GUS -- Saturday 1.11.14

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Saturday January 11, 2014 · 6:27 AM PST

2014/01/11 · 06:27

GUS (Gave Up Smoking) is a community support diary for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. If you are quitting or even just thinking of quitting, please join us! We kindly ask that politics be left out.

You can also click the GUS tag to view all diary posts, or access the GUS Library at dKosopedia for a great list of stop-smoking links. Check it out! Want to make sure you never miss us? Follow (♥) the GUS tag to keep GUS in your Stream and easily find the link to the latest one. It's just that easy!

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Good Saturday Morning to all sage and noble Gussipedes. The weekend is now underway. Seeing as it's the middle of January the weather is probably crazy in your area. For paulitics it's a wet and mild day and that's okay with me. I'm fighting a cold and generally feel like ass so it looks like my day will be spent in the recliner with the remote in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other. And a cat in the lap. The common perception that men are giant babies when they have a cold is absolutely true. I cannot deny it.

I should be in and out during the day...everyone have a nice weekend. Oh, and congrats again to broths for her e-cig milestone !!

paulitics

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Saturday January 04, 2014 · 7:24 AM PST

2014/01/04 · 07:24

You can also click the GUS tag to view all diary posts, or access the GUS Library at dKosopedia for a great list of stop-smoking links. Check it out! Want to make sure you never miss us? Follow the GUS tag to keep GUS in your Stream and easily find the link to the latest one. It's just that easy!

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Good Freaking Freezing Winter Morning to all Guskimos !! Welcome to the first Saturday Morning GUS of 2014 P.E. (Post-Effie).

I thought since the holiday season is now officially passed I would treat everyone to a Saturday morning brunch. I've been in the kitchen since 4:00 this morning getting everything ready. Sylvie helped with the crepes because she has a French name.

Like most conventional brunches it's being served buffet style so grab a plate (line starts at the left) and dig in. I'm starting with the asparagus omlette myself. Add your own favorite breakfast brunch treats and/or recipes in the comments.

That's it !! Everyone stay warm and enjoy a nice Winter Weekend.

* * * * * * *


Quiche	Wheat Toast	Sausage

Hot Tea	Scrambled Eggs	Pancakes

Oatmeal	Asparagus Omlette	Bloody Mary

Donuts	Skim Milk	Eggs Benedict

Fresh Baked Muffins	Apple Smoked bacon	Fresh Fruit Salad

Huevos Rancheros	Granola & Fruit	Fresh Squeezed OJ

Breakfast Cereal	French Toast	Mimosas !

Fresh Brewed Coffee	Crepes	Bagels & Cream Cheese

paulitics

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Monday December 30, 2013 · 1:02 PM PST

2013/12/30 · 13:02

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

* * * * *

Good Monday afternoon to all Gussacks and welcomed guests. There's just one day left in 2013 so that means it's time for New Year's Resolutions. And what better resolution to undertake than quitting smoking? I know, I know...resolutions aren't for everybody but unless you try you'll never know if you can achieve success or not. If you're not the resolution type you can always try to quit on the preferred day of the week (Monday) or follow the sage advice of the Farmer's Almanac.

The Centers For Disease Control has all sorts of helpful cessation advice for those considering a life without cigarettes and nicotine. Here's their New Year Quit Smoking Plan, a great resource chock full of tips and links for those contemplating quitting or those who know someone who is. Check it out, and if you decide to take the leap good luck and remember GUS is here seven days a week to offer any and all the support you need.

And with that here's to a happy and healthy New Year to the GUS family and the rest of the Daily Kos community. Cheers!!

paulitics

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Saturday December 21, 2013 · 8:27 AM PST

2013/12/21 · 08:27

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Good Saturday Morning Gussoramas and welcome to another Winter Weekend. I prepared a little something just in case Effie has started the move into her GUS sabbatical. I'll take it down if she makes her normally scheduled appearance.

Effie's Yoga series has been such a fixture here on Saturday mornings that it will difficult if not impossible to replace. That we all know. But I thought that keeping in the spirit of the Saturday morning "health" theme I'd give a stab to continuing in that vein, albeit in an unconventional, experimental direction.

Some of the exercises to follow are cutting-edge in their conception and intended solely to be done in conjunction with a dedicated smoking cessation program. If you have any reservations before trying any please consult your primary care physician first....

