ONLINE GAMBLING GUIDE ...TO A BETTER GAME

ONLINE GAMBLING GUIDE ...TO A BETTER GAME                                  

When gambling online, select the casino site carefully to avoid being scammed.  Review the site wisely.  Don't just give your credit card number to the first site you find in the net.  Take the time to ask yourself these questions:

*Is the site authentic? Look if it is government licensed.  If not, go locate another site.

*Does the site have a twenty four hour toll free customer service support?  If not, look for other sites.

*For slot machines and pokers, what is their smallest denomination?  Look for a variety in denominations. They should have nickels, quarters, dollar as well as five dollar machines.

*How many versions of video poker do they offer?  They should have at least three, because this will be your basis that the site has money for the software, therefore it can afford to pay you your winnings.

*Does the casino site have a place to record and keep track of purchases and cash out?

*What about customer care? Test them.  By sending them an email with a question, you can assess their customer service.

*Does this site have a good reputation? What software does it use?  Know how to collect your winnings.  They should have detailed information about this.

*How many days will it take for you to claim your winnings?  Certain sites require you to send them email stating your request.  Others give payouts only once a month, and others every two weeks.

*What are the rules about bonuses?

When gambling online, here are a few pointers that should be of help:

*Do your homework.  Play only at authentic sites.

*Allot a budget for a day's game.  Never go beyond that budget.

*Gamble only with money that you can afford to lose.  Don't gamble the money allocated for your home rental.  You'll be needing help if you play this way.

*Never mix alcohol and gambling.  They simply don't work together.

*Your data is to be protected at all times.  When signing up, note that the casino should have a secure and data encrypted link.  Identity theft is rampant on the internet.

*Spend ample time reading to familiarize yourself with the game.

*Play by statistics.  Know the odds of the game.  Study it by numbers.  Hunches have no part in gambling.

*Just stick to the game.  Never mind the gimmicks.  Side bets, insurance and the "crapless craps" are offered in order to lure you to spend more so that the casino will make more money.

*Know when to call it quits.  If you are already winning, stop.  Don't try to win more, you may end up a big loser.  If you are already losing more than your allocated daily budget, stop.  There is always another day.

*Expect that you can lose the game.  Casinos are in the business because they set the rules in such a way that the house's win is important.  Generally, they have the edge over you.

A fact is that ninety eight percent of casino gambling is designed for recreation.  Therefore, play to enjoy.  To be entertained, you spend money.  If it gets to a point where it is no longer fun to you, where you play beyond your means, then stop now, or else, you may not be able to stop later.

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Beat your Online Poker Opponent

Beat your Online Poker Opponent

Playing and winning online poker is a science. It is both a skill and an art of mastering things that most players take for granted.

If you are signing up for an online poker game, keep in mind never to choose the “any game at this limit” option. By choosing this, you are also hindering your capacity to take control of your position on every sign up list. There are options that give you the privilege of having the top position by winning and giving up the place by quitting and at the same time you could still rejoin and have you name at the bottom of the list.

Always look for a card room that fits your style. This way you always get the upper hand. If luck strikes in and you get on a bad round, look around the page for another table.


Playing two games at the same time seems a nice idea. It seems that by doing this, you could double your money in one playing hour. This could be true for some players, but remember, it happens for a few and not for everybody. Besides, playing two games at a time would definitely lay down your small blind more and you sure are most likely to tilt. Keep yourself focused on one game. This way you could have the upper hand especially if you’re playing a major, drawn-out pot. Playing one game at a time also helps you play straightforwardly with only one opponent to concentrate on.

There is online software that has proved to be marvelous. However, there are minor glitches that you need to stay away from. This is the “in-turn” button. This button allows the player to act on hand before your actual turn and allows him to go back trying on other moves. But there may be instances that the internet connection may not be at their best. There may be a time that while clicking the “check in-turn button,” the action may already be on you. What will happen is that the “call” button might be popping out on your screen in the place where you are supposed to click the “check” button.

In poker, the only sure way of winning is by showing down the best hand. This is true not only for casinos but for online as well. However, there a number of reasonable ways a smart player could increase his chances of winning. The sure way of acquiring winning poker skills is by checking out how players deal with their games and keeping in mind the right moves.

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Choosing the Best Ashtray for Cigar Smoking

Choosing the Best Ashtray for Cigar Smoking

Is an ashtray just an ashtray?  Unlike regular cigarettes, cigars need their own special space to support their girth and ashes.  Many cigar aficionados swear by the pleasures of finding the proper place to hold their cigars and ashes.

So what are the characteristics of a good ashtray?  First of course, make sure the ashtray you buy is big enough to hold your cigars.  Cigars come in varying sizes, so you will want an ashtray that can accommodate the single of your choice.  Next, consider your personal style of smoking.  Do you produce a lot of ash?  Do you let your cigar rest for extended periods of time?  These are all important considerations when choosing your ashtray.

Look for ashtrays made of metal, heavy glass, or ceramics.   Ideally, you will want the ashtray to be big enough to hold the ashes for two cigars.

Where can you find the best ashtrays for your cigars?  Many cigar aficionados swear by antique ashtrays.  Search out flea markets and antique stores for good deals.  Tobacco shops, mail order catalogues, and Internet shops are also good places to look.

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Tasting the World: Cigar's From Different Countries

Tasting the World:  Cigar's From Different Countries

Most everyone is familiar with the much-lauded flavor of Cuban cigars.  But how do you know if you're smoking a Cuban cigar, or a cigar from any other country for that matter?  For those new to the world of cigar smoking, you should know that every cigar-producing country has its own unique flavor and character.  The soil quality and the way the tobacco is produced and rolled contribute to the overall flavor of the finished product.

One must of course allow for significant regional variety, here are some very basic guidelines for getting to know the world's flavors.
The famous Cuban cigars are renowned for their smoothness and 'creamy' flavors.  They are applauded for their rich flavors and overall premium quality.  Cigars from Central American countries like Honduras and Nicaragua are known to be strong and rich in flavor.  Caribbean countries like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are known for their milder flavors.

Whatever country you purchase from, remember that a good way to gauge the overall flavor of a cigar is to note its diameter and length.  In general, cigars with a thicker diameter will have a richer flavor.  Longer cigars are generally cooler.

The Dangers of Being Exposed to Cigar Smoke

We have all heard about the dangers of inhaling second hand smoke.  Many people wonder if the dangers of inhaling cigar smoke are just as dangerous, or more.  Unfortunately, it appears that being exposed to secondhand smoke from a lit cigar can be just as dangerous—or more—than regular cigarette smoke.

