Welcome to Plant Paths
Plant Paths is a product of my desire to have an outlet where I can share personal stories and reflections, my love for animal-free cuisine, and ethical travel, all under one roof that is solely mine. Here, I’ll share my candid journey navigating Veganism in the world we live in, the occasional interview with folks I find inspiring, travel experiences centered on good food, culture, and connection, and more in between and beyond.
From favorite plant-based finds to the moments and stories that continue to shape who I am, this space is meant to feel honest, curious, and kind of like an all-inclusive journal.
Why Don't You Post Recipes? Glad You Asked.
Let me get ahead of this one, because I get asked about it a lot. Why don't I post exact recipes of the food that I share?
The short answer: my mom and grandma never did. And honestly, neither did their moms before them. Cooking in my family was always a matter of eyeballing, tasting, adjusting, and occasionally applying what I can only describe as common sense. I recall asking my mom for measurements once, and she gave me a dismissive wave and said, “You’ll figure it out. Most of it is common sense.” So, I was pretty accustomed to letting the vibes guide the way.
But let me give you the longer answer, because I think it's worth having.
How Going Vegan Changed the Way I Travel
Though I fancied myself a foodie, which as a kid meant loving cooking shows, that wasn’t always my reality. When my family traveled, we defaulted to the familiar… usually Indian vegetarian restaurants in cities that had so much more to offer, because that’s what my parents were comfortable with. Sure, I was a kid, and my parents were in charge, but looking back, the fact that I visited beautiful countries like Singapore and Malaysia, and that the only food I recall is pasta and pizza, hurts the inner foodie in me.
My Top 3 Hacks for Dairy-free Cream
Let's cut to the chase here, dairy has a serious image problem, and it goes beyond the bloat. The industry is responsible for about 4% of human-caused global greenhouse gas emissions, guzzles enormous amounts of water, and is a leading driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss. Oh, and if that wasn’t jarring enough, humans are the only species on the planet that voluntarily drinks the milk of another animal species. Let that sink in. If that's got you rethinking your relationship with dairy and has already got you dreading needing to miss out on your favorite creamy eats, don’t fret! Here are my three favorite hacks for achieving that same rich, velvety creaminess. No animals required.
Veganism and Eating Disorders
Like many young girls (and boys, which is often overlooked when talking about eating disorders), I really can’t remember a time during and post my teenage years when I wasn’t overly conscious about my body. It’s something I still struggle with to this day, but perhaps not as severely as I did during high school and the early years of college. I have a handful of fantastic therapists to thank for that, and in all honesty, I’m still a work in progress.
Where Pura Vida Meets Purpose and Travel That Transforms
Nestled in the vibrant coastal town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica, Mother Earth Vegan Hotel welcomes you to a transformative escape. This is more than a luxurious stay—it’s an immersive journey into conscious living. Rooted in sustainability, wellness, and community, Mother Earth offers an experience reflecting the essence of Costa Rica’s “Pura Vida” philosophy.
What Inspired this Outlet
In case you didn’t know, I stumbled into writing for plant-based media outlets with no journalism background whatsoever. In fact, back in school, I abhorred writing assignments, following prompts, and writing reports on things I couldn’t care less about. Maybe that was the issue. They were topics that didn’t spark my curiosity. There was ZERO passion behind what I was writing, written solely for a good grade.
Hi there, I’m Shriya
There's a version of me that existed long before this platform did. She loved food, MasterChef Australia was her comfort show, and she dreamt of traveling the world and eating amazing foods. But she spent years standing in her own way, too self-conscious to fully lean into that passion. So, this is her, taking a leap of faith, TRYING to trust and believe in herself, and curate a life that leads her to explore the world, one delicious animal-free bite at a time.