Here is a selection of Kyodo News photos taken this week in Japan and beyond.

Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentice, called "maiko," wearing formal attire, await the start of a ceremony to mark the first business day of the year on Jan. 7, 2023, in Kyoto. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

A high school student makes a bamboo lantern at a park in Kobe on Jan. 7, 2023, for a Jan. 17 memorial event marking the 28th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity killing more than 6,000 people. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

A man performs a bungee jumping from a bridge about 100 meters above ground in the Ibaraki Prefecture city of Hitachiota, eastern Japan, on Jan. 7, 2023, while shouting his hopes for this year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Firefighters perform traditional ladder acrobatics on Jan. 8, 2023, during the annual New Year event organized by the Kanazawa city fire department in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States celebrates after winning the giant slalom at an Alpine skiing World Cup event in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on Jan. 8, 2023. With her 82nd win, she equaled compatriot Lindsey Vonn's women's World Cup victories record. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Photo taken on Jan. 9, 2023, on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows Ceylon blue glassy tigers clustered on twigs to make it through the winter. The butterfly is found in Southeast Asia, including Taiwan and southwestern islands in Japan, and is known to cluster in groups when the temperature falls below 15 C. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champion Sota Fujii (R) and challenger Yoshiharu Habu reflect on Game 1 of a historic best-of-seven series for shogi's Osho title after Fujii beat Habu at a teahouse at Kakegawa Castle in the Shizuoka Prefecture city of Kakegawa, central Japan, on Jan. 9, 2023. If Habu, 52, captures the Osho title from 20-year-old Fujii, holder of four other major titles, it would be his 100th title tournament victory, an unprecedented achievement. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

LED lights aligned on the Rokko mountain range to form "Kobe" and "1.17," the date of the deadly Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the port city in Hyogo Prefecture and neighboring areas in 1995, are pictured from Kobe on Jan. 10, 2023. (Kyodo)

A Sukhoi-30 fighter plane of the Indian Air Force arrives at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Hyakuri Air Base in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 10, 2023, ahead of Japan and India's first joint fighter jet exercise. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People visit Azumayama Park in Ninomiya, Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 11, 2023, with rapeseed blossoms blooming earlier in the year than usual. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Dec. 31~Jan. 6

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Dec. 24~30

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Dec. 17~23

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Dec. 10~16

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Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Jan. 7~13 - Kyodo News Plus

Shares of online food aggregator Zomato settled higher on Monday, snapping their four-day losing run. The stock rose 1.26 per cent to settle at Rs 56 apiece on BSE. Technical analysts see strong support for the stock at Rs 45 level. They see Rs 75 as a good level, where traders can book profits.

On Monday, a total of 24.46 shares changed hands on BSE, which was lower than Zomato's two-week average volume of 34.20 shares. The turnover on the counter stood at Rs 13.73 crore. The food aggregator commanded a market capitalisation (m-cap) of Rs 47,889.77 crore at the close.

At today's closing price of Rs 56, the scrip was up 38 per cent from its 52-week low of 40.55 on July 27, 2022.

The stock traded below its 5-day, 20-, 50-, 100-and 200-day simple moving averages (SMAs). Zomato has an average target price of Rs 67, as per data publicly available with Trendlyne, suggesting an upside potential of 19.64 per cent. The stock's one-year beta stood at 1.67 per cent, indicating high volatility on the counter.

Also Read |Ashish Kacholia upped stake in Yasho Industries, Xpro India; stayed put on Fineotex Chemicals

Technical analysts said the Zomato stock could see rangebound trading between Rs 45 and Rs 75 levels, with Rs 45 being good support. Investors, they said, can look to accumulate the stock at this level for a target of Rs 75.

Osho Krishan, Senior Analyst - Technical & Derivative Research - at Angel One, said, "Zomato is in a secular downtrend and is hovering well below all its major SMA on the daily chart, indicating inherent weakness. Any fall below the recent swing low of Rs 53.20 could further disrupt the chart structure, and the stock might plunge toward the Rs 48.50 odd zone. On the contrary, the stock has a stiff resistance of the bearish gap placed around the Rs 59.55-59.80 zone, followed by Rs 62-64 odd levels. In the meantime, the stock is expected to hover in between the mentioned range until a decisive breakthrough happens on either side."

Ravi Singhal, CEO of GCL Securities, said, "Zomato is consolidating for a long time. The stock is in the range of Rs 45 to Rs 75." Investors can buy near support of Rs 45 and book profit around Rs 75 levels, Singhal added.

Ravi Singh, Vice-President and Head of Research at Share India, "The recent turmoil in Zomato's management is affecting the stock in a negative manner. However, the company has shown slight improvement in its September quarter financial numbers but many concerns still remain for Zomato. The stock may remain under selling pressure and may touch the levels of Rs 50 in near term."

Investors should exit the stock, he suggested.

AR Ramachandran from Tips2trades, said, " The levels of Rs 57-58.70 will continue to act as a strong resistance for Zomato on the daily chart. A daily close below the Rs 53.40 level could lead to a target of Rs 48 in the near term."

Q3 Expectations

JM Financial expects only 1 per cent QoQ growth in food delivery GOV (Gross order value) in the December quarter, as it factors in the adverse impact of inflationary pressures on discretionary spending, increase in dine-in consumption and discontinuation of Zomato Pro Plus loyalty programme.

Also Read |JP Associates shares tank 5% as company defaults on loan payments

Meanwhile, Indian equity benchmarks rebounded today, halting their losing run of three straight sessions.

