Tag: armchair

Mangifera indica Besides taking into account the primary produce from their farm by which a farmer can gain financial benefit, it is worthwhile, especially in today’s economic environment, to consider some other alternative ways in which they can earn a supplemental income. Using the leaves from the Mango tree can be one such possibility, as…

With every aspect of living being commercialized, our food is filled with ingredients we don’t know. From ice creams to ice cream cones, everything is processed with sugar and chemicals. This Road Back to Nature is all about finding ways to reclaim our path, through little things. Banana leaves are integral to Tamil culture. They…

Green juices are a super simple way to incorporate the benefits of green leaves in your diet. It’s an amazing detox, extremely customizable, nutrient-rich, and quick to make. These leaves represent the essence of Ayurveda. Consuming green juices improves digestion, reduces inflammation, boosts immunity. The point here is that the greens are so easy to…

Brinjals are commonly eaten in Tamil Nadu. In the season, there can be a glut and eating brinjal gets a bit boring. Creating interesting recipes is a must to value local foods. At solitude, our Ammaas make delicious Brinjal Burger patties! Kids love it! To make it, firstly soak some masoor dal in water, until…

Asystasia gangetica Chinese violet or Gangetic Primrose is a prolific weed. It is literally growing everywhere. It has very dainty, trumpet-like edible white flowers with five petals and a beautiful centre. The leaves are absolutely delicious. They resemble the most tender salad leaves, and have a slight mushroom-like taste. So much so that some people…

You wouldn’t believe how simple and yummy this drumstick flower poriyal is. Yes, you heard it right, it is indeed a drumstick flower that we’re cooking today! Saute mustard seeds, cumin seeds, garlic, ginger, shallots and dried red chillies. Once the mustard seeds crackle, add in the drumstick flowers. This has to cook for about…

The coconut groundnut chutney is a staple here at Solitude. This simple chutney, is absolutely delicious, and is made with ingredients most likely to be lying around, in your home. The preparation: Dry roast 1 cup of groundnuts in a pan on low heat, till it becomes golden brown. Remove from the pan and keep…

Moringa oleifera In the summer there is an absolute glut of drumsticks everywhere! This humble vegetable has been used extensively in all types of traditional Indian cuisine. Moringa gets its name from the Tamil word murungai, meaning “twisted pod”. It is a very tasty and highly nutritious vegetable that exemplifies the adage “food is medicine”.…

Karpuravalli Herbal tea is the most brilliant way of consuming medicinal plant extracts in their purest form and letting them absorb in your body. Herbal teas detox not only your body but also your mind with the rush of antioxidants and nutrients. We love making our own herbal tea concoctions at Solitude and Indian Oregano…

Sorakkai The Bottle gourd belongs to the cucurbit family. It is big on vitamin C, vitamin B-3, B-5 and B-6 and also contains minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, sodium, manganese and magnesium. It is highly valued in Ayurveda and can be used to treat a wide diversity of complaints such as Jaundice, Diabetes,…