"Hi. It's so good to see you. Are you comfortable? Oh, I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling stressed out. Let me help you relax," says Kylo Ren, one of the villains from "The Force Awakens." YouTube channel Auralnauts posted an unusual video on Friday titled "Kylo Ren ASMR Interrogation / Personal Attention / Dark Side Tingles." It's a Star Wars-style take on a guided meditation combined with a very polite Sith interrogation.

To be fully in on the joke, you have to know what ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is. A 2015 study describes ASMR as "a previously unstudied sensory phenomenon, in which individuals experience a tingling, static-like sensation across the scalp, back of the neck and at times further areas in response to specific triggering audio and visual stimuli."

The Auralnauts video is all about using Kylo Ren's creepy voice combined with him offering up Darth Vader-style breathing techniques, ocean sound effects and squeaking gloves. It later descends into utter weirdness involving a can of shaving cream and a lightsaber.

The video brings to mind another not-very-soothing sci-fi video, the infamous "Dalek Relaxation Tape" featuring a harsh-voiced alien from "Doctor Who." Good luck trying to de-stress with either one.

11

Death Star shows up in unusual places (pictures)

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Relax with Kylo Ren's guided meditation interrogation - CNET - CNET

The Tomah Aquatic Center will host water aerobics classes this summer.

Based on participation from last year, the program has been expanded to two nights per week. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:15 -6 p.m., starting June 20 with the final class Aug. 17 (no classes July 27 and Aug 1.) The cost is $3 per class.

Instructors are Deana Protz and Cathy Coffey.

Protz said the classes are low-impact and easily tailored to individual fitness levels. She said anyone can benefit from water exercise, regardless of age or agility.

Participants can work as hard or as easy as fits their fitness level, Protz said.

Classes are taught in the shallow end of the pool with some optional cool down exercises in the deep end.

Theres nothing better than a water workout on a summer evening, Coffey said.

For more information, call the city of Tomah Parks and Recreation Department at 608-374-7445.

Excerpt from:

Water aerobics begins June 20 at Tomah Aquatic Center - La Crosse Tribune

Detroit Vegan Soul restaurant owners Kirsten Ussery and Erika Boyd want to show Detroiters how tasty, filling and comforting vegan dishes can be.

Customers pack Detroit Vegan Soul on Agnes in West Village for lunch. The restaurant that serves all plant-based dishes and started as a catering company in 2012 is expanding to a second location on July 22.(Photo: Stephanie Steinberg / The Detroit News)Buy Photo

Stevie Wonder, Wu-Tang Clan members, MC Hammer, American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, actress Nicole Ari Parker of the TV series Soul Food and even former President Bill Clinton, a noted vegan, have all dined at the citys only vegan restaurant, Detroit Vegan Soul in West Village.

While co-owners Kirsten Ussery and Executive Chef Erika Boyd welcomed the celebrities and public figures Clinton, especially, helped distract hungry customers during a rush theyre more excited to have the Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood try their BBQ tofu and smothered tempeh when their second location opens July 22 at 19614 Grand River.

Part of our mission is to help people live healthier lives, and in this community, they currently do not have any place where people who live here can sit down and have a meal. Its all take out. Its all fast food, so they needed a healthy option, Ussery said.

The restaurants opening comes at a time when Americans are making healthier food choices.

The 1,200-square-foot restaurant that will seat about 36 customers and serve plant-based, organic dishes, is indeed a healthy haven in a 2.5-mile area inundated with McDonalds, White Castle, and Little Caesars.

Our neighborhood currently does not have a full-service restaurant, says Martha Potere, Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporations economic development program manager, noting there is a partially full-service Coney Island. Other than that, everything is either carry out or carry out and sit in.

The 14,000-area residents have a higher than average median household income, Potere said, but theyre not wasting dining dollars at fast-food joints.

There is disposable income in this community that folks are spending outside of the neighborhood on things like restaurant experiences, she says. Were really excited to have an offering for them.

Yet the fast-food diners shouldnt be scared by the word vegan in the sign. Ussery promises they whip up comfort food just with a healthy twist.

Were here to hopefully help people transition from a standard American diet over to a plant-based diet, she said. And if we dont get full converts, it would be nice if people would consider vegan soul food a dining option just like they consider Italian or Chinese.