Continued here:
Zomato shares at Rs 45 or Rs 75? What's next for the stock after recent fall - Business Today

Humanity, interfaith ministry, beliefs, integral theory, moments of peace, Christianity and Buddhism, faith definitions, trans-rational spirituality, and thoughts about God. Those were some of the topics broached in my ten most-read articles of 2022. Below you will find a quick summary of each and links to the original articles.

In this article from 2018, I explain the pre/trans fallacy and how people can transcend and include rationality when they approach the topic of spirituality. Instead of abandoning reason altogetheras some have suggestedit is possible to push to the limits of the intellect and transcend it. In that way, spirituality meets rational criteria before we enter into the unknown or unknowable.

Read the full article

When people are unfamiliar with terms, they often use them interchangeably. I offered simple definitions of each term in this article and gave examples. In short, intrafaith means within a faith, interfaith means among or between faiths, multifaith means many faiths, and interspirituality means exploring the connection.

Read the full article

Published just before Christmas 2022, this article made it into the top ten. Extracted from The Little Book of Oneness and Goodness, the quotes come from various sources, including Swami Prabhavananda, Martin Luther, Ibn-al-Arabi, Alcoholics Anonymous, Meister Eckhart, Guru Nanak, Kabir and more. The goal was to offer a variety of perspectives. Based on the response, it seems to have worked.

Read all the quotes

The idea for this article started with a simple observation. In the West, many people view Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion and use it to become more peaceful and compassionate. My question was: What if we viewed Christianity in the same way? Many readers seem to resonate with this idea since the article was the 7th most read of 2022.

Read the full article

Written in 2018, this article seems to have become another perennial favorite. In it, I write about the difference between the personal and trans-personal concepts of God and use Huston Smiths concept about idolatryreducing God to something less than Godto explain the limitations of simple definitions while also underlining the importance of creating a personal relationship to that which we perceive as God.

Read the full article

I was delighted to see this article climb so high on the top ten list. At the beginning of 2022, I planned to write a short book, Creating Moments of Peace, but I decided to share the central ideas for free on my publication instead. The seven metaphorsanchor, bandwidth, steering wheel, instinct, weather, current and toweroffer readers several ways to view moments of peace in their lives, encouraging both additions and ownership.

Read the full article

This is the longest essay I have posted on my publication. Extracted from my 2019 memoir, Spiritual in My Own Way, the article details my seven-year obsession with integral theory and how it changed my life. As I warned at the beginning of the article, a stretched mind will return to its original form, so dont go down this rabbit hole unless you are ready to have your mind expanded.

Read the full article

Studying the worlds religions prepared me well for the times we are living in. It helped me understand the uniquely human desire to hold beliefs and values close to the heart. Understanding why people would do that becomes doubly important in a post-truth world. Since this article was the third most read in 2022, it looks like many readers were looking for similar answers and used my piece to explore one aspect of a larger puzzle.

Read the full article

This article must appear in search results when people look for the definition because it has remained one of the most read articles in this publication since it was published in 2018. In the article, I offer a definition and three examples of how interfaith ministers serve their communities.

Read the full article

I used the Dalai Lama and Mr. Rogers as examples of people who are deeply informed by their faith yet lead with their humanity. It makes me tremendously happy to see that this article was catapulted to the top of the list. Despite all the talk of division and hate, there are a lot of people in the world who are working to make it better. Seeing that readers are interested in that work warms my heart.

Read the full article

Thanks for reading in 2022. I look forward to providing you with interesting content in 2023.

Happy New Year!

Gudjon BergmannAuthor, Coach, and Mindfulness Teacher

Recommended books:

Picture: CC0 License

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The Ten Most Read Articles of 2022: Interspirituality for the Modern ... - Patheos

As an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California, the Reverend Dr. Joseph Cheah said that he would spend hours at the bookstore, reading about Asian American studies.Dr. Joseph Cheah

The whole notion of Asian American things like that, I've been interested in that for a long time, Cheah said. I would just stand there for hours, reading one book after another in Asian American studies. For the first time, I read somebody talking about me, and most of the books do not talk about me. ... This was the first time that people were actually talking about me and my background. I was fascinated by that."

Cheah proceeded to make Asian American studies part of his career, primarily focusing his scholarship on race and religion. He is currently chair and professor in the Department of Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies at University of Saint Joseph Connecticut.

And recently, he released his latest book Anti-Asian Racism: Myths, Stereotypes, and Catholic Social Teachings, which highlights pervasive and destructive stereotypes that the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community faces: perpetual foreigner, Yellow Peril, and the myth of the model minority.

Cheah who is Chinese-Burmese said that the perpetual foreigner stereotype manifests itself in how people not of Asian ethnicity often ask where someone was really from.

That means that people consider people from Asian ancestry as foreign, Cheah said. It doesn't matter how many years you're living here. It doesn't matter whether you're born here. It doesn't matter [that] your family came here generations ago. People are not satisfied with whatever answer we give them when they ask us, 'Where are you from?' They are expecting an Asian name, Asian country. They already pegged you down as a foreigner. You don't look like an American.

He said that racist fears of Yellow Peril currently relate to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which anti-Asian sentiment and incidents have seen increases.

Yellow peril is the racial construct that came from 19th-century Europe, fear of invasion of these uncivilized dangerous people from Asia. We are seen as enemies, Cheah said. It shows up in times of economic crisis. It shows up in times of tension between U.S. and Asian nations, especially tensions and war between U.S. and Asian nation states, like in WWII, where Japanese Americans were incarcerated. It also shows up in times of public health crisis, like COVID-19. In a way, we become scapegoats for all the problems."

