Health Canada approves NexGard® and NexGard Spectra™ for the reduction of Lyme disease

• NexGard® and NexGard Spectra™ receives Health Canada approval for the reduction of Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) infections as a direct result of killing adult Ixodes scapularis (I. scapularis) vector ticks. B. burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease. 

BURLINGTON, ON, June 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc. received approval from Health Canada to expand the label claim of NexGard® (afoxolaner) and NexGard Spectra™ (afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime) to include an indication for the reduction of B. burgdorferi infections as a direct result of killing adult I. scapularis vector ticks. B. burgdorferi is the infectious agent which causes Lyme disease in dogs.

NexGard® and NexGard Spectra™ are the first and only parasiticide products in Canada to receive a B. burgdorferiprotection label claim. The label claim applies equally to both products because the concentration of afoxolaner is equivalent in both. This now provides the pet owner with heightened ability to prevent Lyme disease in their dog.

"Boehringer Ingelheim's unwavering commitment to advancing veterinary medicine with a focus on prevention is proudly showcased with this first-ever indication in Canada to reduce the B. burgdorferi infections that cause Lyme disease," says Tyron Hansen, Marketing Manager, Pet, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc.  "Providing veterinarians and pet owners with reliable and effective products to keep their animals healthy remains our top priority." 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4 billion euros in 2019 and presence in more than 150 markets.

As the lives of animals and humans are intertwined, across the globe, our 10,000 employees are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of both – through science and innovation, as well as with their commitment and passion.

Respect for animals, people and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop medicines, services and innovative digital technologies to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society- threatening diseases.

For more information visit: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca/en/animal-health/animal-health-2

Boehringer Ingelheim Canada (Ltd.)
Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of 19 billion euros. Our significant investment of almost 3.5 billion euros in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life. 

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 600 people across Canada.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com. 

References

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

COVID-19 is Hurting Chronic Migraine Care in Canada

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

TORONTO, June 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Like most chronic conditions, COVID-19 is having an incredible impact on patients living with chronic migraines (CM). Allergan, an AbbVie Company, is proudly supporting National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month encouraging patients and caregivers to share their experiences with #MoreThanAMigraine to encourage dialogue and awareness surrounding chronic migraines, migraines and headaches. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been a particularly vulnerable time for individuals with chronic migraines, with many physical and mental stressors, increased anxiety, and changes in daily routine that have served as triggering factors for worsening symptoms. This, combined with limited access to their headache specialists, has resulted in trying times for this patient population to manage their condition," said Dr. Ian Finkelstein, Medical Director at the Toronto Headache & Pain Clinic. "Chronic migraine patients 'walk a tight line' when it comes to managing their symptoms, and COVID-19 has been an impetus in derailing many otherwise well controlled patients. Better diagnosis, management and education surrounding this disabling condition is of paramount importance."

The Difference Between Migraines and Other Types of Headaches
Migraines are more severe and debilitating than other types of headaches, and impact over 2.7 million Canadians.¹ They consist of moderately to severely intense headaches with throbbing or pulsating pain and are often on one side of the head.²Other debilitating symptoms include nausea; vomiting; and hypersensitivity to lights, sounds and smells.³

#MoreThanAMigraine
Throughout June, Allergan is encouraging migraine sufferers to break their silence in hopes to spread awareness on the condition, to highlight the symptoms, and qualify disease impact. Patients and caregivers can share their experiences online using #MoreThanAMigraine. A patient self-assessment, triggers and treatment options can be accessed via mychronicmigraine.ca. The site also features a search tool that allows Canadians to find a doctor in their area who may be able to help. Migraine sufferers should speak to their healthcare providers about their quality of life and symptom impact.

