US stocks surge to records, shrugging off upheaval in South Korea, France
Chargers are expected to be without top RB Dobbins and could lean on QB Herbert against FalconsMorant finishes with 22 points and 11 assists in his return as Grizzlies beat Trail Blazers 123-98
East Tennessee State’s rebuilding plan is ahead of the normal timeline according to football coach Tre Lamb. The Bucs finished 7-5 surpassing the win total of the last two seasons combined. After back-to-back 3-8 seasons, Lamb reflected on the progress the program made in his first year as head coach. “I’m really proud of what we accomplished this season. Seven wins was a big deal for us,” Lamb said. “Going into the season, we would have all taken 7-5. We could have been better in certain situations, but we won some close games and lost some close games. Inheriting what we inherited, I’m glad where we’re at.” Lamb believes he knows what the Bucs need to become a championship team. He pointed out if two onside kicks against North Dakota State and Mercer had gone their way, the Bucs were looking at a 9-3 season and a FCS playoff berth. He saw the biggest area of growth as being competitive each time ETSU took the field. “The thing I’m most proud of is the way we competed,” he said. “There were some games like 58-7 (a 2023 loss to Western Carolina), some miserable Saturdays for the guys in the locker room, the coaching staff and fans. There wasn’t one game this year where we didn’t feel we could win. Even the Appalachian game was 17-10 into the third quarter.” Comparing it to his previous four seasons at Gardner-Webb, Lamb said in the first year, the team learned to lose close. The second year, they won close games. The third year, they won big and the fourth year, they were Big South-OVC Co-Champions. “We’ve skipped that first step. Did we lose some close games? Yes, but we also won some close games,” Lamb said. “We’re in the phase where 7-5 shows up 9-3 or 10-2 next year where we beat some teams handily.” Lamb was pleased to see his team grind out a 16-9 win at VMI to end the season. It was a clean game for the Bucs with just one penalty and one turnover. Freshman Baylor Hayes got his first start at quarterback and did what Lamb asked him to do. “That was the thought process going with the young quarterback,” Lamb said. “I knew it wasn’t going to be a 35-31 ballgame. You look at the film and every game they’ve played up there, it’s low scoring and tough to win. I thought he managed the game well. One penalty, one turnover, if we’d had that in half our games, we’d be sitting here 10-2. You look and we’re minus 13 in turnover margin.” Hayes was solid, not spectacular, completing 15 of 25 passes for 119 yards. The coach graded the young signal-caller well for the performance, as he commented a lot of things don’t show up statistically. “We didn’t have any pre-snap penalties and he got us in and out of checks well. That’s some of the things the fans don’t really see,” Lamb said. “At Furman, we check a run into a blitz and we have to punt that drive. Those plays don’t show up on the stat sheet, but that’s what playing quarterback is about. When you’re recruiting or evaluating that position, there is so much more than the tangibles.” The quarterback position is the biggest question mark heading into next season. Lamb has talked to Jaylen King, who started the first nine games for the Bucs, about redshirting to give him time to develop his skills. The coach said there’s about a 50/50 chance that King enters the transfer portal. The coach expects Hayes and former Tennessee High quarterback Steven Johnson to return next season. They’re also looking to bring in a transfer to compete for the starting job. Leading receiver A.J. Johnson announced before the VMI game that he was entering the transfer portal. Johnson, who had 40 catches for 662 yards and six touchdowns, was one of several players who followed Lamb from Gardner-Webb. “It was a mutual decision. I felt some things were leaking into the program affecting the team and he felt different about it,” Lamb said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to cut bait. A.J. decided to go in the portal and I felt that was best for the team. I’ve done a lot for A.J. We took a chance on him at Gardner-Webb, and A.J. has done a lot for me. Sometimes, it’s best for both to part ways. I love him to death and wish him the best.” After bringing in 50 new players in what Lamb described as a hectic January and February, he’s looking more at 18-20 new players this offseason. Of course, that hinges on the coaches being able to retain the existing roster. Lamb said conversations with players over the past two days indicted that 95 percent of them were happy at ETSU. “We’re going to compensate some of our best players. That’s the way it’s working across the country,” Lamb said. “But, these guys aren’t necessarily staying for money. They’re staying because they like where they’re at, they like the staff and how we played this year. All that matters more than the money.”Macom director Ritchie John sells $414,060 in stock
