Have you ever heard the saying that comparison is the thief of joy? With the rise in social media consumption and content, it's easy to find ourselves lost in comparison regarding our bodies, lifestyles, things we own, and ways we feel. Social media seems to constantly be depicting a life you should be living, and it feels as if no matter how far you have come, it's never enough, and you should always be striving for more.

Image Credit: Adrian Swancar from Unsplash

Along these lines, social media influencers, self-defined life coaches, and role models always seem to be selling this lifestyle. It sometimes feels as if you could package up happiness and fulfillment in a supplement, a workout routine, or a self-help book and ship it off to an eager customer. Yet, this isn't the case at all. Social media constantly depicts a false reality and is curated to show you content that will ultimately convince you to continue to participate in consuming content and products.

During the absolute most transitional periods of growth in my life, I hardly felt the need to be on social media. It was overwhelming to be constantly flooded with information about other people's lifestyles and their own self-improvement journeys, and I began feeling isolated, hopeless, and left behind. When I realized that self-improvement, and by extension, people's struggles and issues, were being monetized off of, I felt freed from this unrealistic expectation I had set for myself, which was ultimately hindering my growth.

Self-improvement has become a trend, and like anything else that gains extreme popularity online, it only depicts a very surface-level portrayal of the truth of the issue. Everyone wants to seem happier and healthier online, so they often cherry-pick content that doesn't match with the rest of their lives, so they gain views, followers, and beyond that, prove something to themselves and their mutuals. I see this every day: my mutual broke up with her partner, and within a week, she was posting a new person on her story. My friend broke up with their friend group and quickly began posting about being free of toxic people in their lives. Social media is weaponized in so many forms, and outside viewers don't have the context and perspective to understand that what you are being shown is not always true and does not mean that the person posting is living their best life.

Image Credit: Artem Beliaikin from Unsplash

The people I have met who seem the MOST well-rounded, happy, and satisfied overall in their lives do not try to monetize or profit off of faceless strangers on the internet, nor are they constantly talking about how improved they are. That's because true healing means realizing that the work is never done. Self-improvement does not mean you won't have bad days and make bad decisions.

Self-improvement is not linear; failing to react well to a trigger does not mean you're at ground zero again. It's a learning process and its hard and embarrassing, which is why most people who take self-improvement seriously are not posting about it concisely. No one ever reaches this apex of self-improvement where their life is suddenly perfect forever; it is a process that we continue to work through our entire lives, and it takes years. No 25-year-old fitness influencer on TikTok is living a perfect life because she takes greens and does hot yoga - Get real! People who are truly self-improving don't show it by telling you about it. They show it by being their authentic self and letting you feel inspired by how they carry themselves.

Does that mean you should completely cut social media out of your life? I don't think so. I think the internet can be a useful tool in your self-growth journey, but in order to healthily incorporate social media into your life, you need perspective.

Constantly consuming self-improvement content is one extreme, but totally isolating yourself is the other extreme. Time and time again, I have seen people claim that they're healed and protecting their peace by cutting off people in their lives and self-isolating. In reality, they are not putting themselves in positions in which their wounds are triggered, and they are forced to react in a healthy and self-serving way. Isolating yourself puts you in a position in which you are never forced to exercise important self-growth skills such as conflict resolution and reactionary behaviors, and language. Cutting off the outside world is not the solution - community is an essential part of growth; it's just about how you utilize your community and resources.

Image Credit: Darius Bashar from Unsplash

In most cases, you don't need to buy a subscription or a meal plan. The resources you need are usually already available and for free, which is why I say the internet and community found there can be a useful tool. Texts and TED Talks about self-improvement are great and freely available, as is access to research about nutrition and exercise, planning and time management, academic resources, and tutoring.

Most of the products marketed to us by influencers are targeted and hyped up to be seen as quick fixes when the sad reality is that there is NO quick fix for healing. The long and hard process and the patience and discipline required are a part of the value of undertaking the journey.

You cannot hate yourself into loving yourself. The actions you take to self-improve must come from a place of love for every version of yourself, including the past, present, and future. If you are trying to hate yourself for improving your life, it will never consistently last.

The solution here is not to go to one extreme and drop a few hundred on workout gear and self-help books. Nor is it to delete all socials and lock yourself in your house. The solution is to refocus the lens.

