Cinnaholic, the vegan bakery acclaimed for serving innovative, gourmet cinnamon roll creations, recently announced its expansion to Frisco.

National expansion has always been on the horizon for us, said Shannon Radke, co-founder of Cinnaholic. The response weve received in our existing locations has been overwhelming people cant get enough. Were eager to continue to grow and serve the most creative, delicious cinnamon rolls to brand new communities across the country.

Founded in 2009 in Berkeley, California, Cinnaholic is the only gourmet bakery that allows customers to completely customize their cinnamon rolls with more than 20 frosting flavors and topping choices.

After gaining national attention following their appearance on ABCs hit show, Shark Tank, the brand later began franchising in 2014 and currently has 13 locations open across the country, with an additional 41 currently in development.

In 2016, Cinnaholic customers enjoyed more than 300,000 cinnamon rolls and goals are in place to surpass 600,000 rolls in 2017.

Each Cinnaholic roll is 100 percent vegan and free of dairy, eggs or cholesterol, allowing guests to enjoy the creations without concern over certain dietary or allergy restrictions.

Cinnaholic plans to enter key markets such as Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Utah, Texas, California, Maryland and Virginia this year and is currently accepting franchisee inquiries.

Entrepreneurially spirited individuals interested in investing in the Cinnaholic franchise will receive a full suite of support services ranging from initial and ongoing training to sales and marketing support.

Tailored to owners and operators that place value in strong ties to the community, the franchise model provides structure and scalability.

For more information on Cinnaholic, visit cinnaholic.com.

About Cinnaholic

Founded in 2009 in Berkeley, California, Cinnaholic is the only gourmet bakery that allows customers to completely customize cinnamon rolls with more than 20 frosting flavors and topping choices.

Each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100 percent vegan and free of dairy, eggs or cholesterol, allowing guests to enjoy their mouth-watering creations without worrying about certain dietary or allergy restrictions.

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Gourmet vegan bakery to open in Frisco - Star Local Media

Julio Diaz , jdiaz@pnj.com 9:34 p.m. CT April 1, 2017

People dance to the sounds of live music at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach during Bands on the Beach. The event is a free, weekly outdoor concert series sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.(Photo: PNJ file photo)Buy Photo

The Pensacola area offers abundant opportunities to hear live music, from nationally touring acts at a numberof venues and local bands playing at a multitudeof bars and restaurants to no less than half a dozen free public concert series.

But there's nothing else like Bands on the Beach.

"It's like a big family reunion every Tuesday night," said Cat Country 98.7 FM personality Brent Lane, who acts as one of the emcees for the free weekly concerts that take place each Tuesday from April through October at the Gulfside Pavilion on Casino Beach.

RELATED CONTENT:Bands on the Beach 2017 schedule announced

Presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, the series attracts thousands to Casino Beach every Tuesday evening. And while the schedule features a formidable array of local and regional talent, it never seems to matter which band is performing: The simple allure of live music on the Gulf as the sun sets draws people of all ages and demographics.

SRIA Director of Administration Robbie Schrock, who organizes Bands on the Beach, said the weeknight is a perfect time for a little evening getaway.

"I think first of all, it's on a Tuesday, so what else do you have going on?" she asked. "I really like that it's on a day that's not a weekend. It's a place you to go and just relax and let all your worries roll away. You're sitting alongside the Gulf of Mexico and you get to hear live music. What more could you ask for?"

Lane also cited the setting and the sounds when discussing the event's appeal.

"It's the music, the location and the atmosphere," he said. "With the sun setting over the pier and a Gulf breeze, it makes a great way to forget whatever happened at work. I think each band brings their fans, but on the whole, every week, people bring their lawn chairs and relax. The music is familiar and fun."

Audiences regularly number in the thousands, especially once the school year ends.

Brandi Bullard of Pensacola and her daughter, Ava, 3, are among the regulars who are excited that the series returns this week.

Cousins Chloe Beamer, left, and Madelyn Hughes dance at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach during a previous Bands on the Beach season. The 2017 season opens Tuesday.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

RELATED CONTENT:Blues on the Bay 2017 lineup announced

"She's already talking about going," Bullard said with a laugh. "We just both love to go and listen to the music, walking around and being amongthe people. I love being around crowds and I love seeing how excited she gets to be around other people and lots of children. Plus, it's Pensacola Beach, it's our favorite place. It's relaxing to enjoy and dance and eat dinner and see how everyone embraces each other to have a good time."

