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.
Eye glass care and cleaning tips

How to keep eye glasses clean

Eyesight is precious, and we must protect eyes. At any age anyone might in need of eye glasses for different purposes based on our need. We invest much on eye glasses not just for eye glasses, for eye glass cleaners too. In fact, eye glasses are revolutionized, and they are designed in such as way to protect our eyes from harmful UV rays and also to provide comfort to eyes.  Technically advanced eye glasses come with coatings that are durable for some time. What we need to understand that these coatings or anti-scratch glasses does not mean complete scratch proof.  They prevent scratches that can easily happen to regular eye lens. It is important to keep eye glasses clean to avoid accidents, for better eye sight, for better view and visibility.  Tips to clean eye glasses – anti scratch or not – are below.

One can use following materials for cleaning eye glasses:

To clean eye glass:

  1. Hold glasses under running lukewarm water. Do not use hot water as it can damage life span of eye glasses by removing coatings
  2. Take a small drop of dish soap in fingertip. Gently rub on both sides of glass and on frame.
  3. Rinse using warm water, gently dry glasses using microfiber cloth. When you use microfiber cloth it won’t leave any type of lent behind and glasses look perfect
  4. Use lens wipes to keep eye glasses clean throughout the day. Keep lens wipes at home, in your bag and at office. You can also spritz rubbing alcohol and wipe with microfiber cloth.
  5. The fibers in cloth and paper act like sand paper and scratches the lens and eventually disturbs the coating. Clothes might have dust and debris that can scratch lens.

Other precautions:

  1. Do not dry clean lens, always use water
  2. Do not leave eye glasses near any of your beauty products. Chemicals from beauty products such as hairspray, nail polish, shampoo can potentially damage the coating on lenses
  3. Before cleaning eye glasses clean your hands. Shake glasses gently to remove excess water and then wipe glasses using lens wipes

-If you feel that your glasses need deep cleaning, then get ultrasound cleaning machine like ultrasonic cleaner that is available at low prices online. These machines remove all gunk and grime without harming the coatings.

Do not clean eye lens using harsh chemicals and fibers like

  • Ammonia solution
  • Window glass cleaner
  • Bleach liquid
  • Vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Paper towels
  • Old or new shirt
  • Facial tissue
  • Your exhale

To put your best face in front of world take help of clean eye glasses. If you do not clean glasses regularly it can lead to build up oil film with dirt. This film will obstruct your view and eye sight will further deteriorate and you will end up getting new eye glasses with new readings. Take precaution today and protect your eyes.

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 18, 2019
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Daily dose

Daily Dose From Grandma

Whether we like it or not, we all need certain disciplines and principles in our day-to-day life to achieve our goals. Everyday learning leads to knowledge and action. The more we learn how to take care of daily life activities; we can achieve more in our lives.

Remember these tips daily and start adopting good values:  A good beginning makes a good end. Listen to grandma…

  1. Early bird catches the worm: Be early and you will gain more in a day, will learn more and get more accomplished.
  2. Do uncomfortable things: Eat your vegetables – this will help you in longer run
  3. Always be on time: This gives a good impression at work and at school
  4. Never try to be someone you are not: This masks your personality and you will live a life of someone else’s that never makes you happy.
  5. Try to remain calm: Because cooler head prevail always. More ideas will come to calm mind, things will be clear, and solutions will emerge.
  6. Keep it simple and lead a simple life: Do not make things too complicated more than it is; as it can create chaos in your mind and life
  7. Do not hurt someone’s feelings and do not take people for granted. People will never forget how you made them feel. You never know when you need them.
  8. Education is important and it matters: No one take away your qualification and knowledge
  9. Be around people who brings you up and not put you down: If you want to grow with wisdom and come up in life, be around people who has positive energy and attitude
  10. Love people. Find something to like about the person: We all are humans. No one is perfect.
  11. You can only do your best: Do the best within your capacity and given circumstances. Don’t feel bad about what you could not do.
  12. Don’t buy what you can’t afford: Save money and use it for something more worth for your life.
  13. Treat others the way you would like to be treated: Even in the absence of a person, do not talk about him/her negative. It shows your integrity.
  14. A smile can get you a long way: Smile does not cost anything – it only spreads positive energy.
  15. Practice makes perfect: Never give up – keep practicing, practicing makes a skill more perfect.
  16. Never accept a lift from a stranger – Do not trust anyone easily. Do not offer a lift for a stranger too.
  17. Work hard at school: Because qualifications are the one thing that can’t be taken from you.
  18. Family first: You have a family who understands you. Never give up on them.
  19. If you cannot say something nice, do not say anything at all  – Keep your negative comment in yourself.
  20. Don’t ask, don’t Get: If you don’t ask you will not get. Open up, reach out to people, and ask what you want.
  21. I want never gets: Do not insist to get something. Remove that ego “I want” and “I want it now”.
  22. Never go to bed on an argument: You will not sleep and it will make you sad – it as simple as that.
  23. A happy marriage is the foundation to a happy family: Do not argue in front of children. You will set a bad example for your child. Whatever your difference may be talk it out and solve the issue.
  24. Lend helping hands: Lend more help to others then you ask for help yourself; give back to the world more than you take.
  25. Always keep your house clean: Your house is representative of your personality. Keep your house clean even if you have less money. A clean house shows you respect yourself and your family.

