TOC Flavors Black Friday Giveaway

 

The TOC Flavors line was created after my first book, Tears of Crimson.  You can pick up the kindle version of Tears of Crimson free on Amazon with #kindleunlimited here:

What exactly are TOC Flavors?  I'm glad you asked.  TOC Flavors are blended flavor concentrates that were created to bring the Taste of New Orleans into your DIY recipes, originally.  When I moved into the world of #Keto living, I discovered they worked great for this as well.    These are Keto Protein Shakes, but you don't have to be on the Keto Diet to enjoy them.  Anyone that wants a great way to start off their day can enjoy Protein Shake (and by the way even my kids love them).


Visit: Keto With Michelle Protein Shakes for the recipes!
As I said, earlier, these flavor concentrates were originally created to make DIY recipes.  If you've ever wanted to make your own liquid, I've created a very easy-to-use beginner's DIY instruction manual.  You can also join our group for this on Facebook for more help:  Beginners DIY

DIY Mixing by Michelle Hughes

Okay, Michelle, all of this is great, but what about the giveaway?  I'm so glad you asked!  Our Black Friday Giveway is a $20 gift certificate at Higgy's!  Discover the flavor you've been missing, and best of luck to you!

$20 Higgy Gift Certificate Giveaway TOC FLAVORS

Never Forget 9/11

This is how the world woke up on September 11, 2001.  I remember this vividly in my mind.  I'd just gotten home from working night shift at my hospital, and was trying to wind down before going to bed.  I saw the first report break into the morning news, and thought it was a hoax.  Nothing like this could happen in this beautiful country that I loved.  When the horror set in that this was real, my first thought was my children.  I lived in Alabama but I feared that the entire world was going to war so went to immediately get my children from school.  In changed my thoughts forever about the world I lived in.  

The images below are not mine, they belong to those that hold the copyright.

Faye Hall - Carnal Transgression

 

Constance Dunbar is desperate to discover who killed her sister. Her plea for help is ignored by the local police, so she advertises for a private investigator. Seamus Tynedale answers the ad, and she immediately recognizes him as the friendly stranger whose arms held her so tenderly as she wept after her sister’s death.

Seamus longed to be reunited with the dark-haired beauty who’d kissed him in the churchyard. When he ends up working for her as a private investigator, he knows that his position as a police constable needs to remain a secret due to her mistrust of the department.

As Seamus hunts for the murderer, he finds himself lured into a den of secrets and lies tracing back eighteen years to Ireland, and it all seems to be connected to Constance. Seamus delves into Constance’s past, hoping to understand the secrets she’s so intent on keeping hidden. What he finds is a passion that ignites his heart and captivates his senses.

When Constance’s life comes under threat, Seamus has to choose between following the law and protecting the woman he loves from a killer. Will he be able to safeguard Constance, or will he lose her to the evil that seems to have followed her to Australia?

Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence

https://amzn.to/35geoMH

FAYE HALL:  Faye Hall spent her early years listening to stories about the families - including her own - who settled townships in and around her hometown in North Queensland, Australia. The local townspeople, including her own parents, told her stories of corruption and slavery, along with family secrets and forbidden love.

Desperate to remember what she'd been told, along with her already growing love of writing, Faye began to write about the history of her local area. Never could she have imagined the history of her small hometown in Australia would become a growing list of published books.

Faye's passionate stories combine controversial subjects and provocative encounters as her characters struggle to survive the lifestyle in early rural townships throughout Australia. She explores slavery and abortion, drug addiction and murder, as well as forbidden love and passionate affairs of the heart.

When she's not writing, Faye enjoys sharing a bottle of wine with her husband in their ever-growing garden and encouraging the varied interests of their children.

Explore the world of Faye Hall, Australian Historical Romance Author at her website https://www.fayehall.com.au

Savage Ending - Lisa Renee Jones

 

HTML

ABOUT SAVAGE ENDING

Title: Savage Ending

Series: The Savage Series #4

Author: Lisa Renee Jones

Release Date: April 25, 2021

The fourth and final book in the Savage Series...

They say all is fair in love and war, but I really don't give a damn about fair. In fact, when protecting those I love, fair is the last thing on my mind. Now that I'm back in Candace's life, those who have used her to try to control me, may well put up a final fight, but they will not win. They will lose and badly.

BUY SAVAGE ENDING

Amazon → http://mybook.to/SavageEnding

Apple → https://apple.co/3qFfc7j

Nook → https://bit.ly/3hzobks

Kobo → https://bit.ly/3ht4KtK

Audible → http://adbl.co/2NQ3l7O

Paperback → http://mybook.to/Savage4PB

EXCERPT

I stand willingly in front of Rick, naked while he is not. His gaze is hot, intimate. When his eyes meet mine, he says, “You hesitated.”

“I did not hesitate,” I say, closing the space between us and pressing my hand to his jaw. “I was thinking about the very first time you told me to undress for you. Do you remember?”

