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 these reasons making you less attractive

Are these reasons making you less attractive

Even though you are gorgeous and beautiful, have you wondered why sometimes people does not find you attractive or don’t show interest to keep up friendship or relationship with you?

It can happen with anyone.

Most times we don’t realize what could be the reason.

Sometimes friends or family members might say what could be the reason, sometimes we need to look into ourselves to understand what needs to be changed or need to be done.

“It is beauty that captures the attention; it is personality which captures your heart” Anonymous

Here are common factors that makes us less attractive or unattractive..

  1. Having no hobby: One of the most attractive personality is having a hobby. People are attracted to those who are passionate about something and some good hobby. It can be any hobby that is attractive and exciting. When you share your hobby, naturally people will get to know you and your hobby.
  2. Being mean: When you are surrounded by people and if you express only negativity and mean to other people move away. You look unattractive when you are mean to anybody.
  3. Body smell: This one is obvious. Washing body and keeping yourself body odor free is important. If not, no one wants to be close to you. If you are healthy and not suffering from any medical condition, then seriously consider what is the reason for your body odor.  Oral hygiene, cleaning arm pits, private parts, ears, wearing washed cloths – all these are critical if you want to be amid people.
  4. Dishonesty: Dishonesty is a major turn off for both genders. Whether you are intelligent or less intelligent, beautiful or handsome, rich or poor – if you are not honest in your action and words then you are not attractive. Being honest is a character that attracts people.
  5. Bing drinking and smoking: Drinking and smoking are highly unattractive personalities and women generally does not like to have a relationship with such men. Occasional drinking is fine with women but not smoking. Smoking frequently is unattractive as the negative impact of smoking (on health) is understood by most people.
  6. Too much stress: Whether it is small or big matter, if a person is constantly expressing and blaming system for their stress then such personalities are unattractive. No one wants to listen to constant complaints 24X7 days. Stress is part of life, managing stress is one skill that if someone has, then it makes that person attractive.
  7. Bad table manners: Sharing is caring. If you don’t share food or offer food to guests or share with friends in a restaurant or with family, it is not going to give good reputation. If you cross contaminate food with your spoon or hands or making sound while eating, texting while eating and more importantly if you don’t treat waiter/waitress properly then consider yourself unattractive.
  8. Pessimism: Being pessimistic often linked to unsuccessful and unattractive personality because it is a quality no one wants to have as it hinders personal growth. People who are pessimistic o also express cynical views and it can be depressing to others.

If you want to be with friends and have healthy relationship then adopt a healthy life and healthy habit. It helps you to be amid people and keeps you happy!

Image Courtesy: Photo by Phil Coffman on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 5, 2020
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Indoor plant care tips

Indoor plants fall care tips

During fall and winter, indoor plants face tough time and struggle to survive. As temperature drops down inside the house and freezes outside house plants face several issues.  Between 4-6 months of winter time, take good care of indoor plants because they help us by producing fresh clean air and by being green will give positive vibes during gloomy weather condition. Keeping indoor plants happy and healthy helps you to overcome seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Follow these indoor plants care tips and keep them happy and plants will long last.

Tips to take care indoor plants in harsh cold weather.

  1. Preparing plants for indoor: Before bringing plants inside for the winter (like tropical plants and ferns), wash the pots, gently trim the plants, remove dead leaves and stem. Check for any type of insects that could be present on leaves and stem.
  2. Cut down watering: During fall and winter, plant does not need that much water.  When you are in doubt, check the soil moisture just half an inch below the surface. If moisture is low, then water plants. Water dripping: Place plates under pots to avoid water dripping (in case) on floor that can cause white mark that is hard to remove.
  3. Do not re-pot: All your re-potting should be done before end of summer. Do not re-pot indoor plants during winter as their root strength is low and plants are mostly in hibernating process. Wait till the spring to re-pot plants.
  4. Clean leaves: Using soft cloth clean leaf surface, remove dust. If leaves are small, lightly dust them. Dust can interfere with plant health and can weaken the system causing disease to plants.
  5. Keep in sunlight: Place plants near windows or glass doors where enough sunlight enters. Plants will survive through winter if they get good sunlight.
  6. No breeze and drafts: Plants must be kept away from chill conditions. Do not open the windows or doors near plants. Check for cold air infiltration where you keep plants. Cold and chill air kills the plants.
  7. Humidifier: Air inside home will be dry due to heater and winter air. Run humidifier near the plants or keep humidifier on for at least few hours for plants sake.
  8. Fertilizers: Use crystal or solid fertilizers like Miraclegrow for plants instead of liquid fertilizers. Solid, crystal fertilizers come a long way and dissolves slowly and is enough for next few months.
  9. Pest control: Keep an eye on delicate plants because they tend to host pests. If you find any insects and mites, scale insects etc, separate those plants and treat them immediately.
  10. During vacation: In case you are going on a vacation for few days, put little extra water for plants and make sure the sunlight still falls on plants by keeping curtain slightly open or blinds open in an angle so that sunlight falls on plants.
  11. Grow light: If you live in places where day light becomes too short, buy LED grow light and place near plant to give energy.
  12. Temperature: Maintain temperature between 65-75 F for indoor plants. Most tropical plants love bit heat and good moisture.

