All posts by Sumana Rao

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Hurricane, Flooding, carbon monoxide poisoning

Hurricane, Flooding, carbon monoxide poisoning

This year many parts of the World are hit by hurricane, heavy rain and flooding. Just this month Hurricane Florence began affecting Southeastern US. Thousands of people are without electricity and water. Without power people look for alternate power sources such as gasoline generators, propane or charcoal grills. These sources are good but, If used improperly can lead to Carbon monoxide CO build up inside house, garage, buildings and can poison people, pet and other animals.

Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas, which can cause sudden illness and death, is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. Exposure to CO results in severe health symptoms. Mitigating and identifying CO source is critical in preventing CO poison.

Sources of Carbon monoxide

Gas water heaters, kerosene stove, charcoal grill, propane stove and heaters, petrol and diesel-powered generators, cigarette, forklifts with propane tank, boats, pain removers, solvents etc.

Symptoms of Carbon monoxide poisoning

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Eye burning
  • Flu like symptom
  • Fatigue and chest pain
  • Impaired judgment,
  • Confusion
  • Blurry eyes
  • Dryness in the mouth
  • Vomiting, drowsiness
  • Hallucination
  • Depression and agitation
  • Seizure and fainting
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath, hoarseness and heavy/noisy breathing

Who are at high risk

  • Elderly
  • Pregnant women
  • Babies and infants
  • People with chronic diseases and respiratory problems.

Diagnosis:

  • Blood test is the effective way to make CO poisoning in the system.
  • Neurological exam can be part of evaluation.
  • CO-oximeter helps to analyze the blood
  • Fingertip pulso CO-oximeter is recommended to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation and COHgb (carboxyhemoglobin) levels in patients’ body.
  • Brian computed tomography or MRI helps to show signs of cerebral infarction.

 Precautions:

  • If you or someone you know have any of the above symptoms in the affected areas, contact hospital and emergency department. Take your pets to Vet office.
  • Move family members and pets to fresh air.
  • Remove sources of CO -If you cannot – contact local fire department or public utility company.
  • There are no home therapy available and seek medical help as soon as possible.
  • If your area is expected to face situations where CO poisoning might be a threat – be ready with facial mask.
  • Using facemask attached to an oxygen reserve bag (like one in the flights) could help
  • In hospitals health care person might check your blood periodically for CO level. Hyperbaric pressure chamber may be used to provide higher oxygen in extreme cases.

You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure (https://www.cdc.gov/co)

  1. Do have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
  2. Do install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. If the detector sounds leave your home immediately and call emergency phone number.
  3. Do seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.
  4. Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window.
  5. Don’t run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.
  6. Don’t burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.
  7. Don’t heat your house with a gas oven.
  8. Don’t use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning please visit

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 17, 2018
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Kitchen organizer

Create more space with kitchen organizers

Irrespective of having a small or bigger kitchen, often we feel that we need more space for shortage. Keeping things neat and organized is not everyone’s skill.

To store groceries, we need place in pantries, to store vessels and lids need place in cupboards.

Similarly storing snacks, canned items, cups and saucer and utensils properly we need more space.

Now a day’s different types of kitchen organizers are available in market and online.

Sink organizers: To keep washed dishes and to store dish sponge, brush use sink organizers.

Vessel cabinet organizer: To keep lids and vessels neat racks are available. This gives easy access to both lids and vessels when we need it.

Cabinet side and counter top holders: To keep coffee, tea, sugar and salt make use of space on side of the cabinet. Similarly put basket line above counter top side wall. You can store oil, small spice bottles and any small decorative plant too!

Create more space using these ideas: Keep cutting board, trays in rectangular racks. You can place it on one corner of counter top or inside cabinet. Ziploc, cans and cereal boxes can be stored in iron racks that can be hooked to shelves or can be placed inside lower shelves. Keep spatula, serving spoons, ladles  in wide mouth thick glass bottle or ladle containers. This saves lot of space for you.

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Image courtesy: Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 14, 2018
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Marigold medicinal benefits

Marigold medicinal benefits

Bright orange and yellow flowers of marigold has several medicinal benefits. Small florets and petals of this plant has medicinal value. In many countries marigold is grown for commercial purpose because of its medicinal benefits. Calendula officinalis or Pot marigold is most popular species that has several benefits.

