February ins & outs

chai, marigolds, and heartwarming simplicity

hello.

february is one of my favorite months of the year. it often gets overshadowed by the long winter chill of january and the rush of spring festivals in march. and don’t get me wrong, holi and the season of blooms are unmatched, but so is february!

february feels like warm chai in clay cups at a roadside dhaba, the light, fragrant smoke of agarbatti, late-night ghazals playing on the radio, your dadi’s hand-knit sweater still holding her scent, parijat flowers scattered across the lawn, and the soft rustle of silk saris worn at intimate gatherings.

feb core! all images from pinterest

february ins: slow joys

• bed rotting when the sun sets early: as winter lingers, afternoons beg for cozy. For being lazy. Wallow under a thick razai, preferably embroidered by your nani.

• cooking khichdi with a dollop of ghee: slow-simmered comfort food, perfect for foggy evenings when you want something warm, simple, and hearty.

• reading epic poetry and mythological tales: dive into the verses of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, or Gitanjali. The stories that shaped us will stir your heart anew.

• jasmine oil massages: February calls for indulgence. Warm jasmine oil massaged into your scalp is an age-old tradition for nourishment and sweet dreams.

• chai made the old-fashioned way: none of this dip-dip teabag business; February deserves masala chai, steeped in cardamom, ginger, and nostalgia. Enjoy with a slice of nankhatai.

• filling your home with marigold garlands: bright and vibrant, marigolds are an everyday offering to beauty itself. Let them drape over mirrors and doorways.

• long walks at Lodhi Garden: walk slowly and the faint aroma of blooming champas guide you as the sun begins to fade.

• listening to Krishna Das & Jahnavi Harrison: for a soulful early morning—nothing sets the February mood quite like it.

• black kurtas and oxidized silver jewelry: for when you’re feeling a bit like an indie film protagonist wandering through Delhi streets.

• neck kisses and hand-holding in busy markets

• candle-lit evenings: nothing artificial—just the warm, flickering light of my favorite beeswax candles from Purple Potato.

• gajar ka halwa: slow-cooked, with all the trimmings of winter, eaten warm with a sprinkle of crushed almonds & pistachios.

• reading in hindi or urdu: Premchand, Amrita Pritam, Ghalib—February deserves the melody of our mother tongues.

• using mehndi for fun: not just for festivals or weddings. Draw paisleys and peacocks on your palms just because.

• sitting under neem or peepal trees: soaking in the silence, the breeze rustling above.

february outs: what to leave behind?

• mindless scrolling: swap it for journaling by the window with the distant sounds of a street vendor’s cry.

• over-the-top Valentine’s Day consumerism: do we need another heart-shaped balloon or overpriced bouquet? Give a handmade card or a soulful song instead.

• loud and flashy outfits: February craves subtler elegance. Think soft muslins and washed knitwear.

• iced drinks: reserve those for the heat of May. February belongs to your favorite hot beverage.

• being cynical: February is for open hearts. Let yourself feel; be that romantic you were once embarrassed to be.

• political rants at family dinners: save it for another day; let peace reign under the yellow lights and whiffs of home-cooked meals.

• skipping morning rituals: February mornings are to be cherished. We’re 2 months into the year, keep your resolutions strong & daily chores alive. Light agarbatti, play a morning prayers, drink the CCF tea (oil pull first!) and start your day with gratitude.

• refusing prasad: don’t do it. Just don’t.

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What does February smell, sound, or taste like to you?

Recipes

Here are some traditional and simple recipes that fit the February vibe:

1. Masala Chai
Ingredients:

• 2 cups water

• 2 tsp tea leaves (or 2 tea bags)

• 1-inch ginger (grated)

• 3-4 cardamom pods (crushed)

• 1 clove (optional)

• 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)

• 1 cup milk

• Sugar to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, boil water with ginger, cardamom, clove, and cinnamon.

2. Add tea leaves and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

3. Pour in milk, let it simmer, and sweeten with sugar.

4. Strain and serve hot with nankhatai.

2. Khichdi with Ghee
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice

• 1/4 cup moong dal (yellow lentils)

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp ghee

Instructions:

1. Wash rice and dal thoroughly.

2. In a pot or pressure cooker, combine rice, dal, turmeric, salt, and water (about 2.5 cups).

3. Cook until soft and mushy.

4. Drizzle ghee on top and serve with pickle or yogurt.

This guide offers everything you need to dive into the beauty of nature with a poet’s eye. Bonus resources included for even more inspiration!

If this newsletter made you smile, forward it to someone who loves chai, marigolds, and slow mornings. Another way to show your love for my work is to share my posts, buy me a coffee to help me travel to America, & leaving sweet comments under my posts🧡