Tension slides from his shoulders as if my answer is the exact one he needs, and he wraps his arms around my waist. “I remember that night well.” His voice lowers seductively. “I spanked you.” His lips curve. “And you liked it.”

“Are you going to spank me now?” I dare, so far from intimidated by anything that happens between me and this man. He demands. And I have learned over time that while it defies my strong will and independence in the bedroom, I like when he’s in control.

“Not tonight,” he says, easing me onto his lap so I’m straddling him.

I wrap my arms around his neck and he adds, “All or nothing.”

“All or nothing,” I repeat.

His lashes lower, the lines of his face sharp. “I’m still Savage, Candace,” he says, his eyes meeting mine again. “That part of me still exists.”

“Why are you saying this?” I ask.

“Because this mission, this blast from the past, reminded me of who I am.”

“And you think I need to be reminded?”

“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “You do. You're about to marry me.”

“I’m marrying the love of my life. And that’s you, Rick. All of you.”

“Love is blind.”

“I know who you are, Rick Savage. And for the record, you can’t deny who you are. Not and live a happy life. And I don’t want you to deny who you are. That’s never been my message.”

“I know that, too,” he says. “But I’ve tried anyway.”

That one statement terrifies me. I’ve tried anyway. It’s like a ball rolling toward a waterfall in slow motion, but eventually, it tumbles over the edge. My hands go to his shoulders, his muscles flexing beneath my touch. “That’s a problem for us. It’s a big problem.”

I try to climb off of him, but he catches my waist with a powerful arm around my body. “It’s not a problem,” he insists.

“No one should marry someone they can’t be themselves with. Every time you think you have to be something you’re not for me, it divides us.”

“I don’t want to be something I’m not with you, Candace. I want to be a better man for you.”

“I just want you to be you.”

“I want to be a better man for me, too. But you know, sometimes some people just need to die, Candace.”

I blink with the sudden shift from being a better man to wanting to kill someone. But that’s the point of all of this. That’s where he was taking me and us.

I’m flying blind right now, unsure about what happened to place him in this state of mind, but I know one thing: Rick is a good man. He doesn’t kill for money or pleasure. “I love you, Rick Savage. Be who you are and do what you do for the right reasons. And you do. Always.”

“Even if it means hunting down a bastard and killing him?”

He says it so matter-of-factly, but I know him. It’s anything but. Someone has made Rick’s personal hit list. There are no names on that list, at least, none that are living. “Can it be after the honeymoon?” I ask, quite seriously.

He laughs and cups my head and presses our foreheads together. “You really get me, don’t you?”

My hand finds his face. “And you get me. Rick—”

I never finish my sentence. I don’t even remember what I was going to say. He pulls me closer and claims my mouth, and it’s a tender kiss, a kiss void of the dominance I’d expected from him only minutes before. I moan with the sensations that spiral through me and just that easily, the air shifts, and our mood darkens, roughens. Suddenly, we are wild, kissing as if we will never again. Touching each other everywhere, and I’m tugging at his shirt. He pulls it over his head and tosses it, and my gaze falls on the heart that says San Antonio in the center, the heart I know he got for me. Because that’s where we met, that’s where he left me and found me again.

My fingers curl on top of it and I whisper, “You really never forgot me.”

“Never,” he says, and as our eyes collide, he says it again, a rasp of emotion in his voice. “Never.” And then he’s kissing me again and I’m touching him and arching into him...

THE SAVAGE SERIES

Savage Hunger (book one) – Available Now 

Amazon → http://mybook.to/SavageHunger1

Apple → https://apple.co/2Wmiw8w

Nook → http://bit.ly/2T7qTBw

Kobo → http://bit.ly/2TIiuZS

Audible → https://adbl.co/3bOvylJ

Paperback → http://mybook.to/Savage1PB

Savage Burn (book two) – Available Now 

Amazon → http://mybook.to/SavageBurn2

Apple → https://apple.co/32fqCRW

Nook → http://bit.ly/2IydAaP

Kobo → http://bit.ly/2MqyaLI

Audible → https://adbl.co/2X9JaUC

Paperback → http://mybook.to/Savage2PB

Savage Love (book three) – Available Now 

Amazon → http://mybook.to/SavageLove3

Apple → https://apple.co/32bco4c

Nook → http://bit.ly/2Vqn11i

Kobo → http://bit.ly/2LYoEjR

Paperback → http://mybook.to/Savage2PB

Savage Ending (book four) – Available Now

Amazon → http://mybook.to/SavageEnding

Apple → https://apple.co/3qFfc7j

Nook → https://bit.ly/3hzobks

Kobo → https://bit.ly/3ht4KtK

Audible → http://adbl.co/2NQ3l7O

Paperback → http://mybook.to/Savage4PB

ABOUT LISA

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling WHITE LIES and LILAH LOVE series.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

CONNECT WITH LISA

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones

Newsletter ➜ http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Bookbub ➜ http://bookbub.com/authors/lisa-renee-jones

Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/2MoWosB

Twitter ➜ https://twitter.com/LisaReneeJones

Instagram ➜ http://instagram.com/lisareneejones

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/LisaReneeJones

The Real Story Of Vaping - Author Michelle Hughes

If you would like more information about quitting smoking with vaping, please reach out to me.  This is not medical advice, but personal advice about my journey through smoking cessation with vaping.  The truth is out there, just not in America, which really is disgusting.  Below I'm listing some links so you can get the facts, and not the lies you're being fed.

