Following in the footsteps of Chipotle, which just debuted preservative-free tortillas, Papa Johns has announced an ambitious new project that should entice health-conscious people who still like cheap pizza: organic toppings.

Dubbed the organics pilot program, the company is trying to cement itself as a leader in the clean eating revolution by testing out four, freshly sliced toppings in select restaurants across Lexington Kentucky. Customers can see if organic roma tomatoes, green peppers, yellow onions, and mushrooms fit their fancy. In conjunction with Green Bean Delivery, the pizza purveyor is sourcing the fresh veggiefrom farms in Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Oregon, California and Indiana. Sean Muldoon, the companys Chief Ingredient Officer (yes, thats an actual job title) said of the project: "Our customers want to know where their food comes from and how it is produced...At Papa John's, we are constantly looking at ways to meet the needs of our customers whether it's through our clean label initiative or testing organic produce."

Papa Johns is also rolling out a gluten-free crust in Los Angeles, Nashville, St. Louis and Phoenix, according to Fortune.

This is all catered toward a larger market trend; the organic food industry posted a sales record of $43.5 billion in 2015, and Fortune reports that half of American households have organic produce in the fridge. Papa Johns is seizing on an investment opportunity, and has been for a while: In 2016, the company announced the elimination of synthetic and artificial food colors, preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup across its entire menu.

Papa Johns enjoys trumpeting itself as the country's healthiest pizza chain. As customers are increasingly drawn to healthy eating, the claim appears to make sense.

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Sam Blum is a News Staff Writer for Thrillist. He's also a martial arts and music nerd who appreciates a fine sandwich and cute dogs. Find his clips in The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The A.V. Club and Vice. He's on Twitter @Blumnessmonster.

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Papa John's is Changing its Pizzas in a Major Way - Thrillist

Meditation helps kids perform in school Miami Herald The Quiet Time Program, using the Transcendental Meditation technique (TM), has been shown to reliably reduce mental and physiological stress, create orderly brain functioning, and promote development of intelligence, creativity, and problem solving.

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Meditation helps kids perform in school - Miami Herald

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Ayahuasca, a powerful South American hallucinogen often consumed as a tea to take users on spiritual journeys has similar effects to meditation.

Researchers in Barcelona have found that taking ayahuasca leads to traits seen in experienced meditators such as increases in openness and decentering.

Amanda Feilding of the UK-based Beckley Foundation says decentering is the ability to objectively observe ones thoughts and feelings without associating them with identity.

Ayahuasca tea contains DMT, a chemical which causes intense LSD-like trips.

Its pretty powerful stuff one user on Erowid says, I was transported to that extremely alien-like realm that I had been to so many times before. I felt like I was being schooled on existence. A teacher entity that seemed to have some sort of almost condescending power over me was trying to convince me that they constructed our reality completely

Researcher Jordi Riba is monitoring brain activity in depressed people after using ayahuasca and found that the drug actually changes activity in the brain.

One study with 17 depressed volunteers showed a decrease in activity in areas of the brain which tend to be overactive in conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Boris Johnson pulls out of Russia visit following chemical attack in Syria

Russia says it was on the 'verge of a military clash' with the US after Syria strike

Ed Miliband lipsynced to A-ha's Take On Me and dressed as Kanye West

David Nutt, the director of the neuropsychopharmacology unit at Imperial College London, says that people struggling with depression or addiction are locked into patterns by their brains control centres.

Nutt says, Psychedelics disrupt that process so people can escape.

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Taking hallucinogenic drugs 'has similar effects to meditation on the ... - Metro

(MENAFN Editorial) Ananda Yog Ashram Trust successfully organized two days musical Yog Mahotsav at Laxman Maidan in Dungarpur, Rajasthan headed by Yog Guru Swami Ganeshanand Jee on the first and second of April 2017. With its whole sole aim in spreading awareness for the power of Yoga and Meditation, the camp was a grand success in the city. Ananda Yog Ashram Trust is the name always known for providing the most pleasurable Yoga learning sessions. Being headed by Yog Guru Swami Ganeshanand Jee, the Yog Ashram Trust has benefitted many with its Yoga and meditation lessons. From time to time the trust organizes Yog Mahotsav in various parts of the country and not only this, the special Yoga sessions are also organized abroad for the devotees of Swami Ji. This time the trust organized Yog festival at Dungarpur Rajasthan. Organized under the supervision of city council of Dungarpur the festival was a grand success. People of the city actively participated in the festival both in the first day and second day of the event.

