Friday, November 27, 2009

Cleaning Laminate Floor

Cleaning Laminate Floor
Laminate floors are one of the easiest flooring types to keep clean, with these ideas you can keep your floors looking their best.
Enlarge ImageCleaning Wood Laminate Floors

One of the biggest advantages to laminate floors is that they are made to look good for many years with very little upkeep: cleaning wood laminate floor and keeping them looking their best takes some upkeep, this is simple by using the following tips:

A mixture of 1/4 cup of vinegar into a 30 ounce spray bottle works well with a mop. Combine the water and vinegar, spraying a small area of your laminate floor and mopping it up right away. This works well for cleaning and allowing the floor to dry quickly with no streaks.

Store-bought Cleaners that are made specifically for Laminate floors are available at your local store. While these work well there seems to be no greater overall improvement than the home made mixture listed above.

Microfiber pads also work well without the need to use liquid.

If you do use a mop, use very hot water and make sure the mop is wrung out well - it will allow the floor to dry faster.

You can also clean your laminate floor by using the wand attachment on your vacuum. (avoid using anything else because it can scratch the laminate if sand or grit is in the vacuum).

Do NOT wax or polish your floor.

Here are some other ideas for keeping your laminate floor in top shape:

Try to blot up any spills on your laminate floors as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor.

Do not wash or wet mop the floor - the less water you apply to the floor the better, this can prevent swelling, warping or delamination.

for spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper (like a credit card). Be careful not to scratch the laminate floors. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

keep your pets nails trimmed to avoid unnecessary scratching.

Place protective pads under tables and chairs. A mat under furniture with coasters is a good idea as well.

If your laminate is scratched, see if you can buy a touch up stick from your manufacturer.

If there is an area that cannot be cleaned to your satisfaction, a trained professional can also be called to replace the plank

Housekeeping Made Easy

Housekeeping Made Easy
Here are a few simple ways that will help you in keeping your house shining and sparkling clean...Spoiled food odour:

Place a bowl of white vinegar on the counter for a few hours. The odour will disappear for good.

Freshen a garbage disposal:

Sprinkle baking soda in it along with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Scrub with a brush (a new toilet brush works great), getting under the rubber gasket and all around the inside. Then, turn on water and let the disposal run to flush thoroughly. For a fresh citrus scent, throw in a few cut up lemons or limes and run them through, too, using lots of water.

Freshen laundry basket:

Place a fabric softener sheet in the bottom of your laundry basket (remember to change it weekly). You can also simply sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of your basket and that will help absorb the odours as well.

Freshen linen closet:

In the linen closet place cotton balls that have been sprayed with your favourite scent. Once they are dry place them in corners and on the shelves.

Microwave filth:

Food splatters all over the inside of your microwave and cooks itself on after time. To easily remove this mess, place a sponge soaked in water in the microwave. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes, then allow it to sit without opening the microwave door, for 5 minutes. The filth is now ready to be wiped right off - no scrubbing - and your sponge is right there!

Microwave odours:

Keep a cup of baking soda in the microwave, between uses to keep potatoes from smelling like bacon or other unusual combinations!

Mothball substitute:

Take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag. You place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away. Not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm, but also they'll smell great when you pull them out.

Permanent marker on carpet:

Dab a washcloth soaked in rubbing alcohol onto the marker stain. Do not rub it - just blot it - rotating the cloth to a clean spot every time.

Photos stuck together:

With a hair dryer on low, slowly melt them apart.

Cockroach problem:

Combine equal parts boric acid and sugar, mix well. Sprinkle in crevices and, if building or remodelling, between walls before putting up plaster board. Put the powder in jar lids; place lids behind the fridge and under sinks.

Laundry Tips

Laundry Tips
Tips to keep your clothes clean and wash your stains away!Aha! The sweet aroma that spreads around when a gust of wind blows through the clothes that are drying out in the sun! Lovely,fresh and clean... are three words that came to my mind when I visualized the scene.

Clothes are instrumental in changing a person's psyche. Not only do nice clothes makes one feel and look good, they have other positive effects on the over all personality of a person. For example, sometimes, a crisp and well coordinated outfit may be the only difference between two candidates with equal experience and skill. A clean and neat ensemble may also help in one's personal life, because a person's outfit is one of the first things people look at while interacting with them.

If you are yet depressed about not clicking it in your professional and personal life, go ahead, dunk your sorrows in a bucket and wash them away!

Here are some laundry tips to make washing clothes a lot easier and less of a back breaking chore.

Tips for Laundry
Use salt mixed with cold water while washing dark clothes for the first time, this helps set the color.
Clothes that have "dry clean only" tags can be washed at home using a mild soap and cold water.
To prevent fading, wash and dry clothes inside out
Use a mesh bag while washing small clothes like socks. This makes it easier to sort them out while drying.
Use hot water to wash clothes that are badly soiled.
Wash delicate clothes at home by placing them in a pillow case and tying up the mouth. The bag can then be placed in the machine and washed using the regular cycle and cold water.
Read instructions carefully before putting clothes in the machine.
Do not keep clothes soaked overnight,unless they are badly soiled.
Use laundry detergent specially manufactured for that material.
Laundry Cleaning Tips

If you have a child at home you would know what I mean by stains. On the other hand, even if you don't, I am sure there are times when you yourself come back with stains on your clothes. Read on for tips which will help you get rid of them!

Blood Stains:If the stain is fresh, wash the cloth with cold water. If the stain is dry, pour hydrogen peroxide over the stain as soon as possible.
Wine stains:Absorb as much of the liquid using salt, talcum powder, baby powder or cornstarch. After this is done, launder the clothes the usual way.
Fruit Stains:Fruit stains can be got rid of using club soda, moist salt or soaking in milk before laundering.
Chocolate Stains:If the stain is still visible after laundering, mix borax with cold water to form a paste and soak the stain in it for an hour. Then launder it again!
Grass Stains;To get rid of grass stains. Mix a few drops of household ammonia with 1 teaspoon peroxide. Rub the stain with this mixture and wash with water as soon as stain disappears.
Ink Stains:Apply hairspray on the stain and wash as usual.
Lipstick Stains:To remove lipstick stains, dampen the area with liquid detergent, rinse and then wash.

