Alice Coltrane She never compromised her music. Ever. Photograph: Courtesy of the Sai Anantam Ashram

Alice Coltranes ashram can still be found at the end of a winding road, in the California town of Agoura Hills. The Sai Anantam Ashram a spiritual retreat and monastery, of sorts is spread over dozens of wooded acres that are dotted with small buildings. At its center is a surreal sight that seems to emerge fully formed from the verdant landscape, like a desert apparition: a striking white building where services are held.

Coltrane who took on the name Swamini Turiyasangitananda after her spiritual transformation died in 2007, and the property that the ashram is on may be sold soon. But in the white building, for right now at least, services still take place, and the ashram is still filled with her old friends and disciples. Inside the white building, adorned with flowing gold curtains and bright blue carpet, beatific images of her are laden in flower garlands, nestled near portraits of the Indian spiritual leader Satya Sai Baba. Members of the ashram, many of them African-American, and wearing saris and other traditional Indian clothes, still gather to sing bhajans traditional Hindu devotional songs, in arrangements written by Coltrane.

A new reissue of her devotional recordings from the 80s and 90s, World Spiritual Classics: Volume I: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda, is being released by Luaka Bop, the label established by David Byrne and best known for re-releasing William Onyeabors Nigerian electro-funk. It collects devotional music from the ashram albums that were issued on cassette tape via the Avatar Book Institute in the 80s and 90s recordings that were previously known only to ashram denizens and serious Alice Coltrane aficionados.

In the music, you can hear traces of Coltranes Detroit roots she grew up there, as Alice McLeod, playing in churches and shows steeped in gospel, blues, and jazz, before moving briefly to Paris and then New York. She fell in love with John Coltrane in 1963 and they married in Mexico in 1965; he died of liver cancer, at age 40, in 1967.

She was very upset, says the musician Vishnu Wood, who befriended her early on in Detroit. I had been following this guru Satchidananda and I took her to meet him. They got along very well and he reached out to her, and next thing I knew we were doing an album, Journey in Satchidananda. (Wood plays oud on the album, released in 1970.)

For those whose knowledge of Coltrane centers mainly on her classic albums for Impulse and Warner albums such as Journey in Satchidananda with Pharoah Sanders and Universal Consciousness the ashram tapes come as a bit of a surprise. They involve synthesizers and voice, elements lacking in her classic 1970s work, with their lush arrangements of harp, woodwinds and other acoustic instruments. She sings on many of the ashram recordings her voice a sweetly husky, low alto and she plays a big 1980s synthesizer, the Oberheim OB-8, in addition to organ and other instruments. Several members of the ashram join in too, on voice and on additional instruments.

The synthesizer on the ashram recordings was her daughter Michelle Coltranes idea. Her daughter Michelle said Lets look at synthesizers, mom, you might like it, and she found the Oberheim OB-8, which was easy to use, and she applied that rather liberally to her music, says Baker Bigsby, the audio engineer who worked with Alice Coltrane as well as Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman.

Michelle Coltrane remembers that her mother generally shied away from technology; she even shunned using appliances like microwave ovens. She was happy having a grand piano, a big Steinway grand, and she did love the organ she had one at the ashram and one at her home, says Coltrane. I said, Mom, you gotta check out Roland and Korg and all these products that are coming out, that have arpeggiators and all these things that she might find attractive, and that are easy to transport as well the next thing you know, were on that Oberheim.

When looking through the spiritual eye, or the third eye encased within the human mind, one can see vividly beyond the ken of human eyesight, beyond the material atom, and into the future, thereby transcending the limitations of time and space, she wrote in her book Monument Eternal, published in 1977 after shed become a swamini herself. Through it all, she continued making music. In the 1980s and 1990s, she shied away from major labels, choosing instead to release material on private press cassettes.

Now theres a movement to reintroduce Coltrane. As well as the reissue of her ashram tapes, theres also an upcoming film by director and sound artist Vincent Moon is in the works, and numerous tributes, including the closing concert of this years Red Bulls New York festival, featuring her son Ravi Coltrane (her grand-nephew is Steven Ellison AKA Flying Lotus). Meanwhile, with these newly rediscovered tapes from the 1980s and 1990s, perceptions of Coltranes body of work are changing, too demonstrating that she was a tremendous musician whose work did not end with her legendary 1970s run of records.

On a recent Sunday at the ashram, the musician Surya Botofasina played some of these bhajans on keyboards rousing and jazzy renditions, imbued with gospel and blues while everyone sang along. I was one of a number of kids who grew up on the ashram, what we call our ashram family, Botofasina says. To this day it still remains home sweet home for the heart, because of the tremendous spiritual energy that swamini put into it on every level, including the bhajans we were fortunate enough to sing every Sunday.

