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Viji Moo’s Journey From IBS Warrior to Vegan Influencer

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1 month ago

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viji moo vegan influencer - The Reelstars

For those seeking vegan recipes with a South Indian flair, Vijayalakshmi Vikram’s Instagram page is a must-visit. Known as ‘Viji Moo’ on social media, she crafts wholesome and nutritious plant-based dishes while sharing her journey of managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) through a vegan diet. Viji Moo’s content stands out not only for the delicious recipes but also for the unique way she presents them, often featuring her pet indie dog to promote the adoption of indie dogs.

Struggling with IBS

Vijayalakshmi Vikram, or “Viji Moo” as her legions of fans know her, wasn’t always the picture of radiant health whipping up vegan delights on Instagram. Her story began with a struggle – a constant battle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that plagued her since childhood. Back then, gut health issues weren’t widely understood, and Viji’s condition was often dismissed. But Viji, a fighter at heart, wasn’t one to give up.

One fateful day, a magazine article on plant-based diets sparked a curiosity that would change her life. With a leap of faith, Viji embarked on a new path. Within months, it was a miracle. The constant discomfort vanished, replaced by a newfound lightness. Viji wasn’t just healing her gut; she was unlocking a world of vibrant flavors and a newfound passion.

This newfound knowledge ignited a spark within Viji. As she delved deeper, the ethical implications of animal agriculture tugged at her heart. The plight of dairy cows and their calves became a compelling reason to embrace veganism fully. Seven years ago, Viji made the switch, and a powerful voice for animals was born.

But Viji Moo’s mission wasn’t about deprivation or preaching. It was about showcasing the abundance of a plant-based world. In 2021, during the throes of the pandemic lockdown, Viji found solace in her kitchen. She started uploading recipes, aiming to show friends and family that delicious, familiar Indian food could be wonderfully vegan with a few clever swaps. What began as a personal project blossomed into a thriving online community. Viji Moo’s signature head-nods in her recipe reels became a beacon of encouragement, inspiring countless others to explore the colorful world of vegan possibilities.

Growing to a 542K community on Instagram

Today, Viji Moo is a successful plant-based home chef, blogger, and a champion for indie dog adoption. But above all, she’s a beacon of hope, urging others to embrace the power of plants on their plates and in their hearts. Her message is simple – go vegan, one delicious step at a time. It’s a journey, not a destination, and Viji Moo is there to cheer you on every flavorful mile of the way.

Looking for some food advice from the vegan warrior?

Viji’s journey to gut health and a plant-based lifestyle has resulted in a unique and practical approach to food. In an interview she had with weather.com, she shares a little on her personal eating habits for viewers to take inspiration from. She doesn’t shy away from summertime staples like mangoes, incorporating them in moderation and both ripe and raw forms. She’s a firm believer in listening to her body’s cues, indulging in sweet or savory overnight oats depending on her mood. To combat afternoon slumps, her go-to solution is a refreshing concoction of watermelon juice and mint.

Viji emphasizes a balanced approach, rejecting the idea of sacrificing favorite foods during the summer. Instead, she champions portion control and mindful consumption. Even her beloved hot filter coffee finds a place in her summer routine, proving that a plant-based diet can be both delicious and adaptable to seasonal preferences. This mindful indulgence, along with incorporating seasonal vegetables and fruits, allows Viji to enjoy a vibrant and satisfying vegan lifestyle throughout the year.

Try her watermelon rind molagootal recipe:

From IBS warrior to vegan rockstar, Viji Moo’s story is a testament to the power of food, community, and the unwavering spirit of a woman who dared to change her life, one delicious bite at a time.

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Anusuya is a content samurai, slaying mediocrity with creativity. This Calcutta-born and Bengaluru-raised girl loves crafting compelling content across all realms; social media posts that pop to website copy that sells. When she's not hunched over her laptop, you'll find her creating Pinterest boards for her next vacation or binge-watching Asian dramas.

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Food

#FitterBanegaIndia: Healthy Food Challenge for 180-days

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5 hours ago

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July 5, 2024

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FitterBanegaIndia

Revant Himatsingka aka @foodpharmer is collaborating with @fittrwithjc #FitterBanegaIndia for the next 6 months of 2024. Jitendra Chowksey is the founder of Fittr, a health and fitness company, while Revant educates his 2.6 million insta-fam on healthy eating practices with a humorous touch. They’ve joined hands for a healthy food challenge to get fit together this year!

Revant launched #FitterBanegaIndia on 1 July 2024, to continue for the next 180 days of the year.

Revant and Jitendra encourage Indians to participate in this challenge by posting stories and reels on their Instagram handles with #FitterBanegaIndia and #SustainableFitness for the next 6 months, i.e., 180 days until January 1st, 2025.

Food Pharmer says, “I don’t believe in crazy diets and scary workouts. I believe in SUSTAINABLE FITNESS.” 

According to studies, 50% of Indians are unfit and only go for a walk as a workout, so here are the 4 sustainable fitness habits that they are encouraging us to follow:

1) Motion- 6000-8000 steps daily and 30 minutes of strength training 4 days a week. 

2) Nutrition- Balanced diet with protein in every meal.

3) Hydration- 3 liters of water daily.

4) Rest- 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.

They encourage the participants to post stories or reels of them following these 4 sustainable fitness habits and tag them. They’ll reshare the stories and videos to encourage them with #SustainableFitness and #FitterBanegaIndia.

