While Valentine’s Day is a day filled with excitement and romance for many, it can also be a day that many would rather skip – a reminder of failed relationships, hurts, unrequited love or unmet expectations. This Valentine’s Day, Laager Rooibos is celebrating love in all its forms as a reminder that, even in the absence of romantic love, love is all around us.
Whether it’s the love between parent and child, siblings, grandparent and grandchild, friends, neighbours or colleagues – love is worth celebrating in all its forms. To show how it’s done, South African twin chefs and Laager Rooibos ambassadors, @withlovefromthetwins Lebo and Tebo Ndala, have shared how significant their sisterly bond is in each of their lives.
When asked about whether their close connection started at a young age, Lebo commented: “We’ve always gotten along! We’ve always been very close because we were so shy so we’ve always been friends. It’s helped that we’ve always had the same interests and so working together and going through life’s journey together has just made us closer.”
Tebo agreed, saying that being twins meant there was always double the fun: “We figured out quickly that, when we got gifts or bought things, we would go for something different. That way, we would get to enjoy two experiences and have double the fun!”
Alongside their two younger siblings, these Mamelodi-born sisters were raised by their mother and grandmother, both of whom loved cooking. This was a love the family shared, and from experimenting with recipes at home, the twins eventually went on to establish their own catering company, With Love from the Twins.
Lebo said the sisters have managed to maintain a connection as business partners as well as family by catering to each other’s love languages: “That means lots of Laager Rooibos tea, restaurant dates, live matches, and self-care girly stuff! That’s how we truly bond.”
And, being identical twins means that there aren’t any secrets between the two – especially since they can open each other’s iPhones using biometric facial recognition!
Candice Sessions, Laager Rooibos Marketing Manager, said the twins’ strong bond and love for their family was a great example of what this month of love should be about: “While Valentine’s Day has traditionally focused on romantic love, love truly comes in many forms and each is worth celebrating. We’ve all been through a rough few years, and we need our loved ones now more than ever.”
Laager Rooibos competition
This Valentine’s Day, show your love for your friends, family, or partner in a way that’s special to you. This could be taking them out for a spontaneous meal, dropping off some homemade baked treats and their favourite tea, or simply a letter telling them how much you care.
Then enter yourself and your favourite person into the Laager Rooibos competition on the Laager Facebook or Instagram pages (@LaagerRooibosTea) or the twin’s social media pages (@Withlovefromthetwins) and stand a chance to win a great prize! This includes a fully kitted picnic basket, flasks, a grocery voucher valued at R1 000, and the Laager Rooibos range.
@withlovefromthetwins Laager Rooibos Recipes to Love!
Ingredients
½ Rooibos Ice Cubes (made using Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry flavoured Laager Rooibos)
½ cup Cranberry Juice
½ cup Pineapple Juice
¼ cup Malibu Coconut Rum
Grenadine, drizzled
Maraschino Cherries, for garnish
Pomegranate Rubies, for garnish
Method
*Drink is intended for those who consume alcohol.
Ingredients
1 ¼ cup Milk
5 Tbls Laager Rooibos Loose Tea Leaves (cut open teabags and empty out leaves, discard bags)
2 Eggs
½ cup Castor Sugar
2 Tbls Vanilla Paste
2 cups Cream
Method
*Drink is intended for those who consume alcohol.
For more competitions, as well as recipe ideas and health tips, follow @withlovefromthetwins and @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook and Instagram.
]]>
“As we get the New Year underway, many of us are looking to get back on track from a health perspective, and we’re encouraging caregivers to take this opportunity to start building healthy habits with their children if these aren’t already in place,” explained Candice Sessions, Laager Marketing Manager. “With just a few simple changes and consistent reinforcement, children will quickly get into the habit of eating foods that boost their nutrition and overall well-being and getting enough hydration, without it being a fight. It’s important that these aren’t just for the start of the year, but something that is sustainable and that can become part of the family’s regular routine.”