Throbbing Statistics 

• It is estimated that between 370,000- 600,000 adult Canadians, 18 years or older, suffer from CM.⁴
• Over 80 per cent of CM sufferers in Canada are women.⁵
• It has been estimated that just 20.2 per cent of CM sufferers receive a CM diagnosis, and only 33.3 per cent of CM patients use preventive medication.⁶
• Patients with CM are more likely to miss days of work, school, household work, become occupationally disabled and experience lower levels of household income.^7,8
• Patients with CM are nearly twice as likely to be affected by depression or anxiety when compared to episodic migraines.⁹
• Patients with CM are more likely to receive opioid medications than those with episodic migraines.^10,11

About AbbVie 
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Allergan, an AbbVie Company

Orthopaedic Patients go to Lithuania to Avoid COVID-19 Delays

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard on patients waiting for orthopaedic surgeries. Extra delays added up to the already long waiting lists in Canada, the UK, Ireland and other parts of the world. As the borders open, suffering patients seek relief in private clinics abroad.

June 23rd, 2020. A recent study has estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic will cause more than 28 million elective surgeries to be cancelled or postponed worldwide. The largest single block of these are orthopaedic surgeries - more than 6 million procedures likely to be affected. The situation is especially difficult in countries like Canada, the UK or Ireland, where COVID-19 delays add up to the already long pre-pandemic waiting lists.

Moreover, waiting for orthopaedic surgery is very painful. Malfunctioning knees or hips cause strong pain or even inability to walk. Some patients describe waiting for surgery as "life being put on hold.” The suffering pushes these patients to look for suitable treatment alternatives, which some of them find in private clinics abroad.

"Patients want to come as soon as the borders open," said Prof. Šarūnas Tarasevičius, chief surgeon at Nordorthopaedics clinic - leading international orthopaedic surgery center in Kaunas, Lithuania. "We already have Irish patients coming in June. As Lithuanian borders are open to all citizens of Ireland, some people from Northern Ireland also use this opportunity - they have Irish passports. We expect that other citizens of the UK will be free to travel in July. And by the end of the summer our clinic will have restored the pre-pandemic flow of patients."

According to Prof. Tarasevičius, the comparative safety of Lithuanian environment is one of the reasons why patients choose Nordorthopaedics clinic. Having successfully contained the pandemic Lithuania has a very low number of COVID-19 cases and is one of the safest travel destinations. Just recently the quarantine was lifted in Lithuania - another sign of an improving situation.

However, Nordorthopaedics clinic continues the safety measures that were introduced during the quarantine. These include COVID-19 testing all patients before surgeries, not allowing visitors or accompanying persons to the clinic as well as measures of hygiene and disinfection. Most preliminary consultations are handled online as patients submit their medical history through e-mail or other means of communication.

"Having worked with international patients for many years, we are used to online or e-mail consultations," explained Prof. Tarasevičius. "We are an experienced medical team and in most cases we prepare everything so that we proceed with surgery as soon as the patient arrives."

Prof. Tarasevičius has been practicing orthopaedic surgery for 15 years. He has conducted more than 2000 joint replacement surgeries and co-authored more than 150 scientific articles in different medical journals. His experience ensures the high quality of service at Nordorthopaedics clinic. The clinic offers hip and knee replacement packages that include 7-day or 14-day recovery in Druskininkai - a popular SPA resort in Lithuania. Hip replacement package with 7-day recovery starts at €7,500. Knee replacement package with 7-day recovery starts at €7,530. 

-END -

ABOUT NORDORTHOPAEDICS

Nordorthopaedics is a private clinic in Kaunas, Lithuania, part of Nordclinic, offering high-quality services and focusing on foreign patients. It is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities. Medical professionals at the clinic speak fluent English and show personal attention to every patient. www.nordorthopaedics.com/en.

50+ And Healthy Examines The Importance Of Mental Health As We Age

Chicago, IL, June 23, 2020 — The worldwide stay-at-home orders have turned weekend warriors into daily dog walkers, joggers and cyclists — all hoping to stay fit and avoid the “quarantine 15.” But there’s more to being healthy than having a fit physique. Mental health is equally important, but often gets buried beneath the stigma surrounding it.

“Many of you recognize that mental illness is often a taboo subject … due to seeming complexity, mystery and stigma,” explains Murali Rao, MD. “Unfortunately, the high discrimination of the subject leads to a statistic of nearly two-thirds of the world population refusing to seek help for mental health related issues.” Adding: “Though this primer is directed towards learning to help elders, the material can readily apply to any age group.”

