Inspirations
ARE PARABENS UNDESIRABLE IN COSMETICS?
Do you really know what ingredients in cosmetics you should watch out for? Do you want to enjoy good health, beautiful skin and great well-being? Choose only natural cosmetics and carefully read the composition of cosmetic products. ARE PARABENS BANNED IN EUROPE? In principle, all cosmetic ingredients should be safe, but there are some that are harmful. They may be banned from cosmetics sold in Europe but allowed in cosmetics on other continents. It also happens that ingredients are considered dangerous and withdrawn from products on one continent, but the manufacturer, who is a huge corporation, still sells cosmetics with this composition on another. Sometimes it is difficult to figure it out, so this text is to help you pay attention to the ingredients that you should avoid. I assume that if you are on this page and reading our blog, you care about a healthy lifestyle and living in harmony with nature. So this text is for you. An example of such a controversial substance is sodium fluoride . Did you know that sodium fluoride, as a non-biodegradable toxic substance, was a poison and a known insecticide until 1945 in the USA, and today it is an ingredient in many toothpastes and a substance advertised as protecting teeth from cavities? It is worth considering whether we want this ingredient in our toothpaste. Today, there are many toothpastes with a natural composition, so it may be worth reaching for one of them. Formaldehyde – This is a very toxic insecticide and preservative that prolongs the effect of cosmetics. According to the law, it can be used in oral hygiene products, but its concentration cannot exceed 0.10%. It is an ingredient in many nail polishes, body care products, deodorants, hair styling products. If you want to avoid this type of agent in cosmetics, choose only natural cosmetics. It causes premature skin aging. It irritates the respiratory tract, causes redness and acne. Are you aware that since 2004, this substance has been classified as carcinogenic? Parabens are considered safe and can be used in cosmetics. PARABENS AND OTHER INGREDIENTS HOW THEY CAN AFFECT YOUR HEALTH Aluminum – Aluminum used in cosmetics has been proven to cause cell changes. It is believed that it can cause breast cancer, as a higher presence of aluminum has been found in breasts than in serum. There is also a link between cell changes and the statistics of the increase in breast cancer. Parabens – these are the most common preservatives in cosmetics. They prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in cosmetics. These are esters that are used by cosmetic manufacturers to extend the shelf life of a given cosmetic. Methylparaben or propylparaben are just examples of controversial parabens that you can find in cosmetics. Their use is legal by law and they are recognized in statutory documents as safe. However, it has been proven that the action of parabens in cosmetics adversely affects the hormonal system. They can disturb hormonal balance, and today we know that diseases related to the work of hormones are very common, e.g. Hashimoto's disease. In addition, parabens cause allergic reactions. Silicones – Have you ever wondered why your hair is suddenly smooth after using shampoo, even though it wasn’t before? Silicones are responsible for this – synthetic substances, which are common ingredients in shampoos and hair conditioners. You can also find silicones in face creams. They are used to make your hair or facial skin feel smooth after using a cosmetic. Remember that natural hair cosmetics do not contain silicones. You need to know that silicones do not have any nourishing or caring properties, nor do they support the regeneration process. Moisture and high temperature make the skin firmer, but this process adversely affects the natural processes taking place under the skin layer. Hair and skin may lack moisture and therefore may be prone to drying out, and hair to dandruff! Choose natural face creams such as reishi cream, which is designed to firm the skin in a completely natural way. Antioxidants – these are also preservatives. Gallate is a synthetic antioxidant that, like other dodecyl or octyl gallates, can cause skin allergies and irritations. They are especially dangerous for people with asthma. BHT and BHA also cause allergies. SLS and SLES – these are popular surfactants that cause skin irritation. