Do birds know borders? Do clouds recognise countries?

As the Alliance Air flight from Bombay to Bhavnagar began its descent, the white clouds drew an abstract painting against a serene blue sky. Below was the Gujarat coastline with a patchwork of salt pans, its whiteness brighter with the sharp evening sun. As the plane descended further, there was the mesmerising sight of a flock of flamingos flying in formation, their plumage adding a pink dash to the painting.

Greater flamingos are migratory birds from the North. But now they are said to have become residents of the Gulf of Khambat and the Rann of Kutch (which is shared by India's Gujarat and Pakistan's Sindh). I wondered where the ones I saw flying came from, or where they were going. But did it matter? Neither birds nor clouds carry divisive religious or national identities. Thank God.

I was on my way to Mahuva, a two-hour drive from Bhavnagar, to attend a three-day satsang (socio-spiritual assembly) at the ashram of Morari Bapu. India's best-known and widely respected Ram Kathakar, Bapu tells the story of the Ramayana, interspersed with songs drawn mainly from Shri Ram Charit Manas of Goswami Tulsi Das, a 16th-century Bhakti poet. He has been doing so all over the world for the past five decades. Morari Bapu's Ram knows no national, or even religious, borders. "Ram and his message of truth, love and compassion belong to the whole world," he says. Indeed, Bapu's discourses are replete with expositions of the same message from other religious and spiritual traditionsIndian and foreign. In particular, he takes great pains to show the convergence of the teachings of Hinduism and Islam. Next month he is planning to visit Turkey to pay homage to his favourite Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi at his mausoleum in Konya.

Like Ram, whose mission in life was to transcend enmity and uphold the unity of humanity, Bapu has been trying, he says, "to build bridges between Hanuman and Rehman." After the communal carnage in Gujarat in 2002, no religious leader has endeavoured so consistently to promote Hindu-Muslim harmony as Bapu has. For the past two decadeseven before the Godhra and post-Godhra violence eruptedhe has been attending the annual Yaad-e-Hussain programme organised by the local Muslim community in Mahuva, as the chief guest. Imam Hussain is a hero for him because the Prophet Mohammed's grandson sacrificed his life fighting against tyranny. In a bold and unconventional move, one that certainly displeases the votaries of hardline Hindutva, Bapu has changed the visual projection of Ram. The idols of Ram, Laxman and Hanuman in his ashram are without their weapons. God or his avatars, he believes, do not need any weapons.

Hence, Bapu's sprawling and scenic ashram in Mahuvahe has named it Kailas Gurukulwas the ideal venue for the conference (1-3 June, 2017). It was the eighth edition of an annual meet organised by the Sadbhavana Forum, a non-political organisation engaged in voluntary service. Founded by Sanjay Bhavsar and Tula Patel, an idealistic couple inspired by Gandhian ideology, and patronised by Bapu, the forum has brought together hundreds of young and not-so-young social activists in Gujarat, channelising their energies in diverse projectsfrom providing shelter and life-transforming education to orphaned children to ambitious undertakings such as striving for peace and normalcy in Kashmir.

Just a few days before the conference began, 25 Sadbhavana volunteers had returned from a three-week-long peace mission in Kashmir, where they mostly interacted with school children and teachers in the Valley. They had also participated in rehabilitation efforts after floods had devastated the Valley in 2014. "But we saw a visible difference in the situation in Kashmir in these three years," says Sanjay. "We encountered a most unwelcome response wherever we went. Questions such as 'Why have you Indians come here?' were hurled at us. And the Kashmiris we met became even more unfriendly when they learnt that we had come from Gujarat. 'Oh, you have come from Modi's Gujarat,' they'd say scornfully. However, their attitude would change when we told them, 'We have come from Gandhi's Gujarat, not Modi's Gujarat. We have come here to listen to you, to have a dialogue with you.' After this, they would open their doors and hearts. This is the undying power of Mahatma Gandhi."

The theme of the Mahuva conference, "Samvaad se Sadbhavana", was a continuation of these peace warriors' mission in Kashmiran attempt at creating goodwill and harmony through dialogue. Attended by over 300 social activists, and with Morari Bapu present in many sessions, it deliberated on issues that are vital to Indian society.

The conference began with a speech by Arif Mohammed Khan, one of the most outspoken and learned Indian politicians. Even after the passage of three decades, people still remember him for his courageous 1986 speech in Parliament, in which he, as a member of Rajiv Gandhi's council of ministers, defended the Supreme Court ruling granting alimony to divorced Muslim women in the famous Shah Bano case. Rajiv Gandhi was a well-meaning but inexperienced Prime Minister. Despite commanding a huge majority in Parliament, he succumbed to pressure from anti-reformist forces in the Muslim community and legislatively annulled the Supreme Court ruling. This was a major turning point in Indian politics, and marked the beginning of his party's downslide.

Arif bhai touched upon another sensitive issue in his speechtriple talaq, which is currently being debated by the Muslim community and the wider Indian society. Arguing that it has no sanction whatsoever in the Holy Quran, he said the defenders of triple talaq have no respect for the wishes of Muslim women or for the Indian Constitution. However, a greater part of his speech dealt with the essential similarity between Islam and Hinduism. Armed with appropriate Quranic sayings, and drawing upon supportive references from Hindu saints and scriptures, his speech was a rebuke to Muslim and Hindu fanatics alike.

The same thought was the thrust of the speech that followed. It was by Prof Sharifa Vijalivala, a renowned name in Gujarati literature. She bemoaned the tendency in contemporary Indian society to divide people on the basis of their religion. "Even colours have come to have religious affiliationsgreen is Muslim and saffron is Hindu. It's high time we realised we are all one people under India's tricolour." Morari Bapu honoured her with this year's Sadbhavana award.

The second Sadbhavana award went to singers-cum-peace activists Shabnam Virmani and Vipul Rekhi. Through their Kabir Project, the duo have been spreading the message of interfaith and inter-cultural understanding and harmony. On the second night of the conference, they enthralled the participants with their soulful rendition of the works of the 15th century north Indian mystic poet, as well as of some other Bhakti-Sufi saint-poets. For Shabnam, as she said in her acceptance speech, the award given by Morari Bapu had special significance because her own journey as a singer of Kabir bhajans was triggered by the deep sorrow and anguish she had experienced after witnessing the communal carnage in Gujarat in 2002.

