Birthdays with a difference

Watch how celebrations can be mindful and cruelty-free

Delightful Date Sweets

This is an easy-peasy recipe which is a great alternative to sweets (mithais) which are otherwise laden with refined sugars, milk, oil and more. It’s pretty quick to make too!

Ingredients

• 1 packet of the best quality whole black dates with seeds
• 100 g walnuts
• 100 g almonds
• 1 tbsp date paste

Method

Slit each date and carefully remove the seed from within, without breaking the date.

Variety 1

In half the dates, in place of the seed, stuff  a piece of walnut, so that a part of the walnut sticks out. That’s it! And it tastes great.

Variety 2 

This one needs a little more effort but it is nice to serve both the varieties together. Pour boiling water over the almonds and wait for 3 – 4 minutes. Peel them. Grind the almonds with the date paste, form ovals and stuff the dates with these. Serve.

Variations Serve the dates stuffed with blanched whole almonds or whole cashew nuts. Serves 2

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.

Infuse health into festivitie

True enjoyment comes from health. Only if you are healthy can you enjoy anything. Mostly during festivals, weddings and special occasions, we abuse our minds and bodies with the wrong food, stress and lack of sleep. Instead, we can celebrate with health and mindfulness. You will realise that you enjoy it even more, as the satisfaction generated is multi-fold. You have to try it to believe it. Find out how…

1. Be open to being different  Most of us like to be in our comfort zones and simply do what others do. Can you lead through example and make a difference? Can you be unconcerned about what others think and do what is right?

2. Understand what you are celebrating Sadly, most celebrations have now become all about the invites, decor, food, clothing, photographs and show of opulence. We seem to have lost sight of what is important. Take some time and reflect upon the ‘why’, then the ‘how’ will become easy.

3. Plan things differently Think long-term and plan things with low wastage in mind. From e-invites to eco-friendly practices, to thoughtful gifting to plant-based food, so much can be done.

4. Involve others Instead of having a birthday party, why not spend some time in an orphanage or an old age home? Why not go for a tree plantation drive on your anniversary?

5. Gift sensibly Most of us own so many things now that we have stopped valuing anything. Thoughtful gestures make a difference. Consider gifting air-purifier plants that are easy to maintain. Why not make healthy sweets yourself as gifts? Gratitude books or experiences and workshops that will be cherished are great ideas too.

6. Be mindful Of what and how much you eat and what you say and do. Eating at home will reduce eating outside. Leaving earlier from a celebration will ensure your sleep is not cut down.

7. Support newbies Spend some time researching and supporting young or new entrepreneurs, designers, bakers, home chefs, decorators, etc. who are trying to make a difference.

8. Have limits Overindulgence reduces the fun! When you party selectively, you truly enjoy yourself.