KENNETT SQUARE >> When most people hear the words mindfulness meditation, many instinctually think of millennials in their 20s or 30s, sipping coffee and breathing deeply with their eyes closed. But mindfulness meditation isnt just for millennials; its a practice that is changing the lives of seniors for the better.

Participation in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and research study organized by the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Jefferson and sponsored by Friends Foundation for Aging has transformed the lives of a group of residents at Kendal-Crosslands Communities, a Life Plan Community, also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, in Kennett Square.

Its been life-changing, says Terri Rusten, a Kendal-Crosslands resident who participated in the study. I feel more peaceful, not as anxious. I have full nights of sleep now, which I didnt have before.

The study is designed to look for the effects of participating in a MBSR program and its relation to health and quality of life in older adults; things like cognitive function, anxiety, depression, and sleep patterns, says program director, Diane Reibel, Ph.D., Director of the Mindfulness Institute at Jefferson.

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As residents went through the 8-week program, organizers collected biomarkers of stress in the participants with saliva samples and even looked at brain function with MRI brain scans. The results of this quantitative data are still being analyzed.

There has been some evidence in other populations that there is a change in brain structure and function after just 8 weeks of MBSR, in areas associated with cognitive function and emotion regulation, but there has been little research done in older adults, said Reibel

Participants in the study are already seeing the impact of mindfulness in their daily lives. In qualitative interviews, participants are reporting many benefits, including improvement in vitality, interpersonal relationships, sleep and anxiety.

I find that I think more before I speak, Im more conscious of being kind and compassionate, and Im more aware of the things that people say and do, says Barbara Pusey, another program participant.

Resident Patricia Dewey says, Ive had migraine headaches for years and meditation has helped to reduce the pain. The whole experience has been very beneficial for reducing all the stress that you find with aging. I really would recommend mindfulness to anyone. Its great for stress reduction, pain management, and just feeling good about yourself.

Participants from the program continue to meet every other week to practice mindfulness meditation together, knowing that the benefits are innumerable. Residents have been motivated to practice mindfulness on their own in small groups, which shows that they really are seeing the benefits, and want to continue the practice, says Reibel.

We are so happy to have the opportunity to bring in Jeffersons Mindfulness Institute. This program is something that connects to our Quaker value of simplicity, and has truly brought something really beneficial to our community, says Kathleen McAleer, Director of Social Services for the Kendal campus. Ive practiced meditation for more than 20 years and recognize the benefits it has provided to me in my life, and the great benefits for the older adults I serve.

The study is in the middle of its second round of participants, with 26 participating in the first group, and 24 participating in the second group. This program was made possible through a grant from Friends Foundation for Aging.

The Kendal-Crosslands Communities are a Quaker-directed continuing care retirement community (CCRC) with two charming campuses. Located in the beautiful and historic Brandywine Valley of Chester County, Kendal-Crosslands Communities are a welcoming place infused with the traditional Quaker values of integrity, care and respect. Learn more at http://kcc.kendal.org/.

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Kendal-Crosslands seniors benefitting from meditation program - Daily Local News

Dr. James Rouse , KUSA 9:26 AM. MDT April 03, 2017

DENVER, CO - Optimum Wellness Presented by King Soopers

When it comes to blasting away fat, aerobic exercise is the way to go. Now, that may seem contrary to popular opinion. These days we hear all about weight and/or resistance training and the numerous boot-camp style workouts. And while truly almost any exercise is good for the body and soul, when it comes specifically to fat loss, cardiovascular exercise is the most effective. That doesnt mean we dont need BOTH!

Remember, LEAN MUSCLE helps burn fat as well. We build lean muscle through resistance work and strength those exercises that trigger muscles to work against an external challenge with the expectancy of building lean muscle and increasing strength. This type of exercise will help build efficient metabolism and it is important for the health of our bones (osteoporosis prevention).