NASSAU, Bahamas -- Javon Small scored five of his 31 points in overtime and Tucker DeVries added key free throws late in regulation and finished with 16 points as West Virginia beat No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. Small's layup with under 2 minutes left in OT gave West Virginia a 79-75 lead. After a Gonzaga miss, Sencire Harris hit two free throws to make it a six-point lead. With 27.1 seconds left, Harris made a steal and scored on a dunk for an eight-point lead, putting the game out of reach. Amani Hansberry scored a career-high 19 points and Toby Okani added 10 for West Virginia (3-2). Braden Huff scored 19 points and Khalif Battle 16 for Gonzaga (5-1). Gonzaga showed its depth, outscoring the West Virginia bench 30-2. West Virginia’s only loss was by 24 points at Pitt, but the rebuild under Darian DeVries is showing promise. Gonzaga turned it over at midcourt late in regulation when Tucker DeVries poked it away from Nolan Hickman and raced the other way before getting fouled. DeVries made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to tie it at 71-all. Battle inbounded the ball and got it back, but lost control on a drive as time expired. The shorter Mountaineers outrebounded Gonzaga 42-36 and shot 50% in the second half, battling the Zags to a draw in the paint. Nembhard had 12 assists and just one turnover in 43 minutes, but was 1 of 10 from the field. West Virginia will play Louisville on Thursday in the winner's bracket. Gonzaga faces No. 14 Indiana on the consolation side. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballDow Jones futures will open Sunday evening, along with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures. The stock market rally had a strong week, though Google-parent ( ) and some megacaps saw muted Nasdaq gains late in the week. One of those tech titans, ( ), wavered after earnings, ending the week flat but still in a buy zone. However, recent IPO ( ), a relatively small company, is now the clear leader in AI chip stocks. It was a strong week for leading stocks, with many flying into and often out of buy zones, including ALAB stock. ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ) are all in traditional buy zones. ( ) and ( ) also are in buy zones after Friday breakouts. But both report on Tuesday. So do ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ). CrowdStrike is extended from a buy point. ANF stock is near a trendline entry. Workday is working on a handle buy point. Nutanix is near an alternate handle entry. Investors can take advantage of new entries, but stay cool. Don't treat the past few weeks as a "new normal" for stock performance. Nvidia stock is on , with Astera Labs on the Leaderboard watchlist. Astera Labs stock and Nvidia are on the . Dow Jones Futures Today Dow Jones futures open at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, along with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures. Remember that overnight action in and elsewhere doesn't necessarily translate into actual trading in the next regular session. Stock Market Rally The stock market rally had a strong performance that was even better than major indexes suggested, especially the Nasdaq. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained nearly 2% in last week's . The S&P 500 index and Nasdaq composite gained 1.7%. The small-cap Russell 2000 surged 4.5%. All of these indexes tested their 21-day lines multiple times in the past week, moving off those levels. The Nasdaq, which hit resistance at the 19,000 level, is still relatively close to the 21-day. But it's also close to its postelection peaks. The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF ( ) popped 2.55%, outperforming the S&P 500 and matching a record high Friday. The First Trust Nasdaq 100 Equal Weighted Index ETF ( ) bounced 3.5%, outperforming the Nasdaq 100 and the Nasdaq. Stalling megacaps are not just masking the underlying market strength, they may be helping to fuel the underlying strength. Big institutions selling relatively small slices of, say, Nvidia or Google might still be raising several billion dollars or more. That's massive firepower for bidding up much-smaller stocks. The 10-year Treasury yield fell two basis points to 4.41%, trading in a tight range near five-month highs. The two-year Treasury yield, more closely tied to the Fed rate outlook, climbed for a 10th straight week, up seven basis points to 4.37%. U.S. crude oil futures jumped 6.5% to $71.24 a barrel last week. Bitcoin surged 10.8% to $99,290.67, up nearly 49% over the past four weeks. ETFs Among growth ETFs, the Innovator IBD 50 ETF ( ) soared 9.2% last week to a two-year high. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF ( ) popped 4.9% to record levels. The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF ( ) gained 1.95%, just below the 10-week line. Nvidia stock is the dominant holding in SMH. ARK Innovation ETF ( ) jumped 5.1% last week and ARK Genomics ETF ( ) rallied 5.2%. SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF ( ) ran up 5.5% last week. The Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF ( ) advanced 3.6%. U.S. Global Jets ETF ( ) fell 1.1%. SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF ( ) bounced 3.6%. The Energy Select SPDR ETF ( ) climbed 2.7% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund ( ) rebounded 1.6%. The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ( ) notched a 2.5% gain. The Financial Select SPDR ETF ( ) rose 1.7%. Nvidia Stock Nvidia stock fell 3 cents to 141.95 for the week. Shares briefly spiked to a record 152.89 Thursday morning following earnings, but finished the week just below the 21-day moving average. NVDA stock held the 140.76 consolidation buy point, according to . But it's gone nowhere over the past month, and is essentially flat since the June