Vegetarian Friend

5 Foods To Naturally Get Gorgeous Hair And Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Thu, 7 Nov 2013 15:36:00 +0700

Written By Natali Ivasiv

People all over the globe are spending billions of dollars on skin and hair-care products every year, and don’t even realize that it comes down to lifestyle, rather than how much you can afford to spend on products. Beauty is only skin-deep, but the importance of healthy skin goes a lot deeper. Here are some tips to boost the Beauty of Your Skin and Hair!

Nourish Your Body

The foods you eat can be powerful tools to increase your beauty as well. Most people choose foods based on how many calories it contains and how it will affect their weight. But foods can also improve your skin, nails and hair, as they simultaneously increase your health. Nourishing your skin begins from the inside with the foods you eat.

Here are the Top Superfoods for Gorgeous Skin and Hair:

1. Red and Green Vegetables
Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which prevents cell damage and premature aging. Studies have shown that eating foods with these deeply colored pigments can make your face actually look healthier than being tanned.

2. Blueberries
This low-profile berry was ranked number one in antioxidant activity by the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to 40 common fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in blueberries protect you from premature aging, so add half a cup to your yogurt or cereal every day.

3. Nuts
The benefits of nuts — especially almonds — have to do with antioxidant activity. Vitamin E fights skin-aging free radicals, and also helps your skin hold in moisture.

4. Walnuts
You don’t need to eat cupfuls of walnuts to enjoy their many benefits: smoother skin, healthy hair, brighter eyes, and strong bones. Get your daily dose of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E by eating a handful by themselves or throwing some in your salad, pasta, or dessert.

5. Spinach
This leafy green vegetable is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Spinach is loaded with lutein, which keeps your eyes healthy and sparkling. Spinach is also a good source of vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Hydrate

Hydration is important for glowing, healthy and beautiful skin.

Drink plenty of pure water throughout the day
Drink Green Smoothies, which are really hydrating and have a lot of enzymes and nutrients from the fresh fruits and vegetables.
Eat a lot of raw foods that contain their own water, like salads containing lots of brightly colored vegetables.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which are dehydrating.

Feed Your Skin from the Outside-In

You may not realize this, but a large portion of the toxins you’re exposed to on a daily basis comes through your skin, not just through what you put in your mouth. Your skin is actually the largest organ of your body, and it’s highly absorbent. So it’s important to use natural components for your skin. The following five extraordinary food-based ingredients are both safe and effective:

Organic Shea Butter
Virgin Coconut Oil
Jojoba Oil
Palm Oil
Aloe Vera Juice

These ingredients individually and synergistically contribute to softer, smoother, moister skin, without taxing your body with potential toxins.

And now I want to share with you some of my favorite beautifying drinks, which will increase the beauty of your skin, hair and nails from the inside out!

Check the recipes for your beautifying drinks here :

Source : http://fitlife.tv/7-foods-to-naturally-get-gorgeous-hair-and-skin/

11 Important and Healthy Benefit of Flaxseed

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Wed, 6 Nov 2013 20:35:00 +0700

Prevention is most important in staying healthy and the benefit of flaxseed is that it is powerful at helping prevent illness and promote health and healing in our bodies.

Although flax has been known to have been used thousands of years ago, even as far back as 1000BC because of its many health benefits, flax was until recently relatively unknown and unused except for in paints and clothes.

Flaxseed is becoming known as an extremely beneficial and powerful super food.
Even Mahatma Ghandi said: Wherever golden flaxseeds become a regular food item among the people, there will be better health.

The increase in awareness of the benefit of flaxseed has created a stir in the food processing business. Currently there are over 300 food products that contain flaxseed.

The 5 main parts of flaxseed that promote health are omega 3 fatty acid, lignans, fiber, protein and vitamins + minerals. Then these three ingredients work together to provide a variety of health benefits.

You must grind the seeds so that your body can digest them and get all the health benefits.

The benefit of flaxseed is primarily by giving our body the nutrition that it needs to stay healthy, then it can heal itself.

1. Prevents Heart Disease
Omega 3 fatty acids are considered to be good fats. They are important to our health, but cannot be produced by our body. We must get them in our foods. Because flaxseed is rich in omega 3., it can help to keep your heart healthy in a variety of ways.

Flaxseed also helps your heart health by lowering your blood pressure. Having high blood pressure increases the chances that you will have a heart attack or congestive heart failure. The omega 3 fatty acids in flaxseed help reduce those risks.

2. Lowers High Cholesterol
One benefit of flaxseed is that it can lower your cholesterol. High cholesterol is dangerous because it can lead to plaque build up in the coronary arteries. Lowering your cholesterol reduces your chance of developing heart disease.

3. Helps Weight Loss
The Omega 3 is important for helping you feel satiated and the fiber and protein take a lot of time for your digestive system to process, which makes you full for longer. This combo makes it more likely that you won’t have as many cravings for snacky/bad foods and can make healthier food choices.

4. Helps Prevent Diabetes and Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels
Flax is a low glycemic food and won’t spike your blood sugars. The omega 3 and fiber also provide your body with good energy and nutrition for longer.
When you can keep your blood sugar levels more stable, you have less spikes in your blood sugar levels, need less insulin, and help your diabetes… some people have reversed diabetes and/or been able to control it much better by eating flax.

5. Promotes Intestinal Health and Can Help with Constipation and/or Diarrhea
Another benefit of flaxseed is that it contains mucilage, solube and insolube fibers that promote decreased irritation and healing of the intestinal system.

Flax seed prevents and helps with constipation by the omega 3 and the mucilage fiber gently softening and cleansing the intestinal tract. The stool is then pushed out more easily through the body. Prevention is important for constipation. Flaxseed is a food, not a pill and therefore, is best used as part of a daily, consistent diet to prevent constipation. Flax seed promotes intestinal health by reducing constipation.

Flax helps with Diarrhea by helping to bulk up the stool as well as to gently soothe and heal the irritation of the intestinal system. Put ground flax in water and you will see how it bulks up. This is what it does when it goes through the digestive system.

6. Helps Decrease Inflammation
The benefit of flaxseed on inflammation is due to the Omega 3 as well as the Lignans in flax -both are powerful in helping heal and decrease inflammation in the body. This is why flax helps with Arthritis, Allergies, Asthma, Sinusitis, etc.

7. Omega 3 Flax is a Brain Food
Your brain and body must have Omega 3 to function. Omega 3 is essential in order to prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia as well as helping with Depression, ADD + ADHD, Difficulty Sleeping, etc. Also, kids need Omega 3 so that their brains can develop properly.

The only way for our body to get Omega 3 is through foods we eat, yet… much of the food we eat is cooked and processed; it does not have Omega 3 in it…

Flax seed is the perfect way to get more Omega 3 in our daily diet.

8. Decrease + Get rid of Hot Flashes
Flax has lignans in the hull of the seed and these are a natural plant source of estrogen. Women have had relief from hot flashes, night sweats and improved vaginal moisture without the side effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy -HRT. Many women have been able to completely get rid of their Hot Flashes with Lignans of Flaxseed.

9. Improve Skin Health + Get Rid of Eczema, Dry skin, Acne, etc…
The Omega 3 in flaxseed promotes healing of Eczema, Psoriasis, Dry skin, Acne, and other skin conditions. The Lignans are anti-inflammatory and help the body heal the skin inflammations.

10. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Based on recent studies, flaxseed may help to protect your body from various types of cancer. The most common types are breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. Studies have indicated that the omega 3 fatty acids found in flaxseed may inhibit tumor growth.

The lignanas found in flaxseed help to protect specifically against breast cancer. It doe this by blocking enzymes that promote cancer and interfering with growth of tumors.

11. Boosts your Immune System
Flaxseed can help with fibromyalgia and other immune disorders by building your immune system, healing you from the inside out, and preventing illness.

Not only will you benefit from eating the nutrition your body is craving, but the flax lignans, omega 3, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals will help your body heal itself.

Source : Vegan in Heels FB Page

Want Osteoporosis? Get Milk!

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Wed, 6 Nov 2013 20:26:00 +0700

Calcium? Where do the COWS get calcium for their big bones? Yes... from plants! The calcium they consume from plants has a large amount of magnesium... necessary for the body to absorb and USE the calcium.

According to the National Institute of Health http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium/ the calcium content of 8oz of milk is 290mg and the magnesium content is 24mg. If we examine other calcium rich foods (we'll discuss those in a minute), we would see that the ratio for those foods is nearly 1/1, with equal amounts of calcium and magnesium. Indeed, magnesium is an essential part of calcium absorption. Without it, the calcium just passes through, unused.

The calcium in cow's milk is basically useless because it has insufficient magnesium content (those nations with the highest amount of milk/dairy consumption also have the highest rates of osteoporosis. Proof? How about a controlled study of 78,000 nurses over a period of 12 years?

