Mika’s animal instinct

"They are family to me," says singer Mika Singh of the 12 dogs, four cows, two camels (Shankar and Shambhu) and horses at his farmhouse in Delhi.

And that 'family' just got bigger. Says Mika excitedly, "My horse recently gave birth to a foal I have named Bebo. My bitch, Jugni, has given birth to four puppies."

He adds, "As a child, I lived in Punjab and distinctly remember having this dog I took care of. He was more of a buddy than an animal. I learned horse-riding and that's where my fondness for horses comes from."

The singer talks of his 'children' with the love of a parent. "My farm house is their comfort zone. I don't bind them with chains but see to it that they are given full freedom to roam around. I have just installed fans and coolers to protect them from Delhi's scorching heat."

When Mika moved to Delhi, he had an apartment that could accommodate a pet. He notes, "I had a dog but my flat was so small that he felt uncomfortable. There was very little space for him to move around. It was then that I decided that no matter what, one day I would buy a farmhouse where I can offer shelter to animals. That dream has finally come true."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Mikas-animal-instinct/articleshow/14023697.cms

Citizens rally for Mumbai's tired horses

MUMBAI: A group of citizens and animal rights NGOs have come together to collect 10,000 signatures in order to stop cruelty towards horses in the city and bring about a ban on Victoria horse carriages. The commencement of the monsoon in the city adds to the distress of over 250 horses, which are left illegally tied up in the open on city beaches, without proper stables, and hence ruthlessly exposed to the elements.

Without proper rest at night, these horses, many of them suffering from physical ailments, are forced to pull carriages or used to give joyrides during the day, worsening their already sorry state.

Among the citizens collecting signatures for this cause is Hersh Welling, who said that a memorandum created by the group will be given to the chief minister, municipal commissioner and other top officials, exhorting them to help stop such animal cruelty.

"More than 80% of Mumbai's horses are tied to posts at beaches, garbage dumps, street sides, dump yards and public spaces. These animals have no option but to brave the monsoon without any shelter," said Ambika Hiranandani, advocate and animal activist.

Another animal lover, Mili Gandhi, said, "On Dadar beach, the horses are tied near the shore. They have to deal with the high tide and then also endure the monsoon out in the cold. The horses are practically drowning. And after all this, they have to work for hours on end. Such torture should not be allowed in our city."

"It is about time we stop the carriages and joyrides. The people of Mumbai must come together and speak for the animals and our city," added Vandana Kripalani, a campaigner of NGO Mumbai for Horses.

In an ongoing public interest litigation in the Bombay high court, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had also stated that most of these illegal stables at Nariman Point, Dadar, Bhandup, Andheri and parts of other suburbs were absolutely dirty, pathetic and not fit for animals. The signature campaign should now hopefully end the horses' pain.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Citizens-rally-for-Mumbais-tired-horses/articleshow/14038719.cms

Vegans can rage through power workouts

Vegetarians and vegans don't need supplements and protein shakes to rage through a power work-out. Just eat these maximising foods, macrobiotic guru Shonali Sabherwal says

About seven months ago, Shonali Sabherwal, a macrobiotic health nutritionist, shifted from the mild yoga, pilates and swimming to a strenuous Crossfit regime. Being vegan and a careful eater, Sabherwal wondered if her diet would power her through the pullups, push-ups, sprinting, dumbbells, ketllebells, barbells, rings and burpees that Crossfit demands.

She got through the workouts with ease, dismissing the myth that you need a protein rich diet and artificial supplements for high performance levels.

"Two things I have done for the last eight years which lay the foundation for coping with this regimen," says Sabherwal, "One, I focus on nutritionally efficient foods and do not eat that which makes my body go into 'stress' mode. My diet has consisted of only what I call 'nutritionally-dense whole foods which focus on cellular regeneration and giving you abundant vitality."

The foundation
Foods that get assimilated by the body give us more energy, as they require lesser energy for digestion (as opposed to refined, processed foods). Also, the body demands less of nutritionally whole foods as the brain turns off the hunger signal once it recognises a bunch of nutrients.

