Nourishing with Seasonal Foods: The Power of Greens and Healthy Cooking Choices

During a delightful Food Exploration session, we had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Rekha Diwekar, a passionate advocate for healthy eating and traditional food habits. Her insights were as enriching as the conversation itself, as she opened our eyes to the beauty of seasonal foods and how they are nature’s way of keeping us in harmony with the changing environment.

One of the highlights of her talk was the monsoon favorite – bhajiyas. Often labeled as indulgent, Mrs. Diwekar explained how they could be enjoyed guilt-free by making smart choices. She shared invaluable tips, such as selecting the right oils for frying, avoiding the reuse of oil to maintain quality, and incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients to enhance both taste and health.

Diving deeper, she introduced us to some traditional greens like amaranth, luni ni bhaji, etc. emphasizing their health benefits and how they add unique flavors to our meals. She even shed light on gram flour (besan), a staple in bhajiyas, praising its nutritional qualities, including being a great source of protein and fiber.

Beyond the practical tips, her words carried a deeper message: food is not just about feeding the body but also about connecting with our roots and embracing the richness of traditional culinary wisdom. By enjoying foods that are fresh, local, and seasonal, we not only nourish ourselves but also honor the traditions passed down through generations.

The session left us inspired to rethink the way we view everyday foods and to incorporate her wisdom into our cooking. It reminded us that a healthy diet doesn’t mean giving up on our favorite treats but making choices that align flavor, health, and tradition in perfect harmony.

Made with Love: Pallavi and Honey

“Made with Love” was a truly heartwarming event that brought Food Explorers together to craft an unforgettable afternoon for our loved ones. Through the joy of preparing food and engaging in heartfelt conversations, we were reminded of the incredible impact that unfolds when hands, hearts, and minds unite with purpose. This gathering was a testament to the power of collaboration and warmth, as we embraced new challenges and stepped up to make the day special in every way. Our goal was simple yet profound: to make our special ones feel truly cherished, inviting them to savor the delicacies we had lovingly prepared.

From creating mouthwatering treats and coordinating logistics to quietly supporting one another, everyone poured their energy and creativity into making the day memorable. A few among us took on the task of setting the ambiance, adding a magical touch that elevated the entire experience.

The kitchen buzzed with laughter and camaraderie, as each new dish brought a delightful medley of flavors to our thali—a perfect blend of familiar comforts and novel tastes. This was more than just an event to share food; it became a space for forging deeper connections.

Amid the serving, we shared heartfelt conversations with our chosen ones, opening up about thoughts and emotions we seldom have the chance to express. These moments were both profound and grounding, enriching the gathering with a sense of joy and authenticity.

As the day unfolded, everyone’s contributions, ideas, and small acts of kindness wove together into a beautiful tapestry of togetherness. Watching our loved ones relax and enjoy the fruits of our collective effort was a deeply rewarding sight.

This experience has left us all with a profound sense of gratitude and warmth, showing just how much can be achieved when we come together with purpose, care, and creativity.

Wabi Sabi & Chocolatey Delight

During a Food Exploration session, we had the pleasure of interacting with Mrs. Anita Tikoo, a landscape architect based in Delhi with a passion for cooking and terrace gardening. Anita provided a virtual tour of her thriving garden, where she cultivates a wide variety of plants, fruits, and vegetables for her family. Inheriting her green thumb from her father, she shared valuable insights into sustainable practices.

Anita explained how to make homemade vinegar, craft DIY items from household waste, and prepare nutrient-rich plant food using raw vegetable scraps and peels. She also explained simple and effective ways to grow plants and leafy vegetables at home, even in limited spaces.

Her  kitchen garden may not be very fancy as per the traditional prim and proper garden norms but it is definitely a haven for various insects, birds and animals who often come visiting. 

Her thought process and approach to her life and her kitchen garden is akin to the concept of Wabi Sabi – the Japanese thought of finding beauty in imperfection. 

Anita’s virtual tour of her garden had a great impact on all of us, and even pushed some of us to try growing our own greens, such as coriander and fenugreek. 

Her patient and thorough responses to our queries made the session both interactive and engaging. It was an enriching experience that inspired us to connect more deeply with nature and adopt healthier, sustainable lifestyles.

A Symphony with Nature: Our Mindful Walk (By Jemisha D, Pooja S and Tulsa M)

There are moments when the universe conspires to create perfect little pockets of magic. Today was one such day, when our classroom walls dissolved into the vast canvas of nature, and lessons transformed into living, breathing experiences.

As we stepped beyond the familiar embrace of our school gates, the world opened up like a treasured book waiting to be read. The path ahead meandered between emerald fields, a ribbon of earth cutting through nature’s tapestry. Above us, clouds played hide and seek with the sun, their shadows dancing across the landscape like gentle thoughts floating across a quiet mind.

The wind, oh the wind! It whispered secrets to the grass, making waves across the fields that reminded me of ocean swells in slow motion. Each cool breeze carried the essence of earth and sky, filling our lungs with air that felt almost sacred in its purity. Our hair danced with the breeze, and for a moment, we were all children again, giggling at nature’s playful touch.

In the school farm, we discovered treasures that no textbook could ever fully capture. Hidden among the foliage were fruits we’d never seen before, their existence a delightful surprise in our familiar surroundings. The farmers, with their weather-worn hands and sun-kissed faces, shared their wisdom with the patience of those who understand that some lessons can only be learned through touch and experience.

But it was the paddy fields that stole our hearts completely. For an hour that felt both eternal and fleeting, we stood ankle-deep in cool mud, learning the ancient art of sowing. The earth squelched between our toes, a primordial connection to generations of farmers who had stood exactly where we stood. Our laughter echoed across the fields as we fumbled with the seedlings, each mistake a step toward understanding, each success a tiny victory celebrated by all.

