Dave's Blue Planet (plain and simple)

Sago Palm White Spot

2009-11-08T14:40:00.002-05:00

This is a reprint from my other blog for viewing to a different following.

I'm writing this article only because there are still people destroying their Sago palms because they think they're dying of white spot disease. I saw one person a couple of streets away rip out a once large, beautiful Sago because the plant died due to white spot.

What is Sago palm white spot? It's cycad aulacaspis scale infestation(also known as Asian cycad scale and sago palm scale), which is a pest not a disease. Originally from Southern Texas it has migrated to northerly regions that can sustain a Sago in the winter months. The Sago, contrary to popular belief, is not a palm but a cycad.

Wikipedia defines Cycad as: Cycads are a group of seed plants characterized by a large crown of compound leaves and a stout trunk. They are evergreen, gymnospermous, dioecious plants having large pinnately compound leaves.

Wikipedia defines them as: Cycads are a group of seed plants characterized by a large crown of compound leaves and a stout trunk. They are evergreen, gymnospermous, dioecious plants having large pinnately compound leaves.

Left untreated the scale pest can destroy a Sago in as little time as a month. The white scale pots are unmistakable as they look like severe dandruff in the middle of the plant, spreading out onto the green of the branches. Essentially, the scale sucks the life out of the plant until it's no longer able to sustain it's life anymore.

Treatment options are many. Ones that actually work, few! Various schools and extensions recommend herbicidal sprays and oils, even pressure washing the plant to dislodge the scale. I don't know about you but getting hit with the spray of a pressure washer hurts me so what will it do to the slender shoots of the plant? There is an alternative that I found on ONE post on the Internet that actually worked! It didn't cost and arm and a leg and it's easily found in any stores pet department that sells Hartz Mountain products.

Hartz Ultra Guard Plus Flea & Tick HOME Spray. I must be specific here because there are 2 kinds of this spray, one that will work and one that won't. The one for the dogs will burn the plant, evidently it's stronger. You MUST get the one for the Home, not the pet! Last year my Sago was so white I thought I'd have to dig it up to prevent it from spreading but I surfed first and found this spray. I applied 2 treatments a day apart when it would be dry outside, not rainy. I still have that Sago in the yard and I treated it today due to new white spot popping up. The end of the week the plant will be all green, no white left. I've used it and it works and the spray bottle will last you several seasons and is not expensive. Sago's aren't cheap and if you want to keep yours alive this is an economical way to do it that won't hurt the plant. See photo below for product description.

First of the Month Again!

2009-11-01T00:12:00.001-04:00

White Rabbit! The Brits will know what I mean. :)

To Ping, or Not to Ping!

2009-10-24T14:58:00.002-04:00

Okay, Technorati just put a crimp into my web site plans. In their effort to upgrade their site they removed the Ping function that allowed people like me with Blogger based websites to go to them and request a ping to update site posts. Scripts for doing pings from the blog itself do not seem to work with the Blogger architecture. This means I have just a few options in order to Ping myself. I can do manual pings with separate code or I can get hooked up with a website directory that will track my posts and handle the necessary update work for me. It will help me when and if I decide to make any of my blogs revenue based, which currently I do not, aside from an occasional writing job. I don't do any advertising with widgets unless it's for information about things I have personal involvement with or if it's something that's very useful to many people, especially if it's free. I got tired of how my sites looked with flashing ads, wide banners, and long load times. If I were a reader of my blog I wouldn't be for long with all the distractions. Now they're gone, gone, gone. I taking a plain and simple approach to my sites and I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on it as well.

Things Are Getting Weird.

2009-10-24T14:41:00.003-04:00

That's right, things are getting very weird. I wrote a post the other day referencing Do You Know the Way to San Jose song and now I suddenly hear from my cousin Brian in, where else, San Jose! Out of the blue he calls and wants to reminisce about old times in Massachusetts. He also knows I know quite a few attorneys and doctors, from college and business contacts. I was trying to find out, in a non-offensive way, what he needed because this was obviously not a social call from out of the blue after many years. What he wants is the name of an attorney I can recommend to him for an accident he had with his Harley Davidson 2 cylinder Panhead classic. Evidently, someone caused him to swerve to the side and caused him to dump his ride in the grass in someones yard. He got the tag number but is hitting a stone wall getting what he needs for the insurance company and the court. I told him he doesn't need a Tampa Bay motorcycle accident attorney, he needs a San Jose motorcycle accident attorney. What good is someone I know on the east coast when he's on the west coast? I did agree to try and get a referral from one of my attorney friends if they know anyone out that way that could help out. I guess I'll hear from him after his next bout with fate and maybe he'll need a San Jose bailbondsman with ties to Tampa Bay!

