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 in fighting cancer. And here are 12 foods from it that can each play a role in fighting one or more steps in the multi-step cancer process (writes Chris Woollams).
Remember that ´good nourishment´ is a crucial weapon in the fight against cancer and any illness. Good cancer nutrition can be vital in increasing your personal odds of survival. A 2012 report by the American Cancer Society, covered in Cancer Watch our research centre, stated that there was ´overwhelming evidence´ that diet and exercise could increase survival and even prevent a cancer returning. CANCERactive has consistently maintained this stance since our launch in 2004.
Remember too that bioactive natural compounds are likely to do you a lot more good than synthetic pills! Many such compounds have strong and proven epigenetic benefits. 
So here are a few additions to your cancer diet, as a part of your own Integrated Cancer Treatment Programme.

1: Oily Fish
Fish oil will provide long chain omega-3, a powerful anti-inflammatory in the body that minimizes COX-2 and its abilities to drive localised negative hormones called eicosanoids which cause inflammation - driving cancer and metastases. Omega-3 has been shown to re-lengthen telomeres, which shorten when you have cancer putting the DNA structure at risk and reducing longevity. Fish oils also contain vitamin A, an important vitamin in the fight against cancer (herring, mackerel and salmon are top of the list). Fish oils have been linked to reduced levels of prostate, breast and colon cancer. Research shows they help prevent cachexia when having chemotherapy. You´ll also get a little vitamin D from them, another proven cancer-fighter. Omega 3 from fish is an important ingredient in your cancer diet. Please note that the omega 3 from flaxseed is short-chain, equally important but has different benefits (for example, it helps oxygenate the tissues and provides essential fibre).

2: Carotenoids - Carrots, peppers and greens
Along with apricots, red and yellow peppers, greens like kale and spinach and sweet potatoes, carrots provide anti-cancer carotenoids like beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A, as and when required by the body. 1 cup of carrot juice, 2 sweet potatoes, 16 dried apricots and 4 cups of red cherries will each provide 25 mgs. Don´t eat them all at once - people have been known to turn a little orange! A great juice to make yourself involves greens, sweetened by carrots and apples (for quercitin) and beetroot (for anthocyanins) with a helping of calming raw ginger. A real cancer fighting drink! Carotenoids are also found in natural food sources such as chlorella. Raw carrots are also high in pectins - your helpful gut bacteria will love you for eating pectins and give you more in return. A red pepper is the top source of vitamin C in the UK - even better than oranges. 

3: GingerFresh, raw ginger has a number of very important benefits in cancer. It is a terrific anti-inflammatory agent in the body and reduces the effects of COX-2. This produces benefits throughout the body and especially in the gut, reducing rates of cancer spread. It also lowers blood sugar levels, and gingerols have been shown to have effects against prostate, breast, leukaemia and other cancer cells. Grate 5 gms or more of ginger each day into your juices. It is also full of helpful vitamins and minerals and is anti-parasitic.

4: Seeds
Seeds are full of good oils, whole vitamins in a natural form (like vitamin E) and fibre to strengthen your gut flora. People who consume the highest levels of natural fibre have higher immune systems. For example:
Sunflower SeedsHigh in zinc and natural vitamin E. Zinc helps vitamin C do its work and accelerates healing time. It is important to a healthy prostate. You need 15 to 25 mgs per day. Five tablespoons of sunflower seeds give you 10 mgs. Sunflower seeds will also provide a little selenium.
Pumpkin SeedsCan be mixed with the sunflower seeds in your morning muesli. 5 tablespoons will each provide 20 mgs of vitamin E, the ultimate cancer buster, which inhibits cancer cell growth and protects immune cells from free radicals. Vitamin E boosts your immune system´s fighting abilities. The target is 300-600 mgs and is difficult to achieve without supplements.
Sesame Seeds
The unique lignans can reduce blood pressure and lipid levels. Research shows they can fight inflammation and also cancer! Gamma tocopherol vitamin E reduces inflammation around the body. Both sesame and flax lignans are converted to compounds that can arrest oestrogen cancers.

5: Nuts
Six cracked brazil nuts will give you your daily selenium; 100 to 200 mcgs is the goal. Selenium is a very potent anti-cancer agent. Eight slices of wholemeal bread, an organic egg, or a large chicken breast will also be enough.

(Tuna, onions, broccoli and tomatoes contain selenium too.)
Walnuts and almonds are a helpful additions to your diet because they contain good oils and high natural fibre. People who eat nuts every day live longer according to research in Cancer Watch.

