Spring Detox Recipes for Holi: Thandai, Kanji Vada & Gujiya

Holi, the festival of colors, is not just about vibrant celebrations but also about embracing seasonal wisdom. Traditionally, Holi foods are designed to detox the body as we transition from winter to spring. These recipes—Thandai, Kanji Vada, and Gujiya—have been consumed for generations, offering not just festive indulgence but also health benefits backed by science.

🌿 Why a Spring Detox is Essential

As winter ends, our body naturally sheds accumulated toxins. The changing season can make digestion sluggish, so Ayurveda emphasizes consuming cooling, probiotic, and cleansing foods to support gut health and overall well-being.

• Fermented foods (like Kanji Vada) aid digestion and gut health.
• Cooling drinks (like Thandai) balance body heat.
• Healthy sweets (like Gujiya with jaggery) provide energy without refined sugar spikes.
  

1️. Thandai – The Cooling Elixir

A fragrant and nutrient-packed drink, Thandai is a perfect Holi beverage that cools the body and boosts digestion.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp almonds
• 1 tbsp cashews
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 tbsp melon seeds
• 4-5 black peppercorns
• 4-5 green cardamom pods
• 1 tbsp rose petals
• 2 tbsp jaggery powder
• 2 cups milk (or almond milk for a vegan option)
• A pinch of saffron

Method:

1. Soak all the nuts and seeds in water for 4-5 hours.
2. Blend them into a smooth paste with a little water.
3. Boil the milk, add the paste, and mix well.
4. Add jaggery and let it dissolve.
5. Strain and serve chilled with saffron and rose petals.

2️. Kanji Vada – A Probiotic Boost

Kanji is a fermented drink made with mustard, black carrots, and lentil dumplings (vada). It’s a powerhouse of probiotics, aiding digestion and detoxification.

Ingredients for Kanji:

• 2 liters water
• 2 pinches asafetida (Hing) (optional)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (Peeli sarson)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black salt (Kala Namak)
• 1 tablespoon mustard oil

Ingredients for Vada:

• 100 grams green gram (Moong dal) (1 teacup)
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method:

To Make Kanji:

1. Boil water in a vessel.
2. Cool the water and pour it into a glass or plastic container. Add asafetida, turmeric powder, red chili powder, yellow mustard, salt, and black salt. Mix well.
3. Close the lid of the container and keep it aside for 3 days. Stir once daily with a clean, dry spoon.
4. Taste the water on the fourth day. If it’s tangy, spicy, and flavorful, the kanji is ready.

To Make Vadas:

1. Clean and wash green gram, then soak it in water for 2 hours.
2. Drain the water and grind the dal into a thick paste. Add salt and beat well.
3. Heat oil in a wok and drop small portions of the batter into the oil. Fry until golden brown.
4. Soak the vadas in lukewarm water for 15 minutes, then drain.
5. Serve 4-5 vadas in a glass topped with kanji. Enjoy!

Tip: You can also use boondi in place of vadas in kanji.

3️. Gujiya – A Healthier Take on a Festive Favorite

Gujiya is a must-have Holi treat! Instead of refined sugar and deep-frying, try this jaggery-sweetened, baked version with a mix of jowar and whole wheat flour for the crust.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1/2 cup jowar flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp ghee (or coconut oil for vegan)
• 1/4 cup water

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
• 1/4 cup jaggery powder
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds

Method:

1. Mix the flours and ghee, then add water to form a firm dough.
2. Roast coconut, nuts, poppy seeds, and jaggery in a pan for 2 minutes.
3. Roll out small dough circles, place the filling inside, and seal the edges.
4. Bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes or air-fry until golden brown.

🍽️ Moderation is Key: Portion Sizes Matter!

Festivals are about indulgence, but balance is essential!

• Kids: ½ glass of Thandai, 1 small vada, and ½ Gujiya.
• Adults: 1 glass of Thandai, 2 vadas, and 1 Gujiya.

Savor the flavors while being mindful of portion sizes—because enjoyment and health go hand in hand! 💛

Final Thoughts

Holi is all about celebration, colors, and traditions, and these recipes allow you to enjoy festive treats guilt-free! By making mindful ingredient swaps like jaggery instead of sugar, baked instead of fried, and adding fermented foods, we keep our gut happy and body energized.

Enjoy a colorful, joyful, and healthy Holi with Wise Mama! 🌿🎉