Chef Centehua is a living, super foods specialist. Please check out her latest thoughts. We are proud to have her a part of our site.

The benefits of living foods are undeniable, they supply a surplus of energy and vitality, cell renewal, balancing of hormones, an over all feeling of health and well being. The phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables protect the cells from damage and help prevent cancer, they also provide enzymes which are essential for proper digestion and regulate the metabolism.  I could go on and on, I love eating fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers, I love juicing, making fermented foods, drinks and raw dairy… yes dairy.  I believe the living foods movement is not restricted to a vegan diet, In fact after many years of veganism I discovered raw milk, and my digestive tract loved it.  Since then raw dairy is a staple in my diet, I make yogurt and look forward to having a couple goats soon. Raw milk from pastured cows or goats is a complete, balanced food and a medicine. Raw dairy contains enzyme inhibitors, bio-activity, antibodies ( provides resistance to virus), iron binding protein, beneficial bacteria and is easy to digest. All these disease fighting properties are significantly lost when dairy is heated. We kill all the beneficial bacteria when these foods are pasteurized and homogenized. Yogurt and kefir are  fermented foods made with bacteria and yeast providing many health benefits. These micro-organisms transform the stomachs acid environment and reach the intestines. The enzymes brake the proteins apart which really help strengthen a weakened digestive system which many people suffer from today, weather it be from illness or pharmaceutical side effects.

With all these amazing benefits of these clean living dairy foods you would wonder why they are not available everywhere right?  Well there is the question of liability since these products contain bacterial life and we live in a germ-aphobic culture. From antibacterial soaps, chemical hand sanitizers to processed industrial foods, we have been taught that all micro- life is unwanted. It seems the more we sterilize our environment the sicker we get,  for disease is not eradicated by eliminating bacteria, in fact our immune systems are weakened by the lack of microbial activity in our bodies. Our digestive flora requires a good balance of good and bad bacteria. Neurological studies show that chronic health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism to name a few,  are directly connected to amino acid, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and these can be improved by foods that heal the digestive system in order to enable proper nutrient absorption.

Since we cant’ trust the FDA who has declared war on raw dairy , yet approves of toxic additives, preservatives, chemicals and genetically engineered foods, we must now connect as a “do it yourself community ” and exercise our freedom and reclaim our health. You wont’ find fermented, live foods or raw dairy at Whole foods, so look for them at co-ops, independent health food stores, farmers markets and of course on line. People are organizing food swaps all over the country, I have a good friend who makes real fermented sourdough bread and we trade bread for saurkraut which I make every week. Learning to make things yourself is empowering and a strong socio and economic stand as the we reclaim a self sufficient and more sustainable culture, Its about supporting one another instead of corporations, its about eating real whole foods, handcrafted by people not an industry. To me the live food movement is not just about a diet but about life, living art, music, food, humanity awakening and living for one another.

I credit most of my families health to these amazing foods, nature and all the love from our friends, family and community. Sharing life is a creative act, organic and inspiring.

Bless

Chef Centehua

http://organicpastures.com/

http://www.realmilk.com/

No matter who you are or where you work, at some point stress will rear its ugly head. It can lead to a variety of health problems and even interfere with our personal lives. But while in some circumstances it  gets out of control, there are ways to recover and curb its damage.

The Stress Cycle

It may seem crazy but there are people out there that don’t understand how stress works. It’s not bacterial and it doesn’t kill people directly. Meaning it was never placed on the ‘biggest killer’ charts and goes quietly about its business.  But if it wasn’t for stress these charts would include far fewer statistics.

As we know, it’s our immune system that stops us from becoming ill every week. And the weaker your immune system, the higher chance you have of needing to stay in bed with a box of tissues. While we deal with stress the chances are that it will lower your body’s immune system and make you more prone to infections.

Take your daily routine as an example. When stressed, it’s likely that you will lay awake at night losing sleep. This makes your body weaker and less inclined to make the right decisions throughout the course of a day. As you begin to make more mistakes, additional stress can be piled onto what you already own. Higher levels of stress create a stronger impact on our immune system and increase the chances of illness.

