Written by Amee Yajnik | Published:June 22, 2017 8:45 am The reason the Sabarmati Ashram is so very important is because of the person who lived in it and the role the ashram played in the nations life during his residency.

The Sabarmati Ashram situated on the banks of river Sabarmati was home to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. It was from here on March 12, 1930 that Gandhiji launched the famous Dandi march. He vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. India did win independence and was declared a free nation on 15 August 1947, but before he could return to the ashram, he was assassinated in January 1948.

India is a home to many buildings of stark political and symbolic importance. We have the Red Fort, the Ashoka Pillar, the Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, all grand buildings, symbols of our political power and pride. However, one building stands apart and tallest amongst these the Sabarmati Ashram house to Father of our nation during the crucial years of the freedom struggle. Just a simple structure with red tiled roof, few windows and a large front verandah on the river bank, not a grand palace not a fortress, the Sabarmati Ashram was a small house of a very big man. Not only a shelter and a political space where all the strategies and movements to counter the mighty British rule was planned during the freedom struggle but it was also a place where the Mahatma dreamt of a pure India liberated from the evils of untouchability, inequality and societal divides. At a time when the world was witnessing violent warfare and armed revolutions, Bapu started a mass movement for freedom from the British colonial rule through non-violent means, termed as Satyagrah and ultimately got freedom for India.

The reason the Sabarmati Ashram is so very important is because of the person who lived in it and the role the ashram played in the nations life during his residency. The greatest leader the world has seen till date and probably will ever see lived a very humble life. For example when leaders of pre-independence India visited the Mahatma at the Ashram, they sat on the ground with their legs crossed rather than at an oval conference table with high chairs. The humble lifestyle of the Mahatma showed a model way of life for a young country striving for independence. Satya and Ahimsa were his ideals. He wished to free the country of firstly the ills that plagued the Indian society specially the practice of untouchability that had deep roots in the Indian psyche and secondly the strong notions of inequality which governed the society.

The world sees the Ashram as a representative of the historical significance and non-violent means of mass scale civil agitation against the oppressive British rule where the political movement of Satyagrah was waged, which made India a role model for others to follow. It serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, and stands as a monument to Gandhis life mission and a testimony to others who have fought a similar struggle. Over the years, the Ashram has become home to the ideology that set India free and has inspired nations and people in their own battles against oppressive forces.

Today the Ashram lives on but what it sees around is a nation caught in a complex labyrinth of social evils, economic disparities and vested political interests that have succeeded in pushing the ideals of the Mahatma on the backseat. Not only Gujarat but the whole country suddenly finds itself in a situation of strange unrest with rise in social and economic inequalities, caste hierarchy, all kinds of violence instilling insecurity in the minds of people and increasing religious divide disrupting the very social fabric of India. Suddenly India looks like it is on a path of baffling and unstoppable social chaos.

The very dalits whom Gandhiji wanted to be treated as equal human beings became lesser mortals with caste equations ruling both the societal and political spheres. With the dalits of Una village in Gujarat being flogged in public and the ruling dispensation unable to give them their rights or security, the dalits are pushed to the margins more than ever. The practice of untouchability is still very common in Gujarat.In rural areas, Dalits are often not allowed to engage in cultural and social activities with the rest of the community, including entering temples, taking part in religious programs, eating with the rest of the community during village ceremonies and using the same wells. They hardly have equal opportunities for upward mobility and hence remain economically backward. Last August, as the Dalit Asmita Yatra made its way from Ahmedabad to Una, amidst shouts of Inquilab zindabad, they demanded land, and their rights to be recognized. One saw a different kind of Inquilab in a free India, free of the British but still in the shackles of caste oppression.

On the other hand a socially and economically powerful community, the upper caste Patidar community demanding reservation quota through their numerous agitations for the last two years, gives rise to a thoroughly new speculation of reservation, caste system, and vote bank politics that will impact the coming State assembly elections.

Gujarat, also the birthplace of the Mahatma, has seen the abuse of religion for political ends which has resulted in the worst carnage against a religious minority post-independence. In the past several riots have rocked the State with communal violence involving massacre, arson and looting on a large-scale resulting in sharp Hindu Muslim polarization. While the Mahatma had ahimsa, i.e. non-violence as a tool against the powerful British, violence often became an electoral incentive if past studies and reports are to be relied on. Following the ideals of the Mahatma often seems to be impossible and only lip service given the domination of electoral arithmetic in the political economy of the country.

The Ashram lives on today. The isolated house has had a city grown around it. The waters of the river polluted, clouds of smoke in the air, ugly blocks of concrete growing all around like an infection, somehow quite rightfully illustrating our mindless, chaotic, struggles in the contemporary times. The Ashram sees the development around it but fails to feel the growth. Fails to understand why the inequality in India still persists and more so than ever, why there are violent incidents and restrictions on human beings. However, it still preserves the dream that India will eventually live up to and is waiting to see the country free of all kinds of senseless and insensitive oppressions on its own people.

In times of turbulence or unrest when not so often the civil society raises its voice against the atrocities by holding protests and sitting on dharnas outside the Sabarmati Ashram, the world gets a glimpse of the reminiscences of Gandhis freedom struggle in the form of demonstrations, protests, marches and boycotts which formed the core of the political satyagrah movement for freedom in India. But it is only a look alike of the yester timesthere is hardly the fire, the will or the respect for the very cause of these collective actions. The conscience seems to have become slightly dormant, the inner voice seems to be fading and the will to dream is slowly losing its life. But the Ashram reminds us to be hopeful and optimistic. It tells us to not thwart the vision of the Mahatma even in the face of immense adversity. The Ashram embodies the true memory of Gandhi, his pure truth and his utmost humility as his way of life. The Ashram still personifies the ideals of truth and humility of a man who once lived there and lived for a nation and died for a nation. A man who wanted these high ideals to be held high always by a nation so great as India.

