Asiphe Mkulisi assists one of her clients at the salon.

The Sarva Dharma Ashram of Welbedacht, Chatsworth has gone the extra mile by supporting the opening of a small business for a hardworking and well deserved youth member of the ashram.

Asiphe Mkulisi, 19, a young early school leaver and a mother, who resides in Welbedact, was sponsored by the ashram to complete a hairdressing, manicure and foot massage training course.

After successfully completing the training, the ashram assisted her in opening a small salon and massage business which is housed in the ashrams community centre.

ALSO READ: Rotary Anns assist Sarva Dharma Ashram

The name of the business is Sylvias Salon and Massage, named after Asiphes mother. The business is currently managed by the ashram until Asiphe gains the necessary business management experience and shows potential towards sustaining the business.

The ashrams community centre has the potential to become a small business start-up hub for business inclined youth of the ashram. The youngsters and some of them young adults have spent most of their lives growing up in the ashram environment and are now keen and ready to go out on their own.

The ashram is appealing to the public to come forward and support the ashram in making dreams come true for the youth of the ashram.

Youth will require skills and training sponsorships and some of them do have some skills and available for employment. Contact the ashram on 031 406-3766 or visit http://www.sarvadharmaashram.org.za

Continued here:

Sarva Dharma Ashram stays true to social commitment - Rising Sun Chatsworth

For Americans opposing the presidency of Donald Trump and unsure how best to channel their anger about his pledges to scrap Obamacare, limit womens reproductive rights or the proposed travel ban from Muslim-majority countries, there is now a solution.

A San Francisco organisationlaunched anti-Trump aerobics to mark 100 Days of the real estate moguls presidency.

The hour-long class included an aerobics routine devised from some of Mr Trumps most common gestures and manners and organises said it would tackle the anxiety of state change through embodied protest.

A video of the class has now been shared by non-profit news outlet Mother Jones who described the scene which involved class members wearing Democrat blue sweatbands and neck ties signature of the President himself.

Moves included participants pairing up and using their red ties against each other while shouting: Dont build a wall. Other movements included lunges to the side complete with red tie.

Commonplace for exercise classes, the instructor also shouted out motivational, encouraging messages for class members to repeat back to her. However, naturally these ones were more along the anti-Trump, political lines and included: Dont buy Ivankas shoes!, Dont read his tweets and F*** Mar-a-Lago!

One participant told Mother Jones: This is a wonderful example of bringing levity and community to the resistance.

The class was organised by 100 Days of Action which organised a hundred day plan to counteract the Presidents first 100 days in office. In addition to the exercise class, volunteers knitted caps for the science marks, held a Black Lives Matter film night to mark Black History Month in February and a dance party to music and DJs from the seven countries affected by Mr Trumps travel ban.

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Anti-Trump aerobics class organised to mark US President's first 100 days - The Independent

The U.S. Army has implemented a new physical fitness test aimed at better preparing recruits for the challenges of military life.

The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) went into effect Jan. 3 and focuses on aerobics and lower- and upper-body strength, Army spokesperson Jennifer Johnson told Club Industry. It will also allow recruiters to more accurately evaluate applicants overall fitness levels prior to initial training.

We anticipate that the OPAT will lower attrition, which can lead to money saved, fewer injuries, fewer lost training seats, and other positive impacts that will contribute to overall Army readiness, Johnson said.

OPAT includes four, gender-neutral tests, according to Military.com:

OPAT standards vary based on a participants designated military occupational specialty (MOS). The Black category is hardest and only administered to those with heavy physical demands, while Gray is for significant demands and Gold is for moderate.

The test will be administered to 80,000 recruits and thousands of cadets this year alone, according to Military.com. Recruits may request to retake the OPAT if they fail. Multiple unsuccessful attempts may result in a MOS renegotiationand subsequent category downgrade, such as Gray to Gold.

The OPAT was created to better match prospective soldiers to careers in the Army where they are most likely to succeed and meet the Army's needs, Johnson said.

Several groups, including PHIT America, have warned about the danger to the country due to the unfit state of 70 percent of youth to serve in the military, according to the Mission: Readiness report put together in 2015 by 600 military leaders.