All secondhand smoke emitted by tobacco products are classified as environmental tobacco smoke.  Environmental tobacco smoke refers to all the secondhand smoke released from tobacco products that are lit, such as cigars or cigarettes.  Research indicates that the smoke from cigars and cigarettes releases many of the same types of irritants.  Both cigar and cigarette environmental tobacco smoke contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia.  The environmental tobacco smoke from cigars and cigarettes also releases well-known carcinogens such as vinyl chlorine, benzene, arsenic, hydrocarbons, and nitrosamines.  Cigars, because of their size, usually release more environmental tobacco smoke than cigarettes.  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.  These differences are related to the very different ways that cigars and cigarettes are manufactured.  The production of cigars consists of a long process of fermentation and aging.  During the production and fermentation process, large amounts of carcinogens are produced.  Once a cigar has been fermented and aged, they are wrapped in a nonporous wrapper that keeps the cigar from burning too quickly.  The fermentation process and nonporous wrapper both contribute to the high concentrations of carcinogens in the smoke of al it cigar.  When a cigar is lit, the carcinogenic compounds produced during the fermentation process are released.  The nonporous wrapper also contributes to an unclean burn that is high in carcinogens.  

Another reason why cigars produce greater amounts of carcinogens is in their girth and length.  Cigars are simply bigger than cigarettes.  Their size allows them to release much more smoke, and in turn, much higher concentrations of toxins and irritants. Also, cigars are designed to be smoked much more slowly than regular cigarettes, and cigar smokers are encouraged to take their time and enjoy the relaxing experience. This results in longer smoke times, and obviously, the creation of much more smoke. It is advised for all non-smokers to avoid areas where cigars are being smoked.  If you smoke cigars, make sure to do so in a well-ventilated area.  

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Cigars vs. Cigarettes: Which is worse for Your Health?

Cigars vs. Cigarettes:  Which is worse for Your Health?

Most everyone has heard about the health risks of smoking both cigars and cigarettes, and the dangers of secondhand smoke.  But which is worse?  Do cigar smokers really have the advantage over cigarettes smokers?  The answer is much more complicated than anyone ever thought.

A Matter of Degree

Research from the National Cancer Institute indicates that the health risks posed by both cigarettes and cigars are strongly linked to frequency of use.  That is, it's not whether you smoke cigarettes or cigars, but how much and how often you consume them.  Individuals who smoke cigarettes on a daily basis are at a greater risk of developing cancer than people who smoke the occasional cigar.  That said, evidence indicates that cigars contain many more carcinogens than cigarettes.  It also appears that cigar smoke is more toxic than cigarette secondhand smoke.  Much of this is due to the fact that cigars are bigger than cigarettes, and thus produce more smoke.

To Inhale or Not?

Debate has also concentrated on the issue of inhaling nicotine from cigars and cigarettes.  Dedicated cigar enthusiasts argue that cigars are less dangerous than cigarettes because they don't require you to inhale as much toxins.  The National Cancer Institute's research indicates that both cigar and cigarette smokers are exposed to carcinogens, regardless of whether they inhale or not.  Even without inhaling, smokers are still exposing their mouths, tongues, larynxes, and throats to carcinogens.  In fact, simply holding an unlit cigar or cigarette between your lips can expose you to carcinogens.  Furthermore, when saliva comes in contact with a cigar or cigarette, even momentarily, carcinogens are swallowed.  When carcinogens are swallowed, the throat, larynx, and esophagus further become exposed to these toxins and irritants.  Cigarette and cigar smokers appear to swallow similar amounts of carcinogens, resulting in approximately the same percentage of risk in developing oral and esophageal cancers.

Research indicates that the health risks associated with both cigars and cigarettes may be reduced if the degree inhalation is adjusted.  Because most cigarette smokers tend to inhale deeply and smoke on a regular basis, they are at higher risk of developing cancer of the larynx. To get an idea of how inhalation of smoke relates to health risks, the National Cancer Institute tells us that the lung cancer risk of someone who smokes five cigars a day and inhales moderately has about the same risk as someone who someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes a day.

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How to Choose the Perfect Single

How to Choose the Perfect Single

Wondering how to choose the perfect cigar?  If you're a newcomer to the world of cigar smoking, here are a few tips to choosing the best cigar.

First, note the texture of the cigar. Squeeze it gently. Is very soft, or rigid?  Ideally, the cigar should give slightly, but not too much.  Very gently, squeeze the length of the cigar to check for lumps.  A good cigar will have a consistent texture.

Next, inspect the cigar for flaws.  Any cracks or discolorations are the signs of a lower quality cigar.  The cigar's wrapper should be wrapped smoothly.

Finally, look at the ends of the cigar.  Pay particular attention to the exposed end where cigar is lit.  If you're new to cigars, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the tobacco.  The simplest way to judge the tobacco quality of a cigar is to inspect the color of the tobacco.  If you note any abrupt color changes, this may indicate that the tobacco leaves were not laid out properly.  Look for a cigar with a smooth blend of tobacco.

The Parts of a Cigar

What are the different parts of a cigar?  Many long-time smokers enjoy their stogies without learning the basic parts of their cigar.  While it's true that you can enjoy a cigar without knowing how it was put together, learning the basic parts of a cigar can be instrumental in helping you choose the best quality cigars.

The first thing many smokers notice about a cigar is the wrapper, the layer of tobacco on the outside of a cigar.  A cigar's wrapper is very important because it provides much of the flavor of the cigar.  The best quality tobacco leaves are usually used to construct the wrapper.  They range in color from very clear (claro) to very dark (oscuro).  

Binders are known as the 'intermediate leaves.'  They are used to hold the tobacco filler together.  Binders can vary considerably.  

Last but certainly not least is the filler used to make a cigar.  The filler is the tobacco.  Generally, filler can be either long or short.  Long filler consists of whole tobacco leaves, while short filler consists of scraps.  

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Cigar Smoking Etiquette

Cigar Smoking Etiquette

Smoking cigars may be a great source of pleasure in your life, but the courteous smoker knows that not everyone enjoys the taste (or smell!) of a good Cuban.  With the fervor of anti-smoking campaigns still in full swing, the importance of enjoying a good stogie while not offending others cannot be stressed enough.  Simply remember that while you are smoking a cigar, it can be difficult to gauge the smell that others are experiencing.  And don't forget that cigar smokes can leave a mighty strong residue on clothing, furniture, and even the walls!  In order to enjoy your stogie without a heavy conscience, learn to become a considerate and courteous cigar smoker.

If you live with non-smokers, try to find a well-ventilated area of your residence where you can smoke comfortably.  Although it may be tempting to lock yourself away in an office or bedroom, it's probably not a good idea to smoke in an enclosed area unless it has a window.  Make sure you have easy access to the window.  Never smoke in a closed area!  You are more likely to inhale the toxic air from your own cigar.  If possible, go outside to smoke.  Pull up a lawn chair; relax on the porch, or any other open area where you can smoke comfortably.  Get as far away as possible to non-smokers, especially children and the elderly.  Remember that cigar smoke contains many carcinogens that can be easily inhaled by non-smokers.

If you must smoke a cigar outside your home, remember that the courteous and respectful smoker will only light up where legally permitted.  Do no light up in a bar, hotel, or restaurant where smoking is clearly prohibited.  The courteous cigar smoker will also make sure to smoke in the company of other smokers.  If you are with someone who does not smoke, ask his or her permission.  If they agree, be considerate about it.  Make sure the smoke isn't wafting in their direction.  Sit near an open window or space.  Make sure the air conditioner or current is moving the smoke in their direction!  Also, make sure no one around you is eating.  The secondhand smoke from a discourteous smoker is a surefire way to ruin a meal.

