MINNEAPOLIS Organic cotton textiles register no more than a footnote in the worlds cotton production, but Vishal Naithani wants to change that.

His company, Sustained Organic Living in suburban Minneapolis, selects certified organic cotton grown in India with non-GMO seeds. The products are made using only fair trade labor on the farms and in the factories.

The challenge for Naithani and his company, which is also known as Sol Organics, is to be able to create the level of interest among consumers for organic apparel that has been generated for organic food. For now, his chief weapon is price: He aims to price his products significantly lower than his online competitors and on par with high-quality bedding that is not fair trade organic.

Every family should have access to affordable organic cotton just like they have access to affordable organic food, he said. It shouldnt be only the wealthy who can afford premium products.

Sol Organics is one of a number of companies offering organic, fair trade textiles online or in stores. Companies such as Boll & Branch and Patagonia sell them. West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Target feature organic cotton that may or may not be fair trade. Naithani said Sol Organics is the only Minnesota-based company to do so.

Part of the reason Naithani acts as a maverick is that organic cotton hasnt grabbed the consumers attention like organic milk, produce and poultry.

Shoppers arent ingesting organic cotton as they do organic foods, so they may not see the benefit, said Mary Brett Whitfield, senior vice president at Kantar Retail, a retail consulting business. We havent trained shoppers to think about how cotton is grown or how it fits in the environmental food chain.

Conventionally grown cottons critics say the so-called fabric of our lives is a crop that requires lots of water and chemicals to grow. A pesticide-intensive crop, conventional cotton uses more than an average amount of pesticides, although the amount is in dispute.

Cotton covers 2.5 percent of the worlds cultivated land, yet growers use an estimated 10 to 25 percent of the worlds pesticides, according to Rodale Institute, a Pennsylvania organic farm and researcher. AMIS Global, an agriculture data firm, estimates the pesticide usage for cotton at closer to 5 percent, according to Cotton Inc., a U.S. trade organization.

In India, where more than 20 percent of the worlds cotton is grown, child labor is common. According to a Harris Poll conducted in 2016, three in five consumers would not purchase a cotton product if they knew it was picked by children or forced labor.

Naithani and others in the business believe that, in time, more consumers will search out organic sheets, towels and clothing. Only 5 percent of consumers purchase organic clothing, slightly higher among millennials, according to Kantar Retail.

The average price paid for a queen sheet set in the U.S. is $80, but organic cotton sets (300 thread count sateen) start at $240 at BollandBranch.com and $258 at Coyuchi.com.

At the wholesale level, organic, fair trade cotton costs only about 15 percent more than conventional cotton, Naithani said. He doubles the cost of the goods for his retail price while competitors triple the cost, he said.

The only way to get people to convert to buying organic cotton is to keep prices competitive. Costco and Wal-Mart have made organic food affordable, he said. We want to do the same for organic cotton.

At $119 for a queen set and $139 for a king set at solorganix.com (after a $40 instant savings), his prices are 30 to 50 percent less than comparable products online, but still nearly double what a conventional set costs at Kohls or J.C. Penney.

Naithani hopes to drop the price of his queen-sized set to $99 within two years, once the product reaches critical mass. Affordability is the tipping point, he said. It promotes access, which in turn creates demand and conversion to organic cotton.

Brett Whitfield sees organic cotton as early in its life cycle but poised for growth. Target and Pottery Barn recently expanded their organic textiles selection. Pottery Barns spring collections show fair trade, organic sheets and towels.

Target, which already had organic cotton sheets, clothes and baby items, added organic in its new Cat & Jack kids line. Its recent pledge to remove perfluorinated chemicals and flame retardants from textiles by 2022 shows a long-term commitment.

We know organic cotton is important to our guests, said Erika Winkels, a Target spokeswoman. It will continue to grow in the future, whether its home or apparel. Its not the be-all-end-all, but its important.

Naithani, who also sells his product on Amazon, hopes to break $1 million in annual sheet sales by next month. Thats still a fraction of the online retailer Boll & Branch, which sold about $40 million in organic fair trade sheets and towels in 2016.

Sols products are getting four- and five-star reviews online. His return rate is an enviably low 2.5 percent.

