Its hard to stick to a vegan lifestyle. It can be easy to be foiled by ingredients that just slip right by you, and these arent just in food. A surprising number of non-food items also contain animal-derived ingredients. Whats a wannabe vegan to do? Remember that drastically cutting down on animal consumption is good for the planet, even if you fall short of 100 percent. If you want to be as close to completely vegan as possible, heres a list of some surprising foods and other items that arent necessarily vegan.

The sugar industry uses bone char from slaughtered cattle to remove the color from sugar so it becomes a lovely, bright white. What about using brown sugar? Unfortunately, thats made of white sugar with molasses added to it. If you want to avoid bone char-processed sugar, buy organic, unrefined, beet or coconut sugar. You can also consult PETAs list of manufacturers that forego the bones.

Many condom manufacturers use the milk derivative casein for a smooth feel. If you can do without that texture, check out vegan-friendly brands.

Would you like some tendons with your fresh breath? Yep, those ubiquitous mints contain gelatin. Time for a Tic Tac instead, or opt for the Altoids labeled sugar-free smalls, which do not contain gelatin.

Related: 10 vegan myths, debunked

Charcoal can be made from plant or animal origins. But many of the black dyes used in tattooing are made with charcoal derived from animal bones. Other non-vegan ingredients in tattoo ink are glycerin (from animal fat), gelatin and shellac (made from crushed beetles). If vegan ink is important to you, consult this international list of vegan-friendly tattoo artists.

Now, its time for something really gross. Some companies use isinglass, or fish bladders, to clarify their apple juice.

Animal tendons and sinews find their way into a lot of food and non-food products. The outer layers of paintball capsules are usually made of gelatin.

Dryer sheets are designed to fight static electricity and make clothes soft and lint-resistant. But what keeps the sheets from drying out? In some cases, animal fat. Urban Vegan assembled a list of vegan alternatives, if you happen to use dryer sheets. Alternatively, you can also reduce your waste by opting to use wool dryer balls.

Artists and anybody who uses makeup might wonder, where did the hairs in my brush come from? They might be synthetic, or they might be from some poor pig, squirrel, sable or Siberian weasel. Artists, consult this list of cruelty-free brushes, and heres a list of vegan makeup brushes.

Related: The pros and cons of going vegan

In other art supply news, crayons contain stearic acid. This ingredient occurs naturally in plants and animals. But its often animal-derived, a slaughterhouse byproduct. Crayons are one of many products that contain stearic acid, including soaps, cosmetics, candles, lubricants, chewing gum and hairspray. If you prefer your crayons vegan, check out these triangular ones made by Melissa and Doug.

Newer vegans might not have realized this yet, but traditional Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies. Instead, make your own or buy this vegan, organic Worcestershire sauce from trusted brand, Annies.

If youre vegan, you probably already know that many regular cheeses arent even vegetarian, because they contain rennet, enzymes produced in bovine stomachs that help cheese curdle. But did you know many soy cheeses arent vegan? They often contain casein, which seems really weird, because why would you even want soy cheese if you werent vegan?

Vegans who live in or are visiting Britain arent thrilled to handle the 5 notes, which contain tallow, an animal fat derivative. It is used to make the bills anti-static and less slippery. British vegans and vegetarians have been protesting since the new notes were introduced in 2016. This month, a British employment judge ruled that the Equality Act should also apply to people who sincerely believe in ethical veganism. How an indirect discrimination case will affect the bank notes is still to be seen.

Could be beef tallow, could be chicken fat most plastic bags use some type of animal fat as slip agents to prevent bags from sticking together. One more good reason for banning plastic bags!

Images via Shutterstock

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12 surprising things that aren't vegan - Inhabitat

Enjoy a free lecture by Marla Ablon RDN, LD for a lecture on plant-based eating living a vegan lifestyle. Ablon has earned Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Certificates of Training in Childhood, Adolescent and Adult Weight Management and a Certificate of Training in Vegetarian Nutrition. The lecture is at 2 p.m. at Audelia Road Public Library. Find out more info here.

Quote along with the movie TROOP BEVERLY HILLS at Alamo Drafthouse at 7:25 p.m.. Buy tickets here.

