April 17, 2017 12:20 PM By Lissette Gonzalez

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COCONUT CREEK (CBSMiami) For anyone recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery as well as back pain, physical therapyis as close as your neighborhood pool.

CBS4 Meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez discovered a group of retirees in Coconut Creek who keep moving in order to stay fit and healthy, plus theyre happily recovering from painful conditions at their community pool with regular water aerobics classes.

Finding a suitable fitness routine once you reach the golden years can be a challenge, but for Patty Snyder and her class, there is no excuse when it comes to staying healthy.

I usually say my formula for the day is combine the air temperature and the water temperature, and if its over 150 degrees, were having a class!

CBS4 met Patty, a volunteer water aerobics instructor and her group through our Moving U Campaign. Many members of the group have overcome health obstacles and now use water aerobics as a way to keep themselves moving every morning at the Township Aquatic Center.

Ive had double knee replacements and this was the best exercise and a couple of other ladies have had knees replaced, hips replaced, we have had cancer survivors, they all say its the best way to exercise, explained Patty.

Patty is a retired high school math teacher who began the class as a student. When the previous teacher couldnt continue, Patty jumped in.

I guess the teacher in me just came through because I didnt mind calling the exercises, we tried giving me a day off on Wednesdays and calling it wacky Wednesdays where they each had to name one of the exercises, but I found some werent coming on Wednesdays because they were afraid to call it, explained Patty. So I said okay Ill take it over again. And I did give them homework, they had to go on the computer and find exercises.

Holly Rose is also a volunteer water aerobics instructor who has been teaching for over 20 years. She is recovering from a hip replacement surgery and said deep water aerobics is an important part of her physical therapy.

I feel normal in the water, I do. You keep your aerobic rate up, youre steady on your feet, its a wonderful exercise. You dont sweat like land, land hurts sometimes. Water doesnt hurt; its good for every part of us.

Patty and Holly participate in daily classes, weather permitting, from 9:00-10:00am at the Township Aquatic Center in Coconut Creek.

Click here for more information.

There are many free or low-cost aquatic programs at local public parks throughout South Florida.

Here are a few:

Broward County

City of Davie Parks

City of Hollywood Parks

City of Miramar Parks

City of North Lauderdale Parks

City of Plantation Parks

City of Pompano Beach Parks

Miami-Dade County

City of Miami Parks

Miami-Dade County Parks

City of Miami Beach Parks

Remember, CBS4 wants to know whats Moving U.Email your story to movingu@cbsmiami.comand let us know what youre doing to stay healthy and happy. Perhaps what moves you will inspire others as well!

Lissette Gonzalez has served as the morning and noon Meteorologist for CBS4 News since 2007. Viewers can watch Lissettes weathercasts weekday mornings from 5 am to 9 am and again at noon. This hometown girl can be seen venturing outside of...

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Water Aerobics Keeps Seniors Moving & Provides Therapeutic Benefits - CBS Miami

Photo by Tony Najera

by Bonnie JoStufflebeam

I once drank wine in a cellar in Moravia. After the tasting, the travel group I was with gathered around a long table for a meal. For appetizers we were presented slices of bread and dishes of a white substance the consistency of butter. I did as the others did, smothering my bread with it. Only after Id eaten several slices did someone tell me: Id just eaten straight lard.

I wasnt vegan then. Now, as a vegan I dont take such chances; I almost always ask. I wish I could say something about the lard mistake like, and thats when I became vegan. But I would have starved in the Czech Republic, at least on our tour group: our two options at each meal were beef goulash or fried cheese. It wasnt until one year later that I stopped eating meat. Three years after that, I stopped eating animal products altogether. Traveling is more difficult now.

These days Ive learned my lessons: I study up on vegan restaurants before going anywhere, particularly to SF conventions where Ill be busy and tired and will have to squeeze in lunches when I can. I memorize where the vegan-friendly restaurants sit within a four-block radius: Chinese, Thai, Indian. Mexican, sometimes. Chipotle, always. Certain sandwich shops: the kinds with protein options like hummus or tofu.

