Navratri is here! This Hindu festival, celebrated annually in South Africa during spring, heralds a time of fervent worship, cultural expressions and communal feasting.
Running from Thursday, October 3, until Saturday, October 12, Navratri sees Hindu devotees fasting for nine days to honour and seek blessings from the goddess Durga.
For many, this period of fasting is not just about abstaining from certain foods but also a spiritual odyssey aimed at purifying the body, mind, and soul.
Fasting during Navratri is imbued with profound spiritual significance, with devotees adhering to specific dietary restrictions and practices to experience a sense of detoxification, enhanced mental clarity, and a deeper connection with the divine.
If you are planning to observe the fast this Navratri, integrating these healthy tips can promote well-being while enhancing your spiritual practice.
Incorporate herbs and spices
Elevate your fasting meals with a symphony of herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander.
These natural flavour enhancers not only add depth to your dishes but also offer numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.
Stay hydrated
Hydration is paramount during fasting. Keep your body adequately hydrated with water, low-fat milk, and vegetable and fruit juices.
Preparing cold-pressed juices with vitamins A, B, and C-rich fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes and apples, can provide a refreshing boost.
Avoid excessive tea and coffee
Refrain from excessive tea or coffee consumption as these beverages can cause dehydration. Opt for hydrating alternatives like coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk, milkshakes or simply plain water.
Eat small meals
Instead of consuming three large meals a day, choose smaller, more frequent meals. This approach supplies your body with constant energy, prevents lethargy and keeps you invigorated throughout the day.
Take proper rest
Adequate rest is essential to maintaining health during a fast. Ensure you get seven to eight hours of sleep each night to allow your body to detoxify efficiently. Sufficient rest guards against fatigue, headaches, and dizziness.
Be mindful when cooking
Explore healthier cooking methods such as steaming, baking, grilling, or sautéing with minimal oil instead of deep-frying. These methods preserve the natural flavours and nutrients of your foods while reducing unhealthy fats and calories.
Eat fibre-rich foods
Incorporate fibre-rich foods into your Navratri menu like green vegetables, sweet potato, raw banana and pumpkin. Fibre keeps you full for longer periods and helps curb hunger, while also regulating blood sugar levels.
Avoid strenuous workouts
Engage in light physical activities like brisk walking, but steer clear of heavy workouts or long-duration exercises. Given the reduced food intake, moderating your activities helps prevent excessive weakness and fatigue.
Recipe to try: Pan-cooked, crunchy raw banana cutlets
Ingredients
2 small raw bananas
2 medium potatoes
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp dried mint leaves
Himalayan salt
¼ cup tapioca flour
3 tbsp oil
Method
Pressure-cook the bananas and potatoes with their peels on. Cook them for about 3 whistles or 10 minutes. Do not rush through this process as the bananas have to be soft and tender to make a smooth mash.
Remove from water and let cool. When comfortable to touch, peel potatoes and bananas. Transfer them to a big bowl.
Mash potatoes and bananas with a fork or potato masher.
Add all spices and add tapioca flour.
Grease hands and shape tikkis.
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan and add the tikkis to it.
Cook the tikkis for 8 to 10 minutes on a low flame, turning occasionally until evenly browned on both sides.
Serve with phalhari green chutney.
Recipe: IOL Archive