I recently made a plant-based fava bean and mushroom chili, and of course, with chili you have to have cornbread. Making a delicious vegan chili is just a matter of adding some minced mushrooms and char roasted aromatics, but making a flavorful cornbread with a nice crumb without dairy, lard or eggs is a tougher nut to crack.

Despite having a name that makes it sound plant-based, cornbread is actually more like a cake than a bread and relies heavily on butter (or lard), eggs and buttermilk. The butter is what gives cornbread its moist crumb and rich flavor, while the tart buttermilk reacting with the baking soda helps the bread to rise. The eggs also play a hand in moisture retention, they also add structure to the dough.

To make my cornbread vegan, I started with my regular cornbread recipe and started with the easiest substitution first: the butter. Coconut oil with a little nutritional yeast makes for a great butter substitute that will give your cornbread a rich buttery taste, and will even impart a pale yellow color.

Instead of buttermilk, I used a combination of soy milk and lemon juice. Any plant-based milk will do, but the addition of lemon juice is the key to making the bread rise properly.

Finally theres the eggs. Most vegans are probably familiar with flax eggs, but I prefer using chia seeds because they have a more neutral flavor. Chia seeds also contain more fiber and calcium which make them a great way to supplement the nutritional value of this bread.

Cooking the cornbread in a cast-iron skillet renders the outside crisp and buttery, while the interior is moist and crumbly. Its like the difference between a crusty french baguette and a loaf of white sandwich bread. This is one of those breads that becomes more flavorful as you chew, so while its amazing with a bowl of chili, its also delicious on its own.

Vegan cornbread is one of those that becomes more flavorful as you chew, so while it's amazing with a bowl of chili, it's also delicious on its own. (Recipe Credit: Marc Matsumoto of Fresh Tastes.)

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It's Here! The Vegan Cornbread You've Been Waiting For - PBS

Metro

It is now illegal not to offer vegan food at prisons, hospitals and schools in Portugal Metro All public canteens in Portugal will now be legally required to provide a vegan option. The recently-approved new law stipulates that canteens at all schools, universities, hospitals, prisons and other public buildings must start providing food that is ...

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It is now illegal not to offer vegan food at prisons, hospitals and schools in Portugal - Metro

It takes a village to build a citys meatless community. Before the locally renowned Blackbird Pizzeria opened in 2010, there was just a handful of places for adequate meatless meals in Philadelphia, not all of which were strictly vegan: Govindas Vegetarian, Horizons (the precursor to Washington Square Wests Vedge), Kingdom of Vegetarians, Gianna's Grille, the Nile Cafe, Singapore, Harmony, and others in Chinatown.

Just over half a decade later, there are now over 20 different vegan and vegetarian restaurants. In 2012, Nicole Marquis founded local plant-based fast-food chain, HipCityVeg. Horizons chef-owners Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby opened Vedge in fall 2011, then V-Street in 2014, and Wiz Kid in 2016.

Whether its pho, corn dogs or cheesesteaks, its now possible to find the vegan version of it somewhere in the city. This comes as no coincidence. Today, in addition to classic pies, Blackbird offers a wide variety of wings, sandwiches (including a cheesesteak) that have been voted the best in town, salads, baked goods, and even calzones (all vegan).

Community was a huge factor in Blackbird getting started. For instance, about a dozen years ago, Blackbird co-owner and chef Mark Mebus met Mike Barone through a group of vegan, straightedge friends (Barone would later start vegan coffeehouse Grindcore House). It was Barone that pointed out a listing for vacant space, which Blackbird would later turn into their Chestnut Hill storefront. Mebus also notes that Blackbird could never have happened if Barone had not pursued his a business of his own.

It was Mike looking into opening Grindcore House that brought us to finding Blackbirds location, Mebus added. So without him doing Grindcore, Blackbird may not have ever happened.