	This first stretching exercise is a great way to warm up for your session. With your feet spaced at shoulder width lean into a slight crouch with your hands placed on the knees. Move the knees in an inward/outward motion preferably to the rhythm of some lively music. Make note of the jungle animal in the picture. Exercising is always more enjoyable when you have a willing workout partner to join in on the fun!
	Now we move on to a more advanced position. This exercise as you can see requires a willing partner. Bent with one hand on the floor pull your partner across your lower back form side to side, once again preferably to the beat of your favorite new music. More advanced students may also incorporate a helicopter-like "spinning" (or twirling) in a 360 degree circle while in mid-exercise. Great for working on the lower back and waistline.
	Now we move along to the trapezius and deltoid areas. Find the nearest car with two poles sticking out of it's back end. I advise staying away from cars with poles on the front end because of the risk of slipping on leaking radiator or transmission fluid(s). Grasping the poles firmly lift the car up and down, exhaling during the "down" phase. You may add or subtract the number of people in the car depending on how strenuous a workout you've prepared for the day. The leopard skin crotch hammock is strictly optional.
	This particular routine is designed for a class-sized setting and requires the use of a telephone booth, the nearest of which is probably located by now in your local museum of science and industry. This exercise is great for your overall dexterity and working those really hard to reach muscles that rarely get much use. In fact many people who do this for the first time are very quick to gasp afterwards they found muscles they never knew they had before.
	Now back inside we move to one of our newest pieces of equipment, the Ass Thing 3000, designed specifically to target the gluteus maximus, otherwise known as your ass. If you're unable to get to a fitness center that owns one I've found that using an old Evinrude 50 rowboat motor and a strap of radial belting from an unused tire provides a decent and inexpensive substitute.

There you have it! Let's stop there for today. Hopefully you're now invigorated and ready to take on the new day with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Everybody have a happy and healthy weekend !!

paulitics

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Monday December 16, 2013 · 2:28 PM PST

2013/12/16 · 14:28

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Hi Gusmopolitans....I'm tossing up something quick tonight because I've been busy all day and expect it to continue into the evening.

More snow on the way for the East Coast!! Heat Up Ye Nogs!!!

Open Thread City!....Ler 'Er Rip!

Poll

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A "Rudolph-Free" Poll

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Dancer

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Prancer

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GUS -- Monday PM 12.02.13

paulitics

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Monday December 02, 2013 · 1:48 PM PST

2013/12/02 · 13:48

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Hiyagoodevening to everyone. Happy Monday night. Tonight's specials are on the blackboard behind the bar. The Soup Of The Day is Turkey Barley.

I was pounding my head against the desk today trying to come up with some bon mots for tonight and wasn't very successful. I'm spontaneously creative about certain things in my life but writing is not one of them.

I got to finally jarring some spare thoughts loose and figured I'd toss out a question to tonight's crowd and it's a simple one...."Why Did You Quit Smoking?" Most of us who have hosted a GUS diary probably shared our reason(s) in our first diary. Others may have shared in a simple comment long lost to the bowels of the site's cranky Search function. Irregardless, if you post a comment tonight maybe you can offer a sentence or two about what led you to quit smoking. Keep it tidy or write an opus. Anything goes.

My reason was relatively simple. I was at a time in my life a few years back where things were rough both personally and financially (thank you Great Recession). I decided that in order to persevere and focus I should simplify my life a bit, remove any and all unnecessary distractions. Well, cigarettes were one of those distractions. So they had to go along with a few other unhealthy habits.

It's been worth it every single day. If someone told me three years ago that in the not too distant future I'd be in the gym working out four days a week I would've laughed. Life is indeed strange...

So have at it. Or just say "hi" and continue on with your night. Everyone enjoy a safe and happy week. :o)

paulitics

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Tuesday November 26, 2013 · 9:56 AM PST

2013/11/26 · 09:56

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Happy Tuesday Gussopolitans....gchaucer2 must be busily filing motions and writing briefs today so here's a GUS place mat for everyone to scribble all over.

On this day in 1973 the original members of the British band 10cc broke up. It probably was because of "artistic differences" (isn't it always?). Their greatest charting hit of course was "I'm Not In Love" but I've always liked this song better, written and recorded in 1976 by a new band lineup.

Everyone have a safe and happy week. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

paulitics

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Monday November 18, 2013 · 1:46 PM PST

2013/11/18 · 13:46

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Good afternoon to all and welcome to another week in the life. I just spent a half-hour trolling the Internet looking for something of interest to talk about tonight and didn't have much luck. November 18th is a pretty uneventful day in history, unless you were in the Strawberry Alarm Clock and performed your hit "Tomorrow" on American Bandstand this day in 1968. I was just a three-year-old hippie then tripping my days away high on Pixy Stix and Scooter Pies. I'm posting the YouTube clip because I dig the groovy bass part.

