For some dads, you just want to wow em this Fathers Day with gifts geared towards the fitness and wellness gurus they aspire to be. But sometimes, you know the gift that dad will love the most, that will really hit the spot, is a delightful plant-based pizza washed down with a glass of vino.

As we recently discovered through VegNews, Vegan Winesand The Pizza Planthave joined forces to create a wonderful bundle for dad come June 21st.

The Fathers Day Pizza and Wine Packageincludes an eight-pack of take-and-bake vegan pizza pies and four bottles of wine. The gift set will cost you $262 with shipping included. Order by June 15th at 3 p.m. EST to make sure it arrives in time for dads big day.

Food and wine-wise, dad is in for a big treat. On the za front, hell get two pies each of:

For the wine, dads of diverse palates will have something to enjoy. The four vegan-friendly wines included in the gift package include a 2018 Proteus Ramato Pinot Gris Ros, 2016 Luca Di Tomaso Montefalco Rosso, Pandolfi Los Patricios Chardonnay, and a 2018 Serracavallo Besidiae.

For the food coma and ensuing hangover, dont let dad blame you for his tasty trip to Funghitown.

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This Father's Day, Treat Dad to a Delivery of Plant-Based Pizzas - The Beet

Adidas, one of the most best-loved sportswear brands in the world, has justtransformed some of its most iconic sneakersand made them accessible to a segment of customers who couldn't previouslypurchasethem. By removing all animalmaterialsfromtwo of their classic shoes, these Adidasdesigns can now be worn by vegans, and anyone else who doesn't feel it is ethicaltobuy an item comprised ofthe leathers and suedes typical in performance shoes.

Called the "Our Icons Go Vegan", thebrand islaunching the line by releasingtwo sneakers today, June 9th, which both retail for $80. The Samba and the Continental 80 are both made of a recycled polyester material coated in PU rather than with animal materials. In the Samba's description, the sportswear giant describes, "A step in the right direction. The Adidas Samba shoes are no stranger to covering expansive ground. With the same look and feel as the original style, this version advocates for a better future with an entirely vegan design. The signature T-toe keeps them rooted in the soccer fields of the past."

Adidas' website touts therevamped Continental 80 as, "The shoe that once found its rhythm in the packed fitness studios of the '80s makes some new moves today. These vegan Adidas shoes completely eliminates the use of animal products. So swap out the bold colors of the '80s and exchange them for a brighter future." In addition to PU and recycled polyester, the Continental 80 also features an EVA foam derived from algae which helps to clean an estimated 30 liters of polluted lake water.The Continental 80design is available in a range of three different colors.

The one newdetailthatthe Vegan Samba and the Vegan Continental 80 feature is a stamp emblazoned with "Adidas Original Vegan" on the back heel to help customers differentiate between the animal material-free version and the leather original.These two additions to Adidas' range of leather and suede-free options are notits first foray into vegan shoes:The release follows a sustainable collaboration between the brand and vegetarian designer Stella McCartney, which transformed the company's beloved Stan Smith sneaker into a leather-free version. We can't wait to see what other iconic designs Adidas adds to its "Our Icons Go Vegan" collection in the coming months.

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Two of Adidas' Most Iconic Shoes are Now Vegan - The Beet

Meet the volunteers keeping local Black Lives Matter protesters fed, safe and supported.

Night after night, protesters trek through Tampa Bay. Masked and holding up handmade signs, they march through heat and rain to demand racial equality.

They arent alone.

There are the volunteers marching alongside them, passing out water bottles and granola bars. The lawyers waiting by the phone, ready to take on pro-bono cases. The artists, lending skills to create sharable resources.

Here are some of their stories.

Community Mutual Aid St. Pete was founded at the beginning of June to give people a tangible way to support the safety and longevity of local demonstrators.

If this isnt your reality every day like police brutality, racism, etc., its hard to know how to kind of break in and try to open yourself up to the movement, said organizer Karli Schneider, 31.

There are people who are showing up for the black community, despite the pandemic, so I wanted to be able to provide some of the comforts and some of the necessities to kind of keep the movement going."

