The Ultimate Gift Foundation

Your health and spiritual wealth is important to us

The Prema Sai Maa/ Ultimate Gift Foundation, a global mission, a world community

The reason for this conversation

The evolution of this Earth planet has accelerated in so many positive transformations during this century. Even amidst world chaos, wars and turmoil, the advancement of our civilization has risen, ascending to new heights both in the physcial realms as well as the spiritual.

Awareness and Consciousness has expanded as we begin to understand the wholeness of our humanity as a trinity of body, mind and spirit. We have emerged as a more caring and concerned race as we look for new ways to create and sustain our planet's way to the future.

We also are becoming more aware of both the plant and animal kingdoms as we take into consideration all forms of life on the Earth. For many, there has been an acute awareness of the sacredness of all life forms and the importance to help sustain and preserve these life forms, especially of the animal kingdom where many species have gone or are nearly extinct.

AI and Why?

The advancements in technology have been able to study and reconstruct at the subatomic level the molecular structures of plants and animals. Today we can even replicate the look, the smell and taste of meat products made with one hundred percent plant based substances. Imagine what this can mean for preserving our atmosphere from the negative impacts of methane gas. Imagine further what this means for ending the needless suffering and killing of innocent animals who never had a choice but were at the mercy of a merciless slaughterhouse.

As our minds evolve toward a more hospitable world, it may be the right moment to consider changing the way we consider our choices regarding what we eat and why? As we begin to understand the spiritual philosophy that all life is precious, pleading to be respected and preserved, perhaps a change of mind and heart may come about to open a door toward a vegetarian/vegan life style.

Different levels of becoming vegan/vegetarian

When you consider the vegetarian/vegan choice, by definition, the vegan way chooses to eat only fruits and plants, grains, nuts, but without the inclusion of animal by-products such as dairy from cows and eggs from chickens or other fowl.

Vegan is the purest form of healthy eating since none of the choices for food contain health damaging cholesterol. Protein maintenance is not a problem since the combination of various plants, grains and nuts supplies all of the daily protein you need. Vegans also do not consume gelatine (often used in sweets) and animal fats such as those found in stock.

A vegetarian choice for eating includes more variables. Vegetarians do not eat meat, including fish and seafood, but may include animal bi-products such as dairy ( milk, butter, yogurt and cheese) , eggs, honey or any other bi-products derived from animals.

The purely vegan life choice has particular rewards that even vegetarians are recognizing more and more and are making the choice to change as research has shown the benefits of the vegan way in that it shows a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

If you already began your vegetarian life style decades ago, you will now be able to enjoy so many more healthy entrees than what was available before the year 2000. During the past twenty four years, we have witnessed that those who once just ate salad, fruits and vegetables can now enjoy plant based hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, bacon, chicken, turkey, meat loaf, lunch meat, fish, scrambled eggs and a whole host of other delicious and nutritious plant based options.

The vegan way to health, happiness and wholeness

The incredible taste of the Impossible Burger for good health

The Vegan way to save animals from needless suffering and destruction

A quick look at some of the best vegan choices are:

“Impossible Foods”, plant based foods. Their plant based burgers, Italian Sausage and brats are so close in flavor to beef that it would help make your transition easier. You can even try an Impossible Burger at Burger King in the US. For a whopper treat, order it with an extra patty for a double delicious burger.

“Beyond Meat” is another great company with similar products to “Impossible”.

You can use their block of plant based meat for a wonderful tasting meat loaf dinner.

“Morning Star” bacon is a great tasting and textured plant based bacon. They also offer great tasting plant based corn dogs.

The Vegan way to save animals from needless suffering and destruction

“Gardein” includes plant based chicken patties, fish filets, burgers and more that are flavorful and healthy substitutes.

“Loma Linda” offers Tuno, a plant based tuna fish alternative for making tuna noodle casserole or tuna salad sandwiches.

“Just Eggs” is a phenomenal vegan liquid that transforms in the fry pan to delicious scrambled eggs. It can be used to make cookies, french toast and pancakes as well as an egg substitute.

“Bettergoods” oat milk desert is a rich and creamy ice cream substitute that is delightfully rich and creamy tasting. It is now offered at your local Walmart store.

Tonight we are having some with fresh strawberries and short cake.

A list of products and web site links will be provided at the end of this conversation.

An invitation to make a life changing choice

Are you ready to make a choice?

