The future is vegan- for our health, the Earth, the animals and future generations

Andrea is from India and currently working in China as an Educator. She believes that all animals feel. They feel love, friendship, pain and sorrow. In our advancement, we forget that we humans are animals too and our basic needs are the same as animals.

Meatless Movement recently had a chat with her. She told Meatless Movement that in a world where you can choose to be anything… choose to be kind.

Please tell us more about yourself

I’m Andrea Dsilva. I have grown up in Bangalore, India and now I live and work (teach) in Beijing China.

This is my 6th year being a vegan. I was very lucky to have grown up in a country and family where vegetables were given all the recognition and importance they rightfully deserve. While I did eat animal products growing up, I also ate plenty of vegetarian meals. My degree is in environmental science and marine biology and being naturally curious about our place in the environment and the functioning of our body, I dived into a lot of research in my early adult years to better understand my stubborn, persistent acne and my carbon footprint. All of this led to the realization that a vegan diet is better for everyone involved.

Plant powered food is so exciting! The options are plentiful and the flavours are divine!

For me, the biggest change I noticed since going plant based is my improved immunity and my higher energy levels. Teaching is a draining job. And a classroom is a breeding ground for viruses even with all the hand washing. Prior to going plant based, even though I exercised often and ate balanced meals, I had several bouts of illnesses and regular fatigue. But when I shifted to a balanced plant-based diet coupled with regular exercise it has given me more energy through the day and week.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Yes, finding vegan food can be tricky depending on where you live and how much research you have done. I am usually constantly researching restaurants and latest launches to stay updated. I also stay in contact with my vegan community who is always a source of positive strength and support.

Baking plant-based is easy and fulfilling

The best part though is that since I have gone vegan, I have fallen madly in love with cooking and baking so most often than not, you’ll find me chilling in my kitchen, trying new recipes.

Like the cliché goes, my only regret is not turning vegan sooner. Being vegan has been the best adventure I have ever embarked on. From my peace of mind, to my health and my reduced carbon footprint, I wake up and go to sleep each day knowing that I am doing the best I can to look after myself and the planet.

I’ve fallen in love with Indian culture more over the past year abroad

My go to when cooking is Indian food as I find it wholesome and tasty. My favourite to make and eat is chapati roll. This is a whole wheat flour tortilla with a stir fried veggies in different dressing like peanut or sesame sauce.

I also frequently make thai yellow curry. I love how versatile the curry is. You can add any combination of vegetables and tofu and fake meats if you’d like. So, it is always different to eat even if you have it frequently. I eat it with rice, noodles, pasta and even by itself as a vegetable soup slurp. Lol

Nothing more powerful than veganizing a traditionally non vegan recipe!

The biggest misconceptions I have come across is that vegan food has very few options and it is boring. I strongly disagree as there are plenty more plants to eat than animals we breed for consumption. Going vegan has allowed me to explore so many new foods, ingredients and cuisines and I have never felt more content gastronomically.

Stay open minded, do your research and choose your why- is it for your health, the planet, the animals or all of the above. There is a wealth of good, peer reviewed and reliable scientific papers out there that clearly show the advantages of living and eating plant based.

Every effort makes a difference🌍

Since going plant based, I have had more opportunities to be involved in the community and with volunteer work. I have initiated the meatless Monday program at my school in Beijing.

Once a week, children are served with a meatless option for lunch and thankfully, it has been quite popular. As the head of the environment committee at school, I started a vegetable garden which the children planted and will hopefully harvest soon.

I have participated in fundraisers and bake sales for animal rescues and also gone for vegan cooking classes to learn more about China’s culture.

Going vegan has enriched my life in numerous ways and I do hope that many more are and will be as lucky as I have been.