Cancer

Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast –  tumours have shrunken!

Update on Nov 2016
When I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma cancer in the left breast in May 2016, my doctor told me that if I didn’t go for an immediate full mastectomy, and then chemotherapy and radiation, then survival after 45 days was difficult. So I started researching. I learnt that chemotherapy drugs totally destroy the immune system, they can kill the cancer cells but cannot kill the cancer stem cells and most importantly, that the chemo drugs are highly carcinogenic thus cause secondary grade cancer in many cases.

I also learnt that cancer cells are present in every one and right from the time of our birth. Our immune system controls them. Thats when it struck me that all I have to do is boost my immune system with nutrition which will take care of the active cancer cells in my body. My search for a nutritionist led me to this wonderful organisation SHARAN. I very happily adopted the Whole Foods Plant based lifestyle immediately. I went for their extremely helpful cooking classes too.

Now my diet is 60% – 70% raw and along with Naturopathy and SHARAN’s recommended Whole Food’s Plant based diet with God’s Blessings I am reversing the cancer very happily without absolutely any difficulties.

Two months after following this diet in the month of August 2016 I had done a thermogram which showed absolutely no metastasis. Out of the 2 lumps 1 lump showed benign and the 2nd lump had an inverted. The CA 15.3 tests which I regularly do till date are very much in the normal range thus showing absolutely no metatasis. The lumps are reducing in size day by day.

From the day of my diagnosis i.e May 2016 till date i.e November 2016 (6 months+) I have not missed a single day of my workout or my work.

Update July 2017
I got the ultrasound done today morning and I am so happy to share with you the lumps have almost reduced in half. The radiologist was very keen to know what my protocol is because of the  remarkable reduction in the size of the lumps. I am really blessed to share this news and am sending you the reports. Thank you thank you thank you for starting SHARAN  – Nisha Koiri, Mumbai

Surviving Cancer for 10 years!

Ten years ago Jaishree Kannan was diagnosed with cancer, which relapsed within nine months. Her body could not go through chemotherapy again and she decided to do things differently.

Read on as she shares her story of healing naturally…

My life took a turn in 2007 when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I went through surgery and many rounds of chemotherapy and after a few months the doctor told me I was fine and to continue with the regular check-ups. But my problem did not end there, within nine months my cancer relapsed and this time my body could not take the strain of another surgery and further chemos. I felt so sick and miserable and I wondered if I could make it. At this time I was forced to look for alternative methods to deal with my illness and the side effects of my chemos. It’s then,  that I began doing my own research and stumbled upon many wonderful articles and websites including SHARAN talking about whole plant based food to reverse illness and that gave me hope to heal my cancer. During the same time my acupressure therapist encouraged me to drink green smoothies and also taught me how to make then. Until then I had never eaten a raw vegetable in my life and also I was very picky on fruits so I hardly ate them too.

One fine morning I just started to eat differently, I ate a whole lot of fruits on an empty stomach, green juices, and huge bowls of salads. Initially I was too scared and my family too was equally tensed and wondered if I was doing the correct thing for one is advised during chemotherapy not to eat raw. I decided to take the risk for at that time I had no better option. Within a couple of days I noticed that I was actually feeling better and all my mouth ulcers just disappeared. I was amazed and wondered how it worked and I became curious and began to explore by reading books and watching films in my quest to know more about the plant based diet and its amazing benefits. A new world opened up in front of me and there was no looking back. I was later fortunate to attend many of SHARAN’s workshops and I understood this philosophy better and also met the most inspiring people in my life and I began feeling truly inspired & supported.

It’s now ten years since I have overcome my cancer and I lead a very healthy and joyous life. I vouch for the whole plant based diet to reverse any kind of illness or to remain healthy.

Diabetes

My readings almost non diabetic!

I want to share with you this amazing fact that my when my diabetes was diagnosed approximately five years back,  my fasting blood sugar was an alarming 265 and HbA1c 8.5  I was put on medication which kept increasing in dosage, but  I could bring it down only to 7.2.

Last year I turned vegan, by just following SHARAN online as suggested by my homeopath Dr Devang Shah, and managed to get my levels to 7. After doing the Reversing Diabetes and Hypertension seminar with Dr Nandita in January 2017, I took the 30 days challenge and then went for my annual medicals. My HbA1c level was 6.5 (the lowest in the last five years)!

The results were a great motivation for me to continue following the program and four months later when it was suggested that I reduce the medicines, I was surprisingly shocked to see my readings were almost a non-diabetic level.

I cannot explain the amount of gratitude I feel towards Dr Grazillia, my SHARAN consultant, Dr Nandita Shah and the rest of SHARAN team for guiding me through this journey.

Manager/Cabin Crew with Air India, 48 year old Suman Raina

On the road – Reversal of Diabetes

3 months with SHARAN and still continuing……….

I was a chronic diabetic and hypertensive for the past 10 odd years and my HbA1c levels were way off the normal range (>10). It was a glance at an article which appeared in Mumbai Mirror around the 1st week of April which mentioned that ‘diabetes can be reversed’. Reversal of diabetes ???….. That piqued my curiosity and prompted my wife to follow this up with Dr. Nandita Shah and we eventually met up with Dr. Rashmi Menon (Mulund, Mumbai) for the first meeting.

Typical case history was shared and dietary changes were recommended by Dr. Menon, primarily giving up of animal and animal based products (read non-vegetarian food, milk, curds, buttermilk, etc.), reduction of oil or rather oil-free diet, no fried food, etc. in short move to organic food. Thus began my journey to reverse diabetes from 11th April 2016 onwards………

Medications on then were – Glicazide (60 mg) in the morning, before breakfast, Metformin (500 mg) after lunch and dinner. Over a period of 3 months, my blood glucose levels (both fasting and post prandial) and HbA1c dropped to normal limits (5.8). Today I am just on a single tablet of Metformin (500 mg) in the afternoon. Hope to be off the pill within the next 3 months…….

Thanks to SHARAN – Dr. Rashmi Menon and my wife (Sharda) for her continuous support for the beginning of my diabetes – free journey – Mr Bharat Mani

HbA1c down from 10.9 in Nov 2015  to 5.5 in May 2016 and no medicines!

I was detected as pre-diabetic in 2007. As per my doctor’s advice I started burning calories. Things were ok till Nov 2015 when we went on an Andamans Tour. There I lost my brand new mobile. This and other tensions at office resulted in a spike in my sugar levels. My fasting sugars and PPBS sugars were 190 and 290 with HbA1c, 10.9  and urine sugar 2++. I was immediately put on medication of 4 tablets, 2 for diabetes one for BP and one for lipids.

A month later, by mid December 2015, the results were just the same. My dose was doubled with an additional tablet before the lunch. From 1st January 16, I started exercise, brisk walking after every meal etc. I could manage the numbers to the required levels of 88 and 97 (F and PP). My physician was happy with me and reduced the tablet before the lunch by the last week of Jan 16. Meanwhile I started feeling hungry even immediately after meals.

I started High Intensive Interval Training(HIIT) exercise, vegan diet, organic and whole foods, green smoothies, oil free cooking, salads. I saw some of SHARAN’s YouTube videos including “Health in your Hands – at Ahmadabad”. In a period of 2 months I reduced by 5 inches and about 18-20Kg! My HbA1c has come down from 10.9 to 5.5! Right now I have stopped all medicines!

I myself along with my wife Jyoti are “SHARAN” to you and would like to contribute to “SHARAN” as volunteers – Jayant Kirpekar, Pune.

Medicines reduced, blood sugars and blood pressure lower in just 2 weeks!

I was a strict vegetarian from birth, and in the recent years mainly egg free. Two weeks ago, I gave up milk and milk products  (which I used to take in plenty) after watching Dr Nandita Shah’s on You Tube.

