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If you have lunch at Follow Your Heart vegan cafe on Sherman Way in Canoga Park, you may see a friendly-looking guy hovering around. Hes there for a few hours every day, doing a little bit of everything.

Its kind of my job to eat different things on the menu to ensure consistency. One cook teaches another cook and recipes totally change.

Take note that man is not just the food taster. Hes Bob Goldberg, now a wise elder to the vegan food scene in Los Angeles. He began Follow Your Heart with friends in 1970, as a vegetarian hippie hangout in the valley.

Bob Goldberg and his partners

Courtesy Follow Your Heart

Today, more than 50 years later, its a vegan grocery store and diner, with a college town food co-op vibe, selling plant-based diner food: sandwiches, pot pies, chili cheese fries. And even more importantly, Goldberg has had a massive impact on plant-based eating, creating Vegenaise and starting the Follow Your Heart and Earth Island brands.

The Follow Your Heart cafe first started as a juice bar in the back of Johnny Weissmullers American Natural Foods on Owensmouth. Weissmuller was an Olympic gold medalist and star of the Tarzan movies.

In 1973, Goldberg, along with partners Paul Lewin, Spencer Windbiel and Michael Besanon, bought out the market, and got rid of all the meat and dairy products.

When we first started, this strip was still Antique Row wed get thrifted plates from the Salvation Army, he remembers.

The place soon attracted a loyal following, with people traveling long distances to the West Valley, because back then, as Goldberg says, "vegetarian places were few and far between."

By 1976, they outgrew the store and moved into a former butcher shop, which is the current Sherman Way location.

"I grew up in a family of grocers, says Goldberg. His grandfather Sam Kapitanoff opened Crystal Foods shortly after the turn of the century when he arrived in Beloit, Wisconsin from Eastern Europe very New Agey name, he laughs. Hed visit the store as a kid with his parents from Chicago, an hour-and-a-half away.

The other side of Goldbergs family was in the model airplane kits industry. In those days, Carl Goldberg Products was a hugely inspiring company for would-be aeronautical engineers. However, model planes later fell out of popularity in the 70's with the emergence of the space program. I was a national champion as a child, he says with a smile.

Chef Proof Fujiyama-Ahira and owner Bob Goldberg at Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe in Canoga Park.

Brian Feinzimer

/

LAist

In 1967, Goldberg got drafted into the army. Initially, he thought hed have to travel overseas, but he received a last minute change of orders to join the Army Band. (Goldberg had played trumpet since he was 10 and studied music at Indiana University).

Goldberg says he wasnt yet critical of the war in Vietnam. It was a bad time a turbulent time. But I was on board for everything. I didn't question authority ... that came later.

In the barracks he was assigned to a room with one other guy who had the "opposite of my background. Hed been in trouble with the law and a judge had given him the choice to go to jail or enlist. His barrack-mate showed him something rolled up in aluminum foil he didn't know what it was. "I'd never seen marijuana, he says. They went into a closet and got high.

A moment later Bob remembers sitting down on his bed and thinking Everything I know was wrong it just hit me. I remember an overwhelming feeling that I'd been lied to.

In the Army Band hed travel to midwestern states playing a lot of parades, Bob pauses, but also Taps at a lot of funerals. This experience made him see the impact of what war can do, which led to his embrace of meat-less eating.

I became vegetarian for moral reasons. I was against unnecessary killing. And sometimes the practice of killing animals can lead to the killing of people.

Out of the Army, in 1969, Goldberg drove across the country to Los Angeles. He spent the first few weeks on a buddys couch in Woodland Hills before finding a place up the street from Johnny Weissmullers.

Goldberg was glad to find somewhere he could get camaraderie and vegetarian food. I was meeting my people and getting an education in living in a more peaceful way.

A promotional image for Vegenaise that shows the product when it was first introduced in wide release in 1995.

Courtesy Follow Your Heart

Their customers included many seeking a more spiritual parth, and would suggest books, which theyd sell in the corner of the shop. The Whole Earth Catalog, books on environmentalism or eastern philosophy, Hindu- buddhism, the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Michael Besanon was a follower of a guru whose followers culinary practice excluded meat, fowl, and eggs (though dairy was okay). So the menu at Follow Your Heart applied that approach to their familiar diner fare.

But they wanted to serve that part of the community that didnt eat eggs. And without mayonnaise, the cafes sandwiches were less than appealing. They still needed a lube," laughs Goldberg.

So they set about finding a mayo alternative. They went through lots of options before stumbling upon a guy whod created a product called Lecinaise which was supposedly an egg-free substance made from lecithin, which helped emulsify lipids.

They began using it in the restaurant. But a few months later they started hearing that there were actually eggs in this Lecinaise. Eventually, Goldberg says the guy got busted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture he was soaking jars of regular mayonnaise to get the labels off and then putting his own label on top!

The fried chicken sandwich from Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe in Canoga Park.

Brian Feinzimer

/

LAist

The sprouts sandwich love plate, fried chicken, reuben and club sandwiches from Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe in Canoga Park.

Brian Feinzimer

/

LAist

They immediately had to look for other options. But when they approached food manufacturers, they were told an egg-free mayo alternative wasnt possible.

So Goldberg started experimenting. What could be a good plant-based solution? He tried mixing various oils and fats trying to find the best way to make them cohere. It took a lot of trials, my whole fridge [was] full of various stages, he says.

He finally came up with the answer in a dream. I bolted up, and then sat in bed, waiting two hours for light then mixed tofu scraps in a blender and combined them with oil, he says, which gave the consistency he was looking for. Eventually they replaced the tofu with isolated soy proteins and began making it themselves, as Vegenaise.

We didnt want to be a manufacturer, but that became the only option, he says.

It was so popular that in 1988, Follow Your Heart started a manufacturing division, Earth Island, which expanded from Vegenaise into other plant- based products like salad dressings, dips, and cheeses.

It was highly successful but around that time the original Follow Your Heart partnership started to dissolve. Goldberg says we all wanted to do different things. Like many bands we broke up. We lasted about as long as The Beatles.

Goldberg and Lewin bought out their other partners. Goldberg says Spencer went into early retirement, and Michael went on to become an executive at Whole Foods.

At that time Follow Your Heart and their Earth Island products were vegetarian, which meant they made some dairy products in their factories.

But when they started making white label products for Trader Joes, they were forced to wrestle with whether to go vegan. Trader Joes Caesar and Blue Cheese salad dressings had been made with a plant-based rennet. But when that became unavailable, they faced a choice.

"I wasn't comfortable with the company using a natural rennet the enzyme used to coagulate cheese from the intestine of a baby cow when the vegan one ran out, he says.

They ultimately decided to give up that part of the business, and became completely plant-based. I wasn't willing to be involved in the slaughter of animals.

He says they walked away from millions. "We saw a short-term drop in sales, but eventually it paid off.

