All posts by Sumana Rao

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Cabinets cleaning tips

Tips To Remove Grease From Cabinets

Grease can build up on the cabinets and it is a common problem. If we do not clean regularly, grease can spoil the cabinets. Here are some effective tips to clean greasy kitchen cabinets, especially around cooking areas where grease tends to build up and also in cabinets in bathrooms and other areas of the house.

Reasons for build up on cabinets:

  1. Cooking oil
  2. Food particles settling down
  3. Dust
  4. Frequently touching the surface with oily and dirty hands
  5. Mold and mildew development due to moisture

What you need to remember before cleaning the cabinets?

  • Always dry thoroughly to avoid moisture damage.
  • For wood cabinets, avoid soaking and use gentle circular motions.
  • To prevent grease buildup once in two weeks dust and wipe down cabinets.
  • Clean range hood filters regularly to reduce airborne grease.
  • For wood cabinets use a wood conditioner to protect the surface
  • Use cotton swabs or a soft toothbrush to get into corners or trim edges.

General tips to clean cabinets:

1. Use a vinegar and water solution – It is natural and gentle

  • Mix one-part white vinegar to 1-part warm water.
  • Spray on greasy areas and let sit for 2–3 minutes.
  • Using soft cloth or sponge wipe the mix.
  • Add a few drops of dish soap for extra power.

2. Baking soda paste – This is great for tough spots:

  • Mix one tablespoon baking soda with 1–2 teaspoons water to make a paste.
  • Gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush or sponge.
  • Clean using damp cloth.

3. Dish soap and warm water – this is recommended for everyday cleaning

  • Mix few drops of grease removing dish soap in a bowl of warm water.
  • Wipe using a microfiber cloth or sponge.
  • Rinse and wipe with clean water and dry with a towel.

4. Commercial degreasers – If you have heavy buildup:

  • Look for citrus-based or non-toxic degreasers.
  • Always spot test first to avoid damaging cabinet finishes.
  • Wipe off with a damp cloth afterward.

 5. Oil and baking soda – this is effective for wood cabinets

  • Mix one part vegetable oil or coconut oil with two parts of baking soda.
  • Using a toothbrush or soft cloth gently scrub the surface.
  • With damp clothes, break down old grease while conditioning wood.

6. For glass cabinets -use a streak-free glass cleaner

  • Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, or cobwebs.
  • Spray a glass cleaner -like Windex or a vinegar solution onto a cloth, not directly on the glass to avoid dripping into the frame or cabinet contents.
  •  Mix 1-part white vinegar with 1 part distilled water for a natural solution.
  • Wipe in circular or zigzag “S” motions to prevent streaks.
  • Finish with a dry microfiber cloth to buff the glass and eliminate streaks or water spots. Avoid abrasive cleaners or paper towels—they can scratch the glass.
  • For sticky spots, dab with warm soapy water, then wipe clean.
  • Clean on a cloudy day or in the shade to avoid quick drying that causes streaks.

 For more tips on cleaning kitchen cabinets read https://healthylife.werindia.com/online-grandma/grandma-tips/tips-clean-kitchen-cabinets

Image credit: Image by Anna Lisa from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 22, 2025
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Radish raita recipe

Cooked Radish Raita Recipe

Radish is a low-calorie vegetable, rich in fiber and a gut friendly vegetable. Adding radish in diet helps in weight loss and keeps digestive system in good condition. One can eat tender raw radish or can prepare curry, sambar, parotta or raita using curd. Here is a simple recipe to prepare radish raita.

Ingredients:

  1. Radish – Small cut- 2 cups
  2. Red onion – 1
  3. Green chilies -3
  4. Coriander – ½ cup
  5. Cumin – 1 tsp
  6. Turmeric –1/2 tsp
  7. Asafetida – a pinch
  8. Salt – as per taste
  9. Curd – 1cup
  10. Water -1/2 cup
  11. Seasoning – mustard, red chili, urad dal, oil

Preparation:

  1. Wash and peel the radish skin and cut into small pieces.
  2. Slit green chili into halves.
  3. Crush cumin, green chili and coriander and add it to cut radish. Mix well.
  4. Place a frying vessel on medium heat, add oil. To heated oil, add mustard, urad dal, red chili, and curry leaves.
  5. Now add cut onion and fry. Add prepared radish mix. Continue cooking in oil for a minute. Now, add turmeric, salt followed by ½ cup water, close the lid. Let radish cook a little. Do not cook radish too much, for raita it should be a little crunchy. Turn off the heat and allow mix to cool.
  6. Once the mix is cooled, add curd and little water to get raita consistency. Adjust salt as per your need.
  7. Serve radish raita with rotis or rice dishes.