Barones business started on a similar note. After moving to Pennsport, he noticed there wasnt a close coffee shop. During one afternoons falafel run, he and a friend checked out a vacant corner store. In that moment, Grindcore House then transformed from a wouldn't-it-be-cool-if idea to more of a holy-shit-we're-doing-this-thing one.

Plus, Barone wanted to combine his interests of veganism, music, and anti-authoritarianism into his own establishment. In the backroom, theres a radical library filled with titles about animal liberation, environmentalism, anarchism, and other leftist topics that customers are free to check out. And just like the name suggests, you can expect to hear the restaurants authentic grindcore soundtrack playing in the background all day long.

I know I may sound biased because he is first and foremost a friend, but it would be difficult to find someone who has mastered their craft more than Mark, Barone explains. In addition to raising the bar for restaurants, vegan or otherwise, countless people have benefited from his willingness to share those skills and know-how.

Blackbirds concept not only comes from the lack of options in town, but also from Mark Mebuss passion for pizza. It helped that he has a background working in the vegan food industry at Blossom in New York City, as well as Horizons.

Using his expertise in graphic design, business partner Ryan Moylan chipped in by creating the eaterys website. However, Mebus said he runs most of the businesss operations these days.

Beyond just being a vegan pizzeria, Blackbird has trained employees into tailored vegan cooks, taking their skills with all things meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free with them wherever they go. For instance, former managers Matt Quinn and Jeff Poleon founded Dotties Donuts in 2016, an all-vegan donut shop located in West Philadelphia off Baltimore Avenue.

However, like every veg scene, there is room for improvement.

I would like to see the vegan food scene in Philly to continue to be more diverse as well, Mebus added. I think there is a need for more mid level restaurants that are somewhat casual but still full service.

Even if there could be more meatless full-service alternatives, whats clear is that now, more than ever, theres no shortage of excellent vegan-friendly eateries in Philly even if youre an omnivore.

The rest is here:

Building Up Philly's Vegan Scene A History of Blackbird Pizzeria and Grindcore House - Eater Philly

Vegan food isnt as fussy as it may seem. In fact, you can make vegan versions of just about all of your favorite foods, from vegan cheesetosoul food, at home. But sometimes you get extra busy and nothing but acasserole will do. Luckily, the comfort food versions are just as convenient and tasty as the dishes you grew up loving. In fact, these 21 vegan casserole recipes prove it.

1. Teriyaki Tofu Tempeh Casserole: Sometimes cooking satisfying vegan food is as simple as recreating a favorite dish. This casserole gives takeout a makeover, swapping meat for tofu and tempeh. (via Simple Veganista)

2. Zucchini Corn Tamal Casserole: Skip making fussy individual tamales and try this easy vegan dish instead. Just mix your tamal batter and steam in a cake pan. (via Thyme and Love)

3. Hungarian Potato Casserole: Some potato dishes can feel heavy, but not this one. Its made with a creamy cashew sauce and kidney bean sausage crumbles, and garnished with pickles for an added kick of tangy flavor. (via Green Evi)

4. Vegan Breakfast Casserole: Eating vegan doesnt have to mean giving up convenience. This vegan breakfast casserole is perfect for serving a lot of guests, so your family gatherings and brunch parties dont have to be a chore. (via Vegan Heaven)

5. Kale, Cauliflower, and Sweet Potato Gratin: This casserole is a healthy vegan comfort food that works well as an entree or a side. It features a coconut milk sauce that coats sweet potato, cauliflower, and kale, making each bite taste creamy and rich. (via Foraged Dish)

6. Pumpkin Vegetable Bake: Pumpkin makes this hearty vegan casserole surprisingly creamy. Combined with a variety of veggies, like broccoli, zucchini, and carrots, it doubles as ameal thats comforting and healthy. (via V Nutrition and Wellness)

7. Cauliflower Alfredo Scalloped Sweet Potatoes: Cauliflower is a vegan secret ingredient that makes non-dairy comfort foods possible. Here, it makes a creamy Alfredo sauce thats baked along with sweet potatoes for a lighter but still delicious take on a classic. (via Food Faith Fitness)

