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Organic food no longer has to use up your whole paycheck it seems Costco has finally toppled the king of organics. Not only has the wholesalerbeen outselling other conventional retailers in organics for three years, but in 2015, itofficially surpassed Whole Foods in organic food sales, reporting a whopping $4 billion as compared to Whole Foods $3.5 billion.

The recentsales victory was a turning point for the development of inexpensive organic food: Whole Foods has been reporting difficulties of late,closing nine storesafter its sixth straight quarter of same-store declines, a period the Chicago Tribune has calledthe stores worst sales slump in more than a decade.

Meanwhile, Costco and other retailers like Trader Joes have been growing their organic offerings and attracting customers with lower prices.Blogger Whole New Mom writes that she was surprised when, after transitioning to an organic, whole foods diet, her grocery bills didnt actually change much, and via a price analysis, she found that over 90 percent of organic and whole food items were less expensive at Costco, and in many cases, the price difference was dramatic.

But Costcos victory didnt happen overnight: the wholesalerhas actually been working toward this goalfor more thanfive years, according to HeatherShavey, assistant vice president and general merchandise manager at Costco, who toldWell + Goodthat the company decided to invest in organics when many other retailers thought it was a fad that would pass.

Instead, Costco took an interest in not only expanding its own organic offerings but also in the organic landscape itself. Currently, less than one percent of farmland in the U.S. is certified organic, and with a minimal 2.5 percent annual growth, the market cant sustain increasing demand for organic food, which has averaged a ten percent annual growth over the past five years.

Costco was going to have a hard time keeping up with the demand for organics unless it made some changes to these statistics.

As the largest U.S. retailer of organics, Costco is in a good position to address the supply shortage, Ronnie Cummins, the international director of the Organic Consumers Association, a nonprofit group that advocates for sustainable food production and consumption, told The Huffington Post, and this is exactly what the retailer did.

In April of last year, Costco launched a program to lend money to farmers to purchase new land and equipment in exchange for first dibs on organic produce.The storehas even purchased its own cattle and contracted with owners of organic fields in Nebraska to raise them.

Through these and other efforts, Costco is not only making organic food more affordable, its also ensuring that we have enough organic food to meet ever-growing demand its no wonder the wholesaler has become Americas favorite place to buy organic food.

Related on Organic AuthorityFor Organic Farmers, Costco Is the Future Costco Switches to Cage-Free Eggs, Changes the Industry for Good Costco Refuses to Sell GMO Salmon in its 474 Warehouse Stores

Emily Monaco is an American food and culture writer based in Paris. She loves uncovering the stories behind ingredients and exposing the face of our food system, so that consumers can make educated choices. Her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Vice Munchies, and Serious Eats.

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Is Costco the New Whole Foods? - Organic Authority

At a time when there is an uneasy, sometimes even volatile, divide between some communities and the police officers who are sworn to protect them, one police chief is encouraging her department to practice meditation as a way to help ease the stress of policing.

Chief Sylvia Moir, who has been the head of the Tempe Police Department in Tempe, Arizona, for the past year and has nearly 30 years of policing experience, believes teaching and practicing meditation should be a key piece of police officer development.

In policing, its essential that we respond. We dont react, Moir told ABC News' Dan Harris in an interview for his 10% Happier podcast. Without a doubt I think the [meditation] practice shows promise, getting us to be present, not take triggers, not take the bait that makes us react and if the practice can get us to see the perspective of another to enhance our compassion, then I think it does lend itself to broader application in policing.

Its important for officers to be tactically sound and physically fit, Moir said. She practices mindfulness, a series of meditation techniques that are designed to slow the mind, focus on the breath and bring attention back from distraction, as well as gratitude -- focusing on positive emotions.

I really practice gratitude a lot, she said. I say thank you for the people that come at me with anger, I say thank you for things I used to fight against, and its given me a really interesting kind of path.

Moir said she usually practices meditation in the early morning for about 10 minutes while sitting in a chair.

