Berlin is a foodies heaven, especially if you are vegan. Its often ranked as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world and for good reasons. From vegan restaurants and vegan cafes to vegan fashion stores and vegan supermarkets and even a vegetarian hotel - Berlin has it all! I've traveled to Berlin a few times and each time I travel, I fall in love with the city all over again. There's always so much energy in this city and everytime you visit, you'll discover new vegan restaurants and cafes to indulge into. There's no dearth of vegan places in Berlin. Even restaurants that have meat products very well understand "Vegan" and make sure not to cross-contaminate for the vegans’ sake. So, drop off your extra bags at a suitcase storage facility in Berlin and head to one of these excellent eateries for a carefree meal and shop at amazing vegan stores thereafter.  Vegan Breakfast in Berlin Hotel Almodovar A luxury vegetarian hotel in Berin, Almodovar (with

Try the traditional "Bajre Ka Khichda or Bajra Khichdo" - with no dairy, and no sugar and its gluten-free ! There are many treasures in India's culinary history. And as much as I love eating all the exotic food from foreign lands, I equally love the recipes closer to my roots (more so, actually!). Rajasthani cuisine is one of my favorites, especially the "Khichdas", which are mostly eaten in colder weathers (but the bajra khichda you can have any time of the year). However, I haven't seen this amazing dish ever shared on social media. In fact, there aren't many vegan Indian recipes on the internet, which is a shame, but I am hoping there will be; things like vegan rasgulla, vegan ras malai, vegan gulab jamun and the sweet bajra khichda (now you've got that). "Bajra Khichda" with its creamy consistency and amazing flavors is both comforting and satiating. You can call it the “Pearl Millet Sweet Porridge”. It’s super healthy too!

As a self-proclaimed shoe addict, I'm super picky when it comes to shoe shopping. A stylish pair that fits well is just the starting point. I want shoes that are also vegan, eco-friendly, sustainable, and I love it when they have innovative design. Shoes should combine style and sustainability - its not a choice of one over the other. However, one common problem with sustainable fashion is that most of their products do not score well on style and many-a-times they are not vegan. Eco-conscious sneakers, including most leather-free styles, are not vegan-friendly because the glues used in the construction is derived from animals. It's the same with the dyes. So it can be challenging to especially find eco-conscious sneakers that are also vegan. Fortunately, there are some shoes brands that have successfully created sneakers that look good, feel good and do good. These sneakers are not only made with vegan materials but also use sustainable materials like recycled plastic &a

Discovering upcoming vegan brands and new hi-tech leather alternatives  has  become my passion lately. I am always on the lookout for eco-conscious and cruelty-free brands for my wardrobe and am glad to share my current favorite vegan handbags with you.  Melie Bianco This PETA approved accessories brand from LA has become one of the most known vegan brands. Their handbags are high on style and ethics, and the best part is they aren't too heavy on the wallet either (unlike most ethical vegan brands). What I love most about Melie Bianco is their wide collection, which is always on-trend and super stylish. I got this stylish boxy crossbody from them recently and it has become my favorite go-to bag. It instantly upgrades even the simplest of outfit with its buckle and stud detailing and is roomy enough to stow in all the essentials. How eco-conscious is Melie Bianco? It isn't the most eco-friendly alternative out there, although it is vegan and sweatshop free. The material

Matcha is arguably enjoying it's fad status right now, and the world seems to be obsessed by it. The most popular of it's uses is undoubtedly the famous matcha latte but matcha chefs are turning it into everything from soups to brownies and even ice-creams. These Japanese green tea has become a must-have ingredient of the wellness freaks {like me}. What is matcha?  Matcha is a stone-ground powdered green tea used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies for its medicinal properties and earthy taste. It's made from the nutrient-rich young leaves picked from the tips of shade-grown Camellia sinensis plants. The leaves are steamed, stemmed, and de-vined before being stone-ground into very fine powder. Why matcha latte is good for you? Matcha powder is considered a nutritional powerhouse. It contains a unique, potent class of antioxidant known as catechins, which aren't found in other foods. Let's say, among antioxidants, catechins are the most potent and benefic