peak. Late Wednesday, Nvidia reported a 103% EPS gain last quarter with revenue soaring 94%, both beating. But the AI chipmaker only guided slightly higher on the current quarter, which will include Blackwell AI chip shipments. ( ) is hitting resistance near an early entry, but ( ) and ( ) are clear laggards. Astera Labs: New AI Chip Leader Astera Labs is a minnow next to these chip giants, with $113.1 million in Q3 sales vs. Nvidia's $35.1 billion. But the 2024 IPO is the clear AI chip stock leader right now. The company is now profitable with huge revenue growth vs. a year earlier and quarter on quarter. Shares have nearly tripled from their early August low of 36.22. Last week, Astera Labs stock leapt 18.3% to 102.28. On Thursday, following Nvidia earnings, ALAB stock cleared a 100.06 high-handle entry on a consolidation that started in late March. Astera Labs is in range of that entry, though shares are extended 47% above their 50-day line. What To Do Now The stock market rally is looking strong, with the indexes near record highs and leaders powering higher. Some of the megacaps may be sitting out for a time. Google stock and ( ) are clear laggards right now, but ( ) and ( ) have faded off. Nvidia stock is in a buy zone, but it isn't going anywhere. So, investors need to adjust. Luckily, a slew of other stocks have been acting well from a variety of sources. Many stocks flashed buy signals last week, offering opportunities to add exposure. There are still stocks in buy zones or setting up. Investors, who should be heavily invested, can look for incremental buys or add-on purchases, while also paring laggards. But after the huge gains in many leaders over the past few weeks, keep a level head. Weekly gains of 10%, 20% in leading stocks aren't the new normal. Enjoy these periods, but buying extended and other super-aggressive moves that worked in the past few weeks could backfire now. Read every day to stay in sync with the market direction and leading stocks and sectors.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is set to break more records Monday as U.S. stocks rise to add to last week’s gains. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher, as of 3 p.m. Eastern time, and sitting just below its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 397 points, or 0.9%, to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market amid what some analysts called a “Bessent bounce” after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Scott Bessent , a hedge fund manager, to be his Treasury Secretary. Bessent has argued for reducing the U.S. government’s deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through tax and other revenue. Such an approach could soothe worries on Wall Street that Trump’s policies may lead to a much bigger deficit, which in turn would put upward pressure on Treasury yields. After climbing above 4.44% immediately after Trump’s election, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell back to 4.26% Monday and down from 4.41% late Friday. That’s a notable move, and lower yields help make it cheaper for all kinds of companies and households to borrow money. They also give a boost to prices for stocks and other investments. That helped stocks of smaller companies lead the way, and the Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped 2%. It’s set to top its all-time high, which was set three years ago. Smaller companies can feel bigger boosts from lower borrowing costs because of the need of many to borrow to grow. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks the market’s expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do with overnight interest rates, also eased sharply. The Fed began cutting its main interest rate just a couple months ago from a two-decade high, hoping to keep the job market humming after bringing high inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. But immediately after Trump’s victory, traders had reduced bets for how many cuts the Fed may deliver next year. They were worried Trump's preference for lower tax rates and higher spending on the border would balloon the national debt. . A report coming on Wednesday could influence how much the Fed may cut rates. Economists expect it to show that an underlying inflation trend the Fed prefers to use accelerated to 2.8% last month from 2.7% in September. Higher inflation would make the Fed more reluctant to cut rates as deeply or as quickly as it would otherwise. Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle expects that to slow by the end of next year to 2.4%, but he said inflation would be even lower if not for expected tariff increases on imports from China and autos favored by Trump. In the stock market, Bath & Body Works jumped 19.1% after delivering stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The seller of personal care products and home fragrances also raised its financial forecasts for the full year, even though it still sees a “volatile retail environment” and a shorter holiday shopping season this year. Much focus has been on how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. Last week, two major retailers sent mixed messages. Target tumbled after giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed Walmart , which gave a much more encouraging outlook. Another big retailer, Macy’s, said Monday its sales for the latest quarter were in line with its expectations, but it will delay the release of its full financial results. It found a single employee had intentionally hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses, and it needs more time to complete its investigation. Macy’s stock fell 2.9%. Among the market's leaders were several companies related to the housing industry. Monday's drop in Treasury yields could translate into easier mortgage rates, which could spur activity for housing. Builders FirstSource, a supplier or building materials, rose 6.2%. Homebuilders, D.R. Horton, PulteGroup and Lennar all rose at least 5.8%. In stock markets abroad, indexes moved modestly across much of Europe after finishing mixed in Asia. In the crypto market, bitcoin was trading around $96,800 after threatening to hit $100,000 late last week for the first time. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
