There are locally produced bio-pesticides are environmentally friendly, sustainable and a cost-effective alternative to chemical pesticides?
Arcenciel's agricultural program, in cooperation with the faculty of Sciences within St. Joseph's University, have succeeded in developing Lebanon's first bio-pesticide. Arcenciel's bio-pesticide contains crystal proteins of the local strain of bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis which targets larva belonging to the family of Lepidoptera sp. The lepidoptera, in high numbers, wreak havocon a wide range of crops such as grapes, olives, tomatoes, apples and pine trees and are a growing threat to the Lebanese eco-system, threatening Cedars. The product works by triggering crystals toxicity under specific pH conditions and enzymes activity within the insect's intestine, blocking its digestive system receptors leading to cellular death. This process makes this product safe to humans, microorganisms, animals or other non-targeted and beneficial insects.
What's the story behind the innovation?
EU standards and organic certifications requires the farmer to abstain from using chemicals for crops to a certain extent; however due to tainted natural resources, climate change and rise in pests and diseases, farmers find themselves having to use an increasing amount of chemical amendments.
While organic alternatives exist and are sometimes available, they are currently not a feasible option due to their costly nature, short shelf-life and inconsistent effectiveness. As such, arcenciel and USJ worked hand in hand to create an affordable, effective and safe solution to all these issues.
Switching from chemical to organic pesticides helps protect the environment, biodiversity, the farmers and local communities. In addition, the bio-pesticide acts as a revenue generating amendment, as it allows farmers to protect their crops while remaining eligible for export to foreign countries.
There are locally produced crackers made of dehydrated vegetables and soaked seeds as well as locally produced kale chips?
Biolicious offers a range of certified organic, wholesome and gluten free food packed with nutrients and flavor.
The ingredients used in Biolicious and the way they're combined (the healthy offering) as well the profile of the product itself are all innovative. For example, Biolicious crackers are made of 80 percent vegetables and soaked seeds; kale chips were adopted to local taste using local flavors like tahini, sumac and pomegranate molasses.
Biolicious commercialized and modernized traditional ways of preparing food (such as soaking seeds).
Reema Mansour, the founder of Biolicious, had a health need and so had to stick to a restrictive diet. She found very little foods available in the market that would meet her needs at the time (almost four years ago) – and what she did find were either tasteless or prohibitively expensive.
She therefore started to personally experiment with food products, specifically snacks, that she could enjoy while not violating her diet restrictions. The products she was making became very interesting to her friends and family and other people in the organic and healthy world and she was encouraged by them to offer her products commercially.
This led to her taking a course in nutrition therapy and developing Biolicious, an organic-certified, ultra-healthy and natural gluten-free line of snack products with creative and delicious tastes.
Born out of her own dietary needs, Reema identified a market need for healthy, natural and tasty snacks.
More and more alternative approaches to healthy living are popping up: a growing number of people are going back to the basics and looking inwards at what they put in their body and how it makes them feel- there is an emerging holistic approach to health and wellness.
At the same time, mechanisms for testing food allergies and intolerances have become more accessible and people can identify if they have celiac disease or lactic intolerance for example. This made consumers more specific with their dietary needs and preferences. As such demand for products such as Biolicious is on an increasing trajectory.
Biolicious products have also been adapted to local tastes such as carrot and thyme crackers or figs and roses energy clusters.
Biolicious offers innovative tasting products across a wide range of flavors meaning those who are on strict dietary restrictions have a wide variety of tasty snacks to choose from. Parents can give their children healthy, natural and most importantly tasty snacks to take to school. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can now choose from a line of all natural and sugar free products for energy boosting.
The products abide by fourteen free-from rules making them a perfect match for people experiencing multiple intolerances or health issues related to food intake.
There is a nature and healthier option to the color and flavor additives typically used in potato chips?
Sunset yellow is the common name of a synthetic azo dye commonly used to color and flavor potato chips and crackers.
Daher Foods have replaced sunset yellow in their paprika and cheese lines of chips with natural products called paprika extract and Carmine (both of which produce red colors).
While they are more expensive that sunset yellow, Daher Foods believes it's worth the extra cost.
What is the story behind the innovation?
Consuming sunset yellow has been linked with hyperactivity among children and with cancer risk in the long term. It is known to have adverse reactions on the brain and on children's attention span.
Motivated by its social responsibility and its dedication to provide only the healthiest and safest options for its young consumers, Daher Foods was searching for an alternative to sunset yellow that would retain the color minus the harmful effects.
A large percentage of Daher Foods' consumers are children and as such, replacing artificial sunset yellow with a natural product is not only healthier for them but also decreases their risk of hyperactivity.
This innovation also helps Daher Foods build trust with their consumers by committing to their children's health by using natural products only.
Daher Foods is trying to be a role model for other companies by accepting the extra cost on themselves in order to benefit their consumers. Natural color can have the same color impact on the product. The consumer will enjoy the same product taste and color but without any of the negative side effects.
Daher Foods benefits in reflecting an image of its commitment to natural products regardless of the cost. The consumer benefits from a more natural and ultimately healthier product.
Almost all Lebanese wines (from 65 wineries in the country), including hard to find vintages of established wineries, have been gathered for sale under one virtual roof?
209 Lebanese Wine is Lebanon's first one-stop online shop for locally produced wines and spirits (gin, vodka and arak) where users can order bottles online and have them delivered to their doorstep. The platform includes the vast majority of Lebanese wines ranging from small producers who may have limited distribution to large wineries who sometimes want to make their older vintages more accessible. 209 Lebanese Wine acts as an online sommelier giving users guidance on wine pairings and wines to match their taste or budget to name some examples. The wines are mainly distributed locally but a collection of them have begun their international journey.
209 Lebanese Wine's story started when its founder Selim Yasmine identified a gap in the accessibility of most Lebanese wines. While common vintages of well-known wineries were readily found in supermarkets, more elusive vintages of these wines and wines from small and medium wineries were difficult to source. As such 209 offered a solution to this market need.
Through 209, wine lovers have the choice of Lebanese wines or vintages which are not commonly found in supermarkets or even in delicatessen thereby widening consumers' education and access to locally produced wine. Being able to purchase wine online and have it delivered to one's home is also more convenient to consumers who may not have easily accessible wine shops. From the perspective of wine producers, 209 is important in that it widens their market scope allowing them to reach new customers who discover them through the platform. This is especially important for small to medium producers who may not have a big budget for marketing and promotion.
209 Lebanese Wine has a positive impact on the community in that the ecosystem behind the production of wine benefits with the success of the platform. When more bottles of Lebanese wine are sold on 209, everyone from grape growers to those who harvest the grapes to those who are employed by the wineries for back office work and finally to the wine producers themselves, benefit from an increase in productivity and business.
Al Rifai can trace back and forward every aspect of their production including where the salt used on their peanuts came from?
Al Rifai has implemented a firm traceability system starting with the reception of the raw materials and until the distribution of the end products. At each stage of the production process, a lot number is assigned to the processed goods. Delegated personnel are responsible for carrying out the different traceability tasks including ensuring the right system implementation in the processing area or keeping track of related records in Al Rifai's ERP system.
To ensure the highest product quality and food safety, Al Rifai has an extensive quality assurance and food safety program covering the whole value chain. In compliance with regulatory requirements and the highest standards, Al Rifai's has implemented a firm food safety management system to control and eliminate all hazards that can be faced during process. Al Rifai is certified according to internationally recognized food safety standards: HACCP and ISO 22000 certified since 2008 and ISO 22005 certified in 2015 for the requirements of traceability in the food chain. Indeed, Al Rifai demands 100 percent traceability on all their products and use scientific-based risk identification to prevent or eliminate potential adverse impacts. Al Rifai added on the IFS standard in 2016 and the AIB requirements in 2019.
In the event of a food borne accident or food safety non-conformance, the traceability system enables the tracing back through the food chain process, promptly and easily, in searching for its cause. If monitoring data regarding food safety is in place, the investigation for the cause of the problem should become easier. Also, in order to withdraw and recall problem foods in an accurate and prompt way, the traceability system can narrow down the search for the said foods as well as identify their destination. The system also helps to clarify responsibilities of food business operators.
It helps build the trust of end consumers who can enjoy Al Rifai with the assurance that it is safe and of high quality which can be verified if needed.
A wide range of organic products are now produced in Lebanon using 90 percent local resources?
Bioland produces organic fruits and vegetables, cow and goat dairy products (organic goat dairy products are seasonal), meats and chickens, dried fruits and nuts, honey, olive oil and mooneh products and essential oils. Since eating organic is still niche in Lebanon and perceived as only for the wealthy because of its higher than conventional agriculture price tag, Bioland is trying to do two things. It is trying to make organic products affordable for everyone in Lebanon, especially for fruits and vegetables where the cost of production is close to conventional agriculture (the extra price for organic is in the certificate and in the risk of having to throw away all the crop if there is a diseased product since antibiotics cannot be used on organic produce). Bioland has established, over the years, three distillation sites in Lebanon which use steam technology, the newest technique to get the best yield and oil quality. Bioland has developed exclusive contracts with farmers for raw material production and with global companies for final product selling.
Bioland started in 2009 as a small family owned production whereby the owner planted organic fruits and vegetables for himself and his family and friends. The land produced an abundance of produce and at the same time Bioland identified a demand for affordable organic produce in Lebanon. It therefore began slowly expanding its business acquiring more land across Lebanon using permaculture methods and adding products such as meats, nuts, dairy and essential oils in response to market demand and need. Bioland operates its own stores (both in Achrafieh) and is available in specialized organic goods stores.
Eating organic is very important to one's health especially for children as it reduces risks of diseases and food has more nutrients. Being in the organic system provides full product traceability to the producer and consumer.
