All posts by Sumana Rao

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Green Detox Juice

Green detox drink

The green vegetable juice is good for the body as it serves iron, potassium and other good nutrient stuffs. This fiber rich juice helps to reduce the weight while detoxifying the system.

Ingredients:

  • 3 carrots
  • 3 kale leaves
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 beets
  • 1 turnip
  • ½ bunch of spinach
  • ½ cabbage
  • ½ bunch of parsley
  • ½ onion
  • 2 garlic cloves

Mix all ingredients with water and puree in a blender. Drink this juice every morning before breakfast.

Image source: Image by marijana1 from Pixabay (free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 15, 2016
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Ginger Juice

Ginger Juice

One of the best herb on earth is ginger. One can have ginger in any form – slice and have with honey, add it to salad or make juice out of ginger.  It is a good detoxifying drink.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 pound fresh unpeeled ginger root, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 1 1/2 cups water, or as needed to cover 4 large lemons,
  • juiced 1 cup white sugar
  • 7 cups water, or as needed
  • 16 leaves fresh mint, crushed leaves
  • Honey 1-2 tea spoon

Blend all the ingredients and drink the juice. If you prefer you can add little sugar too to get better taste.

Image credit: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/37576978129463642/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Papaya and Orange juice: Click here to read more

Papaya and Orange juice

Papaya juice acts as a very effective detoxifying diet juice.  One can have just papaya juice which is very easy to make. Remove papaya skin, remove seeds  and cut papaya into small pieces. Put in a juicer with little water and grind. Many people like to have papaya with some other fruits. Best combination of fruits with papaya to make an effective juice is oranges, pineapples or lemons.

Ingredients

  • 1 small ripe papaya
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 2 cups (or 500 ml) orange juice
  • Water for consistency
  • Sugar to taste (optional)
  • Add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder

Method

  • Wash the papaya thoroughly, peel the skin and remove seeds.
  • Cut a thin slice of papaya into tiny cubes and put them aside for later use.
  • Cut rest of the papaya and blend with, orange and lime juice,  add turmeric powder to form a smooth liquid. Add little water to get thin liquid.
  • Place the juice in the fridge, for at least half an hour.
  • Serve the juice chilled, topped with the papaya cubes that were saved earlier.

Papaya juice is not good for pregnant women and for very sick people. Caution should be taken not to offer to pregnant women.

Image credit: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/38632509282077904/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Seasoned Buttermilk

Seasoned Buttermilk

One of the best drink on earth which is good for stomach and favorite of many is seasoned buttermilk.

It is similar to salted, masala lassi.

Helps in digestion and relieves thirst.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole milk yogurt
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/4 inch ginger
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 chilly
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • Pinch of asafetida
  • Salt for taste
  • Curry leaves -5-6
  • Lime juice – 1 tsp

Preparation:

  • Blend yogurt, water, ginger, cilantro, green chilly and salt.
  • In a frying pan add little oil and prepare season with mustard, curry leaves and asafetida.
  • Add seasoning to blended yogurt mix, add lime juice and mix well.
  • Serve before or after lunch.

Image credit: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/175781191682583758/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Walnut Shake

Walnut Juice

Walnut has many benefits and one benefit is of course detoxification. Walnut juice requires other good herbs like ginger and cinnamon. When all these blended together the resulting juice is not only tasty and rich but also has good influence on the system.

Ingredients:

  • 1⁄2 cup walnuts soaked overnight
  • 3 large dates
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 pinch each: ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom
  • a few drops of vanilla
  • 2 cups water

Pulse all ingredients in a blender for 2-3 minutes.

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

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Suff - Seed Drink

Suff – Seed Drink

Seed are rich source of  vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and fiber. Seeds are excellent for cleaning the body of toxins and harmful substances, it rips blood pressure and reduces appetite. When consumed regularly seeds can give more benefit for the body. Suff is a Ethiopian drink and it a great replacement for meal and snack. This has good seeds and supply of nutrients is guaranteed. One can use sesame or flax seeds instead of sunflower seeds.  This is a vegan drink too!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or flax seeds
  • Honey (as required)
  • Small piece of fresh ginger root; peeled
  • 3 cups water

Preparation:

  • Rinse and drain seeds.
  • Rroast the seeds in a dry pan until they give a nutty aroma.
  • After roasting, grind the seeds and ginger with a little water until smooth in a blender or food processor.

Drink this once a day and you will see the good changes in your system.

Image credit: Image by Pezibear from Pixabay (free for commercial use)

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Activities for babies and toddlers

Activities for Babies and Toddlers

Babies can do so many things! They are so eager to learn about just about everything, they just love exploring and playing. This below list is perfect for little ones who are playing alone and for babies from newborns to around 4 or 6 months.

FEEL THE BALL

Materials:  Zip-loc bag, a soft ball

What to Do: Children learn using the sense of touch. Give your child a soft ball to feel. After a while, place the ball inside the zip-loc bag and fasten the bag securely. Let you child feel the ball, pushing it around the bag. Show your child how to stop the ball, then move it around the bag.

Variations: Put another toy in the bag and repeat the activity.