Rao, an expert on clinical geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry, addresses the concepts of mental health and mental illnesses in the overarching context of healthy aging in 50+ and Healthy: What You Need to Know About Mental Health and Healthy Aging — for You and Your Loved Ones. This exceptionally strong, evidence-based guide emphasizes the importance of nurturing our mental health as we grow older.

Using easy-to-understand language, he explores common health-related conditions, how to recognize symptoms, practical approaches to treatments and his GAME PLAN^TMmethod for helping yourself and your loved ones, of any age, during times of distress or mental health crises. 

For readers of any educational and professional background, 50+ and Healthy offers easily presented information and relatable case studies.

With this book, you can learn from a world authority about: 

1. Healthy aging and mental health

2. Common mental illnesses, why people get them, how to identify them and how to manage them

3. Practical approaches for first aid and later interventions

4. Self-care for mental health and successful aging

If you are interested in healthy aging and how to help yourself, your family members and your friends with mental health, this book is for you. All proceeds from book sales go to a nonprofit organization engaged in mental health awareness education in the United States and India (www.nndcifoundation.org), founded by Dr. Murali Rao.

Author Murali Rao, MD, is a professor and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. He specializes in liaison and emergency psychiatry. Additionally, he serves as a member of multiple professional bodies including the American College of Psychiatrists, the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, CINP, the Indian Psychiatric Society and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA).

Dr. Rao has received multiple awards and fellowships, including Distinguished Life Fellow by the APA, Outstanding Academician Award by the Indo-American Psychiatric Association and the Master Teacher Award by the Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Rao has also had more than 80 journal publications, books and book-chapters. He has recently published trainee and trainer manuals on Adult Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Workplace Mental Health. 

For more information, please visit www.nndcifoundation.org, or follow the author on Twitter at @MuraliRaoMD. 

50 + and Healthy: What You Need to Know About Mental Health and Healthy Aging — for You and Your Loved Ones

Publisher: Loyola University Chicago

ISBN-10: 1735177504 

ISBN-13: 978-1735177502

Available from Amazon.com

###

Texas A&M System Brands Buildings at Texas A&M Innovation Plaza in Texas Medical Center

The five-acre mixed-use Texas A&M Innovation Plaza in Houston will be home to the Engineering Medicine program and more.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System has announced Discovery Tower, Life Tower and Horizon Tower as the names of the three buildings that comprise Texas A&M Innovation Plaza, its landmark 5-acre campus in Houston, Texas, at the prominent intersection of Holcombe Boulevard and Main Street near the Texas Medical Center (TMC). This campus sets a new standard for collaboration in engineering, medicine, research and education and is the first all-new mixed-use campus for the Texas A&M System in Houston.

The Texas A&M University System initiated the new campus by acquiring and renovating an 18-story office building at 1020 Holcombe Blvd. to be the home for EnMed, a unique two-degree program that provides students the chance to earn a master’s degree in engineering from Texas A&M University and a medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine. Opening later this year, this building supports EnMed and an expanded array of Texas A&M’s engineering, research, innovation, medical and life science programs that are reflected in the newly announced brand:  Discovery Tower.

Complementing the academic, research, discovery and innovation missions of the EnMed Building, Texas A&M Innovation Plaza will provide a welcoming, secure and vibrant experience to the campus population and visitors alike, with generous green spaces and lifestyle amenities not commonly found in the TMC area.

With groundbreaking scheduled in late 2020, the System’s public-private partnership (P3) developer is bringing additional investment of $401 million to fulfill unmet needs in the area with two complementary towers totaling an additional 1.9 million square feet.

“EnMed is just the first example of innovation that Texas A&M System intends to bring to the Texas A&M Innovation Plaza,” said Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp. “We are excited to have such a visible location in the Texas Medical Center.”

