When I think of meditation, I picture an image of serenity a wide-open room, a person sitting cross-legged on a mat, eyes closed and mind relaxed. Meditation, to me, conjures up peacefulness, calmness, quietness and stillness.

Which is why the sight of bulging biceps, dripping sweat and a barbell slamming to the floor doesnt exactly fit with that picture. But looking a little closer, the practice of weightlifting actually has a lot more in common with the art of meditation than first meets the eye.

To meditate is to spend time in quiet thought, as the dictionary puts it, and while the purpose of meditation is to still the mind, that doesnt necessarily mean stilling the body. Meditation, many people mistakenly believe, can be performed only through sitting quietly and clearing the mind of intrusive thoughts. In actuality, meditation can be as simple as focusing your mind on a single point of reference, even when intrusive thoughts insist on cropping up.

Meditation can be achieved in the middle of Times Square, said Cali Estes, a psychologist, personal trainer and chief executive of the Miami-based Addictions Coach, which offers help to celebrities and corporate leaders trying to overcome drug, alcohol and other problems.

Meditation is simply the decompression of thoughts and clearing of the mind from any unwanted, negative threats or harmful ideals that can sabotage your success, [and] using exercise as a means to release stress and clear the mind is an excellent tool in both personal and professional life, said Estes, who uses a variety of methods in her work, including exercise and meditation.

And in a world that increasingly has people chained to desks and screens and spreadsheets and Snapchats, it may be more important than ever to free the mind by first freeing the body through exercise.

When I am lifting and seriously lifting theres nothing else besides me, the iron and the goals I place around it, said Janelle Tank, 23, a personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur from Michigan who began weightlifting three years ago to protect against what she calls self-hate and substance abuse. My life up to that point was ... well, I shouldnt be here today.

After experiencing a miscarriage that left me feeling unmoored, weak in more ways than just physically, I also turned to weightlifting, and I soon realized the benefits that could be unlocked through grunting, repping and sweating more than I thought a 5-foot-4, 150-pound woman of 30 should ever sweat. There is such blissful release in the hour I spend at the gym, where I can think of nothing but the next repetition, pushing through the burn, completely focused on one task, instead of the hundreds of to-dos normally flitting through my mind like a relentless Rolodex.

Weightlifting, I have come to find, is my meditation. Breathe in, breathe out, lift, hold and repeat.

Consciously focusing the attention of the mind is the backbone of meditation, notes Larissa Hall Carlson, 41, a yoga, mindfulness and ayurveda expert at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Any activity can be done mindfully, [but] what turns an ordinary exercise into a potent and benefit-rich form of meditation is ones awareness and intention.

Carlson says by focusing all of ones attention on the lifting of weights, indulging in the sensation of muscles contracting and releasing, feeling the roughness of your skin against the weight in your hands, noticing the sweat trickling down your back, and by connecting breath with movement, it is possible to transform a workout into what she dubs meditation in motion.

And its that meditation in motion that fitness experts, such as celebrity trainer Kira Stokes, say can affect the rest of life. Stokes, who is based in New York, trains her clients to focus on every muscle contraction through her Stoked method, a mindfulness practice she encourages them to use throughout the day. Her clients learn to pay attention to their breath, when to inhale and exhale with stress, and to recognize how it feels when their muscles are clenched in tension.

You become more aware on an average day of how youre feeling: Do I need to sit down? Do I need some fresh air? Do I need to take a nap? she said.

I guard my meditation-in-motion time fiercely. That hour is more than just me time; it is also a time that allows my mind to empty enough to tackle the rest of my life.

I started lifting weights because I wanted to feel stronger at a time in my life when I felt the weakest. And it is through weightlifting that I have found my strength in one of the most unlikely of places my own mind.

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Pumping iron able to provide a type of meditation in motion - Northwest Herald

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ - Do you have questions about Buddhism or wanted to learn how to meditate? If so, the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center may have answers for you.

"The basic philosophy of Buddhism is to do good, not evil, and improve your mind," center member Ravi Karunaratnesaid.