Dallas Childrens Theater is presenting SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! If you were a kid from the early 70s to mid 80s when this series was first on TV, or in the mid 90s when it ran again; you owe it to yourself to go back in time to the good old days. Relive how fun learning English, history, science, and math was thanks to Saturday morning television and this pop culture phenomenon Find tickets here.

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Vegan lectures, Schoolhouse Rock Live! and other things to do this weekend - Advocate Media

The flickering outline of a roaring tiger stares out from a black screen. The neon orange and pink pulsates, like a power line is fighting to fuel the light. "It's a glitch in the Matrix," says John Adamson of his new vegan cocktail concept Neon Tiger. "It doesn't adhere to the rules of the Matrix."

Adamson explains that his new restaurant will be set in the year 2048 when it opens at 654 King St. (formerly Juliet) in early spring. Less whimsy and more end times, this is the world Adamson believes we will have to grapple with if humans continue to kill, consume, and imprison animals.

The restaurant will be entirely plant-based, with locally sourced booze, no cans or bottles, and as little waste as possible. Prolific Toronoto-based activist and vegan chef Doug McNish serves as Neon Tiger's consultant.

"We have pretty grand plans," says Adamson. Neon Tiger will be a B Corp, an entity that functions as a business while also meeting standards for social responsibility and sustainability. "It's all about education, for me as an activist, you have to play to your strengths and my strength is creating and designing restaurant concepts."

Adamson has a been a vegan for two-and-a-half years. The day he decided to change his way of life, Adamson says he was ready to turn his restaurant, The Rarebit, into a vegan-only eatery. "There would be no greater statement for the movement," he says. But it wasn't practical, so the restaurateur decided to sell his popular King Street joint and put money toward a new venture. Serendipitously, Neon Tiger's landlord is also a vegan.

"Designing those spaces [Rarebit and The Americano] from my head, it's just what I enjoy. This one happens to be more important than any I've ever done."

Adamson is ready for keyboard warriors to attack his animal-free restaurant the outspoken activist is used to getting flack from meat eaters. "The funny thing, well it's not funny, but the interesting thing about veganism is you have so many people who want to fight you on it, but you are fighting for them. Animal liberation is human liberation."

He says his goal since becoming vegan was to "create a space for people to have a cruelty free meal." The response from fellow vegans in the hospitality industry has been great, says Adamson. Turns out there are plenty of front and back of house workers who desire an animal-free work place, but haven't been able to pursue this goal and still keep a roof over their heads.

If you don't buy into the whole "veganism will save the world" thing, that's OK says Adamson. "You only need about 10 or 15 percent of the population think about any movement in history. We're just racing for that 10 percent."

According to a Forbes analysis in 2018 based on a Science mag report, "Since livestock production is the single largest contributor of emissions around the globe (more than planes, trains and cars combined), removing it from out food system could allow the planet to regenerate. Raising animals for food is also the largest contributor to wildlife extinction around the world."

Whether you're a vegan, on the fence, or an adamant consumer of animal products, Adamson hopes you'll check out Neon Tiger. It will be open nightly until 2 a.m. with a "sexy, lounge-y feel" that also happens to be mid apocalypse themed.

"The idea is in 2048 the only tiger youll have will be representations of these animals. It also brings that human element it's like a slight to humanity of course we'd only be left with neon ... It's a responsibility we had that we completely neglected and failed."

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Neon Tiger, a vegan cocktail bar set in the year 2048, is coming to King Street this spring - Charleston City Paper

Januaryis alreadya stellar month for vegans and vegetarians, thanks to a plethora of new and actually delicious dishes appearing on menus across London. (In more good food news: Pret has just added another 15 vegan items to its shelves.)

Tosave you wasting your pennies on any plant-based flops,the Time Out office has takenon the task of taste-testing the newbies from Greggss new steak bake to Yard Salesfresh range of vegan-friendly pizzas. Well, it was atough job, but someone had to do it

Photograph: Pret

What is it?Only Prets firstEVER vegan pastry. It uses margarine and sunflower oil to try and recreate the buttery French classic.

How does it look? More like a turnover than a croissant actually.But those trademarkflakes are there, absolutely slathered with jam and covered in sugar.