Scheduled to be complete in June 2022, Life Tower is a 19-story, 714-bed student housing tower will overlook a scenic plaza flanked by a large garage with retail and dining at grade with convenient, affordable parking for 2,714 vehicles. Texas A&M medical students and Prairie View A&M University nursing students will be given priority for housing, but students from other institutions could fill open slots, if available. 

Scheduled to deliver in January 2024 is Horizon Tower, a 17-story, 485,000 square-foot integrated building that will be built atop the 13-story parking structure. With generous, efficient floorplates and robust building technologies, Horizon Tower will be ideally suited to life sciences, clinical, biomedical, technology and office uses.

Accessible via Main Street, Holcombe Boulevard and Fannin Street, Texas A&M Innovation Plaza is also adjacent to the METRO TMC Station, providing convenient connectivity via bus and light rail service to the TMC, Museum District and Downtown Houston.

The developer for the P3 projects is Medistar Corporation, a long-time Houston-based developer. Infrastructure investment firm American Triple I Partners, founded by Texas A&M alum Henry Cisneros, is part of the financing team.

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $6.3 billion. The System is a statewide network of 11 universities; a comprehensive health science center; eight state agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M System educates more than 151,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $1 billion in FY 2019 and helped drive the state’s economy.

Physician-Created App Unveils Remote Check-In Feature to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in Medical Practices

TAMPA, FLA. 

DocClocker®, a pioneering app that allows patients – for the first time – to receive real-time wait time reporting of their medical providers, has been aggressively preventing the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) nationwide by enabling patients to avoid long waits in medical waiting rooms – limiting exposure risks. Today, the company announced their latest achievement in supporting both providers and patients during the pandemic: DocClocker Remote Check-In.

In the wake of COVID-19, healthcare providers are being forced to rethink the traditional waiting room experience. DocClocker, a medical wait time reporting app that was founded and is run entirely by practicing physicians, is taking that step with the launch of DocClocker Remote Check-In. For the first time, patients can now remotely check-in to their doctor appointments from their car, in addition to receiving real-time wait time reporting; preventing the spread of the highly contagious virus by limiting the exposure of sick patients in waiting rooms.

“Recognizing that the waiting room during the COVID-19 pandemic is a potentially risky place to be, the new DocClocker Remote Check-In enables the healthcare system to function while keeping current best practice recommendations to maintain social distancing,” said Dr. Eric Carter, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of DocClocker.

Healthcare organizations across the United States are successfully using DocClocker to improve patient outcomes, prevent the spread of illness, increase new patient appointment bookings, improve practice online reputation and searchability, and much more. DocClocker can be installed and implemented to any healthcare waiting room in America in mere minutes.

In addition to remote check-ins and receiving real-time wait times, patients can easily locate and select in-network medical providers; selecting by reviewing the provider’s specific information and a display of average wait times. Patients can manage appointments through the app, receive appointment reminders, write reviews and report long waits. DocClocker is free to all patients and is significantly more affordable than basic appointment management tools that have dominated the market in recent years.

Remote Check-In Instructions: https://info.docclocker.com/remotecheckininstructions

PATIENTS
Download the App:
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/docclocker/id1321644191
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.docclocker.patient

PROVIDERS
Request a free demo: admin@docclocker.com

About DocClocker:
Developed by Fast Pathway Inc, DocClocker brings transparency to the doctor’s waiting room using modern technology to streamline communication between doctors, patients, and their families. For more information about DocClocker, please visit the app’s website at: https://docclocker.com/

Contact:
Molly Jacobson
Tel: 1-850-980-2793
Email: molly@jacobsonstrategy.com
Website: http://www.docclocker.com

Location Information:
Fast Pathway Inc
2202 North Westshore Blvd., Suite 200
Tampa, Florida 33607

About Fast Pathway, Inc:
Fast Pathway Inc is the developer and operator of the DocClocker® platform and maintains the cloud-based technology for subscribers and users.

