There are so many reasons (both totally obvious and completely unexpected) as to why youre feeling anxious on the regular (politics, anyone?), even if youre already eating all the right foods to manage your stress and youve learned how to leave work stress at the office. Which is why we are major proponents of meditation. It can help you achieve your fitness goalsandsleep better evenstrengthen your relationship. And thats to say nothing of the calming effects meditation can have on your mind.

To get the scoop on all the good meditation stuff, we chatted with tech entrepreneur and Simple Habit meditation app founder Yunha Kimabout her personal meditationjourney and easy ways even the mostmeditation-adverse among us can use mindfulness to create zen wherever we go. (And dont forget to check out the app for free oniOS and Android!)

Brit + Co: We recently read a study from the University of Waterloo that just 10 minutes of meditation can significantly increase focus for anxious people, in part because it promotes mindfulness. Youve mentioned before how being present is key to maintaining calm. What does that mean, exactly?

Yunha Kim: Stress has the ability to consume our minds with negative thoughts and affect our mood, physical health, and relationships. Simply being aware of your own stress can help prevent you from reacting to things instead of responding. (Photo via Yunha Kim)

B+C: What made you decide to create a meditation app? Was it a response to something going on in your life, or have you always been a zen chaser?

YK: I was so stressed at my previous startup and went through a period of burnout that inspired me to try meditating. At the time, I was working 24/7 and often found it hard to relax, step away from work, or sometimes fall asleep at night. Short, daily meditation worked for me, and I actually became a power user of some of the meditation apps out there. I found myself meditating periodically throughout my day, like during my commutes and before meetings, and it allowed me to be more productive and stress less.

B+C: Can you explain how the Simple Habit app works and what makes it stand apart from the meditation app crowd?

YK: Simple Habit is a freemium on-demand meditation platform that specializes in five-minute meditations for busy people. Our meditations are designed around your situations and moods. It has over a thousand topics from meditation specifically designed for engineers, meditations before work, or even going on a date. The meditations are guided by the worlds leading mindfulness teachers.

A feature that we have on the app is the On-the-Go wheel, which allows new meditators to select what theyre feeling or doing (walking, eating, feeling frustrated) and listen to a meditation corresponding to that like Spotify for meditation.

B+C: Ironically, meditationcan beintimidating for newbies often, we feel like weve failed if we cant completely rid our minds of all thoughts on the first go. Can you give us three beginner tips to make meditation easier?

YK: Start with five minutes. Its a common misconception that to meditate, you need to sit for long periods of time in the morning, but thats not true. You can meditate anytime and anywhere, even while commuting, while eating, or before giving a presentation.

Try meditating in different situations or stressful moments throughout your day (e.g., before a presentation or before an exam). You can try some of our On-the-Go meditations.

Try doing it at the same time every day. I like to meditate first thing in the morning and right before bed. Putting five minutes of mindfulness every day into your calendar or setting a daily reminder for yourself really works and you can do both through the Simple Habit app, and it will remind you on daily basis.

B+C: So basically youre telling us we have no excuse not to meditate! To play devils advocate here lets say, somehow, youre still strapped for time and cant use the app or one of the techniques listed above but want to get in some mindfulness. Do you have any on-the-go mantras you like to use in stressful situations?

YK: Focusing on breathing is one of the simplest ways to bring a sense of attention to yourself and slow down your thoughts. (This is a great breath meditation to start with.) Taking a few deep breaths with long exhales can immediately create a sense of calm in your physical body and emotional state and bring clarity in your mental thoughts. A simple exercise I do when Im in a middle of something (for instance, on stage, right before giving a talk) is repeating inside my head, Breathing in breathing out I usually do it 3-5 times.

How do you get yourself into the mindfulness zone? Tweet us your meditation secrets@BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty; featured photo viaYunha Kim)

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This Tech Entrepreneur Was So Stressed She Created a Meditation App - Brit + Co

New! Bring a friend and both you and your friend will receive a 15% discount on your program (only applies to some programs). Find out more.

