Vegan Diet and Cravings

Q: Hey Ali! I am really eager to know about your eating. If you don't mind answer to my questions. How long you been vegan? Did you chose to eat that way because its healthier or because you just like to? Dont you have some foods that you would really like to eat but don't let youself? For me example, I try to rehab myself from chocolate, chips, burgers and etc, junk food. I know that they aren't good for me but still, Im thinking about these kind of food a lot. It is kind of stressing. However, I dont let myself loose and eat junk food, but Im thinking bout them often. Have you had something similar or whats your opinion on foods thats not good to our body and what can stress us out when we forbid ourselves to eat them?

A: Hi, these are some really important questions for anyone that is considering going vegan or just switching their food habits and going towards a cleaner, more natural diet. 

I have been vegetarian for just under 20 years and more than half that time vegan (on and off). 

When I first became vegan it was just an intuitive decision. I was probably 15 and had never met or heard of a vegetarian before that so I didn't know what I was doing and had no examples of vegetarians in my life. I felt that it was the right thing to do and dropped meat out of my diet. Then I started reading spiritual literature and it became more of a spiritual practice the way Osho said that veganism is just a part of Buddhism. 

I appreciate the health aspect of vegetarianism but for me it's more a choice of non-violence and an intuitive need to eat that way. 

Do I have cravings? - Not any more! I am not sure if I have strong will power and once I decide something I do it or just eating this way makes you really appreciate and crave fresh food. Personally I enjoy everything I eat and I crave fruits and veggies. I do prepare some chocolate dishes and hot cocoa whenever I crave that. (I will post the recipe for the cocoa below)  If I crave chocolate I  have some healthy chocolate. I am not very dogmatic. But if you eat enough dates and fruit you actually satisfy your sweet tooth and you get your carbs in so I find that I don't crave chocolate. 

As far as meat cravings go- I think the same applies. Give your body solid, good nutrition. You can even recreate your favorite foods in a healthy version- such as lentil burgers, black bean chipotle burgers, etc and your body will adjust. Just make sure that you eat enough carbs so you don't get overly hungry. If you under-eat then your body will try to overcompensate and crave high caloric foods. 

Replace chips with big plates of steamed potatoes with a good dressing as well as kale chips. I find that to be so satisfying and filling that I don't crave fried food. 

It takes a while for you to develop the habits but once you do you never really look back.

I have not had a fried food craving for 10 years now :D I have developed an attraction to clean, high quality food and I can smell the rancidity of cooked oils and there is no way I can look and crave it or think that it could be yummy. i can really taste  low quality oils and ingredients and it doesn't appeal to me. For example white sugar tastes empty and unsatisfying to me. Your body can tell there is no nutrition in low quality foods and after a while you begin to dislike them. 

Definitely don't stress and don't exclude foods - just include so much good food that your cravings fall off. If you mess up and give in and have something "unhealthy" don't feel guilty.  THE GUILT ONLY PERPETUATES BAD HABITS AND CAUSES ONE TO SIMPLY GIVE UP. Just have a huge salad the next meal and keep moving forward. The body eventually adjusts to liking just vibrant, high quality food. And if you are eating right 90% of the time that's enough. There is even some evidence in support of cheat days- they can be healthy. SO PERHAPS WORK A CHEAT DAY INTO YOUR WEEK AND ENJOY! 

Hope that helps! 

Here is the raw cacao drink recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

you can omit any of the ingredients that are not available in your country.

Raw or regular cacao powder 

Dandelion root (or chicory coffee such as INKA which is widely available in Europe)

Shilajit (it's high in minerals,  Enhances energy and stamina, it's detoxifying, Supports healthy menstrual functions, Supports the immune system and much more)

Cayenne powder (hot pepper, chipotle)

Hazelnut Stevia (or stevia, honey, maple syrup, unprocessed sugar, palm sugar, etc)

Optional organic essential oil of peppermint (less than half a drop - it's that strong)

Almond milk

You can heat the milk and mix everything in, stir and serve. It's delicious! 