Mbali Mapholi, Laager Tea4Kidz partner dietitian emphasises that when building new habits, 3 things are key:
- Making practical and sustainable changes, that can be maintained in the long term
- Consistency
- Positive reinforcement (focusing on the positives around the changes, not the negatives)
Here are Mbali’s top 6 tips for building healthy habits for the family in 2023:
1. Lead by example
More is caught than taught. Raising or caring for kids comes with responsibility which includes leading by example as a way to build healthy habits. Even the food language or health language used at home may impact how the child’s views on nutrition and health. Leading by example means adopting healthy habits as a caregiver, thereby exposing the kids to such indirectly or directly. This includes healthy food choices, healthy lunchboxes (for parents and children), and a healthy amount of physical activity. This also extends to healthy habits such as good sleep and stress management.
2. Establish routines
Adding and supporting a child’s routines is important to help them adopt healthy habits. One example is encouraging a child to eat breakfast before going to school as part of the morning routine, and eating dinner early enough for the food to digest properly before bed. Another key part of a healthy routine is getting enough sleep. Sticking to a routine consistently helps children prepare for the day as they know what to expect.
3. Involve children in shopping and cooking
Kids naturally have inquisitive minds and are always curious or eager to try something different. Take advantage of this by involving kids in food shopping as much as you can, so they can experience the whole food journey. This may also encourage them to eat new and healthy foods. Exposing children to healthy foods early in life can train their taste buds to enjoy the flavour and texture of these foods for the rest of their lives. Involving children in the cooking process exposes them to new recipes, food textures and tastes. This is because one of the main reasons children dislike certain foods is unpredictable texture changes. However, when they’re involved in touching food items before and after cooking, they are more likely to embrace the textures.
4. Encourage play
Kids do not need any encouragement to play! Given the opportunity, they will run and have fun. However, kids may fall into the trap of unlimited or excessive screen time when at home relaxing. Encourage these natural habits of physical activity by joining in the fun and leading by example. Engage in outdoor activities such as walking, bike riding, swimming and sports.
5. Refrain from the food reward system
Using food as a reward may influence how your child responds to certain foods. Giving them treats as a reward may encourage them to view treats as superior to healthy foods. When trying to instill healthy habits, use non-food-related rewards to avoid creating an affinity towards ‘fun foods’ which are to be consumed in moderation, as part of a healthy diet.
6. Limit sugar intake
Excessive sugar intake can lead to a number of health complications, including hyperactivity, obesity, and diabetes. Sugar should be limited, and natural sugars (e.g. those occurring in fruits and whole foods) should always be prioritised over refined sugars. A key issue with sugar is the fact that it leads to spikes and dips in energy levels, and regular sugar consumption can potentially drive a dependency on sugar to maintain energy levels and a sense of overall well being. One of the key areas where children often consume large amounts of sugar is via fruit juices and fizzy drinks. Rather than making these a regular part of their diet, get into a habit of giving them water or Rooibos tea instead. Laager Tea4Kidz has a range of flavoured Rooibos teas that are naturally caffeine-free and sugar-free and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Rooibos is also naturally sweet
so adding sugar or honey is not essential.
Laager Tea4Kidz has a range of flavours, including 2 with added Vitamin C for even more health benefits. Parents and caregivers can also access a range of healthy recipes, advice and tips via @Tea4Kidz on Facebook and @LaagerRooibosTea on
Instagram.
This year, Tetley Green tea is encouraging South Africans who want to improve their health to ditch large, unattainable New Year’s resolutions in favour of small, positive changes. “New Year’s resolutions are really just an expression of dissatisfaction with our current state of being,” noted Tetley Marketing Manager, Candice Sessions. “The first step to creating new, healthier habits is to accept your current position, and accept that big changes start with small steps. Tetley Green tea’s focus is on empowering South African women and men to care for themselves from the inside out, and that starts with small, healthy changes.”
1. Get walking
There’s no need to start running marathons, but exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. This can be as simple as opting to take the stairs instead of the lift, or joining a neighbourhood walking group. This is also a great opportunity to socialise with friends, making it good for body and soul!
2. Get some sleep
Aim to get at least seven hours of sleep a day to improve one’s mood, appearance, and health! There has been lots of research done on sleep, and insufficient sleep has been linked to several health problems, from Type 2 diabetes to cancer.
