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Amy Sowder, For The Journal News Published 6:06 a.m. ET May 19, 2017 | Updated 9 minutes ago

The Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, NY, April 30, 2017. Video by Adam McIe for lohud

Amy Reyer, who leads meditation classes at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison, is pictured at the top of the "Holy Mountain" on the property April 25, 2017.(Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)Buy Photo

Next Saturday, you could find yourself staring up at a 55-foot ivory Buddha as you chant, barefoot and perched on a floor cushion.

You might be slamming a tennis ball with all your might at a former adult summer camp or inhaling to a count of three and exhaling to a count of three from a mountaintop as your gaze drifts over the Hudson River Valley.

All of these activities are within reach in an hour or two at meditation getaways that last a day, a weekend or much longer, if you have time.

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Your meditative moment could be contemplating the sparkling river from a gazebo atop a bluff, meandering a lush garden labyrinth, sweating in a woody sauna, folding yourself into a downward-dog position, going for a meditative kayak journey, or learning how to run in a meditative state.

Its a self-care kind of vacation, but it involves internal work with long-lasting payback suited for spiritually minded people as well as secular souls.

You dont have to have your eyes closed and sitting on a cushion to exercise these tools. Thats good, but what makes meditation practice great is what it does for us the rest of the time, says Amy Reyer, mindfulness and meditation educator.

Shes the founder of the Art of Living Slowly and leads a compassion meditation class in Croton-on-Hudson. She also leads a meditation class at Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison using the Tergar philosophy, which translates the ancient practice of meditation for a modern world for people of all backgrounds.

But you dont have to be a teacher or go out of state to take a breather in Buddhist monk fashion. You can reap the benefits of meditation anywhere in everyday life.

It's not about getting away from real life but making friends with yourself so you can be more present in your life, says Ethan Nichtern, a shastri (or senior teacher) in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, and an award-winning author. He leads weekend retreats at the Shambhala Center of New York, where theres no cloistering away from reality.

An urban retreat is a good middle ground between a 10-minute practice in the morning at home and a full-on, deep retreat in which silence and no cellphones is enforced. It's not that people are trying to be yogis living in caves and all that. But we want to learn how to apply compassion and mindfulness in everyday life, Nichtern says.

Anuruddha Thera is a cousin of the Buddha and one of the five head disciples of the Buddha. He ranked foremost among those who had obtained the divine eyes. Being an affectionate and loyal monk, he was foremost in consoling the monks with divine eyes. He was photographed at The Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, April 30, 2017. (Photo: Carrie Yale/The Journal News)

Joy Baum has been a contemplative educator for many years and continues to teach and practice in the Hudson Valley, throughout North America and abroad. Shes running a retreat at the Garrison Institute this summer, as part of Inhabit Retreats, which is a fabulous opportunity to engage in the meditative and contemplative experiences of an immersion retreat, Baum says.

For an experience closer to monastic living for a few days, that is thats available at Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, the Shambhala Center at Sky Lake in Rosendale, and Zen Mountain Monastery in Mount Tremper. Those who are really serious can take a year-long residency at Zen Mountain.

But if youre just starting out, you may want to try an evening or a day at one of these retreats:

Steps leading up to The Sanctuary, a quiet space for contemplation and daily meditation classes at Omega.(Photo: Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck, New York, eOmega.org)

Offerings: Choose from more than 390 workshops, retreats and professional training opportunities in 2017; the curriculum spans six learning paths: Body/Mind/Spirit, Health & Healing, Creative Expression, Leadership & Work, Relationships & Family and Sustainable Living; there are at least 20 programs specific to meditation and mindfulness, but hundreds of the workshops offered have a meditative component within the program; attend a workshop or visit as getaway for a rest & rejuvenation retreat; there are daily open (optional) classes in meditation, yoga, tai chi and movement; there will be four silent retreats in 2017.

Choose from dozens of meditation workshops at Omega from beginners courses, to advanced professional training.(Photo: Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck, New York, eOmega.org)

Did you know?Founded in 1977, Omega Institute is celebrating 40 years; more than 23,000 people visit each year; most people stay for a weekend retreat or a five-day weekday retreat, but commuting is possible.

Accommodations: A former summer camp, Omegas 250-acre campus restored the dining hall, main halland guest lodging, adding a library, wellness centerand sanctuary; lodging ranges from cabins with private baths to camping sites with shared baths.

Find your seat and center your mind inside Omega's Sanctuary; a space for contemplation and daily meditation classes.(Photo: Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck, New York, eOmega.org)

Prices and packages: Overnight rates range from $236 for camping two nights to $1,883 for a single room in Cabin A for seven nights, which includes three meals a day, open classes, the sauna, lake (in season), basketball and tennis courts and trails; in May theres a special R&R getaway deal including a free massage and discounted rates.