For many who have grown up eating meat, fish, dairy, eggs and animal bi-products, becoming a vegan or vegetarian is both an honorable and challenging choice. For some, the first step may be to eliminate all meat from your diet. That would be remarkable and commendable in itself. For others, the all or nothing choice to go vegan may be what you feel in your heart and that is a great choice as well.

If we look back to an ancient time, even to the very beginning of the dawn of mankind, perhaps some hints of inspiration may come through for you to help you make a new decision for your life.

Of the many inspirational spiritual and philosophical texts, let us think about the Biblical account in Genesis as a starting point for understanding how and why the vegan/vegetarian diet and life style may be of particular importance for you.

A return to the garden of eden

The Biblical view of Man in the garden

Vegetation was the first substance to grow upon our planet. The Genesis account in Genesis chapter 1:9-11 says “ And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear. And it was so. 1:10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together He called Seas. 1:11 And God said, Let the Earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth. And it was so.”

After vegetation sprang up over the earth, God created all other living creatures such as those who lived in the seas, the birds flying across the heavens and every animal creature that lived or creeped upon the land. As Genesis 1:24 reads,” And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kind, and it was so” And at the end of verse 25 when God had completed His creation of the animals, the scripture says, “ And God saw that it was good”.

After the earth was filled with plants and animals, God made Mankind. Genesis 1: 26, “Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

And then God said, Genesis 1: 29; “ Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of the whole earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And then He said for the animals, Genesis 1:30; “And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so.”

In summary, plants, fruit and tree bearing produce such as nuts, berries and fruit were given to man for his food. In the wisdom of the Creator, this would sustain man with everything his body needed to live and thrive upon the earth.

What is so very interesting in what follows in the Genesis account is that God brought the animals to Adam to see what he would name them. Genesis 2:19 “And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.”

Why? Why did God bring all the animals in close proximity to Adam?

In our understanding, it was because these creatures were meant to be his companions, to sojourn upon the earth with Adam. And Adam did give names to all the animals to their various kinds, but none of the animals were like himself.

They were all like their own kind while Adam was alone in his kind. And we know the result that God formed a woman so Adam would not be alone.

So, if we begin to see this beautiful picture forming as we read the words of the scriptures, we can’t help but notice that 1) Man was given all vegetarian foods to eat, to sustain himself for his health and well being. 2) The animals were created as companions for man and not as food.

In every commentary that was researched for this conversation, it was explicitly noted that the word, “dominion” over the animals, birds, creatures of the earth and the earth itself was meant to be as a “caretaker” and one “responsible” for the sustaining and preserving of the earth and all of its living creatures.

The sacredness of all life is what is most important as we read these words from Genesis. Even as we read more of the account we notice that Adam was meant to be a caretaker of the whole garden of Eden. Genesis 2: 15 “ God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to til it and keep it”.

So, in the age of innocence, when the first living creatures and man were put together, there was peace and tranquility and harmony between them. Plants and fruit trees were Adam’s food, the animals were his living companions.

In order for our Earth to return to this state of innocence, honoring and respecting the way that God intended mankind and animal kind to be upon the face of the earth becomes the healing balm and inspiration for us to consider the non-violent vegan/vegetarian way of life. It is when we understand this deep meaning from the Genesis story that we begin to see all life forms as sacred.

We begin to see animals in a new light, not to butcher or slaughter them for food or sport, but to live in harmony with them as God intended. We understand that concept, for the most, when we have both dogs and cats as our household companions. Can we not take it a step farther and see all living creatures in the same light of respect and mutual friendship as we see our dog and cat friends?

The life force of every being on the planet is valuable. It would be a great blessing if, as a human race, we would recognize all life as sacred and begin to treat every living being as such.

If we would do this, we would begin a new revolution of kindness and respect upon the earth that we haven’t seen in thousands of years.

It’s not something that you look to your neighbors or friends to see first what they would do; but it is your own sacred choice and decision that touches your heart and understanding. It is within your divine Soul and Consciousness that chooses to evolve in the fulfillment of your own sacred destiny. No one can make this choice and decision for you; you have the power; you have the knowledge; you have the choice and decision.

As for the benefits, your health, energy, healing and thriving will be blessed with a vegan/vegetarian diet. Your life, your spiritual heart and soul will find peace and a new appreciation for all life forms on the planet when you choose the vegan/vegetarian way of life.

those who have chosen the vegan/vegetarian way

Mahatma Gandhi

Paul and Linda McCartney

Mahatma Gandhi

During the past 50-60 years, more and more people have turned to the vegan/vegetarian diet and life style.

