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.
Flavanoids

Flavanoids

A large number of phytonutrients fall into the flavonoid category. They are found in a variety of plant foods.

The types of flavonoids include: Catechins-  Green tea is an especially good source of catechins. The drink may help prevent certain types of cancer. Hesperidin- Found in citrus fruits, this flavonoid works as an antioxidant reducing inflammation in the body to help prevent chronic disease.  Flavonols.- Quercetin is a well-studied type of flavonol. It is found in: Apples, Berries, Kale, Onions. Flavonols  might help reduce people’s risk of asthma, certain types of cancer, and coronary heart disease.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 21, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Glucosinolates

Glucosinolates

Cruciferous vegetables are the dietary source of glucosinolates, a large group of sulfur-containing glucosides. Epidemiological studies suggest that brassica vegetables are protective against cancers of the lungs and alimentary tract.  Cruciferous vegetables are unique in that they are rich sources of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that impart a pungent aroma and spicy (some say bitter) taste.

Glucosinolates has positive benefits in reducing various types of cancer conditions – breast cancer, prostate cancer, Colorectal cancer, lung cancer and studies shows that there is increasing evidence that genetic differences in humans may influence the effects of cruciferous vegetable intake on cancer risk.

Isothiocyanates are glucosinolate hydrolysis products, which are thought to play a role in the cancer-preventive effects associated with cruciferous vegetable consumption.

Glucosinolates is present in : Brussels sprout, cabbage, kale, broccoli.

Reference: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens

Because of their structure, phytoestrogens can exert estrogen-like effects. They can also block the effects of your natural supply of estrogen.  Soy foods contain isoflavones — a type of phytoestrogen. Some evidence suggests that soy foods may be linked to- lower risk of endometrial cancer and lower risk of bone loss in women. Our body converts lignans, another type of phytonutrient, into chemicals with some estrogen-like effects. Two especially good sources of lignans are: Flaxseeds, Sesame seeds. However, research supporting a role for lignans in preventing endometrial cancer or osteoporosis is limited.

Foods rich in phytoestrogens are : soy, kidney beans, lentils, split pea etc.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Ellagic Acid

Ellagic acid

Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring substance. Ellagic acid is present in many red fruits and berries, including raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, pomegranate and some nuts including pecans and walnuts. The highest levels of ellagic acid are found in raspberries. In plants ellagic acid is present in the form of ellagitannin, which is ellagic acid bound to a sugar molecule. Medicinally, ellagic acid is used to prevent cancer and treat viral and bacterial infections.

Ellagic acid may bind to chemicals that cause cancer, and it may also prevent the growth of cancer cells. However, ellagic acid is poorly absorbed and is also eliminated quickly from the body. These characteristics may limit its usefulness as a medicine.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Saraswathi Yoga

Saraswathi Yoga

This month yogis around the world are celebrating Navrathri while seeking knowledge from their Gurus. ASK stands for Always Seek Knowledge. Yogis always seek knowledge as they advance in their life. At one point of their lives all yogis will start seeking the knowledge associated with wisdom and try to understand the purpose of living.

What they seek is, not just academic knowledge but divine knowledge. A knowledge with ego does not lead to path of wisdom.   How to acquire knowledge that does not have ego? How to balance mind and body?

Saraswathi “Essence of self” “Symbol of Knowledge”

In Hindu Vedic astrology Saraswathi Yoga is related to education, development of the intellectual human being. To get the wisdom yoga one must follow Saraswathi. What is this mean? Saraswathi means “the essence of self”.

In Sanskrit Sara means “essence” Swa means “self”. Saraswathi is the Goddess who is worshipped by all who seek knowledge, wisdom and divinity. Saraswathi means consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, enlightenment, art, music, eloquence, power and education.

Generally, in all the images Devi Saraswati is generally depicted with four arms wearing a white sari and seated on a white lotus. She holds a book and a rosary in two hands, while the front two hands are engaged in the playing of a lute (veena).  A swan is her vehicle and a peacock stands next to her.

What are all these gestures symbolizing?

  • The lotus is a symbol of the Supreme Reality, and a white lotus also denotes supreme knowledge. By sitting on a lotus, Saraswati signifies that she is herself rooted in the supreme reality, and knowledge. The white color symbolizes purity and knowledge. The white sari that the Goddess is wearing denotes that She is the embodiment of pure knowledge.
  • The four hands represent the four elements of the inner personality. The mind (manas) is represented by the front right hand, the intellect (buddhi) by the front left hand, the conditioned consciousness by the rear left hand, and the ego by the rear right hand.
  • The left side of the body symbolizes the qualities of the heart and the right side symbolizes activities of the mind and intellect. A book in the rear left hand signifies that knowledge acquired must be used with love and kindness to promote prosperity of mankind.
  • The rosary signifies concentration, meditation, and contemplation, leading to samadhi, or union with God. A rosary in the rear right hand representing ego conveys that true knowledge acquired with love and devotion melts the ego and results in liberation (moksha) of the seeker from the bondage to the physical world.
  • The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
  • Two swans are depicted on the left side of the Goddess. A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswathi uses the swan as her vehicle. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
  • A peacock is sitting next to Saraswathi and is anxiously waiting to serve. It depicts unpredictable behavior as its moods can be influenced by the changes in the weather. Saraswathi is using a swan as a vehicle and not the peacock. This signifies that one should overcome fear, indecision, and fickleness to acquire true knowledge.

