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Four Months w/ the Nicotine Vaporizer
It’s hard for me to believe I haven’t been smoking now for four months. To be honest, until I discovered the nicotine vaporizer, I had resigned to smoking the rest of my what I knew would be shorter life.
I didn’t go to the vaporizer store (an RV in Spencer) to quit smoking. I went to try something to at least help me cut down. I never imagined that I would set my cigarettes aside permanently, immediately. But I did.
I am quite aware that there are those who feel it’s a cheat. “You’re still addicted to nicotine,” they say, and it’s true. “You should just have quit cold turkey,” they say.
Some people just want to cut you down. Some people just don’t want to recognize any improvement.
But it is an improvement.
Long time smokers know about phlegm. It’s a part of the smoker’s life. But three days after I switched to my vaporizer, I didn’t have to go through the morning cough and hack routine. Within a few weeks, that routine was all but gone from my life.
Within a week, my sense of smell came back full force – and I began to realize just how much smokers smell like smoke.
Mid-winter, I realized Daisy was packing on the weight, and we started daily walks again. Usually, by the time we reach the end of the far field, I’m out of breath. But when we got there this fall, I was fine – and we kept right on going. Daisy seemed surprised to find we weren’t turning back as usual.
Apparently, each person has an ejuice flavor that works for them. Mine is Mocha Hazelnut, although I also use Burley Tobacco. Frank likes the Brandy, Whiskey and the tobacco. I once met a man who said only the chocolate/peanut butter worked for him, while another man struggled adapting to the vaporizer until he found the Turkish Tobacco flavor. Others like fruit flavors, or candy flavors. You have to find your own.
I read today that more than 700,000 U.S. smokers have reported switching to nicotine vaporizers. I often think if Daddy had the chance with a vaporizer, he might still be with us.
But no. Even though vaporizers have been around for years, their import into the United States was banned for years. Even now – all vaporizers are made in China, but the e-juice used in them is available from American sources.
If you’ve tried to quit smoking, or not… If you’ve tried e-cigarettes, gum, or other devices that didn’t help…. If you like smoking, but would like a healthier habit…. Try the vaporizer. It’s the way to quit smoking that smokers love.
You can purchase vaporizers and all kinds of flavors locally at Nimblefingers in Spencer (the RV in SavALot parking lot), and supplies and a few flavors are available at Talliesduck in Normantown. You can also purchase supplies on Amazon. I’ve provided a link to the vaporizers like we use below.
Nicotine Vaporizer Update
I got my nicotine vaporizer (like the one above) in early November. Frank got his about a month later. Immediately, we both quit purchasing cigarettes (for me) and snuff (for him.)
It’s been three months now, and we still have not purchased any tobacco products. We both use our vaporizers on a regular basis; I use mine perhaps a bit more regularly than Frank, but I was a smoker and he rubbed snuff. The original habit was different.
When we first started, we were tempted to try different flavors, but it wasn’t long until we settled on favorites. We both use the Burley tobacco. Frank will rotate this with Brandy and Whiskey, while I switch between the Burley and Mocha Hazelnut or Caramel Cream.
After about six weeks, we started making our own nicotine juice, which cut down a lot of running to town and money. We make our flavors and store them in glass bottles, and use eye droppers to fill our vaporizers, which we call our “puffers.” We are more able, this way, to control the nicotine level in the juice we use, diluting it over time to wean ourselves slowly from the nicotine itself.
We are more than thrilled with the vaporizer process, and are happy to have tobacco gone from our lives. No dirty ash trays, smoky clothes and furniture, no spit cups, no morning cough. It really has made a difference in our lives.
However, it is challenging to find quality hardware. While nicotine juice and flavorings are available from the United States, France and other locations, vaporizers themselves are all made in China. Knock-offs are rampant. Leaking cartomizers, fried batteries – are common. But even with the regular upkeeps, maintenance and replacements – vaporizers are still cheaper than smoking a carton of brand name cigarettes a week, and the health benefits are immeasurable.
For some folks, the e-cigarettes (as those presented on the right of this page) are enough to kick the tobacco habit. But for many, the nicotine vaporizer is the magical key to quitting.