Veganizing meals

Before Ussery, 38, a North Carolina native, and Boyd, 43, a northwest Detroit native, opened their West Village location in September 2013, they were far from working in the food industry. Or vegan.

Now life partners and seven-year vegans, the two crossed paths nearly 13 years ago in Detroit.

We met at a party, Ussery laughs. ...Weve been pretty much together since then.

Ussery had a career in public careers while Boyd paid the bills as a natural hair stylist. They connected over a desire to start a business what kind wasnt clear until Boyds father lost his life to cancer, and they made it their mission to break the cycle of disease in their families.

Through our own research and experience we came to the conclusion that the healthiest way for us was to eliminate animal products from our diet, said Ussery, not sugar-coating the process. It took a lot to get there.

Going vegan for health, animals

Vegans, like vegetarians, do not eat land or marine animals. Vegans go the extra step by refraining from all animal products such as cheese, milk and eggs. Some avoid wearing animal skins like leather. Theres medical truth to Ussery and Boyds conviction that veganism can fend off illness.

A vegan diet emphasizing whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains is naturally low in salt, sugar and added fats while being high in fiber, nutrients and minerals, said Dr. Joel Kahn, a cardiologist and Wayne State University School of Medicine clinical professor. Scientific data is clear that diseases can be prevented and reversed with this diet.

A Whole Food, Plant Based (WFPB) diet is associated with lower risks of breast and colorectal cancers, Kahn added, and studies by Dr. Dean Ornish show prostate cancer can be reversed with lifestyle changes and a vegan diet.

Kahn has been a vegan for over 30 years, starting as an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan.

The salad bar at the dorm cafeteria was the only attractive item I saw on the first day and that was it for me, he said. As I trained as a cardiologist and learned of the potential of heart disease reversal with WFPB diets, I began teaching my patients since 1990 of the value to prevent and reverse heart disease by choosing a vegan diet.

Kahn also owns GreenSpace Cafe, a vegan restaurant in Ferndale, and applauds the success of Detroit Vegan Soul. It is great to see them expanding..., Kahn said. The more the merrier to give people choices across the city and state.

Animal liberation activist Gary Yourofsky has dined at Detroit Vegan Soul every weekend for three years.

Unless I am out of town, I never miss the Sunday brunch and am usually the first person there when they open at 11, Yourofsky said. The mac n cheese is to die for, too, especially because no one had to die for it.

The longtime vegan follows the diet more for animal rights than health reasons. In 20 years of activism, Yourofsky has traveled to 30 states and given 2,660 lectures.

My main perk was having the opportunity to eat at dozens of restaurants nationwide. Without hesitation, DVS makes my top 10 best restaurants list, he said, ticking off his recommendations: the tofu scramble wrap and breakfast sandwich add avocado and Daiya cheese to both.

Intimate space for the soul

With a $60,000 Motor City Match grant, Ussery and Boyd bought the building last year. Its roughly the same size as their first location, and they plan to hire another 20-25 employees. Ussery said they may expand to a bigger building, but for now, they want to focus on intimate spaces.

Theres a certain kind of feeling and energy that we created, and we just didnt want to do something that wasnt going to allow that to be present, she said.

The neighbors are ready for the doors to open. While working outside, Boyds younger brother Sam said several residents have stopped their cars to share their anticipation.

Ive had some good food in my life, he chuckled. Ive never been moved to pull over on the side of the road to say Hey, I cant wait for you to open up your restaurant!

ssteinberg@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-2156

Twitter: @Steph_Steinberg

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Detroit Vegan Soul opens second location July 22 - The Detroit News

sweet and cinnamon-y,

reminiscent of cold-nosed mornings,

spent in warm bakeries.

the perfect pair to a cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, I think we all know cinnamon rolls arent necessarily the, ahem, healthiest breakfast. Traditionally full of sugar, butter, eggs, and white flour, they definitely arent the best way to start your day. Lets change that with these vegan whole wheat cinnamon rolls with date filling.

So why dont we ever make them at home? While these are slightly more time consuming, the majority of the time consists of waiting for the dough to rise. And boy, oh boy, is it worth the wait. I think Ive consumed my body weight in cinnamon rolls today.