Read more about it at:
http://www.notmilk.com/deb/030799.html - Article on the 78,000 nurse study
http://www.notmilk.com/deb/092098.html - CALCIUM AND BONE DISEASE
http://www.notmilk.com/badbones.html - WHO GETS BONE DISEASE?
http://www.notmilk.com/bonehead.txt - CRIPPLING BONEHEADS
http://www.notmilk.com/calcium/index.html - Consolidated info

Cows milk has three times the calcium as does human breast milk. No matter, neither are very usable because in order to be absorbed and used their MUST be an equal quantity of MAGNESIUM (as exists in the greens that cows eat to get all the calcium they need for their big bones). Milk has only enough magnesium to absorb around 11% (33mg per cup) of calcium.

Per the USDA 8 ounces (one cup) of cows milk contains:
Calcium, Ca mg 291.336
Magnesium, Mg mg 32.794

The USDA recommends 1200mg of calcium per day. The USDA recommended three cups of milk a day only have 900mg of calcium. Some argue that only 1/3 of the magnesium is necessary. Mother nature seems to suggest it should be one to one. If the ratio for proper absorption were 1/3 magnesium to one calcium then no more than 300mg of that 900mg of calcium is usable. If, in fact, it is a one to one ratio... only 98.38mg of calcium is usable.

It is not a matter of how much calcium one ingests... but how much one does not lose.

Source : Veganism Worldwide FB Page

Clean Your Kidneys

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Mon, 4 Nov 2013 19:33:00 +0700

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments and how are we going to overcome this?

It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley or Cilantro ( Coriander Leaves ) and wash it clean
Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

Parsley (Cilantro) is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

PLEASE SHARE To SAVE this recipe, be sure to click SHARE so it will store on your personal page.

For daily health tips visit here: www.humanNhealth.com

Source : Your Daily Health Tips FB Page

Health Benefits of Cloves: When All Else Fails, Try a Little Clove Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Mon, 4 Nov 2013 19:22:00 +0700

Known as one of the best antioxidant foods, cloves are well-known for their use as an externally applied local antiseptic (clove oil) that numbs on contact for dental pain. But not many folks are familiar with a variety of other health benefits of cloves, which includes combating Candida and fighting bacterial infections.

The dried buds of cloves contain an aromatic oily substance that is the essence of the spice’s medicinal and culinary properties. It’s wise to purchase cloves in their bud forms. Purchased powders may have lost most of their potency by the time you buy and use them, while dried buds hold up to three times as long.

Whenever you want clove as a powder, you can grind the buds in a coffee grinder. When you shop for cloves, pinch the buds with your fingernails. You should get a strong aromatic scent and a slightly oily feel. Choose organic if possible to avoid irradiated clove spices. They’re DOA (dead on arrival) herbal spices

Clove Oil’s Medicinal and Nutritional Qualities

Clove oil is a great anti-fungal. It’s even recommended by some to treat Candida. Clove teas, which can be made from either the clove buds or oil, are often recommended for Candida sufferers. The oil is also useful for direct applications to outer skin fungi, such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. Note that clove oil is usually very strong, which can lead to temporary discomfort. Too much can cause manganese toxicity. The oil could be diluted or used by putting drops into tea.

Clove has anti-viral anti-bacterial properties as well. It can be used for colds, coughs, and even a “seasonal” flu.

It’s an unusually powerful antioxidant. As an essential oil, clove’s ORAC rating soars to over 10 million! Most other antioxidants are rated in the tens of thousands to a maximum of a few hundred thousand at best.

Producing the oil from clove buds concentrates clove’s eugenol, the main active ingredient of clove. Eugenol is an anti-inflammatory. Clove’s flavonoids also contribute to the high ORAC level of the essential oil.

Clove has been discovered to help prevent adult onset diabetes by tripling insulin levels. Clove is one of the highest sources of manganese you’ll find. Manganese is vital for metabolism, contributes enzymes, promotes bone strength, and also adds to clove’s high ORAC antioxidant value.

Magnesium, calcium, vitamins C and K all make strong appearances in clove. Omega-3 is in abundance in clove as well as many phytonutrients that enhance the immune system.

Caution: Young children and pregnant or nursing women should not use clove.

Source : http://naturalsociety.com/health-benefits-of-cloves-clove-oil/

14 Benefits of Squash

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 05:29:00 +0700

Low in calories
Cholesterol-free
Aids in Weight-loss
High in Vitamin A
High in Vitamin C
High in Fiber
Help prevent Cancer
High in Potassium
High in Antioxidants
Reduces high blood pressure
Good source of magnesium
Helps prevent osteoporosis
Helps prevent the onset of cataracts
Reduces risk of heart attack and stroke

Learned the History Changed Me to be a Vegetarian

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 00:19:00 +0700

Hi, my name is Joanna, I'm 34 and I come from Poland. Oh, what is the most important - from over a year? I do not eat meat.

Many people will tell it's nothing, a year is nothing, but I think it is not the scale of time but the scale of attitude.

I've found your posts via facebook and decided to share with you my story. I don't know if it's inspiring for others but I've just felt the need to write to you.

.... don't know how to start.

Well I probably must write few words about my country's culture as it is crucial for vegetarianism being not so popular here.

I was born in 1979 in times of a big crisis in Poland. Clothes were reglamented, food was reglamented, especially meat. If you wanted to buy meat you needed to have coupons form the government distributed via factories and offices (I do not use the term companies as there was not private property at that time in business). It is not surprising that when the system changed this very "rare food" became sth. that poor people wanted to have a lot. It was like foreign cars, foreign clothes.

The national diet that before World War II (and the communist times that came after) was not based on meat but rather on different kinds of groats and vegetables has dramatically changed. Now the most common vege became the potato and wheat and of course always with a piece of fried pork....

And that how I've been raised. Sunday (catholic most important day in the week) chicken soup and potatoes with pork chop.

No one questioned it as this kind of eating became a matter of your social status and later a habit. New generations had forgotten old before war way of cooking. Also the subject of war was not popular.

We have changed the political system and came from one communist lie about the truth into another...

There are millions of people like I who didn't want to learn country's history as we knew what we art toughed in schools is another story, but not the truth.

Why am I writing about it. Well because it was finally not the pictures of animals being slaughter or kept in captivity but one historical book that made me quit eating meat one sunny Autumn afternoon.

The book is called “Doctors from Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments on Humans”, the author is Vivien Spitz. This lady was a reporter during lawsuits against Nazi officers that had been working in Auschwitz and other concentration camps in my country.

But it was not the images of cruelty that had taken place there that had convinced me to become vegetarian. It was sth. that was described in this book more as a background- it was the truth description of how the world did look like than.

Well the sad truth was that beside the fact that technology was at the lover lever the world was the same, the people were the same. Their mentality, capacity to compassion and to take actions. And that scared me a lot.

In this time murder of people took place not only in concentration camps but (in this case Germans) were killing their own nation, If a person just did not fit into a fashion ideology of eugenic that was popular at that time.

Therefore all old people, disable people, but also children who simply did not behave good in school were put to gas chambers. Yes, in the beginning Germans had gas chambers on the territory of their own country, and people from places where those chambers were placed knew it. They have been watching the chimneys that let out the smoke of burned bodies every day, and none reacted. They have been turning away their heads, thinking that they cannot be labeled "socially redundant" and it is not their business. Someone up there (authorities, government) knows what they are doing right?

So as soon as humans build a system and make some idea legitimate in the name of "law" it is no longer socially inappropriate. It's legal, meaning good.

And than it made me think that in our human history we have a lot of examples of killing or exploring someone because "it is legal". Slavery of which we now think it was so bad, was not "bad" at all at the times when it was legal. Couldn't be bad as it was legal. Once you place a label on a living being and create a system to it the being becomes an object in the system.

So today we label some beings as animals and just this tiny label (you animal, me human) makes the difference of being alive vs. being dead and consumed... of course always in the name of some higher values (like nutrition, giving jobs ect.) - the values of the system, the false facts that make people not to question the system... just like it was in Germany during World War II.

As long as people will not see this fact of eating animals being a part of a system we are not civilized at all. There is no civilisation progress on our planet; it is just technological progress, but not civilization progress.
As long we allow systems to exist it is very easy to come up with another system of labeling people (and convince public opinion for legal exploration of those labeled ones). There is no difference between labeling some living creature "an animal" and labeling a human a 'Nigro', 'a disabled and socially reluctant', 'a Tutsi or Hutu', a 'Jew'. Then you just need to come up with 'legal' descriptions of what can you do with labeled object and another system is ready.

I've quit on meat because I do not want to support those systems. When you look at killing animals as at a system, there is really no difference between this system and the system of legitimate killing people (like it was during World War II) I do not want to be another wheel in the system. I admire freedom of thinking and making up decisions. I think eating animals (living in such system) sooner or later will again evolve into killing (maybe eating) other people. The line is very thin, thinner than we think.

So this was my 'testimony'. Please excuse my English as I do not use it for over a decade.

Take care,
Joanna Kucharska – Małyszka

PS. If every one of us inspired ONE person to go meatless imagine the difference we could make in ten years time. I am going to collect inspirational vegetarian/vegan stories to share with everyone. If you think your story will inspire others, please share with me by sending it to info@veglov.com. I will post your stories on this www.veglov.com blog. I believe everyone has his/her own story, I think it must be great when we can share our stories and inspire others. Let’s make the world a better place.
~ Xiao Kang.