The Ashram tells us about one mans dedication, determination and ideals but also reminds us of the road we still need to traverse in order to realise Gandhijis dream of an India free from injustice.

On its 100th birthday, the Ashram had a wishWe need Gandhiji more than ever. It muses How long will I have to wait to see his dreams fulfilled, an India with equality and equal opportunities for all?

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Sabarmati Ashram: A century witnessed - The Indian Express

The wave of yoga that is sweeping across the nation, has taken the city in its motion too. The ancient form of exercise is now gaining more favour from the city youth with its contemporary fusion forms like yoga-aerobics, power yoga, rhythmic yoga on music and inculcation of yogic aasans for relaxation technique during strength training. On International Yoga Day, Bhopal Times ventured out to understand these new forms of Yoga and find out about the enthusiasm over it.

The most popular and commonly found fusion is that of Yoga-Aerobics. Kavita Velury, a proponent of this form explains how it works. "Yoga, when alternated with aerobics becomes a wholesome exercise for the entire body. The high intensity aerobic moves, coupled with agile aasans, make sure to stretch out and impact upon every muscle of the body. Lot of youngsters join these classes for a fun way to fitness, as the peppy beats of yoga-aerobics numbers keep the energy up. The session is typically finished off with shavaasana which leave the person in a relaxing meditative state. This ensures that the body returns to its original state without too much stress." Shivi Verma, a 25-year-old French teacher who has been pursuing this form since the last two years says, "I had initially joined the programme to gain good health through yoga, but when I saw the energetic moves in the combined Yoga-Aerobics, I was drawn to it. And now I have learnt the entire set, and even if I am unable to attend classes, I practice it at home or wherever I am."

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yoga aerobics: Fusion Yoga catches up with Bhopalis | Bhopal ... - Times of India

Detroit usually lags a few years behind the coasts in kitchen trends, so if you want to know what we'll be eating here in, say, 2021, check out what's up in Portland's restaurants today. That's how it often goes (see also: the zaatar craze), but there's one culinary discipline in which we're ahead of the game veganism. Despite the size of our still relatively small food scene, even PETA and VegNews each recently named Detroit as one of the nation's 10 most vegan-friendly cities.

Still, the city is a bit deficient in the overall number of restaurants specializing in vegan fare. But while it may not have quite the count of San Francisco or New York City (which is partly attributable to overall population), many feel that our vegan chefs and restaurants measure up to anyone, anywhere. Leaders like Detroit Vegan Soul, the Clean Plate, or GreenSpace can put together a meal as tasty as what's rolling out of the kitchens at Portland's Bye and Bye or Doomie's in Los Angeles.

"I've traveled extensively, especially in New York in the 2000s ... and I've found that Inn Season Cafe offers some of the best vegetarian and vegan food that I've had anywhere," says Amber Poupore, a former Inn Season chef and owner of Cacao Tree and the Clean Plate. "Same with GreenSpace they've developed a product line that is really top notch, and I think that their food is amazing. Same for Detroit Vegan Soul there's nothing that comes close.

"So even if we don't have the numbers, we have a superior product."

Beyond that, Detroit's new, talented chefs are generally hip to the fact that more and more people are going meatless, and they're adjusting their recipe books accordingly. Add to that the presence of national and regional cuisines like Middle Eastern or Bangladeshi that come with vegan options built in, and you start to see why meatless dining in Detroit isn't too difficult.

Still, there's a way to go says Kirsten Ussery Boyd, a co-owner and manager at Detroit Vegan Soul. And part of the next step is educating people about the vegan lifestyle.

"While our restaurant is in its fourth year open, we started our business five years ago. I can remember people asking us, 'Are you sure you want to use the word vegan in your name?'" she says. "There seemed to be this sentiment that Detroit might not be ready for vegan and certainly at that time there weren't any other options." But Vegan Soul's success, she says, proves that a market exists.

"We still have some ways to go, however. Some people are still confused about what 'vegan' really means and that it's not just a diet, it's a lifestyle."

To get a better handle on the pros and cons of plant-based dining in Detroit, we talked to over 20 vegans in southeast Michigan. They range from chefs to restaurant owners to those who went vegan for health reasons to those who did so because the industrial meat industry is a horror show.

We asked about their favorite restaurants and preferences when it comes to vegan cooking, and, not surprisingly, there's a lot of range in both. Some confessed to being addicted to "junk food" like the double scoop of dark chocolate vegan ice cream from Treat Dreams while other more health conscious diners steer away from most oils and soy products. Some love pre-prepared "meat substitutes" like "not dogs" or seitan, while others gravitate toward whole ingredient fare and rarely dine on anything processed. Some say Daiya cheese is an abomination. Others seem to love it like some love cheddar.

As for the restaurants, we looked for eateries, cafes, pop-ups, or food trucks at which vegans enjoy the same sort of hard decisions that meat eaters encounter. It's by no means a definitive list, but here are 72 of the spots that our sources say are among the metro Detroit and Ann Arbor's most vegan-friendly.

1 Detroit Vegan Soul 8029 Agnes St., Detroit; 313-649-2759:

It's Detroit's only all-vegan restaurant, which several of our sources point out is a huge bonus because "you don't have to worry or ask questions." Vegan Soul trades in comfort foods and our favorite is the Catfish Tofu (cornmeal battered tofu, a broccoli and corn medley, redskin potatoes, and onions). Collective favorites include Smothered Tempeh (tempeh smothered in a brown mushroom gravy topped with green onion and sliced almonds, served with redskin mashed potatoes, and green beans) and the Soul Platter (mac-n-cheese, tenderly smoked collards, maple-glazed yams, black-eyed peas, and a cornbread muffin).