If you would rather not receive future communications from Jacobson Strategy, let us know by clicking here.
Jacobson Strategy, 6304 Vista Verde Drive East, Gulfport, FL 33707 United States 

Premium North American Brand in the Emerging Functional Mushroom Market Expands Leadership Through Addition of Specialized Plant-Based Physician 

VANCOUVER, BC, June 23, 2020 - Rritual, the premium brand in the emerging functional mushroom market, announced today that Dr. Mike Hart has been named as the President of North America’s leading mushroom adaptogens company. 

Dr. Hart has more than 6 years of experience in plant based therapy, including owning and operating his own family medicine clinic in London, Ontario, Canada where he regularly integrates plant-based wellness techniques, seeing optimal success with his patients in supporting them to treat common symptoms such as pain, inflammation, insomnia, depression and much more. His mission is to help his patients integrate plant-based therapies to lead the healthiest lifestyle possible. 

Rritual, the rapidly growing North American leader in the emerging functional mushroom market is transforming the functional food industry with their Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane mushroom focused super food product portfolio which currently includes elixirs, mixes and shots combined with synergistic adaptogenic herbs. Their data-backed, unique formulations for their premium, plant-based elixirs include key ingredients to help support cognitive function, stress relief, and boost immunity. 

“Dr. Mike Hart is the perfect leader for Rritual.” Said David Kerbel, Chief Executive Officer. “Dr. Hart’s extensive plant-based medicine background, business development skills, passion for health and wellness, and extensive trusted platform significantly strengthens our rapid expansion, brand presence and scalability in the emerging functional mushroom market.” Kerbel added. 

“I am very excited to be joining the Rritual team,” said Dr. Mike Hart. “I believe Rritual has a great business model and, product portfolio in addition to a talented, and passionate management team that uniquely positions it for success in the emerging plant-based industry.” “Their mission to help people adapt to modern life and prove that mushrooms are one of the world’s greatest superfoods, is a perfect fit with my own wellness practices as a Physician, and personally as an individual who is passionate about mental and physical health.”

“My belief is that mental fitness is a daily ritual, and Rritual’s product portfolio and approach completely supports my current research and values as a seasoned, plant-based practitioner, having the tools and products available to individuals to help support their mental and physical fitness is of the utmost importance.” Hart added. 

Currently one of the world's foremost experts in plant-based medicine, In September of 2002, Dr. Hart began studying nutritional biochemistry at Memorial University and completed his degree in 2006. After completing his undergraduate degree he obtained his medical degree at Saba School of Medicine in the Netherlands Antilles from 2006-2010.  In 2014, Dr. Hart became the first physician in London, Ontario, Canada to open a Cannabis Clinic. His passion for helping patients with wellness tools runs deep with having supported thousands of patients to live symptom-free and lead healthier lifestyles since he began practicing medicine. He is also the co-author of the Amazon Best Seller “Friendly Fire”: Why Vets Are Lighting Up and Ditching Pills to Treat PTSD.

About Rritual 

Launched in 2020, Rritual is guided by a single purpose: to help each and everyone meet the demands of modern life with style and ease through mushroom adaptogens. Rritual makes premium plant-based elixir products in small batches featuring mindfully-selected medicinal mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs. To help support and achieve an optimal need-state, Rritual offers a range of products to fit every lifestyle. Rritual produces simple mushroom adaptogen products with limited, yet very purposeful and organic ingredients. Most of all, Rritual wants to help people adapt to the strain of modern life and prove that mushrooms truly are the world’s greatest superfoods. You can find out more about Rritual by visiting https://wearerritual.com/ or find them on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Dr. Mike Hart

Dr. Michael Hart, M.D, is one the world’s most foremost experts on plant based medicine. In 2014, Dr. Hart became the first physician in London, Ontario, Canada to open a Cannabis Clinic. In 2016 he founded Readytogo Medical Clinic, where he currently acts as the lead physician and medical director. He is also the co-author of the Amazon Best Seller “Friendly Fire”: Why Vets Are Lighting Up and Ditching Pills to Treat PTSD and the Candian Medical Ambassador for Athletes for CARE. His outspoken stance has landed him on a variety of media outlets, including an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcastwhich received over 3.2M views to date. You can find out more about Dr. Hart by visiting his website: https://mikehartmd.com/ or find him on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. 