6: Mushrooms There´s an enormous body of research evidence now that shows how ´medicinal´ mushrooms (Shiitake, Maiitake, cordyceps etc) boost the immune system and fight cancer.  Even the button mushroom has cancer fighting ingredients.

 

 

7: Tomatoes
Seven to ten helpings per week, especially cooked.

According to Harvard research 7-10 helpings a week cuts prostate symptoms by 40% and has an influence on many cancers e.g.: lung; colon; cervix; breast. Lycopene is the prime active ingredient, and 25 - 40 mgs the desired daily dose.
It is also found in strawberries, peppers, carrots and peaches, but one tin of tomato soup has 65 mgs alone. Lycopene helps reduce ´bad´ fat levels in the blood stream and is a strong antioxidant.
 

8: Green leafy vegetables
Along with avocado, beans, carrots, apricots, pumpkins, and egg yolk green vegetables will give you folic acid if your gut bacteria are strong.

This will help your DNA to replicate properly and protect it during radiotherapy.
400 micrograms is a recommended amount. Folate, biotin, choline and inositol, niacin and vitamin B12 are all B vitamins that help in the cancer fight. Niacin has been shown to kill cancer cells. Egg yolk, greens and whole grains are the best sources.
It doesn´t just stop there. Green vegetables and sprouting seeds are a source of sulforaphanes which have strong epigenetic (cancer correcting) benefits and have been shown to aid survival from colorectal cancer.
A diet rich in greens will help alkalyse your body. A slightly alkaline body is important as it improves the performance of your immune system and research shows it stops new metastases.

9: Broccoli

Like other green cruciferous vegetables (e.g. cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts), broccoli contains fibre which helps eliminate toxins

Moreover, the fibre is rich in galactose, which binds to damaging agents in the intestine, and is one of the favourite foods of good, helpful gut bacteria (as are carrots, apples, chicory and onions).
Broccoli also contains indoles, and especially indole3carbinol which, along with its metabolite DIM, modifies and diminishes aggressive oestrogen action, can modify cellular oestrogen receptor sites, and aids in fighting oestrogen-driven cancers like some breast, prostate, brain and colorectal cancers.

10: Garlic It is a truly wonderful food. Active ingredients like allicin seem to act to stop the spread of cancer in a number of ways, for example by stopping blood supply formation for tumours.

Garlic also kills microbes and yeasts - after taking drugs and antibiotics the body is often susceptible to these. Garlic is also anti-inflamatory in the body. It has a number of active ingredients. It contains selenium, tryptophan and sulphur-based active agents that attack cancer cells.
Two or three raw cloves of garlic raw per day will ward off more than vampires.

11: Beetroot

And cherries, aubergines, plums, red grapes - indeed any purple coloured fruits and vegeatables. They contain anthocyanins (and sometimes also resveratrol). Anthocyanins have been shown to kill cancer cells; Resveratrrol has research supporting its role in fighting certain cancers like blood and brain cancers too.

12: Pulses
Lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, kidney beans and even soya beans are a great source of plant protein. Most importantly they release their carbohydrate slowly because of their high fibre content. They reduce blood glucose.


Pulses also contain isoflavones called phytoestrogens. People get confused about plant oestrogen. The cells of your body have oestrogen receptor sites. When one form of human oestrogen (oestradiol) binds to them, the result is havoc inside your cells. About 40 times less potent is human oestrogen oestrone and about 40 to 50 times less potent still are plant oestrogens. Now which would you rather have sitting on your receptors? Pulses also provide fibre like lignans that can help neutralise free-radicals in the gut and blood stream.
Phytoestrogens bind more weakly than human oestrogen and wash through the body - so you need to eat them daily.

Secrets to a Long Life

Scientific studies have uncovered the secrets of living longer -- and a good sex life, eating chocolate and positive thinking are all in there.




In fact, those who indulge in life's little pleasures are shown to outlive miserable abstainers in any number of studies.



But living as long as possible is, according to one piece of research, also dependent on making healthy choices and by adopting just four healthy behaviors -- regular exercise, not smoking, avoiding alcohol abuse and eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day -- you could add 14 years on to your life.



Research has also shown that a healthy weight, religion and staying out of debt are all other all ways of ensuring you have a long, happy life.



Here we have put together a list of 10 steps you can take to prolong your life, although women be warned ... while marriage can add as much as 10 years to a man's life, the stress of living with a man has been shown to take years off a woman's life.



