Budget bathrooms reign without the HRTC (NC)

The good news is the economy is showing signs of recovery. The bad news is spending cuts aimed at slashing the deficit have forced the cancelation of stimulus incentives like the Home Renovation Tax Credit.

Without the popular program being extended for another year, homeowners are once again faced with picking up the full tab for home improvement projects like adding a new bathroom.

Adding insult to injury, additional rebates offered by home improvement retailers hoping to woo customers planning to take advantage of the federal program are also a thing of the past. The loss of these incentives, which offered combined price breaks of 25 per cent or more, is hitting homeowners in the pocketbook. As a result, many homeowners are scaling back their renovation projects or eliminating the high-end fixtures and finishes they wouldn't have even given a second thought a year ago.

For consumers looking to add a bathroom to their home, but working with a limited budget, the best place to start is doing your homework when it comes to selecting materials and contractors. One proven way to save time and money is to use an above-floor macerating toilet system. Macerating toilets are an economical way to add a bathroom or powder room anywhere a standard toilet is cost-prohibitive or impossible to install.

Macerating toilets offer a solution to plumbing issues by eliminating the need for conventional toilet rough-in with below-floor drainage. Because walls and floors remain intact, these above-floor systems do not require expensive renovations, and installation is quick and easy.

Macerating systems, like those by Saniflo, also feature additional drainage inlets, allowing for the connection of a sink and bath/shower in addition to the toilet. The result is a bathroom installed quickly and cost effectively anywhere you need it.

More information on these toilet systems is available online at www.saniflo.ca or toll-free at 1-800-363-5874.

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Eat your way to happiness (NC)

You may be determined to eat right to lose weight or improve your health, but did you know that the foods you choose could also make you happier?

"The connection between food and mood has long been known, but we've come a long way in understanding how new foods can speed the process of helping you feel better by eating right. There are simple ways to tweak your diet that can have profound effects on how good you feel and how consistent your mood is, even while you lose weight and improve health," says registered dietician, Elizabeth Somer, author of the book, "Eat Your Way to Happiness." (Harlequin 2009) Somer offers the following ways to eat your way to a newer, happier you:

Make breakfast a natural high: Even a four-hour lag between meals leaves some people feeling shaky and grumpy because they're essentially running on fumes. Restock your fuel stores in the morning with healthy foods, and your body, mind and energy will repay you throughout the day. Use the 1-2-3 rule to create an energy-building combination: No. 1, eat at least one serving of high-fiber carbs such as 100 percent whole grain cereal or bread; No. 2, eat two servings of fruits and veggies, such as a banana and vegetable juice; and No. 3, add a third, protein-rich food such as a whole egg, lean meat, or fat-free or low fat milk.

Embrace the "good" fats: You may have heard about the importance of incorporating good fats such as omega-3s into your diet. However, all omega-3s are not created equal. For example, the form of omega-3 found in flaxseeds and walnuts (ALA omega-3) helps lower your heart disease risk, but does not offer the brain-boosting benefits of DHA omega-3, which helps you feel great, think fast and stay mentally sharp. The more DHA omega-3 you eat, the more it is incorporated into brain cells, the more flexible your brain cell membranes become, the better you think, the more you remember and the happier you are.

Almost 97 percent of the omega-3s in the brain are DHA, which is why this fat is so important in lowering the risk of depression and dementia. Yet, most consumers don't get enough of this nutrient. Fatty fish like salmon are good dietary sources of DHA. But if you're vegetarian, don't like fish or are concerned about mercury levels in seafood, there are products available that are made with sustainable, algae-based DHA. Look for products bearing life'sDHA on the label, such as So Good Omega DHA soy beverage, Li'L Ones Yogurt from Dairyland, Cool Ones Yogurt, Dempster's Smart 100% Whole Wheat Bread, and Nanomega-3 Drink Mix. A listing of more products can be found online at www.lifesdha.com

.Eat right at night: If you start the day with the right foods, be sure to end it with the right foods. How well you sleep has a huge impact on your mood, energy level and weight. It takes your system hours to digest a large meal, making it difficult to completely relax into a deep sleep. Keep the evening meal light and low-fat and eat no less than three hours before bedtime, and you're more likely to sleep like a baby all night.

By following these simple tips, you'll not only feel better and more energized, but your mood will lift and you'll be a newer, happier you.