All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Baby powder tips

Different ways to use baby powder

Do you know you can use baby powder for various other purposes? Baby powder not only smells good, also is useful for various daily tasks. See yourself;

  1. Apply baby powder and wear gloves – It avoids slipperiness of the hands due to sweat
  2. Preventing ants – If you are worried about ants in kitchen and don’t want to use strong chemicals then apply baby powder – just sprinkle powder around ants
  3. For squeaky floor – Apply baby powder in between floorboards, this will reduce squeaking.
  4. Before threading or waxing – Apply baby powder before waxing or threading in places like upper lips to reduce pain.
  5. Remove stinky odor from shoes – Remove dampness and stinky odor together by pouring some baby powder inside shoes. Leave it for a day and check back
  6. To remove grease from cloths – Apply baby powder on greased cloth really well and brush of the left-over powder. Repeat and wash clothes.
  7. Apply on crystals and gems – If your crystals and gems in jewelry are greased, apply baby powder and leave it for a day or two. Use a dry cloth or cotton ball to remove powder.
  8. Prevent chafing – If you sweat while running or exercising – especially in hot summer- it might result in chafing. Apply baby powder to reduce chafing and pain.
  9. Deodorant – Instead of using regular deodorant use baby powder – this lasts longer and feels fresh
  10. For flower bulbs protection – Apply or sprinkle baby powder on flower bulbs – it protects bulbs from rotting.
  11. Removing mold from old books – First remove dampness from the old books and apply baby powder between pages. After a day, remove or dust of the powder and you will see fresh pages with fresh odor.
  12. After shave – For both men and women, it is a great after shave and keeps skin cool
  13. Keep drawer’s fresh – If your drawer and closet is misty, apply baby powder and leave it for a day or two. Later dust it off!
  14. Pet shampoo – Use baby powder to shampoo your pet – just apply and leave it in the fur for sometime. Later use a brush to brush it off. This gives fresh odor from pet.
  15. Apply between toes – If space between your toes are itchy apply baby powder and then wear socks.
  16. Summer sheets – Apply baby powder between sheets in the summer, it keeps night cool and reduces burning sensation on the back.

Image credit: www.WerIndia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 22, 2022
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Feeding pets

Safety tips to feed pets

Pets are great companions. Owning a pet is great responsibility. Feeding pets is fun and could be challenging for pet owners. If you are owning a pet, you must also know how to feed pets to avoid any mistakes in feeding. These mistakes may be in selecting food types, handling pet food, feeding pet and safety of your health as well as pets health. Health organizations often warn pet owners about contaminated food and how to discard them. It is essential for pet owners to be in aware of such news to protect pet and family’s health. How to handle pet food and protect family’s wellbeing?

Raw pet foods can make pets and people sick-

Feeding raw food to pets is not recommended by CDC as well as other Health organizations. Reason for this is; Dangerous germs like Salmonella and Listeria bacteria have been found in raw pet foods, even packaged ones sold in stores. These germs can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.

Moreover feeding raw food for pets is dangerous for pet owners too.

If you decide to feed your pet raw food

Wash your hands and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw pet food.

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water right after handling any raw pet food.
  2. Clean and disinfect all surfaces that the raw food touched, like countertops, microwaves, refrigerators and objects like knives, forks, and bowls.

Safely store and handle raw pet food.

  1. Freeze raw pet food until you are ready to use it.
  2. Keep raw pet food away from other food in your refrigerator or freezer.
  3. Don’t thaw frozen raw pet foods on a countertop or in a sink.
  4. Throw away any food your pet doesn’t eat.

Safely play with your pet after he or she eats.

  1. Don’t let your pet lick around your mouth and face after eating.
  2. If you do play with your pet after they have just eaten, wash your hands, and any other parts of your body they licked, with soap and water.
  3. Don’t let your pet lick any of your open wounds or areas with broken skin.

Tips to stay healthy while feeding your pet

  1. Always wash your hands with soap and water right after handling pet food or treats; this is the most important step to prevent illness.
  2. When possible, store pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children.
  3. Don’t use your pet’s feeding bowl to scoop food. Use a clean, dedicated scoop, spoon, or cup.
  4. Always follow any storage instructions on pet food bags or containers.

If you feed your pet reptile or amphibian frozen or live rodents

  1. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling frozen or live feeder rodents.
  2. Thaw frozen feeder rodents in a dedicated container out of the kitchen.
  3. Never feed wild rodents to your pet.

