A couple of years ago I started drinking iced nonfat lattes, and being that I do not understand the concept of moderation, I was drinking three or four a day. (That is A LOT of shots of espresso ). My hands would often shake, my heart would race, and I got little bursts of adrenaline, ( like what happens when someone almost runs their car into yours). It constantly felt as though the world was just inches away from ending, and I was beginning to think that I had a panic disorder, which I was somehow managing to manage… Though, the lattes were like miracle juice. Being as wired as I was, I accomplished so much.

A few weeks ago, as I drank my iced latte, I got an unquenchable thirst like never before. No matter how many sips I took, my mouth continued to feel dry. (I know caffeine dehydrates you, but this was ridiculous ), so I asked my assistant to please be a lamb, and fetch me an iced green tea lemonade. She accidentally ordered me an iced green tea latte instead. (She did know to get it nonfat, and unsweetened), and what happened next was this: I almost cried when I found I only had a few sips left. This drink was so magnificent, I could not bear to run out. I needed a new one before my previous one was finished. I drank three or four in a row, and when I got home, my stomach hurt so badly, I could hardly breathe. I got out of my car and let out a little burp, which brought forth a powerful spray of ( still ice cold ) milky green liquid with such force I could have put out a small fire. I stood for a moment, a little shocked, as tiny green droplets trickled down the sides of my hair. I learned a thing or two that day, and will likely never do that again, but since I have stopped drinking the lattes, switching instead to these green tea lattes, I feel like this: NOTHING is a problem. If you are late for your appointment, or look at me the wrong way, I no longer want to rip out your heart. In fact, I will more likely try to give you a hug. I don’t even feel like painting people with their heads cut off any more. Instead, I’d like to paint them with beautiful flowers growing from their eye sockets and mouths. It’s like magical zen juice ! I also no longer get those nasty adrenaline bursts, my hands have stopped shaking, and I don’t get those terrifying heart flutters at bedtime… I am a much happier human.

I read up on this stuff (matcha green tea powder), and ‘they’ say that monks drink it all day long, and that it is SO rich in antioxidants, my children’s children will likely benefit from the cancer fighting goodness. ( Except that I don’t have children, and I’m just surmising)… Also, it helps burn calories and speeds up your metabolism, which I’m going to say is a nice side effect, if you don’t have mean clients and friends who tease you about having a non-existent backside. I will be buying new jeans shortly.

Now, to top this all off, my good friend Jennifer has told me with this new discovery of mine, that my personality has improved by a good ten percent. I thought that number seemed rather low, but alas, I have come to the conclusion that maybe there was just not much room for improvement. <— positive thinking from the goodness of matcha !

Anyway, to all my lovely friends who have been bringing me iced nonfat lattes, I say this: Thank you for always generously remembering my special drink, but now it’s time to learn all over again! Times are a changin’, so take note ! Iced, nonfat, non-sweet green tea latte from Starbucks is the order of the day ! Go ahead and get one for yourself as well, (and you can even present me with the bill, as I’m good for it). After all, if it’s good enough for me and the monks… ( As maybe, just maybe, your personality could use some improving as well … Or not)… Food for thought. Tea for thought … Tea for TWO !

PS. The world may actually be inches away from ending, but I no longer feel like it is, and that, my friends, is a gift.

~Happy Monday!
xo, Kelly.