A courteous cigar smoker will also be aware of their ashes.  If you must smoke outside your home, make certain to dispose of your ashes in a safe and appropriate container.  Don't forget that ashes can easily blow away, especially in lower quality cigars.  Don't litter with ashes, and be careful they don't blow near anyone around you.

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GOING HIGH TECH WITH ONLINE GAMBLING

GOING HIGH TECH WITH ONLINE GAMBLING

Just as traditional medicine was replaced by sophisticated capsulated drug production, the introduction of modern technology assisted gambling in making its way to the online world.

Whether you choose to gamble your money through the traditional or the virtual way the following tips will guide you on what's hot and what's not of the gambling world. Should you choose to use online gambling products, here are a few tips on how to avoid risking those wagers while keeping your online micro gaming experience enjoyable.

• Who's who? - Current research shows that 3 out of 5 online gamblers fall into mischief.  Its important to know the online operator of the online gaming site you are visiting before wagering those bucks so transactions will be easy should disputes arise.

• Is it Legal? - Applicable laws pertaining to online gambling exist in every US state so you may assume that every state varies in the provisions of the laws covering such activity.

• Is it Legit? - Despite the strict laws existing against offending online gaming sites there remain some people who prey on people's money. There are online gaming centers which are legally commissioned to conduct micro gaming events. And one way to recognize them is by the type of software from which these sites operate.

Software such as OddsOn, Playtech, Cryptologic, and Microgaming, are just some of the most favorite. Suspicious sites do not display these softwares. These sites are not legally bonded and are not protected by active gambling policies in the area where they are allowed to operate.

• Know the Rules! - Luck works and there are simply lots of psychology working on those lethal moves. Master the simple systems at which the game operates and you are certainly an edge away against the bookies!

• Read, Read, and Read - One fact about gambling is that most operators won't disclose real information about the details of the payout. Read the fine prints. It saves you in the long run.

• Develop a Strategy - As far as chance gaming is concerned, knowing when to go flops or turn cards is just as important as planning a military assault against your opponent. Varied but intelligently appropriate strikes are important.

• Risk it! - You tend to deregulate the amount of money coming out your of pocket as you progress. Latest statistics show that sixteen US states are currently financing gambling related problems. Gaming and gambling is a form of entertainment so you expect to lose some money in the end. Given the consequences, realizing the money you can afford to blow out is important.

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The Secrets And Importance of Sex In Our Life

Right from our childhood's days, we have been taught many things, but sex certainly is the least taught of all. Due to lack of proper orientation towards the subject, it has been kept in the dark valleys of secrets not discussed and, like all things kept in such secrecy, it is bound to explode. Sex is a vertical force that has the ability to either populate the world or destroy it. In the hope, therefore, of revealing the tremendous use to which man can put this creative energy, I shall dare to reveal some of its secrets. On this subject, reason has long been slain and logic dumped in the maximum security prisons.

The subject of sex is still shrouded in taboos, innuendos and sacrilege that when it seeks to break free, it becomes vulgar. But just what is sex?

What Sex Represents

Sex is the source of energy of life and creation. The primal energy of the universe came as a result of movements in the creative darkness. The bible describes it as the coming out of the light. The Let there be Light command in Genesis is the sex play of the spiritual light with the creative darkness.

Sex is the primal energy of the universe. When the bible states that you are wonderful and fearfully made (Psalm 139:14), it also acknowledging what great mystery the generative organs and their sacred game that brought you into being are. Sex is the gateway to your existence. Just imagine what happened on the day of conception. Millions of your father's sperms sprouted forth into being and like inspired soldiers raced through dark corridors, climbing every mountain height possible and descending the deepest valleys, surmounting every obstacle, in a desperate search for the sacred mystery shrouded in sacred egg.

They found it but only one of the daring soldiers of spermatozoa could be allowed to enter; and when it did, the rest stood back, none else allowed to enter, uttered choruses of hallelujah in honor of their comrade who had exalted their mission m\by discovering the mysterious egg. What explosive moment but automatically exact surgical hands of nature, saw to the perfection of your body which, at the appointed time, came forth full of creative intelligence. What a mysterious being you are; but now, look back and dare not defy those sacred fountains of your being. Look upon it with respect and, if you will engage in this act, bless firth that force that brought you into being.

Sex is the energy of life ceaselessly seeking to express itself. It is the magnetic attraction of the male and female and the creative chance of cosmos - the dance of the Spirit and Nature. The sex energy is explosive; it can bring warmth to your house or burn it. Any attempt to suppress it raises its pressure and thus heightens the risks of its explosion. When regarded as forbidden, sex becomes more seductive. 'By only a careless glance', a sex-backed advert can sell any product for you with maximum profits. All you need to do is to color any product with a sexual innuendo and the world will crave for it.

When sex becomes a taboo, it becomes irresistibly attractive. Suppress sex and you are opening the doors of this sacred food to vulgarity and pornography of all sorts.

The more it lives in darkness, the more distorted and evil it becomes. And when our source becomes evil, we face the danger of extreme worthlessness in the communication process constitutes a break in relationships. Sex-unity is the unity of society; its disintegration or desecration is the shame and degeneration of society and the world community.

Uncontrolled sex, on the other hand, results in the desecration of the holy ritual sex and succeeds in making it a meaningless act performed for its own sake. This has dangerously created vacuum yet to fill in many lives. Unrestrained sex unfettered has led to pornography and, if no proper guidance is made available, will destroy the sacredness of our source of creation.

Sexual energy is the temple of life. It must be empty of guilt or repression. It must satisfy the heart and uplift the soul to visions of immeasurable possibilities.

Your body is the temple of the living God, therefore respect it and, in the sex act, recognize that you are engaged in the sacred rite that results in cosmic unity. You grow from the special and sacred union with you partner into the union with all of life. Love is good and lovemaking is God-making and, of course, you are with the right mind, it produces good health and a sense of spiritual well being. But sex must be the preserve of only mature and responsible partners.

Remember that your present incarnation is sexual in origin. Sex is sacred and must be understood as such to make it a heart-warming and soul-lifting experience.

SEX AND RELATIONSHIP

This is an area of great problems in many lives. It is responsible for many depression, psychotic problems and failures. Sexual injuries are deep because they are forbidden from being discussed. There are some areas of your sex life you fear to discuss for the fear that others will think you are vulgar, so you keep your pains to yourself. Why do many girls refuse to scream for help even when they are being raped? They fear people will think they are 'bad' or that they led the men into the act. They will rather use feeble strengths to fight the rapist and, when exhausted, lie there with a sense of guilt and shame while the rapist grins with satisfaction at his onslaught.

Which of the following best described you?

