Storytime with Janaki Paati:

I have never been a fan of commercial products in the name of health drinks that are nothing but loaded with sugar. That's why, instead of relying on those unhealthy options, we had our traditional method of preparing a nutritious and wholesome drink called Sathu maavu. 

We would prepare this sathu maavu kanji for 2 whole days together as a cousin gang during our holiday time. We will together as a team will sundry the ingredients for sathu maavu with millets like Varagu/Kodo millet, Samai/Little millet, Thinai/Foxtail millet, Kambu/Pearl millet, Kuthiraivali/Barnyard millet, Ragi/Finger Millet, Red rice, Samba wheat, Makka cholam/Maize, White cholam/Sorghum, Barley, remove the dirts, dry roast them and then will grind them. The preparation, despite being a tedious one, would be great fun when we did it together.

Our grandma, more than our respective mothers, was always conscious about our health and would never let any fancy labels under the name of "health" invade our house. Because no matter what, she would carefully pick ingredients with a hawk eye and always be very careful about what goes into our body during childhood. 

Paati & The Screen-Time-Free Era

She was an ardent believer that during childhood, one should take care of their health as much as possible, as it sets the foundation for our entire life. Those days, during our summer vacations, we would eagerly await the arrival of our cousins from different parts of the state. As soon as they arrived, our grandma would gather us all and assign us tasks for preparing the Kanji maavu.

Back in the screen-time-free era, it was extremely fun and great when each of us would be busy and immersed in the task.

We would start by carefully sorting through the array of millets, removing any impurities or debris. Then, the real fun began – dry roasting each variety to perfection, filling the air with a tantalizing aroma that would make our mouths water in anticipation.

As the sun beat down on us, we would take turns grinding the roasted millet, the rhythmic sound of the stone grinders echoing through the courtyard under the moonlight. It was a labor of love, but we never felt tired because we were doing it together, laughing and chatting as we worked.

Grandma would oversee the entire process, her watchful eye ensuring every step was done with utmost care and precision. She believed that good health started with quality ingredients, and she was unwavering in her commitment to this belief.

The powerhouse of nutrition:

Once the grinding was done, we would carefully sift the flour, and separate and sieve the fine powder from the coarse particles. Grandma would then expertly blend the flours, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Back then little did we know about the benefits of sathu maavu kanji and that it was a powerhouse of nutrition – rich in fiber, packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and a boon for digestion.

Looking back, those days spent preparing Kanji maavu were more than just about making a nutritious drink. They were about cherishing family, tradition, and the simple joys of life. Grandma taught us the importance of nourishing our bodies with wholesome, natural ingredients and instilled in us a deep respect for the age-old wisdom of our ancestors.

Just like my grandma was so keen on the grandchildren's health, I'm here being very conscious about your health too. Millet Health mix is carefully crafted with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality just like how my grandma did.

So listen to your Janaki paati, take care of your health, and order the Millet health mix now!