The venue for Yog Mahotsav was Laxman Maidan Dungarpur and the festival was organized under the supervision of Mr. K.K Gupta the Chairman of the city council of Dungarpur. Thousands of devotees actively participated in the two days event which was organized at the heart of the city. Yoga leads a person towards mental peace. A healthy body is a key to happiness in life and yoga helps the body to remain healthy always, preached Swami Ji to people during the Mahotsav.

'The two days Yog Mahotsav at Dungarpur was a grand success with the participants not only from the city but the devotees of Swami Ganeshanand Jee from various parts of Rajasthan also witnessed the grand event. Under the guidance of Swami Ji and the perfect coordination of the city council, Dungarpur Yog Mahotsav became another memorable event of the trust. With the promise to organize another Yog Festival in the city soon the Mahotsav concluded on a positive note. Devotees were overwhelmed by the Yoga techniques of Swami Ji and promised to implement Yoga in their daily life schedule," concluded the PR Manager of the Ananda Yog Ashram Trust at the end of the conversation.

The Ananda Yog Ashram Trust is a renowned organization that is engaged in spreading and imparting yoga and meditation lessons. Swami Ganeshanand Jee is the founder of the trust. Swami Ji is actively engaged to explore his spiritual plan and vision of the trust to the millions of aspirants from the globe. Ananda Yog Ashram Trust' is created to facilitate the spiritual, health, education Related activities to the aspirants. The trust is managing several projects for the mankind benefits. Some projects are Health Care Activities, Free Yoga Camps, Education, Disaster Management, Old Age Home, Ayurveda, Gausala, and Rehabilitation.

Media Contact Company Name: Ananda Yoga Ashram Trust Contact Person: Swami Ganeshanand Email: Phone: 91 - 9910118333 / 9811265730 Address:Tughlakabad Extension, Opposite: Tara Apartments City: New Delhi State: Delhi Country: India Website: http://www.swamiganeshanand.com/

MENAFN0704201700703268ID1095376684

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Ananda Yog Ashram Trust Conducted 2 Days Musical Yog Mahotsav at Dungarpur, Rajasthan - MENAFN.COM

First volume of letters to Bapu published by Ashram | Ahmedabad NYOOOZ NYOOOZ The ambitious project of transcribing these letters into 20 volumes will take a decade, according to Sabarmati Ashram director Tridip Suhrud.The first volume has been brought out by a team of editors, which include Suhrud, Megha Todi and Kinnari Bhatt ...

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First volume of letters to Bapu published by Ashram | Ahmedabad NYOOOZ - NYOOOZ

There was a very good turnout for the belated St. Patricks happy hour celebration on Friday, March 31 at Beef OBradys hosted by Debbie Poat.

Restaurant owner Bob Chrushch generously supplied plenty of delicious food. His staff provided great service. As a thank you service to all Carolina Forest communities, Bob will have Friday family nights at his restaurant.

The Architectural Review Board meets Thursday, April 6 and 20, at 9 a.m.

Thursday, April 6 and May 4, the board of directors meets at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12, the lake committee meets at 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 13, is the ladies dinner at 5:30 p.m. in Fowler Dining Room at the Grand Strand campus of Horry Georgetown Technical College in The Market Common, 920 Crabtree Lane. International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach is preparing it. Enjoy a three-course chicken dinner, BYOB for $16 cash only, including tax and gratuity.

Hostesses Janice C. and Donna O. received the maximum 50 responses allowed by the restaurant but will gladly place you on their waiting list.

Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. 1 p.m., is the childrens Easter egg hunt hosted by Irene Gifford and her daughter, Jessica Buttles. Each child should bring an Easter basket for the egg hunt, which will be rain or shine at the clubhouse.

There will be finger foods, refreshments, activities and a visit with the Easter bunny. Call or text Irene to RSVP by April 8 with each childs gender and age.

Check with board of directors member Rich Carlson whether the finance committee will meet Monday, April 24 or Tuesday, April 25 for the time.

The social committee meets Tuesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. and welcomes new members.

Friday, April 28, from 7-11 p.m., special guest Jo Ann Tufo will perform as infamous Pirate Wife Anne Bonny followed by happy hour at our the clubhouse. It will be an entertaining evening of comedy and laughter. Bring your own beverage and glasses. The social committee will provide snacks.

Plantation Lakes popular free water aerobics classes for men and women needs some new leaders and subs for this summers classes.

The great news is that Diane and Jen will be leading classes again this summer. Diane is looking to recruit new leaders now, to keep this wonderful sport and social activity going.

