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.
Are you drinking alcohol in front of your kid

Are you drinking alcohol in front of your child

Parents please take a note!

Is it OK to drink and intoxicated in front of your children?

Parents must decide their own attitudes and values about not only drinking alcohol, also about drinking in front of children.

Setting a good example and being a role model to your own children is not that easy.

Once you are a parent the responsibility of parenting also includes teaching values, attitudes and behavior not only at home also in public.

If you think you are drinking and not getting intoxicated (red wine once or twice a week) and it is okay to drink in front of children then reconsider your thinking process.

What happens when parents drink in front of children?

  • Never get intoxicated in front of your child. Remember – children will watch you all the time and learn from your behavior.
  • After you come back from work if you start drinking, it sets a bad example. Child will start thinking “earning is stressful, job is stressful” and they believe – to unwind the stress alcohol is a mean of stress relief.
  • Children will also get the feeling that drinking as a means of relating to others or to pass time.
  • If you drink in front of child, kids might get anxious about your behavior and feel worried about parents. Seeing a parent drunk make children feel worried, less comforted.
  • They will stop approaching parents for any problems.
  • It will be hard for children to accept parents as role model if they observe negative effect of intoxication. Relationship will drift apart.
  • Research studies on parent drinking reveled that nearly one in five children felt embarrassed by their parents drinking habit. Children understand more about parents drinking – why and what could be the reasons. Whether the reason is big or small, they feel the changes in parent’s behavior and it can be alarming for them.

As a parent, we should understand that our behavior has an enormous influence on young adults. This is when kids copy their parents and try new things. Talk to your child about bad effect of getting intoxicated.

Use common sense when you are around your children!

  • In case if you drink in front of your child, due to your culture – please keep it in moderation. This way children are more likely to grow up to drink in moderation as well in the future. Have an honest discussion with children about alcohol and its effect – binge drinking and how to drink responsibly. Explain different strength of various types of alcohol and consequences of drinking. Set the ground rules for drinking at home and no drinking policy for children.
  • To make child understand what is responsible drinking is, drink within the low risk alcohol unit guidelines which is 14 units per week and spreading it to 3 or more days a week
  • Children will notice your behavioral patterns on different occasions when you drink. Instead of confusing them with your behavior stick to the lower risk unit guidelines.

The choice of drinking or not drinking is up to the parents. However, parents might want to have a better thinking about the kind of humans you want your kids to become.

Reference:

  • http://sobercollege.com/
  • https://www.thesun.co.uk/
  • Image credit: Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Image credit: Photo by cottonbro from Pexels (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 28, 2021
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Peanut butter oats laddu

Protein Rich Peanut Butter Oats Laddu

Kids need protein for their growth and for energy. Peanut butter laddu with varieties of ingredients is a delicious snack parents can prepare at home and send with lunch box. Kids will enjoy snacking on this delicious laddu as it also contains chocolate chips and has good flavor.

Preparation time – 15 mins

Ingredients

  1. Peanut butter – 1 cup
  2. Rolled oats – 1 cup
  3. Copra or shredded dry coconut -1/2 cup
  4. Raisin- ¼ cup
  5. Chocolate chips -1/3 cup (optional)
  6. Almond slices – 2 Tbsp
  7. Vanilla extract – 1-2 tsp
  8. Powdered jaggery – 3 Tbsp
  9. Seasme seeds – 1 Tbsp

Preparation:

  1. Add all ingredients except shredded coconut in a bowl and mix well
  2. Prepare small laddo (balls)
  3. Roll laddo on shredded coconut
  4. Refrigerate the laddo to get firm, solid balls.
  5. Store in air-tight container. Storing in refrigerator will keep laddu fresh for many days.

Image curtesy: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/854698835515851694/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 27, 2021
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Booster shot

All You Need To Know About Covid-19 Booster Dose

Covid -19 vaccine booster dose is, an additional dose of vaccine that is needed to boost the immunity of those whose immunity is compromised. Getting booster shot will give better protection for those who are vulnerable to disease and helps to achieve the immunity. Many vaccines have booster shots (like mumps, rubella, measles etc.).

People whose immune system is compromised and weak are more vulnerable for covid and if they get sick it could prolong the illness. In order to prevent this, the FDA has authorized a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for certain immunocompromised individuals.