Have a Good Sex Life

2.5 years



There is plenty of evidence to suggest that lots of sex is good for you. Research from Bristol University proved that men who have frequent orgasms live longer, while a University of California study reckoned a great sex life could add up to two years on your life. Men who have sex less than once a month had twice the risk of an early death than those who had sex twice or more a week.

A New Solution That Stops Snoring and Lets You Sleep

If you’re like most Americans you probably don’t get eight hours sleep each night.




But, if you also constantly feel exhausted, experience headaches for no obvious reason or have high blood pressure, you could have a more serious problem.



That’s because these can all be the result of snoring—which is, in turn, the most common symptom of a potentially serious health problem—obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).



While most people think of snoring as a minor annoyance, research shows it can be hazardous to your health. That’s because for over 18 million Americans it’s related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People who suffer from OSA repeatedly and unknowingly stop breathing during the night due to a complete or partial obstruction of their airway. It occurs when the jaw, throat, and tongue muscles relax, blocking the airway used to breathe. The resulting lack of oxygen can last for a minute or longer, and occur hundreds of times each night.



Thankfully, most people wake when a complete or partial obstruction occurs, but it can leave you feeling completely exhausted. OSA has also been linked to a host of health problems including:



1.Acid reflux

2.Frequent nighttime urination

3.Memory loss

4.Stroke

5.Depression

6.Diabetes

7.Heart attack

People over 35 are at higher risk.



OSA can be expensive to diagnosis and treat, and is not always covered by insurance. A sleep clinic will require an overnight visit (up to $5,000). Doctors then analyze the data and prescribe one of several treatments. These may require you to wear uncomfortable CPAP devices that force air through your nose and mouth while you sleep to keep your airways open, and may even include painful surgery.



Fortunately, there is now a comfortable, far less costly and invasive treatment option available. A recent case study published by Eastern Virginia Medical School's Division of Sleep Medicine in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine concludes that wearing a simple chinstrap while you sleep can be an effective treatment for OSA.

The chin strap, which is now available from a company called MySnoringSolution, works by supporting the lower jaw and tongue, preventing obstruction of the airway. It’s made from a high-tech, lightweight, and super-comfortable material. Thousands of people have used the MySnoringSolution chinstrap to help relieve their snoring symptoms, and they report better sleeping, and better health overall because of it.



An effective snoring solution for just $119



The “My Snoring Solution” Chinstrap is available exclusively from the company’s website which is currently offering a limited time “2 for 1” offer. The product also comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.



If you want to stop snoring once and for all, without expensive CPAP devices or other intrusive devices, this may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. The free additional strap is great for travel or as a gift for a fellow sufferer.



Best of all, this product comes with an unconditional 90-day, money-back guarantee!

How to Get Shiny Hair

QUESTION: My hair seems so dull. How can I make it look healthier?




ANSWER: First, determine why your hair looks less than lush: Perhaps you colored it but haven't been using color-protective products. Or maybe you have product buildup -- the result of applying too many styling aids and not removing with the right shampoo. Or it might be the result of daily damage from overstyling. Once you have identified a culprit (or two), use the advice below in your routine regularly, advises Paul Labrecque, creative director of Paul Labrecque Salon and Spas in New York City.



Heat-style wisely. "Heat flattens your hair's cuticle (theouter layer of the hair shaft), allowing light to reflect off it andcreate a glossy finish," Labrecque explains. But when used improperly(for example, heat-styling without a protective product), hotappliances can burn the hair strand. Labrecque's advice: Spritz hairfirst with a product that coats the hair. We like Tresemm Instant HeatTamer Styling Spray ($4; at drugstores).

Avoid overprocessing your hair. Add color orhighlights as needed, but not more than once every four months. Then,post-processing, try products specifically designed for color-treatedhair; these are gentler and less likely to strip your strands of theirnatural shine-inducing oils. Editor's pick: color-specific shampoos andconditioners from John Frieda ($6.50 each; at drugstores), available inSheer Blonde, Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red.

Read the ingredient label. "Some styling aids containalcohol, which can dehydrate hair and make it look dull," Labrecquesays. Instead opt for creamy, water-based products. Try Paul MitchellExpress Style Quick Slip ($13; paulmitchell.com)or Dove Straight & Soft Sleek Styling Cream ($4.29; at drugstores);both tame the frizzies while keeping hair vibrant and healthy.

Pro tip: Use clarifying shampoo twice a month to rid dulling product residue.

Source: Shape. Powered by Yellowbrix.

