Ginger Coconut Matcha Tonic

RIVSTANG
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NIKO NEKO

@rivstang is an instagram that promotes the importance of physical and mental wellbeing by sharing her wellness journey through yoga, meditation and food. In early 2020, Rivs underwent a yoga teacher training course in India. As a graduate in Culinary Arts Management, her interest in food and nutrition plays an important role in her life and she shares not only delicious, healthy recipes but educates on the nutritional value of each ingredient.

“Wellness and healthy living is a personal journey, there’s neither timeline nor comparison.”

Rivs / @rivstang

Instagram: rivstang

INTERVIEW WITH @RIVSTANG

What motivates you to live a wellness-centered lifestyle?

I find happiness in giving back, helping people and sharing knowledge that could make a positive impact in other’s life. It wasn’t super easy for me to find fun and easy-to-digest wellness & lifestyle information that’s relatable in Malaysia when I first started my wellness journey. That’s one of the reasons that keeps me fueled to keep learning, take good care of my personal wellbeing and live a wellness-centered lifestyle, so that I could keep sharing and help people that needed help, as I understand how it feels. “The world doesn’t change by your words, it changes by your actions” I believe that if I’m not at my best, I can’t give my best.

What motivates you to live a wellness-centered lifestyle?

I find happiness in giving back, helping people and sharing knowledge that could make a positive impact in other’s life. It wasn’t super easy for me to find fun and easy-to-digest wellness & lifestyle information that’s relatable in Malaysia when I first started my wellness journey. That’s one of the reasons that keeps me fueled to keep learning, take good care of my personal wellbeing and live a wellness-centered lifestyle, so that I could keep sharing and help people that needed help, as I understand how it feels. “The world doesn’t change by your words, it changes by your actions” I believe that if I’m not at my best, I can’t give my best.

You often share your home-yoga journey and about self-meditation on your IG. How does this change your lifestyle, state-of-mind or perspective in life?

Yoga is an important part of my wellness practice and lifestyle. I love how it works on balancing the mind and body at the same time. It has helped me to improve both my physical and mental health. I learned to be more self-aware and self-conscious in my daily life — that includes being more mindful in the words I speak towards others and myself, the food I eat, the things I consume emotionally, the way I make decisions and the mindset when I handle challenging situations. Practicing yoga asana and meditation definitely has helped me to be more grounded, grateful and self-content, which I think is one of the most beautiful parts of my wellness journey.

Any tips for viewers who are inspired and like to explore into a healthy lifestyle as you do?

I think it’s very important to first look into what works best for you. You can start by practicing awareness and being conscious about what you consume physically, mentally and emotionally. It could of course start with your personal diet, work with your food sensitivities and gut imbalances. It could also be finding out what type of physical movement that works better in your daily routines. Explore what makes you feel most connected to your highest-self. We are all bio-individuals, what works for others might not work for you. As you keep exploring and learning about your own body, listening to your physical and emotional needs, you will find what makes you feel and perform at your best. Wellness and healthy living is a personal journey, there’s neither timeline nor comparison. I hope you’ll cultivate compassion and happiness along your way.

How did you come up with your Ginger Coconut Matcha Tonic recipe?

Ginger is one of the most well-known health foods that has been used for thousands of years especially in lowering inflammation which is something I want for muscle recovery and support my immunity, coconut is one of my favourite food/drinks, it's an awesome source of natural electrolytes that works really well for hydration especially under hot weather and during or after a workout session. The active substances in Matcha have the potential of increasing fat oxidation, it has been suggested that increased fat oxidation during exercise could have a glycogen-sparing effect which then improves endurance capacity during workout. Hence I created this nutrient dense, performance boosting tonic. The natural sweetness from refreshing coconut water, the umami flavor from KIKU / Matcha and the kick of spiciness from ginger create an amazing, balanced flavour for my tonic.

What do you like about working with Niko Neko Matcha powder when creating this recipe?

