WASHINGTONJoanne Evans, M.Ed., R.N., P.M.H.C.N.S.-B.C., provided a presentation to colleagues at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., about the health benefits of adopting a plant-based vegan diet and soon had 19 nurses eager to test out the science firsthand.

After 21 days, 74 percent of the nurses, 14 out of 19, in this self-reported plant-based dietary review lowered their cholesterol, with a mean average of 18 mg/dL, while six lowered their cholesterol by 45 to 60 mg/dL; more than half, 10, lost weight, with an average weight loss of 4.4 pounds, with a range of 1.5 to 9 pounds; 30 percent, six, reported gains in energy; and 41 percent, eight, reported feeling highly satisfied with their health, compared to one nurse who reported this before the dietary modification. After the program concluded, the nurses reported an uptick in fruit and vegetable consumption, while meat and dairy consumption fell. The findings appear in the March 2017 issue of the American Journal of Nursing.

Large bodies of research show a plant-based vegan diet boosts weight loss, lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol, and stabilizes blood sugar, says Neal Barnard, M.D., F.A.C.C., creator of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, president of the nonprofit Physicians Committee, and an adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. We now have preliminary evidence that this way of eating boosts energy, too. The secret is to stick with the prescription since the health benefits last as long as youre putting the dietary principles into practice. A plant-based vegan diet is not a fad diet, but a new approach to eating, a new approach to health, and a new approach to life.

A review about vegetarian and vegan diets in the Dec. 2016 issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics finds a plant-based vegan diet reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by 62 percent, the risk of death or a hospitalization from a heart attack by one-third, or 32 percent, and the risk of developing all forms of cancer by 18 percent.

Plant-based eating patterns continue to gain traction among cultural influencers, from former president Bill Clintons adoption of a vegan diet to improve his heart health in 2010 to Beyoncs debut of her newfound approach to weight loss in 2013 and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady releasing his plant-based secrets, shortly after a Super Bowl victory, in a New York Times magazine feature in 2015. Serena and Venus Williams applaud this dietary approach for its anti-inflammatory benefits. They competed together at the U.S. Open earlier this year.

Similar to todays top athletes and cultural influencers, the nurses in this study have the ability to influence a larger audiencetheir patients and nursing students.

A plant-based diet provides a healthful template for all patients, but what I find works best is personalizing the approach, says Evans, the lead review author and a clinical research specialist. We miss the point when we give generic advice and suggestions. I recommend clinicians do a nutritional assessment, learn what the patient eats on a daily basis, find out their food preferences, discover their challenges, and create personalized solutions.

The nurses in the program achieved metabolic benefits without counting calories, measuring portion sizes, or adhering to strict rules. They received support through weekly webinars with Evans, who answered questions about day-to-day challenges, provided advice about nutrient intake and cooking procedures, and offered feedback about how to integrate options for family and friends into every meal.

Participants also received daily support from the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program, a free online meal-planning program that goes live the first day of each month and provides participants with dietitian-created meal plans, grocery shopping lists, inspirational tips, videos of cooking demos and grocery store tours, and interactive tools, including a free iPhone app.

To sign up for the April 1 program, visit 21DayKickstart.org. The program is available in English and Spanish, with international recipes designed to appeal to a variety of palates. Sample entres include steel-cut oatmeal breakfast bowls with berries for breakfast, Mediterranean-inspired chickpea salad rolls for lunch, edamame, pears, and bell peppers as heart-healthful snacks, and leafy greens with Costa Rican Beans for dinner.

To interview Joanne Evans, M.Ed., R.N., P.M.H.C.N.S.-B.C , Neal Barnard, M.D., F.A.C.C., or a registered dietitian, please contact Jessica Frost at 202-527-7342 or jfrost@pcrm.org.

