KBRN, Bantul: Nabati Nusantara, a collaborative initiative between Animal Friends Jogja (AFJ) and Simple Plant Vegan Kitchen, has launched a new e-book filled with delicious plant-based recipes.

The event, held on January 23, 2025, at the Ratan Gallery Room in Yogyakarta, aimed to educate the public about the numerous benefits of a plant-based diet and encourage its adoption.

"We aim to share knowledge and educate people about plant-based diets, and we're introducing the Nabati Nusantara program along with a digital cookbook featuring 50 curated recipes using fresh, whole, and local plant-based ingredients," explained Angelina Pane (Ina), Program Manager of Nabati Nusantara and Co-Founder of Animal Friends Jogja.

The event was a milestone in Nabati Nusantara's journey to promote healthier, more economical, sustainable, and compassionate plant-based lifestyles.

The e-book empowers individuals to make informed choices about their food and contribute to a more sustainable future by offering a variety of delicious and easy-to-follow recipes.

Yogyakarta Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD DIY) received a hard copy version of the Plant-based Food Recipes Book by Nabati Nusantara in the event of the Publication of Nabati Nusantara activities and the Launching of the Recipe E-Book. (Photo: RRI English/Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala)

Plant-based diets have gained significant popularity recently due to their numerous health and environmental benefits.

Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Plant-based agriculture has a smaller environmental footprint than animal agriculture, making it a more sustainable choice.

By equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and tools, Nabati Nusantara aims to make the transition to a plant-based lifestyle more accessible and enjoyable.

"I hope we can all be inspired to increase our consumption of plant-based foods and reduce our consumption of animal products. This is for our health, the well-being of our planet, and our compassion for animals. After all, we don't need to harm animals to be healthy," Ina added.

Over the past year, Nabati Nusantara has conducted various innovative educational activities, including cooking workshops, free plant-based food samples, and children's education programs. Nutritionists have carefully analyzed all the recipes featured in the workshops.

An educator, Tri Mariyanti (Ining), presented the concepts of mindful eating, mindful shopping, and mindful cooking at the event.

The event featured presentations by Tri Mariyanti (center), an educator, and Willy Natanael Yonas (right), a nutritionist. (Photo: RRI English/Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala)

She explained that mindful eating involves eating with full awareness and without distractions. Mindful shopping encourages us to be more selective in choosing our food, considering freshness, origin, and environmental impact.

The concept of mindful cooking was also highlighted, emphasizing the importance of preparing food mindfully.

"What many people overlook is mindful eating after meals," said Ining. "It's important to be mindful of our portion sizes to avoid food waste."

Many people are still unaware of the health benefits of plant-based diets. However, the high fiber content in plant-based foods is essential for maintaining good health in today's modern lifestyle.

"The more fiber we consume, the lower our risk of disease," said Willy Natanael Yonas, a nutritionist. "Plant-based diets significantly impact our health, so it's important to educate children from a young age, as changing eating habits can be challenging."

The Nabati Nusantara e-book features a variety of innovative recipes, including a mung bean-based meat substitute, a plant-based version of Japanese onigiri made with tempeh and mushrooms, and young jackfruit-based meatballs. (Photo: Nabati Nusantara e-cookbook)

The cookbook features 50 exciting recipes using easily accessible ingredients. One such recipe is 'Dageng Nabati,' a dish made from mung beans that can be used as a meat substitute in traditional Javanese dishes like satay or rawon, East Java's signature beef soup.

Another example is 'Sego Cokot,' a plant-based version of Japanese onigiri, typically filled with chicken or fish. In this recipe, the protein comes from mushrooms and tempeh.

Various communities and students attended the event, as did Umaruddin Masdar, the Deputy Speaker of the Yogyakarta Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD DIY).

He supported the initiative, pledging to promote the positive goals of Nabati Nusantara and encourage broader participation.

"We wholeheartedly support this endeavor as it aligns with our collective efforts to address two critical issues facing our nation: environmental sustainability and public health. Through Nabati Nusantara, we hope to achieve both environmental preservation and improved public health," said Umaruddin.

Moreover, he emphasized his support for the campaign, citing local regulations that could facilitate more widespread adoption of plant-based diets. ***