(i) I'm afraid, really scared to love. Yes/No
(ii) I'm afraid my marriage will be like that of my parents Yes/No
(iii) I feel trapped Yes/No
(iv) All my love affairs don't last Yes/No
(v) I'm afraid to love for fear of being rejected at the end Yes/No
(vi) I just don't always there just to hurt me Yes/No
(vii) Love is always there just to hurt me Yes/No
(viii) I'm not good enough to love or to be loved Yes/No
(ix) Nobody will love or appreciate me Yes/No
(x) To love is to be a slave to other person and do everything his or her way Yes/No
(xi) I'm very jealous Yes/No
(xii) I fear to love because I'll be controlled Yes/No
(xiii) I fear t love because I'll love my independence Yes/Not

To get out of all these traps, take a look at how you received loved when you were a child. It is most likely that you are only doing to yourself what others have done to you. If you have been loved, you will love yourself and know how to love others; if you were not loved adequately, you will be deficient in loving as well as receiving love.

As you were treated in the past, so you are treating yourself at present. Close your eyes and run your thoughts through the ways in which love has reached you all along and you will see why you are doing justice to the burning frees of love in your being. You will simply let go as you relive each incident until you arrive at a constructive learning. Everything that happened to you was life's way of stimulating your God powers and lifting them to a pinnacle of your potentials. They were opportunities to master and demonstrate patience, love and resilience of spirit. Freeing yourself in this second immortality drive frees a tremendous amount of your psychic energy for other constructive uses. Observe closely anyone who feels that people don't love themselves. You don't love yourself because you either did not receive the love you expected to come your way as a child or you were abused, humiliated or ridiculed. These forces create a sense of self-dejection.

If you have been in relationships that have ended at the present time, then do yourself the one great good to identify all past relationships and how they ended.

How did your past relationships end? List all your relationships, starting from the first person that primed your virginity or chastity, through to the very last relationship that ended recently. Add more lines where necessary and re-live any of the incidents, scan briefly how it started.

Your life becomes miserable as you project psychic powers outwards. Like a radio-transmitting -and - receiving station, we are already communicating with our environment. What we are inside, whether spoken or unspoken, is instinctively felt outside. Often, people go into relationships with the painful pictures of past relationships. You past relationships stared from childhood relationships with parents, aunts, uncles etc. have a quick check on the following and write your comments.

Is your favorite or not favorite boss like one of your good or bad family members.

Another area of problems with sex and relationships are the decisions we make about these two forces. Must all male and female relationships end with sex?

Should sex with any person mean a marriage or commitment? Sex is for two mature and responsible persons. The words here are mature and responsible. When you decide that sex is equal to marriage, every sex that does not end in marriage is open to limitless pain. Sex is spiritual and must be understood as the energizing of our spirituality and the sharing of our creative energies. You must then have sex with just the person who attracts and stimulates in you the deepest of respect, sense of responsibility, spirituality and love. It does not really matter if you are married or not. This does not advocated promiscuity.

When sex is understood for what it is, as a divine and spiritual energy, it will never become a playing. No one will throw his or her jewels to the swine, your decisions come from your belief system, and your belief system designs and creates your world. It is, therefore, important that you scan yourself and your belief systems.

Most of your beliefs are borrowed from other people. By knowing who share your belief, you will know the source of your belief. How tenable is the belief to the present time? How beneficial is the belief to you? As you analyze and challenge your belief system, you will open your inner doors of right discernment.

Seeking meaningful relationships

When sex becomes a part of a relationship, the relationship instantly becomes a worshipful one and a ceremony of God discovery. Any one seeking a meaningful relationship with God must empty himself of all concepts except the desire to experience God. In many relationship that involve sex, as in marriages today, this one most important requirement is missing. We go to marriage with our baggage of concepts and expectations inherited from our families, friends and past relationships.

These become the unwritten laws of the sex life as well as the written laws of the relationship. What is bound to happen to this holy relationship when each party has carries his or her role model and heroes, fantasies and anxieties into it can well be imagined. And when these are made complex by the expectation of your partner, you lose track. Lost to your own self, you are lost to your partner and right from the beginning the relationship is doomed to fail or, at best, become martyrdom With our loads like sheath of garment around us, we fail to be naked, and yet without our nakedness, there is no love and without love there will be no lovemaking.

The Bible, in Genesis 2:24-25, said, "To this end shall a man leave his mother and father and leave to his wife and the two shall become one. And they were naked and did not feel ashamed."this means 'to this end of being the embodiment of Godhood, shall a man leave his parents (past concepts of parent, uncles, lovers etc.,)'and come into holy union with his wife and both must become naked, transparent and vulnerable to each other, capable of tolerating your weaknesses and delighting in the others strengths and also be free of any inhibitions or shame whatsoever.' You need the courage to let go and vulnerable. This is easily said, but it only becomes a reality when you use.

our technology to off-load your baggage. You have lived in families, clans, tribes and nations and your vision is cast through the veil of your past and present associations.

Civilization and its powerful communication technologies have succeeded in shattering, to a great extent, the dogma of the tribe and its related groupings, but have also succeeded in producing tensions and emptiness.

Simply identify each load you carry and ask yourself why. A single why and a recall of the incident that led you to make that decision simply blows it out of orbit and sets you free.

In relationship, the woman traditionally controls the sex and the man controls the money. In the ideal holy relationship, there are no controls but simple responsibilities based on each person's capabilities. In love making, there are no losers each partner is a winner. But in sex making, each partner is a loser.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9951712

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The Amazing Range Of Sex Toys

The variety of sex toys is surprising. Sex toys vary from purely male or purely female sex toys to toys that can be used by both sexes. There are also some sex toys that can also be classified as sex aids or marital aids.

The Purpose Of Sex Toys

Some sex toys aid the man's erection, stimulate the female genitals to become more sensitive or provide a different feel to 'normal' sex. Other sex toys provide an 'environment' for variations in sex, for example so called orgy bed sheets. Sometimes they are used to help a person who has difficulty with unaided sex to achieve sexual satisfaction. However most sex toys provide a new way to directly stimulate the male or female genitals to achieve sexual satisfaction.

Using sex toys can provide new experiences and variation in the sexual experience. It can also provide a fantasy element for enhancing or revitalising a relationship.

The usual expectation is that a sex toy provides direct stimulation of the genitals in foreplay and/or during sexual intercourse or as a means to obtain orgasm through only the stimulation provided by the sex toy.

Types of Sex Toys

Vibrating Sex Toys

Probably the most well known sex toys are 'vibrators' which, as the name suggests, provide stimulation of the genitals using vibration. They are mainly used to stimulate the clitoris, but may also be used to stimulate any other part of the female body or that of a man's.

The simplest of these are pencil or wand shaped (though normally thicker than a pencil). They often have an internal battery (or two) which powers a small electric motor. Sometimes the battery pack and controller are external and connected to the vibrator by a wire. This motor is fitted with a small, out of balance, weight attached to the shaft. As this weight rotates it throws the motor and vibrator into a small circular movement which causes the vibration you feel.