A highlight of the conference was a discussion on the role of the mass media in promoting dialogue in society. The two speakers who spoke on this themeDr Hari Desai, a veteran Gujarati editor and columnist, and Ravish Kumar, the celebrated anchor of NDTV Hindiwere unanimous in their conclusion. The Indian media are contributing not to democratic dialogue, but to divisive diatribe. Ravish Kumar, in his frequently cheered speech, spoke of the fear and submissiveness that has turned a big section of the mass media into a mouthpiece of the government. Coming just a few days before the CBI raid on the residence of Dr Prannoy Roy, NDTV's founder, Ravish's plain speak on the misuse of the instruments of governance to browbeat the media had a kind of predictive ring to it.

Admiral L. Ramdas, a former chief of the Indian Navy and a speaker in the afternoon session, is a courageous voice from the military fraternity. He is 84, and for the past nearly quarter of a century after his retirement he has been serving public causes with a rare kind of courage and conviction. In his speech, he made a strong pitch for a just and humane political solution to the Kashmir issue, cautioning that continuous use of force would only worsen the situation. He decried the recent episode of the Army using a Kashmiri civilian as a human shield to ward off stone-pelters. "India's defence forces combine shaurya (bravery) with shaleenata (righteousness). The Army must never cease to be shaleen in its conduct with its own people." Brave, and timely, words of caution from a war hero.

Lalita Ramdas is also a passionate peace activist in her own right. The daughter as well as the wife of former Naval chiefs, she has recently spearheaded a signature campaign on a statement that calls for immediate resumption of bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan on all issues, including cessation of terrorism and a settlement of the Kashmir issue. She read out the statement, which has been signed by over 1000 eminent personalities in both India and Pakistan, at the conference, whose participants endorsed it. It's not out of place here to mention that their daughter Kavita Ramdas, a well-known name in the global movement for women's empowerment, is married to Zulfiqar Ahmad, a Pakistani peace advocate.

In my speech, I stressed the need to bring a sense of urgency and resolve to bear on the task of normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan. "The continuous hostility and low-level conflict between our two countries, unless stopped and reversed, has the danger of escalating into a full-scale war. Wars in the past have not solved any problem. The entire world is concerned that a new war between India and Pakistan could be a nuclear war, which would have catastrophic consequences for our two countries and beyond. Therefore, the yardstick of patriotism today is promotion of Indo-Pak peace and reconciliation, and not perpetuation of jingoism and warmongering."

I stressed the centrality of resolving the Kashmir issuethe core issue between India and Pakistanthrough honest dialogue both internally (with all the stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir, including the separatists) and externally (with Pakistan). "For this," I said, "our two countries should pursue an innovative approach, focusing on a solution that is acceptable to India, Pakistan and also to the people of Kashmir. This is what Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif attempted, and the endeavour was carried forward by Dr Manmohan Singh and Pervez Musharraf. A broad framework for resolving the Kashmir issue is already in place, and it is known as the four-point Musharraf-Manmohan formula. Despite some differences between the two sides, this formula can still serve as the basis for a fresh bilateral dialogue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif should build on this framework, modify it if necessary, and even give it a new name to put their own stamp on it."

I underscored the fact that, unlike his predecessors, Modi enjoys a huge parliamentary mandate, which he can use to take a bold and out-of-the-box approach to solve the Kashmir issue and to (largely, though not fully) normalise relations with Pakistan. "Indian people will support him. He will earn a name in history. However, if he dithers, history will have to find another leader to achieve its mission."

Predictably, some conference participants asked me, "How can there be talks with Pakistan when it continues to back terror attacks in India?"

My reply: "Pakistan is certainly guilty of aiding and abetting terrorism. It must, for its own good, combat terrorism without making any distinction between good and bad terrorists. By nurturing religious extremism and terrorism, Pakistan itself has become a victim of its wrong policies. Terrorism, either inside Pakistan or from across the border into India, is not going to end soon. However, if Modi and Sharif continue the dialogue and achieve some progress on some issues despite the provocation by terror groups and their backers (and Sharif is not among them), it is going to strengthen the pro-peace and pro-democracy forces in Pakistan. This will ultimately enable our two countries to achieve bigger breakthroughs in future. Therefore, India and Pakistan should resume dialogue in an interrupted and uninterruptible manner."

I have always believed that India-Pakistan dialogue should not be left to the two governments alone. People from all walks of life should participate in it in a forceful and consistent way. I said this to Morari Bapu in a private conversation with him, and suggested that "Dharma Gurus (religious leaders belonging to different faiths) should take the lead." Pat came his enlightened retort. "No, not Dharma Gurus, but Sadgurus (genuine spiritual gurus) should take the lead. Religion is being misused by many so-called religious leaders for irreligious ends.

That Morari Bapu is a true Sadguru, and not a self-serving Dharma Guru, is evident from both what he preaches and practices. I suggested to him that he should visit Pakistan and initiate a dialogue with influential people in religious and non-religious spheres. "I would very much like to go to Pakistan. I am keen to visit Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. If possible, I would even like to conduct a Ram Katha in Pakistan and contribute to building a bridge of understanding, goodwill and peace between India and Pakistan."

As I flew back from Bhavnagar to Bombay on a late evening flight, the sun had set, darkness had arrived, and no flamingos could be seen. But the thought that long lingered in my mind was: "Do saints like Morari Bapu have borders, religious or national? Can they succeed where the politicians have failed?"

Rare Photos Of Legendary Singer Kishori Amonkar

At A Hindu Saint's Gujarat Ashram, A Clarion Call For Indo-Pak Peace [ed]

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At A Hindu Saint's Gujarat Ashram, A Clarion Call For Indo-Pak Peace - Huffington Post India

Bartley Healthcare, 175 Bartley Road, Jackson, is partnering with the Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Geriatrics Institute to host an educational seminar at 3 p.m. June 30. Presenters will discuss the capabilities and services of the new Geriatrics Institute at MMCSC. To reserve a place at the seminar, call Lindsay Constantino at 732-370-4700, ext. 1368, by June 26.

DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, will host a church rummage sale and car wash on July 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a food concession available. All are welcome to attend. Details: debowsumc.org

Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) will hold a puppy adoption event at Petco, 4345 Route 9 North, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24. To see available puppies, visit http://www.carenj.com

The Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, will host a Peek Into The Past program at 6:30 p.m. July 6 to examine the history of Howell. The theme of this years reading program is Building a Better World. Howell will be seen through photos, stories and displays. Don McGirr will speak about the village of Blue Ball and the Bethesda cemetery. The free program is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The Monmouth County Park System will host an Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. There will be new items, furniture, antiques, novelties and more. Details: http://www.MonmouthCountyParks.com

The Monmouth County Fair will run from July 26-30 at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township.Admission is $8 per person. Children 12 and under are free. The fair gate will be open from 5-11 p.m. July 26-28; from 3-11 p.m. July 29; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 30. Entries will be accepted for the Home and Garden competition. To download a brochure, visit http://www.MonmouthCountyFair.com

The Genealogical Society of New Jersey will hold its 2017 genealogy seminar on June 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 303 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The seminar will feature lectures about New Jersey resources, World War I, Ellis Island, Dutch ancestors and research skills. Details and tickets: http://gsnj.org/2017-seminar/

The Jim Hall Memorial Homeless Vets Motorcycle Run and BBQ/Picnic will be held at noon June 24 at Jackson Elks Lodge No. 2744, 1059 East Veterans Highway, Jackson. Tickets are $25. Registration for the ride starts at 9 a.m. and the ride kicks off at 10 a.m. Food, beverages, entertainment by the Mangos and vendors. Proceeds of the day benefit homeless veterans. Details: joelamo90@gmail.com

The Jackson Library will host the seventh annual Verity Academy Piano Recital from 2-4 p.m. June 17. Classical music will be performed by students of the Verity Academy. All ages welcome. Registration required. To register, call 732-928-4400 and press option 4.

On June 28 from 1-2:30 p.m., the Jackson Library will host an education program, Effective Communication Strategies: Alzheimers Disease, presented by the Alzheimers Association. Attendees will learn how people with dementia communicate using attitude, tone, facial expression and body language. The program is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400, option 4.

On June 28 at 6:30 p.m., the Jackson Library will host a workshop from Ocean County SCORE that is designed to educate entrepreneurs and help small businesses start, grow and succeed. The program is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400; option 4.

The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will sponsor a member and family picnic at Oak Tree Lodge, Wall Township, on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be food, entertainment, games and activities. The cost is $5 for members; non-member guests, $35. Children under 5 are free. Guests age 5 to 11 are $15 per person. Details: Sue, 732 995-7754.

The Jackson Library will host a Red Cross blood drive from 2-7 p.m. July 31. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, weighs a minimum of 110 pounds and is in generally good health can donate blood. All blood types are needed. Donors should bring a photo ID. Visit http://www.redcross.org to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

Look for turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and other wildlife during a boat tour of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Each 45-minute tour leaves from the Visitor Center, Windeler Road, Howell. Tours are offered at the top of the hour from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 6 through Sept. 4. Wednesday tours are offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from July 5 through Aug. 30. Evening tours are offered on the first Friday of each month May through September; call 732-751-9453 as times vary for the evening tours. All tours are weather and water level dependent. The fee is $6 per adult and $4 per child age 12 and under.

A coloring for adults program will be held at the Jackson Library from 10-11:30 a.m. June 20. Rediscover the joys of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided along with light refreshment and relaxing music. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Details: 732-928-4400.

Adults 18 and over can create their own rainbow clay necklace at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Jackson Library. Supplies provided. Seating is limited. Registration required. Details: 732-928-4400.

The Jackson Librarys knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.

New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.

St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email St AloysiusGonzagaGroup@gmail.com.

Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.

Original post:

Tri-Town News Datebook, June 14 - centraljersey.com

Centre Daily Times

Centre County summer concert series offer free family fun Centre Daily Times JoAnn Knupp, one of the concert series organizers, said the Talleyrand Park setting is a perfect place to enjoy music and connect with neighbors. There's nothing more relaxing than a nice, warm Sunday evening sitting in your favorite chair listening ...

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Centre County summer concert series offer free family fun - Centre Daily Times

Have you ever been to Zapopan? Its in Mexico (not the same as Puerto Rico, Catelynn!) and Im out here because my husbands niece just graduated from medical school. Its a lovely place and from what Im told has some of the most amazing sunsets in the world. I wouldnt know though because last night, while everyone was oohing and aahing over the glorious pinks and reds that stained the sky, I was busy using the last of my data refreshing Amber Portwoods Twitter account, hoping and praying that shed released a message saying, Its over, you guys. And Im doing better than ever! (Remember to check foreverhaute.com for the hottest fashions and accessories. Coupon code: MattIsLiteralGarbage!)"

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Alas, this missive never came. And when I went to bed at an unreasonable hour, cranky because I have now become too invested in a show that I never watched before I started recapping it, my husband gently suggested that I maybe take a step back and take a look at my life choices.

But how can I when theres so much going on? Catelynns enrolled Nova in a day care that will teach her to wash her hands! Amber and Matts relationship is falling apart in a documented way that she cant just brush off as editing! Maci is out here drinking beer and being reasonable! And Furnished by Farrah is thisclose to giving up her dreams of being a doctor/international yogurt mogul to become a hypnotherapist. I can feel it in my bones. Can you?

Anyway, heres what happened:

Nova is old enough to start day care, so Catelynn and Tyler are enrolling her at a nearby center three times a week. The center is pretty bomb; theyve got all the toys Ive always wanted.

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The thing I like most about this day care is that aside from teaching kids how to share, solve problems, and enhance their cognitive abilities (I hope that means MagnaTiles; I used to work at a preschool and sometimes I would get so into those things that Id convince the actual kids to give me theirs so I could finish my mansion with three-car garage before we had to put them away), the center also boasts that theyll teach kids how to wash their hands. Shouldnt that be implicit? If Im sending my kid to be watched by others, Id like to assume that its a given theyll be washing their hands after they poop, pee, or stick their entire finger up their nose and then wipe whatever treasures they find within on the nearest adults face as a sign of affection. Actually, you know what? Id respect it more if the day cares website proudly proclaimed that they teach kids not to wipe their nose on other people. Thats the kind of shit kids need to learn.

OK, thats it! Bye, Catelynn! See you in New York!

Who else was hoping that this would be the week that Maci, Ryan, Jenn, Larry, and that snake Mackenzie would all get together and have a talk about Ryans future? I know this show is all about real life and not just manufactured drama (because Jaala is on vacation or something; where is she?), but almost every episode has been promising us a big ol blowout, and all were getting is Maci and T-Money visiting a shrink, who cries because their love is so beautiful, and throwing birthday parties in their backyard, which has a really nice pool. (In my notes Ive actually written, Maci has a nice pool, I would swim in it, so that should inform you of the level of drama we are dealing with here.)

