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People gamble for many reasons. Some do it for the pure thrill and fun of it, and others just because they’re feeling lucky, and many do it out of habit. There are some people who gamble as a way to relax, socialize or just escape from everyday lives. Whatever the reason may be, gambling becomes a problem when it is done in excess. In fact, people often don’t realize that it’s become an addiction, until they are in so deep and affects normal life.

An uncontrollable urge to continue gambling, irrespective of the consequences it has on your life is known as compulsive gambling. Compulsive gambling is an extremely serious condition and can cause vast destruction.

The internet is filled with sites dedicated to the art of gambling, but not all of them are built to encourage gambling. There are sites that are built to help gamblers who have come to realize they have developed a problem - they have become an addict of the profession.

Gambling anonymous is just one of many forums that are springing up to help people who have become obsessed with gambling (also called compulsive gambling). With the relative ease by which online gambling can be begun, and the wide variety of options the internet presents, stumbling on sites promoting gambling is very easy. Even easier is finding a niche in the vast gambling world that will appeal to the individual.

As an art, gambling has always had high addictive properties. It is why people are advised to decide on a betting limit, before they begin and urged to resist from borrowing or chasing their losses. But despite the warnings most people fall prey to these mistakes and over time, develop a slow pattern that soon spirals into the destructive spin of compulsive gambling. Compulsive gamblers are people who have allowed the art to take over, thus their lives resulting in far reaching social and psychological effects.

How Do You Know If You Are A Compulsive Gambler?

There are many ways of determining if a person is a compulsive gambler. Gamblers anonymous, offers the following questions to help in deciding if a person is suffering from compulsive gambling. They will usually answer yes, to any 7 of the following.

1. Does gambling cause you to skip work?

2. Is your home life a mess due to gambling?

3. Is your reputation spoiled due to gambling?

4. Do you ever regret gambling after you’ve done so?

5. Are you gambling in the hope of ending your financial troubles?

6. Is your efficiency or ambition affected due to gambling?

7. Do you lose time from work due to gambling?

8. After you lose a game, do you have this need that you must return to try and win back what you lost?

9. After winning, do you want to go back and try and win some more?

10. Do you keep gambling till you don’t have any money left?

11. Do you borrow so that you can gamble?

12. Do you sell stuff so that you have money to gamble?

13. Have you considered doing something illegal so that you have money to gamble?

14. Do you spend sleepless nights thinking about gambling?

15. Do you think twice about spending money on other things besides gambling?

16. Do you often gamble more than you planned to?

17. Are you gambling to forget your troubles?

Compulsive gamblers like alcoholics are in need of help. If untreated, the effects are far reaching. They become distant and detach themselves from their families. It is difficult for them to break the habit on their own. If you have a friend or relative who is suffering, it is prudent to get them help.

Compulsive gambling can be treated, and one just needs to have the right approach and direction. As mentioned earlier, there are many websites, blogs, online forums that have great trips and suggestions on how to get out of it. If this doesn’t help, one can always seek professional assistance. Always know, that you have plenty of options, so do not give up and find out ways that can help you kick you off your habit of gambling, for good!

There’s nothing wrong with gambling, if you use it the right way - as means of having fun, as a hobby or a way of de stressing. The danger comes when the roles get reversed and gambling starts using you. When you start to gamble not to relax, but because you get tense when you are not gambling, you have a serious problem. With online gambling being so prevalent and easy to access, this is now becoming a serious problem.

Gambling addiction has a great deal of social stigma attached to it. While things like alcohol and drug addiction are met with a certain amount of sympathy, people tend to feel that a person dependent on these things is one who could not face life’s pressures and took the easy way out. These people need sympathy and help to recover. Gambling addicts, on the other hand, are often treated a selfish, self centered people who do not care for their families and are throwing away their and their families futures by gambling away all their money.

Gambling addiction is understood by mental health professionals to be an emotional problem and has the same roots as any other form of addiction. Gambling addiction needs to be viewed in the same way as other extreme emotional states like acute anxiety and depression. To treat it merely as a case of a weak or immature personality is to misunderstand the problem and treat it the wrong way.

