All posts by Sumana Rao

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Beauty and Salt

Beauty and salt

Salt has several other benefits apart from adding to get taste in the food.

Salt helps in getting clear skin and healthy look.

See yourself-

  1. Salt scrub – Mix 6 tsp of sea salt with 12 tsp of olive oil or coconut. Apply this lightly on the skin. Gently scrub on the skin in circular motion. Don’t apply near eyes. This is a rejuvenating scrub.
  2. For nails – To half cup warm water, add one tsp of salt and little baking soda. Mix and add one tsp of lemon juice. Dip your fingers in this water for about 10 minutes. Your finger nails will get healthy look.
  3. For rough heel – Add few tsp on salt in warm water. Mix well and soak your feet in this water for 15 minutes. After removing feet from water, scrub the heels to remove dry skin. This also helps in keeping feet healthy.
  4. Honey – salt scrub – Mix salt and honey in 2:4 ratio. Mix well and apply on the skin. Avoid near eyes. Leave for 10 minutes and wash face. This will remove dead skin and also gives a glowing look. Honey and salt have anti-inflammatory properties and soothe skin. With this helps in keeping skin hydrated.
  5. Salt steam – Expose face to salt steam for few minutes every week. This removes any black heads and reduces acne, pimple and skin looks healthy.
  6. Sea salt – Mix a tsp of sea salt in warm water (1/2 glass). Dissolve salt and transfer it to a spray bottle. Mist the salt water on clean skin. Avoid misting on or near eyes. This helps to cleanse pores in the face and balances oil production. Reduces bacterial infection that usually results in acne.
  7. Salt with Aloe vera – Another rejuvenating scrub that exfoliates the skin. Aloe vera is known for its positive effect on the skin. Mix half a cup of salt and Aloe vera juice or gel. To this add a ¼ cup of olive or coconut oil and few drops (5) of lavender essential oil. Mix well and farm a paste. Apply this on skin and scrub gently in circular motion. Take a bath in warm water. Skin will give rejuvenated look with this scrub. Do this at least once a month.
  8. Salt as teeth whitener – Mix salt and baking soda (1:2). Apply water on toothbrush and dampen it. Dip the damp toothbrush in the mixture and brush teeth. If salt feeling is too much in the mouth, apply little toothpaste on the brush and dip in the salt mixture.
  9. Epsom salt bath – To remove the body ache and reduce swelling in feet, have bath in Epsom salt water. Epsom salt contains magnesium that absorbed by the skin will help system to balance the muscle and nerve system. This is a good treatment for the feet and calves if you are getting pain due to wearing high heel shoes.
  10. Creating waves in hair – Mixture of sea salt, coconut oil and water helps in creating that magic hair! Mix 2:2 sea salt and coconut oil and add a cup of water. Transfer the mix into spray bottle. After shower mist on the hair and allow it to dry. After drying you will get that wavy hair look!

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 28, 2018
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Purslane sambar

Delicious Purslane sambar recipe

Purslane known as wild spinach or ground spinach is good for health. It is cultivated for its beautiful flowers and grows wild in farm, roadside and in our gardens. Similar to other leafy vegetables like spinach, amaranth, water cress purslane contains many important vitamins and minerals. Visit today’s grandma’s remedies to see list of health benefits of good old purslane !

If you are keen to include purslane in your diet then there are different ways to use this medicinal herb.

Did you know you can prepare delicious purslane sambar?

Ingredients:

  1. Bunch of purslane – with tender stem and leaves
  2. Grated coconut – half a cup
  3. Red chilli – 6
  4. Coriander seeds – 1 tsp
  5. Chenna daal – 1 tsp
  6. Urad daal – ½ tsp
  7. Black pepper – 5-6
  8. Cumin – ¼ tsp
  9. Toor daal – ½ cup
  10. Curry leaves – few
  11. Asafetida – pinch
  12. Mustard – 1 tsp

 Preparation:

For this recipe you do not need to use tamarind as purslane has bit sour taste. If you want to use tamarind then add very little (1/2 inch) tamarind.

  1. Wash and chop purslane leaves and stem to small pieces
  2. In a cooker, cook toor daal
  3. Dry fry red chillis, chenna daal, urad daal, black pepper, cumin. Let chenna and urad daal turn golden brown. Keep aside for few minutes to cool.
  4. Grind all dry fried contents with grated coconut. Keep it aside.
  5. In a vessel add little oil and on low flame cook chopped purslane
  6. Now add cooked toor daal, grinded contents to cooked purslane. Add ½ cup water to grinder and rinse grinded spice content and transfer to the vessel.
  7. Add desired amount of salt and boil
  8. In a small vessel prepare seasoning – to heated oil add mustard, curry leaves, one red chilli and asafetida.
  9. Transfer seasoning to boiled sambar
  10. Serve hot purslane sambar with rice, chapati or roti.