I also email the organizers behind any event I plan on attending. At last years WorldCon in Kansas City, I checked to see if I would be able to count on dinner there any night. After some back-and-forth, it was decided that there would be snacks and perhaps one dinner.

Ditto with peer workshops and writing retreats, particularly those where meal-making is an element. Its difficult to distill veganism into a brief email explaining what would work meals-wise. I usually list the best proteins, since many peoples first attempts at placating one of our kind consists of salad: delicious but filling for thirty minutes tops, unless its decked out with all manner of nuts and beans. I usually dont recommend tofu; it takes practice to get tofu to taste good, and poorly-seasoned tofu is responsible for many a poor opinion of it. Instead I stick to the easiest routes: anything bean or nut-based.

This is actually the worst part of traveling with dietary restrictions, particularly those self-imposed: some people are sensitive about food. Of course there are many people who just want to help if they can, but others might react strongly to a request for vegan options. Ive had more family arguments about menus than about any other topic; drunk carnivores have on several occasions attempted to incite shouting matches. I always try to be as courteous as possible, and if someone asks my reasons for being vegan in a tone that is less-than-dulcet, I refuse to engage them on that particular topic.

When traveling as a vegan, I recommend packing a few of these staples: a bag of nuts, a couple cans of beans. I dont go on trips without my trusty cans of dolma and a jar of peanut butter. And I never leave on a trip thats longer than a weekend without a bar of chocolate or a bag of cookies: homemade if Ive got the energy, Oreos or some other premade version if Im short on time. Some of the most difficult things to find in strange cities are vegan desserts, and conventions are full of sugar. I come down with some serious cravings if I dont have some way to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Heres the cookie recipe I always use, adapted from The Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau:

3 heaping Tbsp. applesauce 1 cup Earth Balance margarine 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 3/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (most grocery stores will have an accidentally-vegan brand)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add the applesauce. Combine. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture into the wet mixture until it forms a dough. Add chocolate chips.

Form dough into balls and drop onto baking sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes. Remove to cooling racks.

Makes about 4 dozen.

***

With proper preparations, Ive learned how to stay well-fed even in the midst of cities built primarily for meat-eaters. Hunger, after all, is not the con-goer and workshop-attendees friend. Careful planning allows me to enjoy traveling and stay well even when out of my comfort zone.

Bonnie Jo Stufflebeams fiction and poetry has appeared in over 40 magazines and anthologies such as Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies. Her novelette The Orangery is a finalist for the 2016 Nebula Award. In 2015 she released a collaborative fiction-jazz album Strange Monsters. She also created and coordinates the annual Art & Words Collaborative Show in Fort Worth, Texas.

April 11, 2017

Tags: Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam

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Vegan Road Warrior - SFWA News

The chefsofPhiladelphia's much-lauded vegan restaurant, Vedge, are officially coming to Washington.

Husband and wife team Richard Landau and Kate Jacoby are behind the most well-known meatless restaurant in the country andhave a half-dozen James Beard Award semifinalist and nominee nods to their names. For years, they've talked about opening up shop in the nation's capital. Now they've signed on to join the Apollo development at 600H Street NE, which includes a new Whole Foods Market and Wydown coffee shop, and have plans for a late fall opening.

[Philadelphia restaurants are moving in on D.C. Get used to it.]

For the new location their first outside of Philadelphia Landau and Jacoby plan to replicate their V Street concept, a vegan street food bar.We celebrate street foods by drawing influence from popular dishes and ingredients around the globe, Jacoby said in an email. Nothing is a literal take, just our inspiration.

[The next frontier for vegan restaurants? Not calling yourself a vegan restaurant.]

V Street's offerings include such dishes as dan dan noodles with roasted mushrooms and a red chile-sesame sauce, Peruvian fries with aji amarillo sauce and flatbreads. Cocktails will also draw on global flavors, such as the Lokum at the Bazaar (Turkish coffee, bourbon and a Middle Eastern syrup known as jallab) andCruz Control (tepache, horchata andtequila).

