Febfast can seem really boring. Take it from me, it’s hard to abstain from the temptation of my favourite Chardonnay or cheeky gin and tonic, but I know how important it is to give our bodies a regular break from alcohol, sugar and even caffeine. Febfast is the perfect motivation to take stock of our not so good habits and get on track to feel great, be healthy and look fabulous.

Taking a break from alcohol? Try substituting with a healthy sparkling tea.

Buds & Beads sparkling green tea Before Rain and white tea Silver Needles are both my go to when I’m looking for a beverage that will give me a little pick-me-up, is refreshingly tasty, is packed with antioxidants, has no alcohol and virtually no sugar or calories and looks fabulous in the glass.

Looking for a beverage that has no caffeine? Our sparkling tea Ginger Rose is a herbal blend perfect for detoxing and cleansing the liver. It’s the flavour bomb that contains all the good stuff you need during Febfast, including Ginger, Rose, Gingko, Cardamon, Lemongrass, Turmeric, Rosehip, Lemon Myrtle, Hibiscus, Paw Paw Leaf, and Liquorice Root.

All our Sparkling Teas pair beautifully with food and look like sparkling wine, so no need to avoid your next dinner party because you’re not drinking, no one will guess you have sparkling tea in your glass and that it is SO good for you.

Reducing your caffeine intake? Green tea could be the answer.

If you are cutting back on your daily caffeine intake by reducing how many cups of coffee you have, green tea is a great way to help manage the withdrawal symptoms such as headache and irritability. In fact, swapping out your cup of coffee for green tea and reducing your caffeine intake can help improve your overall mental and physical health. Research also shows that it will improve your sleep cycle and reduce afternoon energy slumps.

I’ve reduced my consumption of coffee from 3 cups per day to one cup mid-morning and I drink green or white tea when I first wake up. It wasn’t easy at first as I did experience caffeine withdrawals. However, I began slowly by replacing the 2 cups of coffee with our Organic Woojeon green tea and that helped keep the cravings at bay, then gradually after a week I cut the green tea out completely. I still sometimes sneak another cup of green tea if I’m lacking energy throughout the day but it is so much better for me than coffee or sugar!

The results? I’m sleeping like a (good) baby – by the way if sleeping is an issue, I highly recommend our Good Night herbal leaf tea as your nightly ritual. I also feel way more energetic, and I’ve lost the coffee (caffeine) cravings I once experienced, so much so that I sometimes forget to have my usual mid-morning coffee!

Cutting out caffeine or sugar altogether?

If you are abstaining from caffeine and/or sugar during Febfast, then herbal teas can be the healthy substitute when you get those caffeine cravings. Naturally caffeine free and bursting with flavour, herbal teas are a great way to help kick the caffeine habit of drinking. Depending on the herb/s, herbal tea can have a multitude of health benefits some including;

• improved sleep
• anxiety reduction
• reduce inflammation
• improve circulation
• boost immunity
• improves digestion

The list goes on. Buds & Beads Defence blend is my herbal go to that combats all of the above and helps break the caffeine and sugar cravings too.