On Monday, PETA issued its list of the Top 10 vegan-friendly ballparks in the U.S., and Target Field is batting No. 2, right behind the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Park.

The Minneapolis ballpark was lauded for bringing Northeast's Herbivorous Butcher into its food lineup. HB, which is considered the country's first bloodless "butcher shop," slings Sriracha brats and Italian sausages at Target Field. PETA also praised the meatless taco, burrito, Indian, and burger options available at the home to your Twins, who are currently tied for first place atop the AL Central.

The neat news was delivered via a press release that demands we quote from it, simply by virtue of one baffling pun fromPETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.

"The Twins have gone to bat for animals and compassionate baseball fans alike," she says --italics hers. "Target Field will have vegans cheering for its variety of animal-friendly options that have earned it a coveted spot on PETA's list."

Oof ... we've not seen a stretch like that since Byron Buxton's latest highlight grab in center field. Anyway, here's what yours truly had to say about HB's vegan dogs -- available for $12.50 at Section 129 -- when they debuted in April:

The Italian and Sriracha varieties should be agreeable to even the most meat-crazed among us ... when slathered in mustard, tucked in a bakery-fresh bun, and topped with sauteed onions.

Read our complete grades for new Target Field food here. Check out PETA's Top 10 vegan-friendly ballparks below.

1. Globe Life Park, Arlington, Texas 2. Target Field, Minneapolis 3. Chase Field, Phoenix 4. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles 5. Citi Field, New York City 6. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California 7. Yankee Stadium, New York City 8. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore 9. AT&T Park, San Francisco 10. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

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PETA names Minnesota Twins' Target Field a Top 10 vegan-friendly ... - City Pages

Meat-Free Monday: Seared Pepper Tacos Global Animal (MEATLESS MONDAYS/VEGAN RECIPES) Make Taco Tuesdays great again with these delicious seared pepper tacos! For this week's meatless meal, try this vegan version of a healthy and versatile favoritetacos! Instead of overloading on spices, these ...

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Meat-Free Monday: Seared Pepper Tacos - Global Animal

Published May 23, 2017 by Ivan P

Copy Cats features a colorful design, cheerful and relaxed soundtrack, and a couple of features to be on the lookout for as you hang out with feline family members.

We're used to NetEnt slots being fun to play and visually appealing, and their latest release, Copy Cats, set to hit the virtual shelves today, is no exception to this rule. Featuring cartoon-style graphics, cheerful, relaxing music, and 25 paylines, this game will particularly appeal to cat lovers among us.

Graphics & Atmosphere

As the name suggests, Copy Cats is all about cats, and symbols you'll encounter as you spin away are in line with this fact. There are colorful cats, cat paw prints, fishbones, milk bottles, toy mice, and more. The design features bright and vivid colors, making this slot an excellent choice if you're looking for something to lift up your spirits.

The sound certainly deserves a special mention. The soundtrack playing in the background of the Copy Cats slot is a cheerful, jazz-like theme, which will have you dancing ever so slightly as you hit that spin button. It is one of the best features of this slot, and it must be said that NetEnt developers really hit the nail on the head with the choice of music.

Gameplay & Features

Copy Cats features 25 paylines across five reels, which is a fairly standard number, so the slot doesn't particularly stand out in this regard. However, there are a few features to look forward to, which will make playing Copy Cats a very exciting experience.

The first one is the Copy Cats feature. If you land a full stack of any cat type on the reel one, all other cats across all the reels will turn into that symbol. This goes for the Golden Cat as well, which serves as the wild symbol in this game. Thus, if you happen to land a full reel of wilds, you'll be in for some big wins.

The free spins feature is triggered when the bonus symbol appears on the reels 1, 3, and 5. You'll get 10 free spins to kick the things off, and the bonus round can be re-triggered once, for the total of 20 spins. During the bonus game, all cat symbols landing on the first reel are wild, creating a much bigger potential for big wins when you trigger the Copy Cats feature.