Understand that you should not be comparing yourself to the people or lifestyles that you see on social media, but rather, you should be comparing yourself to yourself. Compassionately look back at the worse versions of yourself and thank them for getting you where you are today. Redefine the term self-improvement and the frame through which you perceive and achieve it. You are the only standard - the only bar- that you should be setting for yourself.

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Self-Growth: What It Means to Cultivate Balance - The Teen Magazine

In our new series, Bazaars multiplatform beauty director speaks to inspirers in the wellness world about the rituals and routines that work for them. Here, Bridget March meets Elle Macpherson, the world-renowned supermodel and founder of WelleCo, which produces premium plant-based supplements born from her personal self-care journey. Below, the 59-year-old reveals the things that make the biggest difference to her wellbeing.

Elle Macphersons moniker The Body may have originated as praise of her physicality, but its long been a business asset for the supermodel with body wellness brands central to her career off the catwalks. Since finding fame as one of the original 'Supers' in the 1980s, the Australian star went on to produce a series of workout videos, front her own lingerie collection and launch a range of bath and body care products. But its her brand of wellness supplements, WelleCo, thats her most personal project to date. Founded in 2014 with formulator Dr Simone Laubscher, she started WelleCo to share the solutions that helped her flourish Macphersons health upon starting out being less desirable than one would imagine...

When I went to Dr Laubscher [a functional nutritionist and naturopath], I was sugar- and coffee-addicted, malnourished yet putting on weight, and bloated. I wasn't sleeping well, didn't have energy and was uninspired, she tells me. A specialist in longevity, Dr Laubscher curated a multivitamin and mineral supplement packed with nutrients for Macpherson, which materialised as WelleCos hero product,

From self-loving affirmations to infrared saunas, here Macpherson reveals what it is exactly that makes her feel so well.

Elle Macpherson (right) with supermodels Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Christie Turlington in 1995

I start the day with self-loving affirmations. Its a sensation of gratitude, really. I say things to like: I am awake, I'm vital, I am inspired, I'm excited for my day, rather than immediately just scrolling through Instagram, which so many people do. I don't touch my phone until I'm ready to address whatever is there.

I get up and drink a big jar of water that I prepare the night before with freshly squeezed lime and a quarter of a teaspoon of Celtic sea salt so before anything Im completely hydrating my body. And then I like to make an oat-milk matcha (Elmhurst Barista has a really good clean oat milk, with a ceremonial grade matcha) and then I go and sit out in the sun at around seven oclock for 10 minutes. I put my face up to the sun, close my eyes and listen to the sounds of nature, preferably with as little clothes on as possible depending on the weather.

And then I might do some yoga poses like sun salutations. Zach Bush has a fantastic four-minute workout [shared below], which releases nitric acid into the body, so it helps your muscles function properly. I also try to put my bare feet on the ground not cement.

Then I'll have my shower and get dressed for the day.

I just like movement; I do what I feel like on the day, which could be hiking, biking, swimming, yoga I have a gym at home so sometimes I get on the elliptical or the bike and put on a documentary. Then I'll maybe hang upside down, do squats or use my chi machine, which moves your body, circulating your lymphatic system. I don't really work out to sculpt my body I work out because I believe that breath and movement is so important for our health and wellbeing. And when you do that consistently, it really shows.

Something I much prefer to do over a workout class is a Russian banya. If I'm in London, I like to go to The Bath House. Ill do a steam and cold plunge and the Parenie treatment, where they gently brush your body with birch leaves to improve circulation and the immune system. Its kind of a tribal experience.

After getting dressed I have my greens The Super Elixir, which combines 50 multivitamins and minerals, adaptogens, probiotics and prebiotics. Then from 10am I have a snack of something light but nourishing, like a chia pudding, coconut yogurt or fruit with sprouted almond butter. Then I take supplements for whatever I'm working on: good hair or skin, or immunity, for example.

At around 2pm I often have a big smoothie with everything I can find to put in it, like frozen banana, protein, coconut milk, chia seeds, flax, toka. And then I have my major meal around 4pm. I'm plant-based and follow an Ayurvedic type of diet. I do this not for any weight control, but because I love to be easy on my digestive system and I want the nutrients I consume to be readily available. So, I might have a big brown-rice bowl with avocado and sprouts and sunflower seeds, a curry, pho or sushi. I try to support regenerative farmers and choose things that are organic the quality of the food that I have directly affects the way I feel.