Goldberg spent nearly 30 years building Earth Island. In that time, their products became available at grocery stores across the country and around the world. Their offerings helped spread the ubiquity of plant-based eating to a new generation that could now more easily access vegan food.

In 2020, Bob's long-time friend and business partner, Paul Lewin, unexpectedly passed away. "His passing was a big part of why I was ready to close that chapter of my life" says Goldberg "as it was something that we had done together for 50 years, and without him, it just wasnt the same". So in 2021, he sold Earth Island for an undisclosed amount to French food-product corporation Danone, famous for their yogurt, who also had a dairy-free division, including the plant-based milk alternative, Silk.

At the time, Goldberg felt like he had spent enough time at the factory. It was a good thing but it was just so big, he says. I wasnt having as much fun as the first ten years with the four partners behind the bar. I didnt know everyone on the staff anymore. I didnt know our customers, it was all big grocers. It wasnt the same personal experience.

Part of the sale required Bob to stay on at Earth Island/Danone for an extra year to help the transition, but now Bob is back where it all started at Follow Your Heart in Canoga Park.

He still has an eye to the future, seeing trends and wanting to be part of them.

"I have a sense, and a vision that Canoga Park is beginning a real renaissance of development, with the Rams building a training facility and Warner 2035. If you look around, this was an almost affordable area. Over the next twenty years it's gonna be very much in demand. Were hanging in there we want to be a part of the next phase.

Diners eat in the cafe at Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe in Canoga Park.

Brian Feinzimer

/

LAist

They own the building across the parking lot, which still says Mr Jacks Wig Shop (which was never actually a business, just the set design from the movie Licorice Pizza).

In that space they are going to build out a bakery and a coffee roaster. We still have our wholesale bakery but we want to get into the retail side, says Goldberg.

When I visited Follow Your Heart to interview Goldberg recently, we had a lunch of plant-based Reubens. Afterwards, he gave me a copy of his 2020 book The Vegenaise Cookbook, Great Food Thats Vegan, Too and signed it To Josh my great new friend. Integrity is the answer.

For Goldberg, integrity means making sure that ones actions are congruent with ones beliefs. That you are living in your truth. And when you arent, those relationships get fractured. Integrity is what makes things cohere.

Kinda like Vegenaise.

Have An Idea For A Food Story?

Send it our way. We cant reply to every query we receive but we will try to help. Wed love to hear from you.

Read the original here:

The OG Vegan: Bob Goldberg On Creating Vegenaise And Popularizing Plant-Based Eating - LAist

Firewall secures funding from North Island Ventures, Breyer Capital, and Hack VC to bulletproof smart contract networks.

San Francisco, USA / California, 7 March, Chainwire Firewall, a blockchain infrastructure startup, announced its $3.7M pre-seed round, co-led by North Island Ventures, Breyer Capital, and Hack VC. Firewall transforms the usability of smart contract technology through an innovative finality consensus mechanism that eliminates smart contract exploits.

The founders of Firewall, previously the first and sixth employees at Staked a staking company acquired by Kraken in a landmark crypto deal have helped breathe life into the eras of proof-of-stake and decentralized finance over the last six years. In that time, the founders served institutional clients with infrastructure that handled billions of dollars, and now building on their experience, are addressing what most perceive as the final major hurdle to a full embrace of digital assets by the traditional financial system.

Firewall is building the safety rails that enable the everyday person to use the next era of the Internet, stated Devan Purhar, Co-Founder of Firewall. Today, billions of dollars are stolen from users, through irreversible transactions that are classifiable as theft. Theres a parallel between the current state of crypto-networks and the early internet, with a similar lack of essential security infrastructure. Our focus is not on marginal improvements; rather, we bring a required paradigm shift in the usability of blockchains. We designed a solution from first principles, and created programmable finality. Fundamentally, we make exploits a concept of the past.

Akin to a digital version of a traditional networks firewall, Firewalls technology introduces "programmable finality. It extends rollups to use programmable transaction finalization rules, which act as automated checkpoints that block harmful transactions, inserted before later stages when the data is finalized by a DA layer such as EigenDA or Celestia. The founders envision Firewall as a part of every smart contract network, acting as an embedded security system that intelligently guards against threats.

"Firewall uses real-time algorithms to pre-filter exploits from being included in blocks," shared Sam Mitchell, Firewall Co-Founder. "Then, by using programmable finality we automatically recover from any exploits that bypass the pre-filter checks. Detection at this stage can involve AI models or social consensus, which may take longer. Mitchell emphasized that institutions, managing trillions in assets, are interested in the benefits of smart contracts but require a secure environment to deploy capital. Creating comfort for institutional clients to use smart contracts will be the pivotal point for the widespread adoption of digital assets.

Past the founders, the core team is credited with successfully pioneering AI use in crypto threat detection at OpenZeppelin and Forta, and is set to revolutionize the field with Firewall's all-encompassing security approach. The startups initial focus is on the rollup ecosystem, and prides itself on alignment with building non-custodial and trustless solutions. The funding will help expand the team and create the community to firewall the EVM. Longer-term plans include developing coordination mechanisms to integrate the social layer directly into the Firewall.

Travis Scher, Managing Partner at North Island Ventures, said:

We believe the primary impediment to cryptos mainstream adoption is the current security paradigm, in which a single bug can lead to a total loss of user funds. Firewall's solution can prevent such losses, and we are thrilled to support such an important company from the outset.

The funding round was co-led by North Island Ventures, Breyer Capital, and Hack VC, with participation from Finality Capital, and angels including Tim Ogilvie of Staked, Kain Warwick and Jordan Momtazi of Synthetix, Nathan McCauley of Anchorage, and Yaoqi Jia of AltLayer.

Firewall is making blockchains safer for users, developers, and institutions, said Ted Breyer of Breyer Capital. We see this catalyzing a new era of smart contract utility, and were delighted to support the team.

With the growing global adoption of crypto and regulatory spotlight, catalyzed by the BTC ETF and anticipated ETH ETF, the time for crypto-networks to become bulletproof is now. Trillions of dollars remain on the sidelines, scared to use smart contracts. Firewall's programmable finality which effectively neutralizes exploits, offers the security assurance needed to unlock these assets, paving the way for crypto to revolutionize the global financial system.

Firewall is dedicated to making smart contract technology safe to use in everyday life, by eliminating smart contract exploits. Their solution is akin to a robust network firewall, applied to the modular blockchain ecosystem.

Co-Founder

Devan Purhar

Firewall

devan@usefirewall.com

This publication is provided by the client. Cointelegraph does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Cointelegraph is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned in the press release.

Originally posted here:

Firewall raises $3.7M to take smart contracts mainstream with programmable finality - Cointelegraph

March 7, 2024 San Francisco, California

Firewall, blockchain infrastructure startup, announced its $3.7 million pre-seed round, co-led by North Island Ventures, Breyer Capital and Hack VC.