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Army Emphasizes Strength, Aerobics in New Physical Assessment Test - Club Industry

Indore: Enriching mind, body and soul through fitness routine and good mood sessions, Aerobics club Meghdoots 7-day free summer camp is gaining attention from different age groups.

Following the rigorous fun workouts, trainer Jitesh Manwani addressed the gathering in the good mood programme.

Pressing on three ways to keep a good mood, Manwani said, There are three aspects Physiology, Focus and Language that must be taken care of. He explained that body and mind are totally interdependent, hence correct posture is must.

Alert posture leads to alert mind, hence, maintain correct body posture while standing, walking, sitting, driving and riding, he said.

While discussing focus, Manwani talked about focusing on activity. Focus on efforts not results, on playing not winning, on purpose not success, on relations not duties, he said.

Discussing language, he quoted on use of positive words. Replace words like: Problem with Challenge Angry with Uncomfortable I hate with I prefer, he said.

Further, during the camp zumba trainers Amit Chauhan and Rekha Chauhan trained fitness freaks on Rock music of Hollywood. This was the first experience of our Aerobics Club Members that they learn Zumba with Hollywood music. Exercise on musical theme forces a person to concentrate, hence building focus, Chauhan said.

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Indore: Aerobics free summer camp attracts all age group - Free Press Journal

By STEPHANIE BUNKER

Moapa Valley Progress

Lets Play Music recital was held last Friday night. Students graduated onto the next step in the program and showcased the songs they learned along the way. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BUNKER/Moapa Valley Progress.

Music is relaxing, beautiful, and fun; especially through the Lets Play Music childrens program with instructor Stephanie Tobler. A recital was held on Friday evening April 28 to showcase the lively melodies the kids have learned throughout the past year. The program involves a 3 year commitment and each of the 3 age groups performed at the recital.

The youngest group, called the Blue Bugs, began the show singing the fun songs they learned throughout the year and playing chords on the bells and autoharp. Tobler explained that the first year of the program the children are learning through play by learning the foundational building blocks of music as they internalize it.

Following the Blue Bugs performance, the Yellow Arrows began their portion of the evening with their musical journey throughout the year showing how they brought the chords to the keyboard. The third and final group of was called the Orange Roots. These students are now ready to move on to private instrument instruction. They played rhythms and melodys on the keyboard for the audience during the recital. The goal of the recital was to show the parents, specifically the dads, what we are doing and what the value of it is, said Tobler.

She described the purpose of each song to show that they arent just fun songs, but the students are actually learning during the fun. Tobler explained that this comprehensive music program combines the techniques of learning to hear the music, and reading the notes as well. Music is like learning a type of language and becomes second nature to them, Tobler said.

The Lets Play Music program operates between the ages of 4 and 6 when young brains have the most aptitude for developing musical talent, Tobler said. This program begins before the childrens fingers have the dexterity for the piano. They start by learning how to listen for music and develop an ear for it. It makes it easier to sight read and be able to decode the notes on the staff better, not one note at a time but to recognize it as a broken chord, Tobler said.

This was Toblers 9th year of teaching Lets Play Music. She is excited to see repeat families coming back with siblings to go through the course because of the results the program has shown. Tobler warned that the program is somewhat of a lifestyle change because the music goes home with them to practice and learn in order to reinforce the patterns.

Tobler also offers a class to toddlers called Sound Beginnings, available to ages 2-4. This class gets the kids ready for the Lets Play Music program and allows parent bonding through music, she said. Tobler holds sample classes to give the parent and child an idea of what the class is like. To contact Tobler about the program at stephanietobler@letsplaymusicsite.com.

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Local 'Let's Play Music' Program Holds Spring Recital - mvprogress

While classical concerts are typically associated with formality, one instructor is trying to promote a more relaxing setting for her repertoire: a stage decorated with a couch, lamps, family photos and a virtual fireplace.

Timna Mayer, graduate teaching assistant at Ithaca College and a violin instructor at Cornell University, brought the idea of living room concerts concerts held in an informal setting where the stage is designed to look like someones living room to the college. She said she wanted a space for musicians to perform without the usual stress and formality of a concert.

I was thinking about the music school and my profession, and I couldnt remember a time I heard someone say, Im doing this because its so relaxing and fun, she said. Usually, its like, Oh, no. I have to go practice.