This week FDA has granted full approval for Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 Vaccine. Many countries are already started giving booster shots or preparing to give booster shots. (*If you does not live in USA, check your country’s health organization recommendations regarding booster dose)

Center For Disease Control CDC has answered several questions related to booster dose.

When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?

Not immediately. The goal is for people to start receiving a COVID-19 booster shot beginning in the fall, with individuals being eligible starting 8 months after they received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). This is subject to authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). FDA is conducting an independent evaluation to determine the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the mRNA vaccines. ACIP will decide whether to issue a booster dose recommendation based on a thorough review of the evidence.

Who will be the first people to get a booster dose?

If FDA authorizes and ACIP recommends a booster dose, the goal is for the first people eligible for a booster dose to be those who were the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (those who are most at risk). This includes healthcare providers, residents of long-term care facilities, and other older adults.

Why is the United States waiting to start offering COVID-19 vaccine boosters?

The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. However, COVID-19 constantly evolves. Experts are looking at all available data to understand how well the vaccines are working, including how new variants, like Delta, affect vaccine effectiveness. If FDA authorizes and ACIP recommends it, the goal is for people to start receiving a COVID-19 booster shot this fall. 

Will people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine need a booster shot?

It is likely that people who received a J&J COVID-19 vaccine will need a booster dose. Because the J&J/Janssen vaccine wasn’t given in the United States until 70 days after the first mRNA vaccine doses (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), the data needed to make this decision aren’t available yet. These data are expected in the coming weeks. With those data in hand, CDC will keep the public informed with a timely plan for J&J/Janssen booster shots.

Can people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine get a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine?

No, there aren’t enough data currently to support mRNA vaccine booster dose (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) if someone has gotten a J&J/Janssen vaccine. People who got the J&J/Janssen vaccine will likely need a booster dose, and more data are expected in the coming weeks. With those data in hand, CDC will keep the public informed with a timely plan for J&J/Janssen booster shots.

If we need a booster dose, does that mean that the vaccines aren’t working?

No. COVID-19 vaccines are working very well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. However, with the Delta variant, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. For that reason, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for a booster shot so vaccinated people maintain protection over the coming months.

What’s the difference between a booster dose and an additional dose?

Sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination. When this happens, getting another dose of the vaccine can sometimes help them build more protection against the disease. This appears to be the case for some immunocompromised people and COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommends moderately to severely immunocompromised people consider receiving an additional (third) dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.

In contrast, a “booster dose” refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time (this is called waning immunity). HHS has developed a plan to begin offering COVID-19 booster shots to people this fall. Implementation of the plan is subject to FDA’s authorization and ACIP’s recommendation.

For more knowledge regarding booster shot please visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.politico.eu/article/vaccine-booster-coronavirus-covid-19-europe-delta-varian-who/

Image credit: Image by pearson0612 from Pixabay  (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Christmas celebration tips

Christmas celebration tips

This Christmas enjoy celebration with these preparation tips.

  1. Don’t try to be perfect: Don’t plan on having a very perfect Christmas party. See your budget and what you can afford. Decide early on guest list and how many of them really you want to be part of your party and if the number fits your budget then invite them.
  2. Is bigger the better? Answer is no. You don’t need to show off. Buy items if you only need. Look in your storage and you might find good stuffs for decoration.
  3. Read directions, absorb and clarify steps and then experiment it: When you are preparing a new recipe you should follow this rule. If not, you might end up in a mess. In fact, for couple of times when you prepare recipe you must read directions, absorb and then experiment it.
  4. Do not rush: Don’t be in a hurry to finish the cooking. While rushing you might forget to add ingredients or can skip steps. It might ruin your recipe that you were waiting to try for.
  5. Preparation: If you are planning on inviting people over for party, plan well ahead with list. What dishes you are cooking, what ingredients you need and what your guests might like – you should have all these in hand.
  6. Measurements: Learn to measure ingredients and the total quantity of the food that you need to prepare. If you understand how to measure the quantity of ingredients, then it will be easy to follow steps. For solid ingredients use spoon and level. For liquid use clear glass or plastic measuring pitcher
  7. Kitchen devices: Make sure all your cooking devices are in working condition and are working. Check your tools and if something is not working have an alternate. This way you won’t be having a panic attack
  8. Vegetables and fruits: Cut those vegetables previous night that you going to cook. If you cut salad vegetables, store them in refrigerator. Cut fruits on the day of your Christmas party.
  9. Baking: This is your first-time baking? Then if you are planning on baking, try something that easy to make and don’t take much of your time. If you are trying something bit complex get advice from experts who knows how to bake.
  10. Keep chips and dips: Always keep chips and dips handy. This will be helpful in case some dish does not come out properly.
  11. Snacks & cookies: Keep varieties of snacks and cookies ready. When guests arrive offer them good drinks, snacks and cookies. This way, in case dinner runs little late they are bit filled.
  12. Pick fewer dishes to prepare: You don’t need to show your cooking skills by preparing 15 different dishes. Instead, stick to 4 or 5 your specialties and prepare them in large batches.
  13. Dessert: If you don’t know how to prepare dessert, get ice cream or pie or cake from store. These items will fulfill need of a dessert.
  14. Don’t forget your daily rituals: You must feel comfortable and not out place in your own home. Go through your daily routine at home. Our everyday tasks can help us stay calm and focused.
  15. Be prepared for last minute guest: You never know. Someone may drop in for the party. So, cook bit of extra dishes – those dishes that does not spoil in a day or two.
  16. Dinner plates and serving: One or two days before taking little time to check your dinner wears. If you need fresh ones then you can tap into your extra dinner sets. Before placing for dinner warm them in microwave.

