“I attended the ‘Peas vs Pills’ seminar in Jan 2016. Just the prior week, 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 eating habits. I wanted to turn vegetarian but because of the dieticians who stop you from eating bananas, 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 have 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 left, 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 it. 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 about 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