On retreat you will find space for reflection, relaxation and spiritual renewal. Enjoy a quiet oasis of inspiration, far from the busyness of daily life.

Choose the retreat that is just right for you. Our Guided Retreats offer both space and structure. Personal Retreats let you design your time in a way that suits your needs. And if you are an artist, professional or student our new Renewal Retreats may be what you are looking for. Group or Work Retreats give you access to the Ashrams facilities while creating your own program.

View our Guided Retreats

All retreats balance personal time with community activities. Daily yoga classes and short workshops are included in your stay. Karma Yoga will also be a part of your day. Meditation rooms are available for practices. Comfortable accommodations and wholesome meals are provided.

A typical day on retreat

Learn more about the yoga classes and workshops offered during your retreat at Yasodhara.

Please note that while we will make your stay as comfortable as possible, Yasodhara Ashram is not a hotel or spa. Be aware that you are living in a spiritual community. Our retreats are meant for spiritual renewal.

Yasodhara yoga courses have been designed to emphasize the yogic tradition of self-discovery through reflection on the spiritual in everyday life.

Swami Radha believed that yoga is a path of liberation open to everyone. Her teachings, which are the basis of all of our courses, support students in building a foundation of character, courage and awareness the inner work necessary on the path of yoga.

View our Courses

Ranging from two days to our popular three-month Yoga Development Course, our courses give students techniques and practices to support emotional, psychological and spiritual development. By combining yoga practices with personal development techniques Yasodhara offers a unique set of teachings tailored to the Western student of yoga.

All courses include a daily early morning Hatha or Hidden Language Yoga class, morning and afternoon workshops, group work and time for personal reflection. Course participants are also invited to participate in Karma Yoga with our community and to attend satsang each evening.

A typical day on course

Learn more about the yoga classes and workshops offered during your retreat at Yasodhara

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Retreats & Courses at Yasodhara | Yasodhara Ashram

Located a short drive south of Delhi in north central India, Maharajji's beautiful Vrindavan ashram is the likely the most propitious of the ashrams and temples of Maharajji Neem Karoli Baba. The temple at the cremation place of Maharajji's last known body is called Samadhi Stahl. A yatra to this very holy place is always of great benefit to all devotees.

It was in Vrindaban that Maharajji chose to leave His body in 1973. The Neeb Karori Baba Vrindavan Ashram is located in Krishnas holy city of Vrindaban on the plains of Uttar Pradesh. The first temple was inaugurated in 1967. This ashram is on Parikrama Marg a short ways from Mathura Road.

Within this ashram is the Mahasamadhi Mandir of Neem Karoli Baba / Neeb Karori Baba. This is the site of Maharaj-ji's Mahasamadhi Bhandara in September each year. In this ashram are Hanumanji Temple, Durga Devi Temple, Sita Ram Temple, Shivaji Yugshala Temple, and Maharajji's Mahasamadhi Temple.

Maharajji's Vrindavan Ashram has Beautiful Gardens during most months of the year.

Babaji Maharaj has already fixed the date of His leaving this mortal body. He had to choose a place for the cremation of His body and to prepare back-ground for His devotees to build a commemorative temple.

Babaji had already got a yajna performed for nine days in the premises of the temple by His devotee Vishambhar from Aligarh on the occasion of Chaitra Navratra in March-April, 1973.

The place situated between the dharamshala on the northern side of the courtyard and the boundary wall of the temple on the south side leaving one third of the area of the courtyard on either side.

Thus the place was sanctified by adoration of the goddess Durga. Babaji ordered that this small area be blockaded and its sanctity should be maintained.

Babaji left His mortal body in Ramakrishna Mission hospital at night 10 September 1973. Inspired by Babaji's mystic power, Pagal Baba advised His devotees that His physical body be merged with elements inside the ashram.

The devotees, accordingly, made a platform of sandal-wood and cremated Baba's physical body on the sacred festival of Ananta Chaturdashi, on 11 September.

Maharajjis kutiya is a sacred place in Ashram where Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj used to take rest during the Vrindavan stay. The atmosphere inside the kutiya cannot be expressed in words. It is so calm and serene that by sitting and meditating here everyone is lost in another world.