I think next time I should write about taking a Honolulu vacation for free!

Some Needed Repairs at Home.

2009-10-24T14:14:00.002-04:00

The weather in Florida is starting to cool a little, down into the 80's! It's the perfect time to tackle some of those household repairs I said I'd do when it got cooler. In other words, my bluff is being called! Okay, I have to eventually do them so I may as well stop typing and go do them, well maybe not quite yet at least. I need to put pen to paper and detail what I need to do and what I need to pick up at Lowes home center. There's nothing worse, nothing, than getting halfway into a job and not having parts that would let you finish in minutes and now it becomes many minutes. When a cold beer in the fridge gets cold enough it wants to be consumed right away, not sit around or worse, be forgotten about. The first thing I need to adjust is the garage door and opener. I spoke to the company that installed it and they told me I needed 2 spring plungers or something along those lines. What I'll do for that is go to their shop and have them hand me one, just to be accurate about it. Why not have them do it? Basic labor charge is $75 to come to the house for non warranty repairs, that's why. Maybe a project a weekend is the best way to go about the whole thing. I can save the more outdoor, labor intensive projects for the winter when the temps are in the 70's!

Educated People DO Get Better Jobs!

2009-10-23T19:39:00.004-04:00

I've heard it many times from people that never took the time to receive a formal education because of this, that, and the other thing. Something always took precedence over getting the sheepskin such as needing to bring money into the house, no money to waste on that kind of thing, who really needs a degree, and the ever popular - experience outshines a degree! Experience is invaluable but a degree will get you in the door to that job you want! What the folks fail to understand is that by attaining a degree, or at the very least a certificate, they are showing a prospective employer that they have the ability to learn new things effectively and functionally! The degree says, "I'm a capable learner, let me show you!". The higher the degree, the more detailed and specific the the ability.

Heavy workloads at one end of the spectrum and bleak unemployment at the other make online education the perfect option, especially for the one car families that can't give up the car in order to attend a college in the area, usually a community college. Western Governors University is the perfect venue for an education, with an online university, that doesn't cramp your life. They have Bachelors and Masters programs in Business, IT, Health Care, and Teaching. The University was established Governors of 19 states and has nationally, as well as regionally, accredited online degree programs that are state of the art in education for today's demanding student needs.

I'm planning on attending an online program for a professional license which, unfortunately, requires me to attend a local college due to required labs to be taken in conjunction with my online education. I would much rather attend online instruction 100% at home, such as WGU offers. I'll most likely sign-up later when I go to finish my Bachelors in Business degree, that I never completed in Massachusetts when I should have. You hear that? I should have but didn't! I still regret that and regrets along with .50 will get you a newspaper with 'ditch diggers needed' jobs listed in it. Don't wait for tomorrow when you can start today and be finished that much sooner. The economic down-turn we are in will not last that long and the better prepared you are when the job market opens up again the better your career can be.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

2009-10-23T19:20:00.002-04:00

Questions, questions, questions - always the questions. Sometimes it's a big mistake to answer questions that people toss out at you because you suddenly become the 'Go To Guy' for all questions big and small. On this blog I was asked the question what's the best weight loss pills and I had an answer, or rather I directed then to how to find the answer for themselves. I'm not a doctor, especially a doctor who knows them inside and out. I've been asked why they should upgrade to Windows 7 and I had several answers to that, not the least because my XP machine wasn't living up to it's fullest dual core, high memory potential. I loved XP and hated Vista. I had no second thoughts when ordering Win7, especially since I got it from Microsoft for half price - WIN WIN! I've also been asked where the correct turn at Albuquerque went, versus making the wrong turn at Albuquerque! Some of you will remember the old joke about taking the wrong turn there, some won't. Do I know the way to San Jose? The song or the geographical direction and highway number. What's the best grade of gasoline to use? Regular, unless you own a Bugatti Veyron (It goes so fast I think it needs jet fuel). The Veyron boasts a 1001 HP at a cool $1.3 million each! Maybe next Christmas!

