Hosted by Stephanie Ruhle (managing editor anchor for Bloomberg Television & co-host of Market Makers). Speakers (from left to right): Jessica Seinfeld (author of three NY Times bestselling cookbooks on healthy eating, founder of Baby Buggy non-profit organization dedicated to families in need), Gary Hershberg (co-founder & chairman of Stonyfield Farm), and Ken Cook (president and co-founder of the Environmental Working Group a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment).

As you probably have heard, GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) food is currently not labeled here in the US. Yet citizens of 64 other countries, including Russia and China have this right.

It is believed that, GMO’s have lower nutritional quality than natural foods making the nutrients unavailable or indigestible to humans. Additionally, the effects of ingesting such foods loaded with herbicides and toxins in the GMO’s may cause diseases such as Cancer, Parkinson’s, Allergies and Autism to name just a few.

There is also speculation that bacteria living in the digestive tracts of humans and animals could build up an antibiotic resistance gene from a GMO plant. Currently 60% – 100% of the rainwater in the midwest is already contaminated with the powerful herbicides like Roundup used to grow GMO crops.

The corporations behind the GMO foods are very powerful and wealthy. They are quickly buying up established healthy brands such as Annie’s and Quaker, which was recently purchased by Pepsico. Once purchased they change the traditional ingredients to GMO’s, which is more cost effective for them and dangerous for us. But, they are currently not required to label GMO ingredients.

We deserve to know what we are buying and eating by demanding transparency in our food system, our health and ultimately our lives depend on it. We need to take a stand for mandatory GMO labeling in the US.

Just Label It!

The good news change is happening, recently the progressive restaurant chain Chipotle has committed to remove all GMO ingredients from it’s food. Mandatory GMO labeling would be a huge step in the right direction.

As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Please go to www.justlabelit.org and take action today.

by Judith Longo

Judi with Jessica Seinfeld

tanya-b urban legend, Jamie Lugo.

Thus, the modern yogi is a brave seeking-spirit who is willing to try and fall, over and over again. As a labor of love, with each step on the mat, we grow and remind ourselves to love each and every day, moment by moment. Yoga is the practice of NOW.

Introducing tanya-b

As each yogi on the path will tell you, feeling good about your yoga instructor is very important. Meniscus had a chance to sit down with one such yogi whom a whole lot of people resonate with. Pure Yoga instructor Tanya Bolton’s intention is simple: To guide her students to stay present in their experiences—both on and off the mat. Looking at Pure Yoga NYC’s roster of instructors, you will find an incredibly deep portfolio, with each instructor having their own divine flair. Tanya holds down a very special corner of that tapestry of yogis.

Extending her creativity off the mat, Tanya is now unveiling her new line of yoga wear called tanya-b, an authentic, well-designed activewear collection for the modern woman looking for a unique way to express themselves.

When we asked why she started her new yoga line, Tanya explained “It was a purposeful calling, to bring in everything my heart and soul desired from the community, creativity, and connectivity. I wanted women to feel sexy and feminine in the clothes while keeping the brand and yoga accessible to everyone.”

It did not come without its challenges however.

“Starting a business is about getting over your doubts, fear, and shame…TRULY believing in yourself.”

Sound familiar?

Challenges, on and off the mat

The idea originally came to Tanya when she was living and teaching yoga in Hong Kong. She discovered that it was a long process of research and connecting with the right people that enabled her to bring the idea to fruition. She had a very specific sensation around what the brand was about. “It needed to FEEL right,” she remembers.

Once Tanya’s father passed away, she found herself with a greater sense of resolve and focus to make it happen.

“In trying moments, there can be great inspiration,” she explained.

With this new tanya-b yoga line, she is encouraging a paradigm shift away from yogawear brands that are mass-produced, to brands that are more personal and connected. “I believe people are craving community and connectivity, which is why many people are drawn to doing yoga in the first place,” she said.

Here are a few selects from the current tanya-b collection.

Students of Tanya’s Hot Power Vinyasa classes at Pure Yoga NYC can certainly feel her energetic state, which is why her classes are constantly packed. Tanya feels the reciprocal energy and the cycle continues.

