Let me make this clear at the outset: I did not give up meat because I hated it. On the contrary, I enjoyed not just eating but cooking with meat too. But I gave up meat and fish and all other animal products, including dairy, eggs and honey, because I finally made the connection between animal cruelty and the food we so thoughtlessly put on our plates.
Of course, I knew all along that meat comes from animals. But like many others, I guess I chose to not think about the tough realities that lie behind the neat packages of meat that we toss into our grocery carts: about the terrible and short lives of the birds and animals raised to feed humans; about the cruelty of the ways in which their lives are terminated to turn them into "food"; and above all, about the needlessness of it all. Humans don't need to eat meat to survive: a vegetarian diet is not only more than adequate to fuel the body, but studies have time and again shown that it is healthier to eat a plant-based diet, compared to a meat-based one.
What's more, because it takes several pounds of grain to create a single pound of meat, an insistence on meat by a few of us means starvation for many, many others around the globe.
As someone who loves to cook, I have gained a lot by becoming a vegan. I've become more experimental in the kitchen, and I discover and eat new foods every day. While I still primarily cook Indian food- and believe me it is not at all difficult to cook great Indian vegan food- I also love trying out recipes from other parts of the world- and, of course, veganizing them!
I find that without exception, the vegan meals I make are far healthier than the meats I used to cook before. What's more, after the first few weeks had passed, I have never ever craved meat or even dairy products like cheese that I thought would be hard to live without. I now crave fresh, vibrant vegetables, a steaming bowl of miso soup, vegan cookies flecked with vegan chocolate chips, hot Mushroom Biryani garnished with crunchy onion, crispy coconut chutney, or crunchy tempeh "crabcakes"…the list goes on.
My refusal to participate in cruelty against animals does not stop at food. As a vegan, I do not wear clothes or carry accessories made from animal products: no leather, silk, or wool. I do not use cosmetics or other products that are tested on animals or contain animal ingredients. And believe me, it is not only not difficult to do this, it makes life far simpler. All you need to do is read the labels, and in the process you also become a more aware consumer.
I became a vegan for ethical reasons, because I loved animals and I realized I couldn't be a hypocrite that loved some animals and thoughtlessly contributed to cruelty against others. But there have been many, many rewards. I feel healthier, I keep my weight under control more effortlessly, and I am mentally more focused than ever before. But the best reward of all has been this: I feel much better about myself, knowing that I am doing all I can to lead a conscious, non-violent life.
Cara
I just discovered your blog last night---yay! I, too, am from the greater DC area, and I'm busy trying to learn to cook and bake and eat in entirely new, vegan ways. It can be difficult for us foodies, yes?
Keep up the fabulous work---and thanks so much for being such a generous resource for the rest of us!
60sGirl
Hi,
I think your recipes are very interesting. I just tried the skillet baked chocolate chip cookie and it tastes soooo great! I made it for vegan friends who will help my daughter move out soon.
On the other hand, I wonder about something: when you say that you gave up honey. Although I understand that bees can be considered as "exploited", weren't they made to produce honey? Just wondering... 🙂
I love your blog and your recipes. I am very fond of Indian food!
Thank you.
Barry Knight
Amazed about wool! I have been vegetarian for 30+ years now Vaishali.
I live in Yorkshire, England which has a thriving wool industry. I am a carpet retailer who promotes wool carpets. I shall be asking ALL of our suppliers to provide proof of the sheep's wellbeing during the shearing of their wool. Any that can't or won't provide proof of ethical practice I will disassociate myself from. It's been a real eye opener reading your 'why I'm vegan' section. Been in tears this afternoon. At 47 you'd probably think 'what a wuss!' but the revelation of how sheep could be treated who's wool become the carpets I sell has cut deep within my conscience. God bless you Vaishali for bringing this to my attention - I am in your debt! x
Vaishali
Hi Barry, what a heartwarming message! Thank you with all my heart-- this must've taken a lot of courage, and I applaud you.
shashank
Hey Vaishali, so glad i found on your blog. I turned vegan Dec-2016. I had been not much of meat eater before marriage and before i moved to US 11 years ago. Turned to meat eater since my wife loves chicken and fish. But i had a change of mind after i got more into Meditation and Yoga.
Very well put " why you went vegan ".
So now I am directing my wife to your blog so i can get delicious Indian Vegan food.
Oh BTW, i am also from Mumbai (worli 🙂 )
shiva
Fantastic! I admire your will-power and simple reasoning to turn into a vegan. I know what you are talking about when it comes to the joys of relishing simple foods.
Keep up the good work of educating others with your sound logic and hope there are more 'converts' in the near future.
Judy Liebeman
Just found you and so glad I did! Made your Banana cake--perhaps the best vegan dessert I've made to date. Looking forward to trying more. Plus, I'm vegan for the same reasons as you stated. Love learning about similar people!
Vaishali
Thanks, Judy, that's just wonderful-- you made my day. 🙂 Great to meet another like-minded vegan and animal lover.
druidsgarden
Interesting article and whilst I'd argue that even a vegan diet is responsible for the deaths of many many micro-organisms and higher life forms to grow plants for our consumption, in the control of pests for instance and a diet containing wild game and organic vegetables is just as ethical, I do understand your reasons.
There are ways to be able to consume products such as honey and eggs in an ethical way, you just need to find a small local producer who keeps bee's as a hobby rather than one of the big commercial producers who practise mono-culture and stress the bee's by moving them around to different crops or someone who keeps a few chickens in their yard/garden
My biggest issue is with the consumption of Soy milk, soy isn't actually all that good for you and especially if you are suffering with any sort of thyroid disease.
Soy should be eaten in moderation and personally I'd prefer to use a nut based milk rather than soy. I will use properly made tofu but I don't eat alot of it and even those not suffering from thyroid problems should probably limit their comsumption to fermented soy products.
Great recipes btw - I will be trying them out 🙂
Therese Tisseverasinghe
Thank you for writing this piece on why you are a vegan. I too am a vegan for the exact same reason. I think the hardest part is the social aspect, you know when you go out for dinner with friends and all you can order are the fries. However, thats a small sacrifice for the benefits of being a vegan. The best part is that I feel free of guilt from eating meat. I am hoping to share this message with friends--already I have a few who are starting to consider a vegetarian lifestyle. I know many of my facebook friends are sick of my posts about animal cruelty, but even if I could change just one person, its totally worth it!
Thank you again for this blog!
Therese
Kaye Brennan
beautifully written X and exactly where I am coming from too - thank you
sai
Wonderful Vaishali! Thanks for supporting veganism in all the ways (food, clothes, etc) 🙂
Sanatana Dharma is also against eating meat/eggs.