Cheah holds a B.S. from the University of Southern California; a M.Div. from the Franciscan School of Theology; an M.A. in theology from the Graduate Theological Union (GTU); and a Ph.D. in cultural and historical studies of religions from GTU.

He has also authored other works, includingRace and Religion in American Buddhism: White Supremacy and Immigrant Adaptation.

Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, a professor of theology at the Earlham School of Religion said that Cheah's book is much needed.

"Dr. Cheahs book onAnti-Asian Racismcould not have appeared at a more appropriate time than today. He has written an important book that highlights the persistency of anti-Asian racism rendered invisible in churchs documents and in much of the politics of U.S. racial discourses," said Kim. "It is an essential reading for those in academia and pastoral ministries."

Cheah said that harmful stereotypes about Asians often occur subtly and make it difficult to explain to others what it means or feels to be Asian American. And yet, reasons to share the experiences of Asian Americans persist.

"I think it's important to tell our story and experiences, even if not too many people are listening, because our stories are gifts and contributions deemed essential to what it means to be Americans in the U.S., what it means to be American Catholic, what it means to be Asian American Buddhist in American Buddhism, and so on and so forth," Cheah said. "At the larger level, our stories and experiences are some of the missing pieces necessary for the attainment of authentic racial justice, which cannot be achieved until all the various groups are included in the fabric of Americanness."

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New Book Focuses on Anti-Asian Racism, Stereotypes, and Catholic ... - Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Nazi SwastikaPhoto bywikimedia commons

Introduction

You're probably familiar with the Nazi swastika. But do you know the story behind its origins?

The swastika is a powerful symbol with a long and complex history. Sadly, it's most often associated with the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime during World War II. But the swastika didn't always have such a sinister connotation. Its roots are pretty Bizarre.

The History of the Swastika Before Nazi Germany

The swastika has a long and complicated history that predates Nazi Germany for thousands of years. Originally, the symbol was used in Hinduism and Buddhism to represent auspiciousness and good fortune.

But over time, the swastika evolved to represent hate and violence. It was used by the Nazis as their primary symbol and has since become synonymous with genocide and racism.

How the Swastika Became the Nazi Symbol

The swastika has a long and complicated history, but its association with the Nazi party is one of the most bizarre and disturbing chapters.

The swastika is an ancient symbol used for centuries by Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other religions around the world. But it was the Nazi party that made it into their official symbol and gave it a whole new meaning.

Why did the Nazis choose the swastika as their symbol? There's no one answer to that question. Some say that it was because of its link to Aryan mythology or because of its resemblance to a sunburst. Others claim that it was simply because the swastika was easy to paint on flags and banners.

Whatever the reason, the swastika will always be associated with the atrocities of the Holocaust and the Nazi regime.

Nazi Germany's Use of the Swastika

The swastika is a potent symbol with a complicated history. Swirling with meanings and implications, it's no wonder that the swastika is still controversial today.

Originating in India thousands of years ago, the swastika was a sacred symbol with positive associations. It was used to represent good luck and well-being. But its meaning changed when it was adopted by Nazi Germany in the 20th century.

The Nazis turned the swastika into their emblem, using it to represent their twisted vision of Aryan supremacy. This dark association has continued to overshadow the swastika in the modern era. And while it's now widely considered to be a symbol of hate, there are still some who defend its original meaning.

The Legacy of the Nazi Swastika Today

The legacy of the Nazi swastika still looms large in the world today. The symbol has become so entrenched in our collective consciousness that it quickly brings to mind images of white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and violence. And that's not a fleeting association; despite its ancient religious roots, it's now difficult to separate the swastika from its modern usage by the oppressive regime of Nazi Germany.

It's something that's become so potent, so powerful, and so immediately associated with Nazi Germany that many countries have gone so far as to ban the flag outright. Even in places where it isn't explicitly illegal to display it, there are huge cultural taboos the swastika is something most people want to avoid at all costs.

In today's world, the swastika is a reminder of a dark period in history one we must continually strive to learn from and never let ourselves forget.

Austria's Ban on Nazi Symbols and Salutes

Did you know that Austria banned the Nazi swastika and Hitler salute in 1947? After the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Allies forced Austria to pass a law criminalizing Nazi symbols and salutes in all public places. This was done out of fear that Austria would be taken over by Nazi sympathizers.

This law is still in place today, and it forbids "propagation, exhibition or uses publicly or privately [of] illicit symbols, flags, insignia or salutes." Even so, this has not stopped some far-right political parties from attempting to use the symbols during election campaigns.

Austria's ban on Nazi symbols serves as an important reminder that we must never forget the horrors of World War II and the atrocities committed by Nazis. It is a reminder that we must always strive for unity and never allow hate to spread.

Dealing With Neo-Nazis and Their Use of the Swastika

You've probably seen neo-Nazis using the swastika in an attempt to revive the hateful ideology of the Third Reich. This is a difficult challenge for many to confront.

One strategy is to counter the use of the swastika by using it positively or claiming it as a symbol of peace and love instead. You could also raise awareness about its historical materials and origins, and share stories about how people are embracing its positive meanings.

Another strategy is to focus on countering the ideas behind neo-Nazism and white supremacy, rather than solely focusing on their symbols. To do this, you can actively speak out against hate online, through public protests, or public education campaigns.

Finally, it is important to remember that while symbols are powerful, they don't define us we define them. The swastika will forever be tainted by its association with racism and genocide, but by reclaiming it as a symbol of peace and love, we create an opportunity to reclaim our future.