In 2012, a study performed by Duke University was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. This wasnt a huge study by any stretch by the end of the study, results were compiled from just 119 study participants. Still the results provide interesting information when it comes to the question of which is better aerobics or resistance training? The study participants were assigned to one of three groups: aerobic training, aerobics plus resistance training or just resistance training. Those in the aerobic training and aerobic plus resistance training groups lost more weight compared to those who just participated in resistance training. The resistance training group actually gained weight (due to an increase in lean body mass i.e. muscle mass). The aerobic exercisers averaged around 2 hours per week engaging in aerobic (cardiovascular) exercise.

How do you know which type of exercise is best for you? Always talk to your primary care provider if you are unsure where to start. Ask to have your percent body fat measured. If it is above 30% then fat loss is a great place to start get that heart pumping with aerobic exercise! Weight bearing exercise is also important because it will help prevent osteoporosis (weak bones). Interval (quick bursts of higher-intensity activity followed by lower intensity activity) walking will cover both fitness goals (fat loss and bone health). Think hills, sprints, fast walking (for one minute) followed by a leisurely pace (for one to two minutes). Aim for at least 20 to 30 minutes each session or break it into twice daily 15 minute sessions. Take at least 5 minutes to cool down and stretch your muscles after each workout. And for a special treat, consider an Epsom salt bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil following your workout.

2017 KUSA-TV

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Fast Track to Fat Loss - 9NEWS.com

Cairo Cumberlander

Cairo Cumberlander

Posted: Monday, April 3, 2017 3:33 pm

Water aerobics class features Miss Savannah State University candidate Cairo Cumberlander The Tiger's Roar |

Miss Savannah State University candidate Antonia Green held an event on Wednesday that was a little out of the ordinary for a queen candidate.

Green paired up with the weekly water aerobics instructor in Wiley-Wilcox. Her goal was to give a different option for students who want to work out besides the traditional way.

Mission Fitness is Greens platform running for Miss Savannah State and she wants to spread awareness to all students about staying fit physically, mentally, and educationally.

Green said, The idea with teaming up to do this water aerobics class was to help the physical stand point of a student but some of the exercising we were doing actual helped with the mental area as well and I wasnt expecting that.

Green wants to encourage all students to work on themselves physically but also mentally as well while being a college student.

Posted in News, Campus on Monday, April 3, 2017 3:33 pm.

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Water aerobics class features Miss Savannah State University candidate - Tiger's Roar

People whose ideologies are close but not identical often seem to hate each other the most. Consider the quarrels among various brands of progressives captured in the phrase the left eats its own. Freud called this phenomenon the narcissism of small differences. Recent research has referred to it as horizontal hostility, which grows as a reaction to distinctiveness threat. The distinctness under threat is differentiation from mainstream groups, a differentiation that minority groups usually value as part of their identities.

Psychologists have studied this dynamic among strict vegans and less-strict vegetarians, finding that vegans often were more hostile toward vegetarians than they were toward meat eaters. The researchers assumed this was about identity protection when vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians (who avoid meat and dairy but arent absolutists) are lumped together, the vegan identity gets diluted by association.

Its not hard to figure out why identity dilution would bother principled vegans. For starters, it leads to confusion and inconvenience. Vegans may be offered chicken, fish, eggs and dairy by family and friends because flexitarians (and sometimes even vegetarians) eat these things.

Another concern seems to be that flexitarians and vegetarians might be getting as much moral recognition as vegans, even though vegans actions are more in line with the ethical code dont harm animals that all of these groups claim to follow. Of course, the average meat eater does even less to help animals than the average vegetarian, but meat eaters dont claim any virtue points for their meal choices, nor do they threaten the vegan identity. In fact, they help strengthen that identity, and so they escape any wrath motivated by these concerns.

