Organic food is increasingly on the rise because people think it is better for themselves you are, after all, what you eat but also because they think it is better for the environment. A new study, however, has revealed that that may not be the case all of the time.

Published in Science Advances, the studyis the first to systematically review the scientific literature on theenvironmental and socioeconomic performance of organic farming. The researchers, led by the University of British Columbia (UBC), claim organic food is not the immediate fix for environmental agricultural issues and the future of food security.

"Organic is often proposed [as] a holy grail solution to current environmental and food scarcity problems, said Verena Seufert, study co-author and a researcher at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), in a statement. But we found that the costs and benefits will vary heavily depending on the context."

As the study explains, organic farming on the same scale as conventional farming produces a much smaller yield without the use of pesticides. It is approximately 19 to 25 percent less, and so it needs more land to be able to cultivate more crops.

While an organic farm may be better for things like biodiversity, farmers will need more land to grow the same amount of food, said Seufert. And land conversion for agriculture is the leading contributor to habitat loss and climate change.

It can mean that those with good intentions when buying organic food might not be being as environmentally friendly as they would hope.

Organic farming seems to make for some very happy farmers. Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock

See the original post here:

Organic Food Alone Cannot Provide A Sustainable Future - IFLScience

New York Times

So You Think You Can't Meditate? New York Times Left on my own, meditation time turns into nap time, so I knew I needed some organization and supervision. I had heard that meditation studios are the new yoga studios, and I was intrigued. I chose Mndfl, which has locations in Greenwich Village, on ...

Follow this link:

So You Think You Can't Meditate? - New York Times

Deep in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, a prestigious military college in southern Virginia steeped in more than a century of tradition has embraced meditation courses as a way for cadets to become more mentally fit.

Dr. Matt Jarman, a psychology professor who focuses on leadership and mental exercise.htm" id="ramplink_fitness_" target="_blank">fitness, and Dr. Holly Richardson, a physical education professor who specializes in exercise physiology, both teach courses involving meditation at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.

Meditation is not this kind of soft, fluffy thing, Jarman said. Youre facing your fears, youre facing your stresses head-on or leaning into them, and its giving you the tools to do that more effectively and not get swept away by them.

Download and subscribe to the "10% Happier" podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher and TuneIn.

Jarman has made mindfulness practice a centerpiece of his Modern Warriorship class. Mindfulness is a series of meditation techniques that are designed to slow the mind, focus on the breath and bring attention back from distraction.

From my perspective, a warrior is one who is creating change in a process for the benefit of others, Jarman said. And warriorship, the way Im talking about it, is the mental and physical training, the discipline training, to allow you to be a more effective warrior, to allow you to be more mentally and physically able to, when the time comes, to help others.

Jarman said he has his students practice meditation for 15 minutes every morning and then five minutes before they start homework, as a way to tie the meditation to a habit.

They have to do work, at some point, right? So if they can tie the meditation to that, then hopefully, even when they leave this class, they still have that cue to prompt this behavior, he said. Habits dont require you to exert willpower because you just do it.

Richardson teaches a mindfulness class following the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness curriculum, which focuses on stress reduction. She introduced meditation on campus as a way to help cadets handle stress better, whether its studying for an exam, preparing for a big game or having to go see the commandant of cadets, who oversees the colleges daily military regimen.

We talk about when they have to go see the commandant for a demerit, again they have their breath, have that presence to breathe three-five times before going in and [then] having a more productive conversation, Richardson said.

Many VMI cadets have plans to serve in the military after graduation or some have already served in the military and come to the college as veterans. Jarman acknowledged that there are critics who have raised ethical questions about teaching meditation to soldiers when they may be ordered to kill another person during wartime.

From my perspective the mental training allows you to be better at making decisions [while] acting quickly, he said. So in my mind, it allows you to do your job better which hopefully results in as few casualties as possible. So I would rather, if someone is in a profession that requires that sort of action, that they be as mentally sound as possible.