2 The Clean Plate 45629 Hayes Rd., Macomb; 586-580-3293: The east side's most comprehensive vegan and vegetarian restaurant makes everything from scratch and serves dishes like the ABLT, a veggie BLT on toasted wheat bread topped with avocado, shiitake "bacon," lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli. There's also the Thai, a colorful, piquant Thai-inspired dish built around spiral zucchini noodles, sauteed shiitake mushrooms, and a peanut sauce. Owner Amber Poupore is one of the area's most talented and pioneering vegan chefs, and her resume is lengthy - she worked at Inn Season for around 11 years, then opened Cacao Tree Cafe before venturing to Shelby Township for the Clean Plate three years ago.

3 PJ's Lager House 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668: The Corktown dive bar offers a good selection of tasty vegan sandwiches like the bahn mi, po' boy, or bbq tempeh sandwich, among many more plant-based menu items.

4 Ollie's 42 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-482-8050: In Ypsilanti's Depot Town, Ollie's can make all the options off its lauded mac and cheese menu vegan, but don't forgo the dinner menu with items like mushroom and chestnut pierogi made with apples, herbs, nuts, and arugula salad.

5 Pepe Z at EL Club 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-436-1793: There's a lot to love about Pepe Z's, not the least of which is Pepe's housemade vegan cashew cheese. Three pies are topped with it: Glenda (oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and arugula); You Butternut (seasoned butternut squash puree, Italian tomatoes, sauteed onions, and spicy chili honey drizzle); and the Julian (kalamata olives, sauteed onions, green peppers, Italian tomatoes, spinach, and a drizzle of housemade tahini and balsamic dressing).

6 Yemen Cafe 8740 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-871-4349: Some of the Hamtramck Yemeni eatery's dishes might need some modification before they're vegan friendly, like the misleadingly titled Foul which is a jumble of mashed fava beans, tomato, garlic, and onions, but it should be ordered sans eggs. Others need no modification, like the hummus, fattoush, or vegetable gallaba.

7Brooklyn Street Local 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547: The Corktown diner is one of our sources' collective favorites for the variety and because it sources from the area's best producers. That shows in its vegan breakfast options, like the banana walnut pancakes (organic bananas, Carncross Sugar Bush real maple syrup, and candied walnuts) or vegan breakfast hash with tempeh. The housemade Ashley's Veggie Burger is another favorite, as is the spicy tofu sandwich, along with sides like roasted potatoes and fresh greens.

8 Paradise Cafe and Juice Bar 19164 Livernois Ave., Detroit: The vegan restaurant will be opening on Livernois later this year, but, in the meantime, find its pop-ups multiple days weekly in Highland Park. In chef Nezaa Bandele's cooking, you'll find influences from all over the globe, but her speciality is Jamaican. The moist and crumbly black-eyed pea patty is one of the best veg patties in town, and can be prepared as a standard burger or Jamaican jerk barbecue-style.

9 Taste Of Ethiopia 28639 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-905-5560: Ethiopian kitchens generally produce a good deal of vegan-friendly cuisine, and some of the top dishes here are gomen with collard greens and teff injera, and defin misir with green lentils simmered in garlic, ginger, onion, and turmeric.

10 Cacao Tree Cafe 204 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-336-9043: This raw, soy and gluten free cafe is a favorite of the city's vegan community, and a second owned by Amber Poupore. The smoothies and juices are a main attraction, and our sources recommend the Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie (strawberry, almond mylk, honey, date, brown rice protein, hemp seed, maca, and raw tahini) and burrito (seasoned nut "meat," pico de gallo, guacamole, cashew sour cream, and shredded romaine). We also will point you to the General Tso's Lettuce Wrap (romaine leaves, sesame nut "meat," cilantro, basil, avocado, carrot, red cabbage, sprouts, and General Tso's sauce).

11 Al Ameer 12710 W Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185: Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants' come with a good amount of vegan options built in, and Al Ameer is a James Beard winner for a reason. Items like the Ameer tomato kibbee a meatless take on the classic Lebanese raw meat dish are unmatched in its piquant flavor.

12 Neu Kombucha 33305 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-837-0932: Visit its downtown Farmington fermenting room where you'll also find vegan snacks, like kale chips, Mitten Bites, and ice cream floats prepared with Neu Kombucha.

13 Ima 2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-502-5959: The Forest Udon made with porcini broth might be one of the best vegan menu items under the sun. Several other bowls can be made vegan with little effort, and the tofu tacos are hard to beat.

14 Pie-Sci 5163 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0290: Most Pie-Sci pizzas can be made vegan for a couple extra bucks, and the Woodbridge pizzeria uses Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet cheese, which some of our sources say is the best on the market for pizza making.

15 Dilla's Delights 242 John R St., Detroit; 313-346-3771: The small downtown Detroit donut shop includes options for vegans in its cinnamon raisin and blueberry doughnuts but get there early as they sell fast.

16 Try it Raw 213 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-593-6991: Among the highlights in a simple-but-exciting menu at the Birmingham raw cafe is Los Tacos. In the dish you'll find a collard-green wrap holding walnut pate, pumpkin seeds, "refried beans," avocado, tomato, lettuce, green onions, red pepper hot sauce, nacho kale chip crumbles, red peppers, sprouts, and cashew "sour cream."

17Astro Coffee 2124 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-808-0351: Our most trusted sources rank chef Jess Hicks among Detroit's best chefs, and she prepares plenty of vegan options like the Avo Sandwich (avocado sandwich) and almond cake, among other rotating baked goods.

18 Moor Herbs 16140 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-583-9709: Detroit's Moor Earth is part store, part grab-and-go restaurant offering daily specials and dishes like pineapple fried rice, or sandwiches like the Philly Cheeze Shroom, a take on the Philly cheesesteak but with shiitake mushrooms, red onions, green peppers, garlic, seasonings, and vegan cheeze.