Games Consoles Still Hot Items

2009-10-23T19:01:00.002-04:00

The holidays are coming up fast and the game consoles are still hotter than ever! Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are expected to bring in millions of dollars in sales again! The price reductions, the new games and especially the new accessories to go along with the consoles to increase the gaming experience. Wii dominated last years sales and a good part of the year afterward but the PS3 is making it's move and Sony wants a bigger share than last year so it can stay in the gaming forefront! I still haven't gotten my console, partly due to bills and the economy. I think that if I wait long enough they may make special offers that I can jump on without guilt. Sometimes a poor economy can have some benefits, if you have disposable income/savings that is.

One Middle Aged Pimple

2009-10-23T18:48:00.004-04:00

What does a guy do when your at an age when your parents told you several decades earlier that when you grow up you won't have any more pimples? HA! No, not an acne problem, just a darned pimple that won't go away. I'd be a little nervous if all of a sudden there were many pimples popping up. I'd be worried about a hormone problem or something along those lines. It's been so many years since I've actually had to deal with it that the products I knew are long gone and the newer ones are an unknown quantity. That product that Jessica Simpson treats her nasty, oily acne is super expensive and to my surprise I saw a vending machine at the local mall here in central Florida devoted to selling her acne products. An epidemic? I think not. Business opportunity? I think so! I don't know what the best acne treatment is, maybe there isn't one. I know what we were told about chocolate and acne as kids was false, wish we knew that then! I do remember something I used that worked pretty well and it had (don't hold me to the spelling please) Benzoyl Peroxide in various percentages, higher percent-more drying out power. I think I'll ask the pharmacist tomorrow!

Swine Flu and You

2009-10-23T18:32:00.002-04:00

Are you at risk for H1N1 Swine Flu? Are you being proactive with elders and toddlers? How about yourself, staying healthy? To date there have been 92 child deaths as of this writing linked to the H1N1 virus. Children who are still building their immunities, elders trying to maintain the immunities they have left, and immuno-compromised adults who are wide open to it with issues such as pneumonia, CPOD, chemotherapy immunity issues, HIV/AIDS, and many other issues that don't allow the body to handle influenza with full resources that would normally hold you until the flu passed from you. If you notice yourself feeling weakness more often than usual or sinus/coughing spells you may want to consider getting checked by you local doctor or area health organization like HCHP or HVMA which are HMO's in Massachusetts or BCBSNC which is the Blue Cross affiliate in North Carolina, just to name a few. These places are staffed and trained to diagnose and treat H1N1 flu and the faster it's detected the better the results can be, especially if you are health compromised. Don't tough it out, Check it out!

Bigger Isn't Always Better.

2009-10-23T18:18:00.002-04:00

The phrase holds true now as it did when it was first spoken, whenever that was. I really don't when and I don't think it really matters, we're in the present now not the past. I have a neighbor named Ethel and you may already know where this is going. Ethel is part of the reason I went on a diet. NO, not to impress her, it's so I never end up as big as her! I think she carries a spare roast beef in her pocket in case she needs a mid-bite snack or something. It's pretty sad at the same time. She will endf her life prematurely due to her obsession with edibles. I've tried in a nice way to tell her about some options I have with diet pills and other appetite suppressants, hoping she would take the bait and ask about them for herself. I think there may be some underlying issues the the food is supplementing in her life, I never see many visitors going to visit much. I'm hoping that she'll see the progress I'm making and get some urge to make a positive change for herself before it's too late. I'll keep trying for her sake.

Time for the Snow Birds to Hit Warmer Climates

2009-10-23T17:57:00.002-04:00

It's getting to be that time again when the warmer states get their annual influx of cold weather states 'folk' and the European visitors seeking a taste of sun and fun. This is also the point where retailers are hoping the foreign visitors will pull up sales numbers going into the end of the year when, for many, it's make or break time. The economy has put a degree of crunch on stores trying to keep their heads above water, and sadly there are retail names that will be no more such as Circuit City and Linens n' Things. The majority of the big box retailers have already popped Xmas into the store to hopefully capture some of the holiday dough, and I don't mean female deer (I know, doe)! With people trying to scrape what money they can get to visit relatives or loved ones 'elsewhere', they're looking for travel deals and packages that offer more for less, hoping for price reductions to capture their business. Shop around and save where you can. Coach is cheaper than Business, unless the pilots have fallen asleep. Cars? Do you really need the sedan when a compact will do, better on gas too. Shop smart, save what you can, and have fun when you get there!