Richardson added that there is science that shows meditation can help soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder because the practice helps them remain present, and reset the channel instead of playing the same tape over and over when they come home from war.

Jarman and Richardson said they have received little pushback from VMI cadets when they have them practice meditation. Richardson said some cadets will say they dont have time. Jarman added that some cadets have told him their roommates will make fun of them for practicing, but he says he turns that around to show the cadets that practicing meditation can help make them tougher.

If you cant do something as simple as meditating and be OK with the fact that others might think that its a little weird, then youre not really getting into the training yet, Jarman said. In modern warriorship, part of being someone who can make change when change is necessary means youre going to be going against a lot of people, so I view that as wonderful practice.

Download and subscribe to the "10% Happier" podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher and TuneIn.

Read the rest here:

Military college professors teach cadets meditation to help them be effective warriors - ABC News

Lam rim Kadampa Buddhist Center is offering a one-hour meditation class from 6 to 7 p.m. March 22 at the Art Center of Burlington, 301 Jefferson St.

The Wednesday session includes an explanation of the benefits of meditation and how to meditate followed by a short, guided breathing meditation to calm the mind. Another guided meditation will follow. Meditation is meant to change attitudes from negative to positive.

This class is designed to be straightforward and great for people new to meditation. The meditations are short and practical. The class will emphasize how we can apply what we have learned immediately in our life in order to solve our daily worries, problems and difficulties in a peaceful, positive and healthy way, said Joe Gauthier, a resident teacher at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center in Davenport. By presenting the timeless wisdom of Buddha in a way that is immediately accessible and practical for modern people, this class can benefit individuals from all walks of life.

Registration is not required. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students.

For more information, call (563) 322-1600, email info@meditateiniowa.org or visit http://www.meditateiniowa.org.

See the original post:

Meditation classes offered at Art Center - Burlington Hawk Eye

Sylvia Maldonado, whose father founded West Loop wholesaler La Criolla, is opening breathe bar, a meditation studio at 946 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop. View Full Caption

breathe bar

WEST LOOP After stints in Guatemala and New York City,the daughter of a Randolph Streetfood wholesaler is opening a business of her ownback on Randolph Street.

Sylvia Maldonado, whose father foundedWest Loop food wholesalerLa Criollaat 909 W.Randolph St., will open breathe bar, a meditation studio at 946 W. Randolph St., on March 31.The second floor "meditation oasis" will featureteacher-ledmeditationclasses, on-demand meditation booths and other health and wellness services.

Maldonado got her first crash course inbusiness at age 5, following her fatherAvelino "Lilo" Maldonado on sales calls to Hispanic grocers across Chicago. Specializing in spice blends, AvelinoMaldonado founded the La Criolla Foods out of the trunk of his car. After he died in 1992, Sylvia's mother Carmen took over the business.

"I feel like I have this startup mojo from my dad," Sylviasaid.

An Emmy-winning television producer, Sylvia Maldonado launched her own career in TV at Harpo Studios just down the block from her family's business and went on to work as a producer at Towers Productions.She was first introduced to meditationwhile working at Harpo.

"I took the classes and I highly,highly disliked it. I had 'monkey mind,' I couldn't stop my thoughts, and I thought 'I'm not good at this,'" she said.

Fast forward two decades, Maldonado was now living inNew York, and a doctor recommended meditation as a way to cope with stress. The second time around, she was hooked.

"As soon as I tried it, it wastransformative," she said. "Icould feel my heart rate lower, myblood pressure lower. I wasreally able to create that space."

After working in New York City and working for a non-profit in Chicago,Maldonadovolunteered for the Peace Corps in Guatemala before returning home in 2013 to help her mom expand the family business. LeadingLa Criollawas stressful at times, but Maldonado used the challenges to deepen her meditation practice.