19 Chive Kitchen 33043 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-516-7144: This slightly more upscale vegan-only restaurant boasts items like the Grilled Chicken Marsala (panko crusted grilled chicken seitan, creamy marsala wine sauce, cremini mushrooms, potato mash, and grilled zucchini) and the jalapeno burger (seitan, house made cashew nacho cheese, jalapenos, and Avalon bread) along with a long list of craft cocktails.

20 Electric Plate 15535 Mack Ave., Detroit; 347-570-0909: It's a pop-up, so check its Facebook page for when you'll get a chance to try the Mack Ave Mushroom Melt, the BBQ'ed Pulling Jack with barbecued jackfruit, or Somerset Street Tacos, which are one of the town's limited options for vegan Mexican food.

21 Jerusalem Pizza 26025 Greenfield Rd., Southfield; 248-552-0088: Located in Southfield, the kosher pizzeria will make any of its pies with vegan cheese, offers veggie pepperoni and sausage for toppings, cooks a vegan chicken parm, and stacks lots of vegan sandwiches. (But watch out for the egg!)

22 Inn Season Cafe 500 E. Fourth St.; Royal Oak; 248-547-7916: Chef Jenny New of Nue Kombucha calls Inn Season "the grandfather" of Detroit's vegan food community, and most of the menu is such. It also denotes dishes that are wheat, soy, and gluten free. New, a former Inn Season chef, highlights the Sunday brunch menu and the Macro Platter (brown rice, steamed kale, sea vegetable, and your choice of sauted tofu, tempeh, or adzuki beans. Served with shiitake-miso sauce and garnished with the Brinery sauerkraut).

23 Buddy's Pizza multiple locations; 1-800-965-0505: The OG Detroit-style pizza-maker does a vegan Tuscan pizza with parsley, oregano, and garlic on a multigrain crust. It's topped with tomato basil sauce and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Buddy's also uses Daiya cheese, so you can build your own pie.

24 NeeHee's (Canton and Troy) 45656 Ford Rd., Canton; 734-737-9777: NeeHee's bills itself as vegetarian Indian street food, and its meatless menu is literally a book, so there are plenty of vegan options to choose from. We recommend the Aloo Paratha with unleavened dough stuffed with a spiced mixture of mashed potato, rolled out and cooked on a hot tawa. One of the great bummers of veganism is that chicken 65 is out of the question, but NeeHee's remedies that with its Gobi 65, a take on the dish.

25 GreenSpace 215 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-206-7510: Among the latest of the area's meatless restaurants, GreenSpace is a product of esteemed vegan cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn. Our sources suggest a wide range of favorites, including the Blackened Tempeh (cajun spice, organic tempeh, avocado, creamy herb dressing, organic leaf lettuce, lemon-vinaigrette dressed greens, and pickle). The sliders could fool you into thinking they're meat. GreenSpace's menu also notes which dishes are prepared free of any cooking oils, coconut, nuts, avocado, and refined sugars.

26 Bonoful Sweets 12085 Conant St., Hamtramck; 313-368-8800: A good portion of the menu at the Hamtramck Bangladeshi restaurant is vegan, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise as Bangladeshis eat less meat than any other country's residents. Still, the Americanized menus are generally meat heavy, but about half of Bonoful's menu is vegan, and our sources highlight the hot and sour soup, vegetable biryani, and aloo gobi.

27 Om Cafe 23136 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-1941: Another of the vegan and vegetarian pioneers, Om Cafe is described as a "Cheers of the vegan community." Nearly all of our sources offered suggestions, but the most common favorites are the Nori Roll (organic brown rice, umeboshi plum paste, carrot, daikon radish, and pickle, all wrapped in toasted nori served with Om's tahini dressing for dipping, pickled ginger, and wasabi) and the tempeh reuben.

28 Avalon Multiple locations: Depending on which location you're at, you'll find vegan cookies, muffins, breads, date bars, foccacia, avocado toast, and much more.

29 Seva Multiple loctions: An old-school vegan and vegetarian favorite with dishes like the Vegan Veracruz (fried corn tortilla topped with pinto beans, Daiya "cheddar," tomatoes, green onions, guacamole, cilantro, and choice of sauted tofu or chargrilled tempeh served with salsa and a whole wheat tortilla).

30 Blue Nile 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-547-6699: Another Ethiopian favorite with tons of vegan options.

31 Harmonie Garden 4704 Anthony Wayne Dr., Detroit; 313-638-2345: The Midtown Mediterranean restaurant procures a long list of vegan dishes with twists on standards like falafel and options that need minimal modifications, like the zaatar pie that should be ordered sans Syrian cheese.

32 Living Zen Organics Cafe 3030 Casmere Ave., Hamtramck; 313-366-7738: Located in Hamtramck's Zen Center, the organic cafe serves seasonal menus with dishes like Ja-Jang-Myun.

33 Shangri-La 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-974-7669: Lots of vegan options are included on the Midtown Chinese eatery's long menu. Try the salted tofu, Incredible Hulk roll, or ma po tofu.

34 Trizest 33170 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-268-1450: There are lots of vegan options in what's arguably southeast Michigan's most authentic Sichuan restaurant but watch out for any hidden fish product.

35 Earthen Jar 311 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-327-9464: Over the decades, vegans and carnivores alike have gotten down with Ann Arbor's best vegan and vegetarian Indian buffet that's stocked with dishes like Hahi Korma Sabzi with a broccoli in a rich mushroom masala sauce, and a menu that denotes which options are meatless and which are not.

36 People's Food Co-op/Cafe Verde 216 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-994-9174: The Food Co-op's hot and cold bar is a chance to build your own salads.

37 Anita's 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248 548-0680: Ferndale's popular Mediterranean eatery is an easy pick for vegans with the classic Mediterranean options and some originals, like the chickpea salad with cracked wheat, fresh mint, parsley, lemon, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil dressing.

