Category: Food and Lifestyle

Information about positive vegan food options and recipes and more about positive lifestyles such as positive decor, eco friendly housing, clothing, eco-living and healthy tips

15 Tips for An Amazing Eco-Friendly Life

We all know about the impact humans have had on the environment, whether by cutting down trees, filling our oceans with plastic or polluting our air with greenhouse gases leading to an human-made climate change. Fortunately there are somethings that we can all do right from the comfort of our homes.

  1. Food: A planet friendly diet of fruits and vegetables, especially organically farmed is sustainable and cruelty-free. Animal farming has been contributing more greenhouse gases than all our vehicles put together and has also added to severe shortage of land,  grains and water. Sourcing our food from organic farmers who do not use plastic packaging or growing your own food in your allotment or backyard, and cooking or raw-eating at home can dramatically reduce garbage created by food processing industry and supermarket shopping. fruit-932745_960_720.jpg
  2. Personal Care: Much of our garbage consists of toiletries, makeup and personal care items encased in plastic and filled with harmful chemicals as well as extracts from killed animals. You would be surprised that fruits called soapnuts or soapberries such as shikakai and reetha, tied in muslin and soaked in a cup of warm water can totally replace all of our shampoos, detergents, dish-washing or cleaning liquids. Similarly neem, licorice,  babool or meswak sticks that can be chewed and rubbed on teeth after each meal can completely replace all tooth-cleaning products to leave us with healthier and squeaky clean teeth,while reducing cold and flu at the same time by their natural medicinal juices.neemsoapnuts
  3. Cleaning Aids: Plastic brooms, brushes and scouring pads can  all add to  non-biodegradable waste. These can be easily replaced with pure cotton or coconut scrubbers, traditional plant based broomsticks (traditional besoms of the west and jhadus of India) and cloth wipes (pochas used in India) with metal buckets for cleaning floor and surfaces. Loofahs made of dried up fruit called gourd are a fantastic biodegradable replacement for kitchen sponges too. Biodegradable bin liners are already replacing plastic bin liners all over the world and we can use metal or bamboo bins for containing our waste instead of plastic. broom
  4. Menstrual Hygiene: Napkins, pads and  tampons are not only expensive and single-use, they also can add to plastic and non-recyclable waste. Menstrual cups are an inexpensive option that can last a lifetime as you simply empty, wash, fold and reinsert it and vegan cups that do not have animal testing are in vogue.mooncup2
  5. Toilet Hygiene: Wipes and rolls of paper take a toll on our environment too by using trees. Bamboo paper is being used by some manufacturers to save trees as it is more sustainable than virgin or recycled paper rolls. However the traditional Indian system of washing with water and soapy solution and wiping with a personal towel could save a lot more trees. While ‘jet-spray gun’ attachments are normally fixed in Indian toilets adjacent to the toilet bowl, they are new to western loos where bidet attachments are being introduced within the toilet seat itself.bidet
  6. Medicine: Most of our healthcare needs can be handled at home with a few kitchen herbs, clean environment, rest, yoga, meditation, energy healing and a healthy plant based diet. Simple home remedies such as cloves for pain relief, cinnamon and turmeric for antiseptic, licorice for cough, cumin, carom and fennel seeds for digestion, holy basil for fever, eucalyptus oil and mint for cold and aches can greatly reduce clinic visits and make us less dependent on synthetic, animal tested drugs and environmentally toxic pharma products. Make your own medicine by grinding a few kitchen herbs such as cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, licorice, fennel, cardamom seeds, cloves and dates to make ‘churan’ rolls for digestive health and to ward off common ailments.churan golis
  7. Accessories: Carry bags, shoes, table-mats, home-decor, laundry and waste bins, and curtains can all be easily made with jute, bamboo,hemp and other sustainable plant based fibers that are completely eco-friendly and cruelty-free while looking beautiful at the same time.bags-2379225_960_720.jpg
  8. Clothes: Synthetic clothes have filled the marketplace in the last few decades and not many people realize that they are not planet friendly or skin friendly as compared to plant based and less industry intensive options such as ‘khadi’ cotton or hand-loom and hemp fabric.material-1397958_960_720.jpg
  9. Kitchen and Tableware: In addition to eliminating single use plastic straws, disposable cutlery and bone china or ceramic that contain animal parts and hence not cruelty-free, we can also use eco-friendly storage containers, serving dishes, spice jars and bottles of water made of glass, bamboo,terracotta or earthenware.baskets-1001439_960_720
  10. Furniture: Instead of wood, plastic and synthetics that are harmful for environment or leather upholstery and feathered cushions which are animal intensive and cruelty based, we can opt for environment friendly cane and bamboo furniture with natural plant based fabric for cushions and seats.floating-flower-1782388_960_720.jpg
  11. Stationery: Environment friendly and sustainable paper such as bamboo paper and bamboo stationery that saves trees, plant based plastics for scissors, paper instead of cello-tapes, vegan glues, plant based brushes and canvas, non-toxic crayons, eco-friendly pens instead of plastic are some of the everyday items that we can be more mindful of while shopping. eco-friendly-stationery-kit-7.jpg
  12. Electronics: Instead of plastic intensive laptops, tablets and phones, some manufacturers are introducing environment friendly electronic gadgets including recyclable laptops to eliminate the sizable e-waste that is threatening our planet.paperlaptop.jpg
  13. Toys: Plastic toys have been far too prevalent in the market, but we can now choose wooden and environment friendly toys even as toy manufacturers have started to think about plant based plastics to replace conventional ones. Eco-friendly handicraft toys are beautiful and give children a chance to appreciate creative crafts too.bicycles-17511_960_720.jpg
  14. Travel: From simply walking, cycling or jogging down to work, school or shopping whenever distance permits, to using public transport instead of private cars we can drastically reduce fuel consumption and our carbon footprint. Shopping locally and using homemade products can also help us be carbon neutral by avoiding unnecessary transportation or import of goods. Electric and solar powered vehicles  including solar air-crafts have already been introduced.solar.png
  15. Housing: Sustainable and environment friendly homes include those built with recycled material, terracotta tiles and roofs, home on wheels or boats as well as quirky tree-houses incorporating rainwater harvesting, recycling water and sewage for growing trees, growing your own food, natural ventilation and solar paneling. Earthship Global for example specializes in sustainable housing.SAMSUNG