A week later, I attended Dr. Shah’s seminar, “Reversing Diabetes and Hypertension ” in Dubai. I had both diabetes and high blood pressure. With 2, 500 mg metformins daily my random blood sugar averaged 136  mg/dL. I am also on 2 medications for blood pressure with which my readings were around 160/94.

Following the seminar, I completely stopped using oil in any form. After being vegan for 14 days and oil free for 7 days the following changes occurred.

• My fasting sugar readings are consistently stabilizing around 90-95 mg/dL,  despite taking only 1/2 tablet (instead of my usual 2 tablets).
• My blood pressure is stable around 131/75.
• I systematically monitor and record these readings in order to take the chart to my doctor to taper down my medications. .

I am a long time yoga and meditation practitioner. It is my firm understanding that all diseases are the shameful reflections of our anti-natural life style. I realized how a “small” abrasion in my food habits derailed my health and how easily I could begin the reversal by correcting these food habits.

Dear friends, health is our birth right! If we lose our health, it is only because we do not live, eat and think correctly as intended and designed by God . SHARAN-Vegan is the “airplane route” to help you win back your health – no matter what  your illness is.
– Kandanat G Nandkumar, Dubai.

My diabetes and Psoriasis has disappeared

Its almost a year now since I attended Dr Nandita’s one day workshop. My diabetes has permanently disappeared. My psoriasis has disappeared. I’m losing weight gradually but surely. I do enjoy a weekly Sunday brunch where I eat everything but now I naturally don’t feel like eating the dahi wadas and Bengali mithai. That’s me today in the left and me about 10 months ago. Thank you SHARAN. – Sharmila Karnad, Dubai.

I got better despite all my travelling!

‘Just to let you know my diabetes is doing wonderfully well and since I attended your seminar. I have cut down my Metformin Tablets from 4 x 500mg to 2 x 500mg a day and my insulin dose is almost 40% less than before the seminar. I also feel ‘full of energy’. This improvement has happened despite my intense travelling in the last 12 weeks. I carried my plant milk with me and almost totally cut out dairy. I am now in the process of reducing my insulin doses further as I am suffering from ‘low sugar’ ‘now and then’ at the moment despite attending several parties and having a ‘fair bit’ to eat. I sincerely thank Ramesh, Milan and yourself for changing my perspective on diabetes. I have a similar situation with both my brothers who both have diabetes and they have noticed a tremendous improvement since stopping dairy products.’ I have recommended the non-dairy diet to many of my friends, and they have all seen improvement in their diabetes.

– Bharat Shah, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, UK 4 months after attending Reversing Diabetes Seminar 

Reduced insulin usage from 175 units to 75 units in just 21 days!

“My sugars have improved considerably, sometime they are falling down to 69 and I have to keep on reducing my insulin! From 175 units a day, I have now reached to 75 units. My weight is stabilizing and in fact my temperament has also changed positively.” – Naresh Shahani

My Journey…

My name is Ramesh Hirani. Two years ago, at age 39, I thought I lived a fairly healthy lifestyle with 4 hours of working out every week. Then the bubble burst! After a routine check up for excess thirst I got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. There had been no warning signs, no pre diabetic situation – all of a sudden I had a very high sugar count. The doctors wanted me to begin immediate medication.

This diagnosis was a complete shock to me. I was confused and felt angry. I felt that I had let my family down by allowing my health to deteriorate. These feelings started to affect my energy, work and impacted my personal and professional relationships.

Once reality set in, I decided that I would not let my diagnosis and disease beat me. I accepted my situation and chose to take responsibility and started researching for a natural way to combat diabetes. During this search, a friend recommended Gabriel Cousens’ book “There is a Cure for Diabetes”. This book gave me hope. It made me realise that I could actually reverse my diabetes rather than living off medication for the rest of my life.

I followed the principles of the book and within a couple of weeks my sugar levels already started to drop. I felt much more positive that there was a way out of my situation. However, after 4 months my blood sugar levels were still above what they should be and I wanted to eliminate my diabetes once and for all.

I decided to join SHARAN’s 21 day reversal program in June 2014. This was based on very similar principles to what I had learnt in Gabriel Cousens’ book. The program, though, went beyond all my expectations. I learnt to tweak my diet so that my results continued to improve. We were taught about the causes of diabetes, what happens in the body, what medication does, how the disease can be completely reversed and how we could start living a normal life again.

Many participants were on a lot of medication and most had been ill for much longer than I had. By the end of the 3 weeks, all participants were down to normal blood sugar levels and medication was either completely eliminated or significantly reduced.

The difference in my vitality and general health has improved immensely and has already inspired others to learn more and start healing for themselves. This is why I have decided to bring this ground-breaking and proven system to the UK- starting with a 1 day Reversing Diabetes workshop with Dr Nandita Shah, the founder of SHARAN.

I want to support people in their healing so that they can be free of this dreadful disease just like I am. Learning that diabetes can be reversed has liberated me. I feel I have my life back, more importantly, it also means my wife and kids have me back healthier, happier and grateful. —Ramesh Hirani, London

Magic is the word

19th December 2012, the day after the Reversing Diabetes seminar, will always be remembered as a very very special day in my life. My lifestyle had been extreme; too much of non veg and liquor were just a part of life. My sugar levels i have never seen less than 250 and my dosage was increasing. Despite medicines before every meal my sugars were not in control.

Now its exactly two weeks since I started following your advice. I use to take 3 rounds of my park and my legs use to pain and get stiff I had to rest for 15 min and then take another 3 rounds. Now I take 12 rounds at a stretch and feel that I can take another 10 rounds.

On day 3 my sugar levels were below 140 and from day 5 my minimum is 80 and maximum is 133. I am monitoring it daily and getting motivated day by day. A week later I went to my doctor to get myself checked. His first comment was that I looked better. My blood pressure was a perfect 80/120 compared to 110/180, 15 days before.  My random sugar was just 90. 15 days back my fasting was 215 and PP was 280.

My weight had also decreased from 97.5kg to 93.5. The doctor cut down my diabetic and blood pressure medications. In just 2 weeks it looks like magic. Now I am not afraid of checking the sugar levels and BP any time and feel proud after that. WHAT AN EYE OPENER SEMINAR AND RESULTS , “MAGIC” IS THE WORD.” —Mohit Sawhney, New Delhi.

Vegan for life!

‘After one year of being on a vegan diet, I’m off my diabetes medication, I have more energy, have lost weight and have peace of mind. It’s not just for a year, I’m vegan for life!’ – Suvarna, Avvari, Hyderabad.

Amazing!