Does it hit the spot? I can feel the sugar high already. Feels like Ive eaten a tube of Love Hearts for breakfast but Im okay with it. If you picked this up and didnt know what it was, youd assume it was made with all the butter of a regular croissant.Ellie Walker-Arnott, Digital Editor.

Delicious. A bit like a jam croissant covered in shards ofsugaryglass. The more I think aboutthe vegan pastry, the more I appreciate it. Katie McCabe, Events Editor.

This was pretty good. So sweet. Its not as nicely layered as a croissant with butter its definitely not as airy. The jam is nice but makes it even sweeter.Katherine Lovage, Commercial Copywriter.

What's the verdict? 4/5

Photograph: Yard Sale

What is it? An American Hot pizza in disguise, ftvegan mozzarella and vegan pepperoni.

How does it look? Like pepperoni from a distance, but up close the lack of grease gives those spicy slices away. Oh, and the vegan mozzarella looks a bit like toasted marshmallows.

Does it hit the spot?The vegan pepperoni kind of worked. I loved the chillies too. The only disappointment was the cheese. It lacked any discernible flavour, although it did have a creamy texture, which was welcome. The thing is, with this kind of pizza, you want the cheese to be a mixture of creamy and squeaky, which it failed to deliver IMO.Alim Kheraj, freelance writer.

The vegan pepperoni slices were very dry, although they did have similar spice and flavour to meat pepperoni, so fair play. The rest of the pizza was quite tasteless.Philip Lay, Senior Designer.

The verdict?3/5

What is it?A BBQ base covered in sweetcorn,chunksof This Isnt chicken nuggets and a spicy vegan mayo.

How does it look?Pretty ace to be fair. Its colourful, appealing and those chicken bits arent half convincing.

Does it hit the spot? The Texas VBQ was a great slice of pizza. Im veggie and I think Ive forgotten what meat tastes like. So as far as Im concerned, I just ate a delicious bit of chicken. Theres enough going on, flavour- and texture-wise, to keep the slice interesting. Dip the crust in that vegan garlic-and-herb dip and Im happy.One hundred percent would eat again. EWA

Imagine Quorn nugs, sliced up and thrown on a pizza base slathered in spicybarbecue sauce. KM

The chicken one was the best because it didnt feel like anything was trying to make up for being vegan. It was just tasty, end of. KL

The verdict? 5/5

What is it? Mushrooms, truffle oil and no less than two vegan cheeses: mozzarellaAND parmesan.

How does it look?Pale and interesting (its tomato-free) and not at all like a substitute for something. That cheese looks legit.

Does it hit the spot? Thats the best vegan cheese Ive ever tried. It tasted like actual ricotta. I loved the topping flavours and thought the crust was firm, crunchyand generally banging.Alexandra Sims, Deputy Events Editor.

This was excellent Yard Sale work. I regret dipping a corner into that chilli sauce (Holy F*ck Hot Sauce), though, as it was hotter than the molten core of the Earth.Liz Tray, freelance sub-editor.

All I can remember now is the dips, the searing horror of the dips. I thought the mushroom pizza was pleasant enough; the cheese wasnt spectacular but you cant really fuck up mushrooms.Andrzej ukowski, Theatre Editor.

The verdict? 4/5

Photograph: Patty & Bun

What is it?Its the Patty & Buns Hot Chic burger, butwitha chunky ThisIsnt fried chicken pattyinstead of an actual bit of bird.

How does it look? Seriously good. Its the stuff of vegan daydreams.The chickenhas the same stringy consistency of meatwhile the batteriscrisp and crunchy looking.

Does it hit the spot?Im a raging carnivore and have no interest in vegan food, but I was v v impressed. It was tasty! And had a great crispy texture. I wouldnt have been able to tell it wasnt chicken. My eyes have been opened!Sarah Cohen, Deputy Chief Sub Editor.

Definitely the best fake chicken I haveeaten.If you hadnttold me it was vegan, I probably wouldnt have questioned it.PL

The thing with fried chicken is always this: the chicken is rarely that great, its all about the batter. And this batter is delicious.James Manning, Global Projects Editor.

The verdict? 5/5

Photograph: Greggs

What is it?The second Greggs pastry to get a vegan version. This is the steak bake, sans steak,and witha crispy vegan pastry shell.

How does it look?Hey, you dont go to Greggs for the aesthetics. Lets just say it looks pleasingly like the original steak bake.

