For MOM and MOMS-TO-BE*
Growing up I was never a fan of coffee. That is until I went to Costa Rica and had the “real stuff”; and I’ve pretty much been addicted ever since. However, I know that being “addicted” to anything isn’t good for you, so I’ve gone through periods over the past several years where I’ve cut out coffee completely [for multiple months]. But inevitably, I come to the realization that I need caffeine in my life, and so I turn back to coffee.
However, there are other products that will give you the same boost as coffee does, as well as additional health benefits that roasted coffee beans just can’t (although coffee has some added benefits that are also good for you).
The tea called Yerba Mate is one of these products and the stuff from Mate Factor is pretty darn fantastic!
THE PRODUCT: The Maté Factor was founded in 1998. Specializing in fresh, organic yerba mate, Mate Factor puts flavor and nutrition at the forefront of all of their products. They also take pride in helping their producers earn a fair wage for their labor, enjoying a personal and mutually beneficial relationship by promoting organics in both the United States and Brazil. Besides excellent Fair Trade practices, Mate Factor is also an environmentally conscious company, specializing in certified organic products based on the strictest standards. They even manufacture their own biodiesel from locally collected waste vegetable oil and use it in their local delivery vehicles.
Mate Factor has an extremely wide – and tasty – array of both Yerba Mate tea bags and loose teas, including such flavors as: Dark Roast, Chai, Lemon Ginger, Fresh Green, Mocha Mint, Tropical Lime, and Green Tea Ginseng.
NUTRITION-WISE: Mate Factor makes 100% Certified Organic Yerba M
The Yerba Mate plant, which is really a tree, is an evergreen from the Holly family that grows in the subtropical forests of South America. Each region brings its own specific characteristics to the plant – thanks to the quality of the soil in which it is grown. Since the soil of southern Brazil has drastic variations in mineral content, texture, and organic mass, the tastes of the tea can also significantly vary, from a strong bitterness, to one that is milder and has more of a robust leafy flavor. Obtaining the right balance of these is the secret to having a stable, fresh tasting yerba mate and is what the Mate Factor constantly strives to do.
Moreover, those at the Mate Factor know that in order to preserve as many fresh nutrients as possible, and to get a bright green flavor out of the herb, it is imperative not to age their yerba mate [like other mate companies do]. Most yerba mate sold in the USA is aged for 1-2 years before being packaged, according to cultural traditions from Paraguay, Uraguay and Argentina. However, in Brazil, yerba mate is commonly preferred as fresh as possible.
Processing their Yerba Mate immediately upon harvest, Mate Factor mate is vacuum packed into triple barrier freshness sealed bags and is then trucked to port in order to be shipped out immediately. Moreover, their yerba mate is cured using the CleanHeat® method that they developed, keeping the Yerba Mate free from smoke, while also preserving the vital nutrients & natural flavor of their herb. This process protects the natural enzymes that exist in Yerba Mate, insuring that the plant never reaches temperatures that would damage the natural constituents. This careful process produces a bright, smooth flavor that makes Mate Factor Mate superb not only by itself, but as a base for blending your own drinks, hot or cold.
Besides all that, Yerba Mate is naturally filled with tons of minerals that are known to support both metabolism and development. These include: chromium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium and zinc. The tea also contains compounds that are: anticarcinogenic, antiobesity, antioxidants, antitumor, diuretic, a vasodilator, and an antiallergenic. In fact, Yerba Mate contains more antioxidants than green tea.
One of the greatest benefits of Yerba Mate is its energizing effect. Not only does it last longer than traditional caffeine beverages (while containing less), yerba mate is also found [by most] to be free from side effects such as, the jitters, mood swings, addiction, and post stimulation fatigue.
*Because of the caffeine factor, I don’t recommend giving Yerba Mate to children. However, the caffeine factor really isn’t that high, so a little bit here or there would be just fine. And on that same front, a cup (or even 2 if you are really in need of a little extra boost), is just fine for a pregnant mother as well. Pregnant women can safely drink (according to Dr’s recommendations), up to 200mg of caffeine a day. Plus, the caffeine in Yerba Mate isn’t addicting and doesn’t cause other “caffeine-induced side-effects”, so there really isn’t any need to worry.
WHERE TO BUY: The Mate Factor products are available on their Online Store. Or if you prefer to buy them in person, you can find them at numerous Retail Locations, including: Whole foods in the South, Southern California, and the Rockies; Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage; Central Market in Texas; New Seasons Market in Oregon; and many coops, independent health food stores, and cafes.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Ever since first trying Yerba Mate, I’ve been a big fan. And the stuff from Mate Factor bears no exception. The fact that it’s Organic is what initially drew me in, but the way it tastes and the many flavors that they have, as well as the fact that the company as a whole is such a big proponent of Fair Trade, really got me hooked.
Add to all that the fact that it gives me a nice energy boost without any negative side effects – especially while I am pregnant – is a real perk. And although I am extremely cautious when it comes to my caffeine intake while pregnant, I will drink a cup of Mate Factor’s Yerba Mate tea a couple times a week – if and when I really need it (thanks mostly to my 2 year old)!
Try any or all of The Mate Factor Yerba Mate teas today and see how “unofficially” addicting Yerba Mate can be.
To learn more about Mate Factor, please visit their website and check them out on Facebook.
And remember, Contact Healthy.Fit.Fab…Moms today to create a personalized plan so you and your family can live a healthy, fit, and fabulous life!