Skills Learned: Tactile stimulation

SHARING EVENTS

What to Do: Preparing your child for an event in life is important. You may think your child will not understand what you are saying, but it is still important. Maybe your in-laws are coming for a few days or a babysitter is coming for the evening. Take time to explain what is happening. This is a good habit to begin while your child is young. Your child builds trust during transition times because of these explanations.

Skills Learned: Trust, language development.

BARELY CRAWLING

Materials: Bolster pillow

What to Do: Infants love to move and stretch. Place your infant on her tummy on a pillow. See if she tries to push forward or rock back and forth. Try to hold her feet up to see if this encourages any forward movement. Use caution in order to avoid falls. She will move when she is ready.

Skills Learned: Coordination, social development, trust.

GIFT SURPRISES

Materials:  Wrapping paper

What to Do: Children love to unwrap gifts. Try wrapping your child’s favorite toys in brightly colored wrapping paper and put them in a shopping bag. Let him dig through, unwrap, and rediscover!

Skills Learned: Creative expression, tactile stimulation, upper body strength.

 PAPER SOUNDS

Materials: Wrapping paper

What to Do: Wait until you see what children can do with paper! Save used wrapping and tissue paper from gifts. Let your child play with the paper. Wad it up. Enjoy watching your child crawl on it and rip it. She’ll delight in the sounds that are created when you play together with paper.

Skills Learned:Tactile stimulation, sound discrimination, creative expression.

SWITCHING IT

Materials: Toy

What to Do: Infants love to grasp and squeeze almost anything. Place your infant on your lap and hold a toy out in front. Once he has grasped the toy with one hand, hold another toy out and offer it to him. Sometimes infants will drop the toy, but eventually they learn to switch the toy to the other hand to hold both toys at the same time.

Skills Learned: Grasp and release, tactile stimulation.

TOWER CONSTRUCTION

Materials:  Set of blocks

What to Do: Building towers with blocks develops your child’s motor skills and problem solving abilities. Sit your baby on the floor with all the blocks. Show her how you stack them, one by one, counting as you build. Once the tower is three blocks or higher, let her knock it over and say, “The tower fell down.”Continue to build, using more blocks.

Variations: As your child becomes more adept, begin to use smaller blocks to help develop dexterity.

Skills Learned: Eye-hand coordination, visual development, visual tracking.

TUMMY TIME

Materials: Blanket & toy

What to Do: It is important to give your child tummy time for short periods during the day. While your child is on his tummy, place two of his favorite toys on the floor. Cover part of one with a blanket. Place it so he can see the part that is sticking out of the blanket. Ask him, “Can you find your yellow duck?” See what he does. Do this with the other toy. If he engages in this activity, try putting both toys under the blanket and have parts of each toy showing. Ask the question and observe his response.

Skills Learned: Visual tracking, visual stimulation

 CRAWL-A-THON

Materials: Blanket, toy

What to Do: Children of all ages love to engage and have fun with their parents. Crawl with your child in a hallway or open space and see who captures a favorite toy or stuffed animal first. Place a section of the toy under a blanket at the end of the hall so it can be partially seen. On your mark, get set, go! Who reached the toy first?

Skills Learned:Emotional development, gross motor, visual tracking.

TUNNEL TRIP

Materials: Box, blanket

What to Do: Make moving around more fun for your infant with this tunneling activity. Locate a box larger than your child’s body. Cut both ends off to make a tunnel. Place your infant on one open end, while you go to the other end. As you call your child’s name, gently pull your child through the box.

Variations: Sit your infant on the floor, then place the box over your child and peek from the top. Play Peek-a-boo with child.

Skills Learned: Coordination,creative movement, gross motor, problem solving, sensory development, visual stimulation.

THAWING ICE

Materials: Ice cube tray, food coloring, small toy items

What to Do: This fun and simple activity will entertain your infant during bath time and help her experience the properties of water. In the morning, fill ice cube trays with water and put a drop of food coloring in each section. Drop a small plastic or wooden figure in each cube and freeze. During your baby’s bath time, place the ice cubes in the water and watch as he tries to pick them up, push them underwater, or simply watch them move in the water. After a while, he’ll love playing with the thawed toy items.

Variations: Use an assortment of food colors.

Skills Learned: Attention span, grasp and release, sensory development, tactile stimulation, visual discrimination.

BAG IT

Materials: Paper bag, plastic cup, block spoon

What to Do: Children love taking random things in and out of bags over and over again. Place several objects, along with a paper bag, in front of your child. Name each object. Ask your child to place the plastic cup in the bag. Next, ask her to place the block in the bag. Last, ask her to place a spoon in the bag. Have her empty the bag; repeat the activity.

Variations: Add objects if your child continues to be interested.

Skills Learned: Visual discrimination

PAINTING THE SIDEWALK

Materials: Small brush with handle

What to Do: This fun activity will help develop your child’s upper body strength. Locate a small brush with a handle. Weather permitting; take your child out to the sidewalk or in the garage. Put the brush in a small bucket of water. Show your child how to paint the sidewalk or garage floor.

Variations: Take a bucket and small brush with you the next time you go to the swimming pool. Your child will love painting the pavement!

