FG is Charlie - November 2015

FRIENDS GAZETTE
Your articles look at moral reasons for being
vegetarian or vegan which is a very
interesting mix and unique . . .
Tim Barford - founder VegFestUK

NOVEMBER 2015 - ISSN 2053-4426

Top US
spiritual
leader
grants FG
interview

London and Avignon - e-mail: friendsgazette@gmail.com

- Web: scribd.com

FRANCE IS
COOKING...
French vegan course launched as crowds flock to demo
DOZENS of budding vegan cooks

Pin-drop silence as
Chris Bolis shows how
to cookKerry
French
vegan McCarthy
click to view video

flocked to Olympia in London

recently to see one of France's top
chefs in action and pick up some
exclusive tips.
Christophe Bolis chef de cuisine
and owner of Cafe de France near
Orange

held

his

VegFestUK

audience in wrapt attention as he

put together a typical Provencal
dish before their very eyes.
Ishwar Puri

WHEN THE BIG

NAMES SPEAK
THEY SPEAK BIG
- to the Friends Gazette
See Ishwars letter to
our editorial team on
page 11. (There will be
no FG in December.)

Now his skills will be at the

centre of a unique course from
French language school La Cours

to those who want to learn French

des Langues based in Avignon in

vegan cooking.

The

course

enigmatic

goes

monika

French villages, with quiet winding

"Those who want to can take

the south of France.

by

'France

the
is

streets,

open

spaces

and

the opportunity to improve their

architecture, some of which dates

French at the same time."

back to the 13th century.

Cristophe's

cooking'.

The village is unspoilt, like most

restaurant

is

La Cours des Langues is a private

School director Vronique Lan

situated in the picturesque village

well-established

Maby said: "We are proud to be

of Caderousse in the Vaucluse a

language school, teaching a range of

organising

stones throw from the Rhne, one

courses to students from all over the

of France's major rivers.

world.

this

course

which

brings Cristophe's talent and skills

and

popular

Continues on page 12

FG is Charlie - November 2015

INNER PAIN UNLOCKED

JJS CREATIVE TALENT
FOR JEAN Jaques Sandras an identity

Paris area before travelling around western

crisis and inner anguish lead to a life-

Europe and visiting the British Isles.

changing journey to mystical India where he

In London I found a job as a dish washer for

several weeks.

found the answer.

Born in 1947 and having grown up in

It was there that I discovered that apartheid

apartheid South Africa he worked as a dish-

was inhuman. This shook the very foundations

washer in 60s London where he underwent

of my vision of life including my religion.

Deeply perturbed by my new vision I went

a life-changing revelation.
Like hundreds at the time he travelled to

through an identity crisis (apartheid, religion,

India and has now penned a fantasy tale in

politics and society appeared to me to be a

which he attempts to describe his

bunch of lies).

understanding of the teachings he

Fortunately I was young, in good health, had

happened upon in the sub-continent.

a good well-paid job and many friends. In spite

Here in his own words he shares his

of my privileged situation, deep down inside I

was confused and went to India in February

personal story with FG readers.

At the age of 19 I travelled to Europe.

1971. There I found the answer to my inner

The nine months I spent there changed my

anguish.
After returning to Johannesburg from India I

elementary vision of the world.

I worked in a factory for three months in the

resumed my earlier life for three years before

Jean Jacques Sandras

SALES MANAGER
w

Can you sell?

book crammed full of veggie/vegan business

contacts and will also be able to manage and help

Are you friendly?

Can you think out-the-box?

recruit a small team of expert salespeople.

Salary is negotiable on a rewards basis with
excellent commission.

Then you may be just the person we are looking

for to bring Friends Gazette to more vegan and

Send CV with covering letter and what youd do

on your first day to friendsgazette@gmail.com

veggie entrepreneurs.
The hunt is on for a consummate professional

Informal interviews will be held in London early

next year.

to continue to build up this on-line publications

FRIENDS GAZETTE

advertising sales department. It is envisaged

that the successful applicant will have a contacts
2

FG is Charlie - November 2015

INNER PAIN UNLOCKED . . .

Continued from p2

marrying a French girl and settling down in

France.
Ever since my first visit to India I have
tried to follow the mystical path which
includes a strict lacto-vegetarian diet.