Everyone have a safe and happy week !!

paulitics

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Monday November 04, 2013 · 1:55 PM PST

2013/11/04 · 13:55

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Hi everyone...welcome to another Monday post-game edition of GUS. I hope everyone enjoyed the nice Fall weekend. The colors in New England are beautiful right now.

I don't have much to share tonight other than I started working out a gym today. I haven't felt a need to become a gym regular since I'm pretty active athletically. I play a lot of hockey, ski all winter long, and walk when I play 18 holes of golf. I'm in decent overall shape for my age.

But I was helping someone move some heavy furniture a few weekends ago and afterward felt this burning sensation in my lungs. I thought it was strange because I haven't had a cigarette in over two years now. I guess my being "active" has certainly been beneficial but has done little to really help my body recover from years of smoking. I knew it was time to start a regular workout routine with a lot of cardio work in order to make a meaningful dent in the lingering effects of the smokes.

So I started this morning. It went well. The key is to start slowly and gradually work up from there. I spent 10 minutes each on the elliptical and rowing machines to get my heart beat going then called it a day. Wednesday I'll add a few more minutes and so on...

I'm glad I'm doing it. It took a nudge here and there but I think I'll finally be on a workout schedule that will be good for my body and mind. And that's a good thing.

Everyone have a safe, happy, and healthy week.

paulitics

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Monday October 21, 2013 · 4:41 PM PDT

2013/10/21 · 16:41

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Good Monday evening to all Gussalopes and welcome stragglers. Tonight's a rush job (read: open thread) because I literally got home ten minutes ago and I'm tossing this up in on the quick. I had it set up yesterday and didn't have time to fill it with pearls of wisdom.

So, yak it up...whatever's on your minds does the trick for tonight. Everyone have a safe and happy week !!

paulitics

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday October 14, 2013 · 2:36 PM PDT

2013/10/14 · 14:36

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Happy Monday to everyone. I'm back for another day of GUS duties. I may disappear after a bit because of a commitment but you can carry on without me.

While flipping through the newspaper today I noticed that today is C. Everett Koop's birthday (b.1916-d.2013). He was this nation's 13th Surgeon General and a tireless anti-tobacco advocate. His 1988 Report of the Surgeon General addressed the harm of second-hand smoke in society and advocated for expanded use of package warning labels. Per Wiki:

"In his 1988 Report of the Surgeon General, it was reported that nicotine has an addictiveness similar to that of heroin or cocaine. Koop's report was somewhat unexpected, especially by those who expected him to maintain the status quo in regard to his office's position on tobacco products. During his tenure, in 1984, Congress passed legislation providing for new, rotated health warning labels on cigarette packs and required advertising to include the labels. Those labels remain unchanged today.
Koop issued a challenge to Americans in 1984 to "create a smoke-free society in the United States by the year 2000."As Surgeon General, he released eight reports on the health consequences of tobacco use, including the first report on the health consequences of involuntary tobacco smoke exposure. During Koop's tenure as Surgeon General, smoking rates in the United States declined significantly from 38% to 27%."

He was the first Surgeon General that enjoyed a public stature due to his signature Lincoln beard and his regular appearances on television. He left a lasting legacy that we still benefit from to this day.

That's it for tonight. Everyone have a safe and happy week. Read More

GUS -- Sunday 10.13.13

paulitics

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Sunday October 13, 2013 · 11:35 AM PDT

2013/10/13 · 11:35

A message to ALL quitters: You don't have to avoid GUS if you have a failed quit. We won't give you a bad time or nag you. We consider the failed quits as "practice" for the real quit.

Happy Sunday all Gussabillies. I'm tossing up a provisional GUS since our normal columnist is apparently off having all sorts of fun which is exactly what she should be doing. Plus I may not be available tomorrow so I'm making that up in advance...just in case.

This is a Sunday Open Thread

I was thinking about Pumpkin Bread earlier (don't ask) and wondered if there was a good Pumpkin Cookie w/ white chocolate chips recipe floating around. I found one, and here it is in all its deliciousness.

Everyone have a spiffy day! Go Patriots !! Go Red Sox !!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups (12-ounce bag) white chocolate chips
Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper.

Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks.

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