Simple Steps to Save the Earth

I recently read a book, 50 simple steps to save the earth from global warming.

Step number 4 states, "Go vegetarian for a day"

How can vegetarian diet reduce global warming?

According to a report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation.

A vegetarian diet devoid of animal products, is the most eco-friendly diet. A plant based diet, also known as vegan diet is not only good for our health, but also great for our planet because, factory farms intensively confine millions of animals, the toll of such industrialized practices weighs heavily on the environment, depleting resources and contaminating habitats across the world. Toxins, chemicals, gases, and huge amounts of manure from these facilities pollute the soil, water, and air, causing massive environmental degradation.

To know more about vegetarian diet visit CNN website, International vegetarian union, and Science daily

To find eco-friendly recipes visit, Fat free vegan, vegan chef , and VRG

Vegan Fruit Cake

I adore fruit cakes. Growing up, I vividly remember buying fruit cake from bakeries, near my school in Bangalore. Brimming with dried fruits and nuts, fruit cakes from Bangalore bakeries were moist and very tasty. Fruit cake is also called as "plum cake" in India. Since I was not a vegan decades ago, I used to relish eating fruit cakes loaded with eggs.

Recently I saw a recipe for fruit cake in one of my favorite food blogs, aayi. I was very happy to find a fruit cake recipe which was very easy to veganize. I used soy garden natural butter spread instead of butter.

The fruit cake was delicious. I felt as if I was eating the fruit cake, from Bangalore
bakeries. I'm sure I will often make this cake.

India's Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi

To my mind the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being. I should be unwilling to take the life of a lamb for the sake of the human body. I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Today is India's independence day. Mahatma Gandhi played a key role in India's freedom struggle. The principles of ahimsa - nonviolence, initiated by Gandhi was the foundation for India's freedom struggle against the British.

Mahatma Gandhi led a very simple life. Gandhi ate simple vegetarian food. Gandhi not only worked for the welfare of human beings, but he also wanted all the living creatures across the world to be happy. To know more about Gandhi visit website1 and website2 .

October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, is also World Farm Animals Day . To know more about Gandhi's views on animals, visit website1 and website2
and website3

I sometimes feel that Mahatma Gandhi would have thrived on a vegan diet if he was alive, as you can find diary-free milk in India these days. I'm sure
there will be many vegans in India, if many diary alternatives such as rice milk, almond milk, soy butter, nut butters, vegan chocolates and vegan ice cream is widely available.

Vegan Diet and Global Warming

Everyone these days is concerned about global warming. Some studies have shown that if people thrive on a vegan diet for at least a couple of days in a week, they can drastically reduce their carbon footprint. In short, vegan diet is not only good for your health, it's also great for our planet.
Read website1 and website2 to know more about the impact of vegan diet on the environment.

In western countries, you can find numerous diary alternatives and meat alternatives like soy milk, soy butter, tofu and tempeh. You can also find diary-free ice cream and chocolates in some supermarkets. In United States, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe and Health Food Superstores carry variety of diary and meat alternatives.

Vegan Blogs: Thanks to the numerous vegan food blogs, it's really so easy to find delicious vegan recipes, tips, and reviews of vegan food items. Visit blogs such as Fatfree vegan, Urban Vegan, Vegan Dad, Dinner with Dilip, and Holy Cow to get a glimpse of vegan dishes.

Vegan Magazines : Veg News is a very popular magazine geared toward vegan lifestyle. Veg Family is an online vegan magazine, filled with numerous health articles, recipes and tips to lead a cruel-free lifestyle. There is also a discussion forum where you can discuss everything from vegan recipes to vegan friendly
restaurants.

Vegan Chocolate Cupcake

I love cupcakes. Recently I made vegan chocolate cupcakes from the cookbook - Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. You can find the recipe for this delicious cupcake by visiting Chow website.

The cupcakes were moist and very tasty. I did a basic frosting consisting of sugar, soy milk and Earth Balance Soy Garden Natural Buttery Spread. The frosting was a bit mushy, but it tasted great.

Veganomicon

Numerous vegan dishes made by following the recipes from the most popular vegan cookbook - Veganomicon, can be seen in many of the vegan food blogs.

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook is brimming with so many recipes for soups, salads, and dishes made with tofu, tempeh, seitan, beans and lentils. Here are some recipes which you can try from this amazing cookbook, by visiting the website, postpunkkitchen.

Recently I made seitan, by following the recipe in Veganomicon. The taste and texture of seitan was wonderful. I also made Caramel-apple-spice cupcakes with caramel-penuche frosting. This cupcake made with tart Granny smith apples was delicious.

Trader Joe's

In my local grocery store, I get most of the vegan staples such as tofu and soy milk. But, I can't find vegan dark chocolates and ice cream.

I often shop at Trader Joe's for decadent chocolates, delicious ice cream, varieties of spicy chips and salsas.

Visit Trader Joe's website to find a store in your area.