38 The Lunch Room 407 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-224-8859: One of three Ann Arbor restaurants owned by Phillis Engelbert and Joel Panozzo. As of this year, the Lunch Room will be converted into a diner concept that will serve vegan takes on diner and comfort dishes for breakfast and lunch, and feel more like a neighborhood bar and ice cream parlor in the evening. Check out the Buffalo Wrap which offers buffalo sauce-coated soy curls wrapped in a tortilla with lettuce, celery, red onion, cucumber, tomato, shredded cabbage, and housemade ranch.

39 Detroit Street Filling Station 300 Detroit St., Ann Arbor; 734-224-8859: Panozzo and Engelbert's second space highlights produce grown on the Lunch Room's Belleville farm, and will hold a full bar with a "carefully curated" wine and beer selection, and craft cocktails. Here is where you'll find items like pad Thai or the Queso Burrito.

40 The Lunch Room Bakery and Cafe 2200 Fuller Ct. No. 8b, Ann Arbor, 734-224-8872: Panozzo and Engelbert's third space that specializes in vegan bakery fare donuts, croissants, bagels, fruit-granola yogurt bowl, biscuit sandwiches, and breakfast tacos.

41 Sava's 216 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-623-2233: Options like the Hippie Bowl with grilled tempeh, avocado, cucumbers, scallion, wild rice, quinoa, carrots, sprouts, beans, cherry tomatoes, cabbage, roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and lemon-tahini dressing stand out, but a long list of menu options can be made vegan with only a minor tweaking.

42 Ypsilanti Food Co-op 312 N. River St., Ypsilanti; 734-483-1520: There are plenty of rotating pre-made vegan options in the small Depot Town Co-op.

43 The Nosh Pit Detroit Mobile truck: Try the Larry (corned tofu, sauerkraut, house-made vegan 1000 island dressing topped with either sharp or vegan cheese on fresh-made N.Y. kosher rye) the Dill Pickle Soup, or the Kaz (house-made black bean and chickpea burger topped with vegan cheese, granny smith apple, and vegan aioli). It's a food truck, so check its site for details.

44 Sy Thai Multiple locations: A favorite among our sources, with vegan dishes like Pad Pow Prik Vegan, curry noodles, and spring rolls.

45 Sweet Lorraine's Multiple locations: Many of Sweet Lorraine's soups are vegan, and among the breakfast options are a scrambled tofu.

46 Russell Street Deli 2465 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-2900: Among the favorites our sources pointed to are the banana waffles, the TLT, and its housemade veggie burger. The amazing soup roster includes vegan options like carrot ginger, crushed lentil, and Cuban black bean.

47 Royal Kabob 3236 Caniff St., Hamtramck; 313-872-9456: All the Mediterranean favorites are made at this Hamtramck restaurant. Its sour and salty fattoush and hummus are among the best east of Dearborn.

48 Tumerican 24259 Novi Rd., Novi; 248-305-3357: Vegan and vegetarian Indian cuisine with dishes like Quinoa Fried Rice, a dish comprised of organic quinoa tossed with onion, bell pepper, and a ginger and garlic sauce.

49 Wasabi 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-638-1272: This is one of the few spots in town where you'll find vegan udon, ramen, and other noodle bowls, along with a selection of vegan sushi rolls.

50 UFO Factory/Laika Dog 2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit: Laika uses Field Roast-brand vegan frankfurters and vegan cheese for its take on the coney. Try the Detroit, with vegan chili, onions, mustard, or the Kimchi with kimchi, wasabi vegan mayo, and fried ramen.

51 Riviera Pizza Ottawa Street 1959 Ottawa St., Windsor, Ontario; 519-254-1334: Sources say they make the world's best vegan cheese in house, but won't reveal the secrets. "It tastes like you're eating a Hungry Howies pizza," we are assured.

52 Green Dot Stables 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313 962-5588: Corktown's beloved slider spot earned fame for its creative meat play, but it also has noteworthy vegan options, like the kale salad and quinoa burger with chimichurri.

53 White Castle Multiple locations: Yeah, we know... but it's hard not to get excited about filling a Crave Case with vegan (Dr. Praeger's) sliders or black bean sliders.

54 The Wurst Bar 705 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-6720: Ypsilanti's sausage house didn't ignore that Washtenaw County is home to tons of vegetarians and vegans. Find hits like the Hot Seitan made with red pepper, paprika, fennel (uncased), or the Chick-fu made with tofu, vegan chicken stock in a southern fried "chicken" patty served with L.O.T., and pickles.

55 Shish Kabob Express Multiple locations: The menu is fairly standard for what one would expect at a Mediterranean restaurant, but the falafel and grape leaves come highly recommended.

56 Arbor Brewing Co. Multiple locations: Vegan Poutine (thick-cut seasoned fries, avocado, vegan curry, gravy and sliced scallions) are worth the trip, and there are a lot of directions one can go with the vegan burgers.

57 Chili Mustard Onions 3411 Brush St., Detroit: File this under "on it's way," though you'll be able to find it as a pop-up from time to time. As we reported, owner Pete LaCombe brilliantly came up with the idea of establishing Detroit's first vegan coney island. Expect all the delicious but meaty menu items you'll find at a regular coney island, including Detroit's venerable coney dog. Beyond that, LaCombe serve dishes like pierogi, Hani, gyros, and much more.

58 Treat Dreams Multiple locations: The craft ice cream parlor keeps up to five vegan options in its freezers, like cookies and cream, dark chocolate, lavender, and many more.

59 Johnny Noodle King 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313- 309-7946: Not a ton of vegan options here, but the vegan miso broth alone is worth a trip.

60 Boboville Brunch at Kelly's in Hamtramck 2403 Holbrook Ave., Hamtramck; 313-872-0387: Chef Blair Wills is one of Detroit's top brunchers and prepares at least one vegan item on his regularly shuffled menu, but he says he can make most egg dishes vegan upon request.

61 Jerusalem Gardens 314 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-5060: One of Ann Arbor's favorite old-school vegetarian and vegan spots that trades in the Middle Eastern standards on its 42-plate menu.

