MANGO mania
If it’s summers, can mangoes be far behind? As the temperatures rise, the “King of Fruits” floods the markets. At The Organic World, we source our mangoes from organic certified farms. Our mangoes are grown without the use of any chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Only sustainable, organic farming practices are used to cultivate them. Our mangoes are ripened naturally, without the use of any chemicals, using paddy straw. So when you choose a mango from The Organic World, you get 100% sweetness, taste and nutrition without any chemicals! Here’s a quick snapshot of the mangoes you will find on our shelves through the season:
BADAMI Known as Karnataka Alphonso due to their sweet taste! It has a light yellow, thin skin. It’s flesh is largely fibreless and is deliciously sweet and succulent: Sourced from organic certified farms in Haveri BYGANPALLY Grown originally in the town of Banganpalli in Andhra (hence the name), this mango delights with its smooth skin and sweet aroma. It’s fibre-free skin is sweet and juicy. Did you know, this variant was the first mango to bag the GI tag? Sourced from organic certified farms in Andhra Raspuri Originating in Mysore region of Karnataka, these sweet and juicy mangoes are perfect to make smoothies, shakes and jams with! Sourced from organic certified farms in Chitradurga
SINDHOORA Known for its rich sweetness as well its distinctive skin colour – red and green mixed with gold. Used extensively to make jams, jellies and other confectionery. Sourced from organic certified farms in Chitradurga TOTAPURI Characterized by its distinctive parrot-beak shape. It has a sharp, tangy taste which makes it ideal for use in pickles and salads. Sourced from organic certified farms in Chitradurga ALPHONSO India and possibly the world’s favourite mango! Small in size, it has a bright yellow tinged with red skin color and delights with its sweet and creamy flesh. Sourced from organic certified farms in Ratnagiri MALLIKA This variant is a hybrid of the Neelum and Dasheri mangoes. It is the perfect blend of sweet and tart making it ideal for juices. Sourced from organic certified farms in Raichur
MALGOVA It has a round shape with a largely green skin with touches of yellow. One of the larger varieties, it delights with its rich sweetness underlined by a tinge of tart. Sourced from organic certified farms in Kolar IMAM PASAND Delights with is rich sweetness and aroma. Its pulp is fibreless and soft and buttery. Sourced from organic certified farms in Thrissur PEDDA RASALU Large in size, these juicy mangoes are used to make pickles when unripe. When ripe, relish its sweet and rich flavour! Sourced from organic certified farms in Andhra
COOLING FOODS
to eat this summer With temperatures rising (and rising!) we are all looking for ways to stay cool. Here’s how you can stay cool from within, with these naturally hydrating and cooling food options.
WATER-BASED FOODS Make fruits and vegetables that have high water content an integral part of your diet. These include watermelon, muskmelon, different types of gourd (ridge gourd, bottle gourd), cucumber, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce. Juice, use in salads, prepare curries, cold soups - your options are aplenty! Plus, vegetables like radish and fruits like oranges have high antioxidant content that has a cooling effect on the body. AVOID OILY, SPICY, FRIED FOOD Give these foods a miss. As per Ayurvedic science, such foods have a heating effect on the body. STAY HYDRATED The best way to stay cool this summer is to hydrate yourself. Make sure you drink plenty of water through the day. Add sprigs of mint to your water for a refreshing touch.
Store water in copper bottles and clay vessels to keep it cool naturally. Make juices your best friend - whether it’s watermelon, muskmelon or mixed fruits. Tender coconut water is a must-have this season as is sugarcane juice. Not only will these beverages keep you cool, they will help replenish any nutrients your body loses when you sweat. FENNEL AND FENUGREEK Consuming fennel and fenugreek seeds are some of the best home remedies to bring down body heat. You boil the fenugreek seeds in water, cool it and drink. Or just roast, powder and sprinkle on a bowl of curd. Or eat as is. Similarly, you can eat fennel seeds, or soak in water overnight and drink the water. AMBLI Ragi Ambli makes for a meal in itself. It is made by boiling ragi powder, giving you a thin porridge. Once it cools, add buttermilk, salt, hing, curry leaves, cumin and fenugreek to it. This porridge is nutritive, digestive and cooling at the same time!
