Aparna Jayavant Bharatiya with her husband Ankit Bharatiya and son Nivaan at 'Earth Cafe', a vegan restaurant in Mumbai.
Being Vegan: A journey to enhanced energy, wellness and conscious living
For 45-year-old Aparna Jayavant Bharatiya, it's been six years since she became vegan. Always an animal lover, she watched some hard-hitting documentaries on animal cruelty, health and environment and it absolutely made sense to give up all animal products. “I have no health issues, in fact my health has improved. Energy levels are much higher, and the mind is clear. And I think I can surely say vegan tastes and feels better too!”
Aparna admits, “Honestly, I used to love eggs and seafood but now it doesn't tempt me anymore. It's strange but once your perspective changes everything changes. I don't see it as food anymore. I and my husband Ankit Bharatiya decided to go vegan together as a family. My son Nivaan was five-years-old. My mom is a vegan too." People are shy to admit that they are vegan. Why? “I think because people tend to get offended when you say you are vegan and do not eat animal products. It makes people uncomfortable. Especially family members and close friends. I do not try to convince anyone but I do share information and positive experiences that I have felt because of which at least my close friends and family are taking inspiration and making changes to their lifestyle now. They appreciate our choices.”
There are many vegan restaurants. Other restaurants have vegan menus now. “We usually carry small tetra packs of oat milk or soya milk for tea and coffee. But other than that we don't really carry any alternatives. Usually the restaurants are able to understand and in fact we get food freshly made for us – without butter, ghee or cream. Olive oil and other plant based oils are used. And honestly it doesn't make any difference in taste as the taste is usually of the garnishes and masalas,” says Aparna who is into vegan foods business and makes vegan dairy alternatives like cheeses, butters, mayonnaise made from pure ingredients and without preservatives.
“I don't try to convince anyone who is not willing to listen. But people are usually curious and want to know why we chose this lifestyle and that's when I am able to explain why and get people thinking at least. It's important to plant seeds and then it all depends on when they are ready to make the change. I'm aware of the fact that I too was unaware earlier but now that I know better I can do better. And I think if we talk about compassion and kindness it's important to extend that to even the non-human creatures that we share this beautiful earth with. As human beings we are able to differentiate what is right and what doesn't feel right. Animals do not have the ability to do that. Like a lion wouldn't sympathise or feel bad about killing and eating a deer but we would not like seeing an animal being killed or tortured. We usually close our eyes and mind to the cruelty that goes behind the piece of flesh that is served on our tables. Let’s change that,” urges Aparna.
