sport

LOCAL sport aerobics athletes started their season in fine style, with a series of strong results in the FISAF Super Series Event held at Sportz Central.

More than 300 competitors from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Newcastle converged on Coffs Harbour but it was the CASS Energy competitors, small in number but big on performance, who stole the show, with each local winning a medal to give the team five gold and three bronze.

Team coach Cassie Scully was impressed with her athletes' performances.

"It's a great confidence boost going into the FISAF State Championships on June 3, Scully said.

AEROBICS STARS

Natalie Giri, Isabella Van Wijk - first Cadet Pairs

Brooklyn Leonard, Paris Warncken - first Junior Pairs

Gabi Nash, Tess Reynolds - third Junior Pairs

Shaelea Ralston - first Senior Novice

Tess Reynolds - first Junior Novice

Paris Warncken - first Junior International

Brooklyn Leonard - third Junior International

Natalie Giri - third Cadet International

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CASS Energy wins sport aerobics day - Coffs Coast Advocate

After months of mulling a plea deal, New York Citys most infamous vegan has admitted to taking part in a scheme to defraud investors in her popular, star-studded Gramercy eatery.

Celeb restaurateur Sarma Melngailis steadied herself at the defense table Wednesday as she agreed to plead guilty to charges of grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, and a scheme to defraud in exchange for five years probation and a split six-month sentence.

Per the sentencing guidelines, she will only serve four months behind bars.

Melngailis voice quivered as she hid behind her shimmering golden hairwhile copping to the various charges before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun.

Chun said that even sympathetic investors in the now-shuttered Pure Food and Wine who were swindled by Melngailis and her estranged, career-criminal hubby, Anthony Strangis submitted letters asking the judge to spare her from jail.

The restaurant was once a hot spot frequented by the likes of Alec Baldwin and Chelsea Clinton.

Melngailis and Strangis were nabbed in May 2016 after allegedly stealing $844,000 from investors, failing to pay $400,000 in sales tax, and shortchanging employees by more than $40,000 in wages, prosecutors said at the time.

The couple then flitted off on a yearlong spending spree that eventually landed them at a Tennessee hotel, where they were discovered by cops after placing a decidedly non-vegan order at a nearby Dominos pizza.

The jurist admitted Wednesday that, after poring over case material, it was clear to him that there was evidence the 44-year-old had been trying to run her business in good faith while becoming further entangled in her abusive marriage.

She was badly abused and controlled by a lifelong predator and fraudster, defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, referencing Strangis, said as a quivering Melngailis stood nearby.

Calling the purported gambling addict a complete maniac, Lichtman added: There is not a cage big enough, literally or figuratively, that can hold [Strangis]. His only concern upon getting out will be finding his next victim, so he can go on, not working, preying upon someone elses hard work.

She must surrender to court on June 21, when she will be transported to state jail. It was not yet clear which penitentiary she would be housed in. If she runs, she could face up to 15 years in prison, Chun reminded her.

Melngailis declined comment as she left court accompanied by family, her eyes red.

The hefty Strangis, who also goes by the name Shane Fox, is scheduled to walk free May 22 after a year behind bars, per the terms of his plea deal. Strangis, who claims Melngailis threw him under the bus, pleaded guilty in March.

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'Vegan Bernie Madoff' takes plea deal for swindling investors | New ... - New York Post

Guiness, now no longer made using fish bladder. Yumi Kimura/CC BY-SA 2.0

A version of this post originally appeared on Tedium, a twice-weekly newsletter that hunts for the end of the long tail.

Meat is in the news a lot these days, it seems.

One study claims that animal fat might lower your cholesterol level, while a completely different one suggests meat affects your gut bacteria or causes blood clots.

And there are always stories about meat being where it shouldnt benotably, when the startup Clear Foods analyzed a bunch of hot dogs and found that many veggie dogs had remnants of meat on them due to the production processenough to make any vegan lose his-or-her you-know-what.

And earlier this month, Guinness finally finished its years-long process of getting the fish out of its beer. When this news first gained notice a couple of years ago, a number of folks had a specific reaction: Wait, they used fish bladders to make Guinness?