Go:Address: 150 Lake Dr., Rhinebeck,877-944-2002, eomega.org

The Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, photographed April 30, 2017. (Photo: Carrie Yale/The Journal News)

Whats there: Great Buddha Hall, Kuan Yin Hall, dining hall, gift shop, Thousand Lotus Terrace, Seven Jewel Lakes, Garden, and Woo Ju Memorial Library.

Offerings:Meditation & Dharma Talk with Venerable Suddhaso, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21, at Kuan-Yin Hall; 10-Day Insight through Satipatthna Meditation Retreat, in which you must follow the eight traditional precepts including silence, vegetarianism, abstaining from food after the midday meal and more; Summer Camp starting June 30, for adults, teensand children who are able to maintain silence.

The Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, photographed April 9, 2017.(Photo: Adam McIe for The Journal News)

Did you know?This Buddhist temple is home to the largest indoor statue of a Buddha in the western hemisphere. Its 55 feet tall, including the pedestal and base.

Accommodations:Expect monastic accommodations; bring a sleeping bag, toiletries, and loose, modest clothing with long sleeves and long pants/skirts, shoes with no laces, and warm outerwear. Bring no valuable jewelry, cellphones, or other electronics.

Cost:The May 21 class has a suggested $15 donation; donations are accepted also for other programs; registration for overnight retreats is dependent on acceptance as space is limited; register for summer camp before June 11.

Hours:Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 1 to Dec. 31; library is open 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Go:2020 Route 301, Carmel,845-225-1819, http://www.baus.org/en/visit/chuang-yen-monastery/

Offerings: Learn to Meditate classes for beginners are 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 1 p.m. Sundays; Public Sitting Meditations are drop-in, silent, sitting meditation sessions typically hosted by a timekeeper, interspersed with brief periods of walking meditation 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, 6 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 9 to 11:45 a.m. Sundays; Weekly Dharma Gathering at 7 p.m. Tuesdays involves a group meditation practice, a talk by a senior teacher, discussionand a light reception; meditation instruction is also provided; there are also Shambhala Training Weekend retreats with various themes, led by different shastras Friday night, all day Saturday and half of Sunday.

Accommodations: No overnight stays are available in New York City.

Cost: Dharma Gatherings are $10 for general admission and $5 for students; Learn to Meditate has a suggested $10 donation; other sessions are by donation; Shambhala Training Weekend retreats range from $180 to $330, with a generosity policy for those with financial hardship who make advance arrangements.

Go: 118 West 22nd St., 6th floor, New York,212-675-6544,ny.shambhala.org; info@shambhalanyc.org

Offerings: Located in the Shawangunk Mountains, Sky Lake is the the rural sister retreat to New York center and offers meditation, arts and mindfulness retreats. Guests can walkin the woods, hike trails at nearby Mohonk Preserve, scale the Gunks or take a stroll around the spring-fed pond.Meditation instruction is available, from free introductory instruction and follow-up instruction to guided programs that incorporate nature such as a Mindfulness Kayaking program (May 24-25). The center'sSpring Kado Retreat: The Way of Flowers (June 2-6) is an an intensive 4-day program including flower arranging demonstrations, sitting, Dharma talks, Kado practice, outside walksand evening events.

Accommodations:There are a few different overnight options including a few private rooms, shared room, shrine room or tent camping in summer.Rates are per person and include three meals a day for 1-2 week programs and breakfast and lunch only for Shambhala training weekend programs. Rates differ for each program.

Go:22 Hillcrest Lane, Rosendale, 845-658-8556, skylake.shambhala.org

Amy Reyer, who leads meditation classes at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison, is pictured with the historic St. Francis Chapel on the property April 25, 2017.(Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

Offerings at Graymoor Spiritual Life Center: Discover days of renewal and recollection, meetings, events, conferences, retreats and mini-retreats; there are a bunch of themed retreats such as addiction recovery, women-only and men-only; Tergar-philosophy guided meditation classes are held 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays.

Offerings at Garrison Institute: Many themed retreats are available, like the Personal Retreat Weekend July 14-16, a silent, unstructured personal retreat for meditators with a developed practice and those seeking renewal in the serenity of a contemplative environment; many 2017 retreats focus on the arts and The Atlas of Emotions.

Did you know?Garrison Institute is a castle that was the former Capuchin monastery overlooking the east bank of the Hudson River across from West Point. Its on 95 acres of Glenclyffe property, formerly the estate of Hamilton Fish, New York governor and President Grants secretary of state.

Accommodations: Located on a mountaintop overlooking the Hudson River Valley, Graymoor is open to the public dawn to dusk year-round. It hasmiles of picturesque grounds with trails and a labyrinth. Meals are included for retreats; Garrison institute offers single and double bedrooms, along with vegetarian meals, walking trails, a gazebo, gardensand a labyrinth.

Prices and packages: Graymoor has one-day mini retreats 8:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m. Saturdays for $35, weekend retreats with two-night stays and five meals vary, but can be between $150 and $225; at the Garrison Institute, rooms are $290 to $330 with partial scholarships available.