A healthy body and skin is a combination of factors and one recipe to get both require a commitment to a balanced and healthy diet throughout the year. Salads are a great way to get all the nutrition needed for a great skin. I am a big fan of lettuce because it is so easily available round-the-year, combines well with most ingredients, is easy on the wallet and is packed with nutrition. Good for detoxifying the system, this alternative lettuce salad is full of fresh and vibrant flavors. It looks lovely and works wonderfully as both a side salad or a starter. Coconut combines really well with lettuce and the great thing is that not only does coconut add great taste to the salad it has many health benefits too. Raw coconut is high in dietary fiber that encourages weight loss, it improves immunity, and is high in minerals. Coconut is also great for skin and hair. Nuts, especially pine nuts and almonds, are a great way to oomph up any salad and I always add nuts to mine. Next time y

Rebranded as Seva Table, formerly Life N One, this villa-style plant-based cafe nestled in a garden is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. A wellness center and yoga studio that doubles up as a vegan-friendly cafe and concept store is brainchild of Eda, the Turkish owner of the place.  The moment you enter the place, you are transported to a zen-like atmosphere where you unplug with all the stress and worries and connect with your soul. The decor and positive quotes on the trees and walls definitely help. The place calls itself an urban retreat that connects body and soul - and I couldn't have put it in better words.  Being a wellness center, the food at this cafe is naturally inclined towards the healthy side; think raw, vegan and gluten-free. However, it has a few options for those who like to indulge too {yes, that chocolate ice-cream sandwich in the picture is an absolute delight}! Everything on the menu is dairy-free and gluten-free. What confused

I've been getting a lot of questions about luxury vegan makeup, so I thought of sharing one of my favorite brands. Travelling is the best way to explore the world, learn new cultures and broaden your horizons. It is also one of the best ways to discover amazing products. Last year on my trip to London, I visited by all-time favorite shopping spot - Liberty of London; they have a crazy amazing beauty department, one of the best in London, and have many vegan-friendly brands. I've been dying to get my hands on some really high-performance and luxury skincare {quality beauty is one of my weakness} and that's when I discovered Hourglass. As a habit, I emailed the company inquiring about their animal-free policy and was glad to get a quick response informing me that they have a good selection off vegan-products and also provided the vegan product list. Hourglass is a luxury makeup brand, so of course the prices are steep. But the great performance and beautiful packagi

I'm not much of a makeup person. An under eye concealer and sometimes a mascara is what I wear most days. However, after I got my hands on Lush vegan lipstick in red I think I've changed how I feel about red lipstick and have become a fan. So whenever I need to be a little dressed up, this LUSH red lipstick in Decisive has become my go-to colour. I'm wearing the same colour in the above photo and its the perfect red colour that looks flattering on nearly every skin tone, looks super rich and lasts all day long. Its the best vegan lipstick ever. Don't get fooled by its texture, while most liquid lipsticks don't stay longer than 30 minutes, this one lasts all day long, is highly pigmented and contains natural and vegan ingredients like jojoba oil and rose {I hate anything that contains harmful chemicals}. Whenever I wear this colour I always get complimented. Without a doubt this vegan lipstick is the best lipstick buy ever! Lush Cosmetics has a stores

A green smoothie doesn't have to taste .... like green. With the right ingredients you can actually get your daily dose of healthy veggies without compromising on the taste with a glass of delicious green smoothie. You'd know by now that smoothies are my go-to health drink, which I make sure to have every morning. Not only are they packed with nutrients, with the right ingredients they taste delicious, are super easy to make, keeps me energized all-day long and make for the perfect breakfast that keeps me satiated until lunch. With thousands of trials and errors, I've learnt the secret to making delicious smoothies - from green smoothies to tropical delights to berry and chocolate treats. On most days my post-workout meal includes a glass of green smoothie and here's one of my favorite - Kale & Pineapple Smoothie. I play around with different combinations in the Kale & Pineapple Smoothie itself depending on my mood and weather. I N G R E