Lucky Panda
wins freebie

The master who taught me said that his

teachings were not his own.
He had received them from his own
master who had received them from his
and so on.
These teachings are valid for all human
beings regardless of their social status,
country, circumstances and epoch.
He also told me that the basic mystical
teachings were so simple they could be
explained in less than two minutes but that
most people were too complicated to

The teachings being the same for

understand something that could be

everyone, everywhere at all times, I chose

explained in such a short time period.

to transpose what I had learnt in India in the

In December 1984 upon a return trip

20th century as a computer engineer into

from India, my daughter, then eight years

the context of knighthood of 14th-century

old, asked me why I went there.

France.

I tried to explain mysticism to her and

was surprised by her ability to grasp the
essentials.
In 1985, after 14 years of studying and

study the France of the Middle Ages.

four elementary rules of fairy tales. These

rules are that the main characters are
caricatures; the story is chronological; there

only two minutes.

should be continuous action with

spectacular surprises; it can be taken at

teachings, I decided to write a fantasy tale

face value while allowing the reader to dig

for her describing my understanding of the

out the hidden message.

discovering the teachings.

The event in Glasgow next month is already

attracting unprecedented interest in the Scottish
press and is set to draw hundreds of visitors.
Now Panda and five other lucky Friends Gazette
readers will get in for nothing.

Being able to summarise the basic

I chose to write a story I would have

she'd be lucky enough to scoop a free ticket to

another VegFest festival as well.

While writing this trilogy, I respected the

explain the basic teachings to myself in

myself liked to have read when

WHEN Spikey Panda signed up to receive Friends

Gazette in London last month she never thought

I therefore undertook a years research, to

elementary practice, I finally was able to

teachings.

Panda Gledhill scoops free ticket to VegFest Glasgow

'Wooo.... hoooo..... How nice to win!' said Spikey.

Glasgow - its a new vegan centre!"
The new readers will now join thousands of

Even today what I had learnt 44 years

ago still resounds just as strongly as ever.
Find Jean Jacques latest novel, The
Lord Magicians, on Amazon.

established FG stalwarts many of whom have been

taking the independent on-line mag since it launched
around four-and-a-half years ago.
Friends Gazette is registered as an official
magazine with the British Library and comes out
monthly (apart from December) with its highly

VEGETARIAN LAUNCH FOR

NIGELS TASTY THRILLER

informative and unique take on veggie life and

alternative lifestyles in the UK and worldwide.
"Congrats to Spikey," said editor and publisher
Steve Ward, "and welcome aboard to her and

Egg-free delights on offer as readers gather for a chat and a bite

THERE may not
have been any
cherries on offer but
that didnt stop Nigel
Lesmoir-Gordons
latest novel going
down a treat in
Cambridge recently.
Life is Just (a bowl of
cherries) is the latest
submission from the
accomplished author
and film-maker.
The book is published
by Eventispress and is
available on Amazon.

everyone who signed up.

Nigel is quizzed by his audience

Ten out of Ten for

play on trafficking
HOME Secretary, Teresa May, has presented a play
about human trafficking with a prestigious award.
This is My Body, by Catholic professional theatre
company Ten Ten tells the story of a woman from
Romania who seeks refuge in a safe house run by a
religious sister. The award, backed by the Human
Trafficking Foundation, falls into the category for
best stage production dealing with modern slavery.

FG is Charlie - November 2015

FG is Charlie - November 2015

ENGLISH THEATRE GROUP

SET FOR FRENCH DEBUT
AN ENGLISH drama group

conventional partner Avignon

has cracked the French

ON, floods the city with high

market with a debut at a

quality performance art.

prestigious French theatre.

Synaestheatre, headed

The English piece, already

a London hit at The Space,

up by director/proprietor

Docklands in the summer,

Deborah Ward, will give

could go on to feature in the

three performances of the

Avignon Off 2016.

fantasy tale Raven at the

Raven tells the story, in

Thtre des Carmes in

mine/dance of a young girl

Avignon, Provence next

torn between two worlds.

month.
The coup comes as a

One of nature; gentle,

organic, soft: the other of

result of ground breaking

man; technological, hard-

talks with Sebastian

nosed and controlling, where

Benedetto, son of the late

the unbridled profit motive is

Andr Benedetto, founder

king.

of the world famous

Pan (Andrea Fo) and

Faith (Maria Velazquez)
meet in the woods.
Click anywhere on the
pic to view video.