Go: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, Kennedy Lounge, 4th floor, 1320 Route 9, (40 Franciscan Way for GPS navigation) Garrison; and The Garrison Institute, 14 Mary's Way, Route 9D at Glenclyffe, Garrison. inhabitretreats.com; for Graymoor, 845-424-2111, garrisonistitute.org.

Offerings: All programs fall into the monasterys training schedule, which is highly structured; the Sunday morning program is a good way to first experience the monastery, learn to meditate and discover the offerings. There is no need to pre-register, but arrive by 8:45 a.m. for the chanting and bowing service, then beginner instruction in zazen (Zen meditation), formal discourse, and then lunch until 1 p.m.; wear loose, comfortable, modest, non-bright clothing; no shorts, leggings or tanks; then there are weekend, weeklong, one-month and year-long residential retreats. Themes vary from Running as Meditation and Family Camping and Storytelling Retreat to Dreaming to Wake Up and Introduction to Zen Meditation.

Accommodations: Dormitory bedrooms are separated by gender with bunk beds for six to eight people; bed linens are provided and vegetarian meals included, as well as coffee and tea in the early morning.

Cost: $5 suggested donation for the Sunday session; prices vary for retreats, but for example, one weekend retreat is $250; financial assistance is available.

Go: For GPS navigation, search for the intersection of Plank Road and Miller Road in Mount Tremper; it should take you to the monasterys front gate. 845-688-2228, zmm.mro.org.

Amy Reyer, who leads meditation classes at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison, is pictured at the top of the "Holy Mountain" on the property April 25, 2017.(Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

Why bother with this anyway?

Meditation reduces stress, depression and anxiety. It improves your health, well-being and resilience to the struggles life throws at you, says Chrissa J. Pullicino, external communications manager at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck. Oh, is that all?

Of course theres more.

There are four components of well-being supported by neuroscience in the 2015 World Happiness Report a document backed by institutions such as Columbia University. The components a positive outlook, rebounding from negative emotion, mindfulness and mind wandering, and caring for others can be developed and improved with training and experience. Happiness and well-being are best regarded as skills that can be enhanced through training, according to the report.

Yes, you can train yourself to be happy and feel a sense of well-being (most of the time).

Meditation is the training, and it can take many forms: Breathing, visualization, chanting, sound, compassion, moving, gratitude and mantras. Its really a matter of taste and finding what suits you.

And where it suits you.

I feel most drawn to nature mediation. I feel most connected and alive when Im in the beauty of nature, Pullicino says. I find having a gratitude practice can be really helpful. On your commute to work, or before bed at night, even on your worst day, theres always some blessing in your life you can feel thankful for.

I genuinely do feel more of a sense of well-being and trust in life that everything will work out.

Read or Share this story: http://lohud.us/2ryxwQb

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Meditation retreats in the Hudson Valley - The Journal News / Lohud.com

Meditation continues to become more and more popular, and for good reason. Research shows it can help with everything from getting a good nights sleep to reducing stress to even easing pain.

However, many people are under the impression that in order to meditate properly, you need to be sitting still for an extended period of time in a perfectly zen setting. But that doesnt have to be the case. In fact, you can meditate anywhere, says wellness expert and founder of BexLife, Rebekah Borucki. That could mean while youre commuting, during your lunch break, right before bed, or in any other setting that works with your schedule and lifestyle.

However, if you can, it does help to find a place you where you feel comfortable, she says. This way, you can enter a state of mediation without feeling distracted by the position of your body.

RELATED: How to Meditate Even If You Think You Cant

There are also plenty of options for what to focus on during your meditationpositive affirmations, a peaceful visualization, or simply quieting all the commotion in your mind. In this video, Borucki guides us through a meditation for self-acceptance, which is meant to quiet your inner critic and ease self-doubt. To try out this meditation for yourself, play the video and get ready to focus on yourself for ten minutes. From here, all thats left to do is to close your eyes, connect with yourself, check in with your body, tune in to your breathing, and do your best to keep all distractions at bay. Then, just pay attention to her calming wordsyoull be working towards a more kind, loving relationship with yourself in no time.

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A Guided Meditation to Help Quiet Self-Doubt and Boost Confidence - Health.com

Forbes

Meditation for Procrastination Forbes Although I teach and study mindfulness .. we all have our moments. I just gave the biggest speech of my life, for TEDx Athens, and .. I procrastinated on writing it. I procrastinated so much I finished a 33-page book proposal instead of writing the ...

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Meditation for Procrastination - Forbes

Pretend were playing charades and youre told to mime meditation. What pose do you go into?

Youve almost certainly put your hands out, palms facing up, with your first and second fingers touched to your thumb, into an approximation of whats called lotus pose.

The pose has become linked to meditation in popular culture: search a stock image database for meditation and almost all the results show lotus pose; and last year when I learned to meditate, people all had the same assumption of how I sat while I did it. Like this? theyd ask, pulling a quick lotus.