Firewall transforms the usability of smart contract technology through an innovative finality consensus mechanism that eliminates smart contract exploits.

The founders of Firewall, previously the first and sixth employees at Staked a staking company acquired by Kraken in a landmark crypto deal have helped breathe life into the eras of PoS (proof-of-stake) and DeFi (decentralized finance) over the last six years.

In that time, the founders served institutional clients with infrastructure that handled billions of dollars, and now building on their experience, are addressing what most perceive as the final major hurdle to a full embrace of digital assets by the traditional financial system.

Devan Purhar, co-founder of Firewall, said,

Firewall is building the safety rails that enable the everyday person to use the next era of the internet. Today, billions of dollars are stolen from users, through irreversible transactions that are classifiable as theft.

Theres a parallel between the current state of crypto networks and the early internet, with a similar lack of essential security infrastructure.

Our focus is not on marginal improvements rather, we bring a required paradigm shift in the usability of blockchains. We designed a solution from first principles and created programmable finality. Fundamentally, we make exploits a concept of the past.

Akin to a digital version of a traditional networks firewall, Firewalls technology introduces programmable finality.

It extends rollups to use programmable transaction finalization rules which act as automated checkpoints that block harmful transactions inserted before later stages when the data is finalized by a DA layer such as EigenDA or Celestia.

The founders envision Firewall as a part of every smart contract network, acting as an embedded security system that intelligently guards against threats.

Sam Mitchell, co-founder of Firewall, said,

Firewall uses real-time algorithms to pre-filter exploits from being included in blocks. Then, by using programmable finality we automatically recover from any exploits that bypass the pre-filter checks. Detection at this stage can involve AI models or social consensus, which may take longer.

Mitchell emphasized that institutions managing trillions in assets are interested in the benefits of smart contracts but require a secure environment to deploy capital.

Mitchell added,

Creating comfort for institutional clients to use smart contracts will be the pivotal point for the widespread adoption of digital assets.

Past the founders, the core team is credited with successfully pioneering AI use in crypto threat detection at OpenZeppelin and Forta and is set to revolutionize the field with Firewalls all-encompassing security approach.

The startups initial focus is on the rollup ecosystem and prides itself on alignment with building non-custodial and trustless solutions.

The funding will help expand the team and create the community to firewall the EVM.

Longer-term plans include developing coordination mechanisms to integrate the social layer directly into the Firewall.

Travis Scher, managing partner at North Island Ventures, said,

We believe the primary impediment to cryptos mainstream adoption is the current security paradigm in which a single bug can lead to a total loss of user funds. Firewalls solution can prevent such losses, and we are thrilled to support such an important company from the outset.

The funding round was co-led by North Island Ventures, Breyer Capital and Hack VC, with participation from Finality Capital and angels including Tim Ogilvie of Staked, Kain Warwick and Jordan Momtazi of Synthetix, Nathan McCauley of Anchorage and Yaoqi Jia of AltLayer.

Ted Breyer of Breyer Capital said,

Firewall is making blockchains safer for users, developers and institutions. We see this catalyzing a new era of smart contract utility, and were delighted to support the team.

With the growing global adoption of crypto and regulatory spotlight, catalyzed by the BTC ETF and anticipated ETH ETF, the time for crypto networks to become bulletproof is now.

Trillions of dollars remain on the sidelines, scared to use smart contracts.

Firewalls programmable finality, which effectively neutralizes exploits, offers the security assurance needed to unlock these assets, paving the way for crypto to revolutionize the global financial system.

Firewall is dedicated to making smart contract technology safe to use in everyday life by eliminating smart contract exploits.

Their solution is akin to a robust network firewall, applied to the modular blockchain ecosystem.

Devan Purhar, co-founder of Firewall

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Read the original post:

Firewall Raises $3.7 Million To Take Smart Contracts Mainstream With Programmable Finality - The Daily Hodl

Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh): On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, a heartwarming event unfolded at Mahadevgarh temple in Khandwa town, where one Rukhsana, a resident of Bangarda, made a life-changing decision. She embraced the Sanatan Hindu religion and entered nuptial knot with Sunil from Pipalkota, a choice that was filled with love and devotion.

The ceremony was a beautiful blend of traditions, with the couple taking seven sacred rounds around the holy fire, symbolizing their lifelong commitment to each other.

Rukhsana, who got new identity after embracing the Sanatan says she is now Rakhi. She expressed her deep reverence for Lord Shiva and her eagerness to learn about the life of Lord Shri Ram by reading Ramcharit Manas.

The union of Rukhsana and Sunil, witnessed by Lord Bholenath himself, symbolizes the harmonious blending of different faiths and the power of love to transcend boundaries. Ashok Paliwal, the chief of Mahadevgarh, shared his thoughts saying, "Today, Rukhsana of Bangarda has made Rakhi with Sunil of Pipalkota. They have come here willingly and got married according to Hindu customs. Rukhsana's adoption of Hinduism and their marriage marks a joyous celebration of unity and love."

The newlyweds expressed their happiness and gratitude for the support and blessings they received from their families and the community. Their story stands as a testament to the timeless values of love, acceptance, and understanding, inspiring many to embrace unity amidst diversity.

Read more from the original source:

MP: Muslim Woman Rukhsana Converts To Hinduism, Marries Sunil In Traditional Ceremony On Mahashivratri (WATCH) - Free Press Journal

Insisting on getting 14 hours sleep a night and bathing at any hour because she finds that 'water is really grounding' - Dakota Johnson lives in a wonderful Hollywood world where she is now preparing to become the next Mrs Chris Martin.

The Fifty Shades of Grey actress, 34, was proposed to by the Coldplay singer, 47, 'a while ago' with the full blessing of his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, 51, and their children Apple, 19, and Moses, 17.

Their news comes six years after their relationship started as a source told the Mirror it was 'inevitable' - because the famous couple had beenbesotted with each other from day one.

But behind their romance Dakota puts sleep as her 'number one priority', as she meditates twice a day to manage anxiety.

And the Madame Web star has revealed the gentle ways in which her now-fiance helps to ease her out of a 'low day'.

'I dont have a regular [wake-up] time. It depends on whats happening in my life. If Im not working, if I have a day off on a Monday, then I will sleep as long as I can. Sleep is my number one priority in life,' she told the WSJ.

'Im not functional if I get less than 10. I can easily go 14 hours.'

The Persuasion actress also revealed she will 'get in a bathtub at any time of day' saying: 'If in the middle of the day, Im like, "Oh God, what is this world?" Ill get in the bathtub. I find water really grounding.

'I meditate every day, twice a day. I do transcendental meditation. I've been really into breathwork recently and thats been helping me a lot with anxiety.'

Dakota, who has suffered with depressionsince she was 15, revealed her coping mechanism is to use humour to 'deflect'.

Her parents, Hollywood stars Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, entered her into the world of therapy at a young age amid their public divorce in 1996 - when Dakota was just seven years old.

