american actor and musician monica dogra has been vocal and passionate about animal rights since childhood reflecting on her decision to be an ambassador for the 10th year of the global campaign veganuary monica dogra says i turned vegan after watching a documentary about the way that eggs are produced and also hearing information on the environmental impact of factoryfarmed dairy i had already been vegetarian for years for similar reasons i recognize its a process but it is one that is easier than ever today and one that should surely be considered by the privileged to help lower impact on the planet and promote the compassionate and mindful lifestyle in a conversation with times food she talks about her food choices and everything she eats to stay fithow do you connect with foodfood is prayer and ritual for me it is energy nourishment and a space to connect ground and be creativehow has veganism changed youi have become more mindful of the connection to all thingsthat my choices allow me to empower myself to live in accordance with nature and live in awareness of my impactis it a difficult choice to makei do think that veganism is challenging at times but it certainly is easier than ever before i am a firm believer in giving yourself the space to play and discover beautiful alternatives to many of the things that we are attached to once you explore those alternatives and see how much better they are from an ethical perspective one will naturally move towards being plantbased with easeare sufficient vegan options availableyes absolutelyhow do you balance your protein intakei have a great plantbased protein every day one dish your mother makes the bestmy mom is great at making bhartaone dish you like the mosti am actually a big khichdi fanwhat is your daily food habit likei try to have highprotein and lowcarb food as much as possibleyour favourite dessertvegan chocolate chip cookiesyour favourite cuisineitaliando you like cookingvery muchbut only if im not working crazy long hours which at the moment i amwhat do you love to cook the mosti dont cook one thing i am an artist even in the kitchen i experiment and come up with stuffone memorable dining experience till dateeating italian food in florenceyour favourite drinkbeverageiced oat milk latteone dish you can eat throughout your lifesaid it before khichdi5 things that are always there in your pantrybananas spinach coconut sugar great coffee coconut water