Half of Black Crow Coffee Co. in Old Northeast is empty because of the coronavirus, so Schneider, who works at there, asked the owner if the group could use the space to fill care packages for protesters.

They raised over $2,500 through Venmo donations in three days. The funds are used to buy supplies for protesters, as well as people in the homeless community.

Another organization, Tampa Bay Action Collective, was established June 3.

Were a group led by black, queer, fat disabled folx," said co-founder Chastity Martin, 24. We work to distribute resources and uplift people.

Within four days after the groups first Instagram post, about 50 volunteers stepped forward. Some shop for snacks, face masks and first aid equipment. Others fill supply bags with sunscreen and resource lists, or drag wagons filled with Gatorade bottles to protesters in Tampa and St. Pete.

Co-founder Katye Waddle, 26, made a protest guide. It passes down wisdom from experienced protesters, including what to expect while marching, COVID-19 testing sites to visit after going out, safety tips and inclusive therapists.

I just want to be personally the best ally I can be as a white person and uplift black voices and help those in the community who are victims of racial oppression [and] systematic oppression, Waddle said. Especially since Im physically unable to go out and protest.

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We see you all out there fighting for whats right. We also know its important to remember we are still facing a pandemic as well. Here is a list of testing locations in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay Area. We urge you to go get tested if you have attended an action in the past two weeks. BAYCARE at Raymond James Drive through, appointment required, no referral required (813) 272 - 5900 Select CVS locations are doing drive up testing CENTRA CARE locations are doing testing, no appointment required, but you may need a referral TGH Urgent Care 4505 Gunn Hwy, 33624 813-925-1903 (813) 272-5900 you can call for testing locations and to make an appointment for symptomatic residents in Hillsborough county. Community Health Centers of Pinellas, INC 1344 22nd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (727) 824-8181 Minuteclinic locations in Largo/St. Pete AFC Urgent Care Clearwater 1500 N, McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759 (727) 266-1266 COVID19.pinellascounty.org has a full list of testing sites sorted by location, availability, etc. We urge you to take care of yourselves and those around you in these times! Much love TBAC

A post shared by Tampa Bay Action Collective (@tbactioncollective) on Jun 9, 2020 at 7:20am PDT

In less than a week, volunteers made over 1,200 bags for protesters and donated over $500 worth of supplies to Food Not Bombs as well as $500 to the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee.

As a black woman who was raised by a single mom, Im very aware of the impact of the community," Martin said. Growing up, we were raised in church, and Ive always understood the power of giving and community support. And so right now for me to be able to lead something is so important."

Their mission doesnt end after the protests do, Martin said. The group plans to partner with Food Not Bombs and local restaurants to feed black and brown families and the homeless.

Tampa Bays restaurants are also finding ways to support the movement.

Behind our brick and mortar, and a block west, protests have been happening for nearly a week. We see folks with signs...

Some are welcoming weary marchers with snacks and a space to cool down, like St. Petersburgs Green Bench Brewing Co. Black Crow Coffee Co. donated reusable bags for protest kits. Valhalla Bakery sent vegan granola bars. The owners of Bandit Coffee are helping Tampa Bay Action Collective distribute supplies for protesters.

During the coronavirus shutdown, customers bought boxed lunches at Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli and the restaurants employees delivered the meals to to healthcare workers at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. The initiative kept the deli afloat.

Now, Golden Dinosaurs is preparing and delivering free meals to protesters

Were just doing this because we feel like this is what needs to be done," said Audrey Dingeman, 37, co-owner of Golden Dinosaurs.

On May 29, the deli matched employee tip donations, sending a total of more than $1,500 to Campaign Zero, an organization focused on ending police violence.

Golden Dinosaurs teamed up with Nah Dogs Vegan Hot Dog Cart to continue passing out meals.

Everyone goes out there for hours and hours, said Golden Dinosaurs employee Tiffany Beyer. Theres only so much you can do to prepare. So to have food and water and those kind of resources available to them, I think is really helpful.

Derek Bernstein at St. Pete-based Bernstein Law is one of the local lawyers taking on pro bono work to help protesters who have been arrested.