Morning classes will be from 8:45 9:45 a.m. Monday - Friday. Jen will lead the Tuesday and Thursday 4 -5 p.m. classes. Diane will lead the Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning classes. New leaders are needed for Tuesday and Thursday morning classes. Call Diane at 843-236-2332 if you can lead any of these time slots. Classes are from May 29 Labor Day.

Gerry and Joyce are enthusiastically helping to organize plans for the new season. There is no sign up for everyone attending classes. Just arrive with two water noodles and some hand water weights to have a great time.

April 8 at 2 p.m. and April 9 at 11 a.m., Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers will play baseball against University of Louisianas Ragin Cajuns at Springs Brooks Stadium.

April 21 at 6 p.m., April 22 at 2 p.m. and April 23 at 1 p.m., they will play a home game against Georgia Southern University.

AARPs final free tax preparation assistance days at Carolina Forest Library are Thursday, April 6 and 13 from 10:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m.

Saturday Zumba class from May 1-31 at Carolina Forest Recreation Center from 10 -11 a.m. still has available openings. Call 843-915-7873. Adults age 18 and older are welcome.

Saturday, April 8, Carolina Forest Recreation Center will have an Easter egg scramble from 9 a.m. - noon for children up to age 12 at the PAL playground behind the library.

Saturday, April 15, is the Beautify Carolina Forests next litter pick up. Call 843-340-3540 to confirm the date and time. Meet at the recreation center. President and Plantation Lakes resident Richard and wife Lucinda Skrip welcome new volunteers.

Wednesday, April 19, the Carolina Forest Civic Association meets at 6 p.m. Ray Fontaine, director of the Horry County Council on Aging, will speak about the new senior center planned near the recreation center.

Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., is the Earth Day at the Bay rain or shine free festival at Ocean Bay Middle School, 905 International Drive.

Enjoy music, a plant sale, organic food, recycled jewelry, environmental exhibits, earth activities, crafts and demos.

A Bowl for Babies glow party fundraiser event benefitting the March of Dimes sponsored by Myrtle Beach Bowl at 101 Gray Ave., and Tire Towne is Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. - noon.

Email us at friendpa@aol.com about events, meetings, personal or neighborhood news. Many thanks and have a great week.

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Around the Lake: Water aerobics classes need volunteer leaders - Myhorrynews

According to an op-ed by a University of TexasAustin student, modern veganism is too focused on rich, white-people vegans, and it needs to become more intersectional and inclusive.

In an article titled Vegans must feed everyone, not just wealthy white people, Audrey Larcher opens by explaining that the modern image of a vegan is some hipster who is probably slender and definitely white and thats a major, major problem.

The caricature is indicative of underlying problems in the vegan community, Larcher continues. White veganism which refers to the dominant cruelty-free culture of wealth, privilege and exclusivity is not an option for most people.

If vegans want to promote sustainable and compassionate diets for the world, their communities must be intersectional, she continues.

For example, Larcher explains that people from many other cultures namely Indian, Ethiopian, and East Asian cultures have a lot of dishes that are plant-based or dont use dairy, and its a big problem that white vegans never talk about these cultures or their plant-based foods.

Instead of promoting the foods of foreign cultures, vegans go great lengths to reinvent traditional foods which rely on animal products to taste good, she explains.

According to Larcher, things like the vegan imitation-cheese industry are problematic because a lot of their products and the grocery stores that sell them are expensive, and thats an example of cultural exclusivity.

Being a white, American imitation-cheese-eating vegan definitely is a certain culture (I almost left it at cult) of its own, and one that certainly is available only to people with a certain means. But everything in the world is like that. For example, rich people also pay a ton of money to take spin classes at SoulCycle instead of just going for a run, and that, too is a culture (cult!) of its own. Take any diet or interest in the world, and there is automatically going to be some sort of high-end, snobby version of it where the prices are high just because there are wealthy people out there who will pay them (and then talk with their wealthy friends about how, like, amazing their $34 candlelit spin class was and that they totally needed to go because they ate way too many $24 zucchini-and-cashew-cheese enchiladas at Candle 79 before seeing Hamilton for the fourth time on Friday night.)

Yes, of course this life isnt available to everyone. It isnt available to me. But that doesnt mean that not eating meat and cheese isnt available. The truth is, plenty of vegan staples beans, nuts, rice, and even produce are very affordable. Maybe shes saying that there just isnt enough information out there for people who are dying to be vegan but think they cant afford it? Because if you Google vegan on a budget, youll get more than 42 million results. Perhaps just perhaps! the main reason that more people arent vegan is because they just dont want to be vegan.

