Cigars

Creation of a smoking habit

Let’s pretend you wanted form a habit. And not just some wimpy habit, but a major, mind controlling, and life changing habit behavior. Where do you start to make it a really strong habit that will feel impossible to break? There are three basic ways we learn habits; emotions, authority figures, and repetition.

An example will help explain this.

Let’s just use a younger you for the example, 10-14 years old. And for this example, let’s use the habit of smoking. If you don’t smoke…. replace the word “smoking” with any craving you get, or just pretend you smoke? It is an article about smoking after all.

While in that age range, we’ll assume you were learning about life and how you fit in it. You may not have felt as sure about yourself as you would later in life.

Maybe you felt self-conscious, dependent on others, powerless, not good enough, or something like these. We’ll refer to this as feeling “bad”. Now, this does not necessarily mean you felt miserable, but did you feel as “good” as you wanted to feel? Did you feel as “good” as you believed other people felt?

Feeling like that would lead you to wanting to feel better, or, as good as everyone else. What ways does your mind see to do this?? That matters upon what learning situations you’ve been exposed to.

Experiences that teach you smoking is strong, capable, tough, independent, self-assured, unique, and feels “good”. Experiences that involve emotions, authority figures and repetition. Of course advertisements do this, so do parents and family members. Are these experiences repeated? Of course.

This would start a feeling in your mind, the beginning of a craving. A part of you that believes smoking is what your life needs to fix the bad feeling. Not just in a “knowing” way, but a “feeling” way. This concept will make the most sense to someone whom has tried to quit any strong habit, you know your “feelings” are stronger than your “knowing” any day.

Then at some point you tried your first cigarette, and DID feel better. But you were not very good at smoking yet and since it made you feel better, you practiced it until you were good at it.

As life continues you come across situations that make you feel “bad” again and do what you’ve been taught makes you feel “good”. That is repeated emotions and practice and you have a strong habit.

A lot of people working to quit smoking have thought of these things. A lot have not. But, all of the people that have tried to quit smoking have used a lot of time thinking and analyzing their habit. Trying to argue themselves into quitting. But, you didn’t learn this habit by thinking and analyzing. Why would trying to quit smoking that way work?

It is a lot easier to quit smoking with the same methods you started smoking with. A “hypnotized” state of mind combined with emotions, authority figures and repetition. Often called modern hypnosis.

As one forms a cigarette habit

Imagine you wanted to start a habit. A strong, automatic way of thinking and acting. How do you start a habit like this? There are three basic ways; emotions, authority figures, and repetition.

Example:

We need a person to use for our example. Let’s use you, when you were 10 to 14 years old. For the sake of discussion, let’s use the smoking habit. Ok?

While in that age range, we’ll assume you were learning about life and how you fit in it. You may not have felt as sure about yourself as you would later in life.

Kids that age sometimes feel self-conscious, dependent on others, powerless, not good enough, or??. We’ll call this feeling “bad”. This is not saying you felt miserable, but maybe didn’t feel “good” as you thought you should feel? Did you feel as “good” as you thought other people felt?

Feeling like that would lead you to wanting to feel better, or, as good as everyone else. What ways does your mind see to do this?? That matters upon what learning situations you’ve been exposed to.

Experiences that teach you smoking is strong, capable, tough, independent, self-assured, unique, and feels “good”. Experiences that involve emotions, authority figures and repetition. Of course advertisements do this, so do parents and family members. Are these experiences repeated? Of course.

Your mind would develop a craving for the very thing it believes is in your best interest. The thing that will make you feel better. A craving that is a “feeling”, separate from a “knowing”.

Then at some point you tried your first cigarette, and DID feel better. But you were not very good at smoking yet and since it made you feel better, you practiced it until you were good at it.

Life goes on and you continue practicing your smoking habit. Reinforcing the existing cravings and creating new ones. Like branches on the tree of the first craving.

If you’ve tried to stop smoking before, you may have already thought of these things. And you’ve spent time thinking and analyzing your habit. But, you didn’t learn this habit by thinking and analyzing, so why would trying to quit smoking that way?

It is common sense to quit smoking using the same elements that created the habit. A “hypnotized” mind, along with emotions, authority figures and repetition. These are the elements of modern hypnosis.

Finished smoking and surgery

Surgery is complicated enough without all the side effects. Typically there are pages of consent forms to sign listing everything that could go wrong. Surgery, whether elective or required is something many will face at some point in their lives. Patients should understand many complications can not be foreseen. However there is one complication that can be avoided and it is in the patient’s control and that is smoking.