They know, they know, and the folks at the Guinness factory in Dublin have been working on cutting back their use of isinglass, the fish bladder long used to filter its iconic Irish beers.

All brewers want to use the latest and the best technology, weve been researching for a decade about how we can reduce the amount lost in the filtration process so we were excited that this might work, Guinness master brewer Stephen Kilcullen told The Times of London. Its great though that it means people who havent had a pint in a while can have one now.

The announcement that the company was moving away from using isinglass in 2015 mostly had the effect of shocking lazy vegetarians concerned about things such as ethics, but even when Guinness was still using it, the amount was minute.

The isinglass is retained in the floor of the vat but it is possible that minute quantities might be carried over into the beer, the company explained in 2013. You can read more about Isinglass over at Smithsonian magazine.

Of course, Guinness is far from the only thing that vegans have had to worry about over the years.

For example, many vegetarians dont take the full plunge towards veganism because they feel like theyd miss cheese too much. Problem is, some kinds of cheese happen to be made with a certain part of the cow that cant be acquired without killing said cow.

The material, rennet, is procured from the lining of a cows fourth stomach, and is often used as a way to encourage cheese to curdle. Thanks to the declining cost of artificial or plant-based ways of doing the same thing, major food-makers have slowly moved away from relying so heavily on a material that must be acquired by killing a cowand the list is growing.

However, there are a few kinds of cheese out there that require rennet to reach their full potential. One of those cheeses is Parmesan (formally known as Parmigiano Reggiano), one of the most popular kind of hard cheese there is.

Like a number of other traditional foods originally made in Europe, it has a protected designation of origin, meaning that it can only technically be called Parmesan if its made in a certain part of Italy, using a traditional production process. And sorry to tell you, eggplant Parmesan fans, rennet is part of that traditional production process.

Even without keeping the vegetarians in mind, this can create unusual complications for those that have diets that vary from the norm. For example, that traditional production process makes it difficult to make a kosher variation on Parmesan, because it has to go through two separate processes to ensure that it follows traditional standards as well as religious ones. It was so complicated, in fact, that it wasnt until 2015 that a kosher variation on Parmesan debutedcomplete with Star of David on the cheese block.

But if youre vegetarian and hankering for some of the hard stuff, make sure youre looking for vegetarian Parmesan or Parmesan-style cheese on store shelves. Youre not getting the real thing, but youll at least be able to live with yourself the next day.

The concerns with unexpectedly non-vegan options arent just limited to foods, either. Take the outer layers of paintball capsules, which are generally made of gelatin, a form of collagen generally derived from animal bones. (If you like Jell-O, geltabs, or marshmallows, youre also a gelatin user.)

Tattoo ink, traditionally made of bone char, falls into the same category, and animal products are often used in maintaining that tattoo. However, there are some vegan-friendly alternatives out there, so you can still get an ugly tattoo if you would so like.

More surprisingly, guitars are made from animal parts in some cases, especially in the case of acoustic guitars. The nut and saddle of the guitar, two parts that hold the strings in place, are often made from bone, often not limited to one kind of animal. All of which is actually an improvement from the days when instruments were made using ivory.

And if youre wearing Converse All-Stars, you may be skipping the leather, but you may not be out of the woods with your canvas shoes. Converse has traditionally shied away from calling its footwear vegan. The reason? Simply put, theres a chance that the glue they use may be of animal origin, though they cant be sure. Sounds reassuring, doesnt it? The issue Chucks and their animal-derived glue has long been a matter of online debate. (The debate hasnt stopped PETA from recommending Chucks to people.)

Of all the surprisingly non-vegan options out there, the most surprising might be fabric softenerwhich contains animal fat. No, really. Wired reported in 2008 that Downy uses dehydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, a material derived from the rendered fat of cattle, sheep, and horses, to keep your clothes silky smooth.

Or take condoms, another object known for not necessarily being vegan, though one thats also made some strides in recent years, even if some folks, like the author Aine Collierwho literally wrote the book on condomsremain skeptical.