Dry and canned pet food

Dry and canned pet food also can be contaminated with germs. Before making any changes to your pet’s diet, talk with your veterinarian.

Children and pets

  1. Young children are at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths.
  2. Children younger than 5 years old should not touch or eat pet food, treats, or supplements.
  3. Adults should supervise young children when washing hands.

Resources:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Vaginal discharge in women

Causes for vaginal discharge, odor and treatment

In women vaginal discharge is normal. The fluid in mucus form helps to keep the area moist, clean and protects it from infection.

The discharge generally will be clear or white, sticky, wet and will not have strong or unpleasant odor. Sometimes the discharge can appear in color and its texture can change for reasons like:

  1. When by accidentally tampon is left behind and pushed sideways into back of cervix while inserting new tampon.
  2. If the person eats something the odor of which is strong and funky – eating garlic or strong spices can give the smell. This smell will go away by drinking enough water.
  3. Sextual intercourse – when two different fluids with different pH mixes up, it could end in giving strong odor. The smell will go away after shower or washing
  4. During menstrual period- The elevated pH of the blood can act on vaginal flora causing the strong odor. Odor will disappear once the period wraps up.
  5. Infection- Commonly known as B.V.- Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that occurs between the age group 14 to 44. When the flora increases, it results in change in pH of the area resulting in smell. 6. You have a yeast issue.
  6. Yeast infection – Yeast infections can cause odor with discharge. Medications can help to reduce the infection and odor.
  7. Trichomoniasis- is STD or Sexually transmitted disease that can cause strong odor, itchiness or irritation in vagina. Trichomoniasis can be cured with proper medication and it takes care of odor.
  8. Smoking – Smoking can result not only in bad breath, body as well as smell in vagina.

When the discharge in women changes its color, odor or texture it could be due to following types of infections.

  • Thick, white, cottage cheese like – Thrush or yeast infection
  • Fishy odor- Bacterial vaginosis
  • Green, yellow and type of frothy or foamy – Trichomoniasis -bacterial infection
  • Pelvic pain and bleeding – due to gonorrhea or chlamydia
  • Sores or blisters, pain and fever – Genital herpes

 When to see the doctor?

  • If the discharge is more than normal
  • If there is any itchiness and soreness
  • Bleeding with discharge
  • If the color, texture and smell changes in discharge
  • If there is any significant pain while urinating
  • If there is pain in pelvic area, thighs and lower abdomen

During pregnancy the discharge will be more, thin, white, milky with mild odor. However, during perimenopause and menopause, due to low level of estrogen discharge decreases. Estrogen level in women drops and results in very little or no vaginal discharge during:

  • Treatments that used for Infertility, endometriosis, fibroids and breast cancer
  • Radiation treatment
  • Chemotherapy
  • Surgical procedure to remove uterus and ovaries
  • Mental stress and depression
  • Excess and intense exercise

Some vaginal discharge is common in women. It can leave yellowish tint behind on underwear. Using proper panties with liners and to prevent irritation one can wash the area gently using water and emollient. One should not use deodorants, scented wipes, gels and soaps to remove the odor. However, if there are any above-mentioned symptoms are there, as a precaution better to contact doctor for further health checkup.

References:

https://www.unitypoint.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.healthline.com/

https://thehealthysteps.com/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 20, 2022
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Happiness and natural antibodies

How Working On Being Happy Promotes Natural Antibodies Production

Human body when is calm, happy and while relaxing will produce natural antibodies which means naturally, we can boost our immune system.  It also means that if our mental status is not agitated it can achieve good health. If we are calm, happy and anxiety free our system promotes growth of natural antibodies or autoantibodies.

Natural antibodies are present in all of us by birth even before our system is immunized and are first line of body’s defense mechanism. Adaptive antibodies are the ones that are produced in our body after vaccination. These natural antibodies decrease with age. Therefore, we take supplements and practice good diet.

Working on being happy promotes our health!

Our body starts giving up and invite illness when we are not mentally happy and feel stressed. This is also when body’s natural antibodies level goes down. We  can promote antibodies production by making changes in our lifestyle.  

