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How to boost happiness and intelligence in child

How to boost happiness & intelligence in child?

As a parent are you trying to pacify and keep your child happy by buying toys and items that they want? Then realize you are only harming child’s growth. The more you shower them with toys and gifts to keep them happy, the chance of child growing unhappy is more. Moreover, when child is given too many toys (sometimes you see a room full of toys) it creates a lonely, unproductive world for the child. This tend to restrict child’s physical and mental development. During their development children must experience positive and happy environment. Parents should give them such experiences. When parents provide such experiences, not only child’s tantrum will go away, one can see positive behavioral change and a boost in children intelligence.

How to boost happiness and intelligence in child?

Plan a trip with children: Visiting various places at least once a year on long holidays helps children to understand the world. Visiting museums, zoo, national parks, heritage centers will help them to get experience of various culture, history and increases their knowledge. They will enjoy spending time with parents, and it becomes a memorable childhood experience for them. Traveling exposes children to new things. It also teaches them how the world works and introduces them to different lifestyle.
Camping trips: When you take children for camping, it teaches them to adopt to the world. They will enjoy sleeping in tent. It is good experience for them to be away from four walls and to be with nature. It makes them more adaptable to the surroundings. It gives them a fresh breath of air. It boosts their confidence and understanding about different types of life farms.
Outdoor and indoor games: Take children for games. As you discuss about your favorite team and expose them to various sports, they will develop curiosity in games, and they may even pick up an interesting sport as their hobby. Go for bowling, tennis, badminton, volleyball and often play with your child. You will also develop a good bond with child. As they grow children will appreciate your efforts.
Visiting animal sanctuary: Find out about nearby animal sanctuary and how the animals are rescued. Visiting sanctuary with children will help them to develop compassion and love towards animals. Interacting with animals helps child to interact with peers in healthy manner and boosts mood.
Visiting friends and families: Gathering or visiting friends or families will help children to get more socialize. They will know who their family are and what is family background. Parents long term friendship will help them to understand the importance of friendship and socializing.
Reading stories: Take children to book stores and library. Help them to select good story books. Have them read the books and let them tell you the story. Sometimes read stories either during bed time or at leisure. Book reading keeps child away from the screen and their imagination will grow. Encourage child to read and write. Buy good children books and have child to keep it safe. Looking at books is a memorable experience for children as it reminds them the quality time they spent with parents.

Instead of buying and showering children with constant gifts and electronic gadgets it is better to spend quality time with children. Parents involvement in children’s studies and activities will have greater academic success. Their social and emotional development will be much better when parents get to know and spend time with children.

Image credit: Image by Bessi from Pixabay

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 17, 2022

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Lotus health benefits and remedies

One of the most beautiful plant on earth is Lotus. Flowers are used in offerings as it is symbol of purity that arises from water. Lotus is perennial plant and there are many species of lotus that are used for medicinal purposes in different religions and traditions. Lotus petals, stem, seed and root – all provide many health benefits. Apart from medicinal benefits, lotus root is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine.

Lotus root which is a rhizome and the stem are source of different vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Iron, Potassium, Copper, Zinc and Thiamin. It also provides good dietary fiber and protein. Presence of these ingredients in lotus helps us to boost energy by strengthening our immune system.

It is good for blood circulation
Regulates blood pressure
Improves digestion
Improves heart health
Improves skin texture

Benefits of lotus roots, seeds, stems and petals:

Lotus root contains nutrients and antioxidants that helps to nourish nerves, moves bowel, removes blood stagnation and stops bleeding. It also helps to relieve diarrhea, nourishes skin and circulatory system.
Lotus root juice with ginger helps to reduce intestine inflammation. It reduces bleeding in stool and prevents it as well. Lotus juice helps to dispel pathogenic heat and relieves thirstiness.
Lotus root paste: Dry lotus root paste prepared in boiling water can be used as meal to control stool bleeding, diarrhea and digestive system problems.
Lotus root soup with white gourd – relives urinary bleeding. Lotus root has a taste that is somewhat like potato. It contains lesser amount of carbohydrate and more fiber. It can be a good nutrition source for people who have high blood sugar level.
Lotus roots known to contain pyridoxine compound. The pyridoxine content in lotus known to influence central nervous system positively. While the flower and leaves are symbol of peace and tranquility, the root that contains pyridoxine helps to reduce the stress, irritability, headache and anxiety.
Potassium is present in significant amount in lotus root – it helps to balance the blood pressure.
Lotus root can be used for hair wash with shikhakai – it helps to reduce the roughness of hair and increases strength and elasticity of brittle hair.
Reduces edema and water retention: Potassium content in lotus roots helps to bring balance in sodium and acts as diuretic. Thus, it prevents excess water retention in legs and body.
Lotus root tea helps to relief cough and mucus. It is a recommended remedy for respiratory problems.
Lotus seeds are helpful in controlling diarrhea. Soak lotus seeds in warm water for few hours, add rock sugar and consuming helps to bring the system back to normalcy
Lotus stem which contains vitamin C is a good ingredient in pickles and curries.
Lotus petals with green tea helps to control acne. Petal paste applied on acne, pimple, scars and marks and to enhance skin health.
Lotus acts as a moisturizing agent and prevents dehydration of skin. Both petals and stem are good remedy for dry and flaky skin.