While La Criolla was sold at the end of 2016, the business is still at 909 W. Randolph, and Maldonado is proud to continue her dad's legacy six decades later and spread the power of meditation and mindfulness tothe masses on Randolph's restaurant row.

"I created breathe bar to remove preconceived notions aboutmeditationso people can truly see what ameditationpractice can do for their liveswe want to meet you where you are at, whether youve been meditating for years or this is your first time," she said.

The 3,600-square-foot studio above Starbucks will offer 30-60 minute teacher-ledmeditation classes that will reflect on a variety of practices,including insight meditation, mindfulness, mantra, soundand visualization. For busy professionals who can't make a class, breathe bar also offers on-demand meditation. Guests and members can settle into a private booth at breathe bar, put on noise-canceling Bose headphones and use an iPad Mini to experience a 3-7 minute guided meditation byAura Health.

Breathe bar offers two types of monthly memberships: a $75 package featuring four teacher-led classes and unlimited on-demand meditation and a $125 unlimited membership.Drop-in teacher-ledclasses cost $22 and drop-in on-demand classes are $15.

Friends and family can also split a $225 unlimited membership, and breathe bar is offering discounted memberships through the end of May.

Breathe bar officially opens March 31 with a 6 a.m. sunrise meditation. The full schedule is online.

Breathe bar, a new meditation studio at 946 W. Randolph St., will open on March 31. [breathe bar]

See the rest here:

New Meditation Studio In West Loop Urges You To Breathe Deep - DNAinfo

Right in the heart of the University of Vermont, Burlington campus, there's a big dormitory going up, with room enough for 700 students next fall.

The dorm is being set aside for students like Azilee Curl, a first-year studying neuroscience who has taken a pledge of sorts to live out her college career at UVM with her health in mind.

She's part of a growing group on campus who all live together in a clean-living residence hall, have fitness and nutrition coaches at the in-house gym, and can access free violin lessons, yoga and mindfulness training.

There's also zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol use here one infraction and you're out.

Dr. Jim Hudziak, a pediatric neuropsychiatrist at UVM's Medical School, started the program about two years ago. His message is clear: Take good care of your young mind.

"The most critical part of the brain, for paying attention, for regulating your emotions, for making good decisions, has not even been organized yet," he says, talking about the college-age brain.

For the program, he teaches a mandatory course called "Healthy Brains, Healthy Bodies" where students learn that even at 18- and 19-years-old, their brains are still developing, and will keep doing so even after they graduate.

"When I heard about it, it made me really excited to come to UVM. It really, really sparked my interest," says Azilee Curl. Studying neuroscience, she says "It just didn't make sense to read about it and not live it."

Hudziak says UVM, which has a reputation as a party school, is trying to mitigate risk of binge drinking, and other risky behaviors, as soon as students arrive on campus.

"You get accepted to college, and we celebrate the fact that we are putting a wildly unprepared, underdeveloped brain in a high-risk environment."

But grooming health-conscious students might not be the only incentive for UVM. As colleges compete for a smaller pool of students in New England, administrators hope applicants find Hudziak's program a reason to come to the Burlington campus. It's a heavily marketed option for incoming students.

UVM administrators predict Hudziak's program will grow, too. They're expecting more than 1,200 students to enroll next fall, up from 400 total students this year. And maybe the messaging is working. According to reports, drug violations are down on campus.

Still, for every one student in the wellness program, there are about 25 who aren't.

"It was probably gonna be too regimented for my lifestyle," says 19-year-old Emily Bruggeman from Hebron, Conn. "I like to be a little bit more autonomous in terms of my well-being and stuff like that." You hear that a lot on campus.

For those already in the program, Hudziak says, nearly everyone sticks around for a second year.

"I have this prevailing belief that young people, given the opportunity to make good decisions, would choose to make good decisions. But they have to be in an environment where those choices are as easily available as high-risk decisions."

His program is capturing the attention of higher education leaders across the country. He says leaders at more than 20 other schools, including New York University, Tulane and Boston University, have reached out seeking advice.