With your stress levels at a maximum you won’t only be prone to a common cold. Stress can cause the arteries to tighten up, which occurs due to the fight or flight reaction. With this the blood flow will be reduced and can cause circulatory issues, including a stroke.

Killing the Stress

It clear that stress can cause us severe damage to our health, so it’s important to understand how to stop it. And while you may see stress relievers or soothing music as a possible option, the easiest method is to eat right and increase your omega 3 consumption.

When the body is stressed it will create a number of detrimental hormones, such as cortisol and plasma epinephrine. A study has shown that after taking omega 3 supplements, such as krill oil, for 3 weeks the release of these hormones is significantly decreased.

By reducing the levels of these hormones into our body we decrease the chances of a more susceptible immune system. But furthermore, a regular intake of omega 3 can help improve the serotonin levels and generate prostaglandin. This hormone like substance helps improve the immune system and reverse the affects of stress.

The scientific aspects of omega 3 might sound impressive, but there is also a more basic viewpoint. When we eat healthier foods and take vitamin supplements our body will look after itself. Our minds will function at a better standard and our skin will own a more radiant glow. With everything inline we’ll ultimately feel better about ourselves and can deal with the pressures of life in a better way.

There’s no doubt that everyone in life will experience a high level of stress at some point. But if you eat right and are prepared for the inevitable, the chances are you’ll be able to deal with it far better than those that don’t.

_______________________________

This article was written bySandra Goldstein,  the Outreach Manager for Everest Nutrition.  She has written various articles on supplements and cites krill oil as her personal favorite.

Did you know that 80% of our immune systems are located in our digestive tracks? Yup, they are:) So it’s important that our guts are working well. In fact, in my opinion it is not just vital for health, it IS health. PS, the other 20% is located in our skin. Check this out: http://storyofstuff.org/cosmetics/

SHOCKING. Make sure you use only organic skin on that beautiful body of yours!

Thanks Holly for a great article!

Foods Rich in Probiotics–The Good Bacteria

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that prevent indigestion and other intestinal discomforts. For over 7,000 years, probiotics have been used to aid in digestion and ease intestinal ailments. Symptoms of chronic inflammation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome can all be reduced or eliminated by the inclusion of probiotics in the diet. As consumers look for non-pharmaceutical solutions for health problems, probiotics gain popularity. Yogurt labels proudly tout their presence in eye-catching letters, but yogurt is only one of many probiotic-rich foods on sale in grocery stores.

Most probiotic foods are produced by the action of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Probiotic microorganisms break down carbohydrates and sugars in food, and make them more digestible. For this reason, many people who are lactose intolerant can enjoy yogurt and kefir. In addition, probiotics control the levels of harmful bacteria in the body. Each probiotic food has different microorganisms, so for the most effective use of these friendly bacteria, eating several kinds is recommended.

When selecting a probiotic-rich food, it is important to opt for non-pasteurized and non-homogenized product. These processes destroy the microorganisms that lend the healthy benefits to probiotic foods. Minimally processing probiotics once at home is also helpful for retaining as much of the healthy probiotic content of these naturally fermented foods. Since you will benefit most from eating raw or minimally processed probiotic foods, be sure that your source is trusted. Improperly fermented foods are toxic to the body. Probiotic food choices include

1: Natto: Natto is a traditional Japanese dish of fermented soybeans. Natto contains the probiotic bacillus subtilis and is rich in vitamin K, which promotes healthy blood clotting and osteoperosis protection. The nattokinase enzyme, which can help prevent heart attack and stroke, is also found in natto.

2: Kimchi: Kimchi is a spicy dish made of fermented vegetables, most notably cabbage. Kinchi contains the probiotic bacterium lactobacillus kimchi along with other bacterias that benefit the gastrointestinal and immune systems. Kimchi is also full of vitamins, beta-carotene, iron and calcium.

3: Sauerkraut: Sauerkraut is similar to kimchi but is not spicy. This cabbage dish ferments naturally with only the addition of salt. Sauerkraut contains the probiotic microorganisms lactobacillus and pediococcus, along with vitamin C and digestive enzymes. Sauerkraut’s juice is said to be a tonic for healthy digestion.