Devotees feel the very presence of Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj. They feel direct communion with Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj. Devotees sorrow, tension, jitters everything is dissolved in the presence of Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj.

Activities at Vrindavan Ashram start with the opening of the ashram. The first arati is at Sri Ram Darbar and Sri Sankat Mochan Hanuman ji, followed by arati to Mata Vaishnav Devi and followed by the last to Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj. In 12 oclock noon the mandirs are closed, reopening at about 3 p.m.. Sandhya Shayan Arati of Sri Ram Darbar, Sri Sankat Mochan Hanuman ji, Mata Vaishnav Devi, then of Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj After Sandya Shayan Arati and bhog, temples are closed at about 8 p.m. Continious kirtan and bhajan are being done by maais in Sri Ram Darbar.

Every Tuesday there is Akhand Hanuman Chalisa Paath at Mahasamadhi temple. Every Tuesday and Saturday there is Sangitmay Sunder Kand Paath in Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj jis Kutiya.

Feeding of poor people is the main feature of Sri Baba Neeb Karori Ashram Vrindavan. Every morning after prayer, chana prasaad and daliya is distributed daily to everyone. On the Wednesday a large number of poor ones are benefited by balbhog (puri, aloo sabji) which is distributed after morning arati. In the evening tea is distributed daily to all. At the time of lunch and dinner prasad is being offered to everyone in ashram.

Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj took special care to see that whosoever comes to the Ashram is given Prasad. Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj said whoever comes to you is your guest.It is essentially against the tradition of Ashram that people should get away without getting Prasad.

Ashram also helps poor in many ways and run many type of charitable activities. In winter distribution of blankets, shawls, and saree to ladies is being done. Poor students are also being helped by providing educational utensils, books fees etc.

Baba Neeb Karori Ashram has a very beautiful Gaushala. In fact, about forty percent of the ashram area is dedicated to cow seva. At present there are approximately 300 cows, calves, bulls, and oxens. There are nearly 20 cows being milked by hand for the exclusive nourishment of ashram deities and the feeding of poor people in the ashram. All the cows and others receives highest quality of care and food.

The very special feature of ashram Gaushala is male calves (bulls) which are being treated in same fashion as cows. In most of Gaushala you will find absence of same as they do not produce milk and are being considered as burden.

All visitors are welcome the can personally visit Gaushala. Devotees can make donations for maintaining Gaushala and feeding the cows.

Some Indians and Foreigners are given rooms at this ashram. A letter of recommendation and prior arrangement with the ashram are very helpful if you wish to participate as an ashram inmate. Additionally some short-stay rooms are sometimes available.

During the stay at Vrindavan ashram active involvement is very much necessary. You must have been involved in ashram activities earlier. If a newcomer wishes to stay in the ashram then it is advisable to have recommendation of an old devotee. It is compulsory.

At the time of bhadaras the accommodation is not available due to limited accommodation available at ashram. It is advisable to contact the ashram well in advance to check the availability of room for stay. You must be present in morning and evening prayers at ashram and contribute in ashram activities.

A valid I.D. proof like Aadhar Card, Visa, PAN Card etc is mandatory requirement for stay in ashram. Whenever you are coming to ashram for stay must bring your valid I.D. proof.

Each and every visitor to the ashram and all persons staying in the ashram must follow the ashram rules to maintain the sanctity of ashram.

Address: Baba Neeb Karori Ashram, Parikrama Marg Goshala,Attalla Chungi, Vrindaban, Dist: Mathura, UP 281121, India. For General Enquiries and Donations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Telephone: +91-9568138989, +91-7037232225, +91-9219515733.

More Information: "Staying Outside The Ashram" at page bottom.

This bhandara takes place on or about September 11 each year. Tens of thousands of Maharajji's devotees are fed.

Photos by Bhanu, Devendra, Kanishk, and Jai Ram

These hotels and guesthouses are suggestions for Maharajji's satsang visiting Vrindavan who cannot stay inside the ashram. These listing are not an endorsment of any hotel or guesthouse listed below. Please consult the Web for more listings.

