THE BACK SIDE OF MATCHA
Those who master the world are deft at changing their point of view.
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I do not tumble out of bed in the morning bent on reversing the strong opinions I held the day before. It is more a permeating eagerness to fall into a fresh perspective as if sliding down a bank in the forest and landing in a place I never expected or knew.
Those of us with any childhood nostalgia will place loving value on the reference to something intended to be humorous yet [through an adult’s eyes] so tremendously profound:
The Back Side of Water.
I ask my husband how many people he believes would, at its mention, understand precisely its origin. He remarks without hesitation, “Hundreds of thousands will.”
If you know you know.
This morning my matcha comes later than usual. No matter the timing, it’s the first thing upon awakening that enters my mind. I am not one bit ashamed to admit that on the back side of matcha the colors of the world are a little more vivid, and my thoughts about everything seen and experienced are a great deal more lucid and intense.
There are some things that have become emblematic of the front and back side of my life with cancer. Matcha is one of these.
In the more practical application, it’s one of the few “good for me” substances I not only enjoy with rabid appreciation but can [with no concern] ingest. On the front side of cancer, matcha was never even on my radar. Now it’s a necessary thing.
Those of us with big opinions might navigate a complex reality a little more deftly if we were to cultivate opportunities to see the world in a fresh way—
Not in an effort to change what is thought…but maybe.
More in pursuit of the fuller picture…there are so many things we miss.
On the front side of cancer, I entitled myself to beliefs about life and living that had nothing whatsoever to do with truth—
Observation is a narrow-minded teacher, isn’t it?
It leads us to draw conclusions, tricking us into seeing things that don’t exist.
But experience is the enlightened guru. It immerses us in a full-sensory awakening that changes everything about the way we live.
It saddens me that the collective ‘we’ decide based upon so very little—
We settle far too quickly and too soon.
We agree before probing.
And too often believe what we are told.
The weight is heavy on the front side of every decision. But it is the back side of that decision that says it all. Those of us who stay in it, and with it long enough know that starting has an equally essential counterpart; that is, finishing strong.
In my out-of-body-moments, I observe myself as a human I can admire. “Who is that positive, energized woman who carries more than she ever expected?” Hers is not some secret but something available to us all:
Be a back end thinker. Believe that on the other side of life’s most difficult adventures is the gift of a body, mind, and spirit that are more bold, more available, more evolved.
NOTES
The idea of the Back Side of Matcha came to me at the bottom of 20 ounces, sipping from a cup with the words written on it, “Nene the Queen.” I love that I am precisely that in relationship with my Heavenly Father—the author of the breathtaking view waiting on the back side of everything we go through.
I am guessing that nearly all of you are intimately familiar with the reference, “The Back Side of Water,” a running ‘bit’ on Disney’s Jungle Cruise for at least the past 40 years.
If you’re not certain, let me enlighten you—
The “Skipper” or cruise guide steers his boat past the water fall as we ooh and aah. Then we round the corner to take in the rare view of the back side of water and we laugh at the absurdity of it. Actually, it’s not absurd at all.
Isn’t it true that what delights us is nearly always hiding where we least expect it, often in plain site.
MORE ABOUT MATCHA
This fine green powder made from green tea leaves has been an integral part of my cancer journey, not only enhancing my mood during some pretty dark days but promoting healing in profound and powerful ways.
If you’re wondering, it’s all about the Ceremonial Matcha.
Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality grade of matcha and tends to be slightly more subtle and nuanced than culinary grade matcha. It is generally higher in caffeine and l-theanine, an amino acid that can help with focus and relaxation, two of the profound responses my body experiences with each cup. Ceremonial grade matcha is designed to be used in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and contains 34 milligrams of caffeine per gram.
Culinary grade matcha contains only 28 milligrams of caffeine per gram.
The caffeine in matcha has a different effect than coffee. Matcha’s caffeine can provide a more sustained energy boost while caffeine from coffee causes quicker spikes and drops in energy. This is precisely how I experience matcha in my body.
The health benefits from matcha stem from high levels of:
chlorophyll—helps control hunger and cravings, controls body odor, encourages healing, promotes cleansing throughout the body, protects DNA, is a super potent antioxidant, and shows promising potential for cancer therapy
caffeine—increases muscle speed, muscle efficiency, can reduce fatigue and inflammation and puffiness in the skin, protects against UV damage, has positive effects on alertness, cognitive and athletic function.
l-theanine—an amino acid that helps with focus and relaxation, improves sleep, promotes weight loss, boosts the immune system, reduces blood pressure, supports certain cancer drugs to enhance their benefits and reduce their side effects.
Nothing makes me feel better in the morning than @boostespresso.nw. Owner, Jake Kraft [not a relative but I am adopting him as my favorite nephew] goes out of his way to ensure every visitor feels valued and affirmed not only through sweet personalized messages but extending a rare kindness and professionalism through each member of his exemplery team. If you live in CDA you might want to make this place part of your morning routine. If you’re visiting us, put this on your “must do” itinerary. It’s simply the best.