Vegan Bakery Products from 'Carnival Cakes & Breads', Bangalore

For more bakeries that offer vegan bakery products in Bangalore reviewed in this blog, you can click here.

“Do you have bakery items that are free of eggs, and free of milk and milk products such as.......”, before the sentence could be completed, came the voice from the other end, “You mean vegan?”

“Yes! That’s what I mean!”

This was one our first conversations with the Executive Chef of 'Carnival Cakes & Breads'. The gentleman candidly informed us that he had experience of turning out Vegan meals for a leading international airliner!

Baked goodies at Carnival: And now, if you are ready to be swept off your feet, then be prepared... for here comes Carnival Cakes & Breads with more than 30 Vegan bakery items for you! The baked goodies include cakes, exotic desserts, cookies, hand-made chocolates, breads, breakfast items, snacks, sandwiches and even salads! And here are photographs of some Vegan items from Carnival that had been baked on order on the day we made a trip to the bakery.

You can check out more photographs of Carnival goodies from Veganosaurus by clicking here.

What make Carnival goodies vegan? Vegan items from Carnival do not contain the following: eggs; milk and milk products such as butter, ghee (clarified butter), margarine, curd, and khoya (dried milk); animal-derived gelatin; refined sugar; honey; and artificial flavors and colors. Instead, Carnival uses a healthy dairy-free, soya-based topping from Rich Graviss and agar agar, a plant-based gelatin to substitute for the animal-derived gelatin.

Please click the image on the left to view the menu card of the Vegan offers from Carnival.

How do you purchase Vegan bakes from Carnival Cakes & Breads? Carnival delivers at your doorstep (if the order is above Rs.150/-). This is a unique model of operation that ensures your order is delivered freshly baked.

You can call at 9916754689 or 080-22583148 to place your order,

Between 9am to 7pm on all days,

At least three-four hours in advance.

Your order will be delivered free of cost if you are located within 10kms of the Carnival workshop. If beyond 10kms, delivery charges will apply.

You can also drop in at the Carnival workshop at 65/3, Agara Post, Near Shoba Onyx, Sarjapur Main Road, Bangalore – 560102 to collect your order.

Carnival undertakes orders for parties also.

Vegan notes: Carnival’s Vegan bakery items taste great, look good, do not spoil fast (because they contain zero animal-derived ingredients), and what’s more, they are healthier as opposed to dairy-based and egg-based bakery items! Generally, dairy and eggs as with meat, (even when derived from organic sources) are not healthy because they contain saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal proteins that the human body can do well without. According to the current clinical studies by PCRM doctors in the field of preventive medicine, these elements have been found to contribute to several health emergencies in the world such as type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, certain forms of cancer, kidney diseases, constipation and digestive problems, calcium losses from the body, osteoporosis, arthritis, gout, and many others.

“In that day the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the leopard and goats will be at peace. Calves and fat cattle will be safe among lions, and the little child shall lead them all. The cows will graze among bears; cubs and calves will lie down together, and lions will eat grass like the cows…Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so shall the earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” ~‘Isaiah 11:6-10’, The Bible~ 

Non Leather Bags and Accessories from 'Baggit'

For non leather/cruelty-free leather/synthetic leather/alternative leather/faux leather/non-animal leather/vegetarian/vegan shoes and accessories in India reviewed in this blog, you can click the story, "Who Pays For Your Leather Shoes?".

“We don’t believe in killing animals for fashion”, is the simply stated philosophy of Baggit.

The collection at Baggit showrooms is simply dazzling. As you touch the beautifully crafted bags and look at the shoes in wonderment, someone at the store gently and proudly informs you that Baggit is the recipient of the PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) Proggy Award for the year 2007. All Baggit products are made from faux leather or synthetic leather.

Baggit showrooms and products: Baggit was founded in 1990 and since then has created a brand name in the market for cruelty-free formal/informal ladies’ bags, shoes, and accessories. Accessories include an impressive collection of purses, pouches, mobile phone holders, and belts. For men, Baggit offers a stylish selection of wallets.

Where to find Baggit showrooms and retail outlets: Please click here for the complete list of showrooms where Baggit products are available in Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad,  Bangalore, Baroda, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Lukhnow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nasik, Noida, Pune, Raipur, Surat, and Vishakapatnam with their addresses and telephone numbers.

