Why You Shouldn't Take Your Veggie Diet For Granted

Vegan diets are just as unhealthy as meat-based ones, if you're not vigilant, say researchers in China.

Over the years, I've received a certain measure of criticism for turning vegetarian (and I've dished out my fair share to the more insensitive among meat-eaters). And I admit that since I've shed my appetite for artery-clogging meat and seafood, I've felt a lot healthier and energetic. 

But lately, I've been indulging in chocolate and desserts once too often, and it wasn't until I read this article that I (metaphorically) screeched to a stop. It seems that like the meat-eaters I was so fond of condemning, I too have been careless with my diet. 

To spare you the extra energy of clicking on the link and reading the entire article, I'll summarise it in a few sentences: Researchers at Zhejiang University in China have discovered that vegans are placing themselves in the path of heart disease. Apparently vegans are often deficient in zinc, iron, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids [which has been found to be essential for a healthy heart]. The researchers also found that vegans also have lower levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and higher blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.

For more information, visit: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/vegan-diet-may-increase-risk-of-heartrelated-diseases-study-2216872.html

7 Delectable Desserts For Valentine's Day

Vegan red velvet cake is the perfect dessert for Valentine's Day

Monday is set to be an interesting Valentine's Day now that spiritual leaders in Russia and Malaysia, as well as the Iranian regime have banned V-Day celebrations among their citizens. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the ban, how the heck will the authorities differentiate people who are out celebrating the occasion from those who are just out for a meal with family, friends, or their significant others?

Fortunately, the ban in Malaysia only affects certain states and sections of society, which leaves the rest of us free to engage in culinary exploits and other ways of spoiling our loved ones. What better way to pamper the vegetarian(s) in your life than whipping up a decadent dessert? Here are some of my favourite Valentine Day dessert picks:

Guilt-Free Vegan 'Nasi Lemak'

Nasi lemak is one of many Malaysian favourites you can "veganise" easily.
Photo: SG

The secret of the best nasi lemak lies in its sambal (clockwise, top right). The boiled egg and chicken rendang are only extras---this creamy coconut rice is nothing without a fantastic sambal. I have fond memories of the makcik who ran a stall next to the neighbourhood watch headquarters (what we in Malaysia call rukun tetangga) in Seremban. She made simple, no-frills nasi lemak with a slice of hard-boiled egg, a few slices of cucumber and some fried anchovies to keep the rice and sambal company. The nasi lemak would always be sold out by lunch time, so my dad would be at her stall early on a Saturday or Sunday morning, queuing up with the other fans.

Reinventing the Sattvic Diet

It's time to question how "sattvic" store-bought milk really is. 

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men. ~Alice Walker

When an idea is "out there", most people resist it, often for the sake of resisting. It's human nature, I'd dig my heels in too if in a crazy world, governments declared it was illegal to be vegetarian. 

My idea is that the modern sattvic vegetarian diet (often synonymous with the lacto-vegetarian diet), is as far from sattvic as Kuala Lumpur is from the moon. (Ok, maybe not the moon, New York seems far more believable). Which leads me to my second idea: it is time to reinvent the sattvic diet.