A Toast to Head-to-Toe Health!

2009-10-17T15:08:00.002-04:00

It's funny that when the economy got tougher people actually started to get concerned for their health. The main reason, I surmise, is that if you stay on top of your health you 'could' avoid expensive health issues later. For the most part I would have to agree, even though it's something that should be a priority ALL the time. How some go about their health care regimen gets a little grey in places. It seems that some people adopt a body part and tend to it rather directly and let other areas go by the wayside. Take for example your skin and Ultra Violet radiation derived from the sun. Expensive blocking and moisturizing agents are acquired and applied religiously, even when sun exposure may be at a minimum, such as when it's raining all day! Others are taking fish oil for their heart health, zinc for their skin and nerves, vitamin C in ridiculously high doses for common colds and the newest one is the colon cleanse. Farrah Fawcett brought this one to the forefront due to her long battle and ultimate demise due to anal cancer. Colonoscopy's are becoming more widely accepted as a right of passage for the 50's and up age group as a means for prevention, and a good legitimate one at that. I need to get one scheduled for early next year. I'm not looking forward to it, even though others that I know that have done it say it's no big deal and painless, but it is an important test. I also want to do it while the insurance will cover it.
Did I mention prevention of ingrown toenails? Comfortable shoes and proper nail trimming. Bald headed men, and women, need to use sunscreen on their heads to avoid potential skin cancer hits. Many simply 'never thought about it' and went hatless to get some color on their domes. Head to toe, that's the way to go. Hey, I'm a poet and didn't know it!

The Best Way to Lose Weight.

2009-10-12T16:45:00.003-04:00

I've talked about supplements for weight loss, herbal treatments, and lab tested medications. I've talked about specialty diets such as Atkins, to name but one. This isn't going to be about any of them today! This is getting back to basics that are proven day in, day out!

The BEST way to lose weight is to work your muscles! That's right, work those abs, pecs, deltoids, bi's, tri's, quads, glut's and more. Weight resistance is the ultimate way to work those muscles in fact. Just pushing a few pounds a day will start to make an impact on your metabolism which in turn burns calories to maintain. What does that mean for you? Let me give you the 5th grade answer. The calories you burn to keep your metabolism 'hot' are from fat under your skin. That puffy belly and rotund butt aren't from big bones you must realize by now. There are many equipment offerings in the marketplace as we speak, or in this case - read. You can get the bow and arrow type machine, you can get the super mondo power band weights, the dip bar, the grab bar, the pull up bar, the push up bar that doesn't move and the push up pads that do move. I actually prefer to wear the ankle weights because I like to walk and that adds resistance to my legs when I pick them up for each step I take. Even if you don't have the time to devote to resistance exercising you could always wear wrist weights and add the weight lifting to basic chores around the house! When they said in the movies, "Don't just sit there, do something!" they were right!

Grand Ol' Opry? Nope!

2009-10-08T19:48:00.002-04:00

I was asked a question the other day at work and I was hard pressed to give a direct answer. I had no answer aside from an old answer. Where can you take a vacation and experience the music of America? Twenty years ago that would have been an easy answer, today I'm unsure. I do have a few thoughts but it's not the same as it was in years past, mostly due to changes in the listening habits of the younger generation. You could take nostalgic Blues vacations through the southern states, Caribbean rhythm vacations in the islands, Branson vacations in the Ozark Mountains for earthy country tunes, and Jazz vacations in New Orleans on the mighty Mississippi. There are so many places but each has their own unique flavor. If your looking for a Woodstock vacation forget it, it's over and everyone went home and got a job. I don't believe there are any venues that provide everything under one roof anymore. Now, there are places that offer music, dining, and attractions such as Branson and New Orleans. I'm not sure how Memphis is these days, don't hear anything plus or minus about it anymore since the Elvis died. Neverland? Are you kidding me? No! He's gone too and the rides will be gone soon too if the family can sell them quick enough for cash. Seattle area? The home of grunge! Not since Kurt died! Dollywood? Last I heard she was filing for bankruptcy protection. It's not the same anymore, but that can be a good thing. New avenues for the enjoyment of regional music will always pop up because you can't keep music down. Good music, which ever type you listen to, fulfills the player and inspires the listener.

