Matcha Tea = My gold

Hello from Vanilla  :D

Tuesday is really unusual day for me to be blogging ;)
I promised you, I'll be back , as soon as I can, to explain about the Matcha Tea.
Promises, Promises

MATCHA is grown in Japan, and it is so special, that only a small percentage of that special green powder is actually exported to the world. Why? Because is so special to Japanese people, they try to keep it to themselves ;)
Matcha Green Tea powder is so expensive, because of its many health benefits.
When you drink Matcha, you ingest a whole leaf , not just a brewed water.
One glass of Matcha is equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content.
I will name just a few of the health benefits: fights against viruses and bacteria, it is rich in fibre, calms and relaxes, lowers cholesterol, it is rich in antioxidants and it boosts metabolism.

Matcha is very good as a cold brew, fantastic in smoothies, and as an ingredient in deserts.
It also makes a good Late, which I make at home and I am planing to show you this also ;)

The best Matcha is electric green colour
                         it has maximum unami
                         it is not bitter , but it has natural sweetness
                         extra long and beautiful finish

Well that is what I know about Matcha, I did read a bit more on it and I decided it is something I can't just give up as it is a great gift of nature for us in my opinion.
I mentioned last Saturday, how nice it is in a protein shake with nuts or seeds or both ;D
Today I explained why it is so special to me and why I believe in Matcha.

  SEEDS

Chia seeds - modern day superfood native to South America
Aperantly  " CHIA " is the ancient Mayan word  for " STRENGTH "
Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with antioxidants, high quality protein, high in omega 3 Fatty Acids. Chia seeds deliver massive amount of nutrients with very few calories. :D

Black sesame seeds contains a Ton of healthy oils and calcium that keeps your skin smooth and your hair shiny.It is also good for digestion.


Linseed - The benefits of this seeds is fibre - great source of gluten wheat free fibre  + Omega 3
Most of us don't eat recommended amount of fiber. Adding Linseed to your diet is easy.

Pumpkin seeds - anti-inflammatory benefits It contains Magnesium , Zink  and Omega 3 also.

So my Vanilla protein with Matcha powder 2 g,( shouldn't be more than 2 g per portion ) ground seeds and sometimes I like to use nuts , banana, different types of fruit and vegetable to make my morning protein always different

Vanilla xx

dream land just round the corner

Wher was I??

In a dreamland, sea, lovely view, architecture and lots and lots of snowdrops. Potsmouth, one of the many  you would think average cities in Englad but yet very interesting. Modern style crossed with old town and in the middle of that the sea. Just enjoy the view.

I'm sure everyone has got their favorite places, where you just want go back again and again. Please feel free to share with 4flavours :))

Pepper xxx

My special something!

Hi everyone :D

I promised long long time ago...I will post my protein shake. Even about week ago my 4flavours girls were asking me...When is it coming, as they would like to know the recipe ;)
Yesterday I mentioned in my Vanilla's  Friday Blog, that I will post my special Something ;)
So finally , here it is.
My ultimate number one !!
Vanilla Protein shake
My protein is not " a what ever protein ". It is the best of the kind...
The Vanilla protein shake I love is vegan , it doesn't contain soya, which is great...
I use some seeds and nuts to go with it...
And Matcha Tea, of course,  because  it's so good for me and am so hooked on it ;D.. It is easier, just to add it to my protein , as I don't have time to drink protein and tea separately in the morning...Am in a great rush to get out of the door, as my alarm clock rings 2 times, before I am able to get out of bed...
But as soon, as I had my morning boost, I am so much better, energized driving to work.

How I make it :
 The Vanilla protein,that I use,  can be only made with alternative milk ( rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk, hazelnut milk... )

 I get my seeds ready...Linseed , Chia seeds , Black Sesame seeds and Pumpkin seeds. A small tea spoon of each maximum, as am adding 4 different types of seeds.
I put them in my coffee grinder for a bit, so I break them and all the goodness comes out. I always do them fresh, as you get the most of the health properties for just 10 min. after you ground them. So really it is designed to be prepared in a morning rush ;)

Pour 200 ml of the coconut milk  (or any other except of cow's milk ) into a shaker, add all freshly grounded seeds , 2 g of Matcha Tea,  and one portion of the Vanilla protein ( 2 scoops )
Shake it well and if you find it too thick, you can pour a bit of water in it...

