Happy first of September

It's Christmas all the way

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: September 1, 2013

Santa's worker wraps the figurines in time for the influx of customers.

It’s the “–ber” months again!

And with it, hopefully, will be the onset of “brrrrrrrr” colder mornings and a respite from the Habagat onslaught, the pork barrel scam and everything Napoles.  It’s now the season for Natale and to be jolly!

For starters, the Divisoria night market has already opened, which is now at par with Hong Kong’s Mong Kok, a lively shopping district that sells interesting items such as clothes, accessories, gadgets, and shoes. Early mall sales are also happening nationwide which bargain hunters can take advantage of.

As early as now, expect an influx of Yuletide songs in the airwaves and overeager housewives and traders decorating their homes and business establishments with Christmas lights, lanterns, trees and everything Christmassy. Puto bumbong and bibingka stalls will soon line city streets and malls.

For home decors, the Christmas Factory along Lacson Street, Sampaloc, Manila, is one of the popular and go-to places. It has gigantic Santa Claus figures, which come in different designs, colors, sizes, and poses.  A life-sized Santa Clause greets a curious visitor upon entering the store. Each item of ingenuous design personifies and captures what Santa Claus is all about: a source of joy. There are Santa Clauses sitting on a swing, reading a book, riding a parachute, and playing with kids. Their latest design sports a Santa looking at baby Jesus in a manger.

The enterprise started with Jo Santos’s childhood dream of having a tiny Santa Claus figurine at home. “My mother would always tell us that we should be good so Santa Claus will reward us with presents. Then, when I grew up and started my own family, I decided to create small Santa Claus figures to satisfy my passion and decorate my house with. I wanted to feel like it’s Christmas every day,” she said.

Jo’s friends saw her art pieces and thought of buying them. More Santa Clauses were sold in the succeeding years and up to now, more are coming out of this happy factory.

The Christmas Factory is open to the public from September to December 17. When not in season, they export items to Europe, South Africa, and Japan among others. The items are made from papier mâché, resin, or fiberglass.

“It feels good to see Santa Claus because he brings joy,” Jo said.

True enough, as much as the Santa Claus figurines excite the kids, they also bring the children-at-heart back to their fondest childhood memories shared with family, friends, and relatives.

Bicol's Almasor: Thrill Times Three

Almasor: Thrill Times Three

By Nickky Faustine P. De Guzman

Published: August 25, 2013

Bicol region goes beyond the world-renowned Mayon Volcano and its iconic cuisine Bicol Express—because it still has a lot to offer.

The creation of the Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (Almasor) Tourism Alliance by the Bicol Regional Development Council spearheaded by Albay Governor Joey Salceda, aims to provide more tourist destination options to local and foreign tourists while harnessing the potentials of each province as sub-regions.

Almasor, dubbed as the Soul of the South, boasts of unspoiled islands, hidden caves and mountain trails, nature adventures, delicacies and homemade products, among others.

But what to highlight?
Our five-day retreat to Almasor gave us the wonderful dilemma of choosing which ecotourism activities and beautiful nature backdrops should be prioritized, what islands must be visited, and what needs to be experienced.

Good thing, the Soul of the South proves itself as a place for all options.

On ATV, Misibis, island-hopping, and more
An Albay getaway will never be complete without the Mayon Volcano unveiling itself behind the huge curtain of clouds. However, the possibility is greater if you ride an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or foot climb towards it. Legazpi City takes pride in the fact that Hollywood actor Zac Efron once experienced ATV and enjoyed the scenic views while climbing the foot of the magayon (beautiful) mountain. The unstable terrain of hardened lava rocks and the gushing torrent river water give excitement and anxiety to first-time and even experienced ATV riders.  And there, after an hour or so, is the bare and beautiful Mayon Volcano.

But if daredevil rides aren’t for you, then delight yourself with island-hopping adventures instead. An hour away from the city proper by bus, the Cagraray Island houses the renowned Misibis Bay Resort and Casino. The Misibis Bay is a luxurious island playground built on a stretch of beach that accommodates 37 Asian-inspired villas and 53 Garden View rooms that promise a quiet get away from the city. Aside from languid walks on the shore area, the resort offers water sports activities like jet ski, parasail, kayak, and zipline. The isolated Cagraray Island also houses an amphitheater and church amid its vast blue waters and lush forests.

