Embracing a Vegetarian Lifestyle: Meet Andre and Anita from Indonesia

Andre and Anita are a dynamic duo from Indonesia who have wholeheartedly embraced a vegetarian lifestyle. Andre, with an impressive 12-year journey as a vegetarian, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. His deep understanding of the positive impact that dietary choices can have on personal well-being and the environment fuels his unwavering commitment.

Anita, a passionate advocate for ethical living, joined the vegetarian movement six years ago. Together with Andre, she forms a formidable team in promoting a plant-based lifestyle and raising awareness about the benefits of vegetarianism. Their shared passion and dedication have led them to create an influential online presence through their Instagram account, “Veggiefoodgallery.” With captivating content, they aim to inspire and educate others about the joys and advantages of vegetarian and vegan living.

Beyond their online platform, Andre and Anita are actively involved in their local community. They have founded the “Philosophy Community Kitchen,” a visionary initiative that provides free plant-based cooking and promotes a compassionate way of life. Through this project, they strive to build a supportive community where individuals can come together to learn, grow, and make positive changes for themselves and the planet.

Andre and Anita’s profound commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle stems from their understanding of the ethical implications of animal agriculture and their desire to create a more sustainable future. Their journey serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the power of conscious choices and the transformative impact they can have on both personal well-being and the greater world.

Please tell us more about yourself

We are from Indonesia, and we would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves. We are Andre and Anita, and we proudly embrace a vegetarian lifestyle. Our shared passion has led us to create engaging content on our Instagram account called “Veggiefoodgallery,” where we aim to introduce and promote vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. In addition to our online presence, we are actively involved in a meaningful initiative called “Philosophy Community Kitchen.” Through this endeavor, we strive to establish a community kitchen that offers free plant-based cooking and promotes a plant-based lifestyle.

Both of us have made the conscious decision to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle, with the intention of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle in the near future. Our journey towards vegetarianism and our increasing awareness of the suffering endured by animals throughout the meat production process have been profoundly influenced by our active involvement in a spiritual community for several years. Through this community, we have gained valuable insights and knowledge about the ethical implications of consuming animal products.

Furthermore, social media has played a significant role in expanding our understanding of veganism and its impact on both the human body and overall health. The abundant information available online has empowered us to make informed choices and has deepened our conviction to pursue a plant-based lifestyle.

Andre has been dedicated to vegetarianism for an impressive 12 years, while Anita has been committed to this lifestyle for a commendable 6 years. Our combined experiences and dedication to animal welfare, health, and ethical living fuel our passion to share our journey with others through our content and community initiatives.

Our journey towards vegetarianism has been filled with intriguing stories and remarkable experiences. One of the most captivating tales involves Anita, my girlfriend, who successfully ran her vegetarian restaurant called “VeggiesKitchen” for an entire year before our paths crossed. Strangely enough, after we met, the restaurant had to permanently close its doors. I can’t help but jokingly wonder if I inadvertently brought some sort of bad luck with me! 😂

However, this setback did not deter us. Instead, we redirected our efforts by utilizing the “VeggiesKitchen” Instagram account and embarked on a new venture called “VeggieFoodGallery.” Since then, we have experienced immense joy and satisfaction as our content has made a substantial impact on small and medium-sized enterprises within the vegetarian and vegan community.

Visiting these establishments and sharing their stories through our platform has been truly rewarding. Witnessing the positive influence our content has on these businesses brings us great happiness. We are delighted to contribute to the growth and success of vegetarian and vegan enterprises, and we continue to be motivated by the impact we can make in promoting these lifestyles.

Our journey has been filled with twists and turns, but we have embraced them with humor and determination. We are excited to see where our path takes us next and the difference we can make in inspiring others to explore the vegetarian and vegan way of life.

We are aware that the vegetarian and vegan movements have experienced significant growth worldwide, especially following the pandemic. However, in Indonesia, there still exists a considerable amount of misunderstanding surrounding vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. Thankfully, we are fortunate that our families have been supportive of our decision to become vegetarians. Nevertheless, our ultimate aspiration is to educate and enlighten more individuals about the benefits and principles of vegetarian and vegan living.

