Celebrate a Eco-Friendly Holi!

Spring is coming! Spring is coming! What better way to celebrate than with the Indian festival Holi. Holi, the Festival of Colors, can be summed up in one word: COLOR!

The least religious of Hindu festivals, Holi marks the first day of spring. The two-day festival starts with huge bonfires and the 2nd day is marked with people throwing colored powder and water at friends and family. The significance of throwing colors comes from the traditional idea that colored powders have medicinal qualities that protect from illnesses' that come with the changing of seasons.

Each year Holi is celebrated in the spring with the specific date changing according to the Hindu calendar. On March 11, 2009 Hindus in India and all around the word will celebrate by playing with color and consuming a milk drink, Thandai, specific to this festival. You can be sure this festival is marked with fun, fancy, and breaking down of social barriers among rich, poor, old and young!

How can you celebrate a eco-friendly Holi? By making your own homemade COLOR and Organic Thandai! The colors below are derived from fruits, vegetables, and leaves. When playing Holi wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind being tossed! Kids and adults alike will enjoy making these colors as much as playing with them. **Recycle left over color for painting or making holiday cards**

Supplies:::
Turmeric-
Chick Pea Flour also called Besan
Marigolds
Beets
Henna Powder or ground spinach.
Blue Hibiscus Flowers (dried)
Water

Directions:::

• Grate Beets and add to water overnight. The longer it soaks the darker the color is. Produces the color RED/PURPLE.

• Mix 2 Teaspoons of Turmeric with 4 teaspoons of Besan add water and mix to create a paste. This paste is excellent for the skin. Produces the color YELLOW.

• Boil Marigolds. Produces the color ORANGE/YELLOW.

• Mix 2.5 teaspoons of Henna Powder with 1 liter of water. Can also use ground spinach for the same effect. Produces the color GREEN.

• Grind dried Hibiscus Flowers to create the color BLUE.

Recipe for Organic Thandai:::
Thandai is a milk drink, similar to a milkshake that is drunk on Holi. You can be adventurous with your Thandai and blend it with ice, or serve it warm.

What you need:::
2 Cups Organic Milk (Whole Fat, Low fat work best)
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Organic Cream
1 tsp. Ground Cardamom
1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
10 Organic Almonds
10 Organic Pistachios
10 Organic Walnuts
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tsps. Rose Water

Tip: Choose local and Organic Ingredients whenever possible.

Let's get started!
1. Grind the almonds, pistachios, walnuts into a powder
2. Boil water, add Organic milk, Organic Cream and simmer
3. Add Sugar, Rose Water, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nut powder
4. Simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes, do not let pot boil over
5. Cool drink and strain through a cheese cloth
6. Use strained drink to blend with crushed ice, add some nuts on top for presentation and you have your Holi drink!