Both Albay and Sorsogon are bounded but not separated by bodies of water. Sorsogon is world-renowned for butanding-watching, which abounds in the waters of Donsol. However, fewer whale sharks are spotted in the area. Nonetheless, Sorsogon reinvents its offerings with island-hopping in Juag Lagoon for fish interaction activities, and Subic beach and Tikling Island in Matnog for family picnics and lethargic sojourn.
The waters of the islands also produce a bounty of humongous and fresh sea foods that can feed thousands. Imagine our delight when an almost-10 kilogram tilapia was served on a banana leaf in time for our lunch. 

The Masbate province meanwhile may be laid back and quiet, yet the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines comes alive every year when cowboys (and even cowgirls) prove their powers in taming bulls and cattle. Masbate is also slowly becoming more accessible, thanks to the province’s ongoing projects like the Masbate City Road development.

Booming Bicolandia
The Bicol province recorded around 2.9 million domestic and estimated 770,000 foreign tourist arrivals or a total of 3.7 million tourists last year. In fact, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), Albay is the fastest-growing tourism destination in the country, almost doubling in domestic tourism and 23% in foreign tourism, which reflected in its 49% growth in tourist arrival. Sorsogon came in second with 31% growth. The province of Masbate meanwhile has increased three percent in tourism arrival but is slated to gain momentum owing to the creation of Almasor and some ongoing and future infrastructure projects.

“The completion of the Bicol International Airport in Albay in 2016 is expected to bring in travel revenues and will also pull international markets, which includes Japan, Korea, and European countries among others,” DoT Region V Director Maria Ravanilla says.

With the creation of the Almasor, Ravanilla adds that the region is eyeing around 650,000 foreign tourists annually within the next five years.

Philippine Travel Mart
To help promote Bicol tourism, experience what the region has in store for everyone at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) “Sale ng Bayan” on September 6-8 in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. The Bicol Peninsula, including Almasor and Catanduanes will host some of the tour packages that will also include over 350 exhibitors with their tour products and promos to major and upcoming tourist destinations, latest resorts, and activity tour programs at reduced prices.

The PTM “Sale ng BAYAN” is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).

thinspiration goes beyond skin deep

Thinspiration goes beyond skin deep

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: August 20, 2013

Beyond flaunting a gorgeous body, a more significant motivation for shaving off excess fat should be that of gaining optimum health and wellness. And from this healthy state, one is armed with the self-confidence to face life’s challenges.

This was the focus of the recently concluded 5th New You Achievement Awards (NYAA), where Fitness First highlighted and shared the drastic changes in the emotional, physical, and spiritual states of its 15 gym member finalists who experienced survival from fatal illnesses, low self-esteem, and bullying, all brought about by obesity.

According to the latest World Health Organization statistics, the cases of obesity have nearly doubled since 1980. In fact, more than 40 million children were overweight in 2011. In the Philippines, nine out of 17 regions have overweight adults according to a survey conducted by the Department of Science and Technology in 2011. Being overweight actually is the fifth leading risk of global deaths.

The NYAA awarded winners under the categories of Health, Shape, Sport, Strength, and Staff. The Health category cited drastic weight loss to return to utmost health condition after suffering from illness or injury. The Shape category cited the biggest loser. The Sport category recognized gym members who have passion for sports activities. The Strength category recognized members who gained power and built strong body mass. Lastly, the Staff recognized exemplary personal trainers.

Healthy and Happy
Take the case of Health category winner, Joee Guilas. The 106.7 Energy FM DJ and former RPN 9 News Anchor had chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is the 10th leading cause of mortality in the country. It is also the same culprit that took the lives of Joee’s mother and brother.

He was also overweight at 180 pounds and he had fatty liver.

“My doctors told me that I should really have a change in lifestyle if I wanted to prolong the usefulness of my kidneys which, at that time, they calculated to be functioning at only 30%. The moment it drops to 15% then I would have to undergo regular dialysis treatments,” he said.