Gluten Free Diet Transformed Me into a Totally Different Person

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 05:08:00 +0700

By Renee Tassone

In 2010 I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. This diagnosis came after years of odd illnesses that none of my doctors could figure out. I finally ended up in the Emergency Room one weekend because I was bleeding every time I went to the bathroom. A few days later they performed a colonoscopy & endoscope. The doctor took some biopsies and in a few days told me the result was Celiac Disease. Neither one of us believed it, we thought maybe there was an infection of some kind going on and it was just masking itself as Celiac. He said I did not look like a classic Celiac patient, probably because of all the unexplained weight I was gaining. He put me on some antibiotics and said we would wait 3 months and then re-perform the procedures. Everyday I became sicker and sicker, after 2 months he decided we had better go ahead and do the procedures and not wait any longer. All tests came back positive for Celiac Disease. He said he was 100% sure I had the disease which by the way I had never even heard of before. He explained the seriousness of the disease and encouraged me to go gluten free right away.

Honestly, it was all a bit overwhelming at first. I still did not believe that food was my problem but I told my doctor I would try it for one week but if it did not make a difference then we would need to do more tests. Well, by day 4 of being gluten free I had transformed into a totally different person. I had incredible energy, my body rash started to subside, the tingling in my legs went away, I wasn’t as bloated and my cracked lips started to heal. From that point on I knew I would never eat gluten again.

A few months into my new diet/lifestyle I decided to start a Celiac support group to help others. I also became a resource of the Celiac Sprue Association so I could help people that were newly diagnosed. I started reading everything I could about the disease. I was really enjoying helping people transition to a gluten free life. Then a few months in to my new gluten free lifestyle my symptoms started to reappear so I decided I wanted to do a diet cleanse. Again, I went and read everything I could about different cleanses, which there are thousands of them out there. I knew I did not want to starve myself, I did not want to be in the bathroom all day and I did not want to take a bunch of supplements that cost hundreds of dollars. I could not find one I liked so instead I created my own by piecing a few different ones together.

My first cleanse was a 28 day healthy, nutritional cleanse which I started on October 4, 2011. This cleanse changed my life. I felt even more incredible with tons of energy. Through this cleanse I also found out that I was allergic to soy and to nuts. Every Saturday I would "treat" myself to a Dunkin Donut Hot Chocolate, their hot chocolate is gluten free but not soy free. Just as I started feeling better at the end of the week, the weekend would come and I would be drinking another one so I could never pin point what was making me sick. Since the cleanse I stick to a plant based, whole food diet. Which means I do not eat anything from an animal and I do not eat anything with a label. So then of course I started reading about plant based diets and was shocked at the information I found. There is such a huge connection between the food we eat and the way we feel.

Soon after I started telling friends about the cleanse, the cleanse improved many of their problems such as migraines, high blood pressure and thyroid issues, they all had amazing results. To date I have helped thousands of people in 27 different states through a cleanse and adopt a plant based, whole foods diet. The results have been amazing. I have helped people with diabetes, crohns, joint pain, parkinson’s, depression, fatigue, cancer and more. I have also done a lot of research on raw foodism, veganism and the macrobiotic diet.

Nine months ago I opened a vegan café in the Berkshires that is also totally gluten and soy free. We sell nothing but healthy food and smoothies that are free of allergens and animals.

I have lost a total of 38 pounds since my journey began and am at my perfect weight. For the first time in my life I don't ever think about weight, I know my body is where it naturally should be 38 pounds lighter and I feel I don't even have to work to keep it there. For once, my weight doesn't fluctuate 6-8 pounds in one day and I have incredible energy and my skin radiates and all I want to do is scream at the top of my lungs and share this information!!

Are You Ready To Transition Into A Vegetarian or Vegan Lifestyle?

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 04:51:00 +0700

Have you considered launching a life into vegetarianism? The percentage of vegetarians and vegans of men and women from all walks of life continues to increase worldwide, due to people becoming concerned about how the consumption of meat impacts their health, environment and the welfare of animals. If you're considering a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, then it's crucial that you have as much the right education and information. If so, then you should take the right steps to prepare yourself for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Giving up meat (and possibly all animal-based products) won't necessarily be a walk in the park. However, the good news is that you can take some steps to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Below are key points to consider when starting a new diet (the elimination of meat):

1) Think about all the benefits

Being a vegetarian isn't necessarily "easy." However, it can certainly provide several benefits for you, including:

Weight loss
Lower blood pressure
Lower high cholesterol
Prevent diabetes
Improve your GI track
Improves your skin (look years younger)
Prevent gallstones and constipation ( with a high fibre diet)
Prevents heart attacks (lack of meat does not block or clogged arteries)
Manage Menopause or Andropause
Remove toxins
Live longer
Being a vegetarian or vegan improves the lives of animals

Being a vegetarian is also better for the environment, due to the amount of land that grazing cattle need. Giving up meat can certainly seem more logical if you think about how it will benefit you and the Earth.

2) Have "cheat days" during the week

It is important to be realistic about your new diet change. It might be difficult for you to quit meat altogether .One method is to transition gradually into a vegetarian lifestyle, is by allowing yourself "cheat days." For example, if you refrain from eating meat during the weekdays, then you could reward yourself by eating meat on the weekends. In time, you could reduce your meat days to once a week and then zero days per week.

3) Use vegetarian meat-substitutes (tweak certain vegetarian recipes to suit YOU)

If you have been a diehard meat eater your whole life then try adding meat substitutes (quorn, miso, seitan, and tempeh) in your favourite dishes that require meat. Some of these products taste so much like meat that you won't know the difference! As a word of caution, it's advisable to choose meat substitutes that are as natural as healthy as possible. However, choosing meat substitutes could actually be counterproductive if they contain various artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. Read those ingredients! Choosing "non-meat" protein sources is one of the best ways to satisfy your cravings, while avoiding meat products at the same time. To ensure that you are getting your protein see a nutritionist for guidance.

4) Support the Vegetarian and vegan lifestyle with knowledge

There are many books and eBooks that can help you succeed with a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. A great course that is designed for people who are ready to become vegetarians or vegan is called The Vegetarian's Beginner's Guide 30 Day Course. This course is great for anyone seriously interested in transitioning into a vegetarian and it provides the information and education needed to thrive on a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet http://www.vegetariansbeginnersguide.com.

By Vegetarian’s Beginner’s Guide

Embracing Compassion

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 22:19:00 +0700

By Sharon Ng Huey Yuek

God knows us best. He is our greatest teacher and guides us the way.

Is it the calling from God that prompted me to give my diet a makeover?

Throughout the years, I struggled with my escalating weight. I tried many methods-from lots of exercising to 2 tablespoonfuls of food for my dinner. Yet, my weight did not seem to nudge. I weighed 80kg at my heaviest, i.e. early 2012.

I could not let go of the nice and tasty food-well, those chicken chops, pizzas, sweet and sour pork, etc. Having said these, my weight is NOT the main point. Nah, I was just babbling, he he.

It was not until I first entered college, where I began to consider becoming a vegetarian. Meat dishes were outrageously costly-RM2.50 for a measly piece of fried chicken, for example. RM2.50 was quite a reasonable price for fried chicken, granted. However, I could purchase 3-4 types of veggie dishes for the same price and they are way more satisfying, mind you!

The choice is pretty obvious. Hence, I thrived on veggies and rice for lunch in college. For an unknown reason, I began to feel uneasy while eating roasted pork (Also known as "Shao-Rou" in Mandarin Chinese) after just A WEEK WITHOUT MEAT in college! Why, roasted pork was juicy and crispy. I loved it. Now I felt as if I was eating something smelly and dirty. Why, oh, why?

"Probably your taste buds are no longer used to meat after a week. It's okay. I will cook all sorts of nice dishes when you return," Mum reassured. (FYI my mum is an excellent cook. She could prepare yummy dishes from the cheapest ingredients available. Even blanched veggies taste good!)

I used to crave for mum's Marmite chicken, Ayam Masak Merah (Chicken cooked in tomato gravy), Steamed fish with ginger, etc. (In short, all dishes with meat, that is) Astonishingly, I found meat no longer tasted that good any more. I even began to associate the meat on my plate with the human body parts, in my little head. Whenever I ate a chicken drumstick. I would picture myself eating my own thigh. While eating pig trotter, I imagined myself feasting on my toes. Well, am I not insane enough? Why was I imagining things?

"Mum, I want MORE veggies and less meat!!!"

Of course, mum was beyond surprise. Nevertheless, she prepared more veggies. Veggies indeed tasted better, and better, and BETTER. The leaves were sweet. The carrots were bursting with flavour. The plump tomatoes were juicy and flavourful- I must have them in my dishes whenever possible.

Okay, this lunch box has egg (Don't bash me up!) I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian and I'm learning. It costs only RM4.00 for like 4 dishes here.

I made myself a resolution to be achieved before 21: To become a vegetarian. That was further reinforced since I received the Triple Gem Refuge in November 2012. The triple Gem Refuge is a ceremony held to confirm oneself as a Buddhist, who has to take refuge under the Triple Gem: the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

Buddha encourages compassion towards sentient beings. Being a Buddhist, I believe that I must show compassion and love towards every being around me. Thus, I should be just and avoid specisism, How am I to say that I love animals and want to have pets, when I am eating some other animals myself? That is pure hypocrisy.

