There is more to dark chocolate than meets the eye of the health concious smoker looking for ways improve health and lower the danger of smoking.

This luscious dark chocolate pie is guaranteed to add some sweet heat and tantric appeal to a romantic meal. I don't know if it a smoking alternative but if you want to beat the urge to smoke give this treat a try and you might find it is a best stop smoking aid.

Of its six ingredients, four of them are thought to be aphrodisiacal: Chocolate, almonds, ginger and chile. Powers of attraction aside, this recipe for Chocolate Tantric Pie is unusual and delicious, and is as easy as pie to prepare.

This is a sweet chocolate pie with the spicy bite of ginger and cayenne pepper and no nicotine withdrawl!!!

It’s guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth, internally warm your belly, and give you that unmistakable tantric glow. There is very little work to creating this dessert. For a gluten-free version, omit the pie shell for a no-bake flourless torte. You can also pour the pie mixture into a baking dish, just cool before cutting into squares and serve like fudge.

INGREDIENTS
1½ cups organic half-and-half or whipping cream
3 cups semisweet organic chocolate chips
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup chopped candied ginger
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
9-inch pie crust

1. Over medium heat, bring half-and half or whipping cream to a simmer in a 1-quart saucepan, stirring to prevent scorching on the bottom.

2. Whisk as you slowly pour the chocolate chips into the cream and continue to stir until the chocolate has melted. Stir in half the almonds and half the ginger. Stir in cayenne if using.

3. Pour mixture into a pre-baked 9-inch pie shell. Sprinkle and remaining almonds and ginger on top. Cool until firm, slice, and serve.

Serves 8

Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed that he is struggling to stop smokiing.

The Shutter Island actor admitted that he has tried using nicotine replacement  patches, but they have caused him severe sleep problems as part of way to overcome the urge to smoke.

"When I use  nicotine replacement patches I have blood curdling nightmares of murder. Mass murders," Contactmusic quotes his as saying.

"I wake up in the middle of the night and have to take them off. I don't really remember my dreams that much apart from then. I don't know what that means about me from a psychological point of view but that's the truth."

DiCaprio recently revealed that he spends time with his friends as "therapy" to find freedom from smoking.

Shutter Island opens in the US on February 19 and in UK cinemas on March 12.

... but I'm still addicted to nicotine

Are you worried about the possible nicotine side effects from your addiction?

Surprisingly you may be addicted to a recognizable brand name nicotine replacement chewing gum.

That addiction may be harder to give up than when you were physically smoking cigarettes.

Are you desperate to give it up before the dangers of nicotine does any further damage to your health?

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can be somewhat of a mixed blessing.

Perhaps someone you know who has quit smoking by chewing nicotine gum has encouraged or even badgered you to try NRT...maybe even your doctor.

How easy it seems, but if it is so easy why are so many ex smokers chewing nicotine gum ... some for over Ten (10) years since they stopped smoking cigarettes.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It doesn't take people long to feel the biological effects. The brain receptors respond to substances such as nicotine and they very quickly want more.

It is one of the most addictive substances and we know that nicotine side effects are not only a danger of smoking. 

But how many smokers that quit smoking have actually swapped one nicotine addiction for another?

If you are looking for effective way to stop cravings, the urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms from tobacco-delivered nicotine-dependence yu will be happy to know that there are some terrific nicotine free non addictive products available. Many of these products made from natural ingredients.

Some of these alternatives to NRT’s even contain dark chocolate which has been proven in clinical studies to increase cardiac function and arterial blood flow in smokers.

Take your time and look for what will work for you to take away your addiction.

I know I have the Freedom of Choice anytime to start cutting down on amount of cigarettes I smoke and still gain from it. I can even have the choice to quit smoking when ever I Freedom From Smoking.

I also know that no one can force me to stop smoking right now if I’m not ready to make the decision to quit smoking today.

Any of  my future plans give me my own time line for freedom from smoking when I choose to stop smoking!

In the meantime I know I have a product like to get me through times when the urge to smoke is nagging.

With that in mind I can relax and enjoy my freedom without being told how or when. Now I just smile because my new plan is simple.

      I take the time prepare meals properly.

      I take an energetic walk.

      I leave some time to relax at the end of the day.

My product tastes great and is the only product available with the health benefits of dark chocolate to help me to overcome the urge to smoke when I choose

You can too.