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Vrindavan Ashram - Maharajji Neem Karoli Baba

Ahmedabad: To commemorate 100 years of Sabarmati Ashram and Champaran Satyagraha, both closely linked with Mahatma Gandhi, the railways will run a special train for tourists that will travel through cities of historical and religious importance.

Representational image. Reuters

The train, Gandhi Darshan, will leave from here on 17 June and return on 26 June after a 10-day journey, an official of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said in Ahmedabad.

Apart from connecting the two important places associated with Gandhiji, the train from Gujarat to Bihar would also take tourists to various religious places, said deputygeneralmanager oftourism, IRCTC, V N Shukla.

"17 June marks 100 years of both Sabarmati Ashram in the city as well as of Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar. Thus, IRCTC has decided to run a train, officially called Astha Special Tourist Train or Gandhi Darshan train, on 17 June. It will be flagged off from Sabarmati station at 8 am," he said.

"The train, having only non-AC sleeper coaches, has the capacity to accommodate 840 passengers. The fare, which will be inclusive of all, has been kept at Rs 8,720 per person. It will start from 17 June and come back here on 26 June," he added.

The tourists will be taken to various places of historical as well as religious importance such as Wardha, Motihari, Gaya, Varanasi and Allahabad, said Shukla.

The IRCTC may think of operating the train on a regular basis if the inaugural run meets with desired success in terms of response from tourists, he added.

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Railways to run Gandhi Darshan train to commemorate 100 years of ... - Firstpost

AT a dark club in east London last weekend I walked into Optimos latest London party to find a room full of bank holiday clubbers bathed in a transmission of beatless, meditative drones and crackles. The piece remained constant and unchanging for 10 minutes or more, and people seemed to love whatever it was, despite the incongruously ravey setting of a Wapping warehouse in the middle of a seemingly endless weekend of electronic music. It was a highly unusual thing to hear in that setting, but then Optimo are highly adept at making people type those words, and I carried on with my night without asking about the source.

The next day I was talking to Lewis Cook of the Glasgow synth-pop/kosmische duo Happy Meals about he and his musical partner and girlfriend Suzanne Roddens new album for the So Low label, Full Ashram Devotional Ceremony Vol IV-V. He said with delight that hed heard second-hand on Facebook that the whole album had been played from start to finish in a club in London the previous evening, and we both laughed as I belatedly twigged that Id been there. I think its funny and wonderful to think of all these people being out and ready to party and then this entire record, which is heavily rooted in spirituality and meditation and has an opening track that is just long tone drone, gets played in full.

Spirituality and philosophy have often been fraught territory for musicians, but Cook has studied widely and is the precise opposite of the fortnight-in-Goa Britpop poseur of yore. (He also has the look of a terrifyingly handsome, terrifyingly persuasive California shaman to him that really couldnt be carried off without extensive background knowledge to back it up.) Though he was just back from an exhausting five-week European tour with his other band, The Cosmic Dead, when I talked with him, Cook mapped out Happy Meals vision for the record with clarity and enthusiasm, and his knowledge and ideas always impressive when Ive spoken to him on other topics were, as ever, well worth considering in full.

The reason theres a spirituality in the record is that theres a sad tendency to reject spirituality in the modern world, he begins. It has become associated with institutionalised religions that have been so confining and had such negative effects on people. But in another way we accept a lot of dogmas take the dogma of austerity for example and tend to accept that they are just the way things should be. I think by parodying that a bit we can take it to an extreme and maybe de-program it a bit.

The main idea of the record is the need to push things forward, he continues, and to look at the future as something that might be good. That idea of futurism is quite rare people usually think of future as big glass high-rise buildings and things like that. The record is about trying to recapture a sense of positivity about the future the kind of thing you saw in TV programmes in the 1960s. Its not necessarily about repeating those things musically or aesthetically were not in the 1960s any more but rather about trying to project a vision of that into music and trying to capture it as a concept. Thats what the album is basically: an artistic vision of that world.