Does it hit the spot?The pastry is top-notch. Nowt wrong with that.Bryan Mayes, Art Director.

Its completely delicious. All the rich umami goo of the real thing, none of the horror of meat.Oliver Keens, Music & Nightlife Editor.

See, this is what happens when a company giveits staff 300 bonuses: they produce meat-free pies that taste exactly like meat pies would! Im impressed.PL

Another banger from the high-street purveyor of plant-based pastry filth. If being a dirtbag tastes this good and doesnt involve a whopping carbon footprint, I'm down.SW

Impressive pasty rich, gooey filling with all the deliciousness of the original. I hope the staff get anotherbonus out of it.AS

The verdict? 5/5

Photograph: Subway

What is it?Plant-based balls hanging out in a seeded sub with tomato sauce and melted vegan cheese.

How does it look?Literally like every other Subway you've ever seen, so... delicious in shamelessly hungover kinda way.

Does it hit the spot?Hard to taste the meatball in the massive wodge of nutty brown roll packaging it: a bit like eating an Amazon delivery.Caroline McGinn, Global Editor-in-Chief.

Could have done with a bit more sauce, but themeatballstasted just the same. If youd given me that and told me it was a normalmeatballsandwich, I would never have questioned it.BM

As a student, the standard meatball sub was my go-to treat (those were the days, eh) so this wassuper-nostalgic. I genuinely couldnt tell the difference between this and the real meatballs I used to eat in my pre-vegetarian days.EWA

The verdict? 3/5

Love vegan food? Check out the best restaurants in London for vegan foodor for fake meat.

So over Veganuary? Here are the best places to eat in London right now.

Ellie Walker-Arnott is Digital Editor at Time Out London, where she's worked since 2016. She also edits Time Out London's Escapes pages.

Ellie writes about amazing places to explore in London. She's really into London's green spaces, markets and unique attractions, as well as cool fitness studios and hidden pockets of calm. Ellie also loves a day trip and the chance to explore lesser-known corners of the UK. Ellie was born in London and, after a stint in the countryside, triumphantly returned to the city eight years ago. She's been a journalist ever since, specialising in film, TV and travel before moving to Time Out and getting to champion her home city every day.

Reach her at ellie.walker-arnott@timeout.com or connect with her on social at Twitter: @Ellie_Wa and Insta: @elliejwa

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We tried (pretty much) all the new vegan junk food. Here's our verdict - Time Out

Formosa's plastics plant is seen dominating the landscape in Point Comfort, Texas. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Diane Wilson is seen with volunteers before their meeting across the street from Formosa's Point Comfort manufacturing plant. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Within 10 minutes she collected an estimated 300 of the little plastic pellets. Wilson says she will save them as evidence, along with any additional material the group collects, to present to the official and yet-to-be-selected monitor.

Wilson received the waiver forms from Formosa a day after the deadline. The group planned to set out by foot on Jan. 18, which would allow them to cover more ground on their next monitoring trip. They hope to check all of the facility's 14 outtakes where nurdles could be still be escaping. Any nurdles discharged on or after Jan. 15 in the area immediately surrounding the plant would be in violation of the court settlement.

Ronnie Hamrick picks up a mixture of new and legacy nurdles near Formosa's Point Comfort plant. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Ronnie Hamrick holds a few of the countless nurdles that litter the banks of Cox Creek near Formosa's Point Comfort facility. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Anne Rolfes, founder of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, holding up a bag of nurdles discharged from Formosa's Point Comfort, Texas plant, at a protest against the company's proposed St. James plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Dec. 10, 2019. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Construction underway to expand Formosa's Point Comfort plant. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Silhouette of Formosa's Point Comfort Plant looming over the rural landscape. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Detail of a warning sign near the Point Comfort Formosa plant. The waterways near the plant are polluted by numerous industrial facilities in the area. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

Nurdles on Cox Creek's bank on Jan. 15. Wilson hopes her and her colleagues' work of the past four years will help prevent the building of more plastics plants, including the proposed Formosa plant in St. James Parish. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

A sign noting the entrance to the Formosa Wetlands Walkway at Port Lavaca Beach. The San Antonio Estuary Waterkeeper describes the messaging as an example of greenwashing. Julie Dermansky / DeSmogBlog

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Colgate Releases Vegan-Certified Toothpaste in First-of-Its-Kind Recyclable Tube - EcoWatch

Alex Borstein at the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on January 19, 2020. David Fisher/Shutterstock

Cant please everyone! Alex Borstein made it clear that she was no fan of the all-vegan meal served at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 19.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star, 48, took to her Instagram during the awards show to give her social media followers a peak at her dinner for the evening. The snapshot included a plate filled with lettuce and rice topped with sauted carrots. Next to the dish was a small bottle of Whistlepig whiskey.