It wasnt about the quality of the condom. Many were absolute crap, she once told NPR of the phenomenon. But people were buying them with the eye. They loved the packaging, because it fit the lifestyle they were trying to lead. And I think thats exactly what this fair trade, biodegradable, green, vegan condom sales thing is all about. Its just marketing.

All of this is to say that veganism is challenging and hard to get perfect even in the best of circumstances, meaning that when it comes to manufacturing food or other products, were probably never going to get it 100 percent right. Were already too far down the rabbit holea rabbit hole probably filled with many rabbits that have been turned into random chemicals for human consumption.

So maybe Guinness going vegan isnt that big of a deal in the scheme of things, though consider the plight of folks like Paul Vogel, a founder of the Vegan Society of Ireland. He hasnt been able to drink a pint of Guinness for nearly two decades. He recently got another chance, after he became one of the first people to drink a vegan pint of Guinness.

Its nice. I remember what it tasted like because its so distinctive. Its creamy but has that bite, Vogel told The Times of London. I remember what it tasted like because its so distinctive. Its creamy but has that bite.

Still, Vogel later admitted that hes probably going to stick with wine.

A version of this post originally appeared on Tedium, a twice-weekly newsletter that hunts for the end of the long tail.

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The Surprising Challenges of Making Things Vegan - Atlas Obscura

In this episode of Dining on a Dime, host Lucas Peterson heads to the East Bay, where Oaklands finest vegan cuisine awaits alongside a multitude of classic cars. Confused? The vegan restaurant, Hella Vegan Eats, was originally a pop-up inside Classic Cars West, a car showroom for vintage automobiles. It was so successful that it became permanent: The restaurant occupies a great outdoor space and is staffed with a welcoming (and fabulously dressed) group of people.

Not everyone who works at Hella Vegan adheres to any dietary restrictions. One staff member shares that although she eats meat, shell often choose the food at Hella Vegan because its so good. To put that claim to the test, Peterson stocked up on chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and a tofu scramble (all free of animal products, of course). As he digs into breakfast, Peterson gets a little philosophical: If you look at it from the perspective of, well, the goal is to stop suffering, then I think that there is a very strong argument to vegetarianism [...] there are good vegan options; I for one welcome our new vegan overlords.

Watch the full video about to see how items like fried chicken and waffles match up to the non-vegan equivalents.

Click here to watch more episodes of Dining on a Dime | Subscribe to Eater on YouTube

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Watch: Vegan Fare and Classic Cars at Hella Vegan Eats - Eater

Written by Katherine Sullivan | May 10, 2017

During a school board meeting on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education approved a pilot program that will introduce vegan lunches at select Los Angeles schools beginning in August.

In 2013, the LAUSD introduced the Meatless Monday program, in which school cafeterias served only vegetable-based foods on the first day of each school week. In March 2016, the school board committed to serving only antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken products, the first large district to do so in the U.S. Then, in May 2016, PETA supporter Pamela Anderson and Lila Copeland, a 14-year-old student at the time, lobbied for Healthy Freedom, a campaign that aims to introduce a daily vegan meal option at every LAUSD school.

Fast-forward to one year later, and the LAUSDthe second-largest school district in the U.S.is inching closer and closer to providing plant-based lunches districtwide.

LAUSD Board President Steve Zimmer told KPCC, We have had a demand and when we get a demand like this from our community, we institute a pilot to find out is this something that we really could implement district wide. Zimmer, who is a vegetarian himself, believes that schools should offer plant-based meal options and that doing so could help ensure that students develop healthy eating habits.

In a similar move, the board agreed last month to ban school participation in McTeachers Night fundraising events, which are hosted by McDonalds. This resolutionalso supported by Zimmersought to distance LAUSD schools from corporations, like McDonalds, that market unhealthy products.

The boards decision is a significant one. School districts in California and across the U.S. look to large districts like the LAUSD for direction and may soon take similar steps to prioritize students health and wellness.

But students and school districts arent the only ones who can make a positive change for themselves and the world. If youre inspired by the LAUSDs decision to support plant-based diets, click the button below to order your own free vegan starter kitjoin the movement!