The great thing about meditation is that it takes no equipment, she said. Im a runner and Ive run, in the past, full marathons and I need my shoes and nowadays I need my GPS and I need my fuel and I need all my stuff and meditation really offers you this equipment-free practice that enriches your life.

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

Moir spoke at length about benefits of meditation, including how it not only helps officers make smarter decisions in the field but also how it makes them more thoughtful people who see tense situations from all perspectives, not just their own.

It takes courage because theres this narrative around police officers that we are hard and tough and cynical, she said. [But] I have found police officers to be incredible people, and we view our responsibility, our duty and this call that we are guardians always and warriors when we need to be.

Moir admitted that some of her officers will grumble about whether it will make them lose their edge, but she doesnt see it that way.

Were really good at -- I call them perishable skills, the shooting, driving, defensible tactics, she said. And what were doing with mindfulness practices is were saying, Look, were going to give you a set of tools, you take it, you use it for the whole you, personal and professional, make it what works for you. Maybe a little quirky. Maybe different from what somebody else does but you make it yours.

As chief, Moir said mindfulness helps her deal with the public in high-stress situations and also lead her fellow officers. The practice has been useful, she said, in helping her realize micro-cues she may be unintentionally sending, such as a raised eyebrow or a squint, when shes meeting with an officer or a grieving family member.

I meet with a lot of people who are really angry, she said. I meet with people who are suffering, who dont feel like they have been served by the justice system ... with family members who have lost someone, [with] officers that have done wrong and Im holding them accountable ... its in those moments where I have to really engage but also listen.

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

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Arizona police chief says meditation should be a key piece of officer ... - ABC News

Between stressful deadlines, family responsibilities, and countless social media notifications, modern life can leave many of us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and even unhappy. If this sounds like you, meditation may provide an answer - and with meditation apps, you can now carry your own personal mindfulness trainer in your pocket. But which app should you choose? We review our pick of the best meditation apps available.

A national survey from the American Psychological Association reports that overall stress levels have increased in recent years, and a considerable number of people in the United States think that they are not doing enough to manage their stress.

So what can we do to relax and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives? One answer may come from meditation - the ancient, holistic practice that aims to bring us into the present, soothe our worries, and improve our overall well-being.

Evidence suggests that meditation is good for our health; it lowers our blood pressure, alleviates several gastrointestinal disorders, and helps to relieve anxiety and insomnia.

Smartphone users can now install their own meditation trainer with a tap of the finger. With almost 1,000 apps to choose from, however, knowing which one is right for you can be challenging. To help narrow down the choice, we tried some out for ourselves.

All the apps we review here are available on both Android and iOS.

Probably the most popular meditation app, Headspace was also ranked first in a comprehensive review of meditation apps regarding functionality and user satisfaction. We were therefore thrilled to give it a go and see what the hype is all about.

The app offers a 10-day free trial that takes you through the entire foundation level, called Take 10. Throughout, you are guided by Andy's reassuring voice - that is, Andy Puddicombe, the former Buddhist monk, inspirational TED speaker, and founder of the app.

We loved how friendly this app is, with a pastel-colored interface that feels lively without being intrusive, enchanting illustrations, and an introductory video great for those who have never tried meditating before.

Take 10 is peppered with colorful animations that motivate and bring you back on track when you feel you have lost your focus, as well as creative analogies that support and sustain you in your journey: "Imagine yourself sitting by the side of a busy road. The passing cars representing the thoughts and the feelings."

For $7.99 you can access the entire app, but only if you have completed the foundation level - a great way to ensure that users actually go through the motions and fully benefit from the training. After unlocking the first level, you are rewarded with a message of kindness and self-love: "Be kind to your mind, don't be too self-critical." After this, you are granted access to everything that Headspace has to offer, and it is a lot.

The app has a wide array of purpose-specific series, covering almost every aspect of life: health, relationships, sports, and performance. Each series has themed subpacks of up to 30 sessions. Add to these the one-off meditations - tailored to needs as specific as "fear of flying" or "commuting" - and the result is a vast universe of mindfulness, with hundreds of different sessions to choose from.

