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.
Jumbo store Chat checkout

Chat Checkout For Elders Opened Up In Dutch Supermarket To Help Fight Loneliness

Digitized stores are very common in most part of the world. Self-checkout and bagging stuffs all by oneself creating a void between shoppers and shop keepers. This is a disadvantage for elders who used to go for shopping just to meet people and to get rid of loneliness feeling.  Worldwide one of the largest problem elders fighting is, loneliness. Nuclear families, children staying in abroad or working in different cities making elderly feel lonelier. It is a very common problem that all of us are going to face in future.

‘Loneliness is epidemic of our times’ : According to research conducted this year, nearly 50% of people aged 55 and above experience loneliness because of circumstances. There may be friendly neighborhood but during pandemic elderly suffered a lot as their immune system does not permit them to step out for shopping or any type of activities.

Shopping is a great way to make community connections:

Dutch Local Jumbo Supermarket in Vlijmen recently came up with a plan to help those elders who are alone. The two initiatives the supermarket is coming up with are named “All Together Coffee Corner” and “Chat Checkout”

All Together Coffee Corner is opened as a social coffee corner where elderly people meet with other locals and others just for a chat or to ask help with small tasks. This coffee corner was inaugurated by 94 year old Christian Smits and Dutch minister Hugo de Jonge. The goal of the coffee corner is act as a meeting point for elderly people with locals as well as volunteers who can help them. Volunteers are from Alles Voor Mekaar Foundation to help the elders. This foundation brings volunteers and lonely elders together. Foundation which has been operation from past year is a huge success. It brings local volunteers on board to help elders.  They help elders in shopping, gardening, walking etc.

One Against Loneliness program:

Also, Jumbo introduced 200 chat registers in its stores for customers who are not in a hurry and want to talk or chat during checkout. It is to combat loneliness. Jumbo store piloted the first chat register in 2019 and received positively by customers. In Dutch language it is called Kletskassa. Government has introduced  chat checkout or kletskassa under  government sponsored One Against Loneliness program which among other things also established 24/7 loneliness hotline for people who are lonely. According to Jumbo representative, this is a small gesture but a very valuable one, especially in a world that is digitizing and getting faster and faster”.

Jumbo supermarket is considering areas to open more chat registers where loneliness is a major issue in both The Netherlands and Belgium. In addition, it will be introducing ‘cozy chat corners’ where customers can sit and have a coffee with others. It will donate ingredients to Oma’s Soep an initiative that brings University students with elders to prepare soup.

Both The Netherlands and Belgium finding unique solutions to fight loneliness of elders. One of the program called “good neighbors” was introduced few years back by a nursing home. They offered students rent-free housing in exchange for spending 30 hours a week as good neighbors to elderly residents. During pandemic government advised citizens to arrange cuddle buddy to fight loneliness!

References:

https://www.vice.com/en

https://brightvibes.com/1367/en/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 9, 2021
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Be safe with crackers

Safety tips to play with crackers

Deepavali or Diwali festival means not only lighting lamps, also burning crackers. Once a year people celebrate festival by burning crackers, which symbolizes victory over evil. There are many types of crackers available in the market. Once lit, these crackers exhibit fire in different artistic ways. Watching fire cracker burning is fun. However while lighting cracker one must be careful not to get hurt. This year celebrate Diwali whole heartedly and let us pledge to fight the Covid-19 pandemic together by means of vaccination and taking all necessary precautions.

