Trading Up!
Trading Up
I have something to admit: I used to be hooked on diet pop. It’s crazy to think just how many cans or bottles I would go through in a day. And don’t even get me started on the free refills at restaurants. The waiter or waitress would fill my glass up at least three times during a normal restaurant visit.
I used to have these moments throughout the day where I just needed something. That something was a diet pop. I craved the sugary sweetness that no other drink could satisfy. Even the sound of the can opening offered some sense of satisfaction.
It’s been years since my last run-in with pop, and for that I am grateful. Kicking the pop habit wasn’t easy. In fact, next to avoiding vegan sweets, it was the hardest thing to give up. In the end, it was all worth it because if I hadn’t given up pop, I would not have discovered how much I enjoy tea. Only after giving up pop did my interest in teas grow.
My family is full of tea lovers. If you can believe it, my grandma started drinking tea when she was about 5 years old. She passed on the tradition to my mom who then passed it on to me. When I was younger and most kids my age were drinking apple juice, I was drinking tea.
Besides being a great substitute for coffee, or pop in my case, tea is known throughout the world for having wonderful health benefits. This is especially true for the naturally caffeine free variety called rooibos. Also known as red tea, it is known to provide relief from many things such as headaches and allergies.
Consumed hot or cold, tea is quite the versatile drink. The same tea served hot may taste completely different cold. A cup of hot tea in the winter is wonderfully comforting, especially on a blistery snowy day! In the summertime, a nice glass of iced tea will surely quench your thirst after a long day in the sun.
A part of being plant-strong is giving up caffeine so it is important for you to know that not all teas are caffeine-free! The good news is that all teas are lower in caffeine than coffee. Herbal and rooibos teas are naturally caffeine free, so you’re always safe with those. Other than that, make sure you read the box to make certain it is caffeine free.
This picture from The Republic of Tea’s website is a great caffeine guide for tea
source: http://the.republicoftea.com/library/tea-information/tea-and-caffeine/
A few of my favorites:
Tazo Vanilla Rooibos Parfait, The Republic of Tea Peppermint Chocolate, Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend
In my cabinet:
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Rooibos
Trader Joe’s Well Rested
The Republic of Tea Hot Apple Cider Tea
The Republic of Tea Blueberry Bundt
The Republic of Tea Strawberry Chocolate
The Republic of Tea Banana Chocolate
The Republic of Tea Red Velvet Chocolate
Mighty Leaf Chamomile Citrus
Mighty Leaf African Nectar
Traditional Medicinals Raspberry Leaf
Allegro Fine Tea Thirst Tamer
Allegro Fine Tea Relaxing Chamomile
Allegro Fine Tea Happy Tummy
Numi Holiday Herbal Chai
Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Caramel Chai
World Market Tropical Rooibos
Harney & Sons Fine Teas Pumpkin Spice
If you’re just starting out on your plant-strong journey and having a hard time giving up a certain drink, I encourage you to give tea a try. Who knows, you just might like it! To all those tea drinkers out there, I hope this post will encourage you to experiment with different varieties.
-Katherine
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