However, can I survive on a vegetarian diet? Am I going to suffer from malnutrition or become weak?

Since the beginning of 2013, I chose vegetables whenever possible. A dinner of steamed fish, in fact, prompted me to go vegetarian. I was about to eat the steamed fish prepared by mum when I noticed the protruding eyeballs of the dead fish, which reminded me of sadness and anger. The fish was probably trying to say, "Why do you eat me? Why do I need to die here??!!"

I did not eat a single morsel of the fish on that day.

On April 3, 2013, I PLEDGED MYSELF NOT TO EAT A SINGLE PIECE OF FLESH. I was going lacto-ovo, since I needed some time to transition from a typical omnivorous diet to a vegan diet, which is going to take some time. Besides, it is almost impossible to avoid eggs and dairy. (The veggies in the cafeteria are often stir-fried with eggs, and the bread sold contains milk!) Anyway, I promised myself to go vegan as soon as I begin working, since I can cook by my own food and be truly independent. Cooking is forbidden in college, by the way.

My parents were of course worried. By going vegetarian, I would have to give up on many of my favourite food: chicken pie, Ayam Masak Merah, Sweet and Sour Pork, chicken chop, etc. One day, my mom asked me: "Why do you want to become a vegetarian?"

"I cannot bear to see the animals suffer. They need their families and deserve to live, just like us. "

"I'm glad you think that way. May Buddha bless you. I will cook more veggies for you, okay?"

Going vegetarian is not a smooth sailing for me. Let me break it down into several sections:

PART 1: WHAT DO YOU EAT??!!

My coursemates were surprised when I told them I eat meat no more. All of a sudden I began getting attention in class. The boys stared at my plates and lunch boxes; the girls told me how unbalanced a vegetarian diet is, the guys told me to eat more meat, etc. I was like, if I want to eat more meat, why would I go vegetarian at the first place?

Oh, logic.

Most of them thought that I would be eating ONLY vegetables.

QUESTION 1: "Where do you get your protein without meat?"

Tofu, Tempe, soy and nuts of course.

QUESTION 2: "Going veggie must be costlier than eating meat, isn't it? Look at the nuts you had bought!"

Yea, nuts are expensive, so are fruits and vegetables. What I wish to stress that EVERYTHING IS PRICEY NOWADAYS. As in the cafeteria, I could eat more types of dishes if all of them are vegetables, sometimes even for RM3.00 for rice, tofu and 2 veggie dishes, rather than just rice, chicken and a veggie side dish for RM4.50. Now which is more worth? Plus, I do not want to pay for cruelty.

QUESTION 3: "You are killing plants too when going veggie! Farmers use pesticide, isn't it?"

Yes, farmers do use pesticide. In my humble opinion, farmers use pesticide for plants. The pesticide-laden feed is then fed to the animals, who are later sent to the slaughterhouse for meat. Now which diet kills more?

Somehow I was grateful that some of my course mates and friends understand me and respect my decision to go veggie. They made no negative comments on my decision and advised me to pay attention my nutritional balance.

PART 2: DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE GETTING TOO SKINNY?

I apologize for the lack of pictures as evidence as I rarely take pictures of myself. Well, the pictures below are just some random pics of me. LOL

What motivates me to ditch meat from my plate at the first place is the blatant cruelty behind the meat industry. Watching "Earthlings" and "Food Inc.", in fact, reinforces and motivates me to continue being a vegetarian because I could watch the truth behind factory farming and the images of happy animals on the packaging of animal-based food products. Miraculously, I lost 3kg after just a month being a vegetarian, from 76kg to 73kg. It was unbelievable since I did not follow any fancy diets or exercise like crazy. I mean-I have tons of assignments and an hour of exercise is a luxury for me indeed. I simply consumed more vegetables and tofu as a source of protein. I avoided faux meat products because they are laden with additives and harmful chemicals to make them taste like real meat.

Some of my friends asked me: "What happened to you? You've become really skinny! That's unhealthy, you know?"

I do experience some body discomfort while initially transitioning into vegetarianism. My limbs often ached and numbed so much that I could hardly write. I often felt cold too-yes-freezing cold. Besides, hunger always took the better of me. My stomach became a bottomless pit. Probably, my body was still craving for the nice and tasty meaty dishes? Fortunately, these symptoms waned within two months.

Are these "illnesses" are due to detoxification and excretion of acidic proteins from the body? Well, I am unsure but I think detoxification is the case, based on my literature from this website.

What happened to me after becoming a vegetarian?

I am 68.5kg today, at 172cm, which is a 7.5kg lost in weight since I turned veggie. 7.5kg is quite little, but at least I can fit in my old clothes and jeans. Thank God that I can save on clothes because I need not worry about clothes for Chinese New Year anymore! Best of all, I can actually fit into mum's old clothes, which means that her clothes will not go to waste, rather than being left unattended in her wardrobe!
I no longer perspire excessively. I used to perspire even after walking a short distance or sitting outdoors. Now, I perspire only during extremely hot days or while doing exercise. That was a phenomenon indeed since I used to perspire excessively for many years, from childhood. Even the doctors claimed that there was no cure. Such condition had also left a negative image on me as being messy. In truth, I COULD NOT HELP IT! It was the case until I switched to a vegetarian diet.
I feel more robust. I have more energy to exercise, rather than feeling very lethargic after class. Instead of sitting at all-times, I now find myself often in the mood for exercising. I particularly favour aerobics. Besides, I can focus better during lectures.
I find myself feeling more peaceful and calm than ever. Probably, it is because I no longer rely on the sufferings of animals for food that much? At least, I avoid blood and body parts in my food. I do not eat the loved ones of the other animals. In lieu of this, I wish to quote American novelist, C.S. Lewis' quote: “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
I no longer feel cold easily.

Somehow I often feel dizzy. I think I have yet to master the theory behind smart eating as a vegetarian, since my blood pressure is slightly low. The last reading was 98/58.

Nevertheless, perspiring less often is among the major factor that encourages me to stay on with being a vegetarian, since there is no cure before this. I do not want to revert back to the cholesterol-laden, toxic cruelty-based food any more, no matter how tasty it is. Meat needs to be flavoured with plants anyway, but veggies and fruits need not be flavoured by meat. I am glad that my mum is convinced of my vegetarian diet.

PART 3: JUST ONCE-IN-A-WHILE, OKAY?

I admit, I DO have diet slip-ups, being a vegetarian. Once, on a Sunday in May, my senior and I went out for lunch at a Western Restaurant. I ordered spring rolls and salad as they were the only vegetarian courses on the menu. (In fact, they were appetizers! I made it a meal) Meanwhile, my senior had chicken chop.

"Sharon, eat a little of the chicken. Once in a while is okay-lah."

I was reluctant. I went veggie for animal rights and I could not stomach the thought of eating a thigh. However, I did not want to be seen as being self-virtuous and prudish, so I gave in anyway. My oh my, the meat was tasteless and waxy. Besides, my throat felt irritated. I found it unbelievable-chicken chop was once my favourite food!

Subsequently, I suffered a bad stomach pain and was sick for the entire day. Probably if I eat a Mac Chicken on 3 April 2014, I will have rashes and fall ill for days, or a week? My body must be rejecting meat.

I was not assertive enough. Mum reassured me that it was okay to have some slip-ups, but I must remind my friends that I EAT MEAT NO MORE in the future.

There are even times where I eat animals unknowingly. Once, I took a dish of stir-fried spinach. To my dismay, THERE ARE ANCHOVIES IN THE DISH! That was the only vegetable course available, so I had to pick out the anchovies. Recently, my relative bought a mushroom pie and told me that it was vegetarian. Instead, I tasted CHICKEN in the pie. Oh okay, you lied to me, but I forgive you anyway. I don't think I will ever eat quiches again (It is difficult to find a veggie quiche in my country!)

PART 4: SHAME ON YOU FOR GIVING UP YUMMY FOOD AS A TEENAGER.

I noticed this funny situation: vegetarians just embrace various dietary habits but meat eaters often want to convince us to eat meat. Why?

During my first few weeks being a vegetarian, some friends came and showed off their lunches of chicken and fish.

"This tastes YUMMawesome! Shame on you for not being able to eat this!"

I received some other ridiculous remarks too.

"Sharon, life is too short for restrictions. You don't know how to enjoy life indeed."

"Are you sure that you can SURVIVE without meat??!!" (Then what about the Buddhist monks and celebs such as Jared Leto and Carrie Underwood? They are talented and vegan.)

"Sharon, you cannot survive without animal protein." (For now, yes, I still eat some animal protein such as eggs. However, I avoid them if possible.)

Vegetarian food are indeed delicious as long as they are prepared the right way. Of course, I do not thrive on salad and grass. I am grateful that there are delicious veggie courses in the cafeteria in college,and restaurants. Best of all, most of the veggie courses are prepared using relatively healthy methods, such as steaming, blanching and stir-frying. At the least, I can consume less calorie-laden, nutrient-poor roasted and deep-fried food, which is often the case in meats.

Did I mention that my mum is a great vegetarian cook too? She cooks for the nuns, sometimes.