Kids and adults both love to burn crackers. Not just the sound, the variety of fireworks attracts everybody. It is fun burning crackers during festival or any other occasions -however,  keep in mind that one need to be extra careful while playing with crackers. Safety is very important, as you will be playing with fire.  From this month on wards for next few weeks we get several occasions to lit the crackers. Be safe while lighting and burning crackers. Here are few safety tips to keep in mind while playing with crackers

  1. Buy fireworks only from licensed shop
  2. Do not store the fireworks inside the house. Instead, store in garage inside a closed box
  3. Keep fireworks away from the reach of toddlers
  4. Read all instructions carefully and follow the safety precautions on the labels
  5. Always burst the crackers in open places like play ground.
  6. Do not burn crackers near dry grass field or dry crop field as dry plant material can catch fire within a second.
  7. Stand about an arm length away from the cracker while igniting them
  8. Wear safety glasses if you should
  9. Do not wear linen material cloths or cloth materials that easily catch fire. Instead, use thick cotton cloths
  10. Do not wear very lose cloth while burning crackers.
  11. If you have long hair – girls especially – tie the hair and put a knot.
  12. Discard used fireworks in a drum of water and make sure the fire is gone
  13. Keep water and blankets ready in case of emergency fire break out.  An emergency evacuation plans should be implemented.
  14. While igniting aerial fireworks like rockets keep them facing away from you and the crowd or facing the window or door.
  15. Wear proper footwear while lighting fireworks.
  16. Do not force anyone to fire the crackers. If they are uncomfortable in igniting crackers leave them. Remember -watching the burning crackers also fun
  17. Put your vehicles in garage and close the garage door.
  18. Do not let children to burn crackers alone. Let them burn crackers under adult supervision.
  19. Watch children often and make sure they are safe
  20. Make sure children wear proper safety goggles and gloves while burning crackers.
  21. Never put crackers in your pocket. Careless smoking is one of the reasons for death of many during firework events
  22. If the crackers do not burn after igniting, do not try to examine. Instead, use a fresh cracker.
  23. Never try to ignite and burn crackers in your hands. Sometimes crackers can burst within few seconds while in the hand and can cause severe burns.
  24. If it is not needed avoid igniting aerial fireworks as the aerial fireworks can hit trees and wires.
  25. Do not burn noisy crackers – small children, babies and pets can get threatened. The impact of fear sometimes lives long.
  26. Never lit matches, agarabatti (essences) and lighter near unused crackers
  27. Do not collect and do not try making cracker by collecting unused or half burn crackers. It is highly dangerous.
  28. If crackers are taking time to burn then, diffuse them by pouring some water.
  29. Do not harm and throw crackers at people who are walking.
  30. Do not harm animals or stray dogs with crackers
  31. Keep first aid kits handy in case of emergencies.

Be safe. Stay safe and enjoy your Deepavali (Diwali) New year  with family and friends.

www.werindia.com 

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 3, 2021
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Dates Halwa recipe Deepavali

Celebrate This Diwali With Dates Halwa

Diwali is auspicious festival for Hindus. It is also known as Deepavali festival meaning Festival of Lights. While families and friends gather to celebrate this festival, both delicious sweets and other snack items occupy dinner table on festival nights. On this auspicious time, prepare dates (kajoor) halwa for celebration.

Unlike other halwa recipes where we must add sugar or jaggery for sweet taste, dates halwa does not need added sugar as the sugar content in dates is high and the sweetness of dates is also high.

Dates provide a wide range of essential nutrients and are very good source of dietary potassium. Sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%; the remainder consists of protein, fiber, and trace elements including boron, cobalt, copper, fluorine, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc.

Celebrate Deepavali festival with Dates halwa.

Ingredients

  1. Dates – 2 cups
  2. Clarified butter/ghee – 1 cup
  3. Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
  4. Clove- 3
  5. Cashew – About 10 (chopped)
  6. Corn flour – 2 Tbsp
  7. Water – ½ cup

Preparation:

  1. Soak dates in one cup hot water for about half an hour.
  2. In a bowl take corn flour, add ½ cup water and mix well. There should not be any lumps.
  3. After half an hour transfer dates to a blender and prepare paste.
  4. On medium heat place a vessel and transfer date paste.
  5. Add ghee and mix well. Continue stirring and mixing till the ghee absorbed by date paste.
  6. Add one Tbsp ghee and continue mixing.
  7. Once the mixture turns glossy and thickens, pour corn flour liquid to cooked date paste and mix well.
  8. Continue stirring till the mix thickens.
  9. Heat small frying pan, add little ghee and fry cashew pieces to golden brown. You can clove and fry for couple of seconds.
  10. Transfer cashew, cloves to dates paste, add cardamom powder and mix well.
  11. Prepare a tray lined with baking paper and transfer dates halwa mix while it is hot onto baking paper.
  12. Using a spoon or spatula level the mix on the tray.
  13. Leave the tray for half an hour to one hour so that halwa settles on the tray and solidifies.
  14. Cut halwa into equal pieces using a knife and transfer to a proper container. Store halwa container in refrigerator.