Doing Good

One of our favorite topics at Meniscus is prosumerism, which in short, is supporting brands you believe in with your wallet instead of corporate behemoths that do not align with your personal ethics. The idea is that we can change the world in a truly capitalistic manner by supporting brands that support our own philosophy and ideals. Tanya-b is one of those brands that we feel aligned with and it is in a large part, due to that reciprocal relationship with people. She is she is leaving the planet with more positivity and wellness than when she found it.

“There’s a responsibility to stay connected to your customer,” Tany explains, “to find ways to share with others so they feel invested, and truly a part of it.”

If you are in the New York City area, please join cofounders Tanya Bolton and Anna Chung for the debut of the Tanya-b line at Pure Yoga on Tuesday Feb 24th at 6:15 where Tanya and urban legend Kay Kay Clivio will co-teach a hot power vinyasa class to officially kick it off.

Please check out the line at tanya-b.com and stay connected with her on Facebook here.

- Interview with Tanya Boulton
- By Jon Heinrich

On Wednesday November 19 the New-York Historical Society presented Pilgrimage by Annie Leibovitz. More than 70 photographs evoke historical figures including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Marian Anderson, Robert Smithson and Elvis Presley, through landscapes, interiors and objects. The exhibition supports the release of her new coffee table book, Pilgrimage.

“From the beginning, when I was watching my children stand mesmerized over Niagara Falls, this project was an exercise in renewal,” said Annie Leibovitz. “It taught me to see again.”

The New-York Historical Society’s mission is to “explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.” Annie Leibvitz has captured a succinct, rich tapestry of history stemming from her unique curiosity of the world.

“The photographs in Pilgrimage are haunting, moving and often surprising, and we look forward to sharing their emotional power with audiences in New York,” said Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Historical Society.

There’s nothing more eye opening, to kick off the holiday season than seeing this breathtaking collection of images that Annie Leibovitz has captured throughout her travels. Her distinguished photography includes some of the most iconic portraits of our time.

Let this collection of artwork inspire you to reflect on what means the most this holiday season. The exhibition is open until February 22, 2015 at the New-York Historical Society at Central Park West and 77th Street in Manhattan.

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDED:
Grace Coddington, Jessica Diehl, Anna Wintour, Annie Leibovitz, Louise Mirrer (President & CEO of the New-York Historical Society), Pam B. Schafler, Joseph and Diana DiMenna, Jane Foley Fried and Tom Wirtshafter

by Jonathan Cody
Photo credit: Don Pollard/ New-York Historical Society.

ADDRESS
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024
Phone (212) 873-3400
TTY (212) 873-7489

HOURS
museum galleries and museum store
Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday – 10am-6pm
Friday – 10am-8pm
Sunday – 11am-5pm
Monday – CLOSED

Power down and live in the moment.

So now that I am back off my digital detox, seeing throngs of New Yorkers glued to their phones everywhere they go, I have made a decision to consciously cultivate a healthy relationship with my phone to avoid being a digital zombie. Here are a few methods:

- Either walk or text, never both. Not only is it annoying, it is dangerous! People get hit by cars! (Same goes for driving, one or the other!)

- Don’t mindlessly hit the refresh button in trains, cars and elevators. When you are surrounded by metal, you are inside what is known as a faraday cage. You may have seen cool tricks on the science channel where people stand inside one while effectively getting struck by lightening. They are protected because the metal cage forces all the positively charged ions to repel each outher to the outside of the cage. It also makes it tougher for electromagnetic signals to get through–like your cell signal. When your phone can’t connect, it tries even harder, this blasting you with more electromagnetic radiation, of which the effects may be cancerous tumors and other maladies.

speaking of…

- Don’t carry your cell in your pocket–especially on subways and elevators. To protect yourself against radiation, it is best to keep the phone a distance from your flesh, your organs and especially from your private parts (if you value your fertility that is.) The signal power follows the law of electromagnetic field strength, which is exponential. The power is inversely proportionate to the square of the distance. What that means is even a few inches can reduce the signal strength significantly, although to truly have the “safe” distance, it would be best to carry your phone in a Radio Flyer red wagon behind you.

- Don’t use headphones: ironically those don’t help, they act as antennae to concentrate the signal right into your head. Instead try a Native Union Pop phone which blocks radiation, or other alternatives like the Smart&Safe Hollow Air Tube Hands-free Headset.