Anyone who cares about their health or their children's health benefits from eating organic. Bioland is also supporting the local ecosystem through working with local farmers on producing organic products.
You can buy two liter refillable jugs of fresh beer to enjoy at your next house party?
Colonel began selling growlers- meaning two-liter glass gallons of beer filled up fresh- a year and a half at their brewery in Batroun. The beer in the growler lasts for two weeks. Once consumers are done with the beer, they bring the jug back and refill it from the brewery itself or any pub that sells Colonel draft beer.
Jamil Haddad, founder of Colonel, is a lover of nature and was always thinking of ways to protect and preserve the natural environment in Lebanon. He believes all Lebanese should think in an ecofriendly and sustainable way. A year and a half ago, local beer breweries were producing very small bottles of beer as a sort of novelty item which Jamil found wasteful. This triggered him to think of doing the opposite, which is launching growlers which fit two liters of beer.
Growlers are environmentally friendly for several reasons. Since Colonel's growlers are refillable, consumers can buy them only one time instead of having to buy a new one every time. Since one growler contains two liters of beer, it replaces buying almost eight individual bottles of beer at a time. Also with a growler usage of materials such as the label or the bottle cap-which typically end up being thrown away instead of recycled- is eliminated. Growlers are also cost efficient in that consumers pay for the jug once and then pay a small amount for every refill (less than they would have paid for the same amount of beer in a bottle).
Jamil says the growler is very popular among his customers. As more and more consumers opt for this option when purchasing beer, waste decreases and so does unnecessary consumption of bottles, caps and labels. Lebanon's natural environment is thus the ultimate beneficiary.
You can enjoy a gluten free version of the double layered pita bread that is a staple of the Lebanese (and the region's) diet?
Crown Flour Mills produces standard pita bread mixes but recently developed a mix for double layer gluten free bread and a double layer low glycemic index (low GI) bread mix ideal for those with diabetes.
As producers of flour mixes for breads, management of Crown Flour Mills attends a number of international exhibitions in their field. Around four years ago, they identified a health conscious trend manifested, among other aspects, in a demand for gluten free breads and breads with low glycemic index.
At that time, there was also a need for gluten free and low GI breads that cater to diabetics in Lebanon but a limited number of products were meeting that demand (and they were often imported and expensive). There was also no gluten free double layer pita bread although this type of bread is the most commonly enjoyed in the Middle East. As such, Crown Flour Mills recognized a market opportunity in producing mixes for double layer gluten free bread-almost identical in taste and texture to the standard pita bread. They also identified an opportunity in developing mixes for low GI pita bread.
It took Crown Flour Mills four years of Research and Development to come up with the mixes for the gluten free and low GI breads which they launched in 2018.
Cases of type two diabetes are becoming more common and as such low GI pita bread helps diabetics maintain a low glycemic index diet while still getting to enjoy the pita bread they are used to.
Although a limited number of people have Celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, many prefer gluten free bread as it makes them feel less bloated. Again, giving them a double layer pita bread option allows preserve their food preferences while maintaining the health conscious lifestyle they demand.
The end consumer is being able to enjoy a healthier lifestyle while maintaining food habits.
There is a healthier, tastier way to enjoy chocolate aaand it's locally produced with fruit molasses from our villages.
Many aspects of Eshmoon are innovative and can be summed up with coming back to our local roots in order to express their unique local identity. Eshmoon's philosophy and mindset of being true to themselves is innovative and drives their solutions. The name itself is innovative in that Eshmoon is the god of healing in Canaanite mythology which is the mythology of our region. Eshmoon uses local products such as carob molasses to sweeten their chocolates and desserts. The logo itself is a reflection of their identity and is unique in that it combines five elements of nature (air, fire, minerals, water and wood).
Samer Tutunji, a chemist and yogi, was driven by the holistic health philosophy promoted by yoga to start Eshmoon. He originally wanted to produce organic cosmetics but felt the Lebanese market was not ready for that and decided to start with food- starting with the most loved food product: chocolate.
It provides a healthier alternative to chocolates and desserts by using natural alternatives to sugar, and by being gluten free and organic. This is therefore ideal for children, for those with diabetes and for those who simply want to consume tasty and healthy combined.
Eshmoon packaging is reusable or recyclable and thus is environmentally friendly. Eshmoon is socially responsible in that it hires from the rural community and the underprivileged and is involved in community service. Eshmoon uses clean and natural ingredient so the end consumer's health is benefitting.
An organic line of goat dairy products is produced from the local goats you see on your trips to Lebanon's remote rural areas?
GoBaladi produces a conventional and a certified organic goat dairy products range (including local essentials such as laban, soft labneh, halloum, double crème and milk) made from local goats' milk. Working with local goats to produce a diverse line of dairy products had never been done before and came with challenges but GoBaladi persevered because they believed in a sustainable ecosystem. For example, local goats only produce milk from March to September and so GoBaladi got techniques which are applied on European goats to make them produce milk yearlong and applied them to the local goats used for the conventional line (it is against the regulations of the organic certifications to interfere with the goats' habits).
GoBaladi also worked the local goat farmers- who are mainly uneducated and with little resources-on best hygienic practices and on how to increase the yield and improve the quality of milk in natural way.
Contrary to industrial farmed goats (which stay inside the farm all the time), GoBaladi's local goats are for the most part free range meaning they roam the pristine hills on GoBaladi's land in Mount Sannine and feed on the grass there (in the organic line, the goats are 100 percent grass fed while in the conventional it is 60 percent grass fed and 40 percent feed).
GoBaladi started producing organic labneh balls with oil- the traditional goat dairy product- since local goats are by nature free range (feed on grass all day) they were conducive to such a project. They then got a lot requests to expand on their organic and local goat dairy products line and so they identified a market need for goat products in general, and for organic goat products specifically.
Goat dairy products are healthier than cow dairy products that tend to be mass produced and have additives. Those with a lactic intolerance can safely consume goat products. There is a growing demand for organic products in the Middle East as health conscious consumers increase and GoBaladi is the only organic dairy producer in the Middle East.
GoBaladi is giving farmers in rural areas consistent economic opportunities and introducing them to technology to improve their production and the quality of their milk. Through yearlong breeding these farmers can now make money in the winter as well.
You can have Lebanese produced French style goat cheese?
Gout Blanc introduced two types of European goat breeds into Lebanon: the Saanen and the Alpine.
These types of goats give 1,000 liters of milk per lactation and produce milk for ten months of the year; they only rest for the last two months of their pregnancy. So what Gout Blanc did is separate the goats into main groups and control their breeding so when one group is pregnant the other is producing milk and vice versa.
Through this way Gout Blanc had yearlong access to fresh goats' milk and so could produce fresh goat dairy products such as spreadable labneh (they were the first to introduce it to Lebanon) and halloum. They were also the first to produce French goat cheese in Lebanon. Gout Blanch started with 60 goats in 2006 and through trial and error in learning how to take care of them, today they are at 1,250 goats with the aim of reaching 3,000 goats soon.
Gout Blanc wanted to produce large quantities of fresh goat dairy products throughout the year. Although the local Baladi goats are strong and produce high quality milk, its production is limited to 120 liters per lactation and they only give milk 150 days of the year from May and until September- so they were not conducive to Gout Blanc's goal. To resolve this challenge, Gout Blanc introduced Alpine and Saanen breeds of European goats into Lebanon.
Goat dairy products are healthier than their cow counterparts. They are easier to digest and are higher in vitamin, calcium and phosphorous.
Goat protein and fat content and composition are different from those of cows and as such those with an intolerance to dairy from cows milk would find a good alternative in goat dairy products- and there are many such cases in the Middle East.
When it comes to French style goat cheese, having a locally produced version with no additives or preservatives and which can reach the consumer within three days of its production is healthier and more time efficient (especially for the hospitality business).
Consumers are getting fresh goat dairy products all year long.
You are now able to sip premium beer with zero alcohol content and less than half the calories of an alcoholic premium beer? Heineken 0.0 in Lebanon is the biggest and most impactful product launch that Heineken has seen in decades. With Heineken's 0.0 we have the world's first great-tasting, premium, zero percent alcohol beer.
Heineken released into the Lebanese market, in mid-January 2019, Heineken 0.0%, a non-alcoholic version of the internationally acclaimed all natural and premium beer. It took Heineken's research and development team many years to come up with a non-alcoholic brew that would retain the same refreshing taste of the alcoholic version of Heineken. Today, Heineken 0.0% tastes different to regular Heineken. However, it has the same characteristic fruity notes, but with a soft malty body.
Heineken is the first beer brewery in the world to release a non-alcoholic premium beer. While there are beverages that promote themselves as non-alcoholic beer, they are in fact simply malt beverages.
The nonalcoholic beverages category is a fast growing one, especially in today's world where consumers are more health conscious and prefer to cut down on calories that come from alcohol consumption. Heineken realized that there was no premium beer within the nonalcoholic beverages segment and so identified a need for an alcohol free beer. Heineken believes there is a strong market opportunity in Lebanon for such a product.
What is its impact on the community?
Heineken 0.0 will have a positive impact on society in that Heineken identified a market need in its community and is responding to that need with a great tasting product.
You can enjoy humus while walking on the corniche, watching a movie in the cinema or driving your car without making any mess?
Hum'N Go transformed a traditional plate, humus, into a healthy grab n go snack. Capitalizing on the trends of grab n go and healthy snacking, the product cup includes brown breadsticks on one side and humus in different flavors on the other side. Hum'N Go currently comes in two flavors: the original and humus with pomegranate molasses- the latter of which is proving to be a big success in the market. Two flavors are currently under development.
Hum'N Go was able to increase the shelf life of humus from the standard 20 days to four months while remaining within EU standards (using temperature and pressure instead of preservatives) which is a major asset for the export market.
The founders of Hum' N Go originally started their business with a catering line called Mummy Made six years ago (which they later rebranded into M Social Catering). Because of this business, one of the founders, Samer, was attending a seminar in Italy for social entrepreneurs and was asked to present one product which includes an innovation. So he made kaak boats with humus.
The response from the attendees was very positive and this gave Samer the idea to build on humus's success with a model that can be scalable.
Humus is known to be a healthy food.