Conclusion

So there you have it's a bizarre and little-known story of how the Nazi swastika came to be. Its legacy is still being felt today, even after its association with one of history's most heinous regimes. Hopefully, this article has given you a little more insight into this complex and troubling symbol.

Original post:
Exploring the Origins of the Nazi Swastika and Its Legacy | Lord ... - NewsBreak Original

(RNS) Scientists and believers have had an uneasy relationship, often bordering on open hostility. Consider Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris.

But there is one scientist who manages to write about the intersection of science and spirituality in a nuanced, elegant and deeply respectful way. Thats Alan Lightman.

Those who havent read his 18-plus books (both fiction and nonfiction) now have a chance to watch his three-part series on public television, funded by the John Templeton Foundation and premiering Jan. 7.

Titled SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science, Lightman takes viewers on a journey to answer the question: Where do human beings fit in the universe?

Poster for SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science Courtesy image

Lightman, who was trained as a physicist and is now professor of the practice of the humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, interviews some of the brightest minds about the thorniest questions: How did life first emerge? Why are we here? What are the qualities that distinguish human beings? What is the nature of consciousness? Can science see or measure spiritual feelings?

He makes clear early on: He is a materialist. He does not believe in a supernatural God. As he says in the series: I believe in the miraculous; not in miracles.

But he is also open to spiritual experiences. And the series includes interviews with both the Dalai Lama and Lightmans own rabbi, Michael Greenstein.

Lightman opens the three-part series with a transcendent experience he had several years ago when he lay at the bottom of a boat on a clear, dark night gazing up at the stars.

He then wonders if brain imaging can identify the kind of spiritual experience he had. From there begins to explore issues such as the composition of the universe, the Big Bang theory, the discovery of distant galaxies, gravitational waves and the nature of consciousness. The last episode explores how Homo sapiens might be moving beyond biology, transitioning into what he calls Homo techno.

Lightman appears as a kind of avuncular guide throughout the series, exploring his wide-ranging intellectual trek in an accessible, engaging and personal way.

RNS talked to Lightman via Zoom about the series, which will be available for streaming Saturday and begin airing on select PBS stations on Jan. 14. The interview was edited for length and clarity.

Computer graphics overlaid on Alan Lightmans face visualize the long-standing debate as to whether life is only matter in motion, or has some non-material essence, in the series SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Photo courtesy of SEARCHING

For many years, Ive been writing about the intersection of science and the humanities. Ive been trying to make those connections in my books. I do agree theres a gap in knowledge about science. A lot of people are fearful of science. Maybe they were never good at math. Or they know science has great power and theres a limited number of people who control that power. Many people are suspicious or skeptical or anxious about science. So thats one of the motivations.

My wife and I live on a small island in Maine in the summertime. My wife is an artist. I think of it as our spiritual center. Everybody on the island has their own boat because there are no roads or bridges or ferry service. I was coming back to our house late at night, after midnight. It was a clear night. The night was blazing with stars. I felt this urge to look up. I turned off the running lights of the boat. It got even darker. I turned off the engine and it got even more quiet. I was out in the ocean, and I lay down on my back and looked up. After a few moments I felt like I was merging with the stars or with something much larger than myself. I felt like time was compressed. There was no time. The infinite past and the infinite future were all compressed to a dot. I lost track of my body and of time and was just in this space of being joined with the cosmos. I think many people have similar experiences, maybe not out on a boat in the ocean. But a transcendent experience that transcends space and time.

Alone, at night, on a boat, Alan Lightman feels himself merging with the stars. As a life-long spiritual materialist he sets off to look for answers in SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Photo courtesy of SEARCHING

One of the big ideas in the series is that were material. Were made out of atoms and molecules. Episode 1 starts out with the Big Bang and shows how stars were eventually made. The stars made atoms that were spewed out into space. And then solar systems condensed out of that material and eventually, life. Theres a lot of discussion of the fact that we are just material. If you start with the fact that were material, how can atoms and molecules produce these extraordinary experiences like the one I had in the boat, like falling in love, communing with wild animals? How do you explain that? Even though those experiences are rooted in the brain, science cant fill in all the missing steps. It hasnt been able to so far, and Im skeptical as to whether it will ever be able to.

Brain scientist Robert Desimone did a scan of my brain when I was looking at an image very similar to what I saw in the boat. And he begins describing what he sees in the brain scan. And I asked if he could see the feelings I had? He said, no. He would probably say sometime in the future we can explain such feelings. But Im not convinced. I think filling in all the missing steps is a challenge. Philosophers and neuroscientists and biologists would agree we dont yet know how consciousness arises from material neurons. I call myself a spiritual materialist. I believe we are made out of atoms and molecules. But I also acknowledge and honor these spiritual experiences we have.

Its a great question. There are levels of consciousness. Dolphins and crows who play and recognize themselves have some level of consciousness. So its a graded phenomenon. At the highest level, the manifestations of consciousness include a sense of self, a sense of things separate from the universe, a sense of ego, an ability to remember and plan for the future.

Having said that, consciousness is a sensation brought about by all of the chemical and electrical interactions of neurons. Its the fundamental sensation of being alive at an advanced level. There are computer experts in artificial intelligence who attempt to define certain attributes of consciousness and then explore what a computer needs to do to exhibit those attributes. There are computer scientists who believe we will someday be able to make a computer that has all the attributes of consciousness. But you can never know what another person feels. To understand consciousness youd have to know what another person feels, and thats impossible. I dont think well ever know what it feels like to be a computer, a crow or a dolphin.