With a vibrator that has a controller, as the power is increased the speed of the motor increases and with it both the rate and strength of vibration. Both the strength and rate of vibration effects how stimulating you find the sex toy. The best effect may not be as strong and as fast as possible. The optimum settings may well change as your degree of excitement builds. To get the best results it is worth buying a vibrator which is controllable.

Different vibrators will have different characteristics and you may well find you prefer one combination much more than another and your preference may even vary depending on which part of your body you are stimulating.

More recently electronic vibrator controllers have appeared which provide not only the static control of power/speed but also allow you to select patterns of power pulses and surges. These can be very effective.

There are also other vibrating sex toys such as butterfly stimulators and vibrating penis rings.

Other Powered Sex Toys

There are some sex toys that use other ways to provide mechanical stimulation. These usually depend on a motor that makes the sex toy continually change its shape which provides a sort of rotational movement or makes it move back and forth. The back and forth movements are sometimes powered by an air pump rather than a motor. The movements have been used to create, for example, mechanical licking tongues, vibrators that 'penetrate' the vagina and mouth simulators to give a man a 'blow job'.

On a bigger scale and much more expensive, there are 'sex machines' that incorporate thrusting and vibrating dildos.

Combination Sex Toys

So far we have covered vibrating, moving and thrusting sex toys. As you may have guessed these are all offered in a bewildering array of combinations.

A common combination in many 'Rabbit Style' vibrators is clitoral stimulation using vibrations and vaginal stimulation using movement and sometimes a thrusting motion as well.

Many sex toys add varying textures to their surfaces; a dildo or vibrator may have ridges or soft spikes or a rippled shape.

Sensation Change Sex Toys

Some sex toys rather than provide vibrating or moving stimulation, change the feel of sex.

For instance there are a variety of sleeves to put over the penis to provide different sensations for both partners while engaged in penetrative sex.

There are rings that squeeze the base of the penis and/or tighten the scrotum that assist the man's erection and also changes his sensations. There are penis extenders and thickeners which may give a man's partner greater sensations during penetration.

There are a wide variety of lubricants that can significantly change the feel of sex.

There are PVC and Polyurethane bed sheets that are water and oil proof that can be used for slippery or messy sex.

Why Use A Sex Toy?

A good question is: why do people use a sex toy? Surely fingers, tongues, penises, clitorises and vaginas etc all provide great sexual stimulation and enjoyment.

Well, apart from therapeutic uses (eg erection assistance), sex toys can drive the imagination (being taken by a machine), provide variety (new ways to do old things), vary the stimulating effects in otherwise normal sex (penis sleeves) and some can provide experiences not possible with 'normal body parts' (particularly vibrating sex toys and electro-stimulation).

Where To Start

If you have not tried a sex toy before and don't yet have an idea of what you might like, try one of the simpler vibrators first. Most probably you will enjoy the experience and then start to wonder what other delights can be found with more sophisticated vibrators and other sex toys ...

If you then find you do enjoy sex toys try out a few others and find what suits you. Above all, have fun trying them out!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/106137

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Sex Addiction FAQ

1. What is sex addiction? Sex addiction is a way some people medicate their feelings and/or cope with their stresses to the degree that their sexual behavior becomes their major coping mechanism for stresses in their life. The individual often can not stop this sexual behavior for any great length of time by themselves. The sex addict spends a lot of time in the pursuit of his or her sexual behavior/fantasy or they may have a binge of sexual behaviors.

2. Why do people become sexually addicted? This is different for every sex addict but generally speaking there are biological, psychological, and spiritual reasons. The following is a short explanation of each reason why someone can become a sex addict. The biological addict is someone who has conditioned their body to receive endorphins and enkephlines (brain chemicals) primarily through reinforcing a fantasy state with the ejaculation that provides these chemicals to their brain. Psychologically, the need to medicate or escape physical, emotional or sexual abuse can demand a substance, the early addict finds the sex medicine usually before alcohol or drugs. Spiritually, a person is filling up the God hole in them with their sexual addiction. The addiction is their spirituality, it comforts them, celebrates them and is always available and present. Then there is the sex addict who can be two or even three of the above reasons. This is why a specialist in sex addiction is the best route for recovery with sex addiction.

3. What's the difference between sex addiction and a high sex drive? I have heard this question on almost every national talk show or radio show I have been on over the years. A person with a high sex drive is satisfied with sex. It's not about a fix for something; when their partner says "NO" it doesn't make them go off the handle thinking their partner is totally rejecting them and have to leave the house or act out in some other way. If you can relate to this the chances are there may be an addiction issue.

4. Can you be addicted to masturbation? Yes, this is by far the most common sex addiction that I have treated in working with sex addiction. This usually is the first sexual behavior many of us will have on a repeated basis. This is usually where the sexual compulsion starts with sex addicts and this behavior, regardless of other acquired behaviors, usually stays active.

5. What role does pornography play in sex addiction? Pornography for many sex addicts combined with regular masturbation is the cornerstone for most sex addicts. Many sex addicts have great difficulty getting sober from this combination of behavior. The pornography with fantasy creates an unreal world that the sex addict visits throughout their adolescence and other developmental stages and creates an object relationship that conditions their emotional and sexual self to depend upon these objects and fantasies to meet their emotional and sexual needs hundreds of times before having sex with a real person.

6. Can someone be a sex addict and not be sexual with their spouse or committed relationship? YES! We call this later stage of sex addiction, sexual anorexia. In this stage of sex addiction, the addict prefers the fantasy world and fantasy sex with themselves or others instead of relational sex with their spouse or partner. The addict/anorexic avoids relational sex and hence this couple has sex infrequently and often at the partners request not the addict/anorexics.

7. What is it like to live with a sex addict from a partner's or wife's perspective? The partners/wives of sex addicts report many similar feelings about living with the sex addict. The feeling of aloneness is a common experience with partners of sex addicts, the sense that he can't open up and tell you about his "real" self. The confusion of even after you do certain behaviors that this still is not enough and the hopelessness that there isn't enough. Anger for many different unmet needs as a person and as a woman are often common.

8. Can partners get help even if the sex addict doesn't? Yes, even if the addict stays in denial of their addiction the partner can receive help and support for herself. The feelings of anger, loss, loneliness and many other feelings encountered over the years of living with this addiction will effect a person. These feelings need to be dealt with therapeutically whether they stay married to the addict or not. The addiction was in no way your doing as a partner or wife, the addicts addiction started many years before you even met your addict. This addiction would have grown and damaged anyone they would have related to in any relationship.

9. Is there recovery for sex addiction? Yes, there is recovery for sex addiction. This recovery takes time and hard work especially in the first year but with guided help the sex addict can experience restoration in their emotional, relational, sexual, financial and even spiritual lives. I have seen marriages made better than they ever were and addicts live much happier lives than they ever thought possible. I have been in successful recovery over eleven years and I know it's available for those who choose to work for and maintain recovery.

10. Is there research on sex addiction available? There is research being done in the field of sexual addiction. The monitored mail list of Heart to Heart Counseling centers provides weekly research information as well as excerpts from 101 Practical Exercises for sexual addiction recovery as well as Twelve Step discussions.