I want to do good because I think its unfair and unconstitutional for police to be arresting people for using their First Amendment right," he said. I dont think they put the freedom to assemble as No. 1 on accident."

Please share so people know they have legal backup

Bernstein, 34, typically works in personal injury and family law. He says having knowledge of criminal law and the constitution can be helpful for protesters.

Bernstein is vetting cases to make sure that the people he represents pro bono have values that align with his. He is also offering free advice to groups of protesters over FaceTime. Last week, Bernstein told a group of about 30 Largo protesters what to do and say if confronted by an officer. He also shared those tips on his Facebook page and Youtube channel.

Maybe one of those people who is kept out of jail by asking a simple question will make a big impact," he said.

Attorney Derek Bernstein discusses how to plan to protest. Some things that people do not think about that if youre going to go to a protest you need to be prepared to be arrested. With that means is you need to be prepared to have somebody take care of your animals, inform your boss, have bail money ready to bail you out, and research attorneys in your area willing to help out. These things and many others should be considered when protesting. If you have any other tips please leave your comments in the box. http://www.lawbernstein.com

Local artists are using their talents to amplify black voices and messages of anti-racism.

Sun Signs St. Pete, for example, is using its social media platforms to share downloadable posters for protesters.

Print St. Pete sold out of its antiracist posters and raised over $720 to donate between Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block. The Gulfport-based print shop is planning to make more prints to sell in the future, but is prepping a free digital version for people to print on their own.

Swamp Sister, a music collective that supports art, and Tiny Rain Bows, a pair that hosts DIY craft workshops, teamed up to create a Pocket Protest handbook.

I started reading that youre not supposed to have your phone on during protesting, said Swamp Sister founder Kai Holyoke, 22. I was just kind of thinking, we should make something where all these resources are all together and easily accessible to anyone.

Holyoke reached out to friend Mia Hollenback of Tiny Rain Bows to figure out the best way to create a portable guide. They crammed local legal resources and safety tips, many from the Tampa Bay Action Collective, onto one piece of paper.

They spend nights printing, cutting and folding close to 1,000 free zines to pass out to protesters. The guide is also available in a printable format online.

I havent seen this many people come together like this for such an important cause that is beyond themselves," Holyoke said.

HEADING OUT TO THE PROTEST? How to protect eyes from tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.

WHY DO POLICE KEEP CLASHING WITH PROTESTERS? We looked at law enforcement rules. They urge de-escalation but only to a point.

WHAT ARE THEY USING? A guide to non-lethal and less-lethal weapons used in local, national protests.

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES? About half the charges filed have included unlawful assembly, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable up to 60 days in jail.

WHAT THEY WANT: Protesters explain what changes would make them feel like the movement is successful.

HOW TO SUPPORT: Whether youre protesting or staying inside, here are ways to educate yourself and support black-owned businesses.

SOME ARE NEW, SOME ARE LONGTIME FAVORITES: 15 black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Tampa Bay

Were working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you havent already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.

Offbeat Florida and Nostalgia Reporter

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How Tampa Bay businesses, artists and activists are helping protesters - Tampa Bay Times

A local Dallas activist is planning a Potluck Protest on Saturday, June 13, to showcase a number of the regions Black-owned restaurants and food trucks, and to highlight the role food plays in community and change.

The event will take place from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at Reverchon Park, right after a 1 p.m. protest at the park organized by the Next Generation Action Network. The lineup for the event is still in the works, but participating vendors already include Bams Vegan, Hardemans Barbecue, and Michaela Starling of Cooking for Cost.

Jeziel Jones, a Garland native, came up with the idea while attending a protest in Dallas earlier this month, he told the Dallas Morning News. Jones, who works as a software engineer, said he was especially interested in the way food and food service is tied to systems of oppression, as well as past civil rights movements. As the DMN points out, many historical protests have involved food and beverage service establishments, from lunch counter sit-ins to the Stonewall Riots.

Food and the community of sharing a meal also plays a pivotal role in shoring up political movements, giving space for activists to practice self care in the midst of a movement.