8. Crispy Pumpkin Cheese Pasta Bake: Vegan cheese substitutes can weird some people out, but this creamy cheese sauce is made from roasted pumpkin, nutritional yeast, and non-dairy milk. Mix it with pasta, top with crispy breadcrumbs, and youve got a dish that rivals macaroni and cheese. (via Avomaniac)

9. Sweet Potato Green Curry Quinoa Casserole:This sweet potato and quinoa casserole gets a flavor boost thanks to green curry paste. (via Fit Foodie Finds)

10. Vegan Eggplant Moussaka:This vegan moussaka, made with lentils and a vegan bchamel, totally hits the spot. (via Connoisseurus Veg)

11. Creamy Vegan Wild Rice Casserole: Creamy wild rice casserole is always delicious. In this recipe, it gets an extra dose of flavor thanks to lots of sauted mushrooms and a topping of crispy breadcrumbs and herbs. (via Oh My Veggies)

12. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole: Served alongside a Tofurky roast or with a dollop of cashew milk ice cream, you cant beat this sweet potato casserole. Its sweet and has a celebratory flair, but is totally vegan. (via Wake Up to Waffles)

13. Tomato Pasta Bake: Make dinner for a crowd with this pasta bake. Its a riff on the classic pasta and red sauce that can be made ahead of time for easy weeknight meals. (via A Virtual Vegan)

14. Vegan Taco Cornbread Casserole: Some days, youre just too lazy to make individual tacos from scratch. Thats when this vegan taco cornbread casserole, loaded with veggies, comes in handy. (via The Colorful Kitchen)

15. Mashed Cauliflower Green Bean Casserole:A creamy cauliflower sauce makes this easy green bean casserole a recipe youll turn to time and again. (via Contentedness Cooking)

16. Maple Bourbon Sweet Potato Ribbon Casserole: Finally, a new way to use sweet potato noodles. This casserole bakes them up with flavors of maple syrup, bourbon, and coffee, putting a new spin on a favorite. (via The Endless Meal)

17. Smoky Portobello Mushroom Vegan Cassoulet: Vegan French food may sound like an impossibility, but this recipe proves otherwise. It gives the classic cassoulet a makeover, adding mushrooms for a savory bite along with creamy, garlicky white beans. (via Connoisseurus Veg)

18. Easy Vegan Corn Casserole: Corn casserole goes with almost anything. Try the version alongside faux-roasts, roast potatoes, or as a vegan-friendly side dish that omnivores will also enjoy. (via Namely Marly)

19. Ratatouille Quinoa Casserole: Quinoa adds protein and fiber to this colorful casserole. Its a flavorful way to get all the veggies and nutrients you need for dinner and as lunch the next day. (via My Organic Diary)

20. Cheesy Rice and Broccoli Casserole: Vegan cheese sauce is not without faults cashew-only recipes can be pretty heavy. This recipe makes for a casserole thats slightly lighter, thanks to a sauce thats made with potatoes and carrots, not just nuts. (via Catching Seeds)

21. Tempeh Bacon Zucchini Casserole: Smoky tempeh bacon gives this dish tons of robust flavor. Add a crispy breadcrumb topping and its a vegan dish the whole family will love. (via Contentedness Cooking)

Check out more easy dinner ideas on ourPinterest page.

The rest is here:

21 Vegan Casserole Recipes to Feed a Crowd - Brit + Co

In the food world, plant-based has become a buzzword of late, and Ive been using it interchangeably with the term vegan. But it turns out members of both communities like to draw a distinction, and near as I can figure plant-based espouses ditching animal byproducts and processed foods for the sake of healthier eating practices. Meanwhile, vegan cares more that no animals were harmed in the making of your lifestyle.