Surgery is something many patients will face at some point in their lives, whether elective or required. There are certain protocols in place for patients to follow before surgery such as no food twelve hours before surgery and nothing to drink. However, many physicians and anesthesiologists require their patients to quit smoking for at least two weeks before and after surgery.

According to Anesthesiologyinfo.com, smoking does two things to the cardiovascular system which causes many problems for the anesthesiologist and surgeon. By smoking the patient is increasing the carbon monoxide which attaches to the hemoglobin in the blood which will decrease oxygen in the blood. Nicotine will increase the amount of oxygen the body needs putting a stress on the heart and body. The heart will not function properly because of the increased carbon monoxide and blood will not get where it needs to.

Second, the lungs are more likely to collapse because smoke causes the small airways in the lungs to not function properly as well. Smoking makes more mucus which can leak into the lungs, making the lungs unable to clear it. Smokers are more prone to bronchospasms and lung infections which can be fatal. Smoking has been linked to dozens of side effects from heart attacks to poor wound healing in surgery patients, by as many as six times more.

A successful surgery is something all doctors wish for their patients. Doctors do not want their patient to have complications before, during or after surgery. This is why they ask for smokers to at least take a break before going under any anesthesia. Making smoking secession a top priority is something all patients should be doing, regardless if they are having surgery or not. The ultimate goal should be to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle.

There are many ways for patients to quit smoking. Some of the more common treatments are over the counter, such as the nicotine patch and gum. There are other homeopathic treatments as well such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and hypnosis. While others choose to quit, by using prescriptions such as Zyban and Wellbutrin. Often treatments are combined so the patient is as successful as they can be.

The most important thing to do is talk with your physician and discuss your options and find out which plan will suit you best. Since there are many choices and options available to help you quit, there can be no more excuses. Do not wait until you need major surgery before trying to quit, quit before you get there.

Smoke and selected surgery

Surgery, whether elective or required is something many will face at some point in their lives. Surgery is complicated and can have many side effects. Often the consent forms are numerous pages listing everything which could go wrong. Surgery is complicated enough without the added risks of smoking.

Surgery is something many patients will face at some point in their lives, whether elective or required. There are certain protocols in place for patients to follow before surgery such as no food twelve hours before surgery and nothing to drink. However, many physicians and anesthesiologists require their patients to quit smoking for at least two weeks before and after surgery.

According to Anesthesiologyinfo.com, smoking has many seriously concerning risks which can occur during surgery. Smoking increases carbon monoxide which attaches itself to hemoglobin in the blood, decreasing the amount of oxygen getting through the body. The nicotine will make the body need more oxygen which will put stress on the heart, lungs and body which is already under distress from the anesthesia. The heart will not function properly because of the increased carbon monoxide causing the blood to no circulate as it should.

The lungs also prone to collapse because the small airways do not function as they should because of smoke and nicotine. Smoking causes more mucus production and the lungs are not able to clear it as quickly as they should, making the patient more prone to serious lung infections such as pneumonia and chronic coughing. Bronchospsams and other infections in the lungs can be fatal and should be taken seriously. Smoking has been linked to dozens of other side effects, ranging from heart attacks to poor wound healing by as many as six times more in smokers versus non smokers.

A successful surgery is something all doctors wish for their patients. Doctors do not want their patient to have complications before, during or after surgery. This is why they ask for smokers to at least take a break before going under any anesthesia. Making smoking secession a top priority is something all patients should be doing, regardless if they are having surgery or not. The ultimate goal should be to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle.

There are many ways for patients to quit smoking. Some of the more common treatments are over the counter, such as the nicotine patch and gum. There are other homeopathic treatments as well such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and hypnosis. While others choose to quit, by using prescriptions such as Zyban and Wellbutrin. Often treatments are combined so the patient is as successful as they can be.

The most important thing is to discuss with your physician to discuss your options and find out which plan will suit you best. There are many choices and options available to help you quit, the time is now. Do not wait until you need major surgery before trying to quit, quit before you get there.

Cigarette assistance become you finished?

I’ve helped a lot of people quit smoking. While doing this, I’ve been told a lot of reasons why it is good to smoke.

Smoking helps you think, relaxes you, de-stresses you, keeps you from getting upset at your family, tastes good with coffee, tastes really good after a meal. Basically, makes things “better” and makes you feel “better”.