But, according to Larcher, the cultural exclusivity thing is only the tip of an insensitive iceberg.

Most vegan communities offer no sympathy to victims of racism, appropriating minorities struggles to advance their own cause, she explains, linking to a tweet from a popular vegan account that reads: Black lives matter...more than Chickens or Cows lives...apparently.

Of course, Larcher is correct in calling this insensitive. Its true, people who are vegans due to radical animal-rights beliefs think that its unfair that a human-centric movement like Black Lives Matter gets more attention than their chicken-and-cow-centric movement, because they think that human suffering and animal suffering are the same. Yes, I understand that their logic dictates that they would say this about any popular human-centric movement, but still, talking about black lives in this way is obviously offensive. And there really is no image more vomit-inducing than a rich, white, hipster vegan tweeting little jabs at Black Lives Matter while he strolls through the farmers market on his iPhone.

According to Larcher, this kind of rhetoric can alienate potential vegans, and it shows a need for all vegans to unite behind a sensitive message in order to recruit more people. Now, just like Im not sure how many people are being turned off of veganism by cashew cheese prices, Im also sure how many are being turned off by the radical animal-rights rhetoric, but in a sense, shes right. Seeing something so inflammatory attributed to the movement certainly does show that the movement could benefit from avoiding that, getting together, and rallying around something more sensitive but it also shows why thats going to be impossible.

Clearly, things like that Black Lives Matter tweet dont represent all vegans but the truth is, nothing really does. People are vegan for so many different reasons. Some people are vegan for health benefits, some people are vegan because they heard both Miley Cyrus and her pig are vegan, some people are vegan because their rich friends are vegan, and some people are vegan because they think that chickens are slaves. Its going to be impossible for a group where some people are participating because they just think its healthier but dont think that animals are the same as people and some people are participating because they dont care if its healthier they just do think animals are the same as people to have a united voice. Think about it: A person who really believes that chickens are slaves is not going to just chill out and stop talking about it, because they believe that chickens are slaves. And a person who eats a plant-based diet because she thinks it helps with her acne or whatever is not going to declare solidarity with a person who thinks chickens are slaves because that person believes that chickens are slaves.

An anti-chicken-slavery advocate just isnt going to be able to fit into a group if its criteria demands that he stop talking about chicken like theyre enslaved. Despite Larchers best efforts and op-eds, its going to be impossible to have any kind of united voice for a movement when the movement has so many different and passionate sects especially considering that the only thing harder than getting a chicken-slave advocate to shut up about speciesism is getting a Whole Foodsadvocate to shut up about how their vegan coconut bacon tastes just like the real thing.

Katherine Timpf is a reporter for National Review Online.

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College Op-Ed: We Have to Make Veganism 'Intersectional' - National Review

My spring fast this year was spiritual. People usually expect fasting to reflect a believers intention to inch closer to the beyond, God, in accordance to what many, including professor Ori Soltes, would call the divine sacer.

I have a life philosophy that revolves somewhat around this understanding: People need sustenance. In ones spiritual and emotional life, such sustenance can come in the form of love drawn from friends, family, hobbies and a personal connection with whatever you perceive God to be.

Physical life runs parallel to this intangible one, with food acting as fuel and nourishment. This may be a simple way of categorizing physical and spiritual existence though I doubt that one could completely separate the two but it certainly helps me live every day happily and healthily.

Restricting your diet is a way to find beauty in different health sources. Everyone is different, and finding a dietary plan that works for both your physical and mental health can be challenging and requires continuous adjustment. Just as human beings are ephemeral, so are their taste buds and bodies reactions to different foods.

I consider veganism as the most classic of all dietary restrictions. Once you go vegan, you can thrive in any special diet. After I conquered a vegan diet for the entirety of Lent last year, I felt that any dietary restrictive plan could be achieved. My experiences with the Paleo diet obviously taught me otherwise.

I speak on this specifically, because the vegan diet is particularly hard for people who have never restricted their diets otherwise. There are many reasons for someone to want to become vegan, different definitions and variations in adherence: A friend of mine from high school refuses even to use animal-based soaps or local honey, whereas some other vegan friends occasionally indulge in chicken nuggets. These personal examples should serve to show you how labeling rarely completes a picture.

My vegan experience at Georgetown was initially quite abysmal. It all happened before the days of Subway and Salad Creations additions to the meal plan, so my vegan Grab n Go options were pretty limited, and hummus on a sundried tomato bagel at Einstein Bros. Bagels ended up serving as the only suitable daily snack.