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Nurses Adopt Plant-Based Vegan Diet for 21 Days and Lose Weight, Lower Cholesterol, Increase Fruit and Vegetable ... - PCRM

Clearly Veg (blog)

Toronto: Vegan Pizza Joint Opening All-Vegan Metal Bar! Clearly Veg (blog) With pizza options like BBQ Buffalover and The Fat Mac (with 8 dipping sauces!), snack/side options including vegan poutine and jalapeno poppers, and desserts like soft serve ice creams, doughnuts (fancy and non-fancy) and deep fried "marz" bars, ... Apiecalypse Now! is opening a barNOW Magazine all 2 news articles »

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Toronto: Vegan Pizza Joint Opening All-Vegan Metal Bar! - Clearly Veg (blog)

By Reagan DeVlieger, 5th Grader at OCIS

My father recently asked me why I like Ocean City so much. It inspired me to write the following:

When I think about my home town, the first thing that comes to mind is the beach. I thinkof the beach because, for one thing, this place does have ocean in its name. Another reason I instantly think of the beach is becauseI have been there a lot and I know that there is a countless amount of people at our beach each year. Last year, Ocean Citywon Best Beach in America because of how wonderful it is.

Another thing that comes to my mind when I think about Ocean City is the boardwalk. The boardwalk is one of the main attractions in Ocean City. One thing that makesthe boardwalk so great is thatit is kind of like a mallthat goes on for miles. Since the boardwalk is so close to the beach, you can relax in the nice summer sun after a long day of shopping and rides.

The Music Pier is just amazing, in my opinion. At the Music Pier, there are so many pageants, talent shows and performances each year that I canteven count them all! Almost everyone in Ocean City knows how great the Music Pier is. Thousands of people come tosee all of the performances. There is singing, dancing, acting and more, and everyone seems to want to be there and see it all.

One of my favorite places on the avenue is Glazed Over. I think that it is very fun to just walk in and start painting. One reason that I think itis so amazing is that you can be as creative as you want with whatever item you are painting. I love that ithas some differentitems to paint depending on what season or holiday is coming up.

Yoasis is one of the most relaxing places that I can think of on the avenue. At Yoasis, you can grab a bowl of your favorite frozen yogurt, sit in a chair and relax. There is almost always calming music playing to help take away any stress you may have. I think that Yoasis is truly a yogurt oasis.

Something that I enjoy a lot here in OC is the skateboard park. I am not a great skateboarder, but I really enjoywatching other people skateboard. Almost everyone I know loves the skateboard park. Whenever the skateboard park is open, I see a lot of people there, and everyone looks like they are having a lot of fun.

While I never lived anywhere but Ocean City, I cannot imagine a better place to grow up. Someday, I would like to visit cities all over the world (especially Paris).Butfornow, I will continue happilyliving in Americas Greatest Family Resort.

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Reagan's View On Ocean City - OCNJ Daily

There has always been one name in the indie rock scene that carries a lot of respect. Of course, we are talking about The Shins.

James Mercer has been in a state of constant evolution since the release of the bands 2012 album Port of Morrow.This isevident in their latest release and fifth studio album Heartworms. This time around we see an almost completely new lineup in the band and, for the most part, it adds a unique freshness.

The Shins can be traced back all the way to 1996 when they started out in New Mexico. Mercer formed the band after performing with another band. The Shins released their first album Oh, Inverted World in 2001. From there the band came out with two more albums before taking a five-year hiatus beginning in 2007. By the time the band got back together, Mercer was the only founding member left and the band was signed to Columbia Records, losing the charm they once had as the little indie band that could. It has been five years since we have heard anything from them and now we finally have Heartworms.

Heartworms is a 42 minute long, 11-track record. This record is different in a way you would not expect it to be from past works by The Shins. While it does look back and reflect on the bands now twenty-year career, this is not the primary focus. Instead the band uses the record to focus on the future and where they are going. We are starting to see some really creative pieces from Mercer as a songwriter and there are plenty of chill tracks to listen to. There are a lot of fun and fast paced tracks to enjoy as well. This record has just about everything you would expect from a modern day Shins album.