Also, everything we eat comes with a nutritional 'stress' component if the body does not utilize it or takes time to digest it. Nutritional stressors are: coffee, tea (chai with caffeine and tannic acid), soft drinks, aerated beverages, or alcohol (minimal) and sugary starchy foods (everything made from refined white flour and yeast), meat, dairy, wheat or gluten, simple sugars and anything preserved or processed.

The nutritional stressors create an acidic environment throwing the body's pH balance off. People with high acidosis fatigue faster and their sleep patterns are affected. So while you may be on a diet, high-stressor foods will affect post exercise recovery. Here's how to maximise your energy, while maintaining a vegetarian and dairy-free diet.

Eat Alkaline
A bulk of your diet should comprise whole grain, vegetables (lots of greens), quinoa, amaranth, sprouted seeds, fruits, beans, nuts, some sea weeds and spirulina. Fats can come from avocado, nuts, coconut and sesame oil (cold pressed) and coconut meat (garri). "I increased my intake of vegetables by almost 40 percent and decreased whole grain to 20 percent in the last seven months," says Sabherwal. "Beans and legumes such as quinoa and amaranth formed 25 percent of my diet and fruit formed fruit 10 percent. These help my blood condition to stay more alkaline, and also cause 100 percent assimilation of nutrients, contributing to high performance levels."

Befriend enzymes
Another secret is to keep the enzymes active in all foods, so focus on lighter cooking styles. Over cooking destroys enzymes and also nutrients. Good quality fermentation also supplies an abundant amount of enzymes — quick pressed salads, pickles made in brine, miso paste. The recovery post exercise depends a lot on the body's enzyme levels.

Consume chlorophyll
Green, leafy vegetables and cereal grasses such as wheat grass support energy levels and provide my body with the extra ability to help oxygenation, which is vital for cellular regeneration. This also increases the body's pH levels.

Assimilate protein
Whey and protein isolate powders usually involve chemicals, their net protein is lower and they can be also acidforming. Sprouts, nuts, seeds and legumes [not over-cooked, as this makes them acid-forming], spirulina, wheat grass and leafy greens are plant sources of protein with a high pH.

Workout and eating tips
When you've taken care of your diet, focus on meal timings and work out ethics. Pre-workout, eat something that will burn fast, such as like dates. This simple carbohydrate heads straight to your liver to give instant energy. Fruit sugars are good for this. "I have cold-pressed coconut oil as it has medium-chain triglycerides that give instant energy," says Sabherwal. "This is good for intense workouts and the ones that last for shorter span of time." For something that lasts longer and needs sustained energy, protein can come from quinoa, good fats from seeds or nuts, with a dash of dates for simple carbohydrates.

Do not restrict calories in the quest to lose fat. A post-workout snack should have some good fat, protein and a little simple carbohydrate. A green smoothie with ½ an apple (fruit sugars), spirulina (for protein) and some nuts will do. The liquid form helps the blood move freely to transport the nutrients. After a workout, the blood works to clear out toxins and lactic acid build-up — we don't want to take the blood away from this activity to the stomach for digestion, and liquids help do this.

Artificial vitamins and supplements inhibit recovery. Those who exercise feel that their body will throw out what it does not need. It's quite the opposite: while water soluble vitamins and minerals get thrown out, fat soluble minerals go straight to the fat cells, causing fatigue. When the body is trying to recover from the workout, you don't want to pressurize it to throw out stuff it will not utilized from supplements.

The Reluctant Gourmet: Turning over a new leaf

Ever considered turning vegetarian? Or experimenting with veganism? Try the ‘Vegan Kickstart' — a programme that handholds you through 21 days of interesting, nutritious and varied vegan meals. 

