The Organic World Magazine- Feb'22

Say NO to palm oil with us _______ At The Organic World, we offer the largest variety of organic and natural groceries under one roof. Our focus is to give our customers a ‘better choices’ range with a curated line up of healthier products whether it is organic, natural, pesticide-free or toxin-free.

And what sets our range apart from other retailers is that our entire assortment of products is defined by our industry-first Not In Our Aisle List – a list of 25 (and growing chemicals/ingredients) that we have banned from our stores because studies have suggested that they could be harmful for you. One such ingredient is Palm Oil - something that you are quite likely to come across in a wide variety of conventional snacks - both sweet and savory.

What is it?

Palm Oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from certain palms.

It is used as cooking oil in several packaged foods.

What are the possible side effects?

Palm oil is relatively high in saturated fats, which have often been linked to heart disease.

At The Organic World, you won’t find palm oil in any of our food products. So whether it is your child’s favourite crisps or your chai time cookies, be rest assured that there will be no palm oil.

You don’t have to worry about palm oil in your products when you choose The Organic World.

A D LS

The Underrated Part of Our Meal Plates

Simran Oberoi Multani

When you scroll through the Instagram feed the most popular dishes that you see for Indian cuisine are usually vegetables, desserts and even recipes made with rice. Healthy eating also seems to focus on use of fresh produce and indigenous flours. But the humble dals don’t find the same place in our feed. And neither on our meal plate.

Baked casseroles, cutlets, soups, fritters, crackers, porridge, breads, hummus and so on are some creative ways in which I incorporate them in our diet. This ensures that we consume them in different forms and can be eaten at other times of the day. So don’t forget that dal is as important for overall health, and that we can use them in so many ways!

India has a diverse range when it comes to dals which is the colloquial term used for lentils and pulses, together. The most commonly available dals are tuvar, chana, moong, urad, masoor and some variants of these like split moong or whole urad and so on. While all of them have high levels of nutrients, each of them has its unique strength – moong dal is rich in dietary fibre, masoor dal has more iron, chana dal has B-complex vitamins in it, tuvar dal contains magnesium and urad dal contains a high amount of potassium.

Simran is a healthy baker and founder of Ovenderful, a social enterprise and a global community in healthy baking @sim_ovenderful

A lot of our cuisine depends on dals for flavours and comfort, across the country but since it is used in conjunction with other elements, we don’t understand the important role it plays. For example, the Khichdi has the moong dal added in it to make it a nourishing meal.

Dosa has urad dal to make it a complete food.

In the Dhansak, the meat, spices and vegetables take the centre-stage but the dal in it is also what gives the depth of flavours.

WHY AND HOW SHOULD WE INCLUDE DIFFERENT DALS DAILY? The above dishes are a part of our food landscape – even so, dal is not viewed as an essential part of our meals. One of the reasons is that dal is often only seen as an accompaniment to the main carbohydrate being consumed, such as the roti or rice. Hence, the portion size of dals is usually smaller than it should be and many families don’t eat dal for both the meals either. The other reason is that we do not innovate with our dals as much as we should. For overall health, it is essential to explore ways in which dals become a key part of our meals.

www.theorganicworld.com

We love using quinoa or any other millet in our salad.

These are a few of our favourite...

SALAD BOWLS! We love salad bowls and we know you do too!

Full of colour, bursting with freshness, dollops of texture and flavour and something new to savour in every bite - what’s not to love!

And they are so easy to put together - you can be as adventurous as you like, because the bowl is your palette!

Here’s how we build our salad bowl. Remember you can mix and match and therein lies all the fun.

THE BASE - START WITH SALAD GREENS Use your favourite salad greens - whether it is lettuce, kale, baby spinach or a mix of all.

MAKE IT A MEAL - WITH GRAINS Transform your salad bowl into a meal-in-abowl with a good cupful of cooked grains.

P FOR PROTEIN Flavoured tofu, lightly fried, makes a great source of plant based protein.

You can also boil and add your favourite legumes - our vote goes for rajma, channa and lobhia!

What’s a salad without veggies (and fruits)?