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center was established in 2003and is located in Franklin Township minutes away from Princeton and a 45-minute bus ride from New York City.

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In Sep. 2009 the Samadhi Buddha statue was built, on the 10-acre property of the Meditation Center. According to theirwebsite, it is the largest outdoor Buddha statue in the western hemisphere. The Buddha is 30 feet tall, sits on a pink lotus and is made of steel and concrete.

Since the unveiling of the statue, the center has been considered a New Jersey landmark attracting a steady stream of visitors throughout the year. It can be seen from Route 27 by people driving by, especially on a moonlit night due to the luminous glow of the statue.

"Our members come from all over - New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Deleware and New York, we have about 600 families," center member Dr. Wije Kottahachchisaid.

According to their website, "the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara is dedicated to serving Buddhists, as well as non-Buddhists in the United States, essentially for religious, cultural and social purposes."

Many practicing Buddhist believe peace can only be found through love, compassion, tolerance, co-existence and non-violence. At the NewJerseyBuddhist Vihara and Meditation Center visitors can learn practical methods to deal with the everyday stresses of life through various programs offered at the center.

Visitors can meditate in front of the Samadhi Buddha statue every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is also a scenic redwood tree-lined meditation trail, one can walk to help cleanse their mind, and along the trail, they will see quotes to help with meditation.

On Friday nights between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. are evenings of meditation with the resident monksand after meditation one can take part in discussions on the Buddhist doctrine. There is also a Dhamma school for children to help give them a foundation to assist with the development of rational thoughts, along with positive attitudes.

At the center, you can learn different forms of meditation - Metta Meditation, Anapansati Meditation, and Buddhanussati Meditation.

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center provides descriptions of each form of meditation, below is a brief snapshot:

Metta Meditation:"Metta meditation is a good way to calm down a distraught mind and some consider it to be an antidote to anger."

Anapanasati Meditation:" The practice ofanapanasatiis a tool to free oneself from suffering generated by uncontrolled thoughts."

Buddhanussati Meditation:"In thismeditation,we direct the mind to the qualities of Lord Buddha as the object of meditation."

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center is in the midst of an expansion project that will include an 11,000 square foot building that would house a library, meditation hall, residence for the clergy, and areas for community gatherings. The meditation trails through the woods will also be expanded and meditation gardens will be built.

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The United Meditation Room will open to Ohio University and surrounding communities at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, on the fifth floor of OUs Alden Library.

Created to support OU students, staff and faculty as well as community members various faiths, beliefs and religious practices, the United Meditation Room is a student-led initiative that has received support from throughout the OU community and beyond. It was designed not only to provide a space at the center of the Athens Campus for individuals to gather for meditation, reflection and/or prayer, but also to recognize the religious and spiritual needs as well as the diversity of the OU community.

More than a year ago, doctoral student Hashim Pashtun took the idea to the staff at OUs Office of Global Affairs and International Studies and reached out to Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones. Those conversations led to a meeting with University Planner Shawna Bolin.

The group conducted research, looking at what other college and universities, including OUs peer institutions, were doing in this realm and found that several of them have dedicated meditation spaces on their campuses. They also reached out to various administrators and offices on the Athens Campus to gauge their level of support. The idea received full support from OUs administration.

OUs Division of Student Affairs contributed the funds to cover minor construction, most notably the relocation of technology in the room and reconfiguration of the rooms entryway to make it a public entryway rather than an office entryway.

Pashtun reached out to individuals in the OU and Athens communities who are affiliated with different religions for their input on how best to make the room a neutral space in which all feel welcome.

Everything from the color of the rooms walls to the minimal furnishings within the room was selected with neutrality and inclusivity in mind. The room will include a mobile partition for privacy, a shoe rack for those whose religious beliefs require shoe removal, and a shelf for books on all faiths and religions.

Guidelines for the meditation room that are being developed will be posted on-site and on a webpage that is being created for the room. The room will not be staffed or reservable and will be open during Alden Librarys regular operating hours.