This is a soft rock album through and through with a focus on synthetic elements. That is apparent right out the gate with the lead track Name for You. The album starts off crisp and clean with plentyof well mixed tracks. Then it startsto slowly evolve into a more psychedelic vibe. Tracks like Fantasy Island focus more on the melodies. You get some tracks that nail progression and rhythm like in Dead Alive or Rubber Ballz. While the sound is reminiscent of older Shins works, it pays homagerather than showcasing a direct callback. This is probably one of the best features of the entire record.

This album shows that Mercer is most comfortable writing lyrics. Tracks like Mildenhall tell us a complete story. There are a lot of tracks were Mercer turns the pen towards himself in a more meaningful way than previously seen. When you listen to something like So Now What, you can not help but feel some sympathy for the man. While it serves as a nice slow jam, it is immediately followed by the closing track on this record The Fear. It does not take a lot to guess what this track is about, but it does have a more subtle and relaxing quality about it that keeps you coming back time and time again to listen to it. Overall, it is evident that songwriting comes easy to Mercer.

Should you listen to it?: Maybe.

While Heartworms is a pretty good album by The Shins, it is just that: pretty good. Obviously if you have been a fan of the band for a while, you are going to pick up this record and enjoy it with no problem. But it is not exactly the album I would suggest if you are trying to get into The Shins for the first time. While the band may be trying to focus on the future with what is to come, the past holds back this album from taking off.

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Alec Reviews Music: The Shins look to the future with 'Heartworms' - Rocky Mountain Collegian

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Two high schools in the Las Cruces Public Schools district and two in the Gadsden Independent School District are using sleep pods Restworks Energy Pods. The high-tech pods, a reclined chair with a domed sensory-reduction bubble that closes around ones head and torso, were purchased through grants from the New Mexico Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to be used in the school-based health centers.

Linda Summers, associate professor at New Mexico State University, says the Restworks Energy Pods help relax and rejuvenate people that use them.

The pods, which vary a little from school to school, generally feature a one-touch start button which activates a relaxing sequence of music and soothing lights. Some have headphones for nappers to wear. At the end of 20 minutes, the pod begins to vibrate gently and an uptempo beat gradually starts playing to wake the student.

Currently, LCPS and GISD are the only school districts in the nation using the pods.

The first one, purchased in 2008, was installed at Gadsden High School. Linda Summers, an associate professor in the School of Nursing at New Mexico State University, helped secure the grant after discovering the pods which, at the time, were being used in a sleep lounge in the basement of the Empire State Building.

Tired New Yorkers would go down there for a short nap in the middle of the day, she said.

Summers, meanwhile, was looking for something better than cots to help students coming to school insufficiently rested. As soon as the sleep pod arrived at the school-based health center, she began learning it had other benefits.

If they came to us and they were tired, we stuck them in there, Summers said. If they had a headache, we stuck them in there. If a teacher had high blood pressure, we stuck him in there.

The sleep pod, which runs on a 20-minute cycle, helped all of them. Of 100 students who used it, 99 were able to return to class within 20 minutes with tremendous increases in energy and mood, Summers said.

It even helped calm down agitated students who had been involved in fights.

In 2011, Summers secured federal funding for three more to be installed at Chaparral High School, Oate High School and Las Cruces High School. In 2015, Summers purchased one for the School of Nursing through legislative mental health funding secured by Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces.

Sandy Peugh, a longtime school nurse who is now the health services director for LCPS, said she first saw the benefit of the sleep pods when she was a school nurse at Las Cruces High.

We found, as we were using them at the high school, that it was great for kids who werent getting enough sleep at night which teenagers dont, for a variety of reasons, Peugh said. They were coming to school exhausted, and wed put them in the pod. Within 20 minutes, they were coming out refreshed and focused, and they were able to stay at school, so instruction time wasnt missed.

