Home grown: All the juicy details

07 September 2016 - 09:59 By Shenaaz Jamal

Keep the doctor away with a glass of freshly pressed juice a day, says organic fruit and vegetable farmer Refiloe Molefe. Farming is not just a job for Molefe, who runs the Bambanani community development project in downtown Johannesburg. She lives for the "beautiful feeling" of reaping what she sows.Raised in Alexandra, her love for farming began with her aunt, a nurse, who grew veggies in her back yard."I feel so at peace in the garden planting food and watching it grow. It gives me hope for a better life, not only for myself, but for all who eat what I've planted," she says.Molefe was introduced to the process of making health juices and smoothies when she saw a television programme on the subject. With no specific ingredients or a recipe, she mixes and matches a variety of fresh produce to make a healthy juice or smoothie that's perfect for a spring day."I give my clients the option of choosing which fruits and veggies they'd like in their juice. Most of them like green juices - I often pair kale, ginger and orange juice . It's a simple juice which is not only refreshing, but is a great combination for people wishing to detox, " she said.She also encourages her clients to pick their own produce from the garden and then makes juice from what they've selected.Her produce ranges from herbs to spinach, kale, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes and more.Molefe's clients are young, energetic and health-conscious. She says it's good to see young people taking care of their bodies and staying healthy."When I was young I believed that fizzy drinks were a luxury and a reward from parents who loved their children, but there's no better way to show love than by feeding them organic produce," she said.Molefe's clients market her on social media, sharing her story and leading others to her. When you walk into her organic garden she says, "welcome home my child", because, according to her, anyone who comes to visit her has found their way to a healthier lifestyle.Molefe is at the Blue Bird market and at The Sheds on Fox Street at weekends...

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