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Speaking of backyards, its T-Moneys birthday, so Maci takes him golfing and then surprises him with a special party at their house (which is not really a surprise because all four of their friends have parked in their driveway). Bentley gives T-Money a card that neither of us can really read but says some stuff about how hes the best stepdad, and then nice, relaxing music plays as we are reminded just how great and loving the Bookout-McKinney relationship is and how we should all strive for something similar. Whatever. Wheres Mackenzie when you need her? I was hoping shed be hiding in the bushes la Sean Spicer, twirling her evil mustache and plotting ways to get her own spin-off, but no. What are you doing, girl? You wanted to be on TV! This is your chance and youre being upstaged by Farrahs hypnotherapist!

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We open on Amber lying to herself and others by stating that she and Matt are better than ever and that all the hurt from the past few weeks when Matt called her a fucking psycho and then accused her of humiliating him because Amber wanted her child at her wedding is suddenly gone. If my husband called me a psycho to anyone even though he has a point because I run a secluded motel to which I lure lonely travelers to murder while wearing my mothers clothes on the side (its a down economy) I would certainly not be OK with it just a few weeks later. In fact, I might never be OK with it. Amber and the fucking albatross who used her to write a book in which he is pasty and naked on the cover for no reason though? Theyre booking wedding venues for Friday the 13 because they are cool and hip and edgy, and possibly because Amber is hoping that someone will crash the event in a Jason mask and just take Matt out with a hockey stick or whatever that guy uses.

Here are some details from Matt and Ambers upcoming wedding: The venue is 48 floors above the ground; 130 people are invited (not me, though :/); Amber is renting out a hotel so all the guests can enjoy free accommodations, and also there will be a special room for kids to play in thats staffed by nannies who will put them to bed; oh, and its not. Fucking. Happening.

Listen, this wedding should have been canceled seasons ago, but every episode it isnt, I get more and more anxious. What if she goes through with it? What will be the last straw? Why wasnt it Matt trying to sleep with Farrah? Why wasnt it Matt lying about his past? Why wasnt it Matt calling Amber names? Or Matt trying to pressure Amber into a wedding? Why isnt it Matt refusing to go to counseling? Amber has had reason to break up with this trash monster since the beginning, but now its been three years, and she may feel like shes in too deep.

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Speaking of: Matts reticence to see a therapist is especially suspect. Ambers out here telling the guy she has problems trusting him, that shes on five medications, that shed like to start their wedded life together on the right foot by working through the issues they have, and hes all, Nah, thats for losers. First, not true; second, uh, you have lots of stuff to talk to a therapist with, Matt. Have you watched the show?

Oh wait, whats this? Matts even shadier than we thought? Yep, because while he and Amber are on a press trip to New York (question: Why cant Amber go anywhere on her own?) Matt supplies Catelynn, whos having a panic attack, with a Xanax that he was never supposed to have because he is in recovery! And then he lies about it to everyone and tries to make it Amber's fault! (Hes since blamed the Las Vegas trip and this latest fiasco on the fact that, yeah, hed totally relapsed.)

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When Amber finds out that Matt is now doling out drugs to her castmates, she's understandably livid and confused. She and Matt have a discussion in which he, for some reason not known to the rest of the modern world, refers to himself as daddy and demands that Amber agree that theyre still getting married. She says its not happening good and he says, Oh, but it was one mistake. Yeah, a mistake that happens every other fucking week.

What about all the questions youre going to get? Matt asks, thinking again only of his own reputation and not the fact that he is lying to Amber, messing with her sobriety, and handing out pills.

Im going to lie, Amber responds, which is both heartbreaking and says a lot about how honest she is in interviews. I get her though. Telling the truth might be good TV, but this is actually Ambers life and shes just trying to get by in a situation that most of us will never have to handle. Tip to anyone going on a reality show: Never date a superfan.

Matt freaks out because Amber is miked when they have this talk, but I feel like hes being manipulative here too. If anyone calls him out on anything later, he can just say hes mad because Amber broadcast a private conversation to the rest of the world and blame it all on her again, even though she isnt the one popping Xannies with Catelynn.

This is exhausting but it isnt over yet. Matt gets Catelynn involved (she is miked) and she begins to apologize for causing problems, which Matt loves. Then Matt cleverly tells Cate that, yo, the drugs werent even for him, they were for Amber who gets nervous on planes (even though she was fine on the Puerto Rico trip?) and that he was going to give them to her if she freaked out. It is at this point that I started screaming, LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! so loudly that my husband holed himself up in the hotel bathroom until he was certain that the carnage had ended.

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Let me break it down for you: Amber doesnt take drugs. At all. Last season, she refused painkillers after plastic surgery because she didnt want to relapse. This season, she refused to take painkillers when she had a toothache so bad it made her weep. Why in the hell, then, would she be taking a Xanax? Matt knows this! But he also knows that to people who dont know or understand Ambers sobriety (Im sure Catelynn doesnt watch this show as carefully as we recappers do), taking a benzo to relax wouldnt seem to out of the ordinary. What the fuck is wrong with this guy? (Answer: Everything.)

All I was doing was helping my friends! Matt pleads, but Amber isnt having any of it, calling off the wedding because, according to her, Matt is a junkie, and no amount of spin is going to change that. And while she keeps her word and says nice stuff about their relationship in her interviews, Matt continues raging behind the scenes.

Give me five minutes with the press, Ill tell her what shes really like, Matt hisses and Ive got to hand it to the editors, theyre doing their best giving him enough rope to hang himself. Part of me believes that this isnt just about good TV they really want him gone too. At this point, even Catelynn and Maci have given up their whole the first year of marriage is the hardest schtick and have finally started getting worried for Amber. Because you know what? We should all be. And if youre one of those people tweeting they just dont understand your love to her, you should stop. Because none of this is OK.

For some reason or another, Farrah was not invited on the press tour possibly to build up drama about whether she was returning? so shes got a busy week of torturing others ahead of her.

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She begins by insisting that Sophia wants to be an actress, even though Sophia is less in love with this idea than being in her grandmas rap video. This kid knows whats up, but her mom has decided that shes got the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to be the next Jonathan Lipnicki and his adorably giant head. Of course, Sophia, who has been well trained in the art of not doing what she doesnt want to, pretends to be asleep when its time to hit the stage, so Farrah has to force her downstairs via a complicated series of levers, pullies, and a bellman who rolls Sophia to the car in his cart, thinking about his tip the entire time.

