Hi

The GoodOnYa Bar is trying to win a HUGE grant and we really need your help:):):)::):)

Chase is offering $250k to small businesses that can get 250 votes. You can only vote once so it will take just a minute.
They want to reward small companies that are caring and serving the community.

So all you have to do is go to this link:

(1) https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/

(2) Then hit the  Log In & Support Button (you need a facebook account to vote)

(3) Enter our info in the 3 boxes:

The GoodOnYa Bar

CA   San Diego
That’s it:)

I really appreciate you taking the time. This is huge for us and will help us tremendously.

(NaturalNews) Americans drink more than 216 liters of carbonated soft drinks each year, a number that continues to increase at an alarming rate. Many people use low-calorie diet soda in a futile effort to lose weight, yet find that these drinks have the opposite effect leading them to be overweight or obese. The high acid content in most carbonated beverages leaches calcium and other critical nutrients from the bone and tissues, significantly increasing disease risk over years of consumption.

Researchers fromCleveland Clinic’s Wellness Instituteand Harvard University have reported the result of a study in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the first to examine soda’s affect on stroke risk and vascular diseases. Past studies have linked sugar-sweetened beverage consumption with weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout and coronary artery disease, but current research has implicated diet soft drink consumption with increased disease risk and weight gain due to depletion of essential minerals.

Lead study author Dr. Adam Bernstein noted“Soda remains the largest source of added sugar in the diet… what we’re beginning to understand is that regular intake of these beverages sets off a chain reaction in the body that can potentially lead to many diseases, including stroke.”Researchers analyzed soda consumption among 43,371 men and 84,085 women over a time span of nearly thirty years. During that time, 2,938 strokes were documented in women while 1,416 strokes were documented in men.

Carbonated beverage consumption associated with a 43 percent increased risk of heart attack

This study emphasizes the inherent risks involved with consumption of sugar-sweetened or no-calorie soft drinks. Sweetened drinks contain high levels of glucose that lead to a rapid increase in blood glucose and insulin. Over time, this results in glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. Low and no calorie carbonated beverages contain artificial sweeteners including aspartame, known to overstimulate and excite brain neurons resulting in cellular death.

Further, artificial sweeteners of all types trick our digestive chemistry and hormone balance, leading to weight gain and metabolic instability. Diet soft drinks have also been shown to leach calcium from bones as our body attempts to compensate for the high acidic load delivered from the phosphoric acid content in the drink. The end result is higher risk of osteoporosis, stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Despite the millions of dollars spent by soda marketers to instill the virtues of drinking soda, there is nothing healthy about consuming any type of carbonated beverage. Regarding low calorie drinks, researchers concluded“older adults who drank diet soda daily had a 43% increased risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those that never drank diet soda.”The study did note that drinking coffee was associated with a ten percent lower risk of stroke, compared to those drinking sweetened beverages. Substitute carbonated beverage consumption with an antioxidant packed cup of green tea or coffee to significantly reduce stroke and vascular disease risks.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.ajcn.org/content/95/5/1190
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420123853.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/cc-sfs042012.php
http://www.diseaseproof.com

About the author:
John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of ‘Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan’, a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. VisitMy Optimal Health Resourceto continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of ‘Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan’.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/035838_soda_stroke_vascular_disease.html#ixzz1uhysJPZG

(NaturalNews) With a myriad of concrete evidence now in plain view, there is simply no denying that pesticides are a direct cause of massive bee declines all around the world. And despite continued denial by corporate-whore governments in the U.S., the U.K., and elsewhere that have sided with the chemical manufacturers on the matter, scientists and agricultural experts from all corners of the globe are joining together as one to call for a worldwide ban on neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides that has been definitively linked to causing Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

Three recent field studies, two of which were published in the journal Science, confirm that even sub-lethal exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides among bees causes them to lose their way when out foraging. Many conventional food crops are pretreated or sprayed with neonicotinoid pesticides, which leads to the contamination of pollen and nectar that bees collect.

“The data, both ours and others, right now merits a global ban,” said Chensheng Li, author of theHarvard Universitystudy that confirmed neonicotinoid pesticides as a primary cause of CCD. “Our study clearly demonstrated that imidacloprid is responsible for causing CCD, and the survival of the control hives that we set up side-by-side to the pesticide-treated hives augments this conclusion.”

Li says removing neonicotinoids from global use for at least five years would leave plenty of time for researchers to study and observe how bee populations respond. If bee populations increase during this time, which is the expected outcome, then it would be abundantly clear that the scientific community is correct in its assessments of the situation.