Royal College Of London on Vaping:  https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/promote-e-cigarettes-widely-substitute-smoking-says-new-rcp-report

The Master Settlement Agreement on Tobacco:  https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/topics/commercial-tobacco-control/commercial-tobacco-control-litigation/master-settlement-agreement  A very important read for you to understand why tax dollars (not health) is pushing these states into needing you to keep smoking even if it kills you.  I've always said follow the money! "States will collect $27.5 billion from the MSA and taxes in Fiscal Year 2018, but will spend less than 3 percent of it on programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit.

Lowering Risk of Respiratory Infections with Switching to Vaping:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/opeplv64yng29qa/Respiratory%20infections%20and%20pneumonia%20-%20potential%20benefits%20of%20switching%20from%20smoking%20to%20vaping.pdf?dl=0

TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION 101: A GUIDEBOOK FOR POLICYMAKERS: https://www.heartland.org/publications-resources/publications/latest-heartland-policy-booklet-addresses-vaping-myths

The 24 Hour Fundraiser for The Vapin Trucker

 

Watch the 24 Hour Live Stream on May 7th Here:

https://youtu.be/CSVSaeFSD7I

Please click that link and set a reminder for the show!

Mike (AKA The Vaping Trucker) was diagnosed with (Non-Small-Cell-Lung Carcinoma) NSCLC.  It has spread throughout his bones in a very short amount of time.  He is only 49 years old. It was March 17th when he entered the ER with symptoms of kidney stones.  It was after two different CT Scans that he was given the news of metastatic lytic lesions all over his skeletal.  At the time we did not know the primary location until further genetic testing of his bone biopsy pin-pointed NSCLC.

Mike has been a very dedicated Over the Road Truck Driver for 27 years.  Shortly after high school, he entered the Navy, and after his service began, driving a truck. His constant dedication to deliver the consumer goods of America is one of his greatest strengths, hoping through his commitment that all goods reach those in need and delivered on time.  He has been hospitalized with Stage IV cancer and needs help to continue to pay for a place to live, a car to drive, insurance for him to get to treatments and doctors’ appointments.  Also, there is the need for basic household needs like water, electricity, and food.

TICKETS!!!

All Donations go to Mike's Go Fund Me Account, can count towards entries into the prize draws.

 

Each $5 will get you ONE entry, so $30 would get you 6 entries.

After you donate you will get an email receipt from Go Fund Me for your donation. For your donation to count as entry tickets you must forward this receipt to this email address: mixersformike@gmail.com address and put ONE of these in the subject, exactly as you see it below:

 

