If meditation is supposed to help with stress, then it really shouldnt be a surprise the practice is trending in DC. Though the concept of meditation has been in use for ages, its only recently that its been neatly packaged into boutique studios that seem to be popping up all over our city.

If third times a charm, I think we can officially say that boutique meditation studios are a thing in DC now. First, there was Just Meditate in Bethesda, which opened in November with $22 group meditation classes. Then Recharj, a power nap and meditation boutique opened downtown in December. Next week, Take Five Meditation is opening in Dupont with 30 and 45 minute meditation classes for $20 to $30 for a drop-in.

While it was probably only a matter of time before other industries caught on to the business strategy of boutique fitness gymswhy have clients pay $50 to $100 for a monthly membership when you could get $20 to $30 per class out of them?meditation is an interestingevolution of the trend. And the trend isnt just in DC, eithermeditation studio MNDFL opened in New York City 2015andInscape followed this fall.

So whats with all the meditation studios? Its impossible to say that the operators of each of these chains could have predicted the high levels of stress that Washingtonians and Americans at large would be under throughout the 2016 election and under the new administration in 2017. Nonetheless, you cant deny that the timing is pretty perfect: While Washingtonians are running to their therapists with new anxieties, their therapists are preaching self care. And where better to achieve self-care then ina highly branded, aromatherapy-scented, $30-a-pop meditation class?

Share this on Facebook!

Continued here:

Boutique Meditation Studios are Officially a Thing in DC Now - Washingtonian.com

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Cardiac patients at CHI St. Vincent are taking advantage of a program that aims to help patients return to a productive lifestyle quicker.

Walking towards session number 31 seemed almost impossible for cardiac patient Tangela Harris-McClendon.

"I'm like oh my god are they serious? I can't do all this."

Harris-McClendon is lifting weights now, but tackles just about every machine in this room.

CHI St. Vincent's cardiac and pulmonary rehab program has changed Tangela's outlook not only physically, but mentally as well.

"Having all that major surgery, I did not want to end up back where I was at," Harris-McClendon said.

In September, she had surgery for mitral valve repair.

She says she was tired all the time and just didn't feel like herself.

"Like it felt like I wanted to faint, but it never happened. and I would feel like that sometime."

After surgery, doctors recommend cardiac patients like Tangela to go through cardiac rehab.

The rehab is a medically supervised program, that patients attend a few times a week. Harris-McClendon works with exercise physiologist Brian Frane, who helps cardiac patients get strong again.

"The majority of them can barely make one to two minutes walking. By the time we're done with the program, 20-30 minutes at a brisk walking pace," Frane said.

during her excercise nurses are monitering for any abnomalities in her heart rate or rhythms.

They also offer nutrition counseling, risk factor assessment and a modification plan along with educational classes related to coronary artery disease.

"It's your health," said Harris-McClendon. "It's best to come so you can get better."

Once patients graduate from the program most of them get a membership so they can keep up the work they started after surgery.

Harris-McClendon is expected to graduate soon.

More here:

Program Helps Cardiac Patients to Bounce Back - KARK

AHMEDABAD: Just 73 days before transfer of power and partition of India into two countries, India's cabinet secretary HM Patel and financial advisor Chaudhuri Mohammed Ali submitted the document 'Administrative Consequences of Partition'. It was a roadmap for dividing government assets and liabilities between India and Pakistan.Patel and Ali bore the burden of dividing a huge, emotionally charged subcontinent. This task was far more complex than any military operation. Few have heard of these men and the real story behind the Partition. On Thursday, the story told by thousands of pages of an official documents reached the Sabarmati Ashram Daughter of late HM Patel, former National Dairy Development Board chairman Amrita Patel has donated to the Ashram these crucial cabinet papers related to India's Partition. Amrita wanted this defining moment in India's history be made accessible to researchers."I donated these documents to the Ashram because they have the expertise to manage archives," Amrita Patel said. "These papers contain HM Patel's speeches, Partition papers, the making of the Sardar film and papers related to it when he was in government. This is a treasure trove for any researcher or historian."Apart from the Partition papers, there are reams on the production of 1993 movie called, 'Sardar'. The film, produced by HM Patel, is based on Sardar Patel, his role in integrating 500 princely states.In the 1970s, HM Patel was with the Swatantra Party for a while and was the finance minister in the Morarji Desai government. In fact, he led the demonetization drive during Morarji government, nationalization of the LIC, and opened the country to foreign investments. Later HM Patel was the home minister in the short-lived Charan Singh government.Sabarmati Ashram director Tridip Suhrud said that every body associates the Partiti...