Famous Homes and Housekeepers

Famous Homes and Housekeepers
Cooking and housekeeping web sites spawned by TV shows and magazines make attaining domestic bliss easier than popping dinner in the microwave.The domestic industry has exploded over the past few years, creating a market for cooking, gardening, and home renovation media not seen since the 1950s. With so many chefs and lifestyle gurus attracting television viewers, it makes sense that most of them have their own web sites.

While many sites replicate the TV programs, detailed online directions facilitate whipping up your menu or decorating your home, thus saving you the bother of furiously scribbling notes as you watch the shows. If you missed an episode or forgot the instructions, you can access archives for recipes and repair tips to quickly find what you’re looking for. Now anyone can follow in the footsteps of Martha Stewart and Jacques Pepin by ordering cookbooks, equipment, and accessories online.

Not surprisingly, Reader’s Digest maintains one of the best lifestyle web sites. Here you can read articles covering everything from low-fat cooking to herbal remedies, and even receive instant recipes by compiling a list of foods you have on hand and submitting it. Voila! Who knew you could make something so scrumptious out of baking soda, pickles, and Tabasco sauce? Recipes are often grouped by category and have links to nutritional information and suggestions for alternating ingredients to create variations. You’ll also find horticultural and home remodeling advice galore, here and elsewhere on the Web. For the total interactive experience, post comments to a message board and ask the experts their opinions. You’re guaranteed to face your kitchen, garden, and living space with new gusto.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Kitchen Design basics

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Kitchen Sink Installation - How to Install a Stainless Steel Sink

Kitchen Sink Installation - How to Install a Stainless Steel Sink
Do you think it is possible to change the look of your kitchen by doing slight modifications? A stainless steel kitchen sink installation can give a fresh look to your kitchen. The only question is "How to install a stainless steel sink?". Well, read on the article and you will get to know...Kitchen sinks come in various materials, colors, designs, shapes and sizes. There are lot of kitchen sinks available in the market like steel, ceramic, porcelain, cast iron, copper. You can choose any of them according to your requirement, budget and interior of your kitchen. Kitchen sink installation helps to enhance the look of your kitchen. The steel sinks have further modified types such as stainless steel sinks, enamel coated steel sinks, polished steel sinks etc. Stainless steel sinks are the most popular sinks among the other sinks, because of their durability and low-maintenance. Stainless steel sink installation is also easy and can be done with DIY kitchen sink installation instructions.

Primary Instructions for Kitchen Sink Installation
Check, whether there are any restrictions on or rules that restrict plumbing working in your building or your area.
Always install the faucet or tap before installing the kitchen sink (only in case of a new installation).
Unpack the installation kits and other accessories and check for damages, in advance. Return to the manufacturer, if found defective.
If you are replacing an old sink, make sure that you have brought an appropriate sink, with the same shape, size and same hole outputs as the previous one.
How to Install a Stainless Steel Sink
Use the template, that comes with the sink, for drawing outlines and cutting the holes. You can use fretsaw for cutting the outlines.
Take 2x4 wood stud and cut them into parts of size 4 to 6 inches approximately. Screw them below the countertop, because of which it will not fall after removing supports.
Cut the sink from all the sides, and take off the support. Take aside the cutout section of the countertop.
Use bead of silicone for sealing the sink lip. Apply it to the sink edges, which will make them waterproof.
Adjust the sink and the countertop carefully.
Position the sink at the opening of the countertop, in such a way that the countertop will touch the solution used for sealing.
Use the mounting clips to pull down the sink. These clips come with the sink installation kit. They should be installed beneath the countertop, with the help of a screwdriver.
Remove the dust, excessive sealer from the sink and its ready to use.
After you finish the installation, check if it is working properly and make sure that there are no chances of a water leakage. You also need to install a plumbing kit along with the kitchen sink installation. So this is how a stainless steel kitchen sink is installed. Follow these general instructions for DIY stainless steel kitchen sink installation.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink
It is very important to keep your kitchen sink clean and germ free. Even a clean-looking sink is contaminated with lot of germs and bacteria. It is capable of causing some serious health problems. Therefore, always make it a point to clean the kitchen sink with cleaning solutions, according to the type of your sink.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks are easy to clean, but they need a regular cleaning. In fact, any kitchen sink has to be cleaned regularly to maintain sanitation. You can use any mild cleaning solution and a nylon sponge to clean a stainless steel kitchen sink. You can use a vinegar soaked cotton cloth to clean the spots on the stainless steel sink. There are various stainless steel cleaning solutions available in the market, which do not cause any harm to the stainless steel surface of your kitchen sink. You can use any of them depending upon your kitchen sink. Avoid using abrasive cleaning sponge to clean the sink, which can create scratches on your sink surface.

If your kitchen looks dull, you do not have to go for kitchen remodeling to change the look of your kitchen. Installing a stainless steel kitchen sink accomplishes the purpose. Do clean the sink on a regular basis, which is very important. If you do it regularly, I bet you will never lose the fresh look of your kitchen!

Mental Health

Mental Health Tipsmenatalle things that give us positivity. Here are some essential tips to stay positive despite all adversities.

Share your Feelings
Sharing feelings is a very good idea, because when you speak about your feelings, you get a clear picture of your own thoughts. Also, the person listening to you, can give you some fresh insights or valuable suggestions. In case you don't have anybody with whom you can share your feelings, call up or write to a helpline. They can provide you with information on where to go for help.