Luckily and I cannot stress this enough food service workers at Georgetown are amazing. Friendly and kind, they generally want to help you in any way they can. Frankie at Einsteins always remembered my vegan diet after chatting about it one day during closing time; the guys at the Grab n Go used to keep a jug of almond milk in the back for me to blend with cereal just because I asked. I do not know how Georgetown finds such a range of quality individuals, but sometimes I wish that my professors were as concerned about my health as they are about the integrity of my work.

Additionally, resources exist at Georgetown for students trying to go vegan or vegetarian. A student-run group called Animalia sponsors a mentorship program that helps students pursue their dietary and lifestyle goals. My stint as a vegan only lasted 40 days, so I spoke with Aine Boyle (SFS 18), former vice president and current treasurer of Animalia, for more insights. Boyle wants to help students understand Animalias work as well as paths to long-term veganism at Georgetown.

What does the mentorship program look like? Our vegan and vegetarian mentorship program is new as of this year. We match students up based on their reasons for going vegan or vegetarian. The main three reasons are health, animal ethics and environmental, so the member that reflects you the most becomes your mentor. Mentors and mentees cook dinner together, give food, recipe and multivitamin recommendations and much more.

Where do you usually go shopping? I shop just about everywhere. I love good deals, so I like to go to Trader Joes, Whole Foods bulk bins and Safeway depending on what I am looking for. Weekday lunches are often Trader Joes vegan frozen meals.

Would you say it is hard to go shopping? Do you like the new GUTS bus route on Saturday? I have a car, though the GUTS bus is great I might even consider using that instead.

What are the biggest challenges of being a vegan on campus? Being a freshman and eating at Leos, but that is the struggle for most Georgetown students. Leos in general, vegan or not vegan, is not great. Free events are hard and even environmental events tend to lack vegan food which is quite confusing. You pay tuition just like any other student, but you do not get to enjoy the full benefits that come with it. Georgetown claims to be super sustainable but fails to ensure that students who are trying to be sustainable have the options they need.

Nina Young is a junior in the College. BAKE MY DAY appears every other Friday.

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BAKE MY DAY: Going Vegan For Dummies - Georgetown University The Hoya

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Vegan Burd: The vegan chocolate taking Scotland by storm Metro Glaswegian vegan, blogger and chocolate fan Adele Rawlston decided to start making her own chocolate last year to recreate childhood sweeties that she missed. Us Scots do love our sweeties and the chocolate bars with comic names include Yer Bound ...

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Vegan Burd: The vegan chocolate taking Scotland by storm - Metro

Now, more than ever, grocery stores are getting on board with offering plant-based options beyond tofu and old staples like Morningstar Farms and Boca Burgers. Its not just big chains like Whole Foods, which has always had a reputation for carrying (notoriously expensive) vegan options. Target, for example, not only carries its own in-house line of plant-based meat options, it also has an entire refrigerated section dedicated to just plant-based protein. Even Trader Joes has its own packaged, meat-free options, vegan mayonnaise, and vegan marshmallows. Regular grocery stores are so on top of their game in terms of carrying plant-based options that it may have had a hand in the worlds first vegan supermarket going bankrupt.

Still, we cant help but squee when a new, all-vegan grocery opens up because hey they inevitably end up carrying vegan products you wont find at the aforementioned establishments. And we can only imagine what kind of goodies will be available at the newest location of Australian vegan market chain, TheCrueltyFree Shop, when it opens the worlds largest vegan shop in Melbourne.

Are we jealous? Totally. According to recent research, 12 percent of Melbournes population eats little to no meat and with multiple plant-based restaurants and now, the worlds largest vegan market, the city is earning a name for itself as a vegan hotspot. But hey, New York isnt so bad in terms of vegan markets, either. At Riverdel, youll be overwhelmed, in a good way, by how many different brands of vegan cheese they carry. At Haymakers Corner Store you can pick up classic deli slices just like you would at the deli counter at the local grocery store and Orchard Grocer serves NYC Jewish classicsandvegan soft serve.

Okay,but we would be huge liars if we said that in spite of that, we didnt want to go to new The Cruelty Free Shop location on its opening day, April 12. Were always down for supporting new vegan businesses. Can somebody please mail us there?

Lead image source: The Cruelty Free Shop

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Mail Us Here: The World's Largest Vegan Supermarket Set to Open in Melbourne - One Green Planet