Living well by letting live!

What is vegan living? A lifestyle based on a simple logic

Any being that feels pain should not be put to pain.

So, a vegan avoids all animal products: milk & its products, meat, eggs, honey Wool, leather, silk, pearl, fur…

(like meat) Milk and eggs also lead to animal killing and torture! Yes, that’s true in India too . Even in traditional Indian tabelas/dairies, cows have to be

subjected to unbearable repeated forced pregnancies and a lot of other misery.

Be universally fair, NOT selectively or conveniently fair.

The scope of impact of vegan choices

A) Make the planetsustainable

B) Feed a lot more people

C) Save billions from torture/death

D) Make you fit and disease-free in a lasting manner

Watch the video

http://youtu.be/3r8JpB2FbSc

before viewing further.

“But, don’t plants feel pain too?”

o A non-vegan consumes not just meat, eggs & milk, but also the plants fed daily to the farm animals for their entire lifetimes!

o Eating plants directly i.e. eating vegan does the least damage to plants too (not just animals).

If plants feel pain, that’s actually yet anther reason to be vegan!

A user of animal products consumes many times more plants than a vegan does.

“But, why not just campaign for ‘humane’ milk production?”

Because ‘humane milk’ (like ‘cruelty-free eggs’) is simply not feasible! Cruelty is inherent to the financial viability of milk production:

Repeated rapes for a constant cycle of pregnancy, birth and milkingSelling male babies to be slaughtered (or starving them)

[In egg hatcheries too (even the ‘free-range’ ones), male babies are brutally killed]

Keeping calves largely deprived of mother’s milk are all unavoidable for any dairy/tabela to survive economically!

The environmental aspect Several times more cattle – and hence, land & water - needed!

Robbing a being of the freedom to make her own choices is in itself cruel.We abolished human slavery, rather than opting for ‘humane’ slavery.This notion, formalized as abolitionism, was pioneered by Prof Gary Francione.

Leather, wool and silk are NOT cruelty-free byproducts

The dairy industry is the most common source of leather.

• Male calves have no use in dairy!

• They are often intentionally starved so that can be skinned quickly.

• leather (and wool) buyers make meat much cheaper.

• Wool also causes many atrocities such as flesh stripping on sheep.

• A silk cloth leads to the exploitation and killing of tons of silk worms.

How is honey cruel?

Honey is nothing but bee-vomit.

It is the buffer food stored by honey bees, used during winter months.

Bees spend enormous amounts of time and efforts to produce honey, drop by drop. And, we ruin that in minutes by invading their hive and stealing all their food security!

The queen bee’s wings are often cut off, so that she is confined to the hive, with the other bees.

Why love some and torture/kill the others?

Do dairy cows and chickens feel less pain or deserve less happiness

than the cats and dogs we adore?

Species-ism

When it is not fair to hurt beings from other castes & genders, how is it fair to enslave and torment beings from other species?That too merely for pleasure,

not survival!

Why should justice and kindness be confined to humans alone?

The exploitation of a set of species (animals) by another (humans).

Similar to human slavery, but much worse

Imagine being born just to be enslaved & tortured for life!That’s exactly the story of the 10s of billions of farm animals (several

times the human population) we birth i.e. breed every year!

Cause of slavery: Centuries of powerful conditioning

Good news: Eventually, we chose ethics & fairness over history & culture.

It’s high time we take the next leap in our ethical evolution: Eradicate animal slavery & oppression!

“200 years ago, Americans would have thought you were absurd if you advocated for the end of slavery.

150 years ago, they would have laughed at you for suggesting that women should have the right to vote.

75 years ago, they would have loudly objected to the idea of African Americans receiving equal rights under the law.

They laugh at us now for suggesting that animal slavery be ended. Someday they won’t be laughing.”

- Gary Smith

“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans, just like black people were not

made for whites, and women not for men” - Alice Walker

Conditioned v/s Natural

Ever wondered why milk and eggs are the only unbranded foods being advertised?

Because natural, instinctive foods like fruits and vegetables never need to be marketed!

Humans are plant-eaters, NOT omnivores

From laterally moving jaws to long folding intensities, humans possess a dozen physiological traits that makes us

plant-eaters, not omnivores.

Our so-called canine teeth do not make us omnivorous, as canines are also found in several herbivores.

Our natural instincts

What would a small (unconditioned) child pick up when offered an apple, and a live chicken?

