I appreciate this. I grew up vegetarian because my parents are from India and believe in ahimsa — non violence. They did eat dairy because cows don’t die. However, as I’ve learned about the American dairy industry… I avoid dairy these days unless I know the source. For a while I was able to buy raw milk from an organic farm where the calves stayed with the mothers until they were weaned.

I started eating meat when I was in graduate school, and then I went to being vegan, and I’ve sorta gone back and forth a few times. For me the real issue is cruelty. I believe in the circle of life and don’t have an issue with death, but I have serious issues with torture of innocent animals. These days I am mostly vegan. If I know the person and how they raise their chickens I might have a pastured egg.

I think it’s better for the planet to eat less meat, it’s better for our health to eat mostly vegetables and vegan dishes can be absolutely delicious.

One thing I will say re. vegan cuisine — going with ethnic options is a great idea. There are lots of traditional foods that are either vegetarian or vegan or that can be adapted. For example, in Chinese cuisine, it was usually mostly veggies with just a little bit of meat in a stir fry. So substituting with tofu or tempeh or portabello mushrooms or eggplant is pretty easy.

With Indian food — I can easily make all the dishes of my childhood, substituting coconut or olive or sesame oil for the ghee and using tofu instead of paneer. While not 100% authentic, it is delicious.

Living in Austin, I have options as far as vegan, vegetarian and raw food restaurants, which I love.

When I am vegan I feel better about myself.