With gasoline prices being astronomically out of control, consumers are turning to other forms of transportation. Most of society works away from the home so the need for a vehicle for commuting is a priority. Larger cars and SUV’s are being replaced with smaller, more economical vehicles and now the auto industry has the technology to go even further with saving consumers big money. The hybrid is reasonably priced when compared to other vehicles. They combine the best features of the internal combustion engine with an electric motor and can significantly improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance or driving range. Hybrids are the ultimate alternative fuel vehicles because their energy comes from the source fuels used to generate electricity. Hybrids are primarily propelled by an internal combustion engine, just like conventional vehicles. However, they also convert energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor. The electric motor is used to assist the engine when accelerating or hill climbing and in low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient. Some hybrids automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restart it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling. Unlike all electric vehicles, some hybrids on the market do not need to be plugged into an external source of electricity to be recharged. There are now many types of hybrids available, including SUV’s.

Some of the risk factors correlated to breast cancer have been well defined and are within our control to minimize. The basis for protecting yourself from breast cancer is to keep estrogen at a normal level in the body. One way to do this is to maintain a normal weight, or lose weight if you are overweight. Fatty tissue produces estrogen even after menopause.

Decrease dietary fats, sugars and processed food. Decrease or eliminate alcohol from your diet. Try to eat a high fiber diet, consisting of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetable and bean or organic soy protein. Again, these are to keep the estrogen level low.

Exercise also decreases estrogen. Women who have a regular workout routine not only feel better, but lower their risk factor for malignant breast tumors.

Avoid chemicals that are potential carcinogens. Most petroleum-based chemicals used today are estrogen analogs, which are suspected to cause breast cancer. Do not use pesticides, herbicides, and bug sprays or flea bombs. If possible buy organic produce because it is more nutritious, and organic foods will not have pesticides on them. The pesticides do not wash off with water, and again are suspected to play a role in raising the estrogen level.