Source: www.werindia.com

Image courtesy: http://www.dailymoss.com/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 17, 2019
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Do you have metabolic syndrome?

Do you have metabolic syndrome?

Have you heard about Metabolic syndrome?

In recent years this one medical term has answered many questions about common conditions that people are suffering from.

Metabolic syndrome is the name given to group of risk factors or conditions that arises when we increase our risk heart conditions and type 2 diabetes.

This includes hypertension, large waist, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol level and above normal blood sugar levels.

Metabolic is the term used for biochemical processes involved in body’s normal functioning. Syndrome refers to the symptoms and conditions that causes disruptions to metabolism.

Presence of three or more of these below risk factors determine whether a person has metabolic syndrome or not.

  1. Central obesity. This is measured by waist circumference:
  • More than 40 inches for men.
  • More than 35 inches for women.
  1. Fasting blood triglycerides are 150 mg/dL or more or taking medicine for high triglycerides.
  2. Low HDL cholesterol levels or taking medicine for low HDL cholesterol:
  • Men — Less than 40 mg/dL
  • Women — Less than 50 mg/dL
  1. Elevated blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher or taking medicine for high blood pressure.
  2. Fasting glucose (blood sugar) of 100 mg/dL or more or taking medicine for high blood glucose.

Other body conditions like a fatty liver, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gallstones, breathing problems during sleep play a role in metabolic syndrome.  Genetic factors like ethnicity and family history may play a role too. Risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age.

How is metabolic syndrome treated?

Best way to prevent metabolic syndrome is to adopt healthy lifestyle. Changing the lifestyle for better health really helps. Routine checkups on above mentioned risk factors and improving the levels of the factors helps. Losing weight, healthy diet and increased physical activity are three mantras one should practice.

To manage metabolic syndrome, follow these important steps.

  • Routinely monitor body weight (especially central obesity).
  • Monitor blood glucose, lipoproteins and blood pressure.
  • Treat individual risk factors (hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure and high blood glucose) according to established guidelines.
  • Carefully choose high blood pressure drugs because different drugs have different effects on insulin sensitivity.

Lifestyle changes can help to control risk factors:

  • Eat healthy
  • Aim for healthy weight
  • Manage stress
  • Physical activity
  • Quit smoking

Prepare yourself for  a realistic short and long term goals and work closely with your doctor to manage your health.

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Masala Mustard Beaten rice

Masala Mustard Beaten rice

A quick, easy to prepare breakfast or evening snack recipe masala mustard beaten rice or commonly known as mustard poha. It provides less calories and tastes good too!