Which world will she

Avignon Off Festival which

choose? Which world will

every July, along with its

choose her?

FG is Charlie - November 2015

Indian ashram
gets healthy
business boost

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But there is a growing number of

extremely rich and influential Indian and
foreign followers whose lifestyles demand
all the modern-day facilities of home when
they visit.
Bollywood heartthrob Shahid Kapoor
and new bride Mira Rajput (See If
Mohamed cant go . . . FG July/August )
are high-profile, upscale members.
Andy Berliner, ceo at US veggie food
giant,

Amys

prominent,

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Gurinder Singh seems fully recovered

from a cancer scare two years ago but is

A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN who

at the

(See

Want Mayo with that? FG July/August).

Shivinder Singh

COME VISIT the

still quizzed about the state of his health.

Birmingham Xmas Market

(November 14th - December 22nd)

stall no C45. Youll find us by

has made billions as the head of a private

There has been no official announcement

healthcare company is to turn his back on

yet as to the part, if any, the new man will

the world of commerce and go to work full

play in the organisation; though it seems

selling an eclectic variety of

time on his uncles spiritual ashram.

highly unlikely his renowned business skills

silver jewellery complimented

And the radical move could well be a

portent of things to come.

will be allowed to go to waste.

It is also well within the realms of

by a collection of brass
jewellery; alongside youll find

executive

possibility that he might succeed his uncle,

chairman of Fortis Healthcare who, with

if and when that day ever dawns. One thing

his brother Malvinder, are together said to

is certain, such a move would be well within

be worth more than $4bn (2.6bn), will

the traditions of this fast-burgeoning sect.

Shivinder

Mohan

Singh,

start voluntary work at the Radha Soami

Satsang Beas centre in January next year.
Singh, 40, known as the wellness
moghul admitted in a statement that
Fortis was part of his being.
But he added: Over time this has
inspired me to do more direct service.
The centre in Beas in the Punjab, has
developed rapidly since uncle Gurinder
Singh took over in June 1990.
A businessman by training Gurinder

Hope for Heythrop as

petition draws to a close
CAMPAIGNERS hoping to halt the closure
of a 401-year-old Catholic college are
hoping their efforts to focus opposition to
the plan will bear fruit this month.

and beads from Guatemala

upcycled into amazing
accessories ethically sourced
and much is
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LadyHummingbird@hummingbirds888

Jesuit-founded Heythrop College

is part of the University of London. Closure

would be a serious blow to theological,

Indian village to thriving modern hub with

religious and philosophical teaching and

paved roads, modern computer centre

research in the UK, the campaigners say.

The lacto-veggie group, ostensibly a

beautiful traditional textiles

specialises in theology and philosophy and

has propelled the centre from a quaint,

and extensive residential quarter.

the Giant Wheel/New Library

A petition aimed at showing the strength

of feeling against closure is set to wind up

Sikh offshoot, has a following of millions

on November 1st with a target of 1,000

mostly among low caste Sikhs.

signatures.

Award winning stunning silver and brass jewellery

as seen at the VEGFEST shows.

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FG is Charlie - November 2015

Special vegetarian and vegan options available.

FG is Charlie - November 2015

MODEL
BEHAVIOUR
BEING photographed in a meat cold store

Trentini vegetarian.

hosted a panel discussion with vegan style-

But there are a variety of reasons why

pioneers to discuss how up-and-coming

some of the most photographed people in

designers can find their ethical fashion-

the world choose to reject meat and opt for

forward footing in todays industry.

she feels its the motive that counts and will

necessary as wearing a suit is for a banker

one day build a chorus where everything,

or a uniform for a policeman.

everywhere will become ethical.

Thing is, clothes can always be sent to

Flawlessness has to be achieved from

You're only ever responsible for yourself

and anyway, it makes you feel good to

Some have been brought up as veggies.

make choices you can be proud of, so

But that doesnt make sticking to their

having the intention behind it is the key.

principles any easier.

ALL PICTURES COURTESY THE FRONT ROW

My one measly decision not to eat it

[meat] is important. It's like a chorus.

the inside.

third page (top) Kat Henson; (below) Sasha Pivovarova.

For Lily Cole, whos been a veggie since

she was ten, the reason is 100% ethical and

people whose flawless looks are as

the cleaner.