  1. Stay active: As soon as we reduce physical and mental activity, boredom occupies and life feels dull. When we have an active lifestyle, there will be always something to look forward in life. It keeps us curious, we learn new things, explore new stuffs in life – such active lifestyle boosts immune system.
  2. Consume plant food: The natural antioxidants, Vitamin C, fibers that are present in plants reduces cell inflammation. Chronic inflammation results in heart conditions, causes dementia, Alzheimer’s, and certain cancer. Plant food is also soothing for mind and promotes our gut health. Our digestive system health is important for improving immunity.
  3. Reduce time on social media: We get all news on our fingertips and are addicted to watching news, serials, family drama, gossips etc. Sometimes the negative news that run for days could harm mental status. Instead, listen to music that brings happiness and calms the system.
  4. Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential for body. Sleep means rest. While we get enough sleep, body recovers from the stress, strain, and anxiety. Good sleep helps to boost immune system which means more natural antibodies will develop in the system. Lack of sleep causes physical and mental illness as the body does not get rest.
  5. Practicing yoga: Yoga practicing daily for an hour will help to reconnect body with mind. It improves brain function, improves sleep, blood pressure and gives sense of satisfaction because after your practice you will notice positive changes in mind as well as in body . The outcome of yoga practice will encourage you and makes you feel good.
  6. Try to be happy: Have you ever noticed that people who are happy and calm not complain about their health? It is because, happiness fuels the immune system, it produces antibodies that are always ready take care of foreign invaders of body. Unhappiness means, you are inviting illness with open arms. Find your happiness sources  like spending time with family, friends, reading, talking etc.
  7. Learn to release the stress: Relieving stress is critical for health. Because long term stress harms body by causing imbalance in immune system. It suppresses immune response. Being mindful and practicing holistic living could help to boost antibody production and thus promotes good health.

Promoting natural antibody production is key for fighting illness. If body produces antibodies naturally then we will have enough strength to fight harmful germs like Covid-19. While practicing social distancing, hygiene, wearing masks we can also concentrate on implementing healthy lifestyle to boost the immune system that gives us enough strength to fight not just Covid, also all other types of diseases.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/766848 (cc by 0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 19, 2022
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Beetroot raisin juice

Promote Liver Health and rejuvenate with this Healthy Juice

Beetroot is good lowering blood pressure, to treat anemia, to promote healthy heart and helps immune system. Raisin is good for liver and good for metabolism. The combination of these two ingredients promotes liver health, rejuvenates skin, prevents hair thinning in addition promotes kidney health. Moreover, this juice is refreshing and tastes delicious.

With just three simple ingredients you can get multiple health benefits. Try this recipe to feel rejuvenated.

Beetroot – raisin juice recipe

Ingredients:

  1. Beetroot – Medium sized 2
  2. Raisin – 1 cup
  3. Water – 500 ml

Preparation:

  1. Wash beetroot and peel the skin
  2. Cut beetroot to small pieces
  3. Transfer cut beetroot pieces to water and bring it to boil on medium heat
  4. Add raisin and continue boiling for few mins and turn off the heat
  5. After cooling, Transfer the content to a blender and blend nicely
  6. Strain the content and collect the juice.
  7. Transfer the juice in a vessel and keep in refrigerator.
  8. Drink half to one glass the juice for better health

Image credit: Juice: Photographer rn 1729 – (pixahive.com) ; Raisin: Image by เสาวภา ลื่นลม from Pixabay; Beetroot  Image by Tracy Lundgren from Pixabay (All 3 images Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 12, 2022
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Overcoming Anxiety

How to overcome daily anxiety without drugs?

Small things to big things can bring worries in life and can result in anxiety. Things may remain tense for longtime in our system due to anxiety. We all go through anxiety in our lives for various reasons. For some people anxiety is becomes part of their life as they do not know how to get help or they may not able to express why and for what reasons their system is disturbed.

The anxiety can interfere significantly with daily routines, job performance, social life and making it difficult to complete school, interview and get a job, and have friendships and relationships.

General symptoms of anxiety attacks are:

  • You feel unusually panicky, scared and uneasy
  • Your heart beat may increase
  • You tend to get uncontrolled, obsessive thoughts of past traumatic experiences
  • You wake up from frequent nightmares
  • You tend to wash your hands repeatedly.
  • Problems in sleeping
  • Hands and feet unusually sweaty
  • You get frequent palpitations
  • Urge to go to urination frequently
  • Feeling thirsty a lot with dryness in mouth and throat associated with fear and panic
  • The feeling of -what if I cannot do this or what people thinks about me or what if I am a failure
  • Feeling of embarrassed in public

Increased work pressure, choice of lifestyles, bad relationships and mental tensions could lead to stress and anxiety. Depending on drugs can be harmful for the body, especially one need to be careful  of getting into addiction. There are so many medications available in the modern medicine system to come out of anxiety temporarily. Instead of getting addicted to medicines try to come out of anxiety naturally with help of ancient techniques that involves yoga.

