...and as we prepare for it, the true meaning often gets lost amid eggs and chocolate bunnies. 🐣

So, let's focus on food and animals!

Because where there's celebration, there's also feasting! Families and friends gather for Easter brunch, where the traditional Easter egg symbolizes not only fertility but also the cycle of life and rebirth.

**Eating eggs contributes to animal suffering. **
Unfortunately, modern egg production is often associated with animal cruelty.
Laying hens have been bred to lay up to 300 eggs per year, far exceeding their natural capacity of 12-30 eggs. They endure conditions far from their natural habitat, suffering from broken bones, feather loss, and immense stress. In cage, floor, and free-range systems, 9-18 chickens are crammed into one square meter. In organic farming, there are 6 chickens per square meter, and in outdoor runs, 4m².
Chickens love to bathe, a behavior denied to them in the egg industry.
A free-range chicken could live up to 8 years, while most laying hens are slaughtered after just 18 months.

All male chicks are sorted and either shredded or gassed alive! This is simply terrible.

Chickens are intelligent, sensitive, and emotional beings, 
just like dogs and cats. They enjoy being petted, recognize their human 
family, and even respond to their names when given.

Egg substitutes:

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to celebrate Easter without eggs, without sacrificing taste.

Eggs can easily be replaced with various alternatives.

binding and moisture in baked goods:

• Soak 20g of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds in 50ml of water.
• Use 60g of applesauce.
• Mix 1-2 tablespoons of chickpea or soy flour with 2 tablespoons of water.
• Crush 1 ripe banana.
• Use silken tofu or cashew butter.
• Add soy or coconut yogurt.
• Use cornstarch as an alternative.
• Baking soda for lightness in pancakes, muffins, cakes, etc.

There are also egg replacement mixes available in stores. Often, the egg can simply be omitted from the recipe.

Another tip: To mimic the taste of eggs, season savory dishes with black salt, also known as Kala Namak.

I'll share delicious recipes with you below! This way, you can enjoy a delicious vegan Easter brunch without compromise.
By reflecting on the original symbolism of the Easter festival and making conscious choices, we can not only reduce animal suffering but also rediscover the true meaning of easter: the pursuit of personal growth, inner renewal, and rebirth (See my other article part 1: https://w3.do/8h2dsiqd)

Thank you for allowing me to inspire you! I look forward to working together to make the world a more peaceful place. 🙏🏽
Happy Easter!

Recipe 1 Chia Pudding with Topping

Mash bananas and mix with oat milk and chia seeds. Let it sit for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it reaches a pudding-like consistency. Fill into bowls and top/decorate with fruits, nuts, seeds, cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, etc. as desired. To give the chia pudding a nice color, I mixed in blueberry powder.

Recipe 2 Vegan-Glutenfree-Oat-Bread

Mix 250g oat flour, 150g brown rice flour, 100g buckwheat flour, yeast (dry or fresh), 1-2 teaspoons of sea salt, and 2 teaspoons of guar gum. Combine everything with 500ml of water and let it rise in a greased baking pan (e.g., 25x10cm) for 20 minutes. Smooth the top with water and then with a little oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for approximately 60 minutes. Remove from the pan and let it cool on a rack.

Recipe 3 Vegan Egg Salad

Mix 3 tablespoons of almond butter, juice of 1/2 lemon, vinegar, mustard, salt, a pinch of turmeric powder, a little oat milk, garlic powder, and Kala Namak for an eggy flavor. Stir everything well. Be careful not to oversalt, as the capers are salty. Add diced pickles and capers. Incorporate onion sprouts or chives. Drain 300g of tofu well and cut into small cubes. Add the tofu to the dressing, rubbing some tofu pieces with your fingers. It's best to cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

In our modern society, Easter seems to be inseparably linked to the consumption of eggs and lambs.
But upon closer examination, the question arises:

Has it always been this way?

Indeed, Easter was originally a celebration of inner growth and fertility, long before the Christian era.

Today, I share with you a condensed excerpt of the story of "Inanna's Descent to the Underworld".

(There are numerous textual representations from different epochs, including the title "Descent to the Underworld.)

Inanna's Descent to the Underworld

The goddess of heaven and earth (also the goddess of fertility), Inanna embarks on a journey into the underworld to conquer it. Along the way, she must overcome 7 walls (or 7 gates) and gradually relinquish seven things she holds dear during her descent: her clothes, her jewelry, her hair, her pride, her desires, her crown, and her power.
Until she stands naked and powerless at the throne of the underworld before her twin sister Ereshkigal. However, Inanna knew no humility and attempted to overthrow Ereshkigal from the throne. She failed and was punished by being bound to a stake (to a cross) Only when she is revived and saved by the water of life can she ascend to the upper world.

Symbolism and Reflection

This story is a parable for the fact that we cannot feel complete until we have looked into the depths of our soul and integrated our shadows!
The underworld symbolizes the world of shadows.
Inanna's sister Ereshkigal symbolizes our deepest shadows: all our fears, our pain, our sorrow. These shadows cannot simply be pushed away.
We must let go of our desires, our wishes, and our ego, and face our shadows 'naked,' without masks and in humility.

Where Inanna dies, only our old, false self dies.
The tears, hence the "water of life," symbolize surrender and thus healing.
Inanna returns to life and to the upper world, and is thus quasi-reborn.

Inanna is also the goddess of fertility, which is why Easter is also celebrated as the festival of fertility with the symbolism of eggs.

Many thousands of years later, the Christian story of Jesus was spread. 
Thus, the story of Inanna can be compared to that of Jesus, with his 
journey to the cross, crucifixion, and resurrection. 

Unfortunately, there is not much left of femininity in this part of the Bible...Coincidence? I guess not...