“I have been following your recommendations though not fully but still I am experiencing results. I could reduce my dose of insulin by 8 units. This is something amazing! Thanks for making us aware about the possibility of reversing diabetes.” —Shilpa Abhyankar, Bahrain

Better health

“I started on a plant based diet immediately and I am able to see the results. I have reduced my insulin by four units and am able to maintain better results. Apart from better diabetes management there are other positive indications of better health.” —Anuradha Goparaju, Bahrain

Beneficial to health

“My parents have been following a healthy, vegan diet ever since they attended the Reversing Diabetes seminar. My father saw immediate health benefits in the form of significant drops in his sugar levels. My mother has been regularly preparing curd and buttermilk out of soy and peanut milks but the best part is that neither of my parents even feel a *need* for yogurt of any sort on a daily basis. My father eats salad with his lunch and that acts as the required ‘coolant’ for his tongue and stomach after any spicy meal. Additionally, while both my grandmothers stay at my parents home, even they voluntarily follow a vegan diet and are full of praise towards its health benefits. Thank you!” —Susmitha Subbaraju, Bengaluru (A cooking expert and vegan)

Reduced diabetic medication

“I have so far reduced my diabetic medication by approximately 30% while still maintaining average 14-day levels of approximately 6.4 (which were never below 7.6 minimum previously even with the larger doses of medication). It is still early days but I believe that this is a much healthier way of eating and I have only missed cheese (my old favourite!!!) on one specific occasion. I started this programme at 69.2 kilos and and now at 67.6 with regular exercise. Thank you, once again, for your insight into how we can reverse diabetes.” —George F Middleton, Bahrain

Life changed for good

“Thank you so much for giving us this life-saving seminar. Since 21st January 2012 my life has changed for good. In less than 3 months I have lost 9 kg and am still counting. Sometimes I get cravings and indulge but you have given me that extra push that I was waiting for to get on track. I have been able to make better choices and think wisely. My blood sugar seems to be getting better. Thank you and I am doing as much as I can to spread the word.” —Raees Abdulkhader, Bahrain

Sharpest drop in diabetes

“My HBA1C has dropped to 6.2. The sharpest drop in my “Diabetic career”!! Also the point to note is it’s more than 7 years since the diabetes was detected and it’s only getting better instead of worsening! Our diet is changing the natural history of this rajrog! Thank you all, especially Dr. Nandita & Dr Rupa.” —Dr Munjal Thakkar, Ahmedabad

Off all tablets for 9 months

“For the past 9 months I am off all tablets and enjoying life thanks to SHARAN’s program. Today I did my quarterly checking of blood sugar levels. Fasting was 89.6, and PP was 105.1, HbA1C was 4.97% despite no medicine for diabetes for past 9 months!” —Prof Vijay Joshi, Pune (Prof Joshi also now runs his own nutritional health organization called Yuktahar.)

Hypertension

I wish to see a healthy India!

Shammi Sethi an avid cyclist and health enthusiast started his plant based journey only four months ago. Delighted with the changes that he experienced, he now wants to support others and has actually launched an online organic store called Rare Earth in Mumbai and is going to come up with a physical store soon!

It has been four months now that I have been on this journey. I eat only organic food, no processed food and a lot of raw food.I have been a cyclist since childhood and very fitness conscious so I thought I was eating healthy because I was vegetarian. I had a lot of cottage cheese for protein and pulses, beans, vegetables,etc. but still felt lethargic. Something was wrong I had to get better.

Then suddenly one day I was diagnosed with hypertension. I was lucky because it was detected just a day prior to me going for a 150 kms cycle ride. My blood pressure was very high and fluctuating and I didn’t have a choice but to start medication. I wasn’t happy because I don’t like chemicals and the medicine could never heal me. I was told I have to take it for life, and not one but 3 bp meds including 1 beta blocker and  a statin (please check online for the side effects of these medicines).

A year prior to this I met my dietician who asked me to take some tests before suggesting a diet. My cholesterol  was high plus vitamin D was less. I followed it for a while then gave up because I was busy with work. I was stupid and that lead to my hypertension. If I would have followed the diet I would have been okay.
Luckily for me I was guided to Bhavna Kapoor, a nutrionist with SHARAN and after following their diet, I am having only one tablet instead 4! After this one tablet too, my bp is in control and in fact the doctor said he would see for another few months and then remove this tablet too!

I am happy that I was dedicated though I got my tiffin from Shishir Khandelwal and for dinner supervised my food and now have learnt to cook even! Whenever I go for dinner to anyone’s house I carry my own food. I don’t use the microwave oven, no non stick cookware only steel or iron and only eat organic food. My energy levels have definitely gone up. I’m feeling great.

I felt that it was a struggle procuring good organic food. I had to order online or call different suppliers which was painful, so I thought of putting all products under a single roof – Rare Earth – the organic store! I truly wish and hope to see a healthy India. – Shammi Sethi, Mumbai

Blood pressure controlled with no medicines

“I had blood pressure for two years. I tried medicines but they did not work for me as my BP used to drop. After I went completely on Dr Nandita Shah’s diet, I started getting normal reading. My BP used to be 180/90 or 170/100, now it shows 120/70!” – Vijaylakshmi Singh

Reversed diabetes , hypertension and obesity in 4 months 

“I am a General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at BCJ Hospital and Asha Parekh Research Centre, Mumbai. Also I am its Trustee and Chief Executive. Being a doctor it was evident to me that this method could work and was risk-free. Since June 2011, I am following these dietary principles. I also attended the health retreat at Swaswara Resort, Gokarna. I reversed diabetes, hypertension and obesity in 4 months and am leading a very healthy life now without any medications. I would now like to spread this message through our hospital as well.” —Dr Suketu Shah, Mumbai

Just wanted to share my story with you

I had been suffering from high blood pressure for the past 18 years. It was not an issue as it used to be under control.

I switched to a whole plant based diet and for the last 10 days was on 3 glasses of smoothie as breakfast. Nothing else till 12:30 or 1pm. My pressure started dropping drastically as well as pulse to the extent I had to go through ECG, sodium tests, etc. My doc reduced the the dosage and yet it kept coming down. Finally I was asked to stop the medication completely and today I am feeling fine. Also I have lost around 13 kgs and today I weigh 49 kgs. A huge thank you to you for I have been able to reverse my high blood pressure. – Vaidehi Mody

Weight Loss

Confident of overcoming temptation!

Alpa Dani (centre) is currently doing the Six Weeks Weight Loss program for Health and Life, and this is what she shares, after the fourth week in the program

Reyna, I want to thank you. Yesterday I had a pre-birthday celebration with my friends, but did not eat anything other than a salad, nor did I touch the cake. My friends were shocked with my perseverance of not having a bite of non-veg as I just loved that before! They even complimented me on my glow! You have helped me overcome one of my biggest weakness!’ – Alpa Dani

I lost 10 kg in 2 months

Neha Veekas joined the Six Weeks Weight Loss program in September. This is what she says – I gained 10 kg health by letting go 10 kg weight in a period of two months. Have become 4 inches and 2 sizes fitter! I didn’t think I could continue the SHARAN way, but I did! And six more months then will have a better after pictures to show you!”

Slow and steady wins the race! -Neha Veekas

I lost 10 kgs in less than 2 months

Myself  , Dr. Saurabh Chaudhuri , MD Radiology, Professor & HOD , Hi Tech Medical College & Consultant Radiologist , attended Peas vs Pills program by Dr Nandita Shah on 22nd March 2015 . From that day onwards my life has taken a drastic change for the better. My weight that time was 140 kgs , BP 150/110 and HBA1C was 9.6. Following the instructions given in the program I shifted to total whole food plant based diet and lost 5 kgs every month which continued for one year consistently. So I lost a total of 60 kgs in one year and my weight came down from 140 kg to 80 kg as shown in the photograph. During the program I had asked Reyna whether cooking was possible without oil and when she said yes, it was news to my ears . Subsequently Suraj who stays with me attended the oil free classes and was cooking for me.

The best part about the program  ,which I liked was that you don’t have to miss on the delicious items. There is replacement for everything. Because of this , there  is no craving. On 3 September 2015, Myself and Suraj attended the 10 days training program at Swaswara by Sharan. I reversed my diabetes and hypertension. My BP came down to 120/80 and HBA1C  came to 5.6. Although I am from allopathic background what is most appreciable is that dietary plan is totally natural , based on human instincts and there are no artificialities involved. The understanding touches logic as well as the heart. This journey of weight loss and reversal of hypertension is the journey within and the most enjoyable journey of my life.  I had to visit my tailor time and again, got a lot of appreciation from family , friends and well wishers. I sincerely feel that this whole food plant based diet is the need of the hour and this knowledge should spread far and wide . Kudos to Dr. Nandita and her team for spreading this knowledge all around the globe — Dr. Saurabh Chuadhuri , MD( Radiology), Consultant Radilogist and Associate Professor, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College , Pune

Reyna lost 12 kilos & her acidity!