UK

USA

AUS

WORLD

UK ONLY

• Riah Mech Tube V (value 90 USD) from Woftam through Steampugs
• Riah Mech Tube V (value 90 USD) from Woftam through Steampugs
• Riah Mech Tube V (value 90 USD) from Woftam through Steampugs
• Riah Mech Tube V (value 90 USD) from Woftam through Steampugs
• Voltrove 30mm v3 Black RTA (value 120 USD) from Woftam through Steampugs
• 22mm SMPL Mech Mod by Epic Design Studios (value 100 USD) from Woftam through Steampugs
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Vapin' Trucker' design from Scott Wood
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Steampugs' design from Scott Wood
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Round VC' design from Scott Wood
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Round VC' design from Scott Wood
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Round VC' design from Scott Wood
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Round VC' design from Scott Wood
• Building Board & Slate Coaster - 'Square 6 logos' one from Scott Wood
• Aspire Deco with Aspire 9th Tank and 3 Amatorium Shortfills from Graham Miller
• SVB-M (Blue/Pink Smiley) Custom Created Full mech (single 18650) from Nick Evans
• Builders block/Atty storage from Little hand Woodcrafts
• 12 sets of alien coils from Bones Coils
• 10 sets of Alien coils (anonymous)
• VAPABLE DIY Bundle: 1L VG, 1L PG, Full Range of crystal flavours 43 x 10ml, syringes & gloves, 50 x 60ml Bottles, Box of 50 nic shots, (Worth over £150.00 )
• Full Range of the current Vapable 'Signature' shortfills in 60ml + 25 Nic Shots
• Full Range of the current Vapable 'Signature' shortfills in 100ml + 25 Nic Shots
• 10 x NET Tobacco Concentrates from BestCigLiquid
• 5 x Punk Juice Shortfills + NicSalt Nic Shots from ELFC
• 4 x 13 Squid 100ml Shortfills from Dispergo Vaping
• 27 x 10ml oneshots, 2 x vape mats, T-Shirt, 2 x TGWD Shorfills (Dreads Mango and S'berry Mush) from The E-Cig Shop
• Full set of 4 x 30ml Sasq Shots from Dean Taylor
• Full set of 5 x Dr Fog Bites Series DIY concentrates from Vaping101
• Full set of 5 x Dr Fog Convicted Vapes DIY concentrates from Vaping101
• Full set of 4 x Dr Fog Ever Cloud Menthol Series DIY concentrates from Vaping101
• 20 x 50ml Flavour Concentrates (Winner to select flavours) from FlavourArt UK
• 20 x 50ml Flavour Concentrates (Winner to select flavours) from FlavourArt UK
• Full Range of MysterFog one shots at Chefs Flavours from DIY FlavorChaser
• DV prize - 10x120ml, 5x69ml & 5 shortfills - SPLIT?
• IVG Crushed Pack - Limited edition IVG cooler pack, IVG Face Mask, IVG Cap, Flavour Card, 4 Deliciously Cool Crushed Bottles | Available in Salts, 50:50 & 50ml shortfill, Keyring, IVG Pen
• 5 x 60ml Shortfills from Just Drip
• 2 x Geekvape Aegis x Zeus Kits, 3 x Innokin EQ Pod Devices, 8 X Dinner Lady 50ml Short Fills, 8 x Dinner Lady 10ml Salt Nics, 1 x Vape Pen Collection Pack
• Aegis custom skin (winners choice) with screwdriver and padding

USA ONLY

• Smok(GX 2/4)
• Purge Karma 18650
• Ehpro Coldsteel 120 mod paired with matching Mongrel Rda . Mod and Rda ( silver )
• Ehpro Coldsteel 120 mod paired with matching Mongrel Rda . Mod and Rda (black )
• Coils for Life packet + Atomizer + 25 BCF gift card
• Coils for Life packet + Atomizer + 25 BCF gift card
• Coils for Life packet + Atomizer + 25 BCF gift card
• Coils for Life packet + Atomizer + 25 BCF gift card
• Coils for Life packet + Atomizer + 25 BCF gift card
• Coils for Life packet + Atomizer + 25 BCF gift card
• DIY Eliquid Recipe Log Book
• DIY Eliquid Recipe Log Book
• DIY Eliquid Recipe Log Book
• DIY Eliquid Recipe Log Book
• DIY Eliquid Recipe Log Book
• Tango Flamingo and Darkburry FIC (Noted's EyeMSam)
• Aegis custom skin (winners choice) with screwdriver and padding

AUS ONLY

• Riah Mech Tube V - Value 90 USD
• Riah Mech Tube V - Value 90 USD
• Riah Mech Tube V - Value 90 USD
• Riah Mech Tube V - Value 90 USD
• Deathwish Mods Kit-From Carrak Vape Canada
• 1 x Voltrove 30mm v3 Black RTA - Value 120 USD
• 1x 22mm SMPL Mech Mod by Epic Design Studios (brass but black coating) - Value 100 USD
• Tins Vida Vape Cotton Man Cotton (Value 15 AUD)
• Tins Vida Vape Cotton Man Cotton (Value 15 AUD)
• Tins Vida Vape Cotton Man Cotton (Value 15 AUD)
• Tins Vida Vape Cotton Man Cotton (Value 15 AUD)
• Gift Card 100 - VIDA VAPE AUSTRALIA
• 10 sets 26g Nichrome aliens (Value 200 AUD)
• 10 sets 27g Nichrome aliens (Value 200 AUD)
• 10 sets 28g Nichrome aliens (Value 200 AUD)
• 100 Store credit - Buddist dude Vapes
• All TFA at FLAVOURWORLD (around 145) x 10ml (Value 570 AUD)
• Mr Magics Elixir 4 x 100ml Shortfill (Value 139.80 AUD)
• Mr Magics Elixir 4 x 100ml Shortfill (Value 139.80 AUD)
• 250 Voucher for store credit - FLAVOUR CHASERS AUSTRALIA
• Juice Pack to value 70 AUD - FLAVOUR CHASERS AUSTRALIA
• Juice Pack to value 70 AUD - FLAVOUR CHASERS AUSTRALIA
• Juice Pack to value 70 AUD - FLAVOUR CHASERS AUSTRALIA
• Juice Pack to value 70 AUD - FLAVOUR CHASERS AUSTRALIA
• 20 x 10 ml - Liquid DIY
• Full Line Bogan Brews 6 bottles 60ml doublers value 240 AUD
• 6X 50ml shortfills Entire Priority Blends chilled value 150
• Large prize pack-from Large SA Vape Vendor
• Full Hoots line eliquid 18 flavours+Merch-From Hoots
• Entire range Clouded Visions + T shirt
• Aegis custom skin (winners choice) with screwdriver and padding