 

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Positive Film Review: Dominion

If we are pained by descriptions of how humans were treated in Nazi gas chambers and concentration camps then there is no reason why we should not be pained by this which is far more inhuman. For the World Vegan Month, in this free documentary filmed in Australia as well as UK, US, China, India, Canada and many parts of the world, we see the shocking truth about how animals have been treated every single day, even till now in the highly profitable meat, poultry and dairy industry.

The filth, infections, poisons and diseases in sheds and the blood baths in slaughter houses will make you think twice before consuming meat, if not for the sake of animals then at least for the mental and physical health of your own family. Learn how many of the practices that are labelled ‘humane’ and declared ‘legal’ by authorities and animal welfare organisations are actually so cruel that most of us are not even able to see the videos without being brave. For those unable to watch the transcript is educative https://www.dominionmovement.com/transcript, however watching this film helps us understand what suffering is beyond our own so that we can awaken our heart and take action by educating the masses and campaigning to protect the innocent.

As we focus on world peace, spiritual ascension and earth healing, we know that this is impossible without improving how we are treating other creatures on our planet. This is why this documentary is a must watch for all humans on earth so that we can stop supporting industries that abuse and kill animals and call for a global ban on slaughter and meat which is long overdue. After-all, we have known for a while how all of our nutritional needs can be fully met without harming any creature and with cleaner and greener ways of living.

More on https://www.dominionmovement.com 

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Positive Review: What The Health Documentary

We all know that smoking, alcohol and processed meat all are listed as top contributors to diseases such as Cancer, Heart Ailments, Diabetes, Asthma and many more. Yet we find there are absolutely NO laws whatsoever against any of these. Most ignored of these health risks is that of the animal meat industry. Although we still have awareness campaigns to help people quit smoking and alcohol, speaking against meat and animal products is considered taboo even within families and invites criticism not only from healthcare experts but also your own friends and colleagues.

We are constantly sold more meat, poultry and dairy by packaging and marketing them as ‘good for health’ while we are told that vegans and vegetarians could be deficient in nutrients and therefore more likely to die early, even though in countries such as India it is common to see people who are totally vegetarian since birth with absolutely fantastic health. Those of us in the healing and well-being service have heard from people who halted or even reversed cancer by simply eliminating meat from their diet, and I have such received testimonials personally some of from my clients. It is easy to understand that killing and abuse of animals in industries can ensure that we get all kinds of animal feces, pus, diseases and germs in our diet which has excessive vitamin B12 just like feces has. In contrast plant diets can provide all of our nutrients in much healthier and cleaner ways. Most of the strongest animals on our planet such as elephants, rhinoceros, chimpanzees, gorillas, bulls, horses are primarily herbivores or plant eaters which should be a clear indication that our researches that tell us we need animal proteins and dairy calcium for strength or health are not entirely true.

This well made free documentary can help us understand how many of the researches we read about in media and online that claim that non-vegetarian diet is essential for health and longevity have been actually sponsored by meat, dairy and poultry producers which is why laws against them are never passed, or any health warnings ever provided on meat and animal products. Reading such research on benefits of milk, eggs or meat is more like reading on the health benefits of cigarettes in research sponsored by the tobacco industry. What is even more lucrative for governments and corporate profiteers is the money to be made through the pharmaceutical industry in keeping us ill instead of healthy simply to sell more drugs which is why doctors and medical professionals are brainwashed in their education to prescribe drugs and to not promote a vegan diet.

As expected many criticisms ‘debunking’ this documentary have been released in popular media and by health or nutritional professionals in a clear demonstration of how truth is covered up out of fear by the organized industry cartels and sponsored research. You could view this documentary yourself and take your own stand.

More on http://www.whatthehealthfilm.com/facts/

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Five Ethical Issues of Animal vs. Human Rights

As children we all have seen beautiful animals being raised as pets by families around us and wanted to have a pet for ourselves too. Many of us have had the privilege of ‘owning’ a pet animal and regard ourselves as ‘animal lovers’ simply because we love cuddly kittens and dogs. But could there be something that we are ignoring when it comes to the rights of animals as compared with the rights of humans?