Horizontal hostility also can arise when people are exposed to the same information but arrive at different conclusions. If this information inspires life changes for some, it can seem to those people that anyone unexposed to the information is relatively blameless in contrast to those who are exposed but do not change. I know a meat eater who dated a vegan activist. Early in their relationship, the meat eater asked the vegan why he was willing to go out with her. He responded that she was OK because she didnt know the horrible truths about animal farming; it would be different if she kept on eating meat after her eyes were opened.

Horizontal hostility makes sense psychologically, but for those fighting for animals and against factory farming, its a strategic disaster. It leads to infighting among people with overlapping goals, and therefore its counterproductive. Just about everyone who reduces consumption of meat, eggs and dairy for ethical reasons wants to see the end of factory farming. Yet we waste time by focusing on things like virtue points and identity shoring, and disputing each others visions of the ideal post-factory-farming landscape.

In Obligate Carnivore: Cats, Dogs and What It Really Means to be Vegan, Jed Gillen wrote about how his pet store was boycotted by fellow vegans because he sold a flea remedy that contained flea extract. To Gillen, the boycott was perverse because anyone not shopping in his store was probably supporting mainstream pet stores, which undoubtedly committed bigger transgressions. But its possible that Gillens protesters thought they were acting strategically. They knew that if they were to boycott, say, Petsmart over flea treatment, the company would not notice. Gillen, on the other hand, whose store was, in his words, at worst, 99.44% vegan, might actually listen to concerns about insect exploitation.

By extension, vegans may think that vegetarians and flexitarians will be more receptive to the vegan pitch, leading them to spend time debating their fellow travelers instead of focusing on the public at large.

However, as a flexitarian myself, I think theyre wrong. Ive considered the arguments for veganism and thats why Ive decided that reducing animal products from my diet is a good way to start making a difference. I advocate for pragmatic reducetarianism regular, considered cutback in the consumption of animals and animal products. I may commit to veganism at some point, but it wont be the result of someone telling me to go vegan.

Im not suggesting that hard-liners should stop caring about ideological purity and consistency. Those of us fighting against factory farming cannot be an inclusive movement if we say only pragmatists allowed. Some animal activists simply wont be able to abide just making incremental progress for animals. For them, anything less than veganism is in conflict with the goal of abolishing the consumption of meat and the use of animal products. But whether youre practical or ideological, you can accomplish more by reaching out to meat eaters who have never thought to question animal farming than to people who have considered the issues and chosen an approach that is not identical to your own.

Vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians may never fully agree on principles and tactics. At the same time, we will always have overlapping concerns, and those should be our central focus. Reducetarian is an umbrella identity for all who consciously curtail their animal-product consumption. Adopting this broad identity allows us to concentrate not on our differences but on our shared commitment to ending the factory-farming industry.

Brian Kateman is president of the Reducetarian Foundation and editor of The Reducetarian Solution: How the Surprisingly Simple Act of Reducing the Amount of Meat in Your Diet Can Transform Your Health and the Planet, which will be published in April.

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Can't vegans and vegetarians just get along? - Los Angeles Times

By Jennifer Goetz Staff Writer

Imagine learning about farm animals, the food industry and the nonprofit sector all while living away from home and sticking to a strictly vegan diet.

This is exactly what Caitlin Flynn, a senior journalism and political science double major, did last August when she interned for Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

The nonprofit organization serves as a safe haven for rescued farm animals in need of rehabilitation.

Farm Sanctuary, which also has locations in Los Angeles and Orland, Calif., looks for employees, volunteers and interns who care about animal rights.

Fitting the part, the company hired Flynn as a human resources and communications intern over the summer.

I found out about (the internship) because the president (and co-founder), Gene Baur, was on The Daily Show a year or so back, Flynn said.

After watching the show, Flynn decided to purchase Baurs book, where she found the organization to be compelling and worthwhile.

Flynn is one of the many students that have interned with Farm Sanctuary.

Each year, the New York location provides a number of internships for students all over the world interested in nonprofits, communications, public relations and more.

