The world of Tzu Chi June 2020 (Vol.123)

2020 • 06 56 ellness Opening doors to veganism Fauzi’s foray into veganism was driven by health reasons and personal values, but he has since aspired to share the story of his journey to veganismand spread the word on the advantages of a plant-based diet to the masses by opening a vegan restaurant. The unconventional decision stunned his family, especially his mother, who foresaw the possibility of the restaurant operating at a loss. “My mother suggested that I open a fried chicken fast food franchise instead to make easy money!” he recalled with a laugh. However, he reiterated that hewas not aiming for profit through his business venture. Rather, he hoped to promote the benefits of a vegan diet and raise awareness on environmental sustainability and animal welfare, besides advocating the importance of paying attention to our health. His doting mother was eventually convinced of his initiative and granted him her wholehearted support. She even taught him the recipes for traditional Malay delicacies. Over time, Fauzi’s commitment to a vegan lifestyle has helped him shape a positive outlook on life and connected him to like- minded acquaintances who relate to his beliefs. He visited a vegetarian restaurant in Klang and exchanged views with the owner and cook, who offered Fauzi the use of his kitchen and expressed his willingness to trade vegetarian recipes with him. Fauzi was initially baffled by the generous gesture. “I went to business school. Everything in business is about competition. You don’t want to share your business ideas with your competitor. But to the vegetarian and vegan community and the cook I talked to, it’s not about competition; it’s about community. It’s about growing the community and sharing the common vision of helping people embrace veganism,” he reflected. His encounter with the cook was a stepping stone in the pursuit of his ambition to open a vegan restaurant. In 2017, he started SALA based on the mantra of encouraging diners to “eat healthy, live compassionately and love unconditionally”. He engages with his customers, vegans and non-vegans alike, through casual conversations as well as on social media to convey the significance of a vegan diet, which, he believes, extends beyond the function of a meal to satisfy one’s hunger to a way of life that nurtures compassion towards the environment and all sentient beings, including animals. As a vegan, Fauzi refrains from using all forms of animal-based products, including personal grooming and skincare products as well as apparel that have been manufactured through production processes that involve the use of animals. His insistence on staying true to a vegan lifestyle is grounded in several of the principles that underscore his decision to go vegan: environmental conservation and the protection of animal welfare. He admitted to being unsettled by the unethical practices of animal farming, an industry which, he opined, is exhausting the Earth’s resources to keep up with our demand for meat. He remarked that billions of animals are being reared in inhumane conditions and slaughtered on a daily basis, resulting in mass extinction, environmental pollution and climate change. The data and statistics on environmental degradation are alarming indicators of the disturbing reality we are facing, compelling Fauzi to appeal to all to reflect on our lifestyle: “Going vegan is the best way!” Scan the QR code to know more about Fauzi’s story

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