These vegan whole wheat cinnamon rollsare whole wheat, vegan, healthy, and (duh) delicious. These have a great almost pastry like texture, mostly due to the coconut oil. While I do try to limit the use of oil in my recipes, the coconut oil is a healthy and incredible addition to this vegan whole wheat cinnamon rolls with date filling recipe.

The filling is made of delicious dates. They reduce the added coconut sugar and make an incrediblepaste that I absolutely love. It would be great spread on toast or on top of oatmeal too!

Vegan Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls with Date Filling

2017-06-19 06:50:24

Yields 12

A delicious vegan whole wheat cinnamon roll filled with a cinnamon date paste.

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

By Mikayla

Eco Child's Play http://ecochildsplay.com/

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Vegan Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls With Date Filling - Eco Child's Play

Gamers play inside the Party Truck video game trailer at Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Russell Kitchen photo.

Diane Sieker photoanzaeditor@reedermedia.com

Russell Kitchen of The Soil Kitchen hosted Anza Summer Nights at Minor Park in Anza Saturday, June 3.

The community celebration, which ran from 5-10 p.m., featured two live bands, food, a caricature artist and an incredible gaming trailer. The amenities of Minor Park, including the horse shoe pits, playground and shady picnic tables were enjoyed by many. The free event entertained young and old alike.

The band Vintage Jukebox was first up. This classic rock inspired band consists of veteran musicians: John Parker on drums; Jim Moroco hitting the bass, Rick Brengal and August Gilliland on guitar and vocals. Cool favorites like Whipping Post by the Allman Brothers Band reverberated throughout the park, much to the delight of dancers and fans.

Meanwhile, scrumptious fry bread tacos and refreshing juices were available to refuel. A festive excitement was in the air all evening.

A gaming trailer or mobile game theater by Party Trock arrived and set up, impressing both big and little children. The self-contained system featured a large trailer equipped with four 55-inch TV screens inside and two more outside, played video games selected by the players. Inside, the comfortable seating allowed for over a dozen participants to all enjoy the fun. Laser lights played over the contestants as they concentrated on the digital goings-on. This professional and well-done entertainment center was extremely popular that evening.

Budding caricaturist Sunny Jacqueline Sutton sketched willing subjects and created some stunning and perfect likenesses in pen and ink. Her clever art went viral on social media after the event, with each person pictured being easily identified.

As darkness fell, Mark Huston and the Workin Men took to the stage. Frontman Mark Huston was backed by Rocky Carassco on lead guitar, Jerry Del playing bass and Bob Miller pounding the drums as he crooned country and rock hits. The crowd grew and the cheering and applause could be heard for miles. Dancers whirled about in front of the stage.

I want to give back to the community, I did this for the children, to give them something positive to do, Kitchen said.

Promoting Minor Park was also part of the plan and a great time was had by all. The crowds enjoyed great food, fun music and the comradery of their friends and neighbors.

The essence of community was brought back to the Park by The Soil Kitchen and his cohorts said Darlene Stone. It was fabulous, relaxing to great tunes, everyone getting along and making up for lost time. It was awesome.

Kitchen plans several more Anza Summer Nights, tentatively scheduled forAug. 5 and Sept. 2.

For more information regarding this event, please call(951) 765-7760.

To reach The Soil Kitchen, please visitwww.facebook.com/The-Soil-Kitchen-183822602131779/.

Host Russell Kitchen of The Soil Kitchen whips up the crowd at Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

Children enjoy the playground at the Park during Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

From left, Diana Quinlan, Robin Santillan and Bentley Hunt enjoy the performances at Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

Russell and Susie Kitchen takes a moment to greet friends at Anza Summer Nights, held June 3, at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

Children played for what seemed like hours on games displayed by the Party Trucks 55-inch screens during Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

August Gilliland (left) and Rick Brengal (right) crank out the hits at Anza Summer Nights held June 3, at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

Even the dogs enjoyed the excitement at the Anza Summer Nights held Saturday, June 3, at Minor Park. Diane Seiker photo

John Cannon and his dance partner kick up their heels during Anza Summer Nights, June 3, at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

The band, Vintage Jukebox perform classic and Southern rock and blues hits during Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Diane Sieker photo

Mark Huston and the Workin Men light the stage on fire at the Anza Summer Nights June 3 at Minor Park. Darlene Stone photo.

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'Anza Summer Nights' turns up the heat with music, food and more - Anza Valley Outlook

By Andrew Housser

This year, according to a AAA survey, at least 35 percent of families are planning to take a vacation 50 miles or more from home. One-third of families are planning to take three or more vacations.