If you’ve ever even considered quitting cigarettes, I encourage you to try a nicotine vaporizer. For us, it’s been life-changing.
Natural Remedies to Ease Grieving & Help Manage Depression
Grief is the most draining of emotions, depleting both energy and brain power. Most people know that there are several stages of grief, including: shock, denial, protest and depression (though not in any particular order). Every person experiences and deals with grief differently, and some may have trouble working through the depression phase. However, there are natural remedies that can help everyone through the process.
AROMATHERAPY
The scent of marjoram is a traditional remedy for grief. You can purchase the essential oil and apply a drop or two to a tissue or handkerchief, or grow and dry marjoram and make it into a sachet. Both would make nice gifts to ease the pain of a grieving friend or loved one.
DIET
Ginseng helps the body deal with all kinds of stresses, including grief and loss. Ginseng is available as tea or capsules, but also powdered and fresh. During times of grief, increase your intake of Ginseng. Ginseng tea or root would be a good gift to offer someone who is grieving, or find a recipe calling for fresh Ginseng root.
When grieving, it’s important to be aware of your intake of sugar, processed foods, caffeinated foods and alcohol. Each of these can worsen depression.
An herbal supplement of Saint Johns’ Wort, taken three times a day, can help lift your outlook. Or, make tea from the dried herb, allow to steep for 10 minutes, strain, then cool. Drink twice daily. The down side? It takes up to four weeks to see results however, and the fair skinned should avoid the sun when taking Saint Johns’ Wort.
SAY WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID
One of the biggest regrets to accompany grief relates to “things left unsaid.” Some psychiatrists recommend picturing the lost one near the end of their life, then speak out loud of anything you wish you said before the person died. Express your sorrow, confusion, anger – whatever feelings you have relating to that person. Other psychiatrists suggest writing a letter to the deceased saying what needs to be said, then burning or shredding the letter as you wish them a final farewell.
IMMUNE BOOST
Grieving people are more susceptible to illness and disease. It is important to take steps to boost the immune system during a grieving period. Daily doses of Vitamin C and D can help.
Progressive relaxation has shown to increase immune cell activity, if regularly practiced three times a day. The progressive relaxation process includes tensing and relaxing muscles to increase blood flow to the different parts of the body.
EXERCISE
Anything that increases circulation will strengthen the immune system, relax tense muscles, and lift the spirits. Specifically, for grief, the American Yoga Association recommends the standing sun, knee squeeze and seated sun poses. However, since grieving people tend to become more sedentary, anyv exercise, even a slow, 15-minute walk will make a difference.
WARM YOUR HANDS
Under stress, the body restricts the flow of blood to the extremities, so they are colder than the rest of the body. If you warm your hands, blood flow increases again, lowering the level of stress and improving circulation for a healthy immune system.
Natural Remedy First Aid Kit Basics: Epsom Salts
Lord knows I love a warm bath with Epsom salts. The local dollar stores sell them in milk carton boxes, but wholesale supply stores have them in BIG plastic bins. As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to find them in a 50 gallon drum.
I’m big on soaking in the bath tub. Our tub is one of the sacred places in the house, where music, candle light, bubbles – are all a part of the experience. There was a time when I sent many a dollar on fancy creme baths, bubble baths, bath salts for our tub haven. But then I was introduced to the therapeutic uses of Epsom salts, and all the (expensive) fancy bath treatments went out the window.
Once I started keeping Epsom Salts in the house and learning more about them, I began to find all kinds of uses for them.
Epsom salts are made of the mineral magnesium sulfate — a sedative for the nervous system. When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient, exfoliator, and much more.
Studies say that 68% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. A lack of magnesium—which helps regulate the activity of more than 300 enzymes in the body—can contribute to high blood pressure, hyperactivity, heart problems and other health issues.
So, soaking in that salt bath not only sedates and relaxes, but it also tackles an American deficiency. What else can this salt do?
IN THE TUB
Add 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak for relaxation, detoxification, sore muscles. Epsom salt soaks will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises.