There is a significant growth in the global humus market. It is becoming a worldwide trend with humus popping up in hundreds of restaurant menu and on supermarket shelves across the globe.
The grab n go market is growing more than 20 percent year on year. This is because in today's fast paced world, people don't have time to sit down and eat anymore and prefer to grab their food on the go.
For all these reasons, Hum'N Go identified a market opportunity for grab and go humus and worked on realizing that.
The founders of Hum'N Go have a separate organization called ProAbled specialized in training and finding jobs for people with physical disabilities and people with acute financial challenges. The majority of profits that the founders will be generating from Hum'N Go are going to be used to support ProAbled. Some of the employees of Hum'N Go are people with physical disabilities.
The consumer benefits from having local and beloved healthy snack products.
UNIPAK has shifted from being simply a box producer to also becoming a packaging consultant working with its customers on optimized solutions for their packaging needs.
A new platform has been set in place to offer customers the ability to manage their packaging supply chain activities from the comfort of their desks. Through this platform, customers can benefit from consultancy on their packaging problems, receive solutions using the lasted 3D design tools, and place and track their orders online.
UNIPAK recognized that their customers' businesses are evolving at a rapid pace. Their customers, with an ever-increasing exposure to the global market, have to meet international standards and regulations, and keep up with the global competition, while being time and cost efficient. As such, they are becoming more demanding and have complex packaging requirements.
For UNIPAK to stay ahead of the curve, they took the decision to keep on reinventing themselves to remain competitive in the market by becoming a one-stop shop for all paper- based packaging needs.
UNIPAK's innovative business model is cost and time efficient on various levels. UNIPAK will act as a packaging consultant and packaging manufacturer, allowing customers to deal with one supplier for all their paper-based packaging needs.
In addition, customers no longer need to rely on UNIPAK sales team visits to place their orders or request packaging solutions, since they can easily use the online platform to do so thereby speeding up their business cycle and undertaking more transactions, with fewer paperwork and higher automated operation.
UNIPAK customers are benefiting from this business model as they reduce their supply chain complexity and improve their efficiencies, which is translated into financial benefits; in addition, the consumer is indirectly benefiting from the reduced environmental impact of packaging material.
Although Chateau Kefraya's 300 hectares of vines are located in one single land (West Bekaa), it still contains no less than 13 different soil types? And that every soil-type gives to wine a different expression?
Chateau Kefraya undertook a comprehensive study over all its Land, using technology to better understand it. They began by using ''drone technology'' to obtain a top view of their vineyards, allowing them to identify, through the different shades of colors, which zones of parcels have a similar soil type.
They then took samples from each zone to analyze the soils' typography, with the help of a specialist in Pedology.
After a better understanding of its vineyards Chateau Kefraya moved to the ''micro-climate'' study. For that step, they attached sensors to each grapevines' zone to understand the impact of the micro-climate parameters on it: meaning humidity, water, temperature and soil moisture on the grapes; a set of information used for the sake of the quality of wine that will be later produced.
Chateau Kefraya is leading wine innovation in Lebanon. it was one of the worldwide pioneers to use this technology on wine and the first to use it in Lebanon.
Chateau Kefraya believes that any winery should know its terroir better to improve wine quality. While they knew – to a certain extent and through experience – what vine zone was the best for each wine, they needed to confirm it and understand the scientific reasons behind it.
Chateau Kefraya started the study in 2014 with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, planted on 8 different soils and submitted to different microclimates. Then, they decided to repeat the same process for the whole land. In 2017, they even introduced the drone technology and the ''Internet of Things'' (IoT), to obtain more accurate results.
Such scientific knowledge enables Chateau Kefraya to take the best decisions on how to optimize its land, based on scientific evidence. This directly improves the quality of the wines produced and make better usage of the domain's resources, while preserving the environment.
This technology is a step towards a more precise and sustainable viticulture, less energy consumption, better water conservation and of course wines of higher quality.
LibanJus's solar plant of an annual production of 1,258 MWh is one of the biggest in industry in Lebanon?
LibanJus was the first factory in Lebanon to make use of solar energy with the initial phase of 135 kilowatt peak (KWp) executed in partnership with the UNDP and partially funded by the EU. The remaining phases were funded by LibanJus while benefiting from Green loans. As of two months ago, LibanJus has 920 KWp of solar panels installed.
LibanJus's solar panels stretch across the factory's roofs and cover an area of 6,000 meter squared. The factory runs of 50 percent green energy.
It took LibanJus a year of engineering to be able to override the problem of Lebanon's electricity cuts which are not conducive to large scale solar plants.
LibanJus had been following the development of solar energy and green energy in businesses with earnest waiting for the opportunity to come on board. As soon as it became feasible financially, they initiated the roll out of solar energy in their factory.
From the corporate social responsibility sense, LibanJus is demonstrating its respect of the environment and its natural resources.
From the business sense, and although it was an investment, its payback is that it reduces the factory's energy bills. They will be able to recoup the investment with the free energy they are saving.
Through their solar power plant, LibanJus is saving 890 tons of CO2 every year. Lebanon's natural environment is benefitting from the reduction of harmful factory emissions typically generated by fuel.
Although wine grapes in Lebanon are traditionally planted on low altitudes such as the Bekaa Valley and coastal areas, it is still possible to produce great tasting wines from vineyards at very high altitudes?
Riachy Vineyards introduced a selection of cool climate Lebanese wines produced at high-latitude regions that are prone to high climatic variability (the vintage effect).
slowly during the mountainous colder nights and milder diurnal temperatures. This yields to a late season harvest which allows RV wines to slowly unfold their unique character.
Imad Riachy, a fourth generation winemaker chose to create fine wines at high-latitudes merging classic values and time honored traditions with the latest technology in winemaking. His choice of altitude challenged the general belief that noble grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon cannot yield fine wines unless grown in the traditional regions such as the Bekaa Valley and coastal areas.
RV added varietal diversity and richness to the Lebanese winemaking industry as noble grape varieties grown at high-latitudes yield wines with natural acidity and medium alcohol content while grapes grown in the hot and harsh climates of the traditional regions tend to produce wines with high alcohol content and low natural acidity. Cool climate wines further reveal their varietal character along with being fresh and enjoyable to drink.
Planting vineyards is an expensive long-term commitment as newly planted vineyards need up to four years to produce a harvest. With Riachy Vineyard emerging as one of Mount Lebanon's promising sustainable winemakers, it is contributing in preserving agricultural land, creating employment and new market opportunities thus revitalizing rural communities. Wine and grapes support a broad network of related industries, reflecting the high value added impact of these products.
Because of Robinson Agri's import of one cut lettuce seeds, it now takes just one knife stroke to get a perfectly cut lettuce salad?
Robinson Agri works behind the scenes but it is very much involved in the value chain which leads to consumers enjoying a produce.
Robinson Agri is driven by their motto of sustainable innovation and by their commitment to improve life conditions which they see as part of their CSR. As an implementation of their motto and CSR, they are introducing new techniques to the agricultural sector and enabling innovation.
They adopted a new technique in agriculture called grafting to improve the vigor of the vegetable plants and their yield and reduce the use of pesticides.
Robinson Agri also implemented smart irrigation solutions in agriculture to decrease water consumption while increasing production of fruits and vegetables and boosting quality and uniformity.
With the one cut lettuce that Robinson Agri introduced, less water is used to clean the lettuce; time is saved with minimum food waste – which is very important in the hospitality business.
When one works with agriculture, they become attached to the land and its people. As such, Robinson Agri truly believes that Lebanon has an exceptional microclimate and land – it is no surprise that everyone always says Lebanon's fruits and vegetables have a great taste – which needs to be supported. Supporting this sector means keeping up with innovations in agriculture and introducing new technologies and techniques because if that doesn't happen, then Lebanon will be left behind.
Robinson Agri's ultimate goal is the end consumers health because at the end, everybody is an end consumer when it comes to food. Eating fruits and vegetables with less pesticides is important for one's health.
All the agricultural value chain will benefit from it starting with the breeder of fruits and vegetables because they are selling their products. The agriculture company is benefitting through introducing new techniques while the farmer is improving his production and so is making more money. Supermarkets and restaurants are also reducing waste because of the better quality produce resulting from these innovations. Finally, the end consumer is eating healthy food. These innovations are also reducing food waste, waste water and energy.
You can pick up ready to eat fawaregh from the supermarket and enjoy it for up to a year of its production without ingesting any preservatives?
Smart Gourmet is producing a line of healthy and authentic Lebanese food that is rich in vitamins and is bacteria free. It has no preservatives and yet it has a one-year shelf life. They were the first in the world to develop this technology for extending the shelf life of food products without using preservatives through a cooking process and technique.
Like all Lebanese, Jad Atallah, one of the founders of Smart Gourmet, takes pride in our local cuisine. Whenever he was abroad on one of his many trips, he would invite his friends to Lebanese restaurants and be disappointed in the quality of food served. At the same time, his wife who has a restaurant in Jbeil was lamenting food waste in her line of work. This encouraged the duo started thinking of how to provide gourmet tasting Lebanese food that would last for a long time and not have to be thrown away. As such, Jad's wife and his partner, Charbel Kyrellos, a well-known executive chef (and works with Jad's wife in the Jbeil restaurant) began experimenting with cooking techniques which would achieve long lasting ready to eat foods with no preservatives. Jad used his background in technology to help them develop the machine that is the basis of the cooking technique.
Because of their vacuum style cooking technique, Smart Gourmet is able to produces read to eat meals which are healthy in that only one third the amount of salt used in conventional cooking techniques is used. Their technique also preserves the food's vitamins and eliminates bacteria as everything is cooked at over 70 degrees Celsius. When Smart Gourmet reaches a 100 products, it will launch an online shop. This would add to its convenience since consumers would be able to order their meals for the month online, keep them in their fridge and heat them when needed- thereby eliminating the time spent cooking while still obtaining a nutritious meal with no preservatives.
How does it impact the community?
Consumers are enjoying healthy gourmet food which can be shipped worldwide because of their long shelf life without sacrificing quality or taste.
Food and Beverage processing machinery can themselves generate reports on their status, diminishing top management's reliance on manual data entry (which may be biased or inaccurate) to drive decisions on cost cutting, for example?