YIVO Institute For Jewish Research
Presents

A Seat at the Table: A Journey Into Jewish Food

Featuring 
Acclaimed Chefs, Cookbook Authors, Scholars, Restaurateurs, & Writers

YIVO's Shine Online Educational Series 
Ventures Across Centuries of Jewish History & Culture,
Discovering the Evolution of Ashkenazi Jewish Cuisine from Eastern Europe to the Streets of New York City
To Unveil It's Modern Renaissance Throughout the 21st Century

Amid the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, "A Seat at the Table"
Now Offered for Free with Over 10,000 Participants Signed Up To Date 

New York City -- Monday, June 22, 2020 -- YIVO Institute for Jewish Research -- whose preeminent archives contain more than 23 million documents and artifacts about Eastern European Jewry -- collaborates with an esteemed cohort of chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, scholars, and writers for a one-of-a-kind seven-week educational course, A Seat at the Table: A Journey Into Jewish Food. Never before has the world had such unprecedented access to over 100 hours of inspiring digital content at their finger tips, including in-depth interviews, roundtable discussions, cooking demonstrations, and the debut of 300 archival objects for an inside look at an often mystified cuisine. Lauded purveyors of Jewish fare and culture lead a riveting exploration into the Ashkenazi Jewish experience, and its modern culinary renaissance. 

A Seat at the Table: A Journey Into Jewish Food features cultural visionaries such as Joan Nathan (Jewish Cooking In America), Michael W. Twitty (The Cooking Gene), Alice Feiring (The Dirty Wine Guide), Mitchell Davis (James Beard Foundation), Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper (Russ & Daughters), Jake Dell (Katz's Delicatessen), Darra Goldstein (Founder, Gastronomica: The Journal of Food and Culture), Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz (The Gefilteria), Lior Lev Sercarz (La Boîte), Adeena Sussman (Sababa), Ilan Stavans (Amherst College), Leah Koenig (The Jewish Cookbook), Michael Wex (Born to Kvetch), and more! 

The dynamism of Jewish cuisine is at once steeped in tradition, and embedded with great curiosities of a traveling migration of people evolving flavors and ingredients as they trekked across Eastern Europe, the Americas, and ultimately the cosmopolitan mecca of New York City. For thousands of years, Jewish dishes were confluent with the seasons and practices of sustainability. Recipes use flavors and textures from garden root vegetables, whole grains, fresh herbs, beef, lamb, and accompanied by seasonal fruit drinks, jellies, and a plethora of other nutritious foods. The Jewish food repertoire was at the heart of families and annual holidays. 

A Seat at the Table already has more than 10,000 online participants for an odyssey into the Ashkenazi Jewish kitchen through the lens of the brightest personalities within the field while supported by YIVO's extensive archives, including the largest collection of Yiddish cookbooks. Learn from experts the staples of Jewish food, sourcing of rich and flavorful ingredients, influence of South America on over 2,000 types of moles (served with latkes), lox slicing, the rise in national popularity of bagels, emergence of Jewish restaurateurs, evolution of Jewish delicatessens and cafes, cross-culturalization within immigrant groups on the Lower East Side (Jews, Chinese, Japanese), women's perseverance to provide nourishing meals, Vegetarianism, and much more. 

"A Seat at the Table shows the diversity of Jewish culture and the richness of Jewish history. Jews in Eastern Europe found ways to negotiate difficult times (political, social, economic, cultural) -- the result is a cuisine that shows their culinary creativity, resilience, and ability to find happiness, meaning, and nourishment (spiritual and physical) even in challenging times." -Jonathan Brent (Executive Director and CEO of YIVO).

