-- so I grew up on herbal teas: peppermint, chamomile... I love them with honey. And sometimes lemon. When I was sick, my dad would make me drink cold goldenseal tea, which tasted like hell, but I much preferred it to any other remedy because I knew it would make me feel better. My husband carries on this tradition and fixes my cup of steeped joy often. Admittedly, shamefully, I have been known to feign weakness at times to have my tea prepared for me.

During the rough times of pregnancy, tea has been there for me. During early morning hikes with my brother, it has come along. When I am over-coffeed, it provides something more holistic (OK, well, Matcha provides me with the wickedness of coffee, almost, but nicer skin, healthier insides, and whiter teeth). It smells just like I need it to, and doesn't let me down with taste-- unlike some other treats (think a cookie that looks great but tastes like sawdust, or a dish of ice cream that winds up tasting like the floor of a chemical flavorings plant. Yes. It has happened to me.)...

As a self-dubbed foodie, I give my beloved tea two thumbs up. Heck, yes. It's even good after an argument or a bad date. Or with a chick movie and a blanket, and those sweats you won't even take your trash out in. You know you have some. We all do. Tea is a guilty pleasure we can show in public. So I say hooray. Hooray, tea!

A merchant that loves tea, too. I like her notecards.

All This is Mine Tea Letterpress Cards

I will write in them, sip Matcha, and be very sophisticated. Maybe I will even blog about it.

 

Welcome to the Matcha Cafe

Hello there and welcome to the Matcha Cafe!