Jacoby, the pastry chef, has big plans for dessert. Expect soft serve in such flavors as halvah with sumac sour cherries or cannoli with pistachio, bitter orange and chocolate magic shell. Also: chocolate-stuffed beignets.

Landau and Jacoby were drawn to Washington for personal and professional reasons. Landau has family in the area, and Jacoby attended Georgetown University. Jacoby said she and Landau always saw potential in the city's restaurant scene, especially when it came to opportunities for growth in meat-free concepts. She gives props to such operations as Elizabeth's Gone RawandSticky Fingersfor helping to grow the vegan restaurant scene. We know the demand for serious vegan food is getting stronger all the time, she said.

The couple has already witnessed thedemand from D.C. residents. After those for Philadelphia and New York, Washington's 202 area code is the most popular number on the reservation books at Vedge.

Read more:

The new H Street Whole Foods wants to be your neighborhood pub

The search for America's best food cities: Philadelphia

How two vegan chefs find inspiration in a world of (sometimes meaty) cooking

L.A. restaurants treat vegetables like stars

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The chefs behind the best vegan food in the country are opening a ... - Washington Post

Anyone who has ever gone out to brunch knows what a mad rush it can be. After all, eating an over-the-top breakfast over the weekend is a great idea, so no wonder so many people are on board for that. Although typical brunchtime fare is heavy on eggs, bacon, and buttered toast, its easy to make all of that vegan. But theres one brunch favorite that requires a little more elbow grease eggs benedict, a dish consisting of eggs, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise sauce served atop an English muffin. Its true origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is said that it was created on a whim at the request of a hungry stock broker visiting an NYC hotel. April 16th just happens to be National Eggs Benedict Day, so we cant think of a better way to celebrate it than with a vegan version and as it happens, there are a few different ways you can do that.

So while everyone else is waiting in line at your favorite greasy diner for goodness-knows-how-long, youll already be digging into one of these homemade vegan eggs Benedict that would make even the most seasoned brunch-goer drool with envy. Go out and get some (groceries so you can make this over the weekend).

When it comes to this awesome Tofu Benedict Florentine, less is not more. It starts with a toasted English muffin, followed by sauted spinach, smoky Portobello bacon, and tofu scramble. Of course, the crowning glory of the whole thing is the hollandaise sauce, and this vegan version does not disappoint! Its creamy, smooth, eggy (due to the black salt), and has that subtle, trademark tanginess from the lemon juice. Even if its not a special occasion, you deserve this.

This Tofu Benedict With Avocado Hollandaiseis the perfect brunch item or breakfast for a special occasion. A rich, creamy, slightly salty, and tangy sauce is slathered all over a crispy, pillowy English muffin. No eggs necessary its made from creamy avocado and a bit of vegan Worcestershire sauce. A heaping tablespoonful on top of some perfectly grilled tender tofu, a slice of fresh tomato, and some peppery arugula all on top of a soft, but crunchy English muffin This might just be your new favorite breakfast.

There is zero, zilch, nada, no egg in this recipe for Polenta Benedict With CoconutCream. Totally vegan! But it sure looks like eggs Benedict, dont you think!? The perfect amalgam of traditional meets unusual. Get ready for your taste buds to do a little happy dance.

You have got to get some of this Tofu Benedict Meets Tofu Florentine into your life. Pan-seared tofu is coated with a sweet, umami sauce made from maple syrup, liquid smoke, and soy sauce and paired with salt-and-pepper sauted kale. Then, its coated with a delicious, buttery hollandaise sauce. Instead of bread, its served with a big slice of beefsteak tomato, but if youre an English muffin aficionado, feel free to go with bread!