Teknologix has developed a software solution applied on food and beverage processing machinery (since this is the most prevalent industry in Lebanon) which automates the generation of machinery related data reports. Teknologix's software solution programs the machinery in a way that they process the raw data stored within them into useful reports which can be analyzed by the business owners.
Teknologix was originally established in 2008 as an automation solution provider which specialized in overhauling factory machineries and updating their systems. This line of work allowed them to become familiar with many F&B factories in Lebanon where they noticed a lack of transparency between top floor (management) and shop floor (factory part) when it comes to manually generated reports.
Teknologix then identified a need for a standard and automated solution that would facilitate the workflow for business owners and decision makers and ensure that they have transparent reports from the fields.
The Food and Beverage processing industry in Lebanon has become very competitive and profit margins in it have become very tight. Traditionally, when faced with such a situation, and because they were unable to accurately identify more efficient solutions, top management would reduce the number of their employees or compromise on the quality of their products. With Teknologix's software solution, these business owners now have a competitive edge in that they can pinpoint areas of loss within their production process and work towards minimizing it. Time was identified as the biggest loss contributing factor and as such the software helps management with time loss reduction by identifying malfunctioning or inefficient machinery which are consuming extra time.
This innovation also contributes to the reduction of energy consumption in factories through its water consumption reports which allow for pinpointing water waste and fixing it thereby reducing cost and also positively impacting the environment.
The key benefit is for the manufacturer who is getting unbiased reports. Through these unbiased reports he or she can carry out a root cause analysis and identify the cause of the company's loss which in turn allows him or her to properly distribute resources and optimize them.
The classic mix is the number one bestseller within The Good Thymes portfolio despite it being the most traditional among the brand's ten zaatar mixes?
The Good Thymes took zaatar, the ingredient that every Lebanese knows and loves, and developed a brand and a story around it. Moving beyond this, The Good Thymes developed ten mixes of zaatar, including spicy zaatar, fruity zaatar or zaatar with keshk. As such, it transformed zaatar into a unique product. The Good Thymes has also developed an herbal infusion based on zaatar.
The founder of The Good Thymes, Fady Aziz, wanted to get away from the daily routine and was looking to reconnect with nature and his hometown of Kfar Houneh, in South Lebanon. He decided to revive an abandoned land he had always loved in Kfar Houneh to develop a project on but didn't have an idea what to do there yet.
The idea of planting zaatar on that land came to him when he was preparing a zaatar sandwich for his daughter who adores zaatar and realized how much this mix was a part of his family's daily routine.
Although Zaatar is the smell of Lebanon and is heavily associated with home among almost all Lebanese, no matter where they live, it was not given its proper value. While there are several well-presented brands of Lebanese sweets or nuts-which travelers can easily take with them aboard- this was not the case for zaatar.
As such, Fady used his skills in design and marketing to transform the humble zaatar into something Lebanese can be proud of and which can achieve universal success.
Today, The Good Thymes is getting requests from all over the world which is an indicator that it is a successful brand.
End users are enjoying a high quality zaatar and sumac mix.
The Good Thymes is also providing the relatively younger and more daring generation- those below 50 years old- with new expressions of the beloved zaatar mix with the superfoodie mix being the second best seller.
There are filling machines that don't use any electricity or air?
Zakka Technologies provides alternative solutions for industrial needs. They pride themselves on their flexibility with their customers, providing them with numerous options and solutions, as well as their fast response.
For example, Zakka Technologies has a new generation of industrial printers (used to label expiry and production dates on packages) which uses HP technology with cartridges. This means that unlike conventional industrial printers, it uses much less consumables like inks or solvents, requires little to no service or maintenance and is more compact.
Another example is a filling machine that requires no electricity and no compressed air. It is semi-automated and thus ideal for medium size operations.
Zakka technologies also provides top quality fully automated filling, capping and labeling lines as well as packaging machines for various application, powder and viscous product filling machines all of which make use of the latest technologies and energy conservation developments.
Zakka Technologies offers modern machinery with an outstanding quality-price ratio, while their running cost is much lower than conventional ones so the customer is ultimately saving money.
For each application, Zakka Technologies has the knowhow and network of suppliers and technical team to provide their customers with the solutions for their specific application. This is a big advantage over customers purchasing their own machinery since the negotiation with suppliers, the installation and the after service is part of Zakka Technologies' domain.
Purchasing industrial machines from Zakka Technologies versus independently is also more time efficient for customers since they don't have to go through the process of identifying the best machine for their needs by themselves.
Customers are getting modern machines that have a low running cost.
Zakka Technologies machines have environmentally friendly features such as the printer that uses less consumables or the filling machine that runs without electricity thus conserving energy.
A bundle of parsley which is picked in Lebanon in the morning can be enjoyed in Dubai in the evening on the same day?
Karma's innovation is in its business model which added value to the fresh produce export business in several ways. First of all, they shortened the supply chain by procuring produce directly from the farmers and selling them directly to the retailers.
Then, they reduced transit time shipping their produce by air instead of land or sea freight. To improve the process even further, they partnered with DHL International which offered them exclusive cold storage at Beirut RH Airport, made accessible dedicated customs clearance and launched scheduled flights of DHL's own cargo planes to transport Karma's produce faster and more efficiently than regular commercial flights.
For many years, Khaled Sinno, founder of Karma, ran the produce section of his family's supermarket business. Exports started with trial shipments to customers in the Gulf and Europe and started picking up gradually until it outgrew supermarket retail, which was later phased out.
Owing to experience accumulated in years of dealing with retail customers, the business plan was totally consumer-centric and focused delivering a unique customer end-user experience. Hence, the only way to add value and consistently deliver products that responded to the ultimate tests of freshness, durability and taste, was to modify and improve the existing supply chain.
Historically, Lebanese fruits and vegetables reaching export markets were not of premium quality. The main reason was the long supply chain which firstly demanded lower farm prices thus pushing the lowest quality produce through the export pipeline, and secondly asked for high retail prices to make it worthwhile for all those in the middle. And because transport was done by road or sea, produce arriving to export destinations after a long journey was tasteless, flavorless and did not last long.
As such, Karma worked on an innovative business model to resolve these issues.
An expedited and consistent process means first and foremost a satisfied end-consumer who enjoys really fresh produce and always comes back for more.
A shorter supply chain means fresh produce is sold at a reasonable price tag and not a prohibitive one. It also allows the farmer to sell produce at higher prices and profits and expand his business accordingly.
Shuman Farms has optimized the quality of its feed to make it more efficient?
Shuman Farms' innovation is in improving feed efficiency. They developed a feed evaluation system with research centers in Europe through which they optimize the technical performance of the chicken.
Health and management systems are constantly changing, and Shuman's feed evaluation system is changing along as well.
This system is the product of an ongoing Research and Innovation Program which was also developed by Shuman Farms and which has a mission to stay up to date on the latest techniques and research relating to poultry.
Shuman Farms prides itself on staying up to date on the latest innovations and techniques when it comes to chicken and is therefore always researching ways to improve feed efficiency which in turn would lead to better quality chicken and a sustainable animal feeding.
The feed Shuman Farms produces has the right nutritional value to insure good growth, healthy chicken, and improve the results of the farmer. Through more efficient feed, the farmer will have better quality chicken at a lower cost.
The consumer will enjoy tastier and healthier chicken that has high measures of food safety.
Shuman Farms' Research and Innovation Program goes beyond its primary focus on sustainability and optimal performance.
It focuses on animal health and welfare by replacing antibiotics with essential oils and plant remedies. Shuman Farms focus also on animal wellbeing.
The program benefits the environment in that it researches and tries to minimize the impact of animal production on the environment by the reduction of waste for example.
The improved feed efficiency is in itself beneficial to the environment as well in that fewer natural resources are needed.
By just a zap of a QR code, a consumer can learn everything about a purchased olive oil including the the plot of land it originates from, the variety of the olive tree, when it was harvested, etc?
With a startup called Rigino, Zejd will be utilizing a production and traceability software to be able to efficiently trace any product from the shelf back to its raw material.
Youssef Fares, founder of Zejd, hopes that with time, this software will be developed on blockchain technology meaning that each part of the production chain will independently enter their data. He is also planning on eventually using the Internet of Things to optimize the production line.
Zejd had obtained the ISO 22000 certificate which necessitates them to have traceability of products – meaning being able to trace back their product to find out, for example, which tank they came from. Right now, all information is recorded manually which Youssef says takes a lot of time and is labor intensive, especially when going back to identify a problem if needed.
So, Youssef was looking for someone that would develop a production and traceability software for him. Through Agrytech, he met Rigino, a startup currently in Phase 3 of Berytech's agri-goof accelerator, which is working on traceability. Zejd and Rigino signed an agreement stating that Rigino will be developing this software for the olive oil business and Zejd will be the first brand to use it.
Such software facilitates Zejd's work at a managerial level and also when it comes to interactions with their dealers abroad or locally who will be able to use the lot number to get all the information they need.
Having a real software will reduce errors and be a more efficient system of traceability for Zejd, the consumer and the dealer who will all be more assured of quality.
There is a problem with traceability in the olive oil business in Lebanon. If it is done on block chain and a lot of awareness is raised about the QR Code on the product and the blockchain technology that guarantees the truth of the information this might be a way to assure the consumer that olive oil in Lebanon can be trusted especially since the software is scalable across the sector.This will eventually impact the farmer as Zejd would be able to sell the oil at the higher price hence paying farmers more for their raw material.
We're all attending to share our ideas, to hear feedback, to put things in motion and to be part of the agri-food revolution. Join us and don't forget to use the promo code AFID2019 to get 50% off 2 Careem rides, to and from the event. See you there!


