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All Natural - Low Carb - No Calories -
Sweeter By Nature

June 19, 2011

The Case for Coops
a sliver of light in the criminal enterprise called retail

Our products are sold in hundreds of retail stores across the US and abroad. This is something we have worked very hard to achieve but, it hasn't come without a very steep price. The sweetener market is a competitive one and when distributors and big retailers know this they take advantage of it by charging manufactures and farmers fee for everything from putting the products on the shelves to massive marketing allowances. These fees go directly to the retailer and distributors lining their pockets while picking yours and mine. Welcome to the criminal enterprise we call retail distribution.

I am sure you have noticed your grocery bill steadily climbing. I can assure you that none of those increases are making their way to farmers or smaller food manufactures. Those hard earned dollars are going right into the coffers of big corporations. In this economy that is tantamount to kicking a fellow when he is down.

A couple of weeks ago I was flipping through the paper and I saw Safeway had London Broil on sale for $2.29 per lb. I considered taking advantage of this deal but, something stopped me. While $2.29 is a very good price somebody is going to be paying the difference and it wasn't going to be Safeway. My dad was involved in the cattle ranching industry. While growing up I had the opportunity to witness first hand a farmers and ranchers life style and it is far from lavish. If it weren't for the fact that a lot of them have had their properties handed down to them for generations free from huge mortgages they would not be able to stay in business. When family farms and ranches go under they are often picked up for pennies on the dollar by large corporate interests that funnel billions of dollars to politicians and lobbyists. With this accumulated collective power they can influence our government to continue subsidies that fill their pockets and while picking ours even further. Much thought went into making my purchase and I sincerely wish more people would do this. I felt compelled to start making all of my buying decisions this way.

What ultimately made sense for me was to start making all of my food purchases at a coop. Coops are not-for-profit. The owners are the people who shop there. Each coop member owns a share of the store and can be instrumental in the running of the coop. Coops negotiate fair deals on local and healthy products without gouging the farmers or manufacturers. As a manufacturer we love doing business with coops because they are so fair and they pass whatever discounts we provide directly to the consumer. To find your local coop use this link: http://www.localharvest.org/food-coops/ . Whether you shop at Whole Foods or Safeway moving to a coop will benefit the community you live in and eventually benefit you.

Have a sensational week!

Thom King
President
thom.king@steviva.com
Steviva Brands, Inc.

Why have a sweepstakes when you can have a Sweetstakes?

All you have to do is go to: http://www.steviva.com/news/trek-bike-sweepstakes/ and register to win it. You will be given a special link to share with your friends and for each one who signs up you increase your chances of winning. Plus you will get a $10 Steviva Gift Certificate you can use in our store. No strings attached.

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FITNESS (special cycling series)

How Others Have Lost Weight and How You Can Too
the power of pedaling can pummel your pounds

I admit it. I have two sets of clothes. Seriously, I do. I have my winter fat clothes and my summer skinny clothes. In the Pacific Northwest when the sun begins to show its warm face in late April but, in the case June. Warm sunny days mean one thing for me and that is cycling. Cycling is one of the best sports you can participate in because just about anybody can do it. I have even gotten my 70 year old dad on a bike.

I will generally lose about ten pound the first month of steady riding and another ten the following month without changing my diet in fact, I eat more.

A few months ago I ran across an article about a fellow Portland resident Scott Cutshall. According to the article, at 501 pounds, Scott was told by doctors he would be dead in six months if he didn't lose weight. He went on to lose 320 by committing to a healthy diet and of course riding a bike. I want to emphasize that this monumental weight loss didn't come easy for him but, he pushed through the pain and turned his life around. And so can you.

My friend, Jennifer, has been battling weight her whole life but hit rock bottom a few years ago. After tipping the scales at 200 lbs (she only stands at 5'2”) Jennifer realized she had accepted her weight and explained it away. Yes, she seemed to have a 'slower' metabolism. Yes, she had given birth to 3 kids within 4 years. But those were just excuses.