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The best snowboard bindings to raise your game on the slopesBy MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MATTHEW BROWN Swaths of Pennsylvania and many other states are honeycombed with old, unstable mines that can cause the earth to suddenly give way — a phenomenon known as “ mine subsidence ” that poses a threat to people and property. That’s what searchers in Westmoreland County, just southeast of Pittsburgh, fear led to the disappearance of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard . Pollard and a young granddaughter were looking for a lost cat when she went missing Monday evening. At about the same time, a sinkhole appeared roughly 20 feet (6 meters) from where she had parked her car, in an area above an old coal mine. The granddaughter was found safe inside the car hours later, while the difficult and potentially dangerous search for Pollard continues. Mine subsidence has caused billions of dollars in damage in areas of the U.S. where mining once took place. In Pennsylvania alone, coal was mined in nearly half of the state’s 67 counties and there are at least 5,000 abandoned underground mines, leaving behind hazards that officials say can arise at any time. The Marguerite Mine that authorities believe resulted in the sinkhole was last operated in 1952 by the H.C. Frick Coke Co., according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The coal seam in the area is about 20 feet (6 meters) beneath the surface. The state Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation will examine the scene when the search concludes to see if the sinkhole was indeed caused by mine subsidence, spokesperson Neil Shader said. There are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the U.S. — far outnumbering those that are still active, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Related Articles National News | Two students wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California elementary school National News | Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York In many cases their owners simply walked away from coal or precious metals mines when they became uneconomical to operate and declared bankruptcy, leaving behind safety hazards and costly pollution cleanups that public agencies must handle. Old mines pose myriad dangers , with 381 people killed and 152 injured at abandoned mine sites nationwide between 2000 and 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Victims can fall into hidden shafts, get lost in underground tunnels or perish from poisonous gases present in many old coal mines. Mine shafts can extend hundreds of feet beneath the surface and often are unmarked. State and federal agencies have sealed off many old mines. But more are discovered every year and officials have yet to conduct basic risk analyses on most of the abandoned mines on federal land. Besides the safety hazards, millions of gallons of water loaded with arsenic, lead and other toxic metals flows daily from contaminated mine sites without being treated. Rubinkam reported form northeastern Pennsylvania and Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
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NoneA new independent report reveals that medication management solutions like Ochsner Digital Medicine deliver superior hypertension outcomes and long-term cost savings compared to other digital approaches NEW ORLEANS , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A groundbreaking evaluation by the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) has identified that digital hypertension solutions centered on medication management deliver rapid and clinically meaningful improvements in blood pressure that outperform traditional care. The report also found that other digital approaches to hypertension management focused only on patient behavior change and transmitting home monitoring data to providers are less effective, and do not provide clinically meaningful improvements. Among the standout solutions with clinically effective medication management at its core is Ochsner Digital Medicine , a digital platform that integrates cutting-edge technology to improve patient outcomes. "Unlike other programs that simply monitor health conditions, Ochsner Digital Medicine offers comprehensive care, including adjusting medications to find the right treatment, health coaching, and managing conditions with specialized clinicians," said Dan Shields , CEO of Ochsner Digital Medicine. "The program was designed and is delivered by a leading academic health system, and studies like this show it gets