A lot of people bring snacks or picnic meals to the concerts, while others take advantage of Pensacola Beach's myriad of dining and refreshment options. Bullard said she and her daughter do a little of both.

"Most of the time, I'll bring snacks like crackers, apples and bananas;water, definitely," she said. "But we usually eat at the old Tiffany's (now known as The Stand). Every once in awhile, we will go to Sidelines or another restaurant."

Schrock said this year would offer some additional dining options, thanks to a new partnership with the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, inspired by that organization's popular fall culinary event, Taste of the Beach.

"We worked out a deal where Taste of the Beach restaurants have the opportunity to sign up to be vendors at Bands on the Beach," Schrock said. "For example, the first week is Flounders Chowder House, the second isDog House Deli, andthey'll sell specialty items for $5 or less."

Taking your own food and drink is always welcome, too, but Schrock did warn of a few minor restrictions.

"We ask that there's no glass on the beach," she said. "And there is an alcohol ordinance in effect on Pensacola Beach, but for Bands on the Beach, there is permission to stay in the cordoned-off area and enjoy your adult beverages. Be cautious of where you are and aren't able to do that, and just make sure you're partaking in the proper areas."

The 2017 series starts Tuesday with a Beatles tribute band that Lane said is an annual favorite.

Bands on the Beach draws thousands to the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach each week for live music under the setting sun. The 2017 series starts Tuesday.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

"Not Quite Fab always packs the house," he said. "(But) there are consistently thousands of people per week who come out and relax. People tend to look forward to each band for what they bring to the party."

And there are no strangers at Bands on the Beach, to hear Bullard tell it, even if people aren't necessarily exchanging names and numbers.

"Anyone will dance with Ava, and everyone does," she said."We've sat next to people and they will want to share their drinks and food with us and anyone around their group, and vice versa. Kids will share their toys and go play games together, and we parents enjoy it. A lot of our friends go out there, or I'll run into people I haven't seen in a long time. Even the cops have embraced Ava and other children when dancing, and they'll ask questions and they enjoy speaking to anyone out there. Everyone introduces themselves to everyone else and hasconversations."

Schrock agreed that the social element is a huge part of the fun of Bands on the Beach.

"The vibe is just there," she said. "It's a really cool atmosphere and environment, and it's really, really cool, because you'll see people start to setup in the same areas every week that become 'theirspots.' It's really cool to be a part of."

From May 26 to Sept. 4 the busiest time of the year on Pensacola Beach beach trolleys will run from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily, which alleviates parking concerns. If the Casino Beach lot fills up, you can park almost anywhere and catch a ride in and out. Before and after that, though, arriving as early as possible just makes sense. Besides, nobody's complaining about extra beach time, right?

Lane certainly isn't.While emceeing the concerts is part of his job, he said he considers himself a Bands on the Beach fan, first and foremost.

"I get to meet lots of people and listen to music performed by outstanding musicians on the world's most beautiful beach, and I love to take sunset photos," he said.

For more information, call 932-2257, or visit http://www.visitpensacolabeach.com.

Bands on the Beach attracts thousands to the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach each Tuesday for live music under the setting sun. The 2017 season opens Tuesday.(Photo: Photo courtesy Visit Pensacola/Special to the News Journal)

Cousins Chloe Beamer, left, and Madelyn Hughes dance at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach during a previous Bands on the Beach season. The 2017 season opens Tuesday.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

Members of Crosstown perform at Bands on the Beach during a previous season. The group returns to Bands on the Beach on May 2.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

Bands on the Beach draws thousands to the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach each week for live music under the setting sun. The 2017 series starts Tuesday.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

People dance to the sounds of live music at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach during Bands on the Beach. The event is a free, weekly outdoor concert series sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

Pensacola Beachs popular outdoor summer concert series, Bands on the Beach, features regional artists performing a wide variety of music. Take your lawn chair for hot music, smooth grooves and a whole lot of good times.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

Pensacola Beachs popular outdoor summer concert series, Bands on the Beach, features regional artists performing a wide variety of music. Take your lawn chair for hot music, smooth grooves and a whole lot of good times.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

People dance to the sounds of live music at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach during a past Bands on the Beach.(Photo: PNJ file photo)

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Bands on the Beach's relaxed vibe keeps 'em coming back - Pensacola News Journal

Browns Mountain is one of those places that you cant really describe with words. Overlooking the gorgeous views of Port Renfrew, nestled high in the clouds is Vancouver Islands premiere boutique festival, Tall Tree. The (not so) little festival, taking place June 23 26th, 2017 and now on its 8th installment, grewfrom an intimate gathering to the sprawling event we know now. Tall Tree spans4 stages, 70+ artists ranging from world beats, ska, hip hop, EDM, and of course, the alternative rock sound that the festivalwas founded on. This year is set to be one of the biggest years yet, bringing in talent from all over the world to come grace our beautiful island with next level sounds. All of this, in one of the most beautiful places weve ever seen? Count us in!