Mayer recalled studying violin herself from a young age and how playing for fun transformed into a more austere environment as she began studying. Her idea for living room concerts came, in part, as a desire to recapture that feeling of first discovering her passion for playing.

I started playing violin when I was little because I loved the sound of it and I loved playing, she said. At some point after I started studying it just became this really strict environment.

Mayer said her students, mostly nonmajors, have wanted to perform but were intimidated by a typical concert setting.

The concert atmosphere never made sense for me, Mayer said. Why would you be by yourself on a huge stage? How can you communicate your feelings when you are so far away from [the audience]?

While traditional solo music performances have the performer dressed formally and playing on a stage far away from the audience, living room concerts aim to make the experience more personal for both the audience and the performer. She said she wanted to recreate what it was like for 19th-century composers to get together and perform for each other.

Composers like Shubert, for example, used to get together at their houses and play in their living rooms, she said. And he would invite all these different artists and musicians and just play for each other.

Mayer is planning the second living room concert from 6 to 8 p.m. May 7 in Nabenhauer Recital Room. There is no dress code, and anybody is welcome to sign up and perform, both students and faculty, not just those who study with her. At the end of the concert, Mayer said, there will be a free improv session for anyone to come and onstage and play.

Part of her motivation is to bring musicians together and celebrate music rather than treating it as a competition. She said that at high levels of performance, musicians sometimes get to a state where they are scared of failure or scared of not being good enough.

I was thinking about what happened to the music world, that its become this state where were always scared and Oh, my God. Other people might be better than we are.

Freshman Emma Rabinowitz attended the first concert and will be performing in the upcoming show. She said she likes the idea because it gives performers a chance to play without the usual pressure associated with student recitals.

I thought it was a really cool experience because when we do concerts here, it can be very stressful, she said. Theyre very formal. But having a living room concert in an informal setting while still playing great music is a good way for us to not feel as stressed and be more relaxed. It feels much more natural.

Rabinowitz said that as a freshman, she hasnt had much experience playing her own recital but that she thinks living room concerts will be a great way for her to experience one in a comfortable setting.

Rabinowitz plans on playing Lgende by Wieniawski on violin.

Senior Benjamin Pawlak, a piano performance major, accompanied soloists in the last living room concert and will perform a solo himself in the upcoming concert. Pawlak, who has been friends with Mayer for a few years, said he feels the relaxed environment comes not only from the decorations but from the audience as well.

There are far more audience members than performers at any given concert, and I think they really dictate the vibe, Pawlak said. Walking into a concert where you have a fireplace projected on a screen and the lights are low its a very homey environment. It helps the audience relax and not view it as some sort of event where you have to be quiet and behave.

Going forward, Mayer said, she would like to hold a concert each month. In addition to promoting a stress-free environment, she said she wants to foster inclusivity and collaboration among musicians attending and performing at the concerts.

Its a good platform for people to just chat and be like, Hey, I really like your band. Can I join you guys once in a while? she said. Theres not enough communication between students because were all so tied up in our coursework.

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Living room concerts brings live music back to it's roots - The Ithacan