You don’t believe these reasons. Not really. If you did, you wouldn’t also want to quit smoking. Right? Actually you CAN have it both ways. You can believe your reasons to smoke at the same time you don’t believe them. It is the difference between ‘knowing’ something and ‘feeling’ something.

The obvious and overlooked part is you must have a strong reason to continue smoking or you would have already stopped. By the way, there is no law that says your reason to keep smoking has to make any logical sense. It rarely does.

In fact, 99% of the reasons you continue can easily be proven incorrect. Maybe smoking keeps you from blowing up and yelling at your spouse because you’re mouth is full of smoke, or even better, you have to go outside to smoke.

And most of the time you’re AWARE it doesn’t make sense. That doesn’t change anything though, does it? Just one more log to toss on the fire of your motivation to quit. A fire that doesn’t have much chance against the ocean of your craving to smoke.

There are two important sides to this. The feeling that smoking will make you feel better and, the feeling you want to feel better than. That’s what needs to be changed.

If you’re thirsty you crave something to drink. If you’re hungry you crave food. If you feel bad (tired, stressed, overwhelmed, angry, lonely, whatever…) you want to feel good. And, whatever your mind has been taught feels good, you will crave.

This is an only slightly simplified explanation of a craving. Most smokers have more than one type of craving like, the ‘first thing in the morning’ craving feels different than the ‘after lunch’ craving. But the same model applies.

SO, how do you change these things? I can write on and on about this (and I have on my web site) It will come down to changing the feelings, motivations and beliefs involved.

First, feeling bad needs to be looked at and helped. If it’s stress, get it managed, if it’s a bad situation, do what you can to fix it or get help.

Second, the belief that smoking makes you feel good (it is often the mistaken, and understandable, belief that smoking equals being an adult, in control, strong, capable, etc…) The fact is, smoking is some plant leaf and chemicals wrapped in paper. The good feeling you’re looking for, and sometimes experience, is created by YOU. YOU make yourself feel better when you smoke. You can make yourself feel just as good when drinking a glass of water. If, your mind believes it.

And that’s the bottom line. The bulk of the quit smoking issue is about behavior modification - changing the way you feel. That’s why the success rate of most prescription medication and nicotine replacement (like the patch and nicotine gum) alone is so low. The only current exception is Chantix and even Pfizer, the makers of Chantix, recommend behavior modification go along with the medication.

Best Dallas cowboy Quarterbacks of all time

This is my list of top five best Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks of all time. It factors in winning and passing statistics.

5. Danny White: Starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the 80’s. He was in one Pro Bowl and a three times All-Pro selection. He had a 81.7 passer rating and 21,959 yards passing. He took the team to two playoff games but lost to the St. Louis Rams in both.

4. Don Merideth: Went to three Pro Bowls and a two time All-Pro selection. He also won the Bert Bell award in 1966 as player of the year. He is in the Dallas Cowboys ring of honor along side other Cowboy greats. Lead the cowboy to two championship games against the Packers, one being the “Ice Bowl”, but lost them both in heartbreaking fashion.

3. Tony Romo: Already has a passer rating of 97.6 with 59 touchdowns and only 34 picks. He has 7,746 yards passing. He is already been to the Pro Bowl twice. Romo set the record for season touchdown passes with 36 breaking Danny White’s record of 29. He has taken the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs but lost one to the Seahawks and once to the Giants in the first rounds. Still has to prove himself in the playoffs but statistically is on par with the great cowboys quarterbacks. This is only his third year as starter for the Cowboys, so he has helped the team a lot in a short time.

2. Roger Staubach: Six time Pro Bowler and 2 times Superbowl Champion. Quite a gem for the Dallas Cowboys as he was picked in the tenth round of the draft. Won Player of the Year in 1971 and was a 5 times All-NFC Selection. He was also the MVP of Super Bowl VI.

1. Troy Aikman: Nearly edges out Staubach because of his stats and one more Super Bowl win. Sure Aikman was more rigid than Rodger, but he never lost a Superbowl like his counterpart did. He was a six times Pro Bowler as well. Plus he was a three times All-Pro selection. He maintained a career passer rating of 81.6 with 32,942 passing yards, a record that will be hard to break for Romo. He definitely had talent around him with Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin which helped. Don’t forget a great tight end in Jay Novachek. Romo has a great tight end in Witten, a great back in Marion Barber, and now two great wide receivers in Terrell Owens and Roy Williams. Unfortunately they have already lost 4 games this season and a dropping to the bottom of their division. A Super Bowl ring looks unlikely for Romo this year.