I work quite late with WelleCo because of the time difference with living in Miami, and my head office being in Melbourne. After I finish, I sit in my Therasage portable infrared sauna for an hour. I find this the best time to do body brushing. And then after I've done that I'll do a cold plunge. That's great for the immune system.

The winding-down process at night is important; you cant go from hero to zero quickly. I have a self-loving routine at night which includes turning off devices or wearing blue light-blocking glasses, which is really important for your circadian rhythm. I also make myself The Evening Elixir, which is part of that sleep preparation.

I read a book in bed and then, just before I go to sleep, I fill my whole body with thoughts that support me, such as I'm in perfect health, I am loving consciousness. I also go through the day and recall things that made me laugh, or that touched me, and congratulate myself on the little things that I've accomplished. Don't fill yourself with what you didn't do: fill your heart and soul with all the beautiful things that you want to percolate on while you sleep. They say that the last five minutes before you sleep, and the first five minutes before you wake, are the most important for resetting your subconscious.

Meditation is really just finding that quiet, still space within yourself. I used to do guided meditations because I didn't know how to do that. Now I close my eyes and I practice Reiki; I often go to sleep breathing into the Reiki positions.

Some people like 'box breath' meditations; some people like listening to a piece of classical music and just being transported by it. There are lots of different modes of meditation, but for me meditation is really about connecting with yourself, and with the divine.

Investing in WelleCo! And not just for my health, because there's a purpose to it thats greater than my own wellbeing I want other people to experience the life-changing understandings that I came into 10 years ago. When we are truly nourished from within with high-quality ingredients, we not only have better digestion, better sleep, better hair and better skin; we become more vibrant in our life and therefore more beautiful because we are inspired, courageous, confident and energetic. When we bring that into the world, the world becomes a better place.

WelleCos The Evening Elixir is available now from retailers including Harvey Nichols and online at harveynichols.com. To find out more about WelleCo, visit welleco.co.uk.

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Self-care rituals with Elle Macpherson - Harper's Bazaar UK

We live in a soft world where the slightest sign of discomfort can be regarded with concern and even panic.

Did someone say something you found hurtful?

Time to go to a therapist, who can make you feel worse about your issues because now youre talking about them emphasizing them.

Therapy has its place, especially if you need that initial pull out of the quagmire of overthinking by someone who can provide a third-party view.

Most of us have been so conditioned to avoid conflict that we skip having needed conversations with people out of habit.

But the difficult, open, and honest discussions often solve your problems.

Poor communication will ensure people remain resentful and confused with bottled emotions.

Take some courage, say the hard thing to those who need to hear it, and feel the relief rise.

RELATED:How To Have Peaceful Conversations With People You Totally Disagree With

Reacting to things is allowing external stimuli to guide your behavior without thought.

Someone triggers you, and you fly into a rage.

Someone dumps you, and youre miserable for weeks, crying into endless tubs of ice cream.

To react is to die slowly.

The alternative is always to create and its what humans were built to do. Its the expression of your humanness.

So create and live.

Make something of your predicament. Dont react and die.

Much of the time, if were feeling low and we cant describe why its a sign were allowing fear to control our lives.

Were trapped and limited by our self-imposed limitations.

Dont allow this to go on.

Identify your fears. Call them out by name.

Then ask, Whats one tiny step I can make today that will bring me confidence in this area?

No matter how simple, do it. Practice always diminishes fear.

This is a priority because breaking free of limits always matters.

RELATED:The Singular Fear That's Destroying Your Relationship And 8 Ways To Stop It

A huge chunk of the population believes there is some value to worrying. It keeps them safe.

No. No, it doesnt. It keeps you miserable.

And you already know this. So, instead of ruminating on whats wrong with your life and what you need to fix about yourself, redirect your attention to things youcancontrol.

You can choose gratitude.

You can also choose to quit worrying and take up a new hobby.

You can choose to be present and in the flow of action. Your choice.

Salvation from pain lies here.

Im not talking about being reckless.

But there is something to be said for activities that contain some considered risk.

How can we ever feel alive if we dont ever taste an echo of death?

Be willing to take some calculated and pre-determined risks.