Like all addicts, the gambling addict will have moments of clarity when he will appreciate what the addiction is doing to his life and to his family. Again, like other addicts, he may make some weak efforts to cure himself and will, in 95% of the cases, fail. He then accepts his addiction as being incurable and inevitable and feels that he has no choice but to gamble. The descent into disaster only accelerates from here.

But gambling addiction is not just treatable, it is curable. There are no magic bullets or pills that can remove the problem overnight. It is a long haul and the cured gambling addict, like the reformed drinker or drug addict, will have to spend the rest of his life being careful about falling back into the trap. But this is a very small price to pay for escaping from the hole.

Gambling addicts rarely see the problems they have, and if they do, forget about it in their desire to gamble. There are fours easy checks to know if you have a gambling addiction. Be completely honest with yourself and ask yourself if you or someone you care about has these symptoms:

Do you feel the need to be secretive about your gambling? Do you hide it or lie about it?

Once you start, are you able to stop at a predetermined point - either at a fixed time or when you have lost a fixed amount of money? Or do you keep on gambling until you are exhausted and / or have no money left?

Do you gamble even when you can’t afford it? Are you spending money meant for other purposes on gambling - money for school fees, utility bills and so on?

Are those who care worried about you? Even if they haven’t said anything as yet, do you sense they are concerned about you?

Forget about having all of these symptoms, having even one of them is enough of a cause for concern. Even one symptom is a sign of if not full blown addiction, at least a sign of being well on the way to becoming an addict.

Cure and treatment is only possible if the person is both honest enough to see that he has a problem and also has a desire to be cured of it. It is not possible to treat someone who does not want to be treated.

Gambling addicts wanting to be cured must accept the fact that this is an emotional disorder and that they will not be able to deal with it themselves. It is normal to feel ashamed of having the problem and therefore reluctant to ask for help. But this is not something that can be self treated. This is a medical condition that needs to be treated by qualified professionals.

Diet is an important factor in many diseases including arthritis. Here are some tips to using diet to help control your arthritis symptoms.

Eat a healthy, well balanced diet. This is the number one rule in controlling many diseases. When the body has the vitamins and nutrients it needs it is better able to fight off disease.

Drink plenty of water. Drinking 8 glasses of water each day helps keep the cells hydrated and working their best.

Eat foods that are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are responsible for ridding the body of excess free radicals that can cause disease and break down the immune system. Antioxidants boost the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties. Many vegetables and fruits contain high levels of antioxidants.

Eat a low fat diet. Fats can do more harm than good to the body. Eliminate or cut back on saturated fats, which have detrimental effects. Eat the healthy types of fats instead.

Eat foods that contain the five essential components, which include protein, carbohydrates, minerals, fats and vitamins.

Some foods are thought to be triggers for arthritis flare-ups. While the jury is still out on whether or not this is true, some people swear by it. If you have certain foods that seem to cause you problems systematically eliminate them from your diet to see if you see improvement. Some common foods that may be possible culprits are acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges.

Eat less processed foods. Processed foods contain chemical preservatives and excess salt, which is not good for the body. Processed foods also lose much of their nutritive value, particularly canned foods.

Use more plant oils in cooking. Plant oils are thought to play a role in fighting arthritis. Olive oil is one of the best oils to use in your food.

Eat foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce pain and inflammation of people with arthritis. It is found in oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout sardines and herring. Other good sources are grape seeds, walnuts, and oils such as safflower and canola.

Supplement your diet with omega-3 fatty acids if you don’t get enough in your regular diet. Supplements are readily available at your local pharmacy or health food store.

Try to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. These contain antioxidants that are necessary to help fight arthritis.

Eat foods that contain folic acid. Folic acid, also known as folate, is part of the B group of vitamins. These are good for counteracting some of the side effects of prescription rheumatoid arthritis medication. Folic acid is found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage as well as in whole grains and dairy products.