Enjoy Deepavali with homemade date halwa.

Happy Diwali/ Deepavali to all!

Image credit: Halwa:  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535365474460271847/

Dates: Image by SW Yang from Pixabay  (cc by 0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Heart Attack in Younger Generation – Reasons & Prevention

Heart Attack in Younger Generation – Reasons & Prevention

According to American College of Cardiology, there is an alarming trend that one can see – raising  incidence of heart attacks in young adults between the age group 30 -50.  As per the statistics heart attack in raise (2%) in age group below 40 compared to those who are between 41 to 50. Recent deaths of young Indian actors including Southern Cinema Actor and philanthropist Puneeth Rajkumar created worries in younger generation about heart health. Death of  youngsters due to heart attack that too who are working hard, healthy, and active creates doubts and makes us think why it is happening.

Some of the risk factors for heart disease are: Age, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of physical activities, unhealthy eating habits, substance abuse. Genetic factors and/or diabetes.

However, the death of youngsters who are active physically and who have healthy habits is making us to thing what, how and when one could suffer from heart attack? Are there any preventive tests one can go through to keep heart healthy and in good condition?

References:

  • https://medlineplus.gov/
  • https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/
  • https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/
  • https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/
  • Talk by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty (Cardiac surgeon, Narayana Health, Bangalore)

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianloic/ (CC by 2.0) & https://www.maxpixel.net/Pain-Hurt-Heart-Attack-Man-Heartache-Chest-Pain-1846050 (CC by 0)

Reasons for heart attack and sudden death of Young people : Read more

Reasons For Heart Attack And Sudden Death Of Young People

What Can I Do To Lower My Risk Of Heart Disease? : Read more

What Can I Do To Lower My Risk Of Heart Disease?

What are the tests that help us to determine our heart health? : Read more

What are the tests that help us to determine our heart health?

Electrocardiogram And Magnetic Resonance Imaging For Heart : Read more

Electrocardiogram And Magnetic Resonance Imaging For Heart

CT Scan And Exercise Cardiac Stress Test For Heart: Read more

CT Scan And Exercise Cardiac Stress Test For Heart

Pharmacologic Stress Test And Tilt Test : Read more

Pharmacologic Stress Test And Tilt Test

Ambulatory Rhythm Monitoring Tests And Coronary Angiogram: Read more

Ambulatory Rhythm Monitoring Tests And Coronary Angiogram
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 2, 2021
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Reasons For Heart Attack And Sudden Death Of Young People

Reasons For Heart Attack And Sudden Death Of Young People

Causes of cardiac death in young people could vary. Most of the time it could be due to abnormal heart conditions. Ventricular fibrillation is a condition where the heartbeat goes out of control for some reason. Other few specific causes of sudden cardiac death in young people include:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): In a genetically inherited condition, walls of the heart muscle thicken. It could disrupt heart’s electrical system, makes it difficult for heart to pump blood causing irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias leading to cardiac arrest. It is one of the most common reasons for sudden death in young athletes and death of young people who are under 30.

Coronary artery abnormalities: Coronary arteries abnormalities could lead to compression during exercise and interfere in blood flow causing heart attack.

Long QT syndrome: Inherited fast and abnormal heartbeats that cause fainting and sudden death. QT refers to the portion of the tracing on an electrocardiogram (EKG) that reflects the change in heartbeat/rhythm.

