The Leaf Lab | AZ Matcha & Plant Cafe

I’ve never taken photos like these before… and honestly I don’t think I’ve ever felt so beautiful. I decided to do this shoot because this is the first time I’m doing something remotely like this. Starting The Leaf Lab has been such a new and exciting chapter for me, and I wanted to make it feel a little more official. Plus it’s my birthday month, so why the heck not dress up and take some beautiful photos of myself. I’ve been a nurse for 15 years now, and through that time I’ve seen and experienced a lot - including my own health and wellness challenges. I’ve cared for so many patients who came into the ER with chronic conditions that, in many cases, could have been prevented or improved with lifestyle and diet changes. That reality stuck with me. So I wanted to create something rooted in wellness - something that brings together plants, creativity, art, community, and simple lifestyle rituals that help people feel good in their bodies. The Leaf Lab is my small way of doing that. Thank you to everyone who has stood by the cart, waited patiently for a drink, or simply stopped to talk with me and learn more about what I’m building. Your kindness and support truly mean the world to me. I’m really grateful to be on this journey with all of you 🍵🌿 Photos by the incredible @brittany.hanguyen 💚 Location @pueblo.life #womenownedbusiness #matchalifestyle #smallbusinessjourney #phxevents #plantbasedwellness

still can’t believe this little lab is real 😭🌿 I love that this is slowly becoming more than just a pop-up cart to me 🍵 it’s turning into: 🌿 ritual 🤍 community ✨ creativity 🥥 plant-based treats + nourishment 🍵 connection and honestly… this feels so good especially coming from a medical background where a lot of the time I felt like I was just pushing medications that never truly helped people feel WELL anyway… but that’s a story for another day 😭 I genuinely love creating things that people can taste, feel, experience, and connect over recipes are getting better still learning still growing always ✨ alsoooo just a little update: i’ll be out of town for most of june spending time with family 🤍 but i’ve been thinking… would you be interested in a little home café / matcha pick-up situation in Verrado this summer? 👀 something slower and more intentional where you can grab: 🍵 matcha 🥥 little plant-based snacks/treats 🌿 maybe some weekly specials while I focus on improving the business, myself, and spending more time with family this summer if that’s something you’d want, let me know: ✨ what days/times would work best for you? ✨ mornings? weekends? weekday pickups? i’d love to hear your thoughts 🤍 #wellness #matchacommunity #plantbasedliving #phoenixwellness slowlivingforlife

one thing I don’t really use is the term “ceremonial grade” 🍵 mostly because it’s not actually a regulated grading system in Japan and doesn’t tell you much about the actual flavor or quality of the tea itself I care more about: 🍃 origin 🍃 cultivar 🍃 shading length 🍃 harvest season 🍃 processing 🍃 organic cultivation the blend i’ve been using lately comes from Uji, Japan 🇯🇵 - one of the most respected matcha-growing regions known for producing smoother, more balanced matchas with deeper umami and less aggressive bitterness this particular blend uses okumidori + yabukita cultivars ✨ okumidori brings this creamy, nutty, low-bitterness profile with soft umami while yabukita adds brightness and structure which is exactly why this matcha pairs so beautifully with flavors like: 🥜 salted maple pistachio 🥭 mango coconut cloud 🫐 blueberry coconut cloud little details completely change the experience and I genuinely love nerding out over this stuff hahah #matchaeducation #ujimatcha #wellnessritual #plantbasedwellness #matchalove

celebrating AAPI Month with movement, matcha, community, and @lululemon 💚✨ This event is FREE but spots are very limited and will go fast 👀 ✨ Pilates with @eileentnguyen ✨ Private shopping hour + attendee discount ✨ First access to new product drop ✨ Matcha by @rynsleaf.lab ✨ @contentophotobooth for you and your friends! ✨ Community + connection 📍 lululemon Westgate Outlet 🗓 Sat, May 30 ⏰ 8–11 AM MST Spring greens, punchy pinks & neutrals encouraged 🌱 RSVP at the link in bio! #aapi #aapimonth #phoenixevents #pilatesevent #lululemonevents