Most of all, instead of obsessively checking for who across the globe “liked” your post, try being present and talking to the people in the room. I have found the synchronistic in my life have occurred when I am most present.

If you live in New York City, check out Sunset Switch-Off Tuesdays, an event hosted by the W Hotel downtown where guests are encouraged to to power down their phones and live in the moment. (Think about bringing a notebook and a pen in case you meet anyone interesting!)

The Smartphone is an incredible tool if we use it well, full disclosure, I wrote this post on the way home on the train in notepad, haha. I use the camera, the voice recorder, the MP3 player, it has replaced a whole army of devices. But it is also very addictive, so join me in developing a healthy relationship with your phone. It does not need to be always-on.

- by Jon Heinrich

It has been said that only after living here for seven years one can officially call themselves a New Yorker. I just crossed this line in November and was reflecting on what the city has taught me over seven years of New York minutes.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

- Herd mentality: Watch the crowd, when every one rushes to the exit from a packed train, if you stop for a moment and wait for the wave to pass you will have a much smoother experience. Patience will prevent you from having to cram shoulder to shoulder with the frenetic fury going up the stairs. Work with the eddy currents, you can wait 2 seconds, throwing elbows towards the exit will not get you there any sooner.

- Avoid sidewalk rage: Don’t get annoyed at the tourists, we live in an amazing city, people are going to walk around stary eyed looking up at the architecture. Don’t get annoyed. Its like a river getting annoyed at the rocks, just learn to go around.

- Something about us: My favorite subway incident is when strangers sit on each other’s laps. Yep, you heard me, it happens like this: someone is delicately trying to squeeze into a tight seat next to two unyielding tooshies. Then right when they get the courage to sit down the train lurches into motion and BAM! sitting on a strangers lap. Humanity at its finest.

- Bold is gold: If you want something you have to take it. Be nice about it, but be it driving on 7th avenue among with cabs and busses, summoning the strength to talk to The Girl, or going after that job promotion, if you don’t act boldly, you will get swept up in the crowd.

- Madison Square Garden is neither a square nor a garden, but it is an epic arena. Madison Square Park, however is a square garden, and my favorite park in the city. (I also got engaged there, so I own a little piece of it : ) Check out the new art installations every spring.

- Spit it out: People are overwhelmingly passive aggressive. If you speak clearly it will be appreciated. Don’t fill your sentences with filler–like, ya know, those totally, um.. basically useless words that we LITERALLY overuse all the time. Ya know? And if you don’t want people to treat you like Jeff Spicoli, stop saying “dude”. That is totally 1982, bro.

- Learn to relax: the key to living in Manhattan—or anywhere that is—is learning to relax. Have a calming home, do yoga, go to the park, meditate, calm your mind. Your career, relationships and organs will thank you.

- Get enough sleep: You can spend 24 hours a day doing stuff here, but if you get enough sleep you’ll be much more productive during the day. The city that never sleeps eats insomniacs for breakfast.

- Support your adrenal glands: Adding adaptogens to your diet will help you with strength, stress relief and endurance. Some of my favorite are ginsing, maca, cordyceps mushrooms, ashwaganda and holy basil (tulsi). Do your adrenals a favor and add some of these to your daily regimen.

- Spare some love: When you see a homeless person begging, don’t ignore them like they don’t exist. Don’t give them money, but I always say “God bless” to every one of them—at least in my head. These are people too, just because they are hard-up or were born with a mental state that precludes them from having a ‘normal’ life in society, does not mean we should be rude to them.

One word of advice, do not give them money, give them food. If you give a person money and they buy drugs, that is bad karma for you. You don’t want to be supporting someone’s crack habit anyway. Sometimes its hard to tell. The way to get around this is to give them food. I try and always carry granola bars or fruit around. (If they don’t take it, you know they are looking to buy drugs.) Note that some homeless people can’t eat granola bars if they don’t have teeth.

The greatest gift you can give them is to allow them to keep their dignity. If you really feel for someone, buy them a hot lunch. Your Karma will be much better.

In the grand scheme, Karma is kind to those who are kind so if you always treat people like you would want to be treated, you will be in for some magical surprises along the way—in New York City or anywhere. Plant good seeds my friends, and you will be pleased!