WORLDWIDE - There are 5 below that may move into AUCTIONS

• Odin 250C and Trilogy RTA plus (may be moved to auction)
• 30 x Molinberry or Super Aromas flavours of winner's choice (may be moved to auction)
• Full Wonder Flavours Line - Julia Su (may be moved to auction)
• Full line apprx 60 flavors 3.7ml sample size Medicine Flower (may be moved to auction)
• Full pack of RF (SC) extracts - DIY Flavours (Canada) (may be moved to auction)
• Aromamizer Plus V2 advanced kit
• Aromamizer Ragnar RDTA advanced kit
• Titan PWM MOD V1.5 with improved battery door
• Vaporesso Swag PX80
• Vaporesso Swag PX80
• SxMini nano kit with 2 packs of coils
• SxMini nano kit with 2 packs of coils
• SxMini nano kit with 2 packs of coils
• SxMini nano kit with 2 packs of coils
• SxMini nano kit with 2 packs of coils
• Keen Mech Mod + Asgard 30mm RDA
• 5 sets of coils - winners choice - Coils by Scott
• Full one shot line - (approx 40+ x 30ml) - NomNomz
• Full one shot line - (approx 40+ x 30ml) - NomNomz
• Full one shot line - (approx 40+ x 30ml) - NomNomz
• £100.00 Voucher - Chefs Flavours
• £100.00 Voucher - Chefs Flavours
• £50.00 Voucher - Chefs Flavours
• Full Range of MysterFog one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• Full Range of Zippy one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• Full Range of Tam Vapes one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• Full Range of SteamPugs one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• Full Range of Immortal one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• Full Range of Kreed one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• Full Range of Sheerluck Ohms one shots + set of Dave Flowers coils (DIYFC)
• 25x10ml Flavour Concentrates (55 USD ish) - Flavorfy
• 50 Voucher for Vape Train Australia website
• 50 Voucher for Vape Train Australia website
• 50 Voucher for Vape Train Australia website
• 50 Voucher for Vape Train Australia website
• 50 Voucher for Vape Train Australia website
• 50 Voucher for Vape Train Australia website
• Aegis custom skin (winners choice) with screwdriver and padding

AUCTIONS

• 1x custom etched 1/1 PWM lipo mod (Pwm One Chipset) from Woftam.
• (For Au I will include a 2200mah 4s lipo battery rest of the world will have to buy their own lipo). Will hit 800 watts - Value 400.
• I will also include a 30mm ss v2 Voltrove tank value 120 usd. (it can be shipped to the USA but due to PACT act will be labeled as an electronic project box.
• The winner is responsible for any customs charges & if seized by customs there is really nothing I can do except being very sad.
• Bonza mech kit with Bogan pink sleeve - Black s/n 00001 - £100 reserve
• ID10-T custom-made recipe to a user-chosen profile. 50ml sent.....then up to 4 iterations of 50ml. Recipe sent with last bottle and recipe becomes the winner's property

*** MAJOR PRIZE - THE BIG ONE - EVERYTHING TO ONE LUCKY WINNER! ***

• FLAVORART NA FULL LINE
• PICK OF 20 FLAVORS + GO ONTO THE LIST TO RECEIVE ALL NEW FLAVORS FOR LIFE - WonderFlavours
• FLAVORAH FULL LINE
• VSO FULL LINE
• FULL LINE OF FRESH03 ONE SHOTS
• MAGICAL FLAVOURS SELECTION OF MOST POPULAR
• HIGGY E-CIGS - 10 BEST SELLING ONE SHOTS
• MICHELLE HUGHES (TOC FLAVORS) ONE SHOTS FULL LINE
• 30 x Molinberry or Super Aromas flavours of winner's choice
• lukeloop - 150ML Yellow Matter Custard Concentrate (makes 1Lt finished juice)

There are prizes coming in all the time so this prize list will continue to GROW!

Watch the 24 Hour Live Stream on May 7th Here:

https://youtu.be/CSVSaeFSD7I

Please click that link and set a reminder for the show!

KetoKrate Unboxing with the Beautiful Kaitlin!

Don't forget you can get 25% off this box by using my coupon code:  TocFlavors at www.ketokrate.com

24 Hour Live Fundraiser for Mike Caporale

 

Visit the Facebook Group for Information on the Show or Donations 

Story by:  Eric Carter.  

Vaping Saved My Life After COPD

Fighting for My Right to Live

Advocacy for Vaping

I know this is a romance blog where I share my writing and other authors, but I wouldn’t be here today to do that if it wasn’t for vaping.  As some of you might remember, in August of 2015 I shared my story on being diagnosed with COPD and using vaping as a smoking cessation tool.  It worked.  I was able to put down a 2 pack a day habit by using vaping as my nicotine replacement therapy.  The changes in my body have been unbelievable!