Increasing the demand for organic cotton creates this tremendous upside where everyone wins, the farmer, the consumer and the earth, he said.

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Can organic cotton become as mainstream as organic food? - Mesabi Daily News

Mandy L. Puckett 9:01 a.m. ET March 22, 2017

Mandy Puckett(Photo: Photo provided)

The organic food business is growing rapidly. Nearly 70 percent of Americans buy organic food occasionally and nearly 25 percent buy it weekly. Organic food can be costly, so be sure to look for the USDA seal on any kind of packaged food to ensure youre getting antibiotic and hormone-free products.

What is the definition of organic?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines organic products by stating they have been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balanceand conserve biodiversity. The national organic standards forbid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiationand genetic engineering to grow fruits, nuts, vegetablesand grains. Also, organic meat and poultry cant be irradiated and the animals must have access to the outdoors, plus cant be given any growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs. All feed must be 100 percent organic, with no animal by-products.

Furthermore, it is important to clarify that organic focuses more on how the crops were grown or the animals were raised, rather than on the nutrients the food provides.

How is organic defined for food product labeling?

100 percent organic: Made with 100 percentorganic ingredients

Organic: Made with at least 95 percentorganic ingredients

Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70 percentorganic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30 percentincluding no GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

What are reasons to choose organic?

Individuals choose to include organic foods in their diet for several reasons, such as to reduce or avoid toxins (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), to avoid genetically modified foods, because they prefer the taste of organic food, for protection of the environment, and due to perceived nutritional benefits.

If your reason in choosing organic food is to limit exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, etc., then you are making a good choice. Research has found that organically grown crops consistently have about one-third as many pesticide residues compared to conventionally grown versions. Organic foods are also less likely to contain residues of more than one pesticide.

However, if you are choosing organic foods because you feel they provide a better source of nutrition, that is still up for debate.Currently, there is limited scientific evidence that shows that organically produced foods are in fact more nutritious in comparison to conventionally grown food. Similarly, taste and appearance of organic compared to conventionally grown foods tend to not show a significant difference either.Choosing fresh food is the best way to ensure you are consuming food at its peak of nutrition and best taste, whether organic or conventional.

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What foods should you always, whenever possible, buy organic?

Ultimately, choosing to buy organic foods is a personal decision.Cost tends to be the more significant barrier in choosing to eat organic foods as they typically are priced 20-100 percenthigher than their conventionally raised counterparts.

If you would like to incorporate some organic foods, but your food budget does not allow for a full shift, you can use the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as a guide to selecting produce as a place to start. Based on the EWG analysis of tests performed by the USDA, they identify each year the top 12 foods that should be purchased organic when possible due to their high pesticide residuals.For 2017 the EWGs Dirty Dozen includes, in order,strawberries (one of their key findings was a single sample of strawberries showed 20 different pesticides), spinach, nectarines, apples, peaches, celery, grapes, pears, cherries, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and potatoes.

Are there any foods that dont necessarily need to be organic? Opposite of the Dirty Dozen is the EWGs Clean 15.The 2017 Clean Fifteen list of produce least likely to contain pesticide residues included sweet corn, avocados, pineapples, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papayas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwis, cantaloupe, cauliflower and grapefruit. The EWG reported that there were relatively few pesticides detected on these foods, and tests found low total concentrations of pesticide residues on them.

What produce is in-season in the spring?

Choosing produce that is in season is one way to control food cost. This spring look to include asparagus, broccoli, snap peas, green beans and a variety of lettuces.

Mandy L. Puckett is the manager of clinical nutrition and weight management at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Bariatric andMedical Weight Loss Center. For more information, visit http://www.iuhealth.org/ball-memorial.

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Ask the Expert: How (and why) to eat organic - Muncie Star Press

Gluten-free bakery goods, organically grown food and even fresh dog and cat food is catching the publics eye these days and the interest in these products is helping to drive changes at Goodwin and Sons Market in Crestline.

We have been adding organically grown fresh vegetables and fruits to our produce section and the public loves it, said Mike Johnstone, store manager. We started out with just a four-foot section of produce and have expanded that to 12 feet. Weve been expanding our fresh organic line to where we even have a dry rack at the front.