Load up your salad with veggies of your choice - onions, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, beetroot, radish, carrots, capsicum - your choices are endless.

You can even opt for lightly cooked veggies like broccoli, cabbage - raid your fridge and have fun! We love adding crisp apples, orange slices, watermelon or musk melon chunks, seasonal fruits like strawberries.

HEALTHY FATS FOR FUN This adds an added dimension of taste and texture. You could use avocados, or the staple: mozzarella or feta cheese!

DRESS ‘EM UP Your salad dressing gives your salad the zing of flavour. Mix EVOO, chilli flakes, herbs, salt, pepper, honey, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar in a jar and pour! You can also use salsa, some homemade mayo - there are so many options!

ADD SOME CRUNCH We love a topping that adds some crunch and texture. Microgreens are a hot favourite; or you could simply toast a few of your favourite nuts, chop in pieces and sprinkle!

Children should learn how to cook. It’s a basic life skill that will hold them in good stead for the future: it’s a confidence booster, lets them be independent and enhances their creativity, among other things. In other words, it helps in their socio-economic development, boosts their motor skills and encourages cognitive and language development.

Yes, we agree, sometimes it can be a chore.

Watching your three-year-old put her sticky, chocolate-coated fingers on the wall as she helps you mix icing? Or the jar of salt spilled into the curry, when spooning in a teaspoon?

Little fingers getting too close to a hot bowl or sharp knives? And cleaning up the mess after the task is done? Yes, we know that getting your children to cook might end up taking a lot more kitchen-time than it actually should. But there are several good reasons why you should persevere, with all the safety parameters in place of course! And with most kids home now, with online classes, there’s no better time to get them started!

CHILDREN LEARN BY USING THEIR SENSES It’s all about touch, feel, taste, smell and sight for children. And what better way for them to engage their senses than when cooking? From the sizzle of onions frying in ghee to the sharp smell of garlic, cooking helps the children engage all their senses and keeps them interested and focused!

IMPROVES LANGUAGE, MATH, MOTOR & READING SKILLS Cooking helps your child learn about various measurements, adding, subtracting and even fractions! Reading recipes out to you can help enhance their reading abilities. They can also pick up new words from the ingredients and instructions that will add to their vocabulary.

Rolling dough, cutting cookie shapes and vegetables, stirring ingredients together – all these activities help develop motor skills.

PROMOTES HEALTHY EATING This is a great way to encourage your child to eat healthy. You can tell them how carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which helps boost eyesight.

Why five a day is good for you. When you make a whole-wheat pizza base, they will understand why refined flour isn’t good for health. Or why jaggery is used in place of white sugar when

baking a cake. This will allow them to make healthy food-related decisions. And when they cook new things at home, they may be encouraged to eat them as well, which helps in broadening their tastes!

IT’S ALL ABOUT SELF-CONFIDENCE When your child cooks something on their own, it’s a matter of pride for them and gives them a sense of accomplishment. As they cook more, they get more independent, which boosts their self-confidence. When they see a dish at a restaurant that they like, their attitude will be one of ‘I can make this’, which boosts their overall sense of self-worth.

FAMILY TIME Cooking with your child is a great way to encourage family time. Spend some time with them, looking for that recipe to try. Help them find the ingredients. Then get down to cooking!

The idea is to make it as stress-free as possible and have fun. And let them enjoy and learn in the process!

Oils

FOR EVERY MOOD team Wellbe

Have you been wondering what the fuss around cold-pressed oils is all about?

First up, cold-pressing is to do with the way the oil is extracted from the seeds. In conventional oils, high temperatures/steam and chemicals are used to extract the oil from the oilseeds. In coldpressing, the oil is extracted with minimal heat, with hardly any processing, with the seeds usually crushed in a wooden or stone press.

Why is it good for you?

The primary reason is the absence of high temperatures means the oil does not lose any of its nutritive values.

