Eco-Friendly Colors and Organic Thandai for Holi (Festival of Colors)

Hindus in India and around the world, celebrate the Festival of Colors, Holi, sometime in the spring, the date changing according to the Hindu calendar. The holiday is filled with fun, fancy and breaking down of social barriers among rich, poor, old and young.  

The least religious of Hindu festivals, Holi marks the first day of spring. The two-day festival starts with huge bonfires and the second day day is marked by 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. The color was meant to protect from cold etc that comes with the changing of seasons.

With the advent of commercialization came mass manufacturing of colors that contain contaminants and chemicals. These chemicals can pose a health hazard to those using them and to the environment. 

How can you celebrate a eco-friendly, green Holi? By making your own colors along with thandai, a milk drink traditionally consumed during the holiday. Instead of purchasing commercial colors, the colors below are derived from fruits, vegetables, and leaves. (And if you don't have access to these exact materials listed, use the instructions below to use other natural materials to experiment with creating your own colors.)

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.

Tip: When enjoying Holi wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting stained and dirty!

Supplies (If you're fortunate enough to live near an Indian market, check it out for exotic ingredients. The more common spices can be found in organic versions at many natural markets.)

Turmeric
Chick pea flour also called besan
Marigolds (substitute other brightly colored flowers)
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, by the way. Produces the color YELLOW.
• Boil marigolds. Produces the color ORANGE/YELLOW.
• Mix 2.5 teaspoons of henna powder with 1 liter of water. Can use ground spinach for the same effect. Produces the color GREEN.
• Grind dried hibiscus flowers to create the color BLUE. 

Recipe for thandai

Thandai is a milk drink, similar to a milkshake that is consumed on Holi. You can be adventurous with your thandai and blend it with ice, or serve it warm.

Ingredients (choose local and organic ingredients whenever possible)

2 cups organic milk (Whole Fat, Lowfat work best)
1 cup water
1 cup cream
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamom
10 almonds
10 pistachios
10 walnuts
1 cup sugar
2 tsps. rose water

Directions

1. Grind the almonds, pistachios, walnuts into a powder

2. Boil water, add milk, 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!