Johnstone said that some of the most popular produce items are organically grown bananas and unique items such as golden beets.

One of his main suppliers is Alberts Organics, the nations leading distributor of quality organically grown fresh produce and perishable items, including meat, dairy, soy products, juices/beverages, and much more.

The golden beets we sell are very popular and have a sweeter taste, he said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consumer demand for organically produced goods continues to show double-digit growth, providing market incentives for U.S. farmers across a broad range of products.

Organic products are now available in nearly 20,000 natural food stores and nearly three-out-of-four conventional grocery stores. Organic sales account for over 4 percent of total U.S. food sales, according to recent industry statistics.

U.S. sales of organic products were an estimated $28.4 billion in 2012and was projected to reach an estimated $35 billion in 2014. Fresh fruits and vegetables have been the top-selling category of organically grown food since the organic food industry started retailing products over three decades ago, and they are still outselling other food categories, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.

Produce accounted for 43 percent of U.S. organic food sales in 2012, followed by dairy (15 percent), packaged/prepared foods (11 percent), beverages (11 percent), bread/grains (9 percent), snack foods (5 percent), meat/fish/poultry (3 percent), and condiments (3 percent).

Our customers really enjoy the idea of taking home fresh organic produce and our need to keep adding to our produce section shows that, Johnstone said.

Also popular these days are gluten-free baked items and gluten-free baking supplies and products.

We now have a section of the store solely devoted to gluten-free items, and we organized it so that these products would all be in one area to make it easier on our customers, he said.

Goodwins also has brought gluten-free into its bakery.

Our specialty baker, Katharine DeClerck, has been adding a number of items, from breads to cookies, to our lineup, Johnstone said. The gluten-free baked goods have been really popular.

The items complement the stores lineup of fresh-squeezed organic juices from the juice bar, next to the coffee bar.

Johnstone also added that the publics interest in organic food extends to the stores lineup of pet food.

Recently Goodwins added a refrigerated display case featuring fresh pet products from Freshpet, a New Jersey-based company.

Packed with vitamins and proteins, our meals offer fresh meats, poultry and vegetables, farmed locally, according to the company. The Freshpet kitchens then thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials. We cook in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best.

Johnstone said that Goodwins will keep adding organic and gluten-free products to the stores lineup because the demand is there.

Its just amazing, he added.

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Goodwin's Adds Organic, Gluten-Free Items - Mountain News

More than 20 people gathered Wednesday in the upper level of the Art Center of Burlington for the first of what will be many weekly Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center meditation classes.

The Davenport-based nonprofit has been operational about seven years and in that time has offered its meditation expertise to those in Davenport, Iowa City, Des Moines and Rock Island, Ill.; youths in the Quad Cities and Iowa City can attend childrens meditation.

Meditation teacher Joe Gauthier said the Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center tries to get the classes to wherever there is an interest or need. He decided to bring his services to southeast Iowa after people from Burlington and Fort Madison who attended his classes in the Quad Cities told him they wished there were similar sessions closer to home.

Those attending were there for reasons ranging from hoping to reduce stress, to improving their mindfulness, to satisfying their curiosity about the subject.

It was the first time Angie Kruse of Burlington tried meditating. Aside from a general interest, she wanted to try something new and was grateful for the opportunity.

We need to take advantage of these things, she said.

Jim and Linda Bean of Fort Madison were doing just that. Jim, a 17-year DuPont retiree, wasnt there to de-stress as Linda keeps a low-stress environment, but he thought meditation might be a good way to stay sharp.

They say keep your mind engaged and learn knew concepts, Jim said.

He plans to pass on what he learned to his son and his sons family.

Linda had her own reasons for attending.

Its supposed to be healthful. Its supposed to be relaxing, stress-reducing, Linda said.

Also there for health benefits was Don Roasa of Burlington, who hoped the class would give him some tools to fall back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.

Before getting started, Gauthier explained how meditation works.

The experience we have in life is very subjective, as we all know, he said.

People have good days and not so good days, despite being surrounded by the same external environments on a daily or near-daily basis, he said. People have good days because those external things are seen through the prism of positive mind.

You can gradually move to a state of permanent positivity through training and meditation, he said.