Utopianism crops up a lot in Cooks ideas for the record too, and he is at pains to properly contextualise the idea as they wish to explore it. Utopianism is kind of a dirty word and I use it slightly tongue in cheek, he says. You cant be too prescriptive about this stuff and how its done. I think were entering a world in which technology allows us to be less prescriptive with these worlds, and were not necessarily limited in that now by scarcity of resources. For example, vinyl is a limited commodity, but I was able to send you our new record today, and it didnt cost either of us anything. Theres something almost utopian about that, but I dont think its been fully harnessed yet, its sitting in the system somewhere. Music offers one example of a new world, and music can lead into a playful meditation on utopianism.

These things arent necessarily liberating by default, though, he continues. They require a vision to actually reinterpret some of the things we take for granted, and also some of the things we see as a pain in the arse. If you look at Charlie Brookers Black Mirror, for example, it continuously characterises technology as this total pain that will make everything terrible.

It quite possibly could do that, but as much as that might actually turn out to be the case, the job of an artist now is to reclaim a vision of the future. Our projection on the record is pretty obtuse its not a point-by-point manifesto on how to do it but it is an attempt to encourage people to begin to think of new ways to engage with technology, to imagine a future not necessarily dictated by technology and not dictated by the current political and social hegemony.

Black Mirror comes up in an interesting way again a little later as Cook goes further into his desire to promote a positive vision of the future rather than a bleak, dystopian one. A lot of electronic music these days, by James Ferraro and Holly Herndon and the like, is quite negative and bleak. I really love those records but to me their take on the future sounds a bit like the Black Mirror of music a kind of parody of humanity extrapolated to an incredibly bleak point. Thats an influence too though, because I love these records, but I come away feeling like I want to take something else out of them.

This sounds like Im setting the record up to be this huge manifesto, he laughs, suddenly checking himself, possibly concerned (unjustifiably, I should add) that he might be tumbling down a philosophical rabbit hole.

Its not supposed to be that at all though, its a just small gesture towards a larger idea and its not our ideas necessarily. The writer Mark Fisher has been a big influence his book Inventing The Future was really inspiring to me. I wrote my dissertation on how progress doesnt exist and how technology is creating the potential for disaster. I really believed that at the time but that book, while it doesnt invalidate that idea, points out that its just a way of looking at things rather than solid facts.

How we engage with the concept of the future can change the way we look at things, and this record is our effort to put as positive a spin on that as possible.

Happy Meals Full Ashram Devotional Ceremony Vol IV-V is out on June 17 on So Low. Happy Melas play live at the Glasgow School of Art degree show on June 9 and the Iona festival on July 1

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Music: Happy Meals serve up their new album Full Ashram Devotional Ceremony Vol IV-V - The National

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ST Bernadettes Catholic Primary School in Port Kennedy hosted double World Aerobic Champion and creator of the Jump Jam childrens aerobics programme Brett Fairweather.

The visit was part of the schools Health and Physical Education program.

The school has been using the Jump Jam fitness program since the beginning of the year.

Jump Jam is a cardiovascular fitness program that incorporates dance, drama and music, while also allowing students to learn about movement and the science of how they move.

Originally from New Zealand, Mr Fairweather incorporates cultural elements into the choreography including the Haka, Polynesian, Latin, Indian, South African, Spanish and also martial arts elements.

Jump Jam school co-ordinator Ethel Murphy said dance and movement was a great form of self-expression.

She said the program got students geared up and motivated for learning in the classroom.

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St Bernadette's to host Jump Jam aerobics creator - Community Newspaper Group

Water aerobics, kids yoga classes planned

New Hillsboro recreation classes in water aerobics and yoga for kids will begin in June.

Holly Nickel, a certified group instructor, will teach the one-hour water aerobics class at 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting June 6, at Hillsboro Family Aquatic Center.

Each low-impact class will cost $5 and will focus on improving muscle strength, posture, balance, and mobility and flexibility of the joints.

The other class, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. each Monday from June 12 through July 31, will feature Lesli Beery teaching kids ages 3 and older to play yoga and experience how their breath and body move together.