This colorful and relaxing game won't pay you heaps on any particular occasion, but you can expect a stream of steady wins as you play along. If you like feline-themed games, you can try Copy Cats for yourself at a number of NetEnt-powered casinos like Slotty Vegas, Playamo Casino, and EUCasino.

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NetEnt Release New Feline-Themed Slot Copy Cats - Online Casino Reports (press release)

Organic food pioneer now looks to disrupt housing, real estate ... Phoenix Business Journal The founder and former CEO of Alpine Valley Bread Co. has a new ambitious venture. and more »

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Organic food pioneer now looks to disrupt housing, real estate ... - Phoenix Business Journal

The world of sustainable food just got a little more exciting. With the creation of Barnraisers brand-new Discover program, theleading digital authority on organic food andthe number one sustainable living community have united. This new partnership will help create an even bigger space forsupporting sustainable good food and healthy living, pushing these fields to new heights by connecting people who care about where their food comes from with the people who produce it.

Organic Authority joins some of the top change-makers in the new food revolution on thenew platform, includingFairtrade America, MicroShiner, and Food Craft Institute.

Barnraiser is the most complete source for the products, people, and stories in our organic living movement theyre a perfect partner to showcase our stories and trends, says Laura Klein, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Organic Authority.

Organic Authority is the leading organic, eco-conscious food and lifestyle publication online, redefining what it means to live a conscious and healthy lifestyle in America today. Its already a favorite amongst people who want to make a difference in their food system for its obsessive coverage of the latest trends and news in food, nutrition, wellness, natural beauty, and more.

Barnraiser is a platform connecting artisan food makers, innovative farmers, and chefs at the forefront of sustainability with the people who demand more from their food system. This platform makes it easy to discover and fund projects committed to making a difference in the way we produce food in this country.

Were meeting the needs of an entire generation who demand authenticity, connection, and influence in food and health, says Eileen Gordon, Barnraiser Founder and CEO. Our work, together with our new partners, continues to expose consumers to the good food, farmers, food businesses, innovators, and tastemakers changing how we eat and live.

Together, these two leaders in the field of sustainable food will create and curate an information hub connecting readers to their food community and helping to incite change in Americas food system.

Related on Organic AuthoritySustainability is Stylish in One of Americas Favorite Towns These 61 Badass Disruptors are Changing Your Food System 5 Online Sharing Communities that Bring Peers Together for Common Needs

Emily Monaco is an American food and culture writer based in Paris. She loves uncovering the stories behind ingredients and exposing the face of our food system, so that consumers can make educated choices. Her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Vice Munchies, and Serious Eats.

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HARTFORD -- A growing number of food products boast all natural ingredients, while others are stamped certified organic, but the two are not regulated the same.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently has strict policies as to which food products and farming operations can be labeled certified organic.

To be labeled Organic, must be grown or processed in a certain way... free from preservatives, pesticides, or chemicals or things like that, Teresa Martin Dotson, a registered dietician, explained.

She said for some consumers the deterrent for buying non-organic fruits and vegetables is the potential exposure to chemicals, like pesticides, but said a consumer should consider the make up of each one. For example, strawberries grow close to the ground and are more likely to be exposed to pesticides. Also, a fruit like a strawberry is one that you eat the skin and all, meaning your own exposure to the chemical is greater.

If you're looking at something like a banana that you're taking the peel off and only eating the inside, then should you really buy organic? Martin Dotson explained. She added, It depends on how much youre going to eat, what the exposure is what part you're going to eat of the fruit and vegetable."

When it comes to meat and poultry, labels reading all natural come with a different set of terms to decipher.

"It basically means that they, the animal is allowed to live in their most natural environment so a lot of times you'll hear 'free-range chicken' or 'grass-fed beef', Martin Dotson said.

