MEVEG and MENOPE together promote a healthier lifestyle through MEVEG Congress 2013.

The 11thMiddle East Natural & Organic Products Exhibition 2013 united with MEVEG to encourage the consumption of plant based food in the Middle East.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 29 December 2013:  On the 3rd of December, the Middle East Vegetarian Group (MEVEG) successfully conducted the MEVEG Congress at the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Exhibition 2013 in Dubai World Trade Centre. MEVEG attracts regional focus on Vegetarian Living, and promotes healthier standards by incorporating a vegan diet. In this year's congress, 18 speakers and panelists shared their gems of knowledge and learning with over 200 attendees.

The Congress commenced at 10.00 am and ran till 6 pm. The opening address by Sandhya Prakash-Founder Meveg urged the Food and Ingredients industry to listen carefully to consumers and natural/organic product manufacturers for better health of the people of Middle East.

The various speakers at the conference conveyed their knowledge on topics promoting a healthy lifestyle. Below are a few speakers at the conference:

• Dr.Sreedharan of Vedanta Academy dwelt on the what drives the mind and how choices are made by individuals.
• Dr.Mohammad Al Oun - an expert on organic farming from the Ministry of Environment and Water highlighted the UAE's local Organic Vegetable Market.
• Dr.Nandita Shah from Sharan Auroville speaking about the role of Fat consumption – shared with the audience a video showing plasma thickened by fat. 
• Dubai Health Authority's Dr.Wafa Helmi Aish congratulated MEVEG role and spoke about the healthy plate for UAE.
• Dr. Maria Reynold - a Diabetes Nurse from RCDR, Ministry of Health highlighted the need for prevention and lifestyle modifications in addition to treatment
• Lovely Ranganath from health Trendz advised How to Build muscle even with a veggie meal pack.
• Dr Forrest Beck highlighted the efforts of Al Mansoori Engineering's corporate efforts in keeping his company employees motivated to stay fit and healthy.
• Post Lunch speaker Zaufyshan Haseeb brought power to the audience with her talk on the Power of Thoughts to heal the body & Ramamoorthy Thevar enlightened the audience about Fusion Healing.
• Sujyot Sakhrani Senior Nutritionist from Singapore spoke about the body clock and need for every individual to keep a close eye on it with food intake.

The Morning and afternoon session each included a panel discussion. (Pictured Below)

First Panel Session : “How to go Organic on a tight budget ?” by Mr. Lokesh Aswani, MD, Down to Earth Organic Store, Chef Anil Kumar, Food Consultant, Food Wise and Mr. Thomas Clerpka, Director IFOAM.

Second Panel Session : “How to give Healthy Food a Cool Wrap in School Canteens?” by Kehkashan Basu, UN Youth Speaker, Mr. Manoj Menon, Friends of Yoga and Dr.Nandita Shah-SHARAN.
The MEVEG Congress also held the ceremony for Nabati Awards and Recognition for New Vegetarian/Organic Restaurants/ Outlet's

Winners of the Nabati Awards:  77 Veggie, Little Italy, Organic Glow Beauty Lounge and SaiDham Restaurant.
 
Winners of the Nabati Awards:  Turner Francis of Coco Yogo wins for vegan desserts
A plant based lunch was served to all the participants, accompanied by the Nabati Cake - a vegetarian cake specially designed and prepared for the occasion courtesy Brownie Point which was cut by Patrons and Speakers of the day.
The evening ended with a closing ceremony that included the uniquely peaceful Gong Meditation by Zarine Dadachanji followed by a talk Passion for Compassion by Mohanji - Founder - ACT Foundation.

The MEVEG conference was attended by over 200 industry, medical and environment experts, students, teachers, women and chefs. All speakers were gifted a Basil plant courtesy Meveg Volunteers Hetal Vadodaria who grows them in her home garden. (Pictured Below)

MEVEG Volunteer Team
About MEVEG:
MEVEG is a focus and support group, that provides knowledge and promotes consumption of plant based foods for better health, sustainability and harmonious living in the Middle East. 
The mission of MEVEG is to:
• Be a one-stop, non-Profit Knowledge Platform on Vegetarianism.
• Represent Vegetarian's needs to the Government and Food industry.
• Promote the consumption of plant-based foods.
• Be an umbrella organization for Vegetarian groups (supporting Organic, Raw, Local, Slow, Gluten Free Foods)
For more information visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/meveg or email meveg2007@gmail.com