With a sleek business feel to it, Whil is primarily aimed at companies wishing to bring an extra bit of focus and happiness to the workplace.

Whil provides personalized, goal-centered training programs for each employee. Companies can choose from four training options: the teen-focused "Grow," the adult-centered "Thrive," the Google-born "Lead" - which centers on emotional intelligence, teamwork, and leadership - and finally "Move," a yoga program intended to exercise the mind and body.

Each option includes tens of programs, adding up to hundreds of sessions. Additionally, individual, on-demand "Whilpower" sessions are available for relieving negative emotions or boosting positive ones, as well as for improving sleep.

A distinctive feature that we found appealing is the HIPAA-compliant analytics dashboard. Whil allows individuals to track their own progress like any good app, but in a couple of weeks, they will also be rolling out the administrator analytics dashboard, enabling companies to track the well-being of their workplace community.

The focus on quantifying the employees' well-being with the ultimate goal of increasing productivity might seem cold and off-puttingly programmatic. But Whil grounds its approach in rich scientific data: economically, stress costs the U.S. approximately $300 billion per year in absenteeism, medical costs, or low productivity; statistically, 83 percent of people rank work as their primary source of stress; and, finally, from a neuroscientific point of view, the brain's ability to rewire itself offers amazing opportunities for improvement.

Whil seems to have put the science to good use, as we tried out the sessions designed for individuals - which are completely free - and found them very effective. The app allows you to set very specific goals, making it easier to stay motivated. We chose "Sleep better and feel rested," completed the breathing exercises, and started yawning within minutes. Overall, Whil comes across as an efficient and uncomplicated tool, capable of providing immediate results.

A self-titled "Meditation Timer & Tracker," Sattva seems to be aimed at more experienced and autonomous meditators. It does not offer sessions specifically designed for beginners, and the overall experience feels less "gamified" compared with some of the other apps.

On iOS, Sattva integrates seamlessly with the Health app, pulling information on your heart rate and blood pressure. Apple Watch lovers will be happy to know that the app is also available on their device. You can choose to do a "Quick start," a "Guided meditation," or a "Chant."

Before and after the sessions, you can have your heart rate measured with a simple tap; Sattva uses your phone's camera to take your pulse using just your fingertip.

You can download most of the meditations and chants for free. We tried "Transforming emotions," which starts gently with breathing exercises, transitions smoothly toward a nonjudgmental acceptance of your negative emotions, and ends with a smile. For $1.99, we found "Happiness with Sri Sri" - that is, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual leader and founder of the The Art of Living.

Sattva feels very calculated and data-driven. The dashboard counts the total number of minutes you have spent meditating, averages out your beats per minute, tells you when your last session was, your current and best streak, how many other people are meditating, the number of challenges completed, trophies achieved, and much more.

The dashboard also includes a leaderboard, which informs you where you rank among your meditating friends - a competitive approach we thought to run slightly against the ethos of mindful meditation.

Additionally, we thought that some of the stats were a touch redundant. For instance, the "Total minutes" of meditation can be found in the main dashboard screen, under the "More" button, and in the profile section, as well as under "Community." We did enjoy the small pieces of motivational wisdom sprinkled throughout the app, however, alongside the easy-to-access recommendations.

Both Smiling Mind and Headspace were reviewed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale. Of the 23 apps included, Smiling Mind came out second, so we were very excited to try it out for ourselves.

Every session starts by asking you to assess your mood based on three criteria: happiness, contentedness, and alertness. At the end of the session, you are sent back into the world "with a smile on your mind."

The app offers three modules: "Smiling Mind for Wellbeing" (aimed at adults), "Smiling Mind in Education," and "Smiling Mind in the Workplace." The adult program offers 10 modules making up a total of 42 sessions, along with "Bite Size" sessions of between 1 and 3 minutes, "Extended Meditations", and sessions intended to complement regular sports activities.

What we loved most about the app is the focus it places on children and teens. Smiling Mind offers programs for children of various age groups, centered around their experience of growing up.