Clarke Baldwin is a journalist who has worked for Dallas Morning News and other publications. You can find his site at Super Media Blog and this article at Best Dallas Cowboys Quarterbacks of All Time within the section Dallas Cowboys.

By: Clarke Baldwin
http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

Habanos 2008 limited - Pressekommuniqué for expenditures

Well.. they’re finally here! As always all Habanos Limited Editions will continue ageing all leaves (filler, binder and wrapper) for at least two years. Montecristo Sublimes, Cuaba Piramides and Partagas Serie D No.5: 2008 Limited Editions.

Havana, April 2008. Montecristo Sublimes , Cuaba Pirámides and Partagás Serie D No 5, 2008 are the brands and sizes selected for this year’s Limited Editions which will be available by the years end.

Cuaba Piramide LE 2008

Cuaba Piramides (Girth 52 x 156 mm in length). In keeping with the rest of the tapered sizes of the brand, Cuaba is having a Limited Edition for the first time, and it´s releasing the pyramids which are packed in Semi Plain boxes with 10 sticks in two layers.

Montecristo Sublime LE 2008

Montecristo Sublimes (Girth 54 x 164 mm in the length) This size was first presented as part of the 2004 Limited Edition in the Cohiba brand. Now, Montecristo brings it back with its characteristic blend. A Habano to remember, respectfully long, with a proper draw and ready to show forth the notably medium to full flavour of said brand. Cigars will be packaged in SBN boxes comprising 10 units.

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Simple steps to the pressure relief

Stress is a state of mind and the best way to combat stress and its effects on the mind is through relaxation. Stress can cause many problems such as concentration issues, lack of good judgment, negativity and lack of productivity as well as many health issues such as heart attacks and chronic headaches. The best way to combat these feelings and factors of stress is through relaxation. Relaxation takes as little as ten minutes a day and can be as simple as breathing exercises, or as challenging as a kick boxing class, the choice is yours.

Relaxation can happen anywhere, at work, at home or on a little deserted island off the coast of Mexico. Unfortunately not everyone can take a nice vacation to that dream island or a seven year sabbatical. Many need to learn to relax in the comfort of their own homes and lives. The key is to find something you enjoy and teach your mind to relax when you do it.

Finding your method of relaxation might be more difficult for some than others, but it is easy, just think about what you enjoy most. Maybe you like surfing the web, reading, meditating or walking. Any of these activities can be a relaxation method and can be scaled down to ten minutes.

Watching TV, listening to music, surfing the web and reading all offer a break from regular day to day situations. They each create an alternative world that is entirely your own. Your mind visually escapes into a place that is different and exciting instead of dull, boring and always the same as so many of us think our lives are.

Meditation can help you learn to reflect on situations and to control your breathing to calm your mind. These techniques need to be learned and practiced in order to achieve the maximum result. Once mastered, you can relax at the drop of a hat and find inner control in as little as ten minutes.

The gym, fitness classes and general exercise appeal to many as a form of relaxation. You have a choice between running, walking or lifting weights. Others might prefer group fitness in the form of a cycling, kick boxing or tai chi class. Running and walking burn off built up energy and are a great stress reliever, however not everyone wants to run a marathon. For them there are other classes and their purpose is relaxation, such as yoga which focuses on relaxing the mind and body at once. Many people choose to skip the classes and gym all together and simply walk their dogs in the park which offers equally as much stress relief.

Practice makes perfect and remember patience is a virtue. Listen to your body and practice until your body knows what relaxation feels like. Make note of what did not work for your mind and body, remember it for the future. Be patient, if you don’t get it right away, it will happen eventually so keep up the good work. But make sure to keep yourself motivated by reminding yourself you will be healthier and happier in the end and think how nice it is to do something you like!

Teaching your body something new is always a challenge, however once you get the hang of it, it is like riding a bike, your body won’t forget how. It is important to find an activity which you enjoy and know you will stick with, but you must make a conscious effort to remind and train your body to relax while performing this task. It may take time, but in the end the rewards will be fantastic for your mind, body and lifestyle.

A serious danger of smoking - its effect on your heart

Heart disease is very serious and over and over we hear how smoking can cause it. But how? How can smoking lead to heart disease? In fact, what exactly is heart disease?