Lotus stem and root known to reduce body inflammation. In Ayurveda leaf paste is recommended for treating skin inflammation and fever.
Good for weight loss: Presence of dietary fiber both in stem and root makes lotus a good ingredient for dieting. It keeps stomach full for longer time.
Lotus stem contains good amount of iron and helps to increase energy levels
Beautiful leaves of lotus are a good remedy for bleeding disorders, excessive sweating and fever.
Stem, root and seeds are known to enhance both male and female fertility. Lotus herbal preparation in Ayurveda is used for strengthening uterus and in preventing miscarriages.
Lotus seeds are sweet to taste – tea from lotus seeds acts as body coolant and they are aphrodisiacs!
Entire lotus plant parts preparations are used to strengthen brain, to improve sleep quality and is a remedy for insomnia.
Lotus seed oil is an ingredient for mental related problems, it activates crown chakra (Yogic benefit), helps to sleep better and is an ingredient in medicines to cure skin problems.

Precautions:

Lotus roots should not be consumed by pregnant women.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 16, 2022

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Tips to keep fleas away from pets

Fleas create problem not only for pets for owners too. Fleas are not good for pets and owner’s health. Fleas can cause itching, skin rashes, infections in both. When pets are infested with fleas, it can cause scratches, wounds, hair loss and infections – fleas transmit tapeworms and bacterial infections. There are different ways one can control and protect pets from fleas. Flea repellents will help. If you are looking for homemade flea repellents, then try these tips

Mix one part of white vinegar with ten parts of water. Transfer to a spray bottle and spritz on pets’ fur. Do not spray on pets’ sensitive parts – eyes, genitals and nose.
Boil two pieces of lemon or lime in one-liter water. Allow the mix to cool for couple of hours. Transfer the liquid into a spray bottle and spritz on pet. Do not spray on pets’ sensitive parts – eyes, genitals and nose.
Apple cider vinegar is also a good flea repellent. Mix two parts of apple cider vinegar with one part of water. Spray on pet’s coat and let it sink in. Alternatively, you can dip the pet comb in the mix and comb pet’s fur. Do not spray mix on your pets’ eyes and sensitive parts.
Neem oil is a good old traditional insect repellent. Dilute neem oil with olive oil or grape seed oil (1 part of neem oil to 10 parts of olive oil), apply it on tail, shoulders, head and flanks. Neem oil prevents not just fleas, other insects also.
Fleas like other insects lay egg on carpet, furniture, area rug etc. While vacuuming sprinkle salt on the area and let salt sit for few hours. Vacuum the room and rug. Repeat this few times or often or till you feel fleas are gone.
Around pet bed or where your pet sleeps (like doghouse) draw a thick line of salt around in circle. Salt keeps flea away and in case there are ants, ants will be kept away too!
Cedar chips, cedar block or cedar sawdust is good flea or insect repellent. Cedar odor is strong for fleas. You can keep cedar chips under pet’s bed or insert in pet’s pillow.
If you are familiar with brewer’s yeast, then apply on pet’s fur. Brewer’s yeast repels fleas. Your pet might be allergic to brewer’s yeast. If so, then do not use brewer’s yeast on pet.
Pet safe essential oils are available. Light application of citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, tree tea oil on the collar around the neck and even on leash or pet muffler will keep fleas away.
You can also light citronella oil candles around the room, that spreads the odor to keep fleas far away.
Diatomaceous earth is another natural powder which is an abrasive powder obtained from diatoms (algae). Just like salt, apply diatomaceous earth powder on surfaces and areas where your pet sits and sleeps. Vacuum the powder after two to three days.
Flea traps: Flea traps with on-off green light is helpful to trap fleas. Fleas respond to green light than other light wavelengths and using a glue board with green light traps fleas.