Lydia Emmanouilidou contributed to the reporting for this story.

More:

Meditation, Nutrition, Fitness: One 'Party School' Tries To Tame The College Brain - NPR

Nidhi Kumar, MD 12:04 p.m. ET March 15, 2017

Snow falls on the corner of Harry Road and Fairmount Avenue in Bridgewater. Pam Mackenzie/Staff Video

University of Arizona student Nick Sergeant, formerly of Montville, demonstrates Flow" also known as getting in the zone. Flow is thought to be another form of meditation. This topic was explored earlier this month at Saint Peter's University Hospital.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Saint Peters University Hospital)

Saint Peter's University Hospital will host a Mindfulness Meditation Workshop from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 20, in its Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center.

Buddhist monk Bhante Sujatha, an expert in the technique of mindfulness meditation, will lead the seminar. The purpose of the event is to equip participants with tools that can be used to create a healthier state of mind and body for themselves.

Teaching a mind to meditate the practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movementor attention itself in order to increase awareness of the moment can help the healing process for a lifetime. For this reason the medical community is embracing the ancient technique of mindfulness.

READ: Looking to live a healthier lifestyle? Create a plan

READ:Throw Some Herbs in the Mix

READ:For the Sake of Your Heart

WATCH: Snow turns to sleet in Plainfield

The benefits of mindfulness extend far beyond what was believed to be purely a relaxation technique. Studies have shown that the mind can alter the course of disease in several important ways. Practicing mindfulness has cardiovascular benefits such as lowering blood pressure, regulating heart rate and reducing heart attacks. Mindfulness can also cause profound changes to the hormonal system of the body. By reducing cortisol levels, mindfulness can help to boost the immune system, decrease pain and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Studies of people who learn to practice mindfulness have demonstrated neuroplasticity the ability to physically change their brains. Meditators can decrease the size of their amygdala, the area of the brain that relates to stress, anxiety and pain. They can also increase the areas of their brain that relate to personal perspective and compassion. The end result is the creation of a healthier state of mind. These findings were present across all age groups in those studies.

Saint Peter's Healthcare System recognizes that starting this dialogue and instruction in the community is essential. Given the rapidly changing healthcare landscape it is paramount we empower patients with valuable techniques to optimize their health. Traditional algorithms and practices will also need to be modified. Perhaps the solution to this problem is simply in our heads in the end.

Seminar participants may dress however they choose. This is a hands-on workshop in which those who attend will be taught breathing techniques while seated on a chair. Pre-registration is not required, although donations will be accepted in support of the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center in Woodstock, Illinois, where Sujatha is head monk. Email jen@ataboystudios.com for more information.

Nidhi Kumar, MD, is director of womens health at Saint Peters Healthcare System.

Read more articles and stay in touch with your local news by clickinghere.

Read or Share this story: http://mycj.co/2nnPqHr

View original post here:

Buddhist monk to lead mindfulness meditation seminar - MyCentralJersey.com

Now children can find their happy place any time, with Trolls from Dreamworks Animation, releasing a meditation app today in collaboration with Smiling Mind and 20th Century Fox.

The much-loved Trolls character, Cloud Guy, helps kids relax by injecting a touch of humour into mindfulness.

The Trolls-inspired meditation is available free and is designed to nurture positive mental health in young children.

Little ones' minds will be transported up into the clouds with the voice of Cloud Guy to help calm children, teach them mindfulness and how to find happiness within.

The app is the brain child of an eleven year old avid meditator, Willow Bailey. Willow asked her mum to approach the not-for-profit Smiling Mind with the idea, to harness children's love of movie characters.

Dr Addie Wootten, Smiling Mind CEO and clinical psychologist, saidwhen the idea was presented she thought it would be hugely beneficial.

According to Wootten, the new meditation would inject some laughter into mindfulness meditation to engage children. "Children love movies and story-telling and we know the enormous benefits children experience from doing even a short five-minute meditation," she said.