To put it another way, vegans are the ones Ill occasionally catch flak from for being an omnivore dipping my toes in animal-free meals. The plant-based side doesnt seem to care where my mouth has been, as long as Ive got a positive attitude and dont keep a strip of beef jerky stashed in my jacket pocket.

Donna Jean calls its menu plant based. The new restaurant recently launched in Bankers Hill, next to Evolution Fast Food (which counts itself vegan, if youre keeping track). Donna Jean is a partnership between Evolutions owners and chef Roy Elam, who, among other things, recently helped open the first vegan restaurant in the Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain.

According to the website, Donna Jean is named after Elams late mother, and the chef has assembled a wholly plant-based menu of comfort food in her honor not intended to be health food per se, but certainly using healthy ingredients to win carnivores over to the concept.

The menu features stick-to-your-ribs dishes such as chili, mac and cheese, toasted ravioli, and a veggie burger made from black-eyed peas. I was surprised to find the comfort restaurants dining room didnt match the notion, with mostly bare walls and a sheet metal bar top. A spacious patio featuring heatlamps warming private tables with communal bench seating seemed a better fit with the food.

A baked ricotta appetizer looked beautiful, garnished with sorrel, sea grass, and watermelon radish and molded into an folded, origami-like hoja santa an herbal Mesoamerican leaf that is new to me. However, the citrusy flavors coming from all of that didnt read ricotta to me. I might have liked the curdled faux-cheese spread across hard-toasted sourdough if it could be called something else.

I was puzzled that a grits dish wound up featuring a large serving of wild rice, but it was just as well. The grits were overdone, losing their namesake texture, so the rice stepped up to anchor the dish, which, despite grilled squash, confit tomatoes, and some large heirloom variety of butter beans, wanted more flavor to be a satisfying entre.

The Salisbury Tempeh was my favorite of the three, primarily due to the satisfying savor of the mushroom-and-onion gravy and a bed of light mashed potatoes. The house-made ground tempeh patty used beets to redden its meat, which had caramelized into a charry crust a bit to chew on there, but it made for plenty of comforting mouthfuls.

Donna Jean hopes to kick off a larger plant-based conversation in its community and may do so in time. For now, the creativity at work looks a little hit or miss, and though the introduction of atypical plant ingredients may not always mesh with the idea of comfort food, it may appeal to vegans craving such things, even if they prefer to call it something else.

The rest is here:

Careful who you're calling a vegan! - San Diego Reader

Megan Squire, Elon University/The Conversation , KSDK 1:54 PM. EST March 10, 2017

File photo. (Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images)

Since 2009, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been allowed to search electronic devices carried by citizens or noncitizens as they cross the border into the United States from other countries. More recently, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly suggested this digital vetting should also include harvesting social media passwords. Kellys proposal prompted legal and technology experts to respond with an open letter expressing deep concern about any policy that demands that individuals violate the first rule of online security: Do not share your passwords.

Travelers themselves responded, too, looking for ways to avoid surrendering their device passwords to federal agents. One approach what we might call the Nothing To See Here method tries to make a device unsearchable by erasing the hard drive before travel, uninstalling social media apps, letting the devices battery charge run out or even wiping the device if an emergency or duress password was entered.

The Id Love To Comply, But I Cant approach involves exotic solutions like installing two-factor authentication on the device or social media account, and then making the second factor (such as a passcode or digital key) available only in a remote location. Retrieving the second factor would require a warrant and travel outside the border crossing.

These methods are dangerous because they put an already stressed traveler in the position of defying law enforcement at the border, a legal environment that is designed to support the government and not the traveler. Following this advice properly also requires careful execution of technical skills that most travelers dont have. And the degree of advance planning and preparation required might itself be considered a sign of suspicious activity requiring deeper scrutiny by border officials.

But its tempting to wonder: Could computer scientists and software designers like me create a better password system? Can we make Id Love To Comply, But I Cant the only possible answer for every traveler? In short, can we create passwords even their owners dont know?