3. Avoid over-eating
A simple trick to avoid eating too much in one sitting is to drink a glass of water or Tetley Green Tea before each meal. Other ways to decrease overeating include using a smaller plate to avoid taking too much food, and waiting at least 10 minutes after eating. This gives the stomach time to tell the brain that there is sufficient food – no seconds needed!
4. Stay hydrated
It’s important to get into the habit of staying hydrated, rather than just drinking water when it’s hot, as the body requires around 2 litres a day. This means keeping a bottle of water or a homemade Tetley Green iced tea or smoothie close at hand throughout the day. Visit www.joekels.co.za for some great recipes!
5. Include a cup of Tetley Green Tea
Just a single cup of Tetley Green Tea can make a massive difference to one’s well-being, as it comes with an amazing number of health benefits. In fact, one cup has at least double the number of antioxidants than an apple. These are the damage-fighting elements that clean out the system!
6. Digital detox
Too much time on devices and catching up on social media can be harmful for mental health. Ditch the phone or tablet and relax in a bubble bath, or read a good book. Let the mind wander and take a break from comparisons with curated and filtered feeds!
Layered Tetley Green Tea Spring Smoothie
Ingredients
2 x thinly sliced frozen Bananas
1 cup Frozen Strawberries
1 cup Frozen Pineapple
1/2 teaspoon of grated Ginger
1 teaspoon of beetroot powder
1 x Tetley+ Peach & Orange flavoured Green teabag
Method
South Africa’s number one Green tea, Tetley, has launched two new Green teas that are fortified with added vitamins. These variants merge popular, fresh flavours and added vitamins to offer even more reasons to drink Green tea. The new Tetley+ Mango flavoured Green tea is fortified with Vitamin B5, while the Tetley+ Peach & Orange flavoured Green tea contains added Vitamin C.
Visit @TetleyTeaSA for more health tips as well as healthy recipes and ideas for the whole family.
]]>With centuries of heritage and time-honoured traditions, tea is a beverage that truly stood the test of time. The simple ritual of tea-making remains as relevant today as ever. Many self-confessed ‘tea snobs’ believe they’ve discovered the secret to the perfect cup of tea, from when to add the milk to whether to squeeze the bag. However, Kelsey is really one man who is qualified to spill the tea on making the perfect cuppa.
The Master Tea Blender and Co-Director at Joekels Tea Packers, manufacturers of top tea brands like Laager Rooibos and Tetley, has been evaluating and blending teas for over 33 years. He’s also the only Tea Master in the country who has insurance on his tongue and taste buds - R5 million to be
exact!
But what is the Tea Master’s favourite tea? Is there one type of tea that trumps the others?
“All teas have different flavours and offer different benefits, so it depends on what you’re looking for,” notes Kelsey. “Rooibos, for example, is naturally caffeine-free and naturally sweet so it can be enjoyed without milk and sugar. Green tea is more astringent and is very high in antioxidants, while Black tea is ideal for mental alertness and is richer and more aromatic."
“I enjoy a strong cup of Laager Rooibos as much as a rich cup of Tetley Black tea with milk and sugar. It all depends on how I feel at the time. I’m also loving The Tetley Masala Chai and Elaichi Chai as a dessert tea with lots of milk and sugar, and the Tetley Green tea variants for a digestive after lunch or dinner.”
According to Kelsey, the two biggest mistakes people make are not brewing the tea for long enough and using re-boiled water.
“To get the most of the flavour and benefits, tea should always be steeped for at least three minutes, or longer – depending on how strong you like it. Using re-boiled water makes tea taste flat, which is why tea should always be prepared with freshly-boiled water.”
For those looking to prepare tea like the Master himself, Kelsey has shared some useful tips.
Black tea
Green tea
Rooibos
Fruit infusions
3 useful tips for getting the most out of that cup of tea
Kelsey concludes that these guidelines are just that – guidelines: “The best way to drink tea is, however, you like it! That’s one of the great things about tea. We all like it a different way, and no way is the wrong way. Some like it piping hot, others like it with ice and fresh fruit as an iced tea. Some will curse you for adding milk or sugar, and for others, it looks more like milk than tea. I can
tell you all about the ‘proper’ way to make tea, but there’s really no wrong way to drink it – just enjoy it!”