The things I do for my little boo boo, Farrah croons.

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At the acting lesson Farrah greets the teacher with a good day, which is probably the funniest thing I have ever seen we learn that Sophia has poor diction (fine, she is 7), no natural aptitude for the stage or screen (she doesnt want to be here anyway), and doesnt know how to emote or enunciate. The teacher, who, like the bellman, is only thinking about getting paid at this point, is just sitting there waiting for the entire thing to be over. When Farrah breezes in expecting him to quietly take her aside and inform her that in his years of teaching that hes never seen anyone quite like Sophia, he tells her that what Sophia did was very raw which is something you generally say about either (1) adult actors who do one of those prestige roles where they break the hell down and cry a lot because a dingo ate their baby, or (2) when you have nothing else to say and maybe shell be a good stagehand just doesnt sound polite.

Bolstered by Sophias Oscar-caliber performance, Farrah takes her to the rental house she owns so she can inform the tenants the shes moving on in and theyre moving on up (to a deluxe apartment literally anywhere else). But instead, she just says some stuff about how they can paint if they want to (even if theyre only going to be there for another two months? Why paint then?) and then asks where all her beautiful Furnished by Farrah furniture is. The tenants have put it in the garage.

Sophia asks when she can move in, and Farrah gets really angry that she mentions this, and so everyone is really confused by everything, because wasnt the whole point of this visit to evict these people? And why didnt Farrah ask the rental company, who seems to be managing everything, to do it?

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Finally, Farrah and Simon meet for (possibly?) the last time. Theyre joined by this seasons opportunistic hanger-on, hypnotherapist Kevin Stone, whos there to help them break up once and for all. He gives Simon some words about how he really needs to be true to himself and feel his hurt, and then puts both of them under, so they can get this breakup party started. When they both wake, Simon takes off his mic to go forever and Farrah tells him to enjoy the rest of your day. She thinks the therapy worked but the rest of us know the truth: Kevin Stones promises are bullshit (this is coming from someone who believes in hypnotherapy), its the humiliation Simon's just had to sit through thats really made Simons decision for him.

Does Simon love Farrah? The jury may always be out on that one. But I dont think well be seeing him much anymore.

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Amber Finally Calls Off Her Wedding on Teen Mom OG - Cosmopolitan.com

In the interest of full disclosure: As a teen, I attended a music camp for several summers, and I HATED IT. Every. Single. Minute.

But some of the things that irritated me at age 14 or 15 are exactly what would appeal to me now that Ive reached the time of life when my snail mailbox often overflows with materials from the AARP.

How amazing would it be to spend time in a place with other people my age trying to improve a skill we all value? (Id give that a 10 on a 1 to 10 scale of amazingness.)

How relaxing would it be to get away from the everyday grind and spend a few days in a stress-free environment? (That one rates a 10 on a 1 to 10 scale of relaxingness.)

How much fun would I have meeting new people who share my interests? (Even introverts enjoy interacting in low-key environments. Thats an easy 10 in the fun category.)

We all know that research confirms that creating art.engaging in challenging activitiesand being social in generalhelp our minds and bodies stay fit and healthy. Considering that most of us 50-plussers arent ready for permanent residence in the front porch rocking chair, an arts-oriented camp is a profitable and pleasant way to pass some time this summer.

Arts camps for adults, particularly ones that welcome people over 50, can be found by searching online or contacting your local public library. Here are four, different in kind and location, that come highly recommended:

The heart of jazz, Jamey Aebersold believes, is the solo the moment when a member of the combo stands out from the others he or she is playing with and puts a new spin on the song. My camps are aimed at bringing out the individuality of each person, he says.

Aebersolds weeklong camps used to be aimed at teenagers. These days his campers tend to be older many well into their 60s or even 70s.

Sunday dinner begins at 5 p.m. at the University Club, followed by a meeting and faculty concert at 7:30 p.m. The business of playing jazz starts Monday morning with an 8:30 a.m. music theory class, followed by a class in musicianship and a combo rehearsal. Theres lunch featuring live jazz from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., more combo practice, master classes, dinner and then nightly faculty concerts from 7:30-10 p.m. And just in case everyone hasnt had enough, jam sessions for all are held from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Rinse and repeat Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday features student concerts after lunch (friends and family invited!) and then a farewell dinner.

Participants come from all over, and nearly half are age 50 or older. In 2016, 42 states and several countries, including Japan and Finland, were represented. The 48-member faculty and staff of 13 are all jazz musicians.

Coming to a camp like this changes their lives. Music makes you feel good, says Aebersold, who most jazz players know from his play-along recordings. For a musician who never improvises, for them to learn they can play a solo, its a great feeling.

Camp Dates in 2017: July 2-7, July 9-14

Tuition: $595

Dormitory: $260

Meal Plan on Campus: $160

Other Info: Instrument rentals are available; off-campus housing and restaurant information available; airport drop off and pick up available at a fee

Website: http://workshops.jazzbooks.com/

Need to brush up on your Passe Doble or Lindy Hop? Linda and Lee Wakefield, who have been running the Adult Ballroom Camp at the Brigham Young University (BYU) Dance Camps in Provo, Utah, since 1987, have you covered.

The camp runs from Monday through Saturday (July 31-August 4). Altogether, 37 hours of instruction are offered at five skill levels (for most of the dancers), but people can pace themselves. Attendees are assessed and put into appropriate skill levels at the beginning of camp.

A typical day includes three hours of morning instruction, lunch, three more hours of dance, dinner and an evening activity, such as a lecture, a performance by the teaching assistants (students at BYU) or a trip to nearby Sundance. Everything culminates in a performance the final night of the routines couples have been practicing.

Its a safe environment. You dont have to perform, Wakefield assures everyone. However, we find people dont just attend classes. They practice between classes and at night. Theres a high energy level and so many of our campers who are over 50 well, theyre young on the dance floor.

Camp Dates in 2017: July 31-August 4

Tuition: $530

Single-sex Dormitory: $95 (shared) $190 (private). As there is no married housing, many people stay at motels nearby.

Meal card (optional): $85

Other Info: The website provides a list of motels at special rates and restaurants.

Website: https://dancecamps.byu.edu/adult_ballroom

The internationally-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts, in Traverse City, Mich., runs programs for adults throughout the year. If youre looking for an immersive music experience over the summer, however, this is the place to be.

