Archive for the ‘ Food ’ Category

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Certainly we are all aware of the health perils related with smoking, but is cigar smoking just as dangerous, or worse, than smoking cigarettes? Well, frequent cigar smoking, according to the National Cancer Institute, has been associated with a serious health menace to the the lungs, voice box, oral cavity, and esophagus. Newer research has established that pancreatic cancer is connected with frequent cigar smoking as well. Cigar smokers that breathe in while enjoying a stogie are Also cautioned by doctors that they are at a higer risk of acquiring heart problems and lung disease.

Cigar

Apparently, regular smoke inhalation appear to dramatically increase the health threats to individuals that smoke cigars. Someone who smokes three to four cigars each day will be eight times more likely of developing some kind of oral cancer than a nonsmoker. Unfortunately, we do not yet know the health risks of smoking the occasional cigar but it seems clear however that smoking cigars on a daily basis can pose serious health risks.

Are cigars as addictive as cigarettes, and if so, why are so many people addicted to cigarettes as opposed to cigars? Truth be told, all tobacco products can become addictive as they contain the addictive chemical nicotine in them, and this includes smokeless tobacco as well. These products, such as chewing tobacco, can become very addictive, simply because they contain tobacco, which in turn contains nicotine. Most smokers of cigars rarely inhale the smoke deeply, or at all, thus causing superficial absorption of nicotine. Nicotine is absorbed much faster in cigarette smokers, however, as most of them do tend to inhale deeply. Even though most cigar smokers inhale the nicotine more superficially, it is still possible to become addicted if the user smokes cigars on a regular basis.

Why don’t cigar smokers smoke less often if nicotine is so addictive? It appears that less smokers become ‘hooked’ on cigars for several reasons. The most obvious reason of course is that the nicotine is inhaled much more superficially than it is in regular cigarette smoking, resulting in less nicotine being absorbed by the body. Additionally, cigars tend to be a luxury item saved for special occasions, and are not as used as frequently nor are they as accessible as cigarettes are. However, if frequency of use increases, cigars can become just as addictive as cigarettes, and will actually pose increased health risks to the user in comparison to cigarettes.

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

More farmers are growing interested in organic vegetable gardening because it is cost efficient and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. You must become familiar with the rules of organic vegetable gardening, before you try this at house. First of all, remember that organic vegetable gardening is done without using any pest or insect repellant, chemical fertilizers or external nutrients. Nature provides all that you need to do this with A couple of basic contributions, water and sunshine. Unfortunately these can never be made artificially, you have to find the perfect place for it and provide right kind of drainage facilities.

Vegatable Gardening

Apart from sunshine and water you could encourage plant growth by using items like compost heap made from waste food, chipped portion of barks, garden compost, moulds from fallen leaves and animal fertilizer. You can combine these all together and then spread this throughout your garden. Many people simply cannot stomach the idea of procuring animal fertilizer, but for this you do not have to use your toilet, as they are available readily in stores. Chickens are a good idea, just let them free to walk all around your garden. Some individuals use dead animals or meat products: you just leave them for a couple of weeks in the bin because maggots will soon come out and this is what you use to help fertilize your garden.

Earthworms are great benefactors to the garden as they help to bring out several nutrients from the soil by digging deep thereby aerating it, which act as good water drainage also. Earthworms are also recognized to leave their droppings all over the garden, which are rich generators of nitrogen phosphorus and potassium, you could even buy them, if you so desire. Organic vegetable gardening is no mean task as you have to in effect, battle several enemies in the process and these include armyworms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs. Previous fertilizers were used to get your garden free from such pests, but when you go organic, you keep some toads in the garden, which are anticipated to eat up all these and more. When it comes to battling spiders or caterpillars, get a few birds to do the necessary, as they are found unsavory by toads.

Most of the time you do not have to invest in the purchase of toads or birds, as they would visit your garden in any case, provided you keep your environment conducive. A tiny birdhouse or a tiny pond are sufficient to welcome your new garden defenders. Two other great garden defenders are preying mantis and lady beetles as both of them are very territory conscious and any intruder would soon get killed.

Plants can also be used to protect your vegetables. For example, butterflies become history with rosemary sage or thyme and nematode worms never appear where there is a marigold plant. Even when nature offers so many plants and creatures for protecting your garden, crop rotation is still seen the best fashion for retaining soil fertility, when it is about organic vegetable gardening. If you have grown one kind of vegetable this season, change it to another kind the next season, and following this, go back to the original vegetable that you started with. The rationales behind organic gardening are very simple. You just have to be practice it so you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Surely you have in all likelihood heard of the dangers of second hand smoke intake, and maybe you have questioned if it is as hazardous as inhaling smoke from cigars? Being exhibited to old smoke from cigars, it appears, can be just as perilous, if not more so, than average cigarette smoke.

Secondhand smoke released from tobacco products, such as cigars and cigarettes, is considered environmental tobacco smoke. Research indicates that the smoke from cigars and cigarettes releases many of the same types of irritants. Ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nicotine are just some of the few chemicals that are found in environmental tobacco smoke. Carcinogens such as vinyl chlorine, arsenic, benzene, hydrocarbons, and nitrosammines are also found in the environmental tobacco smoke from cigars and cigarettes. Cigars, because of their size, usually release more environmental tobacco smoke than cigarettes so being around cigar smoke, then, can pose more of a health threat than inhaling secondhand smoke from a lit cigarette.