Pen Down your Feelings on Paper
Write down all those thoughts that are bothering you a lot, on a piece of paper. It helps to offload the heaviness of your mind. As a result, with a light mind you can think of better solutions for your problems. This is good particularly for people who are introverted. Many people keep a record of their thoughts and feelings on a regular basis. It helps them to be aware of and deal with changes in their thoughts over time.

Keep your Goals Real
We should set goals for ourselves to move forward in life, but the goals should be real and achievable, or else, it may add up to your stress. Do not expect too much from yourself. Our long term goals often appear too distant and unachievable. So, it is better to break up the long terms goals into a series of short term goals. Chalk out a plan to complete each short term goal. Make changes in those plans, as and when required. Lastly, do not forget to compliment yourself generously, each time you succeed in achieving a goal!

Keep your Body Fit
Do some physical exercises regularly to keep your body fit. If you are not interested in hitting the gym everyday, then start playing your favorite sport or just go for a brisk walk on alternate days. When you are physically active, your body releases some useful chemicals that make you feel better.

Eat Healthy, Sleep Well
Take a good, healthy and balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that when you eat good food, it makes you feel better. Every night, try to get a deep sleep of eight hours. Lack of sleep may lead to problems like fatigue and irritation all through the following day.

Avoid too much Alcohol
When one is feeling low or has a restless mind, one tends to take alcohol to feel better. But that 'better' feeling is temporary. For the long term, alcohol is not good for mind or body. Consumption of alcohol can also lead to sleep disturbances .

Be Social
Your friends and relatives can make a lot of difference to your life. So, try to be in touch with them. A person in low mood, often finds it difficult to contact his or her loved ones. Get rid of that inhibition as fast as possible. Make some extra effort and give a call or send an email or a text message. The support that you receive from him/her will help to lift up your mood in no time.

Listen to Music
Music has healing powers. It helps us to unwind our mind. It works wonders to uplift our mood and energize us. When you feel down, you can listen to songs that deeply touch your emotions. Some songs remind us of special moments of our lives and brings forth our inner joy.

Take the Help of Professionals
In case of some adverse situations, we tend to feel depressed. However, if the depression continues for a long time, then we should opt for professional help without any hesitation. Remember, if you have identified your problem and are seeking for help, it shows your strength, not your weakness. It is one of the best ways to resolve your tensions.

Our wellness largely depends on the state of our mental health. Our abilities, disabilities and productivity are all dependent on our mental fitness. The best way to keep our mind free from all anxieties, is to nurture only positive thoughts.

The High Cost of Cancer Meds have some Cancer Patients Down

The High Cost of Cancer Meds have some Cancer Patients Down
Today, there are people trying to decide if they will buy groceries or their medications, and it’s not just the poor anymore. The cost of cancer medication has become astronomical. Being unable to afford access to good health coverage used to rest solely on the impoverished populations of our nation. Today, it’s hitting the middle class and affluent just as hard, if not harder. I know that sounds awry, but I believe I’m right.

Taxpayers absorb much of the bill because most cancer patients are covered by government insurance programs such as Medicare. And who normally foots those bills, but the middle-to-upper class in our society? So for them, it’s a double whammy.

But, because cancer is such a non-discriminatory illness, the slate of ease for the financially fit has been wiped clean. Today, there are people trying to decide if they will buy groceries or their medications, and it’s not just the poor anymore.

Isn’t someone scratching their heads wondering why? They should be! How come people who have to deal with the heartache of receiving a cancer diagnosis have the extra pain of figuring out how they will afford the very medications that will help extend their lives? Especially when the treatments of cancer, such as chemo, so tire a person out that they are unable to continue working and earning an income.

Something seems horrifically wrong with that picture, and up until now, I had wondered what the answer could be to such a mind-boggling problem. To illustrate the maniacal heights some of the prices of cancer meds can reach, take a look at this list:

Tarceva, a drug used to treat lung cancer, which happens to be the number one cancer in America that claims the most lives, is priced at $2,400 to $2,700 a month! That’s more than most people’s take home salary in a month’s time!

And what about Gleevec? It’s a cancer medication that is used for those suffering with Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). How much does it cost? It rolls in at a hefty $2,600 a month. Again, out of range for most Americans’ monthly budget.

How about Nexavar? Where does it rank in this stout list of cancer medications? Try $4,300 a month! That’s $51,600 a year! Take this drug for a couple of years, and you’re well over the $100,000 mark!

And who have I found is the grand puba of the group? Weighing in at about $10,000 a month is the cancer medication, heavy weight champion, Erbitux! If you take this medication for ten years, and you have a million dollar cap on your health insurance, you’ve maxed it out with the high cost of this med. Unbelievable, right?

Now, we know that will never happen because if you factor in the cost of care in addition to the cost of the cancer medication, you’d be over your insurance cap a lot faster, which is another fear of cancer patients: outliving their benefits.

It’s no wonder the high cost of cancer medications have some cancer patients down. And it gets even more frustrating when you think that not one of the drugs listed actually cures cancer. Not that it would make it right, but I think most could understand if someone charged that much for "the cure". If I had cancer, I’d certainly pay it.

But for those who do, and especially those who aren’t in a position to afford their medication costs, what can they do?

Thank God for patient assistance programs because they provide a way to get your expensive cancer medications for free! The very drugs that were listed for thousands of dollars a month can be free to you, if you know where to look. Don’t be discouraged; there are alternatives. The high cost of cancer meds don’t have to have you down any longer, and that’s good news.

Cancer and Meats

Cancer and Meats
A lot of research as well as heresy have gone into deciding whether a meat based diet encourages carcinogenic substances in the human system…but the debate still rages.Let us concede right in the beginning that some studies have shown some kind of relationship between a meat diet and frequency of occurrence of cancer in human body. However, there are many ifs and buts still to be unraveled. Of course, the definition of meats may also be a deciding factor for coming to any conclusion, because in English language, the word meat is so expansive!!