How to Flirt ... and Why Men and Women Do It

Flirting is such an integral part of the dating scene that we pretty much take it for granted. But what happens when we dig a little deeper and start asking questions about this bizarre behavior. What is flirting? Why do men flirt? Why do women flirt? How do you go about flirting? A new survey aims to shed light on the issue.




Results from a flirting test on Queendom.com reveal that men and women not only enjoy flirting, but many do it in order to get what they want. Their data showed that while women did have a slightly higher tendency to flirt, it was men who fared slightly better in terms of flirting expertise and techniques.





"Men aren't as cavemen-ish when they flirt as some women may think," according to Vrat Jerabek, president of the company. "For instance, 11 percent of men who took our test would easily and shamelessly flirt with a female officer to get out of a ticket, compared to 8 percent of women. Men also used their flirting skills to get a deal on a car (20 percent), and a surprising 6 percent of them would actually date her in order to get a deal later on."



Among women, 27 percent did admit they would do that 'shyly picking off a lint on a guy's sweater' thing, but 21 percent also stated that they would flirt mercilessly with a bouncer to get into an exclusive club if they heard that their favorite celebrity would be there. And 6 percent of women admitted that they would go even further than that if they had to.



"We are certainly hot-wired to flirt by our genetics, and the best flirts have had the best chances of propagating. The body language used in flirting in various cultures has the same basic components intense eye contact, smile, hair toss and coy glances for the ladies, chest puffing in men... So there is certainly a genetic component," Jerabek said in a release about the survey. "Flirting is more than genes dictating our movements. It's also a skill based on social learning and learning by observing adult subject matter experts."



The study also revealed that men's most popular flirting gestures when chatting with a woman are to smile and to lean in to show interest, while women smile and look deep into a man's eyes. Other interesting tidbits:



45 percent of men would converse with someone they found hot at a funeral;



36 percent would ask that person out, while still at the funeral (55 percent and 19 percent respectively for women).



Only 10 percent of women would flirt with a male car salesman in order to get a better deal.



Apparently, both men and women love to flirt. It's fun and relatively harmless. But, does flirting with an ulterior motive cross the line?

How to Look Beautiful on a Budget

Sure, we've got problems with the economy. But no one wants to look stressed-out about it.




Some ideas for keeping your skin, hair and nails in shape without breaking the bank:



Face Stuff



Skip the expensive creams. Janet Luhrs, author of the newsletter, "Simple Living" and the book, "The Simple Living Guide," used to buy moisturizing cream at the dermatologist's office, spending $108 for a 4-ounce jar. Now she uses 100 percent jojoba, apricot or avocado oil, that she gets for around $4 for the same size container.

Make your own acne treatment. Dina Falconi, an herbalist and author of "Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair," offers this recipe: Combine a quarter cup of water, a quarter cup of 80 proof liquor, and 20 drops each of sage, grapefruit and lavender essential oils. Apply to the problem area, she said.

Forget about toner. If you want that squeaky, clean feeling, that's fine, said Nadine Haobsh, beauty expert and author of "Beauty Confidential." But there's no need to incporate a toner into your routine, she said. She recommends simplifying things by using just a cleanser and an SPF 30 cream or serum. At night, use a cream or serum that has retinol and peptides, she said. Dab on pimple cream from the drug store when you feel a pimple coming. For more problem skin, go to the derm, she said.

Grab a lemon or cucumber. Take a make-up brush, dip it in lemon juice and use it to fade age spots and freckles, said Haobsh. If you are prone to oily skin, soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and rub it on the T-Zone. Slice a cucumber and put a slice over each eye to deflate puffy eyes, she said.



Make-Up

Hit the drug store. Luhrs purchases foundation, eyeshadow and mascara at the local drug store.


Cheap and better eye liner. Eyeliner at a fancy make-up counter can run you $13.00, said Luhrs. She lightly moistens her powder eye shadow with water and then uses a fine brush to line her eyes.

Don't match eyes to the outfits. Luhrs finds one or two colors that look great on her, and sticks with them.



Hygiene



Here's a secret. You can make your own deodorant using baking soda, said Falconi -- try dusting some under your arms. To get fancy, add one drop of essential oil to the powder before applying, said Falconi.

Use olive oil to moisturize. At night, apply olive oil to your hands and feet and then cover them with gloves and socks. You'll wake up to smooth hands and and feet, said Marie Scalogna-Watkinson, owner of Spa Chicks On-The-Go, a mobile spa service in New York City.

A little bit of Crisco never hurt. If you have super dry skin, use Crisco as a moisturizer, whether it's the hands, feet or face, said Haobsh. "It's not glamorous, but it works," she said. Too biscuit like? Try Vaseline, she said.