When the inner meaning of all these symbols makes sense to us, then we may be able to acquire balance of the mind and entire system. When we understand the essence of gaining wisdom by following Saraswathi we will get Saraswathi yoga that enhances our intelligence.

Reference:

  1. http://www.koausa.org
  2. http://www.speakingtree.in
  3. Image credit: Image by truthseeker08 from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Banana Halwa recipe

Easy Plantain Halwa Recipe

Plantains are type of bananas that are less sweet than regular bananas, contain more starch and has different flavor. Plantains are used for making salty and spicy chips. Plantain halwa is a tasty dessert prepared during festival occasions to offer it to Goddess. Like banana, plantain is very important fruit that is not only nutritionally valuable also has religious significances and is integral part of Indian festivals. It is rich in potassium, contains more fiber and fills stomach easily. Raw plantains have more culinary importance. Overripened plantains can be used for preparing desserts. Plantain halwa is simple, calorie rich recipe. Eating one or two pieces gives much needed energy for the day!

Plantain halwa recipe

Ingredients:

  1. Over ripened plantains -3 big ones
  2. Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp
  3. Cashew nuts – Few
  4. Ghee/clarified butter -3/4 cup
  5. Sugar – 1 cup (or jaggery)

Preparation:

  1. When you select plantains, select those ones the color of skin slightly turned black with black dots. These are more ripened fruits and are good for preparing halwa.
  2. Peel and slice plantains. Put in a blender with cardamom powder, sugar and grind without adding water.
  3. Place a nonstick frying pan on medium heat and transfer plantain paste.
  4. Keep mixing the plantain paste till the paste stops sticking to bottom and side of the vessel.
  5. Plantain paste changes is color to darker brown. Turn the heat to low.
  6. Now add clarified butter, cut cashew pieces and continue mixing. After about ten minutes, the mix will starts separating from the vessel.
  7. Using two fingers test stickiness of halwa. If it sticks to fingers, remove from the heat source. If not continue stirring couple of more minutes.
  8. Take a baking pan, apply ghee and transfer hot halwa on to baking pan. Spread it using a spoon to desired thickness.
  9. Allow halwa to cool and cut into small pieces.
  10. Serve halwa as dessert after lunch or with other snack items with evening snack.
  11. Store left over halwa in an airtight container.

* If you are using jaggery, then prepare jaggery syrup and add plantain paste. Replacing sugar with jaggery gives added flavor and more taste.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 19, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Loading Dishwasher

Tips To Load And Use Dishwasher

If you are new to a dish washer and puzzled about how to organize dirty dishes for washing, then you are not alone! Even for those who own dishwashers for many years, many times dishes do not wash properly for wrong way of loading the dishes.

Here are some tips to keep dishes clean, stain free and soap free.

1.       Never overload dish washer. Overloading makes it hard for water to reach all vessels properly.

2.       If your run out of dishwasher detergent, never think of using regular dish washing soap in place. You will end up in big mess as the foamy sud can damage the pipeline and cause damage. Dishwashing detergents are formulated to use specifically for dish washing machine.

3.       Before loading dishes, scrape the food off from plates and cooking vessels and give a pre-rinse. In case you have a quick rinse option then use it instead of scraping the food. This saves water too.

4.       While loading the dishes, make sure the dirty part of all dishes gets water sprayed.

5.       Never stack the dishes one above other in both racks.

6.       Load dishes in lower shelf along sides and back so that they face middle of dishwasher for good wash.

7.       Place coffee cups, plastic wares, small bowls and drinking glasses on top rack. Water pressure on bottom rack is more and could break glasses. To avoid breaking glasses place them in upper rack.

8.       Keep glasses and coffee cups upside down between tines. Bowls can be placed sideways. This will avoid collecting water inside these dishes.

9.       Spoons, knives, forks and other cutleries can go inside the bin/basket. Mix spoons and forks. Do not separate them. This will give better wash for the cutleries.

10.   Place knives with handle up, so that you will not get hurt while unloading the knives. Forks can be placed with tines up for proper washing. Be careful while unloading sharp edged utensils and vessels.