"Mindfulness and meditation has a huge evidence base now, that this practice can aid children in a range of ways including: enhancing well-being, improving sleep quality, improving concentration in class, and enhancing awareness and management of their emotions," said Dr Wootten.

"Given these benefits, Smiling Mind is always looking for innovative ways to deliver meditations that are accessible and engaging to a wide audience."

Smiling Mind, which was developed by psychologists using mindfulness techniques, is already being used in 18,000 classrooms in Australia and internationally, with more than one million students having experienced the benefits.

The Trolls meditation is available on the free Smiling Mind app, download it here. It launches today in conjunction with the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital release of the Trolls movie. The Trolls meditation will be live and available to download until September.

Excerpt from:

The Trolls-inspired meditation app your kids will love - 9Honey

Breathe in, breathe out. Photo: Shutterstock.

Im not going to lie, as much as I love the ocean, I started surfing to get the attention of a girl. I know Im not the only person tohave done that, even if I am part of the small minority who would admit it.

Im also not lying when I say that it was only a few days in that I started falling in lovewith surfing, not the girl. It only took a few sessions to see surfing as a lifestyle more than a sport; a lifestyle that I could see myself enjoying for the rest of my life. I was 21 at the time.

Weeks went by, my skills improved accordingly and the buzz and excitement that I got from surfing was higher than ever. Im still not the most skilled surfer today, but even from that beginning, Ive always been one of the happiest surfers. It was about two years in that I started taking surfing more seriously, taking on heavier surf along Portugals shores.

It was during this time that, although I was used to the wipe outs and washing machine tumbles in the summer, the strength and power of the winter months proved to be ruthless. And on one rainy November day, I was handed my absolute worst wipeout. The struggle was real, and like many of us have experienced once or twice, the thought I might die did cross my mind. Id always heard that most people in water accidents diequicker by panicking than if they remained calm. I cant quite remember how I was able to exit the water. I remember being exhausted and nauseated and took me a while to fully recover. That was the last day I surfed for a very long time, and as I used to say, I was jinxed on that day.

At this time my personal life was a mess and even though surfing was my escape, I wasnt actually surfing at all. The idea of getting back to the water terrified me. Months went by without surfingand my head and heart filled up, constantly ready to burst. It was at this timewhen I felt like I could take it any longer, that I stumbled upon meditation.With plenty of hesitation, I decided to give myself a break and commit at least 10 minutes to thinking about absolutely nothing. The challenge was to set aside 10 minutes for 10 days.

There is a common misconception that meditation is a very difficult and spiritual experience that requires a lot of your time. The truth is with even just 10 minutes a day you will start feeling small and subtle changes.

I kept going after those first ten days. Slowly, I started to feel better. The problems around me were still there but the way I reacted to them became different. I started to feel that need to surf again, so one day I finally grabbed my gear and headed to the beach, not caring what the forecast had in store.I was a bit anxious when I arrived. It was kind of stormy and windy and it took me a minute to understood what was I doing there and how will I surf in those conditions. I went to the water and felt so uncomfortable. In that moment some little voice inside me

I was a bit anxious when I arrived at the beach that day. It was kind of stormy and windy, and it took me a minute to remember what I was doing on a surfboard. When I got into the water, I felt uncomfortable. In that moment some little voice inside me said, just breathe, you got this. In the lineup, I tried something Id never tried while surfing before. Focusing on my breath, on the single moment, on how grateful I was to be surfing, on the way that the waves caressed my skin, and every sensation that came with surfing. My mind was calm and peaceful but sharper than ever. I waited for a wave and then waited some more, as the good waves were scarce that day. When one finally arrived, I positioned myself and paddled as hard as I could. Right there in that moment, when the wave pulls us in, I got nervous and started to recall that last wipeout.Feelings of insecurity rushed over me, but in that moment I remembered the meditation training I had been doing in all my time away from surfing.