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/history-donated-to-sabarmati-ashram/articleshow/57319954.cms

Read the original post:

History donated to Sabarmati Ashram - NYOOOZ

We are so pleased with living on the Palouse.

One important amenity is water aerobics at the Pullman Aquatic Center near Pullman High School. We go faithfully three times a week. (There are three morning classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday - one in the lap pool, the other two the warm pool). And 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. classes on Tuesday and Thursday.

With age our bodies have lost strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. All of these are addressed during the fun class. The instructors keep us moving. It's a workout - as much or as little as you like. We even go 30 minutes early to warm up in the exercise room. That's an option, too. There is no fear of falling and lifeguards and our pool pals don't let us drown. Water aerobics is gentle on the body and offers continuous resistance.

We're relative newbies (less than two years) but our star has been coming since the week the center opened over 20 years ago. And she's 86. Who knew? Not us.

Drop in the first time free. Try it a few times for very little (no extra cost for the classes) or join. This is a wonderful return on our taxes.

Try it. Your body will like it for sure. So will your doctor as your numbers improve. The changing rooms are great and the water is hot. All sizes and ages welcome. Call them at (509) 338-3290.

About half of us come across the border from Moscow - it's that good. We laugh a lot, tell stories and even get together for lunch now and then. The workout has been very good for us - feel better than we have in years. Hope to see you in the pool.

Read the original here:

Letter: Water aerobics and fun - Moscow-Pullman Daily News

SWIMMING: A swimming pool is not just about laps or fun, WIRAC is used for some serious fitness sessions.

Cynthia Hoffman is one of the regulars at aqua aerobics and is at WIRAC five times a week.

She comes for either morning or afternoon sessions depending on commitments in her role as a mum, school chaplain and an administration officer at two kindergartens.

"I got involved in the 10-week Get Active Program which meant I was doing two days of fitness work at WIRAC each week, she said.

"I now come five days a week. I joined up at WIRAC after Get Active Program instructor Anne Kane said to build on what we were doing.

Hoffman has been following her daily aqua aerobics regime since December.

"Aqua aerobics is the highlight of my day, she said.

Each session is 45 minutes and we have three or four different instructors.

"I enjoy the variety of instructors and their different personalities. It is the best form of exercise in hot weather.

"You don't feel like you are working out until you get out of the pool.

She admits she isn't a lap swimmer but does a bit of swimming when at WIRAC.

Hoffman has a Certificate IV in fitness so knows the principles of keeping fit.

"I am a diabetic so aqua aerobics helps reduce my blood sugar level, she said.

"My general health is better, absolutely.

Today's article is the third of nine on swimmers who head to WIRAC for different reasons ranging from expectant mums to cross trainers and squad swimmers.

With the writer on holidays next week, the fourth in the series will be on Friday week.

Link:

Get fit with aerobics at WIRAC - The South Burnett Times

Who wouldnt be a fan of vegan soul food? Take the cruelty to animals out of shrimp and grits or fried chicken and you get all the taste with none of the guilt. Foodies everywhere are opting for plant-based fare as more people change their minds about the proper treatment of animals, not to mention meats contribution to environmental destruction and its damage to our health. The word is getting around, and the proof is in the (banana) puddingcheck out this lengthy list of vegan-friendly soul food restaurants around the country.

Chef Michelle Grandy has joined the conversation with a vegan soul food cookbook titled Ohhlicious. She has spent years uncovering plant-based food flavors and perfecting recipes that mimicked her grandmother Gussies cooking. Now, you can get your hands on these special vegan culinary secrets!

Grandys gradual transition from eating animals to going 100 percent plant-based involved years of learning about health, food ingredients, and cruelty to animals within the meat industry. The final step occurred during a flight from Washington, D.C., to San Diego, as she read a pro-vegan book and finally decided to make the switch. She had suffered from a chronic lung disease her whole life, but after three months of clean eating, she was no longer dependent on prescription asthma medications. Grandy credits her vegan lifestyle with healing the asthma that doctors insisted was incurable.