I joined SHARAN’s program to get rid off my acidity, as the doctors had prescribed medicines and I avoid pills like plague!

My acidity literally vanished in three days! I felt great and decided to give the whole plant based diet a shot for some more time. The side-effect was that i lost 12 kilos in eight months! It has taken me three years to get from 65 kgs to 62 kgs and i was stagnant at that for years…and now i weigh 50 kilos!

Why this diet works, is because Dr. Nandita trains the mind. She explains very systematically what we should eat and what not, why we should eat it and how to even prepare the food! So once the mind is educated, the tongue follows suit. Plus in essence we are actually eating more and still losing weight! There is no concept of starving oneself.

Not only that, I have gained so much energy! I am in my forties and people have started telling me I look like a college girl! But the best part is that my family too has adopted this diet. My husband’s cholesterol level has improved.
One can only benefit by listening to Dr. Nandita Shah..with the biggest gain being ‘HEALTH  – Reyna Rupani, Mumbai

I experienced miracles

My weight was 74 kg in 2013 and I was suffering from severe stress and anxiety related issues. I came across SHARAN’s 21 Day Disease Reversal Program and attended it first time in June 2013. The miracles began to happen. With organic vegan diet and quiet mind I learnt to listen to my body and to change my lifestyle. I did it and today I am 62 kgs with glowing skin, high energy levels and already on the path of soulful living. I attended the program again in June 2014 and it indeed deepened my understanding further. Yes, we all are the best doctor for ourselves and we must  listen to our body and soul.  Considering the  ultimate benefits of this program, I have decided to be a messenger of the same under SHARAN’s guidance.
– Smita Bhatt, Ex-Ceo of a Pharmaceutical Company, Ahmedabad

Reverses illnesses

“I just bought Dr. Neal Barnard’s book on Vegan cooking and am enjoying the new tastes. I believe that by choosing a plant-based diet while also adopting meditation and stress relieving practices, a person can truly reverse their illnesses. Dad has lost 11 pounds and Mom has lost 7 pounds. But, even more so, they feel lighter and clearer mentally. Hopefully Delhiites will be ready for this transformation soon.” —Shanna Hughes, New Delhi

Lost weight

“I am following a vegan diet from 26 November 2011. Actually I was a vegetarian and didn’t have milk but ate curd and paneer as the doctor had not said no to them. I had also left tea many years back. I made my tea today with soya milk with a little apprehension but loved it to my great relief! We watched Earthlings and I had to get up in between because it was difficult to watch. Thanks to that even my daughter has become vegan. I have lost weight already!” —Alka Bhalla, New Delhi (Alka continues to be vegan and keeps sharing the advantages with others too.)

Lost 8 kilos in 2.5 months

“It’s 2.5 months I’ve turned vegan and it really feels great. I thought I would miss the tea but not at all. It’s easy for me. I lost 8 kg in this time and that too without any serious exercise. I want everyone to know how great this feels.” —Girish Wadhwani, Naturopath, Pune

A powerful programme

This programme has changed my lifestyle completely. I have become much more energetic and confident. My body has come to proper shape which I desired for a long time. I have realized that my body is a temple and cannot be treated like a dustbin. I have started respecting every part of my body with gratitude. I have clearly understood benefits of change in my eating habits (mindful eating with hunger scale in mind) and physical exercises and implemented at least 90% of whatever we discussed during our sessions.

I have lost 9 kg of weight in 6 months and feeling much lighter overall. I am much more confident in whatever I do and feel very good. This is a very powerful programme which makes you realise the difference between painfully losing weight by dieting which can be short-lived and releasing weight joyfully which can be part of daily routine by being conscious and practicing body awareness. —Naveen Jain, 52, Hotelier

These ideas WORK! 

Since attending the “Be Light. Be Well.” programme, I have released 15 kilos in 7 months and feel very light and well. The changes I have observed in myself are: I am eating only when I am hungry. I am eating only the quantity of food required. I am taking early dinners, something lighter than a full meal, more often than not.

Now there is a lot less chemical intake, I was having a lot of chemicals in my food unknowingly. Consumption of snacks and junk food is gone way down. I am eating fruits and dry fruits now, something I never did much of earlier. There is a marked increase of raw food consumption in my diet. I have learnt new and better ways of cooking. I treat my body like a precious friend and can’t think of harming it in any way. I think, this is the best thing ever that you can do to yourself. My only advise is to be “open” to the ideas and concepts as they tend to be a bit different from the conventional ones. But THEY WORK, much better and faster. —Dinakshi Arora, 35, IT Professional

Peas Vs Pills  Health programme

My life changed at the age of 61

Being born in a non-vegetarian family, I would not take a single meal without a non-vegetarian dish on the menu. It was not because of anything but taste. However, in my late forties an advice from a wise man triggered me thinking; ‘why to kill a living being for taste of 2 cm of tongue, there is nothing before that and after that?’ On further analysis I realised that there is no taste in the animal flesh itself. It is only the additives which makes it tasty. The horrible condition in which the animals are kept and finally slaughtered because of the demand for their flesh also convinced me to become vegetarian. Within a few months I realised the health benefits of vegetarianism.

The same line of thinking, both medical and ethical reasons guided me to veganism. Milk, which is meant for the calf, is snatched by humans. The condition in which the milking animals are kept and way they are treated is equally horrible. That is why, today at 61, I am vegan.

I attended the one day program – Peas vs Pills seminar of Dr. Nandita Shah of SHARAN. The seminar proved to be very informative, and has given me better understanding about veganism and the benefits of a whole plant based diet. It has also taught me to be vigilant about vitamin D and B12 levels.

Today I feel more energetic, active and my weight has reduced and maintained. As a practicing lawyer, I am on my toes during all working days, with more mental and physical agility. My journey from slumber and unconsciousness to an alert and conscious person has made me feel empowered and a responsible person – Ahmad Abdi, Mumbai

Better in depression, anxiety, panic attacks, BP and lost weight too!

47 year old Vijaylaxmi Singh who was going through mental health issues, describes how the whole plant based diet, is nothing but miraculous….

Hi I am 47 years old  My name is Vijayalaxmi Singh  I was having depression, anxiety and panic attacks since 25 years almost off and on. Later due to this stress, I got hypo thyroid since the last 12 years and the additional bonus due to all this stress was high blood pressure since the last 3 years.

I had almost left hope and was in a bad condition when I came for the SHARAN seminar.  I attended only due to Dr Nandita Shah, as I knew her since very long and trusted her.  After the seminar I don’t know WHY but I continued the diet without any hope and just did it as there seemed to be no other solution.  However to my surprise, I started losing weight. It inspired me as I always wanted to lose weight. Later after fifteen days, I checked my blood pressure which used to be 180/90 and it was normal! That really pushed me further to continue.

After two months of religiously following the diet, one fine day something very bad happened, where it was sure that I would have got a panic attack but only my thoughts were making me feel that I will cry and get a panic attack, but my body was not reacting!  And I realised that day that this diet does MIRACLES.  Since so many months now I have not got panic attacks! I don’t know how much my depression has come down, but I can confidently state that it’s a Miracle diet which makes you not only physically healthy but MENTALLY too  You become more calm, focused and spiritual. Thank you Dr Nandita Shah and Reyna for all the support.

I am aspiring to reach out to as many people as I can to lead a plant based diet

“I’m on a vegan diet, but not oil-free yet. Although I am free from disease, there was joint pain, which has reduced after going dairy free. I have a few more kilos (8 kg) to shed to reach my ideal weight. My goal in the new year is to reach my ideal weight, explore more vegan and oil-free cooking options personally. I’m aspiring to reach out to as many people as I can to lead a plant based diet. You are quite an inspiration! It all started after attending your Peas vs Pills workshop in Bangalore.” – Janaky Venunathan.