I’m able to sing again, sleep at night without coughing my lungs out waking up a hundred times, and haven’t gotten bronchitis or pneumonia once.  Prior to vaping, it was every other month I was diagnosed with bronchitis.  Vaping was the last thing I tried after:  Nicotine patches, hypnosis, prescription medication, and cold turkey.  None of those things helped me quit smoking.  When I went to the emergency room it was a huge wake-up call, getting hospitalized was proof that if I didn’t give up that horrible habit I wouldn’t be around.

This is much more than Big Pharma or Big Tobacco trying to strong-arm the FDA, our government, and the opinion of the public.  This is a fight for my life, for my right to breathe, to have an alternative that works for me to keep me away from combustible cigarettes.  Maybe it’s true that the long-term effects of vaping haven’t been studied to know how this is going to turn out in the long run BUT… and this is a HUGE BUT…. I wouldn’t have made it another five years without vaping.  So long term effects weren’t my concern because I needed something that worked RIGHT NOW!

There are hundreds of thousands of people out there just like me that can’t WAIT for long-term testing because they are DYING today.  I’m an author, but I’m not overdramatizing the facts here!  If they tax these products to where those in a lower economic bracket can’t afford to quit by using vaping, those people suffer!  If they BAN vaping, they essentially KILL those who need this alternative to smoking to live.  I want you to think about that long and hard!  Without vaping, myself, and several people just like me will DIE addicted to cigarettes when the answer to quitting effectively was right in our grasp but we stood by and did NOTHING!

Looking at things realistically, Big Pharma and Big Tobacco should be the real losers here.  They don’t deserve the right to kill another person with their products or their FAILED methods of nicotine replacement and Prescription medications that have caused people to have suicidal thoughts.  Research the truth on Chantix:  Suicide warning for Chantix and Anti-smoking drug Chantix linked to 500 suicides.

I KNOW without doubt vaping saved my life, and I will fight until my dying breath to advocate for it.  There are so many lies out there about vaping and I encourage you to research for yourself to discover the truth, not what the media is trying to spin-off for their agenda.  Get the facts, and please support my cause to Fight for My Right to Live by visiting these pages:

CASSA       A Billion Lives      Not Blowing Smoke

Tears of Crimson is Going Keto!

 

So, I've been on the Keto "lifestyle" for over a month now and it's been working really well for me. The lockdown has really played havoc with my weight, and health, and I knew that getting back in shape was something I desperately needed.  I wanted to share my journey through this, so I thought I'd create a journal of sorts online.  You can pop in at www.ketowithmichellehughes.club if you're interested in recipes, and tips to get you started.  I've lost 16lbs, so far!  

As some of you may, or may not know, I'm a type two diabetic, and what really kicked me in the backside was my sugar levels reaching 377 at my last doctor's appointment. I'd been in a funk for the last year, and really let myself go, both mentally and physically.  If you've noticed, I haven't released any books in over a year, and a big reason for that is I was physically exhausted.  I'm writing again, my mental clarity is returning and my blood sugar is now back in the normal range.  Keto has been a huge life-changer for me!

It's been a huge adjustment changing a lifetime of eating habits, but I haven't been hungry!  I think the reason a lot of diets fail is that you're always starving.  If you're doing Keto right, you won't have to deal with that.  I'm not a doctor or a dietician, so I don't know why Keto works to keep you full while eating less, but it does work.  I even have to force myself to eat these days, because I'm just not hungry.  The hardest part about this is coming up with meal plans (at least it was for me) and I've shared exactly what I've eaten for the last five weeks on the new journal blog.  No, I'm not charging for this information!  

If you're looking to lose weight, or maybe even help your type two diabetes, I hope you'll join me on this journey.  For me, this is a lifestyle change, not a diet, and you have to go into this with the right frame of mind.  Believe me, I was a huge bread, pasta, rice, and potato eater prior to Keto, so it is an adjustment period.  I've learned how to substitute those foods for healthier, and believe it or not, tastier options, and I don't feel like I'm missing out.  I've even discovered how to eat out and still remain on Keto.  Basically what I'm saying is, if I can do this, I know you can too.  I hope to see you on the blog! 

 

Keto Krate Unboxing for April!!!

 

Can you say EXCITED?!?!?!  I got my first Keto Krate in and I think all my dreams have just come true.  No, I'm not exaggerating! It was like Christmas morning because there were so many goodies packed inside I just couldn't wait to dive in.  I know, I know, I have to watch my calories and carb intake, so I'll have to space them out, but the idea of having snacks (especially ones I don't have to make myself) can you say KETO HEAVEN?  I could so keep on rambling, but instead, let me show you what's in the box! OH!!! Before I forget, if you'd like to try the Keto Krate, I have a $10 coupon code for your first box:  https://glnk.io/ykq1/tocsflavors or you can use my coupon code:  TOCFLAVORS 

I'll come back and give you my thoughts on all these snacks, if I can keep my kids out of the box so I get the chance to try them.  My boys are trying to lose weight as well, so they are doing Keto with me. If they beat me to them, I'll get their opinions.  The family that Keto's together stays together right?  Really excited about this snack box, and I'll be working into my meal plan.  Wishing you all the best on your Keto journey, and if I can help at all, just let me know how in the comments below.  