In addition to food vendors, The Potluck Protest will include discussions with community leaders, and a fundraiser to benefit both Black-owned restaurants and Dallas-area families in need of groceries. And The Potluck Protest may soon go national the website lists potential upcoming events in Austin, Chicago, San Francisco and other cities.

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The Potluck Protest Will Showcase Black-Owned Restaurants and Feed Protesters This Weekend - Eater Dallas

For a decadent breakfastor dessertthese vegan banana and oat crpes are a must.

I only have one other vegan crepe recipe on the blog and although that recipe is delicious it took me at least five crpes to get it right. However, I really wanted to try a different vegan crpe recipe that was a lot easier to make. Thats when I discovered this recipe for sweet banana crpes on YouTube from an account called nutrition refined. As soon as I saw the video I could tell that it would be really easy to make and that these crpes were not going to give me a lot of trouble, and I was right! I, of course, adapted the crpes slightly to my own liking and kept them entirely gluten-free. (Make sure to use specific gluten-free oats if you are very sensitive.)

The batter comes together really quickly in the blender. The finer you make it the better the texture of the crpes. For this recipe, I simply just put the oats in the blender first and whizzed them up until a fine flour and then added the rest of the ingredients over the top. Once all the ingredients were in the blender, just blend again until the batter forms.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do and I promise that if you struggle with making crpes like I did this recipe will be very easy for you. As usual, the recipe is refined sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and delicious.

Vegan Banana Oat Crepes Make It Breakfast Anytime Of Day

Ingredients

Instructions

6.4.5

For more deliciously decadent recipes, try making this vegan plum jelly tart with a raw walnut crust! According to the recipes author, the plum jelly layer is very sticky and sweet. It is very similar to a not so healthy sticky jelly on traditional cheesecakes.

You can also try making this vegan chocolate fudge with goji berries and roasted almonds. This recipe is made using only six ingredients, two of which are superfoods! The ingredients include cashews, cacao powder, maple syrup, goji berries, almonds, and cacao extract.

This recipe was republished with permission from Hazel and Cacao.

Recipe Name

Vegan Banana Oat Crepes Make It Breakfast Anytime Of Day

Author Name

Hazel and Cacao

Published On

2020-06-11

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Vegan Banana Oat Crepes Make It Breakfast Anytime Of Day - LIVEKINDLY

These healthy, vegan tofu nuggets are not only oil-free and super crispy, but they also have the perfect chewy texture! For this recipe, the tofu is baked in the oven instead of fried. This also makes the whole process of preparing them much easier!

To make the tofu nuggets, you first let them soak in a wet mixture so they dont dry up during baking. The wet mixture is simply a vegan buttermilk, which you can make by combining soy milk and lemon juice. Soy milk works best for this as its richest in proteins.

The wet mixture is also what makes the dry mixture stick to the tofu. For the dry mixture, you can use any variation of bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, almond meal, shredded coconut, and spices. When you add the tofu cubes to the dry mixture, it helps to use a fork and tap it on the bowl a few times. This way, the excess soy milk stays in the wet mixture bowl and doesnt clump the dry mixture.

The trick to getting these healthy vegan tofu nuggets super crispy without using oil is a high oven temperature. So before you even begin breading the nuggets, preheat your oven to 230C/450F.

When you flip the tofu nuggets halfway through baking, be careful and again, use a fork. Gently lift each nugget with the fork so that the breadcrumb coating doesnt remain stuck to the baking paper.

You can totally serve these tofu nuggets on their own as a little snack with some bbq sauce or ketchup. They also make a great topping for salad bowls as you can see below. Alternatively, you can add them to a wrap or as taco filling. Or, you can make slightly bigger nuggets and use them as burger patties!

Serve These Crispy Vegan Tofu Nuggets With a Side of BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

You could also use any other plant-based milk, but soy milk works best to make vegan buttermilk because it has a high amount of protein.