The doctors advised him to lose a significant amount of weight. Credits to his determination to drop his extra pounds and the motivation of his personal trainer at the gym, Joee was able to shed 45 pounds of excess fat. He now enjoys the confidence and compliments he gets for looking younger than his actual age.

“Pursuing a life of fitness however gives me constant hope that I will actually be given many more tomorrows. And from what I know, when you have hope, you can have everything,” he declared.

From Flabs to Abs
Meanwhile, Shape category winner and overall champion Drew Javellana, 27, had always been on the heavy side. There was a time when his body grew too big that his spine could no longer support him; he suffered from a slipped disc.

“In 2005, I made a move to lose weight and drop 50 pounds in three months. However, after years of going to the gym without proper knowledge, my back spine slipped. I was on bed rest for more than a year,” Javellana said.

But through motivation and strong will power, despite his doctors telling him he could not do physical activities anymore, he was able to lose 84 pounds of extra body fat in just 10 months after going to Fitness First. Now he looks better than ever at 150 pounds.

He said consistency and patience are the keys to a successful weight loss.
“I think that anything can be done. Don’t wait for you to get sick because of your weight issues. Just go to the gym, watch your nutrition and see your gains right before your eyes,” Javellana shared.

As the 5th NYAA Champion and Over-all winner, Javellana hopes to inspire and motivate others who also want to live a healthier and thus happier life.

Spotlight on trainers
“Fitness First and the annual New You Achievement Awards encourage and support anyone to step over the line and say ‘I can be better. I can do more.’,” Country Manager Mark Ellis said during the awards night.

However, the 15 finalists agreed that they will never achieve their fit body sans the persistent motivation of their personal trainers (PTs). They may have decided to stop their sessions at one point, but their respective PTs, were the ones who never gave up on them.

“These guys have gone above and beyond to step out and be better. This is also the time to appreciate what helped them get here. Often, it is the unsung heroes, the personal trainers, behind the scenes, working hard to motivate, coach, mentor, and really listen,” Ellis added.

Other winners
Meanwhile, the winners in the other categories were also recognized; they are Adi Luansing (Sport category), Nikko Ong (Strength), and Dheng Cruz (Staff). Juan Lee, 96, and Teresita Cando, 65, received special awards for their commitment to maintaining healthy and fit bodies despite advanced age.

The panel of judges included director Joey Reyes, model Ornusa Cadness, 2012 NYAA Champion Haide Acufia, Triathlon and first female multi-sport coach in the country Ani de Leon, Fitness First Training Manager Chyme Piedad, and media personality Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

For more information, visit www.fitnessfirst.com.ph

15 shades of skin

15 Shades of Skin

Busting myths about tropical skin

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: August 13, 2013

Ah, the day is overcast so sunscreen isn’t necessary at all. Or is it?

Filipinos may think that they already know the ins and outs of skin and how to protect it. Our kayumanggi complexion may act as a natural sun screen but it does not mean we are not prone to having skin cancer, most especially when most of us succumb to skin whitening products, which lessen the melanin or pigment that protects the skin from harmful UV rays.

According to the World Health Organization, skin cancer incidences have been increasing in the past years. Currently, two to three million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year.

Skin cancer is caused by the cumulative effect of years of too much sun exposure. It usually starts as a change in skin appearance like a growth or sore that won’t heal. It mostly appears on the most exposed body area like the face, ears, neck, arms, and hands.

Non-melanoma skin cancer includes the basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). BCC is the most common. It almost never spreads to other parts of the body but it can cause deformity or dentures hence, it is sometimes called rodent cancer. SCC on the other hand, begins in the squamous cells, which are found in the tissues that form the skin surface, hollow organ linings, and the respiratory and digestive tracts. It appears on the skin as scaly and thick patches.

Malignant melanoma meanwhile is the least common among skin cancers but accounts for 75% of the deaths related to skin cancer. It is more serious because it can spread quickly. It may start as an existing mole or mark on the skin.