From slowly discovering who they are and gaining a sense of independence, to learning how to interact socially and respect others, the app offers support for the potential challenges of being a child. Finally, the program for 16- to 18-year-olds aims to help teens plan for the future as they transition into being young adults.

You may wonder what mindfulness can offer to such a young audience, but the sessions are creative, imaginative, and seem well attuned to a young sensibility. Children are invited "on a journey to the Land of Mindfulness - a place inside you where you are safe and strong." They are asked to imagine that they are seaweed that is being gently rocked by the current, or to "put a smile on their mind" by making a happy wish for themselves in a magical tree.

The app is completely free, but if you feel grateful for it, you can make a donation to help Smiling Mind bring mindfulness to all Australian schools.

Simply called "Breathe" on a smartphone, this app invites you to check in by closing your eyes and dimming the screen for a few seconds. Then, it invites you to assess how you feel - but there is a twist.

What we really liked about Breathe is that it offers a much wider range of feelings to choose from, and harnesses your input more effectively than other apps.

When checking in, you can select up to five feelings from five different categories - ranging from very happy to very sad - and each of these categories has up to 35 different emotions to choose from. Breathe makes you feel that your emotions really matter, as the selections are fed into an algorithm that then comes up with more than 25 meditations tailored to your needs.

Some of these sessions require a premium membership, which costs $4.99 per month. The sessions are a combination of meditations, breathing exercises, yoga, and even acupressure videos. We tried the "Deep Breathing" premium meditation, and we liked that it prepares you for the possibility that you might get lightheaded - something that occurs quite often when you are a beginner, but which has not been addressed by the other apps.

Overall, Breathe is an ultragamified, particularly beginner-friendly app. At the end of each session, you are asked to re-evaluate your state of mind and body, and you are rewarded with unexpected stickers and awards. The app offers a "Learn to meditate" pack that uses simple words and straightforward science to explain what meditation is and how it benefits the mind.

With its friendly interface, simple explanations, and cute illustrations, Breathe is perfect for those wishing to step down the path of mindfulness for the very first time.

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Five of the best meditation apps: Which one is right for you? - Medical News Today

Low-slung volumes stretch along either side of central outdoor spaces at this family home in Northern California, by American firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson.

The project's name, the Los Altos Residence, refers to the Silicon Valley city where the home is located. The family dwelling which consists of a main home and guest house is situated within an established neighbourhood dotted with shade trees.

"Nestled amongst neighbouring houses and a landscape of mature trees, the residence maintains a sense of privacy and offers this young family reprieve from the bustle of daily activities," said Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, which has three offices in Pennsylvania, along with locations in Seattle and San Francisco.

"The simple layout and detailing of this single-story residence, with its numerous connections to the surrounding landscape, create a home that is both calm and restful."

Meant to be a modernist reinterpretation of a ranch-style home, the wood-clad building consists of rectilinear volumes arranged around outdoors spaces. The dwelling takes full advantage of the area's mild climate and verdant landscape.

"While windows and doors fill interiors with air and light, they also frame views of the diverse flora surrounding the home," the firm said.

The front of the home was designed around an existing Japanese maple tree, which serves as "a vestige of the previous landscape and the relationship shared between residence and site".

Totalling 4,151 square feet (385 square metres), the main house is H-shaped in plan. One side houses a garage and office, while the other contains a workshop, an exercise room, a bedroom and the master suite.

"In the master bedroom, one can hear the trickling of water and quiet rustling of trees coming from the meditation garden just outside," the firm said.

The connecting bar houses the kitchen, dining area and living room. This open-plan, double-height zone leads to an expansive terrace, which is shaded by deep roof overhangs.

"In the living room, a wall of sliding glass doors blurs the line between indoors and out, opening to the back patio overlooking a meadow of tall grasses," the studio described. "It is these moments, when the outdoors extend inside, that help anchor the building to site."

The backyard lined with a board-formed concrete wall features a slender pool, a meadow and a "contemplation garden".

Located in the rear of the linear property, the 479-square-foot guest house (44 square metres) contains sleeping quarters and a living room.