Holidays and parties are to enjoy. Don’t get stressed. Learn to relax and enjoy the break. You work hard and you deserve to have fun.

www.healthylife.werindia.com: Grandma’s tips

Image credit; Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 24, 2021
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A Real Christmas Tree and Health Benefit

A Real Christmas Tree and Health Benefit

Have you ever wondered why we keep live Christmas trees during holidays and what benefit we get from selecting the particular species of plants?

The first written record of a decorated Christmas tree comes from Riga, Latvia in the year 1510. Rose was used for many years as Christmas tree as it is considered a symbol for the Virgin Mary. In the later centuries apple trees were decorated as Christmas trees. In 1800s ever Germans introduced green Christmas trees to USA.  In recent years vendors sell nearly 20-30 million Christmas trees during Christmas month. The evergreen tree was an ancient symbol of life in the midst of winter.

Following types of Christmas trees are used for decoration. Each one of them have different species under their belt and have health benefits! They smell good every time when we pass through or walk through them.

  • Fir Trees
  • Pine Trees
  • Spruce Trees
  • Cypress Trees
  • Cedar Trees

Health benefits of Christmas trees:       

1) Pine bark has several health benefits. It’s extract lowers glucose levels, improves diabetic symptom, helps in preventing hearing loss and body balance, reduces Peseudomonas infections, helps is reducing UV light effect on the skin! Pine also has antioxidants such as flavonols and bioflavonoids that fight inflammation.

2) Pine contains pycnogenol Pycnogenol — which has been used as a jet lag remedy—has also been studied for its ability to ease circulatory problems, knee pain, and menstrual cramps; it may even improve memory in the elderly. It is also available as a dietary supplement.

3) Vitamin C : The story of pine tea and vitamin C discovery goes back about 500 years ago. Infact, native Canadians were aware of the importance of Pine tea. A French explorer namely, Jacques Cartier’s ship got stuck in the ice near Quebec. He and his crew faced certain death from scurvy (a vitamin C deficiency) until a tribal chieftain named Donacona brewed the sailors pine tea. It saved their lives and their explorations continued. Later, in the 1940s, a French researcher named Jacques Masquelier discovered that pine bark and needles contain vitamin C.

4) Reduce stress: Christmas trees reduces stress. Spruce trees improves the moods and releases stress. Adding spruce oil, balsam fir oil and scotch oils to candles and other diffusers has positive effect on mind and prevents mental illness.  Traditional aromatherapy recommends these foresty evergreen oils for soothing bumpy emotions and easing stress. Simply shake a few drops on your pillow or even onto a tissue. Breathe in deeply and slowly, relax, and visualize walking through a piney glade. (You can find pine essential oils at health-food stores.)

In Japan, going for a therapeutic walk in the woods is known as shinrin-yoku, which means “taking in the atmosphere of the forest.” This practice has recently been studied for its ability to ease stress.

5) Cure bronchitis and cough: Did you know that oil produced from pine trees can relieve cough and sinus? Inhaling fumes from the oil that dripped from the hot water helps to relieve the congestion!

6) Oil produced from the distillation of pine trees can relieve cough and sinus. You do this by inhaling fumes from the oil that dripped first in hot water.