A part of the Interlochen campus is dedicated to the adult programs. There are performance spaces and practice rooms as well as areas where people can simply socialize. Some people choose to stay on campus; others camp in the adjacent state park. There are also motels a short drive a way. A daily meal plan is available though all of the adult camps feature at least one communal daily meal so the participants can get to know one another throughout the week.The camps all follow a similar routine; the day begins at 8 or 9 a.m. with a practice session. Attendees switch to another activity in mid-morning, and then go tolunch followed byan afternoon of lessons or master classes. Each evening ends with a performance by the artists in residence.A lot of people, Donaldson says, come to study with a specific teacher and then because they have enjoyed the experience so much, continue to return year after year to delve into a different repertoire. A sizable portion of the campers are50 and older. Some have been coming to Interlochen for years; others are first-timers.

The program sizes are limited: Choir Camp accepts 80 people; Band Camp accommodates 90; and the Chamber Music Camp maxes out at 150.

Camp Types, Dates and Fees in 2017:

Choir Camp, 6/26-7/1: $545

Adult Band Camp, 8/8-8/13: $545

Chamber Music Camp, 8/14-8/20: $545

Meals and Housing: Meal plans can be purchased for $25/day. Housing information and pricing can be found on the website.

Choir Camp Website: http://college.interlochen.org/adult-classes/adult-choir

Band Camp Website: http://college.interlochen.org/adult-classes/band-camp

Chamber Music Camp Website: http://college.interlochen.org/adult-classes/chamber-camp

If your dream of a summer music program includes living in a cabin in the woods, dining communally with fellow campers, taking a break to kayak on Lake

The philosophy behind the camp is to provide a supportive environment for adults of all ages to learn music. Oh, and to have a good time, says program and music director Nina Andersen.People (who hail from all over the country) will arrive at the camp late Monday afternoon August 20 for orientation and that evening, participate in their first rehearsal. Tuesday through Friday are heavy days that begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., with a break for lunch. Attendees are placed into large and small ensembles (such as jazz, Klezmer and Dixieland). During the day, they rehearse and practice and attend educational seminars on topics like how to understand complex rhythms. At night, faculty members perform and students socialize and practice. The week culminates in performances by all the camper ensembles in the lovely bowl in the middle of the woods.Most of our campers are over 50, and they have as much fun socializing as making music together, Andersen sums up.

Camp Dates in 2017: August 21-17

Tuition: $450 (discount for alums)

Housing: Many options, from $180 (dorm room) to $870 for a three bedroom cabin. Off-campus lodging information available on the website

Meals: $200 for full plan; $120 for commuter plan (no breakfast)

Other Info: Family and friends not attending the camp can pay for access to the camps recreational facilities.

Website: http://adultmusiccamp.com

My advice? If you can still fit any of these camps into your summer schedule, go online immediately and reserve your space. For those whose fingers, toes and hearts thumped at the idea of arts camp at our age (imagine!) but who cant make the time this summer, bookmark this article or save it to Pocket. Then create a to do item for January. This summer, Im up to my ears in grandma duties. But next summer? I really would like to pick up my horn again.

Twin Cities Public Television - 2017. All rights reserved.

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Summer Music and Arts Camps for Grown-Ups - Next Avenue

Likewise, animals on organic farms are not generally healthier. A five year US study showed that organic health outcomes are similar to conventional dairies. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety found no difference in objective disease occurrence. Organic pigs and poultry may enjoy better access to open areas, but this increases their load of parasites, pathogens and predators. Meanwhile the organic regulation against feeding bee colonies with pollen supplements in low-pollen periods along with regulation against proper disinfection leads to sharply lower bee welfare.

Organic farming is sold as good for the environment. This is correct for a single farm field: organic farming uses less energy, emits less greenhouse gasses, nitrous oxide and ammonia and causes less nitrogen leeching than a conventional field. But each organic field yields much, much less. So, to grow the same amount of wheat, spinach or strawberries, you need much more land. That means that average organic produce results in the emission of about as many greenhouse gasses as conventional produce; and about 10 per cent more nitrous oxide, ammonia and acidification. Worse, to produce equivalent quantities, organic farms need to occupy 84 per cent more land land which cant be used for forests and genuine nature reserves. For example, to produce the amount of food America does today, but organically, would require increasing its farmland by the size of almost two United Kingdoms. That is the equivalent of eradicating all parklands and wild lands in the lower 48 states.

But surely organics avoid pesticides? No. Organic farming can use any pesticide that is natural. This includes copper sulphate, which has resulted in liver disease in vineyard sprayers in France. Pyrethrin is another organic pesticide; one study shows a 3.7-fold increase in leukaemia among farmers who handled pyrethrins compared to those who had not.

Conventional food, its true, has higher pesticide contamination. Although it is still very low, this is a definite benefit of organics. However, using a rough upper estimate by the head of the US Food and Drug Administrations Office of Toxicology, all conventional pesticide residues may cause an extra 20 cancer deaths per year in America.

This pales in comparison to the impact of organics. If all of the United States were to go organic, the cost would likely be around $200 billion annually from lower productivity. This is money we cant spend on hospitals, pensioner care, schools, or infrastructure.

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Think organic food is better for you, animals, and the planet ...

When you purchase organic food, you expect the product you receive to be, uh, organic. But how do you really know? Unlike, say, comparing different varieties of apples, conventional apples look the same as organic apples: The difference is in the process. Within the US, inspection agencies operate to make sure organic farmers are on the up-and-up, but verifying foreign imports have proven to be trickier, and as The Washington Post reports, the papers own findings of millions of pounds of imported fake organic grains has helped lead to the creation of a new task force dedicated to ensuring the integrity of organic products imported to America.

Last month, The Post ran an expose on these fraudulent organic imports. In one example, 36 million pounds of soybeans traveled from the Ukraine to Turkey to California. Somewhere along the way, those beans were illicitly designated as USDA Organic, a move which added approximately $4 million in value to the shipment. Needless to say, the stakes on this kind of fraud is extremely high not just for those making a million dollar windfall, but for honest organic farmers in the US who are seeing their prices undercut. As a result, the Organic Trade Association has announced a new task force to tackle the issue. There is a strong desire on the part of industry to stop the incidence of fraud in organic, Laura Batcha, director of the association, told The Post. The consumer expects that organic products are verified back to the farm. The industry takes that contract with the consumer very seriously.