  1. Sexual Abuse: Females are raped or forcefully inseminated in pet trade, dairy and animal farms where they are forcefully restrained during the act for the sole purpose of monetary profit of humans. In the case of special or selective breeding they are often subject to forced incest with their own sons or close family members which also causes several genetic complications and creates health problems such as low immunity, cancer and early death, while unwanted or unattractive babies are disposed off. Female animals are found suffering in gruesome pain with the frequent forced intercourse and labor of bearing children repeatedly, not to mention the emotional agony of their babies being snatched away. Is it possible for us to allow human females and babies to be abused and sold similarly? Then why are there no laws against animal breeding, farming and trade?
  2. Animal Control and Strays: While there are thousands of strays suffering, hungry and maimed on the streets or dying in road accidents in many underdeveloped countries, in developed nations we see hardly any stray dogs or cats on the streets because they are simply caught and killed in ‘animal pounds’ by animal control officers if not found or adopted within a few days of being lost or abandoned. Animal shelters try to rescue as many as they can but quite often animals are treated as ‘easily disposable’ trash on our streets and killed as soon as possible unless adopted. Pets are also euthanized or ‘put down’ by vets quite easily whereas human euthanasia is considered questionable even in the most severe of cases. Could we ever consider culling of homeless or ill humans in the same way? Then how do we justify this being done to animals just to restrict their population or lifespan simply because they are of no economic benefit to us.
  3. Spaying and Neutering: Spaying and neutering pets is mandatory almost everywhere or at least considered essential for all pet ‘owners’, so much so that baby animals are operated upon even before they have ever had a chance of naturally growing into or exploring their sexuality. Natural intercourse and mating between animals is considered wrong whereas forced intercourse for human greed is considered normal. This itself is one of the most ironic and usually ignored ethical issue when it comes to animal rights. The only reason for this is the fear that we might have to take care of the babies of our highly ‘loved’ pets which creates the issue of abandoning those ‘excess’ babies that land into animal pounds unless we spay and neuter them and prevent them from reproducing any further. Could we think of doing these procedures of spaying and neutering to our own human children for the sake or birth control or population control? Then why is do we not treat our pets in the same compassionate way?
  4. Owning Animals: When it comes to humans we consider ourselves as free beings with the rights to our own independent life. However animals are treated as commodities for sale, as exhibits in zoos and as easy subjects of experimentation, dissection and animal-testing. We proudly call ourselves pet-owners as if it is our right to own another being. We have artificially domesticated animals by taking them out of their natural habitats to be turned into our pets or farm animals for our enjoyment and comfort. Use and abuse of animals whether as race horses, beasts of burdens, cows for milking, sheep for shearing, cattle for rearing, hens for egg laying, pets for trading or for any selfish purpose whatsoever is unethical, no matter how prevalent and widespread. Could we allow ourselves or our human children to be ‘owned’ by any other alien specie for any of their experiments or projects? Then how do we consider ourselves to be any less monstrous when it comes to the way we treat other species on earth?
  5. Slaughterhouses: The biggest of all crimes in the world happens not anywhere around us but on our dinner tables everyday. We slaughter animals as if they were vegetables or fruits growing on trees and are ‘meant’ to be eaten. Because we purchase these slaughtered animals at the butchers or from supermarkets, all sliced and wrapped in packets, most children do not even know that there was immense bloodshed and pain in the making of their ‘happy meals’. We are responsible for lying and hiding facts from our children just to keep them eating the same things that we have been programmed to eat by our parents. Someone rightly said ‘if slaughterhouses were made of glass, everyone would turn vegan’. Yet, we vehemently protest when vegans try to post videos or pictures of what goes on behind closed doors of animal factory or farms even as billions of innocent animals are gruesomely murdered day after day simply to feed the taste-buds of the majority who refuse to open their eyes. This by itself is the single most demonic act that makes us the most evil specie on the planet. When we have strict laws and religious commandments preventing murder or killing of humans, then how come our laws have failed miserably when it comes to animals?

Let us ask ourselves, ‘how can we go to any kind of ‘heaven’ or be one with any ‘God’ by simply following a certain faith or beliefs or merely through rituals, prayers and meditation, unless we become kind and compassionate to all creatures ourselves?’ Mainstream religions have so far made us believe that the ‘Creator’ considers humankind to be a special race or species who is allowed to dominate earth and control or abuse land and animals at our will, yet common sense tells us that the Creator is One with all beings and not partial to human specie. Would we ever be able to actually be in the energy of the One True Creator and be able to manifest a kind and compassionate universe instead of being slave to regressive beliefs that have only led to tremendous suffering and degradation of our planet?

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25 Ingredients of Check For and Avoid in Shopping

Most of us have been living in a fool’s paradise, imagining that everything that we read on the front labels of grocery such as ‘natural ingredients’ or ‘no artificial flavorings or colors’ is plant derived and good for us. Even when we check the list at the back of the packages, and few people actually do that, we are frequently puzzled by various names and codes that we have never really been educated about in schools, college or home. Here are some shocking ingredients to beware of, especially for those of us who are turning to a more vegan and ethical lifestyle. Many of these are labelled as ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ or loosely described as ‘solvents’, ’emulsifiers’, ‘anti-caking agents’, ‘colors’ and ‘preservatives’.