Image credit:

https://pxhere.com/en/photo/548106 (CC0 Public Domain)

www.werindia.com (Copyright -Raita image)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 20, 2025
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Bio flocculants to remove microplastics

Extracts From Okra And Fenugreek Can Remove Most Microplastic From Water

Recent research has demonstrated that natural polysaccharide extracts from okra and fenugreek can effectively remove microplastics from water, offering a sustainable and non-toxic alternative to conventional chemical flocculants.

Before proceeding to research details, it is important to understand what these plant-based flocculants and how they work.

Plant-based flocculants are natural substances derived from plants that help remove suspended particles—like microplastics, sediments, or contaminants—from liquids, especially water. They do this by causing the particles to clump together (a process called flocculation), making it easier to filter out or settle.

Characteristics of plant-based flocculants:

  • Natural origin: Made from polysaccharides (complex sugars), proteins, or other biopolymers found in plants.
  • Eco-friendly: Biodegradable and non-toxic, unlike many chemical flocculants such as aluminum sulfate or polyacrylamide.
  • Safe for drinking water: Suitable for use in water purification for human consumption.

Common sources of plant-based flocculants:

Bio flocculants examples

How do flocculants work?

  1. The flocculant is added to turbid water.
  2. It binds to fine particles (like microplastics or silt).
  3. The particles clump together into larger “flocs.”
  4. These flocs are heavy enough to settle out or be filtered easily.

Benefits of using flocculants:

  1. Sustainable alternative to chemical flocculants.
  2. Reduce environmental toxicity.
  3. It can be sourced locally in many regions, lowering treatment costs.

Research on Okra and Fenugreek as flocculants:

Researchers at Tarleton State University, led by Dr. Rajani Srinivasan, tested polysaccharide extracts from various plants—including okra, fenugreek, tamarind, Aloe vera, cactus, and Psyllium species—for their ability to capture microplastics in water.

Dr. Rajani Srinivasan: “The whole treatment method with the non-toxic materials uses the same infrastructure, we don’t have to build something new to incorporate these materials for water treatment purposes.”

Optimal combinations:

  • Sliced okra and fenugreek seeds were used in this research.
  • A combination of okra and fenugreek extracts was most effective in removing microplastics from ocean water.
  • Okra paired with tamarind extracts worked best for freshwater samples.
  • These natural polymers performed better than synthetic ones.

Mechanism of action: The plant-based polysaccharides function as flocculants, binding to microplastic particles and causing them to aggregate and settle out of the water. Dried extracts of okra and fenugreek removed 67% and 93% microplastics respectively, in an hour. A combination of both resulted in 70% removal of microplastics in 30 mins.

Compatibility with existing infrastructure: These natural flocculants can be integrated into current water treatment systems without the need for new equipment or processes.

The research team plans to further refine the ratios and combinations of plant-based flocculants to optimize microplastic removal across various water sources, including ocean water, estuaries, freshwater, and groundwater. They also aim to scale up the process for field studies and eventual industrial application.

References:

  1. https://springwise.com/sustainable-infrastructure/water-and-sanitation/removing-microplastics-from-water-with-okra/
  2. https://www.tarleton.edu/news/tarleton-researchers-work-to-remove-microplastics-from-wastewater/
  3. https://www.waterworld.com/wastewater-treatment/press-release/14270277/food-grade-plant-extracts-remove-microplastics-from-wastewater
  4. https://www.makewaterfamous.com/news/scientists-cook-up-novel-way-to-remove-microplastics-from-water

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/674746  & https://pxhere.com/en/photo/4818 (both images are CC0 For Public Domain), Microplastic: Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 16, 2025
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Potassium rich foods

Potassium Rich Food Help To Lower Blood Pressure

Include Potassium rich food in your daily diet if you are suffering from high blood pressure. Because Potassium-rich foods help reduce blood pressure by addressing several key physiological processes in the body.

How does Potassium rich food act on the body to help lower blood pressure?

1. Balances sodium levels: High sodium intake is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Potassium helps counteract sodium’s effects. Too much sodium causes the body to retain water, increasing blood volume and pressure. Potassium helps your kidneys excrete sodium through urine, lowering sodium levels in the bloodstream. Less fluid in blood vessels means lower blood pressure.