The free online nutritional programme is pioneered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a non-profit organisation headquartered in Washington, D.C. Ulka Agarwal, chief medical officer at the PCRM says they came up with Kickstart to show that eating a plant-based diet for just three weeks can result in significant health benefits. She adds, “Kickstart India is short enough so that anyone can test-drive it, but long enough to see results… So far about 3,200 people have signed up for the June programme and around 10,000 people signed up for our November Kickstart.”

Kickstart India began this month, and will be live till the end of July. PCRM runs this programme twice a year in India, China, and three times a year in the U.S. 

Although about 40 per cent of India is vegetarian, Dr. Agarwal says this programme is important because, according to their figures, close to 30 per cent of India is either overweight or obese. “Type 2 diabetes affects more than 50 million Indians… As a physician, I'm alarmed by the climbing diabetes rates, which surpasses the U.S. Blindness, amputations, and loss of kidney function go hand-in-hand with Type 2 diabetes.” 

Stating that “Indians consume a lot of milk and milk products which could be responsible for the country's above-average rates of diabetes and rising obesity,” she says dairy product consumption in India is expected to double over the next decade. 

Still need convincing? “During this test-drive, people typically lose a pound each week. They also see their cholesterol and blood pressure levels plummet. Health of people with diabetes improves dramatically. Migraines and pain often vanish. This diet is very low in saturated fat and virtually cholesterol-free diet, yet full of fibre and antioxidants.” Dr. Agarwal says it's not as tough as it seems. “Non-vegetarians have actually found the transition very easy. Many people report that their taste-buds change after three weeks. They no longer crave certain foods such as meat, sugar, and cheese. They feel healthier, thinner, and more energetic… Menu items include chai, mint biryani with roasted mushrooms, aloo gobi, herb roti, and tamarind chutney. This is not a deprivation diet.”

Here's an additional incentive. Mallika Sherawat will be one of your coaches. She says she transitioned to a vegan diet for better health, as well as the good of the environment. “I was surprised at how easy it was! There are so many delicious options to choose from. I pay attention to healthy, plant-based foods in their natural state. I also opt for ancient grains, such as quinoa and barley. They're less acidic than refined wheat and packed with protein and fibre.” 

She adds, “I always load up with leafy greens, like green juice, in the morning… All you need is a cup or two of spinach or kale, an apple, parsley, and a few celery stalks. Mix it in a blender and you're good to go! You don't need to add milk or dairy.” Just back from Cannes, she says being vegan is what helps her deal with her hectic lifestyle. “I love my lifestyle and thrive on clean energy…” 

As a coach for the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, Sherawat will be sharing her favourite recipes and health tips with Kickstarters. Other coaches include Maneka Gandhi, Jackie Shroff, Alicia Silverstone, Shashi Tharoor and Amala Akkineni.
 

Akkineni says she started on a plant-based diet out of compassion for animals. “Increased energy and improved digestion are two of the biggest health benefits I've experienced. I never realised I was lactose intolerant until I eliminated dairy from my diet.” 

                                

She recommends changing the way you eat by changing how you cook. “Prepare wonderful meals by making simple adjustments to your favourite dishes. Or branch out and find new foods that fit with your current lifestyle. I love loading my favourite staples — pizza and pasta — with fresh vegetables, like tomatoes, broccoli, and eggplant. I love using alternatives to cheese such as humus or tahini paste. I love salads so I fill them with sprouts of various kinds, nuts and vegetables. When I'm feeling adventurous I experiment with ancient grains, such as quinoa and millet, or leafy greens, such as bok choy and kale, mushrooms, which are packed with fibre and bold flavour. These foods are light, full of nutrients and easy to incorporate into juices, wraps, or main entrées.”

Join the movement at http://www.21daykickstartindia.org/

AWBI orders inspection of Amar Circus

NAGPUR: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body constituted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, on Wednesday ordered inspection of upkeep of animals in Amar Circus camped at Kasturchand Park in the city.

The probe has been ordered on a complaint filed by Naresh Kadyan, chairman of People For Animals (PFA), Haryana, on May 25. S Vinod Kumaar, assistant secretary of AWBI, under the ministry of environment & forest (MoEF), has asked district collector to constitute a committee with SN Kapoor, who is co-opted member of the AWBI, along with one officer each from the forest and animal husbandry department.