The team chose materials to help create a calm atmosphere. "The home is detailed with a natural, crisp palette, reflecting the client's fondness for simplicity and tranquillity," the firm said.

A variety of woods including Douglas fir, Western red cedar, and grey elm were used throughout the dwelling to create a sense of warmth. These contrast with more industrial-style elements, such as polished concrete floors and exposed structural steel columns and beams.

In the dining area, a 10-foot-long (three-metre) table was made using locally sourced walnut. Its natural edge is meant to balance the "clean lines of the living room", which includes a partition and fireplace made of textured concrete.

"Additional furnishings reinforce the client's desire for a minimalist environment," the firm said.

Minimising the project's environmental impact was a major concern for the clients. In response, the team incorporated a number of sustainable strategies, including operable windows, concrete radiant floors, low-flow plumbing fixtures, a well-insulated building envelope and a "cool roof" made using single-ply thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).

Much of the home's energy and hot water is generated via photovoltaic and solar panels on the roof. The property also features zoned drip-irrigation and native plants that require little maintenance and watering.

Other projects by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson include a series of piste-side cabins in California that allow residents to ski in and out, and a collection of summer dwellings for residents studying at Fallingwater the famed 1930s home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Photography is by Nic Lehoux.

Project credits:

Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Design team: Gregory Mottola, FAIA, design principal; Laing Chung, project manager; Priya Mara, RA, project manager; Joe DiNapoli, RA, team member; Lauren Ross, team member; Michael Waltner, RA, team member General contractor: Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders Civil engineers and surveyors: Kier & Wright Structural: Umerani Associates MEP: Taylor Engineers Electrical: The Engineering Enterprise Landscape: Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture T24 and green building: Integral Impact Green building: Design and Energy Waterproofing: Neumann Sloat Blanco Lighting: BANKS | RAMOS Architectural Lighting AV: Metro Eighteen Geotechnical: Murray Engineers, Inc.

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Bohlin Cywinski Jackson creates Silicon Valley residence with pool and meditation garden - Dezeen

MADISON In addition to Mahjongg, canasta, bridge, ping pong, poker, coloring, trips and movies, the Madison Senior Center inside the Madison Civic Center at 28 Walnut St. has added more fitness programming to its schedule.

Popular instructor Donna Sue Dowton will continue to lead classes in Stretch and Flex, Not Your Daughters Yoga and Balance and Stability. In addition, she has introduced Meditation, a twice-monthly class in the Senior Centers Activities Room, designed to educate adults about the benefits of guided breathing and relaxation exercises.

A classroom setting is less likely to have the distractions of a home setting, and the guided exercises allow students to concentrate on the fundamentals rather than sequence, Dowton explained.

Among the benefits of meditation, Dowton noted, are lower blood pressure, improved blood circulation, lower heart rate, slower respiratory rate, less anxiety, deeper relaxation and better sleep. For an additional charge of $10, a 40-page booklet and CD can be purchased.

The meditation classes is under way and will continue on the first and third Tuesday of each month. There is a $5 fee per class which is billed on a quarterly basis.

Registration is ongoing for Stretch and Flex, Balance and Stability and Not Your Daughters Yoga.

Stretch and Flex is held at 10:30 a.m. Mondays and at 9 a.m. Thursdays, and students can sign up for once-weekly or twice-weekly classes. The yoga class meets at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, and the balance class is held at 1:15 p.m. Wednesdays.

The fee is $60 for a 12-week series. Donna Sue Dowton is a certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor who has worked exclusively with senior citizens since 2001. Her training includes certifications in balance, posture, anatomy, chair yoga, and exercise for people with joint replacements, arthritis, and osteoporosis.

All classes are held on the upper level of the Madison Civic Center at 28 Walnut St. For information, call (973) 593-3095.

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Meditation joins fitness classes at Madison Senior Center - New Jersey Hills

Youngsters and fitness fans are jumping for joy after a long-awaited trampoline park opened its doors this week.

The Jump Works, off Sydney Street in Accrington, is offering visitors an unforgettable experience that fuses both fun and fitness.