Okay, I will show you some veggielicious foods that I had eaten... well, these are just a tip off the iceberg. These pictures are just my simple appreciations and tributes to Buddha and my mum for showing me how great vegetarian food is without needing to compromise on taste and nutrition.

Picture 1: Veggie "meat" dumplings made with glutinous rice and red rice. The "meat" is actually mushroom. It is juicy and healthy as less glutinous rice is used in place of red rice, which is rich in fibre.

Picture 2: Stir-fried vegetables with toasted cashew nuts. This is my favourite veggie dish all-time. It is a harmonious spread of broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, cauliflowers, etc. In fact, you can prepare this dish with any type of veggies that you fancy.

Well, sorry for uploading THIS little of pictures! The internet connection is too slow and I am doing my assignment at the same time too.

Praise to Buddha for showing me the path towards spreading the seeds of compassion and love to every sentient being around. Given the abstinence from animal cruelty for food, health benefits that I thus reaped, and increased inner peace. I would like to quote a Chinese proverb: "放下屠刀，立地成佛“. (Put down the butcher knife and be a Buddha) which means that we can become better people and make the world a better place if we can do away with the butcher knife. (In this case, the slaughtering of animals.)

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

Witness to the Slaughter at Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 21:55:00 +0700

By Chrissianne Carpenter

Up to the age of 13 I was a meat eating carnivore who despised vegetables...and living in the country we ate anything that could be caught...we had rabbits and hares hanging on the outside doors..birds hanging too...the smell of rabbit viscera is still in my nostrils after 48 years...

I became uneasy about the stuff I was eating but believed that they felt no pain as I had been told...but my conscience was uneasy...getting worse by the month...I was one of 4 children and no one else seemed to care...

Then, my defining moment came at age 13 when I was witness to the pre Christmas slaughter at my uncle's turkey farm..they did not die easily or painlessly...there and then I decided never to eat any sentient being again...ever..

And so I was the only person I knew who did not eat meat until I was in my 20's....my mother was encouraged by the doctor not to cook special food for me so I lived on potatoes and tomato soup...I ate whatever vegetables were on offer but in the 1960's it was not much...

I have never regretted my decision...not once...so much for a phase I would grow out of...

These days I do not defend my choice...now I have given up trying to make people see the connection I saw at 13...now I am vegan...I learned that day old boy chicks are minced alive as they are not needed..and made into fertilizer...this is with free range eggs too - any commercial eggs...I saw a video of this happening and the 'farmer' saying that it is common practice all over the world...how can I support that? I stopped drinking milk years ago...so the step to vegan is not so hard...how can I enjoy cheese when I know that newly born male calves are thrown aside and beaten to death in front of their mothers? Or sent to overseas veal farms? I have seen film of all that too...I want no part in it...

Civets Suffering for Cruel Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 5 Oct 2013 09:12:00 +0700

Kopi luwak is made from the beans of coffee berries that have been eaten and excreted—yes, you read that right!—by the Asian palm civet. To make this coffee, the civets are typically snatched from their homes and life in the wild to be imprisoned alone in tiny, barren cages. They're deprived of everything that is natural and important to them, including freedom, exercise, space—even real food. They bite at the cage bars, turn in circles, and go insane from being imprisoned with no escape. Deprived of adequate nutrition, they begin to lose their fur. All of this cruelty is just for a novelty coffee sold by companies such as Amazon.com. We're asking the company, as a leader in global online retail sales, to learn the ugly truth behind this coffee from this recent investigation and end the sale of kopi luwak.

A PETA Asia investigator visited civet coffee farms in Indonesia and the Philippines, two of the world's top producers of kopi luwak. Undercover footage from these farms—some of which falsely advertise their coffee as "wild-sourced"—shows sick, depressed civets suffering from infections and exhibiting signs of zoochosis, a stress–induced neurotic condition that causes captive animals to spin, pace, and bob their heads in constant frantic displays of frustration.

In the wild, civets climb trees to reach the ripe fruit, but in captivity, they are just fed bins full of coffee berries, far more than they would ever eat naturally, leading to nutrient deficiencies. One farmer was recorded revealing that civets are generally kept caged for at least three years before they're released back into the wild and that the lack of nutrition and the stress from confinement that causes them to lose their fur also makes them so debilitated that many do not survive.

While kopi luwak is often advertised as "wild–sourced," farmers told the investigator that it would be nearly impossible to produce exclusively wild–sourced civet coffee and that the industry knowingly mislabels coffee from captive animals. At two farms, the investigator was told that they "didn't have a problem" with putting a "100% wild–sourced" or similar label on coffee from caged civets. One farmer even gave the investigator a sample of coffee bearing a false label.

Please don’t support the cruelty of Kopi Luwak coffee!

Source : PETA

Ten Foods That Speed Up Your Metabolism

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Tue, 1 Oct 2013 15:05:00 +0700

While there are no short-cuts to losing weight, there are a few things you can do to boost your metabolism. Exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep are two of the best things you can do. However, there are also plenty of foods that speed metabolism, so adding them to your diet may give you the extra edge to lose more weight.

Below is a list of ten foods that help speed up metabolism. Think of these foods as support mechanisms on your path towards fat loss, as any diet that keeps the pounds off requires sustained effort and exercise.

1. Hot Peppers
Jalapeno, habanero, cayenne and other forms of spicy peppers directly boost metabolism and circulation. In fact, eating hot peppers not only speeds up your metabolism, it also reduces cravings. This is related to its capsaicin content, a compound that stimulates the body’s pain receptors, temporarily increasing blood circulation and metabolic rate. If you have ever experienced a bout of intense sweating after eating a particularly hot tamale, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. In fact, studies have shown that eating hot peppers can boost the metabolism by up to 25%, with the spike lasting for up to 3 hours.

2. Whole Grains: Oatmeal and Brown Rice
Whole grains are full of nutrients and complex carbohydrates that speed up metabolism by stabilizing our insulin levels. Slow-release carbs, such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa offer long-lasting energy, without the spikes associated with other sugar-rich foods. We want to keep our insulin levels low, as spikes in this chemical tell the body that it needs to begin storing extra fat.

3. Broccoli
High in calcium (a known weight-reducer), broccoli is also extraordinarily high in vitamins C, K and A. One serving of broccoli will also provide you with plenty of folate and dietary fiber, plus a variety of antioxidants. Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods you can add to your diet.

4. Soups
One study on soup done at Penn State University found that the liquid goodness offered an appetite reducing combination of liquids and solids that reduced intake of excess foods, speeding up the metabolism and burning fat. In the study, women chose one of three 270-calorie snacks before lunch.

5. Green Tea
It is now a well-known fact, through multiple scientific studies, that green tea extract can significantly boost the metabolism, as well as provide a variety of other health benefits. Green tea is delicious and it’s also rich in antioxidants that actively fight harmful free radicals!

6. Apples and Pears
Studies show that these two fruits help boost metabolism and speed up weight loss. Research performed by the State University of Rio de Janeiro found that women eating three small apples or pears daily lost more weight than women who did not. Organic apples are one of the most widely available organic fruits and pears aren’t too hard to find either, great news!

7. Spices
From cayenne to garlic to cinnamon, spices are one of the best ways you can keep your metabolic rates high. Especially speedy are the more pungent spices such as black pepper, mustard seeds, powdered onion and ginger. A Canadian study found that using spices enabled people to burn up to 1,000 more calories daily than those not incorporating spices into their diet.

8. Citrus Fruits
Fruits like grapefruit have been shown to help us burn fat and keep our metabolism high. This could be related to the fruits’ high amount of vitamin C, a helpful and healthful component that reduces insulin spikes.

9. Foods High in Calcium
A study done at the University of Tennessee found that people who consumed 1,200-1,300 milligrams of calcium a day lost almost double the amount of weight as those who were not getting enough calcium in their diet. To help boost your metabolism, eat plenty of foods high in calcium. If you are unable to get enough of these foods, then you should consider taking a calcium supplement. There are many types of calcium and I recommend calcium orotate for maximum efficacy.

10. Purified Water
While it’s not exactly a food, it is a metabolism booster. A German study found that drinking water speeds up fat burning. It is also a natural appetite suppressant and detoxifier.

Other Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Aside from the foods listed above, there are many other ways you can boost your metabolism. First, don’t drink sugar filled soda, energy drinks, and other processed foods. While some of these foods may give you a caffeine boost, they will not help you lose weight or enhance your metabolism. Whenever you eat do eat the metabolism boosting foods listed above, be sure to chew them thoroughly, as this will aid in proper digestion.

Get plenty of sleep. Try to reduce your stress levels as much as you can. Follow a regular exercise routine that includes lots of cardio. Performing a colon cleanse and a liver and gallbladder cleanse are two other great ways to increase your metabolism and improve your overall health.

Source : Global Healing Center

The Health Benefits of Pears

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Tue, 1 Oct 2013 14:50:00 +0700

Pears provide a very good source of fiber and are also a good source of vitamin B2, C, E, copper, and potassium. They also contain a significant amount of pectin, which is a water soluble fiber.

