Norouz (Persian New Year)

Saleh Tahvil, the exact time when we transition from winter into spring,  is only a couple hours away. Today in Los Angeles we are experiencing heavy winds and some rain; kind of hard to believe the first day of spring is upon us weather wise!!! But I am really really really thankful that the weather held up yesterday for our yearly Norouz party. Read More

A couple of weekends ago I drove out to my friends Maryanne and Ryan’s house for a fun Egg Decorating party.  You see, I could have decorated the eggs myself, but I thought it would have been a lot more fun to have children do the decorating. I have been encouraging Indi the dog to work on her art skills, but she much prefers practicing her napping skills.  Therefore, I had to borrow other people’s children! Read More

Tut, White Mulberry Sweets, are very popular sweets in Iran and they are always made for Norouz. There are a few different ways in which this sweet is spelled: Tut, Tout, Toot. Regards of the spelling, I absolutely love them!! If you go to any Persian store, you will notice that they are super expensive. Read More

Today is the last Tuesday of the Persian calendar which means tonight Iranians all over the world will be celebrating Chaharshanbeh Souri, the Eve of the Last Wednesday of the year. Read More

In preparation for Norouz here is a fish recipe that can be served along with Sabzi Polow, Rice with Fresh Herbs.  This is a super easy recipe and pretty quick too! You can use any kind of white wish Read More

Last year I posted how to grow Sabzeh, Norouz Sprouts, with unpelted wheat. This year I am posting how to do the same with lentils! Read More

I don’t know where January and February went. But what I do know is that it’s March and this means it’s the time of the year when I feel like a hamster madly running on a wheel. Read More

Sizeh Bedar takes place on the 13^th day of the Persian New Year and marks the end of the Norouz holiday.  It is customary for Persians to celebrate such day by spending the day outdoors picnicking. Families will pack their lunch and head out to the park of their choice to spend the day enjoying the warmer temperatures of spring time while hanging out with family and friends. The time spent outdoors with friends is filled with joviality and happiness. Picnic items are set out, kabobs are grilled, music and dancing takes place, as well as various fun games are played by all.

Another customary thing to do is to take the Sabzeh from their Sofreh Haft Seen and throw it in a stream, a river, or anywhere where water flows. The action of throwing away the Sabzeh represents removing negativity from one’s home. It is believed that the Sabzeh that is placed on the Sofreh Haft Seen will collect all that is negative and ill in the household during its time of growth. Releasing it into a running stream or river, then symbolizes new beginnings, as all that is sickness and ill is removed from one’s home.  I find this part of our culture very symbolic as  in mythology water represents purity.  So throwing what is evil in water that flows is a representation of evil being literally transported away by purity. All that is not pure and good then is simply carried away down stream and does not remain stationary.

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Eideh Shoma Mobarak!

Wishing all who celebrate Norouz a very happy and prosperous new year!

I finally set up my Haft Seen yesterday. I was waiting for the gold fish to hit the Persian stores.  My Haft Seens have been slightly different every year …
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