  • Marigold flowers are edible. All marigold flowers are not tasty. Gem marigold, French marigolds and Mexican mint marigold taste better and flavor is good. Petals of these flowers can be used in salads. Flowers can be dried and stored in bottles or can be frozen in ice cubes. Petals give taste to ice cream, smoothies.
  • Petal tea: Tea of marigold flowers are good for bowel conditions, gastritis and helpful in controlling acid reflux and ulcers. Women can use it for controlling menstrual cramps. Adding lemon or mint to tea enhances tea’s flavor.
  • Lowers inflammation: Drinking calendula tea or adding it in the food, helps to reduce body inflammation.
  • As saffron substitute: For dying food products and salads petals are used. Petals of marigold impart strong yellow color and throwing few dry petals helps to get yellow/orange color to dishes. It is a poor man saffron.
  • Petal ointments: Good for skin and is helpful in acne, warts and wounds healing. It is also good for sun burn.
  • Cough remedy: Calendula species extract is helpful in sore throat and coughs.
  • For infections: It has natural antiseptic properties. Ointment or salves made of marigold flowers are helpful in controlling fungal and yeast infections.
  • Heals wounds and rashes: Applying petal paste helps to heal wounds and skin rashes. In infants applying calendula cream helps to reduce diaper rashes.
  • Petal drops: Products containing calendula with garlic, St. John’s wort and mullein helps in controlling ear infection.
  • For antiaging: Flowers of marigold helps to rejuvenate skin. For this reason, it is included in homeopathic medicines.
  • Controlling bugs: Bugs like Japanese beetles can be controlled by marigold flowers.
  • Growing vegetables: Planting marigold plants in between vegetable patch helps to control insects as well as soil nematodes that kill plants. It also repels rabbits!

Marigold flowers also exhibit strong odor and cause nausea. Using them in lower concentration or in the dried form is better. If you are consider using them, look for products that have calendula or marigold and use as per the directions on the products. If you are breastfeeding or taking any allopathic medicines contact your physician before applying the product.

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/1767902/flowers-marigold-the-petals-overlap-marigold-flower-garden-nature-yellow-summer-flowers-leaves

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 13, 2018
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Kadabu for Lord Ganesha

Kadabu for Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha is loved by all and Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated this week. On this auspicious day devotees offer various types of food to Lord Ganesha. One of the traditional sweet that is offered to Ganesha for naivedya is Kadabu (or somasi). It is a delicious sweet dish containing jaggery and coconut.

 Ingredients:

  1. ¼ cup All purpose flour or Maida
  2. 1 cup rava (coarse wheat)
  3. 1 – 2 Tbs Ghee
  4. 1 cup Grated cocounut
  5. ¾ cup Jaggery
  6. Little Cardamom powder
  7. Poppy seeds – 1 or 2 tsp

 Preparation:

  1.  Mix rava, all purpose flour with ghee. Remove clumps. Add little water and prepare dough. Dough should be not thin. Knead, cover with a lid and keep it aside for half an hour.
  2. To prepare hoorna: Powder jaggery and transfer to a pan. Place pan on low heat and dissolve jaggery. Add grated coconut and cardamom powder and mix well. Turn of the flame.
  3. Roast poppy seeds and add to jaggery, coconut mix.
  4. Prepare small dough balls and roll them to small rotis (slightly larger than your palm size)
  5. Place one or two Tbsp of jaggery-coconut mix (hoorna) in the center of rotis and fold the roti.* Seal the edges by applying very little water using your fingertips. Make sure edges are sealed properly. (If not, while frying kadabu will open up releasing contents to oil).
  6. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Release kadabu in the oil and fry to golden brown color
  7. Offter hot kadabu to Lord Ganesha as naivedya and celebrate the festival.

  • One can use kadabu mold to fill and fold the kadabu.
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 10, 2018
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Nine Podcasts for kids

Nine Podcasts for kids

With technology in hands, kids like to listen to music, stories and play videos.

Recent years podcast is occupying kid’s world. Exciting stories, science, Q & A, narrations – all that need for both entertainment and mind development of kids are available on various podcast Apps.

Many podcasts are available to stream online and parents can download good ones based on theme and kids can enjoy their free time listening to these podcasts.

Below we have listed nine podcasts for kids for learning and enjoyment.