At the end of 2016, festival organizers asked the Tall Tree Festival community what they would like to see from the event as far as booking talent was concerned. Overwhelmingly, people informed Tall Tree that they enjoyed the strong Canadian lineup, but however, wanted to see some higher tier acts they may not be regularly exposed to.

So we listened, comments Mike Hann, Festival Director. This year we are happy to say that we have talent originating from 7 different countries. The artists that are coming to Tall Tree in 2017 are billed on festivals worldwide, not just in Canada. We couldnt be more excited for them to come and experience everything that is amazing about Vancouver Island and Tall Tree!

Now, the views are spectacular, the history is amazing, and the festival is rad. But, we seem to be forgetting the most important part, the music! This year the team brought forward some of the best and brightest from around the worldto showcase on their 4 unique stages.

Some notable international acts include:

Shapeshifter (New Zealand): With a significant amount oftowering achievements record-breaking New Zealand tours, scene-setting appearances at festivals like Glastonburyand Parklife, sold-out performances across Europe, worlds-colliding collaborations with Symphony Orchestras, multiple music awards, four EPs and five LPs (three with platinum sales), and an army of fans who return to relive the experience time and time again it is no wonder Shapeshifter is on this lineup.

GoldFish (South Africa): Their genre-defying mix of live instruments, house beats, and searing live performances madeGoldfish go from impromptu jams at a tiny beach club in Cape Town to headlining Amsterdams Olympic Stadium. GoldFishs list of accomplishments include, cracking a top 10 spot on the US iTunes Dance chart, a residency at Pacha Ibiza with David Guetta, and DJs like Fedde le Grand knocking at their door to remix their tracks. Its almost hard to believe that not very long ago they were just Dom and Dave, two music students living a relatively relaxing lifesurfing and playing music in their hometown Cape Town.

Beats Antique (USA): Celebrating its tenth anniversary with its tenth studio release, the Bay Areas wildly innovative performance dynamo Beats Antique emerges from the studio with a stage show to mark the milestone. With legendary sets at some of the most iconic venues and festivals around the world, and collaborations with superstars from Les Claypool to Bassnectar, the next chapter in the trios story takes them back to a mysterious world.

Easy Star All-Stars (USA): The Easy Star All-Stars have established themselves as one of the top international reggae acts since their live debut in 2003. Thanks to their best-selling tribute album releasesDub Side of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006), Easy Stars Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009), Dubber Side of the Moon (2010), and Easy Stars Thrillah (2012), as well as original albums First Light (2011) and Until That Day (2008)the Easy Star All-Stars have built a growing, dedicated fan base throughout the world, bringing together fans of reggae, classic rock, dub, and indie rock into one big family. Since 2009, the All-Stars have played over 350 shows in over 30 different countries on 6 different continents, truly establishing themselves as one of the top reggae touring acts in the world.

DJ Nu-Mark (USA): This long-standing DJ & producer is a founding member of Jurassic 5, as well as the owner of Hot Plate Records. He has collaborated with and produced for a variety of artists across different genres, including J-Live, Aloe Blacc,Charles Bradley,and Bumpy Knuckles, among others. Hes also a voracious touring artist, blending hip hop, funk, and about a hundred other genres into his eclectic live sets. An absolute legend, were so fortunate to get his beats on our funky mountain!

Worthy (USA): As the label head of Anabatic Records and one of the four original members of the Dirtybird Crew, Worthy will be bringing his signature brand of chunky, driving tech house up to Browns Mountain for the first time; we could not be more excited! If youve caught a Dirtybird show, you know the type of high energy fun they bring to the stage, and we assume this will be no different.

The rest of the lineup is chock full of absolute stunners. Some acts include festival favouritesSkiitour,Mat the Alien, Pigeon Hole,andMoontricks, along with Vancouver Island supergroupIllvis Freshly,Sleeveless Records founderStylust Beats,and of course Tall Tree staple,Jesse Roper. Not to mention the massive presence of local DJs and bands, this is set to be the biggest year weve had on Browns Mountain yet.

