FABULOUS info Missy! Thanks so much for taking the time and the energy to share all of this incredible information :) I've already copied it and placed in on my desktop for reference! And your stats are AMAZING! So inspirational! [IMG]http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/Monica58/drawinghappyface.gif[/IMG] Monica58 [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/31/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 417 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $180 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Thanks for sharing, MissyFit. It's great! However, I tend to disagree this fine point: ------------ 12. Be aware: Spicy foods can increase cravings. ------------ In my case, following the advice of a quitter friend, I tend to use a lot of hot red chilli paste (from a jar of spicy chilli in oil, imported from China, ....) with food. It burns my tongue, numbs my mouth, and surely kills the crave for smoking after meals! :) Cheers, nmc [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 87 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 878 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $435 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47

MissyFit, that's really great info! I'm going to keep all of it. I'm trying to eat healthy so this really helps. enjoy your Thanksgiving! We had ours back in October, so no more big turkey dinners until Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends and quitters! Cheers, Jan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/14/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 208 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54

Hi MissyFit Very sound advice! Thank you!

MissyFit ~ GREAT post thanks! .... I will be doing a lot of healthy eating this holiday season as I have a couple of extra pounds to shed... this is all good information. While everybody quits, water and healthy foods are very important. Make these good choices and lifestyle changes along with your quit for a better, heathy body. And don't forget to exercise.... especially if you ate cookies instead of carrots! CobenFan

Now that we've stopped smoking, all this holiday food never tasted so good :eg: So instead of dreading the meals and snacks... eat, drink and be merry! But why not make it work to your advantage? 1. Whole fruits and veggie juices fortify blood sugars and clear the blood of nicotinic acids. Whenever you feel the need for nicotine, eat a pear or an apple. This will raise a low blood level which is often the factor that triggers nicotine craving. 2. Carrots, celery, uncooked leafy greens and citrus fruits (see #6)promote body alkalinity and decreases nicotine cravings. 3. Sugary foods (see #9), coffee and cooked spinach (who knew?) can alter blood sugar levels causes an increase in blood acidity which aggravates smoking-withdrawal symptoms. 4. Lobelia Tea (traditionally given after snake bites to rid the body of toxin) Kava or Green Tea, can keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings. Green Tea has also been shown to prevent DNA damage in lung cells exposed to oxidants from cigarette smoke. 5. Drink water! Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day. By the time you feel thirsty, you're dehydrated... so keep it steadily coming. 6. Wait a half hour after using the NRT gum, lozenge, or inhalers before you eat or drink anything acidic. Acidic foods and drinks can keep nicotine gums and inhalers from working. Acidic foods and drinks include tomato sauce, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, coffee, soda, orange juice, and grapefruit juice. 7. While oats can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood-sugar levels, compounds in oats have been found to suppress nicotine cravings. 8. Increase your intake of B vitamins and vitamin C. Vitamin B complex promotes healthy nerves and can lessen anxiety while the antioxidant vitamin C mops up excess free radicals generated by cigarette smoke and can work to ease cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. 9. Smokers, ex-smokers or those exposed to secondhand smoke benefit from vitamin A-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes. Studies of the relationship between vitamin A, lung inflammation and emphysema, it was discovered that a common carcinogen in cigarette smoke induceed vitamin A deficiency. Animals fed a vitamin A-deficient

Missy, Fantastic advice and tips for all! I love the cinnamon sticks they were my favorite. Thanks for sharing and showing support. Come on members, do you have any ideas or helpful tips? Keep Strong, Josie ______________________ The SSC Support Team.