Going Someplace? Why Walk When You Can Ride!

2009-10-08T19:35:00.002-04:00

I worked for many a retail conglomerate in my years and I've noticed a very bad trend emerging. Fat folk in motorized carts. That's right, call me Mr. Sensitivity, I said FAT folk, porkers, who earlier in life lined up for the daunting task of becoming fat and unable to support their own weight anymore that a few minutes at a time. They volunteered to eat till the food was coming out the same time it was going in, only less was leaving. They are food storage champions of the consumer class. They keep Hagen Daz, Keebler, and M&M Mars in business! Now, they can even get a nifty electric scooter to troll the food aisles in that can accelerate quickly to the food sample tables at WalMart or Costco, gotta get it while it's still nice and hot, or cold! Heaven forbid that some of these rubenesque creatures may even contemplate any type of weight loss or lap banding or something so they could regain mobility on their own. What's worse is that the people that truly need these transport devices tend to get bundled up with the floppy fatties. You'd think that if they're going to drive these things in stores they'd get a class in driving them and drivers etiquette as well. I've seen them smash into displays and shelving because they couldn't make a tighter turn because their body parts got in their own way, then swear and drive off leaving a mess for a lowly stock clerk to clean up. Pick up in aisle 8 thru 10!

Asbestos and You

2009-10-08T19:18:00.002-04:00

Have you ever seen asbestos in it's original form? It's pretty neat. It's a mineral but you can shred it apart. I guess that's part of the reason it was so effective in decades past as a fire inhibitor. It's kind of hard to burn a rock, let alone to spread a fire with a stone. It seemed a simple yet effective solution to reducing the effects of a building fire as well as containing excess heat such as from a furnace when coal was around, prior to oil and gas conversions. The furnace in my house growing up had an asbestos wrapper around it. I remember what a mess it made when a piece would flake off and you'd have top put a cement patch in it's place. They were always dusty too, on the surface that is. I also remember when the oil man came to replace the old furnace with a new oil fired one and took the old one away to the dump. No such thing today! Hazmat trained personnel have to be hired and precautions put in place for full biohazard containment. That dust I remember led many people down a dark road of despair, enduring malignant Mesothelioma treatment, if they were lucky enough to be diagnosed early enough. My father in law was one such person affected by asbestos and in turn contracting Mesothelioma, eventually leading to his untimely demise. He got it from being a fireman, entering burning structures full of asbestos. Asbestos was in flooring, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, furnace insulation, water heater insulation, the list go on and on. Did I also mention that this is one of the many reasons why fireman where breathing devices in burning structures? It is. That's why! It's not just the smoke but also what might be hiding in the smoke as well.

What a Fat World We're Making

2009-10-08T19:02:00.002-04:00

I understand that the good ole U S of A has climbed back up the most admired country list in the world. Sorry about that W! After all your, and Dick's , hard work to bring us down and all. I digress. We are now very admired and emulated as well. That's right, the world wants to look like us too. The world wants to become fat! You can see it everywhere, except third world countries where they would love to have extra food to put pounds on with. Primarily, you are starting to see European Union countries getting a bit rotund, shall we say, or is it rubenesque. I guess that would be for the gals over there. It is a bit funny since we are getting preoccupied with looking good like the bikini girls in the commercials and buff like the guys working those power bands on that expensive machine that comes with a free DVD! Americans are spending a lot of money trying to burn belly fat, trim those hips and thighs, remove unwanted neck jowls and even heavy eyelids. If you look at it from a different perspective it's like a giant whip getting snapped and people are the rope of the whip. We start to go the other way with the fat and flab and everyone else follows suit with getting fat and they'll do the same regimen only to lose it later on. People don't need to be fat in the first place unless they have a 'legitimate' medical condition, not one they think they have just to justify a fat butt.

Housing in America. To Buy or Rent?