  1. Carmine/ Cochineal or Crushed Bugs E120: Made by crushing beetle insects and found in most cosmetics such as lipsticks, rouge, blush-on or shampoos as well as in colorful food items such as candies, juices, colored ice-creams, cakes, syrups, jams, yogurts, sausages and lollies may give many of us the creeps.
  2. Animal Bones in Sugar E542: The sweet sugar we eat every single day is made with the use of crushed bones of cattle or pigs in the filtration process in factories so that it is bleached white. Brown sugar is similar as it is made from white sugar. Anti-caking agents in powdered food products and detergents may also contain this and so might toothpaste.
  3. Gelatin from Pigs or Cows in Sweets and Jellies E441: Porcine or pig gelatin as well as that from other animals bones and skin is commonly used in jellies and gelatin or gummy sweets that we innocently offer to children every other day and also consume as capsules in medication.
  4. Shellac or Beetle Excretion in Jellybeans and Nail-polish E904: Also called confectioner’s glaze it is made from secretions of lac bugs for the shiny and hard shells or coatings in candies, jelly beans, chocolate or pills and also in polishes and paint.
  5. Cysteine from Animal or Human Hair in Bread E910, E920, E921: To make stretchier dough in burgers, rolls, biscuits and widely permitted in most baked goods.
  6. Sheep Secretions or Lanolin in creams E913:  Woolly mammals such as sheep secrete lanolin from their sebaceous glands which finds its way into several creams, balms, baby oils and moisturizers. Vitamin D may also be extracted from it for adding to food.
  7. Wax in Crayons, Candles and Cosmetics E901 and E907:  Wax derived from animals such as cows or bees are found in many wax based products including lipsticks, crayons, candles and soaps even if the labels do not always say so.
  8. Animal Fat in Food E471 and Stearic acids or Stearates E570: Animal fat is regularly found in several brands of baked goods, chips, crisps in the form of margarine, lard from pig belly, tallow from horses and cattle and in many processed foods including local bakery items while stearates from tallows are also found in many cosmetics, shampoos and personal care items as ‘surfactant’.
  9. Enzymes, Emulsifiers and Softeners in Breads, Cakes E322: Enzymes from the bodies of animals or lecithin from eggs are usually added not just to cheeses but also at times in baked products including breads to emulsify and soften them.
  10. Glycerin from Animals in Food and Toiletries E422: Triglycerides, glycerol and glycerin are not always plant derived but extracted from animals and many of our personal care products such as toothpastes, condoms and conditioners have it. It is also used as a solvent and sweetener in many processed foods such as cookies and puddings.
  11. Flavor enhancers E631 and MSG E621: Sodium inosinate in many snacks is made of meat while Monosodium Glutamate found in many flavored crisps, noodles, snacks and sauces has been linked with several health problems.
  12. Animal Keratin, Guanin, Snail Slime and Collagens in hair and cosmetic products: While Keratin is made of ground hooves, horns and hair of animals, Guanine is made from shiny fish scales to give shimmer to makeup. Squalin from sharks for makeup, Ambergis from whales for perfume, Estrogen from pregnant horses, Snail Slime, Collagen and Retinol for anti-ageing creams are other ingredients used in the cruelty industry.
  13. Chemical Bleach in White Bread: Chlorine Di-oxide, Benzyl Peroxide, Bromides and other chemicals are typically added to give that white color and smooth texture to your everyday bread.:
  14. Musk oil and perfume: Derived by abusing and killing of wild animals such as musk deer for the strong smelling anal secretions.
  15. Castorium from Beaver’s Anal Castor glands for flavoring Ice-creams and desserts: Another one of the ingredients passed off as natural flavorings that is derived from anal secretions of beavers and also used in perfumes.
  16. Most colors, chemicals and preservatives: Most of the additives such as colors, sweeteners, enhancers and preservatives in foods have been linked with asthma, cancer and hyperactivity and hence classified as dangerous. Similarly SLS or Sodiun Laureth Sulfate, Lye, Fluorides, Parabens, Aluminium and many ingredients in cosmetics, shampoos, lye, anti-perspirants and toothpastes are also recognized as harmful, poisonous and even carcinogenic.
  17. Wool, Silk, Leather, Feathers or Animal Fur: From clothing to bags, shoes, stuffed pillows and even our shamanic drums and ritual robes may have animal skins, silks, feathers and wool that involve cruelty. Even our household gum may be animal derived.
  18. Honey: Vomited by bees who process nectar, honey involves destruction of their homes or exploitation in bee farms.
  19. Pet Foods and Pellets: When feeding our animals out of packages of pet foods, we are unaware of how they have been processed from other slaughtered animals.
  20. Meat, Dairy, Fish and Poultry: Involving violence, abuse and slaughter of animals these products are discouraged and opposed by most people who believe in compassion. However do remember to also avoid most chocolate, cakes, biscuits and sweets as they usually contain dairy and eggs as well as animal derived additives such as whey.
  21. Medical Products and Vaccines: Vaccines are known to be made of eggs and pork gel besides having viruses injected in our bodies to make us immune to negative things such as pollution and viruses, and prevent any symptoms from showing up so that negativity remains suppressed inside. Surgical sutures are also often made of animal intestines and are cruelty based.
  22. Animal venom, exotic ‘medicine’ and collectibles: From ‘kambo’ taken forcibly from frogs to ‘snake oil’, rhino horn,  and various other exotic collectibles such as ivory from elephants are also linked to cruelty even if for medicinal, decorative or ceremonial use.
  23. Dietary Supplements: Vitamin and mineral supplements such as B12, D, Calcium, Omega 3 and many more may be derived from animals.
  24. Pesticide and GMO based foods: Foods grown with chemical based fertilizers and pesticides as well as genetically modified products are not natural and may contain more negativity as they are designed to be immune to harmful substances.
  25. Plastics and Synthetics: Non-biodegradable bags, toys, clothes and daily use items have made their way into every room of our homes. We can end their use and develop eco-friendly alternatives to save our planet.

