New York City Restaurant Reviews and Other Matters of the Hat

May 15th 2008

In NYC for The Headwear Association’s 98th annual dinner at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, I was enthusiastic about trying a restaurant that I had seen reviewed some months previously in the NY Times. Favoring vegetarian cuisine for the past 16 years (James Rachel’s 1990 book CREATED FROM ANIMALS: The Moral Implications of Darwinism sealed this decision back then), I have been waiting for what I knew would arrive some day- Vegetarian Fine Dining. So on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day, the day after the association dinner (good event but, at best, middling meal at T on the G), I set off for the East Village and Heirloom. I wasn’t disappointed. When one enters most vegetarian restaurants, what is almost always palpable is the fidelity of the staff to the work. It feels good to be at a business where the people working there have a passion for what they are doing. In the case of vegetarian restaurants, for most staff, it is also a philosophical conviction that they are doing is the right thing.* So in Heirloom, you are met by hip, attractive, friendly well-dressed hostesses, wait persons, bar tenders, with whom you are on the same wave length (there’s also something sexy about this - but unfortunately I am old enough to be these people’s father). They might be cut from the same cloth as the jeans and t-shirt people that you encounter in most veggie joints, but here we’re all playing dress-up - it’s fun, it’s sophisticated, the d

Tags: al di la, , , , , , , , hat, hat blog, hats, heirloom, MOMA, new york city restaurant reviews, vegetarianism

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Health, Aging and Weight Loss With Vegetarianism

May 4th 2008

A major point for vegetarianism is that the animals we eat got their protein from plants. So, why not just go to the source for your nutrition? An important concern is that you need to be conscious of your protein consumption. But it isn’t a hard thing to do.

I’ve just read a little book provided by a local Buddhist temple, Why Medical Doctors are Vegetarian. It raises some interesting points about vegetarianism.

I’m not a vegetarian. I like meat. But I’m looking at it.

In vegetarianism, it is most important that the eater enjoys the food and believes that it is good for them. The mental state is almost as important as the physical eating.

A variety of protein, ingredients, tastes and textures should all contribute to feeling satisfied about a meal. Both the care by the cook and the interests of the eater are important.

So why is meat bad? And what proof do they have? Does it affect aging and weight loss?

Aging is seen as the cells wearing out. The main processes of the cell are to get nutrition, remove waste and take in oxygen. Kind of like the whole body. When there is a lot of waste to be removed, it puts more wear and aging on the cells. Meat eating creates more waste than vegetarian diets and that may lead to aging.

During the Second World War, Denmark was blockaded and the entire country adopted a meatless diet for one year. The national death rate reduced by 34%. Unfortunately, it returned to pre-diet levels the following year with the resumption of their standard fare.

Weight loss is about proper nutrition. You will need to be conscious of your activity levels, calories and fat intake levels. But according to this little book I just read, Vegetarianism is worth a look. At least for health and maybe with weight loss.

Stephanie Mundle is the managing editor of http://www.SlimClean.com an informational site for health, well being and weight loss. Please come take a look.

Look at her blogs:
http://fast-weight-los.blogspot.com

http://slim-clean.blogspot.com

Tags: Aging, , , , , , , nutrition, protein, vegetarian, vegetarianism, Waste, weight loss

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Cosmic Cow

April 14th 2008

The cow is a mother to mankind whom we should love,respect and protect. Her milk is the life blood for many species, including humans. Her dung provides fuel and bricks for millions of rural families across Asia . Her urine is medicine for the sick. When she dies her skin provides us warmth and protection through clothing.

In Astrology, the cow or bull is the symbol of the sign Taurus, a sign representing earth, nature and all its bounties. In Vedic Astrology, the cow’s many wonderful qualities are emphasized through the various nakshatras. She is one of the universal mothers represented by the constellation Krittika. Her unlimited resourcefulness is associated with the constellation Rohini, whose symbol, ‘an oxen cart pulling a fresh harvest’ highlights the fertility aspect of both the earth and the cow. ‘Bhooma Devi’ or ‘Mother Earth’ is symbolised as a cow in the Vedic tradition, as just like the earth, the cow is an endless giver of resources and nourishment.