Order Your Vegan Starter Kit

Have you heard of TeachKind, PETAs humane-education division? It offers free resourcesincluding lesson plans, classroom materials, and presentationsthat are designed to help K12 schools and educators teach kids to be kind to animals. Click the button below to learn more.

Learn More About TeachKind

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Second-Largest School District in the US to Start Vegan Meal Pilot Program - PETA (blog) (press release)

Vegan macaroni and cheese with broccoli is a rich and creamy bowl of comfort food. My family calls it Mac and Trees!

My kidloves mac and cheese, but the boxed macs (vegan or not) arent exactly health food. Theyre high in salt and usually have zero vegetables. This vegan macaroni and cheese with broccoli is my home-spun version thats a lot healthierand almost as easy to throw together. Just make the blender sauce while the macaroni cooks, then toss it all together at the end.

This sauce is quick and easy in a high speed blender, but you can make it in a regular blender. In this video, I use my Nutribullet, but Ive made this sauce many times in my now-broken 2006 Magic Bullet. It takes longer, but its totally doable. Just dont give up! Keep scraping down the sides and blending more until you reach a smooth, creamy consistency. A lump-free sauce is key to making your Mac and Treessuper delicious, so its worth the extra time!

Yields 4 servings

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

Vegan macaroni and cheese with broccoli is a rich and creamy bowl of comfort food. My family calls it Mac and Trees!

15 minPrep Time

15 minCook Time

30 minTotal Time

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

6.6.15

Photos by Becky Striepe.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Vegan Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli - Care2.com

Summers coming and we all want to put our best faces forward. It can be challenging to find vegan skincare products without dairy-derived ingredients, and some touting vegan ingredients may not necessarily be cruelty-free. On top of that, many companies that promise cruelty-free and vegan options have parent companies that still test on animals. Licensed Esthetician and owner of Sauveur Skin Care Sabrina Ewing says, Its always been a struggle finding effective skincare products that are completely vegan. She lists the most commonly used animal-derived ingredients to watch for: yogurt, biotin, beeswax, glycerin, omegas, lactic acid and urea. PETA offers an extensive list, too.

We slathered and lathered in our home testing and came up with these winners. Bonus learning that each of these companies is eco-friendly and independently owned. And knowing no one was harmed in the making of these skincare products makes them feel even better going on.

1. Epicuren

Epicuren's an independent company based in Southern California and a pioneer in the cruelty free skincare industry. Their Perfecting Sunscreen SPF 27 is mineral-based and fragrance-free, which is good for sensitive skin as well as photo-friendly for those beach selfies (unlike many sunscreens). Despite being zinc-based, it's both light and effective. Their Moisture Surge contains non-animal-derived hyaluronic acid, increasing moisturizing and healing properties for sun-damaged skin. The Eye Serum contains oils and other soothing ingredients good for dealing with allergies, dehydration and dark circles. And for anyone with oily/congested or cystic acne-prone skin, the Clarify Blemish Eraser, an item rarely found in vegan form, is a face-saver. While the brand itself is not entirely vegan, Epicuren clearly labels each of their many vegan offerings.

2. No-Tox Life

No-Tox Life is a new company started by an allergy-prone mother-daughter team creating handmade toxin-free vegan body care. Their aluminum-free natural deodorants are lightly scented and use natural enzymes to control odor as opposed to synthetic ingredients, which often irritate the skin. Their vegan lip butter is cocoa butter based, which goes on smooth and can be better for those with shea (natural latex) hypersensitivities. For those interested in the charcoal skin craze, they also offer facial bars specific to skin types that will help clear stubborn blackheads.

3. Youth to the People

Family-owned Youth to the People promises 100% vegan products using cold pressed extracts, gentle preservatives, custom formulations and earth-friendly packaging. Even better, all products are formulated without soap, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrance or added color. The Spirulina + Microalgae Kale Spinach superfood mask and Kale & Aloe Sunflower Oil eye cream are full of restorative antioxidants and phytonutrients. Both smell so delicious, skin will eat them up. Both are extremely calming to the skin and reduce redness and irritation while giving a natural glow.