This is another traditional recipe of masala poha (beaten rice) from Karnataka, South India where it is known as ‘saasive avalakki’

Ingredients

  1. Beaten rice – 3 cups
  2. Red chillies – 4
  3. Mustard – 1 tsp
  4. Grated coconut -1/4 cup
  5. Tamarind – 2 inch (soak and extract juice)
  6. Asafetida – pinch
  7. For seasoning – chenna dal, urad dal ½ tsp each
  8. Peanuts – 2 Tbsp
  9. Curry leaves – few
  10. Salt – as per taste
  11. Cilantro – ¼ cup
  12. Turmeric – 1 tsp
  13. Coconut oil – 1 Tbsp
  14. Sugar or jaggery – little

Method:

  1. Soak beaten rice (if it is thick) for few minutes, wash and strain
  2. Grind mustard with red chillis, add asafetida, and coconut.
  3. Heat oil on medium heat and add mustard, chena and urad daal followed by peanut. Fry to golden brown
  4. Add curry leaves, grinded masala, turmeric powder, salt, little sugar and tamarind juice and mix well until the oil leaves the mix.
  5. Add soaked beaten rice and mix well. Cover lid and keep it on low flame for couple of more minutes.
  6. Turn off heat source, add coconut oil, chopped cilantro an mix well.
  7. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and serve hot mustard beaten rice with yogurt.

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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No More misleading words on food packages

No More misleading words on food packages

No more lies from food companies and no more misleading words on food packages! FSSAI prohibits use of terms like natural, authentic, traditional, and pure from packaged foods.

To protect consumers from food companies that are trying to sell their food products by stating natural or traditional or any such words FSSAI has acted in India. It is introducing new regulations by banning food companies from using words such as original, authentic, genuine, real, fresh, natural, traditional, and pure on the food labels.

Exception for this rule is washed, peeled, chilled, trimmed, or other processing stages that alter basic characteristics of the packed food. This new regulation is coming in effect soon.

Food companies to make profit, have been using such terms which attracts consumers. Branded companies are no exception for this. The new regulation also controls the several such claims that food companies can make in their promotions or advertisements. In addition to these words nutrition claims, non-addition claims, sugars, and sodium salts, claims about dietary guidelines, diet, health claims of the products are under surveillance of FSSAI. The new regulation also bans use of words like home-made, home cooked as it might give a mistaken impression to the consumer. The food pack label must specific quantities of ingredients salt, sugar, and vitamins to back any claims for products that are said to be high or low with any of these ingredients.

“As per the new regulations claims made in the advertisements will be consistent with information provided on the label. Also, the label should have words implying the food is recommended, prescribed or approved by any doctors or for medical purpose”!

“Every food business operator and marketer while advertising and publishing or disseminating marketing communication meant for promotion or sale of any article of food including labelling claims shall comply” FSSAI. These rules are primarily aimed at restricting an open-ended use of these words and phrases by food businesses on frivolous grounds as per FSSAI communication to press.

According FSSAI, companies using synonyms of these terms or words will have to give a clear disclaimer not less than 3 mm size need to be printed stating “this is only a brand name or trade mark and does not represent its true nature”.  In addition, the guidelines will prohibit food companies from comparative marketing and advertisement. Food companies will not be allowed to make claims undermining the products of competitors as to promote their own products to influence consumers to buy product. Companies will have penalized if they mislead consumers. Penalty for misleading advertisements is up to INR 1mn! (about US $14,000)

Some Indian food manufacturers are not happy about the rule that is going to be effective from July 1st of next year. One of the reason is “the area on the label is not sufficient for all these kind of declarations” FSSAI press release states that  “FSSAI has invited suggestions and objections from stakeholders within 30 days from the publication of the draft regulations. These regulations, after consideration of stakeholder comments and finalization, will come into force on the date of their final publication in the Gazette on India”.

FSSAI is becoming strict in recent years to protect consumers and implementing such rules for the safety of public health. With new rule, food companies will have to make claims based on available scientific information and international best practices.

References:

 

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 14, 2019
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Anorexia in children

Is your child suffering from Anorexia

When children and teens start feeling that they weigh too much and also subjected to body shaming they may develop  anorexia, subjecting themselves self- starvation. Anorexia or Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. Children who suffer from anorexia will have distorted body image.

Two types of anorexia in children-

Restrictor type: Children severely limit how much amount of food they eat.

Bulimic type: They eat too much food and make themselves throw up.

