I always doubt people when they get on a health kick. Or a new diet. Or a work out plan. That's because, from my experience, most people start their new found "habit" but can't stick with it. I have found that if you choose your new "habit" wisely, it's easy to stick with it.
For example about six months ago I fell in love with bluegrass. Not just the sound. Not just the meaning of the songs. But the big ole umbrella of it: Flat-pickin', boots, front porch, whiskey and tobacco feel of it all. On any typical day, if you land in my office or hitch a ride in my truck, you'll hear Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, Dan Tyminski, Tony Rice, Old Crow and a ton of others. In my pursuit of embracing the heart of bluegrass I thought to myself, "I think I'll chew tobacco." I didn't say it as though I would give it a shot, or try it for a while. I meant: I am going to start this, stick with it and be a tobacco chewer. And I must tell you that it has been easy and splendid.
However, recently I have been distracted by the HUGE label on the pouch which reads something like: IF YOU OPEN THIS POUCH YOU WILL MOST LIKELY DIE VERY SOON OF CANCER AND YOUR MOUTH WILL IMPLODE. But remember, I decided months ago to be a chewer right? I couldn't just quit. I would be just like the guy who quits his diet after he gets hungry, or the woman who quits running after the second week because it's hard. I had to persevere.
After considering my alternatives, I chose a Mint Snuff called Beaver Chew. It's made of mint leaves and manufactured out of Tillamook, Oregon (beautiful country I'm sure.) I purchased two cans online because round these parts, you can't find it. (BTW, $6.00 a can! Ouch) And after reading some reviews I must say I was quite excited. A few days later my Beaver has arrived!
When I punctured the can I could immediately smell a strong mint flavor, which was pretty cool. I knew that mint was good for you. Indeed a healthy alternative to smokeless tobacco and has also been known to help with soothing the stomach and things of this nature. The mint actually looked tobacco-ish. But there were little green seeds it seemed in the mix as well. I found it hard to grab the mint but finally managed to get a dip (and it resembles dip much more than chew) and put it in my mouth.
This is when everything went down hill. The Beaver Chew was very grain like. It's consistency was different than tobacco and didn't stick together nicely - making it quite a mess. And well, it just wasn't good. After five minutes of trying, I spit it out. I was done with the beaver.
I knew of it's health benefit. But just couldn't stomach the overall performance of the mint chew. Plus, if I'm being honest - I felt like the heroes of bluegrass were disappointed with me for turning my back on the Redman. So tonight when the kids are settled down and my bride pulls out a book to read; while I pick out a tune on the flat-top I just might open that Beaver Chew can...and use it for a spittoon.
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