Each session will cost $2. Group discounts are available for day care centers. Children 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Caregivers may participate for free. Participants are being urged to bring their own mats. A limited number of mats will be available for rent at $1 per session.

Additional information about both classes is available from rec director Doug Sisk at (620) 947-3490 or recreation@cityofhillsboro.net.

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Water aerobics, kids' yoga classes planned - Hillsboro Star-Journal

The slow, eastward creep of hipster Portland is pushing past 82nd. For proof of what's happening, which until now has been a sprawl of chain spots and drive-thrus, look no further than two new vegan spots specializing in offers for the dewy after dawn.

Jet Black Coffee Company(11150 NE Weidler St., 503-889-0739, facebook.com/jetblackcoffeecompany)is an all-vegan coffee shop inspired by every punk rock-lifer's least favorite Jawbreaker record. Aside from the bright and woodsy shop's namesake, which is borrowed from a brooding middle track off the East Bay pop-punk legends' 1995 swan song, "Dear You," there's a copy of the album proudly propped against the double-headed La Marzocco, as well as their in-house blend, Dear You, which owners Travis Coe and Karla Nolt dialed in with the help of Water Avenue Coffee.

For playing the role of canary in the coal mine, Jet Black's gambit is paying off handsomely. In spite of the Portland coffee scene's longstanding allergy to any small-batch roast one could construe as being on the dark side, the aforementioned Dear You Blend ($2.50 for a 12 ounce) has a delicately smoky flavor up-front with a familiar tang in the finish that's distinctly the work of Water Ave. On account of being all vegan, the cappuccino selection ($3.50 for an 8 ounce; no traditional 5 ounce size was offered) was a mixed bag. Almond and coconut milk varieties yielded a smoother finish with much less separation between the foam and the espresso, while the hemp and soy were a tad overcooked and heavy on the big, sloppy bubbles that leave an undesirable blob floating on top.

We loved the blueberry danish ($4) from Sweet Pea, which was smooth and sugary on top with a flaky and tender crust that defied logic of being completely butter-free. The tempeh "bacon" and scallion cream cheese croissant ($2) was salty and tender and easily able to get away with being twice the size, but the price was right for a quick, on-the-go savory snack you'd expect from a proper coffee shop. Skip the cinnamon roll from Shoofly ($4), which was dry and dearly suffering of not having a proper substitute for the rich buttery finish of a regular cinnamon roll.

The overall aesthetic of the shop is heavy on unfinished wood and succulents, giving it a very Austin-meets-Etsy chic. This dovetails perfectly with the non-caffeinated beverage selection, which includes four flavors of La Croix and bottles of Topo Chico (all $1). The outside patio is one of the best in the neighborhood, and is likely to be at capacity from now until November. The ambience of the drag of Weidler Jet Black sits on is still a bit too traffic-y to feel charming, but that's how it's gonna be in these parts for the foreseeable future. Either way, getting pushed out of Portland proper is getting more and more bearable thanks to the efforts of owners like Coe and Nolt. PETE COTTELL.

Hard to believe, but Doe Donuts(Doe Donuts, 8201 SE Powell Blvd., 503-333-4404, doedonuts.com) is the city's first vegan donut shop. Located on the corner of Powell and 82nd, the shop's early May debut was met with the sale of 1,000 donuts in a mere four hours. And while Voodoo might have a few vegan options lurking up their sleeve, they've got nothing on Doe's thoughtful, well-balanced creations like "The Oregon Trail" (pecans, kettle chips, strawberries and chocolate chips) and the strawberry-milk flavored namesake, "Doe!"

The love child of dynamic baking duo Carly Sitner and Crystal Wegener, Doe Donuts took shape when the two worked together at an organic grocer.

"My partner and I started making donuts at our last job, and it just became a hit," says Sitner. "We thought, 'Well there's no vegan donut shop in Portland, and there's one in every other major city, so let's do it before someone else does.'"

Two years of word-of-mouth sales and one successful Kickstarter later, and that dream has finally become a reality. The shop itself is a former Pizza Hut, a small space complete with a giant, leering doe and a wooden donut case housing two racks of donuts laid out on cooling sheets.

