Showing posts with label Vegan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vegan. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Where do you get your Protein?

Many people who practice yoga also practice a Vegetarian or Vegan lifestyle.  Some people practice vegetarian/vegan diets to practice Ahimsa अहिंसा (non harming to all living things), some do this because they love animals, some do this because they are anti-meat industry, and some just prefer veggies.  The truth is a plant based diet provides optimal benefits for health and wellness due to the prana प्राण (vital life force energy), the high amounts of oxygen, water and vitamins that are easily absorbed into the body.  While many studies like the China Study, or Gershon Theraphy have brought light to the benefits of plant based diets, which has been the normal lifestyle for many Indians for centuries.  


Yet, still many people question where they get protein.  The reality is our human body does not have the ability to properly break down the proteins in meat, we lack the necessary amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomache, bile in our liver, and it is taxing on our colon.  

Some Yogis in India when brought into the debate of eating meat, the question will be said that our human body is designed to eat meat, and the response is, then go bite a cow.  The hilarious reality is, an animal can go bite into another animal, but we cannot and do not, do that.


I myself have a love for animals, I have extensively researched the benefits of plant based diets, and the dangers of meat based diets.  From a scientific perspective, I am so glad to have lived a vegetarian life with an abundance of energy and stronger immune system.  From a spiritual perspective, I feel a sense of connection to this Universe and a love for animals beyond just petting a puppy.  From a superficial perspective, my hair that is shinny, my nails are strong, my skin is clear, and my body is fit due to a healthy liver, colon, and kidneys as a result of a plant based diet.  Our health on the outside is a reflection of our health on the inside, which is from our dietary habits.  We can see how cancer rates, obesity, and many other diseases can be linked to meat based diets, so why not make the conscious change to better health?  While dark green veggies are the best source of calcium that our human body can absorb, and nuts provide protein and healthy fats, and spirulina is a wonderful amino acid protein.....here is a list of my top 10 other sources of protein.

Top 10 veggie lovers protein sources.
  1. QUINOA - 1 CUP - 11g of protein
  2. LENTILS - 1 CUP - 18g of protein
  3. SEITAN - 4oz - 30g of protein
  4. TEMPEH - 4oz -25g of protein
  5. BLACK BEANS - 1 CUP - 15g of protein
  6. CHICK PEAS - 1 CUP - 12g of protein
  7. SPINACH - 1 CUP - 5g of protein
  8. MUNG BEANS - 1 CUP - 14g of protein
  9. KIDNEY BEANS - 1 CUP - 14g of protein
  10. SOY BEANS - 1 CUP - 29g of protein


These are just a list of options for people wanting to embrace this lifestyle.  Juicing is also a wonderful addition to daily diet.  I realize that many carnivorous people find this topic annoying, and I understand that people have their own perceptions & beliefs, so perhaps just substituting some plant based options may be the first step. 

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Healthy Treats- HOT VEGAN/JUICE Spots NYC


With the Holiday Season approaching food is on many peoples minds. While I think Thanksgiving is a great time to give thanks, and also give back, in Western culture we celebrate food. Food is a wonderful part of our lives. It brings nourishment, health, vibrance, and brings a sense of family/community! Sometimes when people are on the go, it may be hard to maintain the healthy food habits unless they know of some great FOOD HOT SPOTS. One of my favorite things is fresh vegetable or fruit juice. There are a number of places throughout the city that sell fresh juice which give more vitamins, minerals, vibrance, and overall health benefits than stopping in the highly acidic/sugar filled coffee shops. Recently, I was taken to the East Village to explore a wonderful place called "Liquiteria". It is an amazing place that sells Delicious Vegan snacks, meals and FRESH JUICES!!! Some other places I love to stop at, where you may want to get some fresh juice/smoothies/health foods in the city include:
  • Juice Generation
  • Bonobos
  • Terri
  • Holy Nuts (UWS)
  • Jamba Juice
  • The V Spot (BK)
  • Zen Vegetarin House (BK)
  • Blossom
  • Liquiteria

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Yogi Yummy Cookies

Since many yogis are vegan or vegetarian and observing the principal of Ahimsa (non-harming), it is important to find veggie friendly snacks and eating places. I came across the most delicious cookie ever! It actually tastes too good to be healthy! The Alternative Baking Company Inc. makes absolutely delicious treats. No Dairy, No Eggs, No Trans fats, and agave nectar is the sweetness. While it is good to maintain healthy choices in our diet, we should never deprive ourselves. If you are a chocolate lover and want a cookie, go for the "Double Chocolate Decadence". This cookie is sooooo delicious, I have been using it as a gift for gratitude to the folks I want to show my love to. Nothing says love like a chocolate yummy cookie! As the package states, it is wonderfully addictive. This yummy cookie can be found at most health food stores like Whole Foods, Westerly, and Trader Joes.

Monday, April 6, 2009

YUMMY YOGINI - Eating Veggies

Vegetables are low in calories and fat and loaded with fiber.  It is no secret that many people who practice Yoga are vegetarian/vegan.  I myself practice a vegetarian lifestyle. Growing up, my mom used to prepare a lot of vegetarian dishes since she also preferred the veggies, and her and my daddy grew their own in our garden.  Taste and veggies go hand in hand in Indian culture.  With the right spices to give yummy flavor, not necessarily "heat" but flavor and a whole lotta LOVE....anyone can create some yummy veggie dishes.  With any recipe, LOVE, should always be the key ingredient, only then will you and your guests want more.

Two of my favorite dishes - "CAULIFLOWER POWER" & "EGG VEG"
CAULIFLOWER POWER (my personal knock-off version of mommy's aloo gobi)
3 cups organic vegetable broth
1 Cauliflower (made into mini flowerets)
1 potato (cubed)
1 onion (small/diced)
4 garlic cloves (diced)
1 tsp curry powder
4 tsp tumeric
4 tbs sour cream or vegan substitute
Add Sea Salt & Pepper to taste
Add Love
GARNISH: 1 leafy stem of cilantro & a few narrow pieces of ginger cut julianne style

STEPS: 
Sautee garlic, onions.  Add Spices and potato.  Add Broth till potatos are soft then add flowerets.  Cook till soft.  Add sour cream at the end or Vegan substitute.  Add love & remove from stove top.  Finally, share with people you love and ENJOY the YUMMINESS!!!!

EGG VEG is also in the picture but it is a family secret, that I am sworn to secrecy for....all I can say is.....YUMMINESSSSS!!!!!!