The ‘ABCDE’ of skin
Most skin sores, shiny burns, or pink growths can be mistaken for rashes, not knowing that they are already skin cancers. To review one’s own skin, follow the ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color, Diameter, and Evolution). Once changes and irregularities are present according to the ABCDE rule, do not hesitate to have the skin checked by a dermatologist.

“Filipino males are more susceptible to skin cancer because they are not as vain as women who check their skin from time to time. The nature of their work also adds to it,” Dermatologist and Philippine Dermatological Society member Jasmine Jamora explains.

Meanwhile, there are actually many skin myths that Dr. Jamora wants to debunk. Here are some of them:

You can’t get sunburned on a cloudy day
Up to 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. Places situated on the higher areas have greater UV exposure. Countries with winter months should also have sunscreen because the snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays. In fact, there is a high skin cancer case in Portland, Oregon despite it being overcast for almost every day.

Skin cancer can only happen to Caucasians
While white-skinned people are mostly likely to develop skin cancer, the sun-kissed nationalities are not spared from developing the disease. According to the Philippine Cancer Registry (1983-2002), 625 patients out of 1607 have BCC. In fact, BCC is the most common skin cancer among Filipinos.

The most common types of skin cancer are not dangerous
While BCC and SCC are highly curable, they can cause extensive tissue destruction and disfigurement if not detected at the early stage.

Only the sun-exposed body parts can have skin cancer
Contrary to the popular belief that only the sun-exposed body areas are prone to skin cancer, it can actually appear anywhere in the body. African-Americans and other nationalities can also develop skin cancer in covert body areas such as the soles of the feet, genitals, and palms. BCCs are highly found in the head and neck while SCC and melanoma are often found in the lower body extremities, at least the local data show.

Children can never get melanoma
“Melanoma in kids may be rare, but if they have a family history or have a lot of moles, make sure to get a skin exam,” Jamora says.

Skin cancer is exclusive to the elderly
Anyone—children and young adults—can also be affected and infected by skin cancer. In fact, the rate of melanoma in young women increased in 1973-2004, hence, the importance of early detection and prevention.

Sun protection and sun damage myths
To avoid sun burn and cancer, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is also very advisable to wear sunglasses, UV-protective clothing, and wide-brimmed hats. If one cannot hide from the sun, wear sunscreen with minimum sun protection factor (SPF) 30, half an hour prior to sun exposure and re-apply every one to two hours.

Wearing long sleeves provides enough sun protection
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a white shirt has an SPF of approximately 7 but it drops to 3 once it gets wet. To test the fabric, hold it up against the light and see if rays can pass through it.

A sunscreen with SPF 30 has twice the protection than SPF 15
UV protection from the sun’s rays does not actually increase in proportion to an SPF number. An SPF 30 screens 97% of UVB rays while SPF15 screens 93% of rays. A sunscreen should have an SPF of 30 or greater to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. No sunscreen can provide 100% UVB protection but using greater SPF provides greater protection. The adequate amount of sunscreen is one shot glass for the whole body, when one failed to follow the recommended amount, the efficacy of the lotion is somehow decreased.

Sunscreen vs. sun block
Jamora explains that there is no difference between the two terms but ‘sun block’ seems an advertisement expression; one cannot totally block the sun’s UV rays.

Sunscreen causes Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is a vital nutrient for strong bones and healthy immune system. However, small amounts of UV rays can still penetrate the skin even with sunscreen lotion. This is enough to help the body produce vitamin D but what is more advisable is to eat vitamin D-rich food such as fish and dairy products.

Eighty percent of sun damage occurs before 18
Studies show that people get less than 25% of their total lifetime sun exposure before the age 18, which means we get majority of sun damage later in life.

Some types of UV rays are safe
UVA rays, which pass through the window glass, can penetrate deeper into the thickest layer of the skin. UVA rays can cause suppression of the immune system and skin ageing. On the other hand, UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays and are the primary cause of sunburn. All forms of UV exposure, whether from natural sunlight or artificial light sources found in tanning beds, are unsafe.