2009-10-08T17:11:00.003-04:00

What to do, what to do. You want a piece of the American Dream and would like to own your own home but you don't have either the credit or the capital or both. Your options are slim at this point but there are options available in this depressed market. The cost of renting has dropped because building owners need to maintain a positive cash flow in order to keep their properties. What does this mean to you? It means that you can shop around and get a good deal on decent housing to rent. Some landlords are even forgoing the credit checks that were once a staple of getting a rental. We don't all have an A rating like we'd want but that shouldn't keep us from acquiring decent affordable rentals. It doesn't even matter what part of the country you're in. You can be looking for Boston townhouses, Seattle apartments, Denver studios, or even a Tampa duplex. It's all available now! Get the best deal in an area you want to live in or near and then start saving for that home for the future. The better the deal the more you can save.

Got an Ache? Take a Pill!

2009-10-08T16:47:00.005-04:00

Got an ache, itch, pain, squint, blur, gas, burning, bite, or throb? Is he feeling 'fiesty? Take a pill! Is she feeling 'fiesty'? Hope you already took your pill! If you didn't there's a pill for that as well! We virtually live on pills in our society. I know, virtually was used gratuitously there but I don't care. We have pills today to stop headaches, prevent headaches, control blood pressure, control Diabetes, stop pregnancy, push pregnancy, control nausea during pregnancy, stop toothaches, weight loss pills, fluid control pills, pill control pills, the list is endless. Thank goodness we have the pills! Our ancestors didn't have the luxury of having pills to help their lives, stop their illnesses, and to even live longer than they did. Do we take too many pills? Sometimes I think we do. Will they hurt us? Sometimes they can, especially when people feel they can 'doctor' themselves with over the counter medications. That can be a fatal mistake. It seems the one thing people, some people, fail to do is follow the directions on the label and read what interactions these products may have with other more important meds being taken. For instance, my blood pressure pill becomes ineffective if I take any one of several herbal medications or supplements. How do I know this? I asked my pharmacist and I researched the data the manufacturers provided on their labels and websites. If you can't find all this useful information anywhere it's because you're not looking for it!

Ralph Lauren Creates Un-needed Attention

2009-10-08T16:33:00.002-04:00

There have been many criticisms about advertisers and Photoshoping their models into something else. Ralph Lauren has threatened a law suit against a website that exposes this, and other, acts of airbrushing in advertising. The photo in question had viewers asking how the young woman's waistline could be smaller than her head. It really was thinner than her head! The American version of this website pulled the story and photo but their Canadian site went whole hog with the story because they're not bound by American courts and their rulings. The British government, on another such Photshop image of Twiggy, is expected to move forward with legislation that would prohibit 'bold faced lying' when it came to expected results. The photo of Twiggy showed her 50 year old face with out even 1 wrinkle. If you see her in a film from a few years ago she had many natural wrinkles and it added to her character, not detracted. That must have been some fantastic eye wrinkle cream she used. The problem is that legitimate companies that sell legitimate products that DO make a positive effect on skin appearance are grouped in with the pitchmen and everyone suffers. Ralph is just so out of touch he hasn't seen that the public (men) like to see curves on a woman and not hip bones and ribs alone!

The Top Annoying Word Is .......

2009-10-08T16:20:00.003-04:00

I was reading the main page at MSN today and my eye caught an interesting article. The story was on what the current, most annoying word (or short phrase) is as voted on by whomever. The word is "Whatever", which should be punctuated with Alicia Silverstone's forefingers outward and thumb tips touching to make the big 'W', just like in the movie "Clueless". I think these 'voters' are a little clueless. Haven't they heard the phrase "For Real' repeated dozens of times in a conversation by older teens? I have and it's pretty painful indeed! When these words and phrases start bashing around you end up needing a group of New York accident lawyers to straighten the whole mess out. It's so sad when you look at the rest of the world and they're practically begging for an education so they can leave us in the dust and those here that can get one. free of charge, decide they don't need it. I suppose that's true. There is a need for basic laborers and sweepers to clean the streets. Go for it, for real, or not! Whatever!!

Burn Baby Burn, Fat That Is!

2009-10-04T18:44:00.004-04:00

I've written a number of articles on weight loss, primarily my own and I've gotten a lot of email feedback asking what is this and what is that. I don't have all the answers and have never claimed to be a know-it-all when it comes to what fat burner or what appetite suppressant or amino tonic is the best. I can only give advice based on what I've be told by reputable sources and legitimate articles I've read. I've seen some televised products push the hormone Cordisol as being a great weight loss product. I did some very basic research and found it's only effective for women. Hey, what about us guys?