Pashtun said his hope is that people use this room not only as a space to meditate, self-reflect and escape the stresses of life, but also to witness how others engage in these activities and to seize an opportunity to engage with one another.

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Meditation room to open at OU's Alden Library - Athens Messenger (registration)

Try eating a meal alone istock/LeoPatriziWhen was the last time you did this? According to Rebecca Weible, founder of Yo Yoga!, eating alone without people or your phone, tablet, or a book creates real awareness. "Take the time to notice each bite, including the taste and texture of your food," she says. "This is also great for digestion and portion control." Unplug and take a walk istock/ChalabalaSometimes slowing down is an easy as unplugging from the digital world, including your phone, social media, and email and taking in your surroundings. Weible says to take notice of each step: "The first and last part of your foot to hit the ground with each step, your stride and your pace. See how long you can stay present." Running is also a great way to unplug; here are some easy ways to go from being a walker to being runner. Try out some yoga moves istock/Johnny-GreigAnyone can do yoga, trust us! "Yoga is a moving meditation as you are encouraged to be mindful of each part of your body in every pose and how you are moving from pose to pose," says Weible. In yoga, you are forced to focus on your breathing and muscle control, which makes you totally present in the momenta key to good meditation. You can even try out some easy yoga moves every day.

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Here Are 10 Ways You Can Meditate Every Day Without Trying at All - Reader's Digest

Were well on our way to the middle of February and the examination season next month. Students who will be writing the all-important Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Board Class 12 exams have started studying in right earnest, planning out all sorts of strategies to master all subjects and get good scores.

Many of you wondering how best you can utilise this (almost) one-month period between the exams can check out the smart study routines of Abhishek Sahoo, Manish Soni, Mayank Singh Rathore, Shubham Nain and Tushaar A Madhu, Class 12 students who will be sitting for the exam this year.

Sahoo of Bal Bharti Public School Dwarka does not have a time table as he does not require one. His aim is to do smart, effective work. He selects one subject and goes through it thoroughly and diligently for five consecutive days. After that, he solves mock test papers exactly as if he were sitting in the examination hall just to get used to the process. After completing the test I recheck answers and correct the wrong ones, Sahoo says.

Soni of Mount Abu Public School in Rohini finished his syllabus by the first week of February. He will now start solving the CBSE sample papers which are available on websites for all streams: arts, science and commerce. Solving sample papers helps as these are based on Board exams and give students a feel of what the Board papers are going to be like.

For Rathore of Sarla Chopra DAV Public School Noida the most important thing at this time is to clear concepts of each and every subject followed by adequate revision. He starts studying early by 5.30 am and continues doing so for as long as possible. After a short break, he then devotes two hours each to each subject. I believe more in quality over quantity and make the effort to put in six to eight hours of study covering all chapters, he says.

Tushaar A Madhu of Tagore International School in Vasant Vihar is keeping things simple. Hes doing a thorough revision of his NCERT textbooks. I have my tuitions, but am concentrating solely on NCERT and NCERT notes. Once you revise the examples and exercise I think you are done with 80 to 85% of the Board syllabus and will be able to attempt most of the questions, he says. Madhu also follows a 25-minute- 4-minute rule for an intense study session. Study for 25 minutes without any distractions, keep a timer on your phone, look at the watch, do not do anything except study. Then take a four to five minute break and get back to studies. The intensity with which you study is going to help you, not the hours you spend on a chair. You need to have focused intensity, focused study, he advises.

Nain, also from Mount Abu Public School, gives two hours each every day to main subjects like math, physics and chemistry. English and options get one hour each.

Sahoo studies in the morning though hes up once in a while for up to 1 am or 2 am. However, he makes sure he gets to sleep for seven to eight hours after an all-night schedule. Managing sleep is my fitness mantra, he says.

Sonis a night bird who loves to study after sundown. One should study when ones concentration levels are high. To me its at night. I love to study in the late hours when theres no disturbance, noise, nothing just me and my books, he says.

Madhu is a morning person. He figures out that if he has to write the Board examinations in the mornings he has to be his best and very alert self to give the exams from 10 in the morning to 1 pm. He revises lessons for four to five concentrated hours a day.