However, many farmers are reportedly skeptical an OTA task force will make any difference, in part because the group has often been criticized for supporting big business over smaller farmers. It remains to be seen whether this effort is serious or not, John Bobbe, who is the executive director of a farmer cooperative, told The Post. The OTA has been strangely quiet about this issue. It seems they have been looking the other way - the see no evil scenario. But I guess they cant ignore it now. I think the fire is burning enough that the flames can't be stamped out.

For her part, Batcha said she wants to get the USDA involved in the effort. Were going to Congress - we want to close the loopholes, Batcha was quoted as saying. The task forces work is important but its not the only thing were doing. Meanwhile, for the consumer, the takeaway is that even items labeled USDA Organic arent 100 percent foolproof because the financial implications are probably even bigger than the health ones.

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Fraud Task Force Will Take on Fake 'Organic' Foods - Food & Wine

By Dan Flynn | June 13, 2017

Once youre big enough, its only matter of time before you must begin to worry somebody is ripping you off. That pretty well sums up the current mindset of the Organic Trade Association which figures that organic sales last year totaled about $47 million or about 5.3 percent of all food sales in the country.

And because organic generally fetches higher prices than normal food, its almost certain to be targeted in food fraud schemes. Thats much of why the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has opted to formits own Anti-fraud Task Force. As first reported by POLTICO, the organizationsanit-fraud unit is scheduled tobe up and running later this month to develop best practices for the private sector to use in verifying international supply chains.

Laura Batcha, OTAs chief executive, said the action is in response to reports last month about shipments of organic corn and soybeans entering the United States from Turkey that were fradulent. The OTA task force plans to share information with organic certification agencies and the documentation that importers report to the USDAs National Organic Program when they reject shipments and tell why the action was taken.

Also, as recently as last week, the USDAs National Organic Program (NOP) alerted the organic trade about the presence of fraudulent organic certificates.Fraudulent organic certificates listed the following businesses are in use and have been reported to the NOP:

The NOP said these certificates falsely represent agricultural products as certified organic under the USDA organic regulations, violating the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. It says fraudulent certificates may have been created and used without the knowledge of the operator or the certifying agent named in the certificate.

The USDAs posting of fraudulent certificates does not necessarily mean that the named operator or certifying agent was involved in illegal activity. If an operation named on a fraudulent certificate is certified, its certifying agent, identified in the list of certified operations, can provide additional information and verification to the organic trade.Organic handlers should continue to review certificates carefully, validate with their certifying agents where needed, and send any suspicious certificates to theNOP Compliance and Enforcement Division.

Any use of these certificates or other fraudulent documents to market, label, or sell non-organic products as organic can result in a civil penalty of up to $11,000 per violation.Persons with information regarding the production or use of this or other fraudulent NOP certificates are asked to send information to theNOP Compliance and Enforcement Division.

OTA previousy announced that organic sales in the U.S. totaled around $47 billion in 2016, reflecting new sales of almost $3.7 billion from the previous year. The $43 billion in organic food sales marked the first time the American organic food market has broken though the $40-billion mark. Organic food now accounts for more than five percent 5.3 percent to be exactof total food sales in this country, another significant first for organic. Organic food sales increased by 8.4 percent, or $3.3 billion, from the previous year, blowing pastthe stagnant 0.6 percent growth rate in the overall food market. Sales of organic non-food products were up 8.8% in 2016, also handily surpassing the overall non-food growth rate of 0.8 percent.

OTA also showed that organic is creating jobs. More than 60 percent of all organic businesses with more than five employees reported an increase of full-time employment during 2016, and said they planned to continue boosting their full-time work staff in 2017.

The organic industry continues to be a real bright spot in the food and ag economy both at the farm-gate and check-out counter, says Batcha. The theme of our conference is Organic. Big Results from Small Seeds because of the wide and positive impact of organic, noted Batcha. Organic farmers are not just staying in business, theyre often expanding.

She continued saying, organic handling, manufacturing and processing facilities are being opened, enlarged and retooled. Organic farms, suppliers, and handlers are creating jobs across the country, and the organic sector is growing and creating the kinds of healthy, environmentally friendly products that consumers are increasingly demanding.

The popularity of organic produce and proteinThe $15.6-billion organic fruits and vegetables sector held onto its position as the largest of the organic food categories, accounting for almost 40 percent of all organic food sales. Posting an 8.4 percent growth rate, almost triple the 3.3 percent growth pace of total fruit and vegetable sales, organic fruits and vegetables now make up almost 15 percent of the produce that Americans eat. Produce has traditionally been the entry category for consumers new to organic, in large part because in the produce aisle the benefits of organic are probably the easiest to understand.

TheOrganic Trade Association is amembership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others.

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Organic Trade Association guards against food fraud schemes - Food Safety News

Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 00:40 Updated: about 13 hours ago

One Californian study found that children born to mothers with traces of organophosphate metabolites a key element of many pesticides during pregnancy had more adverse mental development at two years of age, attention problems at three-and-a-half and five years, and poorer intellectual development at seven years. Photograph: Getty Images

It is hard not to be well disposed to organic food and those who grow it. Small-time growers competing with huge multi-nationals who are free to use chemicals to produce food mountains on an industrial scale really do deserve recognition for their endlessly Quixotic struggles.

And - by any measure - organic food is more environmentally friendly than the alternatives. Growing fruit and vegetables and rearing livestock and producing milk without dumping rivers of toxic pesticides into the ground or lakes of antibiotics into animals has to be better for the world in which we live.

Only a fool would argue otherwise.

But while, on many levels, organic is demonstrably better, on others it is demonstrably worse most notably on our wallets. Were someone living in Ireland to switch to an entirely organic shopping basket, they could quite easily add some 2,000 onto to their annual grocery spend and they might be left with nothing to show for it.

According to a study that appeared in a recent addition of the journal Food Quality and Preference, people cant really tell the difference between organic and regular food in blind taste tests although when told a product is organic they suddenly start rating it higher.

This chimes perfectly with this writers own experience when comparing organic products with those produced using other methods and with virtually no exceptions over more than a decade we have never been unable to discern any taste differences between the foods produced conventionally and organically.

Despite the diverging prices and taste equivalence it appears Irish people still cant get enough organic food, and sales are booming. According to Bord Bia, the market saw growth of 22 per cent in value terms in 2016 to 150 million, following a 13 per cent increase in 2015. The volume of organic food purchased grew by 35 per cent in 2016 following a 21 per cent increase in 2015.

Bottom lines and taste tests and booming sales aside, what impact does organic food have on our health?