Ready to try some vegan soul food? Here are two of the scrumptious recipes from the Ohhlicious cookbook:

1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 Tbsp. tamari or soy sauce 1 bunch collard greens (about 12 leaves), stalks discarded and leaves preserved in large pieces 1 Tbsp. coconut oil 1 pkg. Beyond Meat Beefy Crumble 1 large onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 1 jalapeo, seeded and diced 1 tsp. basil 1 tsp. thyme Pepper, to taste 1 cup vegetable broth 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped 1 cup cooked brown rice, wild rice, or quinoa

Makes 6 servings

Adapted from Ohhliciouscookbook

3 Tbsp. vegan butter 1 tsp. yellow mustard Pepper, to taste 23 drops Tabasco sauce 3 Tbsp. flour 2 cups unsweetened nondairy milk 2 cups Follow Your Heart Cheddar Shreds 1 16-oz. pkg. elbow macaroni or pasta of choice, cooked 1 cup Cashew Cheese Sauce 1 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds Panko breadcrumbs and paprika, for garnish

Makes 8 to 10 servings

Adapted from Ohhliciouscookbook

Have you been thinking of going vegan? Order a free vegan starter kit to help you make the transition!

I Want a Vegan Starter Kit!

Read more here:

Chef Reveals Her Vegan Soul Food Secrets in New Cookbook - PETA (blog) (press release)

You wouldnt expect the son of a Saudi billionaire to be a vegan. You wouldnt expect him to be passionately involved in animal rights and environmental matters. Yet there he is His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed. Hes all that and more.

Bin Alwaleed is one of the wealthiest men on the planet. Hes Saudi royalty, the only son of philanthropist and billionaire investor Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud, known to the media as the Arabian Warren Buffett.

The Making of a Vegan Saudi Prince Environmentalist

He hasnt always been devoted to environmental sustainability issues. In his younger years, bin Alwaleed was much the same as any other fabulously wealthy Saudi citizen. He had luxury cars, lavishly appointed yachts, and enjoyed life in the family palace. It took a trophy huntin the late 1990s to startle him into change.

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, at right. Photo credit: @khaledalwaleed Instagram account

What he saw during that exotic animal expedition haunted him. Shocked, he realized hunting animals is what he calls a cowardly act. Shortly after returning home, bin Alwaleed became an animal rights advocate, vocally opposing blood sports and all forms of cruelty. He went 100 percent vegan around 2012.

He made a host of other life adjustments as well. He no longer owns any interest in the oil and gas industry, investing instead in supporting sustainability, high tech, solar power, renewables, green construction, plant-based restaurants and more. He gave up his fleet of 200 pricey oil guzzling cars and now drives only one the Tesla Model X P90D. Thats the eco-friendly one with vegan synthetic leather options.

Hes a self-described geek and Crossfit enthusiast. When he flies anywhere, bin Alwaleed buys carbon offsets to limit the carbon impact of his travels. He doesnt even live in the opulent family palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, anymore.

Taking Action that Matters for the Middle East

At SAUDIMEGA 2015, an oil industry conference held in Riyadh, bin Alwaleed took a stand that might be considered outrageous by contemporaries who are heavily invested in fossil fuels. He urged action on climate change.

Climate change and the unjustified consumption of energy are two of the most serious issues we face today at the macro-level, he told the assembled crowd. Its another issue he feels strongly about.

You dont have to be a rocket scientist or scientist to understand that climate change is real, bin Alwaleed told The National Observer. Ive seen the data out there and it is worrying, honestly.

Bin Alwaleed does more than talk, though. He acts. One of his biggest achievements to date is a project to transition the country of Jordan to 100 percent LED lights and solar panels. In time, this change may save that country an impressive 60 percent on its power costs.

I went over there, proposed this idea to King Abdullah and he really liked it, bin Alwaleed told The National Observer. He arranged for some meetings with the minister of energy and the minister of municipalities, and thats how it really became what it is now. Were changing the entire countrys lighting infrastructure to LEDs.

Photo credit: @khaledalwaleed Instagram account

What bin Alwaleed wants more than anything is to see his oil-dependent country shift priorities and rely much less on fossil fuels. He can see the day coming when such reliance will become a liability rather than a financial boon.

Has bin Alwaleed had an influence on his wealthy philanthropic father?