To overcome these challenges, we have actively engaged with and embraced the vegetarian and vegan communities in Indonesia. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share our passion. Together, we have organized various enjoyable events such as plant-based bazaars and dinner gatherings, allowing us to foster a sense of camaraderie within our communities.

These collective efforts have proven to be both fulfilling and inspiring. We relish the opportunity to connect with others who are equally enthusiastic about promoting plant-based lifestyles. Through these activities, we hope to encourage greater understanding and acceptance of vegetarian and vegan choices among the wider population in Indonesia.

As we continue to grow together with the vegetarian and vegan communities, we are filled with gratitude for the support and joy that they bring to our lives. Each step we take strengthens our commitment to spreading awareness and building a more compassionate and sustainable future for all.

Choosing to be vegetarian or vegan has undeniably been one of the most rewarding and impactful decisions we have made. Embracing this lifestyle is not only a blessing to ourselves, but also to the Earth and its inhabitants.

When it comes to convincing others, we believe that food has the power to speak for itself. The remarkable variety of vegan alternative meats available today is truly remarkable. These products are created by numerous companies that have perfected the art of producing delectable flavors. The taste is simply outstanding, and it serves as a powerful testament to the delicious possibilities that exist within a plant-based diet.

By sharing these delectable vegan options with others, we can ignite curiosity, challenge misconceptions, and encourage a shift towards more sustainable and compassionate food choices. The flavorful and satisfying experience of enjoying these vegan alternatives is often the best way to dispel any doubts or reservations that people may have.

We firmly believe that the food we consume can serve as a persuasive ambassador for the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle. It offers an opportunity to demonstrate that choosing plant-based options not only benefits our health and well-being, but also contributes to a more compassionate and environmentally conscious world.

Our go-to destinations that are vegan-friendly and top picks for us.

Kinkitsuya (vegan japanese restaurant)
I Vegan (vegan pizza eatery)
Dharma Kitchen (vegan chinese and indonesia restaurant)
Bumi Kasih (a lovely place below the salak mountain at west java, and the factory of veggieway and veggiepedia (vegetarian and vegan alt meat company)
Love mercy (vegan cake and bakery)
our favorites foods
Bakmie (chinese signature noodles)
Bakso (indonesia vegan meatballs)
ayam bakar (vegan grilled chicken)
nasi padang (west sumatra signature rice with a lot of toppings)
nasi 5 panca indera (our philosophy kitchen signature rice with toppings)
all indonesia vegan food (indonesia food are very rich with flavour and spices!)

“Cold plate” (chinese variant menu on one plate)

nasi padang (west sumatra signature rice with a lot of toppings)

nasi 5 panca indera (our philosophy kitchen signature rice with toppings)

In Indonesia, there are prevalent misconceptions regarding the nutritional adequacy of vegetarian or vegan diets, particularly in terms of protein intake for building muscle mass. However, in today’s digital age, we have the power to access a wealth of information about veganism and dispel these misunderstandings. Unfortunately, many individuals exhibit a reluctance to embrace new knowledge and often reject the fact that adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle can have significant health and environmental benefits.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to address these misconceptions by providing accurate information and promoting awareness. Through accessible online resources, we can educate ourselves and others about the nutritional aspects of plant-based diets, including plant-based protein sources that can support muscle development and overall health.

While it is disheartening to witness the resistance to change among some individuals, we remain determined to emphasize the positive impacts of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. By highlighting the health benefits and the environmentally friendly nature of these dietary choices, we can gradually shift perceptions and encourage a more open-minded approach towards embracing a plant-based way of living.

I believe that we are fortunate to be born into such a magnificent world. We have only one life and one Earth, so let us not squander them by consuming and harming our fellow beings. Instead, let us cherish our beautiful planet. As a Buddhist, I find solace in one of the teachings of the Buddha, which states “sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta,” meaning “May all beings be happy.” This encompasses not only humans but also all beings that experience pain, love, loyalty, and many other emotions.