I didnt do anything special on that wave. But that moment between going and panicking all over again had set me free. The body may be well prepared to surf, but if the mind isnt trained as well its just a soulless machine and surfing becomes a soulless endeavor. Surf needs soul. Surf fills our soul.

It took me two years, but I did find my soul again.

Read the original here:

How Meditation Saved My Surfing - TheInertia.com

Mar 14 Features 48

Its back and its here with a vengeance. Finals season is approaching in less than 50 days, and the Student Success Center is working alongside the Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) to prevent the ill effects of all-nighters with the Writing and Research Center Write-In. The Write-In will be held from 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the RWC, featuring focused study pods creating different work environments, so students who write better in silence and students who prefer endless Spotify playlists will be accommodated. Designed with the freshman critical analysis research papers in mind, the Writing and Research Center is teaming up with the RWC to provide an environment to crank out term papers, with an open invitation to all students. Writing is a very fluid process and very personal, Elizabeth Kons, director of the Writing and Research Center, said. [Its] is one of the most anxiety-inspiring obligations we have in college. The WRC is trying to ease that anxiety at all points of the writing process. By incorporating wellness like snacks, stretching and time management, the Writing Center and RWC hopes to alleviate some of that anxiety, Kons said. The idea for the Write-In came about when Kons read research on studying and physical activity. From there, she connected with Mary Jean Taylor and representatives at the RWC who helped bring the proposal to life. Were the WRC and theyre the RWC, Kons said. I think it was meant to be. Weve stumbled upon collaboration at Gannon that will stick forever. Kons said she noticed many first-year students internalize their writing process in her composition classes, and she hopes this event will change that pattern. Registration for the event, which falls on advising day, will be available online at gannon.mywconline.com. Students are welcome to come in any time during the four-hour period and work on writing assignments once registered. While typical appointments at the Writing Center involve one-on-one discussion with a student tutor, the Write-In will take a more informal approach. Jeannette Long, student director of the Writing Center and a graduate English major, said tutors will be floating around the space in a style similar to a classroom work day. You know how the teacher will come around and check on you? Long said. Thats what well be doing. Long said she is excited for the events kickoff March 29. Were looking to get lots of participation, and its a good way to spend a Wednesday night, Long said. Snacks will also be provided for those participating to encourage healthy alternatives to typical late-night snacks like pizza and heavily caffeinated energy drinks. Ashley Kolniak, an administrative aide at the RWC, said these snacks are not the best choice.

Often times, we see college students take to energy drinks and unhealthy food choices in order to give them the energy to complete their work, Kolniak said. Kons said the snacks will be inspired by options at the Fresh Caf in the RWC. But Im not going to take away anyones coffee, she joked. Not only will the Write-In provide healthy snacks to motivate students, RWC staff will be available to encourage active study habits, like taking breaks to stretch every hour or so. Studies show that students who are more physically active get better grades and graduate on time more frequently. At its core, the Write-In is an opportunity for students to learn about cultivating a culture of wellness in their own lives, by incorporating healthy practices into their busy schedules. Kons says she hopes participants will learn to integrate moments of wellness throughout time spent studying. Were trying to make all-nighters a little bit healthier, Kons said. Rather than ignore the pattern, the Writing Center and RWC staff want to meet students where they are in their academic work and put those habits in a healthier direction. We all do it, Kons said. Were all procrastinators and were all busy. Long said she hopes students gain valuable study skills from participating in the Write-In. Once you can identify how you study best, you become a more successful student all-around, Long said.

KELSEY GHERING ghering001@knights.gannon.edu

DAVID RUSSO russo022@knights.gannon.edu

comments

Recreation and Wellness CenterStudent Success CenterWrite-InWriting and Research Center

Student-owned KRU releases Season 3 AlumKnights: The family circus

Read the original post:

Education and excercise collide at Writing Center Write-In event - Gannonknight