“Being a parent and caregiver is difficult as you have to balance the demands of work and home with the needs of young children, and it’s often easier to resort to quick and easy meals,” explained Candice Sessions, Laager Marketing Manager. “With the rising cost of food, planning wholesome yet delicious meals is even more challenging. That’s why we’re supporting our partner dietician, Mbali, in promoting these healthy alternatives which are better for children – and parents!”
Mapholi explained: “Instead of eliminating popular foods entirely, you can try cutting back on certain food items, and when you do offer them, try opting for the healthiest choices possible. Finding the balance between nourishment and fun foods that children love is important to helping them harness a healthy relationship with food from an early age.”
Instead of…
Try
Slap chips/French fries
Baked fries grilled in the oven or air-fryer and salted lightly.
Ice cream
Frozen yoghurt, sorbet or fresh fruit smoothies*
Fried chicken nuggets
Baked or grilled chicken OR baked or grilled fish fingers
Soft drinks
Homemade Rooibos iced tea (brew, add ice and fruit and sweeten lightly)*
Store-bought ice lollies
Frozen fruit sticks or frozen fruits (such as grapes) OR homemade ice lollies*
Potato crips
Home-made popcorn salted lightly
Instant noodles
Add canned tuna or pilchards, chicken pieces or eggs to instant noodles, cooked tomato sauce and some frozen vegetables, and season well
Polony sandwich
Fill bread with peanut butter, egg mayo or tuna mayo
Hot dog
Add vegetables as toppings such as well-seasoned, shredded cooked cabbage or peppers. You can even add avocado to the hot dog - children will love it!
*Suggested recipes are available at www.joekels.co.za.
Mapholi said it was important to use children’s food and beverage choices as teaching moments: “Speak up when you see unhealthy choices and direct children to healthier options. You can also insist that they have a little of one thing, but not too much. Talk to them about why an overly salty or heavily sugared snack is not the best choice, but avoid making them feel guilty about their food or beverage choices. Trying new recipes and involving children in meal preparations helps a lot in guiding them to choose better and healthier options.”
Laager Tea4Kidz has a range of Rooibos teas designed specifically for kids, that can be enjoyed hot or cold. The range also carries two flavours with added Vitamin C for even more health benefits.
Parents and caregivers can also access a range of healthy recipes, advice and tips via the Joekels website, www.joekels.co.za, and via free parent/teacher workshops in partnership with an educational training expert.
Follow @Tea4Kidz on Facebook and @LaagerRooibosTea on Instagram for health tips and advice, as well as healthy recipes and ideas for the whole family.
About Joekels
Joekels pack, blend and distribute some of South Africa’s most popular household tea brands including Tetley, Laager, Tea Time, Tea4Kidz, and Society Coffee. Started in 1994 by businessman, Joe Swart and Master Tea Blender, Jonathan Kelsey, Joekels is an award-winning business with both Halaal and Kosher accreditation, as well as the highest global food safety and quality certification, FSSC 22000. The Laager Rooibos brand is accredited by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of South Africa. Visit www.joekels.co.za
About Laager Tea4Kidz
Tea4Kidz is Laager’s range of Rooibos teas created especially for kids. Providing parents with a healthier drink option for their young ones, Tea4Kidz is available in five flavours, including the new Tea4Kidz+ range with added Vitamin C. The beverage has all the associated benefits of Rooibos, including boosting immunity and relieving symptoms of allergies. Visit www.joekels.co.za for more info.
]]>A signature drink, scent or style makes a character distinctive and gives their personalities dimension.
For decades, fictional characters swooned over alcoholic bevvies, black tea and coffee, but in recent years, more of them are found with Rooibos tea in hand.
In the lead up to World Book Day (23 April), the trend was explored.
The first known mention of Rooibos tea in popular literature was by British-Zimbabwean writer, Alexander McCall Smith in the late ‘90s. Unbeknown to him, his best- selling novel series, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, went a long way in putting Rooibos tea on the map.