4. Eminence

On the anti-aging spectrum, Hungary-based brand Eminence has been focused on organic and cruelty free skin care since the 1950s. If you have spent too much time in the sun over the years and are seeing signs of damage now, their entire Brightening line uses an organic and plant-based alternative to brighten dark spots from sun damage, without the redness or peeling often accompanied by the more commonly used hydroquinone.

5. Sunday Riley

Sunday Riley (available at Sephora) is a relatively new cruelty-free line started by a Texas-based chemist who has created plant-based products that promise the results of doctor-backed brands, which are often filled with animal-derived ingredients. The price point is a bit higher due to the high concentration of active ingredients unique to dermatologist and chemist-run brands known as cosmeceuticals. Her Luna Sleeping oil is an advanced retinol formula buffered with oils to assist in calming the skin's strong collagen boosting properties. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that can cause redness and peeling, especially in the summer months, so this product gives you all of the pros of retinol with non of the cons.

6. Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company

For hairy faces and extremities, the Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company offers and an array of woodsy and herb-scented lathers, as well as an adorable wet-shaving starter kitsynthetic shaving brush included. The Apricot Scrub by Epicuren preps the skin for a shave by gently exfoliating and opening up the pores, which prevents ingrown hairs. Pacific Shaving Company also offers a great shaving cream that contains caffeine, which stimulates the hair follicles for a deep and clean shave.

7. Dr. Bronner's

Finally, we cant forget the O.G. natural soapmaker, Dr. Bronners, who have been churning out the Castile soaps since the 1960s. Faves for the summer are the tea tree- based products whose natural anti bacterial oil help control body odor and prevent conditions like athletes foot and acne. You cant beat their multi-use efficiency (great for cleaning your makeup brushes!) and their stance as an activist company that financially supports regenerative agriculture, fair trade, animal advocacy, industrial hemp and drug policy reform, and living wages among others. As the label reminds us, All one! Always rub toward the heart.

Shawna Kenney is a lizard-skinned writer living in Los Angeles. Beth Martinez is a professional make-up artist.

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The Best Vegan Skincare Products for Summer - Paste Magazine

Anne Viricel, the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestras executive director, has a gift suggestion for Mom.

What better way is there than to spend a Mothers Day afternoon with the family, doing nothing but relaxing and enjoying beautiful classical music, she said, referring to ensembles performance at 3 p.m. Sunday. Taking Mom to the concert will be a truly special way to treat her.

Most season-finale concerts are programmed for a Saturday night, to be celebrated with champagne and balloons. The schedule at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino didnt allow for that, but opened the door to the notion of creating a special Mothers Day event.

Besides, this is a really beautiful concert, Viricel added. The music is absolutely wonderful.

The program includes Franz Schuberts Symphony No. 6 in C Major, Beethovens Symphony No. 1 in C Major, and Jacques Francois Antoine Iberts Flute Concerto, to be performed by the orchestras principal flutist, Patricia Cloud.

First on the program will be the Schubert symphony.

We believe audience members of all ages will love hearing this piece, said Frank Paul Fetta, conductor. Each instrument is beautifully highlighted to be easily identified and showcased.

Although Schubert died at age 31, his work was discovered and championed by 19th-century greats Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms. Today, he is ranked among the outstanding composers of the late Classical and early Romantic musical eras.

We titled the entire season A Season of Firsts, Viricel said. The programmed work had to be a work this orchestra would perform for the first time, or a first composition by a particular composer. For this concert, we will perform Beethovens first symphony.

Still under the heavy influence of the Classical composers including his teacher Joseph Haydn, Beethoven premiered this symphony in 1800. According to Fetta, the work still bears many of the composers unique and identifiable characteristics, especially the frequent use of sudden, strong musical emphases.

Nestled between the two very familiar works, the Ibert concerto fits into the first category, as the orchestra will be performing it for the first time.

This is a modern piece, Viricel said. Ibert composed this in 1934, but its beautiful, full of gorgeous melodies. Its so difficult for the soloist, and its really long. The audience will really appreciate the artistry which Patricia Cloud brings to the work.

Musicians of Patricias caliber are rare, but San Bernardino is incredibly fortunate to have an orchestra full of some of the finest musicians in the country, said Fetta in a press release.