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be found in many well-known cosmetics: shampoos, shower gels, coloring products, toothpastes, colored cosmetics for makeup. SLS and SLES can enter into strong chemical reactions with other substances and become hazardous to health. Numerous tests with these agents only confirm that SLS and SLES irritate the skin and can cause many skin allergies. Natural hair shampoos do not contain SLS and SLES. Studies conducted at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University in New York confirmed that SLS rinses the epithelium of the oral cavity and causes burning. SLS has a negative effect on the skin because it destroys its protective layer. The most frightening thing is that studies have shown that even a small dose of SLS damages the natural barrier of human skin. Mineral oils – although their name sounds quite natural, they are completely chemical. They are made from the processing of crude oil. They are characterized by strong lubricating properties. Mineral oil is petroleum jelly and paraffin, which are often the base of popular cosmetics, including face creams, body lotions from the range of large brands. So it is worth reading the compositions. Paraffin – these are artificially produced substances often produced from cheap crude oil. Paraffin does not contain vitamins, nutrients, fatty acids or valuable microelements. It is available under the names of: ceresin, diisopropyl adipate, mineral spirits, paraffin oil, synthetic, mineral and microcrystalline wax. It inhibits natural processes occurring inside the skin. For cosmetic manufacturers, it is simply a low-cost substitute for vegetable oils. Did you know that the human body is unable to process paraffin because it is not biodegradable? Paraffin creates a layer on the surface of the skin that does not allow water to pass through. As a result, paraffin is unable to deeply moisturize the remaining layers of the skin, and only gives the illusion of superficial moisture. Your skin is unable to absorb paraffin, and you are unable to completely rinse it off during care. Paraffin is a substance that adversely affects the natural environment. Paraffin prevents the skin from regenerating on its own and, when used regularly, causes damage to its natural properties. BE AWARE AND READ THE INGREDIENTS OF COSMETICS So what to remember when choosing cosmetics? To read the compositions carefully, to analyze each ingredient! Remember that some preservatives are used in cosmetics to extend their durability and according to the law it is allowed. However, before you reach for cosmetics that tempt with a low price - think about your health and choose only cosmetics with natural ingredients . Orientana cosmetics are also like that. Free from harmful chemicals, composed of the highest quality ingredients. By using them you can be sure that you are taking care of your skin safely.
Learn more
TIGERS FOR SALE - THE HORRIBLE LIFE OF TIGERS IN ASIA
Tigers for sale in Asia? Yes, it's possible. My name is Anna Wasilewska and I created the Orientana brand. My brand is based on Asian ingredients. Maybe you've heard of it? These are natural cosmetics. The idea for the brand and the ingredients come from Asia. I spent a lot of time there. Since the beginning of my travels around Asia, I have most enjoyed going to places where I could peacefully admire Asian nature and see Asian animals in the wild. I have seen orangutans, elephants, tapirs, various birds and insects, but I have never managed to see a tiger, although the tiger is a typical inhabitant of Asia - Asia is its homeland. The largest wild population lives in India, and in some states of India tigers are considered sacred animals. Just 150 years ago, there were quite a few of them in Asia – apart from India, the tiger lived in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Unfortunately, today there are fewer than 4,000 tigers in the wild. That's 3% of the population that once inhabited these areas. Of the 9 subspecies of tiger, only 5 survived until 2020. Read that again – fewer than 4,000 tigers survived until the 21st century! And according to experts, we only have 10 years to save this species from complete extinction. TIGERS FOR SALE - HUNTING Before we realized that the tiger population was decreasing, it was an animal that was killed for sport. Trips to Asia to take part in hunting were popular. Today, it is illegal to hunt tigers, but this ban was introduced too late, in 1971, and there are still no effective ways to limit poaching. And it was not until 1986 that the tiger was recognized as an endangered species. The sad truth is that we all contribute to the drastic reduction of the tiger population to some extent. The main reason for this is the predatory economy of large producers - cutting down forests and converting them into agricultural fields or factories, which causes its extinction. For example, in Sumatra, where