World Spiritual Classics: Volume I: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda is out now on Luaka Bop; The Ecstatic World of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda will take place in New York on 21 May

Continued here:

Higher state of consciousness: how Alice Coltrane finally got her ... - The Guardian

Finals week can be filled with stress, sleepless nights and heavy caffeine, but there are many healthy efficient ways to destress such as reading, music and exercise.

Reading a book

Reading for 30 minutes a day can distract the mind and reduce stress by over 68 percent, according to an August 18, 2016 Mercola article.

Reading can relax the body and mind to improve focus and is a great way to spend some free time. Senior psychology major Emily Adams said she uses reading and writing to distract herself from overworking.

I like to use it to live in a different world, Adams said. It gives me a break from reality.

Listening to Music

Music is another popular way to destress and many students use music as an escape and distraction.

Music absorbs the attention of the listener and allows the body to relax, according to the Psychcentral.com homepage. Music can also slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones.

Bree Arend, sophomore special education major, said music gives her a break and helps her find her happy place.

I mainly listen to alternative and metal music to destress, Arend said. Since I have anxiety, it calms me down.

Different types of music have different effects on the listeners, according to Psych Central. Calm music is the best type to listen to, but it all depends on the individual.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the best stress relievers and can be as simple as a short walk, according to Mayoclinic.com. Staying healthy during finals is key to keeping the mind sharp, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Eating good meals, exercising for30 minutes and avoiding caffeine is important to keeping the body healthy and stress free. Exercise releases endorphins that can later help improve memory and relax the mind, according to a November 29, 2016 article on Harvard.com.

More:

Students destress with relaxing activities - Northern Star Online

TumbleSeed is a game where you guide your character forward on a seesaw-esque swing on a journey to scale a hazardous mountain. We play the first twenty minutes in this Kotaku Plays.

TumbleSeed has two sides. On the one hand, it offers a friendly world of cute monster pals and relaxing music. On the other, it gives you tricky explorations. To move, you tilt a small seesaw-like contraption to slide across the screen. Its both intuitive and difficult to gain a grasp of. As a core mechanic, the idea is really cool and makes a lot of sense; getting your muscles to obey is another thing altogether.

Theres some charming stuff to be had here though. Random hazards keep your on your toes and the mood is remarkably subdued. Im eager to sit down and play more. I just imagine it will take a while for me to stop tilting and tumbling all over.

Read the rest here:

Tumbleseed Is An Adventure You Tilt Your Character Through - Kotaku

Beijings spring is exciting, not only because its short, but also because this is when the food and beverage industry come out of their winterhibernation. Sureo, the Mediterranean restaurant in the sunken garden of The Opposite House, is no different, having just launched their all-new weekend brunch put together using the Mediterranean influences of fresh and seasonal ingredients under the lead of Chef Talib Hudda, previously of The Georg.

The brunch kicks off with a bread basket, which has four varities two whole grain breads, a small croissant, and a chocolate pastry, paired with homemade raspberry jam and butter. Meanwhile, you can head to the buffet table inside for a refreshing starter. Unlike the stereotypical hotel buffet, Sureo offers a vast series of appetizers. Among the best of those starters are: cheese and cold cuts, salmon, oysters, different salads (such as duck leg and lentil salad; spinach and strawberry; chickpearl,pearl barley, and lentil), grilled vegetables, yogurt, and our favorite; the cold steamed cod with cauliflower and almonds. We loved it not only forits artisanal look, but also for the tenderness of the cod, the seasoning, and the crisp slices of almonds.

As for the main, you can pick one from the list;egg-lovers eggs Benedict, scrambled egg (with a choice of soffritto onion, pepper, celery, or salmon with spinach), country style omelette (mushroom or white cheddar); or shakshuka, chicken leg (with potato rsti and barigoule pure), beef cheek, zarzuela (a traditional Spanish stew ofcuttlefish, squid, sea bass, green peas, and broccoli), duck cavatelli, and smoked carrot agnolotti.

The shakshuka (pictured above), was served in a shiny pot, garnished with cilantro, and also had two slices of whole grain bread. The acidic tomatoes shone through the feta cheese, onion, and pearl barley, without stealing the thunder ofthe poached egg on top or the heat of the spices. The surprisingpart was that the chef popped the pearl barley first, which gave the dish a little more texture.

Our favorite was the beef cheek, which was served with buttery potato pure, charred leek, and cumin butter. The juicy beef cheek melted in my mouth thanks to its tenderness. Even thoughit was quite lean, the cheek glittered as a result of the sauce,with some bites of leek adding to the dish'sartistic side.

