Robert Buswell, director of UCLA's Center for Buddhist Studies, provides a historical and religious context for vegetarianism.
"Vegetarianism can trace its roots all the way back to the 6th century, B.C. Jainism, which had its beginnings in India, believes all living creatures are sacred—human, insects and animals—and strictly prohibits injuring any living creature," he says. "Later on, Hinduism and some strands of Buddhism were both influenced by the Jains to adopt vegetarianism."
Buswell adds, "A lot of this belief is due to karma. In some strands of Mahayana Buddhism, for example, all creatures are thought to have an infinite number of past lifetimes and any creature alive today could have been your relative. In the Nirvana Sutra, it is stated that 'one who eats meat kills the seed of great compassion.'"
The religions also add a health angle to the vegetarian proposition. In Taoism, there is a doctrine of physical immortality which is directly tied to diet. And Korean Buddhist monks, who eat a traditional vegan diet, rarely seem to suffer from heart disease and most forms of cancer. No surprise there—the number one reason that individuals adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet is health.
Recent health scares such as salmonella and the human form of mad cow disease (CJD) are also making people rethink their health choices.
Wearing one of his famous vegetable-themed neck ties, Professor William McCarthy of the UCLA Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health talks about making smart food choices.
"It's important to know that adopting a vegetarian diet isn't as easy as taking the meat out of your burger and just eating the bun," says McCarthy. "Vegetarians must take extra steps to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need...
A vegetarian diet that includes seeds/nuts/ legumes (beans) and grains (corn/wheat/ oatmeal) is the best way to get the complete protein you need and you can do it easily anywhere.
For example, in Mexico, it means pinto beans (refritos) and corn tortillas; in Japan, it is soy beans (tofu) and rice; in Egypt, it is garbanzos (hummus) and Arabic bread; and in India, it is lentils (dal) and chapatti."
To optimize vitamin intake, eat a variety of colorful, minimally processed fruits and vegetables, he suggests.
Even the government agrees. People who follow a well-balanced diet of minimally processed vegetables and seek out non-meat sources of protein, calcium and vitamin B12, are eating in line with current nutritional recommendations for healthy eating.
Medical studies have shown that vegetarians are less likely to suffer from heart disease, some cancers, diet-related diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
Still, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that vegetarianism offers some serious benefits for individuals, society, the planet and, of course, animals.
So balance your life. Smell better. Get smarter. And consider eating more leaves.
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Mango Quinoa
Combine the following:- 6 Basil leaves, torn, and 3 Cilantro sprigs, torn
- 1/3 cup minced Red Onion
- 1/2 -1 firm Mango cut into small pieces
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 3/4 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. Lime Juice
- Cashews (or Peanuts)
- recipe by Mayim Bialik
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By Laura Perry, Photos by Dwight Eschliman
The Vegan Campus - Feature - UCLA Magazine Online
Link: http://magazine.ucla.edu/features/the-vegan-campus/index3.html
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