Haath ki safaai

Our curation of 5 smart ideas to slow down and live fully after dipping into Nandita Iyer’s new book about crafting a handmade life

In the vein of books, which hold that the path to a fulfilling life meanders through slow-living and chasing your bliss, comes Nandita Iyer’s This Handmade Life. Her tenets are cultivating and pursuing homely projects such as baking and soap-making, while slowing down the pace of life and moving towards sustainable living.

The book is divided into seven sections, including self-care, baking, fermenting, kitchen gardening, soap-making and stitching. Iyer recommends weaving some of these skills into your leisure hours, and being mindful of what each teaches you so that it can enhance other areas of your life.

Spice by self

Apart from an aromatherapy session in your own kitchen, making your own spice mixes is rewarding to the palate too. You are assured of quality by choosing fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients; and also of taste because you can calibrate it to your preference. What’s the lesson here? The right ingredient in the right quantity, and in the right place.

Daily bread

Here’s a skill that teaches you precision! While baking, one has to stay focused, and be mindful of each and every step. Needless to say, the end product is the reward—delicious goodies to indulge in!

Closely-knit

Stitching and knitting are meditative, and calm the anxious or hyperactive mind by making it concentrate on hand-eye co-ordination. Little projects such as a crocheted throw, coasters, mug sleeves or bathing scrubs make time spent at home, cozier.

Suds up

Soap-making has a delicate charm—choosing the fragrances, colours, oils, ingredients, shapes and form. Each of these works on our senses—smell, touch and sight. Plus, to be awash in the fruits of your labour… Homemade soaps are gentle on our skin and forgo waste generated by packaging.

Going green

It might seem like a chore, but Iyer is an evangelist of its multitude benefits. Apart from healing and meditative effects on mind, body and soul, gardening also involves physical exercise in the form of potting and watering. It beautifies your home, enriches your diet with home-grown, fresh produce and brings the family together to spend quality time.
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This Handmade Life 
Price : Rs 299
WHERE: Available on all e-commerce platforms and retail stores across the country

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