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    SHARAN/Ensuring compassion for all when we holiday

Ensuring compassion for all when we holiday

 
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ABOUT US HEALTH PROGRAMMES RECIPES RESOURCES
 
 

From the desk of Dr Nandita Shah

School vacations are coming up and holidays may be getting planned. We look forward to these times all year through. It’s a time when the family can be together, travel to different places and make memories. I remember when I was young, a holiday would involve a visit to the zoo or a place like Sea World and rides on horses or elephants. 

When I made the connection between the dairy and eggs I was consuming and the immense cruelty involved in producing them, I became vegan. It was only after I stopped consuming them that I understood the tremendous health benefits, simply because eating them was like putting diesel in a car that runs on petrol. The wrong fuel doesn’t work even if we have been consuming it for generations. 

On becoming vegan, I started questioning everything that we did in our culture and the logic or ethics behind it. This led me to question the ethics of exploiting animals for things other than food – clothing, experimentation, entertainment and even pets.

In this newsletter, you may learn something about the exploitation of animals that you may not have questioned before. I urge you to think about everything. I do believe that biodiversity is the key to our existence on the planet and that animals have rights just as we humans do. Sometimes we fail to recognise that animals in captivity suffer just as much as we did during the isolation of the pandemic, only longer or more severely. If animals have been harmed for your pleasure in any way, do question it.

Salads are awesome for the summer. They are quick to whip up and light on your tummy too. So join us along with your cooks and elders for our Hindi Salad Revolution where you will learn everything about salads and some amazing recipes too! To register for this free event, click here.

 
 

My cats cope well even in our absence

When Joylyn Fernandes from Bahrain needs to travel, she makes sure her cats are comfortable and stress-free in their own home.

We usually go to our home country for a month and on shorter vacations to other places.

I have 3 rescued cats, Caribou, Gracie & and the visually impaired Rafael. We do not send them to any pet sitter as we believe that it may stress them out. Instead, we hire our helper to come in for a few extra hours daily. He feeds them twice a day and spends some time with them. 

What works well is that the helper and the cats know and like each other. We check in with him daily to make sure all is well and if he needs anything. We have a WiFi-enabled CCTV installed. This helps us check on the cats through our phone 24X7. We call out to them through the camera which tends to get some funny reactions from them.

I also hand over a key to my friends to check in on them whenever they can. I keep all their favourite foods, treats and litter stocked up.

This way, my cats have the comfort of being in familiar surroundings and cope well, even in our absence.

Date Nut Balls

Make and carry along these divine bliss balls so that you can indulge your sweet tooth even when travelling.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dates, pitted
  • ½ cup mixed nuts
  • Ginger, as per taste
  • ⅛ tsp unrefined salt

Method

In a blender, process the dates with the nuts and ginger. Add salt and blend to a smooth paste. Roll to make small balls and serve.

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 SHARAN’s 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. SHARAN’s 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.

 

Live and let live
                  

Our planet belongs to us and it belongs to the animals too. Most species of animals have lived on the earth longer than we humans have. However, humans have been exercising dominion over animals, not only in the food industry but also in the pharma and cosmetics industry, entertainment, fashion and pet breeding. Think for a while, if we were in their place, would we like what they go through? By choosing not to be a part of their suffering, we can contribute to their welfare. Here are a few ways you can do that while on holiday.

1. Avoid zoos

Zoos, contrary to popular belief, are rarely safe havens for animals. Animals which should have been roaming freely in the wild are confined to tiny, cramped areas just for our viewing pleasure. They are miserable in these artificial habitats for their entire short lives. By not visiting a zoo, we won’t be a part of this animal exploitation.

2. Refuse to ride

Ponies, horses, donkeys, camels and elephants are common modes of transport in famous tourist spots. However, these animals are often not fed enough and are made to work extended hours. Riding on starving, sick and terrified animals should not be anybody’s idea of fun. By choosing not to ride on them, we can show them the compassion and respect they deserve. 

3. Enjoy safaris responsibly

Safaris may be a great way to witness the wild, but we need to be mindful that we are only a guest there. We must not encroach on their territory, stay quiet at all times and respect their “homes”. Follow the instructions of your guide.

4. Scuba diving/snorkelling mindfully

Deep in the oceans, we may want to touch the exotic undersea life or get tempted to feed them. This can harm them and their surroundings. Let’s leave the underwater habitat as we found it.

5. Visiting someone who has a pet

If you are invited to a home with pets, you can carry gifts for them, like a toy or a feeding bowl. If you aren’t comfortable around pets, inform the pet parents in advance. Never feed someone’s pet without their permission.

6. Leaving behind your own pets

Our pets are family. It is ideal to leave them with family or friends who would take care of them like their own. Also, now we have the option of paid facilities that care for pets and give regular updates to the parents.

7. Travelling with your pet

Taking vacations with pets increases bonding and creates precious memories. Many hotels and restaurants now are pet-friendly. Road trips are the best way to travel with pets. Indian Railways also allows pets in some classes of travel.

 
 
https://sharan-india.org/people/reyna-rupani/

This newsletter was 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.

Edited by Seema Nayak, who has benefitted a great deal by going on a whole food plant-based diet.

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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