Griffith has a host of major blockbusters to her name including Lolita, Working Girl and Roar, while Johnson has starred in films Miami Vice, Knives Out and Django Unchained.

The Miami Vice star later married Kelley Phleger in 1999 and the Working Girl actress tiedthe knot with Antonio Banderas in 1996. They divorced in 2015.

Dakota is also the granddaughter of actress Tippi Hedren, who starred in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and Marnie.

Hitchcock's obsession with Hedren is well-documented, with the actress revealing in recent years that after she refused his sexual advances he threatened to ruin her career.

Speaking candidly about her mental health struggles as she was honoured for her depression advocacy work at the 17th Annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar in December, Dakota recalled one telltale sign the Yellow singer knows to look out for.

'A few weeks ago I was having a low day,' she began. 'My partner said to me so kindly, "Are you really struggling?". I said, "No".

'He said, "Baby, you're wearing a Cats T-shirt". Like Cats, the musical. It turns out I was really struggling.'

She continued: 'But that moment lifted my heart, and it pulled me out of it.'

Dakota, who has been dating the British singer since 2017, continued: 'I think most of the time I speak about depression or anxiety in a very self-deprecating way. Perhaps it is easier to look it in the eyes if I wear the mask of comedy.

'Covering my pain or anxiety in comedy is a lifelong tool and I don't think it's a bad thing. It works. It helps me because sometimes if I don't laugh, I'll cry.'

Elsewhere in the speech, Dakota explained: 'The biggest thing I've learnt about depression is learning to become okay with there never really being an immediate answer, never really being an immediate end.'

The actress has also described herself as a 'sexual person' - after becoming a household name when she starred in 2015 movie Fifty Shades of Grey, with sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed following in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2022, she said: 'I'm a sexual person, and when I'm interested in something, I want to know so much about it.'

'That's why I did those big naked movies. I signed up to do a very different version of the film we ended up making.'

Chris Martin was formerly married to Iron Man star Gwyneth Paltrow, who is well known for her own wacky lifestyle - including famously launching a candle that smells like her vagina.

The This Smells Like My Vagina candle was first released back in 2020, and admitted the geranium, citrusy bergamot, and cedar scented candle was initially created as a joke.

But following her first candle's success, Gwyneth's brand then released a second titled, This Smells Like My Orgasm.

Gwyneth - who founded the website in 2008 - is no stranger to sparking controversy on her lifestyle website by previously advising readers to purchase a $15,000 24k gold vibrator and vaginal jade eggs.

She has also turned her attention to the world of BDSM, selling a nude underwear set alongside a black whip, which promised to fulfill consumers 'fantasies'.

Dakota also complained of the making of Fifty Shades of Grey as 'psychotic' and insists the trilogy lacked the sexual intensity she envisaged when agreeing to take on her starring role as Anastasia "Ana" Steele.

She explained how making the trilogy became complicated in part because the author of the books, E.L. James maintained creative control over the film adaptations.

And although she doesn't regret working on the racy franchise of films, the Texan born star said that the original film she signed on to wasn't exactly the one they ended up doing.

Chris and Dakota met through mutual friends and have 'never really left each other' since, the actress told Vanity Fair in June 2022.

She was seen wearing an emerald green ring on her wedding finger at her 34th birthday in Los Angeles last October.

They were first spotted together in 2017, the year after the musician's divorce from Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth.

However, it was not initially clear if the couple were dating, or just close.

In June 2019, the pair had a wobble, rumoured to be a result of the Coldplay frontman pushing for them to have children.

This was a leap as Dakota, in her professional prime, was reportedly not enthusiastic about. However, before summer was up, they were back together.

They will be extra glad for that having seemingly got matching infinity sign tattoos in 2018.

Dakota has recently said she loves Chris and Gwyneth's two children 'like my life depends on it'.

In an interview with Bustle, the actress, 34, opened up about being a stepmom to Apple and Moses, the teenage children Coldplay singer Chris shares with Gwyneth.

'I love those kids like my life depends on it. With all my heart,' Dakota said of Apple and Moses.

As a member of a large blended family herself, Dakota - who was recently spotted in Malibu - has learned to embrace connections that aren't blood-related.

When the reporter brought up a photo Gwyneth posted of her and Dakota, she said: 'I grew up in a family that was so big, and I just believe in the saying "Blood is thicker than water,"' she explained.

'The actual saying is "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb," which means that the connections with people you choose are more solid than the connections to the people you're actually born to.'

Now, Dakota is open to having children of her own.

'Im so open to that. Ive gotten to this place where I really want to experience everything that life has to offer. And especially being a woman, Im like, What a magical f*cking thing to do.

'What a crazy, magical, wild experience. If thats meant to happen for me, Im totally down for it. Ive been really tripping out recently like, were not here for very long.

'Theres so much to eat up and learn and grow from and experience and feel. That includes all the pain and the suffering and feeling so helpless about the world. Most days I feel like the most useless piece of sh*t.

'Im sitting in this dumb*ss chair, talking about this dumb*ss movie, and there are people in excruciating catastrophes, and what can I do? I do have that incredible friction in myself.

'And then Im like, "Were not here for very long, so if Im meant to be a mother, bring it on". '

The actress has been dating Coldplay frontman Chris since 2017 but watching him perform on stage never gets old.

'I love watching him. I could watch him every day. I dont know how to explain it. I feel like, I dont know... Im watching my most favorite being do his most favorite thing,' she explained.

The couple have lived together in a multi-million Malibu beach-house for some years now.

The singer is into his surfing, and the actress likes to swim, making this a perfect location.

Dakota also enjoys whizzing around the area in a 1965 Mustang bought for her as a birthday present by her partner.

They support each other professionally, with Dakota appearing at Chris' gigs, and Chris at Dakota's premieres.

In June 2023, the vocalist even serenaded his girlfriend at his band's visit to Naples.

They have even worked together once, with Dakota the director of Coldplay's 2020 music video for the song Cry Cry Cry.

Originally posted here:

Sleeping 14 hours a night, 'grounding' water and meditating twice daily...and we're not talking about Gwyneth! - Daily Mail

Bert,

I trust your judgment here: What are your thoughts on marriage? And love? How can I know when I found the one? Is there really just one? Im nearly 20 and Im thinking about it more Im not stressed yet but Im getting more curious. Why is the world structured this way and why do I have to devote my life to a single person in the name of love? And possibly reproduction. Parenthood. Then all of a sudden Ill be a grandparent. Bert!! This is crazy to think about. Help me out here please buddy. Ease my scattered mind.