Gauthier told his students they must focus on their breath. Meditation requires one to focus on an object, such as a mental image of a cat or a specific feeling. Breathing is a popular object of meditation because its always there and is deeply connected to the mind and body, which helps those meditating become more absorbed in their focus.

Concentration is key when meditating, as it helps those practicing access a deeper level of consciousness. When deeper levels of the mind are reached, Gauthier said, time moves by quickly. This is because the subtle mind processes time differently than the surface mind. And turning awareness inward allows people to let go of external objects and gain more control over their emotions and state of mind.

With the goal in mind, the class got down to business. Sitting in chairs with their backs straight, heads tilted downward at a 45-degree angle, hands in their laps and feet rooted to the floor, Gauthier helped the students settle in for their 10-minute mental journey, reminding them to focus on their breathing and gently guiding their concentration back to that object should their mind wander. The room grew silent as the class turned their attentions inward in hopes of stilling their thoughts.

Its not as easy as it sounds.

Usually, the mind will be a little rebellious, Gauthier said before they began, but it does get easier with practice.

Roasa didnt have too much trouble keeping his focus, but he did get warm. He noticed cooling off again when discussion resumed following the group meditation. That is because, Gauthier said, concentration creates energy and, in turn, gives off heat.

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Meditation classes come to Burlington - Burlington Hawk Eye

Yoga. Tai chi. Meditation. In recent years, the United States has seen a surge in practices promising a calmer, more peaceful, happier you. According to a 2016 Yoga in America Study Conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, the number of U.S. yoga practitioners has increased to more than 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012.

While yoga first came to FIU in 2000 with the vision of one student, others are now expanding their practice beyond stretching, moving outside of the gym, using yoga and meditation to manage stress and excel in academics.

In 2000, psychology and sociology alumna Marcella Roukas 01 experienced a yoga class in her local community and immediately got to work to bring a dedicated class to FIU.

I had to find a teacher and funding, and then to notify the students, Roukas recalls. It was all about trying to create a vision and turn it into a reality.

Together with Dr. Oscar Loynaz, who oversaw the Wellness Center at the Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC) at the time, Roukas recruited Bonnie Quiceno to teach yoga. Seventeen years after Roukas handed out the first flyer, Quiceno still teaches yoga at FIU.

Studies have confirmed that yoga can help moderate stress and anxiety, improving mood and overall wellbeing. Quiceno experienced it firsthand with the students she works with at BBC.

Bonnie Quiceno, FIU yoga instructor, helps a student with her pose.

When they first begin taking classes, they often tell me they have anxiety attacks because they are so stressed from their workload at school, she said of her students. Then, very quickly, once they start to practice yoga, anxiety attacks disappear, overall stress disappears. They develop better time management and they also tend to retain their studies better. Overall, theres more peacefulness in their lives. Its the things theyre all looking for and they all report getting those things from their practice.

Over time, Quiceno blended traditional yoga practices like ashtanga vinyasa, sivananda and iyengar with that of her own style, to create a way to help students study better.

The week before finals, we have one class called yoga study hall, where they can bring books, laptops, whatever they need to study, she said. We put the mats down and they put the study material beside the mats. We start with asking what they want to accomplish in their study in the next hour and half and break it up with yoga and study.

Its now a recurring class at the Wellness and Recreation Center at BBC. While she expected the students to benefit from the practice, she said the amount of focus and concentration they got blew her away. Quiceno said all of her students report retaining information better after yoga study hall than when studying alone. It would serve as inspiration for her book, Dont Panic!: How to Use Yoga to Survive the College Experience, which explains how students can take their practice from a mat at the gym to the library, dorm room, or anywhere else they need it.

But Quiceno isnt the only one who sees the power of meditation to help with finals. YES+, a student club, also organizes relaxation sessions at the end of the semester to help students prepare for finals week. Umer Rahman, coordinator of student programs and faculty fellow at the Honors College, serves as an advisor to YES+ and reports that more than 100 students attend the sessions.

These sessions are conducted by international experts such as Steve Sperber, Rahman said. It has become a tradition of sorts to have a relaxation session as the final farewell event at the Honors College. Students talk very highly of this event.

