I gave a vegan workshop in Milan, Italy, where we had 33 participants. Luckily for me, in Milan last year, I had discovered a whole food, vegan restaurant, which serves delicious food that is acceptable to “normal” Italians. Before I give any workshop in a new place, I always do some research about their products, their tastes, and what people normally eat. I try to give advice that involves the least change. I also do not advise many processed items or those that have ingredients I haven’t heard of or cannot pronounce.

This year, the owner of the same vegan restaurant had opened two new branches! Obviously, he was doing very well. So, this time I had the food catered for our workshop. It saved me the cooking hassles and introduced my participants to the restaurant where they can easily go to eat healthy. Everyone enjoyed the meals. In case you ever go to Milan, the name of the “chain”’ is Mens@Sana. There are other restaurants, too, in Milan, which serve only vegetarian and vegan fare.

The highlight of my visit to Milan, though, was a visit with a very special person. Franco Berrino is a reputed oncologist (cancer specialist) working at the Instituto Dei Tumori, which I am told is the best cancer hospital in Italy. He has been researching the effects of a whole food vegan diet on his patients for years, and has produced papers on the effects on breast cancer. Like me, he also teaches whole food vegan eating as a means of obtaining optimum health. The cancer institute has given him a separate building, which has a huge kitchen and facilities to cook and hold workshops and talks on health. His lovely wife runs the kitchen and the food is divine. I felt so honored to be invited to lunch. I had no idea what to take them and decided to cook them an Indian whole rice pullao. They were happy to have something healthy cooked for them for a change. I definitely know that feeling!

Nandita

Visit SHARAN online at http://sharan.crossroad-solutions.com/home.php.

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*SHARAN means “sanctuary” or “protection” in Hindi. It is also an anagram for Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to Animals and Nature.

Through SHARAN, our aim is to:

* protect the environment by practising and spreading organic farming
* protect farm animals and disseminate information on how a vegan diet can
help save the planet as well as billions of farm animals from unfathomable

Photo: Mrs. Berrino’s kitchen

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