Seems like you always want a smoke when you are where can’t have one. So it makes sense to tell yourself you better make sure you can do something in those times that will allow you to get past those ugly situations. You want your cravings for a cigarette taken care of.  

Smoking should be about whenever or wherever you want, but it’s not. It's become more like them being forced to committ to quit smoking today!t. You know you when and where you won’t be able to smoke in your friend’s homes, in public places, inside of buildings, or anywhere where the craving is hardest to control.

Smokerzchoice is the answer. Use it anywhere, anytime, in any social smoking situation, any time that you want to smoke but can’t. You may be wondering how this is possible. The answer is quite easy. All you have to do is make sure you have Smokerzchoice on hand. This great tasting natural alternative to nicotine and tobacco products puts you back in control and gives you the ability to overcome the urge to smoke whenever you choose.

Perhaps someone you care about smokes and they are not ready to quit. If this bothers you are and you can’t seem to get them to control their cravings then you will want to think about purchasing the Smokerzchoice for them as well. This will allow them to relax, reduce nervous tension and curb that craving for a cigarette whatever or wherever the urge strikes.

And since they aren’t smoking no one will know because the smells and stains that regular smoker experience will be gone. And best of all no stinky cigarette bad breath.

Smokerzchoice may also be a great way to get ready to quit smoking if that is your choice.

Once you try Smokerzchoice you will they see all the benefits. Share Smokerzchoice with others you care about and they see for themselves as well.

It won’t be so hard to get around the urge to smoke and continue smoking and who knows quitting may not be as hard as you think with Smokerzchoice.

So as you have read there are lot of benefits for choosing and trying Smokerzchoice. Whether you smoke, want to cut down or just plain qui. and buy it for yourself. Smokerzchoice provides you the smoker with a way to overcome those cravings while other smokers are suffering and aren’t able to take care of their craving.

You will make them all jealous as they have to sit back and watch you relax without nervous tension or stress

You won’t have to worry about going outside for a smoke when the weather is bad, the plane is delayed or the food and company is just too good.

With Smokerzchoice you will be in control all of the time.

It's tough to be a hard-core chain-smoker these days. And it's not necessarily the dangers of smoking or secondhand smoke that are leading that charge

Half of the U.S. population could care less about the consequences of smoking but are more interested in when and where they can light up because they live in areas where smoking is banned in workplaces, bars and restaurants.

More than 70% of Americans don't allow smoking in their homes, including about half of current smokers.

So forget your urge to smoke, that nicotine withdrawal, or quit smoking cravings the rules for finding your freedom from smoking have changed.

...and the government and big Pharma took it away!
 

Several years ago, I developed a smoking cessation program and offered it for FREE to the American Lung Association because I felt that we are all in smoking cessation for the same reasons. My incorporated these same goals as American Lung Association’s.  It was based on the idea that smokers trying to quit smoking were informed and prepared for the challenge and had a concrete plan of action were successful. 

Was I ever wrong? The American Lung Association was in bed with and getting big donations from Big Pharmaceutical who basically wanted NO OTHER COMPANIES competing with them regardless of the public health mandate. It didn’t matter that they owned 90% market share for smoking cessation/stop smoking products. If you owned 1% and were helping people to quit smoking they wanted that 1% to buy their products,

Let’s face it smoking and quitting smoking is deeply ingrained in people’s daily activities. It’s hard for people to stop smoking. The physical withdrawal of the nicotine is hard for the smokers to deal with once nicotine withdrawal accompanies the urge to smoke. A smoker has to deal with the multitude of behaviors they associated with the smoking habit and nicotine addiction. 

Smokers trying to quit smoking have to learn what to do with their hands, what to do during breaks at work, how to fill the time at home when they usually smoked and how to handle social situations with friends.

The quitting process is difficult and that’s why the statistics show that it takes most smokers several tries before they are able to quit for good.

However the successful participants seemed to share several key factors:

• They were in the class for themselves vs. being there at the request of a family member.
• They could envision themselves as non-smokers.
• They stuck to the plan.
• They had the support of others to quit.  

My advice …

… Take your time and make sure your ready to quit smoking. Evaluate all products when deciding what might work for you. Don’t just pick the one advertised on TV. There are plenty of natural products available that work just as well as those Rx and OTC brands.

Quitting is a process just stick with it.

OK so you’re smoking again.

It’s the same tired old ritual. You quit smoking then you start smoking again. Your last attempt at quitting smoking lasted a few days.

Stop telling yourself over and over again: “I want to stop smoking forever!”. That is quite a goal. Forever is a long time!