According to my meditation instructor Rory Kinsella, lotus pose or padmasana, from the Sanskrit is the traditional meditation pose used for centuries in India and other parts of Asia.

But in the modern-day West, where meditation is becoming increasingly popular, most of us are used to sitting in chairs. Sitting cross-legged on the floor is at best unfamiliar, and at worst uncomfortable.

Fortunately, theres no law demanding beginner meditators sit in lotus pose. The primary purpose of meditation is stress relief and that can be achieved by positioning yourself however you like (with a few caveats).

Most modern, westernised schools of meditation say a chair is fine and that finding a position where you are comfortable yet alert is what is most important, Kinsella says.

Well, for starters, you should avoid meditating lying down, because youll probably go to sleep. (You might still nod off if youre sitting upright, but youre more likely to snap out of it.)

According to Kinsella, popular Buddhist and mindfulness practices suggest meditating while sitting in a chair, or on cushion on the floor if you prefer, in a comfortable yet alert position.

The idea is to create a balance of relaxation and focus, he says.

He advises sitting in the middle of the chair with your legs uncrossed and your feet flat on the floor. Your hands can rest in your lap or on your thighs. Your back should be straight to allow ease of breathing and blood flow and you can rest your back for support if you need. (This video from Andy Puddicome, founder of the meditation app Headspace, explains more.)

Other popular schools of meditation including Vedic and transcendental prioritise comfort and relaxation and meditators are encouraged to sit comfortably in a chair, with their back supported but head and neck free, Kinsella says.

The only hard rule is no slouching, but only because it doesnt suggest youve got your head in the meditation game.

Your posture should reflect your intention for the practice whether it be cultivating focus or relaxing and de-stressing, Kinsella explains.

Kinsella speculates the lotus pose is linked to meditation because its so recognisable the equivalent of a film establishing youre in Paris with a shot of the Eiffel Tower. Its also a more evocative way to illustrate meditation than the more practical day-to-day poses.

A picture of someone sitting unremarkably in a chair with their eyes closed doesnt tell as good a story as the lotus, Kinsella says.

But just because the pose isnt necessary for beginner meditators doesnt mean it serves no purpose or that its wrong it might prove useful for some advanced or traditional meditators, particularly those embarking on lengthy meditation sessions.

The lotus is said to allow the body to be keep still in the same spot for long periods, say Kinsella. It applies pressure to the lower spine and blood is directed from the legs to the abdominal region to aid digestion.

Rory Kinsella teaches Vedic meditation and hosts a 45-minute introduction to meditation talk every second Monday at 6.30pm in Bondi Junction, Sydney, for $12.

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No, you don't have to sit in lotus pose to meditate - 9Honey

Shares ofAshram Onlinecom Ltd. (ASHRAM.BO) is moving on volatility today-4.92% or -0.06 rom the open.TheBSE listed companysaw a recent bid of1.16 on1100 volume.

Deep diving into thetechnical levels forAshram Onlinecom Ltd. (ASHRAM.BO), we note that the equitycurrently has a 14-day Commodity Channel Index (CCI) of -142.82. Active investors may choose to use this technical indicator as a stock evaluation tool. Used as a coincident indicator, the CCI reading above +100 would reflect strong price action which may signal an uptrend. On the flip side, a reading below -100 may signal a downtrend reflecting weak price action. Using the CCI as a leading indicator, technical analysts may use a +100 reading as an overbought signal and a -100 reading as an oversold indicator, suggesting a trend reversal.

Ashram Onlinecom Ltd.s Williams Percent Range or 14 day Williams %R currently sits at -100.00. The Williams %R oscillates in a range from 0 to -100. A reading between 0 and -20 would point to an overbought situation. A reading from -80 to -100 would signal an oversold situation. The Williams %R was developed by Larry Williams. This is a momentum indicator that is the inverse of the Fast Stochastic Oscillator.

Currently, the 14-day ADX for Ashram Onlinecom Ltd. (ASHRAM.BO) is sitting at 35.85. Generally speaking, an ADX value from 0-25 would indicate an absent or weak trend. A value of 25-50 would support a strong trend. A value of 50-75 would identify a very strong trend, and a value of 75-100 would lead to an extremely strong trend. ADX is used to gauge trend strength but not trend direction. Traders often add the Plus Directional Indicator (+DI) and Minus Directional Indicator (-DI) to identify the direction of a trend.

The RSI, or Relative Strength Index, is a widely used technical momentum indicator that compares price movement over time. The RSI was created by J. Welles Wilder who was striving to measure whether or not a stock was overbought or oversold. The RSI may be useful for spotting abnormal price activity and volatility. The RSI oscillates on a scale from 0 to 100. The normal reading of a stock will fall in the range of 30 to 70. A reading over 70 would indicate that the stock is overbought, and possibly overvalued. A reading under 30 may indicate that the stock is oversold, and possibly undervalued. After a recent check, the 14-day RSIforAshram Onlinecom Ltd. (ASHRAM.BO) is currently at 29.47, the 7-day stands at 21.05, and the 3-day is sitting at 3.53.