Structural abnormalities of heart: Having a congenital heart disease that is undetected and heart muscle abnormalities are also reasons for sudden death.

Other causes : Viruses can cause inflammation in heart muscles or inflammation could happen due to other illnesses such as Brugada syndrome which is caused by genetic disorder that can cause a dangerous irregular heartbeat in the lower chambers or ventricles) and beat fast and irregularly leaving irregular blood flow to heart followed by death.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1575611 (CC by 0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Kids can make difference

How kids can make a difference in the world

Enthusiastic and curious kids often ask what can they do to make a difference in the world.

World needs both kindness and love to spread which brings positive change in others life and in a society, we live in.

Here is list of things that bring change in the world and that makes a difference in a good way.

Reduce hunger: Talk about hunger. Understand about kids hunger and malnutrition. Learn and teach about impact of hunger to your family and friends. Participate in workshops and volunteer in organization that helps those people who are hungry. Organize canned food drive, non-perishable food drive to donate to local homeless shelter.

Send cards: Send thank you cards to soldiers who are spending their lives in protecting us. Write letters to veterans and appreciate their efforts to keep all safe.

Write letters with a purpose: Send alert letters to government officials, newspaper editors, business leaders, TV program anchors and directors about the root cause of a problem that society is facing today. Bring to their attention about the problems that kids are facing or if your community really is suffering from lack of attention from government negligence – write a polite letter.

Give ideas and suggestions: How to improve and make someone’s life for better – homelessness, hunger and the elderly, kids, unemployment, unequal education, bullying, environment care, discrimination, media’s role in education – share your ideas with concerned people.

Giving testimony: Youngsters have advantages over adults in testifying before legislative bodies in two ways –  children stand out in the usual crowd and everybody knows that children don’t have vested interest in passing a law for their own benefit. Giving testimony and helping to shape legislation is empowering and gives exciting experience to young people. It helps children to get involved in activism and community service.

Community garden: To help feed those homeless and hungry kids, participate in community garden and help to grow food. Ask your school to participate in such program. Bring it to your teacher’s attention and ask their help to do the great work which gives recognition to school.

Fund raising for a cause: Bake sale, Lemonade stand, second hand book selling, selling old clothes, CDs, handmade craft etc. are few suggestions. There are more ideas one can think about raising funds for a cause. For example, keep charge for some activities like- organizing costume ball, walkathon, student-faculty play off, raffle baskets, talents show like -dance competition, singing competition, karaoke, one a minute games, art shows – all these helps to raise fund for a cause.

Help young kids: Form a group with like minded kids who are willing to help young children to study, teach sports, create an anti-bullying squad to help kids who suffer from bullying.

Fasting: Give up on junk food by fasting on junk foods at least once or two days in a week. Instead donate the money for a cause. Create awareness with friends and school and let them know where the money should go. Keep fund raising boxes in school and let children drop their changes in the fund boxes. Show the proof of fund submission to proper organization, to keep children inspired.

Birthday donations: Ask your parents and family to make a donation to the organization that you love. Let them know that instead of big gifts they can participate in making a difference in someone’s life by donating to a charity organization for a cause.

These are only few examples. Ask you kids what else they can do. Help them to make list and let them pick what attracts them to make a difference in the world we live in.

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/anonymous-little-kid-watching-at-birds-in-cage-at-farm-4530438/ ( Photo by ArtHouse Studio from Pexels )

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 29, 2021
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Tips to reduce wrist pain during yoga practice

Tips to reduce wrist pain during yoga practice

During yoga practices,  often we feel pain in hands and wrists. The improper positioning of the hands on the mats can result in hand  and wrist pain.

It is very important to understand how to perform and hold a pose during yoga. Till we get used for poses one can feel pain in wrist often during yoga practices.

To reduce pain, hold hands on the mat properly and do few routine wrist exercises as below (see images too).