Funnily enough, I would usually say no I am influenced a lot by him and I learn a lot from him but recently, yes, bin Alwaleed told The National Observer. I introduced him to Dr. Michael Gregers book, How Not to Die, last August. Two months later, he literally transitioned to being vegan, which has a huge impact on the environment - not necessarily [if] one person does it, but if every person did that, it would have a huge impact.

The prince with Dr. Michael Greger, author of How Not to Die. Photo credit: @khaledalwaleed Instagram account

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed may just be the face of Saudi Arabias green future.

Animal welfare, factory farming, the environment usually theyre solvable if we look at things in an economic way, a humane way and a practical way rather than a greedy way. bin Alwaleed told The National Observer.

Clearly, bin Alwaleed is a voice of reason in an oil-based culture that desperately needs one.

Photo Credit: @KhaledBinAlwaleed Instagram account

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Go here to read the rest:

Vegan Saudi Prince Wants the Middle East to Go Green - Care2.com

A new Seaport restaurant, opening Thursday, is putting a vegan twist on traditional New England foods. At By Chloe (stylized as by CHLOE), diners will be able to chow down on lobster rolls made of hearts of palm, celery, smoked paprika, and dill, and spoonclam chowder made of cauliflower cream, shiitake mushroom, corn, potato, and parsley.

Theall-vegan fast-casual restaurant chain, which is opening its first Massachusetts location on Seaport Boulevard, will dish out four items exclusive to Bostonthe chowder and lobster roll, aBoston cream pie ice cream, and a Boston cream whoopie pie alongside the plant-based,Instagrammable meals that have gained the eatery a cult-like following since its New York City debut three years ago.

The 2,400-square-foot Seaport space will seat 43 people, featurethe restaurants signature hanging swing chairs in the window, and offer an outside patio for dining. It will also pay homage to the neighborhoodvia black and white, seaweed-patterned wallpaper leading to the bathroom.

Its our nod to the Seaport area without feeling too cliche, said Samantha Wasser, By Chloes co-founder, president, and creative director.

Wasser and Chloe Coscarelli, winner of the Food Networks Cupcake Warsin 2010, have opened five locations in the past three years in New York City and Los Angeles. The team will open five more locations in 2017, two in New York and three in New England: the Seaport one, a Fenway spot slated to open this spring, and a Providence, Rhode Island, location set to open later this year.

Wasser said shes thrilled to bring By Chloe to Boston and thinks the Seaport area, which she calls a little city within a city, is a perfect fit.

The restaurants menu is 100-percent plant-based and includes no meat, dairy, egg products, saturated animal fat, added preservatives, or artificial flavors. The restaurant has worked hard to shatter misconceptions about vegan food, Wasser said.

Vegan food can be delicious and flavorful and also filling, Wasser said.We make everything from scratch.

Wasser said vegan eaters make up less than 10 percent of By Chloes customers because the food appeals to everyone. The menu includessalads, soup, sandwiches, burgers, fries, pasta, juice, smoothies, dairy-free ice cream, fresh-baked sweets, and more. The restaurant also serves beer and wine, and even treats for dogs (also vegan).

The food is also aesthetically appealing, which has helped the restaurant gain a healthy following onsocial media, Wasser said.

The dishes are so beautiful and have so many different colors, Wasser said.When we were putting together the menu, we really kept in mind how the food is photographed. Social media is so important. People want to document what theyre eating.

For example, the restaurants popular quinoa taco salad is layered in a very specific way to make sure its photogenic, she said.

The Fenway location thats set to openthis springdate yet to be determinedwill become the chains largest, Wasser said.The 2,948-square-foot space will have six hanging chairs.

I think that location is going to be very beautiful, she said.

The Seaport restaurant will serve food from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Heres a look at By Chloes menu:

Top picks for things to do, free from the Globe.

Get the Globe's free newsletter, The Weekender, delivered to your inbox every week.

Thanks for signing up!

Excerpt from:

Eat vegan lobster rolls and clam chowder at this new Seaport restaurant - Boston.com

Bite into a bevy of vegan dishes during Twains Sunday supper. HANDOUT / Tori Allen PR.

Alpharetta restaurant week. Vegan dinner. Academy Awards watch party. There are several fun, food events happening in metro Atlanta, so add one or all four of the following to your calendar. Be prepared to eat, drink and have a grand ole time.