okayyy this might be my new favorite pre-workout drink 🍵 4g matcha cold whisked with 50ml soy milk, poured over ice, then topped with 150ml frothed soy + a scoop of @tryagoge protein for a total of 23g plant protein also added a tiny pinch of salt because honestly I love a little salt before workouts 👀 clean energy, protein, creamy texture, no weird chalkiness, and tastes ridiculously good immediately inspired after seeing protein coffee by @alysonalconis 🌸 #proteinmatcha #plantbasedwellness #matcharecipes #preworkoutfuel #wellnesslifestyle

when I first told my husband I wanted to start a mini cafe, I showed him one inspiration photo and somehow he turned it into THIS 🥲🍵 he designed and built the entire thing himself: – fully permitted setup – working sink with hot + cold water – built-in ice bin – space for a battery + refrigerator – all while keeping it under 3500 instead of the 10k+ I would’ve probably spent elsewhere this genuinely would not exist the way it does without him just a reminder that sometimes the people around you believe in your dreams before they even fully exist yet 🤍 and honestly… if you’ve been wanting to start something similar, this is your sign that it’s probably way more possible than you think ✨ #smallbusinessjourney #wellnessbrand #matchacart #entrepreneurlife #buildyourdreams

beautiful people, incredible energy, mountain views, little farm animals running around, movement, wellness, and getting to share my creations in a space that felt so grounding and intentional thank you so much to @commonkinwellness for having me - truly one of the most serene and beautiful spaces i’ve been a part of lately already can’t wait for the next one ✨ #wellnesscommunity #arizonaevents #matchaexperience #womeninwellness #plantbasedlifestyle

what i’ve been eating + drinking before workouts lately 👀 23g plant protein, matcha, cordyceps, creatine, & little sweet snacks that make me feel GOOD before the gym honestly a lot of what i’ve been making recently - both for myself and for the lab - has been centered around: – clean energy – nourishment – recovery – feeling strong in my body because I want everything I create for my micro café to align with the lifestyle I live too 🍵🤍 #wellnessroutine #gymfuel #plantbasedfitness #matchaenergy #healthylifestyle

still smiling thinking about this day 🌿 so grateful to have been part of @thejadeluckclub x @lululemon AAPI wellness event surrounded by movement, community, matcha, and so many amazing women. a few months ago, leaf lab was just an idea in my head… and now moments like this are becoming real. thank you to everyone who shared this experience with us 🍵 these are the kinds of spaces I’ve always dreamed of being part of and I’m so excited for what’s ahead. #matcha #wellness #lululemon #aapi #lovepilates

protein birthday cake matcha cookie dough 🍵🤍 plant-based, vegan, packed with protein, and made with super simple ingredients tastes like dessert but keeps me full for HOURS recipe: – 1 scoop @tryagoge matcha protein powder – 2 tbsp almond flour – 2 tbsp almond butter – 1 tbsp maple syrup – 1/2 tsp @halopantry birthday cake extract – splash of plant milk – 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips – pinch of salt – optional: extra 2g matcha because i’m addicted mix until it turns into cookie dough consistency 👀 perfect little sweet snack before or after the gym without feeling heavy after saving this one forever #healthydessert #proteinsnack #matcharecipes #plantbasedsnack #vegantreat

my current wellness obsession lately 🍵 5 saffron sprigs steeped in hot water + a splash of coconut water + 2g matcha & 60ml water i’ve been drinking this almost every morning for the last few weeks and honestly noticed a real difference in my mood and energy levels from a nerdy leaf lab standpoint: 🍵 matcha contains caffeine + L-theanine, which helps promote calmer, steadier energy and focus without the harsh coffee crash 🌱 because you consume the entire tea leaf, matcha is also packed with antioxidants that help support recovery, stress, and overall wellness 🌺 saffron has been studied for its potential effects on mood, stress regulation, serotonin, and dopamine support 🥥 coconut water adds hydration + electrolytes, which makes a bigger difference in energy than most people think not saying this magically fixes life lol but small daily rituals really do add up #matcharitual #wellnessdrinks #matchaaz #plantbasedwellness #leaflab

so so special 🤍 seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and getting to share my creations with all of you again… it’s something I don’t take lightly the energy was incredible music was so good pilates absolutely humbled me 😭 and the love for my matcha always means everything this is exactly the kind of space I want to keep being a part of huge thank you to @thejadeluckclub , @lululemon , @azurcitynorth , @eileentnguyen and @rosa_skin_injector for making this all happen. already can’t wait to see you girls again ✨ #wellnesscommunity #phoenixevents #pilateslifestyle #matchaexperience #womeninwellness