You can also choose one of five desserts to cleanse the palate, including chocolate and raspberry tart, million layer tiramisu crpe cake, nectarine tatin, roasted cocoa withvanilla ice cream, and a fruit plate. The nectarine tatin was tasty. Its caramelized sugar and thick sliced nectarine on top added sweet and fruity dimensions to this already pleasurable, buttery, rich tart. We only wish we could'veswapped the whipped cream with ice cream.

The alluring ambiance only added to the meal: relaxing music, a nice breeze, and a gastronomic experience in an al fresco dining area, still hidden from the hustle and bustle of the Sanlitun crowds. If you are a fan of the outdoors then enjoy your brunch in the beautiful sunken garden, surrounded by lush bamboo greenery, or stayindoors and watch the chefs live in action as they prepare your food, says Mark Passmore, General Manager of The Opposite House.

The brunch is available on weekends, at 11am-3pm, costing RMB 298 net. Aselection of free-flow wines is RMB 150 (including Paxton The Guesser red, Pierre Chainier 1749 rose, and Royal Tokaji late harvest), or free-flow champagne is an additional RMB 200 (Duval Leroy brut)*. Make a reservation by emailing info@surenorestaurant.com or calling 6410 5240.

*Does not include VAT and service charge, which makes the brunch cost a total of RMB 348.

More stories by this authorhere.

Email:tracywang@thebeijinger.com Twitter:@flyingfigure Instagram:@flyingfigure

Photos: Tracy Wang,Sureo

See the article here:

Sureo's New Weekend Brunch is Worthy of Your Weekend - The Beijinger (blog)

As much as we appreciate the mug that says Worlds Greatest Nurse on it, finding practical ways to maintain high morale and work performance while serving others can be challenging. In this business, its easy to place the needs of others before ourselves. But experts recognize thatwork performance improves when caregivers take time every day to care for themselves. The sad reality is nurses accept health problems that come from the physical and emotional demands of the profession, and while caring for others often do not care for themselves saysSusan Letvak, PhD, RN, FAAN.

Along with suffering from higher rates of musculoskeletal disorders, higher risks of acquiring blood-borne pathogen infections, tuberculosis, and allergies, Letvak found that hospital-employed bedside nurses had a 17% depression rate compared to the national rate of only 9%.

With National Nurses Week scheduled May 6 12, now is the perfect time for nurses, and those who rely on them, to celebrate the essential role of nursing. Here are seven ways to uncover your best self while you provide the best care for others.

1. Learn to love lavender.

Whether enjoyed as a candle or applied as an essential oil, lavender is popular for its soothing, relaxing properties. For added benefits, try combining a few drops of lavender oil within a small spray bottle of water and spritz your bedsheets, pillows, closet, car seatsanywhere you may enjoy a quick emotional lift.

2. Rediscover bathtime.

Combining essential oils, a relaxing candle, comforting music, and a hot bath is the best diagnosis for pampering and ultimate relaxation. Unlike a quick shower, a lingering bath is the perfect prescription for weary muscles.

3. Schedule a healing massage.

As a popular remedy for treating patients suffering from anxiety or muscle tension, the basic massage can be a secret weapon for igniting much-needed energy to finish your day. We bring in a massage therapist for students and staff every few weeks where they can receive a 15-minute neck and upper back massage, says Julie Aiken, CEO of Ameritech College of Healthcare. If you dont have a massage therapy handy, here are five easy ways to give yourself a quick massage.

4. Hit the trails.

There is something special about nature that helps calm those anxious feelings. A study conducted by the University of Michigan School of Medicine found that group nature walks are linked with significantly lower depression, less perceived stress and enhanced mental health and well-being. If you lack the time, take a 30-minute stroll around the nearest park or public garden. The fresh air and physical activity will do wonders for your physical and emotional health.

5. Be still for 15 minutes.

The practice of meditation has been used for thousands of years as a tool for relieving stress and anxiety and providing clarity on our relationship with surrounding elements. Our nursing philosophies are grounded in caring and the interconnectedness of the mind, body, spirit, social/cultural, emotions, relationships, context, and environment, Aiken says. All of these aspects combine to create a person; in order to heal the whole person. A 15-minute investment in personal reflection and meditation can prepare someone to experience hours of peace throughout the day.

6. Greet the sunrise.

On that same line, waking up early to start the day with the sunrise helps put things in proper perspective. Whatever happened yesterday, its a new dayliterally.

