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 vegan miso soup, vegan vegan chocolate chip cookies, hot Mushroom Biryani garnished with crunchy onion, creamy coconut chutney, or crunchy vegan "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.
Rashmi
Hi Vaishali,
I have to say I really enjoyed reading your post and all the comments. I became vegetarian about 7 1/2 years back, when I was ten, because of a discussion in class that supported hunting. I remember you also mentioning somewhere that you had always loved animals but never wanted to think about the fact that meat came from them. So it was with me until 5th grade. I becamse very hardcore about it too, until I realized over the years that you can't hope to convert anyone by being orthodox and forcing your beliefs on others, no matter how noble you feel them to be. So for a while, I actually gave up believing that veganism/vegartianism is the natural human diet (thanks to beyondveg.com and other arugments about human paleontology that are hard to beat). Nevertheless, I am still a convinced veggie. But I am glad to read your posts and feel a sense of support that it really does make practical sense in many ways to lead a vegan lifestyle. I should definitely try going vegan again.
There is one thing that caught my attention. You mentioned how hard it is to be a vegan in India. This may be true if you are used to vegan food containing a lot of the dairy substitutes we get here in the US. But there is still quite a selection of dairy-free fare in Indian cuisine. My parents are from India, and most of our typical "odia khaanaa" does not have any milk products whatsoever. Or even foods from the south. Maybe if you're just talking about sweets, but I'm sure there a few sweets that can easily be made with oil instead of ghee, like jalebis for example. I'm trying to imagine, if I ever did live in India, if it really would be all that hard to eat vegan, since there is a wealth of plant-based dishes there anyway.I guess I was just a bit surprised to see other testimonies.
Anyway, I loved your site and will check back often!
ambrosia
Hi Vaishali, thanks a ton for the important tips and for the lovely words and for visiting my space too 🙂 I have increasingly felt with every grey hair on my head that all one needs is the WILL to go for it, and all of our bodies will actually respond like a dream then. If people decide even before beginning that they "cannot do it" or live in suspicion and fear while at it that they will "never make it", they actually never will! 🙂 I think changing one's food habits to include less and less "violence" on one's plate can only be a progression of one's being, never a regression. In that I really really like something that you said here - "Feeding plants to animals then eating the animals is like filtering water through a sewer then drinking it"!
Since you say you like soy milk in tea, it has got me thinking - maybe I did not mix the milk with the water at the right time - I put it in boiling water!! Maybe soy milk in tea would taste differently and better if I make tea the English way. Let me try 🙂 I will be on the lookout for a non-dairy creamer however. I had been using a dairy creamer actually before I went vegan coz liquid cow's milk I never quite liked right from childhood.
And I never knew that almond milk is actually made and so many things can be done with it! I am currently on the lookout for vegan cookies as I love cookies. And will you believe it, there is not a single one stop store in this city for vegan items! It is challenging but an exciting and deeply educative challenge nevertheless 🙂
Vaishali
Preeti, Thanks very much, and kudos to you too for giving up meat. May our tribe increase! 🙂
Ambrosia, I love the line "My body is responding to the pulling off of non-vegan items like a dream." Very rightly and very well said 🙂
Thanks for your kind words about the blog. I am a tea-drinker too, and hate black tea, but luckily for me I do like soymilk in my tea. I use the vanilla-flavored one which tastes great.
As for non-soymilk options, I am not sure what is available now in India. But here are a couple of suggestions. Can you find powdered creamer? Some tend to be non-dairy, like Nestle Carnation Coffeemate which is available here in the U.S. Another option might be almond milk. I usually buy it in a carton, but you might try soaking about a dozen almonds in hot water for an hour or two, blending them, then straining, for almond milk? Add more or less almonds if you find it too thin or thick. I have never tried almond milk in tea, but I use it for sweets as a milk replacer and it works great and tastes wonderful.