After losing her own mother to weight-related issues, Jennifer decided it was time to step up to the plate and drop those extra pounds that were making her miserable. Jennifer knew she was the only one making decisions for herself. She chose what to eat and she chose whether or not she is going to get up off the couch.

The first thing she did was figure out an exercise program. She knew that she had to do some cardiovascular training regularly if she was going to drop any weight. Jennifer felt she was too heavy to run and did not feel confident on the cross-trainers. So she decided to start with cycling.

She went out and bought her first bike in 20 years and set to work. S he started slow and worked at her own pace on her new Trek bicycle because she knew that as she got better she could step up that pace and work harder.

Of course it was hard at first for her to last more than 10 minutes, but within a month she was cycling at a moderate speed for 30-40 minutes five times a week! She began to feel more energetic, she was eating less, and losing weight. After just three months she had lost an incredible 31 pounds!

Last I heard Jennifer was 'googling' the American Diabetes Tour de Cure to decide which race she was going to join.

Talk about motivated! Jennifer has proven that with commitment, a positive attitude, and a bike, anybody can lose weight and be happy doing it!

It does not matter what fitness level you are. Whether you spent the winter months hibernating, manage to run a few days a week or religiously get your heart rate up before the rooster crows, cycling will help you lose weight.

Cycling is one of the most universal, fun ways to get your adrenaline pumping and the extra pounds melting away. Whether you are 80 and limited in your movements or 20, fit and limber, cycling can help you get healthy fast!

Don't have a bike? Register to win a Trek and get $10 to use in the Steviva Store: http://www.steviva.com/news/trek-bike-sweepstakes/

This information and other information on this site is intended for general reference purposes only and is not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

YOUR BODY

Cellulite
beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Lumps and bumps in the world of beauty are like a bad word to be banned from our hips and thighs, especially when it is near beach and bathing suite season. Cellulite appears due to the combination of the fat, muscle, and connective tissue distribution. Fat deposits deeper in the skin push on the connective tissue and cause the smooth mesh to become distorted. This actually can be considered normal, and the appearance simply varies on the person's gender, females have higher pre-disposition due to higher concentrations of body fat. However, other factors also include genetics, skin thickness, fat distribution, and age.

Eight out of ten women “suffer” from this seemingly insignificant problem. Although, our society and culture have shaped our view points to make it as though cellulite is unsightly, contributing to the booming so-called “anti-aging” industry, or my preferential name “optimal aging”. If we were to go back to the hunter-gatherer times, perhaps cellulite would be consider prized for a person to have, as those fat stores could be a source of energy to be used as fuel for the body in a time of famine.

Famine is over for many, and in America it seems to be feast at all times. Thus, contributing to our epidemic increased body fat percentages. Targeting the reduction of fat stores could possibly decrease the bumps that drive us nuts. Ways to do this aside from the infamous slogan of “diet and exercise” include at home topical creams and devices that help the appearance. There are also professional treatments that are available at medical spas. Depending on the severity, the combination of both may be the most beneficial.

From the holistic perspective it is best to have a multi-faceted approach to any problem, as well as choosing ingredients that are non-toxic. Refer to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at www.safecosmentics.org for more information on product safety.

Take a moment, look in the mirror, and compliment yourself out loud on one thing that you see that is beautiful about your body. Remember, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, a paraphrased quote from Plato. Think, see, and be your beautiful self!

In Good Health & Beauty,
Dr. Alisha Moadab, N.D.
Soleil Medical Spa
Dr. Alisha N.D.

YOUR MIND

Success Can Come From Hardship
Max Steingart

The world is so constructed that if you wish to enjoy its pleasures, you must also endure its pains. Like it or not, you cannot have one without the other.

Success is not measured by what you accomplish. It's measured by the opposition you encounter, and the courage with which you maintain your struggle against the odds.

You'll find all things are difficult before they are easy. The greater your obstacles, the more glory in overcoming them. So, make up your mind before you start that sacrifice is part of the package.

No pain, no gain;
No thorns, no throne;
No cross, no crown.