62 Pho Nguyen Hoang 510 Wyandotte St. W., Windsor, Ontario; 519-977-0852: Our friends in Windsor say this Vietnamese spot is one of the few spots that vegans can slurp a bowl of meat product-free pho.

63 7 Greens 1222 Library St., Detroit; 313-964-9005: A salad shop is sort of a no-brainer, but salads can be boring. However, 7 Greens does it right. Behold items like the Hippie Bowl made with red cabbage leaves, corn, black beans, radish, green onion, organic blue chips, avocado, salsa fresca, vegan taco meat, hemp hearts, and lime wedge.

64 Hippie's Pizza 121 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-733-1111: Hippie's made its name on creative toppings like hemp seed and corn, and it didn't forget about vegans. Pizzas can be ordered with Daiya cheese and vegan sausage and pepperoni. As a bonus, there's also a vegan dessert menu with choices like Vegan Bam Bam Bread.

65 Pupuseria 3149 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-899-4020: As one of our sources explains, you have to know a little Spanish to tell the Salvadoran waitstaff that you don't want any meat product stuffed into the thick, fried tortillas that comprise a pupusa. So bring your bilingual pals. Or check out the elote tamales with grilled corn and bean masa. It's worth the extra effort.

66 Shimmy Shack Multiple locations: New American is all the rage these days, but new American vegan food is something original. Check out plates on the vintage food truck's rotating menu like the Classic, your classic burger with a lentil patty under lettuce, vegan cheese, tomato, pickles, mustard, and ketchup.

67 Pink Flamingo 2746 Vermont St, Detroit; 414-630-9603: The rotating weekly menu on this farm-to-table food truck serves menu items like the savory chickpea and zucchini waffle with roasted summer squash. The Pink Flamingo rolls in a vintage airstream that you'll regularly find in North Corktown and other spots. Check its website for more details.

68 Ben and Jerry's Multiple locations: The national chain's Ann Arbor location keeps a few vegan options on tap, like scoop Caramel Almond Brittle and PB and Cookies, and it stocks ice creams like Cherry Garcia, Coffee Toffee, Chunky Monkey, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and more by the pint.

69 Orchid Thai 115 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-962-0225: Another Thai favorite among our sources with plenty of vegan options and dishes that can be made vegan with slight modifications. As always at Thai places: Beware of the fish sauce!

70 Parks & Rec Diner 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8370: Several of the downtown diner's menu items can be modified to be vegan, including the Chilaquiles and Green Goddess Bowl (puffed farro, seasonal vegetables, roasted garlic vinaigrette, spiced nut crumble, and house vegan feta cheese).

More:

Vegan in Detroit: 70 spots for meatless munching around the Motor City - Detroit Metro Times

I never knew Queen Erykah was a vegan. Check out some of the inspiration she is sharing in this post below by thecurvyvegan.com

Erykah Baduis a shining light among a growing population of black vegans. The music icon has been vegetarian for over twenty years, and a strict vegan since the release of her first albumBaduizm.

In an interview with Maranda Pleasant, ofOrigin Magazine, the famous vegan revealed that this nutritional lifestyle helps keep her centered. Not only did she stress the importance of consuming a plant-based diet, but Badu also stated thatdrinking waterregularly throughout the day cleanses the body.

WhileErykah Baduis one of the more visible famous black vegans, the lifestyle is growing in popularity with African-American entertainers. Some, like Prince, Russell Simmons, and hip-hop artist Sticman of Dead Prez, have been long-time advocates of a meatless diet.

According to recent research, self-identified black vegans are notably emerging in urban communities across the nation. Hip-hop, an art form that was born in urban areas, has been used as a vehicle to reach and support young people in making healthy eating choices.

Erykah Badu and then-boyfriend Common participated in the documentaryHolistic Wellness for the Hip-Hop Generation, which explained the dangers associated with low-quality food consumption. SupaNova Slom (known as The Hip-Hop Medicine Man), the films producer, is almost like royalty among black vegans, considering his mother is none other than holistic healer Queen Afua.

Queen Afuais a world renowned holistic practitioner, entrepreneur, and best-selling author (Heal Thyself&Sacred Woman; available in the store below). She is the founder of The Global City of Wellness Institute and assists students in healing the body with proper nutrition. Both Queen Afua and son SupaNova seem to have the full support of neo-soul songstress.

While people adopt this lifestyle for a variety of reasons, Erykah Badus motivation is clearly wellness for the body, mind, & spirit.

Shes dedicated to the mission of recruiting more black vegans in an effort to eradicate many of the unnecessary dis-eases that plague the community.

The artist suggests that this collective healing process is multi-layered. Proper nutrition is critical, but people must be willing to dig deeper into the root cause of what ails them, which may be a spiritual issue.

During her cameo in Holistic Wellness for the Hip-Hop Generation,Badu briefly outlines this process.

This is merely a brief introduction into a rather intricate process; for an in-depth explanation consulting the documentary is recommended. Here are Badus recommendations:

Erykah is obviously serious about her spiritual, physical & mental health, and desires to spread the healing to all who will listen. Kudos, Ms. Badu!

P.S. She is definitely a curvy vegan, androcks her voluptuous frame with pride!

What should you do next?

See more at http://www.thecurvyvegan.com/erykah-badu.html#sthash.xXRlylYl.dpuf

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Erykah Badu's Vegan Diet - Chicago Defender

Runner's World

What These 12 People Ate Before a Vegan Race | Runner's World Runner's World These 12 vegan runners fueled before a plant-based race and shared what they ate. and more »

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What These 12 People Ate Before a Vegan Race | Runner's World - Runner's World

Pamela Anderson is adding restaurant owner to her resum.

Starting on July 4, the former Baywatch starand longtime animal rights activist will be hosting an all-vegan pop-up restaurant in Ramatuelle in the South of France for 50 nights only.

