All posts by Sumana Rao

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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: October 22, 2018
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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/

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Oleation treatment

Oleation treatment

Oleation and Fomentation are two steps of Panchakarma treatment

Oleation treatment: Oleation is use of oil and oily substances on the body. Home grown herbs and mineral ingredients are used externally to massage the body. It is known as ‘snehana” in Sanskrit. With oil, ghee is another healthy substance used internally for treatment. Ghee or clarified butter is home cleanse source taken in empty stomach upon rising for seven days and externally oil massage given. Ghee being a fatty substance helps to saturate cells and while carrying the medicinal ingredients to all cells of the body it loosens the toxins like heavy metals, pesticides and stress chemicals from cells.

Principle here is, liquid fats while penetrating the body and cells pass through minute channels and break obstructions of the body easily. Liquid oils stimulate secretions in tissues and removes doshas out of the cells. Function of fat here is similar to soap to remove dirt from our body.

Image & Oleation and fomentation treatment & information reference: http://cureforsure.com/

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Fomentation treatment

Fomentation treatment:

Fomentation treatment:

Panchakarma treatment that causes and produces sweating is called fomentation. Fomentation means warm or heat up. In Sanskrit it is known as Swedana Karma (internal excreta). Sweda means sweating. And, fomentation is warm application that causes sweating. Oleation treatment is followed by fomentation treatments. Fomentation is topical application of medicines in which cloth soaked in strong infusion and applied to the body. Swedana or fomentation helps in relieving cold, heaviness and stiffness in the body and produces sweat. In Panchakarma, fomentation helps to liquefy the sticky, adherent doshas that are present in peripheral tissues. Sweating helps in softening and melting the toxins, opens up skin pores and expels from body. There is not fire involved in the technique. Fomentation therapy can be done for entire body or for a particular area. It is either wet or dry type and intensity of fomentation can be mild, strong, or mediate.

Swedana removes excess body heat, clear channels and cuts toxins by detoxifying kidney, liver, and respiratory system. It also improves blood circulation, digestion and reduces excess weight.

Image & reference credit: https://www.lybrate.com/ 

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Fomentation types

Types of Fomentation:

Types of Fomentation:

Five types of fomentation used for patients based on their health conditions. In all five fomentation types different healing materials are used

  • Sankara application –Application of herbal boluses to patients. Bolus is fomenting or massaging of the body using herbal suppositories. After massaging boluses unwrapped and applied to body followed by a warm bath.
  • Prasthara – Patients are made to lie on bed of leaves of castor, corn, pulse, ginger or ghee etc and a silk or wool blanket covered that causes sweating.
  • Nadi – Medicated steam applied through hose to the body or to specified areas of body.
  • Parisheka –Hot herbal decoction showered in parisheka using a pitcher, pot or pipe.
  • Jentaaka – Patient made to sit near a pond or water source and an oven burning with special herbs in it.

In fomentation ginger root, castor root, black gram, drumstick plant leaves are also used to encourage body to sweat.

Image and reference: http://holistic.ly/ , http://www.aprasuayurveda.com/

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