Getaways are rites of passage for summer, but they can be hard on the budget. Here are seven suggestions to help make your summer breaks memorable, fun and affordable.

Take the vacation you can afford. Whatever you do, do not go into debt for your vacation. Nothing is less relaxing than coming home, going back to work and facing a pile of bills you cannot pay. Do not be tempted to rack up points on credit cards for a promise of future rewards, unless you are 100 percent positive you can pay off the bill in full and on time. The only trip you should take is one you can fund in advance.

Involve the whole family. Let everyone join in planning and budgeting. Kids will learn the value of a vacation. You also will avoid unpleasant surprises, such as making reservations for a tour no one really wants to take. Brainstorm resources that you can use to pay for your vacation, too. You might include rebates, birthday money, bonuses, garage sale proceeds, money from cashing in change, or profits from eBay or Craigslist sales. Set expectations ahead of time when it comes to how many meals you will eat out and how much you will spend on souvenirs.

Vacation at home. A staycation eliminates lodging costs and the hassles of travel. Visit tourist sites in your hometown that you have never seen, eat at a restaurant you always wanted to visit, or order in. Try something completely new, from stand-up paddle boarding to a ghost tour. To see your area like a traveler, contact your state tourist bureau for information. Visit some of the places you or your friends would typically take out-of-towners.

Sleep under the stars. June is Camping Month, which makes it the perfect time to think about roughing it. In many areas, you can take advantage of online services such as RVshare.com or Craigslist, to find an affordable RV rental. If towing a trailer intimidates you, some owners will deliver right to your campsite. Alternatively, buy or borrow inexpensive camping gear. Hiking, cookouts and swimming at a new beach will make a vacation to remember.

Be flexible with dates. If you are shopping for airline tickets, check the flexible dates option, and remember that it is usually less expensive to travel on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. July is often a particularly expensive month to fly to popular destinations, so consider going later. A beach getaway might be much less expensive and just as much fun in August, for instance. Consider off-season and shoulder-season in popular locales, too. In summer, many ski resorts seek to fill up their empty rooms at bargain rates, with live music, outdoor barbecues, hiking and alpine slides. Save with a home away from home. You will likely save on lodging and meals by renting an apartment or condominium, or even house-swapping. Even if staying in a hotel, request a room with a microwave and refrigerator. Preparing most of your own meals and snacks, and eating out just once a day, can save substantially.

Consider a city. City vacations have a reputation of being expensive, but that does not always hold true. By visiting a larger city, you may be able to avoid a car rental or taxi service. Instead, do your sightseeing on foot. Take public transit and find free (or low-cost) entertainment, from music or theater in the park to free days at museums. Lodging costs often plummet on weekends in cities populated by business travelers during the week.

Wherever this years vacation plans may take you, the important thing is to take a break in a way that you value without creating additional stress by going into debt.

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This year, make your summer vacation debt-free - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI News, Weather and Sports | - WXOW.com

A virtual reality therapy that involves watching calming 3D videos can significantly reduce pain for hospitalised patients, according to a study. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in the US examined 100 hospitalised patients who reported pain scores of greater than three on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale from zero to 10.

Fifty patients received virtual reality (VR) therapy consisting of wearing VR goggles to watch calming video content such as helicopter rides over scenic portions of Iceland, or imagery of swimming in the ocean with whales. Those patients reported a 24 per cent drop in pain scores after using the virtual reality goggles.

Another 50 patients viewed a standard, two-dimensional nature video, depicting relaxing scenes with a calming music audio track, on a close-proximity screen. Although those patients also experienced a reduction in pain, the decrease of 13.2 per cent was less dramatic.

Results indicate virtual reality may be an effective tool along with traditional pain management protocols, said Brennan Spiegel, director of Cedars-Sinais Health Service Research. This gives doctors and patients more options than medication alone, he said.

While it remains unknown exactly how VR works to reduce pain, Spiegel attributes the benefit to what he calls immersive distraction. When the mind is deeply engaged in an immersive experience, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to perceive other stimuli, including pain.

The study showed participants calming videos including helicopter rides over Iceland, or imagery of swimming in the ocean with whales. (REUTERS)

We believe virtual reality hijacks the senses, but in a good way, Spiegel said, adding, It creates an immersive distraction that stops the mind from processing pain, offering a drug-free supplement to traditional pain management, he said.