Do your own waxes. Drug stores boast an array of home waxing kits for the face and body, said Haobsh.

Use baking soda as toothpaste. Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to the consistency of toothpaste and use it daily to brush teeth, said NYC cosmetic dentists Drs. Marc Lowenberg and Gregg Lituchy in an email. This cleans surface stains, kills bacteria and makes teeth appear whiter.

Try some petroleum jelly. Another tip from the dentists: If you know you're going to be drinking red wine or coffee, protect teeth from stains by coating them with the jelly, such as Vasline. The coating acts as a barrier to prevent staining and also helps to keep lipstick off of teeth, they said. (Dr. Matthew Messina, spokesperson for the American Dental Association, said he can't see any harm in the practice.)

Eat your veggies. Chewing raw crunchy vegetables, such as celery and carrots, helps to remove surface stains, said Lowenberg and Lituchy.   Make your own shampoo. Falconi's recipe: Six to eight ounces of an herbal tea, 3 ounces of liquid castile soap, which can be purchased at a health food store, a quarter of a teaspoon of vegetable oil and up to 60 drops of an essential oil.

Grab some condiments. If you have dry hair, put mayonnaise and olive oil on your hair while it's dry and wrap it in a warm towel or in plastic rap for 20 minutes before rinsing, said Haobsh. Or rinse your hair with beer in the shower to seal in shine, she said. And if you are out of cream hair moisturizer, use your body moisturizer, she said. Rub it into your hands and run your hands through your hair.

DIY hair color. Modern hair color kits are pretty much fool-proof, said Haobsh. You can even do highlights yourself. Ask your regular hair stylist if he or she can recommend a kit to tide you between professional treatments, said stylist Peter Ishkhans, host of "Peter Perfect," which debuts a new season in January 2009 on The Style Network.

Cut your own bangs. Make sure your hair is dry, said Ishkhans. Cut the bangs flat on your face (don't hold the bangs up and cut) and don't go shorter than your eye brows, he said.

Use less. Only people with finer textured hair need to shampoo daily because their hair tends to get oilier, said Ishkhans. People with fine hair that has no body generally don't need a conditioner, he said. He suggests adding some water to shampoo and conditioner to make it last longer.

Skip salon and beauty store products. The products generally contain the same ingredients as products in a super market or drug store, said Ishkhans. Check the labels and compare.



Relaxation



Make your own spa. Turn the bathroom into a spa, said Scalogna-Watkinson. Carve out some "me" time, put a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, light a candle, add some esssential oils to the water and soak. If you want it more spa-like, purchase a remote control massaging bath mat, she said. NailsDo your own manis and pedis. It's not about the color, said Haobsh. "If you keep the cuticles moisturized and keep your nails to a uniform shape, it'll look nice, like you had a manicure done." Use olive oil on the cuticles and gently push them back. File the nails to the same shape and length. Do this regularly, she said.

Make your own spa. Turn the bathroom into a spa, said Scalogna-Watkinson. Carve out some "me" time, put a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, light a candle, add some esssential oils to the water and soak. If you want it more spa-like, purchase a remote control massaging bath mat, she said.



Nails



Do your own manis and pedis. It's not about the color, said Haobsh. "If you keep the cuticles moisturized and keep your nails to a uniform shape, it'll look nice, like you had a manicure done." Use olive oil on the cuticles and gently push them back. File the nails to the same shape and length. Do this regularly, she said

A STANDARD STUDIO YOU CAN THINK OF.

The Standard studio..............

How To Maintain Good Health

Vitality and energy are by products of good health and are needed to achieve career success, excellent relationships, and many other goals.