Go on a motorcycle trip to India. Climb a mountain. Ask someone out. Write the book youre scared to write. Run a class. Go on regular adventures that push you out of comfort, leaving you exhilarated.

This is the best kind of vaccine for weakness there is.

RELATED:Stop Worrying About People Who Arent Worried About You

We all have that thing we know we should do that we keep holding off and avoiding.

Maybe you need to finally clean the circus that is your kitchen.

Or perhaps you need to sign up for that class so you can finally get some socializing time this year.

Whatever it is, we all have that thing that eats at our soul because we arent doing it.

What is that thing? Put the dang thing in your calendar, and get it done.

Now THATs therapy.

A sense of sadness or even depression is often attached to the idea that difficult things are happeningtous.

A far more empowered self-vision is to view things happeningbecauseof us.

This is to immediately assume a leadership position, and it instantly feels better.

Dont allow yourself to melt into misery by feeling sorry for yourself.

Why?

Snap out of it.

Life sucks for all of us. Youre no different.

Life is how you make it. So make it great and turn your attention to leading, mentoring, and helping others.

Forget you, for Gods sake, please. If you feel anxious, help others feel calm. If youre lonely, go and make someone else feel good. If you feel stuck, go and help a friend get unstuck.

Its all about where you put your attention. Leaders dont self-obsess they lead.

Photo:Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels

RELATED:Why Having Mentors Can Help Your Career Take Off

AlexMathersis a writer and coach who helps you build a money-making personal brand with your knowledge and skills while staying mentally resilient.

This article was originally published at Medium. Reprinted with permission from the author.

Excerpt from:
7 Unconventional Forms Of Therapy That Will Make You More Alive Than 98% Of People - YourTango

Looking for some inspiration to kick off a new chapter of growth or jumpstart your next evolution? Regardless of your goals, these words from some of the most notable authors, scientists, artists, philosophers, politicians, activists, business professionals and athletes are sure to resonate.

Bookmark these 50 best personal growthquotes to draw upon in the months ahead.

When your goal is personal development, fostering a growth mindset is a crucial first step.

Sometimes the word "change" is intimidating but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're experiencing shifts in your personal life, changing careersor navigating changes in the workplace, these quotes can help you alter your perspective and embrace what's ahead on your path to personal growth.

There's no doubt that education is important, and for many, personal growth and education go hand in hand. The following quotes might inspire you to harness education to usher in a new chapter of your life that's defined by knowledge and opportunity.

People often think of achievement as an end goal, but if you're wondering how to be successful, you should prepare for an ongoing process of growth and self-discovery. Look to these quotes remind you of what's really important on your personal quest for success.

Because personal growth is a long-term effort, you're bound to encounter obstacles along the way. These quotes might help you find your life directionor guide you toward growth when you're facing hardship or feeling discouraged.

Whether youre pursuing a new dream, working hard toward ongoing goals or making a plan to transform your life in some way, you're bound to encounter challenges along the way. But those challenges could be a gateway to growth and new opportunities.

If you find any of these quotes particularly inspirational, consider printing them out and posting them in the places you view often throughout the day. Sometimes a simple quote can impact you in the most positive of ways.

Know someone who needs a bit of motivation? Share these quotes and help them on their personal growth journey.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. They're currently writing their debut novel, which was Longlisted for The First Pages Prize. Connect with them on LinkedIn.

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50 Best Personal Growth Quotes | SNHU - Southern New Hampshire University

Sugar is a big part of most peoples lives. Its in everything from cakes and syrups to sauce and yogurt. Its hard to avoid sugar (which is actually the generic name for ultra-sweet soluble carbohydrates), but there are a few major drawbacks of this popular ingredient.

The first is, obviously, that too much sugar can be detrimental to our health (and you can read more on that here), but the second issue is that its not always vegan.

Some sugar is processed with bone char, which is charcoal made from animal bones. While bone char does not make its way into the final product, some strict vegans choose to abstain from sugar processed in this fashion. Others choose to consume it. The choice is yours.

Regardless of where you stand, the market is luckily becoming more vegan-friendly. Here are six of the most popular types of sugar and where to find vegan versions.