Apart from body shaming and bullying, other reasons that may play a role in developing anorexia are;

  • Social attitudes toward body appearance
  • Family influences
  • Genetics
  • Brain chemical imbalances
  • Developmental issues

Family history such as: Weight problems, Physical illness and mental health problems, such as depression or substance abuse also could be reasons for anorexia.

Symptoms:

  • Low body weight.
  • Child often has a distorted view of his or her body.
  • Physical symptoms may include very dry skin, belly pain, and constipation.
  • Dry skin that when pinched and let go, stays pinched
  • Fluid loss (dehydration)
  • Belly pain
  • Constipation
  • Lethargy
  • Dizziness
  • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • Sensitivity to cold temperatures
  • Being abnormally thin (emaciated)
  • Growth of fine, downy body hair (lanugo)
  • Yellowing of the skin

What are the possible complications of anorexia nervosa in a child?

Anorexia and the malnutrition that results can harm nearly every organ system in the body. It can be fatal. It may lead to health problems with the:

  • Heart : Damage to heart due to malnutrition and repeated vomiting, irregular heart beat, low BP
  • Blood: Mild anemia and low WBC
  • Digestive system: Movement of digestive tract slows down
  • Kidney: Concentrated urine due to dehydration.
  • Endocrine system: In young girls, lower level of growth hormones and lack of menstrual periods
  • Bones: Greater risk of bone fracture, less bone density
  • Muscle: Less muscle and looks thin

Treatment for anorexia:

Talk to your family physician and understand what is going on with your child’s health. Do not neglect child’s health thinking it is a passing stage. Identifying and treating anorexia at early stages helps to get back child’s normal weight and development.  Based on diagnosis doctor may recommend,

  1. Individual therapy
  2. Family therapy
  3. Behavior changes
  4. Nutritional rehabilitation
  5. Antidepressant medicines, if your child is also depressed

How parents and family can help?

  • Treatments helps to improve child’s quality of life. Encourage your children to eat healthy and be realistic towards weight. Help them with a diet plan to maintain balanced weight.
  • Do not skip any appointments with doctor and accompany your child in his/her doctor’s visit.
  • Discuss with your friends and close ones about your child’s anorexia.
  • Talk to healthcare provider and school teachers to develop a treatment plan.
  • Be in touch with other parents and discuss about children’s eating habits and how to improve.
  • Observe your child’s behavior, eating habit and note down points for your next visit to therapist.
  • Write down all instructions from therapist and help child to follow them.

Anorexia is treatable condition in children. With treatments, therapy and family support children will come back to normalcy and start gaining the normal weight.

References:

  • https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
  • https://www.stanfordchildrens.org
  • Image credit; Food photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com (Free for commercial use)
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Quick home remedies

Know these quick home remedies

For some of the daily health issues one can try these quick home remedies. Many of these ingredients readily should be available in your kitchen cabinets and easy to prepare with few ingredients.

  1. For mouth sores chew 5-6 young guava leaves with ½ tsp cumin and little rock salt.
  2. After heavy meals to reduce heaviness in system chew little ginger and rock salt
  3. If you are suffering from joint pain, daily add 1 or 2 tsp ghee in meal. Ghee helps to reduce joint pain.
  4. For dry cough – on low flame heat 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp black pepper – cool and prepare powder. To 1 tsp of this powder add 1 tsp ghee and ½ tsp sugar or jaggery and have 2-3 times a day.
  5. Pomegranate fruit skin and young leaves of the plants are useful in controlling loose motion. On low heat fry 5 pieces of dry pomegranate skin or young leaves with ½ tsp black pepper and ½ tsp cumin. Add 1 Tbsp grated coconut and grind to paste. Mix with 1 or 2 cups buttermilk and drink.
  6. Suffering from constipation related stomach ache? Prepare raw papaya (green papaya) curry with less spice ( just 1 green chilly). Have this once or twice followed by a glass of water.
  7. After a walk in hot sun to reduce dehydration, drink water with a small piece of jaggery. It reduces thirst and helps to keep body hydrated.
  8. To reduce nausea and vomiting, mix little salt in tender coconut water and drink.
  9. Another remedy to reduce nausea, add little salt, grated ginger to a glass of lemon juice and drink
  10. Suffering from indigestion? Add 1 tsp carom seed (oma, ajwain) to 1 cup water and boil on low flame. Let the color turn slight brown. Add little salt, pinch of asafetida and boil for few more seconds, strain the water and drink.
  11. To reduce burning sensation while urinating due to spices -boil few curry leaves in water, add jaggery. Strain and add little milk and drink twice a day for two to three days.
  12. Suffering from cold? – Boil few Tulsi leaves with little pepper powder and jaggery. Strain and add little hot milk. Drink twice a day.
  13. To boost your energy – take 4-5 dates, cut into small pieces transfer to a grinder. Add little jaggery, ½ inch ginger and grind to a paste. To this paste add a cup of hot milk and drink.
  14. To get relief from stomach burning after eating spicy food – Keep a glass of boiled milk in refrigerator for an hour. Drink this milk.
  15. To reduce mouth sores and acidity – after washing rice, do not throw water. To one glass of rice water, add ½ glass buttermilk, pinch of asafetida, 1 tsp ghee and little salt. Stir and drink.

