Licking My Fingers

India is divided into 29 states, has 22+ languages and 720 dialects, various religions, and more than 2,000 ethnicities. For the first time, I had the pleasure of attending a South Indian Hindu festival called Onam this past weekend. 

pretty flower arrangement with South Indian Hindu lamps

Onam is celebrated by Hindus in the state of Kerala, located in southwest India. It commemorates the return of a Hindu King from the underworld, but can be considered a harvest festival. In Kerala it is celebrated for 10 days and includes traditions such as a huge feast, wearing new clothes (usually white or ivory), pookalams (flower arrangements) for the King, and attending a boat race.

Here in Phoenix we attended a one day festival at the Indo American Cultural & Religious Foundation. There was singing, dance performance, a lighting ceremony, and some other speeches. The only downside was that most of this did not take place in English, and as a result I could really only enjoy the dance performances.

They did, however, provide a delicious traditional feast. The best South Indian food I have ever tasted! The Onam sadya (feast) usually consists of small portions of 26 dishes served on a plantain leaf. This version took place on a plastic plantain leaf was under 20 dishes and super yummy.

Left to Right... 1st line: banana, plantain chips, plantain pieces fried in jaggery, pineapple chutney, cabbage dish, avail, fried okra raita. 2nd line: papadum, parboiled matta rice, lentil dhal

According to Ayurveda, any sadya is said to fulfill both the body and mind. Eating with your hands in general is said to aid digestion and the various dishes offer a balance between hot, cold, sour, sweet and spicy. Desert dishes were served towards the end of the meal.

It was definitely a fun meal to experience!   

Baking with your Canine (or Feline!)

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. It is usually used in baking and for deodorizing your fridge. But it’s also excellent for your dog or cat as dry shampoo! (It may also work on other furry creatures, but I have no experience to share on that).

I mix 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil with about 1 cup of baking soda (this mixture is also a wonderful natural carpet freshener – simply mix and sprinkle on the carpet about 20-30 minutes before vacuuming) and use it as a dry shampoo for my two dogs. I use lavender because it is known to be calming and flea and tick preventative.

I take a few pinches and rub it into their coat and then brush it through. It not only eliminates any odor they may have, but it is also a great supplemental way of preventing fleas or ticks, and makes their coats super soft!!

If by accident your dog or cat happens to nibble on a bit of powder out of curiosity that’s fine…but please do not let them consume a large quantity.

Now…if only they could truly help me with baking…

 

 

What's Turkish for Drying Off?

Each shelf is 15 x 12 inches

There are 6 towels stacked in bottom shelf of my linen closet. You can’t do that with ordinary towels.

What you’re looking at is my collection of handwoven Turkish Towels, also known as peshtemals, foutas, or hamam towels.

I am simply in love with Turkish towels. They get softer as you wash them, they never leave any fuzzies on your body, and they dry super-fast!! A pet peeve of mine is towels that never dry fully, a common issue especially in apartment living.

They can be made of pure cotton, or blended with silk or linen. They come in all colors, including white, and can even be woven with pretty designs like my orange one below. Better to have them be hand woven than factory produced.

Due to their flatness, you can travel easily with them, because of their softness they can be used for babies, and their being so quick to dry makes them perfect for regular home use, the beach, or the pool.

I bought a few at a flea market, but they are also found online on Etsy, Amazon, Overstock, and independent sites. I admit they are pricier (average price is $20), so start with just one or two. Once you try a few you will discover whether you prefer the pure cotton or one of the blends. I personally like the pure cotton and the cotton linen blends.  

Follow me and donate your old towels now!! You can also cut up old towels and use them for cleaning. Either way, you will definitely discover a new love.