Skills Learned: Upper body strength, eye-hand coordination, creative expression, gross motor skills.

SAYING YES

What to Do: Develop your child’s communication skills with this fun activity. Sit across from your child and ask questions that require a “yes” answer. Does mommy love you? Shake your head up and down as you reply, “Yes, she does.” Continue the activity: Did you have a good sleep? Are you a good baby? Do you love mommy?

Skills Learned: Concept development, emotional development, listening, and visual tracking.

Reference: For more activities visit www.ProductiveParenting.com

Image credit: Image by Regina Petkovic from Pixabay 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 11, 2016
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ISABGOL - A WONDERFUL & FAVORITE MEDICINE OF ALL

ISABGOL – A Wonderful & Favorite Medicine of All

“A  report found that if US adults over the age of 55 with heart disease took psyllium dietary fiber daily, it could save nearly $4.4 billion a year – and more than $35 billion in cumulative health care costs between 2013 and 2020. The report estimated that it costs just 30 cents per day to take psyllium fiber at “preventive intake levels,” and noted that it helps support healthy cholesterol levels by inhibiting its absorption in your intestine”.

You would have heard a lot about Isabgol – a wonderful home remedy for people who suffer from constipation. In India Isabgol is sold in the market and many household will have bottle of isabgol handy. Elders in house definitely will like it, as they cannot withstand any kind of gastro-intestinal problem, particularly the constipation.

What exactly is Isabgol?

Isabgol is a plant product – plant name is Psyllium. It is one of the nature’s highest soluble fiber obtained from seeds of Plantago ovata (Isabgol). Seed husk of psyllium is commonly known as isabgol. It contains 70 percent soluble fiber and, as a result, acts as a bulk-forming laxative. The effectiveness of isabgol largely depends on your individual health needs and the manner in which you take it.

Apart from use in digestion problems isabgol has many other medicinal properties. Generally, isabgol works by absorbing liquid and swelling in the intestines to create a softer, bulky stool that is easier to pass.

1. Constipation: The fiber present in husk has hygroscopic property, which means it is capable of attracting and binding water molecules. This helps to facilitate the gut motility and digestive functioning.

Take a glass of warm milk or water, add 2 tbs of Isabgol, mix and drink at night before going to bed. Morning motion will be easy and clears the system.

2. Treating Diarrhea :Mixing curd and isabgol helps in controlling the diarrhea. Probiotics-rich curd or yogurt provides stomach support- probiotic nature helps in healing of stomach infections. Whereas, isabgol helps in relieving the diarrhea by adding more bulk fiber to the runny stools and makes it somewhat hard.

Take 3tbs fresh curd, add 2 tbs isabgol and mix. Take this after dinner. For effective results, take this mix twice a day till recovery period.

3. Detoxification,Weight loss: Isabgol improves the activity of gastrointestinal tract by improving the motility of the gut. This happens when the hygroscopic husk binds to the waste, which is sitting in colon. It acts as a colon cleanser and detoxifies the body. Consumed with water prior to meals, reduces consumption of fat and calories.

Add lemon juice and isabgol to warm water and drink half an hour before the meal.

4. Protecting Heart : Isabgol absorbs more water soluble fatty substances from the body. Often it attacks the cholesterol present in the body and breaks down cholesterol which later flushes out of the body. The fiber present in isabgol restricts the fat amount in the blood and protects the heart. Isabgol also helps to prevent heart attacks by regulating the serum cholesterol.

A report found that if US adults over the age of 55 with heart disease took psyllium dietary fiber daily, it could save nearly $4.4 billion a year – and more than $35 billion in cumulative health care costs between 2013 and 2020. The report estimated that it costs just 30 cents per day to take psyllium fiber at “preventive intake levels,” and noted that it helps support healthy cholesterol levels by inhibiting its absorption in your intestine.

After meal take half spoon of isabgol in warm water.

5. For Acidity : Hygroscopic effect of Isabgol helps to protect the stomach layer that usually affected by high acidity. Isabgol also increases digestion and decreases constipation and thus controls secretion of stomach acid. Isabgol helps to prevent lethargy caused by acidity and gives a feeling of well being and good health.

To half glass of cold milk add 2 tbs of isabgol. Mix and drink after lunch and dinner.

6. For Diabetics : The gelatinous structure of isabgol is due to gelatin molecules. These gelatin molecules restrict the absorption of dietary sugar (glucose). This helps in control of sugar in diabetic patients.

Take isabgol with water just after completing your meal.
For diabetic patients: Consult your physician before taking isabgol.

7. Curing Piles and Fissures : Because of its friendly effect on digestive system and gastro-intestinal system consuming isabgol once a while makes it easier to pass the stool. People who suffer from piles and fissure feels it easy to pass stool when they take isabgol.

Dissolve one tbs of isabgol in a glass of warm water and have before going to bed.

Disclaimer: Do not over-consume isabgol. Before taking isabgol talk to your physician or nutritionist. stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting; trouble swallowing; ora sudden change in bowel habits lasting longer than 2 week. It is not for pregnant women or for lactating women.

References:

http://articles.mercola.com/
http://www.wikihow.com/
http://www.enkivillage.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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