Rijk; (bottom right) Hilary Rhoda;

This summer in Los Angeles, People for

the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Looking healthy is important for these

next page (top) Caroline Trentini; (bottom left) Anna de

Research by Bronwyn OLeary

was enough to turn top model Caroline

a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.

Pictured: (above) Lily Cole; (below) Ali Michael;

Report by Stephen Ward

[The photo shoot] was worth it but it left

me traumatized," Trentini told fashion
website The Front Row.
Photographer Steven Klein thanked her

Just having the intention.

Then the more people have those
intentions, the bigger the chorus gets.
And then hopefully eventually people
won't have to make good choices it will just

for her work by sending her flowers and

be a given that when you buy something

chocolates as a thank you gift.

someone somewhere won't have been

The experience prompted her to

become vegetarian the site reports.
For Hilary Rhoda blowing family and
friends minds at Thanksgiving dinner when

exploited.
If we could get to that point it would be
amazing."
One way to make sure raw materials are

she would have to snub the roast turkey

sourced ethically is to reject traditional

wasnt enough to put her off eating meat.

clothing altogether.

I will not be having a very traditional

Thanksgiving," she acknowledges.
Ethical fashion has come a long way

Bamboo tee shirts, dresses and skirts can

be found pretty much everywhere.
Also non-leather shoes, belts and coats

since David Baileys famous ad where fur

are easily found with pioneering

clad models dragged their expensive coats

entrepreneurs establishing their alternative

along the catwalk leaving a trail of blood.

businesses and building up regular private

It sent shock waves through the fashion

industry and the fake fur industry was born,
or if not then, then at least given a

and commercial customers both in the UK

and abroad.
Speaking on how modelling has changed
her diet, Ali Michael says she has learned

welcome boost.
Since those days ethical fashion has

about keeping healthy with a vegan diet:

become a hot topic of conversation and

Finding balance in my diet has definitely

debate in the street, the shop and at high

been a process that Im grateful for because

profile celebrity discussion panels.

it provided me with the knowledge that I

FG is Charlie - November 2015

IT LEFT ME
TRAUMATISED
have about treating my body the right

and then, later on, fish and maybe eggs

way now, she told The Front Row.

and cheese. (See Friendly Comment on

After following vegan, raw vegan and

macrobiotic diets, Ive found that the best

page 12).
Anna de Rijk in the same article told

approach for me is to be aware of what

The Front Row that she'd been a

my body responds to as opposed to

vegetarian for a year, way back in 2011.

following rules and regulations.

I usually have oatmeal with

She explained: "I was raised [mostly]

without meat my parents mainly made

unsweetened coconut milk, walnuts,

pasta without meat every night, so since I

almonds, figs and goji berries in the

didnt really grow up with it, I didnt really

morning. I like breakfast being my

like it so much.

heaviest meal because it gives me

energy for the rest of my day.
Lunch and dinner are usually mostly
vegetables and a protein like salmon.
Ill usually have a beet, carrot and
apple juice at some point, too."
But sometimes it takes a while before
a model or anyone else makes the

And then a year ago, it was really

strange - I was in a plane, and I got
chicken, and I looked at the chicken, and I
thought it just looked so gross.
And then I felt like, well, Im kind of half
vegetarian [already], so I decided Im not
going to eat meat and chicken anymore,
period.

decision to turn completely vegetarian.

I eat a bit of fish because otherwise I

It can take a step or two - first giving

feel really weak. Im not vegan. I eat

up red meat, then chicken and turkey

cheese and eggs and yogurt."

10

FG is Charlie - November 2015

BE HEALTHY BE BEAUTIFUL
Kat Hessen found that following a
vegan diet gave her better energy and
improved her health problems: "I've been
a vegan for almost two years.
When I started eating better, my

She comments on her diet: "My motto is

be healthy, be beautiful.
I try to eat only organic food from local
farmers in upstate New York.
For breakfast I'll have freshly squeezed

stomach problems, bad skin, and

orange juice to boost my energy, granola,

achiness all went away. I also found that I

fresh fruit or berries and a pure Chinese

could run a lot faster and longer without

tea. Lunch is a hot soup and a big salad

getting tired."

and dinner is fried potatoes with

Sasha Pivovarova has been a

vegetarian since she was 12.

mushrooms.
I love cauliflower cream soup."

