“The trend to mark healthy food options in menu would be very useful” – Interview with Stanley Currier

Z: Good afternoon, Stanley. Thank you a lot for accepting our invitation to become the first guest of our DiningSmart project. I know you from 2003-2004, but when did you come to Kazakhstan for the first time, and how long are you here? 

S: Hi, Zhibek and Altynay! It's an honor to be your first guest!
Let's see...I came to Kazakhstan for the very first time in 1996, at the end of my junior year as an exchange student in Russia. I was immediately in awe of the mountains, and greenery, and I'll never forget the delicious 'lepeshki' and fresh herbs from Green Bazaar! I then worked as a PeaceCorps Volunteer in Temirtau and Issyk from 1999-2001. I have since worked for IREX, ACCELS and now KIMEP University. All together I have spent 10 of the past 15 years here in Kazakhstan!

A: So you have been here for quite a lot of years! Good to know that you liked Kazakhstan that much!  As far as we know you are a vegetarian. Probably you know the joke: “The question to vegetarian: “Why don’t you eat meat? You love animals?”, and he replies: - “No. I hate vegetables.” So how did you decide to become a vegetarian? Because of sympathy towards animals? And do you have a lot of vegetarians surrounding you?
S: I have indeed heard that joke....and many others! When I was 14 years old I read the book 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair. Sinclair described the meat-packing industry in Chicago in vivid detail, and this was powerful enough for me to stop eating meat.  Next year will be my 25th anniversary of being vegetarian! Never once in all of those years have I missed the taste of meat or had a craving for a hamburger. People become vegetarian for different reasons – some do it for personal health, some for religious reasons, some to promote environmental safety, others in compassion and solidarity for animals who are raised only to then be slaughtered in horrific conditions.  For me, being vegetarian is the most powerful way that I can consciously promote peace and well being for myself and others on our planet each and every day.  By the way, my younger sister became vegetarian at the age of 11, and my older sister at the age of 38. So it's never too early or too late!
Believe it or not, I have many vegetarian friends here in Almaty, and almost all of them are local Kazakhstanis. I'm not so sure you'd call it a 'subculture' or not, but I think that since the 1990s vegetarianism has been quietly on the rise in Kazakhstan; particularly in the past 5-7 years. My friends and I have even started a Facebook page 'Vegetaristan' to give healthy eating tips to people utilizing ingredients available in Central Asia. 



Z: How difficult is it to be a vegetarian in Kazakhstan? Or is it the same as being the vegetarian in States? Since one thing is – that practically all people do here is - eating meat, the other issue is – that I, for example, do not even know any specific vegetarian café or see the separate menu for vegetarians in the restaurants. 
S: Good question and observations! My home town of San Francisco, California is of course vegetarian paradise – there are cafes and restaurants all over the city that cater to vegans (those who eat no animal products at all) and vegetarians alike.  In Almaty, it's a bit of a different story - I try to follow a yogic diet as much as possible, which means in addition to no meat, I avoid eggs, garlic and onions. What that means is that the easiest place to eat is at home.  Govindas café on Ablai Han is a great meeting point for vegetarians and the only pure vegetarian restaurant I know of in town. I can say that in the past 5 years there has been a growth in cafes that have more and more vegetarian options. Only some restaurants mark those menu items that are recommended for vegetarians. I think this trend is useful not only for vegetarians, but for those who are interested in healthy food choices in general. 
 
Z: So, you don’t eat garlic and onions at all? Interesting, since here the common perception is – garlic kills bacteria, and kids even wear the necklaces made of garlic to keep the cold away!J Recently I saw the photo – You stand on the head! This is superb! This is your photo, right?:) Is it the result of long yoga practice?  
S: Thank you, that is indeed my picture! For me, doing a headstand is one of the best ways to literally see life from an upside down perspective and calm down a bit at the end of a stressful day.  I was attending yoga classes on and off here in Almaty for a few years before I went to India In the summer of 2009 for my first yoga retreat.  During that retreat, I practiced headstand every day for a few minutes and finally got to a point where I could hold it with ease. And it's kind of like riding a bike – once you have it, it's easy! 

A: What does bring joy to your life? What makes you happy? And how does healthy eating influence the life quality, in your opinion, and does it influence it at all? 
S: Striving to be compassionate for all living beings. Keeping an open mind and non-judgmental mindset. This is a hard work. I've made many mistakes myself in life, but I try not to judge myself, or others, too hard. We are all human.  Several of my yoga teachers in the United States often repeat the mantra 'May all beings everywhere be happy and free.' I wish this for humanity as well. Simple as that. I try to value the simple pleasures that we often miss in the hustle and noise of daily life- watching the sunrise over the mountains in the morning, or taking 10 minutes to sit in silence. Healthy eating is actually one of the pillars of yoga. Yogis believe in the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence. This extends to diet, for a vegetarian diet is one that minimizes violence against living beings.  Even if a person isn't vegetarian, there are many ways you can incorporate healthy food and habits into your daily diet that will quite literally help to prolong your life. My day starts with a glass of lemon water that I keep by the bedside. This is a wonderful and simple way to help flush toxins, boost your immune system, and give you an energy kick when you need it most.  You can add dried fruits and nuts to your oat meal in the morning, and add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet each day.  A healthy diet is the key to stay in physically fit and mentally alert, and all the more important as you age.  So many of today's modern diseases could be greatly reduced by incorporating a healthier diet and simple exercise into the daily routine.
 


Z:Thank you so much for sharing your healthy life advises, Stanley. I am sure our readers will find it interesting.
S: Zhibek, thank you so much for the chance to interview with DiningSmart! I think this is a great service and I hope many restaurants will join you and many people will take advantage of the project.  All the best to you and good luck!
 
Interview led by Zhibek Karamanova and Altynay Karamanova. January 2014. www.DiningSmart.com 
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