By Journal Contributor

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Ashram Onlinecom Ltd. (ASHRAM.BO) Moves -4.92% - Union Trade Journal

} Greek Potato Stew

Kalamata olives, plump tomatoes, oregano, olive oil and garlic flavor the potatoes in this potato dish. All is turned into a saucepan with the potatoes and simmered until tender and the stew is flavorful. Six servings.

Black beans mingle with onions, peppers, garlic, cornmeal, and spices in this tasty taco filling. Try it in burritos or as a dip for tortilla chips. No black beans? Red, pink, or pinto beans are great subs.

This tofu recipe is completely gorgeous. Tofu is soaked in vegetable broth, then breaded with flour, sage, and cayenne, and deep fried. Serve with a relish or a dip of some sort (I love this with plain yogurt mixed with eggplant brinjal).

This vegan-friendly recipe combines the flavors of arame seaweed, tahini, and kale in a soba noodle dish with a spicy, nutty flavor.

Shepherd's pie is pure comfort food, and this vegan version will satisfy the taste buds of the vegetarians in the crowd.

Layers of polenta, tofu, bananas, avocado, and mango salsa combine for a surprising and simple meal.

Seitan is a meat substitute made from wheat protein (gluten). It makes a terrific substitute for chicken in this vegan curry recipe. Serve over hot rice or with naan, if desired.

A thick tomato-based sauce is cooked up with hints of garlic, onion, parsley, and basil, and layered with a tofu and spinach filling.

Zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers and onion are marinated and then sauteed. Serve with tortillas or rice, if desired.

Handpicked recipes, party ideas, how-to articles and cooking tipswith gorgeous, full-page photos to inspire you. Get a full year for $7.99.

Your favorite veggies stir-fried with a mild garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

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Abundant spices make this better than any restaurant curry I've tasted.

Chickpeas are simmered in a fragrantly spiced curry sauce mixture and garnished with fresh cilantro.

This recipe calls for broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and green beans, but you can use any of your favorites. The vegetables are stir fried with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Serve over your favorite rice.

This curry is full of veggies: sweet potato, eggplant, spinach, zucchini, red and green bell peppers, carrots, and onion. It's mixed with blanched almonds, chickpeas, raisins, and spices. Serve with brown rice or couscous.

Convert a comfort food classic into a tasty meal that's totally vegan.

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This is my own adaptation of an Indian recipe. It doesn't look like much, but it is surprisingly yummy. Serve this for dinner over hot rice or a diced baked potato. Pair with carrots, cauliflower, or a fresh sliced tomato for a full meal.

This is a quick and easy way to make a well balanced, delicious meal. Broccoli, red bell pepper and mushrooms are sauteed with tofu in a savory peanut sauce. Serve over your favorite rice.

Black beans mingle with onions, peppers, garlic, cornmeal, and spices in this tasty taco filling. Try it in burritos or as a dip for tortilla chips. No black beans? Red, pink, or pinto beans are great subs.

Pasta tossed with a quickly cooked sauce of tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, corn, black beans, salsa and taco seasoning.

This delicious lasagna recipe calls for a vegan tofu mixture instead of cheese.

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A quick delicious Indian-style curry with spinach, chickpeas, onions, and/or whatever veggies you have. I have added cauliflower, potatoes, and sweet potatoes to this recipe in the past. All were very good. Serve with nan, pita or rice if desired.

This ones pretty straight forward. Brown rice, black beans, stewed tomatoes, a bit of onion and oil, and in about fifteen minutes you have a hearty, delicious meal. Serves four.

This tofu recipe is completely gorgeous. Tofu is soaked in vegetable broth, then breaded with flour, sage, and cayenne, and deep fried. Serve with a relish or a dip of some sort (I love this with plain yogurt mixed with eggplant brinjal).

This recipe brings the authentic flavor of India into your kitchen. It's a delicious combination of red lentils (masoor daal), ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, onion and cumin. Serve over plain or spiced rice.

See how to make a classic curried lentil stew with tomatoes and garlic.

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Kidney beans simmered with onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste and rice. You can substitute black beans, if you prefer.

Lightly seasoned avocados and diced onions are spread on toasted tortillas and served with cilantro and jalapeno sauce.

Shepherd's pie is pure comfort food, and this vegan version will satisfy the taste buds of the vegetarians in the crowd.

Fresh herbs are sauteed with garlic in olive oil, then cooked with garbanzo beans, zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes. This can be served either as a main dish or side dish. If you like, you can add raisins or pine nuts to the garbanzos in the beginning.

Baked squash are stuffed with Brussels sprouts, carrots, beans, and rice.

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Good rice, beans, and tomato dish that takes about 20 minutes to prepare.

This recipe makes enough dough to fit an 11x7 inch dish - top and bottom. Perfect for all your savory pies.