2. Relaxes blood vessel walls: Potassium helps regulate signals in muscle cells, including those in your blood vessels. It reduces tension in blood vessel walls, making them more flexible and less constricted. Easier blood flow means reduced blood pressure.

3. Supports overall fluid balance: Potassium works with sodium to maintain the balance of fluids in and out of cells. This balance helps prevent fluid overload, which can raise blood pressure.

4. Improves heart function: Potassium is essential for normal heart rhythm and helps prevent arrhythmias. A healthy, steady heartbeat reduces stress on the cardiovascular system, lowering the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Potassium aids in relaxing the walls of blood vessels, improving blood flow.

Evidence based insight: Diets like the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasize potassium-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes), have been shown in studies to significantly reduce blood pressure, especially in people with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension.

Potassium-rich foods that help to lower blood pressure levels:

Potassium-rich foods can help lower blood pressure. Potassium helps your body get rid of excess sodium through urine and eases tension in blood vessel walls—both of which help reduce blood pressure.

Fruits:

  1. Bananas
  2. Pomegranate
  3. Oranges and orange juice
  4. Apricots (especially dried)
  5. Cantaloupe
  6. Avocados
  7. Kiwis
  8. Prunes

Vegetables:

  1. Sweet potatoes
  2. Spinach
  3. Beet greens
  4. Potatoes (with skin)
  5. Swiss chard
  6. Tomatoes and tomato products (watch sodium in canned versions)
  7. Zucchini
  8. Legumes & Beans:
  9. Lentils
  10. Kidney beans
  11. Black beans
  12. Soybeans (edamame)

Other sources:

  1. Curd
  2. Nuts and seeds (especially pistachios and almonds)
  3. Coconut water
  4. Whole grains like quinoa and bran

Too much potassium can be harmful for people with kidney problems, so it is important to consult with a healthcare provider if you have kidney disease or are on potassium-sparing medications.

Image credit: Image by Marijana from Pixabay & Image by Adriano Gadini from Pixabay (Both images are free to use under Pixabay content license)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 15, 2025
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Regular Exercises Helps Skin To Glow

Regular Exercises Helps Skin To Glow

Exercise can be incredibly beneficial for skin health in multiple ways.  

  1. Boosts circulation: Physical activity increases blood flow, which delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to skin cells. This boost in circulation helps with cell repair and regeneration, giving the skin a healthy glow. 
  1. Detoxification through sweat: Sweating helps to flush out impurities from the skin, such as dirt and oil, which can clog pores. However, it is essential to cleanse the skin after exercising to prevent these impurities from settling back onto the skin. 
  1. Reduces stress and cortisol levels: Exercise can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body. Since high cortisol levels are linked to breakouts and other skin issues, regular exercise can indirectly reduce the likelihood of skin problems associated with stress. 
  1. Supports collagen production: Exercise promotes the production of collagen, which keeps the skin firm and helps prevent sagging and wrinkles. This collagen boost helps maintain skin elasticity and resilience. 
  1. Improves sleep quality: Good-quality sleep is essential for skin repair. Exercise can improve sleep patterns, allowing the skin to heal and renew itself more effectively. 

Regular exercise, combined with a healthy skincare routine, can enhance your skin’s natural glow, and make it more resilient over time. 

Image credit: Image by Kungfah pootawonsup from Pixabay (CC0 – Free to use under Pixabay content license) 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 13, 2025
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Gut And Skin Are Closely Connected -Gut Skin Axis

Gut And Skin Are Closely Connected -Gut Skin Axis

Gut health is essential for skin health because the gut and skin are connected through what is known as the “gut-skin axis.” Healthy gut can lead to healthier skin in following ways: 