Make yourself something fancy for breakfast or brunch with this Tofu Benedict! Firm tofu is sprinkled with an eggy spice blend and cooked until golden, then placed atop a toasted English muffin with mushroom bacon, creamy hollandaise, and greens. The mushroom bacon tastes like sweet and salty goodness, but if youre not a fan of mushrooms you can swap it out for tempeh bacon. And of course, dont forget to top it off with some hot sauce and black pepper!

Looking for more vegan breakfast and brunch ideas? Check out our vegan breakfast recipes page!

Lead image source:Polenta Benedict With CoconutCream

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Avoid the Brunch Rush With These 5 Vegan Takes on Eggs ... - One Green Planet

The monthly get-together of the Lancaster Vegan and Raw Food Potluck & Support Group is set for 6-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Kinzer Fire Hall, 3521 Lincoln Highway E., Kinzers.

There will be a demonstration of how to make delicious and healthy desserts.

All the desserts prepared will be gluten free, low-fat, low-sugar or sugar-free. Samples and recipes will be provided.

For the potluck, singles, couples and families of two should bring a 9-by-13-inch raw-food dish or an equivalent amount of food. Families of three or more should bring two 9-by-13-inch or equivalent dishes.

These raw-food dishes should be made with only fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains, herbs and spices and seasonings. They should exclude all animal products. A recipe or complete list of ingredients must accompany every dish.

Everyone should bring his or her own place setting, as well as a contribution of $2 per person or $4 per family toward the rental of the fire hall.

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Vegan and raw food potluck set for Monday in Kinzers - LancasterOnline

Written by PETA | April 14, 2017

In 2004, when we first heard singer JoJo, she had burst onto the music scene at the tender age of 13 and managed a number one hit single with Leave (Get Out). Now, she has re-emerged all grown upand that young teenager has become a confident, no-holds-barred vegan adult:

In promoting her 2017 world tour, she told FAULT Magazine:

I first was interested in a plant-based diet because of my voice. Im singing every night, and I wanted that to be easier for me. So, I cut out dairy first, and then I started talking to my vegan friend and I started to feel what they told me about how when you eat animal products, youre ingesting fear, death, and disease. I didnt feel good about doing that anymore. After reading Russell Simmons Happy Vegan and watching documentaries, I feel like its the choice for me.

Feeling inspired? Going vegan is easier than ever. Do your part foryour health,the environment, andanimals. Its never too early (or late) to make the kind, smart choice to eat a plant-based diet, giving your health a boost and sparing animals suffering. Its also never been easier to stop eating meat, eggs, and dairy foodsthere are countless compassionate options in grocery stores and restaurants across the country. PETA also has hundreds of free,delicious vegan recipesto try!

Send Me a Free Vegan Starter Kit

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JoJo Is All Grown Upand Vegan! - PETA (blog) (press release)

A new vegan student organization hopes to create an inclusive environment on campus.

By Natalie Betz

natalie-betz@uiowa.edu

Vegans on a large Big Ten campus such as the University of Iowas can now find a new way to support each other, thanks to a new vegan organization.

UI juniors Srehita Kotla and Tara Bendre recently introduced the new Vegan Society to help fellow students want to learn about vegan diets. The essence of the group is to allow conversations on various topics regarding veganism, especially the aspects that people dont consider, such as decreasing the worlds environmental footprint and eliminating stigmas around vegans, said Kotla, who has only been a vegan for six months but a vegetarian her whole life.

Despite having experience starting a new student organization, Kotla said, she wanted assistance in creating the new vegan society.

That led to her reaching out to Bendre, who was a good resource for Kotla at the beginning of Kotlas transition in learning how to maintain a vegan diet.

Bendre, who has been a vegan for around two years, said having similar people around her who are vegans is helpful, especially during the times when there are only few vegan substitutes. She wanted to create a group in Iowa City where vegans could support each other.

A vegan diet can have a big effect in lowering the worlds carbon footprint, and it has many nutritional benefits, said JoAnn Daehler-Miller, a dietitian at UI Student Health & Wellness.

