Fēng's Veggie Eats recommends plant-based food of every kind, from Chinese, Western and international cuisine to cafés and desserts, featuring 73 restaurants, more than 200 popular dishes and nearly 400 photos.
Fēng's Veggie Eats: the why, when, where and how
Why eat plant-based?
Many people assume meat dishes are more lavish and wonder why they should "give up" so many delicious foods. In fact, plant-based eating is one way to make the world a better place. All we need to do is make plant-based food one of the many delicious options out there, and the world will start getting better. It's that simple.
When did he start eating plant-based?
This is the question Tian Ding-feng is asked most often. Whenever it comes up, he thinks back to a dark period more than twenty years ago. He is not afraid to remember it: those experiences are what led him to go vegetarian and become who he is today, a better version of himself.
"From the day I decided to go vegetarian, my resolve has never wavered once. Over nearly twenty years, this commitment has become my driving force and changed me little by little. I shed my old 'golden boy' label and became grounded, and my insomnia and depression faded without medication. It all began because I never imposed rules on myself, since rules create order and order boxes people in. Through eating vegetarian, I not only found real freedom but also saw clearly what I should be doing. I became grounded and stopped drifting aimlessly."
Where to eat plant-based?
"I often share on Facebook which restaurant I went to that day and what good food I had. My friends are always surprised and leave comments like 'You're vegetarian?' or 'Really? All of this is vegetarian?' Many people are amazed at how much variety vegetarian food offers and how much I enjoy it. Plenty of meat lovers are drawn in too, curious and eager to give it a try."
Changing the way you eat is like sticking with anything: being able to keep going is a sign of willpower. That willpower carries over to other parts of life and can change the outcome of many things, and we can start practicing it with something as small as eating plant-based.
What about balanced nutrition?
We don't have to eat every meal at one particular shop or restaurant. The principle is simple: pay attention to balance. I know roughly what I have and haven't eaten in a day, and that is worth keeping an eye on. Many people assume vegetarians don't get enough nutrients, but it's actually the opposite. I stay alert and remind myself to watch my nutrition. Once we are aware of "balanced nutrition," we find ways to achieve it.
Many people insist "I'm not vegetarian" or "I don't want to eat vegetarian," or believe that vegetarian food won't fill you up or is boring. Yet when a restaurant doesn't advertise itself as vegetarian, we simply enjoy the food. People look at the menu and pick curry udon or spicy mala udon without a second thought, just because every dish looks delicious. Whether it is vegetarian or not doesn't matter. Isn't that interesting?