Cost factor: Very reasonable!

Vegan notes: Did you think that the “real” and “authentic” leather accessories you possess or carry on your person are made from animals that have died of natural causes? Most often, not. The leather industry is responsible for the systematic killing and torturing of millions of animals, every year, for the sake of fashion. You can read a detailed report by Indian Vegan on the implications of using leather by clicking here. The dairy industry is also no less responsible. Male calves, barely a few days old, and female cows are systematically killed to obtain leather. Male calves are of no “use” to the dairy industry! Female cows become weak by the age of six due to continuous pregnancies and therefore they are “unprofitable” to keep. (The normal life cycle of a cow is 20 years). Click here to read a PETA brief on the gentle animals that are abused to "fulfill" the demand for leather and drive a deadly and cruel industry.

Apart from Baggit whose range of products is completely cruelty-free, there are many other brands and local manufacturers that offer a selection in faux leather products. Please make your own survey, ask of your favorite brands—ask for the cruelty-free, synthetic leather selections. Consider changing your brand if they do not have cruelty-free options. Let our asking create an informed demand for cruelty-free, vegan accessories! For information on some select brands that have a non leather selection, please read our story "Who Pays For Your Leather Shoes?". 

Designer duo Hemant-Nandita focus on finding alternatives to leather. You can read the story by clicking this link.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Father of the Non-violent Political Struggle in India~

Vegan Burfis from 'Kanti Sweets', Bangalore

For more vegan sweets available in Bangalore reviewed in this blog, you can click here.

Two remarkable burfi preparations at Kanti Sweets, a sweet house in Bangalore, defy all traditional conceptions of Indian sweets! It is difficult for most people to imagine an Indian sweet that is not made of milk, ghee (clarified butter), khoya (dried milk), and sugar. The Khajoor Burfi and the Anjeer Burfi of Kanti Sweets are however a pleasant and delicious surprise! Khajoor Burfis are made from dates while the Anjeer Burfis are made from figs. Both burfis contain generous quantities of whole dry nuts as well. Since dates and figs are naturally sweet, sugar or any other sweetener is not added to either of the two preparations.

Originally conceptualized for people with diabetes, both sweets have become a Vegan delight. Besides being nutritious, the burfis are very tasty and go exceedingly well with a steaming cup of herbal tea! And what’s more, you can store them without refrigeration for days together as they do not spoil easily. They do not spoil because they contain zero animal-derived ingredients.

Cost factor:
Khajoor Burfi: Rs.300/- per kilogram
Anjeer Burfi: Rs.550/- per kilogram

Location of Kanti Sweets outlets in Bangalore: Kanti Sweets has more than 25 outlets spread across Bangalore. Khajoor Burfis and Anjeer Burfis are available at all outlets. You can click here to view the list containing the outlet locations.

Vegan notes: For all of you who have been seriously considering omitting cow’s milk and dairy from your food intake, please check the links below to learn more and to know that your decision is a step in the right direction:

What is not right about cow’s milk? Find out in Dr. Robert M Kradjian, MD’s open letter titled “A Milk Letter: Message to my Patients” by clicking here.

The Dark Side of Dairy. Find out in PETA’s report about the horrors of the dairy industry by clicking here.

If not from cow’s milk, where do I get my calcium from? Find out the answer from Dr. Nandita Shah by clicking here.

If not with cow’s milk, how shall I prepare my favorite homemade desserts? Find out the recipes of some kind and compassionate desserts courtesy SHARAN that provides alternative to cow’s milk by clicking here.

“Cow’s milk has become a point of controversy among doctors and nutritionists. There was a time when it was considered very desirable, but research has forced us to rethink this recommendation... dairy products contribute to a surprising number of health problems...” ~Dr. Benjamin Spock, M.D., Author of ‘Baby and Child Care’, 7th Edition~

'Luo Han' Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant, Bangalore

For more vegan-friendly restaurants in Bangalore reviewed in this blog, you can click here.

Have you heard of a Chinese restaurant that is vegetarian? Most of us haven’t. So, it is a pleasant surprise to come across Luo Han, a vegetarian Chinese restaurant in the city of Bangalore. And, with Luo Han we lay the foundation for the series of stories for Vegan India!

