'I have total faith in God, and I am sure that I will get my vision back' – James Fernandes 

In July 2021 I was diagnosed with a tumour in the left eye – a very rare condition and the doctor advised that surgery was the best option and I had to get my eye removed. 

I was very clear that I did not want this.  I tried Ayurveda but there was no improvement and in March 2022, since the tumour was growing. That’s when a friend recommended Dr Nandita Shah.

At that time I also had high BP, high cholesterol and an enlarged prostate. I was taking two medicines for my high blood pressure besides other vitamins and supplements. I was able to reduce and stop these slowly, with Dr Shah’s help. Now my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal without medicines. I still have an enlarged prostate and symptoms from it.

I live alone with my wife, and I was told to eat a high amount of raw food. It was difficult to change my diet but I was willing to do everything to get well. It was also sometimes difficult for me to chew raw foods. But I could see that I felt better and I even enjoyed them, though I missed my cooked foods.

My wife prepared raw organic foods separately for me and later I even ordered some food from The Gratitude Kitchen.

It has been 1 year and 8 months now that I am under Dr Shah’s guidance. I have been more or less consistent and have done regular blood reports. All my parameters are good and Dr is always happy. I have lost 10 kilos and am actually underweight but I have no weakness. In this period Dr Shah has also treated me for other illnesses like fever, a couple of times, without medicines. I have been able to travel a few times too, and have managed healthy food wherever I went.

I have total faith in God, and I am sure that I will get my vision back. This Christmas will see me celebrate, but the healthy way. I can see that I have been fortunate with no new symptoms even though the eye issue and prostate enlargement are still there. I now believe that the body knows how to heal, and that the correct food can heal without medicines. I wish everyone a blessed Christmas. Don’t wait till you are sick to eat a healthy diet. Health is a gift that we have the choice to accept.

Banana Cream Cake With Nuts And Apricots

This super easy cake will leave you surprised and you will be making it more often than only on Christmas:) Bon Appetit

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, cashew nuts, almonds)
   
• 1 cup dried apricots, soaked in water for 1 hour
   
• ½ cup pitted dates
   
• 2 bananas
   
• ½ cup sesame butter
   
• 1 cup grated fresh coconut
   
• 4-5 fruits (kiwi, pineapple/mangoes, strawberry), chopped

Method

In blender, process the nuts, dry fruits and the dates.

In a cake pan, spread the nuts and dry fruits mixture and firmly press down. If it is too dry, add some coconut milk. Make a cream from the bananas and sesame butter.

Spread the cream over the base, sprinkle coconut powder over it and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 180 °C. Garnish with the remaining fruit.

Note

This recipe uses many nuts. Please keep your nut limit in mind if you are working on disease reversal.

Food For The Mind

FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP

1. SHARAN India is SHARAN's main Facebook page which you can like and follow for getting useful daily updates and news from the plant based health world. You will also get news about the latest SHARAN events, see testimonials, and more.

2. SHARAN's Vegan Support Group is an open support group to know more about vegan/plant-based lifestyle. Here you can ask questions and share inspiring stories, tips, recipes, etc.

All our doctors and presenters will be here to answer your questions and give you tips. If you have attended our events join this group to be a part of our family.

Please like the main SHARAN page and join the group(s) applicable to you.

Why to say NO to whites?

White is pure and awesome, but when it comes to food, the magic is sprinkled only in natural whites, such as cauliflower, onions, garlic, mushrooms, cabbage, parsnips and radishes.

White is just empty calories when it comes to white rice, white flour, sugar and oil. These are refined foods and that’s where the trouble begins.

Refining and processing food removes the much needed fibre with nutrients and adds in the chemicals that our bodies can easily do without. Also, we tend to overeat man-made whites as they are more addictive and less satisfying than natural food.

So find below a ‘white’ check-list to ‘black out’ and alternatives to use instead so that you still enjoy your favourite dishes, but in a healthy way!

1. White Sugar Known as the ‘heroin’ of the food industry, it’s no wonder that it’s the toughest one to break off from. However, once you break free from this, you may not even enjoy it any more, as it makes everything too sweet! You needn’t give up on your sweet treats; simply replace the sugar with dates, raisins and figs. Be the boss of your body and win the sugar battle! Check out our fabulous dessert recipes.

2. White Flour This is basically wheat flour stripped off the bran (fibre) and the germ. It is heavily processed and raises risk of lifestyle diseases. Opt for 100% whole wheat or millet flours instead.

3. Milk This is food produced by mammal mothers to feed their babies. Human milk is for  human babies and cow’s milk is for calves! Cow’s milk is perfectly formulated for a calf but is harmful to humans. Most people are lactose intolerant and feel much better after ditching dairy. Further dairy contains growth hormones, toxins, antibiotics, pus and bacteria. Choose from a variety of plant-based alternatives instead. Or make your own!

4. Egg Whites The result of a hen’s menstrual cycle, eggs have bacteria-filled toxins whether they are organic, free-range or pastured. Plus there is unimaginable cruelty involved in the procurement of eggs. The albumin in egg-whites is known to trigger allergies and increases the risk of biotin (Vitamin B7) deficiency. Biotin is necessary to maintain healthy hair, skin and nails. Replace appropriately with tofu, flax seeds or chia seeds and even applesauce or bananas in baking!

5. Semolina This is polished wheat and therefore ideally best avoided. Replace with millets to make your delicious dosas, idlis, upma and dhoklas.

6. White Oats Quick cooking oats are refined and processed and best avoided. Switch to whole rolled oats or steel cut oats.

7. White Rice Stripped off the fiber and nutrients, white rice has minimal nutritional value. Simply replace it with unpolished brown rice or millets.

8. White Salt Most branded table salts contain synthetic chemicals that also contribute to disease including anti-caking agents, aluminium derivatives and bleach, used to create a clean white color. Be aware and opt for natural salts, such as rock salt.

9. White Corn Flour Refined corn flour is full of calories and could be made from GMO corn too. It can be easily replaced with brown rice flour or even mashed potatoes or cauliflower for thickening.