There are no guarantees, but here are some ideas for increasing your odds of having a long and healthy life.
1. Drink plenty of water.
Much of our body and brain are made up of water. You need water to stay hydrated, to flush out toxins, to assimilate nutrients from food, and for your brain to function properly. Drinking plenty of water also keeps your skin from becoming dry and prematurely wrinkled from dehydration.
2. You need a little sunshine.
It is true that you can get too much sun but we need some sunshine. Ten to twenty minutes of daily early morning or late evening sun is beneficial.
Sunshine gives you vitamin D which you need so your bones can absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D our bones can become brittle and break. It is unnatural to spend all of our time indoors. We need fresh air and a little sunshine to maintain excellent health.
3. Exercise is important.
Our bodies need movement and physical activity. Proper exercise slows down our physical deterioration.
We need three types of exercise: Flexibility, aerobic, and strength training.
4. Eat well.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most important foods you can eat. The greater the variety of colors, the better because they contain different types of antioxidants. Antioxidants strengthen your immune system and slow the aging process. Fresh produce is best, frozen is second best, and the least nutritious are canned fruits and vegetables.
5. Go for plenty of Walks.
A lot of people will say walk for 30 minute per day, I disagree. Walking should not just be for losing weight, it should also be for your own peace of mind. Walking is a non strenuous exercise that improves your heartrate, your respiration, and your mood. Enjoy the walk and take it slowly and you will want to take many more walks.
6. Isometrics.
You do not need to go to the gym to get a workout. Sitting there at your desk you could be doing Bicep Curls right now. Instead of using a weight, simply make a fist and tighten up the bicep. Now, as you bring your fist up to your shoulder, make it as hard as you can on yourself. Literally use your own strength to fight the movement. This will enhance tone, strength, and never risk a muscle. You can do this with any exercise, including something as simple as washing the car.
The two most common diets around are the Low Fat diet and the Low Carb diet. These plans have been popular for many years because of the initial weight loss, but people have trouble keeping the weight off later on.

Maintaining Color Treated Hair: Products & Tips If you’ve recently had a hair color treatment of any kind, you probably want the color to last as long as possible, while also keeping the health of your hair in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, the processes of dying, bleaching, highlighting, lowlighting, removing color and getting a chemical treatment is stressful on hair, and removes a lot of the natural moisture your hair needs to continue being strong and healthy. So to properly take care of your hair and help the color last longer, you might need to discontinue use of your current shampoos, conditioners and hair styling products, and purchase some that are specifically designed for color or chemical treated hair. In addition to this, here are some other tips that you should keep in mind: Tips For Lasting Color Read more: Maintaining Color Treated Hair: Shampoos, Conditioners, Sprays & Tips

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas

A great way for environmental conscious people to make a difference in their kitchen is using eco-friendly products. The following lines will provide information on eco-friendly kitchen ideas.Whenever you design or remodel your kitchen, you can use a number of environmental friendly materials that can enhance the look of your kitchen. These eco-friendly materials are not only cost effective but also gel with the ambiance of the kitchen. You can use different materials such as recycled glass, bamboo, etc.

Flooring Options

To enhance the look of your kitchen, the different uses of bamboo are startling. Instead of spending a huge amount on buying tiles used for flooring, you can opt for finished bamboo which acts as a great great flooring material. Moreover you can add new chairs made of bamboo in the dining area which are aesthetically beautiful and comfortable to use. To cut the various vegetables that you need for cooking, you can use a chopping block that is made of end-grain bamboo. Another great way to implement a sleek and cozy flooring is using cork. This flooring option comes in a variety of styles and designs, and is an efficient way of saving money It is also comfortable for the feet, especially while cooking a long and tiresome meal for guests. Cork being mildew resistant is not affected by changes in temperature and moisture content that is always prevalent in the kitchen area. Cork flooring provides a better grip while walking as compared to tiles which tend to get slippery. Both bamboo and cork flooring do not require much maintenance and can be cleaned with a wet and dry mop.

Use of Reclaimed Wood

Another great alternative for an eco-friendly kitchen is reclaimed wood. Just as most of us use recycled plastic and paper, we can use recycled wood which is salvaged in factories and warehouses. Refinished lumber often produces a firm grain which strengthens the wood. The use of reclaimed wood reduces the cutting of trees and also beautifies our kitchen. We can also refinish the pieces of wood lying in our garages to make cutlery holders instead of going in for new ones.

Using Recycled Glass

Recycled glass tiles are incredibly sturdy and are beautiful to look at. These tiles are made from colorful recycled glass mixed with a base of resin or cement concrete. The hard surface is less likely to chip off as compared to the wooden counterparts. These tiles can be used as counter tops for kitchen cabinets. Stains and grease can easily be removed removed using a mild detergent.

Apart from the above mentioned materials, you can also implement eco-friendly energy saving compact fluorescent lamps which reduce consumption of electricity. Using recycled paper baked into thick sheets with resin base can be used as counter tops. These are extremely durable and are heat and scratch resistant. For cabinet doors in kitchens you can either dress up used cabinet doors by using a range of eco-friendly paints or you can use veneers that will give your cabinets a fresh look. You can also use recycled metal sheets for counter tops and sink areas. These metal sheets which come in clear coat finishes are non-toxic and durable.