When you must hold your hand pressed against the mat – like in downward dog use this technique

  1. How to keep palm against mat? Imaging your palm as suction pump and use palms in such a way that it supports you to hold the pose but not getting strained. Follow this technique as shown in the image.
  • Firmly plug the pink color areas to the mat
  • Press the areas in blue color into the mat
  • Avoid collapsing your weight in the area in red color
  • Middle yellow area should be used as a suction that helps to lift body upwards
  1. Wrist rotation: Before moving onto shavasana or corpse pose bring both your palms together and form a lotus using palms by touching both wrists. Then rotate the wrists by keeping them together. When your wrists touch from the back, place the backs of both of your hands together and hold the wrists in forced flexion for a full minute. This gives gentle massage to wrists and helps to reduce any inflammation in the wrists.
  2. Make a fist and rotate your hands – from the wrist in one direction. Repeat these 10 times. Switch directions and repeat 10 times. Release hands and with open fingers repeat the wrist rotation exercise on both direction.
  3. Wrist stretches: Hold the palm in your hand and push your hand downward to create stretch in top of the wrist. Turn your forearm inwards at the elbow joint to create extra stretch to the wrists. It increases strength of the wrist and reduces pain too. Similarly straighten the hand and hold the palm upwards and pull the fingers slowly towards your  body. Repeat this few times.
  4. Wrist extension and flexion: Place your arm on a table on a rolled-up towel for padding. Your hand should be hanging off the edge of the table and palm should face down. Now, move the hand upward for a gentle stretch. Bring back hand to neutral position. Repeat the same motion with elbow bent at your side while palm facing up.
  5. Finger and hand exercise: Extend the fingers straight out and then make hook using fingers. Then straighten the hands. Now, make a full fist and return to straight hand. Last step, make a straight fist and hold it for few seconds and release. Repeat these four steps again – Straight fingers, hook, full fist and straight fist. Hold each step for few seconds.
  6. Wrist supination/pronation: Stand or sit straight with your arm at your side with the elbow bent to 90 degrees, palm facing down. Rotate your forearm, so that your palm faces up and then down. This gives stretch to wrist and forearm.
  7. Applying coconut oil: Warm coconut oil and apply to your wrists and hands. Give gentle massage to your fingers. Coconut oil helps in bringing down the inflammation and helps to reduce the pain.
  8. Hot and cold pack: If the pain is due to inflammation of hands and wrists, keep a hot pack for few minutes followed by cold pack.

All these helps increases mobility of wrists and strengthens the wrist and hands. You can perform these exercises after weight lifting or any other body work classes.

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References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 27, 2021
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Amla Soup

Amla Soup Indian Gooseberry Soup

Soon one can see Indian gooseberry arriving in vegetable market. Also known as amla in India, fruits of amla tree are used in many traditional home remedies for various conditions.  Amla  is rich in vitamin C and has many health benefits. It boosts the immune system and strengthens the body system to fight against many conditions.  It is also good for hair growth and reduces gray hair. Consuming amla is helpful during hot conditions and it protects body from heat while keeping body cool. And, amla is known to boost immune system!

It is also used in Indian cuisine to prepare different dishes and sweets. Try nutrient rich amla soup which is easy to prepare and it requires very few ingredients.  (Quantity mentioned here enough to serves 4 people).

Ingredients:

  1. Amla : 6 to 8
  2. Mint leaves – 1/4 cup
  3. Pepper powder -1/4 tsp
  4. Chat masala powder – 1/4 tsp
  5. Corn flour -1/2 tsp
  6. Butter -1 tsp
  7. Salt

Preparation:

1) Remove seeds from amla and cut amla into small pieces

2) In a frying pan, under low flame- add butter and fry amla pieces in heated butter.

3) Add two cups of water and cook amla.

4) Grind cooked amla and mint leaves.

5) Add salt, pepper powder, chat masala to grinded mix followed by water.

6) Boil the content for just two minutes.

7) Mix corn flour in 1/2 cup water and add this to boiling amla soup. Boil another 2 minutes.

8) Serve hot amla soup by adding butter or breadcrumbs.

Recipe: www.werindia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 25, 2021
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