Dear Scattered Mind,

Thank you for writing to me, and congratulations on being the first official entry in my column. You have given me quite the complex paragraph to tackle, so Im going to divide your inquiries into sections just for the ease of our readership:

You ask for my thoughts on love? I love love. I think love can solve all of our worlds problems. I love to give love and to receive love. I think love is a renewable resource, and we should treat it as such. We should be giving love whenever we feel it. We should be making our friends four-layer cakes to celebrate even the smallest victories. We should be writing sonnets and mailing them from across the country. We should be giving long hugs and hand squeezes and shoulder rubs. We should be loving people slowly, and quickly and perhaps even riskily. Throw your heart out there! See what happens! Isnt that what life is all about? It may be the best decision youve ever made. Or you may get hurt (but fear not, hearts are great at healing, especially with the medicine of time). As Kelly Clarkson says what doesnt kill you makes you stronger. The world needs less regret and more love. If you have love to give, then I urge you to give it and give it freely. Heck, love doesnt necessarily need to be directed at people either! The love you feel for a good book or hot cup of coffee on a cold day, while maybe not romantic, certainly has the same aura of gratitude and cherishment to it.

Lets just make this clear, there isnt just one person for you. Theres just no way that in a world of 8.1 billion people, there is only a singular person that you are meant to be with. Every romantic relationship has a combination of these factors: compatibility, timing and proximity.

As per all the romance books ever, when you find the one, youre supposed to just know. That can be daunting, especially if your gut has led you astray before. So forget about the one! Its an overromanticized concept. If you really want a set list to consider if your partner is the one, fine, Ill appease you. Here are some questions to ponder:

This is not a set list, I lied. But its good food for thought.

So whats all the fuss about marriage? Its often cited as the most important experience in a persons lifetime. Thats in no way to stress you further, Scattered Mind, but to illuminate the value that we place on marriage as a society. Part of your stress, I theorize, may be the same hesitance you feel about the one or a soulmate. What happens if you are married to someone who is not the one? Fear not, for I, as an ever-wizened and ancient bobcat, have seen where this practice of marriage originates, and perhaps learning about it, and what came before it, will ease your troubles.

Marriage in the Americas (like many things) was forced upon the natives of this land, as a part of a deliberate effort to violently assimilate to the European way of life. Indigenous American culture around the family is something truly beautiful. Rather than constructing a family by blood or by law (as Europeans and Modern Americans do) many American Indigenous communities like the Cheyenne, practice kinship systems as a model of family. Friends, blood relatives and entire tribes see each other as beloved members of a family, without needing rings or paperwork to seal it. Consider then, dear friend, how your own life would look if you defined your family based on those you loved, rather than expectations, obligations or legal documents. In fact, you may feel this way already, chosen family is something commonly practiced in extended members: friends choosing each other to be uncles/aunts or even godparents. (To learn more about how indigenous peoples are continuing to break down the barriers of love, read this article: The Future is Indigiqueer)

This can apply to the sphere of romance as well! Monogamy is only a concept; a model that not everyone has to fit. Polygamous or polyamorous relationships have existed across history and cultures.These ways of loving have been wrongly stigmatized, but slowly, the monogamous model is one we are starting to see past. To say that a single partner is what constitutes a family or a relationship is far from the whole truth. What is more important is surrounding yourself in an environment where you can give love and receive it in turn. Note as well, dear reader, that there is a difference between polygamy and polyamory! Polygamy is often associated with marriage in specific religions that practice non-monogamy. Polyamory, which is the more recent term, has no expectation of marriage at all, only a shared romantic bond between multiple individuals.

On the topic of marriage, you must ask yourself, does marriage excite you? For many, this is the case. And what is not to be excited about? Marriage and finding love is a cause for celebration! But its important to remember that a marriage is so much more than a party with a cake. Its commitment, companionship and compromise. Looking past the day of the wedding, do the prospects of married life excite you? Moreover, do they excite your partner(s)? It might very well might, but if it does not serve you, theres no need to force your life into a shape it does not want to fit.

So whats the deal with marriage? Even a cat has to wonder what the fuss is. From my observations, explaining the economic facet of marriage culture may reveal why our culture seems to put such an emphasis on it. In a marriage, there is a lot of work being done: there is the job that you and your spouse perhaps have, that is something called social production essentially what you contribute to society monetarily. But, for you, and your partner, to fulfill this social production, there is the behind-the-scenes work: meals that need to be cooked, houses to be cleaned, children to be raised and so on. This is called social reproduction. The economy recognizes all production as labor, and thus we are compensated for it, but all of the reproduction involved goes unpaid. (For further reading, see Wages Against Housework by Sylvia Federici, about how housewives should be paid for their labor.)

In a monogamous, heterosexual household, this reproductive labor often falls upon the woman in the relationship, while the man is the one to produce for the world. This is one of the ways that the economy reinforces harmful and constricting gender norms and economic control. (Feel free to read here about how social reproduction theory is being applied to feminist philosophy.) But this is so far from what reality is now, isnt it Scattered Mind? Weve progressed so far past this Cult of Domesticity style of marriage, so why is there still so much pressure to be in one? In this day and age, women are working alongside men, yet on average still do a majority of the housework, according to a Pew Research Poll. In the nineteenth century, the idea of the Cult of Domesticity was so pervasive because it was idealized in American culture and media. Much of this subliminal cultural communication exists today, being reinforced by powerful men who want to maintain economic power. Power that would be challenged if the system of marriage as we know it were abandoned.The capitalist economy maintains this system because its easier to make women do the unpaid labor if they paint it as tradition.

So is that it? Give up on marriage entirely because its a scam? Maybe. However, you may want to consider the tax benefits.

As said prior, we are tearing down the walls of what marriage can be what a family can be every day. To exude love and absorb it is incorruptible, and love that is true and honest will always rise above what the world wants it to look like. We have expanded our horizons to love, in all its shapes and sizes.

So that is what I want to impart to you, Hopefully-Clearer-Mind! Let love in at every opportunity: big or small. Love the sun as it greets your window every morning; love your food as you taste and enjoy it; love your friends, the people you cherish; love what you do, what you contribute to the world; and most of all, love yourself. Its a crazy world, my friend! But leading with love will always find love in return.

I certainly love you.

Hope this helped,

Bert

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Ask Bert: Meditations on Love The Bates Student - The Bates Student

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. From facebook.com

The Tergar Meditation Community, founded by the revered Dharma teacher and master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan BuddhismYongey Mingyur Rinpoche, has announced that Mingyur Rinpoche will lead an online meditation workshop from 30 March on the theme Three Life Skills.

Meditation is much more than just focusing on the breath,, Tergar said in an announcement shared with BDG.In this half-day meditation workshop with renowned meditation expert Mingyur Rinpoche, learn how meditation can develop three lifelong skills for greater peace: being present, being kind, and being curious. Whether at home, school, or work, these skills can be applied anytime and anywhere to bring more joy, well-being, and resilience in the face of lifes ups and downs.

The half-day workshop will examine the essence of meditation, and explore how to be present without worrying about the past or future, how to accept oneself and others with kindness, and how to develop wisdom through cultivating curiosity about the nature of reality.