Alan Lightman, left, meets Bina48, one of Earths most advanced humanoid robots and one of the few African-American AIs on SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Photo courtesy of SEARCHING

Homo techno is a creature that is part human and part machine. Were already evolving to that point. Its possible to put electrodes and computer chips into a human brain and have a person be able to control a robot arm by pure thought. I think at some point we will have computer chips in our brain that connect us directly to the internet, a frightening possibility.

When we have these devices that do things far faster and differently than the natural human brain, were going to be another species. Already, with our smartphones, the way people relate to each other is different than 25 years ago. Even though the smartphone is external and its not quite Homo techno, its the same kind of thing. Technology is changing who we are and how we relate to the world.

A question I raise in the series, which of course I cant answer, is, How is that going to change humanity, our sense of dignity and ethics, the way we think about ourselves?

I do. Im a Reform Jew on the liberal end. I think Buddhism has a lot to offer, like being present in the world, mindfulness, not attaching your ego excessively to things you do. Im also proud to be a Jew.

Im just one person, and I can only do a tiny bit. But in a number of my books, thats what Im trying to do to find a midway ground between nonbelievers and believers. I had a debate with Richard Dawkins five years ago. I think he has a very condescending attitude toward believers. I have opposed him in a couple of my books. I argue for the value of transcendent experiences and for the respect of believers. Hes a good debater, so it was pretty much a tie.

The Dalai Lama, left, suggests to Alan Lightman that consciousness is eternal and can never emerge from a computer or an advanced robot, in SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. Photo courtesy of SEARCHING

Original post:
Alan Lightman's new TV series explores where humans fit in the ... - Religion News Service

DALLASThe first thing Michael Bell remembers in life is helping his grandmother in her vegetable garden.

He would grow green beans and tomatoes alongside her in their small town of Bowie, Texas. During the winter they protected seedlings using plastic bottles they gathered from friends.

Most families raised cattle; Bells did too. And while many of his peers dreamed of roping and riding on the ranch, Bell preferred the plants.

Thirty years later, in a sprawling North Texas metropolis, Bell has joined the movement to bring farms to big cities. Some people call him the plant daddy of Dallas, or the salad guy.

I want to be the reason why Walmart cant sell produce in Dallas, he said between crop rows and sun tarps at Dallas Half Acre Farm, which sits on a residential street in a rural area in the southeastern part of the city.

Bell harvests lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, spring onions, carrots and other seasonal vegetables. He also raises chicken and collects eggs from quails on a wild plot strewn with tools and lots of overgrown grass. Nestled at the end of a street behind bushes and trees, there are four large greenhouses shaped like tunnels, a shed and a chicken and quail coop.

Across the country, urban farmers like Bell hope to meet the challenges of climate change, public health and food insecurity by reclaiming unused city spaces to grow healthy, local, organic produce.

Urban farming, also known as market gardening or regenerative farming, is the practice of growing food in urban areas for highly populated communities. It is one potential solution to increased food insecurity due to climate impacts.

Texas scores fourth in food insecurity in the country and climate change is predicted to exacerbate the situation in coming years.

While the most recent report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that climate change is a threat to food and nutritional security, Joe Masabni, the extension vegetable specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Dallas Center, believes food production is not in a crisis just yet. He does, though, recognize that some neighborhoods are already food deserts, while others are home to huge supermarket chains but no locally grown, organic food.

There are a lot of factors contributing to that, Masabni said. Loss of agricultural land due to urbanization, changes in consumer taste, people wanting to buy organic and climate change.

The Dallas Center, located in a futuristic, glass-walled building in North Dallas right next to the University of Texas at Dallas, focuses on sustainable innovations in urban agriculture. It is one of 13 centers in Texas that conduct research, public outreach programs and education for current and future agriculturalists.

Masabni focuses on education for vegetable growers. He said the center tailors its research around common problems urban farmers face.

When we have the answers, we set up programs, conferences or field days to visit with growers and educate them on our research, he said. The Dallas Centers last conference, on Dec. 6, was aimed at beginner and expert growers.

Dallas Half Acre Farm keeps true to its name: Bell operates on less than half an acre. I didnt know that a career was there, Bell said of growing organic produce in the city.

Bell, 43, teaches elementary school physical education full-time. He discovered the practice of urban organic farming through YouTube. Once he was hooked, Bell did as much research on the topic as he could.

As soon as I got involved in it, and I started asking people about food and listening to people complain about food, it just clicked, he said. I can grow healthy food. Every customer that I get just strengthens my resolve to keep going.

Beverly Lanier, a resident from Rowlett, Texas, has been buying from Bell for over a decade. She said she can taste a complete difference between produce from Bell and the supermarket.

Lanier recalled a moment she shared with her family while eating Bells carrots. They were delicious, she said. The family and I were all like, what is this taste? You cant find carrots that taste like this!

Being in the urban area, we are exposed to chemicals everywhere. Why would we want to ingest any more?

Bell prides himself on his approach to growing crops.

Everything at Half Acre Farm is done by hand. The soil is never tilled, to save nutrients, and fertilizer is never used, something he said makes his crops taste better than average.

Bell hand seeds smaller crops and transplants larger ones. Drip irrigation slowly waters the plants, both conserving the amount used and giving the crops exactly the right amount of water to thrive. The water pump runs off of solar energy because there is no electricity at the farm.

I believe that my farm is adding more to the environment than taking away, which is what we should all aspire to do, he said.

Bell believes anyone can have an eco-friendly urban farm. He travels all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area speaking at conventions, colleges and high schools to teach his methods. He also offers individual mentorship and internships to aspiring urban farmers.