The awareness of an eco-friendly environment has bought about a radical change in the way materials in kitchen design can be used. Eco-friendly kitchens are slowly but surely becoming popular for their simplistic looks and usage of non-toxic materials

Kitchen Remodeling on a Shoestring Budget

Kitchen Remodeling on a Shoestring Budget
Ten simple ideas for creating a dream kitchen on a budget.So you're tired of your kitchen? According to an annual survey by the leading trade journal, Kitchen & Bath Business, so are 4.92 million other homeowners who plan to do a kitchen remodel in 2001 -- a record number. But with the typical kitchen remodeling job costing from $7,000 to $14,999, remodeling on a limited budget can be a challenging task.

The effort, however, can pay big dividends. Consider that even minor kitchen remodeling provides an 81 percent return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's latest "Cost vs. Value Report." This means that you can enjoy your kitchen for years to come, plus reap a hefty return on your investment if you decide to sell your home down the road.

"Though adding a second story also offers a good return on investment, it's a much more invasive and costly remodel," says Nina Patel, Remodeling senior editor. "A minor kitchen remodel and bath update are simpler and more fun."

According to Patel, the popularity of home improvement stores, HGTV and the Web has educated and inspired many homeowners in their remodeling process. "In this age of large stores that carry all varieties of products, consumers want to see, touch and feel all the options so they can choose the right one for them," she explains. "Homeowners overall are more willing to spend money on items that reflect their style."

Here are simple remodeling ideas that can dramatically increase the appeal of your kitchen without breaking the bank.

1. Tile Backsplash

The days of automatically matching the backsplash to the counter are gone. Today's latest kitchen trend is adding some color and personalization with unique backsplashes that complement but don't necessarily match countertops. Try brightening the room with a backsplash featuring yellow or blue accents or even mix things up a little with a number of different colored tiles to make a checkerboard pattern. Manufactured tiles are affordable, starting at approximately $4 per square foot, and adding a few hand-painted tiles with such items as fruits, flowers or shapes can provide creative flair. Adding backsplash tiles is a simple project that even the beginning DIYer can take on without hesitation, and it can be completed in just one afternoon.

2. Pullout Faucets

Consider adding a new pullout faucet to your kitchen to provide the functionality needed for filling large pots, watering houseplants and doing assorted dishwashing and cleaning tasks. These faucets combine great looks as well as added convenience. Manufacturers such as Moen now provide pullouts with design options to make them stylish additions to the room. For example, its new Colonnade offers the charm of traditional, classic styling, while the Salora has a sleek and contemporary look complementing modern kitchen decor. Starting around $250 each, these faucets still install as regular fixtures, thanks to a simple, single-bolt tie-down installation method.

If the last time you purchased a faucet your finish options were "chrome" or "chrome," you will be pleased to see that faucets are now available in more stylish finishes, including copper or brushed stainless steel. Copper finishes are becoming increasingly popular and can provide the perfect complement to range hoods, teakettles, cookware and other items. Brushed stainless steel continues to be a popular choice, in part because it matches the look of many of the latest commercial-style appliances.

3. New Countertops

Your countertop is one of the most important and visible parts of your kitchen. A new countertop can give your kitchen a whole new look, and your choices are virtually limitless. The most popular choice is laminates. Available in hundreds of colors and textures, these countertops cost approximately $25 per linear foot. They are easy-to-clean and long lasting, but they do show cuts and nicks.

Following a close second to laminates are solid surface countertops. Although they can cost quite a bit more -- $90 to $200 per linear foot -- solid surface countertops will allow nicks, scratches and burns to be buffed out. Quartz and granite surfaces are also increasing in popularity -- but increasing in cost as well.

If you want some extras but don't want to spend a lot, consider using a laminate on your main countertop and tile on a small area of the kitchen, such as an island. Tiles cost about $4 per square foot and work beautifully on secondary work surfaces.

4. Refacing/Refinishing Cabinets

In a kitchen-remodeling project, new cabinets are usually the largest expense -- but they don't have to be. If the general structure of your cabinets is good, consider refinishing or refacing them. This can cost less than half the price of new cabinets. Refinishing means stripping, staining or painting the surface; while refacing requires replacing cabinet and drawer fronts and putting a matching veneer on the cabinet frames. Refacing creates a totally different look and allows you to change from dark wood to light, which will brighten an outdated kitchen. Both refinishing and refacing will not only save in material costs, but will also save labor costs compared to new cabinets.

If even refinishing or refacing cabinets is not in your budget, you can simply change the cabinet hardware. New knobs and handles are available in all shapes, sizes and finishes -- and some are even sculpted allowing you to create your own special kitchen look.