I hate tofu but love tempeh and this sandwich is tangy and tasty. My boyfriend and I eat this all the time. It's great because it's vegan for him and I still like it (even though I'm not a vegetarian).

These burgers can be baked, grilled, or fried. Great served on a bun with avocado, lettuce, sour cream, and cheese.

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Vegan Main Dish Recipes - Allrecipes.com

When changing your diet, it may take time to explore new foods and develop a routine.

There are lots of different products to choose from experiment with various flavors and brands to find your favorites.

Opposing cruelty can be as easy as substituting marinara for meat sauce, opting for bean burritos instead of chicken or beef tacos, and trying some of the many delicious and convenient vegan products that are available.

When I met my first vegetarian, he told me he had not eaten meat for fourteen years. I looked at him as if he had managed to hold his breath that entire time. Today I know there is nothing rigorous or strange about eating a diet that excludes meat.

Mock meats, made from plant protein, come in a wide range of textures, shapes, and styles: burgers, hot dogs, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ground meat, meatballs, breaded cutlets, deli slices, unchicken salad, and more!

Dairy alternatives, made from soy, rice, nuts, seeds, and plant starches, include milks, cheeses, butter, mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurts, frozen desserts you name it!

Its best to sample as many products as you can. You might dislike certain soymilks and veggie burgers, yet think others are great!

With the right substitute ingredients and a little experience, youll discover you can still enjoy your favorite meals. Vegan twists on most any familiar recipe can be prepared using seitan (or wheat meat), homemade cheezes, and other meat and dairy alternatives. Youll find countless vegetarian recipes on the Internet, as well as a huge selection of vegetarian cookbooks.

Beans are a good source of protein and relatively inexpensive. Youll find an array of heat-and-serve options at most supermarkets, and a number of recipes for bean-based dishes in our online starter guide, including hearty soups and a chili made with textured vegetable protein, which also costs less than ready-made faux meats.

While nearly all supermarkets carry tasty, cruelty-free fare, natural food stores and co-ops are great places to explore your vegetarian options. Besides all the ready-made products, you may discover unusual grains, beans, or other ingredients youve never tried. In fact, by becoming more conscious of what they eat and by experimenting with new foods and recipes, many people find themselves with a more diverse diet after becoming vegan!

Vegan selections can be found at many fast-food chains such as Chevys, Dennys, Little Caesars, Papa Johns, Subway, Johnny Rockets, and Taco Bell as well as at most Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Thai, and other ethnic restaurants. If a menus vegan options appear to be limited to a house salad or steamed vegetable plate, dont panic! There are usually dishes that can be veganized with minimal effort, or the chef might be happy to whip up a special animal-free entre for you, so dont be afraid to ask!

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What Do Vegans Eat? - Vegan Outreach

Lancasters first VegFest will celebrate a lifestyle that eliminates the eating of animal products, and it will feature only vegan food.

But the free event, set for Saturday, June 3, in Musser Park, isnt only for vegans, VegFest organizer Courtney Kokus says.

I think this event is pretty much just like any other community event, says Kokus, a freelance marketing professional. Musser Park is beautiful, and theres going to be amazing food from great local vendors.

VegFest is something that is nationwide, Kokus explains. A lot of cities, including Philadelphia, Bethlehem and Washington, D.C., have held vegan festivals.

The name VegFest is an independent name that anyone can use, Kokus says. Its a community within itself. There are both indoor and outdoor festivals and expos all over the country that use the name.

I have attended quite a few VegFests, from California to Pennsylvania, Kokus, a California native, says, and I always thought that Lancaster would be a really great place to hold one. The community here is so receptive to these kind of events.

Until she started promoting the event, Kokus says, I did not realize how many vegans and vegetarians were in Lancaster. Its amazing.

Kokus has been planning VegFest for a few years. But taking care of a new baby and an older child came first. This year, she realized the time was right. I just decided to go for it, she says, and gathered some vegan volunteers from around the region.

Her mission is to provide a fun day for everyone attending, she says, while providing information about the benefits of a plant-based diet both for peoples health and for animals welfare.

In addition to vendors serving vegan food, Kokus says, VegFest will feature speakers, along with businesses and nonprofit groups promoting their vegan-friendly products and services.

Well have bands and fun activities for the kids, says Kokus, who has been a vegan for about eight years. Were looking for a face painter, and there will be a (childrens) craft station hosted by Art Matters Studio in Lancaster.

Courtney Kokus is organizing Lancaster's first VegFest vegan festival to be held at Musser Park.

Vegan food will be in the spotlight, of course. Kokus has assembled about 10 food vendors from Lancaster County and other areas of eastern Pennsylvania.

Hilary Mace, chef-owner of Lancaster catering company The Scarlet Runner, says her company will serve at least a couple of different dishes at the festival.

Were doing a vegan burger we have been working on, Mace says. Were going to be doing a veggie taco, she adds. Itll probably be a tofu scramble with black beans, smoked corn and salsa verde.

