78 asiaSpa India January-February 2015S
SOUND BITES
feel good factor
The recent surge of healthy food and cooking has surely turned
few foodies towards North-Eastern cuisine, particularly because
steamed, boiled, and less oil and spices are the dominant features
of this cooking. All thanks to its burgeoning popularity, gradually
cuisine from North-East is unveiling its delectable side through
new restaurants, food festivals and books. The Seven Sisters-
Kitchen Tales from the North East is another welcome addition to
the repertoire of cook books dedicated to these states. Co-authored
by journalists Purabi Sridhar and Sanghita Singh, the book is a
well-researched compilation with personal anecdotes, recipes
and information on the seven states. Divided into nine chapters, one region each, and
two sections ‘something spicy’ and ‘something sweet’, the book travels through a food
route with a fl avoursome mix of popular and easy-to-make recipes. Ingredients such
as bamboo shoot, fi t weed, Berma share space with preparations such as Bai, Kosu Xaag
Tenga, Galho, Bangwi, Tel Pitha and Porok Luktir enhance the novelty factor. Overall, the book
is a must-buy for takers of this cuisine, who are ready to bring the Seven Sisters into their
kitchen and not just savour them elsewhere.North East Ahoy!
It surely takes some bravado to
pick up a subject as beaten as
‘kitchen remedies’ to write not an
article but a book on it. However,
if naturopath, Dr Nirmala Shetty
decided to muster up the courage
to do so, we took it as a sign
confi dence in her own experience
and knowledge. So in all fairness
to the author, we decided to give
the book, Beauty at your Fingertips.
Kitchen remedies for your skin
and hair, a cursory glance, and it
turned out to be as interesting in
content, as it was to look at. This
book is about going back to farms
and gardens, and is a sincere ode
to nature’s goodness. The read is
compressive and tackles common
and serious hair and skin problems.
Starting with the description of
some fruits, grains, herbs, nuts
and vegetables etc, the books reels
towards creams, balms, tonics,
rinses and packs etc, and are aptly
titled as chasers, fi ghters, magic
and saviours. The ingredients
are simple to fi nd. Yes, you will
fi nd them in your kitchen or at
maximum at your local vendor.
With solutions to tackle rain-tired-
feet to child-friendly oily skin pack,
this book can be your at-home
beauty and relaxation advisor that
you refer to at your own sweet time
and will.Au natural is
the way
Books to read and delectables to eat, make the most
of the green basketF
oodies deprived of Maharashtrian food have some
mouth-watering news to chew on. Bringing Mumbai’s
Marine Drive to Delhi’s Janpath in Connaught Place (CP), is
popular ‘vegetarian-only’ food chain Sukh Sagar making its Delhi
debut. Apart from delicious bites such as Vada Pav, Masala Pav,
Tawa Pulav, Chettinad Dosas, Chinese Bhel, there is also a vegetarian
Chinese and South-Indian fare along with some North-Indian favourites to
gorge on. Plus, if vegetables don’t satiate your craving for a healthy treat, the second
draw of this restaurant is its juice bar that offers a whole range of fresh fruit juices
and milkshakes. So next time you yearn for some spicy street food or vegetarian main
course, you know where to go. Besides, parking is no problemo – that too in CP.‘Pav’ your way to health
Untitled-2 7 02/01/15 4:40 PM