the jungle is cut down to grow palm trees for the production of palm oil (check if you have products with this ingredient at home!) the tiger population has fallen drastically and is no longer reproducible. Poaching is still a significant threat. Did you know that there are still people in the world who want a tiger skin on their living room floor or a tiger fang on their desk? The skin of a Bengal tiger, the most beautiful one, reaches a dizzying price of 60 thousand euros on the black market and there are still people interested. Horrible, right? TIGERS FOR SALE - NATURAL MEDICINE The use of powdered tiger bones in natural medicine is still a significant threat. Although the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Associations has widely reported that there is no evidence of the effectiveness of tiger preparations, the belief in its power is still great. And despite the fact that in 1993 the Chinese government banned the use of tiger preparations, it recently overturned this decision. The Chinese authorities decided that tiger bones can be used as long as they come from a farmed tiger. However, it is difficult to monitor the origin of a tiger, and we know that there are organized gangs that kill animals in the wild and smuggle tiger body parts to drug manufacturers. Do you remember the story about the tigers saved by the Poznań Zoo? Today we know that these tigers were riding to certain death. They were farmed tigers, and the recipient was waiting for their bones. TIGERS FOR SALE - SANCTUARIES FOR TOURISTS You can read about the dark side of Asian tourism, which treats wild animals, including tigers, as objects in my previous post. Tigers are kept in so-called "shelters" where tourists can take pictures with them. They live as slaves of the tourism industry - previously taken from their mothers, kept in scandalous conditions, stuffed with sedatives and released to tourists, who smile and take selfies with them and then post them on social media. So many people do not know that they contribute to the extinction of tigers with a single photo. That's why I really liked Instagram's campaign. Instagram announced that it is adding content warnings to selfies that include wild animals, such as tigers. The English hashtag "tiger selfie" is monitored by Instagram, and when you search for it, an educational message appears about what such a selfie really means. Usually, a warning appears that says: "You are looking for a hashtag that may be associated with posts that encourage harmful behavior towards animals or the natural environment." Tinder is also carrying out a similar campaign because it turns out that selfies with wild animals are quite fashionable on Tinder. Tinder and Instagram are not currently removing selfies, but Instagram has begun removing images that depict animal abuse or the sale of endangered animals and is working with organizations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and TRAFFIC on enforcement. It is sad how we humans do not respect nature, how we exploit it and how we have taken over the lives of animals. Not only in Asia.
Learn more
ASIAN ANIMALS AND THE DARK SIDE OF TOURISM
Asian animals - we all love them. My post is inspired by photos on Facebook. I have to speak up. When visiting the colorful and natural rich Asia, we often have the opportunity to "be close to nature" in a way that harms it. In most cases, we are not aware of this, which I know from conversations with friends. Your intentions are pure, but you do not know that getting close to an Asian animal harms it. If you take a selfie with an animal, pet it or ride it – be careful, because the life of this animal is not at all pleasant, and is often cruel. We often deal with the so-called "animal exploitation", i.e. the use of animals by humans mainly for the purpose of profit. Often "animal sanctuary" – sounds nice, but is not true. According to the data I had access to, around 550,000 wild animals worldwide suffer from exploitation in the tourism industry. This number terrifies me. Education is needed – I hope you will help me and share this post widely. BELOW ARE SOME EXAMPLES RIDING AN ELEPHANT A very popular attraction in Thailand and I see from Facebook posts that tourists brag about it. Don't believe that the elephants you meet in seemingly open spaces in so-called refuges or parks have been saved or that people are helping them in some way. Usually these are elephants kidnapped into captivity, beaten to the point of bleeding with sharp-tipped stakes, trained until they become obedient. After an elephant carrying visitors around Angkor Wat died of a heart attack and the case was publicized in the media - elephant rides were stopped there, but you can ride them elsewhere. Let's not do this. Would you also like to live in captivity and carry burdens on your back? STARFISH AND OTHER SEA ANIMALS Never take them out of the water for photos. Starfish die when they are out of the water even for a few seconds. The skin of a starfish is thick, but it has a stomach on top. When taken out of the water, the water from the stomach will flow out and only if you skillfully put it back the other way will the air escape from the stomach. Otherwise, the air will remain inside causing severe pain. In Asia, we have the opportunity to dive and watch beautiful water landscapes. We can see colorful, wonderful creatures up close. What we admire was often created by nature for a very long time, and it is so easy to destroy it. A colorful reef is created for decades and is a shelter for thousands of creatures. And it can be destroyed in a second. Let's not touch and take nothing with us except the water. SELFIE WITH A TIGER It's wonderful to see tigers in the wild, but it's difficult and complicated. That's why attractions like tiger "shelters" have been created, which pretend to help animals, but in reality it's a typical tourist business. They are popular in Thailand, where even franchises of such centers have been created. Their goal is to make a profit, not to benefit the tigers. The fee of a dozen or so dollars to get close to a tiger is not high, and you can also choose a tiger - from a young one to an adult. Has anyone ever wondered how it is that tigers are so gentle and willing to sit quietly, and people are taking pictures with them? Firstly, the young ones are taken from their mothers, often very early, and raised by people. This means that they are doomed to complete dependence on humans for food and will not be independent in the wild. Tigers are kept in cages all day long, except when they are taken for photos. In most cases, they are also stuffed with medicines and drugs that make them calm and as if asleep. Is a selfie with a tiger worth its captivity? SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS I don't mean something as obvious as dolphinariums or water amusement parks where animals are trained, but swimming in a seemingly open space, which may seem harmless. Dolphins are freedom-loving animals that are constantly moving in water. Wild ones will not swim to shore. In facilities offering dolphin swimming, very often dolphins are kept in small pools, surrounded by ragged, rusty fences or near sewage canals or in a shallow lagoon so that they cannot swim away. They may be fed with rotten fish and suffer from disease and starvation. Most foreign facilities capture their dolphins directly from open water. Capture is very traumatic for wild dolphins and can cause an often fatal disease called stress capture. COFFEE PLANTATIONS - LUWAK COFFEE This is the most expensive coffee in the world, and a lot of it comes from Bali. It is literally coffee made from the poop of an animal called luwak. Coffee used to be made from the poop that occurs in nature, but due to the increase in demand, the "production" has been industrialized. The animals are kept in small cages like caged chickens, they are sad and unhappy. They never go outside to the grass and are forced to eat an unnatural amount of food so that they produce a lot of poop. All so that people can drink this expensive coffee! I hope that this post has opened your eyes a little. When I created the Orientana brand, I assumed from the very beginning that I would produce cosmetics that were not tested on animals (even before the European Union ordered it) and that were created without any harm to animals. Keep in mind that similar "attractions" with animals appear on every continent. So share this post because I would like this information to reach as wide an audience as possible.
Learn more
IS IT WORTH VISITING ECOCUDA?
On November 16 and 17, my Orientana brand took part in the Ekocuda natural cosmetics fair in Warsaw for the umpteenth time. We have been associated with this concept from the very beginning – for seven years! I remember that the idea worked right away and there were crowds of visitors and buyers at the Jabłkowski Brothers House from the first edition. A few years ago, the natural cosmetics market was already on the rise and it was obvious that there was a great interest in cosmetics as well as a growing number of producers and importers. Today, there are even more of them! And this time, for two days, there were crowds of enthusiasts of natural cosmetics at the Centrum Praskie Koneser. This year's autumn edition was attended by about 200 companies and