Take care of pet fleas’ problem. If your pet has hypersensitive skin, then it will need veterinary attention. If ignored, infestations can quickly spread with new eggs, larvae, pupae and new fleas.

Image credit: Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:

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Protect your vision from Presbyopia or Aging eye

As we reach age 40, we might start noticing a difference in our eye sight when we might have to hold small print farther away to read. Our ability to focus up close might get weaker day by day. This phenomenon which is natural happens to everyone as we grow old. This condition of eye is commonly known as presbyopia or aging eye. Presbyopia is Greek word for aging eye.

When our conditions are age related, we need to understand that the when the conditions take over our body or before the conditions sets in we must take care of body and keep it healthy as much as possible. In presbyopia which is related to eye, one might need to consider getting eyeglasses or lenses. Sometimes surgery can be the option.

Before going to surgery, the first step one need to consider is going for an eye exam with optometrist or ophthalmologist. An annual complete eye exam after age 35 helps to understand the signs of disease that changes vision. If there is a condition that like diabetes, one must consider seeing an eye specialist much sooner to avoid any risk. People who have high blood pressure and a family history of eye vision deterioration must also see eye doctor often to make sure eye vision is not getting worse.

Refraction is a natural phenomenon that occurs with light (bending of light as it passes through one object to another). In the eye where the cornea and lens bend or refract, the light rays that comes through the pupil that focus directly on retina at the back of the eye. The retina converts light into messages and sent through optic nerve to brain where images are interpreted. With age it becomes hard for eyes to precisely focus light onto retina and it focuses light behind retina and blurs eye vision. With presbyopia blur vision happens in addition muscle fiber within the eye weakness making it more difficult to focus on objects that are close.

After age 35, most of us face this condition. Apart from blurred vision, difficulty in reading – people will have headache and eye strain.

How to take care eye sight and presbyopia?

Eye examination: A painless procedure is dilation of eye followed by a thorough examination of retina for age related conditions. Examiner will ask us to read small print at a close distance to determine the degree of presbyopia and will suggest how to address the condition.

Eyeglasses: Reading glasses designed for close work are the common solution for presbyopia. Reading glasses or readers are available with varying strength in eye examination clinic, pharmacy or department stores. Before buying the reading glass, it is better to get eye examination done to understand the number or strength one might need for eye glass. If not any small difference can cause eye strain and headaches.

Bifocals: People who generally need eyeglasses can switch to bifocals with two different prescriptions – one lens separated by another with horizontal line. The top lenses corrects for distance vision, lower part for close vision.

Contact lenses: People who wear contact lens might need reading glass or can wear lens for distance vision in one of the eye and a lens for close vision in another eye (monovision).

Refractive surgery: Some people who do not want to depend on eyeglasses or contact lenses might choose surgery that involves reshaping of the cornea and to improve the presbyopia vision. LASIK is one the common laser surgery used to reshape cornea.

Taking care of eyes:

Consider eye exercise
Use slightly warm water to wash eyes in the morning
To reduce strain on eyes, get good sleep.
Stop smoking
Wear sunglasses when stepping out in hot Sun – choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100% UVA and UVB rays
Include vitamin A, C, leafy vegetables, antioxidant rich food in your diet.
Use safety eyewear while working in hazardous or airborne materials – both at work and home
Do not stare on mobile screen or computer screen for longer hours – it can cause trouble in focusing, eyestrain, blurry vision, headaches, neck and shoulder pain.
Use a comfortable chair and position your head properly when working with computer
Do not allow eyes to get dry – blink often and drink recommended amount of water
Rest eyes every 20 minutes and look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Visit your eye doctor once or twice a year or based on your eye condition. Eye examination helps to find diseases like glaucoma, presbyopia, macular degeneration. Either ophthalmologists or optometrists will help to treat eye conditions, suggest general eye care or suggest specific treatment that you might need to restore your vision.

Image credit: Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 15, 2022

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Lemon leaf bud chutney

To improve your taste buds after fever and sickness, homemade lemon young leaf (buds) chutney can be a cure. This is chutney helps to improve digestion and appetite.

