Zero-Sugar Based Drinks That I Have When Thirsty

Based on the related web results provided, here are some alternatives to Diet Coke that are zero-sugar and recommended by dietitians:

Polar Seltzer - Known for its variety of flavors and zero sugar content, offering a crisp and refreshing alternative without any added minerals, making it taste like natural spring water. These seltzers are a great choice for those looking to avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners like aspartame. 

Health-Ade Healthy Sodas - These drinks provide gut-boosting benefits from prebiotics and use monk fruit as a natural sweetener, avoiding chemical alternatives. Health-Ade also offers Kombucha, which is another healthy alternative to soda. 

Nixie Zero-Sugar Organic Sodas - Available in flavors like Classic Cola, Ginger Ale, and Root Beer, Nixie offers certified organic options that are free from sugar, providing a traditional soda taste without the calories. 

Virgil's Healthy Cream Sodas - Using erythritol, a sugar alcohol, as a sweetener, this soda provides an indulgent flavor profile without any sugar. This option is appealing for those who enjoy a creamy, vanilla taste. 

For those looking to reduce their intake of artificially sweetened beverages like Diet Coke, dietitians recommend:

Herbal Tea - A naturally sugar-free option that can be enjoyed hot or iced, offering a variety of flavors without the need for added sugar. 

Fruit-Infused Water - Infusing water with fruits like lemon, cucumber, or berries adds natural flavor without any sugar, promoting hydration in a refreshing way. 

Black Coffee - Another zero-sugar drink that's rich in antioxidants, with the potential to reduce the risk of certain health conditions when consumed without added sugar or creamers. 

These options not only provide a zero-sugar alternative to Diet Coke but also align with health-conscious choices, reducing the intake of sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages, which are linked to various health issues. 

Markets Moving Toward Tokenization of Traditional Financial Investment Products

The cryptocurrency ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and several platforms are specifically designed or utilized for tokenizing traditional stocks and other purchases. Here are some notable projects based on current developments:

Algorand ($ALGO) has been making significant strides in tokenizing real-world assets, including stocks. It has been mentioned in relation to the tokenization of common stocks, with Exodus ($EXOD) being listed on the NYSE and its shares tokenized on Algorand, marking a historic step in blockchain-based stock tokenization.

Swarm Markets ($SMT) is another project focused on tokenizing traditional financial assets, including stocks. It's described as offering tokenized stocks that are 1:1 backed by real stocks bought in traditional financial markets and is compliant with MiCA regulations, providing an insolvency-proof solution.

Ondo Finance ($ONDO) has been pioneering with its tokenized stablecoins and is moving towards tokenizing stocks and bonds. It aims to integrate traditional finance elements with blockchain technology, allowing for traditional investments like stocks to be represented on-chain.

tZERO is often highlighted for its efforts in tokenizing assets, including stocks. It's one of the early movers in this space, providing a platform for trading private digital securities and has significant backing from Overstock, enhancing its credibility.

Polymesh is focused on tokenizing regulated assets, including stocks, with its native token $POLYX used for governance and transaction fees on its network. It's particularly noted for its use in security tokens which represent traditional securities.

Each of these platforms brings a unique approach to the tokenization of traditional financial instruments, leveraging blockchain's advantages like increased accessibility, liquidity, and transparency. However, the choice of which cryptocurrency or platform is "best" for tokenization can depend on specific use cases, regulatory considerations, and the technological infrastructure provided by each platform.

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Here's A Peak 50 Years Into The Future As Told By GROK of X

Predicting the exact state of the world in 50 years involves a lot of speculation, but here's a broad overview based on current trends, technological advancements, and socio-economic factors:

Technology:

AI and Automation: AI could become significantly more advanced, potentially leading to full automation in many industries, from manufacturing to services. This might result in higher efficiency but also challenges like unemployment if not managed with policies like Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Health and Biotechnology: Advances in genomics, personalized medicine, and possibly life-extension technologies might increase human lifespans and significantly change healthcare. Diseases that are currently incurable might have treatments or cures.

Energy and Environment: Renewable energy sources might dominate, with innovations in solar, wind, nuclear fusion, or even more speculative technologies like space-based solar power. Climate change mitigation will be crucial, with varying success depending on global cooperation.

Connectivity and VR/AR: The internet could evolve into something more immersive with widespread adoption of virtual and augmented reality, changing how we work, learn, and socialize.

Society:

Demographics: Aging populations in developed countries vs. younger populations in others will continue to affect global economics, healthcare, and migration patterns.

Urbanization: More people might live in mega-cities or smart cities designed with sustainability and technology integration in mind.

Education: Education could become more personalized and accessible, with AI tutors and virtual classrooms becoming the norm.

Governance: There might be new forms of governance, perhaps more participatory or decentralized, using blockchain for transparency or AI for decision-making assistance.