Even though both cigars and cigarettes release similarly toxic environmental tobacco smoke, there are some key differences between the two which relate to the very different ways that cigars and cigarettes are manufactured. A long process of fermentation and aging takes place in the production of cigars. During the production and fermentation process, large amounts of carcinogens are produced, then once a cigar has been fermented and aged, it is wrapped in a nonporous wrapper that keeps it from burning too quickly. The fermentation process and nonporous wrapper both contribute to the high concentrations of carcinogens in the smoke. Carcinogenic compounds produced during the fermentation process are released when a cigar is lit, which leads to an unclean burn that is high in carcinogens.

Another reason why cigars produce greater amounts of carcinogens is in their girth and length because cigars are simply bigger than cigarettes. Much higher concentrations of toxins and irritants are released because of the greater amount of smoke that is released due to the greater size of the cigar. Since cigars are designed to be smoked alot more slowly than a regular cigarette, cigar smokers should always take their time to enjoy the relaxing experience much more slowly. Longer smoke times obviously result in the creation of alot more smoke. It is advised for all non-smokers to avoid areas where cigars are being smoked so if you smoke cigars, make sure to do so in a well-ventilated area.

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Smoke

Sure we are all conscious of the health risks related with smoking, but is cigar smoking just as hazardous, or worse, than smoking cigarettes? Well, according to the National Cancer Institute, frequent cigar smoking can lead to a major health menace as scientific investigation has linked cigar smoking with cancers of the larynx, lungs, esophagus, and the oral cavity. Newer research has established that pancreatic cancer is linked to regular cigar smoking too. Physicians In addition caution that individuals who frequently breathe in while enjoying a cigar are Also at greater risk of developing lung disease and heart troubles.

Apparently, regular smoke inhalation appear to dramatically increase the health threats to individuals that smoke cigars. You are eight times more likely to develop some sort of oral cancer than a nonsmoker, if you smoke three to four cigars a day. Smoking the occasional cigar is still undetermined, however, it does seem clear that smoking cigars on a daily basis will pose a serious risk to your health.

Many individuals wonder if cigars are as addictive as cigarettes and why, for instance, so many more people actually become addicted to cigarettes, as opposed to cigars? Truth be told, all tobacco products can become addictive as they contain the addictive chemical nicotine in them, and this includes smokeless tobacco as well. Products such as chewing tobacco contain nicotine, which cause people to become addicted to smokeless tobacco as well. Most smokers of cigars rarely inhale the smoke deeply, or at all, thus causing superficial absorption of nicotine. Nicotine is absorbed much faster in cigarette smokers, however, as most of them do tend to inhale deeply. If a user smokes cigars on a regular basis, it is still very possible for them to become addicted, even if they do inhale the nicotine superficially.

Why don’t cigar smokers smoke less often if nicotine is so addictive? It appears that less smokers become addicted to cigars for a variety of reasons. The most obvious reason of course is that the nicotine is inhaled much more superficially than it is in regular cigarette smoking, resulting in less nicotine being absorbed by the body. Also, cigars are not as readily accessible as cigarettes and are still viewed by most as a luxury item, saved for special occasions and used infrequently. However, if frequency of use increases, cigars can become just as addictive as cigarettes, and will actually pose increased health risks to the user in comparison to cigarettes.

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Cuban cigars are extremely preferred, renowned around the world for their rich flavors and smoothness. Cuban cigars are so prized, in fact, that many illegal traders have sold fake cubans to unsuspecting cigar smokers, so how do you tell the false from the genuine article? First, make certain that you obtain your cigars from a established dealer so purchasing from your local tobacconist or a respectable mail order concern can protect you from giving your cash over for a box of imposters.

Cigar

If you have an opportunity to purchase a box of purported Cuban cigars, but have your doubts, take the time to examine the box before purchasing it. Here are a few tips to help you spot the fakes from the real thing.

Authentic Cuban cigars will contain a green and white warranty seal on the left front side of the box. The seal will have an insignia with a picture of a shield and hat. You should find a white sticker placed diagonally on the upper right hand corner of the box that says ‘Habanos’. Avoid boxes that are not neat and clean, and show signs of damage, smudging, fraying, or markings. Don’t buy cigars if the box is dull, even if they appear to be the real thing, as their quality may have suffered during transport. Know that if you happen to be in the market for Cohibi, Q’dorsay, or Trinidad brand cigars, be informed that all authentic Cohiba’s will contain the green and white warranty seal on the right hand side of the box.

Be sure to make sure that a heat stamp with the word ‘Habanos’ is found impressed onto the bottom of the cigar box, and that it is not imprinted with a rubber stamp or paper label, as this is a sure sign of fake Cuban cigars. On the bottom of an authentic Cuban cigar box, you should also find a factory coded stamp in black, green, or blue that will tell you when and where the cigars were rolled.

If you can open the box, take the time to smell the tobacco as Cuban cigars have a deep, rich aroma, unmistakable to a dedicated cigar aficionado. Chances are that you do not have an genuine box of Cubans if the smell is weak, and just doesn’t smell right. The cigars should be facing the same way, and the top row may appear slightly flattened. The foot of each cigar should be cleanly cut, and the caps on all the cigars should be identical. The bands on all the cigars should also be identical, and should be arranged so that they face the same direction. If you’re allowed, test the cigars out by pressing down on them. Check for hard or soft spots by feeling along the entire length of each cigar. The cigars should feel somewhat firm, yet pliable.