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Sugar is a carbohydrate that is extracted from plants like sugar cane or sugar beets. It then goes through a refining process, which involves crushing and extracting the juice from these plants. This is then followed by purification and crystallization to produce the final sugar product. In its raw form, sugar is always totally vegan. But sometimes, manufacturers use bone char during the purification process.

Not all sugar producers use bone char. In fact, nowadays, many companies use activated carbon (also known as activated charcoal) instead. In fact, activated carbon is often preferred due to its high adsorption capacity and effectiveness in removing color and impurities.

Regardless of how its made, its difficult to tell if sugar is vegan just by looking at it. Sometimes, brands will label the packaging if the sugar has been processed without bone char. However, even the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals advises that people shouldnt spend too much time, energy, and effort trying to work out if sugar is vegan if clearly marked animal-free options arent available.

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Eating vegan isnt about perfection or a quest for personal purityits about achieving real change for animals suffering in the food industry, a post on the nonprofits blog reads.

It adds: Dont stress too hard about sugar if youre unsure about how it was produced. Youre saving more than 100 animals per year by following a vegan lifestyle, and the effect will snowball as people around you, inspired by your choices, may start trying vegan meals once youve shown them how easy it can be.

If you are interested in learning more about the different types of sugar and the vegan options on the market, check out the list below.

Anthonys Organics

This is the most common type of sugarits white granules are what most people are referring to when they say sugar. In more scientific terms, it is the crystallized form of sucrose, and it is commonly used in everything from baking to cooking to sweetening beverages. Vegan white sugar options: In The Raw Organic Granulated White Cane Sugar, Anthonys Organic Granulated Cane Sugar

Brown sugar is also granulated sugar, but it has molassesaka the thick, dark, syrupy byproduct that is obtained during the process of refining sugaradded back into it. Because of this, it has a slightly moist texture and a caramel-like flavor. There are two main types of brown sugar: light brown sugar and dark brown sugar (which contains more molasses), and both are commonly used in baked goods and desserts. Vegan brown sugar options: Zulka Brown Pure Cane Sugar, Wholesome Organic Light Brown Sugar, 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Light Brown Sugar

Like brown sugar, demerara sugarwhich is characterized by its large, golden crystalshas a delicious natural caramel flavor. Because of this, it is commonly used to sweeten beverages and as a topping for desserts. Vegan demerara sugar options: Nutricost Pantry Unrefined Demerara Sugar, Shams Granulated Demerara Sugar

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Sugar can be derived from sugarcane or sugar beets (a root vegetable that contains a high concentration of sucrose). While the vast majority of sugar is sourced from sugarcane, however, beet sugar is still a common sweetener. Its widely used in the food industry for baking, cooking, and sweetening various products (but you can also use beet sugar cubes in your tea or coffee, too!). Vegan beet sugar options: Tea Forte Beet Sugar

Sugar comes from various sources, including coconuts. That said, it is a little different from the type that comes from sugarcane or sugar beets. Coconut sugar, which is made from the sap of coconut palm trees, is an alternative sweetener with a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. Due to its caramel-like taste and retention of moisture, coconut sugar fares well in banana bread, pancakes, waffles, and chewy cookies. Vegan coconut sugar options: Anthonys Organic Coconut Sugar, Supernatural Organic Coconut Sugar, MADHAVA Organic Coconut Sugar

PurDate

Dates are another natural sugar-like sweetener. In fact, because date sugar actually retains the nutritional benefits of dates (which are high in fiber and vitamin B6), it is often considered to be a whole-food sweetener. But its important to note that date sugar has its own distinct flavor and texture, which, if youre baking or cooking, may influence the taste of the final dish. Vegan date sugar options: Anthonys Date Sugar, Chatfields Granulated Date Sugar, PurDate Organic Date Sugar

Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.

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6 Types of Sugar Decoded: What's Right for Your Cooking and Baking Needs? - VegNews

With the 3-month-long dry spell continuing in the state, people say they have been left with few alternatives

The people of Himachal Pradesh have turned to the divine, praying for snow and rain as a dry spell that has been on in the state since the past three months, continues.

Hindus and Buddhists in Himachal Pradesh are organising special religious ceremonies in temples and monasteries for rainfall and snowfall.

Hindus are praying to Kamrunag and Indrunag, two deities that are considered rain gods. Buddhists are organising prayers in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Dharamsala.

Hindus and Buddhists together organised a joint prayer for rain and snow at the Kunzum glacier located at a height of 4,590 metres.