Feel free to experiment with the ingredients for the dry mixture. You can use: breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, almond meal, ground hazelnuts/walnuts, quinoa, hemp seed hearts

6.4.5

Recipe Name

Serve These Crispy Vegan Tofu Nuggets With a Side of BBQ Sauce

Author Name

Sarah's Vegan Guide

Published On

2020-06-11

Preparation Time

0H15M

Cook Time

0H20M

Total Time

0H35M

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Serve These Crispy Vegan Tofu Nuggets With a Side of BBQ Sauce - LIVEKINDLY

Rapper Jermaine Dupri, Atlanta-based vegan restaurant Slutty Vegan, and plant-based brand Impossible Foods recently partnered to launch a year-long campaign to feed communities across the country as they exercise their right to vote. The Votenik event aims to make the voting experience interactive and fun. It kicked off today at a voting site in Atlanta, GA, where Dupri and Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole were on site with the Slutty Vegan food truck to give out complimentary Sloppy Toppy burgers, which feature Impossible Burger patties topped with jalapeos, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and Slut Sauce on a vegan Hawaiian bun.

This is the next step in making sure that everyone gets out and votes, Cole said. This is the most productive way to get our voices heard, and we are beyond grateful to be launching this initiative with both Jermaine Dupri and Impossible Foods.

Earlier this year, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses, Slutty Vegan planned to set off on a 50-city food truck tour to help register customers to vote while they waited in line for food. With the new Votenik initiative, voters will be offered hand sanitizer as they arrive and will be asked to stand six feet apart. The Votenik event plans to stop in Washington DC, New York, and Philadelphia, among other places.

The Votenik event is the latest initiative of Coles Pinky Cole Foundation, which is currently supporting communities during COVID-19 through various initiatives that include paying the rent for other small businesses in the Metro-Atlanta area and providing meals to Atlantas essential workers.

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Jermaine Dupri and Slutty Vegan Kick Off Year-Long Campaign to Support Voters with Free Impossible Burgers - VegNews

Hey, youre already okay not ordering the chili cheese fries. But now that youve swapped meat and mozz for a plant-forward lifestyle, you may be wondering how else you can keep more green in the bank. The best news? By going vegan, youre likely already saving bigwithout even trying as animal products from the seafood counter to the butcher to fancy cheese can cost a pretty penny. To help you out even moreand, we confess, steal a few ideas for ourselveswe reached out to nutritionists for their best tips to slash costs at the supermarket (or more likely these days, in your virtual grocery cart).

These are foods that you cook with often, are not very expensive, and that you enjoy. These are often foods that are minimally processed, can be purchased in bulk / larger quantities and are not very expensive, advises Lisa Hugh, MSHS, RD, LDN, CLT, Food Sensitivity Expert,SingleIngredientGroceries.com.

For instance, in the grains/complex carbs category, these might be foods like potatoes, brown rice, and barley. In the vegetable department, this might be frozen mixed vegetables, fresh cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Once youve established your staple foods across categories, do some time comparison shopping to determine which stores or online grocers sell them for the best price and shop accordingly.

This goes hand-in-hand with the advice above. Many foods that are naturally vegan are also some of the most affordable foods too. Think legumes, whole grains, veggies and fruit, shares Bri Bell, RD, Frugal Minimalist Kitchen. A plant-based diet starts to add up when we're relying on a lot of ready-made vegan food substitutes for animal products like faux meats, cheeses, and butter. When making your staples category, try to group products like vegan ice cream, plant-based meat, and other pricy vegan foods into a splurge category, and allow yourself one or two items a week.

My favorite trick is skipping the name brands and going for the no-name or the store brand. I find that these tend to be the cheapest and tend to be on higher or lower shelves not on eye-level, offers Mitchelle Wright, RDN,You have to remember that when you are buying name brands you are actually paying for advertising, commercials, product testing and so much more. Trust us, when you dig into those fully loaded black bean nachos or vegan enchiladas, youll never be able to tell if the beans were budget buys or designers.

Assuming you feel safe grocery shopping right now, consider Asian markets in your area as a great way to load up on tasty, affordable vegan fare. They have excellent prices on fresh produce as well as some pantry staples such as rice noodles and tofu. A week's worth of fresh produce works out to be about $20-$30 for per person there, compared to easily over $60 at a regular grocery store, says Bell.

Crispy tofu with spicy brown sauce and mango salsafor dinner? Ah, were so glad you suggested it.