Less energy is used to extract the oil making the process environmentally friendly Completely unprocessed - no solvents like hexane, chemicals or preservative are used No pesticides Rich in Vitamin E and other essential nutrients needed for our well being No trans fat

www.theorganicworld.com

Rich in natural flavour and aroma As it is manually filtered, it is more viscous as compared to conventional oils, therefore consumption is lower (around 20%)

types of

COLD PRESSED OILS FROM WELLBE Why should you choose Wellbe cold-pressed oils? No heat/steam is used to crush/press the oil seeds. They are crushed through a wooden press and what you get is nutritionally rich, flavourful oil - a healthy alternative to conventional refined oils!

WELLBE MUSTARD OIL Origin: Rajasthan Benefits: Good for heart health Usage: As a cooking oil

WELLBE SUNFLOWER OIL Origin: Karnataka

Why Wellbe Mustard Oil: - Contains high level of mon ounsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E - Only non-genetically modi fied seeds used - Certified organic - Rich aroma and flavour

Benefits: Good for heart health, rich in antioxidants and good cholesterol Usage: As a cooking oil Why Wellbe Sunflower Oil: - Contains high level of poly nutrients and antioxidants - Only non-genetically modified seeds used - Certified organic - Rich aroma and flavour

WELLBE VIRGIN COCONUT OIL Origin: Karnataka Benefits: Helps in immunity building, raises the level of good cholesterol, boost energy, has antifungal properties Usage: As a cooking oil Why Wellbe Coconut Oil: - Contains high level of lauric acid, polynutrients and anti oxidants - Only non-genetically modi fied seeds used - Naturally extracted - Certified organic

WELLBE SESAME OIL Origin: Rajasthan Benefits: Good for heart health, helps reduce inflammation Usage: As a cooking oil WELLBE GROUNDNUT OIL Origin: Karnataka Benefits: Good for heart health, rich in antioxidants and good cholesterol Usage: As a cooking oil Why Wellbe Groundnut Oil: - Contains high level of un saturated fats and antioxidants - Only non-genetically modified seeds used - Certified organic

Why Wellbe Sesame Oil: - Contains high level of un saturated fats and antioxi dants - Only non-genetically modi fied seeds used - Certified organic

WELLBE EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Origin: Spain Benefits: High levels of monounsaturated fats, good for heart health, rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and oleic acid Usage: As a cooking oil

WELLBE RICE BRAN OIL Origin: Karnataka Benefits: Good for heart health, rich in antioxidants and healthy unsaturated fats, rich in Vitamin E Usage: As a cooking oil Why Wellbe Rice Bran Oil: - Contains high level of un saturated fats and antioxi dants - Only non-genetically modi fied seeds used - 100% Natural - Natural taste and mild aroma - High smoke point – ideal for deep frying

Why Wellbe Extra Virgin Olive Oil: - Extracted from organic olives - Cold pressed, so nutritionally richer - Contains high level of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants - Only non-genetically modified seeds used - Immunity boosting - Rich taste and aroma - Minimally processed

Traditionally, usage of cold-pressed oils was common before the advent of mechanisation and the easier production and mass availability of cheaper refined oils. Switching back to coldpressed oils is a chance to reset, return to our roots and choose a healthier lifestyle.

All Wellbe oils are available at the nearest The Organic World stores or online www.theorganicworld.com or on the app.

WELLBE COLD PRESSED COCONUT OIL Origin: Karnataka Benefits: Helps in immunity building, raises the level of good cholesterol, boost energy, has antifungal properties Usage: As a cooking oil Why Wellbe Cold Pressed Coconut Oil: - Contains high level of lauric acid, polynutrients and anti oxidants - Only non-genetically modi fied seeds used - Cold pressed - Certified organic

Vedic Blends was started with the goal of creating solutions for ‘holistic wellness’. Their range of functional beverages are filled with healthy ingredients, combining the best of traditional Ayurvedic wisdom and modern science, completely free of refined sugars, preservatives and artificial and synthetic additives.

TOW: Why should a consumer turn to a plantbased product? What are the inherent benefits that it brings?

VB: Investing time in our health reaps the greatest returns and one of the easiest ways to do this is to turn to conventional kitchen wisdom. Plant based products are gentle on the body and contain essential nutrients that we cannot get from other foods. The vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants in plants help keep our cells healthy and our body in balance.