You have lots of company and they haven’t made it yet either.

Don’t take on a task bigger than you are. Why don’t you just try and cut down? Take it one step at a time and you might be surprised at the resluts.

Why not try a FREE SAMPLE of  product like all dark chocolate Smokerzchoice. SmokerZchoice helps take away those temporary nicotine cravings while reducing nervous tension... and the dark chocolate formula may also improve arterial blood flow as some clinical studies have shown.

Next time your craving a smoke and railroading your goals ... reach for a product like smokerZchoice (www.smokerZchoice.com) that gets you through those times when you have that urge to smoke.

Did you crave a cigarette in church on Sunday? That urge to smoke doesn't make it a sin!

You don't have to smoke like your going to hell before you get to church. Nicotine Side effects and nicotine withdrawal? Why go through it just because there is so much pressure from the choir.

How sin free do you think they can be as they preach the virtues of freedom from smoking?

 

New evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress was just published in “Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects.”

The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar, and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.

In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say.

This great news for smokers and those smokers that want to quit smoking with a natural stop smoking alternative. No nicotine side effects or those nasty quit smoking cravings.

When you have the urge to smoke look for some of the new dark chocolate products to feel good and reduce the nicotine withdrawal.

Busting Myths On STOPPING Smoking

With the current economy, many are finding their tobacco and nicotine habit hard to give up. But it's not easy to quit, especially with so many myths associated with smoking and quitting smoking.

Many smokers believe they are not hooked and think they can stop smoking whenever they want, but after talking with Wichita Falls health experts, we found that is highly unlikely.

"In reality, cigarette nicotine smoking is as addictive as heroin," said Registered Therapist Debra Pardue. She said most smokers are shocked when they learn the ingredients in cigarettes.

Pardue said, "It's not nicotine that causes the cancer it's the nicotine that keeps you addicted.  The other additives are what cause cancers when they are burned."

So some try to stop the urge for nicotine by themselves and get off heavy cigarettes by turning to lights, dip or chew. They believe they'll never be able to quit smoking completely because they fear their urge to smoke that is supported by nicotine craving will never go away. In realty, Pardue says these alternatives are no better and while each individual reacts differently, the chemical withdrawal is only ten to 14 days."You do have to get your mind set that you're going to quit smoking and find reasons to quit. Whether it's health, your pocket book, whatever reason you have to prepare," said American Cancer Society Community Organizer Candy Kennedy.

For those afraid they'll gain weight if they stop smoking, experts said that only happens because many fill the void with food. "Normally it's going to be snack foods, high in fat and something to occupy hands for daily craving from cigarettes," Kennedy said. Pardue said, "You're only going to gain an average of five to seven pounds and if you weigh the detrimental side effects to that five to seven pounds against the benefits of quitting, it's no comparison."

According to the American Cancer Society within 20 minutes of that last cigarette, a person's blood pressure and pulse drop to normal. So, even if you've been smoking most of your life,

Pardue said it's never too late to give up the smoking habit. If not for you, then for those around you."The way we live our lives has a direct effect on our kids and grandkids so we need to set an example for them," Pardue said. Both Kennedy and Pardue say it's easier to quit smoking if you have a support group, whether it be a friend, co-worker or spouse.

Common Nicotine Gum Use Adversities

Common complaints among long-term nicotine replacement gum users (one year or greater) include: nicotine addiction and with intense gum cravings realted to nicotine withdrawal, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, headaches, nervousness, hiccups, ringing in the ears, chronic depression, headaches, heart burn, elevated blood pressure, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sleep disruption, tiredness, a lack of motivation, a heavy feeling, recessed, bleeding and diseased gums, diminished sense of taste, tooth enamel damage, tooth loss, jaw-joint pain and damage (TMJ), canker sores with white patches on the tongue or mouth, bad breath, dry mouth, sore or irritated throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen glands, bronchitis, stomach problems and pain, gastritis, severe bloating, belching, achy muscles and joints, pins and needles in arms and hands, uncontrollable foul smelling gas that lingers, a lack of energy, loss of sex drive, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, fecal impaction from dehydration, scalp tingling, hair loss, acne, facial reddening, chronic skin rashes and concerns about immune system suppression. All this means is that nicotine withdrawal is associated with nicotine replacement making NRT less than a best stop smoking aid because of nicotine's side effects.