7. Yoga.

We hear about the benefits of yoga virtually everywhereand with good reason. Yoga is more than just exercise. Its benefits can be realized from within the body and from without the body, saysKerstin McSteen, BSN, MSN, ACHPN, CNS-BC. A consistent yoga practice can have a positive impact on body chemistry, disease prevention, symptom reduction or alleviation, and emotional health. Whether taking a class or enjoying online personal instruction, yoga is a popular and effective addition to your daily routine.

This year, as we celebrate the Year of the Healthy Nurse, expand your role as one of our most important caregivers to include self-care. By making your physical and emotional well-being a top priority, you can be sure you are providing the best care for others while youve taken the time to care for yourself.

Have you ever noticed how many altruistic nurses there are out there in the world or even just in your own community? Ill bet you dollars to stale breakroom donuts that youre one of them. It seems as though its an inseparable quality inherent in most health care providers. Altruism

Its no secret a busy nurse will spend most working hours indoors. During the winter months, you will probably arrive at your job as the sun is coming up, and you leave when the sun is going down. However, remaining in the same environment every day can lead to feeling

Knowing a few simple breathwork strategies can be a valuable tool for nurses during a hectic workday. While youre probably most familiar with the pursed lip breathing technique you use on your patients who are short of breath, other types of breathwork can be beneficial to you, the clinician, as

As a nurse, you spend your days caring for others in hospitals, rehab centers, in their homes, and many other places. Then you come home and may care for family members, spouses, children, and/or pets. But when do you take time to care for yourself? Now, before you begin saying,

Continued here:

Great Ways to Care for Yourself During National Nurses Week - DailyNurse (blog)

BOARDMAN A family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration is planned in Boardman.

Sponsored by the Morrow County Unified Recreation District, the free event is Saturday from 4-10 p.m. at Boardman Marina Park. The celebration features food, live entertainment and dancing. A karaoke contest, which include prizes, kicks off the event. Kathie Goad, committee secretary/treasurer, said the evening includes three bands who will be playing Hispanic music.

Food options, Goad said, will be provided by Apazingan Taco Truck, Quality Concessions and Food on the Fry. Also, Liliana Medrano will be on hand with her ice cream truck and some last minute surprises.

Come enjoy a relaxing evening of music, food and entertainment under the stars, Goad said.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/boardmancincodemayo.

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Boardman hosts family-friendly festival - East Oregonian (subscription)

Right Hooks

Over the years, food fads have come and gone this diet comes in, that cancer-causing food goes out only later to come back in because the science wasnt settled. Many Americans are constantly looking for that new-and-improved way to health and weight loss. Organic food is arguably one of those fads. At its essence, its a rejection of or at least an effort to minimize the impact of industrialization and corporate farming and to return to the days of yore when things were done more naturally. It costs a heck of a lot more to produce far less, but is it worth it?

That depends on who you ask. Some consumers swear by quality organic food, and take comfort in its supposed sustainability. The U.S. Department of Agriculture gives its seal of approval (literally) to all kinds of organic food, and has numerous and rigorous regulations for what it takes to earn that seal. But others see sophistry, a marketing gimmick and a needless limiting of food supplies.

The Washington Post conducted an investigation of one organic dairy farm in Colorado, leading to some interesting findings. (Lets stop here to offer the caveat that the Post doesnt have the final say or the best track record). But here are some simple facts they recount:

The USDA Organic seal that appears on food packaging essentially a USDA guarantee of quality was created by federal rules in 2000.

Organic food sales rose from about $6 billion annually in 2000 to $40 billion in 2015, according to the Organic Trade Association.

In the case of milk, consumers pay extra often double when the carton says USDA Organic, in the belief they are getting something different. Organic dairy sales amounted to $6 billion last year in the United States.

Is the milk worth double the price simply because the government says so? Perhaps not if the Posts investigation is to be believed. The farm in question didnt appear to live up to the USDA requirements, and inspectors which the USDA allows farms to hire independently werent really in a position to determine otherwise. About half of the organic milk sold in the U.S. is coming from very large factory farms that have no intention of living up to organic principles, said Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit group representing thousands of organic farmers. Thousands of small organic farmers across the United States depend on the USDA organic system working. Unfortunately, right now, its not working for small farmers or for consumers.

We tend to conclude that organic food is overrated and overpriced, because thats what happens when government puts its thumb on the scales. The benefit of modern farming is to feed more people for less money, while organic food feeds fewer people for more money. Is organic bad then? No, though perhaps the proper phrase is caveat emptor.

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Business Review Board: About That Sustainable Organic Food ... - Patriot Post

Organic foods have exploded in popularity over the last two decades.

In fact, US consumers spent $39.1 billion on organic produce in 2014 (1).

The popularity does not seem to be slowing down, as sales increased by more than 11% from 2014 to 2015 (1).

Many people think organic food is safer, healthier and tastier than regular food (2).