7) Pain reliever: Pine oil also helps to reduce the body pain and ache. Add five drops of pine oil (P. pinaster) to two tablespoons of vegetable oil and use it to massage away muscle aches and pains. (Remember:  Pinus sylvestris is the one pine we should avoid as it can cause skin irritation).

8) Pine, Douglas fir, Norway spruce – these are most fragrant trees. The aroma spreads in the house helps to lift up the spirits and cleans the air.  Live pine tree also has the ability to protect against sinus infections, clear mucus, phlegm, cure skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, boost the immune system, fight fungal, and viral infections, stimulate the mind and body.  Whereas, the cedar trees has earthy aroma and is very soothing.  It’s aroma helps to clear nerve tension, anxiety and has been in use for ADHD. It helps in hypertension and insomnia. The fumes from the cedar releases congestion, reduced bronchitis. It also repels moths, fleas and mosquitoes and other types of flies and insects.

The replacement of real Christmas trees with plastic ones has become a practice. People think this is good for environment as real trees will be saved. In a way this is true. However, the plastic trees are made of polyvinylcholide is not good either. It can cause more harm as people tend to discard them after one or two years as they lose charm. US produces millions of acres of Christmas trees and is earth friendly when disposed as they are biodegradable.

If you understand the benefits of having a real Christmas tree for a month or two at home then go for it and make sure to discard them in a proper way.

References:

  • https://draxe.com/
  • http://www.realchristmastrees.org/
  • http://www.history.com/topics/christmas
  • Image credit: Image by Jörg Vieli from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Include buddies in workout

Include buddies in your weight loss program

When you try to diet to lose weight or to get into shape suddenly you will hear voices “why diet” “you are in good shape” “don’t you miss cake” or a sarcastic smile!

Some voices are concerned may be from parents and some who try to sabotage your diet knowingly for no reasons. How to start and stick to your plans till you reach your goal?

Answer is: Diet with your siblings or friends

One thing that bonds us all together is “food”. Eating together means exchanging ideas, planning, laugh and getting to know each other better.

If you feel that everyone is putting pressure on you and sabotaging your diet plan then involve them in your diet.

According to American Psychological Association, when you want to shed pounds have a social network and share tips on diets and exercise together. It will help to lose weight steadily.

How you can involve in your weight loss program?

  1. Encourage others: Tell your friends, sisters how dieting and losing weight will give you confidence and how their participation is much appreciated and motivates you.
  2. Involve them in diet plan: Sit together and sketch your diet plan. Get their inputs. Do search, and have few recommended dieting programs. Discuss and sketch together.
  3. Have points: Have every day, every week weight loss goals. For every pound/pounds weight loss give certain points. Whoever loses weight (strictly by following the diet not by starving) will get points and additional points for extra pound loss.
  4. Treat for everyone: If you all exceed your goals by following diet plans, take a small break and have a good treat with everyone who participated in diet program. This brings smile and positivity to work together. Get back to your diet after small treat.
  5. Plan on interesting activities with healthy meals: Go for hiking, camping, dinner and a movie with healthy snacks and meals.
  6. Cook together: Discuss about good interesting recipes and calories. Plan meals together and cook healthy, nutrient meals together.
  7. Fitness Apps: Having shared fitness Apps helps to lose weight. It encourages others to complete daily goals.
  8. Set weight loss challenge: It takes two to six months’ time for buddies to lose noticeable weight loss. Set a goal for each week – 1 to 2 pounds. Measure body fat percentage during your challenge. Losing body fat is recommended way to lose weight.
  9. Exchange views: If you are succeeding and your diet partner is not, talk to them and be honest about your diet. This will help them get back to track and keeps them motivated.
  10. Workout together: To make it fun, go for fitness classes together, workout together. Select a personal trainer and enroll for strength training. Some classes are more fun – Zumba, yoga, Pilates, spinning, body works classes motivates as working together is always fun.
  11. Mini events: Get together once a while as wells as at the end of diet program. Meeting periodically during diet program help maintain interest and positive to reach goal. Yoga in farm or park, healthy lunch pot-luck, walkathon, 5K runs or walk – followed by healthy snack helps all motivated including yourself. Get others inputs too for mini events planning.