Global Economy:

Economic Disparity: Wealth distribution could either improve with global economic policies or worsen if current trends continue without intervention.

Currency: Digital currencies might become standard, potentially leading to a shift away from traditional banking systems.

Environment:

Climate Change: The impact will be significant. Depending on current actions, we might see either managed adaptation or severe crises with mass migrations, loss of biodiversity, and changes in agriculture.

Space: With commercial space travel on the rise, we might see more human activity in space, including mining or even colonization attempts.

Cultural and Social Changes:

Global Culture: With increased connectivity, cultures might blend more, though there could also be a backlash with movements towards cultural preservation.

Privacy and Ethics: The balance between privacy, security, and freedom will be a hot topic, especially with pervasive data collection.

Challenges:

Political Stability: Resource scarcity, climate refugees, and technological displacement could lead to instability if not addressed.

Ethical AI: Decisions on how AI should be integrated into society, including issues of bias, surveillance, and control, will dominate ethical debates.

This overview is speculative and assumes a relatively optimistic scenario where technology, policy, and society evolve in tandem. However, there's always the potential for setbacks, unforeseen innovations, or global events that could alter this path significantly. If you're interested in a particular aspect, feel free to ask for more details!

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Social Security Administration Confirms An Updated Late January SSDI Payment

Social Security confirms an SSDI payment on January 22

If you did not receive your SSDI payment because you did not qualify for any of the previous Social Security checks, your Disability Insurance will be delivered to your bank account on January 22.

For your information, the birthday requirement is also mandatory to get the Social Security Disability Insurance payment on January 22, 2025. So, being born from the 21st to the 31st will be key to get the last disability payment in January 2025.

Those SSDI recipients who have collected their monthly payment in January will have to wait for their February payments. When it comes to amounts, they could be about $1,580 on average. The maximum Social Security Disability Insurance payments can be up to $4,018. To get so much money you must:

work for 35 years

file at the required age by SSA

earn the taxable maximum all those years (35)

have had jobs that paid enough taxes to SSA

UPHOLD Crypto Exchange Has A Great Rewards Program Available

UPHOLD has been a cryptocurrency exchange that I've used since 2017 to make purchases of a variety of cryptocurrencies. Initially when I started with them I was making $BTC, $BAT, and the occasional $ETH purchase. Currently, since 2019 I've been making purchases of ISO20022 tokens. 

As they have grown in size over the past few years they've begun a new REWARDS PROGRAM for legitimate customers of their services. I was enrolled in the program and have been steadily making process.

Here is the rundown on the current REWARDS PRGRAM. This comes directly from their website which I will link below:

The Uphold Rewards Program is open to all natural persons who: 

reside in the United States (excluding Samoa, Guam, Louisiana, Northern Marian Islands, Colorado and NY);

are 18 or older on December 11, 2024 at 00:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); and, 

are active users of the Uphold platform, have successfully verified their identity (IDV) and completed certain Uphold “know your customer” procedures; 

are customers of Uphold in good standing, in compliance with the Uphold Platform Terms and Conditions.

Key Tasks and corresponding Rewards

Our Rewards Program offers a leveled structure where each level unlocks a new set of benefits. More tasks you do, the more benefits you get. To continue enjoying the benefits of your unlocked level, you must maintain the requirements for that level.

To unlock all levels of the Rewards Program, you will need to complete all three (3) tasks (after completing task 1 you can complete the rest of the tasks in any order):

Log into the mobile app at least once per month to receive up to 5.25% APY reward on your holdings of participating stablecoins for this month. This task shall be completed on recurring bases each month to continue to receive the reward.

Successfully make a deposit of at least fifty US dollars (US$50) into your eligible account to gain access to Uphold’s Head of Research, Dr. Martin Hiesboeck, research library from the month of task completion.

Complete an eligible transaction as identified below (the “Eligible Transaction”) in the amount of at least fifty US dollars (US$50) on the Uphold platform to unlock 24-hour early access to new tokens listed on the platform. The Eligible Transactions include any completed purchase, swap, or sale of a supported crypto asset on the Uphold platform. All other transactions are excluded.

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2025 Veteran's Disability Compensation Rates Updated

The 2025 Veterans disability compensation rates are in! Starting Jan. 1, 2025, all compensation benefit rates have increased by 2.5% to match adjustments made to Social Security benefits. This increase impacts disability benefits, clothing allowance, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), as well as other VA assistance programs.

Yup, you read that correctly. Veterans and others under the Social Security Administration get a paltry 2.5% increase. But what they fail to let most of us know is the increase in MEDICARE premiums. What does that mean? Well, your paltry pennies increase will be gobbled up in higher Social Security Medicare costs.

Meanwhile, all of congress voted themselves an actual whole dollar salary increase of $60,000+ per year. Thanks a ton, congress.