Other Health Concerns

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is not blind. It has seen industry commercials and knows that nicotine gum is addictive and that nicotine withdrawal is a problem encountered by long time users of nicotine replace as a stop smoking alternative. It is being marketed as both a great tasting supplement to smoking and a permanent stand-alone harm reduction solution. Sadly, this is being done without any meaningful long-term research regarding the consequences of long-term NRT use or the influence of harm reduction marketing in fostering youth nicotine addiction. In the initial clinical studies supporting FDA approval it was never intended for these uses. As a matter of fact during the 13 week trials regular gum shown to have a 60% placebo effect in subjects enrolled in the study.

Recent studies raise a host of use concerns as smoking alternative because of nicotine side effects that most users will not notice until it’s too late. Researchers are concerned that nicotine is a super toxin that appears to destroy brain gray matter, prevent unhealthy cells throughout the body from dying natural deaths (apoptosis), promotes lung, breast and pancreatic cancer, hinders bone healing, induces angiogenesis which causes plaque build-up within arteries to harden, and that it accelerates tumor growth rates.

Better to try a more natural smoking alternative when you have the urge to smoke.

Just who's freedom from smoking is it anyway? Stop smoking bans have been popping up across the United States for over a decade now. There is evidence on both sides regarding the harmful affects of secondhand smoke. Some studies show that secondhand smoke is detrimental to those around the smoker and some studies have shown that with proper air ventilation, secondhand smoke is not an issue.

Smoking bans are just disguised as ways to take away the freedom to smoke, but also present a great problem to the free market where these bans are literally dictating what a business owner can and cannot do in their own private business. These bans are beginning to filtrate into private homes and cars.

Smoking is an adult behavior. Just as drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual activity are considered adult behaviors. But as we have learned over the years, shielding children from being educated in making responsible choices once they become adults, only causes children to make irresponsible choices while they are children.

So what do smoking bans really accomplish? Do they really accomplish a greater sense of public health? Do they create a distaste for “big government”? Are smoking bans backwards? Do they really help you to quit smoking?

Let’s look at the history of smoking bans, in a nutshell of course. At first, anti-smoking advocates were against smoking inside because of the compact conditions and poor air movement quality. Their concern was that non-smoking workers and patrons could not get away from secondhand smoke as it does have a tendency to “sit” in the air. The argument was that workers do not have a choice of where they work so they need to be protected from side effects of smoking and nicotine. So they fought to have all smoking pushed outside.

It is here that the private business owners began to feel an infringement upon their rights. The local government is now telling them that they can’t allow the use of a legal product in their privately owned, adult only business.

Smoking then went outside. And business owners reluctantly complied, setting up smoking areas for their patrons, outside and at their own expense.

Then, a few years later, these same advocates were tired of having to walk through the smoke to get into non-smoking establishments so they decided to go after smoking outside. Now, not only are private business owners lacking in their rights, but smokers were also being told that as a smoker, somehow their rights are not equal to those who are non-smokers.

Now, for the non-smoking advocate who may be reading this, please don’t get upset. We definitely see your side of this. Why should someone who has no desire to be engulfed in cigarette smoke have to put up with secondhand cigarette smoke? Why should parents have to run quickly through clouds of smoke with their children in order to get past the front doors of one establishment? And for those who have quit smoking and struggle every day with the urge to smoke and to stay on the wagon, why would one want to be subjected to such temptation? Recovering alcoholics are lucky because if they don’t want to go into a bar, they simply don’t have to.

But what would have happened if the anti-smoking advocates had done the exact opposite? What would have happened if their original smoking bans were to restrict all smoking on public streets and only to allow smoking in private businesses that had proper ventilation systems and were physically marked on the entrance that this is a “smoking establishment”? Would we be having the heated debates today that we are? As for the workers in such an establishment; in America they have the right to choose where they work.

Ohio Smoker Doesn't Want To Quit Smoking And Grows His Own Tobacco!
 

Some people brew their own beer or make their own wine; now, an Ohio man is testing the viability of growing his own tobacco in the face of rising no smoking regulations and increased cigarette costs.

The Akron Beacon Journal reported June 28 that Don Carey of Peninsula, Ohio is testing 40 varieties of tobacco on three-quarters of an acre of land. Carey said the experiment was a response to a federal tax hike on roll-your-own tobacco; he is a lifelong cigarette and cigar smoker with no plans to stop smoking.

Carey used the Internet to find tobacco seeds and planted 7,000. A spokesperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which recently gained the authority to regulate tobacco products in addition to the management of many stop smoking alternatives, said it is legal for Americans to grow their own tobacco for personal use.