Others say its better for the environment and the well-being of animals.

This article objectively compares organic and non-organic foods, including their nutrient content and effects on human health.

The term organic refers to the process of how certain foods are produced.

Organic foods have been grown or farmed without the use of artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified organisms.

In order to be labelled organic, a food product must be free of artificial food additives.

This includes artificial sweeteners, preservatives, coloring, flavoring and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Organically grown crops tend to use natural fertilizers like manure to improve plant growth. Animals raised organically are also not given antibiotics or hormones.

Organic farming tends to improve soil quality and the conservation of groundwater. It also reduces pollution and may be better for the environment.

The most commonly purchased organic foods are fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Nowadays there are also many processed organic products available, such as sodas, cookies and breakfast cereals.

Bottom Line: Organic foods are produced through farming practices that only use natural substances. This means avoiding all artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Studies comparing the nutrient content of organic and non-organic foods have provided mixed results.

This is most likely due to natural variation in food handling and production.

However, evidence does suggest that foods grown organically may be more nutritious.

Several studies have found that organic foods generally contain higher levels of antioxidants and certain micronutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc and iron (3, 4, 5, 6).

In fact, antioxidant levels can be up to 69% higher in these foods (6).

One study also found that organically grown berries and corn contained 58% more antioxidants and up to 52% higher amounts of vitamin C (5).

Whats more, one study reported that replacing regular fruit, vegetables and cereals with organic versions could provide extra antioxidants in the diet. This was comparable to eating 1-2 extra portions of fruit and vegetables daily (6).

Organic plants do not rely on chemical pesticide sprays to protect themselves. Instead, they produce more of their own protective compounds, namely antioxidants.

This may partly explain the higher levels of antioxidants in these plants.

Organically grown crops have also been shown to have lower levels of nitrate. In fact, studies have shown that nitrate levels are 30% lower in these crops (6, 7).

High nitrate levels are linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer (8).

Theyre also linked to a condition called methemoglobinemia, a disease in infants that affects the bodys ability to carry oxygen (8).

That being said, many people believe that the harmful effects of nitrates have been overstated. The benefits of eating vegetables far outweigh any negative effects.

Organic milk and dairy products may contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and slightly higher amounts of iron, vitamin E and some carotenoids (7, 9).

However, organic milk may contain less selenium and iodine than non-organic milk, two minerals that are essential for health (9).

A review of 67 studies found that organic meat contained higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and slightly lower levels of saturated fats than conventional meat (10).

A higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with many health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease.

While several studies find organic foods to contain more nutrients, many others have found insufficient evidence to recommend organic over inorganic (11).

An observational study comparing the nutrient intakes of nearly 4,000 adults consuming either organic or conventional vegetables found conflicting results.

Although a slightly higher intake of certain nutrients was seen in the organic group, this was most likely due to higher overall vegetable consumption (12).

A review of 55 studies found no differences in the nutrient content of organic versus regular crops, with the exception of lower nitrate levels in organic produce (13).

Another review of 233 studies found a lack of strong evidence to conclude that organic foods are more nutritious than regular foods (11).

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that these studies vary quite widely in their results.

This is because the nutrient content of food depends on many factors, such as soil quality, weather conditions and when the crops are harvested.

The composition of dairy products and meat can be affected by differences in animal genetics and animal breed, what the animals eat, the time of year and type of farm.

The natural variations in the production and handling of foods make comparisons difficult. Therefore, the results of these studies must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom Line: Organically grown crops may have less nitrate and more of certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Organic dairy products and meat may have more omega-3 fatty acids. However, the evidence is mixed.

Many people choose to buy organic food in order to avoid artificial chemicals.

Evidence suggests that consuming these foods may reduce your exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (11).

One study found that levels of cadmium, an extremely toxic metal, were 48% lower in organic produce. In addition, pesticide residues were four times more likely to be found in non-organic crops (6).

It is important to note that the higher levels of cadmium and pesticide residue in conventionally grown produce were still well below safety limits (14).

However, some experts worry that cadmium can accumulate over time in the body, potentially causing harm. Washing, scrubbing, peeling and cooking food can reduce these chemicals, although it doesnt always remove them completely (15).

Nevertheless, evidence suggests that the risk of exposure to pesticide residue in foods is small and unlikely to cause harm (16).

Since organic farming does not use antibiotics in animals, these products generally contain slightly lower levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (17, 18).

Bottom Line: Choosing organic foods may reduce your exposure to toxins, pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the levels of toxins in regular produce are generally well below the safety limits.

There is some evidence suggesting that organic foods have health benefits.