Green tea has been found to be helpful in providing antioxidants and is helpful for those with osteoarthritis. Drink a cup of green tea daily.

While there is still much more research to be done, eating a healthy diet will help you to improve your health and can also help with arthritis symptoms.

The summer season provides a cornucopia of delicious vegetables, fruits and herbs. Preparing meals during this wonderful season presents boundless opportunities to prepare easily digestible food. This is particularly important to those who suffer from acid reflux.

The tomato, which many consider the quintessential fruit of summer, has long been given a bad rap. Thought of as acidic in nature, many people who experience acid reflux shun the tomato like the plague. When tomatoes are slowly over cooked to produce a thick sauce they do become extremely acidic. When served raw in their natural state tomatoes, however, are sweet and alkaline.

My all time favorite tomato recipe is quite simple and easy to prepare. Made with slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil, it is better known in Italy as Caprese Salad (in the style of Capri). It is the starter listed below for my favorite summer meal.

Cooking outdoors is an American summer tradition. It is liberating to get out of the kitchen to cook and the clean up is much easier. My favorite main dish of summer is chicken. I buy a \”natural\” bird to start with. I then butterfly it by cutting close to the backbone from tail to neck, flip it over and press it down, dry it with paper towels and season it. This makes a much nicer presentation than just grilling loose pieces of chicken.

I live in a log cabin on a mountain top in rural Pennsylvania. Because we have so many bear and other creatures who share our love of outdoor cooking, we confine those activities to the deck using a Weber gas grill with a cover. In order to create that real woodsy flavor of a traditional barbeque, we use one of those metal wood chip boxes filled with oak, mesquite or hickory. The oak is free. Twigs and branches fall out of the trees in the back yard. I like to mix these woods together to produce a unique smoke flavor. I call this cooking technique \”grill-a-quing\”, because you are combining grilling with barbequing and smoking.

Of course, the chicken can be cooked in the traditional manner over coals or wood. The secret is to start off with high heat in order to seal the bird. When the fat starts to flare up, the heat must be brought down to low. The objective it to keep the juices in while making the skin very crisp. This is more easily controlled when using a gas grill with a cover.

A three and one half to four pounder can require up to two hours to fully cook. While the chicken is slowly cooking filling the air with enticing flavors, I have time to make the final arrangements for dinner. When the chicken is done it is crispy on the outside and moist and juicy inside. It is almost impossible to resist eating the skin. I always have a just little piece of skin off the thigh to satisfy that urge. I present the butterflied chicken on a carving board and serve the portions upon request. If you can’t pull it apart with your fingers, then it has not cooked enough.

I like to serve the chicken with a garden salad, utilizing as many ingredients as possible. We grow herbs and vegetables on the decks in large terracotta clay pots. It is very convenient to just walk out the French doors onto the deck and harvest what you will need for the salad while the bird is cooking. If you want carbs, make a simple pasta primavera with the vegetables using penne or even orzo. Toss with oil, vinegar and fresh herbs like oregano and set aside. This dish is perfectly fine served at room temperature.

To complete this meal, I like to serve a simple dessert featuring whatever fruits are in season. Local berries or ripe peaches are always delicious. I like to serve them over lemon pound cake with a dollop of whipped cream. In Pennsylvania we have local apples in late summer. My favorite dessert is a puff pastry apple tart with apricot rum glaze. This is so easy to make, yet looks quite impressive to eagerly awaiting appetites. If you opt for the apple tart, you will have to bake it earlier in the day. Let it cool and place it in a cold oven to keep the pastry crispy.

Bon Appetite!



CAPRESE SALAD

Ingredients:

Four Ripe tomatoes (about two pounds), sliced thin (1/4 inch)

Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper

One pound of fresh mozzarella sliced about the same as tomatoes

One cup chiffonade of fresh Basil (stack basil leave, roll up and cut into thin slices)

Extra virgin olive oil (first cold pressed)

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

Directions:

Arrange the tomato slices on a serving platter. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle half the basil on the tomatoes and cover with slices of mozzarella. Drizzle more olive oil and sprinkle more basil over the mozzarella. Garnish dish with chopped chives. Hold at room temperature before serving just long enough to allow the cheese to soften and meld with the tomato juices. Serve with warm crusty bread for sopping up the juices.