Look out of the ‘Vegan’ labels on products that are vegan, because if not specifically marked so they usually are not Vegan, even if marked ‘natural’ or ‘organic’. Also avoid animal tested products to keep them cruelty free. 

Some ideas for switching to a more natural vegan life include:

  • Avoiding cosmetics and unnecessary or unhealthy products
  • Raw whole organic fruits and vegetables without glazing for food
  • Organic neem, licorice or meswak sticks for teeth
  • Rock salt and natural herb powders such as neem leaves for bath
  • Cinnamon, cloves and cardamom for mouth wash and mouth fresheners
  • Shikakai and soap nuts for shampoo and detergents
  • Unrefined olive oil for skin care and hair conditioner
  • Essential oils for perfumes
  • Energy healing and meditation for well-being
  • Spiritual or inner instead of outer materialistic pursuits

Ref:

https://www.peta.org/living/food/animal-ingredients-list/

https://elated.co.za/which-e-numbers-are-vegan/

https://www.vegsoc.org/veggieaware

https://www.vegsoc.org/Enumbers

https://www.organics.org/11-disgusting-natural-ingredients-in-your-food/

http://www.chemistryindustry.biz/food-additive-groups.html

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Nine Things That Make No Further Sense In an Awakening World

Humans are gaining consciousness after what seems to be millennia of deep sleep. Things that trigger our awakening are precisely those things that we did in the past that do not seem to make any sense if we actually use our inner wisdom:

1. Killing and mistreating innocent animals for food: When we turn vegan or encourage others to consider how animals die or suffer for our food when we can receive much better health through plant based diet because fruits and vegetables do not kill the plant, we get many arguments to handle. Just because our lesser evolved ancestors or other animals have been okay with consuming animals should we keep doing so without feeling any compassion? Are we still unconscious or are we supposed to be more evolved? We might feel that animal abuse and killing for food or entertainment be banned in an awakened universe, yet do we have the courage to say it? After-all killing, rape or abuse of other humans has also been acceptable in the past.peta

2. Using plastic: We argue that plastic can be recycled and consume tons of it everyday adding to the weight of non-biodegradable garbage on earth, but will plastic cease to be polluting or toxic just because it is being recycled. While governments are afraid to impose or implement bans on plastic in most countries, can we not consciously reduce and discover alternatives to this monster we have created simply for convenience?

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3. Toxic and Chemical Products: Our needs for glamour and convenience need not outweigh that of true inner beauty and health. We need to ask why we all are we so keen on being outwardly attractive and looking or smelling good, why we keep socializing over drinks or smokes or why we continue eating more and more packaged foods that we do not research the ingredients and go natural instead? Whether it is harmful foods, addictive cigarettes, drugs or alcohol, or over-marketed skin-care and chemical make-up we can choose to say no and be conscious instead. Toxins-in-the-name-of-BEAUTY.png

4. Technological addiction: Whether children or adults we stay 24×7 on smartphones, television or other gadgets, with both eyes looking outside at some kind of entertainment instead of meditation. Staring outside instead of looking inwards is exactly how we lost our third-eye powers, and if we keep doing so we might lose the last of our remaining connections with higher consciousness?wifi

5. Ignorant beliefs and practices: We know how many of our outdated ideas are self-created outpourings of ignorant beliefs. While imagining that some being or beings outside us are giving us the rules we so loyally follow, we have mistreated women, sacrificed animals, encouraged racism, fought for land and power, spread fear and psychosis, destroyed nature and discouraged inner search for truth in the name of religion or belief.

visarjan

6. Celebrity Worship:  With all that focus on glamour, fame and material power, where do real role models of inner enlightenment disappear? We see idol-worship of a new kind with mass-market music, movies, advertisements and sports dominating the scene while real talent and actual creative genius seems suppressed and unacknowledged. Spiritual idols too seem to be those famous figures of history, popularity or myth that develop into our gods and masters while we lose connection to the higher self within us.

amitabh

7. Constant Seeking of Outer Pleasure: Special offers and a bombardment of marketing entice our senses all the time preventing us from making sensible choices. Screen romances and popular music has been deeply programming us to constantly look for sexual partners and indulgences all around us. We find little time to seek our own inner self as we lose who we are in the matrix of illusions and desires? If we were to detach from this constant seeking and find a peace and contentment from within, we would not be dancing in ‘maya’ all the time.