For example, several lab studies found that their higher antioxidant content helped protect cells from damage. And animal studies show that organic diets may benefit growth, reproduction and the immune system (7).

One study also reported that chickens fed an organic diet showed reduced weight gain, and had stronger immune systems (19).

Observational studies in humans have linked organic foods to a lower risk of allergies and eczema in children and infants (7, 20, 21).

A large observational study of 623,080 women found no difference in cancer risk between those who never ate organic food and those who ate it regularly (22).

Another study found that antioxidant levels were higher in men following an organic diet. However, this study was small and not randomized (23).

When 16 people followed an organic or conventional diet over two 3-week periods, those on the organic diet had slightly higher levels of certain antioxidants in their urine. Yet this study also had limitations that may have caused the differences (24).

Unfortunately, theres simply not enough strong evidence available to confirm that organic foods benefit human health more than conventional foods (7, 11).

More high-quality studies are needed.

Bottom Line: There is not enough strong evidence available to prove that eating organic provides health benefits over eating regular foods.

Just because a product is labeled organic, it doesnt mean that it is healthy.

Some of these products are still processed foods high in calories, sugar, salt and added fats.

For example, organic cookies, chips, sodas and ice cream can all be purchased in supermarkets.

Despite being organic, these products are still unhealthy. So if you are trying to lose weight or eat healthy, you may be harming yourself by eating these foods.

Organic product labels will often state that the ingredients are natural for example, using raw cane sugar instead of plain sugar. However, sugar is still sugar.

The majority of the population consumes too much sugar already. To think its healthy to consume lots of organic sugar is simply wrong.

In simple terms, when you choose organic junk food, you may just be choosing a slightly higher-quality version of regular junk food.

However, since regulations generally ban the use of artificial food additives in these foods, buying organic is a good way to avoid a lot of the chemicals that are often added to conventional foods.

Bottom Line: Processed organic food can still be low in nutrients and high in added fat, sugar and calories. Organic junk food is still junk food.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set up an organic certification program.

This means any farmer or food producer selling organic food must meet strict government standards.

If you decide to choose organic, its important to look for the USDA organic seal.

Also, watch for these statements on food labels, so you can identify food that is truly organically grown:

If a product contains less than 70% organic ingredients, it cannot be labeled organic or use the USDA seal.

Similar standards are enforced in Europe, Canada and Australia. Each country or continent has its own seal to help consumers identify organic food.

Bottom Line: To identify organic food, look for the appropriate seal or a statement like one of the three examples above.

Organic food may contain more antioxidants and nutrients than regular food, although the evidence is mixed.

Consuming organic food may also reduce your exposure to artificial chemicals, hormones and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

However, it often costs more and may spoil faster.

Additionally, its not clear if going organic has additional health benefits.

Whether to buy organic is a choice you should make based on your personal preferences and values.

Read this article:

What is Organic Food, and is it Better Than Non-Organic?

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "France Organic Food & Beverages Market Size & Analysis, By Type, Market Share, Forecast and Opportunities 2017-2022" report to their offering.

Organic food & beverages market is forecast to touch USD 9.49 billion by 2022, owing to upsurge in the number of diseases caused by consumption of conventional food & beverages grown with more chemicals and pesticides, growing awareness resulting into change in consumers' taste and preference and increasing number of specialist organic stores. France organic food & beverages market is highly competitive market with large number of organic food companies.

In 2016, Organic Dairy Products' category accounted for the largest market share in the country's organic food & beverages market, and was closely followed by Organic grocery products including sweet and salty groceries. North West region is the largest regional market for organic food & beverages in France, as it is home to tens of millions of French consumers with high personal disposable income.

French organic food & beverages industry saw strong growth, owing to institutional support from French Government as well as European Union. Moreover, improvements in macro-economic policies, like moderate inflation and low interest rates also boosted consumers' sentiments and organic industry emerged as one of the beneficiary.

This report elaborates the following aspects of organic food & beverages market in the country:

Key Topics Covered:

1. Product Overview

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Global Organic Food & Beverages Market Overview

5. France organic Food & Beverages Market Outlook

6. France Organic Dairy Market Outlook

7. France Organic Grocery Market Outlook

8. France Organic Fruits & Vegetable Market Outlook

9. France Organic Bread & Bakery Market Outlook

10. France Organic Meat Market Outlook

11. France Organic Beverages Market Outlook

12. France Other Organic Food Products Market Outlook

13. Supply Chain Analysis

14. France Organic Food & Beverages Market Dynamics

15. France Organic Food & Beverages Market Trends & Developments

16. Policy & Regulatory Landscape

17. France Economic Profile

18. Competitive Landscape

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/mr9rdr/france_organic

Go here to see the original:

France $9.49 Billion Organic Food & Beverages Market Size & Analysis, By Type, Market Share, Forecast and ... - Business Wire (press release)

Last month, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) met in Denver, Colorado to discuss what might be the most hotly-debated subject in all of eco-agriculture: What, exactly, does "organic" mean?