Im not sure what other surprises Ill throw in there. Obviously, everything is vegan, and a lot of it will be gluten free, as well.

Mace says she will also be serving drinks and vegan snacks, including corn cakes with avocado salsa.

Srirupa Dasgupta, a partner in Upohar Ethnic Cuisines of Lancaster, says her company will bring its food truck to VegFest and serve three vegan hot ensemble meals international dishes served over rice or couscous.

She says Iraqi sanbusa baked turnovers filled with lightly spiced mixed vegetables will also be served, along with chai with soy milk.

COB Vegan Baked Foods, based in York County, will supply a variety of vegan cupcakes, doughnuts, cookies, tarts, brownies, cereal bars, lemon bars, whoopie pies and granola.

Delinda Jensen, who co-owns the Wilkes-Barre-based Mother Nature food truck with her son, Kyle, says they will sell a variety of foods at VegFest.

We do a flash-fried garlic chutney chickpeas as a snack, Jensen says. And we will be selling chickpea hoagies with curry sauce, topped with raisins, toasted coconut and peanuts.

The Jensens will also serve a vegan pulled-pork-style panini, made from seitan (wheat gluten), with coleslaw, and a barbecue chicken vegan-patty sandwich.

Also, well be serving a spinach wrap, Jensen says. It will have vegan cream cheese, vegan salami, hummus, red onions, peppers and other veggies, topped with a chutney sauce.

Other vendors include ZWild Vegans, a bakery based in York; the local Urban Olive food truck; and The Sacred Kitchen, an Indian food vendor from Maryland.

A farmers market area at VegFest will feature food from regional businesses such as Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative.

The first Lancaster VegFest will be held June 3 in Musser Park.

Animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society, Woodstock Sanctuary, and Animal Advocates of Central Pennsylvania will be represented, as will wellness organizations and businesses that specialize in vegan clothing, solar products and more.

There will also be speakers and live music throughout the day, Kokus says.

At noon, a vegan athlete and recipe developer who writes the Knead to Cook blog under the name Robin Runner, will talk about her favorite vegan food substitutes.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware-based chef and health coach Gretchen Hanson will do a cooking demonstration and talk about how to maintain a plant-based diet.

Finally, at 3 p.m., vegan activist and artist Ryan Phillips, of Williamsburg, Virginia, will appear with his adopted minipigs, Pumpkin and Charlotte. Phillips will talk about life with the pigs and compassion for animals.

On the music stage, Caroline Rose will perform at noon; Kozma at 1 p.m., The Mellowells at 2 p.m. and Sleepy Limbs at 3 p.m.

The Lancaster event, Kokus says, falls under an umbrella organization she calls Central Pennsylvania VegFest.

Initially, I was thinking we were going to do this (festival) in other cities, Kokus says.

She intends for the VegFest in Lancaster to be an annual event.

But, eventually, were going to do one in York and one in Harrisburg, she says. A lot of the volunteers are from York and Harrisburg, so I figured we might as well combine forces and expand the event.

One of my goals after this, Kokus adds, is to help local restaurants form more and better vegan options, and help them market that. Its to help local vegans just have more options.

She says Lancaster could become the next vegan hub, like Philly. We have such great local chefs here.

Kokus reminds those considering coming to VegFest that they dont have to be vegans to enjoy themselves.

Id say to have an open mind and come check it out and have some fun, Kokus says. You might learn a few things about the vegan lifestyle if youre interested in that. But (besides) the vegan message that we have, its going to be a really fun event for our community.

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Lancaster VegFest brings vegan food, music, speakers, kids' activities to Musser Park June 3 - LancasterOnline

"Youre vegan? How arent you dead? Its a question that Elizabeth Tighes 12-year-old son is asked more often than shed like. But as a vegan raising her children to follow a plant-based lifestyle, its not one that particularly suprises her.

In the past decade, veganism has gone from a niche subculture to a lifestyle advocated by celebrities including Beyonce and Jay-Z. In the decade following 2006, there was a 350 per cent spike in people going vegan in the UK. And Tighe, a 32-year-old artist,mother of four from Herefordshirewho runs the veganwebsite ForkingFitis among them. She, like other devotees, sees this way of living as kinder to both animals and the environment. And scientific evidence backs up their claims that a plant-based diet is inarguably healthier for the average person.

Still, vegans arent a particularly liked bunch in some circles. Theyre seen as preachy, pushy and self-righteous. Although vegans might argue thats just not true, and if meat-eaters feel that way its the fault of our guilty consciences. And vegan parents in particular are scorned. Last year, an Italian politician called for a law to be introduced to prosecute vegan parents who impose their reckless and dangerous eating behaviour on their children. Parents found to be feeding their children, er, only plants, should be handed a six year prison sentence, according toItalian Politician Elvira Savino.

But some vegan parents admit that they too werent huge fans of vegans, until they actually went plast-based themselves and realised vegans aren't really fussed about what other people are eating.