Vishali Sharma, senior art major, is the founder and president of YES+. She started the club in 2013 after arriving at FIU from her native India. She practices sudarshan kriya every day and wants to share the practice with others.

I would miss breakfast, but I wouldnt miss sudarshan kriya, Sharma said. There isnt a single day since 2011 that Ive missed it. Its such a practical technique that brings you to the present moment.

At first, the club was informal, with meetings on the Graham Center lawns. Now, the growing club meets each Friday with 40 members or more.

Student members of Yes+ gather in Graham Center on Fridays for meditation. (Photo courtesy of Hedrick Nobody Toussaint.)

For me, personally, I used to be a very anxious student, Sharma said. Ill have too many thoughts in the mind, will think all the time, and it was like, common, I need to relax, I need to meditate somehow, but I couldnt. When I did the kriya, all of a sudden, all of the anxiety, it was gone. I could handle it completely. There were less thoughts in the mind. I felt I became a calmer and happier person because of it.

Similar to Quicenos intention, Sharma hopes that the lessons will stretch beyond the weekly meetings to extend into students everyday lives.

The technique takes 20 to 25 minutes, she said. You can do it every day. You dont have to go to the gym or a special class. Its something you have for the rest of your life to practice.

Marcella Roukas 01, attorney and certified yoga instructor.

Roukas, the student responsible for bringing yoga to FIU, is happy to learn that yoga still exists at the university. She went on to become an attorney and certified yoga instructor. The practice helped her through many difficult times, including her moms recovery after being hit by a drink driver.

Roukas offered the following advice to FIU students:

The most important thing that I want anyone to take away is the fact that if youre a student and you really believe in something, it doesnt matter if somebody says no. Just believe in the beauty of your dreams, visualize it and manifest it. Keep it in your heart.

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Yoga, meditation helps students manage stress and academics - FIU News

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success, Joshua 1:8.

Moses, Joshuas mentor, had died; but Gods book was still available to Joshua.

Gods book of the law contained His word and His promise for a prosperous way and good success. Now there were three things that Joshua had to do for God to fulfill His promise.

One, Joshua was to know what was written in the book. In plain words, he was to read the book.

Two, Joshua was to meditate upon the words of the book day and night. In doing that he would know what God expected of him in how he should order his life and what he should do.

Three, Joshua was to make a personal application of all that was written in the book. He did not have the liberty to pick and choose what he liked and to reject the parts that may have been distasteful to him.

From our text, we too can learn that by reading, meditating, and applying Gods word, the same God of Joshua will also fulfill His promise to us of a prosperous way and good success.

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GUEST MEDITATION - Prosperous and success - The Daily Progress

When it comes to fitness,Shilpa Shetty Kundra isaninspirationfor all those who want to remain in shape. Be it yoga or logical diets, she is definitely the one to look up to for all things healthy.And now, with the launch of her own YouTube fitnesschannel, her secrets areout in theopen for the world tosee.

Also read:Is Shilpa Shetty launching her own chain of vegetarian restaurants?

The 41-year-old actressrecently shared abasic beginners routine for people like you and I who are too either lazy to goto the gymor those who don't get enough time to. What's so great about this workout, you ask? Well, this beginners guide, demonstrated by the Dhadkan actress, can be performed anywhere without the hassles associatedwith heavy, complicated gym equipment.

The workout routine doesn't only guarantee strength, butits seven steps also prepare you fora high-intensity workout that follows.

So watch the routine here, and get ready to sweat it out.

Also read: Jacqueline to Shilpa Shetty to Vaani Kapoor, who wore what at the Femina Beauty Awards

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Shilpa Shetty's beginner's excercise routine is for lazy souls like you ... - India Today

Zesty Wheat Berry-Black Bean Chili 78

This rib-sticking chili offers a hearty mix of wheat berries, beans, peppers and onion. Feel free to add an additional chipotle pepper to crank up the heat in this one-pot meal. Cooked wheat berries will keep for up to 1 month in your freezer and there's no need to thaw them; just stir them directly into the chili.

Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.

