Throughout my time here on earth (in this lifetime), I have come to understand a few things. After all, my name means knowledgeable, and for years I have been a truth seeker. One thing that I have come to believe and know to be true, is that we can prevent a lot of pain and suffering that comes our way- or at least how long it stays with us- if we choose to let things go. Attachment is the root of all suffering, according to the Buddha.

For those of you who don't know, my husband died fourteen years ago of leukemia, cancer of the blood. This had stemmed from his familial issues (as anything dealing with the blood always does), along with the anger he had carried around with him for years. Before he was diagnosed, I put my prayer into the Wailing Wall in Israel for God to soften his heart, and getting cancer did. It wasn't the way I wanted his heart to soften, but eventually I did get what I asked for. I remember him telling me after his diagnosis that 'I had figured this life thing out, that I didn't hold onto grudges or foster any resentment towards anyone.' And to this day, I still don't. I only wish I knew then what I now know to be true. And maybe if he knew these things earlier, he wouldn't have lost his battle to cancer.

This experience shaped my life forever. After his death, I quit my job, opened up my own boutique, and started living my life on my own terms. After a decade of hard work and determination, I was on the brink of building my empire. But instead, three years ago today, I had everything taken away from me in one night during a riot. Had I not been through crises before, this one would have definitely taken me out- and it did, for about three months. But this actually happened for me. I had been saying for twenty years that I was going to sell everything I own and move to Italy when I was forty, and my watch that my late husband gave to me stopped at midnight on my 41st. So I was a little late, or as I like to say now, right on time. And here I am now living in Italy, chasing a new dream.

My dream is to help one million people quit smoking/ reduce stress and anxiety in their lives. And since heart disease and cancer are the two major causes of deaths, this is my target. From a spiritual perspective, your heart is tied to your soul, this is the epicenter of your feelings. A hardened heart due to anger or maliciousness does take a toll on the body, and could eventually take your life. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand.  In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health. 

Four years ago, right after my fortieth birthday, I thought I was going to die. I had streptococcus pneumonia even though I had no symptoms leading up to it. I was down for the count for three months. I literally could not sit in a chair without my back being supported. I could not cross the street without being exhausted. The interesting thing about this was that for years I was saying that 'I don't know how to relax,' so the Universe listened. 

In that period, I had to rebuild my lungs, which took a solid month to do. Then I thought, 'maybe I don't need to smoke anymore.' And that is when I developed THE SUBSTITUTE, my cure to cancer. Of course, I initially designed it for me, to help me not smoke cigarettes. But then I started selling them through my store cause everyone always asked what it was. However years later, through all the meditation, yoga, and breathwork sessions I have experienced, I have realized just how helpful this accessory has become in my life. 

Not only did I rebuild my lungs and make them stronger and healthier, I felt better. And I'm not talking just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Because whenever I need to take a deep breath whether it is to catch my breath, release some stress or negative emotions, or breathe my way through something painful, I always have THE SUBSTITUTE to take those things away. I never leave home without it and I carry it everywhere I go.

You see, the act of breathing consciously helps heal our bodies, and they are machines that require certain things to work properly- not only oxygen, but water, food, and a functioning nervous system. Oxygen is breath. Everything else spared, without oxygen, life is not possible. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and then dispersed throughout the body by red blood cells. Oxygen gives energy to cells by burning through the sugar and fatty acids that are consumed. The same red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body also carry carbon dioxide out of the body. Exhaling also removes carbon dioxide from the body.

Sometimes we don't realize how much we are holding our breath, holding in the pain, stress, and tension. Using THE SUBSTITUTE helps release these toxins that are stored in our bodies, along with rejuvenating our cells, promoting better sleep, assisting in digestion and weight control, even correcting our posture over time. Our quality of life depends on how healthy we are, so on this World No Tobacco Day, consider doing something to enhance your life. THE SUBSTITUTE has no tobacco, no toxins, simply air, which means you can use it anywhere. Think restaurants, bars, planes, trains, hospitals, school, church, work, wherever. Try it for only $20 and get free international shipping. JUST BREATHE.  

If you're a smoker and want to smoke less, use THE SUBSTITUTE, it's smokeless. 

If you're stressed out or depressed, go to usethesubstitute.com to find out just how much breathing can help you.