Are you wondering how to become a vegan? Here are some tips and tricks for moving to a plant based diet.  1. Consciously shop for fruits and vegetables. 2. Look for cruelty free labels while buying your cosmetics. 3. Join a vegan community. When you are surrounded by people who think and want the same things as you, you will find it easier.  4. Most importantly, let it be a natural process. Don’t force yourself into veganism. 5. Give yourself sufficient time and understand that it’s a lifestyle change. It will not happen overnight. 

A lot of people struggle to understand what it actually means to live a sustainable life and how does one live a sustainable life?  Living a sustainable life means to live in a way that meets the  basic human needs while minimising one's environmental impact.   Here’s how you can start a sustainable life right at home, today!    1. Be mindful of resources that you use- Less paper, less plastic 2. Use alternate sources of energy like solar water heaters instead of geysers etc. 3. Reuse/ Recycle/ Repair should be your ultimate mantra in order to live a sustainable life - Reuse containers and clothing. Donate things you no longer need. Switch to products with biodegradable or recycled packaging. 4.  Support local farmers and artisans 5. Invest time in DIY- For example, most cleaners contain toxic chemicals that are not only harmful but also need more water to be washed away.  The easiest part about sustainable living is that you don’t have to wait for others to make the change. You can start , all by yourself, right now.   "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone will save it,”   - Robert Swan  . . . #sustainable #sustainableliving #reduce #reuse #recycle #nature #ecofriendly #environment #vegan #environmentalist #zerowaste #sustainability #organic #love #sustainableliving 

What the virus has brought along with the lockdown is a focus on health, awareness on immunity and the impact of stress on our daily lives. Work from home, lockdown, long working hours with no demarcation of home and office have only added to the stress.    There are many ways to beat stress. Yoga is a tried-tested-proven method to help reduce it.      YOGA TO BUILD IMMUNITY AND REDUCE STRESSYoga is a practice of the mind and body and has a 5000 year history. It's known to increase flexibility, metabolism, energy, strength and also help reduce injuries, improve cardiovascular strength,  build immunity and combat stress.  Start by practising these 4 poses for as little as 5 minutes a day. If you have the time, practise for 30 minutes. Sanskrit: Adho Mukha Svanasana English: Downward Dog   How to do it? Come onto the floor on your hands and knees, make sure your knees are directly below your hip and hands below your shoulders. Then, lift your knees off  the floor and stretch your legs. At this point, heels will be off the floor. When you are comfortable, push your top thighs back and stretch your heels to the point where they are on the ground.  Now, your knees should be straight. Do not bend or keep them soft once your heel is on the floor. Make sure your fingers and palm are firmly placed on the ground. Keep your shoulder blades tight. The head should be  between the upper arms; don't let it hang,  else there will be injury.     2. COBRA POSE  Sanskrit Name: Bhujangasana English Name: Cobra Pose     How to do it? Lie stomach down  on the floor. Your legs should be fully stretched, hands on the floor, next to your chest.  The elbows should be touching the chest. Slowly straighten the arm and lift the chest off the floor. Bend only till the point you are comfortable. When your chest is off the floor, your arms are 90 degrees , bent at the elbow. . Your shoulder blades should be firm. Distribute the backbend evenly throughout the entire spine. You can hold this pose as long as you're comfortable, 15 seconds to 45 seconds, all the while breathing effortlessly. Then come back to the floor and exhale.    3. Seated Spinal Twist   Sanskrit Name: Ardha Matsyendrasana English Name:  Seated Spinal Twist.    How to do it?   Sit upright on your mat, extend your legs in front.  Keep your hands on the side to start with.  Bend your right knee, then cross your right leg over and place your foot next to your left thigh. Fold  your left knee  in such a way that your left foot is pointing outward. Make sure your right leg is not moving. Once you are comfortable with the legs, put  your right arm behind you and place your fingertips or palm on the floor. Twist your upper body as you do so.. Raise your left arm upward.Hook your left arm around your bent right knee.    Repeat on the other side.    4. Bridge Pose   Sanskrit Name: Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana  English name:  Shoulder Supported Bridge    How to do it?   Lie on your back on the floor or mat.  Bend your knees with your feet on the floor. It is suggested that the heel be as close to your buttocks as possible. Once comfortable, push your tailbone upward , firming the buttocks. Then lift your buttocks off the floor. Keep your arms on the floor next to you, parallel to your body. Lift your chin slightly so that it is not touching your neck. You can stay in this post for 30 seconds to 1 minute and come down slowly while exhaling.      

Virat Kohli Jacqueline Fernandez Neha Dhupia Giesle Bundchen Madonna   What do these people have in common apart from being celebrities?   They are all Vegans.    WHAT IS VEGANISM?   Veganism is an ideology that is against animal cruelty and exploitation in any form- food, cosmetics , clothing &  entertainment. So, being a vegan means adopting a lifestyle that consciously excludes the use of animals or animal related products.    You might be at any point in your diet journey, perhaps you are considering veganism. Or you are following it but with struggle. No matter where you are in your journey , here are top 4 reasons why you should consider veganism   WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER VEGANISM?   1. Less carbon footprint   According to Oxford University, going vegan is the ‘single biggest’ way you can reduce your environmental impact on the planet.   2. Healthier and Happier    Vegans are less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure mostly because their source of nutrients come from plant based sources. And so they are not struggling to digest or burn animal fat.3. Prevent Weight Gain   Obesity is by product of our lifestyle and food choices. A Vegan’s diet is entirely plant based. This means more fiber intake. Fiber aids easy digestion.   On a Vegan diet, you will also consume lesser calories. As long as you eat fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans, nuts and seeds. So, it’s much easier to lose or maintain weight.   4. Kinder to other lives    According to PETA, more than 100 million animals are used in the USA alone for experiments. Animal testing could mean burning skin, administering drugs or toxic substances that could leave animals traumatised , infected with diseases , sometimes even dead.    Apart from consuming animals for food, many are used to test products as well.Testing cosmetics on animals is an unkind process. These animals are also confined to small cages and kept in conditions that most humans would call torture, if inflicted upon them.   Why use products when you know animals are put under a lot of distress and suffering? Cruelty free products are healthier and less toxic.    vegancalculator.com*