In the words of John Merrick I am not a rabbit!, Borstein quipped in the caption, paraphrasing a famous quote from Merrick, who was also known as Elephant Man.

Earlier this month, the SAG Awards announced it was following in the footsteps of the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards and the 25th annual Critics Choice Awards and featuring an entirely plant-based menu for the first time ever. As part of the shows long-standing commitment to sustainable practices, the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will feature a plant-based menu at its ceremony on Sunday, January 19th, the guild said in a statement at the time.

As Us Weekly previously reported, the evenings menu featured three vegetable focused dishes a bean salad with fresh vegetables and a sweet onion vinaigrette, a paella-like rice salad and glazed baby carrots served over greens all of which were present on Borsteins plate.

The menu also included lavash bread and a selection of wine and cocktails.

As one of the Gilmore Girls alums Instagram followers commented, Hope thats the app. Id stick with the rye whiskey. Another added: I get the whole plant-based, healthy diet thing but give people a choice to eat crap.

After celebrating with the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cast, which won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Borstein returned home and satiated her appetite with which she dubbed a Post @sagawards celebration!!

In the follow-up Instagram clip, which was shared on Monday, January 20, the Robot Chicken alum is shown standing over a stove preparing food while wearing a sweater embroidered with her Mrs. Maisel catchphrase, Tits up.

As she explained in the caption, Sweater was a gift from @rachelbrosnahan and I was warming up deep-fried quesadillas that I bought at 2am last night outside of @clubcobra from a woman in the sidewalk.

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Alex Borstein Wasnt a Fan of the Vegan Meal at the SAG Awards, Celebrated With Quesadillas Instead - Us Weekly

By Cooper Banks

Are you hip to 8D Audio yet?

These impeachment hearings and all the floor debates can try ones patience and, as with anything, there are many ways to cope.

It reminds me of sitting in class back in college, fighting fatigue (and a hangover) while trying to pick out the most important parts of the profs lecture.

Its like that except now, I can take breaks whenever I want (chuckle).

One of the ways Ive found respite is to relax with my headphones on and soak in so-called 8D Audio

I found it on YouTube earlier this week. If you dont know about it yet, I strongly encourage you to grab your best set of headphones or earbuds (Air Pods are great) and give it a try.

With 8D Audio, its as if the music is floating around your head. Its really amazing.

Heres a sample;

Personally, I like to listen to movie soundtracks while my brain is locked in the information processing mode. I find it affects me similarly to classical music.

I get a little bit of a break, but my mind is still getting a light workout (finding patterns, bass structures, and proper harmonies, etc.) instead of relaxing entirely.

Wellback to watching the impeachment stuff.

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Taking Impeachment Respite With "8D Audio" - 750 KXL

Saraana and Gino have been at The Salt Box daily, preparing for the event in which theyll reintroduce themselves and salt therapy to the community. (Photos courtesy of Saraana Jamraj)

By: Jill Fox

After two years of working for the local salt therapy spa in Parkland, and experiencing the benefits of it firsthand, a Coral Springs resident and her family have bought The Salt Box.

On Saturday, January 25, they intend to celebrate with the community with a free event open to the public including vegan food trucks, live music, free salt therapy, yoga, meditation, arts & crafts, and several local vendors.

The new owner, Saraana Jamraj, 27, started working for previous owners, Jessi and Brian Powell, in 2017. Jessi, a speech therapist, and Brian, a firefighter, opened the space while raising a toddler and pregnant, after seeing the natural benefits it brought to their daughters respiratory health.

Despite having never previously owned a business, they successfully opened the second salt therapy facility in South Florida, and have helped thousands of people in the community improve their health and lives over the past five years.