Developing unknowable passwords is an active area of security research. In 2012, a team from Stanford University, Northwestern University and the SRI research center developed a scheme for using a computer game similar to Guitar Hero to train the subconscious brain to learn a series of keystrokes. When a musician memorizes how to play a piece of music, she doesnt need to think about each note or sequence. It becomes an ingrained, trained reaction usable as a password but nearly impossible even for the musician to spell out note by note, or for the user to disclose letter by letter.

In addition, the system is designed so that even if the password is discovered, the attacker is unable to enter the keystrokes with the same fluidity as the trained user. The combination of keystrokes and ease of performance uniquely ties the password to the user, while freeing the user from having to remember anything consciously.

Unfortunately, in our border travel scenario, the agent could demand that the traveler unlock the device or application using the subconscious password.

Could this be the new way to log in online? Listening to headphones via shutterstock.com

A team at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, proposed a different solution in 2016. Their solution, called Chill-Pass, measures an individuals unique brain chemistry response while listening to her choice of relaxing music. This biometric reaction becomes part of the users log-in process. If a user is under duress, she will be unable to relax enough to match her previously measured chill state, and the log-in will fail.

It is unclear whether CBP agents would be able to defeat a system like Chill-Pass by providing travelers with, say, massage chairs and spa treatments. Even so, the stresses of daily life would make it impractical to use this kind of password regularly. A relaxation-based system would be most useful for people undertaking high-stakes missions where they fear coercion.

And just like with other plans to make CBP scrutiny impossible, this might end up attracting more attention to a traveler, rather than encouraging officers to give up and move on to the next person.

In 2015, Google announced Project Abacus, another solution to the Id Love To Comply, But I Cant problem. It replaces the traditional password with a Trust Score, a proprietary cocktail of characteristics that Google has determined can identify you. The score includes biometric factors like your typing patterns, walking speed, voice patterns and facial expressions. And it can include your location and other unspecified elements.

The Trust Score calculator constantly runs in the background of a smartphone or other device, updating itself with new information and recalculating the score throughout the day. If the Trust Score falls below a certain threshold, say by observing a strange typing pattern or an unfamiliar location, the system will require the user to enter additional authentication credentials.

Its unclear how a Trust Score authentication might affect a border search. A CBP agent could still demand that a traveler unlock the device and its apps. But if the agency couldnt disable the Trust Score system, the phones owner would have to be allowed to hold the device and use it throughout the agents inspection. If someone else tried to use it, the constantly recalculated Trust Score could fall, locking out an investigator.

That process would at least ensure a phones owner knew what information federal agents were collecting from the phone. That hasnt been possible for some arriving travelers, including U.S. citizens and even government employees.

But the Trust Score system puts a lot of control in the hands of Google, a for-profit corporation that could decide or could be compelled to provide government with a way around it.

None of these technological solutions to the password problem is perfect, and none of them is commercially available today. Until research, industry and innovation come up with better ones, whats a digital age traveler to do?

First, do not lie to a federal agent. Thats a felony and will definitely attract more unwanted attention from investigators.

Next, determine how much inconvenience you are willing to tolerate in order to remain silent or to refuse to comply. Noncompliance will have a cost: Your devices could be seized and your travel could be seriously disrupted.

Either way, if and when you are asked for your social media handles or passwords, or to unlock your devices, pay attention and remember as many details as you can. Then, if you wish, alert a digital civil liberties group that this happened. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a web page with instructions for how to report a device search at the border.

If you think that sensitive materials might have been compromised in the search, notify family, friends and colleagues who might be affected. And until we figure out a better way change your passwords.

Megan Squire, Professor of Computing Sciences, Elon University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Creative Commons License/BY-ND

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Why we should not know our own passwords - 11alive.com

GETTY

Fruit, vegetables and meat produced without using chemicals is becoming an increasingly popular choice because people believe it is healthier both for humans and good for the environment.