On base tan as skin protection and safety of tanning beds
A tan is a sign of skin damage from UV radiation. It accelerates the ageing process and risk of getting all types of skin cancer. Indoor tanning equipments produce artificial UVA and UVB, which is similar to the amount of radiation produced when under the sun, sometimes even greater. In the US, females aged 15-29 who have melanoma cases in torso are increasing.

where is the fountain of youth?

Where is The Fountain of Youth?

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: August 13, 2013

A geing is a process that everyone will inevitably undergo. We cannot deny or defy it. Eventually, our skin and crowning glory will lose elasticity and luster. There may be no turning back the hands of time, but who says we can’t delay the ageing route?
There is one claim that the fountain of youth may perhaps be just around—and found within us.
The fountain of youth, as its name implies, is supposedly a source of magical water that can cure sickness and reverse the ageing process. According to legend, Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon and his crew discovered the fountain. But according to History Channel Club website (www.history.com), “no surviving documents from the time, including letters from Ponce de Leon himself, ever mention such a fountain.”
But why the obsession with looking and feeling young? Perhaps, youth is associated with happiness, wealth, and good health. And the advancement of technology has seemingly led us to the discovery of our own fountain of youth. This is where the stem cell therapy for aesthetics comes in the picture.
Stem cells are biological cells that possess the capacity to replace injured tissue, increase the formation of new blood vessels, and suppress inflammatory reactions. Once harvested, cultivated, and re-injected back into one’s own body, these stem cells travel and search for any problematic area, including the skin. Hence, the repairing and rejuvenating effects.
Again, the safest sources of stem cells are not animals, donors, or plants but from our own adipose fat, blood, or blood marrow. Among the three sources, the best is the blood marrow because the other two options are found in it.
“We analyze how the body normally heals itself. We are able to identify the electric charge of the body cells, get the youngest and most powerful among them, cultivate them, and get the result of younger and better-looking skin. You cannot go wrong when you use your own (stem cells),” Dr. Samuel Bernal of the Medical City says during the launch of the Regenerative Personalized Stem Cell Technology for Aesthetics, called “Regene”.
Head Dermatologist Dr. Maria Mercedes Cancio-Cruz adds that the stem cell therapy for Regenerative Aesthetics is a holistic and personalized treatment using one’s own stem cells to achieve younger and more radiant skin. The engineered and cultured stem cells are injected directly on the face, neck, arms, or any part of the body that shows signs of ageing. The therapy has no side effects.
One can expect to see immediate results on skin but the lasting effect come from intravenous (IV) injection or the infusion of healthy stem cells into the veins. Each session lasts for 15 minutes or less.
Regene not only caters to the aged but also to the young with skin problems like scars from accidents. It will tighten and smoothen skin, restore skin depressions, and stimulate and renew collagen and skin cells.
For more information about Regene, visit www.themedicalcity.com.

urbanized kitchen

Urbanized kitchen

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: August 7, 2013

Glass kitchen wares evoke sophistication and class. However, because of its fragility, the need to replace them becomes too often, especially when there are toddlers or clumsy family members around. Hence, they become uneconomical.
In addition, some modern houses either opt to display glass wares on showrooms or unearth them on their treasure chest only on special occasions. These practices downgrade their essence.
On one hand, plastic kitchen products are sturdy. They can be used everyday and still last a lifetime. However, according to studies and investigations, some plastic kitchen and tableware products, especially those made from China, have toxic materials that can cause cancer.
Fortunately, Urban Kitchen has thought these through and has created table wares that are safe and perfect for everyday easy living. Urban Kitchen offers a variety of quality and stylish plastic pitcher sets, tumblers, beverage dispensers, bowls, and canisters, among others in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
“We used to import our products since 2005 but it is only recently that we manufacture 60 to 80% percent of them locally. Urban Kitchen products are made from polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polypropylene,” Marketing Manager Chriselda Chua says.
Polycarbonate plastics are durable, impact-resistant, and low-scratch resistant while polystyrene plastics are synthetic aromatic polymer that can naturally be transparent or colored.
Plastic 101
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention made a discovery that polycarbonate bisphenol A (BPA) is present in nearly 93% of the participants’ urine in a 2003-2004 health survey. BPA can upset hormone balance that can cause health risks.
We cannot actually break free from plastic exposure since they are everywhere. But here are some tips on how we can lower exposure to them, especially when it deals with food and beverage packaging:
• Choose porcelain or stainless containers instead of plastics when saving hot beverages or foods.
• Some plastics are not microwavable so never use them as containers in reheating food.
• Steer away from plastics with recycling codes 3, 6, or 7. Plastic code number 3 is found in condiment bottles, toys, shower curtains, and shampoo bottles. Plastic number 6, also known as Styrofoam, which is found on disposable cups and plates, can release toxic breakdowns when heated. Lastly, code number 7 includes bottles, sunglasses, and DVD players among others and can contain BPA.
Chua says that Urban Kitchen products like tumblers are made using specific mould and injection machine.
“We don’t actually have recycling codes on our products because we use different plastic materials (polystyrene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene) for the same mould. Each material has a different recycling code number. If we were to include this number on the product, we would need to invest in several moulds for the same product, which we are financially unable to do at this moment,” she says in an email interview with *Home and Garden”.
Urban Kitchen is available in all leading department stores for today’s modern households.