To the Editor: I have been associated with music programs for the past 41 years. I believe we vote for our school board members to do what we hope will be best for our students. This time, they are obviously just looking at the bottom line and not the best education for our children. As soon as our board members need to save money, it seems that the music department is the first place they look. I truly believe that if they really knew what music does for a student, I would hope they would think twice about cutting the instrumental music department in any way. You have to remember the student who starts band in fifth grade is really committing themselves, not only for that fifth grade, but for all eight years of their musical education. I have found in my 41 years that, on average, 90 percent of students who start instrumental music continue through 12th grade. Board members think of instrumental music as an elective. With that thinking, wouldnt classes like physics, Spanish and biology be an elective? I believe these classes may have around 25 students per class (and they feel this is too large). If you wish to save money, why not cut their positions to half time or lets just cut FFA or the equivalent altoghter. The concert band alone will average 80 students and the instructor has all these students in his classroom at the same time. Our elementary instrumental department alone is starting 75 students each year. The instrumental music program totals 300 students, and all of these students are being taught by two teachers. Come on, board members, what are you thinking? Social skills are lost when looking at your phone is all you do. I remember when a phone was actually used to physically talk to another person. There are people better at stating the facts than I might be. I would like to reprint just one of the many lists online that states the benefits of a student being in music. This list is titled: 20 Important Benefits of Music in Our Schools. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds. A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond. Students learn to improve their work: Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study. Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music. A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement. Kids stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects. Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to childrens intellectual development as well. Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with anxiety. Students learn pattern recognition: Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun format. Better SAT scores: Students who have experience with music performance or appreciation score higher on the SAT. One report indicates 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math for students in music appreciation courses. Fine-tuned auditory skills: Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing elements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a babys cry. Students who practice music can have better auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise. Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops a childs imagination. Music can be relaxing: Students can fight stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is especially helpful in helping kids relax. Musical instruments can teach discipline: Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a valuable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of learning with discipline to master playing their instrument. Preparation for the creative economy: Investing in creative education can prepare students for the 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may grow faster than others in the future. Development in creative thinking: Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may be more than one right answer. Music can develop spatial intelligence: Students who study music can improve the development of spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures. Spatial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more. Kids can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie. Responsible risk-taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches kids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their potential. Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for students. It also has been documented that schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2 percent graduation rate and 93.9 percent attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 72.9 percent in graduation and 84.9 percent in attendance. A poster outside the Lakeside Elementary School Office said it best: The expert in anything was once a beginner. Mike Tassinari Hometown Music, Inc. Glencoe

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Preserve the benefits of school music program - McLeod County Chronicle

On May 11 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Jackson Library will host Jo Ellen Ford from The Brewers Apprentice. She will discuss what people need to know to brew their own beer. The presentation is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400 and press option 4.

Singer Bob Kulik of the 1950s and 1960s group the Happenings, will perform at Congregation Ahavat Olam, 106 Windeler Road, Howell, at 3:30 p.m. May 21. A Chinese buffet will follow the show. Dinner and show, $25; Children 12 and under, $15; Show only, $18; Children 12 and under $10. RSVP by May 15. Reservations not needed for show only, but are appreciated. Details: 732-719-3500.

The Project Matters will present its seventh benefit show to raise funds for its mission of helping young New Jersey musicians at 7 p.m. May 6 at the Wonder Bar, Asbury Park. The headline act will be Cymbals Eat Guitars, with local talent Colton Kayser and The Project Matters supported Tyler Sarfert rounding out the bill. The Project Matters helps New Jersey artists age 5 and under with the purchase of instruments, education, music and video production costs, and other musical expenses. Tickets available at https://goo.gl/BZR6Nu

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

The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will host a dinner meeting on May 11 at 7 p.m. at Mamma Mia Focacceria, 345 Route 9 South, Manalapan. The guest speaker will be portrait, sports and wildlife artist James Fiorentino. BYOB. All are invited. The cost is $35 per person for society members and $45 for non-members. Cash is preferred, no credit cards. To reserve seating, call Anthony Grassi at 917-743-3311 or Richard Favara at 732-861-9465.

Kathy Lo Bue, managing director of Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC, and host of the 2017 Discussion Series, will speak about the Fundamentals of Investing Yesterday, Today and in the Future from 7-9 p.m. May 10 at the St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Center, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Adults of all ages are invited to the presentation. The series is free, nonsectarian and open to the community. Lo Bue is an investment adviser with more than 30 years of experience. Call 732-866- 6660 to register.

The annual Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be held on May 13 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Five centuries of New Jerseys history will be represented by exhibitors and re-enactors. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, period music, and historical figures from New Jerseys past. Free admission/suggested $10 parking donation. Details: http://www.njhistoryfair.org

Get More Organized will be the theme of the May 7 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Beverly Yackel will explain her techniques for organizing genealogy research at 1:30 p.m. The program is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.

Residents of all towns are invited to attend an all you can eat breakfast sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion from Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, from 7-11 a.m. May 7. Adults, $8, children, $4, (children under 3, free).