Buddhists in the Spiti Valley organised a prayer ceremony at the 1,000-year-old Key monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Residents from across the Tod Valley took part in the ceremony at Key.

Jogendra Sharma, a horticulturist from Rohru in Shimla district, said people were distressed due to the lack of snow and rain. Not having any alternative, they had now sought divine help.

People had started ceremonies to appease the gods and he was sure they would shower their benediction upon them in the form of rain and snow.

The long dry spell in Himachal is having an impact on fruit-bearing trees and cereal crops. The latter are on the verge of drying out. Apple growers are worried as the fruits require a certain chilling hour to develop.

This years rainfall deficit has broken a 122-year-old record for Himachal Pradesh, according to the meteorological department. Rain and snowfall is likely to be miniscule in the state till January 24, according to the department.

Shyam Azad, from Lahaul-Spiti district, told this reporter that the area was facing a lot of problems due to the lack of precipitation. People now only have the divine to look up to for help, he said.

We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.

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In Himachal Pradesh, Hindus and Buddhists organise religious ceremonies for rain & snow - Down To Earth Magazine

Like PSL season, the Girl Scout Cookie season starts earlier and earlier. Of course, were not complaining. From January to April, were keeping an eye out for the girls in green sashes selling their deliciously addictive (and increasingly vegan-friendly) cookies. These treats arent just for us, though. Every box sold helps a Scout learn essential skills in entrepreneurship, compassion, and communication. To keep up with the times, the Scouts are also implementing new delivery and pre-order methods to get cookies into your hands anywhere you are.

Jump to the list

Girl Scout Cookies are made by one of two bakeries: ABC Bakers (which offers six vegan cookie options this year: Toast-Yay, Peanut Butter Patties, Thin Mints, Lemonades, Adventurefuls, and Caramel Chocolate Chip) and Little Brownie Bakers (which offers one vegan cookie option: Thin Mints).

Girl Scouts

The bakeries each service different regions, so depending on your location, your vegan-friendly options will differ. To check which bakery makes the cookies sold by your local troop, check out this map by Wide Open Eats. Have limited vegan options in your area and are looking to get your hands on more? Check out the Girl Scouts Council Finder to find a troop serviced by ABC Bakers and ask about their Digital Cookie platform for shipping options. Nationwide shipping is set to begin February 16.

While last years vegan-friendly Raspberry Rally didnt make the cut for the 2024 cookie season, plant-based eaters still have six delectable treats to choose from.

This brownie-inspired cookie first launched in 2022, but this year, ABC Bakers has reformulated the fan-favorite treat using vegan ingredients. The sweet-and-salty cookie features a caramel crme center with a hint of sea salt and an indulgent chocolate drizzle. When ordering, ensure your local troop is serviced by ABC Bakers as Little Brownie Bakers uses milk ingredients in its recipe.

How you help:When you buy a box of these chocolatey cookies, youre sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, all while helping Girl Scouts develop their team work skills. As cookie entrepreneurs, troops work together to set goals and make strides toward them.

How VegNews editors eat them:Warmed up in the microwave (for about 10 seconds) for a blissful experience

The classic Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie got a major makeover! You may have seen this cookie in years past, but in 2022, it was reformulated without animal ingredients just in time for the 2023 cookie seasonand its back for this years lineup. If thats not cause for celebration, we dont know what is. Bonus: its also making history as the Girl Scouts first vegan and gluten-free cookie.

How you help: A box of these cookies doesnt just promise sweet indulgence, it also helps Scouts develop their people skills. In a world where networking is everything, its never too early to get started.

How VegNews editors eat them: Dunked into a tall, cold glass of oat milk. Dont mess with the classics.

Watch out, Thin Mints, a new favorite cookie may usurp you. These toast-shaped treats are buttery, cinnamony, and delightfully sweet without an ounce of animal ingredients. Exclusively made by ABC Bakers with vegan ingredients, Toast-Yays are always vegan, so youre in the clear! The only question of the season will be: do you eat your Toast-Yays icing-side down or rightside up?

How you help: Each box of Toast-Yays translates to real-world business and customer service training. Scouts gain sales acumen and confidence to grow into their true #girlboss selves.

