Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I have come across many interesting recipes that use matcha powder, but I have never actually tried cooking with it. Zulay Kitchen recently sent me a bag of their Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder. This matcha powder is 100% USDA organic, and is made from matcha tea leaves grown and harvested in Japan. I had some fun experimenting in the kitchen and went a little matcha-crazy!

Iced Matcha Latte

The first recipe I tried was for an iced matcha latte. If you are a fan of Green Tea Frappuccinos, you will appreciate this at-home alternative. To make an iced matcha latte, simply whisk or blend 12 oz. milk (or milk alternative), 2 t. matcha powder, and 2-3 t. simple syrup. Pour over ice, makes 2 servings. For a thicker drink, you could blend the mixture with the ice.

Matcha is known for its metabolism-enhancing, immunity-boosting and stress-reducing properties. Our matcha is gentle to digest and intended to help boost your body with an all-natural kick of energy.

I personally experienced the “all-natural kick of energy” from this iced matcha latte during an afternoon slump. I felt like it gave me mental clarity, and I did not feel jittery. (Please accept this as my own personal experience and not a sweeping health or medical claim of any kind!)

I also made a slightly fancier Strawberry Matcha Latte. Layer chopped strawberries on the bottom, milk in the middle and top with matcha whipped cream (whip together 1/4 c. whipping cream, 2 t. sugar, 1/2 t. vanilla, then add 2 tsp. matcha powder).

Mini Matcha Coconut Mochi

I made these cute treats using this recipe from Wild Wild Whisk. They turned out well. The matcha flavor comes through but is not overpowering. I want to make matcha cheesecake next!

Matcha Crispy Rice Treats

These Matcha Crispy Rice Treats (trying to avoid using other brand names) are so simple to make. Just follow the normal recipe you find on the cereal box or marshmallow bag and stir 3 T. of Zulay matcha powder into the marshmallow and butter mixture. The natural green color would be festive for Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day!

Where To Purchase Zulay Organic Matcha

Zulay Organic Matcha Giveaway

Enter to win a package of Zulay Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am excited to talk about Runamok Maple Syrup, a company based in (where else?) Vermont. Runamok Maple makes infused, smoked and barrel-aged maple syrup using sustainable and socially responsible practices.

The flavor infusions that Runamok Maple offers are intriguing, and include:

• Cardamom
• Cinnamon + Vanilla
• Coffee
• Elderberry
• Ginger Root
• Hibiscus
• Jasmine Tea
• Makrut Lime-leaf
• Smoked Chili Pepper

Don’t they all sound amazing?

We had the opportunity to try the Coffee and Cinnamon+Vanilla infused syrups. I really love the bottle designs–so elegant and fancy! I can totally imagine these syrups tucked into a gift basket along with a box of pancake or waffle mix.

Weekend mornings are great time to treat your family or guests to a nice breakfast or brunch. Using a board to lay out all of the food makes it easy for people to serve themselves. I made a simple waffle brunch board and included cut-up Belgian waffles, sausages (bacon would also be good), strawberries, blueberries, bananas, chocolate chips, pats of butter, and of course, Runamok Maple Syrups.

The Runamok Maple Syrups that we tried really elevated the waffles. The Cinnamon + Vanilla syrup is a traditional flavor that would pair well with everything. The Coffee syrup has a more sophisticated taste that is not quite as sweet (perfect for the coffee-lover). Once you use “real” maple syrup, it is difficult to go back to using fake syrup that is actually just corn syrup with artificial flavoring. I definitely want to try out some of the recipes on the Runamok website.

Where to Purchase Runamok Maple Syrups

Runamok Maple Syrups are available at a retailer near you, or through the Runamok website.

Runamok Maple Syrup Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win two bottles of Runamok Maple Syrup (Coffee and Cinnamon+Vanilla!)

Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I really admire the story behind Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica developed her gluten-free granola, mixes and syrup in response to her own family’s gluten-free lifestyle. I think it is amazing when someone sees a market need and creates a business. While our family does not follow a gluten-free diet, I am always interested in healthier eating. Therefore, I was excited to try some of the gluten-free products offered by Jessica’s Natural Foods and today I am going to share them with you.

Jessica’s Gluten-Free Granola

My family really likes granola, so we were excited to try out Jessica’s Gluten-Free Granola. This granola starts out with certified gluten-free oats and adds in natural ingredients such as ground flax, coconut, organic honey, real maple syrup and pure vanilla extract. It is made by hand in small batches and contains no artificial colors or ingredients. Jessica’s Granola comes in the following flavors:

• Gluten-Free Almond Cherry Granola
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Granola
• Gluten-Free Vanilla Maple Granola
• Gluten-Free Cherry & Berry Granola
• Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola

We had the opportunity to try the Chocolate Chip Granola and the Cherry & Berry Granola. Both of the flavors that we tried were hearty and delicious. I like how there are sizeable clusters that offer a satisfying crunch.

I like to use granola as a topping for a fruit and yogurt parfait. It would also be good with some milk or just eaten by itself as a snack.

Jessica’s Gluten-Free Mixes

We also had the opportunity to try Jessica’s Muffin Mix and Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix.

Although I enjoy baking from scratch, I also really appreciate the convenience of using a mix! Jessica’s Muffin Mixes contain ancient grain teff and oat flour. I was very curious about ancient grain teff, as I am not sure whether I have tried this ingredient before. According to the package, teff contains protein, fiber, calcium, amino acids and iron. Sounds good to me!

I used the muffin mix to whip up a batch of blueberry muffins. (You can use any add-in that you want, such as other types of fruit or chocolate chips). They turned out really tasty! The muffins had a really tender texture with lightly crisped edges. I would not have guessed that these muffins are gluten-free.

Baking cookies with this mix was super quick and easy. As you can see, the dough looks just like traditional cookie dough. The cookie mixes are also made with ancient grain teff and oat flour.

My family (including my son shown here) really enjoyed these chocolate chip cookies. I think the butter that I used was a little too softened, so the result was a really thin and crisp cookie. However, my daughter said she actually prefers her cookies this way, which I never knew-ha! Again, I would not have guessed that these cookies are gluten-free. I like that I can feel good about the ingredients, and I am sure that feeling would be that much stronger for those that are gluten-free.

Where to Purchase

Jessica’s Natural Foods products can be purchased at a store near you, through their website, or on Amazon.

Giveaway Time

I am excited that Jessica’s is offering the chance for THREE of my readers to win their choice of two Jessica’s Natural Foods products!

Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am excited to share about Steeped Coffee, a company based in Santa Cruz, CA that delivers coffee in a whole new way.

Steeped Coffee is a convenient way to make coffee without the need for a coffee maker or any special equipment. Each packet contains a filter bag of 100% specialty coffee (much like a tea bag).

Steeped Coffee comes in the following varieties:

• Sunrise Light Roast
• California Medium Roast
• Odyssey Dark Roast
• Driftwood French Roast
• Eventide Decaf

The directions for Steeped Coffee could not be simpler. Place the Steeped filter in a cup and pour 8 oz. hot water over it. Dunk for 15 seconds and let it steep for five minutes (or more) according to how strong you like your coffee.

The quality of the Steeped Coffee was quite impressive. Their direct trade, ethically sourced coffee is hand roasted in small batches and does not involve any additives, solubles, crystals or freeze-drying. Steeped Coffee does not taste like “instant” coffee, but more like coffee you would make in a French press. It is nice how you can control how strong the brew is just by letting it steep longer. (I prefer mine on the stronger side.)

Steeped Coffee makes it really convenient to enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee at work or home. I can also see how Steeped Coffee would be great to take along on a camping trip or while traveling.

Where to Purchase

Steeped Coffee can be purchased on their website and they also offer subscriptions.

Giveaway Time

Enter the giveaway below and enter to win an assortment of Steeped Coffee and a Steeped Coffee mug!