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RICE DISHES Our vote for the most summer-friendly dish goes to curd rice! A light khichdi makes for an ideal lunch option as well - easy to digest and light on the stomach. CURD The best and most versatile ingredient to help you sail through the summer heat has to be curd. You can eat a bowl every day, use it to make buttermilk, a breakfast bowl, curd rice, lightly spices kadhis - your perfect summer companion.
AND HOW TO TACKLE THEM The harsh rays of the sun, high temperatures and sweating - a constant feature of the summer months - can be extremely harsh on your skin. We look at a few common summer skin problems and how you can tackle them naturally!
RASHES, PRICKLY HEAT A common summer problem, this can occur due to multiple reasons -blocked sweat glands and build up of bacteria are a couple of offenders. Use a talcum powder that contains sandalwood. Have a bath a couple of times a day with an antibacterial soap. Wild Ideas Need Soap, Natural Vibes Ayurvedic Shower Gel
SUNBURN Increased sun exposure can lead to sunburn. The wonder ingredient to help sooth your red, burning skin is aloe vera. You can also apply cucumber slices which are cooling in nature. And never forget to apply sunscreen whether you are at home or stepping out. La Flora Aloe Vera Gel, Organic Harvest Sunscreen
ACNE Due to excessive sweating and build up of dirt, your pores can get clogged up, leading to acne. Always keep your skin cleaned. Use an antibacterial face wash. If you are prone to acne, try and use a light moisturiser, something that is gel based. Tomato juice, lime juice, multani mitti and sandalwood are a few popular home remedies used to tackle this problem. Soul Tree Anti Acne Face Pack, Organic Harvest Anti Acne Serum Mask
PIGMENTATION Increased sun exposure can also hasten sun damage leading to issues like dark patches and pigmentation. Never forget to apply sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF and reapply every 2-3 hours. Face scrubs made of almond, packs with honey, almond, turmeric yogurt, potato paste are all common natural remedies. Organic Harvest Anti Pigmentation Cream, Native Circle Anti Pigmentation Face Scrub, Nature’s Veda, Kumkumadi Face Oil
DRY SKIN Dry itchy patches on the skin and chapped lips are a common problem at this time. Make sure you are well hydrated. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Don’t forget to moisturise with gel-based moisturiser. Soul Tree Apricot Moisturiser, The Herb Boutique Rose Body Oil
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor/dermatologist for any skin issue and do not include any new product without prior medical advice.
IDEAS FOR A
LIGHT SUMMER BRUNCH Summery Sunday mornings are for lazing in - and we are sure you agree! So nothing works better than a relaxed brunch, whether it’s with family or a small group of friends to add to a relaxed vibe. Here are a few brunch ideas we love to see on our tables!