Anderson announced the news about the restaurant, Le Table du Marche by Pamela, on her foundations website on Monday, and says the concept is festive, glamorous and vegan.

The menu, which she developed with chef Christophe Leroy, will feature a champagne bar and a variety of plant-based dishes, including a traditional tomato tartare with Goji berries, traditional Provenal petits farcis (stuffed vegetables), an asparagus risotto and a vegan burger.

RELATED:Celebrity Foodies: See What the Stars Are Snacking onToday

Opening the restaurant is also an effort to release her rumored love interest, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is being held inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

I am reaching out to Emmanuel Macron, and to his wife Brigitte Trogneux, she writes in a tribute to Assange. As a resident of France, my adopted home, I would like to meet with you and discuss Julians situation. I am opening a new vegan restaurant in France in July, and I would like to extend my invitation to the new President and his First Lady. Join me on the day I open the doors, and we will sit and eat good food and discuss what can be done for Julian. France could display its strength, and so could you, if you give Julian asylum.

WATCH THIS:How This Burger-Loving Nurse Lost 141 Lbs. With a Vegan Dietand Started Her Own Wellness Business

The restaurant will be open every night starting at 6 p.m. and reservations can be made on their website.

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Pamela Anderson Is Opening a Pop-Up Vegan Restaurant - PEOPLE.com

The growing vegan community in India will soon have more access to vegan and dairy-free foods thanks to the new Mumbai-based food tech startup WeganFoods. WeganFoods recently landed funding from Her Highness Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi, a member of the royal family of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

According to CEO and Founder, Kinjal Darukhanawala, the funding will be used for scaling the commercial kitchen, inventory and brand building. The food tech ompany plans to launch its offering in Mumbai through modern trade, food delivery apps, and by partnering with other businesses within the food sector.

The startup will be offering a variety of vegan, dairy-free, and nutritious pantry staples starting with Dairy-Free Cheese. Darukhanawala stated, The first product development took close to six months. The idea is not just being vegan but also carrying a line of products that are delicious and nutritious for all age groups to devour. A lot of people have preconceived notions about vegan food; they think it is boring, tasteless and far from original taste and flavor. Our brand plans to banish these notions.

Wegansvegan cheese is reportedly soy-free, gluten-free, and even melts, slices, stretches, and shreds, just like regular cheese. The diary-free cheese is set to launch in October of this year.

This is great news considering India is second behind China to become the largest consumer of meat and dairy by 2050 which will contribute significantly to current health and environmental issues worldwide.Though a large portion of India takes part in milk consumption with over 75 million dairy farms, the rise of the vegan food sector is a good sign for things to come. According to a 2014 report by the RegistrarGeneral of India, though 70 percent of Indians above 15 years of age are still non-vegetarians, the numbers are expected to decline. Other Mumbai-based restaurants have even included vegan options on their menus and several strictly vegan restaurants have opened in recent years such as Vegan Bites and Vegan Tiffin.

This slow but rising trendoffers a hopeful future for more plant-based options being made available to consumers in India and, hopefully, other countries worldwide.

Image Source:Y Photo Studio/Shutterstock

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Arabian Princess Invests in Indian Vegan Food Startup - One Green Planet

Most readers of this article are familiar with the term ADHD which is defined as a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

What is less familiar is the term, intention deficit disorder, a different way to look at the problems associated with attention deficit disorder. What is intention deficit disorder and how can it be helped?

Before delving into intention deficit disorder, it may be helpful to review symptoms commonly associated with ADHD:

The upsides of ADHD include:

This condition impacts children and adults through the life cycle and may go undiagnosed, even in the face of disruption in activities, relationship dysfunction, and feelings of personal disempowerment.

As a come clean, this clinician with nearly four decades of experience working with clients who exhibit these signs, carries some of them as well. As I writethis article, I have taken two phone calls, checked emails, signed up for an on- line course, responded to text and Facebook messages, and have contemplated other article ideas. I have been listening to music which inspires me. My mind is like a computer with several applicationsopen simultaneously.

There are times when I believe I can multi-task successfully and others whenI drop some of the plates I am spinning. It is then that I refocus, with the use of re-directive self-talk that sounds like, Okay, we need to pay attention to the task at hand. Once were done, we can move on the next thing on the list. I also imagine how good I will feel when I have completed what I have set out to do. I have become my own cheerleader, rather than hyper-critical detractor.

I have also discovered that when I engage in mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, meditating and spending time in nature, I am able to get back on track.

Celebs with ADHD

There are numerous notables with the diagnosis of ADHD including Justin Timberlake, Jamie Oliver, Will Smith, Michael Phelps, Jim Carrey, Paris Hilton and Solange Knowles. Each of them taps into the creativity that comes as a gift of the diagnosis. If a person with this condition can harness the positive aspects, they are often equipped to hyper-focus on a project until it is completed. Like any skill, it takes practice. One thing to keep in mind is that the ADHD itself may not pre-dispose these people to succeed, but rather it is inherent talents on other levels that may have them do well in spite of the condition.

ADHD is not an attention disorder. It is a blindness to the future, according to Russell A. Barkley, PhD This experienced clinician, researcher, and author has expounded on the concept of Intention Deficit Disorder which he graphically describes in a video on the topic.

As is the case of many of my clients, Dr. Barkley has discovered that those with ADHD are intelligent people who have the cognitive ability to know what needs to be done, but not always the means to exercise theskills required to follow through. It is when a task must be accomplished that they may be able to rise to the occasion. As long as a deadline seems safely in the future, they practice cognitive dissonance, rather than act on the assignment ahead of them.

A few clients who are high school or college students have expressed that precise dynamic that has had them note an increase in anxiety and a decrease in self -worth when they label themselves for the inability to accomplish what is required as lazy, failures, and slackers, who have disappointed themselves and their parents. Living in the moment, the person with ADHD doesnt accomplish what they intend to do.