Pears are actually higher in pectin than apples. This makes them effective in helping to lower cholesterol levels and in toning the intestines. They are often recommended by health care practitioners as a hypoallergenic fruit that is high in fiber. They are less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. Pears are often recommended as a safe fruit to introduce to infants. Pears are an extraordinary source of dietary fiber when the skin is eaten along with the flesh. Pears are also an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin E, both powerful antioxidants and essential nutrients.

Pears are often recommended as a hypo-allergenic fruit that is high in fiber but less likely to produce adverse reactions. Pear juice is safe to be introduced to infants as they are mild, yet healthful.

Blood pressure: Pears have anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogen glutathione which help prevent high blood pressure and stroke.
Cancer prevention: The high vitamin C and copper content act as good anti-oxidants that protect cells from damages by free radicals.
Cholesterol: The high content of pectin in pears make it very useful in helping to lower cholesterol levels.
Colon health: When not juicing, eat the pear whole for its precious fiber that are highly beneficial for your colon health.
Constipation: The pectin in pears is diuretic and have a mild laxative effect. Drinking pear juice regularly helps regulate bowel movements.
Energy: You can get quick and natural source of energy from pear juice, due largely to its high amounts of fructose and glucose.
Fever: The cooling effect in pear is excellent in relieving fever. Best way to bring a fever down quickly is by drinking a big glass of pear juice.
Immune booster: The anti-oxidant nutrients in pears are critical in building up your immune system. Drink pear juice when you feel a cold coming.
Inflammation: Pear juice has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps relieve sufferers of much pain in various inflammatory conditions.
Osteoporosis: Pears contain high level of boron. Boron helps the body to retain calcium, thus prevents or retards osteoporosis.
Pregnancy: The high content of folate (folic acid) prevents neural tube defects in infants.
Shortness of breath: The summer heat may cause children to have shortness of breath with excessive phlegm. Drink pear juice during this period to help clear the phlegm.
Throat problem: The pears are in season during the summer for a reason. Drinking pear juice every morning and night helps to cool your body down during this time. It nourishes the throat and helps prevent throat problems.
Vocal chord: Boil two Chinese pear juice with some raw honey and drink warm. This is extremely healing for the throat and the vocal cord.
Fiber: Pears are an excellent source of natural dietary fiber. One pear will give you 24% of your recommended daily allowance of fiber. Fiber contains no calories, and is a necessary element of a healthy diet as it helps sustain blood sugar levels and promotes regularity.

Pectin is a type of soluble fiber that binds to fatty substances in the digestive tract and promotes their elimination. This seems to help lower blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber also helps regulate the body's use of sugars.

Studies indicate that diets high in fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

How do pears rank on the Glycemic Index?

Pears have 26 net grams of carbs. The carbohydrates in a pear are low on the glycemic index and have a low glycemic load. This basically means that the carbs in pears are slow to convert to sugar and enter the bloodstream. Pears are a good choice for getting healthy carbs.

Vitamin C:
Fresh pears are a good source for Vitamin C. One fresh pear contains 10% of the RDA for Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid).

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for normal metabolism and tissue repair, and helps prevent free radical damage (destructive by-products of the body's metabolic process). Vitamin C promotes healing of cuts and bruises and helps guard against a number of infectious diseases.

Potassium:
Fresh pears offer 5% of the recommended daily allowance (190 mg of potassium) per serving

Source : A Perfect Pear

Stricken dolphin who 'asked' Hawaii diver for help

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:11:00 +0700

Stricken dolphin who 'asked' Hawaii diver for help: Moment mammal stuck on fishing line pushed itself into scuba instructor and waited patiently to be freed

A dolphin tangled in fishing line sought help from a diver in the waters of Hawaii.

The amazing encounter on January 11 was captured on video and the diver, Keller Laros, spent the better part of eight minutes tending to the needy mammal who readily accepted the help.

Mr Laros was leading a group of snorkelers for a manta ray dive experience off the Big Island's Kona International Airport when the dolphin squealed out.

The diver explained, 'The way he came right up and pushed himself into me there was no question this dolphin was there for help.'

Human intervention: The dolphin swam straight to the diver, seeking help

Pain : The dolphin was entangled in fishing line and a hook was lodged in its pectoral fin

The group were enjoying the aquatic sights when suddenly they heard a dolphin cry and the bottlenose dolphin swam in their direction.

Mr Laros told KITV how he soon noticed that the dolphin's movements were inhibited because it was entangled in fishing line and a hook was lodged in its pectoral fin.

The mammal allowed the human to work to help the dolphin break free.

'I was trying to unwrap it, I got the line fishing hook out of the pectoral fin. There was a line coming out of his mouth. But, the line wrapped around his pectoral fin was so tight and he had cuts both front and aft,' said Laros.

'I was worried if I tugged on it, it might hurt him more. I was able to cut the fishing line and unwrap it.'

Cry for help : The diver said that the way the dolphin approached him, 'there was no question this dolphin was there for help'

Free : The diver removed the fishing hook and clipped the line that was near the mouth but the dolphin swam away before he could remove the entire fishing line

The diver said that the animal patiently and calmly allowed him to work to remove the fishing line.

'I've had bottlenose dolphins approach me a lot of times and they are really smart animals,' Laros, Laros, a professional scuba instructor and Manta Ray researcher, explained.

Mr Laros did remove the fishing hook and clipped the line that was near the mouth but as other divers joined Laros and tried to remove more fishing line, the mammal swam off and did not return.

Source : Mail Online

No One Should Be Born Into Slavery

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 11:59:00 +0700

All nonhuman animals deserve at least one right -- the right not to be used as property and veganism is the step to taking that right seriously.

What is the most important reason to be vegan?

The most important reason to be vegan is that animal use in all its forms (includes "free range" "organic" ) is for trivial reasons of palate pleasure, habit, convenience, and amusement and that is morally unjustifiable. If we truly believe that animals morally matter at all and if we believe that it is wrong to inflict "unnecessary" suffering on animals, then we must be vegan because animal use is completely trivial and *unnecessary*.

Being vegan is much easier than you think and it will be one of the best decisions you make in your life. Live in peace with other animals.

Source : Live Vegan Page

Vegan restaurateur’s truck aims to make Prince George’s ‘food desert’ a little healthier

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 11:17:00 +0700

By DeNeen L. Brown

Baruch Ben-Yehudah leans out the sliding window of his food truck in a parking lot in Capitol Heights, a neighborhood that government officials have recently described as a “food desert.”

“Free! Chicken and macaroni and cheese,” he calls. “Come get your free samples.”

A man in a red hat walks up and takes a sample cup. “This is delicious right here,” says James Himbrick, 59, a disabled construction worker. He gives a taste to his wife, Denise Smith, who asks what kind of chicken it is.

“You want to know what kind of chicken that is?” asks Ben-Yehudah, the owner of Everlasting Life Restaurant in Capitol Heights. “We raise our chicken in a way that nobody else does on the whole planet.”

Ben-Yehudah — who has made it his mission to get people to eat more healthfully in a county where 70 percent of adults are obese or overweight and where 71 percent of restaurants are fast-food outlets — pauses for dramatic effect. “That chicken is made from vegetables.”

“Vegetables?” Himbrick repeats. “You mean not all that garbage-eating, mess-eating chicken? This is good. I just finished beating cancer for my kidney. And I need to eat good food.”

Over the next two hours, a stream of people approach the truck in Capitol Heights, one of the areas the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a food desert earlier this summer. Some describe their battles with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout, heart disease and other ailments that can be related to diet. But not everyone owns a car or lives within walking distance of a grocery store — which is how the USDA determines who resides in a food desert.

“We define food deserts as areas that are low-income and low-access” to healthful foods, says Michele Ver Ploeg, economist for the USDA’s Economic Research Service. “Low access depends on the distance to the nearest supermarket or large grocery store and how many households do not have a vehicle and are at least half a mile from a supermarket or large grocery store.”

About 5.7 million U.S. households live a half-mile or more from a supermarket and do not have access to a vehicle. But whether that actually affects people’s weight and health is a matter of debate. Last year a Rand Corp. study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found no link between the kind of food available near the homes of 13,000 children in California and whether they were overweight.

The idea that supermarkets prevent obesity — a centerpiece of the “food desert” narrative — is “wishful” thinking, says the author of the study, Roland Sturm, senior economist and professor of policy analysis at the Pardee Rand Graduate School.

“Supermarkets are extremely good at providing soft drinks, candy, cookies at low prices,” Sturm says. “Fundamentally, having supermarkets nearby isn’t going to make you thin. ”

The government, however, still analyzes which communities have limited access to grocery stores. In July, the USDA identified 10 food deserts in Prince George’s County, one of the country’s most affluent majority-black jurisdictions. Parts of Berwyn Heights, College Park, Landover Hills, Seat Pleasant, New Carrollton, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Temple Hills and Forest Heights qualified.

Source : Washington Post

Fuel Your Cells With Superfoods

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 11:07:00 +0700

Fueling your cells with superfoods from the rich organic soils of the earth - heals, stimulates and rejuvenating your body will triple your destiny of longevity and a productive quality of life.

My approach is simple - Consume only organic vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Support your local organic farmers, health food stores and food co-ops buy buying locally.