The U.S. Food and Drug administration calls all-natural food label regulating more challenging than organic. Their policy states natural must mean nothing artificial or synthetic has been added to the food. They state that policy was not intended to address food production methods or use of pesticides and does not consider whether natural should describe the nutritional benefits.

It was just last year the FDA sought out public input on the issue asking should the FDA define the term natural, if so, how?

"I think you have to look beyond 'natural' and look at what the true content in terms of nutrition is like how many calories, how many grams of fat are in it, Martin Dotson said on the matter. She also advises that nutrition labels may be the fine print that consumers should be paying closest attention to.

"If an item is 100 calories that might be okay but what else am I getting? Am I getting vitamins and minerals with that 100 calories or am I just getting 100 calories but no nutrition, she explained.

Nutrition labels are currently mid-makeover here in the U.S. According to new federal regulations they must all follow the new labeling guidelines by 2018.

Martin Dotsons other advise to consumers is to not get bogged down with organic or all natural labeling and get back to the basics.

The most important thing in terms of organic or natural or any of those things is really focusing on buying whole food. I think so many times we want everything in a bottle or in a to-go container or something like that but the best choices are things that are easily and readily available, like a whole apple or some carrot sticks, she explained.

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When to buy organic; Deciphering food labels - FOX 61

Beginning Meditation with Donna Wednesdays, May 3-24, 7-8:30pm Meditation is the heart of yoga practice, a method for acquiring a clear and tranquil mind. Learn the basics: a comfortable sitting posture, diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation methods, and essential concentration techniques used in the yoga tradition. Discover a new level of peace within yourself. Fee: $48 (ID#: S42) The Art of Joyful Living with Tracy Thursdays, May 25-June 8, 7-8:30pm In his book The Art of Joyful Living, Swami Rama tells us that Happiness is of Our Own Creation. It is our responsibility as human beings to learn how to uncover our intrinsic joy. A life that is happy and fulfilling is possible if we have the means. Yoga Science gives us the tools to rid ourselves of negative states of being and to understand our true nature balanced and free. In this course, we will explore yoga philosophy and practice while developing personal techniques for cultivating peace and joy. Each class will include lecture/discussion, journaling, gentle asana, relaxation and meditation. Fee: $40 (ID#: S48) Spiritual Study and Practice Group for Women with Donna Thursday, June 1, 7-8:30pm Join us on our year-long study of Awakening Shakti, The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga by Sally Kempton (available in the bookstore). Awakening Shakti provides a practical guide for activating the currents of the divine feminine in every aspect of your life. We will discuss Chapter 6. Fee: $5 (ID#: S49) Beginning Meditation with Donna Tuesdays, June 6-27, 9:30-11am Meditation is the heart of yoga practice, a method for acquiring a clear and tranquil mind. Learn the basics: a comfortable sitting posture, diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation methods, and essential concentration techniques used in the yoga tradition. Discover a new level of peace within yourself. Fee: $48 (ID#: S51) Full Moon Meditation with Tracy Friday, June 9, 7-8:30pm Come together with your kalyana mitras (spiritual friends) and celebrate the light of the Himalayan Tradition. Each month, on the Full Moon, we are committed to practicing as a group with the intention of promoting peacefulness in our community and our own inner development. Tonights class will include gentle asana, relaxation, and meditation. We will recite the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the great healing mantra, 108 times. No previous experience with the mantra required. Lokas samastas sukhino bhavantu: "May the whole world attain peace and harmony." Fee: $12 (ID#: S52)

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Meditation

AS FAR AS mental skills techniques go, there are few more powerful than meditation.

I see meditation as being as important for an athlete as engine oil is for a high-performance engine.

Think of it in the following ways:

While there are many other benefits to meditation, including pain reduction and a healthier immune system some core central benefits are increased focus and discipline.

I was introduced to meditation in 1993, it is very important part of any success I have had as a sportsman, a coach but also as a person.