"We were looking for a second-generation spot, a spot that had already been a restaurant in this neighborhood. It took about six months to just find anything that was open," Sitner adds. "When this was open it used to be a Pizza Hut for 30 years and it did not look anything like thisit was rather terrible. So we just jumped on it."

Pricing ranges between $2.75 and $4 per donut, and ingredients are locally sourced, non-GMO and organic. There are six core flavors on the menu at any given point, and a few seasonal creations that rotate out, with fall flavors beginning in September.

Doe's signature donut, dubbed "The Golden Child," proclaims to be the only chocolate raised donut in the city. It's a chocoholic's wet dream come true complete with chocolate chips, shavings, ganache and golden pearls, and it is sold out for the second day in a row. I console myself with a bite of the "All or Nothing," a donut filled with cookie butter and topped with ganache and cookie dough. The donut itself is springy and aerated, achieving a texture that's a mix between a more traditional cake dough and bread, and far less sugary than your standard donut.

It's a decadent (albeit thrilling) bite compared to the vanilla bean donut whose warm, spiced vanilla flavor is more than just another sugar bomb waiting to go off. The Thai Tea flavor doesn't taste like iced tea, but instead tastes of nutty, faintly toasted coconut, and has a crunchier, more satisfying dough than the rest of the donuts.

If no one told you these were vegan, you'd never be able to tell.

"We're just trying to create a really high-quality product," Sitner says. "You notice you won't see the word 'vegan' anywhere?It shouldn't matter, should it? The vegans already know, so I don't have to tell them. We just want to make a good donut." JANELLE ALBUKHARI.

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East Portland Now Has the City's First Vegan Doughnuts and a Brand-New Vegan Coffee Shop - Willamette Week

Since giving up meat at the age of 21, Alicia Silverstone has been amajor advocate for goingveganand shes raising her 6-year-old son, Bear Blu, to do the same.

In a video for the nonprofitFarm Sanctuarys Compassionate Meals program, the 40-year-oldCluelessstar explains why she is so passionate about this lifestyle.I just have always been really interested in the truth in all areas of life, she saysas they eat veggie burgers and kale salad. And so knowing the truth about where our food comes from is just so disturbing to me. Once you see it, theres no way to go back from that for me.

Additionally, she believes that people inthefood industryare intentionally deceiving the public into eating meat. Our food is being hijacked and theyre telling you lies about what your food is, says Silverstone. Its just constant lies so that youll make choices that go against your nature.

When Bear is asked what his favorite thing about being a vegan is, he responds: That you dont have to eat yucky meat.

FROM PEN:How Alicia Silverstone Maintains a Strict Vegan Diet For Her Son Without Judging Other Moms

Silverstone says she has no trouble feeding her child vegan foods, whipping up dishes like tacos and stir fry at a moments notice.I can make all those things based on whats in the fridge. You always have a bean, you always have a whole grain.

The amazing thing about it is that its turned me into a health nut, because youfeelso good, you feel so different, she adds. So being able to do something that is good for the Earth, good for the animals and good for you all at the same time seems like such a no-brainer. Its like the biggest Duh!'

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The actress previously made headlines in 2012 when she posted a video of herself chewing up food and feeding it directly into Bears mouth from her own.Its his favoriteand mine. He literally crawls across the room to attack my mouth if Im eating, she said at the time.

Andeven as some have criticized the idea of feeding children a vegan diet, Silverstone has staunchly defended her familyslifestyle.[Bear] lovesthe food I give him, she told PEOPLE in 2014.Hes not being deprived of anything. For him, having amazing fruit is like candy!

Despite her passion on the subject, Silverstone has beenclear that she doesnt force her eating habits upon others.I totally dont judge anything anyone else does, she recentlysaid on thePeople/Entertainment Weekly Network. Im only interested in helping provide information in case you want to know a piece of this secret Ive found If you dont, all love and peace.

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Alicia Silverstone Says Feeding Her Son a Vegan Diet Is 'Such a No-Brainer' - PEOPLE.com