But researchers at the University of British Columbia believe this may not be the case because organic farming has between 17 and 25 per cent smaller yields than conventional farming on average.

As a result, to produce the same amount of food more land is needed affecting soil and water quality.

It uses more energy, conditions of farm workers may not be better and its high prices puts it out of reach for poorer consumers.

Dr Verena Seufert at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability said: Organic is often proposed a holy grail solution to current environmental and food scarcity problems, but we found that the costs and benefits will vary heavily depending on the context.

The study analysed organic crop farming across 17 criteria such as yield, impact on climate change, farmer livelihood and consumer health.

It was the first systematic review of the scientific literature to identify the conditions leading to good or bad performance of organic agriculture.

GETTY

Factors include biodiversity, how it affects climate change, water use and quality, soil quality, yields, problems of scaling organic farming up, its impact on farm workers and consumer health and how affordable the food is.

Many people choose organic because of worries about overuse of pesticides and the belief organic is more nutritional.

The study argued in countries like Canada where pesticide regulations are stringent and diets are rich in micronutrients, the health benefits of choosing organic may be marginal.

Co-author Professor Navin Ramankutty said: But in a developing country where pesticide use is not carefully regulated and people are micronutrient deficient, we think that the benefits for consumer and farm worker health may be much higher.

GETTY

Consumers argue it is more sustainable and past research has compared the costs and benefits of organic and conventional farms of the same size, which does not account for differences in yield.

But organic crop yields are lower than under conventional farming and many of the environmental benefits of organic agriculture diminish once lower yields are accounted for.

For example fields managed organically have on average lower nitrogen loss and lower pesticide leaching than conventional farms.

It also uses more recycled nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby introducing less new nitrogen and phosphorus into our water systems.

GETTY

But in lower yields the nitrogen loss per unit food produced might actually be higher under organic management and run off of manure impacts water quality.

In terms of biodiversity on average, organic management results in a 40 to 50 per cent increase in organism abundance in agricultural fields and researchers do not know if this is offset because lower yields require more land to feed the same number of mouths.

But plants and bees benefits the most, while other arthropods and birds benefit to a smaller degree.

Organic farms typically have lower energy use and lower green-house gas emissions than conventional farms but when poorer yields are taken into account emissions might actually be higher under organic management.

And water use is lower on organic farms because the land can hold more of it.

Dr Seufert said: While an organic farm may be better for things like biodiversity, farmers will need more land to grow the same amount of food.

And land conversion for agriculture is the leading contributor to habitat loss and climate change.

While their findings suggested organic alone cannot create a sustainable food future, it still has an important role to play.

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Organic is one way that consumers have control over and knowledge of how their food is produced since it is the only farming system regulated in law.

Dr Seufert said: We need to stop thinking of organic and conventional agriculture as two ends of the spectrum.

Instead, consumers should demand better practices for both so that we can achieve the world's food needs in a sustainable way.

The study was published in Science Advances.

Originally posted here:

Organic food may NOT be good for you or the planet after all, shock study finds - Express.co.uk

We live in an era of everything smart smartphones, smartwatch, smart homes and smart cars. Unarguably, theyhave gone out of the way to make things easierbut alsocome with their own share of troubles. With the evolution of the smart gadgets, the concept of spending some alone-timehas changed dramatically and is being replaced by anxiety and stress (remember that escalation e-mail that kept you awake all night?).

So how do we clear this cluttered mind? Surely, setting aside our smart gadgets is not a practical solution nor is the choice of going up to the Himalayas to meditate.

So why not go by the old English saying of killing two birds with one stone and turn to our smartphones for help?

There is no dearth of apps in the Play Store and the same holds true for meditation apps. So heres a list of four wonderful meditation apps that help in achieving inner peace much like our very own Master Shifu.