Check out the full lineup video below!

There you have it: an incredible lineup in an indescribable location. Plus,lets be honest here, all of your friends are probably going, so why shouldnt you? Dont let FOMO take you over, grab your tickets here.This has been a sell out for the last two years running, and we foresee this being year number three, so act fast to avoid disappointment!

Who are we going to see on Browns Mountain this year? Let us know in that comment section!

26 years old, with a voracious appetite for bass, dancing, all things art, and a flair for the dramatic, Jamie Gib grew up in the rave scene, having been introduced to electronic music in the late 90s as a small child from his cousin and he joined the rave scene in 2004, and never looked back, A DJ, Promoter, Go-Go Dancer, and writer, Jamie has made his mark on the Vancouver Island scene and beyond, having worked or attended 90% of the festivals on the Pacific North West and has no plans on stopping there. If there's dirty house, drum n bass or glitch to be heard, you can bet he's not far behind.

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Tall Tree Music Festival 2017: Who's Who and What's Up! - Dance Music Northwest

As former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue begins his confirmation process to become the next secretary of agriculture, new Nielsen findings released by the Organic Trade Association recently show things have changed in the kitchens of American households across the country, from small towns to the big cities. Organic can now be found on the shelves of kitchen cupboards and in the refrigerators of 82.3 percent of American households, including in the majority of households in rural states like Perdues home state of Georgia.

In the first comprehensive look at organic purchases by households on a state-by-state level, the nationally representative Nielsen study of 100,000 households conducted in 2015 and 2016 reported that more households than ever bought organic food on a regular basis throughout 2016. The national average climbed 3.4 percent from 2015 to 82.3 percent, while in Georgia, the number of households buying organic rose by a solid 4 percent to 81.5 percent. The state showing the biggest jump in households purchasing organic was North Dakota, where 85.6 percent of households participating in the Nielsen study reported buying organic in 2016, up a robust 14.2 percent from 2015.

These new findings show how important organic has become to millions and millions of American families everywhereto more than 80 percent of our nations 117 million households*, more than 80 percent of Georgias 3.5 million* households, more than 85 percent of North Dakotas almost 300,000 households*, said Laura Batcha, CEO and executive director of OTA. The organic community is looking forward to working with the new leadership at USDA. We are eager to show how important adequate funding is to support a strong organic program and to help organic to continue to become a part of healthy diets of households throughout our nationincluding Mr. Perdues home state and rural states from coast to coast.

The Nielsen findings show a number of states in which 90 percent or more of households now buy organic on a regular basis, with even the lowest levels all hovering around 70 percent. The five states seeing the biggest increases in households reporting organic purchases were:

North Dakota, where 85.6 percent of households participating bought organic in 2016, up 14.2 percent from 2015;

Rhode Island, with 88.3 percent buying organic, up 12.3 percent from 2015;

Wyoming, where 90.0 percent of participating households bought organic in 2016, up 10.8 percent;

South Dakota, which had the lowest percentage of any state at 68.9 percent, but still recorded a 10.0 percent increase; and

Wisconsin, where 77.6 percent of participating households bought organic, up 9.1 percent from 2015.

Organic provides a healthy choice for consumers everywhere, and a profitable choice for farmers, said Batcha. The industry relies on a few critical public institutions to support this burgeoning industry, including the National Organic Program for global oversight and uniform standards and research investment targeted to organic production. Organic is fueled by consumers, and it thrives when USDA recognizes the importance of organic to rural economies and to rural households.

In Georgia, a partnership between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the non-profit group Georgia Organics has shown how investment into helping farmers wanting to go organic can make a difference.

Georgia is becoming a bigger player in meeting the growing consumer demand for organics, thanks to innovative farmers, entrepreneurs, and excellent partners, said Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black has partnered with Georgia Organics on our 200 Organic Farms campaign to double the number of organic farms by 2020. His relationship with Sonny Perdue no doubt will be influential on a number of fronts, including organic agriculture.

Organic food sales in the United States now total around $40 billion annually, and account for around five percent of total food sales in this country. According to the Organic Trade Associations 2016 U.S. Organic Industry Survey, total organic food sales in 2015 were $39.7 billion, up 11 percent from the previous year. This spring OTA will be releasing its 2017 industry survey, which will look at the U.S. organic market in 2016.