TRY these techniques and you will start appreciating yourself:

Do you know regular yoga helped many in recovery from anxiety attack? It is scientifically proven that  practicing yoga, breathing and meditation can help to stay relaxed and calm in day to day life. Pranayama, yoga asanas and meditation – all three in sequences can reduce the stress and anxiety. To gain new strength and to develop positive attitude in life ancient yoga helps.

Yoga asanas to reduce anxiety:

Following yoga postures helps in releasing “good” hormones that gives relaxation for our mind and gives energy to our body.

  1.  Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
  2. Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
  3. Janu Shirsasana (One-Legged Forward Bend)
  4. Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose)
  5. Marjariasana (Cat Stretch)
  6. Paschimottanasana (Two-Legged Forward Bend)
  7. Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend)
  8. Adhomukha Shwanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
  9. Shirshasana (Headstand)
  10. Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Practicing Pranayama breath helps mind to move away from the negative thoughts that breed anxiety.

1. Nadi shodhan pranayama or alternate nostril breathing – releases stress from system

2. Kapal Bhati Pranayama -Skull-Shining Breathing – removes nervousness. Kapalabhati pranayam is a perfect breathing exercise for curing nerves weakness problem. With this pranayam almost all nerves in your body will be energized and gets stable. This breathing technique helps in insomnia condition too!

3. Bhastrika Pranayama – Breath of fire- Our heart and head get adequate quantity of fresh and pure air by which our health will improve

4. Bhramari Pranayama – Bee breath – The humming sound during this breathing practice helps in reducing the migraine headache and also builds confidence. It helps in instant relief of tension and anxiety!

Meditation helps too!

Meditation brings down the anxiety by reducing the heart beat. In other words it stabilizes the heart beat. Those tensed muscles of our system get relief when we meditate. To bring back stress hormonal level meditation is one of the best solutions. Practicing meditation two times a day – morning and evening helps in getting good night sleep and anxiety free mind.

Also read what are  grandma’s natural remedies for anxiety? CLICK BELOW

Anxiety Remedy

.

Reference: https://healthylife.werindia.com/online-grandma/grandma-remedies/grandmas-remedies-anxiety

Image credit: Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Image credit: Front image: Overcoming Anxiety (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Grow plants to fight depression

Growing Plants Can Help to Fight Depression

House plants are not just for decorations. They are good companions and can help you fight depression and anxiety. Growing plants is easy. If you take care of plants, they reciprocate your care and affection by growing luxuriously and provide soothing effect.

Whether you are a celebrity or a common person, the pressure of outside world, competition and keeping up with lifestyle, loneliness, financial and family issues etc can be reasons for depression. For many it could be hereditary too. Often negative thoughts hits people who are suffering from such issues.

We often see people who are socially isolated, suffer from health issues. There are different ways to overcome and find cure for mental illness such as depression and anxiety. Being around nature is a good idea and something as simple as owning and taking care of plants can help to reduce depression.

Growing plants has many psychological benefits.

  1. Improves mood: When we humans surrounded by nature and plants in plenty, we feel optimistic. We feel calmer and flow of positive energy inside us when we spend time in garden or farm. Reason for this is, flowers, fragrance and greenery evoke positive emotions. This is one of the reasons, when you give flower bouquet it brings happier and brighter mood in person who receives it.
  2. Relieves stress: Stress and anxiety will have big negative impact on our health. While looking at seed germinating into a beautiful plant, rose plant that you planted flowering or growing a sapling to a tree will give peaceful mind. It is an activity that is free of conflict. Growing plants or taking care of plants makes a person to live in present and not worry what happens in future. It releases and relieves stress and anxiety. Gardening whether indoor or outdoor decreases cortisol levels.
  3. Builds and boosts self-esteem: Teens and young adults who have low self-esteem because of comparison, peer pressure and spending time on social media for various reasons often suffer from depression. Connecting them to nature will certainly helps them to bring back their self-esteem. Observing plant transformation gives them an understanding and experience of nurturing, care and love. It gives a sense of worth when they see the yield in the form of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Young children especially get benefit from spending time with plants. It not only boosts their self-esteem, it grows their love towards nature.
  4. Reduces ADHD: Impact of plants on children and young adults helps to cope up with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Teaching such children in greenery settings have calming effect on child and brings the hidden talent as well as reduces anxiety. In fact, traditional way of teaching what was known as Gurukulam settings in India was under tree or greenery. Being with plants and taking care of plants used to be part of curriculum in Gurukulam. Introducing students and children of all age group to plants is one of the best way that helps them to stay calm, helps to learn and brings the best out of them.