Rathore feels his concentration powers peak in the night hours but he prefers studying in the peaceful early morning hours as the grasping power of the mind is at its maximum and you can understand concepts related to each subject easily.

On the toughest subjects, Sahoo finds economics a tad difficult, because it has lots of numericals, lots of graphs and lots of writing and needs thorough practice. He deals with it by taking a break now and then because the mind is like a computer. When the computers memory is full we shut and restart it after a few minutes, which increases its speed, efficiency and storing capacity. So take a break, go out in the open, breathe, exercise and get back to the table, he says.

Rathore does not find any subject to be particularly tough. Give each subject enough time and your wholehearted attention. I believe if you prepare honestly and put in your maximum effort then nothing will be difficult, he says. For Madhu, subjects are not tough but time consuming. You need dedicated effort and the right amount of time to be thorough with them. Math takes up a lot of time. Biology requires reading again and again, he says.

So how are studies and life balanced? Madhu finds it pretty easy to concentrate because he meditates. He is neither too chilled out nor too nervous but in a neutral state. When I am in a non stress state I am able to study with my best concentration and give the right focus, he says. He goes for long walks and meditates which boosts his concentration and reduces stress. Friends are great too. I call up an old friend and talk about how my preparations are going, we chat, he says.

Rathore takes small breaks of 15 to 20 minutes, working out or listening to relaxing music, which keeps his concentration intact and boredom away.

These students are also watching what they are eating. Soni has a balanced diet with carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and proteins. Rathore follows his mothers mantra: Ghar ka khao aur woh bhi pet bharkey (have home-cooked food and eat your fill).

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Class 12 Boards: for students, it's all about smart strategies, right diet, meditation and music - Hindustan Times

Bill Flanigin Bill is a writer, teacher, speaker, and a pretty decent guy for the most part. Loving life in Denton, Tx. This post is hosted on the Huffington Post's Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and post freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

People have been relaxing with the help of music for thousands of years. Music has fed our souls, linked our brains to our emotions, and milked our creative juices in a way that no singular outlet can match.

For many, music is a part of our daily lives, just like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For some, that is not the case. Busy work schedules, parenting, and for some, even talk radio, has squeezed the music vitamin out of our daily allowance of nutrition. Maybe its time to reconnect?

When we think of meditation music, we usually think of naturescapes, classical, or maybe even religious chants. Thats not for me, sorry. But, if I need to lower my blood pressure, I listen to the Eagles.

A while back, I woke up to the unpleasant surprise of dog vomit by my bed. After I sopped up that mess, I hit my morning shower. My shower head then decided it wasnt going to deliver much water. While messing with the knobs and nozzle, I bent over and cracked my head on some bathroom tile. I saw stars. My day was starting off poorly. My wife heard me deliver, to this day, the longest string of cuss words I have ever uttered. I toweled off in the foulest of moods, irritated beyond description.

While I was finishing my morning routine, and yes I believe I nicked myself shaving, my wife turned on the music channels through our bedroom television, classic rock. At that moment, Take it Easy and its cool vibes and melody filled the room. The song washed over me. Without even thinking about it, I started singing right along with the music. In my mind, it was as if I was the one stranded on that corner in Winslow, Arizona. I was singing and smiling, and my wife started laughing. Never had someone gone from wanting to punch a wall to joyous chorus so quickly. Tell me music doesnt affect the body.That moment stuck with me.

Perhaps it was the combination of the music itself, or the great place that song transported me, but that song snapped me out of a very cranky disposition. Whatever happened, it was real. And powerful. I had discovered my Zen music.

It was a valuable lesson. Turn on the Eagles, chill, and Id be better for it afterwards. Isnt that what Zen music is supposed to do? So Ill listen to the Eagles, preferably on 8-track because my 1978 Camaro had an 8-track tape player in it, when I feel like it. And sometimes when I need it. Heres hoping you find your Zen music and do the same. Until next time, take it easy. (Sorry, I couldnt resist.)

