Vegetarianism is becoming more and more popular and for a number of reasons. For many consumers the amount of hormones used in pork and beef to help them grew faster is of grave concern. And the give and take of nutritional needs for different types of vegetarians is important to understand also. There are some who eliminate beef and pork completely but will eat fish and chicken and others who take meat completely out of their diet. Read more
Trying to quit can be pretty depressing and it’s tempting to reach for comfort food to try to lift your mood; then you pile weight on, feel even more miserable and reach for the fags to cheer yourself up. It’s a vicious circle. But did you know that there are foods which actually make you feel happier; without compromising your health? Read more
A folk remedy for centuries it is now being researched and rediscovered. High in antioxidants this fruit has high medicinal value. Elderberries have a large amount of Vitamin C as well as amino acids, sugar, tannin rufin, vibumic acid, carotenoids, and Vitamins A and B. They are mildly laxative, diaphoretic and diuretic. The very powerful guercetin antioxidant is thought to account for the therapeutic qualities of the berry and that of the flower. There is also a flavonoid in this fruit called anthocyanins that protect cells against damage. Read more
As I write this today, there is a number that constantly floats on my head, 10,000. That’s the projected number of people in Tacloban City and in Central Philippines that may have died at the onset of the strongest typhoon to ever hit landmass; Typhoon Haiyan which is locally known as Yolanda. Read more
This is the last of a four part series speaking on the subject of the habit of smoking, the addiction, leaving the habit and the healing that comes afterwards. If you have missed any of them you can go to my profile and check them out.
You are probably feeling much better now, enjoying flavors again and Read more
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, (BP) is when the arteries have blood pressure which is in a continually elevated state. Every time the heart beats, it pushes blood through the whole body via the circulatory system., i.e. the veins and arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushed up against the Read more
"I'm worthless, pathetic and useless."
These are some words that any person going through an addiction relapse may think of during the entire ordeal. These are the emotions that I go through as I struggle through some personal issues. With a broken e-cigarette and prohibitive prices for replacements, I've had no recourse but to smoke real cigarettes again specially at the height of some things that I have to face. There's one thing that I realized throughout this personal experiment: I'm still addicted to nicotine. Yes, you heard that right. For me, e-cigarettes do not cure the addiction. It merely replaces it with a perceived cure. The effects on different individuals may vary.
There comes a time in one's life when you struggle and fight with so many things. Problems left, right, front, back, top, bottom, inside and outside beset us like hovering mosquitoes. During these high stress moments when you feel that the world is on your shoulders, it's easier to succumb to any weakness. Mine is smoking.
For me, smoking fills that void in time that lingers in the cusps of the whirlwind that is life. It's a moment for reflection as my body struggles with mental, emotional and psychological tension. Sometimes, I feel like there may be no way out of it. Sometimes, I feel that it is hopeless. But in it, I know that it is not. I cling to that belief like some sort of magical placebo that cures any psychosomatic illness. That is the power of belief. But I also know that belief and faith are always an ongoing struggle. They're a constant whirlpool of change, of victory and of defeat.
If you're reading this now and you're like me, know that you are not alone. You can do it. You need to do it. You need to quit smoking.
Life, though often hard and unforgiving, presents so many possibilities for joy and well being. There is literally a world of wonders to explore in good health. There are so many tiny precious moments that don't fit on a single blog post for you to experience. And they're all waiting for you to turn them into what is real. And they're all waiting to become a part of the unwritten chapter of your life.
Yesterday, we succumb to our weakness in our weakest moments. Today, we shall try again. And if we fail, we shall try yet again tomorrow. We lose seconds in every battle lost, but never lose hope that we can make the best moments of our lives in perfect health. Never lose hope that you can stop smoking.
Creative Commons Image via Flickr