Meet Tara, a long time Original Blend Fan!

Primary school office administrator Tara van der Merwe lives in the Auckland suburb of Glendowie with her 16-year-old, and, from time to time, her two older children who are currently studying at university.

A typical morning at my house is…well, it changed over lockdown. Now I get up, have my Te Atatu Original Blend breakfast, workout for 30 minutes, shower, then finish with a coffee and start work. I am going to continue with this after lockdown as well.

My favourite Te Atatu Toasted cereal is…Original Blend

I love Te Atatu Toasted cereal because…it is only sweetened by honey and apple puree. I have been eating Clare's muesli pretty much right from the start of her business and still love receiving my delivery each month. It was, and still is, the honey-coated almonds that got me hooked on the Original Blend and using the scoop Clare provides with the cereal means I am getting my portion size correct. 

I eat it with…fresh seasonal fruit, yoghurt and a dash of orange juice. I love it.

The best thing about signing up for a subscription to Te Atatu Toasted is…knowing that it will arrive each month - I don't need to do anything - and Clare's handwritten messages she puts with her deliveries. That is a lovely touch.

If I’m not eating cereal for breakfast, I’m having…no breakfast at all, just a coffee. Actually, I never miss breakfast - that is my one meal I look forward to every morning.

Other boutique NZ food brands I love include…  Barker’s NZ Lemon, Honey, Ginger & Turmeric Immunity Gel sachets.

My next holiday will be to… a beautiful sunny Pacific island or, if that is too much to expect in these times, a trip around the South Island.

My favourite restaurant or café is…Baker & Co, a local Glen Innes café.

I believe the key to good health and wellbeing is…make time for yourself, exercise and live life.

The achievement I’m most proud of this year is… making time for myself, starting to exercise again and realising the importance of putting myself first and that it is ok to say no.