I learned how to have more control over my thoughts and concentrating a lot was important (for performance). All of a sudden I became a much better player because I wasnt getting distracted and my confidence wasnt taking big hits.

I was a lot more consistent in my thought process, a lot more consistent in where my energy had to go and much more consistent therefore in my performances.

Justin Langer ex professional cricketer and coach.

When introducing meditation to athletes or teams, I always let them know that there is not one specific way to mediate. In fact, there are lots.

Many people first experience meditation in a free class or weekend workshop, where an instructor may say slow your breathing, clear your mind or be at peace.

Cricket legend Justin Langer got great benefits from meditation. Source: INPHO

Instructions like these can be frustrating and can initially put people off. Clearing your mind or being at peace is not easy to do, especially when our minds are very active.

Even breathing is not that straightforward if stress chemicals are active, or if the person feels very self-conscious sitting in a group.

Many people also try meditation at home but still find it difficult, beingplagued by the many thoughts that randomly bombard our minds.

If this is you dont worry.

Two things: One, you are not alone and two, we all know how to meditate naturally!

All we need to do is to bring a bit more awareness and structure to it, and it becomes a very useful mental skill.

The Process

The process of clearing ones mind is not instant, but can be learned through technique and practice.

To be at peace can be a little misleading. Usually what is being referred to here is being very present and in the moment, as opposed to being about peace as we might know it.

A very obvious example of natural meditation is simply experiencing weather appreciating the quietness of snow, the sound of rain or the smell of a breeze.

Or the simple act of sunbathing sitting or lying and just listening, feeling the heat on your body and being semi-conscious of the noises around you.

The Seattle Seahawks are one of many NFL teams who practise meditation. Source: Rich Graessle

Listening to music is another good example of meditation being so absorbed in the music that time means nothing.

At the heart of meditation is the ability to be either very relaxed and at ease, or very focused on something (a thought, feelings, physical sensations, external noises, an object).

Make it Simple

In its simplest form, meditation is a process of going in (internal focus) or going out (external focus), or a combination of both.

For athletes, the most successful type of meditation is a structured meditation which can be practised and trained over time.

This can also be booked into a hectic schedule. Experience shows that booking it in makes it happen. Not booking it in usually means it gets forgotten about.

A key to consistent performance success is the ability to habit form.

Initially, this means practising daily for just a few minutes. This can easily be achieved by setting a phone or watch alarm.

Many mediations start with focusing on breathing, but what is often missed out is the important phrase I am.

This phrase allows the mind and body to be more located in place and time, anchoring it more to the exercise.

So that means actually saying I am breathing in I am breathing out in ones mind while doing so.

This phrase needs to be repeated regularly with each breath and especially if the mind (thoughts) go elsewhere. This exercise is building discipline of mind.

Discipline

Another of the beauties of this exercise is that it builds focus. Both discipline and focus are highly sought after for sporting success.

A combination is to focus on discipline through meditation.

To do this, begin as always with the phrase I am breathing in I am breathing out and repeat this for a number of minutes.

Rob Kearney has previously spoken about the benefits of meditation. Source: Colm O'Neill/INPHO

Good discipline here is to use a stopwatch to set the length of time you wish to repeat this phrase.

Then begin to repeat the word Discipline in your mind. If the mind begins to wander, bring it back to the word Discipline.

Over time and with practice, the mind will attach the habit connected to this word, anchoring it to this physical state and focusing the mind whenever the word is repeated in the mind.

If there are then external distractions (like various noises), it is easily brought back to this sense of focus by simply thinking the word Discipline.

This is an easily learned and powerful mental skill that anyone can initiate and practice themselves.

Results will come through daily focus. Enjoy.

Jason Brennan is an international mental skills coach who has worked with the Hurricanes, the Wellington Lions, the NZ White Ferns and many other professional and amateur sports teams, as well as a wide range of businesses and non-sporting clients.