The Nielsen data comes from 100,000 participating households in the 48 contiguous states that are geographically and demographically diverse to represent the national population. Participating households record with a home scanner all food purchases for in-home consumption from any retail outlet, including organic items. Participants scan the Universal Product Codes (the bar codes that cashiers scan at the supermarket) to track their purchases. Nielsen has been tracking food purchases with its home scanner household panel since 2002.

*According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics

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New state data shows organic now in the kitchens of over 80 percent of US households - High Plains Journal

The skinny budget proposed by the White House a few weeks ago will undergo significant changes as it wends its way through the maze of congressional committees, but its clear that the president and his economic advisers really do want to take a scalpel to programs that are marked by waste, fraud and abuse. OMB Director Mick Mulvaney said during a March 16 press briefing that the government shouldnt spend money on programs simply because they sound good.

Several programs at the Department of Agriculture would be eliminated in the presidents budget, and we suggest another one that involves the government in providing benefits to special interests: the National Organic Program, which is subsidized to the tune of $160 million a year and has more in common with Whole Foods marketing department than sound government. For example, it is charged with protecting the integrity of the USDA organic seal, from farm to market, around the world.

Related: More consumers shopping organic

The thing is, the integrity of the organic seal has nothing to do with benefit to consumers, farmers or the environment. So what does it mean? Well, when it was established in 1990, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman emphasized the fundamental meaninglessness of the organic designation: Let me be clear about one thing, the organic label is a marketing tool. It is not a statement about food safety. Nor is organic a value judgment about nutrition or quality.

Its worth repeating: The organic label is no more than a marketing tool. And its a cynical one, because so many unsuspecting consumers are ripped off by the high prices of organic products, without palpable benefit. Thats why it should be high on the administrations hit-list.

Organic agriculture has morphed into a massive special-interest bonanza. Annual sales of organic food in the United States now exceed $40 billion. Federal spending on organic agriculture has mushroomed from $20 million in the 2002 Farm Act to more than $160 million in the 2014 Farm Act. And according to the USDA, during the Obama administration, USDA signed five major organic trade arrangements and has helped organic stakeholders access programs that support conservation, provide access to loans and grants, fund organic research and education and mitigate pest emergencies.

It is noteworthy that other, analogous special interests such as the producers of kosher and halal foods dont receive similar government benefits. (Read: welfare.)

The definition of organic continues to be a movable feast while the government and organic industry constantly tweak its meaning; it is completely arbitrary, after all, with no scientific basis. In January, the industrys primary lobbying group, the Organic Trade Association (OTA), announced a new partnership with the USDA to create yet another organic program the certified transitional program to aid farmers switching from conventional crops to organic. (They must wait 36 months before they can earn organic certification, in order that their farm is fully decontaminated from prohibited chemicals and practices.) This will help ease the transition process to organic, allow farmers to sell their products as certified transitional at a premium price and help encourage more organic production, according to the OTA.

Organic boosterism at the federal level is not without consequence. Consumers have been snookered into believing organic food is healthier, safer or better for the environment than nonorganic options although it is not. Because prices for organic food are much higher, those misconceptions eat away at the buying power of the average consumer. And while organic marketers like to promote the idea that organic implies locally grown, the United States is actually a net importer of organic goods, including organic grains from countries like China, India, Turkey and Romania, with no way to be sure those countries adhere to organic standards that even remotely resemble those in the United States.

Organic marketers have conned consumers into believing that organic growers dont use pesticides (they do, and many of them are highly toxic), that organic foods are more healthful (theyre not), and that organic practices are good for the environment. (Lower crop yields are inevitable given organic farmings systematic rejection of many advanced methods and technologies. The lower yields increase the pressure for the conversion of more land to farming and more water for irrigation, both of which are serious environmental issues.)

Their fearmongering and trashing the competition influence shoppers behavior, especially those with lower incomes, in an unconstructive way: A recent study published in Nutrition Today indicated that limited access and availability of organic produce in low-income communities could discourage purchase of any [fruits and vegetables] when organic is not available.

The Trump administration and the GOP-controlled Congress seem committed to making the federal governments actions and programs more cost-effective and less politically correct. Getting taxpayers out of the culinary snake-oil business would be an important step in that direction.

Organic agriculture has morphed into a massive special-interest bonanza. Kosher and halal foods dont receive similar government benefits.