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Napping goes high-tech with sleep pods - Albuquerque Journal

Despite the rapid growth of the organic food industry, U.S. production lags significantly behind consumer demand. A new report from the Environmental Working Group shows that with modest reforms to existing programs, Congress could help growers transition away from farming that relies on chemical pesticides and expand the acreage dedicated to organic agriculture.

Between 1997 and 2015, sales in the organic sector soared from $3.7 billion to more than $43 billion. This double-digit growth nearly every year makes the organic sector one of the fastest growing segments of the food industry. Major retailers such as Costco report that they can't get enough organic food to meet customer demand.

Yet the gap between supply and demand means many American organic food companies have to rely on foreign suppliers for staples like soybeans, corn and ricedemand that could be met by domestic producers.

"Driven in large part by the multiple environmental and health benefits, Americans' appetites for organic food is seemingly insatiable," said Colin O'Neil, Environmental Working Group's agriculture policy director and author of the report. "The current organic trade deficit presents Congress with a unique chance to expand market opportunities for U.S. producers, while also benefitting consumers, food companies and the environment. With modest reforms to current programs in the next farm bill, Congress can reduce barriers to farmers who want to transition organic methods at no additional cost."

John Paneno, vice president of sourcing for Amy's Kitchen Inc. of Petaluma, California, said increasing the U.S. supply of organic food is essential.

"Amy's continues to see strong consumer growth for our organic products," said Paneno. "We need more programs that help our farmers transition into organic farming so that we can source the ingredients we need domestically and create new jobs for our rural communities."

The Environmental Working Group's report details how Congress can play a role in better positioning American farmers to meet the demand for organics, by increasing the number of organic farms and the amount of organic acreage. Congress has already begun discussing the 2018 Farm Bill, which O'Neil said should include the following modest changes:

"The organic food industry is now one of the fastest growing, most dynamic parts of the food sector, creating tens of thousands of jobs and producing in-demand foods for millions of Americans" said O'Neil. "Members of Congress should take any simple steps they can to reduce barriers to transition and help expand the organic farm footprint here in the U.S."

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How to Meet the Soaring Demand for Organic Food - EcoWatch

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By Sam Bess

As a professionally trained media spokesperson, I am able to translate the latest nutrition research into simple messages that consumers can understand. So says Kim Larson in a March 4 column in The Herald.

What are her media trained credentials? What is it about nutrition research that needs translation? Lets take a look at this article. The headline begins on a negative note followed by another negative comment that there are slight differences in nutrition not enough to support a purchasing decision in favor of organics. Strike two against organics. Who wouldnt prefer as she later points out food produced without synthetic pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, irradiation and genetically engineered methods. Not to mention food with systemically invasive herbicides and pesticides.

Dairy products are also suspect because of the use of antibiotics. This subject would lead one into the deceptive marketing practices by corporations wanting to make their foods look and sound like they are better than they are. Our government regulations are at fault for this problem.

Next the article enjoins us to believe that Choosing organic or conventionally grown foods is a personal choice. Just what are conventionally grown foods? Are they the ones labeled or marketed as natural? The article doesnt translate that nor simplify the information.

Current levels of pesticide residue are safe and far below what is deemed hazardous for environmental or human health. Really? How many years of residue ingestion are needed before hazardous buildup should be expected? Were pesticides systemic or topically applied?

The same can be asked about herbicides. Some herbicides are systemic and continue killing and pesticides, too, well into the growing and fruiting period. Simple washing will not remove those.

Although the author appears not to be opposed to organics, there seems to be no emphasis upon the real benefits of the extra dollar spent to avoid contaminants, and in support of the organics industry mission to feed us with safety assured.

Sam Bess lives in Stanwood.

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Column played down importance of organic food - The Daily Herald

When the University of North Texas designed and planned their new 130 million dollar student union, all possible options and ideas were on the table. And why not? You only get one chance to build a facility like UNTs new union, so you better get it right.