The lead character and heroine of his story, Mma Precious Ramotswe, who starts her own detective agency in Botswana, has a penchant for Rooibos and often drinks it as she unravels one crime mystery after the next. Twenty-one novels in the series have been published to date with millions of copies sold worldwide. The books were also turned into a television series by the BBC and HBO several years ago.
Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council says it is true!
“Rooibos tea sales jumped substantially once the novels took off. Entering a new market always comes with its share of challenges. You have to consider the culture, behaviour, needs and preferences of consumers and a host of other factors in order for a new product to get noticed. Inadvertently, McCall Smith’s books piqued interest among readers about a red tea that only grows on the southern tip of Africa. Both the genre and Mma Ramotswe’s intriguing personality appealed to readers and thus helped to promote our homegrown tea in a most fortuitous way.”
Ten years after the first novel was launched, Rooibos tea exports to the UK and US – where the books gained abrupt popularity – increased by ten- and five-fold respectively.
One theory is that when authors themselves become passionate about something, more of their characters start to develop the same affinity for it. Rumour has it that when Ian Fleming, the creator of Bond, was offered a martini, served shaken and not stirred, he quite enjoyed it and decided to make it the hero’s preference.
The same is true in McCall Smith’s case. He too is a fan of Rooibos. When asked about how he manages multiple writing projects during an interview, he answered: “Three desks, three computers and three pots of bush tea”.
The detectives in Scottish crime writer, Ian Rankin’s, Inspector Rebus novels, also started drinking the brew after he was introduced to Rooibos.
Rankin says he first encountered Rooibos on a book tour held in South Africa a few years back. The publisher that was chaperoning him ordered Rooibos in a restaurant.
“At first, I thought she was mispronouncing the name of my main character, Rebus. It tickled me that his name sounded like a South African tea, so I tried it… Rooibos has an earthier flavour than black tea and the fact that it has no caffeine means I can drink it all day while I’m working without getting jittery.”
The characters of local crime fiction author, Deon Meyer, also often drinks Rooibos.
He says when developing his characters, he tries to match their personalities with real life to make them as realistic as possible to the reader. “My characters often grow out of a sense of place. As most of my novels are set in South Africa, I refer to places, atmosphere, traditional food and flavours, such as Rooibos, that would give the reader a better sense of the setting.”
Whether by accident or design, there appears to be a common thread among the characters that drink Rooibos. They all seem to be the sleuthing type…
“It may have something to do with the tea’s high antioxidant content,” notes du Toit. “Antioxidants are substances that can help boost memory and concentration – vital for crime-solving.
“Rooibos goes to work by countering the negative impact of free radicals, which are all around us (think ozone, cigarette smoking, air pollutants, industrial chemicals and the like). When free radicals cause oxidation in the body, they damage the healthy cells which could hinder our ability to learn and retain information. Rooibos negates the process by reducing the effect of oxidative by-products in neural pathways thereby stimulating concentration and focus.”
She attributes the increased mentions of Rooibos in fictional writing to the worldwide trend towards healthier living – moving away from sugary, caffeinated drinks to healthier, herbal teas. Characters need to resonate with their audience and if more are tending towards cleaner living, characters’ habits are likely to follow their cue.
“There is no doubt that Rooibos sales have benefited from the heightened literary exposure and as more authors become accustomed to the tea, Rooibos is likely to find favour among more consumers.”
Currently, in the region of 6 000 tons of Rooibos are exported annually to more than 30 countries.
Many of the great writers past and present, such as Stephen King, Henry James, George Orwell, CS Lewis, Agatha Christie and Okakura Kakuzō consider(ed) tea-drinking an essential part of their daily routine and writing process. The simple act of sitting down to a pot of tea is an invitation to clear your mind and relax.
So next time writer’s fog sets in or you’re in need of a creative jolt, consider a cup of Rooibos tea to follow in the masters’ footsteps. Whether you’re a writer or a booklover, there is no better way to spend time in lockdown than with a good book and the perfect cup of tea.
ENDS
Issued by Meropa Communications on behalf of the SA Rooibos Council. For further information, please contact Brigitte Taim from Meropa on 021 683 6464; 082 410 8960 or email: brigittet@meropa.co.za
CREDIT: SA Rooibos Council
]]>