better results than traditional care models." Hypertension, a prevalent chronic condition affecting nearly half of U.S. adults, incurs an annual economic burden of $131 billion . Addressing this silent menace demands innovative approaches that transcend conventional care. According to PHTI's findings, digital solutions that emphasize medication management not only offer immediate clinical benefits but also promise long-term cost savings. These savings stem from a reduction in costly utilizations such as unnecessary emergency department visits and inpatient admissions, as well as mitigating risks associated with strokes and heart attacks. Ochsner Digital Medicine has emerged as a leader in the medication management category, exemplifying how integrating connected blood pressure cuffs with expert virtual care from licensed clinicians can usher in a new era of hypertension management. This approach both optimizes clinical outcomes and supports healthcare providers in delivering timely and personalized care. "Too many people are living with uncontrolled hypertension, but there are effective digital solutions to help patients improve their cardiovascular health, save lives, and lower spending over the long run," Caroline Pearson , Executive Director of PHTI, said in a press release. "Digital medication management solutions support healthcare providers with virtual teams to monitor blood pressure and adjust medications to help bring patients into control within months rather than years." The report advocates for the broader adoption of medication management-based digital solutions, urging healthcare purchasers to consider long-term health benefits and cost-effectiveness when incorporating these technologies. PHTI's comprehensive analysis categorized digital hypertension solutions into three categories: The report findings were that blood pressure monitoring and behavior change interventions led to small, non-significant reductions in systolic blood pressure compared with usual care, while medication management resulted in more rapid and clinically meaningful SBP reductions with higher evidence certainty. PHTI's evaluation is based on a rigorous assessment framework, considering clinical efficacy, economic impact, and health equity. By reviewing 2,498 articles and collaborating with experts across health technology, economics, cardiology, and endocrinology, PHTI provides a robust endorsement of these innovative solutions. In an era where healthcare innovation is paramount, Ochsner Digital Medicine stands at the forefront, leveraging digital technology to transform hypertension care and ensure better health outcomes for millions. "We aren't just about monitoring health conditions, we're about comprehensive, unwavering clinical excellence. That is our commitment to our patients," said Shields. About Ochsner Digital Medicine Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating more than 80 years of service, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and kidney transplants, and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children's hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. Its cutting-edge Connected Health Digital Medicine program cares for patients beyond its walls by applying technology and data to create customized, patient-centered digital health solutions for chronic condition management. This program is a true clinical model that includes medication management by licensed clinicians. It enables members to improve their health and patient experience while reducing costs. Ochsner Digital Medicine is live in all 50 states, serving members, health plans, and employers nationally. Learn more at connectedhealth.ochsner.org/digital-medicine . SOURCE Ochsner Health( MENAFN - Jordan Times) By Shama Kaur, Kundalini Yoga Teacher & Wellness Mentor In my own journey, I became a vegetarian in my mid-twenties, starting by cutting out meat, then chicken, fish and finally dairy. Initially, my choice was rooted in ahimsa, but over time, the decision became instinctive - I simply couldn't imagine consuming animal products. Watching documentaries on the inhumane treatment of animals helped deepen my understanding and commitment, showing me the reality of animal Agriculture and reinforcing my path toward compassionate living. Modern animal agriculture has accelerated the extraction and exploitation of animals on an unprecedented scale, making current meat consumption unsustainable and exploitative. Today's global demand for meat means animals are intensively farmed year-round. Historically, meat was a rare part of the diet, enjoyed once a week or even monthly, depending on the availability of game. Now, the abundance of meat in supermarkets and grocery stores makes it a staple at nearly every meal, often in quantities far exceeding our nutritional needs. Ethical treatment This constant demand drives industrial practices that prioritise speed and volume over ethical treatment or sustainability. Animals are kept in confined spaces and subjected to rapid breeding cycles to meet market demands. World Vegetarian Day, celebrated in October, is a global reminder of the benefits of embracing a plant-based lifestyle - for our health, the environment and animal welfare. Established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society, this day encourages people from all walks of life to explore the benefits of reducing meat consumption or adopting a fully vegetarian lifestyle. By showcasing