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Es una proyección cilíndrica y conforme, ya que conserva los ángulos y las formas. Las distancias y las superficies se deforman mucho .

Una proyección cilíndrica es una proyección cartográfica que usa un cilindro tangente. Las proyecciones cilíndricas se obtienen al proyectar la superficie esférica sobre un cilindro secante o tangente a la esfera.

En la proyección cilíndrica, el mapa resultante presenta una red de paralelos y meridianos perpendiculares. La deformación de la escala es creciente al alejarse de la línea de tangencia, el Ecuador, donde se conserva la escala.
A pesar de esta deformación, el hecho de que se mantenga la perpendicularidad entre meridianos y paralelos conduce a una representación sencilla y útil en diversas situaciones como la navegación.

La más famosa es una proyección de Robinson modificada conocida por proyección de Mercator que revolucionó la cartografía. En ella, una recta no es (salvo cuando coincide con un meridiano o con el ecuador) la distancia más corta entre dos puntos, pero tiene la gran ventaja, para el navegante, que el ángulo con el norte es constante. Una desventaja de esta proyección, y en general de todas las cilíndricas, es la gran distorsión de la escala en zonas de latitud alta (de los 60 a los 90 grados, tanto al norte como al Sur del Ecuador).

Carta esférica mundial
Hasta principios del  se solía llamar carta esférica a una proyección cilíndrica modificada en la que la derrota de rumbo constante, llamada loxodrómica, se representara, al menos de manera aproximada, por una recta. La solución definitiva del problema solo se consiguió con la construcción (porque no es estrictamente una proyección) que se denomina generalmente de Mercator, por ser el flamenco Gerardus Mercator a quien atribuyen su invento. Sin embargo, esta invención se debe a españoles (Martín Cortés de Albacar y su discípulo Alonso de Santa Cruz, cosmógrafo mayor del emperador Carlos V).

Véase también
 Proyección de Peters
 Proyección de Goode

Referencias

Proyecciones cartográficas

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Easy Hummus without Tahini – simple recipe for hummus made with just a few ingredients and no tahini. So much better than store-bought stuff.
Homemade Hummus is one of the easiest dips you can make at home. All you need is a can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans, lemon juice and olive or grapeseed oil. Classic hummus includes tahini, which is a sesame seed paste or sauce. Since it can be quite difficult to find and expensive, it is not at all required to make a delicious hummus in minutes.
You can easily make flavored hummus by adding roasted red peppers (so delicious!!), avocado (swoon!) or stir in veggies and spices to make custom blend. This Easy Hummus without Tahini is so simple and quick to make, you can forget the store-bought stuff.
To make hummus, you can use canned chickpeas that have been drained and rinsed OR cook garbanzo beans on stove top or in the Instant Pot. Next, you need to add garlic cloves, lemon or lime juice and olive or grapeseed oil. Add water, tablespoon or two at a time, and blend until the hummus reaches desired consistency. Season hummus with salt, cumin and pepper and serve. This hummus is so much better than any store-bought stuff because you know exactly what is in it.
I use my mini food processor that came with the stick blender (affiliate link) because it is perfect and I don't have to pull out the big guy just to make a dip.
You can enjoy this creamy hummus with pita or tortilla chips, spread it on a tortilla, top with veggies and chicken to make a delicious wrap for lunch, stir into your pasta for a healthier sauce option or even use to make veggie burgers. It's so delicious and the flavor options are almost limitless. Try my Roasted Red Pepper version for a colorful and flavorful dip.
Simple recipe for hummus made with just a few ingredients and no tahini. So much better than store-bought stuff.
Place beans, garlic, lemon juice and oil in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Add water, two tablespoons at a time, and blend to reach desired consistency.
Season with salt, and cumin. Stir.
Serve with vegetables or chips, spread of pita or tortilla in wraps OR add to pasta.
Hi Priscilla! It should be fine for up to one week in the fridge.
This is definitely a must-make!! It looks amazingly delish!
What a great snack option! I have to try it out soon!
I found my new favorite hummus recipe!! Its fantastic!!! YUM!
Yay! That's awesome! Thanks, Des!
My husband would go crazy over this hummus!
My Hubby loves it and I hope yours will too! Thanks, Allyson!


Vectorworks Fundamentals is our entry level – basic CAD software package, offering superior 2D and 3D capabilities and an intuitive modelling and documentation platform.
Vectorworks Fundamentals software gives you the freedom to design in your own way. With a streamlined set of tools, you can capture and develop your ideas all in one place. Intuitive, 2D/3D modelling capabilities, combined with best-in-industry, integrated rendering tools, will transform your design process and help you produce beautiful drawings and high-quality, professional documentation with ease.


If you're not using St. Clair Software's Default Folder X (http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/index.html) with Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"), you should be. It's an US$34.95 tool that enhances Open and Save dialogs in Mac OS X.
Default Folder lets you access the contents of your recent, favorite, and open folders right from Default Folder X's toolbar. Its hierarchical pop-up menus expand as you mouse over them, letting you navigate your folders to get to your files. You can assign a keyboard shortcut for all of your favorite folders. If an Open and Save dialog isn't open, then you can use Default Folder X's menu bar, Dock icon, or keyboard shortcuts.
If you're constantly saving things inside the same folder, Default Folder X can remember that folder for you. You can even set a different default folder for each application you use.
Default Folder X lets you open up or save to any Finder window with a single click. It also lets you get info on, rename, and delete existing files, putting the Finder's power in every Open and Save dialog. to help you quickly return to folders you've recently used, Default Folder X remembers them for you. It can even rebound to the last file you used in all your recent folders.
Default Folder X lets you add Spotlight keywords, OpenMeta tags, and Finder labels on the spot, while you're still in the Save dialog. It even remembers keywords you've used before and automatically completes them as you type.
With the recently released version 4.4.9, Default Folder gets some useful tweaks. This release adds faster creation of favorites and support for Automator workflows.
The St. Clair app offers features that Apple should be building into the Mac OS X.
But since it's not, do yourself a favor and spring for Default Folder.