the kitchen king

The kitchen king

Master the art of keeping the kitchen area neat and organized

By Nickky Faustine De Guzman

Published: August 7, 2013

Our previous story, Clean, Green Class of Home, debunked the common and nasty notion that the toilet room is the dirtiest part of a household. The kitchen area actually is.
An average kitchen contains 7.2 billion of germs, or 100,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. The kitchen is one of the busiest parts of an abode. It is where we wash our hands off germs but it is also where germs are stored and welcomed in the form of moist and half-washed kitchen sponges and cooking utensils.
Furthermore, the sink welcomes germs coming from raw meat and vegetable straight from the wet market.
Undeniably, the kitchen area needs our utmost attention for it to be less of a breeding ground of bacteria that cause infections and diseases. It may not get absolutely spic and span and germ-free, but at least our kitchen will look presentable and organized.
There are actually simple and creative ways of de-cluttering, revamping, and organizing the kitchen. Here are some tips:
1. Hang them around: Attaching plastic or metal hooks help lessen the clutter in the kitchen area and thus creating more space. Finally, the kitchen utensils, hand towels, and recipes will now have a better spot than piling and storing them in a cabinet.
2. Label and assign color: Some of us may have experienced drinking a salty coffee or juice after accidentally switching sugar and salt. Perhaps, it is about time to label our condiments, foods, and beverages. There are actually readily available plastic or metal jars and containers that have labels on them. Or why not create your own container. Be creative, you can also invent designated colors for different containers.
3.Maximize the sink: It is perhaps common to see kitchen sponges, soap, and kitchen utensils all clamped up in one area. What may be a dizzying site may be turned to a better looking kitchen. The trick is to maximize our under kitchen area by putting all the detergents, laundry soap, and kitchen cleansers in one spot. This also lessens the possibility that the kids will accidentally drink or eat them.
4.Group similar objects: Spoons, forks, knives, glasses, and jars must be separated from one another, which leads us to the next tip:
5.Use kitchen organizers and dividers: Kitchen dividers and organizers minimize clutter, separate whatnots, and store kitchen utensils away from crawling house pests and insects like cockroaches.
6.Use zip locks and see-through plastic containers: Left over foods from yesterday’s party fiesta can be “recycled” and made into another winning food recipe. Just store them properly in a clean plastic ware or zip lock but make sure to see if the plastic storage is microwavable or not.
7.Discard over-used kitchen paraphernalia:
A family of four need not hundreds of pieces of forks, spoons, and china wares, unless they throw parties from time to time. Cracked, aged, weary, and stained plates, glasses, and other wares must be given time to rest.
8.Get rid of expired food and drink products: Bottles in different shapes and sizes that contain expired drinks and condiments may be nice to look at but the downside is they collect dust.  Hence, either wipe them on a regular basis or dispose them totally.
9.Plant!: Do not hesitate to put a flower vase or a plant pot in the kitchen area. It accents the area while keeping it looking and smelling fresh.
10.Be organized: Always remember to put things back to where you get them. After all, a clean, organized, and de-cluttered kitchen area starts within us.