Since the VR intervention was only 15 minutes long and included only one visualisation, it is possible that pain could rebound after completion of the therapy session, Spiegel said adding that longer-term pain reduction might require sustained and repeated exposure to varied virtual reality content.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

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VR therapy may help reduce pain in hospitalised patients, says study - Hindustan Times

What is organic food?

Food that is labeled "organic" has been grown or raised without synthetic chemical fertilizers, pest killers (pesticides), weed killers (herbicides), hormones, or drugs. Synthetic means that they are made in a lab.

This means that farmers and ranchers who grow organic food:

Some countries, including the United States, have rules that govern when a farmer or rancher may use the organic label. Before a grower can use that label, a government inspector goes to the farm to make sure that the rules are being followed.

Don't assume that food labeled "natural," "sustainable," "hormone-free," or "free-range" is organic. Look for the USDA organic seal .

You may have these questions about organic food:

Food grown with pesticides can have small amounts of pesticide left on the food when it gets to the store.

If you are concerned about pesticides on your food, here are some steps you can take:2

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Read more from the original source:

Organic and Chemical-Free Foods-Overview - WebMD

To say the June 16 announcement that Amazon announced that it will be acquiring Whole Foods, the iconic purveyor of organic wares and interesting beverages, to the tune of $13.7 billion sent shock waves through the retail sector would be an understatement. Whole Foods has been struggling as of late: Amid competition from companies like Target and WalMart, both of which have been ramping up their sales of organic and natural products, Whole Foods has posted seven consecutive quarters of tumbling sales and in May, swapped out five of its dozen board members (one of whom, full disclosure, is Fast Company owner Joe Mansueto) in an effort to inject new energy into the company. By selling to Amazon, theyre throwing a Hail Mary.

But as substantial as the deal is, its perhaps not all that surprising, once the aftershocks fade. I was surprised, but not too surprised, Joe Dobrow, who was head of marketing at Whole Foods until 2000, and subsequently wrote the book Natural Prophets: From Health Foods to Whole FoodsHow the Pioneers of the Industry Changed the Way We Eat and Reshaped American Business, tells Fast Company. Rumors of a Whole Foods sale had been circulating for a while, Dobrow says; competitors like Albertsons, Kroger, and Publix had all expressed interest.

While selling out to a larger grocery retailer with a bigger reach might have given Whole Foods the financial boost it needed, that would have entailed sticking with the status quo. If youre looking at the talent pipeline at Whole FoodsfollowingCEO John Mackeytheyre all grocery guys over there, Dobrow says. What Whole Foods needs is innovation, and if youre looking for where that brilliant visionary leadership is going to come from, its not going to be from within Whole Foods. But Amazon could be a huge booster shot of innovative leadership, and set Whole Foods on a path to adapt to the 21st century, which has been lacking.

The entire $800 billion grocery industry as a whole, Dobrow says, is facing some uncertainty. Caught in the middle of a will-they-or-wont-they dance with online retailfueled in part by Amazon, whose AmazonFresh grocery delivery service debuted in 2013the financial performances of brick-and-mortar groceries like Kroger, which have long been predictably strong, are faltering. While online grocery sales account for only 4.3% of the market currently, a report from Nielsen this year predicted that theyll reach as much as 20% of the market share by 2025. That gives you a sense of how much of a ramp there is, Dobrow says.

And in buying up Whole Foods, Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, seems to have identified another sector of the grocery industry with a huge growth potential: natural and organic food. Despite the enormous growth of Whole Foods since it was founded in 1978, and despite the piqued interest of larger retailers in selling higher quality products, natural and organic foods still represent only around 5% of all food sales in the United States.

Before this deal, you heard people in the industry saying that if we could get organic sales up to 10% of the market share, that would be a huge chunk of business, and represent a huge societal change, Dobrow says. So Im sure Bezos took a look and realized it was a no-brainer for Amazon to play a role in expanding the percent of the market taken up by natural and organic food.