was visited by about 27,000 people. Most of the exhibitors are still small brands, for which it is a great place to present themselves. For customers, it is a great opportunity to test different natural cosmetics in one place. NATURAL SOAPS. BODY SCRUBS AND BODY BUTTERS The largest number of exhibiting companies offer natural bar soaps. Soap is the easiest cosmetic to make, although it is laborious. The offer of exhibiting companies was dominated by various types of soaps, with different scents and colors. There were also many body scrubs and balms. These types of cosmetics are relatively easy to make without major investments in production. They have simple recipes and practically anyone who has time and buys the right ingredients can make these natural cosmetics at home. Larger brands presented their new products. Orientana showed the latest natural Glow masks . MEETING WITH AN EXPERT For many customers, Ekocuda is a way to get to know the cosmetic brand but also to get professional cosmetic advice. Not to be unfounded - the best experts have been working at the Orientana stand for years. These are not random people but those who know everything about our cosmetics, have a cosmetic education and can find a solution to the most difficult problem. They will help you set up natural face, hair and body care. Did you know that all of our girls who are not blondes dye their hair with henna? From them you will learn how to use henna, what to pay attention to and how to choose colors. After all, practice makes perfect! We have had a permanent team for years and I can vouch for their knowledge with my hand on my heart. ECOLOGICAL ZERO WASTE SOLUTIONS Ekocuda is not only a fair of natural cosmetics but also a fair of ecological solutions and a natural lifestyle. For some time now, the Stojo company has been exhibiting at the fair, offering cups. This is a product that will allow us to be zero-waste. You will no longer need a plastic or paper cup, for example, for coffee. I have had my Stojo cup for about a year, I carry it in my purse because it folds to a height of about 2 cm. If I need it, I simply take it out, stretch it, put it under the coffee machine and close it. It is airtight and has allowed me to free myself from disposable cups. I recommend it! My attention at Ekocuda was caught by the Plantale brand, which makes pillows stuffed with plant ingredients. In the offer you will find pillows with buckwheat husk, spelt husk, emmer husk, and even cherry pits! These plant fillers come from certified crops and have health properties. First of all, they perfectly adapt to the shape of the body, fill the space under the neck and thanks to this, keep the spine in a straight position, relax tense muscles, help get rid of migraines and give better sleep. Sounds naturally ideal! In addition to typical pillows, they also have hot water bottles with cherry pits, which you heat up in the oven and put on (they are long) like a scarf around your neck. I tried such a pillow - it relaxes the muscles incredibly. It is a must-have for people suffering from back pain! I also recommend buying beeswax wraps on Ekocuda – they are a great alternative to aluminum foil and disposable bags. Easy to use, reusable and natural. I have been using mine for years. Ekocuda is a natural cosmetics fair that also takes place in other cities. You can also participate in them in Poznań and Gdańsk.
Learn more
COMMERCIAL BREAK
At the end of last year we took part in a fantastic photoshoot – of course with Orientana cosmetics in the lead role! Friendly and professional models Mayu and Magda, under the watchful eye of an experienced director, gave it their all! The session took place in a nice atmosphere and the models, who had previously had the opportunity to test our cosmetics, did not have to try too hard to evoke positive emotions on their faces, because they loved Orientana from the first use? It was also very interesting for us to observe the stylist at work, who perfectly selected the outfits for the girls, as well as the hairdresser and make-up artist. As you know, Orientana is natural cosmetics , but the camera and the camera have their own requirements and sometimes it is necessary to gently even out the skin tone or properly style the hair so that it looks perfect in the photos and film. The inventive scenography, great music and inspiring atmosphere made the session a real adventure for us. In addition to unique and original photos, advertising films were also created! You can judge for yourself the results of the work of the entire team involved in this amazing project. We invite you!
Learn moresensitive skin - 60% of WOMEN and 30% of MEN have it!