In the U.K., the widespread negative effects of neonicotinoid use are already being felt, as many crops now have to be hand-pollinated as a result of bee losses. According to data compiled by scientists at Reading University, the population of honey bees kept in managed hives in the U.K. has dropped by half, as have solitary bees. And wild honey bees are virtually extinct, according to the figures.

“Unless we halt the decline in British bees our farmers will have to rely on hand-pollination, sending food prices rocketing,” said Paul de Zylva, nature campaigner atFriends of the Earth(FoE), a group advocating for the removal of neonicotinoids from agricultural use (http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/the_bee_cause_35033.html).

The U.S.-based advocacy group Beyond Pesticides and dozens of commercial beekeepers and honey producers have also filed a legal petition demanding that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) take action to ban clothianidin, another neonicotinoid linked to killing bees (http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=6919).

You can help support this effort by signing the following petition:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org

Sources for this article include:

http://www.guardian.co.uk

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/035652_pesticides_honey_bees_ban.html#ixzz1t1MxEoFM

So here is the post by Max.

Enjoy:)

Hello friends!

Four recent posts that I wanted to share with you – two important
ones, one product review, and one of a more personal nature.

—-
In case you didn’t see it, a shocking report came out that said
conventional chicken are being fed arsenic, banned antibiotics,
active ingredients in Tylenol and Benadryl, and even antidepressants!

While I don’t eat chicken myself, it is just another example of why
we all need to be buying organic.

Organic has strict rules, regulations, and enforcement, and
would never allow these unnecessary chemicals into its food.

Read more about this unbelievable story.

If they are organic eggs then they eat organic soy and corn and maybe some less fillers, but it’s simply not their natural diet. So the point?

Eat out and know what you are getting. Don’t be fooled.

And when you buy eggs for yourself call the company or ask the farmer what they feed their chickens.

Eggs are a perfect food, when the chickens are happy and eating their natural diet.

And not so perfect when they eat hydrochloride, GMO soybean meal, or Ethoxyquin. OMG what’s that?

You may have seen the post back at the end of March about how you can lower meat costs by purchasing sides of beef. This infographic is along the same lines, but contains more information about the health benefits of beef, and offers a simple breakdown of the different types of cuts you can buy at the grocery store, and some easy guides to shopping for beef.

I find that guides like these can be really helpful for novice shoppers and seasoned pros alike when it comes to meat—I think it’s never a bad idea to reinforce best practices. Read on for a basic guide to buying beef. I hope you find it helpful.

<a href=”http://frugaldad.com/beef/”><img src=”http://frugaldad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Beef.jpg” alt=”Beef Infographic” width=”500″ border=”0″ /></a> <p>Source: <a href=”http://frugaldad.com”>FrugalDad</a></p> <p>

Senator Urges FDA to Investigate Energy Drinks

Jeffrey Klineman|April 6, 2012 11:56 am

In recent years Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) has pushed for increased oversight of the food, beverage and supplement industry on many fronts; yesterday he sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to investigate the caffeine content in energy drinks.

Durbin said the letter came after he learned the story of 14 year-old Anais Fournier, who died last December of a cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity after drinking two 24 oz. Monster energy drinks over a 24-hour period.

Fournier’s mother has been actively telling her daughter’s story since then and is pushing for increased legislative action and parental awareness concerning energy drinks.

“Consuming large quantities of caffeine can have serious health consequences, including caffeine toxicity, stroke, anxiety, arrhythmia, and in some cases death. Young people are especially susceptible to suffering adverse effects because energy drinks market to youth, their bodies are not accustomed to caffeine, and energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and stimulating additives that may interact when used in combination,” wrote Durbin in his letter to Hamburg. “The glossy marketing tailored to youth has worked — 30 to 50 percent of adolescents report consuming energy drinks.”

Durbin contends that while many energy drinks are marketed as dietary supplements, the FDA does have the ability to enforce caffeine limits and additives in the products if they are being sold as beverages.

“Most energy drinks are currently marketed as dietary supplements, therefore they do not need to establish evidence of their products’ safety or adhere to a limit on the level of caffeine. At the same time, many energy drinks come in single-use containers ranging from 8oz to 32oz and are marketed like beverages. Rockstar Energy Drink’s website says, ‘enjoy this fully refreshing lightly carbonated beverage.’” he wrote.  “If the FDA makes a determination that energy drinks are beverages with high levels of caffeine and additives that raise safety concerns, the agency would have the authority to limit the level of caffeine and require the manufacturers to provide scientific evidence that ingredients such as guarana, taurine, and ginseng are safe for their intended use and in combination with caffeine and other energy drink ingredients.”