FRUIT BOWLS The best way to begin or end your meal! Chop up your favourite fruits, drizzle with seeds, springs of mint, maybe a dash of pepper or chaat masala for some zing and you are sorted. This is the season for fruits like watermelon, muskmelon, grapes, mangoes - chop them up and your fruit bowl is ready. Not only do fruit bowls taste delicious and hydrated, they add so much colour to your table. Choose from a wide selection or organic certified fruits at The Organic World! CHEESE BOARD What’s a brunch without a cheese board? Chop up different varieties of cheese: cheddar, Gruyere, Gouda, Brie, Camembert, Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Edam,Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton - your options are aplenty. Choose a nice slate or wooden tray, arrange olives, roasted peppers, almonds, cashes, throw in sliced baguettes, breadsticks, crackers - and don’t forget a lovely garnish of fresh and dried herbs! And whether it’s cheese from Akshayakalpa, dry fruits from Wellbe, breads from Sourhouse and organic herbs - we have it all at The Organic World! FRESH SALADS Breezy brunches are synonymous with fresh salads. Combine vegetables like cucumbers, onions, cherry tomatoes, salad leaves, throw in a few chopped fruits, toss in some feta cheese, mix in quinoa perhaps, some more fresh herbs, a dressing on your choice and your showstopper is ready. Get everything you need at The Organic World! PANCAKES We love pancakes - and we are sure you do! Choose from a range of alternative flours at The Organic World to give a healthy twist to this brunch staple. Top with bananas, maple syrup, chocolate sauce or blueberry compote for a fun and healthy dish! PIZZAS A firm favourite - with adults and children alike! Use wholewheat bases available at The Organic World and get everyone to make their own pizzas. Keep bowls of homemade pizza sauce, grated cheese, chopped vegetables, basil and let your guests build their own pizza. Simply pop into your oven, or roast on your pan!
IDLIS Light and easy to make, idlis make for a perfect brunch option. You can make them beforehand using fresh batter that you can pick up at The Organic World and keep in a casserole. Serve with chutney and sambar! DIY SANDWICHES We love the idea of DIY sandwiches. Slice baguettes or keep slices of brown/multigrain bread. Let your guests build their own sandwiches with vegetables and cheese - you could even keep a few chutneys, maybe a salsa, to build up your sandwich. DESSERTS Ice cream is the easiest and most refreshing dessert option, we think for a summer brunch. Banana bread is another hot favourite as are waffles!
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BEVERAGES Refreshing fruit juices are the way to go for a cool brunch. Or you could always opt for tender coconut water or nimbu pani! Use biodegradable, disposable cutlery and you don’t have to wash the dishes (and it’s an eco-friendly choice as well!).
TOP TIPS
to stay cool
WEAR LIGHT COTTON CLOTHES Ditch the silks and many layers - opt for light breezy clothes made of natural fabrics like linen and cotton - cotton helps absorb the sweat. Opt for lighter colours as dark colours absorb heat while light colours reflect the heat. Avoid tight fitting clothes as they could make you feel even more uncomfortable when you sweat. CROSS VENTILATE Try and open your windows strategically to create cross ventilation. Early morning and night time are the best times for this as the air is cooler. This helps create a natural breeze inside the house. DECLUTTER The more space you have in your room, the more space there is for air to circulate. Store things you may not need, reduce clutter off surfaces and let your room (and you) breathe! BRING IN THE PLANTS Having plants in your home can have several beneficial effects. Plants help humidify and cool the air, as well as detoxify, leaving the air purer. Aloe vera, areca palm tree, ficus tree and ferns are some of the typical indoor plants.
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DITCH THE HEAVY CURTAINS Keep the dark synthetic curtains away and instead opt for light, cotton curtains - choose muted, pastel shades that will also make your rooms appear more spacious. You could even opt for jute screens and bamboo blinds. NO HEAVY MAKEUP Based on your skin type opt for light moisturisers. Keep your makeup routine simple and avoid applying too many products. Opt for natural and organic beauty and skincare products. And yes, never forget the sunscreen!
how can
YOGA
help you stay cool in the summer?
BY SHREE LP Shree is a Certified Yoga Trainer, Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Instructor and a Nutrition Coach. Insta handle @shreelp Your Breathe is your Therapy. Breathwork is more than an exercise of breathing correctly or with intent. Breathing techniques are tools for major transformation and healing. It’s summertime and, from the Ayurvedic perspective, that means pitta season— when pitta dosha, consisting of the fire and water elements, rules. It’s common at this time of year to feel an excess of pitta’s main qualities—hot, oily, sharp, liquid, and light—which can produce symptoms such as inflammation, acid indigestion, rashes, acne, burning eyes, agitation, frustration, and anger. Your Pranayama is a practice to extend and balance our breath capacity to directly influence the life force energy we bring into our bodies.