It is estimated that currently 60% of women and 30% of men in the world have sensitive and vascular skin! This is a really high result and it is a bit hard to believe, but when you delve into the causes, it does not seem so strange to us anymore. HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN? If your skin has low tolerance for environmental factors such as temperature differences, air pollution or many cosmetics. People with sensitive skin have a very big problem with choosing the right cosmetics. The skin is dry, reacts with itching/burning, stings and even hurts. You can feel tightness and tingling, frequent irritations and even peeling! Additionally, it is prone to allergies and overreacts to stress and food. Until recently, there were theories that people with dry skin and people with atopic dermatitis are prone to hypersensitivity. This is related to damage to the epidermal barrier. However, these theories have recently turned out not to be entirely accurate. It has been studied that 80% of people with vascular skin describe their skin as sensitive. And this is often the cause of this type of skin - excessive reaction of blood vessels and sudden skin redness. WHY DOES THIS PROBLEM AFFECT MOST WOMEN? Women have thinner and more delicate skin. Additionally, they are influenced by female hormones, the excess of which relaxes the walls of blood vessels, which further weakens them. The menopause, taking hormonal contraception or constant high blood pressure are also common causes of the occurrence of "spider veins", i.e. vascular changes. Some people also have genetic predispositions. Our skin can also be harmed by improperly performed cosmetic treatments and irritating effects of atmospheric factors, such as wind, low temperatures, sun. Temperature changes cause the blood vessels to "exercise" all the time - they expand and contract rapidly, which causes them to expand and form "spider veins". Such skin also does not like strong, scorching sun, solarium, sauna and hot baths. Alcohol, hot drinks, hot spices can also cause flushing on the face. However, nothing happens if this condition disappears after a while. The problem occurs when such a reaction persists. WHAT MISTAKES DO WE MAKE? Often our skin becomes sensitive due to improper care, including using cosmetics for oily skin on the whole face in combination skin, using too many cosmetics for problematic skin with seborrhea and acne. People with vascular skin and rosacea often use cosmetics based on ethyl alcohol. These are just some of the care mistakes, and we make a lot of them. HOW TO DEAL WITH SUCH SKIN? Avoid cosmetics that are strong, heavily perfumed and have a high content of potentially irritating substances. Stop using traditional bar soaps, which damage the barrier function of the epidermis. Avoid products that excessively remove sebum and tighten. Peel-off cosmetics and coarse-grained scrubs are also not recommended, as they stimulate blood circulation and can increase redness. WHAT TO USE FOR SENSITIVE AND CAPILLARY SKIN? You should choose natural cosmetics that are dedicated to this type of skin. They will not only alleviate the symptoms, but also strengthen the skin so that it does not show the symptoms of this type of skin. Strengthening the walls of blood vessels, improving blood circulation, soothing irritations - these are the effects that the selected products should have. The most important thing is to choose natural cosmetics appropriately, not by accident but with the greatest care. You will significantly improve the condition of your skin and prevent deepening changes. Orientana has been looking for an effective solution for a long time and has found a series dedicated to sensitive and vascular skin. In the next post you will read what natural, beneficial and visible effect ingredient you will find in our latest series of natural dermocosmetics Kali Musli !
Learn more
OUR ECO EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN AMONG STUDENTS
In March, at the Edward Żółtowski Public Junior High School in Mochów and at the January Insurgents' Primary School in Ligów, an educational campaign took place under the slogan: "Cosmetics from Nature", in which we had our share! The middle school students carried out a project under the same title as part of the campaign. The task of the task teams was to develop answers to the following questions: What features should an ideal facial cosmetic have? What ingredients do conventional cosmetics contain and what do natural cosmetics contain? What do we pay attention to when buying body care cosmetics? The history of the development of cosmetology Chemical compounds used in the production of cosmetics and their effects Cosmetics from a natural pharmacy, or plants in modern cosmetology The students developed the answers in graphic, artistic and multimedia forms. ACTION GOAL The aim of the campaign was to familiarize students with the composition of conventional cosmetics and natural cosmetics for body, hair and face care. The presence of parabens, silicones, foaming agents: SLS, SLES, petroleum derivatives and their effect on the skin condition was indicated in drugstore cosmetics. It was noted that scientists are divided on the issue of their safety. Natural cosmetics are produced using plant-based ingredients obtained from controlled organic farming! ORIENTANA BRAND SHARE Orientana provided the school with materials that were helpful in conducting the campaign, such as catalogues, leaflets and testers. We are glad that we could play our part in this eco-education of these young people. It is great that we teach ecological awareness from the youngest age and explain the differences between natural products and those commonly available – chemical ones. We should explain to our children the negative impact of chemical and artificial ingredients and help them make choices in harmony with nature. Let them become ecologically aware consumers! Bravo to Ms. Ewelina for her great commitment to eco-education and great ideas!