TOW: What was the goal behind starting Vedic Blends - what was the gap you were looking to address?

VEDIC BLENDS: Agronic Food was set up in 2009 since I wanted Health is much more than just absence of disease. At Vedic Blends we are creating solutions for holistic wellness by combining traditional Ayurvedic wisdom and modern science.

We create products that are not just healthier additions to our daily lives but also easy to use and delicious to taste. All without the use of refined sugars, preservatives and anything artificial.

Our grandmothers and great grandmothers understood this and knew how to make everyday food and beverages more effective. In our opinion, we are not turning to plant-based products, we are returning to them.

TOW: Can you tell us about your product assortment? What do you also have in the pipeline?

VB: The portfolio consists of a range of functional beverages in the form of Teas, Lattes and Juice Mixes.

We started out with 3 products - Project Metabolism, Project De-Stress and Project Immunity. Project Metabolism is made with 14 herbs, roots, flowers & spices and is highly beneficial for gut health and regulating metabolism.

TOW: How have you ensured that the consumer gets maximum nutritional benefits from your product?

VB: We deliver all our superfood blends in the forms of powders and we recommend consuming the leftover residue. This enables best absorption of the complete benefit of the nutraceuticals, fibre, micro-minerals and vitamins. However, the key to making our products effective is maximizing Bio-availability (the process of making nutrients available for absorption to the body, is the key). Our team does extensive study to understand what leads to better absorption of a particular nutrient and that becomes the basis of all our formulations.

Project De-Stress is our signature nighttime latte; it promotes good sleep and mental wellness and is packed with rich ingredients.

Project Immunity is our take on the age old Kadha, unlike Kadha though, Project Immunity is quite palatable and refreshing.

Next in our portfolio are the Turmeric lattes Turmeric Almond Latte (more than 60% seeds and nuts) and Turmeric Cocoa Latte, both these beverages are all weather, and can be had hot or cold.

Our best seller is the Beetroot Cardio Blend, made with Beetroot, Amla, Moringa, Carrot and more. This refreshing beverage is the perfect addition to an active lifestyle, is really good for the Cardiovascular system and is best had as a pre/post workout drink.

Our latest launch is a men’s health beverage with Cocoa base - Kama Cocoa Latte, it helps build stamina and focus.

TOW: Can you tell us why you focused on creating ‘Projects’ around your products?

VB: One of the core philosophies at Vedic Blends is ‘Holistic Nutrition results in a strong Body and Mind’. Our approach is wellness oriented, rather than disease or symptoms orientated.

We achieve this using blends of plant based superfoods, herbs, barks, flowers, roots and other adaptogens. Ayurveda & plant-based holistic wellness is not an act, it is a process that takes time and patience, and hence projects.

TOW: How is your vision aligned to that of The Organic World as your brand partner?

VB: Like us, The Organic World focuses on providing nutritious alternatives. This was reaffirmed during the stringent tests during onboarding with them. In a world where shelves are lined with adulterants, subtexts and substitutes, Vedic Blends aims to deliver pure, nutritious and wholesome super-blends. This fits in perfectly with the mission of The Organic World.

vegetable garden BUILDING YOUR OWN

Did you know that over 25 rounds of chemical pesticides can be sprayed on cauliflowers and cabbages? And residues can remain on the florets and leaves for more than a month after harvesting?

Pesticide and chemicals in fruits and vegetables is a growing problem today.

The solution: turn to organic fruits and vegetables – grown on farms that use only organic fertilizers and no chemicals. At The Organic World, you

can choose from a range of vegetables to meet all your daily needs (plus exotic ones as well!), that come to you freshly harvested from organiccertified farms!

Another alternative, to meet any immediate needs that you may have – and it’s a great hobby as well – is to start your own vegetable garden!

Here are our top tips:

WHAT TO GROW IN While earthen pots are the best option, you can always use buckets, plastic bottles, grow bags or even old bathtubs, if you have the space! Some intrepid home gardeners have even used juice cartons to grow greens!