SITALI PRANAYAMA 1. Place your palms resting on your thighs by sitting on Vajrasana or on a chair 2. Stretch your tongue forward partly out of the mouth and fold it inwards 3. Slowly suck in the air through the beak and feel the cool jet of air 4. Slowly exhale through the nostrils, feeling the movement of warm air all the way up from the lungs through the throat and the nasal passages 5. This completes one round of Sitali Pranayama. Repeat for nine rounds. SITKARI PRANAYAMA 1. Place your palms resting your thighs by sitting on Vajrasana or on a chair. 2. Let the upper set of teeth touch the lower set of teeth. 3. Keep the tip of the tongue just behind the teeth. 4. Inhale through the crevices of the teeth and feel the cool air. 5. The warm air is exhaled out slowly through both the nostrils. 6. This completes one round of Sadanta. Repeat for 9 rounds. CHANDRA BHEDANA PRANAYAMA (Left Nostril Breathing) 1. Sit in a comfortable pose. Keep your spine and neck straight. 2. Close your right nostril with your right thumb. 3. Make a pranayam mudra with your fingers (press the index and middle finger of your hand towards the palm). 4. Use your right thumb to shut the right nostril. (If you are left-handed then make the pranayama mudra with your left hand and shut the right nostril with the index and middle finger of your left hand). 5. Inhale slowly and deeply through your left nadi until your lungs fill with maximum air; hold your breath for some time or as per your capacity. 6. Breathe out (exhale) slowly through the right nadi.(Exhalation should be longer than the inhalation). Repeat this process for nine rounds.
ENGAGE YOUR KIDS
during the summer holidays
plus keep junk food at bay
One of the toughest questions for any parent to answer: how can I keep my kids engaged during the summer vacations? Add to the mix a pandemic that restricts activities and this becomes even more challenging! Then you have the added challenge of more snacking demands - how do you steer clear of junk food? We spoke to a few parents and here’s what they had to say! RITUPARNA GUPTA
“One of the easy ways to keep children busy is to involve them in whatever you are doing! I have had a lot of fun with my children in the kitchen and over a period of time, they have picked up a skill or two. They both know how to use a knife carefully, and can fix simple snacks like salads, fruit bowls, sandwiches, lemon juice, buttermilk and milkshakes made with a drop of vanilla essence. All one has to do is to keep the ingredients ready and at an accessible place and slowly you will see your children having fun with the food they want to eat!”
PADMAPRIYA BALAJI
“This summer will be about encouraging the art of pottering around the house. So, think autonomy, unstructured time, reimagining old toys, fixing parts of a preloved model, DIY, recycling, craft, board games, star gazing, bird watching, and exercises of practical life such as tending to plants, chores and cooking.” ANITHA OLLAPALLY
“Let them make a dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner or an evening snack, or even a whole meal if they are up to it. Reading is another great option. In fact they can share books so that they can read new ones; this saves money as well!I do let my son play a bit of Minecraft - it encourages creativity and they learn things as well. They can also play simultaneously with friends so it’s the next best thing to physically playing together I guess!”
ASHIMA CHANDER
“One of the biggest things that has helped me in reducing junk snacking is to plan ahead. A weekly meal plan helps me make ready to eat cutlets, home made dips or spreads (instead of regular cheese or butter) and buy healthy snack options. Agastya likes soya stick snacks so I find that better than regular chips; I try to buy from organic brands or home chefs who make small batch foods because I feel the quality will be better and food fresher that way.”
