A
veg tour of pure delight
How
A vegetarian diet helps
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Prevents cancer - studies show that vegetarians are 50%
less likely to die from cancer.
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Prevents heart disease - as vegetarian food is low in cholesterol
and high in fibre.
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Lowers blood pressure
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Prevents and reverses diabetes
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Less chances of forming gallstones, kidney stones and getting
osteoporosis.
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Decreases frequency and severity of asthma
As
written in Tamil scriptures: - "What is the good way?
It is the path that reflects on how it may avoid killing any
living creature. Refrain from taking precious life from any
living being, even to save your own life." (Tirukural)
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By
Esther Williams and Amalie Kvame Holm
So you're a vegetarian? Choosing where to dine might prove to be
restrictive as your options are limited. Our search around Colombo
revealed a few restaurants that specialise in pure vegetarian cooking.
India
has the most varied vegetarian cuisine in the world, evolved over
thousands of years. Indian Hindus, Buddhists and Jains all aspire
to an ideal of ahimsa (non-violence) that prohibits the killing
of anything living or with the potential for life. Hence most Indian
vegetarians eat dairy products but not eggs.
The
restaurants we visited offered a variety of sumptuous dishes such
as Idli, Vada, Dosa, Chappati, Poori, Bajji and Pongal. Served with
mixed vegetable sambar, coconut chutney, potato masala or a specific
vegetable curry, they make a tasty afternoon meal, a snack or a
light dinner.
Shanmugas
in Wellawatta is a popular eating place for vegetarians. Entering
it, you can't miss the fragrance of incense that is burned to purify
the air. Doorways are decorated with kolam designs (normally done
on floors) and a string of mango leaves. In keeping with its name
'Shanmuga' another name for the Hindu God Krishna, the walls are
adorned with his pictures.
They
serve delicious thalis (set menus) for around Rs. 150 at lunchtime
that consist of rice, chappati, 3-4 vegetable dishes, sambar (a
lentil stew with vegetables), rasam (pepper water with tamarind)
and curd together with papadam and pickle. Rice lovers can also
choose from a variety of pulaos or biriyanis - mixed vegetables,
peas etc.
Their
packed lunches, which are delivered at the door, are considered
healthy and popular. The restaurant also makes their own Indian
sweets (Jangri and Ladoos) and savoury snacks like mixture and Ribbon
Pakoda.
Mathura
in Havelock Town is a charming restaurant with both indoor and outdoor
dining areas. Decorated with statues of gods and goddesses it gives
you the feeling of stepping into a restaurant in Madras. Waiters
are quick to rattle up their list of items and have them delivered
to you immediately.
Among
their North Indian spread is a selection of breads such as Naan,
Roti, Kulcha, stuffed Parathas, which you can eat with crispy vegetables,
or Paneer Masala (cottage cheese). House specialities are Mathura
Special Aloo Palak (Potato with greens), Vegetable pepper fry and
crispy chillie vegetable fry. Try a rasa gulla for dessert to satisfy
your sweet tooth.
If
you are not sure what to order you could always try the buffet (from
Rs. 265- 400) at Mathura (on Sundays) and Shanmugas (lunch on Sundays
and Poya, dinner on Fridays and Saturdays). It certainly is good
value for money.
True
to its name the multi-cuisine vegetarian family restaurant on High
Level Road, Nugegoda has been creating waves. Lunch and dinner times
see Food Waves packed with diners. It certainly feels like a cool
haven when you step into it after the scorching heat at noon. Run
by Managing Director Nalaka de Silva the restaurant was started
in collaboration with the famous Vasantha Bhavan in Madras. “You
can have a complete meal for as little as Rs. 150,” says Mr.
de Silva.
Foodwaves
offers both Chinese or Indian with Schezuan fried rice, Singapore
Chopsuey, spring rolls or the various biriyanis. Many Lankans frequent
the place, which is famous for paper dosas, chillie parotta and
paneer manchurian. Try the Punjabi Thali, Chinese Thali or the business
lunch (for just Rs. 60) for a satisfying meal. The many variations
in rice are remarkable - tomato rice, garlic rice, curd rice, lemon
rice, tamarind rice, etc.
Newly
renovated Shanti Vihar at Thumulla junction now offers you the convenience
of having lunch and dinner delivered to your doorstep. Quick service
is also assured at the well-known Greenlands in Shrubbery Gardens,
Colombo 4.
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