As the master plan evolved, one idea that made the cut was a dedicated space for introspection. The process was student driven, and the students had spoken. They wanted a meditation room. As unusual as that request may have sounded to some, todays college students know that the demands of college life can be overwhelming to many. A centrally located building on campus, with an inner sanctuary for students, could make a difference, at least for some. The idea became a reality.

Tucked away on a quiet end of the fourth floor of UNTs new student union sits a meditation room. It is never closed. With the mental health of its students in mind, and with the support of The Office of Spiritual Life, the space is open for those who want to learn and practice meditation, or simply need a convenient place to pray. Some prefer to practice yoga. But its more than just that.

Programs that teach mindful meditation, or yoga, inside or even outside of the scope of UNT, can help students on their spiritual journey while the school provides a place to implement what the students have learned. If youre going to learn something, youve got to practice it, right? The meditation room is the place to do that, and its right on campus. Whether youre decompressing between classes, or just stretching your body, the students at UNT have a mindful place to do so.

With woven blankets in the corner and a wooden floor clear of clutter, the meditation room is ready for all comers. Savanna, a UNT student who uses the space regularly, explains how the room works for her.

Colleges and universities evolve. Twenty years ago, the idea of a dedicated meditation space for students would most likely not have been considered, much less become a reality. But students need support and schools are stepping up. Studies show meditation not only helps manage stress, something college students know all too well, but it is shown effective in relieving anxiety and improving memory and focus. Stress, anxiety, memory, and focus. Sounds like a Jeopardy question: What will you find on a college campus? Schools like The University of North Texas, and others like it, are helping their students find the answer.

Bill Flanigin

Follow Bill Flanigin on Twitter @billyflan or on Facebook at Bill Flanigin, writer

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Meditation on Campus - Huffington Post

This Salon Talks Video was produced by Alexandra Clinton

Its always important to have toupee tape with you, says actor/producer and seasoned drag queen RuPaul with authority. Double stick tape is fine, but toupee tape is stronger, and it will cover a multitude of sins!

The fashion and style maven has seen every fashion emergency there is in his work as a drag queen, costumer, actor and producer of the popular series RuPauls Drag Race. The series enters its ninth season on March 24, and kicks off with special guest Lady Gaga. RuPaulrecently visited Salon Talks to share fashion tips, his politics and secret to happiness.

My number one tip for all people, not just drag queens, is false eyelashes, which make every look go from daytime to glamazon! You cut the strip into three pieces, or four pieces, and place each piece on top of your own lash. That way you dont have to fool with getting the strips set, and you dont look crazy!

Ru also said he knows the key to happiness, after living a unique life where he has often been an outsider and part of the cultural fringe. Not surprisingly, it all starts with looking inside oneself. Remember to love yourself, and start today, he suggested. You could start by learning how to meditate. Im able to look at myself objectively [with meditation]. I can look from the outside and say, whats going on? What are you doing? Whats happening with you?

After years of practice, meditation centered the master performer, and he found peace in the quiet. That stillness, that quiet, is the source. Thats the key the first step in learning to love yourself.

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WATCH: RuPaul on style: lashes, toupee tape and meditation can make you a glamazon - Salon

Regardless of which side of the partisan aisle they're on, most people canagree that the levels of rancor, recrimination, and controversy we encounter each time we flip on the TV or scan our news feeds these days has reached a fever pitch. News-induced stress and anxiety are reaching almost epidemic proportions.

So what can you do about it? Getting involved in activism, whether in your local community or on a national level, is surely one way to work out your angst. But you can also try workingfrom the inside outlooking at how you process the input, and how you relate to your political bogeymen, saysSharon Salzberg, a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. Mindfulness offers a path to help you do that, she says.

Salzberg is an expert in the meditation practice known as lovingkindness, which centers on developing compassion. She is alsothebest-selling authorof many books.(Her latest, Real Love, will be published in June.)In recent months, Salzberg has been touring the country, leading talks and seminars on the topic of working with enemies mindfully.