the positive effects on both the planet and personal well-being, World Vegetarian Day promotes a more compassionate, sustainable and healthy way of life, inspiring individuals to make small changes that lead to significant changes. Such intensive practices are resource-heavy, requiring massive amounts of land, water, and feed, while generating significant environmental harm. This shift to mass meat consumption strains our ecosystem and creates a cycle of overuse. Veganism There is now a strong shift back toward vegetarianism and even veganism, as awareness grows around the exploitation and industrialisation of animals. Many people recognise the connection between high levels of meat consumption and increased health risks, including cancers, inflammation and immune system challenges. Factory-farmed animals are often raised with hormones and antibiotics to accelerate growth, which can impact human health when consumed. There is a growing movement highlighting a collective push for more sustainable, health-conscious diets that minimise harm to both animals and the environment. Benefits of a vegetarian diet Adopting a vegetarian diet brings a wealth of benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. Physically, a plantbased diet can improve digestion, increase energy, and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Emotionally, I feel a greater sense of peace and clarity, knowing I am not ingesting the fear and stress that animals often experience in industrial farming environments. Vegetarianism at a glance Vegetarianism dates back thousands of years, rooted in religious and philosophical beliefs that promoted nonviolence toward animals. In Ancient Egypt, many, especially priests, adopted plant-based diets as a form of ritual purity, while in the Indus Valley, vegetarianism thrived through Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, which emphasised ahimsa (nonviolence) Greek philosophers like Pythagoras also advocated vegetarianism, associating it with ethical living and inner harmony. Indigenous diets in parts of South America were largely plant-based, sustained by crops like maize, beans and squash In contrast, colder regions such as Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, China and North America had diets heavily based on meat and fish, as agriculture was limited by harsher climates. Here, vegetarianism was less common and often seen as impractical On a spiritual level, vegetarianism aligns with the principle of ahimsa, or nonviolence, deeply rooted in traditions like yoga and Buddhism. Practicing ahimsa by avoiding harm to other beings can nurture compassion and a heightened sense of connection to all life. Today, in my late thirties, I've decided to add a little dairy, like eggs and halloumi cheese, back into my diet. I noticed persistent symptoms like cold hands and feet and a weaker menstrual cycle with fewer days, both signs of a possible blood deficiency. Animal products are often rich in essential nutrients that help replenish blood, so incorporating these foods is a conscious choice to support my body's balance while still honoring the principles that brought me to vegetarianism. This adjustment has reminded me that being in tune with our body's signals is an essential part of any lifestyle choice, making compassion and self-awareness guiding forces in my diet. Nutritional tips for vegetarians For vegetarians, consuming a well-balanced diet is essential to ensure all nutritional needs are met. Protein, a key nutrient, can be maintained by aiming for a daily intake in grams that roughly matches one percent of body weight. For example, someone weighing 70 kilogrammes would aim for about 5670- grams of protein daily, depending on individual needs. A rainbow of vegetables Incorporating a“rainbow” of vegetables - different colours indicate varied nutrients - also promotes a complete, nutrient-rich diet. High-quality plant-based proteins can be sourced from foods like lentils, beans, chickpeas, quinoa, tofu and tempeh, which, when combined with grains, provide a full spectrum of essential amino acids. Mindfully combining foods Certain nutrients need special attention in vegetarian diets. Vitamin B12, crucial for nerve health, can be sourced from fortified foods or supplements. Iron is available in leafy greens, beans and seeds, though pairing these with vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus fruits) can boost absorption. Calcium, essential for bone health, is found in fortified plant milks, leafy greens and almonds. By mindfully combining these foods, vegetarians can enjoy a diet that's both balanced and nourishing. Baby steps to begin a vegetarian diet Starting a vegetarian diet can feel easier with small, manageable steps. Begin by cutting out one type of meat at a time - start with red meat, then poultry and eventually fish. Try exploring plant-based alternatives and incorporating more beans, lentils and tofu into your meals. Experiment with colourful vegetables to create a variety of flavours and nutrient and keep some vegetarian recipes handy for inspiration. Taking these steps gradually allows you to adjust both your taste and mindset, making the transition feel natural and enjoyable. Research shows that over 25 per cent of Americans and 30 per cent of Australians now actively reduce. Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine MENAFN27112024000028011005ID1108934483 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