Feb. 19 25: During Alpharetta Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy a variety of prix fixe lunch and dinner options for $15 and $25 respectively. Participating restaurants include Benihana, Salt Factory, andSouth Main Kitchen. Click here for a complete list. Various restaurants, awesomealpharetta.com.

Every Wednesday: Do happy hour with the Italian tradition of aperitivoa post-work ritual of socializing with friends to kick back with cocktails andantipastiat Dolce Italian. Guests seated at the bar or on the patio will enjoy $7 pizzas, $10 Double Cross Vodka cocktails and live music from 5-7:30 p.m. The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 678-686-2267, dolceitalianrestaurant.com.

Sunday, Feb. 26: For an amuse-bouche plus a three-course Sunday supperfeaturing all vegan dishes, head to Twains Brewpub and Billiards from 6-8 p.m. The menu will include smoked cauliflower hush pups, a vegan pot pie and more. A seat at the table will be $40 per person; for $50 beer pairings will be included. Reservations are required; email Savannah@Twains.net. 211 E Trinity Pl., Decatur. 404-373-0063, twains.net.

Sunday, Feb. 26:If youre going to watch the Academy Awards, you might as well do it in style at Pricci in Buckhead. The restaurant will host its annual Academy Awards viewing party, which will feature signature cocktails and a special four-course, movie-themed menu. Seating, reservations and red carpet entrance will be available at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $62 for the first seating and $72 for the second. 500 Pharr Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-237-2941. buckheadrestaurants.com.

Read The A List: The faces, places, dishes and drinks defining the Atlanta dining scene right now

Read more stories like this byliking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following@ATLDiningNews on Twitterand@ajcdining on Instagram.

Previous

Free beer at Krog Street Market today in remembrance ofveterans

Next

Celebrate 70 years of Moes & Joes in VirginiaHighland

Read more from the original source:

Vegan dinner, Alpharetta Restaurant Week and more in metro Atlanta this week - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)

If you're in Philly and you like "fair" food, now's your chance to head over to Reading Terminal Market.Fox & Son Fancy Corndogs opened last week.

And by "fair" food, I don't just mean the associations with stuff like corn dogs and poutine, but it has them in vegan versions, offering fun-food enthusiasts a choice to forgo animal use and its intrinsic unfairness.

Now it's been quite some time since I've had a corn dog, maybe as long as it's been since I've been to a county or state fair. But either way I can say this item - a jumbo-sized soy dog in a crispy, tasty coating on a stick with your choice of condiments for $5.99 - surely hit the spot both nostalgically and fillingly, making me hungry to try Fox & Son's other vegan offerings on my next visit.

I chatted briefly with founders Rebecca Foxman and Ezekial Ferguson, from whose last names the business gets its title. Ferguson said he recalled enjoying the Luzerne County Fair as a youngster, and when they decided to open a place for this "fun comfort food," both partners agreed that "we wanted to accommodate as many people as possible, and also to bring something into this space that hasn't been here."

To that end, the batter for the vegan item is coconut milk-based, with organic sugar, and there's vegan gravy, and even vegan cheese, for the poutine - a friendly, welcoming vibe befitting the carnivalesque menu, which is entirely gluten-free. There is also fresh-squeezed lemonade, also with organic sugar. The duo is also mulling a veganized funnel cake, but that's not yet on the menu.

Foxman and Ferguson are serious enough about the vegan dogs that they're installing a second fryer to cook them in separate oil from the animal products. This setup should be ready in a couple of weeks, but this report couldn't wait, so yes, mine was cooked in the same oil. It was still good! But if that skeeves you out, target early March for a drop-in.

With food outlets throughout greater Philadelphia now introducing more, and more creative, vegan options, I can't spotlight every menu change or venue change, but hey: A block from City Hall? Vegan corn dogs? And they're delish? That's a kind of progress I can get in line for.

Fox & Son could be a good fit for RTM, doing with conviction something a little different but well within the comfort zone of lunching tourists and businesspeople. And the multiple vegan items are a savvy gambit for a growing future, offering food that's fair for all.

Published: February 22, 2017 5:00 AM EST | Updated: February 22, 2017 10:47 AM EST Philadelphia Daily News

See the original post here:

Real vegan corn dogs in the big city? - Philly.com (blog)