How VegNews editors eat them: Like Cinnamon French Toast cerealfloating in a bowl of cashew milk. Dont judge.

If the peanut butter cup could be improved, Peanut Butter Patties are it. Crispy vanilla cookies are topped with sweet, creamy peanut butter and enrobed in vegan chocolate. Make sure you dont mistake them for Tagalongs, though. While Peanut Butter Patties made by ABC Bakers are vegan, their cousinsTagalongs, made by Little Brownie Bakerscontain milk.

How you help: In a world of endless options and pathways prompted by marketing and social media, these crispy yet creamy cookies focus on teaching a life skill we wish we managed better: decision making. Scouts are taught how to plan, solve problems, commit to action, and think creatively. At least we can be decisive about one thingwe want these cookies.

How VegNews editors eat them: Sandwiched with Dandies vegan marshmallows to make a peanut buttery smore.

These eat-the-whole-box minty chocolate cookies remain best-sellers year after year. Theyre great crumbled into non-dairy ice cream, dunked into hot chocolate, and of course, nibbled straight from the box! Pro-tip: dont break your headboth ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers make these cult favorite cookies with vegan ingredients.

How you help: These popular cookies help teach a skill we could all improve on: money management. Scouts learn how to track orders, keep records, and develop essential skills necessary for any young entrepreneur.

How VegNews editors eat them: Straight from the freezer for a minty cool treat.

Pucker up! These citrusy shortbread cookies balance tart and sweet with a tangy lemon icing and a sweet, crumbly base. Dont confuse them with Lemon-Upsas this cookie, made by Little Brownie Bakers, contains milk.

How you help: When you hand over your five dollars for a box of these citrusy sweets, youre contributing to a Scouts goal-setting skills. Girls learn how to organize a sale, build goals, and follow through.

How VegNews editors eat them: Crushed, mixed with melted Miyokos butter, and pressed into a pie crust for a fluffy aquafaba-based lemon meringue pie.

Prefer to make your ownGirl Scout-inspired cookies? Check out these delicious veganized versions.

Richard Bowie (@wichiebowie) is VegNews' editorial director based in Los Angeles, CA.

Continue reading here:

The 2024 Guide to Vegan Girl Scout Cookies - VegNews

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Jenny Cowley, Charlsie Agro, Katie Pedersen - CBC News

Posted: January 12, 2024

Sweat, heavy breathing, warm temperatures and lots of people the gym is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in, which is why wiping equipment down is a normal part of gym etiquette.

But does a quick wipe really eliminate all those germs? CBC's Marketplace swabbed equipment at several popular national gym chains to find out which surface harbours the most bacteria.

With training and supplies from an accredited laboratory in Mississauga, Ont., Marketplace visited some of the largest for-profit gym chains: three GoodLife Fitness, three Anytime Fitness and three Planet Fitness locations in the Greater Toronto Area.

"Our own microbes are absolutely fine, but the minute that we start touching other people's microbes, especially if they're pathogenic, it can lead to infection," said microbiologist and self-proclaimed "germ guy" Jason Tetro.

WATCH | Gym-goers leave plenty of germs behind:

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While you're more likely to get sick from someone breathing heavily next to you, there are a few other things lurking at the gym that you should be wary of.

"Staphylococcus aureus is the big one," said Tetro, who explained that contact could result in a skin infection for those with open sores or cuts. One particular strain of staphylococcus, known as MRSA, is antibiotic-resistant and Health Canada warns that it can be found on gym equipment.

Experts also recommended testing for yeast and mould, which tend to grow in warm, damp environments and can cause various conditions, such as yeast infections and athlete's foot. Elevated levels could indicate a lack of proper cleaning, as these organisms are harder to kill than most bacteria.

Marketplace also tested for total bacterial count, where elevated levels could indicate how long it's been since a surface has been cleaned and how effective the process was at removing germs.

At each gym location, after consulting with experts, CBC journalists swabbed five popular pieces of equipment an elliptical, a barbell, a dumbbell, an exercise mat, a yoga ball as well as the shower floor, to determine microbial counts.

Here is a countdown of each surface in Marketplace's investigation, from least to most germy.

The elliptical machine had the lowest bacteria count of the surfaces, which doesn't surprise Tetro.

"When you think about it, there's not a lot of contact going on," he said. "The surface is really easy for you to get that cloth on there, and you're going to put on some really good pressure in order to clean it."