  1. Reduces inflammation: A balanced gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria in your digestive system) helps reduce systemic inflammation, which can improve skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. When the gut is out of balance, it can trigger an inflammatory response that often shows up on the skin. 
  1. Enhances nutrient absorption: A healthy gut ensures that your body absorbs essential nutrients, like vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients support skin structure, hydration, and repair, contributing to a more radiant appearance. 
  1. Balances hormones: The gut plays a role in processing and regulating hormones. Poor gut health can contribute to hormonal imbalances, which may increase issues like breakouts, excess oil production, and even pigmentation problems. 
  1. Strengthens the skin barrier: A healthy gut can improve the skin’s barrier function by regulating compounds like ceramides, fatty acids, and proteins that keep the skin hydrated and protected. This barrier protects against pathogens, pollutants, and irritants that can cause breakouts or dryness. 
  1. Supports detoxification: The gut helps eliminate toxins from the body. When the gut is not functioning well, toxins can build up, sometimes leading the body to expel them through the skin. This can result in dull, congested, or acne-prone skin. 
  1. Balances skin microbiome: The skin, like the gut, has its own microbiome. A balanced gut microbiome can indirectly support a balanced skin microbiome, reducing issues like inflammation and helping to maintain skin clarity. 

Eating a diet rich in fiber, probiotics (like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut), and prebiotics (such as garlic, onions, and bananas) can improve gut health, which in turn supports clear, healthy skin. 

Image credit: Image by u_gjif9un3ht from Pixabay (CC0 Free to use under Pixabay content license) 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Balancing Hormones Is Key For Skin Health

Balancing Hormones Is Key For Skin Health

Balancing hormones is key to healthy skin because hormones directly affect how skin functions, heals, and regenerates. How hormonal balance can enhance skin health? 

  1. Reduces acne and breakouts: Hormonal imbalances, particularly fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and androgens (like testosterone), can increase sebum (oil) production, clogging pores and leading to acne. By balancing these hormones, you can reduce excess oil and prevent frequent breakouts. 
  1. Prevents dryness and redness: Estrogen supports skin hydration and elasticity by boosting collagen and natural oils in the skin. During menopause or hormonal imbalances, low estrogen levels can lead to dry, thin, and sensitive skin. Balancing estrogen levels helps maintain skin hydration and elasticity. 
  1. Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles: Estrogen and progesterone contribute to collagen production, which keeps the skin firm and smooth. Balancing hormones helps to maintain collagen levels and thus reduces the appearance of fine lines and prevents premature aging. 
  1. Improves skin healing and inflammation: Hormones like cortisol, the stress hormone, can cause inflammation when chronically elevated, worsening skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Balanced cortisol levels help reduce inflammation and improve skin’s ability to heal and recover from irritation. 
  1. Regulates pigmentation: Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can influence melanin production, impacting skin pigmentation. Imbalances can lead to hyperpigmentation issues like melasma, which is often triggered by hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or birth control use. 
  1. Supports a healthy skin barrier: Balanced hormones help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, which protects against irritants, allergens, and pollutants. This barrier also keeps moisture in, preventing dryness and sensitivity. 

Maintaining hormonal balance can be achieved through stress management, a nutritious diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and by taking supplements, or medical guidance. 

Image credit: Image by Jensen Art Co from Pixabay (CC0 Free to use under Pixabay content license) 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Skin health, What our skin says, Gut health, Hormonal imbalance, Hydration and skin

Hydration Plays Crucial Role In Skin Health

Hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy, radiant skin. How staying well-hydrated benefits your skin: 

  1. Maintains skin elasticity and plumpness: Proper hydration keeps skin cells plump, which improves elasticity and makes skin appear smoother and more youthful. Hydrated skin is also less prone to fine lines and sagging. 
  1. Improves skin barrier function: Skin hydration strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, which protects against environmental pollutants, bacteria, and other irritants. This barrier is essential for preventing moisture loss and protecting against dryness. 
  1. Prevents dryness and flakiness: Dehydrated skin can become dry, flaky, and more prone to irritation. Drinking enough water and using hydrating skincare products helps keep the skin soft and smooth. 
  1. Reduces the appearance of pores and redness: Hydrated skin has better circulation, which can help minimize redness and reduce the appearance of pores. When skin is dry, pores may appear more pronounced, especially around the nose and cheeks. 
  1. Enhances skin tone and radiance: Water helps flush out toxins from the body, which can reduce dullness and improve the skin’s natural glow. Proper hydration gives the skin a fresh, radiant appearance. 
  1. Speeds up skin repair: Water is essential for cellular function, including skin repair and renewal. Staying hydrated helps your skin recover faster from cuts, blemishes, and other minor injuries. 

For optimal hydration, focus on drinking water throughout the day and include water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, and citrus fruits. Hydrating skincare products, such as moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, can also lock in moisture and further enhance skin hydration. 

Image credit: mage by zeeshan Nawaz from Pixabay (CC0 -Free to use under Pixabay content license) 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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