To learn more, we caught up with Salzberg after a talk she gave on the topic at New York Citys MNDFL meditation studio.

For the most part, organizers of various eventsIve been attending have been asking me to. I think people are clearly feeling very divided and quite anxious and its so pressing an issue. Ive spent my whole adult life championing the notion that love and compassion are sources of power rather than weaknesses. Then times like these happen and I look at myself and I wonder: Do I really believe that? Is that really true? Or are these just ancient aphorisms?!

There are a few reasons, but one big one is because mindfulness is not easy to accomplish. Mindfulness doesnt mean just knowing what youre feeling, or that youre simply just hearing a sound. It means knowing these things without the normal self-judgment that accompanies all our experience. Self-judgment like, Its not good enough, its not right, Ive been in therapy forever, why isnt this problem gone?! And so to actually be mindful means to have a kind of interested, balanced awareness of whats happening instead of being lost in that habitual pattern with our inner critic. For a lot of people doing a practice like lovingkindness can change our default response from one of self-judgment or fear or anger, to a sense of connection and greater spaciousness. (To get started with your own practice, check out ourintro to lovingkindness.)

RELATED: 13 Ways to Beat Stress in 15 Minutes or Less

An enemy is someone toward whom we have enmity. Theres fear, theres distrust, theres dislike. It can be another person, or even some aspect of ourselves.

An inner enemy involves different mind stateslike anger, fear, greed, jealouslynot just when they arise in us but when they take over, when we get really lost in them and when they guide our actions and our choices. Think back to a time when you were consumed by jealously. Its like youre insane, you could have done anything. And sometimes you did! We're not at all saying its wrong to feel whatever we feel, but when we are overwhelmed by these states, just by their very nature, they tend to give us tunnel vision, and when were walking around consumed by such a state, were going to miss a lot of information that we really need to make better choices and be happier.

We think of an outer enemy as someone whos hurt us, somebody whos hurt somebody we care about, or who were afraid is very likely to do that.

You may not notice a difference in yourself, but rather in your interactions with other people. I have a lot of students say to me, I was going to stop meditating because I thought it wasnt doing anything for me, then my kids came to me and said Please dont stop, youre a lot better, youre not so angry, youre not so reactive, you have more patience, you listen more! These are real-life relationships in which the manifestation happens. And of course, these are the instances where we really want it.

RELATED: 25 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be a Happier Person

Its certainly worth at least experimenting with, because to be in a state of constant outrage or continual upset makes us really stressed out. In these cases, were the ones who are going to get sick, not the other person!

Bear in mind that by following this practice, in no way does it mean giving up our sense of principle, or right and wrong. If youre feeling a particular political figure is causing damage and people are hurting, start by seeing if you can help one person. And if you want to work politically, it doesnt have to be partisan. Think about voter registration, or encouraging people to vote you dont have to tell them who to vote for!

And there are ways of sensing if your own ire is turning chronic and if its changing your dynamic with your family or loved ones. The more overcome and ill at ease and despairing we get, the less action we can take.

Yes, I think you can because there is a kind of fearlessness and it comes from the practice. Think about if you spend all your time, like some people doand I have myself, toothinking about someone elses faults. You just go through the list again and again and again, and you realize theyve taken up a lot of your mental real estate, which is very valuable stuff. And now that person has moved into your mind, and theyre not paying rent there and we dont need that.If we feel a political figure has beliefs that differ so greatly from what we believe, than theres work to be done there. But we dont need to get sick and lose heart and lose energy over it.

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Yes, theres this fear that were we to cultivate compassion, it would mean giving in, it would mean taking their side, or losing your own sense of what is important. But it doesnt really mean that. We can take very strong action, but we dont have to do it with hatred. Action with hatred is not onward-leading.

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This Simple Type of Meditation Can Help You Manage News-Induced Stress and Anger - Health.com