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The Eagles Is My Zen Music - Huffington Post

Pink curling irons and straighteners sit in their holders. The small shelves nearby hold varying types of hair-care products. Pop music plays softly in the background.

Light streams in from the windows, and one of them has a large, white scissor decal on the front, identifying the newly-opened salon. The space is small, but neat and relaxing.

The relaxing environment and flexibility with her schedule is exactly why Lisa Hedglin, 32, left the hectic pace of a chain hair salon and opened Revive Hair Salon in Kelso, in mid-November of last year.

I just like how laid back it is. I can take my time doing what I need to do, instead of trying to rush and get them (clients) out of here, Hedglin said. A lot of people like how laid back it is in here, how its more cozy.

Hedglin, of Longview, has six years experience as a hair stylist and color specialist. After working for a corporation for several years, she decided she needed a change of pace, and in September 2016, she began the process of opening her new business. While Hedglin said she was initially nervous about opening the salon, she said she started with a loyal clientele base, most of whom are families.

Hedglin works with Tami Martin, who rents a booth from Hedglin. Martin used to be Hedglins manager at their previous location, and said the idea to rent from Hedglin was an easy one. The pair have known each other for around two years, they said. Martin said she enjoys the opportunity to take more time to focus on the person getting their hair done.

When youre a hair stylist its all about your guest and I love it to be all about the person in the chair. Its never about us, and I like that. I have enough of me at home, I like making it about other people for eight hours a day. Its 100 percent about the guests, Martin said. What better business to be in: All day long we get to visit with people and make them feel good. Its not a job, its just fun.

Revive Hair Salon, at 207 Oak Street in Kelso, offers hair coloring, cutting, conditioning, styling and other services. Its open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hedglin and Martin can be reached at (360)-846-0904, or on their Facebook page.

Hedglin said although many people may be unaware of the business opening, the salon has had around 20 clients a week. She said she enjoys the location: The nice view, adequate parking and lots of foot traffic from the drug store around the corner.

Theres always new things to try. I like the part of getting to know people, and then learning new techniques, showing people how to style their hair different if they want to try something different, showing what they can do with their hair if they wanted, Hedglin said. I always thought it (hair styling) would be fun. And Ive tried a lot of different jobs and ... I need something thats going to be changing all the time and that way we can always learn new stuff.

Contact Daily News reporter Denver Pratt at 360-577-2541 or dpratt@tdn.com

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Revive Hair Salon offers relaxing, flexible environment in Kelso - Longview Daily News

Organic food is extremely popular and everyone wants to know about their benefits. The sweeping public opinion that organic food is healthier than conventional food is quite strong, and is the main reason for increase in its demandin its demand over the past 5-6 years.Organic Facts is a strong proponent of organic food; however, this website also believes in putting across the most accurate facts to its visitors.

This article will explain what organic food is, how it is beneficial and what are the standards for the same.This is to substantiate the public opinion that we have on organic food being good for the health.

First of all, there is a small amount of scientific evidence to show that organic food is better in quality than conventional food. Scientific research conducted thus far on various organic food items has not been able to give strong evidence about the superiority of organic food over non-organic food. This is more so because bulk of the scientific research is based onfunding provided by the governments and industry.

As a result, even the FDA and the USDA clearly mention that non-organic food is as healthy as organic food. However, there are some scientific studies that have proved organic milk and organic tomatoes to be better than the non-organic varieties. Studies are also ongoing about a variety of other types of organic food that may have additional health benefits compared to the non-organic varieties.

Organic Milk

Recent research conducted on organic milk has shown that it has more antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, and vitamins than non-organic milk. According to the researchers at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research at the University of Aberdeen and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, organic milk is healthier than non-organic milk, since organic cows are pasture grazed which results in the better quality of milk.

Organic Tomatoes

According to a 10-year study conducted by the University of California, Davis, organic tomatoes are produced in an environment that has a lower nutrient supply since nitrogen-rich chemical fertilizers are not added. This leads to an excessive formation of antioxidants, such as quercetin (79% higher) and kaempferol (97% higher) in organic tomatoes. As we all know, antioxidants are good for health and help in reducing heart disease and the chances of developing cancer.