- By Jon Heinrich

Photos by Jon Heinrich © 2014, all rights reserved

Photos by Angela Pham, bfanyc.com

The dynamic duo included an array of celebrity portraits including Bruno Mars, Douglas Booth & Poppy Delevingne. Their signature artistic approach is to create a veil over a photo by using these amazing acrylic colorways and the pieces are sure to inspire. The work makes the viewer want to be a part of that moment. We shall see what effect this artistic approach has on photography world today.

In addition, Hunter and Gratti have caught the eye of several powerhouse publications from Vogue to FLAUNT Magazine. The launch was hosted by Julia Restoin Roitenfield and the tunes for the night were DJ’d by Misshapes. Other notable attendees that were there to show their support include Dan Murphy, Dirk Staten, Dan Ragone, Micheal Barcley, Misshapes,Corey Kennedy, Cleo Wade, Mathew Woodhouse, Brian Shimansky, Tia Walker, Kelly Bensimon, Shala Monroque.

Jonathan Cody is a freelance contributor for Meniscus Magazine based in New York City.

My virgin Citibike adventure began at this station.

I definitely agree with all of these! Seriously though, if I can say one thing, PLEASE wear a helmet!

Hopping aboard my stainless steel stallion, my journey began.

Straight west down Canal Street to the West Side Highway bikepath where I could stretch my legs out.

SO much better than the city streets.

Alternatively, I could be in the subway right now.

I love the sky.

Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmm…

Growing up in Colorado, I never rode by one of these before!

And ahh, my destination at Columbus Circle just as dusk hit and the purple flowers were exploding.

At 54th street I headed east to Broadway then just up a few blocks to the final resting place (for the moment) for this trusty steed. It did well. I was clunky and heavy, but they have flashing LEDs on the front and back, a basket in front for your Mui Mui bag should you have one, and a comfortable seat. I’d highly recommend it, but obviously if you are riding your bike in Manhattan, keep your game face on and head on a swivel. Did I mention that you should always wear a helmet?

Thanks for joining me on my journey.
- Jon

Jon Heinrich Photography

If you are satisfied with what the world is like, have confidence in our politicians and believe nothing really needs to  change, then please disregard.  This movement is not for you.

If you think otherwise, keep listening.

There are many that agree with you.

Occupy Wall Street, October 15, 2011

I visited the protests this morning, quite a group of respectable people. Lots of business people in suits; lots of older folks fed up with the banks; lots of United States War veterans that sacrificed life and limb for this country. Of course there is the Marxist crowd that has been looking for change for a long time.

But there was a majority of conservative leaning protesters that were angry about the radicals who have taken over the Fed and wave the word “capitalism” around up to the moment when they are about to fail, then cry to the government that they need a bail out. The true capitalist would take it like a man and FAIL, capitalism is designed to weed out the weak by their own destruction.

Occupying the meditation space.

"It takes a revolution to make a solution."

Although there are many viewpoints expressed through the Occupy movement, the main focus is the banks and Goldman Sacs.

Theatrical plays going on..

The repeal of the Glass-Stegall act that was put in place after the great depression to separate commercial banks from investment banks, preventing banks from gambling with our money. When that act was repealed in 1999, it opened the door to this global financial crisis. Yes, I think we all agree in this case that wealth redistribution is stealing. So people–both liberal and conservatives–are pissed that the government led by Bernake, Paulson and Geitner, gave away nearly a trillion dollars of tax payer money to banks that gambled away their own profits but were deemed “too big to fail.”

Organizing..

Zuccotti Park, wich is basically between Wall St and WTC memorial, has transformed into an operatioal headquarters.

And typical of New York City, the food truck were right there serving.

"Too much confusion, so much frustration, eh!"

"I don't wanna live in Zuccotti park; Can't trust no shadows after dark, yeah-eh!"

"So, my friend, I wish that you could see, Like a bird in the tree, the prisoners must be free, yeah!" -B. Marley

There was a predator drone.

Make no mistake, these people out here want accountability. This is no ordinary hippie protest looking for handouts. These are intelligent people looking to create solutions.

so·ci·o·path: A person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.

I think this does a good job of describing the feelings of the majority of the Occupy movement.

We are all creators, so in the mean time...

...while we organize the people to clean up the capitol building...

..."Create the future you would like to live in."

“Be the change.” – MG

Jon Heinrich photography © 2011