A vegan diet is low saturated fat and trans fat, which helps lower heart disease. It is also high in fiber, which helps a variety of health issues and prevents constipation, she said. A healthy vegan diet is made up fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains, and other plant-based foods that allow the immune system to recover more quickly.

However, Daeler-Miller emphasized that veganism isnt for everyone. She said there have been students who have wanted to try a vegan diet but were allergic to nuts and disliked beans, so it wouldnt be as healthy for them to be a vegan.

If anyone does want to become a vegan, its important to encourage people to access resources so that they become attentive in order to receive all the nutrients they need, she said.

Besides providing support for other vegans, Kotla said, she would also like to organize panels, talks, and other discussion-based events, such as informative dinners with environmental-science faculty to discuss how a vegan diet could decrease the worlds environmental footprint.

Bendre said members want to collaborate with the Trumpet Blossom Caf to raise funds for the farm sanctuary in Marengo and organize group lunches at the vegan restaurant.

Additionally, they plan to host cooking demonstrations to help people learn how to cook vegan meals, as well as have video showings at box theaters and other group-focused events, she noted.

We said straight-up that all people are welcome; we really want to promote inclusivity, Bendre said. We are not taking an activist approach to the club. We dont want to encourage people to become vegan, we want to talk about what veganism is. We want to build a community and provide resources.

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Going vegan with friends for support - The Daily Iowan

TristynTate | Contributing Writer

At some point in time, we all become victim to falling back on food choices that are cheap and convenient, more so than whats the healthiest option, especially when we have the munchies. Despite the stereotype that vegans are limited and restricted in their diet, there are a significant amount of junk foods available to those with the dietary choice. Unbelievably, there are some products and services, even, that everyone knows and loves. More so than the veggie burger option, there are gooey movie theater candies, cheesy crunchy snacks, savorychocolatedeserts and numerous fast food chain restaurant optionsall that are 100 percent vegan.

Whats Considered Vegan?

Being vegan is either a diet, a lifestyle or both, depending on the individual making the choice. The diet alone is composed of foods that lack meat, dairy,eggsand other animal products. It is a controversial subject in the vegan community on whether the diet also abstains from honey, butbasically, vegans are said to just eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, beans,legumesand seeds. There are different types of vegan diets as well, which could make things even more limiting, but more so confusing. Some choose to be junk food vegans, eating highly processed foods, unlike the stereotype, and a lot like what I will list below for your pleasure. The fact that all vegans eat healthy, whole, plant-based foods is just not the case.

The lifestyle, however, involves the ethics and reasoning behind abstinence from consuming animal products: the environment and the animals within the environment. Therefore, individuals who live a vegan lifestyle may not choose to eat the products below even when theyve got the munchies because of the harmful effects their ingredients may have on the environment. The products may not have dairy or meat, but it may contain an ingredient such as palm oil, which is not an ethical choice due to its overproduction affecting the rapid decrease of rainforests and the extinction of the animals within the environment. Those with the vegan lifestyle are concerned with the world impact of their dietary choices.

Vegan Munchies

Whichever your choice, there are junk food options for you. The products listed below are a mixture thatcaterto both the lifestyle and the dietary choice of veganism. They are products made by brands we all know and love. Accidently vegan foods are the best tasting foods.

Microwave, Toaster or Oven-Made Food

For the vegan brands listed below, check out The Fresh Market or a Whole Foods near you.