On May 13 the Jackson Memorial High School Class of 1997 will host their 20-year reunion at Doolans Shore Club, Spring Lake. Cost is $85 per person, includes buffet dinner, open bar and DJ. Details: Steve Matusz at matusz.steve@gmail.com

The Jackson Library will host local author Lo Anne Mayer as she discusses her book, Celestial Conversations, which was inspired after Meyer lost her mother and daughter. The discussion will take place at 11 a.m. May 9. She will share techniques to overcome loss and find healing. The program is free, however advanced registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400.

The Jackson Library will host meditation practitioner Shazia Zaman sharing tips and techniques about visualizing during meditation. The program will take place at 11 a.m. May 16. This is an intermediate level class. Comfortable clothes recommended. Pre-requisite: Some meditation experience required. Limited seating. The program is free. To register, call 732-928-4400.

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

Adults 18 and over can create their own rainbow clay necklace at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Jackson Library. Supplies provided. Seating is limited. Registration required. Registration opens June 9. Details: 732-928-4400.

The Jackson Library will host an Adventure in Art workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10. The workshop includes hands-on instruction by artist Nancy Bonta Voitko. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Registration opens May 8. Details: 732-928-4400.

New Egypt Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20. Activities for children will include face painting, pony rides, inflatables, petting zoo and a tractor-pulled wagon. Food, music by Jakes Rockin Country Band and vendors. Festivities will take place on Main Street and Evergreen Road. Admission is free. A $6 per child wristband is required for unlimited access to childrens activities listed above. For more information or to request a vendor application, contact Peter Ylvisaker at 609-758-2241, ext. 132, or email pylvisaker@plumsted.org

The Jackson Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, from April 29 through May 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Monday through Thursday) and from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday). Books, audio books, CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase. New items will be added every day. All are welcome to attend.

The Upper Freehold-Allentown Municipal Alliance will host Bike Night 2017 on June 7. All makes and models of bikes are welcome. American and metric bikes will be present. A car show will be held on June 28. All makes and models of cars are welcome. Both events will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Roost at the Cream Ridge Golf Course, 181 Route 539, Upper Freehold Township. Door prizes, judging, awards, music, food and beverages. Vendor opportunities are available. There is no entry fee, but donations for the alliance are accepted. Details:609-758-7738, ext. 230.

The Adelphia Fire Company, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will hold its annual Steak Bake and Gift Auction on May 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner from 7-9 p.m. Ticket donation: $35. Includes all you can eat steak, fries, salad, dessert, soda/tea and beer. For tickets, email Mark or Katie at adelphiafiresteakbake@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

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Tri-Town News Datebook, May 4 - News Transcript

Next time youre in the grocery store trying to decide whether to splurge on organic milk or stick with milk from conventionally raised cows, consider that the two products may not be that different.

According to an investigative report published by theWashington PostMonday, cows at Colorado's Aurora Organic Dairy arent grazing in accordance with USDA organic standards, and after being submitted to chemical testing, the organic milk from Aurora wasn't dramatically different from the conventional.

Post reporters say they visited Aurora's largest production facility in Greeley, Colo. several times during the grazing season (early spring to first frost) and also captured high-resolution satellite images of the cow pens. The reporters allege that they never found more than a few hundred cows in the pastures at one time -- out of 15,000.

Grazing cows to organic specifications is expensive for farmers which is why organic milk costs more, sometimes even double, its conventional counterpart in the dairy aisle.

ORGANIC FOOD ISNT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE, STUDY SUGGESTS

In order for the milk at dairies like Aurora to secure a USDA Organic seal, cows cant be fed any hormones to stimulate production of milk. Their feed or pasture must be organic, meaning grown without synthetic pesticides and their diet needs to come from the grass they eat during grazing. More grazing equals more land and cows that are purely grass-fed produce less milk.

When Post reporters contacted Auroras inspectors to inquire about the time cows actually spent grazing, they discovered that inspectors didnt know because theyd last visited the farm in November after the grazing season had ended.

The USDA is under no obligation to inspect farms such as Aurora. Farmers are allowed to hire their own inspectors they choose from a list of private companies licensed by the USDA. The inspector and the farmer/owner can arrange the visit-- days or weeks in advance-- and, according to the Post, only 5 percent of inspections are done spontaneously.

The USDA reviews the inspections on average every 2-and-a-half years.

But organic food is a booming business. The new USDA Organic seal has seen a surge in food sales from $5 million annually in 2000 to $40 billion in 2015, according to the Organic Trade Association.