Raise your hand if you had to toss that fancy tempeh because you didnt get to it by its expiration date or you watched that beautiful bag of arugula wilt in your fridge Were raising our hand and were not proud. You can freeze a lot of things. I hear from my patients all the time that they end up wasting a lot of food, especially produce because it starts to go bad before they use it, says Hugh. If fresh food is on the verge of going bad I freeze it in a hurry. In addition to fresh fruits and veggies, rice, beans, soups, stews, sauces, and more also freeze well.

Currently, Hugh tells The Beet she has the following in her freezer: Fresh cilantro, fresh thyme, red onion, and a bag of shredded cabbage/coleslaw mix. Most things can be frozen in reusable plastic containers, ziplock bags, or even the bag they came in (coleslaw mix, baby carrots, spinach/baby spinach), she shares. Sturdier herbs like rosemary and thyme can be frozen as is while softer herbs like basil and parsley in oil or water in ice cube trays.

A windowsill is all you need for fresh herbs and even other fresh veggies like mushrooms. And if you have a yard, get planting to keep more green in both your wallet and also the table. We grow scallions, thyme and mint in our garden, says Hugh. We don't have a lot of time for gardening but these are pretty easy to maintain and are really enjoyable.

This isnt true for all markets, but for many people, purchasing pantry items from tomato paste to vegetable stock may be most affordable when you shop online. From experience, buying vegan nonperishable grocery items online not only saves me money but also time, says Wright. I do this for most of my non-perishable vegan products. The essence is these companies can buy larger quantities of a particular product, thus it is usually less expensive and it is delivered straight to my doorstep.

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7 Ways to Save Money on Your Vegan Grocery List, According to Nutritionists - The Beet

This week, vegan actress Natalie Portman took to Instagram to voice her support for defunding the police as a measure to prevent police violence against Black people. When I first heard #defundthepolice, I have to admit my first reaction was fear, Portman said. My whole life, police have made me feel safe. But thats exactly the center of my white privilege: the police make me as a white woman feel safe, while my Black friends, family, and neighbors feel the opposite: police make them feel terror. And for good reason. Police are the sixth leading cause of death for Black men in this country.

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When I first heard #defundthepolice, I have to admit my first reaction was fear. My whole life, police have made me feel safe. But thats exactly the center of my white privilege: the police make me as a white woman feel safe, while my black friends, family and neighbors feel the opposite: police make them feel terror. And for good reason. Police are the 6th leading cause of death for black men in this country. These are not isolated incidents. They are patterns and part of the system of over-policing of black Americans. Reforms have not worked. Minneapolis, where George Floyd was murdered, is one of the most progressive police forces in the country, having undergone extensive anti-bias training. I am grateful to the leaders in the @mvmnt4blklives who have made us question the status quo. And who have made us imagine, what a world could be like in which we invested in nourishing people; (in their education, healthcare, environment, shelter) rather than putting all of our money into punishment. Ive gotten to the age in my life, where if my gut feels uncomfortable, I take the situation as wrong. But this concept initially made me uncomfortable because I was wrong. Because the system that makes me feel comfortable is wrong. #defendblacklives#defundthepolice Swipe right for additional resources via @theslacktivists

A post shared by Natalie Portman (@natalieportman) on Jun 8, 2020 at 3:02pm PDT

Portman explained that solving the underlying issues with the police force in the United States requires more than procedural reforms such as implicit bias training. Minneapolis, where George Floyd was murdered, is one of the most progressive police forces in the country, having undergone extensive anti-bias training, Portman said. I am grateful to the leaders in the Movement for Black Lives who have made us question the status quo. And who have made us imagine what a world could be like in which we invested in nourishing peoplein their education, healthcare, environment, shelterrather than putting all of our money into punishment.

Portmans Instagram post also included an explanation of how defunding the police would allow for investment in Black communities and specialized first responders such as mental health professionals while reducing police presence in communities of color and demilitarizing officers to reduce incidents of police violence. Ive gotten to the age in my life, where if my gut feels uncomfortable, I take the situation as wrong, Portman said. But this concept [of defunding the police] initially made me uncomfortable because I was wrong. Because the system that makes me feel comfortable is wrong.