text:
The Top Ten ranked Neo Soul artists.
Neo Soul makes a change from what you hear on the radio or TV daily or what's in the Billboard charts. The Neo Soul is for the true soul lovers who enjoy and appreciate music with a deeper feeling.
Let's have a look at the most favored Neo Soul artists from the last decade (or so). These are the rankings I have come up with.
1. Jill Scott
Definitely one of my favorite Neo Soul artists. She is not just a singer but also a song writer, a poet and an actress. Her albums have been a hit since 1999. He music is a mix of R&B, Neo Soul, Jazz and sometime Blues with beautiful vocals.
2. Erykah Badu
I fell in love with Erykah Badu's sound as soon as I heard "On & On". It was something so different and fresh. She adds a very strong jazz vibe to her music with a touch of the 50's or 60's sound too. She is also very hip hop influence and sometimes raps as you can hear in some of her later albums.
3. D'Angelo
One of the most well known names in the Neo Soul Genre with his smokey Jazz / Soul hits such as "Brown Sugar". And his Prince like falsetto voice. He took a very long 15 year break in his career and came back recently with an awesome album entitled – Black Messaih. D'Angleo is an singer / songwriter and multi instrumentalist.
4. Maxwell
Another classic Neo Soul artist from the 90's and also with a very high falsetto voice. Also and singer songwriter and muli-instrumentalist but with a slight different vibe from D'Angelo, Maxwell is more of the quiet storm type. He also took a long (8 year hiatus) and came bakc with the award winning album "Black Summers Night".
5. Floetry
An awesome an original due here. Floetry consisted of a singer Marsha Ambrosius and spoken word Natalie Stewart. They more outstanding together with hits like "Say Yes" and "Getting Late". They recorded a couple of studio albums together but then went their separate ways continuing to make awesome music.
6. India Irie
India Irie is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, and producer from the States. She has sold million records in the US and even more worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards.
7. Musiq (Soul Child)
Musiq is also very popular even outside the Neo Soul genre due to beautiful ballads such as "Love". He is a grammy award winning singer-songer writer, musician and producer. His sound is similar to Stevie Wonder is certain tracks, especially on the Soulstar album.
8. Lauren Hill
Lauren Hill because famous at first from being the group "The Fugees" led by Wyclef. She both sang and rapped and people recognized her vocal talent from the cover track "Killing me softly" which was a huge hit. She then left the Fugees to persue her successful solo career but suddenly departing the music scene. She is singer-songerwriter, producer and actress. Her acting roles are most know from the film "Sister Act 2".
9. Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, and record producer who became popular from with the platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From, which featured the track "Comin' from Where I'm From" and the follow-up "Charlene". He is also well know for the song "Freedom" from the soundtrack album of Django Unchained
10. Raheem Devaughn
Raheem Devaughn is an American Neo Soul singer and songwriter. His album The Love Experience, reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 album chart. And featured the singles "Guess Who Loves You More" and "You". His 2nd album Love Behind the Melody was released in January 2008. It features the singles "Woman", and "Customer". He has a very laid back style of music which is easy to relax to.
Anyway this is my list, what do you think?
3 thoughts on "The Top Ten ranked Neo Soul artists."
Very nice list there. Jill Scott is also on of my favorites.
Jill Scott is one of my favourites, no doubt.
Good list of Artists there. Don't forget artists such as Bilal, Ledisi, Conya Doss etc.. Many Neo Soul under the radar artists out there.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The first step is for us to work with you and come up with a plan to get the results you need. Through our understanding of the law and your understanding of the circumstances, a lawyer will craft a path to success.
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Editas Medicine is a discovery-phase pharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts which aims to develop therapies based on CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing technology. The company went public on 2 Feb 2016. This initial public offering was noted as being the first such from a company which aims to use "DNA itself to internally treat afflictions". The company has conceded that "It will be many years, if ever, before we have a product candidate ready for commercialization." Further, the company's valuation depends on a single patent, which holder was in dispute as of early 2016, presenting a major risk to the company's continued viability.
The company entered into a strategic collaboration with Juno Therapeutics in 2015 to combine its CRISPR-Cas9 technology with Juno's experience in creating chimeric antigen receptor and high-affinity T cell receptor therapeutics to the end of developing cancer therapeutics.
The company announced in 2015 that it was planning a clinical trial in 2017 using CRISPR gene editing techniques to treat Leber's congenital amaurosis, a rare genetic illness that causes blindness.
Net Promoter Score for Top Brands compared with Editas Medicine, Inc.
Is Editas Medicine, Inc.'s estimated NPS of 8 considered to be good?
Consider an example: If Editas Medicine, Inc. sends out NPS surveys immediately after purchase, they are tracking their customers' initial excitement and the checkout experience.
Therefore, comparing the NPS score of Editas Medicine, Inc. with your own without any further context is not that useful.
Other companies with Net Promoter Score similar to Editas Medicine, Inc.


You have found the web home of Heath Mullikin, the youth pastor at Denton Wesleyan Church. Here you'll find updates on our family, our life, our ministry, our joys, our sorrows…well you get the picture.
i know how you got that scar under your stache!


Comments Off on The truth about Dynamic SQL and Stored Procedures….
Well I am not going to say what's better or what I prefer, but I can only give my view of things.
What everybody seems to forget is that an external person with very good understanding of SQL (commonly know as a DBA) can solve performance problems when stored procedures are used.
And I totally agree that Stored Procedures are overkill for most of the the simple CRUD functionality. So I am not going to start a debate about that.
But just one question for all those who are against stored procedures.
What if the generated dynamic SQL performs bad. If a SPROC was used a SQL DBA could have tuned the query.
And by tuning I don't mean adding some indexes, but maybe cursor's / memory tables / views / CLR etc. Just to get the results in the fastest possible way.
How would you do this with dynamic SQL ??


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Q: Scaling multithreaded applications on multicored machines I'm working on a project were we need more performance. Over time we've continued to evolve the design to work more in parallel(both threaded and distributed). Then latest step has been to move part of it onto a new machine with 16 cores. I'm finding that we need to rethink how we do things to scale to that many cores in a shared memory model. For example the standard memory allocator isn't good enough.
What resources would people recommend?
So far I've found Sutter's column Dr. Dobbs to be a good start.
I just got The Art of Multiprocessor Programming and The O'Reilly book on Intel Threading Building Blocks

A: A couple of other books that are going to be helpful are:

*

*Synchronization Algorithms and Concurrent Programming

*Patterns for Parallel Programming

*Communicating Sequential Processes by C. A. R. Hoare (a classic, free PDF at that link)

Also, consider relying less on sharing state between concurrent processes.  You'll scale much, much better if you can avoid it because you'll be able to parcel out independent units of work without having to do as much synchronization between them.
Even if you need to share some state, see if you can partition the shared state from the actual processing.  That will let you do as much of the processing in parallel, independently from the integration of the completed units of work back into the shared state.  Obviously this doesn't work if you have dependencies among units of work, but it's worth investigating instead of just assuming that the state is always going to be shared.

A: You might want to check out Google's Performance Tools. They've released their version of malloc they use for multi-threaded applications. It also includes a nice set of profiling tools.

A: Jeffrey Richter is into threading a lot. He has a few chapters on threading in his books and check out his  blog:
http://www.wintellect.com/cs/blogs/jeffreyr/default.aspx.

A: As monty python would say "and now for something completely different" - you could try a language/environment that doesn't use threads, but processes and messaging (no shared state). One of the most mature ones is erlang (and this excellent and fun book: http://www.pragprog.com/titles/jaerlang/programming-erlang). May not be exactly relevant to your circumstances, but you can still learn a lot of ideas that you may be able to apply in other tools.
For other environments:
.Net has F# (to learn functional programming).
JVM has Scala (which has actors, very much like Erlang, and is functional hybrid language). Also there is the "fork join" framework from Doug Lea for Java which does a lot of the hard work for you.

A: The allocator in FreeBSD recently got an update for FreeBSD 7.  The new one is called jemaloc and is apparently much more scaleable with respect to multiple threads.
You didn't mention which platform you are using, so perhaps this allocator is available to you.  (I believe Firefox 3 uses jemalloc, even on windows.  So ports must exist somewhere.)

A: Take a look at Hoard if you are doing a lot of memory allocation.
Roll your own Lock Free List. A good resource is here - it's in C# but the ideas are portable. Once you get used to how they work you start seeing other places where they can be used and not just in lists.

A: I will have to check-out Hoard, Google Perftools and jemalloc sometime. For now we are using scalable_malloc from Intel Threading Building Blocks and it performs well enough.
For better or worse, we're using C++ on Windows, though much of our code will compile with gcc just fine. Unless there's a compelling reason to move to redhat (the main linux distro we use), I doubt it's worth the headache/political trouble to move.
I would love to use Erlang, but there way to much here to redo it now. If we think about the requirements around the development of Erlang in a telco setting, the are very similar to our world (electronic trading). Armstrong's book is on my to read stack :)
In my testing to scale out from 4 cores to 16 cores I've learned to appreciate the cost of any locking/contention in the parallel portion of the code. Luckily we have a large portion that scales with the data, but even that didn't work at first because of an extra lock and the memory allocator.