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The second wave of Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on our country and we continue to battle its impact every day. In the midst of all these grim news, statistics and forecasts emerging every day, there have been some stories of hope. Of people selflessly doing their bit to help those in need. One such person has been popular home chef Sneha Vachhaney, who has been at the forefront of a heartwarming effort by citizens of Bengaluru to try and ensure that no Covid-19 positive person is in want of one of the most basic elements of survival – a nourishing plate of food. Towards mid-April, staggered by the growing number of cases, Sneha was determined to do what she could to alleviate their condition in whatever way. She put out a post on her Instagram handle @snehavachhaney: “If you know any COVID patients who need homecooked meals in Bellandur, Sarjapur, HSR and Koramangala, please PM. Happy to cook and deliver.” Her idea was to cook simple, nourishing food and help people in their hour of need. The response was overwhelming. Soon other home chefs started contacting Sneha asking how they could pitch in and gradually the network grew. One of the hurdles they were facing was how to deliver the food, so Sneha started to help the chefs out with that. While she was keeping meals and delivery free, it was the delivery charges that soon began to pile up. This was when last mile delivery service providers willingly stepped in. As the demand started growing, Sneha realised that to do it at scale,
a proper process needed to be set in place. Together with a friend, Sneha put together a simple interface which allowed a user to reach out to all home chefs delivering in a needed area. Today, with the help of a simple spreadsheet, more than 200 areas in Bangalore are covered. The interface is being used by almost 1000 people everyday with more than 70+ home chefs on it. Sneha is also providing meals to frontline workers. “I am grateful that people have reached out and contributed and are helping this effort grow day by day,” she says. While she doesn’t ask for any payment, she does request that those who can afford some form of payment, can sponsor a meal and “pay it forward”. There have been times when the home chefs have not been able to meet the demand and local restaurants and cafes have voluntarily stepped in to fill the breach. Laud Sneha for her efforts and she is quick to shrug it off. “Sometimes people have called me for food and they can barely speak,” she says, with a catch in her voice. “I’m just doing my bit.” We at The Organic World want to thank Sneha and everyone else who is doing their bit to reach out to those in need in these overwhelming times. Selfless, genuine, heartwarming gestures that truly make this world a better place.
HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED MOTHERS EVERYWHERE www.theorganicworld.com
The last year and a half have been a tumultuous, overwhelming and scary time for everyone across the world. A pandemic, the likes of which most of us would have only read about in history books, has held the world in its grip. While this has been a hard time for all to deal with it, it perhaps, has been especially so for mothers. Cities and countries have endured lockdowns to brain the chain. Consequently, this has meant kids are home all the time, work demands with WFH have been more so than ever, the cycle of meals and housework has been unending and the balance between work, home, children and wellbeing all around has been completely out of whack. Plus, with the elderly being especially vulnerable to the virus, keeping them safe and protected has been paramount as well. A recent global Deloitte survey revealed that 82% women, including mothers have said their lives have been negatively impacted over the last year. We look at just some of the ways this has manifested. Increased work hours This has been an especially tough time for working mothers. The survey showed that around 46% of working mothers have been working extra hours to ensure they get work done on time and make up the time lost with the increasing demands on the home front.
Added childcare pressure With most children at home with schools shut, childcare demands have increased: from more snacks demanded to juggling online classes, getting homework done and handling increased attention needs, the demands have been tremendous. More household responsibilities Many Indian homes have had to cope with the absence of domestic help. As a result, home responsibilities from cleaning to cooking have increased exponentially. As a result of all these factors, the work-life balance has been completely affected. The cycle of work – household responsibilities – work has been never ending and all mothers, especially working mothers have struggled to deal with it. New mothers have had to manage without family support. This has been an overwhelming time for all. Every mom out there is a supermom. While the challenges have been aplenty, the will to deal with them has also been resolute. But at the same time it is important to acknowledge the impact this non stop juggling can have. Take some time out for yourself when you can. Read a book, drink some calming tea, binge on Netflix, meditate. Or simply gaze at the sky (from the safety of your home). Be rest assured you are doing the best you can at all times. After all, every mom is a supermom.