Black discoloration disappeared in just 24 days

‘I had a big black spot on my forehead, which has disappeared within 24 days of adapting to the whole plant based diet. I have also lost 5.5 kgs, thanks to Dr Nandita and my friend Sareeta who told me about SHARAN.’ – Ashok Purohit

Haemoglobin increased from 6.8 to 10.2 in just 21 days!

“Thanks to eating organic plant based foods and smoothies, my haemoglobin has come up from 6.8 to 10.2 in just 21 days!” – Rashmi Lalla

Having Healed Myself, I Now Help Others Heal

As a classical homeopath for 15 years and teacher of homeopathy to medical physicians at the Sharei Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, I understood that symptoms are the language that our body speaks to help us create change in our lives and adopt new tactics to maximize our health.

Diagnosed with bone cancer at age 39, I refused intrusive interventions, choosing minimal surgery and holistic approaches instead. I am very grateful to have been cured and to be alive today.

At age 52, I was diagnosed with the onset of metabolic syndrome. I decided to do everything possible to avoid the medications that were pushed on me by the concerned medical staff after bad blood test results. I turned to a whole food plant based diet.

It was clear to me that my energy, every cell in my body, every blood vessel, my thoughts as well as my connection to the world around me would be affected by the products that I chose to ingest to nourish myself. I had been so careful to protect myself from violence, stressful situations, enmity, but I kept swallowing products that were detrimental to my health and well-being.

I wanted to learn as much as I could to help myself and others now! I turned to Dr. Nandita Shah, a medical doctor and nutritionist living in India, and the founder of SHARAN India. I attended Peas vs Pills and  I sat in Dr. Shah’s clinic for 3 months, followed a course in the University of California, in San Francisco in the Prevention of Chronic Disease through Nutrition. I completely reversed my own symptoms, lost 13 kg without dieting and set on my way to inspire others to follow the same path to vibrant health.

I am now also a graduate of the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies with a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University. I now practice as a Whole Food Plant-based Nutrition specialist, with my own organisation, The Healthy Kitchen Initiative teaching people  new food strategies to take care of the onslaught of deteriorating health and in most cases reverse their symptoms entirely. I teach people that it is possible to live at optimal health, with youthful energy, compassionate love in the heart and minimal impact on the planet. – Myriam

My first 21 days of the journey to being vegan

I attended the Peas vs Pills seminar in Jan 2016. Just the week prior my gynaecologist had prescribed me a list of medicines for heavy menstrual flow, one of which was HORMONES! I knew I didn’t want to be on hormones. So thanks to the almighty above I was guided to this seminar and it changed my whole outlook on food and our eating habits. I wanted to turn vegetarian again but because of the dieticians who stop you from eating bananas and chikoos and dates because of their high calories, and instead encourage you to eat fish for omega 3 and chicken for protein I was not one!

On day 1, after having no tea, I had a terrible migraine-type of headache all day and throughout the day! No amount of rest or sleep helped but I was determined. I think determination is all one needs to do and achieve just about anything in life! I also did not know how to cook vegan meals and what to eat in between meals. But I managed the day.

On day 2, the headache never to come back. That was it! My addiction to tea was gone! My craving was for the sugar in the tea. Once that sugar craving was satiated with fruits that I’ve loved since childhood, my craving for tea was over. The green smoothie is a magic drink to replace my morning tea habit.

The main change was that I was less lethargic which was previously blamed on my anaemia. So much energy!!! No naps after meals anymore. Things started falling in place with buying organic and cooking vegan. .

My family could not understand. But I was feeling so good inside that I knew I had to make my family aware of the negative effects of the animal products we consumed daily! When my husband booked a trip to Hong Kong, I was terrified as to how I would manage the diet abroad. But again, thanks to the WhatsApp group and its members who are very supportive, the ideas flowed in. I bought a Nutriblend so I could make my smoothies and carried peanuts and dried fruits for back up. Like I said, “your thoughts create your destiny.”  I found plenty of vegan options in Hong Kong restaurants! For instance when I ordered a salad I just requested the chef to prepare the dressing without any oil or when I placed an order for a French onion soup, it was minus the cheese and butter. When I ordered a “cream of mushroom soup”, it was just the cream of mushroom soup in the literal sense! It was delicious without any dairy.

My daughter who lives in the US, was surprised seeing my picture yesterday! My skin is glowing, I have lost 4 kilos and she says I look 35. I am feeling so energetic all day. I am feeling blessed. Thank you SHARAN and the entire group on Whatsapp for your support. – Heena Chandani

Blood sugar normal

“I attended Peas vs Pills one month ago. I am trying to implement the dietary suggestions as far as possible. I am glad to say that I have lost 6kg and my blood sugar level is normal. Thank you so much for your guidance and friendship.” —Dr. G.Visakha Kumar

Helps reduce menopausal symptoms

“I came to your course last year and after that I became a vegan. I feel very healthy now and I keep my weight. Now I also understand the connection between a healthy plant-based diet and the symptoms a woman can get when she reaches menopause. The problems I had before I became a vegan are gone. The only thing I use is a natural progesterone cream made out of wild jam – a product from nature.” —Helena Maass, Sweden

Asthma is all gone

“I attended the Peas vs Pills in Hyderabad 5 months ago and the same day I decided to turn Vegan. I have since being following it religiously. I’ve lost nearly 10kgs and it looks like my asthma also has gone. I was allergic to peanuts too, but just this month I experimented on myself and had some peanuts….all looks well as of now. The first week/month was a little hard but I was able to do it! I sincerely want to Thank you.” —Rekha Saraf, Hyderabad

Haemoglobin count became higher

A Christian bought up in Kerala, Rose was lead to believe that she was living the perfect healthy and balanced lifestyle with non-veg up until January of 2015, when she attended one of SHARANs smoothie class. She immediately removed all the milk products from her house and then attended an Eat Well and Live Longer workshop, and removed her microwave oven, and all sugar, oil products from her home.

Her whole family turned vegan with her after watching the documentary – Earthlings, and attended SHARANs workshop too. Which helped to maintain her decision in cooking and staying vegan easily.

For last six months she is following an organic plant based diet and recently carried out a health check-up and, no shock, everything was normal in fact her haemoglobin count was higher than usual. Earlier she used to eat anything which is served and regret later but now automatically she always has to check her food before eating and therefore eats only healthy and never regrets it.

She is also a passionate cook, and wants to spread the word about this lifestyle because lot of people surrounding her are suffering from different sorts of ailments which can be cured with this change. She believes that even if she can change one person she is grateful to God. —Rose, Mumbai

Improved energy, better skin and weight loss

Anney was a hardcore non-vegetarian who grew up in a social and family environment where they believed milk was the lifeline, especially for kids going to schools and colleges and the mantra was “eat anything and everything which doesn’t bite back”.

Towards the end of 2014, she attended an introductory talk by SHARAN and was quite impressed by the concept and decided to give it a try and became a semi-vegan. Meanwhile, she also started observing the positive changes that her other vegan friends were undergoing and sincerely wished to follow this path.

Early 2015, Anney’s husband attended SHARAN’s seminar on reversing diabetes and she herself attended ‘Eat well and live longer’ seminar and both of them became 100% vegans.