Kelly is a food writer and National Review Online contributor. Follow her on Twitter at @julie_kelly2. Miller, a physician and molecular biologist, is the Robert Wesson Fellow in Scientific Philosophy and Public Policy at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution. He was the founding director of the FDAs Office of Biotechnology. Follow him on Twitter at @henryimiller.

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Organic labeling program should be plowed under - The San Diego ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Photo: Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media

The alter, a point for focusing ones inner energy is set for the Greenwich Water Club as it prepares for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The alter, a point for focusing ones inner energy is set for the Greenwich Water Club as it prepares for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The alter, a point for focusing ones inner energy is set for the Greenwich Water Club as it prepares for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The alter, a point for focusing ones inner energy is set for the Greenwich Water Club as it prepares for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Greenwich Water Club is preparing for the opening of a new yoga and meditation program at the club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

70,000 thoughts: new meditation center wants to clear your mind

If theres one thing Carla Zilka wants to stress about the burgeoning practice thats ballooning into a billion-dollar industry, its this: Most people understand meditation all wrong.

Please write this down, the Greenwich Water Club yoga programs director said during a tour of the clubs new meditation center and with a clear note of exasperation.

Meditation is not about removing all thoughts from your mind everyone will tell you that. Thats not going to happen. We have 70,000 thoughts a day, Zilka said. Seventy thousand, she repeated louder. Meditation is about allowing the thoughts to be there but not allowing them any time.

The real purpose of meditation, according to Zilka, is to distract you from all those thoughts so you can be present. There are different types of meditation to fit all personality types, Zilka said, but each is geared at focusing people on a small action or repeated word that commands all their attention.

Let me ask you, the former Wall Street trader and General Electric executive said in a tone implying she already knew the answer. When was the last time you were just totally quiet and present?

Similar prompts have led millions, including Silicon Valley stars and corporate chiefs such as Greenwich resident Ray Dalio, whos attributed his success to transcendental meditation, to set out on their own mindfulness practices. For Zilka, the rising tide of apps and studios dedicated to both is encouraging as she credits meditation with keeping her sane during trying times.

Finding community in meditation

In 1987, fresh out of college, the Saratoga, N.Y., native headed straight to one of Manhattans top trading floors at Shearson Lehman Bros., where she recalls being the only woman. Working in a stressful, competitive environment in a city where she knew no one was tough, Zilka said. I went to New York and I just felt daggers. It was like I needed to put up a shield to protect myself.

Finding a safe, supportive community was crucial for her, and she discovered it at Jivamukti Yoga, a studio founded in New York City thats expanded around the world and culled notable clients like Gwyneth Paltrow, Heidi Klum, Madonna, Steve Martin and Sting. Within a month of first attending, I was going every day, Zilka said. Now, she requires all her yoga teachers to attend and train at the same studio.

From the high-stakes New York trading floor, Zilka marched her way through a number of high-powered corporate jobs, including rising to vice president of growth for consumer finance at GE and running her own global consulting firm. Just a brief outline of her resume indicates why shed want to learn how to press pause on her thoughts.

Since joining the Water Club two years ago after selling her own yoga studio, Zilkas empathy for members crammed schedules and overworked minds has helped prioritize changes to its offerings that increased yoga classes participation and membership, according to Mike Wieneke, club director of programs and member services, as people can sign up solely for the clubs yoga program headed by Zilka.

What were all here for

The newest addition is the clubs conversion of a storage room into a serene meditation space thats intended to be a sanctuary that provides everything Zilka once wanted as a new New Yorker: safety, serenity and peace.

This is a safe harbor, Zilka said, pointing out defining details such as infrared radiant heating panels that warm the room, but dry like India not humid like Florida, an altar with dancing Shiva, the calming sound of trickling water and meditation cushions with heavy Mexican blankets.

The clubs new meditation room and expanded classes are planned to debut Sunday, during its annual Yoga Open House. By fall, Zilka also hopes to have published her newest book on meditation called The Happiness Process, and launched a meditation instructors curriculum she co-designed.

Her pivot from successful corporate businesswoman to immersion in meditation training is evident through her answer as to why the ancient practice has re-emerged and gained so much traction. Were going through a revolution where people are saying, How do I feel better when theres a conflict of what Im doing and what I should be doing? she said.

My son told me, I dont want to go to college, work and then die. As a collective, were moving toward consciousness. And right now, this moment is the only thing thats real. The past is an illusion. The future is an illusion. Being conscious in the present is the only place where we can find happiness, and isnt that what were all here for?