A: I maintain a concurrency link blog that may be of ongoing interest:
http://concurrency.tumblr.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
10/07/2014 01:03 pm ET Updated Oct 07, 2014
Here's What Could Happen Next In The States That Still Ban Gay Marriage
USA Today USA Today
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Supreme Court's decision to sit out the legal battle over same-sex marriage will — for now, at least — leave the future of laws prohibiting gays and lesbians from marrying in the hands of lower state and federal court judges. But it also almost certainly means the couples challenging those laws are more likely to win in the end.
The court said Monday (Oct. 6) that it would not hear appeals from five states whose same-sex marriage bans had been invalidated by lower federal courts. The decision, issued without explanation, will likely lead to recognition of gay marriages in 11 more states. It also allows an avalanche of legal challenges to the remaining bans to keep going forward in state and federal courts, where gay and lesbian couples have overwhelmingly prevailed.
The court's decision leaves unchanged 20 state laws blocking same-sex unions. Each is already under legal attack, facing challenges in state or federal court, and sometimes both. Challenges to marriage bans already have reached a handful of state appeals courts and the federal appeals courts for the 5th, 6th, 9th and 11th circuits.
Some of those judges had been waiting to see what the Supreme Court would do. The court's instruction Monday was: Proceed.
Technically, the Supreme Court's decision doesn't dictate how those lower court cases should come out. But it sends a signal that's hard for lower court judges to ignore.
"It's inevitable that judges on lower courts will be thinking about what this means," said University of Michigan law professor Sam Bagenstos. "Lower court judges hate to be reversed. They're always trying to predict what the Supreme Court will do, and I'd be shocked if they aren't taking this into account."
No federal appeals court has yet upheld a state law prohibiting same-sex unions. But judges on a 6th Circuit panel hearing a challenge to four state laws earlier this year expressed skepticism that the Constitution requires states to recognize those marriages. And two of the lawsuits are now in front of the conservative judges of the 5th Circuit. If either of those courts upholds a state ban, the justices might be faced with a marriage case that would be harder to sidestep.
And that might be the long-term upshot of Monday's decision.
By letting gay and lesbian marriages go forward in 11 other states, the justices almost certainly made it harder to reverse course in the future, Yale law professor William Eskridge said. If they do, he said, the court would have to do more than simply prohibit some couples from marrying; it would have to invalidate marriages that have already taken place. "It will become very hard for the Supreme Court to take that back," Eskridge said.
Here's where the legal challenges stand, broken down by circuit:
5TH CIRCUIT (New Orleans)
Louisiana: A federal judge in New Orleans upheld the state's ban earlier this year. The decision was one of only a handful of victories for states since the Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013. The plaintiffs in that case appealed to the 5th Circuit, which will hear the case later this year. Separately, a state judge ruled last month that Louisiana's ban is unconstitutional. State officials are appealing that decision to Louisiana's Supreme Court.
Mississippi: A state court judge last year refused to divorce a lesbian couple, who had been married in California, because Mississippi did not recognize their marriage.
Texas: A federal judge invalidated Texas' ban in February. The state appealed that decision to the 5th Circuit. The plaintiffs in that case asked the appeals court to speed up the case on Monday, saying they wanted to have it resolved — and be married — before their second child is born. Texas indicated it would oppose speeding up the appeal.
6TH CIRCUIT (Cincinnati)
Three appeals court judges heard arguments in August on challenges to same-sex marriage bans in all four states covered by the 6th Circuit. Unlike in other circuits, at least two of those judges expressed some skepticism that the Constitution requires states to recognize same-sex marriages. Monday's decision does not technically dictate the outcome of those cases, and because they heard the case two months ago, the judges may have already made up their minds. They are expected to rule by the end of the year.
Kentucky: A federal district court judge struck down Kentucky's ban in July. The 6th Circuit is expected to decide the state's appeal later this year.
Michigan: A federal district court judge invalidated Michigan's ban in March. The 6th Circuit is expected to decide the state's appeal later this year.
Ohio: A federal judge in Ohio struck down the state's ban in April. The 6th Circuit is expected to decide the state's appeal later this year.
Tennessee: A federal judge ordered Tennessee officials to recognize the marriages of three couples challenging that state's ban. The 6th Circuit is expected to decide the case later this year. A state court judge in August rejected a separate challenge to the state's law.
8TH CIRCUIT (St. Louis)
Arkansas: State officials have asked Arkansas' top court to overturn a state court judge's decision invalidating a ban there. The state appeals court has blocked the decision from taking effect until it can hear the case.
Missouri: A state court judge last week overturned part of Missouri's ban. The ruling requires Missouri officials to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. State officials said last week that they were reviewing the decision but had not immediately appealed. A separate federal lawsuit challenging the state's ban is also pending.
Nebraska: The state's top court heard a challenge to Nebraska's ban earlier this year but ultimately rejected the case for procedural reasons. A federal judge had ruled Nebraska's ban unconstitutional in 2005, but the decision was quickly reversed by the 8th Circuit. That ruling is unlikely to dictate the outcome of new federal lawsuits in that circuit, however, if for no other reason than that the Supreme Court's decision overturning part of the Defense of Marriage Act last year has so dramatically altered the legal landscape.
North Dakota: A challenge to the state's ban by seven same-sex couples is pending in federal court.
South Dakota: Six same-sex couples filed a federal lawsuit in May seeking to overturn the state's ban. That case is pending.
9TH CIRCUIT (San Francisco)
Alaska: A challenge to Alaska's ban is pending in federal court, where it is scheduled to be heard later this month.
Arizona: At least two lawsuits challenging Arizona's ban are pending in federal courts there.
Idaho: State officials have appealed a district court judge's decision invalidating the state's ban. The 9th Circuit heard arguments in the case in September and is expected to decide soon.
Montana: A federal lawsuit is pending challenging Montana's ban.
Nevada: Three couples have appealed a district court judge's decision upholding the state's ban. The 9th Circuit heard arguments in September and is expected to decide the issue soon.
11TH CIRCUIT (Atlanta)
Alabama: At least three challenges are pending in federal court.
Florida: A state appeals court is set to decide the future of Florida's ban, which was invalidated by a lower state court judge. Attorney General Pam Bondi had asked the appeals court to delay hearing the case until after the Supreme Court had weighed in; now that it has, the case can go forward. Separately, a federal judge in Tallahassee ruled the state's ban was unconstitutional in August. Florida officials have appealed that decision to the 11th Circuit.
Georgia: A lawsuit challenging Georgia's ban is pending in federal court.
(Brad Heath writes for USA Today.)
10 Incredible Improvements For LGBT People Since The First State Legalized Gay Marriage
Politics News Queer Life Marriage Equality
Massachusetts Becomes The First
Massachusetts became the first state to welcome gay marriages in 2004. Since then, 17 states and Washington, DC have followed their lead and now allow same-sex couples to tie the knot.
Darren McCollester via Getty Images


The conclusion of the autumn session of Parliament has provided me the opportunity to attend functions, go to community fetes, fundraisers and conduct town interviews throughout the electorate.
What an Appreciation Dinner it was! 250 people from all walks of life including community representatives, politicians, friends and family, gathered together to show their thanks for the dedication and hard work undertaken by Bill during his 11 years as the Member for Lismore. The attendance and speeches were a tribute to Bill, his wife Merrilyn and their children.
With no consultation by the Carr Government with shooters or dealers, a notice was published in the newspaper to notify of a Review of the Firearms Act. This review is to be conducted by the Director General of the Ministry for Police and submissions only in writing by 30 October 1999.
The National Party has been approached by shooters and firearm dealers for assistance over the review of the Act. By legislation, this must take place after June 1999 with the outcome being reported to both houses of Parliament by the end of June 2000.
Copies of a petition are available from my office and are being circulated to firearm owners, dealers and collectors. The aim of the petition is to show the NSW Parliament, both Upper and Lower House, that there is great community support for a full and open review of the Act and to use the Upper House to force Premier Carr to change his mind and allow a Joint Select Parliamentary Committee to conduct the Review.
The RTA is currently seeking public comment on the options proposed for the upgrading of the Summerland Way at Wiangaree and Dourigan's Gap. Consultants have been engaged to investigate and seek community input. A newsletter is currently available from my office.
A copy of the Draft Report by the Commission's Independent Inquiry into the Clarence River System is available for viewing at my office. A public briefing session will be held at Old Bonalbo Hall on Wednesday 28 July - 1 to 3pm. The Commission welcomes comments by Monday 30 August 1999.
Rhonda and I were guests at a PIP meeting recently and we soon become aware of their work and aims. This group offers comfort and support to parents, friends and relatives suffering as a result of drug use or addiction. The members of PIP are now considering the establishment of similar groups in surrounding towns and wish to hear from any interested people. Contact person is Margaret Orr on 66281319.
Following community protest, I have instigated a petition to be presented to the NSW Parliament, to convey the objections of the people against the new Septic Tank Regulations which came into effect on 1 July 1999.


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hardrockcore
APATHIAN
San Diego can add a new player to the ranks of modern progressive metal with the release of APATHIAN's first single "Micro". The brainchild of multi-faceted guitarist Phil Sgrosso of AS I LAY DYING and SAOSIN, APATHIAN is a self-released solo project, created during the COVID-19 lockdown, which also challenged his creative process by experimenting with an instrumental sound shaped by the expanded range of the 8 string guitar. The product is encapsulated in "Micro" and visualized by the sci-fi journey that was created byMonte Legaspi.
Phil Sgrosso comments, "I was at somewhat of a creative low point when COVID-19 hit in early 2020. I had been on the road for 6 months with minimal breaks in between so I was feeling pretty exhausted. I was somewhat excited for things to slow down when the lockdowns began happening but it didn't really work out that way as I only became more anxious being limited by a lack of travel and stimulation from playing shows. Forming the APATHIAN side project and writing "Micro" lifted me out of my creative lull developing a newfound excitement for creating something different than anything I'd ever done before. The limitation of being only instrumental kept me trying to do as much I could to keep the listener's attention throughout while also keeping the energy progressing naturally until the very end. I feel like writing "Micro" with an 8 string created a lot more opportunities with the expanded tuning range, I had this excited sense of heaviness again. It's been a very fulfilling experience for me, especially during such an uncertain time.
This was my first time working with Monte Legaspi on a music video and I was floored by his effort and execution. I wanted the video to be 100% concept and to tell a story rooted more in dystopian science fiction, that was sort of the vision I had while writing the music. From there Monte was able to create something that worked cohesively with the attitude and energy of the music. He exceeded my expectations for what's possible with visual effects, by far."
Watch the music video for "Micro", here: https://youtu.be/PE0jE-CVlvo
Download/stream "Micro" and purchase merch, here: https://apathian.bandcamp.com/
"Micro" was produced, engineered, composed, programmed by Phil Sgrosso. For the mixing of the song, Phil enlisted Joseph McQueen at Sparrow Sound LA who has worked with the AILD team for the past few years.The single was mastered by Mike Kalajian at Rogue Planet Mastering. The artwork for the single was created by long-time colleague Corey Meyers.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/PE0jE-CVlvo
Phil Sgrosso is a songwriter, musician, and performer with additional interests in producing, engineering, composing and managing. He began his professional musical career in 2003 when he joined AS I LAY DYING. Since becoming a member, he has been the primary musical songwriter and recorded the majority of all guitar production for their albums. In 2007, the band was nominated for a GRAMMY with their song "Nothing Left" and have collectively sold over 1 million albums worldwide. On the Mayhem festival in 2012, Phil filled in for SLIPKNOT while one of their guitar players was recovering from an injury. He was also the principal songwriter and performer with WOVENWAR from 2013-2016. From 2016 until the present day, he performs live with SAOSIN - touring internationally with the band. Later that year saw the release of his debut album with POISON HEADACHE, a side-project which he co-wrote, co-performed guitars and vocals, recorded bass, and handled production/engineer duties. In 2016, he also filled in for the power-violence band NAILS in support of their album You Will Never Be One Of Us. Since 2017, he has been managing San Diego industrial-doom metal artist, AUTHOR & PUNISHER. With the 2019 release of AS I LAY DYING's latest album, Shaped By Fire, Phil currently spends most of his time focusing on AILD with a few new musical projects in the works.
2021 begins a new musical chapter with the release of his progressive instrumental metal project, APATHIAN.
phil sgrosso