The story started in 1970, when Dr. Ernst Wynder, a scientist, claimed a direct connection between animal fat intake and the occurrence of cancer. But some time later it was proved that these were really vegetable fats he was talking about and hence the entire thing collapsed.

Most scientists agree that in linking the occurrence of cancer to meat consumption, a large number of factors should ideally be taken into account. The kind of meat we are talking about, the processing of that meat, the chemicals or preservatives added to it, and finally, the storage and preserving system…all go up to define the nature of the edible meat produced. In fact despite all these specifications being laid down, there still a number of other factors that may influence the occurrence of aberrant cell behavior (which is what cancer actually is).

In fact, a study of the Seventh Day Adventists that is often referred to in a bid to prove that a vegetarian diet is healthier than non-vegetarian diet is itself an example of these X factors. While most members of this Christian denomination are vegetarians, it is also equally true that they also do not smoke, drink tea, coffee or alcohol …and all or any of these can be the reason for the body playing host to carcinogenic cells. So we cannot be sure that it is no meat or actually no other things that help protect them from cancer. Besides, the do have cancer in some instances, maybe less colon cancer but definitely show instances of other cancers like cervical or prostrate or even skin. Another example is Mormons, who believe in moderation for everything in life, but also do not smoke or drink. But for every Mormon example, there are instances of Puertio Ricans who traditionally eat a lot of fatty meats, but remarkably suffer from a very low rate of colon and breast cancers.

On the contrary, societies that traditionally have a high fat meat diet, also do not show instances of early death or faster body degeneration. In fact, the aborigines of Australia have high life spans, so do the Inuit’s and the Russians of the Caucasian Mountains. In fact the Hunzas, a very robust people, eat large portions of goat milk and other raw milk products, which seem to have much higher content of animal fats than our good old cow milk. On the other hand, the strictly vegetarian Brahmins of South India seem to have the shortest life span among traditional societies, largely because of a distinct lack of animal fats and proteins in their diet. Something here doesn’t quite tie up.

The American Cancer Society, however, has other ideas. According to their statistics, more than half of people diagnosed with stomach cancer, die because their diagnosis is too late. Studies conducted by researchers at Tufts University in Boston looked at nearly 250 people, as compare with about 450 healthy people, have brought up a very interesting fact. The questionnaires identified two main dietary patterns – the healthy diet (with higher amounts of fruits, vegetables and grain products and lower amounts of red meat, processed meats and gravy), and the high-meat diet consisting of high in red meats and low in fruits, vegetables and cereal. A third diet strain was excessive salts, snacks, desserts and milk or white bread diets. Statistics showed that people with a high meat diet were 3.5 times more likely to have cancer of the esophagus, an almost 3 times more likely to have stomach cancer, as compared to the healthy diet people. People with high milk diet and white bread diet also did not fare too well, they had almost doubled their chances of contracting cancer by moving away from a healthy diet. Salty snacks diet also tripled the risk as did white bread. Of course, the study does not identify in what form red meat is harmful.

The researchers then identified foods that help prevent cancer - Dairy products, fish, all vegetables, citrus fruit and juices, and dark bread, poultry, dark-yellow vegetables, cereals, and tomatoes all significantly reduced the risk by more than half.

There are a large number of such studies doing the rounds, some come up with percentages, and others give only indicative information. Among them, credibility comes with the findings of the National Cancer Institute that claims 35% to 60% of cancer is caused by dietary factors.

Researches abound and so do claims. But the one fact that we have to know is that cancer is basically a lifestyle related disease. The rest of the conclusions are basically isolated reasons. For instance, at least one study has shown a relationship between the natural sugars in dairy products and ovarian cancer in women. Breast cancer rates are lower in plant based diets while colon based cancer is closely related to animal based diets. But then again, it could be due to the preservatives added to these or even pollution that could make them poisonous. So along with other things, cleaner air, cutting back on intoxicating chemicals (caffeine for one), alcohol, and toxicity in the environment – could all be contributing factors in reducing the risk of cancer. That may be why just being a vegetarian may not guarantee a cancer free life or even longevity.

Fighting Cancer At The Dinner Table

Fighting Cancer At The Dinner Table
More and more we hear about how what we eat directly affects our health and there is a large amount of research being done on food and how it can prevent and even treat cancer. Here are some super foods you can eat now to help protect yourself.Cancer is nation's second most deadly disease, so it's a good thing that scientists are now looking at ways that food can help to prevent as well as fight cancer. In the decades to come, we'll probably hear about major breakthroughs in medicine that will allow you to heal your body using nutritious foods instead of toxic drugs.

But what can you do today to help your body stay healthy and avoid cancer?

One way is to eat a lot more nutrient dense foods like fruits and vegetables and especially juices that you choose yourself from organic fruits and vegetables. Avoiding packaged foods in foods that have no nutritional value is key for your overall health and not just to help ward off cancer.

There are many great foods that you can eat that will boost your overall health and help arm your body to fight cancer and perhaps some of the best are foods rich in phytochemicals such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower and cabbage. The dark green leafy vegetables like romaine lettuce and spinach are packed with lutine and fiber as well as carotenoids which all contain cancer fighting substances. You want to eat generous amounts of foods that contain the vitamins A, E and C which are antioxidants that help protect you from cancer by fighting free radicals in your body.

Tomatoes have been getting a lot of press lately as a cancer fighting superfood since they are good sources of vitamins A, E and C as well as containing the antioxidant phytochemical lycopene which also helps prevent heart disease. Eating them cooked will help you absorb more of the lycopene and you can enjoy them this way in pasta sauces and by adding slices of tomato your pizza. But that doesn't mean that you should avoid them raw because raw tomatoes contain important enzymes so you can add these to your sandwiches or use them to make fresh juice.