MBennett@greenwichtime.com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_

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70000 thoughts: new meditation center wants to clear your mind - Greenwich Time

Well toward the end of Christopher Theofanidiss enormous 2015 oratorio, Creation/Creator, the chorus sings text that was probably written by the academic art critic Michael Fried: The essence of something is in its conviction. There are no footnotes, but this sounds like something that Fried might have said. The musical setting is emphatic full of conviction with the words clearly articulated by the rhythms, and the harmony tinged with piquant dissonance. Fried is not so famous (at least in musical circles) as the other writers quoted in the libretto, including Franz Schubert, John Keats, Michelangelo and Franz Kafka. But his brief appearance offers an epigram suitable to the larger work, scored for a huge orchestra and even bigger chorus, with actors, vocal soloists and accompanying videos and lasting about an hour and a half.

Performed Friday evening by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Creation/Creator is brimming with a generalized sense of conviction, the idea that ideas matter, and the conviction that there are important questions to be asked, if not answered. The title hints at an homage to Haydns late 18th-century oratorio The Creation, and to some degree it shares with that work an appealing refusal to be absolutely serious. But its real relatives are such distinctly American scores as Philip Glasss Symphony No. 5 (which uses a similar mlange of religious and poetic texts), Hindemiths When Lilacs Last in Dooryard Bloomd and perhaps Leonard Bernsteins musically and spiritually eclectic Mass. Theofanidiss oratorio is an exemplar of one strain of American spirituality that takes its cues from the larger political project of inclusion and assimilation, with even God himself invited to the party, but strictly admonished not to be too bossy.

[The Shift Festival starts with musical postcards from Boulder, Colorado]

The performance was brilliantly executed by a stunningly good choir; there seems to be no slippage since the days (more than 30 years ago) when the late conductor Robert Shaw built the Atlanta orchestras chorus into a vital center of the contemporary vocal tradition. Under the direction of conductor Robert Spano, the orchestra finessed a complicated work, full of textural and strategic challenges: the audibility of soloists, the interplay of spoken word and musical accompaniment. Theofanidis has built a close relationship with Atlanta, and the fruits of that collaboration should be more widely appreciated. So this is a perfect example of what the Shift Festival, a joint project by the Kennedy Center and Washington Performing Arts, which presented the concert, can do: bring to the nations capital substantial works, and major orchestras, that need to be heard more widely.

The strength of the piece is its choral writing. Theofanidis can set unwieldy text with real grace and melodic flair. This gem of text from the Rig Veda There was neither nonexistence nor existence then rises through unrelated but pleasingly consonant parallel harmonies, familiar from minimalism, but with an earworm catchiness. In a movement based on words by St. Augustine, including A long time is only long because it is made of many successive moments, the text is divided up among choral sections, sometimes word by word, mimicking the philosophical idea of division and continuity, with hypnotic musical results.

[The National Symphony Orchestra brings public diplomacy to Russia]

Other strengths of the piece include: an ebullient ritornello led by the strings, following a Truman Capote quote; a swelling meditation full of closely intertwined instrumental lines that elaborates on words from an Aboriginal invocation; and a passage from Verlaine, offering a lovely setting for the luxuriously toned mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke.

One might remove some of the purely spoken passages, including a monotonous shouted recitation of a Chinese creation myth, which interrupt the music, and plead for something in a more contemplative vein, that is, music that gets at the silence and nothingness from which thoughts about creativity often emerge. What would Mahler do? Hed do something like that. And the staging, including the presentation of the score to the audience at the end, is sometimes tacky. But these are minor quibbles with a major work.

[New works from North Carolina part of the Shift Festival]

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A giant meditation on creation fills the Kennedy Center Concert Hall - Washington Post

Mindfulness is a type of meditation practice that involves awareness of the present moment without judgment. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, defines mindfulness as being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment.

Q: How can I cultivate mindfulness into daily life?

A: Mindfulness is a lot like weightlifting. Typically, you practice mindfulness in short, timed sessions, such as three to five minutes per session, once a day. You choose a focus point, such as breathing, walking, eating, listening or looking, and you bring yourself back to the focus point when you notice your mind wandering. As you continue practicing mindfulness, sessions become longer. You will also notice that you are more mindful in general life. This is similar to weightlifting in that, as you increase the number of repetitions or amount of weight, you will notice that everyday tasks such as carrying groceries become easier.