While enjoying the health benefits like improved energy, better skin and weight loss, the real gain, she feels, is a clearer conscience due because now her diet is not cruel for the animals. —Anney, Mumbai

Adopting a Vegan diet

From Piles to Pregnancy

My story with SHARAN began in December 2014. I have been constipated since my childhood and in my early forties, I developed piles (hemorrhoids). My piles were large and created a blockage internally, due to which, if I had to pass stools it meant a good struggle for half an hour and sometimes pain. I even used to pass blood at times with the stool. After the torturous journey, I needed rest and it meant at least 4 hours as my energy would drain and my legs used to feel weak. My gastroenterologist suggested an operation.

My father said that it was hereditary as he too had it. I saw the operation conducted on YouTube and it definitely seemed painful, and I further researched on what causes piles, symptoms and treatments. Are there any alternative therapies? The answer was affirmatively ‘yes’. Fortunately I attended a smoothie class by Reyna Rupani where I was introduced to SHARAN. I was totally convinced about the whole plant based diet as it meant lot of fiber for the body, which is also a vital requirement for curing piles. I thought of giving it a try and within 2 months, my piles reduced to 70% and that too without any medicines or laxatives! Also I didn’t have to undergo the operation!

I started feeling energetic and light as passing stools became easier. I was losing weight automatically, bloating of stomach and waist size was reducing. My husband was surprised at my energy and he too started the whole plant based diet. Within 6 months we were high on energy, weight was reducing, there was a glow on the face.

Being a childless couple for almost 12 years, we were happy with our life and we had made the decision that we will not try any artificial methods to have a baby. Due to the changes with whole plant based, we became healthy and one day we got the news that I was pregnant. It was a total surprise! We have named our little boy ‘Kreshiv’ – Anjali Tejani, Mumbai

A Healthy Vegan Family

I started my vegan journey when I first attended SHARAN’s cooking class by Preethi Raghav in Chennai in early 2014 – where I came to know of the horrors of the dairy industry, and how dairy affects our health. I turned vegan the same day – from then on there was no looking back.  I started feeling light, healthy and more energetic in very few days.

When we moved to Mumbai later that year, my husband Hari attended a session by Dr. Nandita Shah (“Eat Well Weigh Less”). Her answers to his multiple concerns convinced him, and he turned vegan too.  Hari’s frequent headaches and acidity disappeared completely, and he happily lost almost 10 kgs in 4 months. (and maintains that till date).

Moving to Mumbai made me closer to the active SHARAN Mumbai community. Thanks to Reyna and her cooking classes, I started experimenting with the dairy alternatives for various recipes, and slowly started using more whole grains and millets, and started oil free cooking too. It has been an amazing journey since then.

Our three year old daughter Sahaana has been vegan from birth, except for some rare occasions when her grandparents feed her some dairy stuff. We don’t give her any processed food, and she has developed a strong liking for fruits. She is not deprived of any of the food items that kids normally have – cakes, ice creams and cookies – all vegan and homemade. Thanks to this healthy and guilt free diet, she’s been an active and happy baby.

Transforming health

Renu has been suffering with SARCOIDOSIS since 1999. Her left lung was affected. There was massive enlargement of abdominal and thoracic lymph nodes. There were many skin lesions. Liver was affected also. Later on we found that her heart was also involved, her ECG was not normal.(she had to undergo coronary angiogram because of it). Climbing stairs of even one floor was big nightmare. Whole day & night she incessantly coughed. She was on steroids for 10 years.

In 2010 our whole family switched to a whole plant based diet. She became off steroids within 15 days. During subsequent months her tests became normal. Today she can climb five stories in one breath.

Dr. G. D. Agrawal is a surgeon by education. He was suffering with hypertension and diabetes. After switching to a whole plant based diet he lost 10 kg of weight, free of hypertension and achieved almost 70% reduction in diabetic medications. Today he is active from morning till night & full of energy, and he is passionate about spreading this message. You can reach him gdsurgiwear@hotmail.com

Best seven days of our lives

“We first heard of Swaswara at a SHARAN workshop and found the idea of escaping from our stress-filled South Mumbai lives to a resort quite appealing. The lectures, demonstrations and interactive sessions with the possible health benefits that could come our way, was an added incentive. We found the place beautiful and the staff extremely courteous, hospitable and professional. Dr. Shah remained with us throughout, generously shared her rich experiences and guided us on the lifestyle changes we needed to work on.

We enjoyed some of the most delicious dishes, went on long walks on the sea-shore and in the wilderness and got an opportunity to pursue our interests and hobbies – swimming, painting, yoga and a host of other activities. We made some wonderful friends and believe the week we spent at Swaswara to be among the best seven days of our lives. Indeed, Swaswara has helped us listen to our inner-voice. Back in Mumbai, we are beginning to see the benefits and are making conscious efforts to put to good use the Swaswara gains. We’ve promised ourselves that we would practice what we learnt and earnestly hope to derive its various benefits in the years to come.” —Alamaru Sharda and Vijayendra BP, Mumbai

Lighter and energetic

“I have been a vegetarian for many years and these days I also replace dairy with vegan substitutes with good results! I feel lighter and more energetic and my meditation, yoga and energy work goes deeper!!!” —Faraaz Tanveer, Dubai

Physical and mental health, better

“I have been following a healthy vegan diet for the past 2.5 months, and the good news is that I lost 1.35 kg. I also got rid of my morning cold and sneeze attacks. I have more colours on my plate and a new oil-free dish every day. I feel so much better both physically and mentally.” —Karishma Shah, Nutritionist, BCJ Hospital, Mumbai

Consultations

I was immobile due an inflammation in the brain. Now, free of medicines, I am certified in Plant Based Nutrition!

I had been dogged by health issues like IBS, hypertension and musculoskeletal problems for most of my adult life. Around five years back, I attended a Peas vs Pill workshop, which did make me reconsider my consumption of dairy, but since I was neither diabetic nor overweight, I did not feel the need for making sweeping dietary changes.

Then about three years back, a sudden spell of seizures at work left me almost immobile. It diagnosed as an inflammation of the right dural membrane, which basically meant that there was a thickening and inflammation on one side of the membrane covering my brain. I was put on steroids, TB drugs, epilepsy drugs and  osteoporosis medicines, as the cause of inflammation was unknown. Because of these my kidney and liver parameters deteriorated and to control that I was given even more drugs.

I came across a nutritionist who treated inflammatory disorders. She put me on a non dairy diet but recommended fish and olive oil in salads. I was also given lot of supplements. I was taking close to 30 pills a day. I had ended up substituting my allopathic medicines with supplements. My condition improved upto a point. When an abdomen sonography revealed early cholesterosis of the gall bladder, it came as no  surprise.

To understand for myself the role of nutrition on health,  I completed a one year diploma in nutrition therapy from the UK, started reading the book China Study by Dr T. Colin Campbell and slowly it began to dawn on me how the whole, plant based diet is ideal for overall health. Aided by the SHARAN cooking classes and a consultation with Dr Nandita Shah I got on the right path.

After eight months of being medication free,  my reports showed no signs of cholesterosis and there are no signs of the other illnesses too. My biggest reward has been that my faltering career is again back on track. As an oil industry professional, I am now strong enough to go for review visits to offshore oil platforms, a far cry from the days when I could not even stand without tottering.  To celebrate my recovery, I also recently got myself certified as a plant based nutritionist from the Centre of Nutrition Studies, Cornell University.

Today she has completing a course on whole-plant based nutrition as it has helped her heal tremendously…

Thank you for showing the light, SHARAN!! – Sharmila Roy

The shock of my mother’s diagnosis changed our lives

I was suffering from various health issues like obesity, asthma, high blood pressure, sciatica and hypothyroidism .  I thought that medicines would care of all my health issues and in some time I would  be back to normal,  living my life happily. But this did not happen and I was depressed.

Then the worst happened. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was in absolute anxiety and emotional distress. I consulted SHARAN for her and learnt that a plant-based diet can help us recover from many diseases. Our conversation gave me hope for myself, and my mother. I gave the new lifestyle a try to support my mother.