 

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 22, 2018
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Say no to glitter and be guilt free

Say no to glitter and be guilt free

Glitter has become part of our day to day activities. Kids school activity materials like glue, color pens, party occasions, make up, hair products, nail polish, bangles, wrist bands, greeting cards- everywhere we see glitter in various colors. Even our clothing is not exception. In fact, many celebrities wear glitter cloths, and shoes! We have heard the effect of microplastic in food and water.

Glitter has been banned in a chain of 19 nurseries in South of England because of the concerns about health and environmental issues. Tops Day

Glitter is nothing but (categorized) microplastic. It has plastic and aluminum and is harmful to health and environment.

Say no to glitter and be guilt free !

Nurseries a British Child care provides declared that more than 2000 children under its care will no longer use glitter for activities.

Top Day Nurseries blog post stated “Glitter enters the environment by landfill through the air being blown around: It sticks to people’s hands and goes down the sink into the water system, it sticks to peoples’ clothes or mops which go through the washing machine and out into the water system”

However, adults need to understand the impact of sparkles and should teach children the consequences of using glitters. Did you know people are using glitter not just for celebration? It was even used for protest. According to NY times Gay rights activists glitter-bombed conservative politicians!

Glitter pollutes fresh water, ocean, and lakes!

Cosmetic glitter made by binding aluminum with PET (polyethylene terephthalate). These two chemicals known to release chemicals that cause hormonal imbalance. Glitter released in waste water eventually gets into river and sea and end up in food chain and returns back to human body – this time as food! According to UN report (2017), these microplastics come back to our pate through aquatic edible animals. Around  4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic entering ocean every year. Many marine creatures consume microplastic for food. Some animals like Eurasian perch larvae prefer microplastic over the usual diet! These zooplankton eating plastic and consumer will end up with plastic in stomach through food chain. Microplastics also harm animals by causing blockages in the gut and causing change in their energy levels.

According scientists’ dangers posed by sparkles used in cosmetics and children crafts is more than what we expect. When glitter drifts into earth, down the drain it becomes microplastic pollutant. Water filters does not always filter these particles.

What actions we can take to protect our health and environment from glitter?

Do not use glitter, stop using glitter in parties and festival occasions. Do not buy glitter paints and glues for children art work.  If you cannot be without glitter, then use ecofriendly glitter made of biodegradable cellulose film. Ladies try using synthetic fluorphlogopite based cosmetics which is similar to mica (that is present in sand). Did you know glitter can be made from eucalyptus tree extract and aluminum? When you go for ecofriendly products, those products become mainstream and will be affordable.

Make an appropriate choice for yourself and let it be healthy. When you stop using glitter you will be guilt free !.

References:

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Fruits for kids

9 ways to make kids eat veggies and fruits

Young minds does not understand the benefit of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. As parents, we need to introduce kids to varieties of seasonal fruits and vegetables and make it interesting to eat just like snacks. It is critical for children to eat fresh produce and fulfill their daily needs of fruits as well as vegetables. Few tips to sneak fruits and vegetables in kids daily food

  • Kids love dips – homemade hummus dip is the best. Try mild cilantro or bell pepper chutney or peanut butter dip.
  • Prepare soup, stews and baked items using fruits. Add dry fruits and nuts into baked items.
  • Fruit salad with ice cream – varieties, combination of fruit salad with vanilla ice cream sounds yummy for them!

 

  • Take them to local farm trips where they can pick up apples, strawberries, blueberries and pumpkin
  • Prepare smoothie using fruit mixes
  • Prepare low calorie vegetable chips at home – bake them with low salt and introduce it as snack item
  • While cooking rice add carrots, peas, beans and little spice – this way they will get introduce to spice too!

 

  • When they ask for fruit juice, instead give them fresh juicy fruits like watermelon, oranges, mango. This reduces their sugar intake.Use creative ideas (as shown in pictures) and ask them to identify the fruit names.

 Be a role model and eat fruits and vegetables with kids!

 

Image credit: Food photo created by timolina – www.freepik.com (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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House cleaning tips for pet owners

House cleaning tips for pet owners

Pets are adorable, cute, obedient, lunatic, and messy! We all love them so much that we don’t mind them running inside the house and making a mess.

How to handle pets mess and keep house clean?

Here are few house cleaning tips for pet owners from grandma.