GRILL-A-QUED BUTTERFLIED CHICKEN

Ingredients:

Grill spray

Wood chips (oak, apple, mesquite or hickory)

3-1/2 to 4 pound natural chicken (butterflied as explained above)

Sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper

Directions:

Spray clean grill thoroughly with oil and fill the metal wood box with pieces of wood (the wood does not need to be soaked in water). Ignite entire grill at the highest setting. Meanwhile remove excess fat from chicken and season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper to taste. When the wood starts to smoke and the grill is very hot, place the seasoned chicken breast side up on the cooking grates. Wait a few minutes and when fat flares up adjust heat to the lowest setting. Continue to cook, checking periodically, until the skin is quite crisp and the joints are easily moved (about an hour and a half to two hours) . The chicken should be well done but not dried out. When you see that the flesh can be easily pulled apart, carefully move the chicken to a cutting board. Allow fifteen minutes for the juices to set up before serving. The secret to making this dish is \”seal and slow\”. You do not want the flames that might flare up as fat is being expelled to burn the skin of the chicken. If this does occur, open the lid of the cooker until they subside. Natural chickens have less fat.



PUFF PASTRY APPLE TART WITH APRICOT RUM GLAZE

Ingredients:

One sheet of puff pastry (thawed)

Three or four tart apples (Braeburn, Fuji or Gala) peeled, halved, cored and sliced into very thin pieces

Juice of one lemon

Three tablespoons fine white sugar

Cinnamon

One quarter cup apricot jam

One quarter cup dark rum

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare apples and place in work bowl. Toss lightly with lemon juice. Thaw puff pastry according to directions. Place jam and rum in a deep microwave safe bowl partially covered with plastic wrap. Heat until boiling, but not over flowing so that the alcohol in the rum evaporates and forms a glaze. Set aside. Line a 12\” x 18\” baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to make a bit thinner. Fold the edges of the pastry over to form a border of about 1/2 inch on all sides of the rectangle. Place the sliced apples overlapping each other in alternating vertical rows to cover pastry sheet, keeping the rows within the border. Dust with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for about 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and apples are tender. With a pastry brush, apply the glaze over the apples (reheat the glaze if necessary). Serve with créme fraiche, whipped cream or ice cream. A sprig of mint and a few raspberries make a terrific garnish with each serving.



All courses represent a serving for four.

For free recipes, articles and information about acid reflux, please visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Weddings are expensive to plan at anytime, but during the current economy, it can seem downright impossible to pull off the perfect wedding. But have no fear brides, for there ARE ways to have your dream wedding without breaking the bank. Follow these foolproof tips to stay within your budget, and even save money, while planning your wedding:

Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize!

First things first make a list of the most important things you want for your wedding and have your fianc

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Many folks nowadays have been familiarized with the skill of woodworking back in high school, and as a result they already have an appreciation of the basics. Taking it up once again can be highly worthwhile, especially since it can make possible the addition of both functional and attractive objects in your home. These articles will certainly be valued by your family members. Individuals who truly find it rewarding might even go as far as transforming it into a profitable endeavor. Still, woodworking as a leisure activity is a pleasurable pursuit, and it could also be helpful for dealing with tension.

Pin collecting has become a very popular hobby.Trading pins with other collectors is great way to make new friends and share your passion for this popular hobby.

Pins offer a major advantage over some other collectibles - they are small so they do not take up much room. This makes pin collecting a good hobby for those who must limit the space devoted to their collections.

Many places, people, and events are comemmorated with pins so you will have no trouble finding a theme you are interested in.  Some of the most popular collectible themes are Disney characters, sports teams, and Hard Rock Cafe, and the Olympics.