Image: www.WerIndia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Precautions for chefs & food handlers during covid-19

COVID-19 Instructions for chefs & Food handlers by FSSAI

Lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has impacted restaurant, catering and hotel businesses all over the world. Governments are monitoring the number of coronavirus cases in their respective countries, also giving permission to open certain businesses with extreme caution. This is allowing restaurants to get back to businesses by opening the restaurants and pubs for food delivery to houses as well as curbside pickup orders. To continue containing the disease, Food Safety and Security Authority of India (FSSAI) has come up with an advisory for  food handlers and chefs. The advisory released recently, touches upon aspects like pre-preparation, preparation, procurement of vegetables and other ingredients, handling money and many more. Do’s and Don’ts clearly explains how the food handlers and chefs to take care of not only customers health as well as personal health too -Author

With the impact of COVID-19 becoming the key challenge for every Indian citizen, the food regulation body Food Safety and Security Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently come up with an advisory for the chefs and food handlers.

Do’s

Essentials for the personal hygiene

1. Take bath daily before reporting to work.

2. Wear clean and protective clothing, clean aprons, hand gloves, and head wear appropriately

3. Keep hands clean and nails trimmed. Wash hands with soap and clean (potable) water

3.1 before starting work;

3.2 after handling chemicals;

3.3 after handling incompatible food products (for example, raw versus cooked or ready- to eat) or contaminated materials;

3.4 after breaks; after using toilet facilities.

3.5 after coughing or sneezing or blowing their nose; and

3.6 after using telephone/cell phones, handling currency

3.7 after smoking in designated areas etc.

Precautions

1. Cover wounds/ burns etc. with waterproof bandages.

2. Keep food premises clean, well ventilated, well ventilated and no water stagnation is allowed.

3. Carefully inspect fruits, vegetables etc. for freshness and quality before purchasing.

4. Procure packaged products from FSSAI licensed/registered vendors only.

5. Clean cooking surface before starting work.

6. Maintain temperature for selling chilled beverage & cold dessert, appropriate temperature shall be maintained.

7. Use clean (potable) water for washing, food preparation, drinking, cleaning of utensils, etc. In case storage is required then it should be stored in clean containers.

8. Segregate raw/cooked and vegetarian/non-vegetarian foods at all times to avoid cross-contamination.

9. Cook and reheat food at right temperature for adequate time.

10. Use equipment, containers, utensils, chopping boards, knives, cutlery, and serving spoons, of food-grade quality. Sanitize the equipment’s before use.

11. Provide facility for hand wash to customers away from food preparation and service area.

12. Dispose waste regularly. Keep bins covered and clean them regularly.

Don’ts

1. Handle food when sick.

2. Wear jewelry such as earring, bangles, rings, etc. while handling food, as they carry germs which may contaminate food.

3. Prepare or sell food in an area prone to pollution such as effluent water, heavy smoke, hazardous waste and more.

4. Store hazardous substances such as fuel, chemicals, etc. near the food preparation area.

5. Use loose oil or spices.

6. Keep food at room temperature for more than 4 hours. Do not resell leftover food the next day. It shall be discarded the same day.