When babies grow, they wean themselves off milk, and start eating other foods……

…except human babies!

Is there any species in nature drinking another

species’ milk?!

OR any milk at all post infancy?!

Why were cows – and not apes like gorillas – picked for milk?Because cows are gentle/docile - easy targets for exploitation!

Otherwise, there’s no reason to take cow’s milk, which is hormonally/biologically totally unsuitable for humans.

Plant-based food: The healthiest choice

Milk, eggs and meat account for most of our cholesterol and saturated fat, and contain no fibre.

o Plant foods are rich in fibre (good for digestion), and contain no cholesterol.

Alarming summary from a number of independent studies, including the biggest study ever to link food and health [Undertaken by Oxford University, Cornel University and others under the name 'The China Study’]:

Milk, eggs & meat cause or worsen many dreaded diseases including heart disease, high BP, cancer, asthma, diabetes and bone weakness!

So, vegan food does way more than the removal of excess body fat, and improvement of fitness/energy & digestion.

It’s essential for good health.

Unclog arteries merely with food! Terrified of heart disease, hyper tension

& repeated bypass surgeries?

Source: “Reversing Heart Disease”, by Dr. Cardwell Esselstyn

‘The Last Heart Attack’, a CNN documentary, features many eminent doctors/researchers advocating vegan food, aside from Bill Clinton, who is vegan and has

cured his heart disease through it.

Myths: Calcium & Protein

There’s absolutely no nutrient that vegan food cannot provide!

[B12 deficiencies equally likely in non-vegans]

Calcium: Plants are better than milk

• Humans absorb only 32% of the calcium in cow’s milk, compared to the absorption rate of over 50% from plant foods!

• Many plant foods also contain more calcium than milk. Here are some:

How milk causes osteoporosis (bone weakness)

Animal protein is different from plant protein.When animal protein enters the body, it breaks into amino

acids very quickly, making the body Ph too acidic. To balance that, the body has to leach out alkaline minerals

such as Calcium and Magnesium from bones.

The countries with the highest incidence of osteoporosis (bone weakness)

are those boasting the highest consumption of dairy products!

Vegans get more than enough protein!

• Protein is a building block of any food. • So, if you consume enough calories, you are bound to get

enough protein! – Protein deficiencies mostly found in malnourished people.– In fact, excess protein leads to serious harm!

• There are plenty of protein-rich plant foods:– all pulses (dal)– soya products– all legumes

• peas like chana• beans such as rajama

– almonds & other nuts– seeds, etc.

Vegans get more than enough protein!

Many have also sustained babies and pregnancies on totally vegan food, and are healthier for it!

Quite a few world-class vegan athletes and body builders:

Long-distance runner turned renowned bodybuilder Robert Cheek

A vegan since birth;Two-time Olympian

Animal foods – a cocktail of toxins

Alarmingly high in antibiotics, pus cells, hormones (natural and artificial), mercury and pesticide

Much higher pesticide concentration than in plants

A 7 year study by Indian Council for Medical Research, across 12 states, found pesticides residues in all milk brands beyond permissible limits.

“68% of India’s milk contaminated”- Food Safety Authority of India

Awareness rising in India too!

Dr Nandita ShahWorld-renowned for reversing diabetes and heart diseases merely

through vegan food!

Dr Suketu, CEO, Asha Parekh hospitalReversed his heart disease through vegan food.Their nutritionists exclusively prescribe vegan food to patients.

Dr Kajal Bhatia (nutritionist), Dr Rupa S, Dr Pramod Tripathi (Pune) and many more

Vegan celebrities are on the rise!

‘Olympian of the Century’ Carl Lewis

Former Citibank Vice president Philip Wollen says that being vegan is“to be able to look in the mirror without feeling profound ashamed”.

Venus & Serena Williams ‘Avatar’ director James Cameron ‘Spiderman’ Tobey Maguire Actress Alicia Silverstone Singer Bryan Adams Body-builder Joel Kirkilis

And many more

The acclaimed sprinter and long jumper publically credits vegan food for enhancing his athletic performance.

Actress Amala Akkineni

Vegan for food securityGrowing loads of crops for animals and then feeding on

them is a terribly inefficient way to feed ourselves!

Up to 10 kg of grains 1kg of animal food

As much as 50% of India’s maize becomes cattle feed!

We can feed a lot more people if we all eat vegan!

Vegan for the environment

• Animal products deplete resources such as land & water massively, since the animals have to be daily fed and hydrated all through their lives.