  1. Air your house – When you have pets inside, pet odor can bother causing allergies. As much as you can, open your doors and windows and let cross ventilation function. During winter open doors, windows at least for 10 minutes. This allows fresh air to remove pet odor.
  2. Keep your pet clean: Cats mostly clean themselves and once a while need attention. With dogs it is going to be a mess. That is the way they are. A quick wash down with or without pet shampoo will help. Use de-shedding or trimming if needed and groom pet’s hair. They love grooming anyway!
  3. Place old towel or a bed sheet or buy a small proper bed for your dog. Try water resistant beds that are easy to clean. For cats too make a separate place and train them as much as possible to use the place. Often shake the bed, sheet to remove the hair and then toss it in the washing machine. Do not mix your cloths with pet’s belongings. Groom your pets to reduce hair issues.
  4. Get proper vacuum cleaner that pick-up hair and removes odor. Vacuum house or broom the house in different directions. Use extra strong suction, quality filter and good brush vacuum cleaner to pull hair. Vacuum your furniture too. Clean vacuum cleaner regularly
  5. Talking about your furniture, if you have a sofa that is not pet friendly, you had it. Wrong fabric attracts pet hair like magnet and results in unpleasant odor. Eventually pet hair can be seen all over your dress. Look for tightly woven material while replacing or buying a new set of chairs. If weather lets where you live, go for wooden furniture. If you cannot replace your furniture place throw or sheets on the furniture.
  6. Take dog out for walk to ease themselves. Don’t forget to carry litter bags with you and discard it in trash after you pick up the waste. Walking also gives exercise for their body. If you have cat then use litter box and dispose litter when it needs a change. Similarly, if you have caged animals and birds take proper precautions to clean their cage. Use gloves when you are picking up and cleaning the litter.
  7. While cleaning pets use a designated area and set up a cleaning station. Store all the necessary pet cleaning items properly where pet cannot reach. Use a heavy-duty doormat, dog towels and wipes. When pet comes inside home make sure they stand on door mat (try training your dog!) and clean muddy paws using water spray.
  8. Clean your pet’s belongings regularly. Use washing machine if you can or wash by hand. As much as possible dry pet belonging under bright Sun to remove unpleasant odors.
  9. To neutralize pet odors, use baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar helps in removal of nauseating odor. Baking soda with lime also good for pet toys and beds.
  10. In many households, pets are free enter most rooms including kitchen and dining room. Use proper sterilization methods and clean the dining area, counter tops with good cleaning agents. Keep a separate bowl to feed your pet. Do not mix up pet bowl with your dishes.

Pets are also family members. Keeping them clean is critical for pets as well as our health. Take necessary action if your pet is sick, visit vet and get advice. Treat your pet well and keep your house happy!

Image credit: Image by Bao_5 from Pixabay  (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 17, 2018
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Panchakarma Ayurveda therapy

Panchakarma ultimate detoxifying therapy

Panchakarma is traditional Ayurvedic detoxifying and rejuvenation program. It is a treatment that helps in resetting proper digestion and brings back the ability to detox naturally. Fast foods, oily food and our way of living in this technology world and sedentary life makes us suffer with different known and unknown conditions. Ayurveda’s this old treatment is helping millions to get back healthy life.   Ayurveda’s panchakarma, alternate medicine treatment is an answer for several conditions.

What is Panchakarma?

This detoxifying technique is a pillar on which many other Ayurvedic techniques stand. Panchakarma in Sanskrit means “Five Actions”.  This technique relies upon five basic activities that control our body. These five activities are purgation, niruham, nasysam, vomiting and anuvaasan.

Image credits: All the images presented in this slider articles are curtesy of following sites. Please visit these sites for more informaiton on Panchakarma therapy: https://www.ayuryogatheeram.com/, http://ayurvedakerala.com/, http://www.ayuryogashram.in/, http://ayugreen.com/,

Benefits of Panchakarma: Read more

Benefits of panchakarma

Five types of Panchakarma: Read more

Vata, pitta and kapha

Oleation treatment: Read more

Oil massage

Fomentation treatment:Read more

Fomentation treatment

Types of Fomentation: Read more

Five fomentation types

Agni, Ama and Panchakarma therapy: Read more

Agni ama and panchakarma

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: October 16, 2018
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Panchakarma types

Five types of Panchakarma

Five types of Panchakarma:

Based on nature of the body type: vata, pitta and kapha panchakarma treatment are 5 types.

Vaman: It is carried out early in the morning in empty stomach.  In this method, patient given oleation and fomentation treatment outside and inside for few days. It includes therapies and medicines. Night before this treatment, kapha aggravating foods are given to patient. Toxins and other heavy metals that accumulate on upper surface of the body is removed by vomiting. Vomiting induced by medicines and decoction. People who have kapha, weight and asthma conditions are given this treatment.

Virechan: It is purgation or disposal of toxins through bowels. Natural purgative helps in clearing the digestive system and purifies body toxins. It is prescribed for pitta dominated conditions and people who suffer from herpes, jaundice, celiac disease and colitis.

Basti: Using herbal decoction, ghee and milk enema treatment given to patients in this method. It has tremendous effect in removal of toxins. Vata dominated chronic conditions like arthritis, constipation and piles are cured by this method.

Nasya: It is, meant for clearing and purging head area. After a massage for head and shoulder by fomentation, nasal drops induced into the nostrils. This helps in cleaning head area by reducing headache, hair loss, sleep disorder, chronic rhinitis, respiratory problem and neurological disorder.

Raktamokshan: This is for cleaning blood. Method can be done for entire body or on area. It is good for several skin conditions including dermatitis, psoriasis, pimples, skin infections etc.

Image credit: https://www.ayurvedagram.com/ , https://www.astangayurveda.com/ https://www.healandcareayurveda.com/ , http://aayushihealthcare.com/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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