Time for tea...

There comes a time in every man’s life when alcohol just isn’t enough - or rather it all becomes too much. So, for one reason and another I’ve decided to try and reduce my alcohol intake and alternatives have had to be sought.

Obviously cigarettes and class ‘A’ drugs are out of the question; as are sweets; as one of the reasons for this little escapade of mine is that I’d quite like to lose some weight. I did consider exercise, but on reflection accepted that at this point, at least for the moment, anything other than a little light gardening is pretty much out of the question.  So, after much consideration I hit on something that might be just the thing - and that thing is tea.

Yes, tea. It’s time for tea.

Although I’ve never been a tea fanatic I’m willing to try anything to get me through 'one day at a time' as they say. I have taken my PG tips and Typhoo black for years, but the three sugars I take with it are hardly going to do much for my ‘losing a bit of weight’ regime. After much thought about coffee (another thing I’d quite like to avoid) I bit the bullet, threw macho caution to the wind, and purchased some peppermint teabags.

Yes, peppermint teabags, the tea old ladies drink.

I understand that peppermint tea helps you to relax. Not only that but if you drink several cups a day it is rumoured to fend off hunger pangs. I’m not sure how useful it is as an alcohol substitute but, as I’m only cutting down not going teetotal, I don’t think it can do any harm.

The funny thing is I quite like it - and the green tea and lemon teabags I’ve been experimenting with too.

Of course this is just the beginning. With the warmer weather coming I will be growing my own mint to make a blend all of my own and, as my G and T’s will be strictly limited, I’m sure a lemon or two will make it into my nice new glass cup and saucer. So, there you have it. I have become a gentleman who takes tea. Before you know it I’ll be grating a ginger infusion and getting my hair dyed lilac.

Whatever next, chamomile?

If you know of something tea-good please let me know.