The Real Story About Vaping

 

In 2015 I was rushed to the emergency room, unable to breathe, choking as I aspirated food into my lungs, and convinced this was going to be my last day on earth.  I was hospitalized and diagnosed with COPD.  It was singularly the most terrifying day of my life, so I'll never forget the trauma.  The first thought that ran through my head when I could breathe again, was my five children would be without a mother.  After three days in the hospital, I'd had plenty of time to think about my life choices.  

Regret was at the top of my list because I knew at that moment, I'd failed my children who depended on me for everything.  Looking back now, I know I was failed by my healthcare providers as well.  There was an option they never mentioned to me that could have saved me from the diagnosis.  Yes, it was my choice to start smoking in 1985, but when I tried to quit smoking, they didn't offer me all the solutions.  I was told to use nicotine patches, those didn't work.  I was told to try Chantix, which almost killed me after putting me in a state of depression that made me want to take my own life.  Gums, hypnosis, counseling, in the years that led up to my COPD diagnosis for Chronic Bronchitis, none of those solutions worked and I returned to smoking each time.

The miracle cure for me didn't come from a physician, my pulmonologist, or any medical personnel I'd spoken with over the years as I fought to overcome smoking addiction.  What changed my life forever came from a friend I'd spoken with on social media.  She told me how this thing called vaping had helped her finally quit smoking after many failed attempts of smoking cessation.  

At this point in my life, I was desperate.  I couldn't walk to the bathroom without giving out of breath.  I had to sleep in a recliner because I couldn't breathe while lying down.  I didn't want to spend my life choking when I ate, and the depression was overwhelming.  The inhalers I was using would only give me few minutes of relief before the horrible feeling of not getting air in my lungs started again. I'd even lost my singing voice which had once landed me a spot on the Midnight Jamboree in Nashville, Tennessee, and allowed me to tour the United States with a televised singing showcase.  My life was falling out of control and I saw no way out.

I'd driven by a new vape shop in town more than a few times and honestly?  It reminded me of some head shop, and I brushed it off as some joke.  I was forty-six years old, a football/baseball mom, those types of places weren't for people like me.  My COPD diagnosis changed that attitude because I was desperate for anything to help me live to see my children grow up.  I finally took the advice of that friend who told me about vaping.  The day I walked into that vape shop was the last day I ever smoked a cigarette.  After ten years of trying unsuccessfully to stop smoking (I'd spent 15 years not caring to quit before that), I'd finally found something that gave me the chance I needed to succeed.  

The vape shop owner was a man close to my age (46 at the time) and I handed my phone over to him with the friend that suggested vaping on the other end of the line.  She told him what kind of setup to give me, an i-Stick 30 and an aerotank (an older mouth to lung tank).  He walked me through the process of setting it up and filling it with e-liquid (the liquid that is used in a vaping device), and I walked out of that shop using it, and never looked back again.  I'd chosen a custard-flavored e-liquid with 18mg of nicotine in it, and the flavor was really incredible making me want to keep inhaling the sweet taste. 

Anytime I'd think about craving a cigarette, I'd use my vaping device and that desire would go away.  In the beginning, I used it as a lifeline, vaping constantly to keep my mind off the cigarettes that were killing me.  No one was more amazed than I was that this little vaping setup was helping me not want to smoke.  Over the next few months changes were starting to happen, and I finally felt that I found the solution to my cigarette addiction because my health began to improve.

Two months after I started vaping, I was no longer coughing all the time.  I was able to lay down in a real bed, and not sleep upright in my recliner.  I wasn't getting out of breath walking to the bathroom.  My singing voice slowly returned.  The thought about picking up a cigarette was completely gone because I felt so much better.  For the first time since I was seeing a beautiful light at the end of the tunnel and knew I could beat this addiction that was destroying my life.

Six months after beginning to vape, my pulmonary function tests were showing such huge improvements that it was almost like I hadn't been a smoker all my life.  The inhalers were no longer needed, my oxygen levels were in normal ranges, and I simply felt better.  After three years my pulmonary function tests show the same lung capacity of a person that never smoked.  That was supposed to be impossible with COPD, but I'd found a modern medical miracle because of vaping.  In the five years since I started vaping, I haven't had a single diagnosis of Chronic Bronchitis, or Pneumonia.  Prior to vaping, it was every three months I was on medication for one or the other.