11. Can women be sex addicted? Yes! The number of women desiring treatment is growing significantly. The behaviors are the same as their male counterparts including: masturbation, pornography, internet activity, anonymous encounters and affairs. Over twenty recovering female sex addicts contributed in writing She Has a Secret: Understanding Female Sexual Addiction. This book plus the Secret Solutions Workbook, with over 115 helpful techniques for recovery is just for her. If you would like to set up a telephone counseling appointment to start your journey of recovery, call today. There is hope for female sex addicts to recovery.

12. Is there any way to help our children not become sexually addicted? Yes! Even though many of our adult male clients report that their fathers were sex addicts (porn, affairs, prostitutes etc.) they also report getting little to no proper sexual information to balance their sexual perspective. Good Enough to Wait is the first video of this kind to help your children understand sex and the brain, the long-term affects of pornography, long term sexual satisfaction and a whole lot more. This is the best combination of sex research and spiritual principles to date for youth to watch to give them a proper and currently informed sex talk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1510912

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Life Insurance - Learn From an Old Agent

Life Insurance is an insurance product that pays at the death of the insured. It really should be called "Death Insurance," but people don't like that name. But it insures the death of an individual. Actually, what is insured is the economic loss that would occur at the death of the person insured.

Those economic losses take a lot of different forms, such as:

- the income stream of either "breadwinner" in a family
- the loss of services to the family of a stay-at-home-mom
- the final expenses at the death of a child
- final expenses of an individual after an illness and medical treatment
- "Keyman" coverage, which insures the owner or valuable employee of a business against the economic loss the business would suffer at their death
- estate planning insurance, where a person is insured to pay estate taxes at death
- "Buy and Sell Agreements," in which life insurance is purchased to fund a business transaction at the untimely death of parties in the transaction
- Accidental death insurance, in which a person buys a policy that pays in case they die due to an accident
- Mortgage life insurance, in which the borrower buys a policy that pays off the mortgage at death - and many more.

Life insurance has been around for hundreds of years, and in some cases, has become a much better product. The insurance companies have been able to develop mortality tables, which are studies of statistical patterns of human death over time...usually over a lifetime of 100 years. These mortality tables are surprisingly accurate, and allow the insurance companies to closely predict how many people of any given age will die each year. From these tables and other information, the insurance companies derive the cost of the insurance policy.

The cost is customarily expressed in an annual cost per thousand of coverage. For example, if you wanted to buy $10,000 of coverage, and the cost per thousand was $10.00, your annual premium would be $100.00.

Modern medicine and better nutrition has increased the life expectancy of most people. Increased life expectancy has facilitated a sharp decrease in life insurance premiums. In many cases, the cost of insurance is only pennies per thousand.

There is really only one type of life insurance, and that is Term Insurance. That means that a person is insured for a certain period of time, or a term. All of the other life insurance products have term insurance as their main ingredient. There is no other ingredient they can use. However, the insurance companies have invented many, many other life products that tend to obscure the reasons for life insurance. They also vastly enrich the insurance companies.

Term Insurance

The most basic life insurance is an annual renewable term policy. Each year, the premium is a little higher as a person ages. The insurance companies designed a level premium policy, which stopped the annual premium increases for policyholders. The insurers basically added up all the premiums from age 0 to age 100 and then divided by 100. That means that in the early years of the policy, the policyholder pays in more money that it takes to fund the pure insurance cost, and then in later years the premium is less than the pure insurance cost.

The same level term product can be designed for terms of any length, like 5, 10, 20, 25 or 30 year terms. The method of premium averaging is much the same in each case.

But this new product caused some problems. Insurers know that the vast majority of policyholders do not keep a policy for life. Consequently the level term policyholders were paying future premiums and then cancelling their policies. The insurance companies were delighted because they got to keep the money. But over time, they developed the concept of Cash Value.

Cash Value Insurance

With Cash Value insurance, a portion of the unused premium you spend is credited to an account tied to your policy. The money is not yours...it belongs entirely to the insurance company. If you cancel your policy and request a refund, they will refund that money to you. Otherwise, you have other choices:

1. Use the cash value to buy more insurance
2. Use the cash value to pay existing premiums
3. You may borrow the money at interest
4. If you die, the insurance company keeps the cash value and only pays the face amount of the insurance policy.

So, does this cash value product make sense? My response is "NO!"

Cash Value Life Insurance comes in lots of other names, such as:

- Whole Life
- Universal Life
- Variable Life
- Interest Sensitive Life
- Non-Participating Life (no dividends)
- Participating Life (pays dividends)

Many life insurance agents and companies tout their products as an investment product. But cash value insurance is not an investment. Investment dollars and insurance premiums should never be combined into one product. And investment dollars should NEVER be invested with an insurance company. They are middle men. They will take your investment and invest it themselves, and keep the difference.

Think about the methods that agents use to sell life insurance, and compare them to any other type of insurance. What you'll see is that life insurance sales tactics and techniques are ridiculous when compared to other insurance products.

Would you ever consider buying a car insurance policy, or homeowners policy, or business insurance policy in which you paid extra premium that the insurance company kept, or made you borrow from them? But, curiously, life insurance agents have been wildly successful convincing otherwise intelligent people that cash value life insurance is a good product to buy.

Care to guess why insurance agents have aggressively sold cash value insurance and eschewed term insurance?

Commissions.

The insurance companies have become vastly wealthy on cash value insurance. So, to encourage sales, they pay huge commissions. Term insurance commissions can range from 10% to 50%, sometimes even 100%. But cash value insurance commissions can be up to 100% of the first year's premium, and handsome renewal commissions for years after.

But it's not just the commission rate that matters. It's also the premium rates that come into play. Term insurance is FAR CHEAPER than cash value insurance.

Here's an example of a 30 year old male, non-smoker, buying $100,000 of coverage:

Term insurance costs $0.50 per thousand for a premium of $50.00. At 100% commission, the commission would be $50.00.

Cash Value insurance costs $12.50 per thousand for a premium of $1,250.00. At 100% commission, the commission would be $1,250.00.

So you see that it would be easy for an agent to place his own financial well-being ahead of the well-being of his client. He would have to sell 25 term policies to make the same commission as only one cash value policy.

But, in my opinion, that agent would have violated his fiduciary duty to the client, which is the duty to place the client's needs above his own. The agent would also have to set aside his conscience.

My opinion is that life insurance agents operate from one of three positions:

1. Ignorance - they simply don't know how cash value insurance works.
2. Greed - they know exactly how cash value insurance works and sell it anyway.
3. Knowledge and Duty - they sell term insurance.

Which agent do you want to do business with?

How do I know this stuff? Because I sold cash value life insurance early in my career.

When I started as an insurance agent in 1973 I knew absolutely nothing about how life insurance worked. The insurance company taught me to sell whole life insurance, and to discourage clients from term insurance. But, after some time of reading and research, I learned that cash value insurance is a bad deal. I began to sell only term insurance. I refused to set aside my conscience. I also went back to some early clients and switched their policies from cash value to term.