They are on a mission to get fitter sustainably for the next 6 months! Are you planning on getting fit with them?

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Food

Meet the Sikkimese Home Chef Behind Vlogginkitchen: Rinchen Wangdi Bhutia

Published

2 weeks ago

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June 18, 2024

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rinchen wangdi bhutia - the reelstars

Meet the man behind the momos that have taken Kolkata and social media by storm – Rinchen Wangdi Bhutia! Rinchen, originally from Sikkim, isn’t just another cloud kitchen owner. This Sikkemese home chef’s infectious personality and genuine love for cooking shine through in his daily vlogs, captivating hearts across India.

In every vlog, Rinchen warmly greets his audience with a simple, “Namaste, mera naam Rinchen hai aur mein Kolkata main cloud kitchen chalata hoon” (Hello, my name is Rinchen and I run a cloud kitchen in Kolkata).

From Call Centers to Culinary Calling

Rinchen’s journey began after completing his studies in Sikkim. He tried his hand at various jobs, from BPOs to aviation, but something was missing. In 2023, he took a leap of faith and quit his banking job. Back in Sikkim, with a passion for cooking simmering, Rinchen started creating cooking reels. Inspired by his Sikkimese heritage, he showcased the art of momo-making, a skill practically inborn for him. Rinchen’s talent for momos was undeniable, but his reels highlighted more than just deliciousness. His simple, down-to-earth vlogging style resonated with viewers. He quickly realized Sikkim wasn’t the ideal market for his momos, so Kolkata, the momo haven, beckoned.

Kolkata’s New Momo King

Rinchen returned to Kolkata, researched cloud kitchens, and with the support of friends, launched “Rinchen’s Momo.” His momos, boasting juicy fillings and perfectly thin wrappers, were an instant hit. He experimented with shapes and colors, introducing the now-famous rose momos.

His vlogs showcase not just his momo mastery but also his love for his adopted city. His viewers often see him enjoying delectable Bengali dishes, with “shukto” being his recent favorite.

Social Media Star and One-Man Show

Rinchen’s rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. He now juggles two Instagram accounts – one for his business with over 71.8K followers and another for his vlogs boasting a massive 371k audience! All within a few short months!

He attributes his success to Kolkata’s love for momos and his commitment to authenticity. Despite being a one-man army, Rinchen strives to fulfill every order, handling everything from grocery shopping to cooking and packing.

Recently, he was even invited as a guest judge on the Bengali reality cooking show hosted on @zeebanglaofficial; Randhane Bandhane.

This social media star from Sikkim is a local celebrity. He is a source of pride for his family, even if his father, a teacher, jokingly questions his unconventional career path.

Rinchen Wangdi Bhutia is proof that following your passion can lead to delicious success. So, the next time you crave momos in Kolkata, be sure to check out Rinchen’s Momo and experience the taste of social media fame in every bite!

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Food

“Ei Sunny” Says Sahini Banerjee Before Cooking Up Feashts!

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 18, 2024

By

sahini banerjee feashts - the reelstars

A food creator who’s journey into the world of cooking began at the tender age of five. However, driven by a curiosity about how ingredients transform into diverse flavors across dishes. Influenced by her grandmother’s minimalist approach to cooking. Furthermore, Sahini Banerjee found herself drawn to the kitchen despite her mother’s initial reservations. As a rebellious teenager, defying her mother’s wishes became a playful act of asserting her passion. And now, cooking up ‘feashts’ is what she does full-time and how!

“Ei Sunny Ki Khabi?” asks Sahini Banerjee

Fast-forward to today, Sahini has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts everywhere through her popular platform, Feashts. With a warm smile and a signature greeting of “Ei Sunny (insert dish) khabi?”, Sahini brings a delightful simplicity to her culinary videos that resonates deeply with her audience. And her husband Sunny saying yes with his “Haan Khabo” just makes everyone adore this couple more!

Last year, armed with a strong following of 120K on social media. Moreover, Sahini made the courageous decision to pursue Feashts full-time. This leap of faith has proven to be immensely rewarding. Besides, allowing her to share her love for food with even more people around the world. Now this home-cook/ food creator has a strong following of 563K on Instagram!

Try this simple but mouthwatering recipe from Feashts that we love:

Living as a ‘probashi Bangali’ in both the USA and now in Delhi. Besides, Sahini’s culinary creations reflect a harmonious blend of her Bengali roots and global influences. Her recipes, like the beloved Koraishutir Kochuri, resonate deeply with her diverse audience, bridging cultures through the universal language of food.

Sahini’s kitchen always has the quintessential Bengali pantry staples such as sugar, mustard oil, cumin seeds, paanch phoron, and kalo jeere. In another interview with The Telegraph, she shared that her comfort foods include Phyan bhaath and Nashville-style fried chicken, reflecting a mix of traditional comfort and international flavors.

Beyond her prowess in the kitchen, Sahini infuses personal touches into her content. Moreover, including naming her dog Paneer after his affinity for the cheese itself. This playful anecdote highlights her ability to weave personal stories into her culinary journey. However, creating a deeper connection with her audience.

Sahini Banerjee’s content is all about storytelling through food and sharing moments of joy with her community. With her genuine passion, infectious smile, and dedication to culinary artistry. Furthermore, Sahini continues to charm and inspire, one recipe at a time, proving that the love for food knows no boundaries.

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