In this context, the phrase ‘heart disease’ usually refers to coronary artery disease. That’s a condition in which a major blood vessel that leaves the heart carrying oxygen-rich blood becomes constricted. That increases the odds of a clot or closure that causes a heart attack. That’s why it’s sometimes called ‘having a coronary’.

Long term, heavy smoking greatly increases the odds of that happening for several reasons.

Smoking slows the flow of oxygen into the heart which increases your chances of heart disease. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke attaches itself to the hemoglobin of the red blood cells. These are the cells that help carry oxygen to the heart.

Cigarettes also contain nicotine which works against the heart because it robs the blood of oxygen that the heart needs. It also makes the blood clot easier which increases your risk of a heart attack.

But even more subtle, yet still dangerous, effects are produced by nicotine. One of the most serious, long term, is that it encourages the growth of fatty deposits on the arteries, constricting blood flow and hardening the blood vessel.

One of the ways smoking carries out that damage is by decreasing the amount of HDL (high density lipoprotein), the ‘good’ type of cholesterol. That encourages the growth of those fatty deposits. That condition is called atherosclerosis and it’s a major factor in heart attack risk.

There is a reason that heart disease and stroke are often mentioned together when discussing the harmful effects of smoking. With the clogging of arteries brought on by smoking there is an increase in blood pressure as the blood struggles to pass through the constricted arteries. Because of the increased stress on these arteries and the heart, any weak area will most likely rupture. That means that oxygen will not flow to the brain and that leads to a stroke.

Hardening an artery makes it less able to withstand the normal stresses and strains of its function, as well. Remember, a blood vessel is both similar to a hose and different in important ways.

Blood will not flow properly through arteries if there are holes in your arteries. Also, if your blood does not continue to flow freely through your arteries the results are always damaging but can be deadly. Every living tissue in your body is depending on the blood it needs survive and that blood is delivered through the arteries of your heart.

Smoke before selected surgery

Quitting smoking is a task which smokers fear, however they know by quitting they will be healthier. Not only does smoking have an adverse effect on the body it can also cause many serious health problems such as heart disease, cancer and COPD. Both the smoker and their doctors should put tobacco secession at the top of their lists. Not only do doctors fear for their patients’ health, they fear what will happen should their patient need surgery.

Surgery is something many patients will face at some point in their lives, whether elective or required. There are certain protocols in place for patients to follow before surgery such as no food twelve hours before surgery and nothing to drink. However, many physicians and anesthesiologists require their patients to quit smoking for at least two weeks before and after surgery.

Anesthesiologyinfo.com explains some of the serious side effects smoking can have on the body during surgery. The heart will not function properly because smoking increases carbon monoxide causing the blood to not properly circulate. Carbon monoxide will also attach itself to hemoglobin in the blood which will decrease the amount of oxygen flowing through the blood and body. Nicotine makes the body need more oxygen which will put more stress on the heart, lungs and body which is already under distress from the anesthesia.

With surgery, the body is under stress and therefore prone to infections, especially lung infections. However if you are a smoker, the lungs are even more susceptible to collapse. The small airways do not function as they should because of smoke and nicotine which makes them collapse. Mucus production increases because of smoking and the lungs are not able to clear it as quickly as they should because of anesthesia, making the patient more prone to serious lung infections such as pneumonia and chronic coughing. Bronchospsams and other infections in the lungs can be fatal and should be taken seriously. Smoking has been linked to dozens of other side effects, ranging from heart attacks to poor wound healing by as many as six times more in smokers versus non smokers.

Doctors want their patients to lead a healthier life and have a successful surgery, so generally surgeons and physicians ask their patients to quit for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Many surgeons have asked for as many as four weeks before and after to insure their patients are fit for surgery. However, ideally physicians and surgeons want their patients to make smoking secession a top priority.

Over the years, quitting has become easier. This is mainly attributed to more easily available treatments. Some of the most common treatments are found over the counter, such as the nicotine patch and gum. Some patients choose to try homeopathic treatments such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and hypnosis. Prescription drugs such as Zyban and Wellbutrin have gained popularity as well. Often treatments are combined so the patient can be as successful as possible.

The most important thing to do is talk with your physician and discuss your options and find out which plan will suit you best. Since there are many choices and options available to help you quit, there can be no more excuses. Do not wait until you need major surgery before trying to quit, quit before you get there.