The 1 million facility opened on Saturday - nearly three weeks later than its original opening date of February 10.

The Observer reported last month how owners were forced to push back the opening as the final touches were put on the arena, but promised it would be worth the wait.

Carmela Davenport, manager at The Jump Works, said they have had a successful week so far and are looking forward to welcoming new and experience trampoline users.

She said: Its been really good. We didnt tell people we were opening until 8pm on Friday night so the fact we had any customers in was a bit of a bonus.

We had a few busy sessions and the word got round which is what we wanted.

This week is putting all the basics in place like specific sessions and fitness classes but we are open to the public and are all good to go.

The Jump Works Accrington opens

The former car business site has been transformed over the last nine months into a 30,000 sq ft facility which includes climbing walls, battle beams, inflatable total wipeout, foam pits, dodgeball courts and Olympic trampolines.

The space-themed venue also includes a spaceship style viewing area, party rooms, birthday and weekend party zones, toddlers classes, a princess room and a cafe.

Fifty new jobs have also been created.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones and local councillors attended on Saturday to mark the opening day.

Coun Paddy Short said: Its great to see a major investment in the area.

Not only has it created local jobs, but it has created an amazing venue for young and old alike to have fun while participating in healthy excercise.

The Jump Works is open from 10am to 8pm on Monday to Friday and 9am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Prices cost 5 for fitness and toddler sessions and 8.95 for freestyle sessions. There is a minimum age limit of six years old and a maximum person weight limit of 120kg.

Users are also being warned to arrive at least 20 minutes before their booked jump time.

For more information call 01254 781117 or visit thejumpworks.co.uk.

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WATCH: Jump Works trampoline park opens its doors - Accrington Observer

Luaka Bop will dial up the divine with a first-ever official anthology of devotional music recorded by Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda at the Sai Anantam Ashram. Culled from four private press cassette tapes Turiya Sings, Divine Songs, Infinite Chants and Glorious Chants recorded between 1982 and 1995 and distributed exclusively inside her spiritual community near Los Angeles, this vital Vedic soul balm of sacred tracks will finally be made available to the wider public on 5 May via cassette, CD, digital and deluxe double-vinyl formats.

Remastered from original tapes located in the Coltrane archive, World Spirituality Classics, Volume 1: The Ecstatic Music Of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda showcases Alice's first vocal works, solo harp performances, small ensembles and a 24-piece choir, and is accompanied by extensive liner notes on the collection from Grammy-winning music historian Ashley Kahn, as well as a series of exclusive interviews.

World Spirituality Classics, Volume 1: The Ecstatic Music Of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda constitutes the initial instalment in a planned series of spiritual music from around the globe, to be curated, compiled and distributed by Luaka Bop.

Spencer Grady

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Alice From The Ashram: Private Press Tapes Released - Jazzwise magazine

-Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modion Monday vowed to double farmers' income by 2022 and provide gas connection to nearly 5crorefamilies in UP as he addresseda rally in Varanasi's Rohaniya on the last day of campaigning for assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. PM earlier madea brief stopover at the Gadhwa Ghat Ashram where he offered prayers and fed cows. PMNarendra Modi then proceeded toRamnagarwhere he paid floral tributes to former PMLalBahadurShastri.Considered as BJP's Brahmastra the Prime Minister, who is camping in Varanasi, has campaigned vigorously for his party to make its victory appear inevitable in a tough, triangular contest with SP-Congress combine and Mayawati's BSP.

Forty seats spread across seven districts of Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sonbhadra and Jaunpur will go to the polls for the last phase on March 8.

Here are the updates:-

-PM Modi urges people to give absolute majority to BJP in UP, concludes his speech by chanting 'Jai Sri Ram, Bharat Mata ki Jai' thrice.

-It's time to empower women who live in fear in UP: PM

-It's time to think about welfare of our youth so that they can prosper: PM

-It's time to free Uttar Pradesh from misrule of Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress: PM Modi.