I really love the balance of bitterness and umami flavour of KIKU / Matcha powder while creating recipes in regards to health, physical and mental performance. The higher levels of antioxidant effect of flavonoids in catechins and theanine from a slightly more delicate matcha like Kiku matcha, is exactly what I want in my tonic, for me to sip it throughout my workout or post-workout to boost my performance, lower my inflammation and improve my recovery.

You often share your home-yoga journey and about self-meditation on your IG. How does this change your lifestyle, state-of-mind or perspective in life?

Yoga is an important part of my wellness practice and lifestyle. I love how it works on balancing the mind and body at the same time. It has helped me to improve both my physical and mental health. I learned to be more self-aware and self-conscious in my daily life — that includes being more mindful in the words I speak towards others and myself, the food I eat, the things I consume emotionally, the way I make decisions and the mindset when I handle challenging situations. Practicing yoga asana and meditation definitely has helped me to learn how to be more grounded, grateful and self-content, which I think is one of the most beautiful parts of my wellness journey.

Any tips for viewers who are inspired and like to explore into a healthy lifestyle as you do?

I think it’s very important to first look into what works best for you. You can start by practicing awareness and being conscious about what you consume physically, mentally and emotionally. It could of course start with your personal diet, work with your food sensitivities and gut imbalances. It could also be finding out what type of physical movement that works better in your daily routines. And explore about what makes you feel most connected to your highest-self. We are all bio-individuals, what works for others might not work for you. As you keep exploring and learning about your own body, listening to your physical and emotional needs, you will find what makes you feel and perform at your best. Wellness and healthy living is a personal journey, there’s neither timeline nor comparison. I hope you’ll cultivate compassion and happiness along your way.

How did you come up with your Ginger Coconut Matcha Tonic recipe?

Ginger is one of the most well-known health foods that has been used for thousands of years especially in lowering inflammation which is something I want for muscle recovery and support my immunity, coconut is one of my favourite food/drinks, it's an awesome source of natural electrolytes that works really well for hydration especially under hot weather and during or after a workout session. The active substances in Matcha have the potential of increasing fat oxidation, it has been suggested that increased fat oxidation during exercise could have a glycogen-sparing effect which then improves endurance capacity during workout. Hence I created this nutrient dense, performance boosting tonic. The natural sweetness from refreshing coconut water, the umami flavor from KIKU / Matcha and the kick of spiciness from ginger create an amazing, balanced flavour for my tonic.

What do you like about working with KIKU / Matcha powder when creating your recipes?

I really love the balance of bitterness and umami flavour of KIKU / Matcha while creating recipes in regards to health, physical and mental performance. The higher levels of antioxidant effect of flavonoids in catechins and theanine from a slightly more delicate matcha like KIKU / Matcha, is exactly what I want in my tonic, for me to sip it throughout my workout or post-workout to boost my performance, lower my inflammation and improve my recovery.

RECIPE

Ginger Coconut Matcha Tonic

by @rivstang

1 serving
Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

30-40g Fresh ginger
150ml Fresh coconut water
Fresh coconut flesh
Ice cubes
1tsp KIKU / Matcha powder

Method To Assemble

Grate fresh ginger with a grater, squeeze out 1 tablespoon of juice with the back of spoon (or more if you prefer spicier) Set aside.
Remove coconut water, flesh and set aside if you’re using whole coconut.
Add KIKU / Matcha powder into a bowl, add in 3tbsp of coconut water, whisk it with chasen whisk.
Add ginger juice, ice-cubes, coconut flesh, coconut water to a glass and pour over matcha mixture.
Stir well and serve immediately. Garnish with more coconut flesh, ginger slice or fresh herbs if you like.

SHOP KIKU / MATCHA POWDER HERE

KIKU / MATCHA POWDER

Start Making Your Ginger Coconut Matcha Tonic Today With KIKU / Matcha Powder.

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Start Making Your Ginger Coconut Matcha Tonic Today With KIKU / Matcha Powder.

SHOP NOW