FIRST AID
To lessen the appearance of bruises, make a compress by soaking a washcloth in cold water mixed with Epsom salt – use two tablespoons per cup – then apply to the skin.
Epsom salt increases osmotic pressure on the skin, which draws foreign bodies toward the surface. to remove splinters, dissolve one cup of Epsom salt in a tub of water and soak the affected area.
For mosquito bites, bee stings, mild sunburn and poison ivy, make compresses by soaking a cotton washcloth in cold water that has been mixed with Epsom salt (2 tablespoons per cup), then apply to the skin.
Mix salt and warm water, gargle to relieve a sore throat.
PLANT CARE
House plants love the minerals in Epsom salt, feed them monthly by mixing in two tablespoons Epsom salt per gallon of water.
Pumpkins love Epsom salts. As do other veggies and plants. Spray your peppers at bloom time. Combine 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with a gallon of water. Ten days later, repeat the foliar spray again.Tomatoes can benefit from Epsom salt every 2 weeks. Apply 1 tablespoon diluted in water per foot of plant height per plant.
Want a more lush lawn? For lawns, use 3 pounds of Epsom salt for every 1,250 square feet. Apply with a spreader or dilute the Epsom salt in water and use a sprayer.
Kill poison ivy! Mix three pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water (use a gentle dish soap) and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer, avoiding any plant life that you want to keep.
CLEANING
Shower scrub: Mix equal parts Epsom Salts with dishwashing liquid, then dab it onto the offending area and start scrubbing. The Epsom salts work with the detergent to scrub and dissolve the grime.
Pour salt mixed with hot water down the kitchen sink regularly to deodorize and keep grease from building up.
Cast-iron skillets can be cleaned with a good sprinkling of salt and paper towels.
Use salt in the final laundry rinse to prevent clothes from freezing if you use an outdoor clothes line in the winter.
BEAUTY
Epsom salt is a great exfoliator. Massage handfuls of Epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.
For big, bouncy hair, give it a volumizing mask by mixing one part hair conditioner to one part Epsom salt and work the mixture through your locks. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse and style as usual.
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So many uses – and there are more that I have not listed here! So, next time you visit the dollar stores, see if you can find the Epsom salts – usually on the bottom shelf in the health and beauty section. Or, if you want to but a larger amount at one time – see Amazon listing below.
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7 Natural Approaches for Dissolving & Resolving Anger
If you have a long list of things in your life that drive you crazy, then chances are, your anger is affecting your health. Anger can immediately affect blood pressure, and can also bring on asthma or angina attacks. Long term anger can affect nearly every system of the body.
We can’t always control the appearance of anger in our lives, but we don’t have to let it take over the day, or take any more time than necessary. Here are some natural ways to control the anger in your life:
1. Aromatherapy
The scent of rose is a classic aromatherapy remedy for anger – perhaps the reason roses have become iconic to apologies?
Lavender and Chamomile scents are classic mood calmers as well.
2. Tongue Tube Breathing
Diffuse anger by rolling your tongue into a tube and breathing deeply down into your belly.
Breathe in and out through your tongue.
3. Foods to Lose
If you are prone to bursts of anger or chronic anger – lose the sugar.
Shifts in your blood sugar can bring lows that make your irritable. Also, avoid over eating.
Overeating brings on bloat and gas, which causes some people to feel agitated or frustrated.
4. Foods to Use
Your diet can also help minimize the levels of anger in your life.
Both calcium and magnesium have calming effects, so eat yogurt, salmon, broccoli, almonds for calcium, and
molasses, spinach, pumpkin seeds, bananas for magnesium.
5. Massage
A 15-minute Hellerwork self-massage can eliminate some of the tension created in the body from anger.
6. Meditation/Yoga
A 20-minute meditation session and/or yoga session can dissipate anger.
Try focusing on taking full, deep breaths, and keeping your thoughts clear as possible.
7. Sound Therapy
Twenty to 30 minutes of relaxing music can also dissipate anger.
Focus on the music while belly breathing in the corpse position,
both described here.
Anger can creep into our lives, but there’s no reason to let it linger in our minds or bodies. The next time you are swept up in anger, try to implement some of these tricks into your life.
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