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From the desk of Dr Nandita Shah...
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Choosing a plant-based lifestyle can sometimes feel challenging โ especially when the rest of the world is travelling, celebrating, or dining out in traditional ways. I remember when I first learned about the realities of the dairy industry. I knew I had to give up dairy products, but I worried about missing out on cheese, ice cream, and other familiar treats.
Necessity, however, is the mother of invention! I began experimenting in my kitchen, creating delicious dairy-free alternatives. As the SHARAN team grew, so did our collection of ideas, and today we have nearly 600 whole food, plant-based recipes on our website!
To make it even easier, we also offer wonderful cooking classes designed to bring the best of healthy plant-based eating right to your kitchen. The best part? You get to enjoy everything you love, while healing your body and living in alignment with your values.
I completely understand the need to travel, eat out, and visit friends and family. Thankfully, times are changing! Many ready-made plant-based options are now available for those occasional indulgences. Most good restaurants offer vegan choices, and amazing vegan-only eateries can be found in many major cities. On a recent trip to the US, I found good vegan restaurants whenever needed, many were organic too. And even airlines offered (average) vegan meals!
Sadly, many people only start focusing on their health when itโs too late. So letโs celebrate that weโve already chosen the right path โ and inspire others to join us!
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Highlights
At SHARAN, we take a holistic approach to health, addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-being with both our events and our consultations. Our disease-specific and healthy cooking workshops support physical healing, while our Heal with Pen sessions and Brain Exercises with Eco-Kaki nurture mental wellness. For spiritual growth, our book reading sessions offer meaningful insights. Join us wherever you feel the need for support. Click here to see whatโs coming up.
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"I Receive a Lot of Compliments Saying I Don't Look My Age"
Sonali Ravindrakumar, US-based mom and IT professional, shares how her sustainable lifestyle helped her win the Mrs. Universe USA Classic 2025 crown!
โI discovered Dr Nandita Shahโs video on Facebook in 2014, and it created an โAhaโ moment for me. I immediately visited her website, enrolled in her online courses, and transitioned to a whole-food plant-based diet. Convincing my family to join me was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Magically, my older son (then 8 years old) gave up his favourite treats, choosing compassion over indulgence. My younger son, who was born with dairy allergies, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Even my husband, initially sceptical about oil-free cooking, came to love the flavours of healthier food.
The results spoke for themselves: my husbandโs allergies vanished, my sonโs morning sneezing disappeared, and I noticed a significant reduction in facial puffiness. When I began competing in beauty pageants in 2023, I never had to crash diet or rely on expensive treatments. My sustainable lifestyle naturally kept my body, skin, and aura pageant-ready!
Winning Mrs. Universe USA Classic 2025 is something I owe to my plant-based whole foods lifestyle โ and to Dr Shahโs inspiring platform. People often tell me I donโt look my age. Dr Shah and her team are truly making a difference, healing the planet, and giving a voice to the voiceless. They have my utmost respect.โ
Recipe - Tofu Cutlets
Ingredients
- 1 packet (200 g) tofu (frozen ahead)
- 3 medium-sized potatoes, steamed well
- 1 small beetroot, steamed well
- 2 carrots, steamed well
- ยฝ cup diced green beans or peas, steamed well
- 1 green chilli and a small piece of ginger, ground together to a paste
- Unrefined salt to taste
- Whole wheat bread crumbs made from whole wheat bread
Method
Remove the tofu from the packet; pour out all the water and squeeze to remove all the water from within. The texture of the tofu will change due to freezing. Crumble this and mash with the vegetables. Add salt and ginger-chilli paste and form into the shapes desired. Roll in bread crumbs and pan fry (without oil), on a cast iron griddle (tava), first on one side and then on the other, on medium-low heat, until golden brown and done.
Serve with coriander-mint chutney.
Serves 3-4
Food For The Mind
FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP
If you love Facebook, then join us to be supported on your plant-based journey. We offer 2 possibilities.
1. SHARAN India is SHARANโs main Facebook page which you can like and follow for getting useful daily updates and news from the plant-based health world. You will also get news about the latest SHARAN events, see testimonials, and more.
2. SHARANโs Vegan Support Group is an open support group to know more about vegan/plant-based lifestyle. Here you can ask questions and share inspiring stories, tips, recipes, etc.
All our doctors and presenters will be here to answer your questions and give you tips. If you have attended our events join this group to be a part of our family.
Please like the main SHARAN page and join the group(s) applicable to you.
Other platforms to be connected and know moreโฆ
- WhatsApp
- Instagram
- YouTube โ English & Hindi
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Celebrate Being Plant-Based
If youโre already living plant-based, congratulate yourself! There are so many reasons to celebrate. Here are just a few:
1. It's the Best for Your Body
We are naturally drawn to fruits, vegetables, beans, and seeds โ foods we can even eat raw. Our bodies are designed for these nourishing foods, keeping us vibrant and healthy.
2. You Are Helping End Hunger
Currently, three-fourths of the worldโs agricultural land is used to raise livestock. This inefficient system feeds animals instead of directly feeding people, contributing to global hunger while nearly 9% of the worldโs population goes to bed hungry each night.
3. You Are Saving Lives
Every living being deserves to live without fear or suffering. By eating plant-based, youโre standing up for the voiceless โ saving lives every single day. Each year, around 90 billion land animals are slaughtered for food.
4. You Are Fighting Climate Change
Raising livestock emits more greenhouse gases than all the worldโs vehicles combined. By being plant-based, you are part of the solution.
5. You Are Protecting Biodiversity
Forests are often destroyed to make space for raising animals, leading to habitat loss for countless species. By choosing plants, youโre helping preserve precious ecosystems.
6. You Are Saving the Oceans
Over 70% of our planet is covered by oceans, which are being overfished at alarming rates. Industrial trawlers destroy marine life indiscriminately. By choosing plant-based, youโre helping protect ocean life.
7. You Are Conserving Water
It takes enormous amounts of water to raise livestock. By eating plants, your water footprint is drastically reduced.
8. You Are Reducing Plastic Pollution
While fruits and vegetables can be bought loose or with reusable bags, meat and dairy often require extensive packaging and refrigeration.
9. You Are Living Your Values
At heart, we are compassionate beings. By choosing plant-based living, you align your actions with your values of kindness and non-violence.
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All Events
Most of our events are online now, so you can join us from anywhere in the world. Click to know moreโฆ
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| What is SHARAN? |
Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to Animals
and Nature (SHARAN) is a social enterprise with
the goal of spreading awareness about holistic
health and an ecologically sustainable
compassionate lifestyle.
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| Compiled & Edited by: |
This newsletter is compiled by SHARAN Head of Mumbai, Reyna K Rupani. She facilitates the Six Weeks to Health Gain & Weight Loss program and also conducts health talks for schools, groups, corporates and more.
April 2025 | Issue: 241
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