Kapoor said he is in touch with the officials concerned and actual inspection will start after the constitution of the committee. District collector Saurabh Rao was busy with the guardian minister and hence was not available for comments.

The AWBI was constituted for the promotion of animal welfare generally and for the purpose of protecting animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering, in particular.

The AWBI has been registering performing animals in films, serials, circus under Performing Animals (Registration) Rules 2001. On May 13, 2004, Amar Circus was issued registration by AWBI for 4 elephants, 6 horses, 12 dogs, 1 hippo, 10 parrots, 4 camels and 1 bull.

The collector has been asked to carry out inspection as per Rule 14 of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules and submit a report for each of the performing and sheltered animals in the Amar Circus.

The committee has been asked to look into animals' health, vaccination and veterinary treatment registers, proper feeding and watering, ownership certificate of animals, number of animals with species, condition of cages whether exhibiting in circus, whether special permission taken for breeding in cage, sufficient exercises undertaken or not and cruelty meted to animals if any.

Kadyan says, "In 2005 when Amar Circus was in Ludhiana in Punjab, we found that hippo was having opacity of eyes and he was not able to see. We got inspection done and performance of hippo was stopped. Making blind animals perform is cruelty. The circus virtually ran away from Ludhiana to Gurgaon. The same circus is now performing in Maharashtra."

On the contrary, Karishma Galani, animal welfare officer and in charge of PFA, Nagpur, says the PFA will oppose any move to rehabilitate the hippo. "We did an inspection of Amar Circus animals and found that animals were fed well," she said.

Another reason not to rehabilitate the animals is that there is no infrastructure with either the forest or the animal husbandry departments. "The animals are at least fed in the circus. They will be left to die if shifted elsewhere," Galani said.

Why Circus Hippos Are Blind?
The hippos are very large and ferocious animals. Its eyes are purportedly damaged so that control becomes easy, or may be due to dirty dingy water and atmosphere its eyes get infected leading to corneal opacity (cataract).

How To Check Hippo Vision?
Don't make noise or allow the circus people speak. Go silently towards its enclosure and show the animal food. If it opens mouth it's OK. If he doesn't it means something is wrong.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/AWBI-orders-inspection-of-Amar-Circus/articleshow/13912840.cms

Getting the vegan diet right

The simplest definition of vegetarianism is a diet that is free of meat and fish. But the eating habits of vegetarians cover a wide spectrum. At one end are lacto-ovo vegetarians who avoid meat but eat eggs and milk products, and at the other end are vegans, who forgo all animal-based products, milk, milk products and honey included.

The term “vegan” was coined in England in 1944 by Donald Watson, co-founder of the British Vegan Society, to mean “non-dairy vegetarian”. Singer Paul McCartney and actor Alec Baldwin promote the cause and regard a flesh-free diet not only as a more healthful, but as a more ethical, way to live. Without going into the question of ethics, being a vegan in India or a vegetarian with dairy allergies is fraught with challenges, since the vegetarian diet in India relies heavily on cow or buffalo milk and milk products. Here’s a guide to eating vegan in India, its health benefits, and how it can help you lose weight. 

Why choose to be a vegan?

Most doctors will agree that a low-fat diet high in fruits, vegetables and nuts is a boon to health. There is also widespread acknowledgment that reducing or eliminating red meat from the diet cuts the risk of heart disease. A plant-based diet can also improve the health of people with type 2 diabetes, improve overall glycaemic levels (a calculation of the effect of different foods on blood glucose levels) and control lipid levels. A diet based on fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories, will help maintain weight.

Albert Einstein once wrote, “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Though Einstein’s words remain as true today as when he penned them in 1930, we now know that there are more than a few concerns for those who choose to go vegan. Let’s look at some of these health concerns and how we can circumvent them.