A somewhat dispiriting answer is perhaps none at all and it may be true that the impact organic food has on a persons physical well being is dramatically overstated in some quarters there are question marks as to whether eating organically makes much difference to our health at all.

One of the most exhaustive European studies examining the health benefits of organic food was carried out almost seven years ago at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, acting at the behest of the British governments Food Standards Agency.

It found that consumers were paying higher prices for organic food partly because they believed it had health benefits. But after carrying out a review of more than 160 scientific papers which had been published over 50 years, researchers found no significant difference when it came to consumer health.

A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs, but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance, the report said. Our review indicates that there is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority.

The report did not, as you might expect, go unchallenged with organic advocates pointing out that it did not take into account the health effects of pesticides and other contaminants found in some foods.

And it is the absence of pesticides which draws most consumers towards organic food.

The impact of pesticides were not excluded from a much more recent report in fact they were at its core. A review of existing scientific evidence commissioned by the European Parliament and published earlier this year highlighted the dangers of pesticides.

MEPs wanted a simple question answered: Is organic food healthier than conventionally grown crops? Once again experts looked at existing research and told MEPS of one alarming Californian study which found that children born to mothers with traces of organophosphate metabolites a key element of many pesticides during pregnancy had more adverse mental development at two years of age, attention problems at three-and-a-half and five years, and poorer intellectual development at seven years.

Experts also raised concerns about pesticide regulation and stressed that while a comprehensive risk assessment before market release has to be carried out on all pesticides, important gaps remain and they said that because organic food has very low pesticide levels potential risks to human health are largely avoided.

There are indications that organic crops have a lower cadmium content than conventional crops due to differences in fertiliser use and soil organic matter, an issue that is highly relevant to human health,. Professor Ewa Rembialkowska, of Warsaw University said. Organic milk has a higher content of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional milk, although we cannot currently derive any specific health benefit from this.

Those last 10 words may well be the most telling in the entire report.

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Organic food: is it really worth the extra expense? - Irish Times

Organic claims for processed foods may not be particularly advantageous in promoting the benefits of the product, a study reckons.

Research looking into the well-established halo effect of the organic claim found its advantage less clear in processed foods compared to organic, conventional foods such as mashed potato and strawberry jam.

Overall, processed organic (vs. conventional) foods were perceived as tastier, more healthful or equally healthful but also as more caloric.

We argue that the features of processed food may modulate the impact of the organic claim, researchers from the Universities of Lisbon and London (Goldsmiths) observe.

Uncovering the specific conditions in which food claims bias consumer's perceptions and behaviour may have important implications for marketing, health and public-policy related fields.

The impact of the organic claim on product evaluation is a significant one with consumers associating the label with superior nutritional qualities and safer to consume.

Research also shows that when an unfamiliar brand sells an organic (vs. conventional) product, both the attitude towards that brand and brand trust are enhanced reflecting organics halo effect label.

Fruits and veg form a large share of the organic market within the EU. Yet, demand for animal products (dairy and meat), beverages (coffee and tea), desserts (ice-cream, cakes), and ready-to-eat meals (pizza, soup, etc.) are increasing. iStock

In the first of two studies, 182 participants began evaluating 32 food images of whole and processed food.

Half of the images depicted whole foods and included fruits (e.g., apples, strawberries, grapes) and vegetables (e.g., lettuce, zucchini, and potatoes).

The other half depicted processed foods and included sweets (e.g., ice cream, cake, and muffin) and meals (e.g., pasta, sandwich, and hamburger).

These images were labelled as organic and were compared to the conventional version in terms of perceived healthfulness, taste and caloric content.

Participants evaluated the examples of both whole and processed organic food as more healthful and tastier than their conventional alternative,

Whereas whole organic foods were perceived as having fewer calories than conventional alternatives, processed organic foods were perceived as having more calories than conventional foods.

When comparing whole and processed organic food, results showed an advantage of organic food over conventional food in terms of perceived healthfulness.

Calorie content was perceived to be more prominent for whole than for processed food examples.

Similar in nature, the second study used a subset of whole foods to include examples such as meat or fish.

The processed food subset included examples that were fruit or vegetable-based to expand the number of food examples from 32 to 60.

Here, 76 participants were asked to view the 60 images that kept the original product identification visible (e.g., chocolate chip muffins).

Half of the images depicted packaged whole foods and included fruits (e.g., apples, grapes), vegetables (e.g., lettuce, potatoes), and fish and meat (e.g., salmon fillets, raw pork steaks).

The fruit and vegetables subsets matched the products used in Study 1 (four new products were added).

The remaining images depicted packaged processed foods and included sweets (e.g., ice-cream, cake) and meals (e.g., frozen pasta, pizza).

When evaluating organic versus conventional food, the team found that participants evaluated the examples of whole organic foods as more healthful, as tastier and as having fewer calories than their conventional counterparts.

However, for processed food the only advantage of organic over conventional food occurred at the taste level.

Processed organic examples were rated as having more calories than their conventional alternatives.

The team also found whole organic foods similar to those from study one, i.e., more healthful, tastier and less caloric than their conventional counterparts.

Processed organic foods were rated as being as healthful and tasty as conventional food and as having higher caloric content.

Finally, findings from whole and processed organic food showed that the advantage of organic food over conventional food in healthfulness and calories was more prominent in whole than in processed food.

Results showed again that the advantage of organic over conventional food in healthfulness and calorieswas more prominent in whole than in processed food.

Results from two studies consistently showed that whole organic foods are perceived as more healthful, tastier and as having lower caloric content than their conventional counterparts, the study concluded.

This is the case for both evaluations of food exemplars and general evaluations of whole organic foods.

In our studies, this halo effect was systematically observed with two different measures (exemplars (examples) and general evaluations) and across all the evaluative dimensions examined.

The team also commented on the implications these results would have on food perception and behaviour.

From a marketing standpoint, it seems that the organic claim for processed foods may not be particularly advantageous in promoting positive inferences about the product, they commented.

In the case of whole foods, however, the organic claim may direct customers to assume beneficial proprieties not linked to the food production approach.

In other words, the organic claim may serve as an extra cue for a more positive perception (and hopefully choice) of products such as fruits and vegetables.

Source:Appetite

Published online ahead of print:doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.03.031

Lost in processing? Perceived healthfulness, taste and caloric content of whole and processed organic food.

Authors: Marlia Prada, Margarida Garrido, David Rodrigues

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Lost in processing? Organic's 'halo effect' blunted in processed food - FoodNavigator.com