FitSugar

Indoor Smokeless Cigarettes?

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Smoking, thank goodness, is banned in most public places because second-hand smoke is a known health hazard. So crowds of smokers hang out on the streets puffing away since they are banned from doing so indoors. Well, what if cigarettes were smokeless? One UK nightclub, celebrity hangout Chinawhite, in London's Soho district, is trying out these new smokeless cigarettes. Made in China, the manufacturer says the invention has no harmful side-effects because there is no smoke or tar.

How does it work? This six-inch white plastic stick uses a battery-powered atomizer to create realistic puffs of "smoke," while the tip glows red when you suck. It gives a smoker the smoking experience and the nicotine high without the use of tobacco. Each cigarette contains one filter, which provides enough nicotine for 350 puffs, or about 30 cigarettes.

The thing is though, it may be cutting down on secondhand smoke, but the smoker is still getting the nicotine. There's some talk that these e-cigs may even give the user more nicotine than an average cigarette. They're also a lot more expensive, around $208 for the starter kit, and you have to continue to buy replacement cartridges.

What do you think about these smokeless cigarettes? Since they create no smoke, do you think they should be allowed in places such as restaurants, bars, buses, meetings, public buildings, and airplanes?

Source

Sweet Potatoes: Not Just For Thanksgiving

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 03:00:00 PDT

I think sweet potatoes have gotten a bad rap because of their high carb content. They shouldn't be overlooked because they are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. Not only that, they are a great option if you're craving something sweet.

Want to know why they're so good for you?

They're bursting with healing antioxidants due to their high levels of vitamins A and C. Antioxidants work in your body to help eliminate free radicals which are the chemicals that damage cells and are associated with the development of conditions like colon cancer. These vitamins are also anti-inflammatory, so they can help reduce the severity of certain conditions like asthma and arthritis.
They're low in calories and have no fat.
They are labeled as a low-glycemic index food, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health.
They are also high in vitamin B6, manganese, copper, potassium, and iron.
Eating sweet potatoes with their high vitamin A content may help save your life if you or someone you love is a smoker. A common carcinogen in second-hand smoke known as benzopyrene induces vitamin A deficiency. If you aren't getting enough of this vitamin, you could increase your chances of developing emphysema. A diet rich in vitamin A can help prevent it.

Fit's Tips: When you go to a restaurant, choosing sweet potato fries is a healthier choice than regular French fries, but they're still deep-fried. To get your fill of the nutritious goodness in sweet potatoes, bake them whole (don't cut or poke them) in the oven at 400 for 40 minutes to an hour. If you love the fry idea, but don't want all the fat, just cut them up (leave the skins on), drizzle a little olive oil over them, and bake in a pan. Mmmmmm.

What Do You Think of This Commercial About Second-Hand Smoke?

FitSugar — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:43:48 PST