These studies haveincreased the hopes of numerous people who strongly believe that mankind should stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides and shift to more sustainable organic farming practices. There are many studies that prove that there is some pesticide and fertilizer contamination in non-organic food, and there are others whichclaim that organic food is not healthy because they contain harmful bacteria and viruses because of not using strong chemicals to protect against these toxic substances. However, none of these studies that show chemical contamination or the presence of bacteria/viruses show any direct impact on the overall health of individuals.

In general, organic food consumers, manufacturers, and farmers strongly believe that organic food has the following benefits compared to conventional food. Antioxidant Capacity

A number of studies have been completed regarding the effects of antioxidants derived from organic foods on your overall health, and the predominant results have shown that antioxidants tend to have more of an impact when they come from organic foods. This may be due to the fact that foreign chemicals are not negatively interacting with the different vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that are so essential for the positive impact of fruits and vegetables in the prevention of things like cancer, heart disease, premature aging, vision problems, and cognitive malfunction.Recentresearchsuggests thatchoosing organic food can lead to increased intake of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.

Pesticide Reduction

One of the major complaints that organic food consumers cite when choosing organic over non-organic is the presence of pesticides. In order to keep crops from being attacked by the natural world, including bugs, pesticides are required. Although they do a good job keeping certain pests away from the crops, they also are composed of powerful chemicals like organophosphorus. This is an unnatural mineral compound that is not required by humans, but more than 80% of this material in our bodies comes from eating pesticide-coated foods. Organophosphorus has been connected to a number of developmental problems, including autism and ADHD, so those organic food lovers do have a pretty strong argument in this case. To be fair, many people do choose to go organic to make sure that their children grow up healthy and unaffected by the toxins of the world during their developmental years.

Heart Health

Increased amount of time grazing on grass also increases the amounts of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) that can be found in the animal products. CLA is a heart-healthy fatty acid that can boost cardiovascular protection, and it is found in higher quantities in breast milk and in meat for animals that have been raised free range or cage-free.

Immune System

In recent decades, one of the biggest projects for farmers and food growers has been genetic modification. Making tomatoes six times larger might sound like a possible option for solving some world hunger issues, but there is another side to it. Genetic modification is still in its early stages, so the long-term effects of it on human health arent understood as well as we would like. In animal testing genetically modified food showed a major reduction in immune system strength, an increase in birth mortality, as well as in certain sexual dysfunctions, cancers, and sensitivity to allergens. Although there are some good things about genetically modified food, organic food advocates point to the lack of concrete details about the long-term effects.

Antibiotic Resistance

People are very sensitive to issues of their health, and they often take precautions to make sure they remain healthy, like getting various vaccines and taking antibiotics as soon as a new strain of bacteria makes them ill. However, non-organic food sources, particularly livestock and feed houses, also use antibiotics to feed their animals. This extra dose of antibiotics may actually be weakening our immune system by basically overdosing on antibiotics, thereby reshaping our immune system so many times that it will eventually be unable to defend itself. Organic food growers and dairy farmers do not use antibiotics in their processes.

Overall Health

Since organic food is not prepared using chemical fertilizers, it does not contain any traces of these strong chemicals and might not affect the human body in negative ways. Natural fertilizers, like manure, work perfectly fine, and organic farmers are happy to use this smellier, yet safer, form of fertilizer.

Better Taste

Some people strongly believe that organic food tastes better than conventionalfood. The prominent reason for this belief is that it is produced using organic means of production. Furthermore, organic food is often sold locally, resulting in availability of fresh produce in the market, which usually does taste better than produce that has been frozen, shipped, and transported across long distances.

Environmental Safety

As harmful chemicals are not used in organic farming, there is minimal soil, air and water pollution; thus ensuring a safer and healthier world for future generations to live in.

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is an important aspect of producing organic milk, organic meat, organic poultry, and organic fish. People feel happy that the animals are not confined to a miserable caged life when they eat organic animal products.