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8. Making Money as the goal of life: Schools, colleges, offices, shops, we keep learning how to make money, struggle for survival, enhance superficial lifestyle and status and one day enter the ranks of the rich and famous. Are we learning how to exploit the matrix for gaining more and more at the expense of the well-being of others and the planet? Do we consider saying no to many of the unnecessary material objects that we have been accumulating and instead focus on spiritual enlightenment.auto-424119_960_720

9. Medicine that merely suppress symptoms: While we blindly consume harmful meat, dairy, processed foods, chemicals and pesticides instead of organic, fresh and raw vegan diet, and fill ourselves with negative thoughts or emotions, we develop many illnesses, lose resistance to common colds and headaches, and fall prey to life threatening obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart-disease and more that only leads to increased medical bills and taxes. In spiritual awakening, we begin to see that we manifest our own conditions and actually change our inner state through spiritual awareness and healthier choices in mind, body and spirit so that we no longer depend on constant medication.drug-pusher-1907827_960_720

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7 Laws Around the World That Need Changing

As reported today in the news, homosexuality was decriminalized in India today. However there are still many archaic laws around the world that require changing for making our planet a better place for us with regards to human rights and that of animals.

  1. Marital Rape: In many countries such as India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia, marital rape is still allowed. India has a been showing a poor record in recognizing female sexual consent and most people believe that sex is obligatory once a woman is married to a man regardless of her refusal. According to this report for example, Indian government has last year refused to uphold the rights of consent for married women stating that laws against marital rape ‘could destabilize the institution of marriage.’ In contrast  UK criminalized non-consensual sex within marriage since early 1990s and it may send the husband to jail for many years. According to this BBC report marital rape, date rape or acquaintance rape in UK is to be taken as seriously as stranger rape. It is time for an international movement to make non-consensual sex illegal regardless of marriage or relationship.indian-wedding-2944648_960_720
  2. Child Marriage: Some countries such as Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Somalia allow little children to be married off because of absolutely no legal age specification for marriage. In around 117 countries marriage of children, especially girls is allowed according to this report . In many other countries, although marriage of children is not legal, the implementation of laws regarding this is poor resulting in many girl children being married to men against their will at an early age. Not only does this result in marital rape, the lack of marital rape laws and absence of women’s rights makes it even more difficult for any justice to be possible in some countries. Human rights groups need to strengthen their case for laws to protect girl child and children from marriage and rape.muslim-972544_960_720
  3. Women’s Rights: While Saudi Arabia recently allowed women to drive, when it comes to taking any financial decision, career, travel or marriage, women need permission from a male relative. According to this controversial ‘male guardianship’ system, husbands, fathers, brothers and even sons can make decisions on ‘behalf’ of the woman. Similarly women in many places are forced to wear burkas and hijabs that cover their body, hair and face. There is an urgent call to end the male guardianship system in Saudi Arabia. mourning-2833151_960_720
  4. Animal Rights: From being used as food in most countries to being abused in farms for the sake of milk and poultry animal rights have been brutally violated all over the world for several centuries. Some countries have a few laws regarding pets and media usage of animals while some do not even have such laws. United Kingdom was one of the first countries to introduce laws for animal welfare according to this BBC report. Even in such countries slaughtering animals for religious reasons such as halal and kosher has been permitted which remains a major violation of animal rights as it requires animals to be consciously killed by knife instead of stunning. In either case the entire idea of allowing animals to be killed for meat does against the concept of compassion and cruelty free living. Regardless of religious and mass mentality laws against killing of animals for food, fun or cruelty need to be enacted if we are to have a sensible earth. Basic measures such as preventing caging of animals in zoos, use in circuses and other industries still need to be taken in most countries.LambEscaping_Captioned
  5. Tree Cutting: Not only do trees help our environment, they also have a long life that needs to be respected. However many countries have insufficient laws governing tree felling. In many developing nations, we see cities and towns such as Mumbai, Shanghai, Dubai and Istanbul as shown in this report, there are hardly any trees. In many of these cities, massive construction has depleted the space of almost all tree cover, with absolutely no provisions to preserve green and open spaces or plant more trees. Laws to plant more trees and to protect a large percentage of the city space with tree cover are desperately needed. An example of a petition to prevent losing the last green space left in Mumbai at Aarey colony is found here.trees-1460363_960_720
  6. Indigenous Rights: British colonists have in the past taken possession over large pieces of lands and entire continents such as Australia and North America by their force and a display of racial and religious superiority over indigenous populations all over the world. Land and property therefore have largely been traded and owned by western laws with little or no regard for the rights of the original inhabitants of the place. Treasures and wealth of countries that were colonized and ruled over in the past has already made western empires richer while people in the nations that were ruled by the west, including African nations and India have suffered several years of poverty and economic neglect in-spite of being financially rich in the historical past. Laws to return indigenous land and wealth to its original owners is necessary and a matter of struggle in many cases.indigenous_rights
  7. Arms and Ammunition: We all agree that we need more peace in the world. Yet the arms and ammunition industry is worth billions and the profiteers behind every side of war. Not only do we have nuclear weapons still in place in powerful as well as developing nations, we also have guns sold legally in the USA making it life unsafe for the common public including school children.GunControlProtest
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11 Types of Foods to Avoid and Their Positive Replacements

Much of the foods cleverly packaged, branded, advertised and widely distributed in supermarkets can actually cause us tremendous harm. Even though we might see many people around us purchasing and consuming these everyday we should not assume that it is alright for us to follow suit. Most importantly, even though they may not always pose an immediate risk, over a period of time human society has, due to consumption of packaged products, been affected by ills of cancer, heart disease, high blood sugar, obesity, autism, mental and emotional illnesses, violence, dullness and stress. We have also brought a severe strain on our eco-system and threatened the life and wellbeing of other species with all the excess packaging and plastics that these foods lead to. Here are  positive or ‘sattvic’ alternatives that are healthier for everyone including earth, to replace the common negative or ‘tamasic’ diet options that have been popular all around.

