The 2 Week Matcha Diary Has Been Completed

This is my final post regarding my Matcha Diary. This was the final day. So here's my final review on my two weeks. So what was it all about? Check out the original post here. 

The last two weeks have been fun. I've passed my last two pastry assessments (recipe here). EVER! I've had no coffees for 2 weeks, which is hard for a coffee lover but I'm also a tea lover which is good as I replaced my morning coffee with Matcha Green Tea.  

According to the teapigs website they had a study on people to try the teapig matcha shot for 2 weeks (see the website for there results).

I've taken the questions set at the end of the two week process and asked myself and have answered as followed:

Hey Penny!

Hello Penny, You ok?

Can't complain. Had an upset tummy the other day.

Ditto. Freaky.

Whatever, you're talking to yourself you insane person. Lets just do this, I've got cupcakes to ice! So, will you recommend Matcha to a friend?
Nice thanks. I would recommend to a friend who was interested in tea and looking for that healthy alternative to coffee for an energy boost. 

Would you buy Matcha again?
Right, I would buy Matcha again because it can be put into hot water, milkshakes, porridge and baked with. I feel that, because it's versatility that I would buy again. So in short yes!

Do you feel that you had more energy?

Definitely Yes! I feel that I was more buzzing as the day continued especially on work days, when the boost was really needed. I would have the Matcha shot and just over an hour after taking the shot I would feel more awake and focused on the task I was doing. 

How much energy?

How do you measure energy? Well I would say that I feel more energised for about 4 hours. 

Did it make you slimmer?
Hey! Thats rude! If I have to be honest, I'm not really looking to lose weight at this stage so I haven't noticed.

How about your skin and nails, has it improved?
I have noticed that my nails are stronger and are less prone to flaking. I've also noticed that my skin is much better, (less blemishes) considering that I have oily skin and any improvement no matter how little is very much appreciated.  

So in conclusion, was it worth it? 
You know what? Yes, I think its worth trying out even if you try a sample or pinch a loved ones Matcha tea, if you can grab it before they notice!

Bake On and Drink On!

Matcha Diary Day 12 and 13

Day 12:
11am-Sunday lay-in!
11:30am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.
12am- Had some lunch.
1:30pm- Went shopping
4:30pm- Got home and had a mini cupcake rather then a regular one. But no snacks at all. 
10pm- Thrown myself into bed. Busy day tomorrow.

Day 13:
6:30am-Boo for mondays! But have to get to work. Busy day. I did have my Matcha Shot right at the start of my morning. However, my stomach is feeling achey so decided to have a glass of water to flush out my system.
7:15am- Sadly my stomach ache didn't pass and I wasn't able to go to work. 
10am- My stomach hasn't settled but I feel wide awake thanks to the matcha. Feeling calm. 
12pm-Still haven't had anything to eat but feeling much better
1:20pm- Have had a little soup and still feeling focused and calm.
2pm- Feeling really tired and drained, this feeling continued through the day.  
9:30pm- Going to bed not feeling so good again.

Matcha Diary Day's 9, 10 and 11

I fell behind in my matcha day for the last couple of days down to pure tiredness. To be honest no amount of matcha could have woken me up. But it did it's job for work as it did keep me focused.

Day 9:
6:10am-Really tired after the excitement of passing my pastry assessment. But got to do my job and get to work.
7am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.
8am- Got to work in the end after falling asleep on the commute.
10am- Feeling a bit tired still but still very tired.
12:30pm- Had lunch and it's made me more sleepy!
2pm- Feeling a little better but still having an undertone of tiredness.
4:30pm- Home time! Time to eat, bath and then bed!
10pm- Thrown myself into bed!

Day 10:
6:30am-Got up but it's too early to think. I think it's time for a Matcha shot! But it's FRIDAY!!! YAY!
7:30am- Out the door to work and feeling much better and more ready to work.
8:30am-Had breakfast at work. I feel more calmer and relaxed for the insanely busy day ahead.
9:30am- Feeling very alert and calm but the whole office is stressed out as it's 'busy Friday' 
12:40am- Had a brief lunch as it was really busy. The Matcha must be doing it's job as I feel calm despite the stressy customers. Staying  very 
5pm- After a hectic day and a busy week, I'm looking forward to a saturday doing nothing.   
11pm-I know it's a friday but I'm off to bed. I think the matcha really helped me get through the day. Sleepy time for me.