11.   Place dirty plates and larger bowls in between the racks.

12.   Place cutting board and trays in the bottom rack at the outer edge of the rack for clean wash.

13.   Use proper dishwasher liquid to clean the dishes. Depending on how hard your water source is, dishwashing detergent can be chosen. Between dishwashing detergent, gel or powder – you need to decide which one works best for cleaning dishes. When you buy detergent it should be fresh, if not it will not work properly.

14.   Pour dishwashing detergent or powder in the dispenser. Do not throw the powder or pour gel under the bottom rack. It will not work.

15.   While unloading the dishes, always remove lower rack dishes first. If you remove the dishes from upper rack any water that might be collected in dishes by chance, can drop on dry dishes in the lower rack.

16.   Clean dishwasher once a while. Without loading the dishes, run empty with dish detergent

Image credit:  anamoly23 https://www.flickr.com/photos/13985356@N05/1698572640 ( CC by 2.0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 16, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Hangnails home remedies

Home remedies for hangnails

Hangnail means, it is formation of a small pieces of skin that comes up or tears away from your finger just by nail bed. It is that small, tiny skin that can be quite painful and sometimes bleeds especially when there are many hangnails.

Why hangnail happens?

Hangnails are not part of nail. These are skin cells that form projections near bed of nail, separated from surface of skin but remains attached at the base. People who have dry skin get hangnail often. Hangnails can occur when a person has habit of biting nails or due to dry skin.

Other reasons for hangnails formation:

  • Not keeping fingers and nails moisturized
  • Not using gloves during cold weather
  • Using harsh detergent or dish soap
  • Not taking care of cuticles in fingernails
  • Not cleaning and taking care of nails
  • For hurting cuticle near nails
  • Bad manicure
  • Waterlogged condition of nails like staying in swimming pool for longtime or washing clothes, dishes for longtime

Stop picking hangnail!

If you get hangnail, never attempt to pick or remove hangnail. Because, the tissues beneath the hangnails gets inflamed. The blood vessels and nerve ending in the area that are sensitive will get hurt and one will feel the pain and moreover skin can get infected. In case you get hangnail carefully remove with following methods-

  1. Soften the fingertips by soaking in warm water and olive oil and then using fine scissor cut the hangnail. Use moisturizer and massage the skin after cutting hangnail or use a bandage and cover it.
  2. Another way is to use fine clippers and cut the hangnails without harming the skin. Then apply moisturizer or put bandage on it.
  3. Apply petroleum jelly around the hangnail and leave it for few minutes. It will get softened. Use a nail clipper to cut off the hangnail.

If the hangnail is inflamed, then use antibiotic or apply turmeric to reduce pain.

Symptoms of infected hangnails:

  • Red spots, inflammation, pain, torn skin and warm feeling in finger.

Home remedies of hangnails

  1. Petroleum jelly: Applying petroleum jelly or lip balm before going to bed on fingernails helps. This will moisturize the fingers throughout the night and you will feel better in the morning.
  2. Oatmeal scrub: Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator and helps to soften the skin. Mix oatmeal in warm water and apply on hand at night. It makes hand soft and give moisturizing effect.
  3. Honey: Honey has antibacterial property and is also anti-inflammatory. It prevents infections. Apply honey on affected nail throughout the day. It protects skin by softening it and reduces hangnail formation
  4. Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E oil application on affected are few times a day helps to reduce hangnail. Mix vitamin E with your choice of oil like coconut, castor or olive oil and apply on fingernails. Slowly gave massage for all fingers.
  5. Almond oil and honey: Almond oil is great for skin. Mix almond oil and honey in equal proportion and, apply on affected fingers. Do this treatment before going to bed to get full benefit.
  6. Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera is great for skin and skin friendly herb. Mix Aloe vera gel and turmeric to form pasted. Apply on hangnail area, leave it for few minutes. Wash using normal water and apply olive oil.
  7. Avocado: Mash avocado and mix with olive oil or coconut oil. Apply this mix during night before going to bed. Do this treatment few times a week.
  8. Yogurt, honey and turmeric: Mix fine turmeric powder, honey and yogurt. Apply this on fingers and hangnails. This is a great skin pack that is great remedy for dry skin.
  9. Aloe vera mix: To 1/2 tsp Aloe vera gel, add ½ tsp castor oil or coconut oil, one vitamin E capsule. Mix well and apply this mix on your nails. Leave it overnight to get clean, soft skin. Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a week.
  10. Take care of cuticle: Do not damage cuticle in fingers. Use proper manicure methods or use petroleum jelly, Vitamin E oil or Aloe vera gel with honey to give a massage. This keeps cuticle intact by protecting it from drying and cracking.

If you have infection in hangnail and pain is unbearable then contact your doctor.

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daumennagel_mit_Nagelhaut_und_Niednagel.jpg

Attribution: Standardizer / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 14, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you