Anaemia

One of the main concerns for those switching to a vegan diet is anaemia. The most common type, iron-deficiency anaemia, occurs when a person isn’t getting enough iron in the diet; the symptoms include fatigue, weakness and dizziness. Since meat, eggs, poultry, fish and dairy products are the primary dietary sources for iron, vegans need to make sure they get enough from alternative sources. 

Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin and women, especially pregnant women, need to get enough of it. A balanced vegetarian diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and prunes, and tofu (which is soy-based) will provide enough iron for most people. If you’re concerned you’re not getting enough, ask your doctor to perform a simple test to check the iron content in your blood. Vitamin C intake with meals increases iron absorption, so include some orange juice with meals or have your iron capsule with a capsule of vitamin C. Calcium reduces iron absorption, so don’t take iron and calcium capsules together.

Protein deficiency

Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of cells. Although protein is abundant in meats, it is also present in vegan sources like peas, nuts, lentils and soy products such as tofu and tempeh. Build meals around low-fat, protein-rich foods such as lentils, beans and quinoa, and substitute meat and dairy products with soy substitutes like tofu, tempeh and seitan (also called “wheat meat”), available at speciality food stores. 

It is a myth that vegans cannot get enough protein—you just need to know how to combine the foods properly. For example, beans are high in an amino acid called lysine, but low in sulphur-rich amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are made up of 20 amino acids, 11 of which are manufactured by the body and nine that can be obtained only through food. Lysine is an essential amino acid—so food combinations become vital to get the maximum benefit of proteins.

Eating a meal of black beans/chana (Bengal gram)/rajma (kidney beans) and rice is one way to get a balanced set of proteins as well as carbohydrates.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis occurs when the body does not form enough new bone over time. Adults require about 1,200mg per day (on an average) of calcium. Major dietary sources include milk, cheese and yogurt, but vegans can find it in green, leafy vegetables such as spinach or collard greens and in soy products such as soy milk and tofu. I do prescribe calcium supplements with a combination of vitamin D (required for the body to absorb calcium from foods) to most patients though, especially vegans.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency

This is a deficiency seen commonly in vegans. Vitamin B-12 is essential for brain and nervous-system functioning. It is most commonly found in animal and dairy products such as eggs and milk, so this is a serious concern for vegans. Fortunately, nowadays, many foods are fortified with B-12, including many breakfast cereals, soy milk and nutritional yeast. It is also commonly available as a supplement. Deficiencies in B-12 and omega 3 (also often seen in vegans, since the major source of omega 3 is fish oil), in turn, are linked with higher blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine, and with decreased levels of HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. While high homocysteine levels are an established risk factor for heart disease, higher HDL levels protect the heart. Try and include seaweed (also a good source of omega 3) and greens for vitamin B-12. I would advise vegans to take a supplement of B-12.

For a boost in omega-3 fatty acids, try plant sources such as flaxseed, walnut, pumpkin seeds and soy, canola oils and soybean oils.

Some Substitutes

These items work to provide the health benefits of meats and dairy.

• For protein: Pulses and beans , soy products like tofu and tempeh, nuts and nut butters like peanut butter.

• For iron: Fortified breakfast cereals, soy-based foods, dried prunes and apricots, nuts, beans, legumes, wholewheat bread, and baked potatoes.

• For calcium: Soy products, legumes, almonds, sesame tahini, calcium-fortified orange juice, and dark, leafy vegetables.

• For zinc: Soybean, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, breads, mushrooms and peas. Wheatgerm (the embryo of the wheat plant) and pumpkin seeds.

• For vitamin B-12: Soy-based beverages, some fortified breakfast cereals.

• For riboflavin: Almonds, fortified cereals, mushrooms, and soy milk.

Vishakha Shivdasani is a Mumbai-based medical doctor with a fellowship in nutrition. She specializes in controlling diabetes, cholesterol and obesity. 

http://www.livemint.com/2012/05/21201703/Getting-the-vegan-diet-right.html?h=C