Hope that helps a little. Congratulations on taking the step toward a vegan lifestyle, and feel free to ask any other questions 🙂
ambrosia
One clarification 🙂 I like and in fact have started to love soy milk as a drink but soy milk in tea is something I don't look forward to.
ambrosia
Hi Vaishali, Greetings from Bangalore.... I love your blog. I "discovered" your blog a few days back and have read your recent posts and some older ones too. I adore the way you mix your recipes with food for thought for the soul! A part of me feels proud and calmed in the awareness that there are compassionate people like you who are breathing the same air just now!! I relate to your journey of becoming a vegan as I have just begun on one. I have been a vegetarian for the last 19 years (born in a non-veg eating family) and now my calling wants to take me further. My body is responding to the pulling off of non-vegan items like a dream.
I am a great tea lover. And since the past few weeks I have been having black tea. I won't say I "miss" milk tea but just wanted to find out from you whether you know of a vegan milk replacer available in India. I have tried soy milk but I wouldn't like to repeat it 🙂 Will wait for your opinion. Good to be able to write to you!
Preeti Kashyap
I love this post..its simple and honest. I am a vegetarian, but going without silk, wool and leather is admirable! I loved meat too...but gave it up as I cldnt be a hypocrite too. So Kudos on this post! I am following your recipes really closely from now on 🙂
Vaishali
Hi Ambica, thanks for your message and kind words about the blog. Bodhi sounds really cute 🙂 I love the name.
Of my three dogs, I find Opie and Freddie readily eat foods that are meat-free -- rice, boiled veggies, nuts... but I don't really cook whole meals for them because their vet says its hard to balance homemade doggie diets. But I do make them peanut butter treats sometimes which all of them, including Lucy, love. It's just peanut butter and whole-wheat flour and some soy milk to add enough moisture to bind the dough. I haven't made them in a while now and am at a bit of a loss for the proportions, but let me try it again and I'll post the recipe right here on the blog. Please keep in mind that some dogs are allergic to wheat.
If you want to put Bodhi on a vegetarian diet, there are some doggie foods available off the shelf which are meat-free. I know Whole Foods has a couple of brands, and I've also seen something in PetSmart, I'm sure. I can't vouch for how good they are. My dogs are not on a vegan diet-- they eat canned dog food and kibble that contains meat. I ate meat when I first adopted them, and Desi thought it would be wrong to suddenly switch them to a vegan diet since they had no say in the decision. Lucy, especially, would also be tough to convert.
Sorry I am not much help. But feel free to write in if you have any other questions. 🙂
Ambica
Vaishali,
Love your blog. We eat mostly vegan food due to allergies in the family. It's always a treat to see flavours form all over the world on your blog. I am hoping you will be able to help me with this one: I need doggie vegan recipes for Bodhi, the latest addition to our family. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Vaishali
Hi MunMun: Thanks for stopping by and kudos for considering a vegan diet. I hear you: we certainly have more options here than one does in India. That said, I hardly ever cook with meat substitutes because I'm not a big fan of tempeh or seitan. In fact, tofu and soymilk and, to some extent, textured vegetable protein (similar to the soy nuggets you find in India) are the only substitutes I use.
I know of many vegans here who raise their children as vegans, and they are perfectly healthy, but before one puts a child on a vegan diet, one should consult with a nutritionist or doctor to make sure he/she gets the right balance of nutrients through the foods chosen.
There's often a myth that vegans are unhealthy, but I always ace my blood tests and health checkups. When I first started seeing my current doctor, he was trying to convince me to eat some animal protein. Now even he no longer does. 🙂
A useful source of information direct from the medical profession on the healthful qualities of a vegan diet, including for children, is the Web site of the Physicians Committed to Responsible Medicine Web site: pcrm.org. It's one of my favorite reads.