Day 11
10:10am- Woke up and went instantly for the matcha. Its become a a good habit. I was meant to meet my university tutor but she couldn't make it. Which is great for a lay in!
11am- Had a  
1:30pm- Feeling a little drained but not sure why. 
4pm-want to Starbucks with my mum and neighbour and her grandchildren. I really fancy a coffee >.< but I resisted and had some tea instead.
6pm- Feeling great and energised. Thanks again matcha!

Penny's Matcha Diary 7 and 8! It's been a week! Woo!

Day 7:

11am-Major lay-in as I had a rough nights sleep. I was really worried about a pastry assessment I have later in the day, so it took me ages to get to sleep. So feeling a little stressed out.

11:15am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.

12:30pm- Had lunch (while going over my recipes for my pastry assessment). Feeling a little more calmer. 

3:15pm- Going out to university for my pastry assessment.

4:30pm- Sat in a coffee shop without coffee. I must really look cool with my bottle of water and reading my assessment recipes. Keeping very calm which is not what I'm usally like on assessment day.   

5:30pm- I have 3 hours to complete a fruit fruit and creme caramels. But feeling very focused and am concentrating more.

8:45pm- Passed with merit! Woo! 
10pm- Home and thrown myself to bed!

Also ONE WEEK WITHOUT COFFEE! IT CAN BE DONE!!

Day 8:
6:30am-Woke up but not feeling 100% awake yet. I think it's Matcha time!
7:30am- Out the door to work and feeling a bit more awake but it's too early to tell.
8:30am-NEED BREAKFAST!! Starving!!
9:30am- Feeling a little more alert yet calm.
10:09am-Finally publish my Matcha Green tea and chocolate cupcakes! Yay!! 
11:40am-Went for a brief lunch break walk and had lunch.
12:40am- Had an apple for a snack (check me out with the healthy snack)
6pm-Got home and instantly went out to see my wonderful amazing  friend Naomi for sushi!!
10:30pm-Off to bed as I'm talking a load of rubbish as I'm so tired. 

Still fancy that 15% off tea at teapigs ? Put BLOGGERS12 into the checkout!

Bake and Drink on!

Matcha Diary Days 5 and 6

Day 5:

10:30am-woke up and instantly had my first matcha with my shot glass. This is becoming a good habit. So far haven't felt any need for my morning coffee.
11am - had quick breakfast.
1:45pm - went out to finally get a new bag as my old one split. :( I did get a nice compliment saying I look "more trim". Is this the appetite reducing affects of the Matcha making itself known?
4:45pm-feeling hungry so had a sandwich but had no other snacks.
8pm- had dinner and have had no sweets or unhealthy snacks today.

Day 6:
10am-got up and went straight for the matcha without a second thought. As the days goes on it gets easier to take.
11:15am- had a poached egg and 2 bacon rashers (hairy biker recipe from this book)
12:45pm - Starting my journey back to London. My ferry to Portsmouth. No hunger pangs. I have had a hot chocolate on the way but I fancied something hot.
2pm- feeling focused and my mind is calm on my way home.
4pm- got home ok and had a sandwich for a snack.
6pm- just finished my pastry time plan for my assessment tomorrow. Time for dinner!

Still fancy that 15% off tea at teapigs ? Put BLOGGERS12 into the checkout!

Bake and Drink on!

Penny's Matcha Diary Day 3 and 4

Day 3:
6:30am-feeling really rough and runned down.
6:35am-noticed my skins looks clearer. Is that the Matcha?
7:45am- First Matcha of the day
8:30am- Munch on my porridge on my desk. Had no snacks all morning. 3rd day in a row.
10:30am-feeling more awake. 
11am-Starting to feel hungry!
12pm- stuffed myself with pasta for lunch and had a Matcha

Cupcake for a 'Fat Friday' snack. (Promise I will post the recipe soon.)

1:16pm-feeling loads more awake.
3:21pm-started my travels to the Isle of Wight. Starting to feel tired.
6pm- got to Portsmouth and had a sneaky nandos for dinner.
9pm-got to the island. What a long day!