When the Powells decided to sell, in order to spend more time with their children and each other without being so thinly spread, it was a difficult decision, but deciding who to sell it to, they said, was not.

It was a no-brainer since Saraana started working at The Salt Box over two years ago, she has always treated our business and our clients as if she was the owner, said Jessi.

She said Saraana was incredibly caring and had the time and energy to continue their legacy, and bring new ideas to the business they started.

In addition to working full time at The Salt Box, Saraana is completing her Masters degree at Florida International University and writes for local news sites, including Coral Springs Talk, Parkland Talk, and Tamarac Talk.

She immigrated to America from Trinidad two decades ago, with her parents Sharon and Drona Jamraj, who were instrumental in her purchase of the business.

I couldnt do any of this without themtheyve dedicated their lives to creating opportunities for me, and taught me so many lessons in the process, said Saraana.

When she applied for the job in 2017, Saraana was still suffering from a yearlong mystery illness, and after taking a break from work, she was ready to move on. She said she wanted to go somewhere that encouraged healing.

It was magical. I thought the job sounded perfect for me, and I came, not knowing what to expect, but it turned out better than I couldve imagined, said Saraana.

She didnt know much about salt therapy at the time but was amazed at how it appeared to helped her and all of the clients.

Holistic salt therapy works when clients spend time in the salt rooms, where the machines disperse salt that clings on to allergens and toxins in the body, drawing them out more quickly, through an anti-inflammatory mechanism.

While salt therapy rooms are relatively new in American culture and research, the practice in Europe dates back to the 1800s, when a Polish doctor, Dr. Feliks Boczkowski, found the first salt cave in Poland, upon realizing that salt miners were in particularly good health, and studying the benefits of salt inhalation.

According to The Salt Therapy Association, it can be used to improve respiratory health and breathing, to enhance the skin, and to boost the immune system for general health and wellness and typically works best when done regularly.

The Salt Box has three rooms in which people can experience the benefitsa kids room filled with Himalayan pink salt, toys, and books, an adult meditation room equipped with heated neck pillows, recliners, blankets, relaxing music, and dimmed lighting, and an individual salt bed that provides privacy and more concentrated salt.

So many people come in and say theyre feeling better than they have in years, and knowing that we helped is such a great feeling, said Saraana.

Sometimes, she said, clients come for chronic conditions while other times they have no chronic health issues, but after their sessions, they say it was the most relaxing part of their entire week.

Saraana will continue to work full time and run the business with her life partner, Gino Martinez, 26, who also makes crocheted goods, teaches astrology, and offers tarot readings.

We hope to keep the essence of everything that made people fall in love with The Salt Box in the first place while bringing new events and new ways to make the space even more community-oriented, said Martinez.

To celebrate new beginnings, honor the previous owners, and reintroduce themselves to the community, they will be hosting The Salt Box Community Day, on January 25 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with complimentary salt sessions all day. Guests can also enjoy live music, yoga, meditation, art, food trucks, and vendors.

To book a complimentary salt therapy session, guests can call (954) 906-5985. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. The Salt Box is located in the Parkland Town Center, at 6710 Parkside Drive.

Were blessed to be surrounded by so much love. We want to share that with the community, said Saraana.

This article has been edited.

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Salt Box Holds Free Community Day with Vegan Food, Salt Therapy, and Live Music in Parkland - Parkland Talk - Parkland Talk

Jenna Palacio, Barton Health

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. Barton Health has expanded acupuncture services at its Center for Orthopedics & Wellness to now offer community acupuncture treatments. Community acupuncture provides similar health and wellness benefits of private acupuncture but differs from the private clinical room setting taking place in a group environment with lower costs per treatment.

Just like private acupuncture, community acupuncture can be added to care plans by Barton medical providers to help patients reach their health goals. As part of Bartons innovative healthcare model that treats the whole person and not just symptoms or disease, acupuncture is often recommended to address health issues such as chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, smoking cessation, and generalized stress. Anyone can schedule an appointment for community acupuncture, as it does not require a doctors referral and is available as a retail, cash-paid service not dependent on health insurance coverage.

