From: masonp@physun.physics.mcmaster.ca (Peter Mason)
Subject: Indian cookbooks and some random comments
Organization: Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 02:59:34 GMT


Many thanks to those who responded to my query concerning a good 
Vegetarian Indian cookbook.  I have a fairly good list and some
excellent comments that I am keeping on file if anyone is
interested in having a copy.

The most popular suggestions were:
1.  _The Art of Vegetarian Cooking - Lord Krishnas Cuisine_ 
    by Yamuna Devi
2.  _Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking_ by Jaffrey
3.  _Classic Indian Cooking_ by Julie Sahni 
     (includes some evil meat recipes which can be torn out :-) )
4.  _Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking_ also by Sahni
5.  _Vegetarian World of the East_ again by Jaffrey
 	(not just Indian cooking)

The first book was the majority favourite.  


	Anyway, I appreciate the input and the help.

Now, while I'm using this bandwidth, I thought I might make a few
comments about some issues that have preoccupied this newsgroup
of late.  I am not trying to be presumptuous or offend anyone.

	This newsgroup is great in many ways since it supports a
network of people contributing ideas and facts that we should all
be more aware of.  It provides a forum for discussion and debate which
is the key to growth.  However, I'm afraid some of the 'discussion'
that occurs has degenerated into counterproductive accusations.

	I do believe that vegetarianism is the way of the future (I don't
think we will have much choice) and that we should be working to 
promote it's proliferation through media such as this, and in our
daily lives.  This does not mean criticizing non-vegetarians.  True, I find
it dismaying when somebody listens to my arguments, and responds with
"yes, but I just couldn't be a vegetarian."  Maybe I want to throttle
them.  But there is more to consider.

	Being vegetarian is a choice, and a lifestyle.  I believe it's
also an attitude and the majority of my vegetarian friends are a peace
loving group.  It's very easy to be somewhat fanatical about this way
of life (I've been accused many times) when you truly believe that it
is for the right.  To me, it seems pretty obvious that it is a less
harmful lifestyle than omnivorousity (I think I made that word up,
but the point is clear).  I am constantly questioned about my motivations
for being a vegetarian, and I have tried to arm myself with as many 
facts as possible estolling its virtues.  I still get some pretty
obnoxious abuse from some ignorant people, but overall people are
willing to at least listen.  I have, with help from a few friends,
"converted" at least three people and convinced at least a dozen
others to cut down on their meat intake.  This pleases me.  During my
first year not eating meat, I was somewhat combatitive about the subject
and I succeed only in offending and alienating people.  I'm afraid I
see some of that on this newsgroup.

	If we are going to succeed in convincing others of the benefits
of our way of life, it has to be done with a measure of tact and
understanding.  It's very easy, at least for me as I live in a
vegetarian house, to forget that others have views different than ours.
Education is the key to change.  And in order to educate others, by
far the most productive way to do it is to discuss things rationally, 
since we have the advantage of having a very strong position.  To do
this, we must sometimes accept ignorance with patience.  Sometimes
extreme patience is needed.  Hardly anyone changes their views overnight,
but I've found that many people will change given time to accept a 
differing point of view, if it is sound.  It is quite possible to 
believe strongly in what you are saying, to be firm in what you convey,
and to be persuassive, without being intolerant.

	I guess I should conlude by saying that if the goal is to 
proliferate vegetarianism, don't work *against* this ideal by being
too reactionary.  Think about it.  Personal sacrifice for the common
good is not much of a price to pay.

Hostility sucks.


peace,



Peter
-- 
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Peter Mason
masonp@nukie.physics.mcmaster.ca
Newsgroups: rec.food.veg