While Flynn worked in an office, the nonprofit also searches for shelter interns to provide hands-on care for the animals.

Additionally, the internship can span anywhere from a month to three months, but according to Farm Sanctuarys website, interns who stay longer have greater opportunities.

(The New York location averages) around 90 individual participants in our program annually, said Holly McNulty, the director of resources and volunteer programs at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen.

The 175-acre sanctuary also gives interns housing for the duration of their stay and provides volunteer interns an educational opportunity.

Interns have many learning opportunities, whether from conversations with staff or during weekly education presentations, McNulty said. We strive to help our interns use what they gain from their experience to continue to advocate for farm animals and encourage participants to identify how they can incorporate this into their daily lives moving forward.

While students gain educational experience through presentations and discussions, they also gain life experience by immersing themselves in the farms culture. Because the nonprofit is focused on supporting and protecting animal rights, interns are required to commit to a vegan lifestyle during their stay at Farm Sanctuary out of respect for the animals.

I think the best thing about the program is it pushes for progress, not perfection, Flynn said.

Farm Sanctuary brings awareness to issues facing farm animals and the issues of factory farming, which takes a toll on farm animals and the environment, as raising so many animals in one place pollutes our land, air and water, according to Farm Sancutarys website.

Farm Sanctuary is not a factory farm, and because none of the farms animal products are consumed, interns get to experience life on a farm that respects animals.

The cows are not milked, according to Flynn, and the chickens produce eggs at their natural pace, unlike most farms that feed chickens hormones to increase eggs production.

Flynn also said the animal rights organization has led her to be more conscious of her eating habits.

(My experience) made me more mindful of my day-to-day decisions, Flynn said.

Interns are not the only group of people interested in Farm Sanctuary. In fact, the nonprofit has earned attention from comedian Jon Stewart, his wife Tracey, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and actress Emily Deschanel.

We have regularly worked with celebrities throughout our 30 years from creating PSAs to participating in our events to being active on our board of directors, McNulty said.

Due to the efforts of Tracey and Jon Stewart, who proposed the idea last October, Farm Sanctuary will open a new location in Collingsworth, N.J., in 2018. Last year, the couple bought a farm with the intention of partnering with Farm Sanctuary. Since the new locations approval, the Stewarts plan to work with the organization throughout the process.

We are working with them in the early planning stages such as permitting and site development but hope to be open to the public sometime in 2018, McNulty said.

While the new location does not yet have plans to create an internship program, the nonprofit will eventually have volunteer opportunities, McNulty said.

Whether an intern or volunteer, the experience at Farm Sanctuary is unlike any other.

(Farm Sanctuary is) a great nonprofit organization and is a nation-wide entity that influences pop culture, legislation and the food industry, Flynn said. It is the kind of relentless organization that I think many of the politically and socially active students (at the College) would appreciate.

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[ April 2, 2017 ] Student goes vegan for internship at Farm Sanctuary Features - The Signal

Metro

Don't think vegans can run marathons? Think again Metro I asked members of the UK Vegan Runners group what experiences, tips and advice they had for me running my first marathonand first event as a vegan. I found that not only were they all passionate about their own vegan achievements, but that vegan ...

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Don't think vegans can run marathons? Think again - Metro

Forbes

NFL Teams Reportedly Concerned About Colin Kaepernick's Commitment And Vegan Diet Forbes Throughout the Colin Kaepernick saga, his end game likely did include still being a free agent in April. While the 49ers' performance on the field declined quickly last season, Kaepernick still threw for 16 touchdowns, along with only four ... Kaepernick still looking for NFL work ... because of vegan diet?Modesto Bee (blog) Teams' latest excuse for not signing Kaepernick is their most laughable one yetFor The Win all 17 news articles »

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NFL Teams Reportedly Concerned About Colin Kaepernick's Commitment And Vegan Diet - Forbes

As a Hoosier, I often look on with jealousy at all the progressive vegan events occurring elsewhere around the country.