The insurance company fired me for that decision.

I found a new insurance company that only sold term insurance and also paid high commissions. I made a good living selling term insurance, so I know it can be done.

So, as you shop for life insurance, please accept the advice of an old agent. Never, never, ever buy cash value life insurance. Buy term insurance.

Now, I'd like to offer you two special reports at no cost. One is "5 Things To Do When Shopping For Car Insurance," and the other is "5 Things To Avoid When Shopping For Car Insurance." Each one is a $9.95 value, but free to you when you sign up for my newsletter at the website address below.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2661313

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How an Insurance Policy Works

Insurance is synonymous to a lot of people sharing risks of losses expected from a supposed accident. Here, the costs of the losses will be borne by all the insurers.

For example, if Mr. Adam buys a new car and wishes to insure the vehicle against any expected accidents. He will buy an insurance policy from an insurance company through an insurance agent or insurance broker by paying a specific amount of money, called premium, to the insurance company.

The moment Mr. Adam pay the premium, the insurer (i.e. the insurance company) issue an insurance policy, or contract paper, to him. In this policy, the insurer analyses how it will pay for all or part of the damages/losses that may occur on Mr. Adam's car.

However, just as Mr. Adam is able to buy an insurance policy and is paying to his insurer, a lot of other people in thousands are also doing the same thing. Any one of these people who are insured by the insurer is referred to as insured. Normally, most of these people will never have any form of accidents and hence there will be no need for the insurer to pay them any form of compensation.

If Mr. Adam and a very few other people has any form of accidents/losses, the insurer will pay them based on their policy.

It should be noted that the entire premiums paid by these thousands of insured is so much more than the compensations to the damages/losses incurred by some few insured. Hence, the huge left-over money (from the premiums collected after paying the compensations) is utilized by the insurer as follows:

1. Some are kept as a cash reservoir.

2. Some are used as investments for more profit.

3. Some are used as operating expenses in form of rent, supplies, salaries, staff welfare etc.

4. Some are lent out to banks as fixed deposits for more profit etc. etc.

Apart from the vehicle insurance taken by Mr. Adam on his new vehicle, he can also decide to insure himself. This one is extremely different because it involves a human life and is thus termed Life Insurance or Assurance.

Life insurance (or assurance) is the insurance against against certainty or something that is certain to happen such as death, rather than something that might happen such as loss of or damage to property.

The issue of life insurance is a paramount one because it concerns the security of human life and business. Life insurance offers real protection for your business and it also provides some sot of motivation for any skilled employees who decides to to join your organization.

Life insurance insures the life of the policy holder and pays a benefit to the beneficiary. This beneficiary can be your business in the case of a key employee, partner, or co-owner. In some cases, the beneficiary may be one's next of kin or a near or distant relation. The beneficiary is not limited to one person; it depends on the policy holder.

Life insurance policies exist in three forms:

• Whole life insurance

• Term Insurance

• Endowment insurance

• Whole Life Insurance

In Whole Life Insurance (or Whole Assurance), the insurance company pays an agreed sum of money (i.e. sum assured) upon the death of the person whose life is insured. As against the logic of term life insurance, Whole Life Insurance is valid and it continues in existence as long as the premiums of the policy holders are paid.

When a person express his wish in taking a Whole Life Insurance, the insurer will look at the person's current age and health status and use this data to reviews longevity charts which predict the person's life duration/life-span. The insurer then present a monthly/quarterly/bi-annual/annual level premium. This premium to be paid depends on a person's present age: the younger the person the higher the premium and the older the person the lower the premium. However, the extreme high premium being paid by a younger person will reduce gradually relatively with age over the course of many years.

In case you are planning a life insurance, the insurer is in the best position to advise you on the type you should take. Whole life insurance exists in three varieties, as follow: variable life, universal life, and variable-universal life; and these are very good options for your employees to consider or in your personal financial plan.

Term Insurance

In Term Insurance, the life of the policy-holder is insured for a specific period of time and if the person dies within the period the insurance company pays the beneficiary. Otherwise, if the policy-holder lives longer than the period of time stated in the policy, the policy is no longer valid. In a simple word, if death does not occur within stipulated period, the policy-holder receives nothing.

For example, Mr. Adam takes a life policy for a period of not later than the age of 60. If Mr. Adam dies within the age of less than 60 years, the insurance company will pay the sum assured. If Mr. Adam's death does not occur within the stated period in the life policy (i.e. Mr. Adam lives up to 61 years and above), the insurance company pays nothing no matter the premiums paid over the term of the policy.

Term assurance will pay the policy holder only if death occurs during the "term" of the policy, which can be up to 30 years. Beyond the "term", the policy is null and void (i.e. worthless). Term life insurance policies are basically of two types:

o Level term: In this one, the death benefit remains constant throughout the duration of the policy.

o Decreasing term: Here, the death benefit decreases as the course of the policy's term progresses.

It should be note that Term Life Insurance can be used in a debtor-creditor scenario. A creditor may decide to insure the life of his debtor for a period over which the debt repayment is expected to be completed, so that if the debtor dies within this period, the creditor (being the policy-holder) gets paid by the insurance company for the sum assured).

Endowment Life Insurance

In Endowment Life Insurance, the life of the policy holder is insured for a specific period of time (say, 30 years) and if the person insured is still alive after the policy has timed out, the insurance company pays the policy-holder the sum assured. However, if the person assured dies within the "time specified" the insurance company pays the beneficiary.

For example, Mr. Adam took an Endowment Life Insurance for 35 years when he was 25 years of age. If Mr. Adam is lucky to attain the age of 60 (i.e. 25 + 35), the insurance company will pay the policy-holder (i.e. whoever is paying the premium, probably Mr. Adam if he is the one paying the premium) the sum assured. However, if Mr. Adam dies at the age of 59 years before completing the assured time of 35 years, his sum assured will be paid to his beneficiary (i.e. policy-holder). In case of death, the sum assured is paid at the age which Mr. Adam dies.

David Mog is the owner of the blog http://insurancefarmland.blogspot.com/ and he is giving you as a reader the right to use this writeup as you deem fit in your research work on the basis that the blog link and the contents will not be tampered with but will remain as it is without being edited.

I am a Mathematician by profession. I studied in Ontario, Canada. For the past 15 years, I've been almost all over the globe in my consultancy jobs.

I specialize in Research & Development that deals with the design of computer programs in solving a specific problems.

Specifically, I was one-time an Insurance Salesman before I went for my college education. So, all the pros and cons of Insurance world are well known to me like the lines on my palms.

I've been to Japan, South Korea, Australia, England, Netherlands, South Africa, Egypt, just to mention a few.

Right now, I have a current project I'm handling in Ghana, where I am presently staying.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6165484

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How to Purchase Cigars from Cuba

How to Purchase Cigars from Cuba

Every cigar aficionado knows that the very best cigars come from Cuba.  Unfortunately, buying the best can often be a risky proposition.  But many cigar enthusiasts are willing to take the risk to get a taste of the very best.  If you're wondering just how one would get their hands on a box of Cubans, read on.  Because of the relationship between the United States and Cuba, know that there are a lot of people looking to take advantage of cigar aficionados.  Purchasing Cuban cigars should be done with great caution in order to avoid getting duped.