Watermelon taste great in the summer, but did you know that it's packed with antioxidants and has about 80% of the daily requirement that you need for vitamin C. It's also loaded with beta-carotene which your body uses to make vitamin A as well as lycopene. Watermelon taste great and slices, but in the summertime it's also fun to just throw some of the blender and make a great nutritious smoothie.

If you want to reduce your risk of rectal and colon cancer load up on the cabbage. This cruciferous vegetable is rich in fiber and also contains almost half of the daily requirement of vitamin C that is recommended.

I don't know if carrots will actually help your eyesight but they have a lot of fiber and are a great source of beta-carotene and contain about three times the daily requirement of vitamin A which can help boost your health and help you fight illness like cancer.

Speaking of fiber, did you know that a mere quarter cup of kidney beans has the same amount of fiber as well as protein is 2 ounces of red meat? And if you love pasta, switching to whole wheat will also give you a good source of fiber plus if you add in some broccoli you get even more fiber as well as a load of vitamin A and C. For dessert throw in some strawberries and blueberries and maybe even a helping of low-fat yogurt for even more cancer fighting goodness.

Mouth Cancer Symptoms

Mouth Cancer Symptoms
Scared about cancer, especially mouth cancer. Here are some mouth cancer symptoms to help you understand mouth cancer better…Cancer is the deadliest affliction that anyone can get…it starts as an abnormal growth of cells, that leads to a tumor and can quite often be deadly. Mouth cancer can be cancer of the lip, tongue, gums and floor of the mouth. Though not so common but it can occur on the inside of the cheeks and the palate. Mouth cancer more often than not results from the use of tobacco. And do not be misguided into think that just because you are now smoking pipes instead of cigarettes, using snuff or chewing tobacco, is going to reduce your chances of mouth cancer. Chewing tobacco and keeping it in one corner of the mouth for long periods of time results in a pre-cancerous condition called leukoplakia. Other causes of mouth cancer include consumption of spirits, badly fitted dentures; poor oral care, chewing on betel nut o betel leaf. Another major cause of mouth cancer is the combination of smoking and alcoholism.

Mouth Cancer Symptoms

There are certain symptoms by which mouth cancer can be identified. Basically there are two common symptoms of mouth cancer.
More than 80 percent of the people diagnosed with mouth cancer had an ulcer in the mouth that did not heal.
And a discomfort, burning or pain in the mouth that is persistent.
There are other symptoms as well. These are listed below:
Patches that are red or white in the mouth or the throat region that refuse to go.
A lump in the mouth or throat or a thickening in the lip.
Swallowing becomes difficult because of discomfort or pain.
Throat irritation or sensation of something being stuck.
Random bleeding and numbness in the mouth.
Teeth start falling for no particular reason.
Jaw becomes tight and difficult to move.
Problems in talking and speech.
Unusual node or lump in the neck.
Sudden weight loss.
Bad breath, which is a condition, called halitosis.
Mouth Cancer symptoms explained

Here are some of the mouth cancer symptoms explained:
Red or white patches: any patch that appears randomly and is red or white in color could be a mouth cancer symptom. The white patches in the mouth are called leukoplakia and the red patches are called erythroplakia, which are pre-cancerous conditions. Though these red or white patches are not always cancerous, it could be the result of a fungal infection called thrush. Thrush will lead to a red patch after the white patch disappears, but it can be cured with treatments.
Difficulty in swallowing: when there is pain, discomfort or burning while chewing and swallowing, you could have mouth cancer. It can also feel like there is something stuck in your throat that you cannot get down. But this does not always mean you have mouth cancer. It could also be the result of stricture, which is the narrowing of the food pipe or esophagus. It is always to get this checked out by a doctor to rule out cancer or diagnose it and get treatment started immediately.
Problem with talking or speech: if you have mouth cancer, one of its symptoms is going to be difficulty in talking. Your voice will sound different and huskier. There can also be some slurring and trouble pronouncing.
Persistent lump in the neck: if you find a lump in your neck which could be the result of enlarged lymph node, it needs to checked out immediately. But if the lump is red, painful and oozes then it indicates an infection rather than cancer.
Weight loss: sudden and drastic weight loss is a sign of any form of cancer. If you lose more than 10 pounds without any apparent reason such as exercising and dieting, it is best to get it checked out with a doctor.
Halitosis: everyone has bad breath at some point, this doesn’t mean cancer. But persistent bad breath or halitosis is a sign of mouth cancer.
Not all symptoms result in cancer; so before you get all worked up, get yourself checked by a doctor.

How to Deal with Cancer

How to Deal with Cancer
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, the most difficult part for the concerned person and his or her family is to come to terms with the situation. Here is some help on how to deal with cancer.People undergoing cancer diagnosis have to cope up a lot both emotionally as well as physically. On one hand, there are strong emotions like fear of death, anxiety, anger, guilt, helplessness and so on. On the other hand, there are so many different types of tests, biopsies, etc., which are an integral part of the cancer diagnosis and treatment that it leave the patient in a very depressed state. Then there is physical pain and change in physicality that is associated with cancer. When the person is not aware of how to deal with cancer, then the situation worsens further.

How to Deal with Cancer Diagnosis?

When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it has some adverse effects on the patients personality as well. They develop a tendency to isolate themselves from the rest of the society. It is the most natural reaction as they do not know where exactly they are standing at that point of time, or what the future has in store for them. They do not how to face the world and try their level best to hide their illness from everyone around them. But actually you should speak up and you will find so much of relief. Even your friends and family will really prove to be supportive and helpful in the hours of need. You can then deal with the situation in a much better manner.