I am repeatedly challenged that my lifestyle is too restrictive, costly and time consuming - My answer 100% of the time is, "So is cancer and heart disease....."

Source : Veganism Page

List of Foods We Will Lose if We Don’t Save the Bees

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 11:22:00 +0700

By: Christina Sarich,
Natural Society.

Many pesticides have been found to cause grave danger to our bees, and with the recent colony collapses in Oregon, it’s time to take a hard look at what we would be missing without bee pollination.

In just the last ten years, over 40% of the bee colonies in the US have suffered Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Bees either become so disoriented they can’t find their way back to their hives and die away from home, or fly back poison-drunk and die at the foot of their queen. There are many arguments as to what is causing CCD, but the most logical and likely culprit is the increased usage of pesticides by the likes of Monsanto and others.

A study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has labeled one pesticide, called clothianidin, as completely unacceptable for use, and banned it from use entirely. Meanwhile, the U.S. uses the same pesticide on more than a third of its crops – nearly 143 million acres. Two more pesticides linked to bee death are imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. These are also used extensively in the US, while elsewhere, they have been taken out of circulation.

Recently, the FDA also seized Terrence Ingram’s bees, a naturalist who had been studying bees for over 30 years, and had a colony that was resistant to Monsanto’s Round Up. Ingram’s prized hives, along with their queens, were destroyed by the FDA, and Ingram was given no warning that his bees would be demolished.

List of Crop Plants Pollinated by Bees

While we don’t need bees to pollinate every single crop, here is just a brief list of some of the foods we would lose if all our bees continue to perish:

Apples
Mangos
Rambutan
Kiwi Fruit
Plums
Peaches
Nectarines
Guava
Rose Hips
Pomegranites
Pears
Black and Red Currants
Alfalfa
Okra
Strawberries
Onions
Cashews
Cactus
Prickly Pear
Apricots
Allspice
Avocados
Passion Fruit
Lima Beans
Kidney Beans
Adzuki Beans
Green Beans
Orchid Plants
Custard Apples
Cherries
Celery
Coffee
Walnut
Cotton
Lychee
Flax
Acerola – used in Vitamin C supplements
Macadamia Nuts
Sunflower Oil
Goa beans
Lemons
Buckwheat
Figs
Fennel
Limes
Quince
Carrots
Persimmons
Palm Oil
Loquat
Durian
Cucumber
Hazelnut
Cantaloupe
Tangelos
Coriander
Caraway
Chestnut
Watermelon
Star Apples
Coconut
Tangerines
Boysenberries
Starfruit
Brazil Nuts
Beets
Mustard Seed
Rapeseed
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Bok Choy (Chinese Cabbage)
Turnips
Congo Beans
Sword beans
Chili peppers, red peppers, bell peppers, green peppers
Papaya
Safflower
Sesame
Eggplant
Raspberries
Elderberries
Blackberries
Clover
Tamarind
Cocoa
Black Eyed Peas
Vanilla
Cranberries
Tomatoes
Grapes

If one of your favorites is on this list, you should consider becoming a bee activist.

Source : http://www.realnews24.com/list-of-foods-we-will-lose-if-we-dont-save-the-bees/

Call Your Dinner by Its Real Name

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:43:00 +0700

"To such a degree do we make luxuries of bloodshed that we call flesh a 'delicacy', and forthwith require delicate sauces for this same flesh-meat, and mix together oil and wine and pickle and vinegar with all the spices of Syria and Arabia - for all the world as though we were embalming a human corpse.
After all these heterogenous matters have been mixed and dissolved and, in a manner, corrupted, it is for the stomach, forsooth, to masticate and assimilate them - if it can. And though this may be, for the time, accomplished, the natural sequence is a variety of diseases produced by imperfect digestion and repletion. Flesh-eating is not unnatural to our physical constitution only. The mind and intellect are made gross by gorging and repletion; for flesh meat and wine may possibly tend to robustness of the body, but it gives only feebleness to the mind".
~ Plutarch

High-Fat Dairy Intake Linked to Mortality

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 08:02:00 +0700

Women who consumed the most high-fat dairy products were more likely to die during a 12-year follow-up, compared with those who consumed the least, according to a new study published by the National Cancer Institute. Researchers followed 1,893 women who had previously been treated for early-stage breast cancer as part of the Life After Cancer Epidemiology Study. They found that the participants who consumed one or more servings of high-fat dairy products per day, compared with none to less than half a serving, were at a 64 percent increased risk for dying and 44 percent increased risk for dying from breast cancer. Dairy products monitored included cow’s milk, cheese, dairy-based desserts, and yogurt.

Kroenke CH, Kwan ML, Sweeney C, Castillo A, Caan BJ. High- and low-fat dairy intake, recurrence, and mortatlity after breast cancer diagnosis. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published online March 14, 2013.

THE SOURCE, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM):
High-Fat Dairy Intake Linked to Mortality
http://www.pcrm.org/health/medNews/high-fat-dairy-intake-linked-to-mortality

THE SOURCE, Mail Online:
Breast cancer patients who eat cheese, yogurts or ice cream could HALVE their chances of survival
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2293426/Breast-cancer-patients-eat-cheese-yogurts-ice-cream-HALVE-chances-survival.html

The Ultimate Guide to Dairy-Free, Plant-Based Milks

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 07:15:00 +0700

If you have decided to ditch the dairy in your diet, your body will thank you. Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, and the consumption of dairy products has been linked to everything from increased risk of ovarian and prostate cancers to ear infections and diabetes. Fortunately, plant-based milks provide a convenient and healthful alternative to cow’s milk. And if you are currently making the transition to a dairy-free diet, you will find that going dairy-free has never been easier. Soy, almond, hemp, coconut, and rice milks, among others, are taking over the dairy case—and claiming supermarket aisles all their own. There are dozens of brands of plant-based milks and hundreds of options to choose from to meet everyone’s individual tastes and nutritional needs. So how do you choose the best dairy-free milk for your diet? Read on to find out.

Taste

Due to the overwhelming selection of plant-based milks available, it can be difficult to decide which plant-based milk to choose. In most cases, what to choose comes down to personal taste preferences. Experiment with a variety of dairy-free milks to see what pleases your palate. Coconut and soy milks tend to be sweeter and creamier in consistency. Almond, hemp, and hazelnut milks have a slightly nutty flavor to them. And rice milk tends to be more mildly sweet and thin in consistency. Differences can be noted not only among varieties of dairy-free milks, but also among brands; so experiment to find which plant-based milks please your taste buds.

Nutrition

Nutrition may also play a role in determining which dairy-free milk you choose. Like cow’s milk, many varieties of dairy-free milks are fortified with nutrients including vitamins A and D. Soy and hemp milks are great choices for those wishing to boost protein in their diets; both soy and hemp are complete proteins providing all nine essential amino acids. Many non-dairy types of milk are also fortified with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron. So if you are looking to give your diet a little nutrient boost, non-dairy milks may provide the nutrients you need. Be sure to read food labels to assist in selecting a fortified product to meet your needs.

Recipe Modification

Choosing dairy-free milk may also be influenced by how you plan to utilize the milk. In general, most recipes calling for cow’s milk can easily be substituted with any plant-based milk. Almond, hemp, soy, coconut, and rice milks can easily be used in baked goods. Soy, coconut, and hazelnut milks are great substitutes for cream in coffee due to their thicker consistencies and flavors. And soy and rice milks are wonderful additions to sauces and soups. Again, most choices come down to personal taste preferences, so feel free to experiment to find the perfect dairy-free milk for your needs.

Check out our favorite plant-based milks below:

1. Almond Milk

Almond milk doesn’t taste anything like dairy milk, offering its own unique light and nutty flavor. This yummy dairy-free beverage provides us with minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, and potassium, as well as antioxidants selenium and vitamin E. Almond milk is versatile and can be used in baking, hot drinks, smoothies, as well as drunk alone. It is sometimes flavored with chocolate or vanilla. Read our guide to Almond milk to learn more about popular brands or make it yourself, you will be surprised to learn how easy it is! In fact, many recipes taste much better with almond milk than dairy milk, like these cinnamon rolls or this breakfast parfait with chia seeds. But our favorite is these Raw Raspberry and Banana-Peanut Truffles!

2. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is high in fiber, vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, C, and E; as well as various minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium, sodium, and zinc. It also contains a high level of omega 3, 6 and 9 fats along with essential amino acids. The only downside to coconut milk is the high content of saturated fat, and because of the link between this and coronary heart disease, coconut milk is seen as a food that should be consumed in moderation. Coconut milk is high in fiber, however, which makes us feel fuller for longer, therefore helping to control consumption and weight. Read our guide to coconut milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make coconut milk yourself! Ice-creams do great with coconut milk, try this Lavender Coconut Ice Cream or the Cherry Coconut Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate and Toasted Pecans but the easiest one of all are these Raw Fruit Popsicles with Coconut Milk!

3. Flax Milk

Flax milk contains omega-3 fatty acids, from cold-pressed flax oil, that has been shown to help prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Flax milks are fortified with minerals and vitamins, including vitamins A, B12 and D, as well as calcium, which equals the nutritional value of other milk alternatives. The only downside to flax milk is that it contains no protein. However, there are numerous excellent plant-based sources of protein such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, and wholegrains which can be consumed as part of a balanced diet. Read our guide to flax milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make flax milk yourself!