Thousands of people worldwide have found Mingyur Rinpoches meditation teachings simple yet transformative, Tergar observed. Enjoy the unique opportunity to receive practice guidance to apply three life skills anytime and anywhere. Practice with fellow students around the world and engage in small discussion groups. (Tergar)

Mingyur Rinpoches meditation workshop Three Life Skills will be conducted in English, with interpretation into Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, and live-streamed at the following times:

Auckland: 3am, Sunday, 31 March Canberra: 1am, Sunday, 31 March Seoul, Tokyo: 11pm, Saturday, 30 March Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei: 10pm, Saturday, 30 March Bangkok, Jakarta: 9pm, Saturday, 30 March New Delhi: 7:30pm, Saturday, 30 March Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris,Stockholm: 3pm, Saturday, 30 March London: 2pm, Saturday, 30 March Montreal, New York: 10am, Saturday, 30 March Los Angeles, Vancouver: 7am, Saturday, 30 March

Mingyur Rinpoche, the founder of the Tergar Meditation Community, which has centers and practice groups across the world, is a renowned teacher and best-selling author whose books include:The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness(2007);Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom(2009); andTurning Confusion into Clarity: A Guide to the Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism(2014).

Born in 1975 in the Himalayan border regionbetween Tibet and Nepal, Mingyur Rinpoche received extensive training in Tibetan Buddhist meditative and philosophical traditions from his father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (192096), considered one of the greatest modern Dzogchen masters, and subsequently at Sherab Ling Monastery in northern India. After just two years, at the age of 13, Mingyur Rinpoche entered a three-year meditation retreat and then completed a second immediately afterward, serving as retreat master. At 23, Rinpoche receivedfull monastic ordination.

Mingyur Rinpoche famously undertook a four-year solitary wandering retreat through the Himalaya from 201115.In recounting how he came to terms with the realities of his ambition to practice in the manner of a wandering yogi, Rinpoche revealed that he confronted many personal and spiritual challengesincluding, at one point, his own mortality. Rinpoche has described the years he spent wandering in the Himalaya as one of the best periods of my life.*

Meditation is really quite simple. All we have to do is embrace each experience with awareness and open our hearts fully to the present moment. When we are completely at ease with our own being, the ripples of awareness naturally spread out in all directions, touching the lives of everyone we meet. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

*Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche Returns from Four-year Wilderness Retreat(BDG) andYongey Mingyur Rinpoche Releases Video Offering Insights Following His Retreat(BDG)

Tergar Tergar Asia

Online Dharma: Tergar Meditation Community Announces Live Teaching with Jetsun Khandro Rinpocheon Mahamudra: Revealing Our True Nature Online Dharma: Tergar Meditation Community Announces Living, Dying, and Beyond Retreat with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche Mingyur Rinpoche to Embark on Teaching Tour of Australia Tergar Institute in Nepal Welcomes Inaugural Cohort of Buddhist Students Online Dharma: Tim McHenry from New Yorks Rubin Museum of Art Shares His Unique Meditation Journey

The Good News of Suffering: Four Questions on the Four Noble Truths with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche Living with Awareness, Practicing with Intent: An Interview with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche Exclusive Interview: Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on Living Life with Balance and Awareness

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Online Dharma: Mingyur Rinpoche to Offer Meditation Workshop on Three Life Skills - Buddhistdoor Global

If it always feels like you can predict the upcoming full moon just by sensing the vibes in the air, then you may not need the Moonly app, but youll definitely still enjoy it.

This wellness-meets-astrology app, which has over 6 million downloads, offers a host of healing practices based on the ebbs and flows of the lunar calendar. Since each phase of the moon has a unique energy, the idea is to keep track and navigate your day accordingly.

Moonly offers rituals and practices to follow, like tarot readings and morning affirmations, as well as personalized recommendations based on your astrological birth chart, including whether you should cut your hair, make big decisions, or even go on a date on a particular day.

To say this app has a lot going on is an understatement. It also has a guided meditation library, a dream analyzer, and built-in articles you can read to brush up on your astrology knowledge, tarot skills, and more.

Ive been unpacking the app for a week, and I still feel like I spot something new every time I open it up. Keep reading below for my honest review of Moonly, including my favorite features so far.

The Moonly app helps you tune into the monthly rhythm of the moon, which is said to impact how you feel.

For example, a new moon can be an energizing time, which means you might want to manifest or set new goals, while the full moon brings about a sense of resolution and release. When you pay attention to the phase of the moon thats occurring on a given day, you might be able to better harmonize your life.

Theres also a practice section within the app where you can flip through virtual tarot cards or reveal your daily rune. The idea is to ask the tarot cards or runes a question, and then analyze what they reveal.

From there, you can head to the healing tab, which is where youll find dozens of sound-based and guided meditations. Theres everything from relaxing rain sounds and crystal singing bowls, green and white noise, and even meditations to help alleviate anxiety, address trauma, and express gratitude.

The app also includes a wisdom section thats packed with mini-articles about seemingly every topic within the holistic wellness realm, including aura cleansing, healing breath and pranayama, full moon rituals, chakras, aromatherapy, and even gardening based on the lunar calendar.

This app is absolutely mind-boggling at first glance. Even though it has a beautiful interface and mystical graphics, it also has a ton of content. Thankfully, the moon phase is listed right at the top of the screen above the chaos.

This is where youll find a little lunar forecast for the day ahead. For example, on March 6 there was a waning moon in Sagittarius, which brought with it a sense of curiosity and a craving for excitement. Funnily enough, I actually felt inspired to go to a comedy show that night with friends, even though it was a dark and rainy Wednesday.

Today, on the other hand, theres a more low-key waning moon in Capricorn, which might explain why I will absolutely be staying in.

Below the moon phase info is a Daily Activity and Personal section based on your birth chart. To unlock this feature I paid $14.99 and entered my birthday and birth location into the app. Once I did, I got my natal chart and a wealth of knowledge about who I am according to the stars.

Turns out my birthday landed near a full moon, which means I have bright moon personality traits. If the moon is fully illuminated when youre born, it can mean that it has a stronger influence on your chart.

Since the moon represents emotions, it can also mean that youre sensitive and emotionally intelligent. And if you feel out of whack, it means harmonizing your practices with the moon can help set you right again. Ive tried a lot of astrology apps, and yet this was my first time learning about the moon and how it impacts my chart.

Paying for a birth chart also gave me access to personal daily tips, including whether its a good time to cut my hair, go on a date, or change something for my health. Today, my chart is telling me that its a good day to rest and enjoy some self-care and that I should avoid doing anything beauty-related, so Ill take the hint and try not to trim my bangs.

While its always nice to have some astrological guidance to get through the day, one of my favorite parts of Moonly has been the brand-new dream analyzer feature.

Once you scroll past the lunar phases, youll eventually come across a little animated bunny called Moody who presides over a text box. This is where you can type out your dream, which is then immediately processed by artificial intelligence.