This satisfying vegetarian, sweet potato soup is inspired by the flavors of West African peanut soup. We like the added zip of hot green chiles, but they can sometimes be very spicy. It's best to take a small bite first and add them to taste. Try chopped peanuts and scallions for a different garnish. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

Staples like canned black beans and frozen corn transform into spicy croquettes in mere minutes. Serve with warm corn tortillas, coleslaw and lime wedges.

Here is an easy way to serve a crowd a hearty breakfast before facing the elements for a day of winter sports. You can assemble it in the slow cooker in the evening and wake up to a bowl of hot, nourishing oatmeal. The slow cooker eliminates the need for constant stirring and ensures an exceptionally creamy consistency. It is important to use steel-cut oats; old-fashioned oats become too soft during slow-cooking.

With a stash of berries in your freezer, you can jump-start your day with this nutritious, tasty smoothie in just minutes. It provides vitamin C, fiber, potassium and soy protein.

This satisfying vegetarian chili for two is studded with black beans and sweet potatoes. Serve with some warmed corn tortillas and tossed salad with orange segments and avocado.

Modeled on North African stews, this aromatic vegetarian main course can be served over brown rice or steamed spinach.

Whole-wheat pasta bolsters fiber and nutrients in this popular Asian noodle salad. The recipe is from Annelise Stuart of Germantown, New York.

Making oven fries out of sweet potatoes brings out their inherent sweetness.

Diced eggplant turns tender and tasty sauted with garlic and olive oil. Toss with fresh plum tomatoes, green olives and capers and you have a simple light summer sauce. We like it over angel hair pasta, but any type of pasta will work. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a mixed green salad.

Eggplant, cauliflower, chickpeas and tomatoes are the basis for this rich Indian-spiced curry. Make it a meal: Serve with brown basmati rice or whole-wheat couscous.

Like most soups, this Moroccan lentil soup recipe gets better with time as the complex seasonings have time to develop. Make it a day ahead if you can--this easy slow cooker/crock pot recipe variation makes it a cinch to get the soup cooking while you do other things.

Serve this zesty bean and barley soup garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, if desired.

This spicy vegetarian stir-fry is a great way to use green beans when they're bountiful and inexpensive at the supermarket. You can also try it with other vegetables, such as broccoli or peppers, just make sure to cut them into small pieces so that they cook quickly. Coating the tofu in cornstarch before you cook it gives it a light crust.

We like broccoli best in this tofu stir-fry, but any mixture of vegetables you have on hand will work. One way to get great tofu texture without deep-frying is to toss the tofu in cornstarch before stir-frying. Let it cook for several minutes without stirring to help it develop a little crust. Serve with: Chinese egg noodles or rice noodles and a glass of Riesling.

These bean burgers will even please carnivores. The cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro and guacamole add Southwestern flavor.

To improve the nutritional profile of pizza, use half whole-wheat and half all-purpose flour, which yields a light crust with a distinctive nutty taste. Quick-rising yeast shortens rising time to just 10 minutes, making homemade pizza a possibility for busy weeknights. Use a food processor, stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or your hands to mix the dough. Add enough liquid to the dry ingredients to make a soft dough. If kneading by hand, toss, rather than push, the dough onto the counter for about 10 minutes; this allows the gluten to develop without incorporating too much flour.

Tofu and lots of fresh vegetables are stir-fried in just a bit of oil in this traditional Chinese dish. In the Sichuan province of China where this dish originates, the tofu wouldn't be deep-fried like it is so often in America. Similarly, in our version of this takeout favorite we stir-fry the ingredients in only a little bit of oil.

We love the maple-nut flavor combination of this heart-healthy granola, but feel free to substitute your favorite nuts or dried fruit for your own custom blend.

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Healthy Vegan Recipes - EatingWell

Some people become vegetarians because they love animals. Some, as comedian A. Whitney Brown put it, because they hate plants.

But vegans are committed. Not only do they not eat food that harms or kills animals, some dont even want food that inconveniences animals.

Like honey. Hardcore vegans will not eat honey because, as Noah Lewis of vegetus.org puts it, the simple fact is that the bees are enslaved. Similarly, some vegans will not eat sugar because, while it comes entirely from a plant, some sugar is whitened by using bone char, which comes from animals.