But all that changes this year with word that the Indy VegFest is back and bigger than ever under new leadership after a two-year hiatus.

The event will be held from noon to 7 p.m. April 29 in the Pan Am Pavilion at 201 S. Capitol Ave., in Indianapolis, according to Katelin Rupp, who took over the reins with her husband, Joe.

"Our event aims to appeal to and draw in a broad spectrum of attendees, including omnivores, vegans and vegetarians," she said.

This year's event is free and will feature more than 60 vendors and exhibitors and a diverse group of nine speakers, Rupp said. The day will also feature cooking demonstrations led by vegan chefs, free food samples and activities for children.

While the event is 100 percent vegan, Rupp said several of the vendors are not.

"We see this as an opportunity for them to showcase their vegan specialties and in return, hopefully attendees will demonstrate for them just how popular those options are," she said. "Based on feedback from consumers, our hope is that these businesses may be convinced to offer even more vegan products or food items."

Another goal of the event is to shed light on animal agriculture and the benefits of a vegan lifestyle for health, the environment and animals, Rupp said.

"VegFests create a great platform to attract people who may be curious about veganism, or are simply interested in incorporating more plant-based meals into their diets," she said.

A second Indiana VegFest is being organized for the fall in Fort Wayne, she said.

Indianapolis has one exclusively vegan restaurant (Three Carrots) and another (10th Street Diner) on the way this spring, Rupp said. The state capital also offers more than 200 restaurants with vegan menu options.

While the event is free, Rupp encourages anyone interested in attending to reserve tickets through Evenbrite.comto qualify for goodie bags and other giveaways.

Volunteers are also needed to work one or more two-hour shifts. Volunteers get a free T-shirt and goodie bag.

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Vegan in the Region: Indy VegFest 2017 - nwitimes.com (blog)

Share This Article: Pietro Gallo says he makes the only vegan Tiramisu across California. Its called Tiramisu Italiano, covered in vegan custard and chocolate flakes with expresso cake inside. Photo by Cassia Pollock. By Cassia Pollock

Vegans have found a slice of heaven at Civico 1845 in San Diegos bustling Little Italy one of the only Italian restaurants to offer a full vegan menu with authentic, mouthwatering Italian meals.

The owners, native Italian brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo, started the place after moving to San Diego directlyfrom Consenza,Italy in the southern region of Calabria three and a half years ago.

A vegan himself, Pietro Gallo says this is one of the only Italian eateries offering a full vegan menu in all of California, while still offering traditional Italian meals with meat and dairy.

They offer a full vegan menu with diverse appetizers including eggplant meatballs, mushroom calamari and their most popular the Caprese Mozzarella with delicious heirloom tomatoes.

Their wine menu also includes seven vegan choices. Pietro recommended the Santa Chiara white wine imported from the Terre Nobili wine company in Calabria. The wine is considered vegan because it is filtered with special equipment that carefully avoids any cross contamination with animal products.

The Times of San Diego tried their three most popular dishes, along with their vegan bread which is served with a delicious pesto-like sauce. The light, fluffy bread is perfectly flavored when dipped into their sauce brimming with authentic Italian olive oil, garlic and natural seasonings.

Their top vegan dishes included our personal favorite, the traditional Italian eggplant parmigiana known as Melanzana alla Parmigiana. The eggplant is tender, soft and juicy. Its sprinkled with clusters of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth vegan mozzarella. Even if youre not a big fan of eggplant,a taste of this dish will change your mind.

Their house-made Ravioli filled with truffle wild mushrooms sauce, known as Ravioli Boscaiola was a close second. The mushrooms are juicy and tender, and the ravioli noodles are made from scratch without any animal products. The sauce blends the rich creamy flavor of wild mushrooms with satisfying noodles.