After having a particularly interesting dream the other night, I woke up, immediately typed in the details, and an explanation popped up that actually did shed a lot of light on what was going on in my brain. It was like a little digital dream debrief.

Beyond that, Ive been having a good time flipping tarot cards, learning more about runes, and reading my daily affirmations. Today mine says, I let go of the need to criticize myself and thats always good advice.

Many features within Moonly are clickable, so you can tap the screen to learn more. The tarot section, for instance, explains how to read your tarot cards within a three-card spread and it explains what tarot is, the history, and the meaning of the major and minor arcana, all using beautiful graphics.

Remember when I said Moonly has a lot going on? Weve talked runes, tarot, dream analysis, and lunar phases, and I havent even gotten to the Healing tab.

I actually find myself gravitating here a lot, since it has countless meditations with intriguing titles like Comfort and Peace and Earth Kingdoms Unification, which promises to help you tune into the planet.

Other options include sound healing and mantra chants, shadow work, instrumental pieces with gongs and flutes, yogic voices speaking on gratitude and self-love, nature sounds, and more.

Ive been playing relaxing bird sounds in the morning, a white noise recording when I need to concentrate, and gentle rain sounds to create a cozy atmosphere at night.

I also like that the spoken guided meditations, while the tiniest bit cheesy, have helpful messages, like Meeting Your Inner Child and Clearing Unconscious Patterns. The other morning I laid on my yoga mat and listened to one called Gift of the Present and it did help me to feel more grounded.

Moonly has a lot of content, so it feels like you can use it every day and never run out of things to do. IMO, thats a good thing for an app that requires you to pay for a lot of its features.

To test the app, I spent $3.99 for a monthly subscription and $14.99 for a birth chart, but it does feel like Ive been getting my moneys worth.

After trying it for a week, Id say Moonly is a good astrology app to download if youre into all things esoteric, especially if you want to learn more about tarot, moons, and mantras, while also putting them into practice. Nothing beats starting the day with a few positive words.

Personally, Ive been loving the lunar phase calendar, which seems to accurately explain the energy of the day. I also love the dream analyzer, which I find to be just as cute as it is helpful. For that alone, Ill be keeping Moonly on my phone.

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Moonly App Review: Price, Features, & What To Know - Bustle

Trigger warning: This article mentions suicide.

Welcome back for our Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 6 recap. Last time, the group, minus Ariana and Katie, kicked it in Lake Tahoe. And Sandoval finally apologized to James. This weeks episode, titled Saw It on the Graham, features Scheana and Sandoval trying to connect during a meditation exercise. Heres everything that you need to know about Pump Rules, Season 11, Episode 6!

Scheana was texting with Ariana about how things were going in Lake Tahoe. Lala and Scheana discussed how, if they had planned the trip, Sandoval wouldnt have scored an invite. I just know I cant ever be friends with him again, Scheana stated. Lala agreed, adding, Its really, its its really freaking sad.

However, during the pandemic, Scheana was pregnant and was financially struggling. She didnt have any income. Then she woke up to several thousand dollars in her PayPal account from Sandoval. It is memories like this that make Scheana miss her friend.

Scheana admitted that she was struggling with her feelings about Sandoval.Im not saying come over for f*cking dinner. Let me paint your toenails white. Im struggling not forgiving this human who has been there for me, Scheana stated.

She explained, Im not feeling torn thats the thing Im TeamArianauntil I die. Now Im feeling torn and confused about Scheanas stance.

Katie stopped by Arianas place, where she was having a photoshoot for her new cocktail book, Single AF Cocktails. Her previous cocktail book was with Sandoval. This was the equivalent of her break up album.

Ariana wanted to make some lemonade out of lemons but with vodka. Amen, sister. I need to grab me a copy.

Back in Lake Tahoe, the yoga instructor, Shannon, arrived. She made the mistake of asking him if there was anything that she should focus on. So, Sandoval told her the long, sad tale of how he was a d-bag. Just without the d-bag part.

The group had a partner meditation. Scheana won the honor of being seated next to Sandoval. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights; especially when she had to sit back to back with Sandoval.

Scheana started to cry and told Sandoval she needed a second to herself. As she ran up the stairs into the house, she said, I still f*cking hate you. Brock went after her, urging his wife to admit her feelings to Sandoval.

Scheana returned and struggled through the rest of the meditation. But then the instructor told the group to face their partner and imagine that this was the last time that they would ever see each other. Sandoval and Scheana both started crying. Scheana just cant forgive him for what he did to Ariana. For his part, Sandoval talked about remembering all the great times that they shared.

Scheana said, I thought about the last day Id see you so much during this because I was genuinely worried you were going to do something to yourself.Sandoval hopes that Scheana realizes that he is not this ruthless, heartless villain. I think some people might disagree. Actions speak louder than words.

Scheana felt Sandovals emotions and realized that her friend was still there. And he knew how much of a mess he made of everything. I dont think that Ariana is going to feel warm and fuzzy about Scheana reconnecting with Sandoval.

While Brock, Schwartz, and Sandoval rode in a gondola, Sandoval repeated his mantra about his affair with Rachel Leviss. Neither Rachel nor I, did any of this with the intention of hurting anyone, he said. The way you guys reacted was very intentionally trying to hurt both [Rachel] and I. Not this statement again. If Sandoval hides behind this shield all season, Im going to have a migraine.

Brock reminded him that Rachel took out a restraining order against Scheana. So, Sandoval countered it was because she got punched in the goddamn face.

Then Sandoval moaned about someone putting rumors out about him and Billie Lee in the press. Brock countered that Sandovals team put out rumors that Brock slept with Rachel. Sandoval denied it, but Brocks publicist found out where the rumor came from.

Ariana and Katie were interviewing people for their sandwich shop, which (still) has yet to open. Oof. Ariana told Katie that she received an email from Scheana about her meditation pairing with Sandoval. Finally, Katie asked Ariana the big question. Would Ariana still be friends with someone who was friends with Sandoval? That is a hard NO. She doesnt want any mutual friends.

Meanwhile, Scheana decided to give Ariana a call. She explained her feelings and how this was tearing her apart. Ariana said that Sandoval never cared about his friendship with Scheana. Im not sure about that.

When Scheana shared that Sandoval gave her a genuine apology, Ariana shrugged. I cant keep hating him for you, Scheana told Ariana. Let me point out that Arianas facial expressions were priceless.

After Scheana hung up, Katie was shocked by Scheana wanting to forgive Sandoval. Ariana seems close to cutting Scheana off as a friend.

Lala questioned Sandoval about how he could tell her to be real about her life last season, while he was busy cheating on Ariana. The day that the news about Scandoval broke, Sandoval was in a publication bashing Lala, stating that he didnt think shes real.

He reminded her that the VPR cast respected parts of her life being out of bounds for years. Sandoval pointed out that they both lied about their relationships, so it should be a draw.