If I feed 100 families in my subdivision every week for a year, I can make $120,000, Bell said. Right now there are currently 600 families in my subdivision.

People dont realize how much money you can make from doing this, in just a backyard, he said.

His goal is to teach others how to start their farms while also showing the profitability of the practice, and the message is spreading.

Dirk Tanner is just one of many farmers who have reached out to Bell for beginners guidance.

Tanner, 29, also discovered the idea of small-scale farming through YouTube. When he learned it was possible to make a sizable income with a little land, Tanner said the concept astounded him.

I just always imagined farms being massive, he said.

Tanner, who began his urban farming journey in Denver, now has a farm in Greenbrier, Arkansas. He follows many of Bells techniques such as no tilling and emphasizing building soil life to produce highly nutritious vegetables.

Tanner said he strives to have a diverse regenerative farm. In addition to vegetables, he sells pasture-raised eggs from chickens fed on organic grain.

It is the most fulfilling thing when we go to the farmers market every week. People come back and say, not only was it the best salad theyve ever eaten, but that it lasted so long, Tanner said.

I know they are eating a product that is incredibly clean and builds soil life, he said. Were not depleting life. We are regenerating the land, which helps the environment and makes a healthier community.

Tanner says urban farms are essential for communities because there is a need for local food supplies. [The U.S. is] shipping the majority of our lettuce from California and Arizona, using fossil fuels to get them here, he said.

As more people begin to urban farm we can take back our food supply, Tanner said.

Food builds community, he said. Growing food builds community and empowers people. I think urban farms are not only vitally important to our food security but also vital to human connection and human life.

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Masabni said he does not think it is necessary for people to become farmers just to gain the benefits of eating organic foods.

Not everybody likes to be outside, sweat and work with the mosquitoes, he said. Some people want to eat vegetables, but they dont want to or know how to grow them. That is a big part of the population.

Masabni also warned about possible health concerns when buying produce from small-scale growers, sometimes referred to as hobbyists, that sell produce at farmers markets. I think this is a weakness that needs to be addressed, he said. Just because it is locally produced doesnt mean that it is clean, or that it doesnt have E. coli.

Responding to foodborne illness in the country, the Food and Drug Administration enacted the Food Safety Modernization Act in 2011, creating rules for farmers to prevent contamination. Smaller farms like Bells are exempt from this act unless selling to restaurants or stores.

For Bell, urban farming is not just a business venture, but a personal journey.

When his grandmother passed away, leaving him an inheritance of $7,500, Bell decided to turn their shared love for plants into a profitable organic farm.

He bought what became Dallas Half Acre Farm on his birthday in April 2016, paying the same amount of money that he had inherited from his grandmother.

Thats fate, he said.

He wants to teach as many people as possible about urban farming. It isnt easy work, he said, but with some land, guidance and motivation, he believes anyone is capable of being self-sufficient. In the future, Bell hopes to see farms in every neighborhood, with each individual and community able to provide for themselves.

He believes that regenerative farms should be included in city infrastructure and that education must begin with younger generations, his reason for speaking to many high school students. Im hoping just to get one kid interested out of the 100 Ill talk to, he said.

While not everyone may be suited to regenerative farming, it is a practice more urban communities are adopting to address food concerns.

There are many different ways to be involved in community farms, such as volunteering, community outreach and dedicating time to the growing process. Texas A&Ms AgriLife also works with shelters across Texas to provide fresh, healthy food to people in need.

Despite small-scale farmers challenges, Bell said he could not imagine doing anything else.

Even if I won the lottery today, I would still come to my farm first thing tomorrow morning.

Autumn Jones is a multimedia journalist and fellow at Inside Climate News. She is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she studies Journalism and Science Communications. Aside from writing, Jones is a photojournalist and has worked as a freelance photographer for over seven years. She has a passion for climate change, environmental justice, space and public health. She has received awards for her journalistic work ranging from the Dallas Morning News to the Emmys. When she isnt covering science, she can be found serving as the communications contractor for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Educational Foundation non-profit in her home city of Dallas.

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The Plant Daddy of Dallas Is Paving the Way for Clean, Profitable ... - InsideClimate News

This letter may be unconventional in the context of a report such as Food Tech in Natural Products: Precision Fermentation Market Risks and Readiness, but we feel it is needed. We have conducted the analysis in this report for several reasons. Our primary goal is to be of service to the natural and organic products industry, but it was also important for our own decision making. In this report, we present our attempt at a balanced analysis of a challenging topic. In this letter, we share our interpretation of the results within the context of how we serve the industry.

Every now and then, issues emerge that challenge how we define the natural and organic products industry and cause us to consider what matters most to it. Amid the rapid growth of our industry and the advancement of new technologies, this appears to be one of those times.

Related: A tale of two food futures: Can CPG visionaries find common ground?

Since our founding in 1975, New Hope Network has worked to steward a movement that began as a counter-culture challenge to the status quo in a food system that failed to prioritize human health. With the advent of DSHEA, we introduced a standards program to encourage the growth of a reputable, well-respected and influential industry. Achieving greater transparency and integrity remain guiding New Hope Network principles today.

We have always been, and remain, champions of small, independent and regional grocery retailers, and of CPG innovators, start-ups and entrepreneurs. Our events serve these buyers and sellers, making it easier and more efficient to gather, network and do business. Our editorial content and conference programming help to co-create with industry advocates and thought leaders a vision for the industrys future. That vision blends historically significant values (like improved human health and organic agriculture) with new opportunities (such as regenerative agriculture) while tackling problems (including industry inequity and systemic bias).