sisters in sweat MEET THE
Sisters in Sweat is a community exclusively for women, by women, stitched together by sport and wellness. It all started one night in Bangalore, in September 2017, when Swetha Subbiah (performance coach) introduced Schonali Rebello (a writer and fun loving female activist) to Tanvie Hans (footballer and coach). Schonali instantly grew curious, and requested Tanvie and Swetha to have a football based fitness session for her and her friends. The two didn’t make anything serious of the conversation, but they obliged and booked a small ground that weekend, with no expectations. To their surprise, seventeen enthusiastic women turned up for the ‘no expectations, one-off’ session and it turned
out to be a huge success! So much so, the ladies requested to have a session every weekend! And that’s exactly what we did. Slowly, through word of mouth, this group of women kept growing. And today we’re a proud and diverse community of over ONE THOUSAND women, (and counting!) by purely organic methods. These women include mothers, working women, entrepreneurs, business owners, college girls, school girls and even a few grandmothers! Over time, we began to diversify our offerings. We now offer physical sessions, not only in football, but a variety of sports such as box-cricket, basketball and are exploring more every few months. Though these physical sessions are held in Bangalore only, we are looking to expand to new cities in the future.
More so, during the 2020 covid pandemic, we were forced to get creative with the online space, and started providing an array of online classes on Zoom, and activities on social media, to keep the community engaged and active. This allowed us to reach more women across the country, a lot quicker than we had planned, and we now have members from many different cities. We therefore decided to continue and build on our virtual offerings. These include Calisthenics, HIIT, Dance, Yoga, Art & Laughter therapy and Barre, Pilates and so on. As such, the ‘sport and wellness’ element in our tagline allows us to inexhaustibly explore and provide our members with products, services and experiences that look after their well-being in a truly holistic way. That is, not just limited to physical fitness and physical sport-based sessions, but we also look at the mental, emotional, nutritional and physiological aspects of their well-being. For instance, we have a nutrition and physio partner that provide our member exclusive packages on their services, and multiple ‘Sister Brands’ under the fitness and wellness umbrella which provide our community members with discounts and giveaways. We also regularly conduct fun and engaging activities, sometimes associated with a Sister Brand, to keep the community motivated and positive. What has become clear over this period is that this ever growing group of women, who would get together to play sport and/ or workout, has become so much more than that. Just by virtue of being a ‘women’s’ sport and health-driven community, it has become a space where the societal and social barriers are broken down and they can break away from their other daily responsibilities and find their ‘me-time,’ amongst hundreds of like-minded women. It is a community wherein the women sweat together, but also support one another, and fix each other’s crowns. It is a community of empowerment. And with this feeling of empowerment as the core intention and root of everything that we do at Sisters In Sweat, we hope to reach as many women as we can in the country, and inspire them to realise the power of ‘Sisterhood.’
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Here’s what’s on offer at The Organic World this month! Organic, cold-pressed nutritious sunflower oil from Wellbe @ Rs 500 off on MRP (5 ltrs) ----Beat the summer heat with refreshing, preservative-free buttermilk from Akshaykalpa at 15% OFF. Or make your own with their organiccertified, chemical-free curd at 20% OFF ----The season’s best organic certified watermelons and muskmelons - sourced from farms that use sustainable farming methods, grown without any chemicals and GMOs
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NEW ON OUR SHELVES! MOUNTAIN BEE KOMBUCHA Natural Kombucha with no artificial flavourings or synthetic preservatives. Made with organic speciality tea leaves; manufactured artisanally and in small batches. ALL THAT DIPS Relish their preservative free Hummus, Fresh Salsa, Yogurt Based Dips and Chipotle Dips. No harmful chemicals, trans fat, MSG or nuts used! WELLBE PAPAD Relish tasty and crunchy papads free of trans fat, preservatives and MSG. Made with organic ingredients, Wellbe papads can be roasted, microwaved or fried. Available in two variants: Wellbe Urad Plain Papad and Wellbe Urad Pepper Papad. Launch offer: Get 15% OFF
Indiranagar | Whitefield | Malleshwaram Yelahanka | Koramangala Bellandur | HSR JP Nagar | Cunningham
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