Lala started to get heated. Once Sandoval lied to her face, he gave her the right to talk about his affair. Sandoval called out the timeline, saying that he only lied for six months, while Lala was bending the truth for six years. Instead of apologizing, as Lala expected, Sandoval doubled down about her past mistakes.

Youre insane! Lala yelled at Sandoval. And the old Lala is back! I felt bad for you for five f*cking seconds, and now youre proving to me that you are terrifying! Sandoval accused her of slamming Rachel, then only backing off when social media dissed her.

You isolate. You groom. You lie, the mom of one stated. Sandoval went nuts when she accused him of grooming.

Scheana hopped in, explaining that all Lala wanted was an apology. And Lala had been really nice to Sandoval. Finally, Sandoval admitted in his confessional that he was hypocritical because of his affair with Rachel. And Sandoval apologized and hugged Lala.

Now, Scheana was dealing with hate for posing in a group photo with her arm around Sandoval. While Scheana was dealing with the online backlash, Ariana had been MIA as far as defending her. Scheana started to cry to Lala, confiding that when she told Ariana that she was struggling, she just brushed it off. She is happy for Ariana because of all the opportunities coming her way. But Scheana was also hurting.

In her confessional, Lala said, It is time for Ariana to pull her head from out of her own ass. Ariana needs to remember that Scheana was there for her. And Scheana would like to know when it can, finally, be all about her.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

You can catch Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.

TELL US WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT VANDERPUMP RULES SEASON 11, EPISODE 6? DOES ARIANA NEED TO REMEMBER WHO SUPPORTED HER? IS SHE WRONG TO CUT OFF ANYONE WHO IS FRIENDS WITH SANDOVAL?

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Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 6 Recap: Will Ariana End Her Friendship With Scheana? - Reality Tea

Eyewash and ridiculous -- these were the terms the High Court used to describe the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) report on the tragic death of a child from anesthesia during a routine circumcision.

The High Court further characterized the report as an attempt to evade liability and expressed concern regarding the presence of mafias. For the average citizen, such a scathing rebuke of this crucial government agency could be viewed as an indictment of the helplessness we face when dealing with our medical establishment.

Despite previous media reports of alleged medical negligence or mistreatment, very little seems to have come of these. This may in part be due to the intricate and resource-intensive nature of the legal system. Furthermore, families grappling with such losses, undergo severe trauma as it is; revisiting that in the courts may further heighten their suffering.

Hence, the importance of institutions such as the DGHS in protecting peoples lives. When the High Court describes their investigation as eyewash and ridiculous, where is the everyday citizen left to go?

In 2011, film director Tareque Masud and cinematographer Ashfaque Munier Mishuk met their untimely and tragic deaths in a highway accident. Despite the outpouring of grief, little progress seems to have been made in road safety. Tareques spouse, Catherine Masud, continues her ground-breaking legal battle to ensure that road crash victims and their families may have a means to be legally compensated for their losses.

In 2018, two high school students were killed when a speeding bus ploughed into them. Young students marched on to the streets to demand justice, only to be forcefully dispersed later.

Last year, a daughter, mother, and grandmother were struck by a bus while sitting at a stand. The daughter was luckily spared, the mother lost her leg, and the grandmother died after two months. The family has spent over Tk12 lakh in medical costs by borrowing and mortgaging all their assets. The bus owner gave them a take it or leave it offer of BDT 200,000. If they didnt accept, he said see you in court. The family settled. Meanwhile, road accidents have emerged as the leading cause of disability in the country.

Is it little surprise then that powerful forces, whether in the medical profession or elsewhere, continue to enjoy absolute impunity?

The media has also been reporting on the alleged negligence in the treatment of a young man who tragically died from a routine endoscopy procedure at a well-known hospital. It is reported that multiple tests indicated he was at higher risk for general anesthesia.

The doctor responsible has come on record to state that he was unaware of a particular health condition and that the patient opted for general anesthesia. This reminds me of the time when, as lay persons, we sought stenting instead of open heart surgery for our mother. The doctor advised against it, deeming it absolutely crazy for one of the critical blockages.

We expect doctors, as trained professionals, to know better about the health risks. If multiple reports indicate heightened risks, why would patients be subjected to general anesthesia, especially for non-life threatening conditions?

Where are the doctors of yesteryears who would thoroughly examine the patient, delve into their family history, and use tests to confirm what they already knew? What happened to compassionately viewing patients as fellow human beings rather than mere ticket numbers?

Then there is the role of the hospital. Reports indicate that the young man was among a long line of patients awaiting the procedure that day. The doctor is said to have arrived late at night, hours after the scheduled operating time, to perform a high volume of procedures.

Does this kind of factory production-line approach fall under set standards? The hospital spokesperson claimed that they follow WHO protocols, yet they are quoted in another report as stating that the person who administered the anesthesia was from outside and not affiliated with the hospital! It seems they do not even know who exactly administered it.

In the latest news, the DGHS swiftly shut down a healthcare facility following the heartbreaking death of another child from anesthesia during circumcision, with the doctors in question arrested. The health minister has vowed decisive action, emerging as our beacon of hope. As a technocrat minister with a profound understanding of the importance of preserving human life, we pray that he will be able to withstand the inevitable pressures and ensure justice for the families.

Every year, Bangladeshis with the means to do so, travel abroad in droves for medical treatment, reflecting a lack of faith in the domestic medical establishment. Those who do not have the means, have to settle with what is available here. Furthermore, it is not always realistic or practicable to travel outside.

Hence, as consumers of healthcare services, it is imperative that we take greater control of our decision-making process. While I acknowledge that for many, such steps may seem unattainable due to limited resources, power dynamics, and access to information, we need to start somewhere.

First, it is crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle to minimize conditions that would compel us to visit doctors in the first place. As it is, we live in a stressful environment where our capital has one of the worst air quality in the world, our foods are laced with chemicals, our roads are congested, and our water polluted. Embracing a healthy lifestyle means eating in moderation, eating at the right time, avoiding harmful foods and products, exercising, meditating, getting sufficient sleep, nurturing positive relationships -- the list goes on.

Second, adopting a healthy lifestyle is not solely the concern of the middle-aged or elderly; its imperative to start early. What we do to our bodies when we are young impacts us when we grow old. The young tend to think that their bodies will fix itself. It may not.

Third, always ask family and friends for advice. Try to seek out a doctor in your circle who can be your counsel. Having that relationship can provide you with information as to which healthcare provider may be best suited for you.

Fourth, dont be unduly influenced by titles or awards. Do not solely go by social media marketing when it comes to your life. We know how social media can be manipulated. Rely on trusted sources of information.

Fifth, it is essential to consider how a doctor treats you. Do they patiently answer your questions? Do they give time? Are they empathetic? This level of personal care may be challenging in a densely populated country such as ours, but we need to start somewhere.

Safi Khan works in the social sector.

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Patient self-empowerment: Taking charge of your healthcare - Dhaka Tribune