 This is so quick and easy !

It is not time consuming breakfast, but it's MAGIC !!
Sometimes I make my Vanilla protein in blender with berry's and banana. Really you can experiment with it...Add what you like.
I love chocolate protein shake of the same kind too, but now I gave up chocolate for Lent, I am not having that ;)
After Easter it will be a treat. I will also share my Chocolate protein recipe with you one day and I know, you will fall in love with it, because, it will make you feel good and you will never wan't to miss  THIS wonderful start to the day again...

Next time, I will tell you more about Matcha Tea and seeds...why I think they are great !?

I hope mornings won't be a struggle anymore for anyone who reads this  :D
Vanilla xx

Age is a number !

Vanilla's Friday

Magazines, News papers, Internet,  T.v. programmes....everywhere you can find people promoting some kind of solution to not get old, or how can we look young for ever?
To look is maybe easier, than to be...Because we are designed to age. That is one thing , that will happen to all the ones who are fortunate to live a long life...There is no other way! No matter what we do! To look good with it, yes , I think we can influence it...And I agree, we should care for ourselves.

I really don't mind how old I am , as long as I keep being young ;D ...


I think it's very important to be in peace with your self and comfortable in your own skin.
I also believe, there is something like " Aging beautifully "
People now days are so scared to age...Why ?
Every time of our life should be special for us...
We should enjoy childhood, young age, married life or single life, becoming parents and also becoming grandparents...Make the best of it...
If we all get to understand , that there is a pattern, almost all of us will go trough the same stages of life...it is just about if we choose to enjoy it or not....Nobody can stop at 20, 30, 40...
We are gonna age. Every age has its own beauty.
I think it is all about state of mind...can we be happy for who we are ? No matter how old we are?

We are designers of our own life, we can achieve, what we like to achieve, we can dream and our dreams can come true...We need to visualize good things and good things will come to us...
Positivity is an  incredible thing !!!
It can give you wings...
So for me,  positive thinking, good diet, active life,  social life, pampering and knowing to relax is a great combination, for making you feel happy and  energized.
Energized = full of life. When you feel good, age doesn't matter... ;)

I know some elderly people.
Rain or not, they walk their dog every day.
They are in their 90s and they live in their own home and keep on doing things for each other. They enjoy meeting with the family , playing with their great grandchildren and designing activities for them like Easter egg hunts...They still enjoy socializing, partying, traveling, gardening, shopping... They use computer so well. They are moving with times...They are young in their heart. And I can say , they are aging well without liposuction or  face lifts.

I read a bit on the subject of healthy living, super foods ,types of  tea and coffee that are good for you.
I take interest in herbs and their health properties...My Mum and me, have always something new to share, when we  skype...

I will give you some tips, that I believe in...So you can come and check me out...I will reveal ingredients,  recipes and foods that I like to consume and like to think, that they will do the trick on me ;)

You can contact me, and let me know, what do you think...? I think, we all have some rituals, that we do and believe  will make us or better, or more beautiful or make us look young for ever ;) or at least make us age well ;D
See you tomorrow with my special SOMETHING ;)

Arm your work out with ginger

Hi everyone!

As I'm called Ginger I have to tell you something about ginger. I found it in a health magazine which a get every month, very interesting. So a new study showed that this stir-fry staple can cut an average of 4.1 kg of body fat over 10 weeks when combined with strength training. And the best news is: just 1 tsp a day is all you need to see result. Pair your ginger with meat - further studies show combining it with protein doubles the speed at which ginger reaches you muscles. Amazing!

When I start working out (I can't right now I had a baby 2 month ago) that might be in couple months I try to use ginger more often in my diet and I tell you if that helps with losing body fat.

Ginger xxx

About time... or one day in my life

Cinnamon's Wednesday

It is already after 10 pm, can't believe the day's nearly over... But actually that's the case every day now - unless I'm working, then I can count the minutes sometimes. I'm always wondering if it is just me or if all the other mums face the same problem: the day does not have enough hours for all the things you want to do and it doesn't matter how well you are organised. I love organizing and planning everything. For example I think about what to cook during the next week and then do the shopping so I only have to go once (unless I forget something like the chillies for Vanilla's soup today). I also like planning my days always hoping to have maybe an hour for myself: time to watch an episode of one of my TV series or do my nails while watching TV or lie on the sofa with a cup of tea and read my book. But, my day is too short! Maybe I have to make some adjustments? Let's take today as an example. 