5. Stainless Steel Sinks

If your kitchen sink is stained, scratched or pitted, you will be happy to know that for about $300, you can get the latest in stainless steel sinks. A new trend is undermounting for fast, easy cleanup with no ridges to get in the way. In its Lancelot line, Moen offers new shapes, such as oval, round and trapezoid. If you need to fit a new sink to an existing countertop, the rectangular sink is still a popular option. Today's stainless steel sinks are durable and, thanks to sound-deadening designs, quiet. Double-bowl models, though slightly more expensive, provide more work area while extra-deep bowls provide additional capacity for large jobs.

6. New Lighting

Illuminate dark work areas with under-counter lighting that can be purchased as separate halogen lights or as a strand of rope lights. Halogen lights cost about $3 each and should be spaced 18-24 inches apart. Rope lighting is one continuous strand of lights and usually costs $3 per foot.

In addition to under-counter lighting, you may consider changing ceiling fixtures. Some of today's hottest styles are recessed lighting or pendant fixtures that hang down a few feet from the ceiling to provide better illumination for an island or eating area. Usually you can find fixtures at relatively moderate beginning prices at home centers or kitchen showrooms.

7. Stenciling, Painting and Wallpapering

Plain-colored walls are becoming a thing of the past as more homeowners opt for bold, colorful designs. Many new, faux finish designs use sponging techniques and stencils to personalize the look of the kitchen. Even the color palettes are changing from neutrals to dark blues, greens and maroons. Besides being inexpensive, painting is one of the easiest projects to complete in a fairly short amount of time and it makes a dramatic difference in the appearance of any room.

Borders and wallpaper are also as popular as ever in the kitchen. Since so many of them now come pre-pasted, the wallpapering process is pretty simple. If your kitchen is already painted, a decorative border can add just the right touch of style and color. Borders are popping up on all areas of the wall, not just near the ceiling. Try a waist-level, chair-rail border or even something at eye level to break up the room.

8. Appliances

One of the biggest expenses in a kitchen-remodeling project is replacing the appliances. To avoid buying new appliances all at once, selectively add appliances by choosing the one that is most out-of-date in either look or function, and then add others over time as your budget allows.

If your old appliances still fit the bill in terms of performance, but you'd like an updated look, you can actually repaint them or buy new panels to match the new decor or cabinetry in your kitchen. Visit your local home center to find out how this can be accomplished for your particular brand of appliances.

9. Workspace and Storage Options

The island is usually the hallmark of any kitchen remodel, but if you are on a budget, a new, built-in island may not be on the agenda. If you still want the convenience and storage space of an island, consider one on wheels. For approximately $300, you can have a kitchen island that has the extra advantage of allowing you to stow it away in the corner when not in use.

Another suggestion is to create elegant storage areas in the kitchen by taking the fronts off your cabinets and installing glass shelving. In this way, you can mimic the open look of today's modern kitchen cabinetry while still having a place to display cookbooks, dishes or glassware.

To maximize storage space in the kitchen, go to your local home retailer and look for little extras that can be added to your current cabinetry such as a spice organizer, a place for recyclables, plate racks or wine racks.

10 Window Treatments

Nothing catches the eye like windows, so making them look good is critical. If you sew, you can bring a new look to your windows for the price of materials and an investment of your time. If not, pre-made window treatments can beautify your kitchen, often for less than $100 per window. The latest styles include tab top valences, swags mounted on metal-finished rods and a variety of blinds. You can add shelves or interior window boxes to your kitchen windows for plants or flowers. This little trick is perfect for blocking out a less-than-desirable view of a neighbor's house or insulating the room from a busy street.

For more information about remodeling projects or Moen products, contact Moen Incorporated at 25300 Al Moen Drive, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070-8022, call toll free 1 (800) BUY MOEN (1-800-289-6636) or visit its Web site at www.moen.com.

Remodeling magazine's "Cost vs. Value Report" can be found at www.remodelingmagazine.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITORS NOTE: Moen Incorporated is one of the world's largest producers of residential and commercial plumbing products. Moen is the #1 brand of faucets in North America. The company manufactures a complete line of single and two-handle faucets in a wide assortment of styles and finishes. It is also a leading producer of residential and commercial sinks and a variety of shower accessories, and manufactures a complete line of plumbing parts and accessories (sold under the trade names Moen, Chicago Specialty, Dearborn Brass, Hoov-R-Line and Wrightway Manufacturing).