The organic label is worth about $40 billion a year. An organic farmer can charge as much as twice the price for the same itemand work very hard for the ability to do so.

The United States is unlike most countries (or regions, like the EU) in that our organic certification can legally be extended to crops that are not grown in soil. Hydroponic and aquaponic produce is, typically, grown in perpetually-flowing water in which nutrients are dissolved, and in the US, some farms using these methods can be certified organic. Proponents of the hydroponic organic certification say that their farms can be more energy- and water-efficient than soil-based farms, that they can reduce transportation costs by being built basically anywhere (including indoors, smack in the middle of cities), and that they can be just as sustainable and eco-friendly as any traditional farm.

The other sidethe side that wants organic certification to be restricted to soil-based farmssees hydroponic organics as a victory for a spooky sort of agriculture controlled by corporations that perverts the very soul of the organic movement.

What does theNOSB, whichis in charge of actually making this decision, think? Theyre not sure yet. They determinedin Denver that they have more questions than answers, and that theyll needmore data before making any decision. For now, hydrorgranics remain legal.

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Hydroponics and other technologies like it have captured the imagination of farmers for decades; the technologies enable young farmers, increasing numbers of whom live in cities, to create hyper-local farms that actually produce solid yields. Some systems incorporate big fish tankstilapia is a popular choicewhich are strung together with the plants to create an ad-hoc sort of ecosystem.

Its a very natural-type system, says Marianne Cufone, executive director of the Recirculating Farms Coalition. Its mimicking nature, where the fish do what they do in the water to live and breathe, and they create nutrients in doing so, and those nutrients then are taken with the water to the plants, and the plants absorb the nutrients they need to live from the water, cleaning the water for the fish. It is, basically, a high-tech artificial ponda closed-loop system where the fish help the plants and the plants help the fish. And we can eat both the plants and the fish.

These sorts of farms are gaining traction; most cities have a few. Many of them are too small to really be commercialmaybe theyre educational farms, maybe theyre startup-y experiments, maybe theyre an outpost of a restaurant or other facility that doesnt rely on the farm as a sole source of income.Fact is, theyrepopping up more and more.

Cufone represents these farmers, who put a lot of energy into making sure their farms are sustainable and ecologically sound. They reduce their water and energy use as far as possible, they use only accepted fertilizers and nutrients, and if they must use pesticide theyll only use accepted organic varieties. Describing her own farm, Cufone says, We have an open-air system, so we have natural pests and natural pest controls. We have bees and butterflies and helpful insects that keep away pests and so forth.

In her view, Cufone and farmers like her embody the spirit of sustainability and responsibility that customers look for in an organic product.

Ifeel bad for those [small] operations, that theyre getting wrapped up in this debate, but they are not the problem, says Linley Dixon. Dixon is the chief scientist for the Cornucopia Institute, a group that represents small farmers and has become a major voice in opposition to hydro-organics. Cornucopia firmly believes that the organic certification should go only to farmers who grow in soil.

Their argument against hydro-organic agribusiness is multi-fold. First is their belief in the inherent superiority of soil-grown produce. Kastel repeatedly cited the superior flavor and nutritional content of soil-grown vegetables. (That last part is up for debate; theres yet to be scientific consensus on whether organic food is more nutritious than conventional food. The former claimvaries based on crop.) Cornucopia also believes that the conceptthe soul, if you willof organics isnt just aboutthe singular crop: its about the the ecosystem, the environment, and the planet. Proper soil-based organics ensures healthy soil for generations, allows for thriving communities of beneficial insects, and, in turn, an entire ecosystem around them. Organics is about the planet beyond the pepper, they say.

Its probably worth pointing out here that Cornucopia repeatedly claims hydro-organic farms are illegal, while the hydro people repeatedly state that theyre following the letter of the law. Frankly, its too much of a tangle to go into: both sides make compelling legal arguments, but the real battle is not really about which side is, say, bending to abstraction a bunch of minor rules about nutrient sourcingits about money and soul. But probably mostly money.

This is like Soylent Green in the shape of a vegetable. Mark Kastel, cofounder of Cornucopia.

Cornucopia made it a point to say that they approve in spirit of small, sustainable hydro producers like Cufone; they think that stuff is cool, or at least cute. But they do not believe it should ever be labeled organic.