4: Kefir: Kefir is made by adding kefir grains to milk and allowing it to ferment. Kefir grains contain the lactobacilli kefiranofaciens and delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus. These probiotics form an anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory polysaccharide. Kefir also reduces blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.

5: Miso: Miso is made by fermenting soybeans with the koji (aspergillus oryzae) fungus. Along with the probiotic fungus, miso contains absorbable proteins and vitamin B12. Trace levels of zinc, copper and manganese are present in miso, all of which promote overall health.

6: Tempeh: Tempeh is another fermented soybean probiotic. It is made from the addition of the antibiotic fungus rhizopus oligosporus to partially cooked beans. The rhizopus oligosporus fungus battles certain bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus, which causes pneumonia and sepsis.

This article was contributed by Holly Miller, who writes for Coupon Croc, the best place to find savings on health supplements and everything you need to stay fit and healthy.

You might be wondering how we are going to use this money, so here is our plan!

(1) Give the current staff a much deserved bonus. Some of these people have been with me for 6-9 years and have worked for much less than they deserve. They are proud of our business, they show up everyday, they smile and make people feel welcome and they care. That is priceless.

(2) We are trying to grow our business and that takes money. Crazy money. We found another local bar maker that has offered to help us make our bar. He has invested in a 100% solar powered building and a certified organic, kosher, vegan, gluten free facility. I recently went up to visit and the place was totally unreal. The cleanest food facility I have ever been in. The ingredients are kept in air quality controlled rooms and once they go into the mixer the bar never touches air again. This will allow us to increase our shelf life, 100% naturally, from 2 to 6 months. This important step is critical because we obviously don’t want to add preservatives, but we can’t grow the bar with only a 2 month shelf life. We will also invest in some pallets of ingredients that will cost 10′s of thousands of dollars.

Once we are able to make the bar in a facility like this, we can get it into more stores and then hire more people to do sales and demo’s. This is the step we have been waiting for, so to win this money at this time couldn’t be more helpful.

We do hope to be a big company one day, and I have had mixed thoughts about that because of my disillusion with big business. It seems so many only care about the bottom line, and when money is the only concern decisions are made that are sometimes very harmful. I am a CEO, although that sounds funny to say.  And I am the one that makes the decisions. I don’t know who said it, but it’s a great quote…….”corporations don’t make decisions people do”. Someone at Intuit made the decision to give away $500,000 in business grants to help smaller companies. Someone had the idea and someone said yes! Pay it forward. I can’t think of a better way to share the love than to help a start up business that is doing the right thing. When we are bigger I am going to decide to give a scholarship to a kid, or help a start up that has a great idea for a positive business. How fun is that!!!

It’s not just about selling bars for us. It’s about being happy, surrounding ourselves with like minded people who are trying to make the world a better place. We just want enough to pay our bills, go surfing a few times a year in an exotic place and create jobs that people enjoy! Make positive decisions, that’s my job… and I couldn’t be more lucky to have it!

Thank you for your support. You are why we do what we do!

It’s on the back of all our uniforms…… “You Matter”

Kris:)

This is EXACTLY what we need at this point for our company. This money would go directly to your current staff, who has worked for much less than they deserve, and to hire new people to join our team and help us grow.

THIS IS HUGE.

It is crazy how much things cost. We are at the next level of production, finally,  and we had to buy new boxes ($8000) new wrappers ($9000) a drum of honey ($2000), our special order 70%, soy free dark chocolate ($4000). It’s insanity. But we are plugging along, and we have made it to this point with help from you.  Now if you can just click one little button we just might get something every small business needs, financial help!

If you can take a minute to vote copy and paste the link below, go to section 3, write something about how much you love us, and then hit Vote. That’s it.

http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/fan?b_id=27885&vtid=email_conf_sbo

Thank you, a million times thank you!

Kris

Please consider joining us for the San Diego premier.

It will be a great night!

If you are into Facebook please consider “liking” our page, The GoodOnYa bar. We use Facebook to share stories on holistic nutrition, update you as to what stores are carrying us, and just random bits of fun. We are on Twitter too.