Many times certain fears exist in their mind as they do not have adequate information with them. Therefore, the first thing that should be done is to have a thorough discussion on the issue with the medical team. You should ask all sorts of questions that arise in their mind at that point of time freely, without any hesitation. Reading some good books that have proper information on the disease also proves to be helpful in this regard. Read some books that are based upon cancer survivors as well. You can join some cancer support group and talk to people who have actually gone through it. You can call up an information helpline and speak to them. When the mind is free from any doubt, then dealing with the situation becomes slightly easier. One gets a sense of better control in the situation.

Do all such things that you like doing the most. Spend some good times with yourself. Watch all those movies that can make you laugh. Do some meditation to get in touch with your inner self, which in turn will help you to handle all your emotions more effectively. Appreciate all the things around you with a positive mind and count on your blessings. You will start realizing that life could not have been better than this.

How to Deal with Cancer in the Family?

Cancer patients often even avoid informing their friends and family about their illness in the fear that how they will react to the situation. They are often afraid of the fact that their loved ones may be over-sympathetic towards them which is totally uncalled for. Such patients are so overwhelmed with the stress that they tend to take it out on their friends and family. In that case, you should provide unconditional support and understanding towards the concerned person instead of retaliating.

Sometimes, they become self-destructive and try to cause harm to themselves. In such a situation, take very good care of the person and spend as much of quality time as you can with him or her. As a result, the patient would not feel lonely and those thoughts do not get any scope to stay in the mind. However, make sure you do not treat them differently or intrude yourself into their space. Too much of concern may hurt their dignity. Help them do all such activities that they can do on their own.

Cancer does not mean that it is the end of road for the person suffering from it. If the patient and the family members know how to deal with cancer, it could be a new beginning for all of them. Never lose hope on the doctors as they will take all possible measures to heal up their patient and give back the normal life which the person rightly deserves.

Lunch Ideas for School

Lunch Ideas for School
Are you looking for lunch ideas for school that will provide your kid with proper nutrition? If yes, this article will give you information on healthy lunch ideas that will be loved by your kid even if he is a picky eater.Obesity has become a problem not just among adults, but also with school going children and the main culprit for this is unhealthy eating habits. As parents nowadays have a busy scheduled, they often do not have time to monitor what their kids have for lunch at school. Due to this, many children tend to indulge in fast foods like burger, pizzas, french fries, etc., on a daily basis.

Though some children receive lunch from their school, the nutritional value of these foods are quite debatable. Moreover, as the school lunch is not a favorite among children as much as the taste is concerned, it is likely that they opt for their favorite fast foods. This has become a great concern among parents because too much of fast foods is not good for the kids' health and has become a cause for many serious health ailments in children. Hence, it is important that kids eat meals that are healthy and nutritious. Read on kids lunch box ideas.

Though parents are able to watch their kid's eating habits at home i.e., during breakfast and dinner, what he/she eats at school usually go uncontrolled. This can be totally avoided by making sure that they pack a lunch for their kid. However, as nowadays almost both parents go to work, making lunch in the morning can seem to be a hassle. However, this is not as difficult as people think and can be made with proper planning. Here are some lunch ideas for school children that can be prepared easily as well as quickly. Read more on kids lunch ideas and healthy meal ideas for picky eaters.

Healthy Lunch Ideas for School Kids

As children can be very choosy about what they eat, parents usually find it difficult to feed them a nutritious meal. However, with a little bit of creativity and intelligent planning, you can actually provide your child with a healthy meal that he/she will surely love. It is also important to add variety to the lunch so your kid will look forward for having a lunch that is brought from home. If you do not have the time to cook lunch in the morning, using leftover food for your child's lunch is also a healthy idea. If you are finding it hard to think about new and innovative lunch ideas, here are some simple lunch ideas for school that you can prepare in no time. What is more interesting is that some of these lunch ideas can be easily prepared by the kids themselves. Read more on easy lunch recipes.

Sandwich with Ham and Vegetables

The good thing about sandwiches is that they can be made easily with the leftover food at home. Thought this sandwich is made with ham, if you do not have ham, you can make it with chicken or by grilling vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and even sprouts available at home. Read more on sandwiches.

Ingredients
2 cups cooked ham, finely chopped
12 slices bread
1 teaspoon onion, grated
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/3 cup mayonnaise
Butter- as required for the bread
Directions

Take the finely chopped ham, celery and onion in a medium sized mixing bowl and combine them with mustard and mayonnaise. Mix well and set aside. Spread butter on a slice of bread and fill it with the salad mixture. Place another slice of bread over it and cut them diagonally before packing.

Bean Salad

Salads are also great lunch ideas for kids and can be made in very less time. Just like sandwich filling, even salads can be made by mixing different types of dishes found in your refrigerator like salad made with fruits, meat, vegetables, pasta, rice, etc. Read more on salads.

Ingredients
16 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1½ tablespoon while wine vinegar
2 apples, chopped
1/4 cup mild green chillies, chopped
1½ tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
Salt - as per taste
Dash of hot sauce
Directions

In a mixing bowl, mix beans, celery, chillies, green onions and apples. Add hot sauce, salt and vinegar oil to this mixture and mix well. Cover the bowl with a lid and keep it in the refrigerator for half an hour. This can also be made at night and packed for lunch on the next day to save time.

Tortilla Wrap

If your child is bored of eating sandwiches all the time, surprise him with a tortilla wrap for lunch next time. Here is a tortilla wrap recipe that your child will definitely love.

Ingredients
25 cm large flour tortilla
3 teaspoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup baby spinach leaves
3 teaspoons red onion, chopped
2 ounces cooked turkey, sliced
1 ounce Cheddar or Swiss cheese, sliced
3 teaspoons mayonnaise
2 thin slices, tomato
salt and pepper- as per taste
Directions

Combine mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl and set aside. Take a tortilla (flavored or regular) and spread this mayonnaise and cheese mixture evenly over it. Fill one third of the tortilla with turkey, sliced cheese, tomato slices, spinach and red onion. Sprinkle little salt and pepper over it and roll the tortilla tightly. Chop them into half and pack them in the lunch box.