For her birthday on June 9, Portman pledged to match up to $100,000 in donations to A New Way of Lifea nonprofit founded by social-justice activist Susan Burton which helps women break the cycle of entrapment in the criminal justice system.

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Vegan Actress Natalie Portman Speaks Out in Support of Defunding the Police to Save Black Lives - VegNews

words Alexa Wang

We find that our lives, more so in our current age, have become consumed by the pursuit of finances, and overwhelmed by technology. In times that are incredibly straining, both physically and mentally, it can be important to just take a moment, take a deep breath, and relax.

Many people forget the importance of introspective reflection, and by taking a minute, or an hour, to meditate every day, you can not only calm your mind but also boost your productivity and increase your threshold for stress.

It is more important now than ever to make use of the Eastern philosophies and doctrines which teach better mental clarity and a way to move forward without bearing the perpetual signs of stress and anxiety.

Whether you decide to subscribe to a specific doctrine or meditative practice, there are many ways. From the Taoist meditation of Tai Chi, originating in the mountains of China, to the Zen Buddhist sitting practice. Zen Buddhism originated from Chan, the Chinese word for stillness, somewhat over a thousand years ago.

Zen Buddhism focuses entirely on mental clarity and weighs heavily on the importance of being still and experiencing periods of nothingness in your life to make you more prone to solving stressful situations and resolving things you ordinarily wouldnt be able to due to high levels of stress.

More common to India and in Tibet is the practice of beaded meditation. By posturing correctly and in one hand gently thumbing through a bracelet of beads, you can gradually sink into a very deep introspective meditation. If you visit this site, there are different kinds of meditative beads that are a sure-fire and proven way to achieve introspection and the proverbial oneness. Beaded meditation is part of a style of meditation known as an active meditation. Active meditation is one of the most widespread practices in the world and its permutations permeate every philosophical doctrine in the Orient.

From walking meditation to the aforementioned Tai Chi, from Kung fu to Jujutsu, active meditation is very popular and still to this day highly practiced meditative praxis. Spoken highly in many Eastern philosophical religions, it has recently begun to permeate the West, hence we have seen a huge rise in those attending both Yoga classes and Tai Chi classes in America, England, and across Europe, and around the world. It is no surprise at times of such stress that we find ourselves turning inwards to address our problems.

This perhaps is the largest and most popular form of meditation, another that has permeated all of the Oriental philosophical doctrines. Sitting meditation was one of the first teachings of the Buddha, and is still carried on to this day, used by people from all walks of society. It can be hard to calm the mind, but to do so you must first persevere through the suffering you will experience. The suffering, whether mental or physical, is a sign of growth. By sitting completely still and opening yourself up to the world, mentally and physically, emptying your mind of thoughts, you will begin to suffer. You will notice pain, irritation, and an overwhelming sense of agitation and need to leave, but you must let it stay as it is and be. Eventually, the sensation will pass, you will feel as if you have no hands or feet and are floating.

This can take a while and many weeks or months, or even years of practice. By sitting through the suffering, you are conditioning your body and your mind to be more tolerant of potential problems or threats and will be better aided in dealing with stressful situations. The sitting meditation not only benefits you in stressful situations but will help bring order to a chaotic life and remove any chaotic inclinations you may have. Whether you suffer from a form of OCD or anxiety, sitting meditation can be greatly beneficial and has been proven by top psychologists and philosophers to have a strong positive effect on poor mental wellbeing. By sitting only for an hour a day, or even half an hour, you can greatly improve your life in ways you couldnt earlier imagine.

If you struggle very much with sitting still it could be a good thing for you to attend a meditation retreat or classes, or even consult a monk directly who can take on a role as master, and you as their disciple. By approaching a monk, you must be ready to adhere strictly to their doctrine, and also be wary of who you approach.

In recent years there has been a trend of pseudo-religious teachers asking for money in exchange for so-called enlightenment but these are no more than a cult. Consult your Buddhist or Taoist, or even Shinto societies locally, and ask them to put you in touch with a good Master.

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Meditation Techniques to Calm the Mind - Flux Magazine