Calmhas a varied list of topics which you can choose depending on your sour spot, including the free seven-day guided meditationexercises. And if you are among the new age crowd who have trouble falling asleep, Calm has a collection of soothingbed-time audio stories that will help you to fall into natural sleep.

Then there is the Breathe program, which is a compilation of short breathing exercises coupled with soothing music.

Plus, this app comes with amazing themes, so even if you arent doing any meditation the theme music will make sure that you leave all the worry behind.

If you ask me, my favorite is the rain theme, nothings more calming than listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops.

The paid version which opens up much more programs including the 21-day guided course for the general well-being,among many others.

An app with 1.1M registered user,Insight Timerdoes ahell of a job when it comes tomeditation. It has over 3000+ guided meditations and the best part is that its completely free with no locked contents.

The app is huge, with a ton of contents like guided meditation, basic meditation, and self-meditation.

So if you want to grab a few minutes of zen, tap on Timer and loose yourself to the hum of guitar strings.

Most of the contents are free, however, you might need to shell out few bucks for some of the audio tracks in the Timer tab.

If you are a beginner to the field of meditation, Headspace will make it easy for you to break ground. The free course consist of a 10-day program which lasts for 10 minutes each, helping you to create a habit out of it.

Unlike the other apps, this one has a few features beyond the zen circle. For instance, one of them is designed to reduce the fear of flying while another one promises to increase mindfulness.

The downside ofHeadspace is most of the cool programs are hidden behind the paywall. But then, whats the harm in investing in a good lifestyle choice when you see the [free] courses yielding results.

People say that music is the ultimate stress buster and if you are one who goes by this mantra, then you will love theMeditation musicapp. As indicative of its name, this app has a collection of meditation music.

The timer can be set to turn off the music automatically. The UI is super-simple, one merely needs to choose the music, adjust the timer and sit back and relax.

Our mind is an incredible place where thousands of thoughts and creative ideas are born daily, but its dimmed by stress, anxiety, and over-thinking. And meditation is one of the many ways by which we can keep a healthy mind. The best thing about these apps is they can be used almost anywhere, even during your work hours or on your way home. So when are you starting?

Read the original:

4 Apps to Help You Keep Calm and Relaxed - Guiding Tech (blog)

Bradenton Herald

Meditation classes on Anna Maria Island introduce participants to Buddhism Bradenton Herald Gen Kelsang Demo, 37, is a Buddhist nun at the Kadampa Meditation Center, a Buddhist temple at 730 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota. Demo leads meditation classes on Wednesday at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

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Meditation classes on Anna Maria Island introduce participants to Buddhism - Bradenton Herald

Rockland Rockland Shambhala, 16 School St., will launch Meditation in Everyday Life, a five-week course taught by Rachel Nixon, Shambhala Guide, Tuesday, March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. The class is by donation and open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. Pre-registration is requested.

This series provides participants with the basic tools and support to establish or deepen a meditation practice. Each class includes mindfulness-awareness instruction and sitting practice, as well as talks and discussion about Sakyong Mipham Rinpoches book, "Turning the Mind into an Ally."

Participants will learn to cultivate stability and will explore how to bring mindfulness and courage to the everyday complexities of jobs, responsibilities and relationships, as well as to the desires, concerns and uncertainties of life. This is the first class in the Way of Shambhala program. It offers a glimpse of the Shambhala vision of an enlightened society created through mindfulness-awareness meditation.

Nixon was first introduced to the Shambhala Buddhist teachings in 1999 through Pema Chodrons book, "The Wisdom of No Escape." She has been studying and practicing meditation ever since. Nixon has trained at Shambhala centers in Maine, Colorado, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, including a month-long Dathun this past winter.

The suggested donation for the class is $75, or register with a friend and pay half-price. Donations in any amount are graciously accepted. For more information and to register, contact Nixon at rocklandshambhala@gmail.com or 594-1694.

See more here:

Meditation class to begin Way of Shambhala March 21 - Courier-Gazette & Camden Herald (subscription)