Cloud is a native Southern California performer and teacher, and has played with Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony and Mozart Orchestra, as well as serving as principal flute for the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra.

Our mission, in short, is to present accessible music that is fun and good, Viricel said. This concert is well-established classical music fare, and for a good reason. Simply put, it is beautiful music that has proven itself over the centuries to endure and still attract audiences, whether they are aficionados or new to the scene. Thats why we believe this is a marvelous Mothers Day gift.

As a bonus, every mother at the concert will receive a flower.

San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra When: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14 Where: California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth Street, San Bernardino Tickets: $25-$60; students and military with ID are $10 Information: 909-381-5388, http://www.sanbernardinosymphony.org

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San Bernardino Symphony presents a musical treat for Mother's Day - Press-Enterprise

Despite counting the likes of Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton among its advocates, napping has a bad rep, with most people preferring to push through drowsy daytime spells rather than catching 40 winks, but taking an afternoon power nap can improve heart health, according to the Journal Of Psychophysiology. And the key to a mid-afternoon mini-snooze is a well-timed cup of coffee, says Yann Le Meur, a sports scientist at the French Institute of Sport. Use his tips to make 40 winks work for you.

Turn off your mobile phone and any other potential distractions, says Le Meur. If background noise is unavoidable, put on headphones with relaxing music. Wearing an eye mask to simulate darkness is his final prep tip.

The idea is that the caffeine kicks in just as youre aiming to wake up again about 20-odd minutes after you drift into slumber. A caffeine nap will not only improve your performance but itll also lessen how sleepy you feel when you wake, says Le Meur.

Factor in the five or so minutes that its likely to take you to fall asleep, then add about 20 minutes to that time. If you have a habit of pressing the snooze button and going right back to sleep, put your alarm on the other side of the room, says Le Meur.

The power naps done time to harness that power. Le Meur suggests a few sets of star jumps and press-ups to get your blood flowing. Bright light and splashing water on your face will also help to get you alert and back in the game.

RECOMMENDED:Try This Instead Of Coffee To Beat The Afternoon Slump

To learn about nappings benefits, Coach spoke to Nick Littlehales, elite sport sleep coach for the likes of Manchester United and Team Sky, and author of new book Sleep. His first bit of advice was to ditch the word nap

Nap is a bad word. Napping is pipe and slippers, its for old people in front of their televisions, Littlehales tells Coach. We talk about controlled recovery periods [CRP] in sport. Taking naps, or indeed CRP, is especially vital given the unusual and physically demanding schedules of sportspeople, but Littlehales says everyone can benefit from adopting the polyphasic sleep approach where you sleep multiple times a day, rather than just at night he recommends to clients.

We used to use three natural sleep periods every day, explains Littlehales. We would sleep a shorter period at night, but also either at midday or in the early evening. It was only when the light bulb was invented that most of the world started sleeping just at night.

Most people dont have the luxury of a flexible schedule that allows nap breaks in the afternoon. However, taking a 30-minute break, even if you dont actually sleep, at lunchtime is only likely to make you more productive.

Just after lunch is a corporate graveyard slot in business, adds Littlehales. People fall asleep in meetings. If you go just semi-conscious for a while, you can raise alertness around 54%. That figure comes from a 1995 NASA study on long-haul pilots that found that a 26-minute nap improved performance 34% and alertness 54%.

The good news is you dont have to make it a big deal. No special sleep pods or soothing whale noises required. It just takes 30-minutes of zoning out, whether its at your desk with headphones on, or sitting on a park bench. The most important thing is not to put yourself under pressure, just start the process. This is not something new. Its not something a guru has created. Its absolutely natural and designed to help us.

Between 1-3pm in the afternoon, and in the late afternoon/early evening (5-7pm), are the ideal times to schedule 30 minutes of shut-eye. You should be able to get 20-25 minutes of mental recovery, even if you dont actually sleep. To avoid any post-nap grogginess, drink a shot of espresso just before the break. The caffeine should kick in just as your nap finishes.

Nicks book Sleep, published by Penguin Life, 9.99, is available from October 27. Buy on amazon.co.uk.