There are many plants one can grow either in indoor or outside in garden. If you have space for gardening, you can select those plants that are suitable for the weather conditions where you live. For indoor plants select small, medium sized potted plants. You can also learn bonsai, the art of creating miniature plants that survive in indoors for many years. Growing plants that gives fragrant flowers, medicinal plants, herbs for kitchen or kitchen garden, vegetable garden etc will help to cope up with mental issues such as depression. Until you give it a try, you will not know how wonderful is the plant world is!!

Image credit: Image by J Garget from Pixabay 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 9, 2022
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Kids snacks for evening

Healthy evening snacks for kids

As summer is approaching, kids look forward to eat something yummy during evening hours. Prepare healthy evening snacks that kids love.

1. Easy Ants on A Log Recipe

A. Raisins log

Ingredient: Celery 2 inch pieces, peanut butter, raisins
How to prepare: Spread peanut butter on recessed side of celery. Place raisins on top of peanut butter as shows in image.

B. Cherry tomato log
Ingredients: Celery 2 inch pieces, guacamole, small cherry tomatoes
How to prepare: Spread guacamole on recessed side of celery. Place cherry tomatoes on top of guacamole

C. Hummus log
Ingredients: Celery 2 inch pieces, hummus, nuts/cheese/fruit pieces
How to prepare: Spread hummus on recessed side of celery, place nuts/cheese/fruit pieces on top of hummus

2. Salads:

Healthy salads for kids

A. Pasta with baby spinach:
Ingredients: Pasta, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, parmesan, grape tomatoes (halved), baby spinach
How to prepare?
Cook pasta with salt. Drain water. In a mixing bowl place cut onion and garlic. Add olive oil. Add pasta and toss. Now add baby spinach and tomatoes, mix using a spatula and add salt and pepper. At the end sprinkle some parmesan that kids like

B. Veggie pasta with veggies
Ingredients: Veggie pasta, sliced cucumbers, paneer mixed beans, black olives, salt, olive oil, black pepper, lime juice
How to prepare?
Cook pasta with salt, drain and rinse using cold water. In a large bowl place tofu, add olive oil and mix. Now add cooked veggie pasta, salt, pepper and lime juice (1 tsp). Toss and mix well.

C. Fruit salad:
Ingredients: 2 small oranges, 1 dragon fruit, pineapple chopped, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwis, pomegranate seeds, lime juice, honey, feta cheese and salt
How to prepare?
In a cup whisk honey, lime juice and salt. Keep aside. Peel oranges and cut other fruits to bite sizes – amount you decide. Place all cut fruits in a medium size bowl and add the honey lime juice mix. Mix fruits with honey mix. Add feta cheese over the top. Serve to kids.

Bread sandwich for kids

3. Bread snacks

A. Capsicum corn cheese toast
Ingredients: Bread slices, onion, capsicum, corn tomato ketchup, butter, cheese
How to prepare?
Apply butter on bread slices on one side. In a bowl mix finely chopped onion, corn and capsicum. Mix and apply this on bread slices. Now add big dollops of tomato ketchup on top of vegetables followed by grated cheese. In a pan or grill place the bread slices on medium heat. Once the cheese melts remove the bread and cut the slices diagonally into two.

B. Bread pizza:
Ingredients: Bread slices, onion, capsicum, black olives, feta or mozzarella cheese, corn kernels, pizza sauce, salt, chilli flakes (if kids like)
How to prepare?
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a aluminum foil. Place the bread slice on aluminum foil and toast them on both side by flipping the slices. Now apply pizza sauce and top it using all other ingredients. After place cheese bake the bread slices for another ten minutes to get a crispy pizza bread.

C. Bread sandwich rollups:
Ingredients: Wheat or white bread, cheese slices, fruit jam, shredded carrot and green chutney
How to prepare:
Using scissors cut sides of the bread to remove crust. Using a roller without much pressure roll the bread slices once to make it thin sheet. Now, apply fruit jam on flattened bread slice and roll. On next flattened slice apply green chutney, grated carrot and cheese. Roll the bread slice tightly. You can prepare varieties of bread rolls using all ingredients separate or mix and match and prepare combination of rolls.

Image credit: Pintrest, Twitter, Kids corner & Moms

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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