Related: Food tech in natural products Free report

Over the years, New Hope Network and the natural and organic products industry have had a dynamic and evolving relationship with various forms of food technology.

On one side of this relationship, New Hope Network helped to create space for advocacy, education and energy advancing the non-GMO movement.

On the other side, as early as 2015, New Hope Network began exploring various forms of food technology that further disrupt the food system status quo. We have investigated technologies related to regenerative agriculture, blockchain, mushrooms as environmental remediators, urban and greenhouse farming systems, and the use of gene-editing technologies in precision fermentation.

Since that time, both regenerative agriculture and precision fermentation have engaged the passions and energy of the community as ways of solving problems in the food system. We have also seen the industry grow, adding a massive $100 bilion in sales since 2015. There has been both excitement and concern with this growthenergy for scaling the industrys collective good, but also the risk of the corrosive nature of rapid growth. This growth combined with new energy, passion and pressure to solve social and environmental challenges, have attracted new entrants and conversations into the industry.

The industry we serve has long used the word natural to define itself. And while precision fermentation may not be natural, some believe that this technology, applied with purpose and transparency, may have a place in the industry. While natural has long defined us, some believe we are also united by shared passion for disrupting conventional ways of doing business to solve problems associated with human health, planetary health and social equity and justice.

A challenge for our organization over the years has been to find constructive ways to hold space for the community to express itself, to evolve and to actively explore what solutions it will pursue to achieve its goals.

Precision fermentation has been used in our food system for decades in creating food and dietary supplement ingredients, but never in as high-profile a way as has emerged recently as part of the plant-based food movement. As questions and concerns regarding the technology have grown, the natural products community has called upon us to take a more active role in this topic. Over the past year, we invested heavily in surveying and gathering input from that community.

During this process, we heard clearly that a large portion of the community is not ready to accept precision fermentation. Many also expressed concern that the integrity of the industry is being compromised by the pursuit of aggressive growth, new technologies and new entrants that may not be aligned with the communitys long-term values.

We hear these concerns and we will work to help the industry address them.

The difficult reality is that precision fermentation is already part of our food system, but we wont sit idle while it grows without the stewardship that our industry can give it. The question is not whether the sector should emerge and scale; that appears to be a foregone conclusion. Rather, the question is how can we influence its evolution to maximize sustainability, justice, equity and human health?

We see it as our job to be stewards of the counter-culture movement to challenge the status quo, and to be the counterbalance to what may otherwise be unchecked growth that may follow extractive pathways to scale. Our job will be to remain open and curious yet skeptical and inquisitive, demanding transparency and integrity from those who choose to pursue this path forward.

As you prepare to read this report, please know that New Hope Network and Natural Products Expo remain committed to our purpose and to keeping the industry focused on:

And in direct response to concerns about unchecked growth and precision fermentation, we commit to building new transparency expectations and helping this community find businesses that engage with integrity and align with industry values. We will:

Thanks for taking time to engage with us on this important topic. Our leadership team wants to continue open and transparent dialog about these issues. Please reach out to any of us to ask questions or share additional perspectives.

Sincerely,

Carlotta Mast, SVP and Market Leader, New Hope NetworkEric Pierce, VP Business Insights, New Hope Network

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The Future of Food: Letter to the natural products industry - New Hope Network

When you think of the most trusted grocery store chain, what comes to mind? One of Texas' most beloved stores recently landed among the most trusted grocery store chains in America.

BrandSpark International released its 5th annual list of the most trusted grocery retailers in America. The website states, "After a year of spiking prices for household groceries, this list can help Americans choose a store that is trusted by other shoppers and best suits their needs in 2023."

H-E-B was named the fifth most trusted conventional grocery store, along with ShopRite.

Here are the top five most trusted conventional grocery stores in America, according to BrandSpark International:

H-E-B was named the fourth most trusted grocery store chain in the south, falling just behind Walmart, Kroger, and Publix.

H-E-B ranked the most trusted grocery store chain for several attributes, including valuable coupons, great promotions, easy checkout experience, service, friendly staff, its modern look, fresh foods, healthy prepared foods, alcohol, household care products, Mexican food, organic foods, foods for holidays, packaged foods, and store brand products.

Check out the full study on BrandSpark International's website.

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Texas' H-E-B Ranks Among The Most Trusted Grocery Chains In ... - iHeart

It's a new year, and for many of us that means a turn toward healthier eating. In San Antonio, there are plenty of places to stock up on wholesome fresh fruits and vegetables, but few offer the selection and value of the Sprouts Farmers Market chain of grocery stores.

Sprouts is best known for its wide selection of organic produce, the city's best array of bulk grains, beans and spices, and a near-endless assortment of health-focused packaged items made by nationally distributed specialty food producers.

The chain also has a robust line of products sold under its own label that you won't find anywhere else. This week, Taste Team writers Chuck Blount and Paul Stephen scoured the shelves to find the best and worst of those.

If you're looking to spice up your diet in 2023 or need to know what to avoid consider the following.

On ExpressNews.com: 5 things to buy and 5 things to avoid at H-E-B

A selection of food items from Sprouts Farmers Market

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Sprouts Original Grass Fed Beef Jerky

Sprouts Farmers Market has three locations in the San Antonio area.

Market Corner Artichoke Spinach Hummus from Sprouts Farmers Market

Sprouts Sparkling Lemonade

Sprouts Farmers Market has a large selection of bulk items.