Learn more
WHAT IS INDIAN CUISINE
Indian cuisine? It seems like we know it. But do we? I spent many hours with my Indian friends talking about the dishes typical of their region. I spent a lot of time in India exploring and learning about Indian cuisine. India is a diverse country - each region has its own language, culture and cuisine! Different culinary regions combine plants used in the kitchen such as chili pepper, mustard, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cloves, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, rose petals, curry powder and asafoetida (a strong-smelling spice). These ingredients are used in different combinations in different regions. Most of them are also ingredients of Orientana cosmetics Indian cuisine is divided into 4 regions North Indian cuisine is probably the most widespread culinary style outside India. It reflects a strong Mughal influence and is characterised by the significant use of dairy products: milk, paneer (an Indian mild cheese), ghee (clarified butter) and yoghurt are all used regularly in the region's dishes. Samosas, fried dumplings stuffed with potatoes, are a characteristic northern snack. Also popular here are dishes from the clay oven, tandori, roasted meat or naan bread, which have a characteristic charcoal aroma. The cuisine of the West Indies is made up of three main regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. Due to its location, fish and coconut milk dominate the cuisine of Maharashtra, while Gujarat cuisine is mainly vegetarian, and many dishes have a sweet flavor due to the influence of Chinese dishes. The region is well known for a dish called chutney. These are slightly spicy preserves made from fresh or pickled vegetables and fruits. They have a sweet, sour or quite hot flavor. Goa was once a Portuguese colony, but today it has a unique blend of Indian and Portuguese culinary elements. Due to its coastal location, fish is popular here. East Indian cuisine is the realm of desserts. Desserts from this region are often found in Indian restaurants outside India because of their wonderful taste. Rasgulla is very popular - a sweet delicacy made of porridge and cheese (chenna), cooked in a light sugar syrup. Mustard seeds, poppy seeds and mustard oil dominate in Eastern cuisine, giving dishes a slight spiciness. Rice and fish also play an important role here. South Indian cuisine is not usually found on Indian restaurant menus and is very different from other regions. Here, curry sauce has a different consistency – more solid than liquid. Sambar, rasam and kootus are three popular stew-like dishes, differing in their basic ingredients and degrees of liquidity. Sambar is a stew of peas and vegetables with a tamarind flavour. Rasam is more like a soup and consists mainly of tomatoes, tamarind and lots of spices. South Indian cuisine is famous for its delicious fried or steamed snacks. This is where Dosa comes from, which I love and which I have already written about on the blog. Utthapams are also popular here – similar to pancakes, but thicker and filled or topped with vegetables. In this region, we can eat very healthy idlis – steamed, as well as vadas, similar to doughnuts with a hole. I hope you are hungry now
Learn more
BATU CAVES - A TOURIST ATTRACTION NEAR KUALA LUMPUR
Batu Caves are often recommended by guidebooks. Sometimes it is worth turning into a real tourist and visiting what the guidebooks recommend. Discovered in the 19th century, hidden in the mountains near Kuala Lumpur, it is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus living in Malaysia and tourists from all over the world. The main cave – the Cathedral Cave – can be reached by steep stairs, which have 272 steps. In fact, it is a complex of three main caves and several smaller ones. The caves are dedicated to the god Murugan – the god of war. It is difficult to walk on the stairs without being accosted by monkeys, accustomed by tourists to being fed. It is a small evil if you give a monkey a banana or a cookie, but do you know that irresponsible people give them cans of cola? The monkeys hurt themselves opening them and trying to get inside... It is weak. I had to warn several people, but I cannot tolerate such harm to animals. The caves are decorated with beautiful paintings, sculptures and it is really worth coming here. And it is definitely worth coming here during the Thaipusam holiday. In January, during the Tamil month of Thai, processions with volunteers taking mortifications are held here. During this holiday, the faithful give thanks for previously expressed and fulfilled requests, for example for health or a good husband or wife. Sound familiar? Right? We are not so different
Learn more