His work is important.

(NaturalNews) The latest health freedom victory in Europe means more toxic “Frankenfoods,” aka genetically-modified (GM) crops, for the United States.EurActiv.comreports that Germany-based biotechnology giant BASF is officially calling it quits on trying to push GM crops in Europe. But the company’s withdrawal means that it will be relocating its plant science headquarters from Limburgerhof, Germany, to Raleigh, North Carolina.

When explaining why BASF was pulling out of Europe entirely, Stefan Marcinowski, a company board member in charge of plant biotechnology, said in a statement that “the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians” in Europe oppose GMOs. He added that “it does not make business sense to continue investing in products exclusively for cultivation in [the European] market.”

In contrast to American laws, labeling of GMOs is mandated across Europe, which means that the public is able to make a choice in the matter every time they purchase food for their families. As a result, the vast majority of European consumers are very aware of the presence of GMOs, and have wholly rejected them.

Similarly, Monsanto, which has met incredible resistance in introducing new GMOs to the European market, has decided to stop pushing MON810, a variety of GM corn that contains pesticides genetically engineered into its kernels. In 2010, Germany banned MON810, and France has continued to enforce a moratorium on its plantings, which are two examples of what Monsanto recently dubbed as “unfavorable conditions.”

“This is another nail in the coffin for genetically modified foods in Europe,” said Adrian Bebb, food campaigner forFriend of the Earth Europe, about the decision. “No one wants to eat them and few farmers want to grow them. This is a good day for consumers and farmers and opens the door for the European Union to shift Europe to greener and more publicly acceptable farming.”

Both Monsanto and BASF’s failures in Europe, however, are likely to result in an even more aggressive GMO push in the United States. As numerous states ramp up to pass GMO labeling laws in America, Monsanto and BASF are now directing even more of their attention at the American market, which is currently the world’s most favorable for the stealth injection of GM poisons into the food supply.

This means that now is the time for Americans to stand up and resist GMOs by pushing for mandatory labeling. And you can help support this cause right now by taking a minute to demand that the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA) enforce food transparency for all Americans:

http://justlabelit.org/

Sources for this article include:

http://www.euractiv.com

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/anti-gmo-european-victory.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/030733_Germany_GMOs.html

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/035451_BASF_GMOs_Europe.html#ixzz1r7Gj8BLv

“Joe” I said. “Look, I need this chocolate. I can’t have this in my bar. Here the millions of reasons why…… trust me, make it and people will start asking for it. Oh, and Joe while you are making it go ahead and make that chocolate at least 70%. This 56%  won’t do”. “Kristen” Joe said. “If you want 70% you can’t get that in a chip. No one who makes things with chips even cares about %’s. If you want 70% you have to get the big bakers squares and break it apart yourself. Chef’s use 70%, not bar makers” “Joe” I said. “We are going to be huge one day and you are going to want to say you knew me when, plus you are already making a chip without soy for me”

We got our chips:)

So do you want to know why soy lecithin bugged me so much? It’s crap that’s why. I don’t believe in the health benefits of lecithin that I learned about in nutrition school because I never trusted the way it was made. Who made it and who grew it! Soy is a huge subsidized crop, it’s genetically engineered and they use bleach in the processing of it. Yeah, bleach!

Read below, the actual rules from the NOP. National Organic Program. It’s insane we have to have all these rules around food. Companies don’t care enough to ask, and they are even evil enough to spend money on lobbying efforts to keep it in our food so they can make a few more pennies.

You don’t need lecithin to emulsify the chocolate, you just need a bit more cocoa butter. It’s not that big of a deal.

Read just a bit of this and tell me if you would put this in something you made for your family!

And I am sorry to tell you it’s in things we eat and put on your body everyday!

Even organics!!!!!

Start supporting companies that care enough about you to not use this highly processed ingredient.

Kristen – GoodOnYa

Over the past 15 years, I have experimented with food in many different ways. I have challenged my body with all of the major diets in the world; from growing up with the Standard American Diet (SAD) way of eating to being a hard-core raw vegan, and now a full-flesh eating paleolithic, I have gathered a lot of knowledge through research and tuning into the voice of my own body.