More:

How To Power Nap At Work And Why - Coach

Why is it so hard to find organic products from your favorite local store?

The simplest answer is scale. If every Walmart decided to sell a wide variety of certified organic foods, there would be a severe shortage on the shelves. Organic products are growing by leaps and bounds in quantity and availability, but theres still a long way to go. In many areas of the country, you simply cant get certain products.

The best alternative is to buy your organic and natural products online. Especially if you have no nearby organic grocer, or if they charge exorbitant sums (often the case), the best option is often to use the internet and just order from home. Let the mailman deliver your groceries and get what you really want. Buying online has the advantages of convenience, variety, and cost savings.

Vitacost

Vitacost is known for its extensive vitamins and supplement line, though they also carry specialty food selection and assorted organic foods. They have the top organic brands Lundberg Farms, Marys Gone Crackers, Theo Chocolate, Bobs Red Mill, Big Tree Farms, Natures Path, Braggs, Eden Foods and much more.

Amazon

At Amazon, you have access to a wide selection of organic foods at very good prices. You can also save more by subscribing to the save features when on offer. Amazon doesnt carry everything, but they are the leader in online retailing for a reason.

Thrive Market

Thrive Market can be described as an online warehouse of natural food, like Costco but carrying only natural and organic products. With a low annual fee of $59.95, a large family can benefit from their program because you will be ordering more, and therefore gaining the most from the great prices. They add new products every month to widen the selection for everybody. Any order from $49 get free shipping, and you can order anytime you want. They also have a variety of house products that they produce and cannot be found elsewhere. We found a great comparison of these first three options here.

SunFood

At SunFood, you will find premier health foods including organic, raw and non-GMO superfoods. Some examples include: sweeteners, spices, sea vegetables, olives, nuts and seeds, fruit powders, dried fruits, chocolates, coconut oil and cacao butter.

Boxed

This is the definition of eating organic with help from the web. You can buy some wholesale items at members store prices even without being a member. They dont require you to place a certain amount of order annually, and you also get free shipping on orders above $50. Boxed has a limited line of organic items but are excellent at what they have.

Azure Standard

This is not your usual online store. You can ONLY place large orders. They dont get shipped to your door; they are shipped to the nearest drop off center for you to pick at a given time. This may seem like an inconvenience, but compared to not being able to get your organic food around, this is ok. You can also visit them if you live near, the prices will amaze you.

Tropical Traditions

This is an umbrella of 4 sites that offer organic food, organic skin care products and organic cleaners. They have good prices and a referral program.

For the Gourmet

This shop caters for chefs and restaurants since they sell organic foods in bulk. It is a great place to find anything you want in case you want to cook some amazing delicacy. Purchasing by the case can also save you a lot of money compared to buying small quantities at other online stores. They stock flours, nuts, rice, beans, and lentils among other selections. They also have cheeses, chocolates, seafood, exotic fruits, and meats.

Greensbury Market

The Greensbury Market is the place for carnivores to get the best organic meats at the best prices for that category. The beef is 100% grass-fed. Buy ground beef, roast, tenderloin, skirt steak, flank, filet mignon, New York strips and others. Their pork comes from heirloom variety raised in the Midwest with no antibiotics or hormones.

Cultures for Health

For those who want to start making yogurt, cheese, kombucha and tofu among other fermented foods, this is the place to find all that you need. Even though not all their products are organic, you will find organic vegetables, organic sprouting seeds, organic bone broth, and organic rice koji among many more products, told and equipment related to the organic movement. Visit Cultures for Health.

3 Bears Organic

This Portland-based online store deals in organic and natural food. You will find most of the major organic brands here. They only sell by the case, which is a good thing for those with large families and wants to save. They carry hundreds of products including sauces, pasta, beans, rice, vinegar, spices, nut butter, jams, olives, vegetables, canned fruits and flours among much more.

Now you have no excuse to get exactly the foods you need to eat a super clean diet. Everyone can get their preferred organic food and ingredients easily from online shops no matter where they are located. So start surfing around to find what you need today!

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Seeking Organic Foods Get Help from the Web - South Florida Reporter