Although the vegan diet lacks in meat, dairy and egg products or because of it the diet can be better for you than that which the standard American eats. In 2009, the American Dietetic Association took the position that vegetarian and vegan diets reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and lead to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

It can be healthy, but there are some things to watch out for when on a vegan diet: You have to make sure to get enough protein and vitamin B-12 and calcium, iodine, vitamin D, iron, zinc and n-3 fatty acids.

Fortunately, a well-balanced vegan diet provides all of these essential nutrients, though you may want to take vitamin B-12 supplements, just in case.

Still, cooking a well-balanced vegan diet can be difficult, at least if you want to stick to what most Americans think of as normal ingredients. Many vegan recipes attempt to re-create meatless versions of familiar meat-based dishes, and to do so they rely on such potentially off-putting ingredients as vegan chicken, egg replacers and nondairy cheese.

Other recipes use soy products such as tofu and tempeh for their protein, and it is one of these that I tried first in cooking a vegan diet for a day.

Mee Goreng, which is a type of stir-fried noodles, is popular street fare in the Philippines. When I have had it before, it always had meat in it, usually chicken or shrimp or both. But then I came upon a vegan recipe for it using tofu, and tofu fans are sure to be instantly hooked.

If they like spicy food, that is. As with a lot of street food, Mee Goreng usually packs a kick. If you want it milder, simply trim down or eliminate the amount you use of sambal oelek, the all-purpose Indonesian and Malaysian ground chili paste.

Also as is the case with much street food, Mee Goreng tends to be a little oily. The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of oil for four to six servings; I got by with four tablespoons, but that is still a quarter cup of oil.

Do you need it? Yes. The oil brings the dish together, from the spicy sambal to the faintly bitter bok choy to the sweet sauce made from equal parts of soy sauce, brown sugar and molasses.

The tofu, which has the amazing ability to soak up all the flavors in which it is cooked, serves as a protein-rich punctuation to the meal.

Indian-style vegetable curry with potatoes and cauliflower. Photo by Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via TNS

For my next dish, I dispensed with the tofu and received my protein in the form of garbanzo beans, which are also known as chickpeas.

Indian-Style Vegetable Curry With Potatoes and Cauliflower (that name seems a little over-descriptive to me) is another spicy dish. I like spices; sue me. If less fiery food is more your style, you can use a mild curry powder (but I wouldnt use much less) and leave out the serrano chile.

This dish benefits greatly from the mutually complementary flavors of potato, cauliflower, garbanzo beans and curry. A bit of tomato paste and a cup of coconut milk make it deeply satisfying, yet it is so healthful that youll practically pat yourself on the back for eating it.

It is the kind of dish that calls out for basmati rice; if you have it, use it.

Finally, I made a vegan version of one of the least vegan dishes I could think of, pancakes.

Pancakes pretty much need eggs, milk and butter. If you try to make them from just flour, water, sugar, salt, baking powder and a little oil, youll wind up with paste.

Or so I thought. But then a colleague passed me a recipe for Vegan Pancakes that she swore was excellent. And she was right.

I dont know how this works. I dont understand how they hold together without becoming slightly sweetened hardtack. Im guessing the oil has something to do with it, but we are only talking about a single tablespoon for 10 smallish pancakes.

These vegan pancakes are fine the way they are, but I incorporated a couple of additions suggested by my colleague: I added two tablespoons of soy milk (almond milk would also do) and a teaspoon of vanilla, just to make the pancakes even better.

They are a perfect foil for maple syrup. And maple syrup doesnt inconvenience any animal.

MEE GORENG

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1 pound fresh Chinese noodles yellow wheat or stir fried or 12 ounces dried spaghetti or linguine

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup soy sauce

4 large shallots; 2 minced and 2 sliced thin

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons sambal oelek, see note

14 ounces extra-firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons cornstarch

5 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 pound bok choy, stalks and greens separated and sliced 1/2-inch thick

4 scallions, sliced thin on bias

Lime wedges

Note: Sambal oelek can be found in the international aisle of grocery stores.

Bring 4 quarts water to boil in a large pot. Add noodles and cook, stirring often, until tender. Drain noodles and set aside.

Whisk sugar, molasses and soy sauce together in bowl. In a separate bowl, combine minced shallots, garlic and sambal oelek.

