gistfile1.rb

# if you want an icon, add it to your attributes:
#     menu_link('Foo', '/foo/', icon: 'bar')
def menu_link(text, target, attributes={})

  # Prepend the icon, if supplied
  if icon = attributes.delete(:icon)
    text = "<i class='#{icon}'></i>#{text}"
  end
  
  # Build a link
  link = link_to(text, target, attributes)

  # Check for current page
  path   = target.is_a?(String) ? target : target.path
  active = @item_rep && @item_rep.path == path

  # And return a list item
  "<li#{active ? ' class=\'active\'' : ''}>#{link}</li>"
end