"A Seat at the Table takes a deep delve into YIVO's food-related archival collections, examining the full history of Ashkenazi Jewish foodways in collaboration with acclaimed scholars, chefs, and cookbook authors. The project lies at the center of YIVO's mission: rediscovering history, breaking through stereotypes, and reclaiming Jewish culture as a vibrant, living tradition -- one that can help shape our experiences." -Ben Kaplan (Director of Education, YIVO)

Authentic Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine often reflects Jewish spiritual resistance as Jews faced extreme circumstances in their fight for survival and freedom. While food served to sustain and comfort people during the most difficult moments, A Seat at the Tableoffers foodies the opportunity to discover the cornerstones of the Ashkenazi Jewish kitchen. A process of assimilation and openness to new lands, people, and cultures uniquely identifies Jewish food as a traveling immigrant cuisine. The arrival of 3.5 million Jews to America from the 1880s -- 1920s provided access to an abundance of new foods and opportunities. What had become emblematic of the Jewish holidays throughout generations of hardship became more integrated into everyday life. A tragic history came full circle to centuries past for a cherished existence in America with new beginnings. 

YIVO's devotion to the study of Jewish history and folklore -- YIVO holds the largest collection of original Holocaust artifacts outside of Yad Vashem in Israel -- brings into focus its latest online educational program to center on Jewish food as the perfect aperitif for the greater understanding of Jewish culture. A Seat at the Table is among many exciting programs within the Shine Online Educational Series (LINK). Join YIVO and over 10,000 participants across the U.S. and 59 countries around the world for this powerful journey through Ashkenazi Jewish foodways. 

To sign up for A Seat at the Table, please visit: yivo.org/Food.

Links to preview A Seat at the Table can be viewed below, and Artifacts & Recipes featured in A Seat at the Table can be downloaded at this LINK:

Michael Twitty, "Culinary Justice" (Unit 2) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=q7iuYmp54g0

Josh Russ Tupper, "Lox Slicing with Russ & Daughters" (Unit 1)  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hONIQjLQW4

Jake Dell, "How to Build a Katz’s Sandwich" (Unit 5)  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PTkY03kJwQ

Liz Alpern, Ilan Stavans, and Jeffrey Yoskowitz, "Latkes with Mole" (Unit 3) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=39&v=UwRxffwy9ko

Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, "Bagels" (Unit 6) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVzHy7Jstek

Liz Alpern, Darra Goldstein, & Jeffrey Yoskowitz, "Ashkenazi Foodways" (Unit 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qgEnkyOSrA

Hasia Diner, "From Scarcity to Abundance" (Unit 3)  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQtNGq231qs

Roundtable: "Ashkenazi Jewish Food and the Immigrant Experience" (Unit 3) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtCwklsavcI

About YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research was founded in Berlin, Warsaw, and in Vilnius (Vilna) in 1925. Its mission is to document, study, and preserve Ashkenazi Jewish civilization in all its aspects, from culture and history to language, literature, and political movements. YIVO's headquarters were relocated to New York City in 1940 in response to WWII. Today, YIVO is renowned for its role as a research institute, educational center, and cultural organization, with a library of over 400,000 volumes in addition to its unparalleled archive with over 23 million documents and artifacts. YIVO is dedicated to digitizing and preserving its collections for current and future generations worldwide. YIVO also keeps this heritage alive through its countless public and educational programs, which are conducted in person and digitally for a global community.

For additional detailed information, please visit: yivo.org

Experience the Clean-Grown Coastal Flavor of Blue Dream CBD, the First CBD-Prominent Flower From Pesticide-Free Cultivator Autumn Brands

Enjoy a mellow summertime Sativa that offers a functional, euphoric high while relaxing the body and providing relief for sore muscles, aches, and pains   

Santa Barbara California – (June 23nd, 2020): Autumn Brands proudly introduces Blue Dream CBD, a premium, mellow sativa that offers full-body relaxation accompanied by a light, euphoric high. Backed by decades of hard-won, sustainable farming expertise, 50% woman-owned Autumn Brands stands out as a sixth-generation, family-run operation with a health-centered holistic focus and refreshingly artisanal approach. Committed to producing potent, pesticide-free cannabis strains using innovative clean growing practices, no summer is complete without the West Coast cultivator’s latest - and first CBD-prominent - flower: Blue Dream CBD. 