• A UN study deems animal products culpable for – 70% of the world’s agricultural land– 18% of the greenhouse gas emissions– Considerable deforestation.

There is simply not enough land & water to sustainthe world on animal products!

Does it harm employment? Not at all A vegan world will not have fewer jobs.

• The reduced employment in the animal products industry will be compensated for by increased openings in the vegan products industry.

• Jobs decline when the demand diminishes, but veganism doesn’t reduce the demand. It only changes the demand.– And, history shows that the market is very adaptable.

• From tobacco to chemical weapons, there are many unethical things wherein people are employed, but, do we approve of such things? No, because there exist enough cruelty-free means of employment.

Agreed, but what about mosquitos?

• The idea is to try one’s sincere best to cause the least amount of cruelty necessary for survival. – Rather than killing mosquitos, keep them at bay through

cleanliness, mosquito nets and/or repellents.

• It’s one thing to inflict pain in occasional self-defence or accidentally, and totally another to do so when there is no necessity!

Animal rights – a growing trend worldwide

• The European Union and India recently banned all animal-tested cosmetics!

• The number of vegans in the US alone:– 22 Million, as per the Public Policy Polling Survey, 2013

Be it tea, curd, ice-creams or cheese, it’s all there in vegan form!

Being vegan is easier than ever!

Be it sweets, chocolates, cakes, ice-creams, curd, paneer, cheese, pizza or tea/coffee…

…almost all your favourite tastes can be found/made without animal ingredients.

• Tons of recipes that use plant based [cashew, coconut, soya, almond, rice] milk to veganize everything you love!

• Restaurants of every cuisine serve dishes that are devoid of dairy, eggs, & meat (including pizza in US Pizza/Papa Jones).

• Food aside…

• Ample options for non-leather furniture, footwear & accessories• Shampoos, soaps & cosmetics involving no animal testing/ingredients• Wool, silk, fur and honey can be easily avoided too.

Cruelty-free alternatives

Animal milk –> Plant milk from almond/coconut/soy/rice/cashewCurd –> Peanut curd, coconut curd, rice curd, cashew curdCheese –> Vegan cheeses made with cashews or tofu Butter for spread –> Nut butters (peanut, cashew, almond)Meats –> Mock/Fake (plant-based), soy nuggetsPaneer –> Tofu (same taste, better health)Tea –> Soy/cashew milk, green tea, masala tea, lemon tea, herbal teaCoffee –> Black coffee or with vanilla flavoured soy milk/coconut milkChocolates –> Nestle’s dark chocolate, Ritter Sport (2 varieties)Cakes & Ice-creams –> how-to-order info on the blog and bookletWool -> cotton, polyester, acrylic, etc.

Chocolates: Nestle’s dark chocolate, Ritter Sport (2 varieties)

Biscuits: Oreo, Parle’s bornbon, Hide-n-seek,

Monaco, etc.

Ice-creams:Berrys (soy-based),

sorbetsTofu: An excellent healthy

alternative to Paneer

Soy milk: easily available in different flavors

Sweets: Haldiram’s classicSoan Papadi (2 flavours) and

Badaam Halwa

Almost every food product you are used tois now available vegan!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hyderabad.vegans715 members… and countingOpen not only for vegans, but anyone interested

Blog: http://hyderabadvegans.wordpress.com

Meet some Hyderabad Vegans!

Aravind Arige (Management professional, 27 years):

• A non-vegeterian turned vegan• Became a runner and cyclist after turning vegan!

Sejal Parikh (Telecom engineer turned writer, 30 years):

• Also studied nutrition from Cornel University• Vegan for 3 years• Above average calcium/protein levels throughout her fully vegan pregnancy despite hardly taking any supplements!• Delivered a very healthy baby boy with 3.75 kg weight!

Meet some Hyderabad Vegans!

Dheeraj Chakilam (11th class student, 18 years):

• Became vegan on his own 1.5 years ago, and inspired his parents to follow suit!• His sinusitis vanished after cutting out animal products.

In fact, from asthma to severe joint pain, several serious illnesses have been cured through vegan food within this group itself!

Suresh Panchal (Business man, 35 years):

One of the many vegan body-builders!

Give veganism a chance

• Increasingly many people make the complete switch instantly.

• Others start by reducing the non-vegan consumption maximally, and typically fix a date by which to phase it out entirely.

For health. For the planet. For the animals

Thanks!