If your group is more than 4-5 people, then establish a challenge contest guideline. Create a detailed parameter, dates, measurement plan, diet program, activities and banned activities (such as starving, taking weight loss supplements), points and prizes if any.

Working and dieting together helps to keep motivated to reach fitness goal. It is always hard to make changes in lifestyle especially when we are surrounded by dear ones who might discourage us in different ways. Willpower, having like- minded people with us, friends and siblings’ participation to take part in our diet program gives support and strength to reach our goal.

Image source: Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 23, 2021
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Kadha for strong immunity

Kadha recipe, Ayurvedic liquid to help throat and boost immunity

To build immunity and to boost immunity apart from regular exercises, we should focus on our food intake. There are several herbs that help us to boost immunity because of their unique ingredients or phytochemicals.

Kadha is traditional Ayurvedic herbal preparation that helps us to fight microbes. Ingredients of kadha might vary but most of them will  have herbs that are infused to bind together to form a strong liquid that fights against infectious diseases in our body. Here is a recipe of Kadha ingredients of which provide several medicinal benefits to fight Covid-19 kind of infectious disease.

Tulsi leaves: Also known as Holy basil helps to reduce phlegm, mucus in the body. It boost immune system to fight against microbial invaders.

Ginger: Reduces inflammation and has anti-viral/ anti-microbial properties. It is always recommended for cough and cold.

Black pepper: Reduces inflammation, soothes system and exhibits  anti-microbial property, and helps in curing cold and cough.

Cloves: Cloves have antiseptic properties. It has highest oxygen carrying capacity or ORAC number. ORAC number of ground cloves is 314446 units per 100 gram! Hence it helps to prevent cough and cold.

Turmeric: We all know that turmeric has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. It helps to rejuvenate cells and clears the phlegm.

Honey: one of the strong medicine gifted by nature to fight against microbes. It is a good remedy for cold and cough.

How to prepare kadha?

Ingredients:

  1. Water: 2 cups
  2. Ginger: One inch, crushed or grated (or ginger powder)
  3. Cloves: 4-5
  4. Black Pepper: 5-6 crushed or ½ tsp
  5. Holy Basil Tulsi : 5-6 leaves
  6. Turmeric: ¼ tsp
  7. Honey: 1 tsp
  8. Cinanmon sticks: one inch two pieces

Preparation of kadha:

  1. Boil water in a vessel
  2. Together crush ginger, black peeper, cinnamon, cloves in a mortar.
  3. Add all crushed ingredients and turmeric into boiling water followed by Tulsi leaves. Let the contents boil for 10 minutes or till the water reduces to half by boiling. You will get concentrated liquid.
  4. Strain the liquid to drinking cups, add drops of honey and drink.

Drink this two times a day – morning and evening or night to keep your immune system strong and to build stronger immunity.

Image credit: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/293367363233724812/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 22, 2021
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Fenugreek

You can grow vegetables at home

In this era, one income may not be enough to run a family. We all try to save money in different ways.

If you are not working and want to save money and if you have  space in your yard or terrace try vegetable garden. Just like flower garden you can grow beautiful vegetable garden in your little yard.

This gives satisfaction of growing veggies and more over yield will be healthy. These vegetable gardens does not require too much materials. If you have access to banana stem, wooden boxes, pots, big trash cans use them wisely.

Get some soil and plant vegetables. Here are some suggestions to grow vegetables at home.

You can grow vegetables at your home not only to save money. It is a very good hobby and is a mindful diversion from day to day busy life.

If you have couple of trays put fertile soil, soak fenugreek seeds and place on soil. You will see small sprouts coming out!

If you have access to banana trunk, get couple of them make hole using knife, fill soil and plant spinach or tomato.

veginbananatrunk-healthylife-werindia

Do not throw coconut shells. Instead fill soil and grow your spinach, cilantro or mint plants!

spinochincoconutshell-healthylfie-werindia

If you have more space in yard, along with flowering plants, plant few vegetable plants. They are equally nourishing and gives good look to your yard!

vegyard-healthylife-werindia

Place few wooden boards in box shapes, fill fertile soil and grow different types of vegetables- cabbage, chilli, tomato, okra, eggplant and even herbs can be grown

veggadeninyard-healthylife-werindia

If you have place in your terrace, fill soil in gunny bags, trash cans or place wooden boxes and grow vegetables like beans, cucumber, okra and small fruit trees!

growing-beans-on-balcony

Images courtesy: Google

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 21, 2021
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