And the way theyll be doing so appears will likely be through ramping up Whole Foods e-commerce component. For those Whole Foods devotees concerned that the Amazon acquisition will tarnish the stores signature community-centric and friendly ethos, theres little cause for immediate concern: Amazon has said that proceedings at Whole Foods 456 outposts, as well as its handful overseas and in Canada, will remain largely unchanged. Amazon, at least initially, says it has notimplemented the technology it developed to facilitate Amazon Go, its Seattle-based cashless convenience store, nor are there any planned payoffs. Of course, that could all change in the future, but the company has let subsidiary Zappos largely chart its own, often idiosyncratic course. (On the other hand, there is certainly the possibility that Amazon, always ruthless, thought this was just the cheapest way to get a lot of urban real estate for warehouses.)

What might change: According to Dobrow, it would not be surprising to see Whole Foods launch some loyalty programs, and integrate Amazon purchase algorithms into their retail experience. Previously, Dobrow says, such initiatives have not fit into the Whole Foods ethos, but now that the company is owned by Amazon, theyre going to accept the notion that Whole Foods should be analyzing their data and giving them suggestions and recommendations, and auto-refilling their cupboards based on past purchase history, or installing mini-kiosks in malls or airports.

If Jeff Bezos is putting Amazon backing behind a retailer that, despite its cult following, still has only a small share of the market cornered, he is hopefully making the statement that Whole Foodsand the kinds of products it sells and supportsis the direction were all heading in.

Eillie Anzilotti is an assistant editor for Fast Company's Ideas section, covering sustainability, social good, and alternative economies. Previously, she wrote for CityLab.

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Could The Amazon-Whole Foods Union Be What Takes Organic Sales To The Next Level? - Fast Company

Online retailer Amazon unveiled plans to buy Whole Foods Market in its biggest food and supermarket acquisition to date.

On Friday, the multi-billion pound chain confirmed the buy-out of Whole Foods for a mammoth $13.7 billion - or 10.7 billion.

The Seattle-based retailer, which sells just about everything from pet food, to fashion, jewellery, electronics and TV shows, said it had long been considering the takeover in its bid to push into the grocery market, with discussions as recent as last autumn.

Amazon will buy the organic food chain for 42 US dollars per share - 32.80 - but will continue to operate stores under the Whole Foods brand.

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Whole Foods currently has 460 stores across the US, Canada and the UK, with nine of them in Britain, namely dotted around the capital.

The grocery store - which specialises in healthy, vegan and eco-products - will continue operating under the Whole Foods name, the company's headquarters will remain in Austin.

Co-founder John Mackey will stay on as Whole Foods CEO.

In a statement, Mackey said: This partnership presents an opportunity to maximise value for Whole Foods Markets shareholders, while at the same time extending our mission and bringing the highest quality, experience, convenience and innovation to our customers."

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said: "Millions of people love Whole Foods Market because they offer the best natural and organic foods, and they make it fun to eat healthy."

Maria Prados, VP at online payments platform, Worldpay, added: "Amazons move to buy Whole Foods is a clear sign of its intention to disrupt the grocery industry globally.

"From the "Dash" buy button, to the launch of the AmazonFresh service last year, the eCommerce giant has been taking clear steps to build its position in the grocery sector. And investing in a physical presence could be the key to Amazons success in this space.

With one in ten Brits now doing all their grocery shopping online*, it is now easier than ever to buy household necessities from the comfort of our sofa.

"We have reached a tipping point in the evolution of the UK grocery market, and it will be interesting to see whether Amazon will continue to focus on their culture of convenience and reliability, or whether they will end up creating a whole new online shopping experience, taking the chore out of the weekly shop."

Amazon's latest shock announcement comes just days after the firm teased of plans to emerge in the cars market - with reports claiming sales will be piloted on its UK website, before being rolling out to other countries, if successfull.

According to claims leaked on German website, Automobilwoche, the new service will be based in Luxembourg but will start its operations in the UK first.

Amazon recently recruited Christoph Moeller, a motor industry expert at consultancy Oliver Wyman, to spearhead the new project, although it's yet to confirm any official plans.

It's not the first time Amazon has dipped into the automobiles industry. In Italy last year it partnered with Fiat Chrysler to sell the Fiat 500 and the Panda on its Italian website.

According to Auto Express, Amazon cars could allow customers to order their motors online and have it delivered to a nearby dealer.

Continued here:

Amazon confirms plans to buy organic food chain Whole Foods in mammoth $13.7 billion takeover - Mirror.co.uk