Mac and Cheese: Daiya, Amys, Annies and Earth Balance Pizza: Amys and Daiya Soft Pretzels: SuperPretzel Soft Pretzels Others: Pop Tarts Unfrosted Strawberry

Store-Bought Snack Food and Ice Cream

Crunchy Things

Courtesy fritolay.com

Chips Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Lays Barbecue, Classic, Deli Style Original, Dill Pickle and Lightly Salted varieties Ruffles Ruffles All Dressed Assaisonnes potato chips, Ruffles Barbecue potato chips, Ruffles Original potato chips Fritos Fritos Bar-B-Q Flavored Corn Chips, Fritos Brand the Original Corn Chips,Frito-LaySabritones Pringles Smokey Bacon, Original, Texas BBQ, Paprika, Sweet Cinnamon

Crackers Ritz Ritz Crackers and Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers Saltines Nabisco Saltine Crackers

Other Crunchy Things Chex Mix Traditional Vegan Brands: Earth Balance Puffs Aged White Kettle Chips Sea Salt, SourCreamand Onion, Cheddar Popcorn Buttery Flavor, Aged White Cheddar Flavor Cheddar Flavor Squares (basically Vegan Cheese-Itz)

Candy

Whats chewy and chocolatey are not normally thought not to be vegan. Gelatin is usually what makes the chewy things chewy, deriving from collagen obtained from various animal body parts. Chocolate normally has dairy. However, dark chocolate is vegan and all the chewy things below do not contain any animal body parts.

Courtesy bloomberg.com

Chewy Sour Patch Kids Sweetish Fish Mike and Ikes Fruit by the Foot Dots Air Heads Taffy Twizzlers Now and Later Skittles

Chocolatey Lindt Lindt Excellence 70, 85, and 90 percent Cocoa bars Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate with Marzipan

Hard Candy, Lollipops, and Others: Smarties Dum Dums Charms Blow Pops Jolly Rancher Hard Candy and Lollipops

Vegan Brands No Whey! Chocolate Bar (Carmel and Nougat in a Chocolate Coating; basically a Vegan Snickers Bar)

Cookies and Ice Cream Oreos Girl Scout Cookies Thin Mints, Thanks-A-Lots, Lemonades, Peanut Butter Patties Nutter Butters Ben and Jerrys So Delicious

Fast Food Restaurants

Stay away from McDonalds. Their hash browns and french fries arent even vegan because they are cooked in beef tallow.

Courtesy Chipotle

Chipotle Just hold the cheese and sour cream. When they ask for protein choose the tofusofritasor get extra veggies. Taco Bell Bean Burrito minus the cheese, cinnamon twists, the Veggie Cantina Power Bowl with no sauce, and other dishes can bemade vegan simply by omitting a few ingredients or asking for it fresco style. For example, this method applies to the 7-Layer Bean Burrito, the Crunchwrap Supreme and the Mexican Pizza. Wendys Plain baked potato, French fries or a veggie sandwich. Burger King Fries, hash browns, French Toast Sticks and Dutch Apple Pie. Papa JohnsPizza You can make any pizza vegan by omitting the cheese and choosing the Original Hand-Tossed Pizza Dough. Frozen Yogurt Places Usually places like Sweet Frog and The Skinny Dip have at least one sorbet or vegan option. Auntie Annes Pretzels Just ask for no butter. Asian Restaurants Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc. Most of these restaurants have tofu or veggie versions of your favorite dishes. Just make sure to omit fish sauces and eggs.

Local Choice: My Vegan Sweet Tooth, located in Virginia Beach, has an all-vegan menu of cupcakes, cookies and other deserts.

Be careful and enjoy!

Look out for changing products and research, research, research! For example, Junior Mints stopped using gelatin in their product but simultaneously started using confectioners glaze, which is made with shellac from female lac bugs. Petas website is a good place to verify whether products cater to the vegan diet and lifestyle. Also, watching YouTubers like Nathan Vierke can give you an idea of what vegans eat in a day, be it junk food or otherwise.

Everyone gets the munchies sometimes and desires straight up junk food. Hope this helps vegans adopting the diet or the lifestyle in making choices that are the best and the tastiest. Enjoy!

Excerpt from:

Vegan Munchies - ODU Mace & Crown

THE BUZZ:Mookata restaurants have been sprouting up all over our island over the years, and we've certainly had our fair share of the communal Thai dish. And so it takes a mookata place with a unique aspect to stand out as memorable.