NAMASTE 

Spirituality, Vanity, Evolution and the Physical Body

Q: So I have been going through a predicament. Over the past few days, I have been becoming less and less inclined towards working out, whether it is power yoga or going to the gym. The reason for this is because I can't think of a reason to do either of those things in a spiritually authentic manner, as both tend to focus more upon the physical and mental aspects of discipline rather than contributing to growth of an essential nature. I also have been wondering how karma might affect this. Given that you are obviously spiritual in your practice, I was wondering if you could grant me some perspective on the subject? Thanks much (p.s. I do really enjoy your videos and practice notwithstanding :P)

A: I can totally see where you are coming from. I have gone through exactly the same dilemmas. And I even had to stop drawing when I was 17 because I saw it as an external practice, a validation of form. I have come a long way since then and yoga has bought me to respect the physical; the form. My feeling is that we are here on Earth, having a human experience, in a physical body so that we can learn to integrate, weave the physical, mental and emotional in order to allow our soul to grow and experience deeper level of enlightenment (speaking of enlightenment as a never ending process) (yoga means a union between mind and body and the divine essence)

So this right here and now (IMO) is just one more stop our soul makes and one more lesson we must learn before we continue with our evolution as a spirit.   And this is an important stop, and an important lesson we must master before we continue on our way. 

When we workout there is of course vanity involved and that is what's discouraging to you.  But we all agree that we must take care of whats hosting our soul in order to offer the best tools and the best medium for it's journey. I hope this is not too vague an answer and it gives you as many answers as it opens questions for you. 

You will notice that you can affect your state of emotion, consciousness and connection with source though physical practices such as fasting, sitting zazen, doing yoga, karma yoga, opening the heart with backbends or even running and going into that place of profound "EMPTYNESS" (which is ironically "everything-ness").  Acting from a place of soul "connectivity",  heart-openess and grounded presence can only allow you to be more available for others. 

Not to mention that a toxic body can provoke toxic thoughts and prevent us from connecting to the wisdom within. 

And maybe you think to yourself "what is the point in putting all this effort in something that we will eventually lose and it will disintegrate?".  This is a long discussion but all I can say is that not taking care of it leads to more suffering and sometimes suffering that will not hold space for the soul to grow in the most optimal way.   So to be extremely blunt- you just have to haha ... or it just leads to more suffering if you don't.  It's almost the same question as do we need to work, eat, shower etc... In a zen way it's simple you just do it! You "chop wood, carry water" you don't question it and you get enlightened along the way :D

To conclude this; even if we are not spiritual at all we all notice that a clean body leads to a brighter mind and a lighter heart so being healthy allows you to turn it from a self serving practice into an opportunity to be of service to the whole while being grounded, centered and "connected"... and therefore connect with the divine and grow. 

NAMASTE

Any continuation on this discussion, difference of opinions, additions are really welcome! 

P.S.  As some of you mentioned taking care of the physical is an act of unconditional faith as some/most or maybe all of us realize; this is a very temporary arrangement and it can seem as if it doesn't matter. So being devotional to our bodies is an act of gratitude and faith.  On a practical level you serve yourself first only so you can be there for others and and lift up others with everything you have learned along the way. 

Here is an excellent contemplation by Debra :
 What a great discussion! Vanity is a motivator for some but not for all. The body is a beautiful gift from God and it is the vehicle in which we travel this portion of our spiritual journey. Caring for the body, feeding it the most healthy foods, getting plenty of rest, keeping it strong and flexible and declining to poison it with toxic substances is devotional; an appreciation to the provider of all for this beautiful gift. Take care of your piece of the garden and more will be added unto to you. Also, yoga and other forms of movement are/can be a form of meditation. Running, swimming, even weight training all require one pointed focus which trains the mind to be in the present moment, an admirable spiritual practice. As well, only when we are healthy and happy can we be at our best to help others and do great work in the world. Finally, there is great joy in physical existence. Seeing a beautiful sunset or smile, hearing beautiful music or the sound of a loved ones voice, the aroma of a flower or a wonderful meal, the taste of fresh food, the touch of a baby's skin, grass under your feet, the joy of expressing God through dance; all of these experiences are available because we are in physical form. So keeping the body healthy is an act if gratitude for all of these blessings. Just some thoughts from a simple soul

Vegan Makeup Juice Beauty Highlighter (by Alicia Silverstone)

ALICIA SILVERSTONE FOR JUICE BEAUTY


Irresistible Glow Facial Highlighter Review

Most store bought makeup is extremely toxic and tested on animals which is a cruel and an extremely medieval style torture practice. I have been using organic and natural make up for quite some time- 10 years or so and I always get shocked when I realize that not everyone knows about the toxicity in make up. Here is a quick review on a highlighter recently purchased. Highlighter for cheeks, chin, brow bones. I love highlighters but I rarely use them because it seems like a hassle :) This one I have a feeling I'll finish because it's in a stick form and very subtle. Plus I love he extra ingredients that are good for the skin- such as   organic passionfruit, champagne and shea butter. It's creamy and light weight. 

Adds a bit of a warm glow to your cheeks bones. Very subtle but it does make a difference.