Elizabeth Tighe says her children are free to ditch veganism if they choose to

To be honest I always thought vegans were loud and in your face, trying to shovel their views into you - quicker than a tofu sandwich, says Tighe. Yes some are, but on the whole I have met so many peaceful people who have changed to veganism for many different reasons.

Janet Kearney, a 36-year-old from Ireland who runs the Vegan Pregnancy and ParentingFacebook groupand lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband and theirchildren Oliver, four, and Amelia, nineteen months, like Savino believed that raising children to be vegan was cruel and wrong. That was until she watched Earthlings: a documentary known as the veganiser.

Elizabeth Tighe

When I was pregnant, a friend stopped eating all animal products, she tells The Independent. I thought she was insane, and was probably going to end up in a hospital from such a restrictive diet.

I would have been the first person to question a vegan persons ability to parent properly, but I think that has a lot to do with the misinformation out there. We don't hear about the thousands of parents who are raising vegan kids, only the ones who abuse their children or starve them. So it's obviously going to get people alarmed when that's the only connection they have to vegan kids.

Look at it this way, she goes on. We as parents want the absolute best for our children, we want them to be happy, and most of all, as healthy as they can be. The vegan parents that I know spend a great deal of time ensuring that their children are eating healthy, the same as parents who feed their children meat and eggs. We find killing animals to be cruel, and wrong. That's why we don't do it.

Janet Kearney's children Amelia and Oliver. Kearney says that she thought raising a child as vegan was cruel until she tried it herself

The biggest misconception is that vegan parents are hippies, who want everyone to live on dry toast and walnuts, says Kearney. "It couldn't be further from the truth. Most vegan parents are shouting at their kids to get off the back of the couch and stop hitting their siblings. They go to work, come home and make dinner."

But is a vegan diet safe for growing children? Earlier this month, Professor Mary Fewtrell, the chairman of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition warnedparents that getting avegan diet wrong can cause"irreversible cognitive damage and, in the extreme, death.""Our advice is that if parents pursue a vegan diet for their child, they must seek and strictly follow medical and dietary advice," she added.

However, dieticians agree that a vegan upbringing can be healthy if, like with any diet, the correct nutrients are eaten.

Compared to adults children require higher levels of nutrients and vitamins, including A, C, and D, which all youngsters should take in supplements until age five. And as milk and other dairy products are an important sourceof calcium,veganparents should be careful to give their children foods fortified with the mineral. Plant-based sources of riboflavin - found in fish and meat - and iodine - found in dairy and meat - should also be eaten, as well as vitamin B12 supplements.

A vegan diet needs careful consideration and planning to ensure a wide variety of nutrients and energy are consumed as some essential nutrients are primarily found in animal products, says Susan Short, a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA), tellsThe Independent.

Clare Thornton-Wood, BDA spokesperson andspecialist paediatric dietitianat Healthcare On Demand,adds that breastmilkcan help parents nourish young children as there are no veganinfant formulas on the market, as Vitamin D is derived from sheeps wool and soya is not recommended for babies under six months.

Jenny Liddle, a 43-year-old living in Somerset where she runs a PR agencyhas been a vegan for 18 years and has been vegetarian since birth. Sheate a plate-based diet when she was pregnant. She said having a person growing inside of her made her think even more carefully about what she puts in her body. To her surprise, she found her calcium levels were higher than the average person when she was pregnant because she ate calcium-fortified plant milks and a wide range of foods.

However, Liddle says she accepts that were never going to be able to achieve a 100 per cent vegan lifestyle. That doesnt exist yet. Her childrens health, rather than any ideology, is always her priority.

Ian and Jenny Liddle, who have accepted that parents can't be vegan 100% of the time

If I hadnt been able to breastfeed I could have secured a vegan source of pumped donor breast-milk. And if this hadnt been possible then I could have used a formula. I feel that its very important to go ahead with this, even though current formulas contain vitamin D3 from sheep. If you think of formula as a food for a medical purpose, you can appreciate that its necessary for the survival of the baby due to breast-milk being unavailable."

"Sometimes theres no practical or possible alternative. But I feel taking vital medicine does not mean Im no longer vegan or my child is no longer vegan and The Vegan Society recognise that.

And Tighe, Liddle, and Kearney all stress that being vegan is something they dont force on their children, although they do actively educate them about why eating eating animal products might be bad for their health and the environment.

My children would never even think of the idea that our pet ducks, chickens or cat being are food. It would upset them," says Kearney. "They're their best friends, in much the same way people would never look at their pet dog, and think of a Sunday dinner."

"We take a very gentle approach to explaining veganism to our children. I don't want to them frightened or worse, thinking their friends or family are horrible people because they still eat animals. It's a fine line to walk."

"I just support my children and their choices," chimes Tighe. "I make sure they feel comfortable to change their minds about vegansim if they wish. They are all quite passionate about veganism now. I'm not sure what is more poignant than a four year old asking you,why would you love one animal but kill another?

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The vegan parents who are bringing up meat and dairy-free children - The Independent