First, know that importing cigars from Cuba is considered illegal.  The United States placed economic sanctions on the Cuban government in 1963.  Ever since then, Cuban cigars have become the holy grail of cigar enthusiasts.  There is, however, one loophole: visitors to Cuba who return from a sanctioned and licensed visit are allowed to bring back cigars.  However, visitors are not able to bring back more than $100 worth of cigars, and they must be intended for personal use, and not for resale.

Any other ways of obtaining Cuban cigars is considered illegal.  It is in fact illegal to buy, sell or trade Cuban cigars in the United States.  Fines for illegal trading, buying or selling of Cuban cigars may face up to $55,000 in civil fines.  This type of fine, however, is quite rare.  The more likely scenario is that you'll have your cigars confiscated.

When purchasing a box of Cuban cigars, be prepared to fork over quite a bit of your cash.  Prices can range from about $150 to $500 or more.  If you're offered a box below these prices, chances are it may not be the real thing.  Most Internet businesses that sell purportedly genuine Cuban cigars tend to be imitations.  Always avoid shops or retailers that offer "discounted" Cuban cigars.

How to get your hands on the real thing?  The easiest way to get a box of authentic Cuban cigars is to head north to Canada.  Buy them in Canada and repackage them so that they are not in their original Cuba packaging.  Remove the rings and place the cigars in a different box.  Customs agents tend to not inspect cigars carefully, and it is generally not considered a serious offense to bring Cuban cigars into the United States.  In fact, many clerks at tobacco shops will even offer to repackage Cuban cigars for you.

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Why Use a Humidor?

Why Use a Humidor?

If you are not an experienced cigar smoker, you may be wondering why cigar aficionados use humidors.  Humidors are used to store and protect cigars so that they are kept at their peak flavor.  A humidor works by keeping a cigar at a constant temperature, somewhere between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and about 70-72% humidity.

Many cigar aficionados claim that the ideal temperature for storing cigars is 70 degree F.  Any lower will tend to age the cigar, rather than keep it at a constant level.  Humidors are not meant to age, but rather to preserve the integrity, flavor, and color of the cigar.

What should you look for when purchasing a humidor?  The good humidor should close completely, with a tight fitting lid that will keep the cigars well kept from the elements and prevent any exchange of moisture.  Seams should be smooth and well fitted for cigars.  Cedar, especially Spanish cedar is ideal for the interior of the humidor.  Of course, make certain your brand of cigars fits well into any humidor you are considering purchasing.

The Health Risks of Cigar Smoking

We have all heard of the risks associated with smoking cigarettes, but what are the risks of cigar smoking?  Are the risks of smoking cigars just as dangerous, or more so?  According to the National Cancer Instituted, regular cigar smoking can result in a major health threat.  Scientific research has linked cigar smoking with cancers of the larynx, lungs, esophagus, and oral cavity.  Newer research also indicates that cigar smoking may be strongly linked to the development of cancer in the pancreas.  Doctors also caution that individuals who regularly inhale while enjoying a cigar are also at greater risk of developing lung disease and heart problems.

The health threats of cigar smoking appear to increase dramatically in those individuals who smoke regularly and inhale while smoking.  Someone who smokes three to four cigars each day will him or herself at eight times the risk of developing some kind of oral cancer than a nonsmoker.  Unfortunately, we do not yet know the health risks of smoking the occasional cigar.  It seems clear however that smoking cigars on a daily basis can pose serious health risks.  

Many individuals wonder if cigars are as addictive as cigarettes. Many wonder why, for instance, so many people become addicted to cigarettes, and not cigars?  The truth is that any tobacco product can become addictive because it contains nicotine.  Witness the effects of smokeless tobacco products on individuals.  These products, such as chewing tobacco, can become very addictive, simply because they contain tobacco, which in turn contains nicotine.  Many cigar smokers do not inhale deeply, thus causing the nicotine to be inhaled superficially.  Cigarette smokers tend to inhale, causing the nicotine to be absorbed faster and more readily by the lungs.  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.  

If nicotine is so addictive, why don't more cigar smokers smoke more often?  It appears that more people avoid becoming 'hooked' on cigars for several reasons.  The most obvious reason is that the nicotine is inhaled much more superficially than in regular cigarette smoking, causing less nicotine to be absorbed by the body.  Also, cigars are not as readily accessible as cigarettes.  They are viewed by most as a luxury item, saved for special occasions and used infrequently.  However, when cigars are smoked on a regular basis, they can become addictive.  The health risks of any kind of smoking increase dramatically as frequency of use increases.   

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How to Spot Fake Cuban Cigars

How to Spot Fake Cuban Cigars

Everyone knows that Cuban cigars are the most coveted cigars, renown worldwide for their smoothness and rich flavors.  Indeed, Cuban cigars are so prized that many illegitimate dealers have been known to sell fake Cubans to unsuspecting cigar smokers.  How do you tell if what you have is a fake or the real thing?  First, make certain that you purchase your cigars from a legitimate dealer.  Buying from your local tobacconist or a reputable mail order business can protect you from forking your money over for a box of fake cigars.

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.

The most important thing to examine is the box.  Authentic Cuban cigars will contain a green and white warranty seal on the left front side of the box.  The seal will contain an insignia that has a picture of a shield and a hat.  On the upper right hand corner of the box, you should find a white sticker that is placed diagonally with the word 'Habanos' printed on it.  The overall appearance of the box should be neat and clean.  If the box appears damaged, smudged, frayed, or marked, avoid it.  If the color of the box is dull, don't buy it.  Even if the cigars are the real things, their quality may have suffered in transport.  If you are in the market for Cohiba, Trinidad, or Q'dorsay brand cigars, know that all authentic Cohiba's will contain the green and white warranty seal on the right hand side of the box.  

On the bottom of the box of cigars, you should find a heat stamp with the words 'Habanos.'  The heat stamp should be impressed onto the bottom of the box.  Fake Cuban cigar boxes often find other ways to imprint this label, such as using rubber stamps or paper labels.  You should also find a factory code stamp at the bottom that is stamped in green, blue or black ink.  This stamp will tell you when and where the cigars were rolled.

If you can open the box, take the time to smell the tobacco.  Cuban cigars will have a deep, rich aroma, unmistakable to dedicated cigar aficionados.  If the smell is off, or very weak, chances are you do not have a box of authentic Cuban cigars in your hands.    The cigars should be facing the same way, and the top row may appear slightly flattened.  The caps on all the cigars should appear identical, and the foot of each cigar should be cut clean.  The bands on all the cigars should also be identical, and should be arranged so that they face the same direction.  If allowed, test the cigars out by pressing down on them.  Feel along the entire length of each cigar, checking for soft or hard spots.  The cigars should feel firm yet pliable.

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