-We want poor households to have access to clean fuel. We aim to provide 5 crore families with LPG connections in 3 years: PM

-55 lakh families have been provided with LPG gas connections in just three years. Wrong people do get the jobs in UP: PM Modi

-Being raised in a poor family, I am aware of the hardships they face. We would take every step that uplifts them: PM

-We have managed to end black marketing of urea. UP government only cares about vote bank and does not care about its farmers: PM

-We have taken big steps for the welfare of farmers. Our aim is to double their income by 2022: PM

-Today, Uttar Pradesh has a government that doesnt care about farmers: PM

-UP government is anti-farmer. Why is it that farmers don't benefit from the Fasal Bima Yojana? Why they don't help farmers in distress: PM

-We have brought the Soil Health Card. We are training our farmers with scientific methods of farming: PM

-I have a dream that everyone gets his own house by 2022: PM Modi in Rhoaniya.

-Inspired by ideals of Gandhiji&SardarPatel, we are working for welfare of people of this country: PM

-Fortunate that I was raised on the land where Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel were born: PM.

-Paid tribute to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji this morning: PM

-PM Modi asks people to make BJP win with absolute majority.

-PM Modi calls for change in UP, says people will teach a lesson to SP, BSP

-PM Modi addresses rally in Rohaniya's Khushipur.

-PM Narendra Modi waves to supporters as he leaves Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial in Varanasi.

-PM Modi leaves for Rohaniya by road, greeted by hundreds of BJP supporters.

-PM Narendra Modi at Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial in Varanasi.

-PM pays floral tributes to former prime ministerLalBahadurShastri.

-PM Narendra Modi waves to supporters in Ramnagar, on his way to Lal Bahadur Shastri memorial.

-PM Modicancels speech, leavesGadhwaGhatAshram forRamnagar.

-PM Narendra Modi at GadhwaGhat Ashram, will speak shortly.

-Spiritual heads of the Gadhwa Ghat Ashram welcoming PM Modi.

-Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi's joint press meet cancelled after Congress VP's plane denied permission to land in Varanasi, reports News18.com.

-PM Modi meets sadhus at Gadwa Ghat Ashram in Varanasi.

-PM Narendra Modi meets Mahant Sharananand of Gadhwa Ghat Ashram.

-Here's the video of the PM feeding cows at the Gadhwa Ghat ashram in Varanasi.

-PM Modi feeds cow at Gadhwa Ghat, set to address a rally here.

-PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Gadhwa Ghat Ashram in Varanasi

-PM Modi arrives at Gadhwa Ghat ashram.

PM Modi's roadshow in Varanasi

During his spectacular roadshow in Varanasi, PM Modi hit out at the Opposition while singing paeans to the historic city of Benaras and promising to turn it around into a modern world class metropolis.

His resumed five-km road show began at Pandeypur Square and wound its way through Chaukaghat, Teliabagh, Maldahiya and Patel Chowk to culminate at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, where Modi addressed a huge gathering.

"Earlier governments did only tidbits (of development work) for Benaras (the older name for Varanasi) with an eye on short-term electoral gains. But these tidbits won't help Benaras. The city needs a complete, modern makeover and it is my dream to turn this city into a modern world-class city," he said.

He said that if earlier governments had given proper attention, Kashi (another older name for Varanasi) could have become an attraction for the world.

"People would have yearned to visit Benaras at least once," he said.

Singing paeans to the city, Modi said Benaras is older than history and traditions, proverbs and maxims.

"Benaras is not a city, it is a living heritage. Every Indian considers Benaras as his own," he said.

Targeting political rivals Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday termed the two "galua", which he said in the local dialect meant those born with a silver spoon.

"The (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) and his new-found friend (Rahul Gandhi) are galua. They have got everything in inheritance, they are born with a silver spoon," Modi said.

"These people born in affluence are weak... they can't take tough decisions because they can't take pains. Only the one who has come from the grass root can take tough decisions," he said.

Modi, who began his speech by chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Har Har Mahadev", cited the surgical strikes and demonetisation to underscore that the government should be capable of taking tough decisions.