You may like to know more on:
Healthy Chicken Recipes for Kids
Healthy Recipes
Healthy Foods
Apart from these foods, you should also encourage your child to drink milk or fruit juices during lunch hour to ensure that he/she does not indulge in carbonated drinks. These are just some of the lunch ideas for school and you can surely come up with your own ideas as well. Another important thing that one has to remember is that you should keep in mind your child's likes and preferences while packing lunch. This does not mean that you have to fulfill all his/her whims and fancies. Rather, just by adding some creativity to the foods that they like, you can come up with lunch ideas that are nourishing as well as delicious.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Indoor Fountains

Indoor Fountains: Enhance your Interior Décor with Wall Fountains!
If you are looking for a work of art for an empty wall in your home, consider an indoor wall fountain. Pre-designed options offer copper, glass, art and more. Interior fountains range in price from simple and inexpensive to grand and unique works of art.With the ability to purchase a pre-designed fountain for the interior that mimic commercial copper, tempered and glass wall fountains, you can benefit from the tranquility of water flow in a work of art!

Interior decorators may choose to have a specially designed, custom-built wall fountain: something unique. And a company called Bluworld Innovations can create one. However, with many do-it-yourself homeowners and business owners, a more affordable option is to take a look at what pre-designed interior (exterior, too) fountains are available.

If you’re interested in a fountain piece that hangs like a painting or tapestry, wall fountains are worth checking out. Made with a variety of materials such as slate, copper, glass, pebbles and river rock, wall fountains blend naturally, enhancing the Feng Shui as well the décor in a room. see: http://www.best-in-garden-fountains.com/indoor-wall-fountains.htm

For contemporary spaces, where fussy works of art or decorative objects are excluded and more simple and linear choices favored, these types of hanging fountains are perfect. Prices range from around $200 for a small vertical fountain to around $3,000 for large double and triple panels.

For a slightly different look, consider hanging an art wall fountain (literally). Produced by Harvey Gallery, waterfalls overlay actual oil paintings. With works that look like Picasso, Renoir and Monet, fountain pieces entitled: Koi, Vineyard, and San Francisco Nights, encompass bold and exciting painting design, as well as color. The flow of water combined with some of the fountains optional lighting (tiny holes of light within to create the feel of stars and such) creates something special.

And finally, waterwall fountains and windows, made with tempered glass. These waterfall fountains offer a distinct and elegant feel, combining an artistic contemporarily shaped water feature with natural deep-etched art images on glass.

Indoor Wall Fountains

Indoor Wall Fountains
This article contains information about indoor wall fountains, their advantages along with a few tips to maintain the same…Indoor wall fountains are an excellent way to get nature right next to you in your house or in your office. I personally feel that a wall fountain is a unique piece of art that changes from one moment to the next. Keeping conventional art pieces is a good way to decorate but one tends to forget about its existence in a couple of months. But with a fountain close to you, you will always be greeted by its gentle noise and beauty that is bound to make you feel good deep inside.

Choosing an Indoor Wall Fountain

I guess the easiest decision that you have to make is whether you want an indoor wall fountain. The difficult part begins after you have decided that you do need one as you will have to choose and pick a fountain from a wide range of exquisitely designed range of fountains.

Before you go to store and get very confused, it would be wise if you envision as to what you want. One of the first things that you should decide are the placement of the fountains. You could decide if you want to place it in a corner or along the hallway or you could even decide to place it in your favorite room where you gather and enjoy an evening with friends and family or your study where you need to work and be at peace mentally. You could even decide a place for the fountain depending on Feng Shui or Ch’i if you believe in these sciences that advice as to how to fill your house and life with positive energy. See! The list is endless and if you decide to go to the store before making up your mind, you sure are going to end up a really long time in the store trying to decide.

The advantage with indoor wall fountains is that can be used is almost all places. These fountains often come with a contemporary look and are made using metal, slate or stones and have a great impact on increasing the aesthetic look of the room in which they are placed. Depending on big a wall fountain you require, you can choose between a one, two or three paneled fountain. Further, they are also available in both horizontal and vertical styles. A vertical wall fountain would be ideal for a room with high cathedral like walls while a horizontal fountain would be apt for a long hallway with low ceiling. But, if your requirements are much smaller, then you can also buy smaller fountains that will be perfect for entryways and smaller offices. It is very important that you choose a right shape and size wall fountain or the entire set up will look very awkward. You can take advice from the professionals who work for the stores and they will be able to guide you.

Once you have decided on the size and the type of the indoor wall fountain that you require along with the fountain itself at the store, you will next have to work out as highlight the fountain. No doubt, the fountain will make an impact on its own, but if you do try and change the décor around the fountain a little, the transformations that you will find at the end of the day in the room will be phenomenal. Alternatively, you can decide on choosing a fountain with halogen lighting that will help accent the flow of water thereby increasing its beauty enormously.

Maintaining an Indoor Wall Fountain

Maintaining your indoor wall fountain is the easiest step as they require minimum attention. You have to ensure that water is refilled periodically and that the water fountain is wiped clean once every few days. The fountain needs to be cleaned to remove traces of any algae growth or mineral deposit once in two months.

Some of the other things that you should ensure is that you should never turn on the fountain without water in the basin as it heats up the pump and the pump could get damaged. You can place rocks at the bottom of the fountain as it will reduce the sound of the water sound and the amount of water that is splashed. Usage of distilled water will prevent mineral deposits from accumulating in the fountain.