“Our newest strain offers a euphoric high with the tangible benefits of CBD,” explains Hanna Brand, Co-Founder of Autumn Brands.  “Although Blue Dream CBD is technically a Sativa, I was instantly relaxed and able to fall asleep quickly at bedtime.” Using seeds sourced from the historic and widely-respected Humboldt Seed Organization, Blue Dream CBD is a cross between the classic Blue Dream and California Orange CBD. The resulting flavor profile is a refreshing palate of fruit, berries, and citrus enriched by aromas of spice and earth. Perfect for first-time smokers and those with a low THC tolerance, Blue Dream CBD provides a functional, mellow head high with amazing relief for sore muscles, aches, and pains. 

Experience sun-grown Blue Dream CBD - the latest release from the Autumn Brands family - now available at select Southern California dispensaries in a pre-roll 7-pack (11% THC, 5% CBD, and 18.5% total cannabinoids) and in hand-selected flower form (10% THC, 7% CBD, and 20% total cannabinoids). Visit AutumnBrands.com to locate the nearest participating seller and browse a full selection of premium flower, pre-rolls, and pre-filled cartridges. Each features sun-grown, hang-dried buds hand-trimmed and cured to preserve maximum potency and full healing benefits. Follow on Instagram @AutumnBrands for the latest product releases and updates. 

About Autumn Brands:

Autumn Brands is a licensed California cannabis cultivator dedicated to the synergy of health and wellness. The Autumn Brands’ family farm started in Holland more than a century ago, and today, sixth-generation farmers apply the same expertise garnered in growing the world’s finest tulips to producing pure and potent strains of cannabis in sunny, coastal Santa Barbara County. Autumn Brands is proud to be 50 percent woman-owned, free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. For more information, visitwww.autumnbrands.com or email leighanne@anderson-pr.com.

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The Warrior’s Meditation Shares Best-Kept Secret In Stress Relief And Self-Improvement

Portland, OR, June 23, 2020 — The Warrior's Meditation by Richard L. Haight, the award-winning author of The Unbound Soul, makes transformative meditation accessible to the masses, with short, daily sessions that don’t require periods of isolation. 

“The Warrior's Meditation is unlike any other meditation. This method is flexible in application, which allows it to blend with whatever your day has in store,” Haight says. 

Perfect for people of all backgrounds and skill levels, The Warrior’s Meditation teaches an instinctive, non-religious form of Samurai meditation that is both practical and extremely effective.

Through daily meditation, practitioners can experience the following cognitive and physical benefits, among many others: 

1. Improved immune function; decreased cellular inflammation and pain.

2. Increased positive emotions; less anxiety, depression and stress.

3. Increased emotional intelligence and compassion; reduced feelings of insecurity.

4. Increased gray matter in areas related to paying attention, positive emotions, emotional regulation and self-control.

5. Improved memory, creativity and abstract thinking.

Life is busy, and few people have time to spend hours a day in meditation. With The Warrior's Meditation, readers can experience profound clarity and awareness wherever they are and eventually embody meditation as a way of being. 

Author Richard L. Haight is a master-level instructor of martial, meditation and healing arts. He began formal martial arts training at age 12 and moved to Japan at the age of 24 to advance his training with masters of the sword, staff and aiki-jujutsu.

During his 15 years in Japan, Haight was awarded masters licenses in four samurai arts as well as a traditional healing art called sotai-ho. He is one of the world's foremost experts in the traditional Japanese martial arts.

Through his books, his meditation and martial arts seminars, Haight is helping to ignite a worldwide movement for personal transformation that is free of all constraints and open to anyone of any level. He now lives and teaches in southern Oregon. 

For more information, please visit richardlhaight.com.

The Warrior's Meditation: The Best-Kept Secret in Self-Improvement, Cognitive Enhancement, and Stress Relief, Taught by a Master of Four Samurai Arts

Publisher: Shinkaikan Body, Mind, Spirit LLC

ISBN-10: 0999210092 

ISBN-13: 978-0999210093

Paperback available at all online bookstores.

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