December is traditionally a time to relax the dietary restrictions and let loose, but with health taking centre stage this year, it’s important to maintain a good balance heading into the 2020 festive season.
Laager Rooibos, second largest Rooibos producer in the world and the only Rooibos brand that carries the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa’s ‘heart mark’, shares some easy ways to enjoy the holiday season to head into 2021 on a healthier note.
“After a challenging year, people are looking forward to relaxing the rules a bit over the holidays, which is completely understandable,” said Laager Rooibos marketing manager Candice Sessions.
“While having fun and replenishment are important, we’re encouraging South Africans to implement a few basic practices so they can enjoy themselves while also retaining good health.”
1. Plan outdoor get-togethers
To maintain all relevant Covid-19 health and safety regulations while still spending quality time with friends and family, take advantage of the sunny summer weather and opt for outdoor get-togethers, such as braais and picnics.
2. Freeze leftovers
No matter how well-catered a Christmas event has been, there are always many leftovers. Rather than giving into the inevitable temptation and gorging on them all in a few days, carefully package and freeze leftovers to get you through ‘Janu-worry’.
3. Schedule exercise
Rather than lounging around indoors watching TV, get the family outside for a walk in nature or a friendly sporting contest. It’s also worth scheduling exercise throughout December as it’s very easy to get out of this important habit on holiday.
4. Home-made ice teas
Switch out the sugar-laden fizzy drinks for water or home-made ice tea. This will ensure you’re meeting your daily hydration recommendation (eight glasses a day), while also taking away the temptation of overeating. For an easy, home-made iced tea recipe, simply freeze fruit into iced cubes with water. Then make up a batch of Laager Rooibos, cool, add a dash of honey to taste, and then include the fruity ice cubes.
5. Choose ‘mocktails’ over cocktails
There’s a tendency to indulge in more alcoholic beverages at this time of year, but alcohol can deplete B vitamins while also diminishing the body’s natural immune system. Swop out those cocktails for healthier mocktails. Renowned South African chefs and Laager Rooibos ambassadors, Tebo and Lebo Ndala, have shared a delicious festive mocktail recipe with a cranberry and wild cherry twist.
Rooibos cranberry and wild cherry tea-tini
(makes six tea-tinis)
Ingredients
4 Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos teabags
4 cups boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
100 ml lemon juice
Sparkling lemonade or sparkling water, to serve
1. Brew the teabags in the boiling water for 15 minutes to extract the tea flavor.
2. Remove teabags from water.
3. Simmer the tea and sugar on medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
4. Reduce the liquid to 1 cup of simple syrup.
5. Set it aside, leave it to cool.
6. In a flask, add some ice, tea syrup, lemon juice and shake till flavors combine and flask is cold.
7. Pour liquid into martini glasses and top up with the sparkling lemonade, or sparkling water.