PREPARE YOUR SOIL This is one of the keys to a healthy vegetable garden. You can get your soil from a nursery; experts suggest mixing it with compost, coir, peat, natural or cow dung before filling your containers.

SEEDS Ideally you should get your seeds from a nursery. Opt for open pollinated seeds rather than hybrid ones. Make holes and plant your seed – remember don’t overcrowd! Once you sow your seeds cover them with leaves, a process called mulching. If you have a large garden, you can cover the seeds with netting to prevent curious animals and insects from getting to them!

WHAT CAN YOU GROW? It’s always better to start with the easy ones such as spinach, mints coriander, microgreens, tomatoes, chilies. Once you get comfortable and enjoy the thrill of sprinkling homegrown microgreens over your salad, you can move to other varieties that take longer to harvest.

SPACE Sometimes all you need is a little sunny spot on a balcony or windowsill! Not everyone has the luxury of a terrace garden or a kitchen garden – so you can always start small!

The place you choose should ideally get 4-5 hours of direct sunlight, plus shade as well.

OTHER TIPS Always remember to water the plants but not over water. Look at the top soil and if it appears too dry, water gently. Keep tools like a watering can, a little rake, neem oil/water, a scissor to prune etc handy.

HAPPY GARDENING!

AGE, 34 : ARCHITECT, BAKER I figured it’s more fun to cater to all senses.

My hope as an architect is to make people live their best lives with soulful spaces and intuitive design. As a baker, which is what I am in my spare time, I want to show you that everything can be baked or elevated to pure joy!

I’ve curated and cooked for two food pop ups without any prior experience. One was an ‘Ottolenghi’ themed Middle Eastern Pop up and the other was a Mexican Meal. To quote the Beatles here ‘I get by with a little help from my friends’, of course.

The newly-added-joys to my life is football.

Not just discovering a sport that I absolutely love but also playing it with such a diverse and supportive group of women.

VEGAN AND LOW CARB DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE The perfect decadent yet healthy treat!

Recipe courtesy: La Folie

INGREDIENTS - Water: 300 ml ( 1 ¼ cup) - La Folie single origin India: 200 gm (1 cup) - Vanilla bean: ½ bean GARNISH Fresh fruits, chocolate shavings or cookies METHOD - Boil water and melt the chocolate in a microwave or double boiler.

- Pour hot water in the chocolate in 3 parts, continue to whisk until it becomes light and airy. This may take

time. You can place the bowl over an ice bath to speed up the process.

- Pipe in a dessert glass or martini glass. Decorate with chocolate shavings or cookies. If you prefer fruit then decorate it with berries and bananas. Enjoy!

Relish the decadent goodness of La Folie’s chocolates, cookies and more, made with 100% natural ingredients, free of chemicals and preservatives, available at The Organic World

CHOCOLATES and you We love chocolates and we are sure you do too! Eaten as is or as part of a delectable dessert, nothing nourishes and delights the soul as much as chocolate.

Here are a few ways a bar of chocolate can be enjoyed.

EAT AS IS Break the bar into pieces, and nibble on each piece gently and transport yourself to chocolate heaven.

MUCH ALONG WITH YOUR ICE CREAM Chocolates and ice cream are a match made in heaven. Grate a bit of chocolate over your favourite ice cream or use it as a scoop to spoon the ice cream into your mouth.

Either way you guaranteed an explosion of flavour and texture.

MAKE CHOCOLATE BARK Melt your favourite chocolate in a baking tray, top it with dry fruits, some gems, coconut or rice crisps - bake and break into pieces for a cruncy, delicious treat.

MAKE CHOCOLATE GANACHE Chocolate + cream melted in a double boiler - 100% deliciousness guaranteed. We recommend dipping strawberries into the ganache for an indulgent dessert.

www.theorganicworld.com

HOT CHOCOLATE It’s always a great time for hot chocolate.

Simply melt the chocolate in a double boiler, add it to milk, mix and indulge!

JP Nagar | JP Nagar RBI Layout | Jayanagar HRBR Layout | Yelahanka | Indiranagar Whitefield | Bellandur | HSR Layout Koramangala | Malleshwaram Banashankari | Cunningham

www.theorganicworld.com