The experience of different diets has increased my awareness of how certain foods affect my body. As a teenager growing up in the Midwest, I experienced stomach-aches on a daily basis whenever I ate any type of meat, so I decided I would stop eating it and was then labeled “the vegetarian” in my family. I now know that the issue was not just eating meat but it was the fact I was eating factory-farmed meat instead of the organic grass-fed beef I am able to enjoy at this time in my life.

After college and moving to California, I became a true hippie and joined in the “Vegan Revolution.” Taking on the raw vegan way of eating was a huge shift for me. It was one of the most amazing experiences for my body, both physically and mentally. Through two years of eating almost all raw and one hundred percent vegan, I was able to cleanse my body of the many toxins that built up from years of living in the Midwest on the SAD and also from when I was a very unhealthy vegetarian who ate mostly a low-fat, high-carb diet.

At this time, I also became conscious of how food affected me physically, mentally, and emotionally and learned for the first time about the ethics and politics of our food system. At the present moment, I have been following the paleo lifestyle and once again, feel absolutely amazing! Eating paleo has completely cleared up my digestion, gives me more sustained energy and cured me of major sugar cravings. I know this is what my body needs right now and it feels good to honor what it is saying to me. I am a firm believer that every body is different. Through my own experiences and learning, I now realize each person is unique and only they can truly understand what foods are best to fulfill their health and well-being in life.

Here is a brief breakdown of some of the most talked about styles of eating that have gained popularity over the past few years:

Paleo

The paleoithic diet has become increasingly popular over the past year through it’s association with CrossFit. But, this way of eating has been around for thousands of years. The main idea behind this diet is that you eat foods in their most natural state, such as meat, eggs, vegetables, tubers, berries, fruits, nuts, seeds and healthy fats (cold-pressed coconut oil and ghee). You avoid eating dairy, legumes, all grains, and processed foods because nature does not provide these foods in a way that is easily attainable to eat.

The paleo lifestyle heavily promotes eating organic foods, grass-fed beef, free-range poultry and eggs, DHA fish oil, substantial amounts of healthy fats, UN-processed foods and no sugar. It also encourages individuals to be active and find time to enjoy the outdoors and become one with their body. Two of my favorite leaders in the paleo movement are Diane Sanfilippo of Balance Bites and Mark Sisson of Mark’s Daily Apple.

Vegetarian

This diet has been practiced for centuries throughout the world but gained popularity in the States during the 1980s with the first edition of Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe. She combined the idea of not just eating healthier for your body, but also for the planet. Strict vegetarians do not eat any type of meat, such as beef, pork, poultry, wild game, or fish. They still consume byproducts of animals, like eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and kefir, which are a form of protein. Tofu and various grains are also heavily encouraged with this diet. Taking on a vegetarian lifestyle usually leads people to become more aware of our Country’s food system and is a great way to transition into a vegan diet.

Vegan

Becoming a vegan is not just about the food you eat but it is also a lifestyle. Vegans abstain from consuming any kind of animal product or byproduct. Therefore, the bulk of their diet consists of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, fermented foods, and soy-based products (soy should be consumed in moderation). They also choose to not wear clothes manufactured from animals (fur and leather) and use products not tested on or exploitive of animals.

Veganism has gained popularity over the past ten years and goes beyond what you put on your plate. There are many organizations teaching about the effects factory farming has on the planet and showing the world what is going on with our over-consumption and mass production of products. Veganism has also become popular among athletes. To learn more about vegan athletes, check out the awesome article by fellow Breaking Muscle contributor, Danette “Dizzle” Rivera.

Raw Foods

This style of eating consists of foods that are one hundred percent raw, mainly fruits and veggies, or food that is not heated above 118 degrees. Eating mostly raw is usually related to being one hundred percent vegan, but there are many people who follow a raw foods diet and also consume raw, organic, unpasteurized milk, and raw meat and eggs.

Practicing a raw foods lifestyle is a great way to detoxify and cleanse your system. Because the food is not being cooked or heavily processed, your body will assimilate all of the nutrients, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals for quicker absorption and energy. One of my favorite raw food chefs is the creator of Kristen’s Raw.

With any style of eating, I also promote choosing organic fruit and vegetables, organic grass-fed beef, organic free-range poultry and eggs, and products that source organic and fair-trade, minimally processed ingredients. Be smart when shopping and do your research on companies and products and always make sure to support your local organic grocery store and farmer’s market as much as possible. Practicing a healthy lifestyle through the foods you eat will transfer to a better over-all well being for your body, mind and soul.

http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/whats-best-diet-raw-vegan-vegetarian-or-paleo