Lemon leaves are highly aromatic and are beneficial. Lemon tree leaves (young) can be used for preparing tea, to wrap dessert and cheese (to get unique flavor).

If you have access to lemon tree, then try this good, traditional recipe to improve your taste bud and appetite.

Ingredients:

Lemon leaf buds – 1 cup
Grated coconut -1/4 cupo
Green chilli -2 or 3
Black pepper – ¼ tsp
Asafetida – Pinch
Salt – As per taste
Curry leaves – few
Mustard – ¼ tsp
Oil -3 tsp

Preparation:

Wash and dry lemon leaf buds
Place a frying pan on medium heat and add one tsp of oil. Add lemon leaf buds, fry till the color turns brown. Transfer fried leaf buds to a plate
Now dry fry grated coconut, green chilli, black pepper
Grind fried contents with salt. Do not add water. Grind the contents dry.
Get ready with seasoning on low heat. Add oil, mustard, curry leaves and asafetida. To the seasoning add grinded material and mix well till the chutney appears like semi powder.
Allow the chutney to cool. Transfer the dry chutney to air tight container and store in a cool place.
One can have this with rice porridge, oats, chapati, upma, idli or mix with hot rice.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 9, 2022

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Keep your baby germ free and safe

Little people while crawling inside house will stick their hands in germy, dirty things and put hands in mouth. It is natural for mothers to freak out and worry about child’s health. Well, germs are unavoidable. However, one keep germs away from children as much as possible. That means it is time to clean the house as clean as possible to reduce the surface germs where the child crawls, tries to hold things or touch objects in their way. Here are general tips to help keep a healthier home with a baby around.

Some of the items that children will come in contact everyday are listed below. These items generally carry germs on the surface. Make sure to clean the surface of these items as much as possible:

Remote control
Furniture
Phones
Doorknobs
Refrigerator handles
TV remotes
Toy storage bins
Light switches
Faucets
Dish washing machine surface
Dish towels
Toy baskets
Floors and carpets

Some general tips to clean baby’s surroundings are below:

1. Make sure you clean and disinfect: Living room things like furniture, TV remotes are place for children to play. While that remote control the baby just started playing with may look perfectly clean, it’s most likely teeming with germs that causes illness. And while you may be washing surfaces well with ordinary soap, those germs can still remain! Use proper cleaning surface like disinfectant wipes and clean the surface.

2. Clean as you go: With a new baby, time is of a premium. Make the most of every minute by spot cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day. Keep disinfectant wipes, cleaning cloths and hand sanitizer in rooms and where your child is unable to reach. So you can quickly clean and disinfect germy areas such as the changing table and diaper pail.

3. Keep floor and carpets clean: Babies who learn to crawl, sit and stand will use floors and carpet. Use vacuum cleaners to pick off the dust from the carpets, floor, hidden corners, etc. Mop the floor with floor cleaners and allow it to dry. Use baking soda while vacuuming and cleaning carpets.

4. Sanitize daily: Sanitize things that can be exposed to child. Use gentle sanitizers around babies, pets and food. Use sanitizers that does not have harsh chemicals or fumes so you can just spray and walk away.

You can make homemade cleaning products that are safe for children and the environment. Prepare a safe cleaner at home using: 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 cup distilled water, one-quarter cup hydrogen peroxide, six drops of tea tree oil and six drops of essential oil. Mix and pour this solution in a spray bottle and you have a great anti-bacterial spray that won’t hurt the baby.

5. Wash your hands frequently: When you come inside home, if you feel that you hands need a wash, don’t hesitate. Wash hands and pick up your child. This helps to avoid passing those germs on to your little bundle of joy. Using warm water and soap, scrub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds.

6. Home deodorizer and dusting: You should generally dust off the dirt from the curtains, shelves, etc. You could also use a wet cloth to remove dust off the shelves, tables, lights, etc. Removing dust often keeps away allergies from the baby.

7. Baking soda helps: You can clean baby toys with baking soda and water. Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer and use it to sprinkle on shoes.

8. Baby toys: White vinegar is the most useful product among different kinds of vinegar. White vinegar helps to clean baby toys and utensils like sippers or milk bottles.

9. Wiping baby’s hands or body: Baby wipes contain a mild antiseptic and are for use on skin. Disinfectant wipes may contain harsh chemicals and should not be used on skin. Always label each container. Use a permanent marker. Never mix cleaners. Keep all cleaners away from children.