The organic label is worth about $40 billion a year. It is monstrously huge business, which is the only reason many farmers put up with the equally huge amounts of red tape it takes to actually get the certification. An organic farmer can charge as much as twice the price for the same itemand work very hard for the ability to do so. So while the organic standards were designed to reward the most conscientious of farmers, what its also done is entice less-conscientious corporations into hitting the bare minimum in order to rake in that sweet organic cash. This is all legal at the moment, keep in mind; Cornucopia is fighting to strengthen the restrictions on organic farmers, in a way that would box out those who, in their mind, are unworthy of the organic label.

The chief villains, to Dixon and Cornucopia, arent small timers, like rooftop farms in Brooklyn or progressive vertical projects in Chicago. Its gigantic agribusiness corporations, chiefly Wholesum Harvest and Driscolls. Both of those companies have gigantic organic hydroponic businesses, selling tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, and berries, which are grown, in some capacity,in hydroponic greenhouses. Its almost science fiction, Dan, to say that we want all of our food grown in these hermetically-sealed buildings, Mark Kastel, the cofounder of Cornucopia. told me. This is like Soylent Green in the shape of a vegetable. Kastel believes that these companies are not in the spirit of the organic movement and are thus deceiving customers who have a vision of organic produce coming from ethical farmers, harvested by ethical farmers in ethical overalls covered in ethical dirt.

Hydro-organics often does not include any outside interaction with the planet at all, being less spooky than Kastel thinks they are but no less hermetically sealed. When I presented that to Cufone, she protested. Not all aquaponic systems are entirely closed, she says. For example, the system that we run, we take some of the solid fish waste out and use it on in-ground growing. A lot of people do multiple forms of growing on a farm. But the current law doesnt require any of that to earn the certification.

I think adding new labels dilutes the USDA organic label, and I also think the whole separate but equal thing hasnt worked so well in the United States over the years. Marianne Cufone, Executive Director, Recirculating Farms Coalition

The bigger argument is about money, as the end of most arguments are.It is extremely easy for a hydroponic farm to transition to organic; all they need to do, as Kastel says, is turn a valve. (Basically, just replace any banned nutrients or fertilizers with permitted ones.) Turning a conventional soil-based farm into an organic farm is much, much more involved; you have to allow the soil to recover forthree years before you can call your food organic.

That enables big business like Wholesum Harvest to pump their low-cost organics into the market, boxing out smaller, older producers. And theres no way to tell the difference between hydro-organics and soil-based organics; theres only one label, and it just says certified USDA organic.

I offered a few possible solutions to this issue, all of whichfailed. What about a totally new label, I asked both Cufone and the folks from Cornucopia? Say, USDA Certified Sustainable Hydro, with totally new rules for what makes a truly sustainable and ecologically-friendly hydro farm. Has a nice ring to it, right? Cornucopia said sure, who cares, they can do whatever they want. Cufone, though, wasnt into it.

No, she said flatly. Because USDA organic is the thing, its the thing that consumers know, and I think its really important for it to be the significant label in the United States. I think adding new labels dilutes the USDAorganic label, and I also think the whole separate but equal thing hasnt worked so well in the United States over the years. Whoof.

Okay, how about this genius idea of mine: USDA Organic Hydro. Again, separate rules, and a new label, but it has the word organic in there. Cufone thought this was a great idea. The Cornucopia people, not so much.

Its pretty telling that they want to steal our word, says Dixon. Cornucopia does not want any farm besides a traditional operation wherein crops are planted in the Earth to have access to the word organic, in any way. That includes hydroponics, aquaponics, rooftop farming, container farming, all of it.Weve worked really hard for this word, and it means something, and they want it, and its not theirs, says Dixon. Let them build it for 30 years, like the organic farmers did.

For Cornucopia, any use of the organic word is, yes, a perversion, but also not enough of a differentiation; considering how lousy the state of agricultural education is in this country, Cornucopia worries that people wont much care about the difference between organic and organic hydro. And then theyre in the same position theyre in now: being boxed out by a bunch of techy corporations.

There is no conclusion on the future of organics. It is a complete mess. Without proper education to ensure that customers know or care about the difference between conventional, organic, hydroponic, sustainable hydroponic, and who knows what else, as well as stricter rules to ensure that those labels actually mean what customers think they mean? Were stuck with basically what we have, which is kind of a free-for-all.

Both sides have a point; both the Cornucopia folks and Cufone want the farmers they represent to be recognized and paid for her dedication to sustainability. How to ensure they both get what they deserve? Theres no real solution. Thats what the NOSB is grappling with. As to when theyll make a decision? Any decision at all? We have no idea.

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Can Hydroponic Farming Be Organic? The Battle Over The Future Of Organic Is Getting Heated - Modern Farmer