The below FAQs will help you understand organic food and its benefits in a better way

What is Organic Food?

Organic food refers to food items that are prepared according to the norms set by an organic certifying body. On an overall basis, organic food is food prepared and processed without using any chemicals. That is, organic food production does not involve the use of chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or chemical preservatives.

The USDA categories food products into the following sections:

100% organic: Must contain 100% organically produced ingredients.

Organic: Must contain at least 95% organic ingredients.

Made of organic ingredients: Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients.

Have some organic ingredients: May contain less than 70% organic ingredients.

Is ItGood for Health?

Normally people believe that organic food is better for your health than conventional food. However, the USDA and the FDA clearly state that conventional food is as healthy as organic food. Scientific research has also not been able to conclusively prove that organic food is healthier than conventional food because there has been counter research too to prove conventional food is better than organic one. The exceptions are organic milk and organic tomatoes. Recent studies on organic milk and organic tomatoes have shown that these food products are healthier than non-organic milk and non-organic tomatoes, respectively.

Where Can I Buy Organic Food?

Some of the best avenues for buying itare given below:

Directly from an organic farm

Local organic food markets

Health food stores

Retail chains such as Walmart or Whole Foods

Conventional stores that also stock organic food

Online

How Do I Know Something is Organic?

Organic food can be identified with the help of an organic logo on the packet. Companies, farmers, manufacturers, and suppliers, which follow all the norms set by a certifying body of their region, can put a logo of that certifying body on their food items.

Are Standards the Same for All Organic Food Products?

No, since the mode of production and processing is different for different food items, the standards are also different. For example, the standards for organic honey production are different from the standards for organic milk production or organic coconut oil production.Note that thestandards vary from region to region. Some countries may follow a uniform set of codes. For example, about 18 countries follow the rules set by the International Olive Oil Council for organic olive oil production. However, there are some countries such as the US, which have their own standards for organic olive oil production.

Should I look for the word organic on the food item?

Yes, you should look for the word Organic. However, you should also check the logo of the certifying body.

It is illegal to sell non-organic food with an organic label. However, there have been cases of fraud before, which when brought to the attention of the authorities, have been dealt with strongly. Therefore, you should always check the logo of the certifying body properly and you should buy organic food items that have an authentic label on them.

Does organic food cost more than conventional food?

Yes, organic food normally costs 20% to 100% more than conventionalfood.Organic food production is generally labour-intentsive and involves the use of organic fertilizers and organic pesticides, which are more expensive than chemical fertilizers and pesticides. That is why itcosts more.

Can I produce it in mygarden or farm

You can also produce organic food in your garden, organic gardening is a very common hobby for many people.you do not need any permission to produce it. However, if you intend to sell organic food, you need to follow the guidelines set by a certifying agency and get approval from them for using their logo.

Is organic food the same as natural food?

No, organic food refers to food items prepared without using chemicals. Natural food refers to food items that are only minimally processed.

Is itsafe for children?

Many parents believe that organic food is safer for their children, since it does not contain any chemical pesticides and fertilizers. However, there is no scientific research to prove this.

Does itcontain more nutrients?

So far, scientific research has proven this only for organic milk and organic tomatoes. Organic milk has more omega-3, CLA, vitamins, and antioxidants than non-organic milk. Similarly, organic tomatoes have more antioxidants than non-organic tomatoes.Recent research suggests thatchoosing organic food can lead to increased intake of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.

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Organic Food - Benefits, Scientific Research & FAQs

Submit the press release

Global Organic Food and Beverage Market accounted for $89.8 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% to reach $238.4 billion by 2022. Growing consumer awareness, rising government support for organic agriculture, increasing interest of large retailers, health benefits and the promotion by regulatory and government authorities of several countries for organic food and beverages over the conventional foods are some of the major factors driving the market growth. However, high cost and lack of awareness on availability of products are some of the major restraints hampering the market. Moreover, growing usage of organic products provides a significant growth opportunity for the market.