Germs, dust all are part of growing life. Some illness happens for children. You cannot control children by restricting their activities. What is important is to make sure that cleaning the areas and keep practicing hygiene in everyday helps for children to learn and they follow the instructions as they grow and go to schools and other public places.

Source: www.werindia.com

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 6, 2022

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How to Get Optimal Benefit from Food Intake

Food should be our medicine and not the other way around. When we eat, we should feel healthy and not lethargic? Eating mindfully is very important to keep up good health. How to make sure that the food we eat every day is giving optimal benefit for our health?

Here are few suggestions to get maximum benefit from the food. These suggestions one can also see in Ayurveda the ancient medicine system.

Know your food and what you eat: Before eating anything, make sure you know something about the food that you are going to eat. You should be aware whether the food you are going to put in your mouth suits your health or not.
Eat in a pleasant mind: If you are angry, depressed and tensed, avoid eating food at that moment. Wait for your mood to improve. If you eat when your mind is stressed, your digestion system will not work properly, and you will end up sick. Your stomach itself like a mini brain and what you eat will have an impact on your digestion and other body system.
No desire to eat, then don’t eat: If you are not up to eating something that you don’t like, then don’t eat. You should have desire to eat the food that is offered. Sometimes you might have to give a try to taste new dishes, but if you don’t have desire to eat even if you are familiar with dish then don’t eat as you could end up in bloating, indigestion, vomiting.
Enjoy the taste of food: While eating eat slowly and taste the food. Try to find out through your taste buds what ingredients could be in the food. Enjoy the taste. Tasty food will increase happiness, digestion, nourishment of body, gives sense of satisfaction of feeding the body.
Practice to eat fresh and warm food: When food is warm and fresh it tastes better. Try eating food within an hour of cooking. Warm food will properly absorb, and digestion will be proper too.
Avoid reheating of food: Now a day’s modern kitchens are equipped with microwave and if the food gets cold, we will use microwave to reheat multiple times. We should not waste food either. If you are planning to reheat the food, then reheat once and eat. Reheating food multiple times takes away the nutrition and quality of the food.
Do not miss breakfast: Breakfast is important meal of the day. Do not miss breakfast as it helps brain function properly and keeps us energetic throughout the day.
Avoid eating multiple times: To avoid indigestion, inflammation, body ache, stop eating multiple times. Sometimes you might feel hungry and approach the food. The real reason could be your thirst, that might be making you eat too many times.
Lunch and dinner: Always your dinner should be lighter than lunch. Lunch can be heavy with proper nutrients. Have dinner three to four hours before you go to bed.
Seasonal selections: Buy the fruits and vegetables that are available in the season. Eating winter fruits or vegetables during summer is not good for health. Avoid cold and frozen food during cold season. During summer eat foods that are less spicy and have cooling effect on the body.
Know ingredients: Take some time know the ingredients that are in your prepared food. Some ingredients in combination makes food taste better and has good impact on health. Some ingredients your body may not able to handle at certain levels. There are ingredients that could be allergic. The ingredients in our kitchen cabinets work wonderfully on our health and are real medicines.
Check for contamination: To avoid food poisoning, check for any microbial growth on food surface. You may find mold and other fungus on fruits and vegetables. Or you might see slimy growth on a day-old food that you are about to eat. During summer if food is sitting outside then, next day make sure to check for growth of bacteria or fungus on the surface.
Eat with family: Always make time and eat together as a family. At least one meal of the day you should consider having with family as it brings positive effect on your eating habits.

Image credit: Image by Shirley Hirst from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 5, 2022

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Hepatitis – Understand the disease and act now

The world Hepatitis day is on July 28^th (WHO). The word Hepatitis is derived from Greek word “hepar” means Liver and “titis” means inflammation.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.

Do you know? The initial symptoms of hepatitis are like those of flu; fever, joint pain, fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, belly pain, a mild fever, or yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).

Other symptoms include: Dark urine, itchiness, mental state change, internal bleeding, light colored stool. Before visiting a country please check see the health caution/warning of the country and take extra care.

To read more about Hepatitis please visit: www.who.int

Image courtesy: www.who.int

https://pixnio.com/science/microscopy-images/hepatitis/digitally-colorized-transmission-electron-micrograph-revealed-the-presence-of-hepatitis-b-virions(CC by 0)

Hepatitis – One Name, Five unique types: Click here to know more