Thursday, January 2, 2014

Hello 2014- What do you have planned for me?




     I am one of those people that treats the new year as a new start and always make resolutions.  For example, for many years now I have resolved to quit smoking, lose weight, take more time for myself.  Pretty standard and non-specific resolutions.  Well- it took until December 17th but I finally, Finally, FINALLY quit smoking. 

      I am using e-cigarettes to do so.  I hate typing that because I feel that the name "e-cigarette" is a misnomer.  We who use the product are not, in fact, smoking.  The battery heats the "juice" to create a water vapor.  Much like we all do when we walk outside on a cold morning and create "steam".  For those that don't know, the e-cigarette juice is made of exactly four (compared to the estimated 600 in cigarettes which create over 4000 chemical compounds when burned) ingredients:  Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerine, Food Flavoring and Nicotine.  Yes- industrial grade propylene glycol is found in anti-freeze- but we are talking pharmaceutical grade here which is used in the following foods:

- Most cake/cupcake mixes
- Some frostings
- Lots of ice cream brands - Cold Stone Creamery and Graeter's Ice Cream both contain this, plus supermarket brands
- Many McDonald's sauces - including Big Mac sauce and their mayonnaise
- Some flavoring syrups
- Most beers use it as a foaming agent
- Cornbread and muffin mixes
- Coffee (specifically Folgers -- probably others)
- Candy
- Fast Food
- Many salad dressings
- Biscuits in the can that you bake at home
- All flavored coffee's of any brand use PG as a solvent/emulsifier to get the "flavoring" into the bean..... it's part of their manufacturing process.   


Sorry- I didn't mean to go off on a tangent but the biggest objections that I have heard was that people are worried about the vapor in the air- Second-hand vapor?  There's a recent study from Drexel University (found here) that refutes any safety concerns completely- making the bans on e-cigarettes in different place all the more ridiculous.  Especially since so very many of us are using them to quit smoking.  

To get back on track- this is the first time in 31 years that "quit smoking" hasn't been on my resolutions list.  This year my resolution list includes (but is not limited to):


  • Take better care of ME overall.
  • Make sure I take all of my meds daily (I tend to get busy and forget).
  • WALK!  I have gotten lazy about taking the puppies for long walks-it's time to get back to it.
  • Read a minimum of 1 book a week.
  • Complete 50% of the next book I am writing.
  • Drink 4 bottles of water daily.  
  • Get back into the blogging habit.
  • Get back to the habit of using my blessings box.  



So what about you?  Do you make resolutions?  Do you generally keep them?  Do you treat the new year as a fresh start or is it just another day for you?  


6 comments:

L."Wren" Vandever said...

Happy New Year, Jules!

And a BIG congratulations for stopping smoking! That's just HUGE! I don't think that most people, even ex-smokers who stopped years ago, appreciate how truly hard it is. I'm so pleased for you. And I think it's just great that e-cigs helped you do it. The people who carp on them are just being, well, poor losers who're mad because you took their favorite gripe away. Ignore them.

You're starting 2014 with grace and enthusiasm, Jules. It WILL be a good year, I think. Keeping that "attitude of gratitude" is the key.

Sending you warmth, comfort, and a big ol' hug. And YAY Jules!

Rachael said...

Julie, Thank you for all the work that you and your blog do for Rheumatoid patients. I'm a chronically ill epatient working on HealClick, a website matching patients with similar conditions so they can share relevant treatments and experiences. I'd love to talk with you about the possibility of working together. Feel free to email me directly at Rachael@HealClick.com.

Jules0705 said...

Thanks Wren! Every night that I make it through another day I do a happy dance before bed. :-) The puppies look at me like I am crazy. LOL.

Rachael, I emailed you from ChronicallyPositive@gmail.com. Thanks for your interest!

Adrienne said...

Jules, I have set a goal to participate in a bike race/ride. I got a bicycle a few months ago after not riding a bike for 30 years. I am super excited to do this. I have RA and have been feeling well for some time now. Bike riding can only help in making me feel better! Good luck with the e-cigarettes. They got my brother off nicotine.

Boo said...

You are an inspiration to me. I say that for so many reasons including quiting smoking. I know it is hard to take yet another joy away from you because you enjoyed smoking. I am grateful that e-cigs has given you that.

I always enjoy your daily inspiration and your gift of writing on your blog. Keep up the good work.

Gratitude said...

Hi Jules!I hope you will spent this year with full of gratitude. Happy New Year.