You've got to go through the negative before you get to the positive.

Copyright 2011 www.yourdailymotivation.com

YOUR SPIRIT

Emptiness Becomes Openness
Saying Thank You

We may have become accustomed to asking for help from the unseen world—whether from angels, guides, or ancestral spirits—but sometimes we may forget to close our connection afterwards with a thank you. When we connect to these energies for assistance, it is much like a phone connection. Forgetting to close the conversation with a proper “goodbye” is like not hanging up. While that line is still connected, others can have trouble getting through, while in the meantime, batteries are being drained. Saying “thank you” is a way of releasing our concerns into trusted hands and getting out of the way so that the universe’s divine order can work on our behalf.

As spiritual beings, we may talk about “staying connected,” but our connection needs to be with our source. We can plug in and recharge, but we run on batteries in between, and every connection we make utilizes some of our personal power. Even being surrounded by people that energize us has its limits, and at some point we will feel ready to go off on our own to do what is ours to do. Instead of trying to be constantly connected, we can turn to these beings for help in a way that is more like placing an order. We contact them, ask for what we need, and then say thank you and goodbye.

Beings of light don’t require our gratitude; it is an energetic acknowledgement of trust and release that benefits us. When we bring ourselves to a sense of being grateful, we affirm that what we have asked is already done. Then we can move forward with confidence to do the things we are meant to do, while knowing that all will be well.

YOUR RECIPE

Low Glycemic No Added Sugar Super Easy Celery Salad
(makes 6 servings)
Carbs Per Serving: 6.5 g
Prep Time:<15 minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Celery provides an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber.  It is a very good source of folic acid, potassium, and vitamins B1 and B6.  Celery also offers a good source of vitamin B2 and calcium. Celery's best feature is that is refreshing, delicious and makes an awesome salad!

Ingredients:
6 stalks celery
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dill
2 tablespoons Fructevia, Steviva Blend or a dash Steviva Brands Pure Stevia Powder

Instructions:

Using a food processor, finely chop celery, garlic, and green onions.

Place in a bowl and whisk in the lemon juice,dill, cracked pepper, vinegar, Fructevia, Steviva Blend or a dash Steviva Brands Pure Stevia Powder, mixing well.

Whisk in olive oil and mayonnaise and continue to whisk until well blended.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

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CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

Read what our customers are saying:
Too many times people write to companies to complain. I am writing to tell you how WONDERFUL we think your product is!! ~ L. Korenko

I wish I  could do a commercial for Stevia because I really believe in this product. It has  made eating and drinking so much more enjoyable. ~ Suzan S.

Thanks for another fast smooth transaction, received today! BEST stevia on the market! ~ R. Burnam

I love your Steviva powder, your stevia powder the BEST.... even over other brands' liquid versions.! It is the first stevia product I have used that I absolutely love. All others in the past tasted terrible. Steviva is awesome! Thank you for offering such a great, healthy product. ~ Beth Z.

I just wanted to tell you that I am absolutely in love with the powdered Stevia.  I have been using it and it is amazing. ~  H. Garner

I can't live without my Steviva. Steviva is what makes me sweet. ~ B. O'Neal

Received my order of Fructevia today and had to try it immediately.  It's wonderful!  I will make a lemon meringue pie for my father at Thanksgiving, his favorite which he has not had in years because he is diabetic. ~ J. Hart

There is no doubt in my mind that Fructevia is by far the in the most exciting sweetening product to enter the market in recent decades. ~ M. Williams

I love coffee and my husband has replaced sugar with Fructevia in all of my lattes and various coffee drinks. Whoo hoo! Fructevia is excellent. I love it. It's about time! ~ C. Preston


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All of our products carry a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not 100% happy with any of our products, send them back for a full refund. These plans will ALLOW you to eat almost everything you enjoy and will re-introduce you to foods you used to think were not allowed.The greatest part of this offer is that it will cost you nothing. It is our gift to you for your purchase of any Steviva Brand Product!


 
      

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