After a brief consultation with a provider, participants in community acupuncture are treated across staggered appointment times in a group setting and do not undergo the traditional patient evaluation and intake process. Zero-gravity chairs, soft blankets, and tranquil music create a relaxing atmosphere in the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness medical environment for these treatments, which are typically shorter than in the private setting.

Local acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine specialist, Melinda Choy, LAc, MTCM, partnered with Barton to bring acupuncture services to the Center for Orthopedics & Wellness when it opened in 2018. The success of these integrated treatments and demand for acupuncture quickly grew, and community acupuncture was launched to expand access for this coordinated care. As a provider at the Center, Choy oversees acupuncture services and advises patients on lifestyle and other alternative forms of treatment.

Healthcare is shifting to a patient-centered model that coordinates treatments like acupuncture to improve health outcomes, said Choy. While acupuncture has helped heal people for thousands of years, its refreshing to see this modern approach of offering integrated treatments in a medical environment here in Tahoe.

Jamie Miller, LAc, MTCM, has joined Choy and the care team at the Center for Orthopedics & Wellness to expand access to acupuncture. Miller specializes in pain management and emotional well-being, with experience in orthopedic acupuncture and sports injury.

For more information integrated wellness services at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness, or to make an appointment for community acupuncture, visit BartonOrthopedicsAndWellness.com or call 530.539.6620.

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Barton Health offers acupuncture treatments at Center for Orthopedics & Wellness - South Tahoe Now

Millenials in India today dominate the workplace and many in this generation work online. India boasts the largest population of Millenials and it is no wonder the country is the second-largest online market after China.

While working online comes with multiple benefits, there are also unique challenges. These include information overload, burnout, stress, social media addiction, inappropriate content, among others. Luckily, the internet also provides myriad ways of relaxing when working online. Here are a few creative ways to let off steam when working online or using the internet for long.

After hours hunched over your laptop, it is healthy to take a breather. One of the most interesting forms of digital therapy is window shopping. There are thousands of online stores stocking all types of items. Whether you love cars, clothing, jewelry, cool gadgets, or anything else under the sun, you can now find it online. Browsing through these shopping websites is a great way to take your mind off work and relax.

YouTube is one of the most popular websites with over two billion people logging in every month. If you need some form of relaxation, you can now watch any music you wish on this platform and in any format. Music therapy works in any stressful situation, and it boosts your productivity.

Ever wondered how stuff works? Theres no better time to learn than when you need to relax. If you have been working on a project for a long time, you can take a breather by taking your brain on a journey of discovery. Online platforms cover all topics under the sun, and you will not only add to your ken but also relax the mind.

Many people suffer burnout when working online.

Millenials who make up the largest percentage of Indias online workforce are susceptible to this problem. Listening to instrumental music online can help unwind thus overcoming stress and burnout.

Some addictive online behaviours can ruin an individuals life and this is where e-counselling services come in handy. Some not-for-profit organisations offer free online counselling and these can help alleviate stress.

Talking to a stranger online might seem weird but with time, this becomes a relaxing way to let off steam and focus on your life. If you have any emotional problems hindering you from living comfortably, you need to check out e-counselling platforms and other support groups.

Online gaming is a big industry and you can leverage different types of games to relax and unwind. You can also download free games or play online at any time you need to take a break from work. If youre feeling lucky theres a bunch of online games that involve potentially winning or losing real or fictional money, such as thisgovernment lottery in India.

The rise of the do-it-yourself (DIY) culture has seen the rise in demand for handy skills. Whether you want to build a backyard pool, gazebo, smart home, or any other project, you can now use online tutorials to gain these skills. This is a creative way to relax and also improve your life.

You can learn income-generating skills or acquire any other skills you would like.

Meditation is one of the oldest self-care practices with roots in the orients. Today, meditation is popular in alternative medicine, and doctors recommend it as a way of treating both body and mind.

Almost every service is now available online and you can partake in a guided meditation session through online platforms or mobile apps. It is a creative way to unwind whenever you feel tired or if you need to let off pent-up emotions. Some apps will even remind you of your scheduled meditation.

Working online offers Millenials in India immense advantages. However, theres the risk of stress which requires creative ideas to overcome. These tips will help you stay safe when working online and also boost your productivity.

Excerpt from:

8 Creative Ways for Indian Millenials to Relax Online - NorthEast Today