Thanks for your support, we couldn’t……and wouldn’t…… do it without you!

Kris

It’s all about learning, so here we go………….

Boost Your Healthy Simply by Alkalizing your Diet!

You’ve probably heard of alkalizing your body by now and how it will boost your health. But in order to fully appreciate how an alkaline body helps in our daily living, it is imperative to know the components of an alkaline diet and the importance of maintaining the pH of our body.

pH refers to the measure of acidity or basicity of a solution. More accurately, it pertains to the extent of dissociation of hydrogen ions of our body. If we consume the right types and amounts of nutrients and minerals conducive to our body’s development, our body is able to maintain the right pH balance. But you may wonder for a moment what exactly are the ‘right’ nutrients and minerals? This is where alkaline diet comes into the picture.

The concept of alkaline diet is ultimately about foods that leaves an alkaline residue in our body after digestion. Our body’s pH balance fluctuates with each intake of food, and in order to maintain it at the optimum pH, our body must have enough alkaline reserves which can only be obtained if we include at the minimum 80% of alkaline foods in our diet.

How do we classify foods into acidic or alkaline foods?

Chlorine, phosphorus and sulfur in food will probably give acidic residue after the food has been digested. Conversely, minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium found in food will leave an alkaline residue.

We should always bear in mind that all foods leave residue in our body after digestion. If you recall the food pyramid taught in Health education classes, meat and seafood, dairy products, alcoholic drinks, chemical sweeteners, sweets and chocolates, and even grains forms acidic residue! However, green leafy vegetables and fruits low in sugar contain organic aids and are full of alkaline goodness after digestion. So do remember to include a larger proportion of greens and fruits in your diet to maintain an alkaline pH in your body.

Why is it Important to Alkalize the Body?

People living in the modern society are plagued with many diseases and the growing number of sufferers far outstripped our ancestors? Why is such a scenario happening? It can be attributed to our diet which is heavily acidic. Foods that leaves a high content of acidic residues revolves in our circulatory system and are not rid of by our kidneys, lungs and bowels.

According to Dr Theodore Baroody, author of the critically acclaimed book “Alkalize or Diet”, the reason for these diseases was due to excessive acidic residue in our body. Acidic mediums are conducive for the breeding of diet-related diseases, which will lead to death. When our body is deprived of the essential alkaline reserves, nutrients and minerals, excessive acids in our bloodstream may lead to slow poisoning of our body due to our diet which comprises of a high percentage of acidic foods. Excess acids will also weaken and in severe cases, damage our bodily functions and cellular actives such as respiration, digestion, hormone production and blood circulation.

Start with an Alkaline Diet Today!

If you are guilty of consuming acid-rich food, fret not. You can definitely reverse the situation through alkalizing your body today. We will be able to enjoy a new lease of energy if we maintain the pH balance in our body. On top of that, another benefit of the alkaline diet is to remove the acidic environment that serves as the breeding ground of acidic toxins which will over time result in an onslaught of diseases. Nutritionists and medical doctors recommends a daily consumption of at least five servings of vegetables and green foods which are highly alkaline.

Affluence and technology have resulted in an epidemic of diet-related diseases. However, there is no need to remain pessimistic. Instead of blindness pursuit of wealth and fame, which will come to naught without good health, why not change your health for the better starting today? We should all grab this opportunity and start incorporating the alkaline diet into our everyday life. It may be difficult to give up your favorite acidic foods at the start, but be assured that your efforts will pay off when you see your overall health being restored. Instead of consuming supplements and medicine, start with the root of the problem – diet. And the solution is to begin alkalizing your body by providing an alkaline environment for every cells and bodily functions in your body to thrive.

About the Author –Emma Deangela is one of the key authors for <a href=”http://thealkalinediet.org”>Alkaline Diet</a>. She loves to share her experience with her readers on tips to stay healthy, disease free, and how to lose weight the alkaline way. Her alkaline diet newsletter is available at <a href=”http://thealkalinediet.org/registration/”>http://thealkalinediet.org/registration/</a> if you would like to find out more about juicy alkaline diet tips and recipes.