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In Organic Food and Beverages, organic foods segment is expected to grow with a highest share during the forecast period owing to its government funding and growing digit of retailers providing a variety of organic products. North American organic food and beverages market accounted more than 90% of share and dominated the global organic food and beverages market. Asia Pacific is witnessed to be the fastest growing market over the forecast period.

Some of the key players in this market include Conagra Foods Inc., Amys Kitchen Inc., Kraft Foods Group Inc., Eden Foods, Dean Foods Co., Organic Valley, Dakota Beef LLC, Whole Foods Market Inc., Tesco plc, Waitrose Ltd., Koninklijke Ahold, Florida Crystals Corporation, Carrefour, Hipp Gmbh & Co. and REWE.

Product Covered: Organic Food Organic Fruits and Vegetables Organic Dairy Products Fish and Poultry Products Packaged Grocery Cereals Frozen and Processed Foods Others Organic Beverages Organic Coffee and Tea Organic Non-Dairy Beverages Organic Beer and Wine Others

Consumption Type: Fresh Organic Foods Processed Organic Foods

Distribution Channel: Organic retailers Super Markets

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Regions Covered: North America US Canada Mexico Europe Germany France Italy UK Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia New Zealand Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the World Middle East Brazil Argentina South Africa Egypt

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Originally posted here:

Organic Food and Beverage Market is Expected to Rise at a Remarkable CAGR During 2016 2022 - Satellite PR News (press release)

Everyone loves endorphins those naturally occurring chemicals in the body that are commonly credited with the euphoric highs caused by running or sex or even hot peppers.

But theres another compound a cousin to the endorphin that deserves similar accolades. Enkephalinsare peptides that are produced in response to certain stimuli such as stress, fear or pain that also have potent painkilling properties.

In a Stanford study published recently in Neuron,researchers identify a neural circuit in the brain that helps explain how the body uses these painkillers. This circuit can reduce or increase pain thresholds, by either increasing or decreasing the level of enkephalins released in response to a particular stimuli.

We propose that this system could underlie the increase in pain caused by stress and anxiety, and the decrease in pain caused by positive expectations, the placebo effect, and meditation, saidGregory Scherrer, PhD, Pharm.D., senior author of the study and assistant professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine and of neurosurgery. This is also useful because it could be targeted to make new pain medications.

The authors write that this pain-stress loop might even contribute to the sensation of pain in patients with psychiatric disorders or underlie pain catastrophizing, which is characterized by exaggerating the severity of pain and ruminating on it.

In the 1970s, scientists discovered cells in the brainstem that can both increase and decrease pain, Scherrer said. And its been known there are neurons in the brain that can alter the transmission of pain signals via the spinal cord, a process known as descending pain control. But it hasnt been shown exactly how this system works.

To explore this, the researchers first determined the source of enkephalins using mice. They then took a version of the rabies virus that could only infect the neurons that produce enkephalins to find out how these neurons are connected to the rest of the brain. What they saw was that the neurons that produce the painkilling chemicals were connected to only one place within the brainstem known to be important for descending pain control.

Further results showed the cells in the brainstem that release these enkephalins have the ability to either increase or decrease the amount released depending on what stimulates the pain circuit. Researchers surmise that stress activates the circuit so that there are fewer pain relievers released, while meditation or other positive influences inhibit the circuit so that more enkephalins are released.

This is important because this descending pain system, which works through the spinal cord to trigger neurotransmitters, is involved in the placebo response and meditation, Scherrer says. Or when youre hungry or not sleeping, or in a bad mood or stressed all this can affect this system of descending pain control.

Scherrer added the results of the study were unexpected because they are counterintuitive.

If you activate this circuit, which we have discovered facilitates pain, it uses the inhibition of a pain inhibitor to cause pain, Scherrer says. It works by inhibition of inhibition. We dont know why. It is surprising.

Previously: Existing drug found to limit some side effects of opioids in miceandIs pain in the brain? A pain psychologist discusses alternative to opioids Image byBryan Jones

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Research reveals circuit that clarifies how stress exacerbates pain and meditation eases it - Scope (blog)