Spread tofu on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and let drain for 20 minutes. Gently pat tofu dry with paper towels, season with salt and pepper, then toss with cornstarch in bowl. Transfer coated tofu to a strainer and shake gently over bowl to remove excess cornstarch. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add tofu and cook, turning as needed, until crisp and browned on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes; transfer to bowl.

Add 1 tablespoon oil to now-empty skillet and heat until shimmering. Add sliced shallots and cook until golden, about 5 minutes; transfer to paper towel-lined plate.

If necessary, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to now-empty skillet and heat until shimmering. Add bok choy stalks and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Clear center of skillet, add garlic mixture and cook, mashing mixture into skillet until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir into vegetables.

Stir in noodles, tofu, bok choy leaves and scallions. Whisk sauce to recombine, add to skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle fried shallots on top. Serve with lime wedges.

INDIAN-STYLE VEGETABLE CURRY WITH POTATOES AND CAULIFLOWER

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 teaspoons curry powder

11/2 teaspoons garam masala, see note

2 onions, chopped fine

12 ounces red potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Salt and pepper

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded and minced

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/2 head cauliflower (1 pound), cored and cut into 1-inch florets

11/2 cup water

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed

11/2 cups frozen peas

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

Note: Garam masala can be found at international food stores and the spice aisles of well-stocked grocery stores.

Pulse diced tomatoes with their juice in a food processor until nearly smooth, with some 1/4-inch pieces visible, about 3 pulses.

Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add curry powder and garam masala and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Stir in onions, potatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are browned and potatoes are golden brown at edges, about 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in garlic, chile, ginger and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add cauliflower florets and cook, stirring constantly, until florets are coated with spices, about 2 minutes.

Gradually stir in water, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in chickpeas and processed tomatoes and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce to gentle simmer and cook until vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Uncover, stir in peas and coconut milk, and continue to cook until peas are heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in cilantro, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve over rice.

Vegan pancakes. Photo by Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via TNS

VEGAN PANCAKES

Makes 8 to 10 (6-inch) pancakes

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

11/4 cups water

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons soy or almond milk, optional

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, oil, vanilla and optional soy or almond milk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until just blended.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Pour batter onto the griddle or skillet until it forms a 6-inch puddle. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry; check underneath to see if the bottom is lightly browned. Flip and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Read the original post:

'Delicious' and 'vegan' not mutually exclusive: These dishes prove it - Press Herald

Emma Watson has recently been on the road promoting her new movie Beauty and the Beast, one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. But, in spite of her hectic schedule, the actress is still taking time tospread the word about sustainable, vegan fashion.

On the press tour for Beauty and the Beast, Emma looked fabulous wearingadressand shoes made out of recycled plastic. And this isnt the first time she has made a statement about sustainable fashion. Back in 2016 at the Met Gala, Emma wore a gown made from recycled plastic bottles.

Now Emma is kicking her commitment to better fashion up a notch by provinganimals dont belong in clothing.

The Good Guys label was started by Marion Hanania in 2010. Although the brand has only been around for a few years, they have already won several awards including PETAs Best Stylish Casual Shoes Award.Emmas love for vegan, eco-friendly fashion doesnt stop there. She is also a fan of Allbirds and Veja, both of which offer vegan footwear.

And Emma isnt the only celebrity using her status for good, she is joined by Alicia Silverstone, Pharrell Williams, Kate Mara, and dozens morewho are committed to making cruelty-free and eco-friendly fashion mainstream.

While we all may not have Emma Watsons star power, this is certainly a trend that we can all start to follow. Finding cruelty-free clothing and accessories is relatively easy if you know what to look out for. To make things easier, several designer labels like Vaute Couture, ecoSkin, MATT & NAT and Dalia MacPhee have started offering fashionable all-vegan collections (some of which have sustainability commitments as well) in the past few years.

Change starts with your dollar so share this post and show them you can still look fabulous while being cruelty-free and eco-friendly!

Image Source: The Press Tour/Good Guys/Instagram

Read the original here:

Emma Watson, Star of 'Beauty and the Beast,' Embraces Sustainable, Vegan Fashion - One Green Planet