Q: How does mindfulness reduce stress in my life?

A: Being present in the moment allows you to function in the moment. Much of the stress in our lives comes from ruminating over things that happened in the past or worrying about what has not happened yet in the future. When we connect with the present, we choose meaningful behaviors for the present. This connectedness reduces stress.

For example, if you are worrying about what to make for supper tonight, you are not present to enjoy your breakfast. If you eat your breakfast too quickly, you might become hungry earlier than normal, which could lead you to snack on junk food during the day. If you snack on junk food, you might start judging yourself (Why do I always eat junk?), which could make you feel guilty. Feeling guilty takes a lot of mental energy, which could lead you to other bad decisions (e.g., Well, I already messed up my diet today; I might as well order pizza, instead).

In this example, simply being mindful during breakfast could help you avoid the other pitfalls. There are many other situations in which mindful behaviors help reduce stress, and there is significant research support for mindfulness practice for stress reduction.

Q: Can cultivating mindfulness in my life help with anxiety?

A: Anxiety often takes the form of future-based worry, which is sometimes called catastrophizing. Generally, our fear or worry of what might happen in the future is much worse than the actual feared situation, such as thinking about getting a flu shot versus actually getting the flu shot. When we are fearful of something, we typically try to avoid that situation, which can lead to additional problems such as avoiding the flu shot and subsequently getting the flu.

Mindfulness helps us to focus on the present moment, which generally is not nearly as painful as anxiety makes it out to be. This way, our brain can learn to lessen the focus on anxious thoughts and focus on the actual moments of peace and comfort that we have during the day.

Dr. Marie Schaaf Gallagher is a psychologist at Sanford Seventh and Rosser Clinic in Bismarck. She completed her undergraduate and masters degrees from North Dakota State University in Fargo and received her doctorate degree from University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D.

See the article here:

Meditation technique can reduce stress | Health | bismarcktribune.com - Bismarck Tribune

Breathing techniques & Meditation are effective tools to bring out our best in us and enhance the overall quality of life.

"Learning about our breath is very important. Our breath has a great lesson to teach us, which we have forgotten, for every rhythm in the mind, there is a corresponding rhythm in the breath, for every rhythm in thebreaththere is a corresponding emotion. So, when you cannot handle your mind directly, through breath you can handle the mind. " - H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Join us for the workshop to learn about these techniques.

Admission:FREE (Please RSVP due to limited seating)

Location:Meeting Room 1, CRC, 171 W Edmundson Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

When:3:00pm - 4:00pm

Please note this session is open for people with any or no experience of meditation or breathing exercises.

Session Contents

1. Light body stretching.

2. Relaxing breathing techniques.

3. Guided Meditation.

4. Take Home practices for daily use.

Benefits Reported

1. Reduced Stress & Increased Productivity.

2. Increased Joy & Happiness.

3. Enhanced Focus & Concentration.

4. Improved Relationships.

Meditation Sunday in Morgan Hill is a free event.

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Meditation Sunday in Morgan Hill - Gilroy Dispatch

The dialogue surrounding free agent Colin Kaepernicks employment status is filled with plenty of vitriol , as people debate whether or not he should have a job on football merits and whether or not theres a vast conspiracy to blackball him from the NFL.

The reality is theres probably just some middle ground that features a number of teams uninterested in his skill set and several teams who could use him from a football standpoint but do not agree with his political stance and decision to kneel for the national anthem during football games last year.

Lets introduce a little bit of gasoline to the already-raging fire then, by passing along a report from CSN Bay Areas Matt Maiocco, who reports that there are some teams concerned by Kaepernicks vegan diet.

Apparently teams are concerned that Kap going full vegan is a sign that hes not committed to football.

The idea that a team wouldnt sign Kaepernick because he doesnt eat meat is pretty wild. But, look, there are always outrageous reasons for why NFL teams to do things. This wouldnt be the first one.

However, the whole vegan diet thing ... well, its working out OK for this guy named Tom Brady. So its probably not an issue if Kaepernick isnt running around with spare ribs hanging out of his mouth.

The more likely issue is that Kaepernick reportedly wants $9-$10 million and also wants to be a starter . That coupled with the political stance he took last season probably isnt helping him gain employment.

But the idea that Kaepernick not getting a job because of his diet isnt helping the people who dont want to give him a job look any better when it comes to the optics of the situation.

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NFL teams reportedly consider Colin Kaepernick's vegan diet a red flag - CBSSports.com