If you want to know to share a comment with Jason, you can email him atjason@thinkwell.se

Check out more of Jasons columnshere.

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Meditation will help you perform better, so here's how to get started - The42

By FPJ News Service|May 23, 2017 07:38 am

Ujjain: A 3-day festival of spiritual learning and practices under the guidance of guru began at the Jaigurudev ashram located at Maksi road, opposite Pingleshwar railway station on Monday. Thousands of devotees reached the city on the 1st day to attend the inauguration ceremony of the festival. Successor of Jaigurudev, Umakant Maharaj delivered a religious discourse to the gathering, followed by mass meditation and bhajan recital event. Devotees will be given a grand feast for 3 days which according to beliefs will prevent them from bad luck and diseases throughout the year. Motivating devotees, Umakant Maharaj said, Humans must not deter from their basic nature of compassion and piety, which is the only way of attaining solace in this age. He also asserted that the habit of over indulgence in material pleasure has resulted in the present state of human race and that ascetic and disciplined lifestyle will lead humans towards salvation

According to the organizers, by the end of the festival, a numbers of devotees attending will be in lakhs and to ensure their safety and comfort at the ashram extensive arrangements like medical care unit and an enquiry centre amongst others have been made, The most encouraging part of these congregations is that devotees from every section of society live in harmony and exhibit mutual care. All the operations like cooking, cleaning, monitoring and maintaining of arrangements are being executed by the devotees. Under the motivation and guidance of Umakant maharaj, around 1 lakh devotees pledged to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. The event will find a place in the Golden book of world records. The timings for satsang and naamdan will be 5 in morning and evening.

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Ujjain: Grand congregation of devotees begins at Jaigurudev ashram - Free Press Journal

FAIRFIELD Arr, there be some booty coming to the big screens.

One form kicks off Thursday as Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron play head lifeguard and the new hotshot lifeguard, respectively, in Baywatch.

The pair butt heads in the beginning before eventually figuring out they need to get along in order to save the bay.

Keep an eye out for Pamela Anderson, who starred on the TV show, Baywatch. The film israted R.

Johnny Depp brings Capt. Jack Sparrow back to the box office in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

In this adventure flick, the pirate is down on his luck and has to deal with deadly ghost pirates led by Javier Bardem. Sparrows hope of survival is the legendary Trident of Poseidon, which gives its possessor total control over the seas.

The title is from the familiar refrain from the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions at the Disney parks. The film is rated PG-13.

Opening in limited release are:

Berlin Syndrome,a thriller about a young woman on vacation in the German town who meets a man, goes home with him and may never get the chance to leave. Its rated R.

Long Strange Trip,which hits theaters just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. The documentary explores the Grateful Dead and what has made it one of the most influential bands of its generation. Its not rated.

Black Butterfly, a thriller with Antonio Banderas playing a reclusive writer who is strugglingto start what he hopes will be a career-saving screenplay. He invites adrifter, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, to stay with him. Then, a storm cuts off the power to the isolated cabin. Its rated R.

Lady Bloodfight,which centers on a troubled American recruited to fight in a vicious, all-female and underground Japanese martial arts tournament known as The Kumite. Its rated R.

Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation, a documentary onThe Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team on the road as they compete in the 2015 World Box Lacrosse Championships. Its not rated.

Buena Vista Social Club: Adios, the story of musicians at the club who exposed the world to Cubas culture with their 1997 album. Band members reflect on their careers and the circumstances that brought them together. Its rated PG.

For showtimes, call Edwards Theatres in Fairfield at 432-2140, Brenden Theatres in Vacaville at 469-0190 or Century Theatres in Vallejo at 553-1205, or visit http://www.fandango.com/94533_movietimes.

Reach AmyMaginnis-Honeyat 427-6957 or [emailprotected]. Follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/amaginnisdr.

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Be prepared for water aerobics as 'Baywatch,' 'Pirates' arrive in theaters - Fairfield Daily Republic