4. Hazelnut Milk

Hazelnut milk is a good source of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 which are all essential in blood formation and mental health, as well as an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin E which promotes healthy hair and skin, as well as boosting the health of the heart muscle. Hazelnuts are also rich in folic acid, which is important for growing babies and adults, this helps to produce red blood cells and transport oxygen around the body. It doesn’t taste anything like dairy milk, offering a nutty flavor that is stronger than almond milk. Read our guide to hazelnut milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make hazelnut milk yourself!

5. Hemp Milk

Hemp milk is rich in plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which has been proven to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids, all 10 essential amino acids; calcium; folic acid; riboflavin; phosphorous; potassium; magnesium; iron; zinc; as well as vitamins A, B12, D and E. Hemp milk is creamier and thicker than most other milk alternatives and has a delicious and original flavor that cannot be easily distinguished from dairy milk when mixed in beverages. Read our guide to hemp milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make hemp milk yourself! Green smoothies can get an extra kick of nutrition if you make them with this powerhouse milk, check out this easy guide to making great green

6. Oat Milk

Oat milk is high in fiber and iron, as well as low in calories, fat and sugars. It can enhance the immune system; maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as protect against heart disease, strokes, and some cancers. In addition it provides important minerals including manganese, potassium, phosphorus, as well as vitamins A, B, and E. Oat milk is very versatile and can be used in baking, cooking, drunk plain, or added to cereal and hot beverages. Read our guide to oat milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make oat milk yourself! his Vegan Vegetable Tartuses oat milk!

7. Rice Milk

Rice Milk is a dairy-free grain milk made from (generally) brown rice, which for the most part remains unsweetened, although some rice milks are now sweetened with natural ingredients such as sugarcane. Rice milk is fortified with minerals and vitamins, including calcium, iron, niacin, as well as vitamins A, B12 and D. It is also low in fat, making it a particularly good milk substitute for baking, cooking, and drinks. As with almond, coconut, hemp, and oat, rice milk is a great milk alternative for those who are allergic to soy, although not offering the same health benefits. Read our guide to rice milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make rice milk yourself! It should not come as a surprise that rice milk works wonders in desserts; try these delicious Spiked Sweet Potato Truffles, and if you are looking for something healthy and creative, try the Beet-root Chocolate Frosted Cupcake or the Yeasted Pumpkin Pancakes!

8. Soy Milk

Soy milk contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which aid blood pressure and cholesterol reduction, in addition to which it helps protect against cardiovascular and neurological diseases. It is an excellent sources of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous and zinc, helping to control blood pressure, improve blood oxygenation, and protect against other diseases. There are an unbelievable number of soy milk brands on the market at the moment, all offering a huge array of soy milk products. Read our guide to soy milk to learn more about popular brands you can choose and how to make soy milk yourself! While you can swap soy milk for dairy milk in hundreds of recipes, our favorite way to use soy milk is in cupcakes, especially vegan ones — here’s a collection of our favorite vegan cupcakes that are made with soy milk!

There are a handful of other plant-based milks, including cashew and quinoa, although these are a lot harder to obtain. Sometimes, however, it’s possible to find them blended with other grains and nuts, such as almonds or rice. Good luck on your dairy-free adventures!

Source : One Green Planet

India Bans Shark Finning

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:58:00 +0700

With many shark species facing deep declines across the world's oceans, India has moved to outlaw one of the most pernicious and cruel threats they face.

In an effort to save endangered shark species in the nation's waters, India's Environmental Minister announced new legislation that would make it illegal to possess or sell shark fins. Fishermen found to have harvested shark fins will face tough penalties, including up to seven years in prison.

According to the Times of India, several dozen shark species endemic to surrounding waters are listed as endangered, including hammerheads, whale sharks, and broadfins.

India ranks second in terms of the number of sharks caught each year, after Indonesia, though most are unprotected species sold for local consumption. Since it is not easy to determine if a species is endangered from its fin alone, fishermen found to have finned any shark run the risk of prosecution. Sharks caught for their fins are usually dismembered and returned to the ocean, left to die slowly.

The demand for shark fins comes primarily from China, where it is the prime ingredient for shark fin soup. Last year alone, fishermen in India exported some $4.8 million worth of fins to the Chinese.

Conservationists hope that the measure will help to stabilize declines among shark species at risk of extinction, some of which have been reduced to a mere 10 percent of what they were a few decades ago.

Source : http://www.treehugger.com/endangered-species/india-becomes-largest-nation-ban-shark-finning.html

12 Reasons to Start Using a Bicycle for Transportation

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:55:00 +0700

Economic instability and ever-increasing climate change are just two of the many reasons riding a bike is an excellent alternative to driving.

We're continuing our look at smart ways to start saddling up and using bicycles for real transportation.

We've always taken the greenness of bike transport as a given. But if you're just getting started — or perhaps trying to convince an employer that bicycle commuting is a good thing — we've rounded up a dozen reasons to leave that car in the driveway and start covering pavement on two wheels. Let's ride!

1) It's easier to finance a new bicycle than a new car. Thanks to the recession, auto loans are hard to find these days — even if you have good credit. But for the price of a single car payment, you can buy a well-made bicycle that should outlast most cars. Add a few hundred dollars more for rain gear, lights and accessories, and you have all-weather, anytime transportation.

2) A bicycle has a tiny manufacturing footprint when compared to a car. All manufactured goods have environmental impact, but bicycles can be produced for a fraction of the materials, energy and shipping costs of a car.

3) Bicycles produce no meaningful pollution when in operation. Bikes don't have tailpipes belching poisonous fumes into the atmosphere. They also eliminate the oil, fuel and hydraulic fluids dripped by automobiles onto the road surface — which means less toxic runoff into local waterways.

4) Bikes save taxpayers money by reducing road wear. A 20-pound bicycle is a lot less rough on the pavement than a two-ton sedan. Every bicycle on the road amounts to money saved patching potholes and resurfacing city streets.

5) Bicycles are an effective alternative to a second car. Perhaps you're not in a position to adopt a bicycle as primary transportation. But bikes make great second vehicles. You can literally save thousands of dollars a year using a bicycle for workday commuting and weekend errands in households which might otherwise be forced to maintain two cars.

6) Using a bike for transportation can help you lose weight and improve your overall health. The health benefits of regular aerobic exercise are well-known. Depending on your riding style and local road conditions, you could easily burn 600 calories an hour through brisk cycling. Most bike commuters report losing 15 to 20 pounds during their first year in the saddle without changing their eating habits.

7) You can store a dozen bicycles in a single automobile-sized parking place.Parking lots have enormous environmental and financial impact, particularly in urbanized areas. The more bikes you can get on the road, the fewer parking spaces you need to build.

8) Bicycles don't burn gasoline. Fuel is cheap compared to last year, and the economic downturn is likely to keep a lid on petroleum demand for a while. But we're not producing any more oil today than we were when it was more than $100 a barrel. A healthy bike culture will help ease pressure on supply once demand returns.

9) Bicycling may be faster and more efficient than taking a car. We're not talking about the crazy — and illegal — antics of New York bicycle messengers. But bikes are often faster than cars in urban areas, especially when city designers have set aside proper bike lanes. There's nothing more satisfying as a bicycle commuter than breezing past a long line of gridlocked traffic.

10) Bikes cost much less to maintain and operate than automobiles. You'll never throw a rod on a bicycle, and dropping a transmission on a bike usually means replacing a bent derailleur hanger or worn-out chain. Bicycles do require service, but you can learn to perform most of it yourself. Even if you have a shop do things for you, costs will be trivial compared to a car.

11) Bicycles provide mobility for those who may not qualify or afford to drive. Not everyone can get a driver's license (or wants one), and the cost of purchasing, insuring and maintaining a car is out of reach for a lot of people. Almost everyone can afford some sort of bike. Other than walking, bicycles are the most cost-effective transportation on the planet.

12) Studies show that bicycle commuters are healthier, more productive, and require less time off at work. This is why most enlightened employers are eager to accommodate commuting cyclists. Healthy workers are better workers — and that's good for the bottom line. Bikes are smart business.

Source : http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/stories/12-reasons-to-start-using-a-bicycle-for-transportation

Modern Industrial Civilization

noreply@blogger.com (Vegetarian) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:51:00 +0700

By Noam Chomsky

Modern industrial civilization has developed within a certain system of convenient myths. The driving force of modern industrial civilization has been individual material gain, which is accepted as legitimate, even praiseworthy, on the grounds that private vices yield public benefits⎯in the classic formulation.

Now, it's long been understood very well that a society that is based on this principle will destroy itself in time. It can only persist with whatever suffering and injustice it entails as long as it's possible to pretend that the destructive forces that humans create are limited: that the World is an infinite resource, and that the World is an infinite garbage-can. At this stage of History, either one of two things is possible: either the general population will take control of its own destiny and will concern itself with community-interests, guided by values of solidarity and sympathy and concern for others; or, alternatively, there will be no destiny for anyone to control.