Image credit: Photo by Hans Vivek on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Not Drinking sufficient amount of water

Symptoms of not drinking enough water

Water is essential for human body and drinking less or no water can cause various conditions. Many of the symptoms related to less water consumption are similar to regular sickness symptoms and people often get worried about these symptoms thinking something is really wrong with their body. When there is an easy fix – drinking enough water everyday helps to reduce these symptoms/conditions. Moreover, there is a misconception in people that water can be replaced with tea, coffee, diet soda, sports drink, juice etc. The thirst disease, which people get, is a progressive state of dehydration, which happens after drinking any of other drinks other than water. Drinking too many other fluids in place of water results in accumulation of toxins in the body. To combat these toxins body compensates water by removing water from the cells.

Some of the common symptoms of body indicate that more water drinking is needed for the body.

1) Mouth feels dry: Lip skin will peel, tongue feels dry and throat feels itchy.

2) Skin change: Skin breaks out, feels very dry and dry -ash like appearance with eczema. The skin is 75 percent water, so any lack of water is damaging to the skin. This dehydration results in eczema.

3) Joint pain and arthritis: Both in hands and legs joint pain increases because of less water in cartilage. Cartilage contains a large amount of water, so dehydration causes it to become dry and less effective.

4) Weight gain: Body tries to retain water and with water accumulation body weight increases.

5) Aging: Premature appearance due to dry and dehydrated skin.

6) Unhealthy urinary tract: Urine becomes darker yellow and results in a burning sensation while passing urine.  The lack of water in the body allows excess bacteria and germs to congregate in the bladder and urethra causing infection.

7) Stomach ache: Constipation happens due to lack of dehydration and results in stomach pain.

8) Low energy: Lethargic and more stressed body – when there is no water body loses its energy and results in a lethargic condition.

9) Muscle ache: Constant muscle pain and often inflammation of muscle is possible. This also leads to cramps -especially in calves’ area of leg.

10) Eyes: Color change in eyes – bloodshot eyes.

11) Sickness: Water is a very important cleanser.  Not enough drinking water results in buildup of toxins in the body and causes sickness.

12) Brain function decline: The brain requires more water than any other part of the body because it contains 20% of the blood circulating through the body at any one time.

13) Other damages: Low hydration levels in the aged can result in brain damage, diabetes, and respiratory ailments.

14) Judgment and balance: Dehydration can lead to fatigue and impaired cognition. Normal tasks like driving, lifting things can give hard time, as there will not be a balance in mind.

How much water one need to drink?

Our activities, temperature, perspiration, urination, exercise and other factors determine how much water we should drink. General recommendation is from The Institute of Medicine is an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 liters) per day. The AI for women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters) per day.  Normally nutritionals say 8-ounce glasses (1.9 liters) of water a day which is  close to  daily general recommendation from IM. However, as mentioned above our daily water consumption depends on our activity and how much our body is dehydrated.

See this link to understand how much water is needed to hydrate your body.

http://www.camelbak.com/en/HydratED/HydrationCalculator.aspx

Source: www.werindia.com

Image: Image by sutulo from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 13, 2019
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