This is my real story about vaping.  The one the media doesn't want to be told, or the politicians wanting to be shared.  During my journey into ending my addiction to cigarettes, I've met tens of thousands of people that shared the same success story.  The vaping community became a family as I went through my journey, and I consider every single person that vapes, my brother and sister.  We come from all walks of life, and there are millions of us out there that discovered (without help from our medical professionals) that vaping can save lives.  I've talked to so many COPD survivors that have had the same success I have had.

My advice to you if you're an adult smoker, is to give vaping a chance if you've tried every other product and failed to stop smoking.  Vaping might end up being your miracle cure as well.  These days I'm an advocate for vaping because it's very hard not to support something that gave me the air I breathe back.  If I can help you on your journey to quit smoking, I'm always here.  My vision of a perfect world is where people quit blowing smoke and discover that there is a solution to the epidemic of cigarette smoking.  I support all forms of harm reduction, but vaping was what saved my life.

Reach out to me on Twitter, Facebook, or drop me a message here.  If you want to know how to quit with vaping, I will do everything in my power to help give you the same education my friend gave me many years ago.  You don't have to die smoking cigarettes.  There IS another way.  Thank you for letting me share my story.

All My Love,

Michelle Hughes

Strawberry Shortcake Keto Egg Loaf - Say What?

 

Let's face it, there are things you miss when you start doing the Keto diet, but with a little help, you can turn some of your favorite comfort foods into delicious Keto indulgences that don't destroy your carb count for the day.  Strawberry Shortcake Keto Loaf is a delicious way to make your mouth happy and still stick to a Keto lifestyle.  My TOC Flavors have 0 carbs, and TONS of flavor.  You'll feel immortal after making this incredible loaf for your breakfast or even as a snack.  So let's make Strawberry Shortcake Keto Loaf, Tears of Crimson style!

What you'll need:

• 8 oz of Cream Cheese (room temp)
• 8 Large Eggs
• 24 drops of TOC Flavors Immortal Embrace
• 8 Tablespoons of butter
• 1/4 cup of Monkfruit sweetener
• 1/2 Teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2 Tablespoons Lakanto Sugar-Free Syrup
• 8x8 Pan

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat your 8x8 pan with cooking spray.
2. Mix softened cream cheese,  eggs, TOC flavor drops, softened butter, Monkfruit sweetener, cinnamon until very smooth.
3. Pour into a prepared pan.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes (or until the mixture doesn't jiggle when slightly shaken).
5. Allow cooling for at least five minutes, prior to slicing into eight servings.
6. You can eat it like this and use your 2 TBS of syrup to top it off OR you can fry this up in a frying pan for a more traditional french toast feel.

It's Time To Stop Demonizing Vaping!

 

There are so many times I get discouraged in my battle for harm reduction, that I've wondered if my voice even matters.  I attempted to quit smoking for ten years prior to my COPD diagnosis while trying every pharmaceutical method offered by my physician, and even attempting hypnosis.  I would make it a week or so, then go back to smoking again.  Vaping was my miracle cure, and I just hate that it took being diagnosed with COPD to find it.  I was just like most smokers when it comes to vaping, thinking it was just another idiotic idea to set me up for failure, so I was very surprised when I picked up vaping and never touched another cigarette.  That was in 2015.

As most of my readers know, I worked as a respiratory therapist for eight years before becoming a full-time author.  I watched patients die, suffer, and fight to quit,  just like I had.  If I were back in that field today, I'd encourage every single one of those people to try vaping.  I'm sure I'd be fired, but I'd tell them anyway because I know for certain it works.  I'm not knocking pharmaceutical drugs like the patch, and drugs (even though Chantix almost made me kill myself) if that harm reduction method works for a patient, then, by all means, more power to them.  It failed me.  I am of the mindset that whatever works is the tool that should be offered.  For me, that was nicotine vaping.

I've repeated this story over and over during the last few years, how I no longer have COPD symptoms, and people that are against vaping, call me a liar.  I can tell you without any hesitation this is no lie.  I was diagnosed with Chronic Bronchitis for my COPD diagnosis, and I haven't had that since I started vaping.  For that matter, I haven't had pneumonia either.  Vaping was my miracle cure, so when people refuse to listen, it really breaks my heart.  So many people have been falsely misled to believe that vaping is more dangerous than smoking, and that's just a lie.  America has truly dropped the ball on the scientific discovery of vaping because they've been too busy following incorrect information.  

I strongly encourage you to read the UK Government article released this month about nicotine vaping, and the impact it has shown on smoking cessation.  Please follow this link to read that information: Vaping Better Than Nicotine Replacement  We as a country, should be leading in smoking cessation, but we are dreadfully failing and one of those reasons is because our physicians, scientists, and public health care sectors are not putting their time and effort into discovering how vaping can be a great tool in quitting.   Educate yourself, educate your physicians, educate the public.  Vaping is a great solution to ending the epidemic of tobacco related illness and deaths.