  1. Canned foods and Ready Meals: cans-3225861_960_720Tinned beans, canned tomatoes, spinach, and all kinds of pre-cut, pre-cooked and packed meals that you can open and eat right out of the box or cans are regarded as ‘Tamasic’ or low-vibrational, toxic meals that can bring our spiritual energy and wellbeing down.  Storing pre-cooked meals in the refrigerator overnight and for long hours, or on supermarkets shelves is also a cause for loss of ‘sattvic’ qualities in our foods.  A much more ‘sattvic’ or positive vibrational alternative is to consume only fresh and whole foods that are cooked at home and eaten immediately after cooking.baked-potatoes-2157201_960_720
  2. Bottled Juices and Smoothies: juice-1013227_960_720.jpgAlthough they are widely marketed as healthy and ethical foods, juicing of fruits and bottling them for distribution and sale can cause a loss of positive vibrations making these products ‘tamasic’ and stale. The energetic value of fruits is best when eaten whole and especially when they are organically farmed without pesticides and chemical products. Fresh fruits are also readily available and require no processing making them ideal for busy people who do not wish to spend time cooking and juicing.fruit-2367029_960_720
  3. Fizzy Drinks and Diet Colas: supermarket-1229744_960_720Although we might reach out for fizzy drinks for quenching our thirst on a hot day, the truth is they have absolutely no nutritional benefits and provide an artificial feeling of cooling while artificial sweeteners such as saccharine and aspartame in diet colas are linked with cancer. The best alternative to thirst quenchers is a glass of clean water that you can easily have at home or work, and carry your own bottle while on the go.water
  4. White Breads and Refined Flour Pastas: white-bread-3279815_960_720Having a crisp toast or sandwich made with fluffy bread for breakfast, packaged biscuits or cakes for tea and shapely white pastas for dinner may not be as healthy for us as we thought. Due to refined flour, preservatives and additives used for most of these products, they are likely to impair our digestive systems if we consume them regularly. A much healthier alternative is to use traditionally milled whole-grain flour that contains the husk and fibres within and to prepare oven-fresh brown breads, biscuits, home-cut and dried pastas, home baked pizzas and easy to cook brown ‘rotis’ (flatbreads) within minutes at home without any unhealthy additives that packaged breads would normally contain. bread-1192236_960_720
  5. Crisps and Cheesy Snacks: snacksReaching out for the easily available bag of crisps or nibbles is so very convenient when we feel a sudden hunger pang, even though we know it is not actually healthy for us. The artificial processing in factories, added salt, cheese powder and MSGs make these products ‘tamasic’ for us. Children fed on such foods on a regular basis are normally found to face more illnesses and developmental delays too. Instead of substituting these with alternative packaged foods, try wholesome and nutritive vegetables and fruits such as cucumber and banana which require no preparation and can be consumed on the go by children and adults alike.cucumber
  6. Snack bars and Granola: snackbarsNutty and cereal bars packed with sugars, sweeteners and chocolate as well as preservatives might be marketed as great health-foods but they are obviously not so. When we need to carry a nutty snack to work or play, we can easily pack some whole organic nuts in a bag and carry them with us to supply all the protein and fibre that we need, minus added sugar, sweeteners or preservatives.nuts.png
  7. Packaged Cereals and Cornflakes: Morning-GloryA box of cornflakes or muesli or some of the colourful or sugary cereals that we quickly pour out for our children and for ourselves each morning may not be the brightest way to begin our day.  Due to the packaged nature of these products we end up eating sulphites and preservatives as well as excess sugar that can be easily avoided by consuming homemade cereal such as boiled oats, broken wheat with whole fruits and nuts, or toast some oats and nuts in our own oven and prepare our own crunchy muesli within minutes. oats
  8. Ice-creams, Sweets and packed Desserts: ice-cream-2198135_960_720.jpgCool softies and tubs of ice-creams, colourful sweets and lollies have been heavily marketed to children all over the media and through the tempting sounds of ‘ice-cream vans’ that haunt every school building each day of summer. We all know that these sweets and frozen desserts are completely devoid of any nutritional value and contain mostly fluff, artificial colours and sugar. Avoid all the sweet junk by focusing on fresh, whole, organic fruits such as creamy avocados and juicy oranges that can be easily carried over to every playground whether school and home and give yourself and your children a healthier life. avocado-1276875_960_720
  9. Frozen Vegetables: Iceland-Groceries-Frozen-Vegetables-1024x768Some people think that frozen vegetables contribute to the ‘pre-day’ requirements for a healthy vegan life. However frozen goods are just as ‘tamasic’ or negative in energy as canned or processed foods. Instead, purchase organic fresh vegetables from your local organic farmers who can either home-deliver or sell fresh seasonal produce at the farmers markets regularly, or reach out for the ‘organic fresh vegetable’ shelf when you go shopping everyday.market-3336244_960_720
  10. Meats and Poultry: pigs-520896_960_720Chicken, beef, mutton, fish, ham, eggs and virtually all dead meats are ‘tamasic’ in nature as their spiritual energy is dark as well as painful due to the way all animals are treated and killed for the purpose of consumption. Consuming fresh vegetables and fruits that do not kill the plant is much more natural and ethical, while being full of health benefits of ‘sattvic’ nature. fruit-basket-396622_960_720
  11. Dairy and Cheese: Flickr-factory-farm-ArdarveJust as meats and eggs can distress and kill animals, so does the dairy industry too. Instead of substituting your diet with vegan cheeses and packaged vegan milks which have been processed in factories and thereby ‘tamasic’, we can ideally eliminate our dependence on dairy and cheese altogether by training our mind to enjoy whole fruits and vegetables with water as the best ‘sattvic’ choice.food