The monsoon clouds above added their own drama to our adventure, their gray grandeur making everything feel more alive, more significant. The occasional cool spray of rain was like nature’s blessing on our endeavors, turning an ordinary school day into something extraordinary.

As we worked alongside the farmers, their skilled hands guiding our inexperienced ones, we learned more than just agriculture. We learned about patience, about the rhythm of the earth, about the poetry written in every seed planted with hope. Their knowledge, passed down through generations, flowed into us like the very water that would nurture these tender shoots.

This wasn’t just a field trip; it was a communion with the earth itself. In those precious hours, we were reminded that education isn’t confined to classrooms and books. Sometimes, the most profound lessons come from feeling the soil beneath our feet, from watching clouds paint stories across the sky, from experiencing the timeless dance of humans and nature working in harmony.

As we reluctantly made our way back to school, our uniforms slightly muddy and our hearts considerably fuller, we carried with us more than just memories. We carried a deeper understanding of our connection to the earth, to our food, to each other. The mundane had transformed into the magical, and ordinary moments had become extraordinary memories.

In this age of screens and speed, our mindful walk was a gentle reminder that sometimes the richest experiences come from slowing down, looking up, and allowing ourselves to be embraced by the simple wonders that surround us. It was a day when nature wasn’t just a backdrop to our learning, but the teacher herself.

And as I sit here writing this, I can still feel the cool mud between my toes, still hear the whisper of wind through the paddy fields, still sense the profound peace that comes from being fully present in a moment of perfect harmony with the world around us. Some lessons leave their mark not in notebooks, but in hearts, and today’s symphony with nature was one such indelible experience.

#Foodxplorers S3

A Walk in Nature: A Day to Remember

Spending time in greenery is always refreshing. Recently, we went on a nature walk to KG Farm that was filled with the beauty of the outdoors. The air was fresh, and the sight of green trees all around felt calming. As we walked along the trail, we noticed so many different types of flowers and leaves. Some were bright and colorful, while others were tiny and hidden among the bushes. We even found leaves with unique shapes and patterns, which made us curious about their names and uses.

Walking through the greenery gave us a sense of peace. Listening to the chirping birds and the rustling leaves felt like music from nature. We realized how important it is to step away from the busy world and spend time in such calm surroundings.

After the nature walk, we had the chance to try something new—paddy sowing. The journey to the paddy field was quite an adventure! The path was narrow and muddy, and we had to be very careful not to slip. But the excitement of what lay ahead kept us going. When we reached the field, we saw farmers working hard, planting rice in rows. It looked simple, but once we stepped into the muddy water, we realized it required patience and skill.

Standing barefoot in the cool mud was a strange but fun feeling. The water splashed around as we worked together, planting the small rice seedlings. It was tiring, but we felt proud to be part of such an important process.

This experience taught us a lot about nature and hard work. The tricky path to the field and the effort of sowing paddy made us appreciate the food we eat even more. Spending a day surrounded by greenery and trying something new was truly worth it. It’s a memory we will always treasure, and we hope to go on more such adventures in the future.

– Khushboo S and Gopa P

Unveiling Unseen Places

We have been to Nargol, where we had planned to explore the Parsi culture. We learned that no community is allowed in the Fire Temple of Parsis and the reason behind this custom. We could not learn much about the culture, but since we were in a group of colleagues, we enjoyed the time. We visited the Bird sanctuary at Daman, which was also a nice experience. We visited a fort and a church and had lunch at a Dhaba. Overall, we enjoyed it as a fun trip. 
Sarika Agarwal & Ranjana Tandon.

Unvelining Unseen places – Day 5 and 6

पारसी संस्कृति

Open minded (पूर्वाग्रहमुक्त)

उदवाडा और नारगोल में स्थित पारसी लोगों की रहनसहन, खानपान एवं धर्म के प्रति उनकी निष्ठा देखकर पता चलता है कि वे अपनी संस्कृति का आदर करते हैं | उन्होंने भारतीय संस्कृति में से भाषा, रहनसहन और विभिन्न कला को आत्मसात किया जैसे ‘दूध में शक़्कर में घूल जाती” है | उनके रहन – सहन की बात करें तो साधी जीवन शैली और विनम्र स्वभाव |

हर घर के सामने अग्नि और कुआँ का होना यह दर्शाता कि ये दोनों उनकी संस्कृति का हिस्सा है | उनके खान – पान की बात करें तो उनके मसाले भी अलग है | जिससे उनकी पहचान बनी है | उनके घर के आँगन में रंगोली और तोरण भी होते हैं | तोरण में मुर्गा या मुर्गी खास कर के होते है वे उन्हें Goodluck मानते है |

इस तरह उनका प्रकृति के प्रति प्रेमभाव दिखाई दिया |

स्नेहा गद्रे और वैशाली पटेल ( ILT )

Storytelling

The beginning itself was such a hit, full of energy which gently pushed us to take off the under-confident layer of us. The activities planned were also quite engaging, it was light yet fruitful. Somewhere it has given us a whole new perspective to see the world. It kept us focused throughout. The story telling class was really worth attending and looking forward to attending the rest with the same enthusiasm.

Story Telling

The storytelling life class was truly interactive and enriching experience. Initially, the life class I wanted to join wasn’t available, so I opted for the storytelling class instead. It turned out to be an awesome and fruitful decision.

The class helped me open up in front of everyone, allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences more freely. Our facilitator put in outstanding effort to ensure we understood the minute details that need to be considered when framing a story. His dedication and passion were evident, making the learning process both engaging and enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed both days of the class and am eagerly looking forward to more interactive sessions like this in the future. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!

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