Day 4:
12pm-had a lazy lay in. Still feel a little tired. Checked out my skin and still looking as clear as yesterday.
1pm-first matcha of the day
1:45pm-went out for shopping and feeling really energised. Managed to get a small measuring shot glass which will help me measure exactly how much water and matcha to have.

4:26pm only just having dinner but not feeling as hungry as I normally am without food for so long.
7:30pm-still feeling energetic and focused.

Dont forget to use that 15% off tea code at teapigs. BLOGGERS15 until the end of May.
Bake and Drink on!

Matcha May is Here! Matcha Diary Days 1 and 2 (with a discount deal as well)

It's a little unsettling when you see that your morning coffee has been replaced by a very luminous green liquid.

Let me explain, this odd looking drink is Matcha Green Tea. To celebrate all things matcha related, teapigs,who pioneer in all things tea related, they have coined the month of May as Matcha May. This year they have asked tea loving UK bloggers to review their matcha green tea.

In this tea loving bloggers case, for Matcha May I'm going to be using my matcha in some sort of baking, so watch this space! (UPDATE:Published Here )
Also I'm going to be investing in a box of matcha and having a teapigs shot, (which is 30ml of hot water whisked with 1/2 teaspoon of matcha and drunk straight) instead of my morning coffee for the next two weeks to see if any of the health benefit's work for me. I'll try and be posting my status everyday when possible in the form of diary, which I have nicknamed, Matcha Diary. So we'll be seeing how that works out!

Here are some answers to some questions you may be asking: (Remember that this information is taken from the teapig website, if you have any further questions about matcha or any of there tea products contact them, after all they are the experts on this stuff)

So Matcha huh? Whats that?
As mentioned before, it's a highly concentrated version of green tea which is 100%  natural and organic, originally from Japan and has been used for over 900 years by Buddhist monks to help them stay focused during mediation. teapigs matcha is grown in Nishio, Japan and only uses the leaf rather then the veins which can cause that funny bitter taste you can get in green tea.

Alright so it's a green tea?
A super green tea. Have you not seen its muscles? 

Erm ok... So what makes it different from normal green tea?
When you have a teabag of green tea you eventually throw the bag away, and with that you away all the goodness! Matcha is ground up so finely that it can be whisked into water/smoothie/fruit juice/insert yummy thing here, so all the nutrients are drunk up.

What are these health benefits then?
 I'm glad you mentioned that:

• Matcha can help towards healthy glowing skin
• It can improve concentration and learning performance
• Also matcha can be assist in weight loss which is just fab for the summer if you want to slim up.
• It's also been said that matcha can chill you out as well as energise you.
• Lastly, it contains 137 times the antioxidants of normal green tea! (for more info please click here)

Wow! No way! Where can I get this stuff?
Yes way! It can be difficult to find but recently health shops and cafes have been seeing more of a demand, so it's becoming more widely availible. But to get it directly from the lovely tea experts themselves, check out their website: teapigs and they are also on facebook and you can follow them on twitter under: @teapigs

And whats even better you can get 15%* off at the teapigs by using code: BLOGGERS12 . How awesome is that? (*Enter at the checkout /offer not valid on gifts or cheeky deals)

So if your a tea lover and fancy a discount, why not give matcha tea it a go? I'll be keeping you posted on the blog!
Bake and Drink on!

Penny's Matcha Diary 
Day 1:
6:30am- Got up and not so awake. Wishes that I can get back to bed.
8am- At work and had my morning Matcha for the day
9am- feeling more awake and alert
10:45am- feeling wide awake and buzzing 
12pm- Had lunch with no morning snacks.
3:15pm-still feeling energised.
4pm- Had a sneaky cupcake made by a lovely lady from my pastry class.
5pm- Home from work, started to make Matcha and Chocolate Cupcakes but energy is flagging.

Day 2:
6:30am-Wake up and it's pouring with rain boo!
7:15am- Had my Matcha shot for the day.
8am- Got to work and feeling a little more awake.
9:30am- Had a glass of water with no snacks at all.
10:30am- Starting to feel hungry.
1pm- Had lunch.
2:12pm (It's so exact because I saw it on a computer screen)- Feeling a little tired but still feeling focused.