Well, most of us can't manage to keep our 'pie hole' shut long enough to lose and keep off any appreciable weight for any length of time so supplements are an option. It's an unfortunate testament of the times we live in when other countries start taking after America because they're starting to get fat as a population.

Whatever product you end up taking you always want to do 3 things.

1. Let your doctor know what you are doing and what you expect to derive from your plan and what supplement(s) you will be using,

2. Eat like a normal human being and keep the crap out of your diet. If it tastes sweet - IT IS SWEET! Even sugar substitutes will deceive your brain into eating more thinking it's calorie free,

3. Get your butt outside once a day and go for a 1/2 hour walk - IT WON'T KILL YOU! Get into the habit of a walk, it will bear fruit when your clothing sizes start to go down.

Oh yes, don't reward yourself for a good walk or a lost pound by having a piece of cake, unless you want to take a 1 hour walk afterward!

Chantix and Me

2009-10-01T19:34:00.001-04:00

The recent articles on Chantix as a smoking cessation medication have reported negative side effects and may well be valid, for some individuals. I, for one, am an exception to that situation. I had to arm twist(figuratively) my doctor to write me a prescription for it because I had been smoking for over 20 years, was tired of coughing, tired of wheezing in bed trying to sleep, tired of the cost, and tired of stinking of tobacco all the time! I started the program (without using any of the support services they offer customers) on May 5th of 2007. I wanted a date to easily remember (Cinqo de mayo). I followed the instructions on the starter pack and by the end of the first week I no longer had a desire to smoke. I had no craving for a cigarette. I had no food cravings or other oral substitutions to replace the cigarette, and most importantly I had no indication of ANY withdrawal at all! None, Nada, Nicht, Nyet! Since that date my doctor asks me how many cigarettes I'm down to because my blood pressure and blood chemistry look so much better. I give him the same answer I gave him when I went back for the second refill prescription - none! I took the Chantix for 8 weeks and stopped because I felt I was past the worst and had no desire for a smoke at all. This coming May of 2010 will be my 3rd anniversary of being smoke free. Another benefit I realized from being on the Chantix was that I could stand in the middle of a group of smokers and feel NO compunction to light up, even just one.

There is one requirement to being on Chantix and being successful with it! This is a very important item now and you must pay close attention if your planning on opting for this route. I have seem many of my friends fail the Chantix program because they didn't have this one requirement firmly in place. Ready for the answer? It's an easy one that has a failure rate if not real with each person.

You dep down have to want to quit smoking. You need a reason that is important to you to keep in your mind that wants you to quit. Mine was coughing when trying to laugh, wheezing, shortness of breath doing simple physical tasks, high blood pressure and all of that while entering my 50's. I don't want to die! I want to live! The cigarettes were going to kill me before I was ready to go and I want to live as long as I can, without oxygen tanks or riding in scooters or having chemo tubes hanging out of me!

I want to point out to anyone who may feel apprehensive about taking Chantix after reading the Stephen King version of side effects. The government requires ALL reported effects to be listed, even if the product didn't cause it because the treatment was in place and it was considered relevant to be reported as raw data.

I did not have ANY side effect that was listed, or unlisted, during the time I took this medication. I'm not from the planet Krypton, I'm not bionic, and I don't attend Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry! I am an average Joe who achieved success in my desire to quit smoking everything. I felt GREAT while I took it and felt the benefits soon afterward while my system was weening the nicotine out of my brain and bloodstream and tissues. I've been able to lose weight and not feel a replacement habit to be in order and I'm able to list myself as smoke free for insurance purposes now, which also saves money!

If anyone has ANY questions about Chantix and would like my take on it just leave a comment and I'll be happy to help. To set the record straight, I don't work for Phizer (makers of Chantix) and I'm not being compensated for this article. They are just my honest thoughts that I wanted to share with anyone who may be interested, especially since the negativity that surrounds Chantix may not be coming from health related sources entirely. There are some that will lose revenue if too many people stop smoking. You know who they are! Ride em' cowboy!

I will be repeating this article on all my blogs today for full exposure to me varied readers. Please excuse the redundancy for my writing. David.

First of the Month Again!

2009-10-01T00:12:00.000-04:00

White Rabbit! The Brits will know what I mean. :)