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.
Savanah
Hi Vaishali, my name is Savanah. I am 13 and have been a vegetarian for about 6 years now 🙂 recently i have been wanting to go vegan because i learned the reason people do go vegan 🙂 I use to think you would go vegan just to be more healthy, but now i know the real reason and how dairy cows aren't exactly treated the best. Same with chickens. Well my question is, how do you go vegan when the rest if your family doesn't want to? (My Dad and oldest brother are vegetarian, but my Mom and my other brother are not vegetarian or vegan.) I really want to, but it just seems it would be harder if your surrounded by people who do eat milk and eggs and honey and all that stuff 🙂 how did you make the change? did you just stop eating one thing at a time? or all at once? If you could answer that would be great 😀 I'm sorry if i spelled stuff wrong, I'm a horrible speller. Thanks again. 🙂
~Savanah~
Marty
I want to answer questions about non-dairy alternatives to tea and coffee, or my fav chai! Here in the U.S., aside from soy, there is almond, rice, oat, multi-grain mylks, and now Hemp and Coconut! Coconut and Hemp are both thicker mylks and lovely in teas!
I'm not sure what you'd find in India, but perhaps because fresh coconut is so available there, you could make your own. I do not have a recipe, but perhaps Google one?
I an new to this site today, and I am happy I have found it. Unfortunately I am also gluten-free so I will try and make substitutes to your gluten grains.
Blessings...
VegTomato
Vaishali,
Thank you so much for the permission, and defenitely, I will back to you for the credit.
Thanks for your support!!
Best,
Patrick
Vaishali
Patrick, thanks, and yes, you can translate the post as long as you link back.
VegTomato
Hi Vaishali,My name is Patrick and I am running a website, VegTomato, , dedicated to advocate veganism/vegetarianism among Chinese/Taiwanese community. Just found your blog and read your story which is so inspiring. I am wondering if I can have your permission to transalte it into Chinese and post in my website to inspire more people go vegan/veggie. I will link back and credit it to you.
Anonymous
i just discovered this blog today, and i think its great! thank you! keep up the good work!
Vaishali
Anja, Thanks, and good luck!
Anonymous, Welcome!
Anonymous
i find your site very touchy. i am glad that some are seriously concern to live their lives with true kindness not only for humans but for all the things around them. i feel the same way, for i love to keep my dwelling place (earth), and everything around me beautiful, peaceful and good.
as for the killing of plants, plants needs pruning, they grow and produce more when prune. you don't stop life in them. plants are the intended food for human, this is their purpose for existence. when you kill an animal they no longer can produce.
Anonymous
hello Vaishali, just want to thank you and want to leave congratulations to you and your site!! i´m vegan since a few weeks and landed here by looking for new inspirations, and its very inspiring, what i found here! looking forward trying many of your recepts, yumyum. many warm greetings from a now autumnly, sunny germany, lake constance. Anja
Vaishali
Hi Deepti, sorry for the delay in replying. Thanks for your kind words about the blog. I am no expert in child nutrition, but is your son eating any veggies and beans yet? Vegetables from the cruciferous family, like broccoli, kale, cauliflower are great sources of calcium. So is spinach and lots of other veggies. Beans are also a good source of calcium. I just looked up the Almond Breeze website and their almond milk is fortified with 30 percent of the RDA of calcium-- as much as you'd get from a glass of milk.
You've probably already done so, but it would be a good idea to get your pediatrician's opinion on foods you can give your son to ensure his calcium needs are met.
Deepti (Sharan) Shukla
Dear Vaishali,
Your replies to the comments are as enlightening at the original post itself. When I read your blog the 1st time, it shook me hard...it took me a couple of days and lots of consolidation from my FB friends with whom I shared pieces of these facts. Right now, the only thing I am doing is creating more awareness by word of mouth.
I also have a Q: My 21 month is having Almond Milk, because he has been diagnosed allergic to casein. He does not like rice or coconut milk and I have heard Soy is no longer the best alternative, since its highly processed, due to it being produces in such large volumes (due to its increasing demand)and it also interferes with hormones in humans that young. That leaves me with almond which does not have any calcium. Are tums / calcium tablets the only alternative I have to replenish his calcium needs? Or are you aware of any other sources?
Deepti
Vaishali
Shankari, glad you liked the cupcakes 🙂 Thanks for the feedback.
Amanda, Thanks, and welcome to Holy Cow! Always great to meet a fellow vegan 🙂
Amanda
I love your recipes and was happy to read your reasons for being vegan.
I was a vegetarian for 6 years. Started as a teenager. Then, after some travels I started eating meat again for about 5 years. However, it all disgusted me so much that I decided to become vegan recently and am so happy.
I like your response to the plant question, as my husband recently said the same thing.
I try too avoid too many soy products, too, so I like that a lot of your recipes don't have highly processed soy products.
Shankari
I baked the cupcakes. They turned out amazing! Thanks for this, I am definitely baking this more often 🙂 Please check
Shankari
Great effort Vaishali, both being vegan and this amazing blog! I hopped on here from Madhuram's blog and have been reading your blog for quite sometime now 🙂 Thanks for sharing all these wonderful recipes. I am going to bake the mango cupcakes today for my new neighbours!
Vaishali
Hi Srividya, welcome, and it is good to hear from a fellow desi vegan. Early wishes for a happy new year, and hope you enjoy the kheer 🙂