 

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12 Eco Friendly Homemade Alternatives to Personal Care Products

We all know that personal care products such as shampoos and shower gels not only contain harsh chemicals but also harm our planet with excess plastic packaging. While eating healthy raw vegan foods and enjoying a meditation routine are the best way to ensure healthy body, skin and hair, through the power of consciousness we can use completely natural, homemade, organic, ethical, vegan and plastic-free products for personal care and do our bit to save the world, one day at a time… and save money too.

  1. Body Wash and Scrub: A great homemade alternative that can be easily incorporated in our bath is ‘ubtan’ or a gentle paste of oatmeal or gram flour (besan) mixed with a little water, to which we can add a sprinkle of ground turmeric for its wonderful antiseptic qualities. As we apply and scrub our body with these all natural ingredients we feel relaxed, healed and cleansed at the same time.besab
  2. Hair Wash: We may not need to search far and wide for shampoo alternatives. Going ‘poo’ free is easier when we can have all natural and organic Shikakai or hair-fruit, a few pieces of which added to warm water can give us a mild lathery and fragrant concoction for washing our hair. Herbal teas such as nettle and rosemary can make excellent rinses for the hair too. shikakai
  3. Detergent: Laundry can smell wonderful and be really clean with a small muslin bag of soapnuts (reetha) tossed into your bucket or washing machine. reetha
  4. Hair Conditioner: All those expensive brands of conditioners can be easily replaced with pure and natural organic oils such as coconut oil, olive oil or gooseberry (amla) oil which can be lightly applied to the hair follicles before washing to result in clean as well as balanced hair. olive-oil-bowl-tease-today-160307
  5. Skin Care: Our skin loves the feeling of fruit pulp such as organic avocado which can give most skin creams a run for their money. Expensive brands or beauty parlors may not be necessary; mashed banana applied on the skin with cucumber slices on our eyes can make a great home based beauty treatment. Most natural organic vegan oils such as coconut oil can bless our skin with moisture and that nourished feeling. avocado1
  6. Ear Cleaning: Ear buds are terrible for they push wax back into our ear canals to block our ear drums causing infections and the plastic in them is unhelpful to the environment too. Simply add a drop or two of olive oil in your ear canal and leave it in for a few minutes before repeating this for the next ear so that within a few days the excess wax is released naturally.olive-oil-for-ear-infection
  7. Hair Color: Harsh bleaches and chemical dyes in our hair color and treatments are not only expensive but also damaging to our health in the long run. A homemade paste of organic henna leaf powder with a bit of water can be easily applied all over our hair and washed off after an hour for a gentle and natural color that is easy on the eyes and leaves the hair soft with a beautiful natural fragrance. Henna Leaves With Powder On Ceramic Bowl
  8. Mouthwash: Fluoridated and alcohol based mouthwashes can be harmful in the long run. A small piece of cinnamon bark can cleanse the mouth effectively with its anti-microbial action. You can also boil it in water and cool it to prepare a fresh home-made mouthwash in minutes. Chewing a pod of cardamom can freshen breath in an instant without any of the sugars or plastic of chewing gums or lozenges.Cinnamonum verum
  9. Teeth Cleaner: While toothpastes without fluoride and sulfates can be hard to find, we can try to cleanse our teeth with a home made paste of powdered cinnamon and clove. Chewing a neem bark or ‘dantun’  as a natural toothbrush has germ repellent effects. Chewing a clove can be extremely effective in warding off tooth  aches too. neem bark
  10. Skin Detox: Acne, eczema and skin problems can be easily remedied at home with the help of neem leaves, a few of which boiled in water, strained and cooled can be added to bath for an effective skin detox. A paste of neem leaves can cleanse and purify skin as a face pack. Herbs such as basil, lavender and chamomile are not only great as herbal teas, they can also be great for skin care when added to bath for a fragrant and chemical free spa experience at home. neem-leavs
  11. Lip Color: Wax, chemicals and plastic in lipsticks can be harmful for the skin and environment. Organic dragon’s blood tree sap or ink can actually be healing for our skin as well as provide a beautiful red or pink tint at the same time. Lip gloss can be easily made at home using by grinding and straining beet juice and adding a bit of coconut oil to it which can even be solidified.lip
  12. Perfume and Sprays: Highly devoured brands of fragrances and body sprays not only cost much more than they are actually worth, they might have artificial fragrances and harmful ingredients too. Simple and pure essential oils that can be safely dabbed on to our clothes include lavender, geranium, rose, patchouli and many more. Essential oils such as peppermint, citronella and eucalyptus can also be sprayed or diffused in rooms for deodorizing and repelling insects sans chemicals.essential-oils-2738555_960_720
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