Within two weeks I realised that my mother’s body was giving a positive response to the diet. My mother did not suffer from chemotherapy as other patients do. This diet helped me reduce 7 kg and helped me recover from all of my health issues.

This incident taught me things about myself that I could not have learned in any other way. I discovered that I had a strong will and more discipline than I believed. We carry all the power to heal within ourselves within us.  I now want to help many other people heal with this knowledge. I wish you all good lives! – Swati kothekar, 34 yrs, Thane

Cyst dissolved

“I had been treating a patient with renal stones, a cyst and a fibroid with little improvement. Then I asked the patient to join the 21-day kickstart and she did. Since then she has been trying to follow the recommendations as far as possible and her cyst has already dissolved. I am going to insist on a 100% compliance to cure the fibroid.” —Dr Saravanan R, Kanyakumari

From unwell to certified health coach!

My wake-up call was being admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital at the age of 34 years.  I was admitted with a blood oxygen level of 80  instead of 95 and I could not breathe.

The doctors told me I had developed Asthma due to ‘some allergies’ and that I would in all probability need to be on daily medications for the rest of my life. In addition I was told that I was pre-diabetic and due to a ‘family history’ of diabetes, it is only a matter of time before I developed the same. When I was recuperating at home post the health scare, I found that my eyes were dry and painful most of the time. The doctor told me I was at the risk of developing a disease called Glaucoma.

I was prescribed a lot of medicines including steroids and none of the doctors could tell me a single thing that I could do to prevent all these diseases from becoming a permanent part of my life. It was a helpless, hopeless situation to be in. What made it worse was that I was only 34 years, vegetarian (I used to eat eggs occasionally) and a non – smoker / non-drinker.

After the initial shock wore off, I decided that there must be some way that I could help myself. I started researching on the internet. One thing led to another and soon I chanced upon Dr. Nandita Shah’s interview on reversing diabetes. Hearing her say that ‘Diabetes is reversible’ was like music to my ears. I was intrigued and wrote her a long email describing my medical issues and she reverted the next day. I took a one-month telephonic consultation with her and she taught me about the effects that food has on our bodies. I started following what I learnt and in a matter of weeks, I started to feel much more energetic. I stopped taking my daily Asthma medicines and I was fine. I got my blood sugar tested and got back a normal reading.  I felt that I got my life back.

I was so impressed with the results that I decided to complete the one of its kind certification course in Whole Food Plant Based Diet from Ecornell University. This is a program developed by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of ‘The China Study’.  I successfully achieved the certificate in 2014.

My mission in life now is to help as many people as I can to come off the un-necessary medications given by traditional doctors and share my knowledge that it is indeed possible to prevent and reverse many diseases. – Shruti Malik, New Delhi

Feedback after 21-day health holiday

Feedback in 1.5 months of the 21 day program

On the first evening, Dr. Nandita Shah gathered all the participants and facilitators of the SHARAN 21-Day Retreat in the SwaSwara library. We sat around in a circle, each taking a turn to express our reasons for being there.

I sat between my Mother and Maasi, shifting uncomfortably in my cushy armchair as people listed various ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and hypothyroid. When they asked me why I was here, I looked at my mother and said, “Well… my mother went to a Peas vs. Pills seminar. And she thought this would be a good idea.”

On the sixth evening, as I was stroking Yogi and Veda, the hotel dogs, I called my mother. “Mom, every single person here is sincere and genuine and they actually want to turn vegan!” I bemoaned. “I don’t want to be vegan; I dreamt about paneer paratha last night!”

By the seventeenth day, I experienced a shift. I think I was actually the very last person in the retreat to experience this shift. There were different triggers, of course. For me, it was learning about the cruel treatment of cows, calves, hens, and chicks in the dairy and egg industries. For some, it was the movie nights in the library. For others, it was seeing blood sugars go down and medicines reduce.

On the twenty-first day, the changes in each person’s physicality and consciousness were undeniable. Perhaps you’ll be quietly reluctant at first, like I was, but day-by-day, as you experience everything the retreat offers, you will become ever more emphatically eager. I could feel myself improving with each lecture, with each walk, with each meal.  With each entry in my gratitude journal I grew more aware of how lucky I am and how little I appreciate my life and myself. By recording my goals and efforts and expectations in the Healthy Habits Now journal, I was able to recognize the aspects of the program that most benefited me. I released stress, kilograms, and inches, received an abundance of energy, and through it all, side-by-side, had one of the most rewarding holidays of my life.

I saw dolphins dance during the Prakruthi Walk, enjoyed Mayavi’s incredible vegan ice-cream and Nandini’s mind-blowing mango mousse, huffed and puffed my way to Gokarna 10km away, coaxed my body into surya-namaskars in daily yoga (although daily may be an exaggeration in my case), fed stray dogs and explored a library in the Goan wilderness with Reshma, and enjoyed art therapy in the beautiful art studio. I even swam 60 lengths in one sitting while I was there – my personal best – and helped cook an Indo-Chinese dinner without hurting myself (or anyone else)!

At the very least, attend the SHARAN 21-Day Retreat for pakodas by the poolside, aquarobics with Captain Joseph, beach walks with Yogi and Veda, remarkable recipes, and magical massages. At the most, go to discover what everyone is searching for – happiness and health. – Sanjana Thakur

In just over a month, update and Gratitude

Mr Srinivas Kantheti, Consultant from Mumbai, age 54 who was on several medicines for high blood pressure and had a few other complaints including osteoarthritis due to which both knees had been operated wrote as follows –

It’s slightly more than a month since we first met at the SHARAN 21-day health retreat.

While the camp per-say ended a couple of weeks back and the results were nothing short of amazing, I wanted to update you on the journey since then.

It’s only two weeks but I am seeing major changes Physically Mentally and Spiritually.

Physically I am getting lighter everyday with a total weight release as of now of 11.5 kgs. (this is in 5 weeks!) My trousers are getting loose and the only reason I am not shopping is that I feel confident that another 5 kgs will be released over the next six months.

My BP is now in the 120 /80 range with half a Coversal which may be I should drop??!!

The body has started healing itself. I had an attack of cold and fever last week which got cured on its own without any medication.

Physically I am feeling energetic looking forward to walking and yoga every day. The long walks at Mumbai Airport are no longer a challenge.

I like my face in the mirror and have been complemented by friends on my radiance. Overall I am feeling younger.

Mentally  I am much more calmer. I am more in the present and enjoying my old loves of music , reading and photography.

One important experience last two weeks is the complete absence of attraction towards tea, coffee, alcohol, non veg food, dairy products, fried food and packaged food. It’s not a question of will power. Will power is needed where one has to resist an attraction. Thanks to the knowledge, techniques and skills learnt at the 21 day work shop, I have come out of Swaswara with a Mental make up where these addictions have no longer any attraction.

In the past I had paid just a cursory attention to animals and to nature / environment. WFPB diet is the centre  stone to expand spiritually by including all gods creatures in our compassion.

The food we eat makes us the person we are. WFPB diet is the way nature intended us to live. I feel every day that I am getting more and more integrated with nature. This for me is as much a spiritual journey as a mental and a physical one.

I want to express my gratitude and heart felt thanks  to all the five  of you  – Dr Nandita , Nandini, Mayavi, Capt Joesph and Dr Sarvanan. ..for guiding  me on this path and unlocking this marvellous world for me. – Mr Srinivas Kantheti, Mumbai

Much Happier and Healthier and Fitter

Shashi and I have a decades-long history of medical problems and medication for diabetes, high blood pressure and excess weight. We had heard about the SHARAN residential program for reversing these life style diseases for a long time from our son, but didn’t do anything about it, until he lost patience. One day he just booked us in for the June 2014 program, bought the air tickets, and that was that.

