It all started after watching a video showing kindness and compassion for animals

Priscilla is from Singapore. A true nature lover, she would find beauty everywhere. She loves biking and hiking on Sundays. Meatless Movement recently had a chance to chat with her. She said that finding joy is that simple. Enjoy the things you like and grow and embrace more with what life has in store for us.

Tell us more about yourself please

My name is Priscilla. I am a Singaporean and working as a registered nurse. I am someone who loves the sun and enjoy activities like cycling, hiking and dance like masala bhangra and belly dance. I am enthusiastic about exploring vegetarian and vegan food.

Grow and embrace more with what life has presented to us
Pris Lian

I have been a vegetarian for the past 16 years and still loving every moment of this journey to explore new food.

It all started after watching a video showing kindness and compassion for animals. It dawned on me to do some reflection on my eating habits and how I can contribute back to Mother Earth in my own small ways. From that day onwards, I never looked back.

Moments of simple joy and happiness💑
Pris Lian

I must admit the initial years were a little tough as the choices were not a lot and most cafes/restaurants did not incorporate any vegetarian dishes at all. At times, I even got some minor scolding from some staff about vegetarian food as though I am making things difficult for them. And they tend to ask me if I can take seafood as well. It also got me a little frustrated at times especially having to search for vegetarian food when you have a tight schedule. Sometimes, I had to pack my own food to resolve this issue.

However, I am blessed that my loved ones are pretty accommodating to me. They love to embark in this journey with me as well to explore more about the vegetarian choices around. Though one of my best buddies is not a vegetarian but she is always so willing to accommodate both myself and a vegan buddy on this food option during our meet-up.

I feel great both from a physical and psychological perspective. I am happy that this community has evolved well, and the vegetarian awareness footprint is also growing much stronger versus a decade ago.

Be it local or overseas, I am always happy to play by part in supporting them in this community.

In local context, ordering from the local vegetarian food community has already become a norm in my family culture during our family weekly get together meal. I just doubled up more choices during this pandemic so my non-vegetarian family can love the food as much as I do, ha-ha.

The best vegetarian and vegan food places in Singapore

Listed are my local favorites as usual. They are my favorites mainly due to the variety of dishes as well as it suits my taste buds. Some cuisines are authentic in their tastes too. I simply love tempeh, Lion’s Mane mushroom, eggplant, bean curd and in fact all sorts of mushrooms.

In fact, I lost some of the pics on the below but highly recommend as well.

Elemens
Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant
Solisebakery(home-based)
NatureVe (home-based)
Veggeneration2020(home-based)
Angiestempeh(Can’t wait to try her tempehbakkwa for the upcoming festive season)

Enjoy the things you like and finding joy is that simple😊😊
Pris Lian

I recalled I had a memorable trip to Japan just before the pandemic wave struck globally. My loved ones and myself wanted a brand-new experience this time to start on a Japan food trail. Everyone was geared towards the prospect of trying all the delicious vegetarian/vegan food during our trip.

We started our little food hunt in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto navigating the Happy Cow app. It was mind-blowing to know of the plenty options in store for us. We even cycled to look for the hidden treasures nestled in some corners of the town.

It was an interesting way to immerse in the local culture and getting in conversation with the locals always made the experience nicer.

Go slow and listen to your body. Incorporate the changes slowly so it will be sustainable for you in the long run
Pris Lian

Take baby step first and try out one meal at a day. Switch to a different mindset on how vegetarian or vegan food can add colors to your diet without comprising on the nutritional factors. Incorporate fun trying different cuisines.

People often commented that vegetarian or vegan diet lack of nutrient. I must admit I do get irritated with these type of comments as well as telling me these diets are made of gluten or ‘fake’ stuff.

Nutrition is not on a losing end for a vegetarian diet versus a carnivore diet. I have friends who told me they do not feel full after eating a vegetarian diet or feel anemic before trying. I usually will share some health articles on how they can boost up their diet in terms of protein or iron rich food from consuming vegetarian etc. I always share with them on the variety of vegetarian cuisine and the food ingredients listed behind for them to explore further.

In life, there are always many choices to choose from. The choice we select might not always be the best from others’ perspectives but so long we are happy and making a meaningful journey, I believe this can be considered as simple joys in life.