Getting the perfect creamy texture in the smoothie brings great joy. And when it tastes like heaven in a bowl, it almost makes your day. Don't you agree? Smoothies are a great healthy breakfast option. They're ridiculously easy to make, filled with fruits and veggies (aka nutrition), and are ready in just a few minutes. I am all about the MANGOES right now. They are in season and make a great base for smoothie - they're creamy, sweet and add amazing flavor. Did you know that mangoes are packed with nutrition? They're high in fiber, and are good source of vitamins A and C. They also contain folate, B6, iron and are packed with antioxidants. Mango and berries have been my favorite smoothie ingredients lately - I AM OBSESSED with the combination. To make a perfect smoothie bowls, you need to make sure you have the right toppings that are artfully stacked above the smoothie. You can play around with any toppings of your choice. You just need to make sure they comple

The sustainability conversation in the fashion industry has moved from sidelines to the frontline in last few years. From fashion influencers & journalists to human rights & eco activists and ethical brands everyone is advocating for a more sustainable fashion industry, inspiring many to switch to a planet-friendly wardrobe. Congratulations if you have decided to make your wardrobe more sustainable! There must a million questions on your mind - what should I do with my existing wardrobe? Should I give away everything that is not sustainable - those polyester dresses and PVC bags? Do I need to start shopping from sustainable brands? Where can I learn about sustainable fashion brands? If you're not sure where or how to start your journey, that's okay. We've all been there when we started and are still learning and growing everyday. Don't be overwhelmed and remember you don't have to be perfect from day one or ever. But you need to be mindful of your choi

“#PAYUP FASHION INDUSTRY” In times of crisis, it is the most vulnerable people in society who suffer the most impact. This is the situation currently for the millions of workers in the fashion industry who make our clothes, shoes, bags, etc, most of them women. Irony is that, in this time of need, the fashion industry is failing its workers. According to Fashion Revolution, its common practice in fashion industry for brands to pay their suppliers months after delivery. So suppliers pay upfront for the materials used to make products, incurring cost while waiting for incoming payments. Now, with the chaos created by the corona virus pandemic major fashion brands are cancelling orders & stopping payments, shirking responsibility towards its global supply chain, even when the work has already been done. Of course, even the brands are in crisis but they can’t shift the financial burden onto the supply chain, especially when most have reported hundreds of millions of dollars (so

It is the lockdown situation, which means we are all craving for good food, and those of us who are away from home are reminiscing mom-made food. I love my mom's and granny's aata halwa, and honestly missing it.  When it comes to Indian desserts, its hard to replicate many of them in vegan form. For example, vegan rasgulla - I am yet to get my hands on one of those. But thankfully, halwas can be easily veganised and if cooked properly, with right ingredients, they taste like the real deal.  The trick to making a good vegan wheat halwa is to ensure you add good amount of saffron and cardamom for flavor. This will overpower the smell of oil and give you the authentic taste.  I always ground the saffron in a mortar and pestle with hot water first, to release its flavor, before adding to the halwa. It makes all the difference.  Another thing is, use the oil that has more neutral flavor and freshly extracted is better. We have an oil extraction machine at home,

This deliciously creamy and rich Vegan Chickpea Curry makes for a warm and comforting meal that’s super easy to make. The best part about this recipe is that it uses basic ingredients that most of us have in our pantry or can find at our local supermarket. Gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, oil-free option and vegan, this chickpea curry is packed with flavor and taste. Served with brown rice, this hearty vegan curry surely makes for a nutritious meal, perfect for lunch or dinner! Nothing beats the flavor of freshly cooked chickpeas, and honestly it doesn't take much effort to cook either. I would strongly recommend that you soak the chickpeas early morning or overnight, and avoid using canned chickpeas. The addition of coconut milk to this curry adds a nice creaminess and flavor. I am a big fan of coconuts and this curry is one of my favorite recipes. Plus, it is so easy to make. I have made this curry so many times, and have perfected the recipe over time. This recipe is m

Dear friends Hope you are doing well. Between the chaos, uncertainty and fears during this lockdown, we’ve been given time to reset ourselves, start fresh and create a new normal. What seems like a curse now, might result in a blessing. This much needed break gives us time to ponder about what really holds value (happiness and ethics vs money and greed, for example) and a reminder of our place in this world (as part of nature, not above it). In the hustle before #corona, we were lost, we had forgotten the purpose of life and we were chasing happiness in wrong places and destroying the world in the process. Consumerism, greed, animal cruelty, deforestation, polluting land, air and water. We can't blame the virus for the situation we are in. It is "each one of us" who is responsible for this pandemic. But nature is calling us, giving us a chance (perhaps the last one) to get it right. Let us all take this time seriously and not waste it completely on Netflix, ho

British iconic footwear brand, created by a German doctor, Dr. Martens is famous for their chunky boots, which have evolved from strictly workwear to punk must-haves to fashion-girl staples. Since 1940s Dr. Martens only made footwear cut from leather. But with the rise in veganism and growing demand for leather-free products, Dr. Martens finally dropped their first vegan collection in 2011. The collection comprised of two of its most iconic styles - the 8 eye boot and the 3 eye shoe. Ever since its launch, the sales of vegan Dr. Martens boots have sky rocketed and the brand has introduced various new styles and colors to its animal-free collection. While Dr. Martens cult combat boots with tough leather upper, air-cushioned sole, and yellow stitching are what the brand is most known for, they are so much more. Docs are also available in a wide range of styles available from shoes to sandals that all have an edge that is distinctively Dr. Martens. On one of my trips to San Franci

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!