What a wonderful transformational experience it turned out to be! It is no exaggeration to say that our lives have changed in body, mind and soul. The most important learning for us has been that medication (and higher doses of it as time goes by) is not the best and only way to tackle our problems!

It has been six months since we took the program. We are so much happier and healthier and fitter than before. Our medical results are impressive (even our doctors have a hard time believing it). All our parameters are better than before and are further improving. Medication has been halved. Shashi has reduced nine kgs and I five. Life has somehow become simpler in so many ways and more joyful.

We have still some way to go. There are challenges. But we are alert and aware of the pitfalls and taking care! – Siddharth, Pune

Total Health Turnaround!

I came in contact with SHARAN as a filmmaker. I attended SHARAN’s 21day program in June 2015. I already knew that my cholesterol levels were high but I was not on any medications because I did not want to take them. When my tests were done at SwaSwara,  I was also surprised to see that I was pre diabetic! I was happy that by destiny I was in a place where I would now heal.  Gradually other problems also improved. I had always had digestive problems and frequent attacks of sinusitis and these also improved. In less than 21 days my HbA1c went down from 6.6 – 6.2, and my cholesterol and triglyceride levels too dropped considerably. Today, 6 months later, I have dropped 8 kg and I feel great. – Angana Jhaveri, Award winning documentary film director, Mumbai

I was never fond of cooking but now, cooking has become my passion!

2014 has been a watershed year for both me and Malcolm. We went for the 21 days disease reversal retreat of SHARAN and our entire outlook about our well being and food changed. I was never fond of cooking and was afraid of failure. But now, cooking has become my passion. I enjoy spending time in kitchen and keep experimenting with all kinds of dishes. I have also lost 10 kgs and feel so much lighter and healthier.
So looking forward to a brighter, joyful 2015 and many more years after that. Wishing the same for all of you.
Shashi Khanna, Pune

I feel great and want to be a health coach now!

Making the change to a whole plant based diet and vegan lifestyle is a strong experience of great significance. I thought I had conquered a lot becoming vegetarian, but now I that realise what it really means to be vegan, it has changed my life.
I now consider it a moral responsibility to take care of my body, by respecting it, fulfilling its needs without feeding it as if it were a dust bin.
I was always a great cook and had a food business. With the discovery of raw vegan cuisine and it’s various and delicious recipes, I reversed a 45 years old severe constipation and went from taking many medicines to none in a short period of time. I also experienced a deep change in my approach to the preparation of food, the control of my body’s health and victory over the types of little aches that I have carried on with for years, mistakenly believing they are just part of me.
My plans are to become a Health and Food Coach and change the lives of many others. I am working towards this and thoroughly enjoying it.
-Jenny Sugar, Milano, Italy
info@sugartree.it

SHARAN transformed my life

SHARAN came into my life and transformed me dramatically. I reduced my weight by 17.6 kgs. eating the plant based whole foods vegan way taught by SHARAN at the amazing 21 Day Disease Reversal Retreat.  Recently when I met my relatives, they all were so surprised and told me I look 10 years younger. I feel soooo good and young again with increased energy levels.

A year ago I was suffering with severe back pain and I could only manage to walk a few meters. Yoga could not help my back pain as loosing weight was impossible with severe dieting. I was starving myself and only managed to loose 3 to 4 kgs on my own. And I gave up. Then SHARAN came into my life! All thanks to you, SHARAN, for giving me my life back.

I am loving this new lifestyle. It changed my life. Thank you for sharing this plant based whole foods knowledge with us. With lots of love and good wishes to you —Seema Bali.

Life changing experience

“In the year 2002 I went for a complete health check-up at the Lilavati Hospital. I was advised gylcomet since my blood sugar was borderline high. I went for SHARAN’s 21 day reversal program where complete blood tests and regular blood sugar checks were done. My fasting was 126, and PP was 164. That was a shock! Gradually my blood sugar levels came down to 100 fasting and 110 PP. I lost 4 kg of weight in those 21 days, and 4 kg more in the first two months after coming back to Mumbai. I still continue to do well. These days were a life changing experience!” —Ritaa Vazirani, Mumbai.

It’s been wholesome journey till now both inwards and outwards

I really feel deep gratitude to you for transforming my life. I really didn’t know that food was creating so much havoc in my body. It’s been six months now and I can see the gradual changes! I haven’t lost much weight, but I do feel lighter and have lost inches! I feel more confident of myself .Also, the migraines are almost gone but I don’t tell others this because then I feel it gets jinxed .I’m just sharing it with you. I still remember your words from that2nd  night at Swaswara when I had got the severe migraine … You said ,The day you know the reason, it will go away! Yes, I know that stress and accumulated emotions they are one of the reasons besides food. I do still get headaches at times, because of a hectic schedule, sun and improper food. But then the next day it’s gone. And another benchmark is that I am able to wear contact lenses in a row for two or three days without migraine. So it’s been a really good feeling.

I am also less weepy now too as the migraines triggered mood swings but don’t overpower me so much. On that note I must say here that not having migraine has reduced my claustrophobia to a great extent. Even on flights! And I have been able to do adventures which earlier I just couldn’t think of because of these.I did snorkeling last week and earlier even open space used to give me phobia of closed spaces, like being in deep sea on a boat or on a top of a mountain… when you don’t see anything except nature ! Now that fear had reduced almost 90%!

So all in a all it’s been wholesome journey till now both inwards and outwards and I feel completely surrendered to it as of now ! – Pinky Sarita.

6 Weeks Program

48 year old Dayanidhi M G saved himself from medications

By leading an active life comprising of walking, badminton, yoga and golf, and also being a vegetarian, I was hoping that I was doing all the right things to avert the health conditions that my parents had. Little did I know then that my food still wasn’t right, especially diary products and oil. My food was undoing the effect of physical activity on my body, and bringing me to the brink of health conditions like hypertension and diabetes. With the family history behind me, my doctors were preparing me for managing these with medications.  I thought I had no choice but to manage these life long.

That’s when my wife came across SHARAN.  We stopped all animal products, sugar and oil, and now cook healthy food, including lots of fruits. We follow simple activities like regular walking and stress management. While we enjoyed the journey of empowering ourselves to heal with a group of participants, we started seeing wonderful results in terms of weight reduction, normal health parameters, and a fresh and positive outlook to  life. The transformation was a wonderful feeling.

Now, 5 months after attending the workshop, we follow the regime and enjoy the food and continued healing.We eat zero or single grain meals, lots of vegetables and lots of  fruits. I lost  8kgs and several inches! My wife lost 10kgs. We now feel energetic all day.  We owe it all to Anubha and SHARAN for showing the way.

Sarve bhavanthu sukhinaha! – Dayanidhi M G, Bangalore.

Everyone was asking me what my secret was!

I met Anubha in October for help losing weight for my upcoming engagement in January. Apart from weight loss, I also suffered from chronic insomnia for which I used to rely on an Ayurvedic herb to ensure a good night’s sleep. I also had a lot of aches and pains in different parts of my body and I had no idea why. I watched the forks over knives documentary in August and was introduced to SHARAN by a friend in October.

Anubha’s caring and loving guidance really helped me keep my motivation levels high up and I started seeing results in 3 days. I didn’t need to rely on any herbs to help me sleep and all the aches and pains disappeared. I also started losing weight and in about 6 weeks, I had lost 4kg which was beyond my goal of 3 kgs. Suddenly everyone started asking me how I looked so great and my secret of weight loss. My skin started looking clearer and I was in overall better health. I was in a better mood, more energetic and was able to take decisions faster – Srishti Jain, Bangalore