  1. Peace Out: It is a guided relaxation for kids. Meditation and mindfulness helps kids to calm down before going to sleep. This series of podcasts from Peace out is helpful for kids cultivate life long skills that is necessary to have a happy and calm life. Available on iTunes and Google Play.
  2. What If World: This one helps to answer the questions from kids. Parents also need this. What if… kind of questions comes in kid’s mind. Their mind is creative and need to know answer. What happens if Dinosaurs alive, what if vehicle talks? what if animals talk? – all these questions should be answered that is where this podcast comes to rescue. It helps to answer vivid, imaginative world of kids. Available in Google play and iTunes.
  3. But Why: If you give an answer “not possible”, “cannot” then expect a question back from your kid “But why?”. Curious kids want to know why and when? This podcast helps to answer topics related to universe and world. Why sea is salty? Why sky is blue? How butterflies fly etc. It is also available in iTunes & Google Play
  4. Kids Painting and Coloring: A multitouch painting lessons/programs for kids with random brush sizes and colors are available in this podcast. Children can create pictures by theme while painting by step learning. They can save it and view next time. Available in iTune.
  5. Sesame Street: World famous and kids favorite Episodes and activates are available on podcast. It features adorable characters – Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby, Julia along with stories, songs and activities from ABC. Available on iTune.
  6. Brains On: Not all parents are science experts. Take help of Brains on. Questions about planet, stars, earth, life are answered here. Each episode is co-hosted by different kid and kids participation gives an unique view on various topics. Kids enjoy listening to fellow kids. Available on iTunes.
  7. Wow in the World: This helps kids to discover how things work, why things are the way they are, what happens and many more. It is NPR’s first show for kids and has well produced contents. Hosts Guy Roz and Mindy Thomas bring curiosity in their discussion on Science and Technology. It is good podcast for both kids and adults who like to learn.
  8. Book club for kids: It a biweekly podcast that features middle schoolers talking about popular book and sharing their recommendation. Each episode includes a passage by a celebrity guest. Good for Teens and Tweens. Available on iTune.
  9. Dream Big: Eva Karpman and her mother interview prominent personalities, award winners and experts in different fields. It is to encourage young people to find their passion and pursue their dreams. It is fun to listen with family and best for kids. Available on iTune.

If you are new to podcast and would like to get App that are “podcatchers” go for it with below mentioned one of the popular options for listening:

  1. The original podcast app
  2. Stitcher Radio for Podcasts. “Stitch” together custom podcast playlists with this mobile app
  3. Pocket Casts. A mobile app with a sleek, easy-to-use interface
  4. An online audio-streaming platform for podcasts as well as music
  5. fm. Streaming platform specifically for podcasts
  6. Kids Listen: An online app that only features kid-friendly podcasts

References:

Image credit: Different podcast APPs images.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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How much you know about these fruit facts?

How much you know about these fruit facts?

We cannot imagine a world without fruits and vegetables. They both important for our health. Fruits are delicious and we all love to have fresh fruits. Well, at least many of us love to eat fruits. They supply lots of nutrients and can fight various conditions.

Including fruits in our everyday diet reduces many chronic conditions. As a matter of fact, if people able to eat recommended portions of fruits, globally we can avoid 7.8 million premature deaths. Of course, we all agree on one point – all are not that lucky as fruits won’t be available for all.

Fruits supply Vitamins, minerals, good sugar and more importantly anti-oxidants that help us fight various conditions.

There are many fun facts about fruits one should know. Apart from their origin, fruits texture, taste, availability there are many hidden fun facts are present in common fruits that we consume every day.

Do you know?

  • The top six crops in the world, wheat, corn, rice, barley, sorghum and soy, are all fruits in the botanical sense of the word.
  • Fun fact about berries? Both strawberries and raspberries are the only fruits that wear their seeds on the outside. They are not technically a ‘true’ berry like blueberries.

Delicious Pineapple – The most loved fruit

Delicious Pineapple - The most loved fruit

Grapefruit cannot be taken with certain medications

Grapefruit cannot be taken with certain medications

Fond of ripened banana?

Fond of ripened banana?

Miracle fruits makes everything sweet

Miracle fruits makes everything sweet

Fruit Salad Tree

Fruit Salad Tree

Tomato has more genome than humans

Tomato has more genome than humans

Which one is Cantaloupe?

Which one is Cantaloupe?

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References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: August 28, 2018
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UNDERSTANDING PLU CODE

Understanding PLU Code

Soon spring will be here.  We get many produces in markets. This time of the year everybody wants to buy fresh produces for their family. However, with growing concern about the origin of the produces, awareness about GMO and its effect on family members health, people avoid buying produces. In the process they may lose sight of good produces that are essential and packed with rich nutrients.  If you are afraid of buying some produces that may not be organic or conventional produce then, here is what you should know. Read the PLU on the produce stickers and understand whether the produce grown organically or it is a GMO.