Well, if you have just discovered indoor wall fountains, then the possibilities are endless and the best part is that this is just the beginning…

The Making of a Home with Laminate Flooring

The Making of a Home with Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is one of the recent innovations in interior design.The most remarkable feature of laminate flooring is the no maintenance or low maintenance feature."Affordability. Durability. Elegance. Throw in ease in its installation, too and you have just found the best floors to walk on all the days of your life."

That’s how David of Berkeley, California felt when he shopped around for flooring materials to install in his 4-room Victorian-inspired home, two months before he brought over his wife, Anne, who hardly contained her excitement and surprise, to see the house the first time. David believed that the home was the finest expression of his love to his wife, and their young son, so he left no stone unturned looking for the best materials for his home. Laminate flooring was recommended by his colleagues at work; even his mother-in-law who saw nothing but David’s receding hairline and extended belly, mentioned about it, too.

There could really be something about laminate flooring, David thought, so he had it installed in his home. Even his kitchen flooring was all laminate flooring, as David figured out that it can best withstand spills and scuff marks compared to other flooring materials. He never regretted his decision ever since.

What’s all this fuzz about laminate flooring that it became the most popular flooring choice in Europe and the US, even in distant shores like Asia?

What it is and what it is not. Laminate flooring looks like real wood, but it is not. It is made of high-grade fiberboard, soaked in melamine resins and done in layers to withstand moisture and traffic abuse.

Two layers down, laminate flooring has fiberboard as foundation layers. Right on top of these layers is a paper design, resembling closely hardwood for customers wanting laminate wood flooring, or it could also resemble stone or tiles, depending on demand. The uppermost portion of the floor plank is made of clear layer of melamine resin for durability and resistance against moisture, stains and general wear and tear.

Four (4) major reasons why laminate flooring is "everyone’s choice":

Price is right. Laminate flooring is ideal for those who, like David, may have wanted the look of real wood on their floors, but are on a tight purse- string budget – laminate wood flooring is a way lot cheaper substitute. With its natural real wood-look, it can spruce up and lend a certain degree of class and style even to a room with sparse furnishings.

Worry-free installation. Do it yourself? Yes, you can! How to install laminate flooring is no longer mind boggling with its "snap-on" system. In previous years when glue and staples were used to install laminate flooring, installation time was more than 24 hours and positioning the planks together would challenge the mind. Also, the planks, which were glued together, should dry up first before they can be walked on. Today, the planks simply click and fit, thus they can be walked on right away.

Durable. Laminate flooring does not dent easily under heavy traffic, unlike real wood.

Elegant. Laminate flooring comes in a wide array of visual choices that suit any room motif.

And if these are not enough to stir your excitement towards laminate flooring, here’s more:

> Warranty: 10-15 years from date of purchase;
> Size: wider than any other floor boards, thus it easily covers a wider area at least cost;
> Resistance to fading: laminate flooring is resistant to harmful UV rays of the sun, which cause discoloration and fading;
> Easy to Clean: Your ordinary kitchen mop can clean spills easily and a few brush strokes can liven up its looks.

With all the benefits far outweighing minor deficits (if any), millions of homes, including David’s, could not have gone wrong when they chose laminate flooring. Is it not about time, you do, too?

Furnishing your home

Furnishing your home
Furniture is an important part of your house. Just as you dress up yourself you have to dress up your home with furniture.The important thing to remember is whatever furniture you choose to go in for should match with the designing style and the wall paint. Do not make the room over crowded with furniture. When buying furniture for your home, you may want to think about versatility. Look at items that have more than one purpose. Shopping for secondhand items and putting them to new purposes can be a cheap way to put a spark in an ordinary room.

Types of Furniture to choose from
Secondhand furniture -- or your existing furniture -- can be updated with painting or a refinishing. This will save your from spending a huge amount in buying new furniture and will also give you an added advantage of changing your furniture which will match any new design style that you wish to go in for or if you have changed the wall paint. Experts suggest reviving an old sofa or chair with fabric slipcovers give you the flexibility of mixing and matching colors from time to time, perhaps when the seasons change.

Area rugs and plants can also change the feel of a room. It will give the room a fresher look. Plants placed in nice pots and lit from beneath so the light can bounce up off the leaves gives the room a very energetic look.

Use the following guidelines while dealing with furniture's in decorating your home:
Try to have a simple and neat furnishing.

Other Ideas in Furniture
Adequate storage space is an important factor while decorating your house. Kitchen cabinets, beds with storage space under them, built in furniture (cupboards, seating, tables etc) all utilize space well and hence try to go for it.

Go for cane, metal, modular furniture, which looks light and airy and can be moved around now and then also. Just as you think of furnishing your indoor have you ever thought of furnishing your outdoor as well. Today is the time to enjoy nature and a simple life. Thus relaxing in our garden or chatting with friends and relatives is a welcome thought. Whether you have an acre or an apartment balcony, you've got what it takes to create an outdoor space that is cheerful, relaxing, and functional.

If you have a big lawn or garden then a nice table with chairs would encourage lunch a la fresco or a dinner under the moon. There are many options for a good quality table and chairs that are not plastic. If you are more inclined to relax outside and lay under the sun while reading a book. A variety of lounge furniture is more your style. Reclining chairs, lounge chairs, folding chairs and benches would be a handsome addition to any outdoor area.

Once that new furniture is in place it is time to accessorize. Decorate your outdoor room the way you would indoors. Some of the most popular and satisfying additions are potted plants and flowers. Or, consider some brightly colored dinnerware and glasses to entertain guests. Candles are also a good way to cast a soft glow when you are dinning outside.

Now your outdoor area is furnished and accessorized. It is time to enjoy the spring breeze and nature around you. Sit down and relax, drink your ice tea, a glass of chilled beer and enjoy yourself in the cozy comfort of your beautiful garden or lawn.

12 Foods to fight cancer

One of the easiest things for a person touched by cancer to address is their diet. Our view is that a Rainbow Diet is the most helpful diet...