The cow’s nourishing aspect is associated with the constellation Pushya, which has a cow’s ‘milk giving udder’ as its main symbol and is a constellation related to motherhood and dependability. The cow’s patient and gentle nature is associated with the constellation Uttara bhadrapada,which has cow as its sexual animal.

In the Vedic pantheon of gods, the bull or cow is the vehicle of Lord Siva, and a symbol of strength and endurance. Vishnu’s avatar form of Krishna, took the incarnation of a cowherd who enchanted cows and other living beings with his flute playing. His association with cows highlighted the importance of protecting and respecting the earth and its creatures. In the Vedas, one can find the story of the divine cow Kamadhenu, “the wish fulfilling cow” who is the dear treasure of the seven celestial sages. She emerged from the churning of the celestial ocean, along with many other treasures including the divine nectar of immortality, amrita “. As she is greatly desired for her endless gifts and bounty she remains under the care and protection of the sages. In all ancient cultures cows have played an important role in helping man understand his duty and relationship to the natural environment.

It is a great tragedy that in today’s world, cows and other highly sentient beings, are the undeserving victim of barbarous tortures and all manner of atrocities in the name of satisfying man’s palate and greedy nature. It is a reflection of the current world cycle Kali Yuga (an age where ignorance and darkness reign), that the most gentlest and innocent of creatures are put through the worst treatment imagineable in the most mindless manner. This sort of ignorance breeds more ignorance and creates much negative karma for the individual and collective.

The darker forces controlling the planet have deliberately conditioned humans into believing that meat is an essential part of dietary survival, and by over breeding cows in large numbers, have succeeded in destroying much of the earth’s fertile land in order to feed these genetically & hormonally tampered creatures; land which could otherwise be used to grow crops that increase the world’s food supply a thousand fold.

There is no good reason why humans should eat meat. The physical constitution of humans is much more similar to herbivore mammals than carnivores. Eating meat produces a whole range of detrimental effects. At the most basic level it harms our physical health, but much more complex and subtle damage happens on the mental, emotional and spiritual planes. There is enough information and proof on the subject, if one takes the time to look.

With today’s high tech global transatlantic communications, vegetarian food sources of every type are available to anyone just about anywhere on the planet. There is enough agricultural knowledge and technology to grow crops in areas that suffer from extreme climates or other hazardous conditions.

Humans have ability to access a basic level of compassion inside themselves, which they clearly express in regard to their household pets, but not to cows, pigs, sheep, chicken etc. who are equally sensitive and feel the same levels of pain and fear as the domestic dog or cat.

No great feats of heroism or sacrifice are required to contribute to the enlightenment of the planet. Just by making simple changes in our every day living routine like discriminating what / what not to eat, can have significant and far reaching impact on the future destiny and wellbeing of all.

Oja Spirit is based in Britain and aims to enhance greater public awareness of Jyotish. It is owned & managed by Veno. Veno also runs OSFA LTD (Orion School & Foundation for Astrology with Prash Trivedi, the world’s leading expert on Jyotish and Vedic science.

Veno’s education in Jyotish began in 1992. She has learnt Jyotish from many sources but her most valued education has been her last five years of intensive study under Prash Trivedi. She has been a practising Jyotishi (astrologer) since 1994.

She co-published her first book “Sun, The Cosmic Powerhousein 2003 with Sagar Publications, India and has illustrated a pioneering work about nakshatras by Prash titled “The 27 Celestial Portals” due for release early 2005.

Veno has appeared on BBC radio and London Television with Prash to
highlight the importance of introducing Jyotish to the west.

Tags: cows, , , , , , jyotish, vedas, vedic astrology, vegetarianism, veno

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