Some you will easily recognize and perhaps you never knew this fact about them.

The list is long and includes world leaders, entertainers, athletes, actors and actresses, musicians artists and many other professionals.

Mahatma Gandhi: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule.

Gandhi was born into a vegetarian household but later in life chose to become fully vegan.

The Beatles

Paul and Linda McCartney

Mahatma Gandhi

The Beatles: George Harrison would become the first Beatle to choose the vegetarian life style as he set out on his spiritual journeys to India in the early sixties. Paul, John and Ringo would also become vegetarians.

“Harrison was the first member of The Beatles to go vegetarian after his many visits to India, where he also learned about and embraced the virtue of ahimsa, or non-violence, which is central to three of India’s major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism,” wrote PETA Vice President of International Affairs Poorva Joshipura.

Paul and Linda McCartney

Paul and Linda McCartney initially went vegetarian for ethical reasons, they later transitioned to a vegan diet to further their commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

Albert Einstein

Paul and Linda McCartney

Albert Einstein: One of the greatest minds, philosopher and scientist became a vegetarian in his later years for “moral” reasons. “One year before his death, he wrote, "I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but am feeling quite well this way." (Quote from “The Daily Meal”)

Brad Pitt

Albert Einstein

Gigi Balsamico

Actor and Film Producer, Brad Pitt: He has maintained a vegetarian life style since 2014 and is an animal rights advocate speaking out against the cruelty done to animals. His letter to Costco encourages them to stop using “battery cages for hens”. Five or six hens are squashed into a tiny cage and expected to lay eggs while there isn’t room to even stretch out their wings. The cages can hardly hold one hen let alone five or six. .

Gigi Balsamico

Albert Einstein

Gigi Balsamico

Gigi Balsamico: As a child, tending to neglected horses at a family friend’s farm prompted her to wonder why people didn’t see all animals as beautiful, each with its own unique personality. Horses, cows, sheep, dogs: “It was so apparent to me that there was no difference,” she said.

Today she is a world class body builder winning numerous first place finishes in almost every event she entered. She has been a vegan for eleven years transforming her body to a muscular powerhouse on an all vegan diet!

your world, my world, our world together

Gigi Balsamico and her horse friend

Health, Spiritual Wealth as a great choice for all

The Prema Sai Maa/Ultimate Gift Foundation thanks Gigi Balsamico for her life choice and example to recogonize the sacredness of all life.

Health, Spiritual Wealth as a great choice for all

A host of entertainers and celebrities who are currently vegan or vegetarian include: Jessica Lange, Chloë Grace Moretz, Kate McKinnon, Ellie Goulding, Shania Twain, Joaquin Phoenix, Adele, Miley Cyrus, Kristen Bell, Tobey Maguire, Christie Brinkley, Christina Applegate, Woody Harrelson, Carrie Underwood, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ellen Page and many others.

changing the world one great choice at a time

It is known that most people are not born into a vegetarian family, especially in the USA. From early on, pioneers of this country were meat eaters, hunters and fisherman. Family lines are strong; generations of meat eaters represent the majority of the US population. But as our Consciousness expands to understand our evolving planet, so does our spiritual awareness become more acute to the sanctity of life, all life. Those who are part of the restoration projects for the world are also becoming more involved in the preservation of our forests, animals and environment.

Veganism/vegetarianism are natural steps in this evolutionary process ascending our mind, body and spirit to higher forms of care and responsibility for all living beings.

Prema Sai Maa has shown me all of the reasons why I should be a vegan/vegetarian. She inspired me thirty five years ago to make the choice for the vegetarian way. I have been on that remarkable road ever since. When I first met her, she was a vegetarian. Today Prema Sai Maa is completely vegan and does not use any animal related products nor will endorse any products that do not say, “ No animal testing”.

May I encourage you as well to contemplate all of the above words and stories, approach your inner self in meditation, prayer and devotion and allow your own wise soul to choose what is best for you. Like a great picture puzzle, when all of the pieces fit together a beautiful scene or story emerges. Perhaps it is time for your story to come forth.

If you have any questions or need further encouragement, we are here for you.

With divine love and devotion,

~Ray~

Co-founder, The Ultimate Gift Foundation.

Prema Sai Maa, Founder and President

Share your thoughts with us if you like by emailing; connect@theultimategiftfoundation.org

Thank you for joining us today, for your thoughtful consideration to our conversation and invitation to the Vegan/Vegetarian Way.

We welcome your support as well as to share this website link with others. Peace be with you.

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