When Post reporters took samples of Aurora's milk for scientific testing at Virginia Tech, the results showed that the Aurora milk was basically no different than conventional non-organic milk, from a nutrient makeup.

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Grass fed cows produce milk with higher levels of two types of fat conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) and an Omega-3 fat known as alpha-linolenic acid the clearest indicator of grass feeding. In tests, Auroras milk levels were similar to the CLA and linoleic acid levels in regular milk, ranked slightly higher than conventional milks, but lower than other samples bearing the USDA organic label.

When reached via email, Sonja Tuitele, Aurora Dairy's director of communications, sent the following statement to Fox News:

"We are an 100% organic company and have always produced great tasting, high-quality certified organic milk throughout our history. We take extraordinary care of our animals, and we meet or exceed the requirements of the USDA National Organic Program.

"We completely reject the suggestion that organic compliance can be determined by a test, and so does organic certification. Certified organic dairy means making great tasting, quality milk that requires extraordinary care for animals and prohibits the use of synthetics pesticides, GMOs, antibiotics and added hormones. Certification is the only test for organic compliance."

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That organic milk might not really be organic - Fox News

BENGALURU: Spinach & banana muffin for tiffin, sugar-free wheatgerm apple biscuits as evening refreshment and organic black rice for dinner. What's new about this meal plan in the times of raging health-consciousness and Bollywood-inspired fitness fever? Well, this meal plan has been fine-tuned for a two-yearold named Ray Chandra Kini.

Health is more important than formal education today and it starts with food. Invest in organic food than paying medical bills. We don't need chemicals damaging little bodies, says Jyotsna Kini (40), the toddler's mother and a travel company owner. The single mother is part of the new big wave -organic baby food.

Health-conscious affluent parents are taking the farm-to-fork revolution to their children. Which is why , for every millennial who recalls indulging in instant noodles, there is now a Kini growing up on trendy clean and green eating.

Three-year-old Areeha Jain eats organic lollipops ordered every few weeks on Amazon. Her mother and event planner Deepika Jain grows preservative-free palak, brinjal and tomatoes in her home garden for Areeha's consumption. Parents don't like to treat their children as kids anymore. Healthy living has to be imparted as education to children too, says Jain, who works out in the gym regularly and has enrolled her daughter for tennis lessons.

The rising popularity of organic baby food is directly proportional to the mushrooming homegrown brands selling the stuff. Bebe Burp, a Surat-based organic baby food startup, launched in November 2016 retails across India through online marketplaces like Eazelly.com. It sells organic cerelac in flavours like khichdi mix, oatmeal, finger millet and broken wheat for babies aged six months onwards. Co-founder Aman Tibrewal says, Cosmopolitan and high-literate city of Bengaluru is home to many working moms who are our primary takers. 25% of our total sales -4-5 orders a day -come from Bengaluru.

Minka Sikka, who launched Mommy's Health Kitchen in September 2016 in Bengaluru, says, From receiving 30 orders during the launch month to 70 orders a month now, there is a definite spurt in awareness. Millennial mothers recognise the value of clean eating and want their kids to start young.

Taking tips from grandmother's kitchens and nutritionists on board, Sikka makes organic bakes like carrot muffin, chocolate-almond granola to banana-oat teething breadsticks for toddlers. All ingredients used are organic. Dates, honey and jaggery replace refined sugar. She sells at pop-ups and home delivers on order basis.

Reports suggest that organic baby food industry will gain momentum this year. According to Central Food Technolo gical Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of organic baby food is estimated to be about 12% in revenue from 2016 to 2020.

The demand for baby food has increased with the trend of both parents working. With increased disposable income, they are able to compensate homemade food with branded organic baby food, says Prof Ram Rajasekharan, Director, CFTRI.

The first variant of brand Amul baby food was developed at CFTRI, a pioneering initiative in the segment.Today, the institute is developing baby foods with superfoods like popped quinoa powder and demucilaged chia seeds. Observing the potential of this segment, Rajasekharan notes, We have a high population of babies in India.Thus, quality high nutrition baby food is a good opportunity for Indian industry to explore.

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Trendy babies are burping to organic food these days - Economic Times