Experience authentic French fine dining courtesy of award-winning father-and-son chefs and 'Hot Plate' finalists Philippe and Pascal Lebreux! Head to their Sans Souci restaurant, Chez Pascal, for three exquisite dishes like snails cooked in garlic butter, roasted rack of lamb with mint and port wine sauce, caramelised apple pancake with Calvados apple brandy, and more. Bon appétit!
Transport yourself to old-world France with a visit to Sans Souci's beloved Chez Pascal, run by award-winning father-son duo Philippe and Pascal Lebreux (whom you may recognise from TV's 'Hot Plate'). Philippe's career spans over 40 years and multiple accolades, having worked with some of France's best chefs, while son Pascal inherited his father's passion for food with experience in Sydney's pub and dining scene. Their beautiful eatery is dedicated to providing authentic French flavours with classic family-style hospitality.


Are you seeking to penetrate new markets in the maritime and boating industry? LONDON BOAT SHOW 2019 is the international exhibition you need to visit, because this is the place that sees the biggest sales of boats as well as the best reveals for equipment and accessories for watersports. Held in London, UK, the event opens its doors on January 9th to over 90,000 visitors and closes them on January 13th. Better not compete with everybody for hotel rooms and simply leave your business trip in the capable hands of Trade Fair Trips ltd.
Trade Fair Trips ltd can give you the best prices for hotels, tailored according to your taste and individual price range. You're guaranteed to make some savings on your travel budget as well as get accommodation for LONDON BOAT SHOW 2019 that positions you close to the most vital public transport lines. Reduce your commuting time and appear well-rested and on time to court potential buyers, debut new models and build brand recognition.
LONDON BOAT SHOW 2019 is the one platform where visitors come with the intent to purchase and this event can be your crowning achievement. With the right accommodation, of course!


Here you can view videos produced by Focus Press, an approved Christian authority. Some of these videos are part of video series. You may view the video series in its entirety here on the website. Alternatively, I have attached a link that takes you to the playlist on YouTube. To view the official website of Focus Press, click the link below.
Follow the following link to view the Focus Press official YouTube page to see all of their content.
Dr Brad Harrub Topic ''Scientific Accuracy of the Bible"


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Why sexual rights in addition to reproductive rights?
In 1994, governments from around the world affirmed at the ICPD in Cairo that reproductive rights embrace certain human rights, and must be protected, which were reaffirmed again in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Yet, 20 years on, the struggle for the universal recognition of sexual rights in addition to reproductive rights continues.
While interlinked, sexual and reproductive rights are not interchangeable terms. This distinction is important because "sexual rights" involve recognizing that sexuality is an integral part of who we all are throughout our whole lives, can be expressed in various ways, and goes beyond our reproductive biology, roles and capabilities.[1] Sexual rights thus encompass the following:
– The right to choose whether, with whom, and how one engages in sexual relations;
– The right to privacy, freedom of expression, bodily autonomy and integrity;
– The right to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services, empowering people to make safer, consensual and fulfilling choices around sex and relationships;
– The right to make free and informed choices in relation to one's sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and live free from discrimination, coercion and violence.
If the Post-2015 Agenda is to have a holistic, inclusive, and human rights-based approach to women's health, the sexual rights of all people must be recognized.
As such, we call on governments to ensure that the Post-2015 Development Agenda recognizes the sexual rights (including the right to pleasure) of all people, including those who are most marginalized, such as young people and adolescents[2], persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI), persons living with disabilities, sex workers, HIV affected women and girls, indigenous and rural women, among others; where all people are able to have safe and full sex lives, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.
[1]"While there is obviously an intimate relationship between sexual health and reproductive health, ICPD and the Fourth World Conference on Women recognize that sexual health and reproductive health are also different and distinct dimensions of human well-being."Report of the Special Rapporteur, Paul Hunt, The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health E/CN.4/2004/49 (16 February 2004) para 20. http://www.ifhhro.org/images/stories/ifhhro/documents_UN_special_rapporteur/3_4_5.pdf
[2]Governments must fund and develop, in equal partnership with young people and health care providers, policies, laws, and programs that recognize, promote, and protect young peoples' sexual rights as human rights. This must be developed in accordance with the principles of human rights, non-discrimination, respect, equality and inclusivity, with a gendered, multicultural and secular approach. Bali Global Youth Forum Declaration (INSERT COMPLETE REFERENCE (Para. 36): http://icpdbeyond2014.org/uploads/browser/files/bali_global_youth_forum_declaration.pdf


So you're planning for your next RV camping adventure and you've rented the RV and picked a camping destination, but now comes the hard part- packing everything you need for the RV camping trip. While we've all packed for trips before and know how to plan ahead when it comes to preparation, there is something about packing and preparing for an RV trip that is a bit more complicated than your standard vacation.
But even when you do take the time to make a detailed list like the one started above, how can you be sure that you aren't forgetting one of the essential items that you're really going to end up needing on your trip? Are you realistically going to have the time to meal prep and remember your kid's swimming diapers if you're too busy with checking to make sure that the A/C is working in the RV?
Why not let the answer to both of these questions be Adventure in Camping! Because when you plan your next RV camping trip with Adventure in Camping, you can spend that planning time focused on getting you and your family ready for the adventure ahead! So instead of running around and doing last-minute packing because you spent all your time checking to make sure the RV is road-worthy, let Adventure in Camping do it for you! All you need to do is choose which RV model is the best fit for you and your family, pick a camping destination, and we will bring the RV to the site for you. We even stock all our RV models with some of the essentials so that you can knock even more items off your checklist!
Not only does each self-contained RV trailer contain a flush toilet, shower, refrigerator, stove/oven, a sink in bathroom and kitchen area, and an awning, but we each Adventure in Camping model comes standard with the following items as well: basic set of pots and pans, cooking utensils, dishes (plate, bowl, coffee cup, drinking cup), silverware, plastic cutting sheet, assorted serving bowls, 1 roll of paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap and sponge, and hand soap.
So why waste another minute prepping your RV when you could be spending that time on your camping adventure? Let Adventure in Camping help make it happen, today!
Join us and be the first to get the best locations, activities, parks, and other tips from our team.


Keeping a belly beautiful after 40 isn't just tougher, it can be painful—neck problems can prevent you from doing all the moves you want to do for a trim tummy. That's where these Pilates-based moves can help: They'll stretch out your neck and spine while building your core—those crucial mid-section muscles that support your back and neck. And these 4 exercises will build your core without requiring you to lift your head, neck, or shoulders. Perform these exercises 3 to 5 times a week for 6 weeks—you'll love the results!
Sit tall with your legs flat and arms reaching straight out in front of you. Inhale, then exhale, tucking the pelvis and scooping your belly to engage your core as you roll down halfway toward the floor. Hold this position and make sure to pull your core into your spine so you don't strain your back. Inhale, then return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Option: If this feels easy, try rolling all the way down to the floor as you reach your arms overhead. Exhale and roll all the way back up. Make sure you use your core—not momentum—in both directions.
Lie on your back, arms by your sides, legs extended straight up toward the ceiling. Inhale as you lean both legs to the right. Now roll them down in front of you and then around to your left side. Keep your legs glued together and core pulled in throughout. Reverse the direction of the circle back to the starting position. Continue this pattern 5 times. The larger the circle, the harder this move is, so be sure to make the appropriate size circle for your body. If this strains your back or your hamstrings are tight, feel free to slightly bend your knees.
Lie on your back, arms at your sides, palms flat on the floor. Raise your right leg to the ceiling while keeping your left leg long on the mat in front of you. Inhale and lower your right leg over the midline of your body; make a quick, brisk circle down and around to your right side, ending back at your starting point. Continue the circles in the same direction 8 to 10 times, then reverse the direction. Be sure your pelvis stays nice and stable by engaging your core; repeat with the left leg.