For more on FSSAI Corona chef visit: https://www.fssai.gov.in/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Ways to keep lungs capacity

Twelves ways to help your lungs to retain its breathing capacity

More and more people are testing positive for Covid-19 and many are getting symptoms too! Are you worried about Coronavirus and lung infection? There are different ways to open air passage and improve lungs breathing capacity. These simple methods will help you to keep lungs healthy and active.

  1. Steam inhaling – Use plain water or mix few drops of eucalyptus oil in hot water. Inhale steam 10 minutes/ twice a day. Eucalyptus oil is a good source to reduce the mucus lining in the lungs. It helps to break up the congestion.
  2. Drink hot water. Hot water helps to clear congestion by moving mucus. Hot coffee, hot tea, mint tea or warm mint and lemon water also are remedies to reduce mucus in lungs.
  3. Drink hot turmeric water or boil a glass of milk with turmeric (bring it to half the quantity by boiling) and drink before going to bed.
  4. Fry few garlic cloves and eat. Or eat raw onion with jaggery – to remove mucous. Both these pungent foods help to reduce the infection.
  5. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce the mucous. Consume grated ginger (1 tsp) with little honey and pepper. Or eat jaggery and ginger to get rid of mucous. You can boil ginger and drink ginger tea with honey in it.
  6. Practice gargling with warm saltwater every day to reduce throat infection and to get rid of infection.
  7. Vitamin C helps to reduce cold- Either consume citrus fruits or drink citrus juice to keep lungs active.
  8. Inhale camphor (also known as panchakarpura). Powder camphor and place it in hand kerchief. Inhale camphor odor 2-3 times a day to keep your lungs passages open.  
  9. Use humidifier while going to bed. Humidifier keeps your nasal passage wet and helps lungs to breath easily.
  10. Practice pranayama, deep breathing technique everyday – twice a day
  11. Practice yoga postures that improve lungs performance. (like bridge pose, cat & cow pose, Bhujangasana, Trikonasana, Camel pose, hero pose)
  12. Go for half an hour walk in fresh air. Open house window and let the fresh air come in.

It does not matter if you are at home during this outbreak! Try to be active, exercise everyday and continue breathing with help of good habits.

https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/452124/upper-body-lung-copd-disease-doctor-findings-medical-health-check-bless-you (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Plasma Donar For Covid-19 Patients

World Is In Need Of Covid-19 Survivors Who Can Donate Plasma

Hospitals around the world are seeking for plasma donors. Plasma from a fully recovered COVID-19 patient may able to save patients who currently tested positive and under treatment for Covid-19. By donating plasma one can save lives.

After infection Plasma from blood will contain virus antibodies. Antibodies produced when we are sick will help immune system to fight microbes like COVID-19. Thus, the donating plasma may help other patients to fight off the disease.

Convalescent plasma:

The liquid part of the blood that is collected from the novel Covid-19 disease from recovered patients is Convalescent plasma. It is caused by the SARS-COV-2. Patients develop antibodies in the blood against the virus.

Antibodies are proteins that help to fight foreign invaders like virus that cause infection. Convalescent plasma is being investigated for treatment of COVID-19 because so far there is no approved treatment for the disease. However, studies suggest plasma might help some patients to recover from Covid-19 infection.

Understanding antibodies and criticality of plasma donation:

After our body exposes to an infectious agent, immune system recognizes specific components called antigens of the pathogen and recognizes an outside invader. These antigens are targeted by our immune system and responds by making antibodies against those antigens. When after a viral infection IgM and IgA antibodies levels rise in the first 3-7 days following infections. This will gradually decline while the level of IgG increases after 12-17 days and remains for a long period of time. Levels of antibodies produced in testing and recording exposure and potential immunity. This is referred to as serological tests that helps to understand the antibodies made by human immune system.

Quantification of IgG, IgM and IgA helps to understand the antibody levels in a patient. The threshold for IgG antibody is titer of >1:320 (FDA recommendation). This level is used for determining if the convalescent plasma should be used in patient or not.

Who is eligible to donate plasma?

People who are totally, fully recovered from Coronavirus disease -COVID-19 infection for at least two weeks are eligible to donate their plasma. These people are encouraged by Health Institutes to donate plasma that might save lives of newly Covid-19 infected patients. Covid-19 convalescent plasma must be collected from individuals who are recovered from disease and must be eligible to donate blood. Because factors like weight, blood type and existing other health conditions are also considered while donating blood.

