Why and How I Embraced the Plant-Based Journey?
In the blog:
Introduction
Food is such an intimate part of our culture, our memories, and our daily lives. Changing it is never easy. Yet, sometimes, a shift in awareness pushes us to question what’s on our plate and why it’s there. In this blog, you’ll find my personal journey of transitioning from a dairy-heavy Punjabi lifestyle to embracing a plant-based way of living. I’ll share what inspired me to make this change, the challenges I faced, the delicious alternatives I discovered, and how the journey expanded beyond food into a more sustainable and compassionate way of life.
The Video That Changed Everything
One day, my sister sent me a video that exposed the dark reality of the dairy industry. It showed how dairy animals are exploited for mass milk production—forceful impregnations, calves separated from their mothers right after birth, deprivation of natural feeding, unhygienic living conditions, and endless cycles of cruelty. Eventually, when these animals could no longer produce milk, they were sent to slaughterhouses for a merciless death.
I couldn’t even finish the video—it was too painful to watch. But that moment planted a seed in my mind. I began reflecting on my own food choices. Growing up Punjabi, meals in my culture were rich in milk derivatives like makkan, dahi, ghee, paneer, and lassi. These weren’t just foods—they were comfort, celebration, and habit. The thought of giving them up seemed unimaginable.
Discovering Plant-Based Alternatives
Gradually, I decided to experiment. I tried making coconut milk, soy milk, soy curd, almond milk, peanut butter, and more at home. I played around with recipes—plant-based brownies, smoothies, banana oats, pasta with cashew cheese, even homemade plant-based pizza. To my surprise, these turned out not only tasty but also deeply satisfying.
What made it even more special was that these recipes were homemade, healthy, nutritious, and cruelty-free. Over time, cooking and baking became more than a necessity—it became my hobby, my joy, and a way to create something meaningful with my own hands. And now, I love sharing these recipes so others can also explore the plant-based journey—for their own well-being and for the animals.
Beyond Food: A Sustainable Lifestyle
Plant-based living is not only about giving up dairy products. It’s much more than that. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that respects all forms of life and cares for the planet.
Choosing Ethical Clothing
Sustainability begins with what we wear. Saying no to materials like silk, leather, fur, and wool means choosing cruelty-free fabrics that do not exploit animals. Opting for natural, organic, or recycled fabrics ensures our clothing aligns with compassion.
Rethinking What We Use at Home
It extends into our homes too—avoiding products like bone china, plastics, or animal-derived materials. Choosing alternatives not only reduces harm to animals but also helps lower our environmental footprint.
Conscious Consumption
Sustainability also means reducing processed, plastic-packaged foods and instead supporting wholesome, local, and minimally packaged alternatives. Proper waste segregation, composting organic matter, and recycling ensure that what we consume doesn’t become a burden for the planet.
Eco-Friendly Daily Essentials
Switching to natural or eco-friendly detergents, dishwashing liquids, soaps, and shampoos helps avoid harmful chemicals that pollute water and soil. Small changes in what we buy and use can create a big impact.
Conserving Resources
Living consciously also means being mindful of water use, protecting soil health, and reducing air pollution by cutting down unnecessary travel. Supporting local farmers, repairing and reusing instead of replacing, and choosing sustainable transportation are all ways to conserve energy and resources.
At its heart, this lifestyle is about balance—between our needs and the planet’s well-being, between convenience and responsibility, between growth and preservation.
Conclusion
Looking back, what began as a difficult thought—giving up dairy—has turned into one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. It’s not just about food anymore. It’s about kindness, awareness, and responsibility. It’s about creating a life that nurtures both the body and the planet.
Every small step—whether it’s cooking plant-based meals, choosing cruelty-free fabrics, or conserving water—is a step toward a kinder, more sustainable future. This journey is not about perfection, but about progress, about choosing better when we can.
If you want to learn more about how to live in alignment with nature and the planet, do check out the work of my sister, Damanjot Kaur, who is a Sustainability Content Creator with over 100k followers. You’ll find a wealth of insights and ideas to inspire your own conscious journey.
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Are you also someone who prefer plant-based foods? Or are there any difficulties that you are facing embracing this lifestyle? Let me know about your journey!
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