Sprouts Organic Cappuccino Gelato

Sprouts Farmers Market has three locations in the San Antonio area.

Sprouts Organic Green Olive Tapenade

A selection of food items from Sprouts Farmers Market

Sprouts Farmers Market is known for its large selection of fresh produce and bulk food items.

Sprouts Farmers Market is known for its large selection of fresh produce and bulk food items.

Sprouts Farmers Market is known for its large selection of fresh produce and bulk food items.

The banana flavored pancake bites at Sprouts Farmers Market

The mashed potatoes and gravy from the Sprouts Farmers Market deli area is something to avoid.

The apple crisps at Sprouts Farmers Market don't contain any real apple.

The beet juice at Sprouts is allegedly healthy, but it doesn't pass the smell test.

The Everything Hot Dogs at Sprouts are pastry-wrapped dogs with cheese and garlic.

Market Corner Artichoke Spinach Hummus ($4.49): It's 2023 and we're all probably eating hummus regularly by now. And who doesn't love spinach and artichoke dip? Sprouts gives us the best of both by blending those nutritious veggies into chickpeas and tahini accented with garlic and cumin topped with a dollop of roasted red peppers. Sprouts takes its hummus game pretty seriously, and the deli counter is well-stocked with several flavors at any given time if spinach and artichokes aren't your thing.

Sprouts Organic Cappuccino Gelato ($7.99): Remarkably light and airy, this frozen delight delivers a big hit of coffee flavor with minimal guilt. Made from a base of organic skim milk fortified with a bit of coconut oil and a restrained dose of sugar, this gelato weighs in at about half the calorie load of a conventional coffee ice cream without sacrificing flavor. To double down on the caffeine, try pouring a shot of espresso over the gelato for a more potent spin on an affogato.

Sprouts Original Grass Fed Beef Jerky ($5.99): There's a lot of excellent jerky to choose from in Texas, and trying to narrow down the best in the state would be a fool's errand. But when it comes to grocery store versions, Sprouts is at the top of the heap thanks to its use of flavorful grass-fed beef that remains pliant and chewy without getting brittle or stringy. The all-organic blend of supporting spices gives the beef a classic flavor profile based on soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper with just enough sugar in a supporting role.

Sprouts Organic Green Olive Tapenade ($4.99): A scoop of this pungent and briny concoction made in Greece would be the chef's kiss to any charcuterie board or cheese spread. While olives are the primary flavor, this condiment's flavors are kicked up with hints of capers, garlic, roasted red peppers and just a touch of oregano. It's not exactly like the olive salad you'd find on a classic muffuletta sandwich, but it wouldn't make a bad alternative.

Sprouts Sparkling Lemonade ($4.99): Sold in elegant glass bottles with swing-top caps, the line of sparkling lemonades at Sprouts are an easy party pleaser and would make an excellent nonalcoholic option at any gathering where bubbles are required. Or if you are imbibing, it pairs well with a splash of tequila or rum. It comes in a few flavors pink lemonade, tangerine-lime and orange but it's hard to beat the classic plain lemonade. And hang onto those bottles. They're perfect for refilling with homemade beverages, infused oils or other concoctions of your own.

On ExpressNews.com: 5 things to buy and 5 things to avoid at Trader Joe's

A selection of Sprouts items to possibly avoid include an assortment of (clockwise from top left): Pancake Bites flavored with banana, beet juice, apple flavored snaps, mashed potatoes and gravy, unsweetened crunchy peanut butter and Everything Hot Dogs.

Sprouts 100% Beet Juice ($5.49): There is no denying that beets are one of the amazing superfoods in any grocery store. Beets are cited by multiple medical outlets as lowering blood pressure, and they're loaded with antioxidants. The unsweetened Spouts version in concentrated juice form, though, appears to be little more than water and smells like something you would not dare drink unless money was involved.

Sprouts Apple Pie Flavored Snaps ($3.49): You would think you cant go wrong with cookies, but Sprouts certainly does with these. While priced very reasonably per 14-ounce bag, you get what you pay for. There are no apples listed in the ingredients of what can best be described as a chemistry experiment. The snaps work OK dipped into a cup of coffee, but thats about it.

Mashed potatoes with gravy ($6.99 per pound): Over in the deli section, where a large selection of prepared meals and sides are offered, avoid this tater trauma that looks more like a caramel apple than a proper serving of mashed potatoes and gravy. Yeah, theres no getting away from gravy looking like a blanket once it cools, but this brown stuff failed to improve once heated. I would rather buy the potatoes at a cheaper price point, toss in a full stick of butter with salt and pepper, and save my money.

Sprouts Everything Hot Dogs in Puffed Pastry ($5.49): There are four to a package, and kudos that the packaging looks appealing. And then you cook them, and the all-beef dogs turn into a rubbery mess. The rest of the ingredients are akin to a prescription drug produced with a garlic concoction that used ingredients that had to be looked up in the dictionary. Celery juice? Who knew you needed that to make a hot dog in a blanket?

Sprouts Banana Pancake Bites ($5.49): The good news is that you can cook these in less than a minute in the microwave and there is actual banana listed in the ingredients. The bad news is that you would be much better off using a simple pancake mix (or making your own) and slicing off some bananas to top those cakes. You'd get bigger boost of flavor for just a few minutes more work. I tried to save them with some crunchy Sprouts peanut butter, but that didnt help either.

On ExpressNews.com: 5 things to buy and 5 things to avoid at Buc-ee's

pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen

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Eating healthier? 5 things to buy and 5 things to avoid at Sprouts. - San Antonio Express-News