“A food revolution is sweeping over Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong,” says Mr. William Chang, the proprietor of Luo Han, as he sits down to chat with us in the simple yet tastefully done interiors of his restaurant. “More and more people in these countries are turning vegetarian for ethical, environmental, spiritual, and health reasons,” continues Mr. Chang.

 
Is he also part of this change, we want to know. Mr. William Chang is a fourth generation Chinese born and settled in India. Several years back, the search for spirituality led him to join the Hong Ci Ashram in Austin Town, Bangalore. The Hong Ci Ashram inspires people to respect all life forms by infusing their lives with the teachings of 'Dharma' and 'cause and effect'.

"How else can we explain human miseries on Earth? Or, expect anything good to happen to the human race when we don’t show mercy to animal life?” asks Mr. Chang. 

Mr. Chang who turned vegetarian soon after joining the Ashram did not stop there. He took his new ideals further by opening Luo Han in 2006. 'Luo Han'—translated as 'a disciple of The Buddha' or 'a seeker of enlightenment', is his salvation from his “karmic debts”, says Mr. Chang. Many of his friends and acquaintances, similarly inspired by the Hong Ci Ashram, have returned to China and started Chinese vegetarian restaurants there, he adds.

The Menu: The menu at Lou Han has an amazing mix of not only Chinese but Thai dishes as well. From the soups to the nibbles, from the main course consisting of a variety of rice, noodles, and macaroni, to the side dishes—Luo Han seems to have a wide variety. There are more than 350 recipes to select from! The recipes are flavored with ingredients such as basil, lemon grass, coconut, tamarind, sesame, and peanuts to name a few. We decide to try some interesting combinations. The Tofu Wrapped in Bird Nest sounded interesting and turned out even better and so did the Spinach Soup! We tried some Chinese Mei Fun for the main course. While the Mei Fun noodles were nice and fresh with the subtle aroma of rice, the Mei Fun vegetables in Sweet and Sour Dragon Sauce were flavorsome! We rounded off our meal with steaming fragrant Chinese tea.

Vegan notes: The noodles used at Lou Han are eggless. Also, many dishes at Lou Han are Vegan. The dishes that are not vegan are those made with paneer (cottage cheese) and honey. If you are a vegan with reservations about refined sugar, let the staff know that you do not wish for it in your dish and your request will be complied with. As with all Chinese cooking, ghee (clarified butter) or milk is not used.

Luo Han USP: A vast variety of delectable vegetable preparations, succulent tofu preparations, and a consistency in taste each time you go there!

Luo Han contact and food order details:
 
Telephone: 080-64505304

Address: No. 666, 27th Main Road, 13th Cross, HSR Layout Sector 1, Bangalore – 560034

Timings: 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm

Free home delivery: Yes, within HSR Layout, Sarjapur, and Bellandur in Bangalore.

Additional information: You can also purchase fresh home-made soy paneer (tofu) from Lou Han by placing an order a day before. You will need to buy a kilogram at a time costing Rs.90/- 

Cost factor: A hearty meal for two costs between Rs.250/- to Rs.300/-.

Concluding notes: Does Mr. Chang have expansion plans, is something we want to know. 

“My worst critics who doubted that my idea of serving ‘vegetarian Chinese’ food will ever work have been proved wrong. Today, many people are coming and appreciating the food we serve. There is a demand for our newly designed table mat, even!” quips Mr. Chang as he hands us a copy of a table mat. 

What is special about the Luo Han table mats is the message on vegetarianism and veganism each carries! You can read the text on the table mat by clicking the thumbnail image below.  

“Luo Han does not have any other branch and does not wish for it yet,” continues Mr. Chang and adds, "However, I would be glad to offer consultancy to anyone who wishes to start a Vegetarian/Vegan restaurant. There has been a lot of learning in the last three years.”

Mission accomplished, we take leave. As we turn towards the exit, we can feel the statue of The Buddha placed on the reception table of Luo Han, smiling warmly behind us.

Click the thumbnail image for an enlarged view of the Lou Han table mat.

“If you become 100 per cent harmless you’ll benefit by 100 per cent—spiritually, emotionally, and financially.” ~Akbarally Jetha, Businessman & Philosopher~