08:00 I wake up, just minutes before Toblerone wakes up as well.

08:15 We get up, first I get little one ready then I have a shower.

09:15 We go downstairs and I sort out breakfast for us (hubby got up and ready in between our morning routine and is already out of the house).
10:00 Out for playgroup, lovely sunny morning.

 Spring is coming ;-)

11:30 Last chat with a few mums and then playgroup is finished.
12:00 Back home. Decided that the little one is having a nap before lunch.
12:15 Started to cook lunch: Italian meatballs with potato gratin and mangetout.
13:45 Lunch is nearly done. I don't know why it took so long today.
14:00 We start eating as hubby is back home now but I can hear our little princess waking up. So I'm going to eat my lunch cold again.
14:15 It took sleepy head a bit to wake up properly as she was crying. Maybe a bad dream?
14:45 We both had lunch as well (although she didn't really eat much again). Daddy is tired and having some recovery time before he carries on studying and I decide to go out shopping (I need new black trousers for work as my old one's are too big, juhu ;-) ).
15:15 We found parking. And guess who's outside the shopping center? Ginger and her little sweetie. They've enjoyed the lovely weather as well. So we decided to have a coffee (well I had tea of course, since I'm not drinking coffee for an other 5 weeks I think).
16:15 Ginger's little one is hungry so they head home and my mini flavour and I went back to the shopping center.
17:00 Parking time nearly expired and I can't find black trousers. I bought a nice pair of white summer trousers (Tommy Hilfiger) instead. Little one is getting bored so we leave the shop. I extend my parking time as I have to buy a card and a cake and the ingredients for Vanilla's soup still.
18:00 Back in the car and jey we're are queuing.
18:30 Finally home. Just in time cause hubby has got an evening class and was already waiting for me to get home.
19:00 Skyping with family and preparing dinner for my mini.
19:30 Well, she ate a little bit, mainly fruits not the nice toast with pate.
19:45 Toblerone has played with her glass of water. She's wet, the floor is wet (and full of crumbs from the unwanted toast). While she's watching her 3 episodes of Peppa I do the washing up and tidying up of the kitchen and prepare the evening bottle (amazing how much you can manage in around 15 mins).
20:20 Finally our sweetheart is in bed, washed, teeth brushed, bottle finished and story read. Puuh. But she's not sleeping yet so I stay in her room until she is.
20:45 Yes, sleeping peacefully :-). Now I get my dinner sorted (just tuna salad, cheese and yes a glass of wine and fruit salad for desert). Today I wasn't hungry when my little one was eating cause I had a caramel shortbread earlier which is really really filling.
21:15 Hubby is coming back home. He's heating up his dinner (remainings of our lunch) and sitting down to watch the second half of his football team playing. And I'm finally sitting down in front of my laptop :-).

I usually go to bed around 23:00 so I can at least carry on reading my book for a few minutes before I get too tired. 

As our daughter grows up I think my schedule will change as well. So instead of thinking of any adjustments I just go with it and enjoy every minute :-). Once she's 16 I probably wish she was still a toddler although I probably have more time to myself then and more time to worry about her... 

Once you have a child your whole life really changes (I can't say it often enough just because I couldn't imagine it before our little one was born)! 

Cinnamon x

back to real life

Hello all,
I'm back. Unfortunately every holiday is to short and time then goes to quick... especially when you are with family. I think all I have to do now is to count down to the next holiday.
Regarding holiday time, I mention before that for some time I'm in love with orchids. I have 10 of them and I will introduce them soon, but during my time in Poland I thought I will try to get my mum in love with orchids. So I bought one for her. She was delighted. I choose the orchid in color pattern I always wanted to have but yet never could find it.
Now every time my mum is looking at that beautiful plant she can think of me :)

Now I just can't wait to see all 4 flavours for a coffee and a little update :)
See you soon
Pepper