MunMun
Hi Vaishali, this is a great blog. I am a lacto-ovo-vegetarian and I am trying to become vegan. We recently moved from US to India. I find that there are very few vegan dairy substitutes in India. In US supermarkets were flooded with Rice milk, Brown rice milk, soya based yogurt, vegan cheeses or even vegan hot dogs and burgers and vegan meat substitutes. Whereas in India you get only soya milk and tofu which are expensive and not very fresh. So it gets harder to be a vegan in India. Its lot more easier for lacto-vegetarian than vegan over here. I just wish more vegan products like miso, tempeh etc were available in India too.
Also, is it safe for small kids to be vegan, will they get enough nutrition by being vegan.
Vaishali
Anonymous, thanks for sharing your view and I'd really appreciate a name next time.
Since you identify yourself as a lacto-vegetarian, I can see why you think it would be difficult to adjust to a vegan diet. I ate meat, so by your own argument I had greater variety in my diet than you do, so arguably I should be feeling more deprived. But as I say in this post, after going vegan, I did not miss the meat one bit-- in fact it repulses me now. What's more, so do dairy products which I once thought would be difficult to cut out of my diet.
My blog has hundreds of recipes for food that's delicious, and having been an ominvore at one time, I can testify to the fact that each one of these tastes as good as, if not better than, what I ate in my days as a meat-eater. If you go through Holy Cow! and many other wonderful vegan recipe blogs out there, you will certainly see that vegan food is not tasteless at all. Vegans are more prone to exploring unusual foods and we have much more variety in our diet than a lacto-vegetarian does. What's more, there are all sorts of dairy substitutes available now that are just as good for the real thing, but far more compassionate, for those vegans who miss dairy products. Vegans also tend to me smarter-- there are studies out that show this :)-- and most are very knowledgeable and careful about planning their diets so they are healthy. Soy, for instance, is a much higher quality protein, and healthier, than milk.
I am also guessing you are likely an Indian, since lacto-veetarianism is a proud tradition in India. If so, I'd like to remind you that the Hindu belief that milk is a cow's gift is sadly misplaced. Dairy cows are among the worst-abused animals in the animal-food industry, and very often die premature deaths-- or are killed for meat prematurely-- making it far from a gift and more of an evil.
Anonymous
In my opinion being vegan is too extreme in many ways. Taking out cow milk, butter, ghee from diet is like living tastelessly. Its not good for health as well. Farming is developed so that human labor can benefit animal existence and in turn humans can derive some food out of it without harming animal. Variety is spice of life and these basic animal products are source of it. I am a proud lacto-vegetarian and it make more sense to me.
Anonymous
I was very impressed with your blog. I appreciate its upbeat nature and your writing style. I have been a vegetarian for many years, and have my husband eating vegetarian for half of his meals now. I am in the process of turning vegan and am discovering new ways to bake without eggs and dairy. I found your information to be very helpful.
Deepika
This is a wonderful site, Vaishali! I was born a vegetarian and am a deep animal lover myself. I find it hard to comprehend the wastefulness of modern meat packaging. Irrational maybe but sometimes I see these neat stacks of packed chicken dated some months back and I think that these chicken could've been alive and running around instead of stashed in some deep freezer for months together. It seems cruel and unnecessary.
Thanks for visiting my blog because I now got to know yours.
Vaishali
Hi Ryan, Thanks, and glad you decided to go vegan. You're right-- we Hindus revere the cow and treat dairy products as a gift of the cow, even as we turn a blind eye to the cruel practices of the dairy industry. I loved dairy products including milk, cheese and yogurt, but when I saw pictures of what cows go through so we can have them, I was permanently turned off. I don't miss them at all now.
Ryan
Hello Vaishali, Thank you for you article it's really an inspiration. Just under two years ago I became lacto-Vegetarian, but recently decided to go Vegan, because of how cruel the Dairy industry is. I was not born Hindu, but I have eventually came to identify myself with the Shakti path of Hinduism. I have been finding it really difficult to say that cows are sacred, yet support the Dairy industry. It's a shame that I can no longer eat prasadam that is either not fruit or I didn't create myself.