My Story
Gita Iyer
Why I started Beyond Chickpeas.
It was inspired by a personal transformation that began five years ago with the start of a meditation practice. Meditating twice daily, I grew increasingly compassionate towards humans, animals, birds, and nature and became acutely aware of the environmental degradation affecting the planet. This sensitivity was heightened by witnessing the climate anxiety experienced by teenagers, which propelled a commitment to action and to be an example through personal behavior.
This commitment involved significant lifestyle changes, especially in confronting the challenges of speaking up about climate change and promoting sustainable practices for future generations.
As a lifelong vegetarian, I recognized the contradiction in consuming dairy products. Despite a fondness for morning coffee with milk, a year of internal debate led to a decision to eliminate dairy entirely. This choice was influenced by documentaries that highlighted the exploitation within the dairy industry and its impact on animal welfare and the environment.
Seven months ago, spurred by insights into the psychological impact of climate change on young people, my decision was solidified. I dropped dairy from my meals and became completely plant-based.
I started Beyond Chickpease not just as a venture but as a means to advocate for environmental responsibility and to model the change that is urgently needed for the welfare of the planet and its future inhabitants.
Transitioning to plant-based foods
For a beginner, this can be daunting, with questions like
- What do I consume.?
- How to prepare the meal.?
- Where to procure the ingredients?
- How do I get enough protein in a day?
- How do I get My iron & Vitamin B?
- How do I get my Vitamin D/
- How do you make it tasty for adherence? ( the one that makes you fall off the wagon easily)
- What to do when travelling?
- What to do if I fall off the wagon?
- How do you handle family and friends?
- What do you do when eating out or at an office function?
- How long can I stick to it? Rest of my life?
There can be many different answers to these questions. To make it easy on yourself do some homework, talk to your family or partner, make a plan and start the journey.
Three crucial things to know
- The food has to be very tasty for adherence
- Easy to prepare and easy to procure the ingredients
- Know your macros and micros to understand the nutrition. –
My first attempt at making almond milk.
I had some almonds in my pantry. I decided to give it a go did some research, and made a batch. It was so bad as the almonds were very old. 🤢
I had to throw it out. I got some fresh almonds and added a few cashew nuts; it was much better the second time around. Tried some store-bought oat milk. 🤢. I found out they add canola oil in the process to help the milk to froth.
Now, after many tweaks, I make the best plant-based milk with a mixture of almonds, a few cashews, and 2-3 tablespoons of rolled oats at the end. I can make oat milk in a jiffy with no oil.
I know it is not the best solution, and it still hurts the planet as almond trees need a lot of water to grow to a nut-giving stage. Not great!
I use nut milk only for my morning coffee. For cereal or baking, I make oat milk at home with no additives. For some recipes, I use cashew milk. Which is also easy to make at home. In the long run, I have to experiment to make oat milk at home for all my consumption.
After transitioning to a plant-based diet, I experienced a noticeable weight loss of about 10 pounds. 😊😊.
It’s important to note that not all plant-based foods are inherently healthy; for instance, one can consume items like McDonald’s fries while still maintaining a vegan label.
With over four decades of cooking experience, I’ve honed numerous techniques that enhance both the taste side and a few hacks of meal preparation. The result is a collection of recipes that are not only delicious but also straightforward and easy to execute.
I invite you to explore my recipes and videos, which are designed with simplicity in mind to accommodate beginners.
For those considering a shift to a plant-based diet, I offer a variety of straightforward recipes and substitutions that simplify the transition to plant-based cooking. Enjoy trying them out!