Others have also expressed interest in growing their own tobacco since the new tax hikes went into effect. However, growing tobacco can be a challenge, said David Dugan, an agricultural expert at Ohio State University.

''If the crop grows well, [Carey] is going to need a lot of space to hang this stuff to get it to cure and then a lot of space to store it once it is stripped,'' he said. Curing tobacco is weather-dependent and humidity must be controlled, and the drying leaves must be protected from insects and rodents, said Dugan.

On the other hand, Ohio is a proven tobacco-growing region: 1,450 acres of tobacco were harvested in 2006 in Brown County, where Carey is located.

Carey said he is a pack-a-day smoker and needs approximately 17 pounds of tobacco for a year's supply. "So if I get a thousand pounds, it will be good for 50-something years," he said.

''I'm not trying to start a revolution or anything,'' said Carey. "I'm trying to end up with a finished product I can use whenever I have the urge to smoke cigarettes and cigars."

Reported in the Akron Beacon Journal June 28, 2009

Researchers from Duke University Medical Center have identified areas of the brain affected by nicotine addiction and the urge to smoke cigarettes. This may finally lay to rest the position taken by anti-smokers that nicotine addiction is not a disease like other addiction. Smoker trying to quit smoking can breath a sigh of relief because now maybe the anti-smoking advocates with will lose some steam. Nicotine addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder and that makes stopping smoking very hard.

"If you can't calm down, can't derive pleasure and can't control yourself or concentrate, then it will be extremely difficult for you to break the habit," said lead study researcher Jed E. Rose, Ph.D., director of the Duke Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research. "These brain regions may explain why most people try to quit several times before they are successful."

The study was published on line in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

The research was funded by tobacco company Philip Morris USA. 

For years I noticed how difficult it is for smokers to stay on top of their efforts to quit smoking. Most of the smokers I have talked to over the years have expressed frustration when it come to dealing those nicotine cravings and urges to smoke whenever they attempt to quit smoking.

When I started out in the smoking cessation business in 1984 I was smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day. As much as I wanted to quit smoking whenever I tried to stop … well the effects of nicotine were too strong to handle.

I soon understood that I had to process my will power and examine the quit smoking data before I gained a sense of what I was dealing with. I soon found out that nicotine is a highly addictive poison. Along the way I discovered that there were natural botanical alternatives to nicotine. I experimented with them until I found a formula that worked. I quit smoking in 1984, that was almost 26 years ago and I haven’t looked back since.

There have been a lot of changes and recommendations over those many years on products and how to quit smoking, but one thing hasn't’t changed … nicotine. It is just as bad for you now as it ever was maybe more so. It doesn't’t matter what form the nicotine is in. Even if you don’t smoke nicotine any more in the form of a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or smokeless tobacco doesn't’t take away its deadliness.

Gum, Patches, Inhalers … whatever! Nicotine is bad and regardless of its form it is mutagenic and poses all sorts of health risks.

Struggle yes, but don’t let nicotine the big tobacco companies and the pharmaceutical companies tell you otherwise.

For years I noticed how difficult it is for smokers to stay on top of their efforts to quit smoking. Most of the smokers I have talked to over the years have expressed frustration when it come to dealing those nicotine cravings and urges to smoke whenever they attempt to quit smoking.

When I started out in the smoking cessation business in 1984 I was smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day. As much as I wanted to quit smoking whenever I tried to stop … well the effects of nicotine were too strong to handle.

I soon understood that I had to process my will power and examine the quit smoking data before I gained a sense of what I was dealing with. I soon found out that nicotine is a highly addictive poison. Along the way I discovered that there were natural botanical alternatives to nicotine. I experimented with them until I found a formula that worked. I quit smoking in 1984, that was almost 26 years ago and I haven’t looked back since.

There have been a lot of changes and recommendations over those many years on products and how to quit smoking, but one thing hasn't’t changed … nicotine. It is just as bad for you now as it ever was maybe more so. It doesn't’t matter what form the nicotine is in. Even if you don’t smoke nicotine any more in the form of a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or smokeless tobacco doesn't’t take away its deadliness.

Gum, Patches, Inhalers … whatever! Nicotine is bad and regardless of its form it is mutagenic and poses all sorts of health risks.

Struggle yes, but don’t let nicotine the big tobacco companies and the pharmaceutical companies tell you otherwise.