When we start making demands on the world and people in our minds, insisting on our own needs without considering the feelings of others, this is selfishness

Daria describes herself as someone who transcends age, believing that true age is defined not by numbers but by one’s appearance and feelings. With a higher education in economics and finance, she balances her analytical background with a deep passion for creativity. In her free time, Daria enjoys writing poetry, drawing, and photography. Recently, she has ventured into logo design, further exploring her artistic side.

Meatless Movement had the opportunity to chat with her recenlty.

Tell us more about yourself, please

Of all the versions of me, now is the best ♥️
Dari Soul

I was born in Ukraine, and from a young age, I was a very independent and strong-willed child. I often asked my parents questions that sometimes put them in awkward positions. For instance, when I was very young, I was served a dish called golubtsi, which in Ukrainian sounds similar to the word pigeon. I immediately declared that if the dish was made from pigeons, I would refuse to eat it. My parents assured me that it was made from other ingredients, but I was not satisfied with their answer and refused to eat the dish. However, I continued to eat certain foods like sausage, as that was the only way of eating I knew at the time.

Eventually, my parents became interested in Vedic literature, which promotes vegetarianism as a diet favorable for spiritual development. I was thrilled about this change and have been a vegetarian for over 23 years now.

I feel incredible magnetism and endless delight… this is all the beautiful planet Earth; it has all the abundance, and our main task is not to destroy it, not to destroy our world 🌍
Dari Soul

During the time when my parents and I gave up meat, vegetarianism was not widely accepted. Many considered us sectarians, drug addicts, or just plain crazy. In school, I was frequently asked if fish was considered meat, and people were surprised that I avoided eating anything with a central nervous system. Nonetheless, I remained friendly and learned to love and respect my beliefs. Some of my friends even adopted vegetarianism after observing my example, although I never imposed my ideas on anyone. When asked, I explained my reasons, focusing on health benefits, ecological concerns, and, most importantly, the avoidance of causing pain to sentient beings.

Happiness is not a destination, it is the feelings we experience along the unknown path..
Dari Soul

Some individuals fear that transitioning to a vegetarian diet may lead to health issues. I can reassure you that our bodies intuitively know how to replace certain nutrients and will signal what is needed. By eliminating taboos on familiar foods, your brain will naturally suggest alternative solutions. For adults looking to adopt a vegetarian diet, I recommend familiarizing yourself with tables detailing the nutritional content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and amino acids from both animal and plant sources. This knowledge can help ease your mind.

Over time, meat sections in supermarkets have become less relevant for me. People often ask if I miss eating meat, but I do not, as I live in harmony with my beliefs. The taste and aroma of meat dishes are often derived from spices and sauces, which I replicate with vegetarian products to create delicious meals. Many of my friends are surprised by how tasty my food is, and I always respond that I would not eat something that tastes bad.

from time to time,
I persistently try,
understand how to find
the origin of mind
or at least realise
the depth of the sky..
Dari Soul

For those considering vegetarianism, it is important not to tell yourself that you will never eat meat again, as this may trigger fear responses in your brain. Instead, approach it as a temporary experiment for a month or two, and see how it goes.

In conclusion, I am delighted to see an increasing openness to vegetarianism. Many establishments now offer vegetarian options, ensuring that I never feel deprived of food. I lead a fulfilling life, with no place for disliked vegetarian foods in my diet, such as pumpkin, asparagus, onions, parsnips, and celery.