ISHWAR AGREES

An acknowledgement and some initial

questions have been sent to Mr Puri.

11

IN MEMORIAM

FRIENDLY COMMENT
Climbed the
gangway?

An inner, meditative journey of light

and sound.
A non-violent lifestyle is, arguably, the
obvious first step to just such a journey.

Now take the flight!

GO to a veggie or vegan restaurant,

After all, if weve climbed the gangway

why not take the flight!

have dinner with like-minded friends or

visit a veggie extravaganza where
thousands of all ages, sizes and

Gone fishing

backgrounds flock to hundreds of stalls

IVE recently read some nasty stuff

selling or promoting everything from

about pescetarians, or vegetarians who

clothes made from bamboo or the latest

eat fish!

thing in meatless burgers and you could

Just Google pescetarians and youll

be forgiven for thinking we're all

find condemnation from every source

vegetarians now.

imaginable.

But that's far from true.

Even though officially there are an
average of just under six million

From societies and institutions

we ask - is non-violence limited to

million carnivores tucking into plenty of

actions?

or their byproducts.
That's a heck of a lot of people - and a
heck of a lot of animals!
Giving up eating dead animals is not
an easy choice.
It means swimming against the tide
with friends, relatives and colleagues.
No thanks. I'm a vegetarian,
becomes a frequently-used refrain
especially on high days and holidays
when meat is de rigueur.
The reasons for setting out on or
maintaining this minority path are almost
as many as there are vegetarians or
vegans who choose it.
Compassion, health, environment,
disgust or a mixture of all three.
But make no mistake.
Whatever the reason it's a big move
and, subjectively speaking, a brave one.
For many, though, just the change
itself is the end of the story.

and the real disciple is the soul, Charan Singh.

SW

More accurately, do non-violent

FRENCH COURSE LAUNCHED . . . cont. from p1

people think non-violent thoughts?

If they do, and theres plenty who

It is based in quiet premises near Avignon

believe they should, nay, must; then this

university and within the city 'ramparts'.

sort of violent condemnation of fish-

Tutors are all 'French for Foreigners' specialists

eating veggies must be left in the

and are trained in imparting the subtle secrets of

poubelle (thats French for rubbish bin -

speaking and writing French to foreigners.

by the way) where it belongs.

Delegates on the week-long 'France is Cooking'

We only have to cast our minds back

course get two days of haute cuisine instruction and

a little way to remember our own journey

two days of French language.

to a world of non-violence.

Cooking-only is an option and all students get to

In that journey didnt we all go through

tuck into their own meals afterwards.

many, many stages?

There is advice on a range of accommodation in

Couldnt eschewing all forms of animal

the area and free transport to and from the restaurant.

There is a train direct from Kings X St Pancras to

life apart from just a little fish-y on a little

Avignon as well as regular flights to nearby Nmes

dish-y be one of those stages?

and Marseille.

Ask around at the next veggie

Course prices range from 155 (without French) to

extravaganza in London or Liverpool or

315 including language tuition (special offers).

Glasgow or Brighton and youll find

These prices do not include accommodation or

plenty of pescatarians checking out the

travel to France.

lay of the land.

be the basis for another whole journey.

pleasantly surprised at its fishy quality.

Will Tuttle's well known World Peace

Whats the best thing to do with these

harmony'.

loving embrace. The real master is the shabd

thought?

Tasting the seaweed sushi and being

'eating for spiritual health and social

times. Happy onward journey in our master's

Or does it, possibly, extend to

But vegetarianism and veganism can

Diet hints at it when he says it's about

your encouragement, love and kindness at all

At the risk of sounding preachey can

vegetarians in the UK that still leaves 58

slaughtered cows, pigs, sheep, lamb etc.

To Brett Funnell formerly Fields. Thanks for

avowedely non-violent.

To find out more click here.

Or phone the school direct on: 0033 (0)678393366.

half-way-housers?

GOT A STORY?

Slag off their choices and send them

running for the exit - never to be seen

Think you know what a news story is? Test your

again? Or welcome them aboard in the

knowledge. Drop the Friends Gazette team a brief

including from the West have long linked

hope theyll one-day take that, surely

outline of your idea and we promise well get back

vegetarianism with an inner journey.

inevitable, next step?

to you with feedback or a proposal. Editorial team

And Indian mystics and others

12