Apart from recovery, these donors must have had a prior diagnosis of Covid-19 documented by a laboratory test and meet donor criteria. Those who are willing to donate blood plasma must have complete resolution of the symptoms for at least 2 weeks -14 days prior to donation. According to CDC, a negative lab test for active Covid-19 disease is not necessary to qualify for blood donation. According to National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project, “in majority of convalescent patients, high titers of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies are found if units of plasma are collected ≥14 days after resolution of symptoms. IgG antibody levels should be measured in donors who have become SARS-CoV-2 negative and have been asymptomatic for at least 14 days to assure adequate titers of IgG antibody in the donated plasma”

If you were a COVID-19 patient and your doctor has confirmed that you have fully recovered from the disease and no longer contagious, then you might be eligible to donate plasma. Contact your local hospital for further information how you can save lives of COVID-19 patients by donating plasma. World needs survivors like you!

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Antioxidants and ORAC value of foods

Understanding Antioxidants And ORAC Value of Foods

We might think that several diseases or illness that we experience is due to aging. If we keep our diet under control by consuming nutrient rich foods and stay active, we can prevent age related diseases.

For our physiological and mental wellbeing, we need plant foods. Many people still don’t understand the value of consuming veggies and fruits and why we must include them in everyday diet. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables include Polyphenols, phytochemicals, phytonutrients etc. are beneficial for our health by promoting ORAC value.

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC value is an evaluation method developed by National Institute of Aging and National Institute of Health to measure the antioxidant capacity of various foods. Foods with higher ORAC value means higher the antioxidant capacity and the food is effective in neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidative stress which is harmful for our body.

References:

https://blog.designsforhealth.com/

https://www.superfoodly.com/

https://www.ars.usda.gov/

https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/

Image credit: Image by Luisella Planeta Leoni from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Prevention of Free radicals: Read more

Role of antioxidants on free radicals

How much ORAC unit per day: Read more

ORAC value of foods

Foods that contain high ORAC units per 100g: Read more

Foods supply antioxidants and ORAC

Supplements rich with antioxidants: Read more

Supplements rich in antioxidants

Include spices & condiments in your diet: Read more

ORAC rich spices and condiments
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Role of antioxidants on free radicals

Prevention of Free Radicals

Many of our age-related illness are due to our unhealthy habits, eating junk food and leading sedentary lifestyle. What happens to body when it is not properly taken care? Answer is simple- we fall sick. How sickness happens? When our immune system becomes week, it results in infections and diseases.

Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by normal metabolic process that can take electronic atoms from nearby sources and damage cells. This will lead to weakening of system and results in various diseases. Intake of oxidant rich food helps to prevent free radical damage and slows down oxidative process in cells.

Antioxidant foods will help to maintain the ORAC value of the body. Higher the ORAC of the food means better will be oxygen carrying capacity of RBC. It means our lungs works better. This will act on free radicals and prevents them from destroying the tissues and cells. What it means is, our immune system will be healthy to fight against diseases and prevents infections rightly.

ORAC build up helps to prevent neuro- degenerative disorders while aging, prevents diabetes, chronic conditions, prevents tumor development and cancer and infections. Antioxidant like Astaxanthin helps in preventing age related conditions and slows down the process.

Image credit & attribution:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antioxidant_defence_stratification.png

Aditya Arya / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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ORAC value of foods

How much ORAC unit per day

How much ORAC unit per day – what is the amount of antioxidants we must consume to get daily dose of ORAC units per day?

The advantage of knowing ORAC value of foods is that, it measures the antioxidant activity of foods rather than the levels of specific nutrients like vitamin D, B or E.

Everyday consumption of antioxidant rich foods helps in maintaining the ORAC units in the body. How much ORAC unit per day we need to keep healthy and fit?

Apart from exercising, we must consume healthy foods that are rich in nutrients. As we know plants are major source of antioxidants. Consuming 3000-5000 ORAC units of antioxidants every day will help the body to boost its immune system. Any excess of ORAC units that we consume will excrete through kidneys.  Remember FDA’s recommendation Five a day of vegetables and fruits serving helps the body. It means to get 3000-5000 units of ORAC value we need help of that much amount of produces to be consumed.

Image credit: Image credit: https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-smfup (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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