The dumbbell was germier than the elliptical, which experts said was likely due tothe textured grip.

"It's really difficult to get enough pressure in there with the wipe to actually clean it down," Tetro said. "You're always going to be finding some kind of microbial concentration there what you want to do is use the disinfectant to be able to minimize it."

Like the dumbbell, the barbell has a grippy texture that can make it difficult to clean. One of the barbells swabbed had particularly high levels of yeast.

"The realization of yeast on a surface is not overly surprising," said Tetro, adding that it is a natural part of the human microbiome. He added that elevated levels could mean someone deposited the yeast after "not doing a very good job of cleaning their hands after taking care of an infection."

At first glance, the yoga ball appeared to be covered in dirt. But that can be deceiving.

"If it looks dirty, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's germy," said Tetro. "Dirt is just inorganic material. It's not alive. No one cares about it. And we actually get a lot of people focused on dirt. And they clean, clean, clean. But they're not actually disinfecting."

The yoga ball still had elevated levels of bacteria compared to most of the other equipment swabbed.

The germiest piece of equipment Marketplace found was the exercise mat, with almost eight times the amount of bacteria as the yoga ball.

The mats had especially high levels of staphylococcus, which is found on healthy people, but certain types, like MRSA, could cause infections in others.

While CBC didn't specifically test strains of staphylococcus, Tetro still found these results concerning.

"There has to be some weakening of the immune system that can lead to infection. So if you're going [to the gym] and you happen to have a cut, then there's a likelihood it could get into your skin," said Tetro. "We always recommend that if you're going to work out any time you have some exposed skin or a cut for a wound, you cover that up with a bandage."

Although not a piece of equipment, the shower blew Marketplace's other results out of the water (pun intended). Journalists swabbed an approximately 10 x 10 cm surface next to the drain on shower floors. On average, the gym showers CBC swabbed had more than four times the amount of bacteria than the mat.

Marketplace found elevated levels of yeast, mould and staph in showers. Tetro says the running water and warm environment create the perfect place for microbes to grow.

"That's where viruses can hide, that's where fungi can hide [leading to] warts and athlete's foot And then you take your bare foot, you step on it, and now all of a sudden you have an exposure." You don't need a cut or open wound to potentially be infected with warts and athlete's foot.

All gyms that Marketplace visited had signs encouraging people to wipe equipment down and had cleaning supplies. But CBC didn't find any cleaning equipment in the shower area for gym-goers to use.

Tetro says the best way to protect yourself in the shower is to create a physical barrier by wearing flip-flops.

Tetro says even if gym-goers are wiping equipment before and after using it, they're probably not using the disinfectant in the intended way.

All disinfectants have a contact time required to work, ranging from 30 seconds up to 30 minutes. Common cleaners, like a 1:500 chlorine bleach solution, three per cent hydrogen peroxide solution or 70-90 per cent isopropyl alcohol, all require a 10-minute sit-time to disinfect vegetative bacteria, some viruses and fungi, according to Public Health Ontario.

None of the GoodLife, Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness locations Marketplace visited had clear instructions on how long to let the disinfectant sit.

"That's the big problem," said Tetro. "As a result, all people are doing is spreading, not killing [germs]."

Marketplace asked Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness and GoodLife Fitness about the lack of cleaning instructions in the gym, and the levels of microbesfound at their locations. All declined a request for an interview.

In written statements, all companies said they're committed to providing a safe and clean environment for their employees and customers.

Planet Fitness addedthat it encourages members to wipe down equipment before and after use, and to stay home if they're feeling unwell.

GoodLife Fitness wrote that itshared Marketplace's findings with its own cleaning experts and that it is "always reviewing our cleaning program to look for improvements."

A spokesperson for Anytime Fitness wrote that regular exercise can "significantly lower risk" for illnesses.

It added that bacteria is "ubiquitous in our environment and can never be completely eliminated even with the most thorough sanitation practices."

The Fitness Industry Council of Canada, which represents 6,000 fitness facilities across Canada, says CBC's results are "anomalies rather than a reflection of our industry at large."

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We swabbed GoodLife, Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness locations to find the germiest piece of equipment - CBC.ca

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Motivational Podcasts to Reach Your Goals - The Everygirl

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