For a mookata joint like Thai Hao Chi Mookata to differentiate itself in a crowded F & B scene, they have to offer something special. And Thai Hao Chi Mookata, which is tucked away along Upper Thomson Road, does that without resorting to anything gimmicky.

Unlike many places, the grill-cum-steamboat is powered by charcoal instead of gas. Strangely enough, it mattered too much as in terms of in terms of flavour or smokiness; it adds to a more rustic dining experience.

MUST TRIES:The biggest draw, for many, will be the great, value-for-money standard set and add-ons. The standard set, called the Yum Mak Mak Set comes with an impressive pile of fresh ingredients: chicken, mutton, pork, cabbage, vermicelli, eggs, crab sticks, squid, sausages, prawns, and more. What's more, no GST or service fees are charged at all. REPEAT: no service or GST.

But the add-ons are worth trying as well, chief of all the bak kwa and the Thai style sliced abalone. Fresh off the barbecue and warm, the bak kwa tastes so much better, and we also like that it isn't coated in grease. As for the Thai style sliced abalone, this item does not need to be grilled or boiled, and is eaten as it is, with a sweet-tangy sauce giving the dish its kick.

Excerpt from:

Thai Hao Chi Mookata - HungryGoWhere

Fact: I do not know how to relax. You can ask my parents or husband for confirmation. That gene is missing from my DNA. In order to battle my stress, I run. Thats not relaxing, but it keeps me balanced, healthy and happy. Many of my friends relax with a glass of wine. I dont even do that. As a writer, you might think a great book would help me unwind. Nope. I only find relaxation in watching comedies or a Law and Order marathon. I need to be comatose in front of a screen to mentally check out.

Well, it was brought to my attention that Edgar Cayces Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) started offering a new way to relax. Its called AlphaSphere. The A.R.E. Health Center & Spa describes it as a unique sensory experience that combines sound therapy, color therapy and vibration to promote deep relaxation and revitalization for the body, mind and spirit.

Because Im a dedicated journalist, I decided to fit 30 minutes into my hectic schedule to do some investigative relaxing for my Beacon readers. When I arrived for my appointment, I had one stressful decision to make before beginning my session. Which color would I select for the therapy?

The choices were blue, pink, red and orange, and each had different benefits. I chose blue because it was described as a balancing and calming hue.

When I first entered the room, I noticed the ergonomic lounger that looked like a modern sculpture with its sleek and simple design. Later, I was told an Austrian artist had designed the AlphaSphere, and A.R.E. is the only site in North America that has this therapy.

Once seated in the comfortable and artsy chair, I started to soak up my surroundings that included a blue light over my head. I was instructed to close my eyes in order to fully relax, but I couldnt stop peeking at the glowing blue light and the sheer fabric that surrounded my chair.

Peaceful sounds that included scores of music and quiet chants were played throughout the 30-minute experience and were synchronized with the vibrations in the lounger.

I found the vibrating chair to be the most relaxing element and appreciated the subtle heating effect that resembled a heating pad on the small of my back. I enjoyed the sounds and scores of music that reminded me of a movie theatre with the surround sound, but didnt love the quiet chants of a human voice.

The unique therapy was definitely calming and even stimulated my imagination with the creative use of sensory elements such as sound, light and color. I only wish the therapy lasted an hour, because it took me awhile to decompress.

SHA, the artist and creator of AlphaSphere, is coming to A.R.E., located on 67th Street, to give a free lecture on April 27 at 7:15 p.m. For more information or to book an AlphaSphere appointment ($35), call 757-457-7202.

Later that evening, I decided to end the day with my true and tried way of unwinding from a long work day. I watched two hours of Law and Order and became instantly relaxed when the theme song (a.k.a.,my sound therapy) played.

Lee Belote

is a Bay Island resident who loves writing about her hometown. Reach her at jlbelote@verizon.net with any great stories, local happenings or new hot spots.

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Beach Buzz | In search of some relaxation with AlphaSphere - Virginian-Pilot