Lifestyle

PANATEA Matcha

I've been a little obsessed with matcha lately. If a coffee shop has it, it's my go-to for caffeine.

If you're not familiar with matcha, it's a specially grown green tea, ground to a fine powder. You get about the same amount of caffeine as brewed coffee without the jitteriness! It's actually very calming, and I love drinking it on weekend mornings. Other health benefits are that it's rich in antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and it boosts metabolism.

I was so excited when PANATEA sent me their ceremonial grade matcha starter set, which contains:

  • Ceremonial Grade Matcha Green Tea Tin (30g = 30 Servings)
  • Custom Measuring Scoop (1g)
  • Double Wall Glass Bowl
  • Bamboo Whisk
  • Directional Pamphlet
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It was my first time ever making matcha, but there are only a few steps to it! The hardest part is whisking.

First, put in 1 scoop of the matcha powder.

Press down on the powder a few times with the whisk to break it apart.

For hot matcha, use water that has been cooled off from a boil. Pour until you reach the 3 oz. line on the bowl.

Eek, I messed up. Read below.

Eek, I messed up. Read below.

As for the whisking part, I messed up 3 times... When you whisk in a zig-zag motion, make sure you do it in a QUICK motion (not a calculated, methodical one) and with the whisk near the top of the mixture. Don't let the whisk touch the bottom of the bowl! If you do, you get the above photo... watery and no froth.

Done correctly (or as close to correctly as I could), I got the froth!

Ta-da!

Ta-da!

I'm already excited to make iced matcha, matcha lattes with steamed milk, or even incorporate matcha into my cooking with my sample packet of culinary grade powder!

Ceremonial grade matcha starter set // PANATEA

Sudio Sweden

When Sudio Sweden reached out to me about their Bluetooth earphones, I was jumping with joy! I had seen their earphones on Instagram, and they're so elegant and stylish... and the fact that they offered me the Bluetooth version was even more appealing! I hate messing with wires. 

Vasa BLÅ - Rose Gold White

Vasa BLÅ - Rose Gold White

To turn the earphones on, you have to hold the play button for 3 seconds, and then to pair, you have to hold it for 7 seconds. After that, enjoy the studio quality music that blasts out of the earphones... I was seriously so impressed at the sound quality! 

It also comes with a beautiful leather case to hold your earphones... Not that the cord would even tangle!

So pretty!

So pretty!

Their goal is to provide premium quality earphones with great Scandinavian design... I think they nailed it. Now, I can't work out with them because, like with most earphones, they would slip out of my ears. But it's a great pair of earphones to take to the office, coffee shops, or to travel with in general. Love, love, love it!

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Sudio Sweden was even sweet enough to provide me a discount code to offer to my readers. Use KAREN15 for 15% off their products!

S'well Bottle

If you've been following me on Instagram, you may have noticed for the past year I've been addicted to fitness and collecting a variety of gear (clothes, bags, shakers, bottles). That's when I came across S'well Bottle. They're a great company with a mission to rid the world of plastic bottles, and they gives back to the community through charity and donations. Plus, they make great looking bottles!

Blonde Wood pattern

Blonde Wood pattern

I love that the bottles keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12. It's currently my favorite bottle for the gym because the opening is large enough to put in ice cubes to keep my water cold. It's so refreshing when I can take a swig of ice cold water during my workouts! 

The top also twists a few more times than most bottles, so you can tell it's super leak proof! Perfect for transporting it around in your purse or gym bag. And it doesn't condensate! 

Stone Collection - Onyx (coated with stone-like texture for grip)

Stone Collection - Onyx (coated with stone-like texture for grip)

I like that they have different sizes to suit your needs - I felt like the 17oz was perfect for me. Apparently, they have a 25oz that can fit an entire bottle of wine! I also love all of the patterns (and textures) that they have... it was so hard to choose which bottles I wanted! 

I absolutely love my S'well bottles and the company's charitable mission. If you're in the market for a new water bottle, look into S'well! 

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