The stickers found on fruits and vegetables at markets contain 4-5 digit numbers known as Price Look-Up (PLU) codes. These codes have been around since 1990. They are primarily assigned to identify individual bulk fresh produce (and related items such as nuts and herbs) and will appear on a small sticker applied to the individual piece of fresh produce.. They help to distinguish between conventionally grown, genetically modified (GMO) and organic products. The International Federation administers this system for Produce Standards, an affiliate of the Produce Marketing Association. There are currently over 1400 PLU codes issued.

The mission of the IFPS is to improve the supply chain efficiency of the fresh produce industry through developing, implementing and managing harmonized international standards. PMA serves as the General Secretariat of the IFPS in an effort to use the PLU number globally. Additional information and a listing of PLU numbers can be found by accessing the IFPS website.

Since PLUs are currently optional to use, and especially since many Americans are afraid of genetically modified foods, retailers, and even some seed suppliers when selling to farmers, opt out of using the identifying numbers.

What the codes mean?

4-digit PLU code starting with 3 or 4 (3xxx or 4xxx) = conventionally-grown

Produce items containing a four-digit PLU are considered “conventional,” which means they are not technically GMO, but may still contain pesticides and other toxic residues. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a helpful shopping guide for picking out safe produce

5-digit PLU code starting with 9 (9xxxx) = organically-grown : When shopping for fruits and vegetables, your first choice will want to be those labeled with a five-digit PLU that begins with a “9,” which indicates that it is certified organic.

5-digit PLU code  starting with 8 (8xxxx) = genetically-modified : Most Americans say they would avoid GMOs if they were labeled. Therefore, it is well known fact that PLU number was “hypothetically” created with 5 digits starting with an 8. In other words in case if you see produce items you will want to specifically and always avoid are those bearing a five-digit PLU beginning with the number “8,” as these are GMOs.  So far, in USA there are few GMO foods available in market -soybean, potato, corn, peas, canola, cotton, papaya, tomatoes, radicchio, zucchini and yellow squash.

Examples:

4129 = conventionally-grown Fuji apple

94129 = organically-grown Fuji apple

84313 = genetically-modified apple

How to obtain a complete list of PLU codes?

Refer to the IFPS (http://www.ifpsglobal.com/) PLU search page and then simply select ‘Search’. Do not fill in or select any options from the fields. This will present the entire list of existing PLU codes. You then have the option to export the entire list to Excel and manipulate the list however, you choose.

See the PLU code of various vegetables and fruits here: http://www.innvista.com/health/foods/plu-codes-alphabetical-order/

References:

Image credit: Photo by Ethan Feng on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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House maintenance tips

6 house maintenance tasks to complete this summer

There are several house maintenance tasks that need attention before you step into fall season. Completing these tasks by end of summer is better as you don’t need to worry about freezing, cold conditions to finish tasks. The 6 house maintenance tasks to complete this summer listed below are the ones that tend to forget most.

  1. Clean brooms and dustpans:

Many of us use and just give rinse to brooms and put inside closet. It is a good idea to clean the brooms and put them out in bright, hot sunlight for drying. Add few drops of detergent for bucket of water and soak broom and dust pan in the soap water. Leave it for half an hour, rinse in water and dry them.

  1. Clean dryer vent:

Generally, we take precautions to clean laundry lint trap. But cleaning dryer vent is also critical once a while. If not, dirt and lint trapped in lint will overheat can burn clothes and can start a fire. Use a flat vacuum and clean out dryer vent duct.

  1. Refrigerator coils:

Either behind or bottom of refrigerator unit one can notice refrigerator coil. While we clean inside and outside refrigerator, we forget about this one part to include in our cleaning schedule. Most time, pets hair, dust, grease will settle on the coil making it less efficient and coil will start exerting more. Unplug and use a vacuum hose to remove dirt from coil and clean coil surface with soap water and dry off with cloth before plugging in it again.

  1. Smoke detectors:

Test smoke detectors for beep. Light 2-3 matches blow and hold under the detector to see whether smoke drifts towards detector. If the detector makes sound, then you know it is working. If not, check the batteries.

  1. Air conditioning unit:

Instead of waiting for next summer, clean the air filters and keep it clog and dirt free. Replace the filters. If it is an outdoor unit remove any weeds and grass grown around it. This cleaning helps air conditioner to run without fail next season.

  1. Heating system:

Make use of your free time to investigate one more unit. Check heating system air filter and replace it if needed. Remove dust around heating unit.  Contact your local utility company to check gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Does your family members know where the main controls of following units? If not, let the family members know where the controls for,

  • Heating fuel main shutoff
  • Main electrical fuse/breaker box
  • Main water shutoff
  • Water shutoff valve for toilets, sink faucets, and washing machine.

Image credit: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-jkgbg (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: August 21, 2018
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