Dr. Barkley goes on to say, People with ADHD know what to do, but they cant do what they know. An illustration of the brain highlights the difference. The rear part of the brain houses knowledge, while the front part of the brain houses the practical application of said information. ADHD is, as he shares, like a meat clever that separates the two.

Barkley sees intention deficit disorder as a chronic condition that responds to stricter accountability and consequences and specific interventions.

According to Barkley, 40 percent of adults and 90 percent of children are not being treated for it and he sees it as one of the most treatable mental health conditions that therapists and psychiatrists see in their practices.

More:

What Is Intention Deficit Disorder? - PsychCentral.com (blog)

Music is the perfect word that describes the mood of a person; people prefer to listen music based on their mood. Some listen to rock and some prefer classic and some melody. Whatever the music it may be but it brings smile or tears on our faces. Someone somewhere is listening to the same music that we are listening right now. Yes, Music connects the people. Some lost in the imagination when they listen to their favourite music.

World Yoga Day : Watch Live Streaming of PM Narendra Modi Performing Yoga in Lucknow, list of Events World wide Live Updates

The annual music celebrations taking place on June 21st. This day is called as World Music Day and also called as Fte de la Musique or Make Music Day. Fte de la Musique is originated by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang. Total 120 countries celebrated World Music Day around the world. World Music Day Events observed on various cities. 30 plus events are listed for the international Music Day celebrations on June 21st. The UK world music day event will be part of a global phenomenon happening in over 100 countries and 700 cities around the world. We are celebrating 35th International Music Day.

Music connects us with the soul, while listening to slow music (relaxing music), we tend to begin the journey inward. Music is not only for human, every living being responds to music like cow used to respond to the call of Lord Krishnas flute, snakes respond to the sound of a flute from the snake charmer. Music has the healing power and helps us to relax. The melodious notes of music have the capacity to cure the mental and physical fatigue of a weary person.

International Yoga Day 2017: World Yoga Day Quotes Messages and Activities, Images Greetings

World Music Day 2017 date is June 21st. The Fte de la Musique was originated in France in 1982, since then the whole world is celebrating the music day with various World Music Day Events. The day is held on the mid-summer solstice and all the concerts and events are free and accessible to the public. Some share the World Music Day Quotes to their friends and family on facebook and whatsapp. Take a look at the best World Music Day Quotes in this page. The music day events are increasing day by day and the participation of people are also increasing; music day is the feast to the music lovers.

World Music Day Quotes

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley

Where words fail, music speaks. Hans Christian Andersen

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.. Victor Hugo

Without music, life would be a mistake. Friedrich Nietzsche

Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. Plato

If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.Charles Darwin

Everybody has that point in their life where you hit a crossroads and youve had a bunch of bad days and theres different ways you can deal with it and the way I dealt with it was I just turned completely to music..Taylor Swift

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. Albert Schweitzer

Im not a pretty princess, and Im aware of that, so I like music that is really intense, really bold, and characters that in a way almost have a dark side and are kind of evil because, for me, thats when I feel my strongest and fiercest, when Im not necessarily the good girl. .Ashley Wagner

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman. .Ludwig van Beethoven

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. Lao Tzu

World Music day List of Events In India:

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World Music Day 2017: Fte de la Musique Events and Music Quotes, List of Events In India - TFLive

On June 25, the Park Ridge Park District is launching a new concert series geared toward families and children who are 2 to 10 years old.

Mary Bart, the event organizer, said the series will feature a concert once a month over the summer in June, July and August with a new children's entertainer at each event.

The series also will feature Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans on July 23 and Istvan & His Imaginary Band on Aug. 27.

The June 25 event will start at 2:30 p.m. at Prospect Park with a 45-minute performance by Jamie Martin, a local children's performer known as Miss Jamie. Martin said that she loves Park Ridge and looks forward to seeing her fans there.

She said that music has always been a part of her life. She got into children's music four years ago after her daughter, Taylor, was born as a way of staying close with her while also putting her music skills to use.

"I noticed how the children were so taken by singers and people doing children's music classes," Martin said. Martin was raised on a farm in Austin, Texas so creating a country character seemed like a good idea to her.

Bart said that she got the idea for the program from the existing summer concert series and thought about how all of the music was geared toward adults. From there, she decided that she would create a series for younger kids to enjoy.

"We have an entertainment series for adults, and the kids come to it and love the music, but it's basically for adults. And I really wanted something that brought the families together with music for the children," Bart said.

"It gives them something else to do as family on a Sunday. During the summer, we're going to the pool all the time, or to the parks to play, but it's something different," she added.

Bart said that if it rains, the concert would be moved inside at Prospect Park.

Martin will be preforming songs like "Farm Hokey Pokey," "Wheels on the Tractor" and "You Are My Sunshine," as well as some originals. Martin said that she will also try to teach the kids positive messages through her songs.

"I want to impart lessons onto them through my music like eat healthy, exercise, work hard, be patient, be loyal, be friendly, and be nice to those around you," Martin said.

Martin also said that she tries getting the kids up and dancing during her performances so that they're exercising while also having fun.

"There's lot of music, lots of fun, dancing, singing along, and laughing and having a good time," Martin said.

Martin said that she enjoys performing because she loves to "do something that really bring parents and their children and their parents together in a way that's wholesome and healthy."

"I love it when kids come up to me and tell me that they read my books at night before they go to bed and they play my CDs every day in the car," Martin said.

Bart said that every family should take advantage of the free family concert.

"If you're looking for a fun and relaxing evening, enjoy our weather out here before the cold winter days come," Bart said. "Take advantage of listening to our music or our movies in the park with your families. It's intergenerational: for grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, moms, dads."

beberle@chicagotribune.com

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Park Ridge to launch concert series geared toward young children - Chicago Tribune