He also took a jibe at the opposition, saying their motto is "kuchh ka sath, kuchh ka vikas" (selective association, selective development).

"There is fertile land and hard working people but there is no good government," he said.

The Prime Minister said the central government is ready to provide required funds for development of the region but the state government must be able to properly account for the expenses.

Modi said Uttar Pradesh would become the "number one" state in the country only after Poorvanchal is developed.

He said that electricity is something required by every household in this modern age but the Samajwadi Party government refused to take electricity from the Centre.

Earlier, the Prime Minister first flew from the airport to the Police Lines in a special Indian Air Force chopper. He then made his way in a bullet-proof car in a convoy to the Pandeypur area, from where the road show commenced.

Thousands of supporters thronged the route along which Modi went. Carrying BJP flags and shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi', they waved at Modi, who acknowledged their greetings and waved back at them.

Polling in Varanasi, which is also Modi's parliamentary constituency, and some surrounding districts will be held in the seventh and last phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on March 8.

With Agency inputs

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UP polls LIVE: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Gadhwa Ghat Ashram temple in Varanasi, feeds cows - Zee News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A weekly treasure trove of tastiness, featuring reviews from restaurant critic Ian Froeb and how-to videos by food writer Dan Neman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The vegan diet meatless masterpieces - STLtoday.com

Good news if you hate strawberries but fancy more crispy turnip cakesin your life.

Tom Brady has teamed up with vegan food suppliers Purple Carrot to launch a new meal delivery service designed to help athletes and active individuals stay at their peak. To do so, eaters will adhere to Bradys very strict nutritional plan, and pay $78 per week, which yields a total of three meals for two.

Eating meals like these is what has helped me stay at the top of my game, Brady said in a statement on Purple Carrots website, which is accepting preorders.

[You might be nuts if you pay $50 for Tom Bradys snacks]

Besides the crispy turnip cakes, which are served with a side of tabbouleh, Purple Carrot said subscribers to the service can also expect to see white lentil risotto with roasted veggies, ramen with gingered greens and broccolini, and more in the subscription service that will rotate out seasonal ingredients.

And lest you think this is just a gimmick, Purple Carrot CEO Andy Levitt said Brady himself is going to be eating all the meals, too.

Hes going to be getting boxes of meals to his house just like the rest of us, Levitt said on Tuesday. He jokes with me that he wasnt going to be doing the cooking, though.

The meals dont come precooked. That part is up to subscriber, who along with the box of pre-measured and sorted ingredients will also get a recipe card along with notes, sometimes written by Brady, who might drop a line about a favorite dish or ingredient now and again.

Brady also plans to keep his fans updated on his thoughts on the product on social media, where he announced the launch of the new partnership with Purple Carrot on Tuesday morning.

While some of the dishescome directlyfrom plant-based meals Tom and his family have personally enjoyed, according Purple Carrots website, others are simply inspired by Bradys strict and sometimes odd nutritional guidelines as outlined in his $200 cookbook that sold out last year.

Among the obvious rules of Bradys diet and, ergo, what you can expect to each week from Purple Carrot are no refined sugar, gluten or dairy. Bradys diet also forbids mushrooms (for fear of mycotoxins) and advocates for a very limited consumption of nightshade fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes. (Theyre inflammatory.)

[The Tom Brady cookbook works great if youre Tom Brady]

While the Brady-branded meals are higher in protein than most other Purple Carrot products, theyre not just for athletes, according to the player wholl turn 40 later this year.

The TB12 Performance Meals are designed for anyone whos looking to achieve or sustain their own peak performance, Brady told CNBC in an email. Whether thats in the gym, on the field, or at work. We want to inspire everyone not just athletes to be their best, and I think these meals will be a big step in that direction.

Purple Carrots CEO Levitt said the company is very happy with the response so far. While he declined to give specific numbers about orders, Levitt said there is a possibility the company will sell out despite having expanded our capacity quite a bit to accommodate for this launch.

Its a good problem to have, Levitt added.

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Tom Brady and vegan meal supplier turn his weird eating habits into meal delivery service - Washington Post