Any vegans looking for the classic sausage lasagna will find equal satisfaction in their Lasagna Romagnola. The vegan sausage has achieved the flavor of real meat, or as close as humanly possible. It looks, tastes and satisfies Italian cravings for lasagna regardless of your dietary preferences.

Perhaps, the biggest challenge for vegans will be saving room for desert. Our personal favorite was the pistachio gelato which will transport food-lovers to another world of creamy gelato goodness. Theflavor is profoundly pleasingto the senses. It doesnt matter if youre lactose intolerant because they make this with zero dairy products. Chocolate connoisseurs should also try their vegan Gelato Tartufo an Italian dark cacao gelato stuffed with caramel chocolate.

Besides that, you cant miss their unique vegan Tiramisu. Its covered in a special custard, sprinkled with chocolate flakes. Just wait until you discover the crisp spongy espresso cake hidden inside.

Im the only one who makes vegan Tiramisu in all of California, so its a big challengeEverything is a challenge, Pietro told the Times of San Diego.

The Gallo brothers have clearlyrisen to this challenge. They use simple ingredients like tomato sauce, Italian olive oil and garlic. Pietro explained there are separate equipment facilities for the vegan cooks and the regular cooks, to prevent any cross contamination of ingredients.

It was important for me being a vegan, said Pietro. I couldnt work in a business where there is just meat and cheese.

His hard work creating a vegan menu paid off for the Gallo brothers with the vegan customers accounting for 30 percent of the restaurants overall revenue since Civico 1845 opened in July 2015.

The first customer we got was a vegan, Pietro told the Times of San Diego.

We are just one or two restaurantsin all of the country with Italian vegan. Its a rare option. Our food is very authentic first of all, because we are Italian 100 percent, said Pietro.

The place is a rare treasure for both vegans and non-vegans, as well as anyone with various dietary restrictions. Pietro makes his own pasta without eggs or dairy products, drawing some inspiration from his mothers healthy cooking.

Authentic Italian food is very healthy, said Pietro. Our mama raised us with always healthy food like beans, vegetables, seafood. We used to eat cheese just once a week.

Pietro says they import all their important ingredients from Italy including salt, olive oiland wine.

There is no compromise. We use Italian recipes and its very healthy, Pietro noted with pride.

Altogether, Civico 1845 provides a blissful, inclusive dining experience for all of San Diego that accommodates a diverse range of dietary needs. Thegreatest challenge foodies and vegans alike will face at this Italian restaurant islimiting themselves to a few dishes, when there are too many delicious dishes to choose from.

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Rare Vegan Italian Cuisine Flourishes at Civico 1845 in SD's Little Italy - Times of San Diego

Photo: [emailprotected]_foods

The Impossible Burger tastes, looks, and, oozes so similarly to its beefy counterpart that even meat-lovingchefs like Momofukus David Chang have startedslinging plant-protein patties.

Up untilnow, however, it was possible to count the number of places you couldactually order a bleeding vegan burger on one handjustPublic House (in San Francisco), Bareburger (at its Washington Square Park location in New York City), and Crossroads Kitchen (in Los Angeles). But Fast Companyreceived word this weekthatmore than 1,000 restaurants are planning to add Impossible Burgers to their menusby spring.

Impossible Foodswill soon be producing a million pounds of its vegan ground beef per month.

Thats becauseImpossible Foodswill soon be producing a million pounds of its vegan ground beef per monthit just opened a third factory to ensure that it can meet the increase in demand.

As predicted, plant protein is going to be a major wellness trend of 2017, and Impossible Foods expansion is a harbinger ofthe healthier direction the restaurantscenes headed inbut if you need another, just look at the line outside a By Chloe for confirmation.

Speaking of vegan food, here are the top five frozen veggie burgers (based on taste and nutrition). Or if youre more in the mood for Mexican, these (healthy!) nachos will satisfy your craving.

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It's about to get way easier to order a bleeding vegan burger - Well+Good