 Formula Ingredients:
Organic oils of helianthus annuus (organic sunflower oil)*, cocos nucifera (organic coconut oil)*, sesamum indicum (organic sesame seed oil)*, ricinus communis (organic castor seed oil)*, glycine soja (organic soybean oil)*, hydrogenated glyceryl abietate, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla wax), copernicia cerifera (carnauba wax), caprylic/ capric triglyceride, butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter)*, manihot esculenta (organic tapioca)*, zea mays (organic corn)*, rosa canina (organic rosehip fruit oil)*, passiflora incarnata (organic passion flower oil)*, vitis vinifera (organic champagne grape seed oil)*, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary oil), euterpe oleracea (organic acai berry)*, lycium chinense (organic goji berry)*, tocopherol (Vitamin E). May contain titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxides.

* = Certified organic by a USDA approved agency

It's

• Authentically Organic
• Powerful Action Without parabens, petroleum, pesticides, propylene or butylene glycols, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, silicones, artificial dyes or fragrances.
• Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Sustainably Packed
• Solar Power Manufactured

A great product that supports a lovely cause :)

NAMASTE

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VEGAN DINNER

One of my friends sent me a photo of a yummy dinner 

Potato dumplings in a creamy cauliflower and vegan cheese on a bed of mixed mushrooms sauteed with carrots and topped with dried breadcrumbs; chard grass and vegan mozzarella .. yum

VEGAN FOOD ART 

Interview with Zen Master Osho Watanabe

Namaste Beautiful Yogis, 

I had a total blast doing this interview. Zen Master Osho Watanabe is so welcoming, kind, present and lovely that being in his presence really uplifts you! We talked about basic buddhism, zen buddhism, zazen meditation, Love, God, Jesus Christ, Buddha, the origin of Buddhism, Hindu Gods, life, death, karma, reincarnation, Shiva, non sectarian Buddhism, his opinion on UFOs, psychedelic drugs, a vegan diet, non violence, and so much more. 

You can read more about Osho on his website http://www.zenyoga.org/about_osho.html

We laughed and kept things deep yet light just the way Zen can be. I love the simplicity that a zen perspective can bring into things. 

For more on his philosophy, ideas and contemplations this is Osho's blog http://zenyogaorientalphilosophy.blogspot.com/

You can watch the Interview here: 

After the interview he showed me his Photography. He is an excellent photographer and musician. 

 Then we talked about sumo wrestling in Japan and bulgarian sumo wrestlers getting very popular there :)

I got some amazing gifts and oils from his shop. The monks and him make their own incense in the temple, all handmade and that's part of their karma yoga. 

 You can get his framed photography and incese and oils at his gift shop http://www.zenyoga.org/gift_shop.html
I am a total sucker for anything sandalwood, amber, vanilla, coconut and the "Special Sandalwood" is exactly that. Musky sweet resin-like bengal and mysore sandalwood, vanilla, amber, rose, coconut. 

AAAH!


There was so much wisdom spoken off camera that I am eager to go back and do a few follow up interviews. His non dogmatic, simple, wise, grounded approach to things is truly a rare gem.




I am off to do yoga now :)

LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO ALL 

NAMASTE 

PUMPKIN PEANUT BUTTER DIP

PUMPKIN PEANUT BUTTER DIP

This was beyond delicious. Creamy, sweet, savory. A great dip for raw or pan roasted carrots, apples or any veggies you love.

250 g PUMPKIN CANNED OR ROASTED
2 TBSP PEANUT BUTTER 
COCONUT MILK
YELLOW ONION
1 TBSP MESQUITE POWDER
CHIPOTLE
CEYLON CINNAMON
A touch of tomato sauce 
Optional: a few dates 

BLEND, SERVE, ENJOY!
GREAT AS A DIP FOR CARROTS

THE QUANTITIES ARE REALLY UP TO YOU AND YOUR PREFERENCES

Random info: Ceylon Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum has a much milder and more pleasant and delicate taste than ordinary store bought cinnamon. It is healthier than ordinary cinnamon. Cinnamon is used to lower blood sugar in diabetics, ease arthritis and improve cholesterol.


NAMASTE 

Peanut Butter Carrot Dip Recipe

Making dips and salad dressings is the best way to get your veggies in :)

This one is delicious and easy to make. Serve with raw or steamed veggies.

Ingredients
Raw Carrots
Peanut Butter
Almond Milk
Mesquite Powder
Hot Pepper / Chipotle
Soy Sauce Optional
Onion
Savory
Cinnamon, black Pepper Optional
Hot sauce on top.
Of course you can add all kinds of herbs and spices, sesame oil, coconut butter to this. Also tofu can be added, coconut milk, etc

I served it with lettuce and golden beets.

Peace