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.
Dracaena Species

Dracaena Species

This large group of houseplants offers selections in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The tall corn plant (D. fragrans ‘Massangeana’) looks at home in a corner, while the colorful striped leaves of ‘Lemon Lime’ (D. deremensis ‘Lemon Lime’) and the day-glow ‘Limelight’ (D. deremensis ‘Limelight‘) brighten up a dark spot. These selections flourish in low light, while the Madagascar Dragon Tree (D. marginata) prefers bright light.

Care: There is a dracaena for every light situation. Keep the soil damp but not soggy. A pot sitting in a water-filled saucer is the kiss of death for this plant. Feed monthly during spring and summer with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer.

 Image: https://s-media-cache ak0.pinimg.com/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: August 6, 2015
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Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

Also known as, the reed palm, this small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. They are also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde.

Care: Although this palm requires bright light to flourish, do not place it in direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist and feed your plant monthly during summer with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer. Placing the plant where air circulates freely and occasional misting both help deter spider mites.

Image: http://www.silkflowers.com/files/imagesSF/product/750/trc117-06_zoom.jpg

 

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Aloe (Aloe vera)

Aloe (Aloe vera)

This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a by product of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

Image: http://www.noiseys.com

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Drug abuse: Marijuana: What Parents Need to Know?

Drug abuse: Marijuana: What Parents Need to Know?

In today’s era, lots of information available online and everywhere. Yung mind can easily influenced by reading and listening to others. What seems to be bad can be tempting. People today learn about drugs while they are very young and might be tempted to try them. Teens say that marijuana (cannabis) is easy to get, and to be the first illegal drug they try. Marijuana use is often portrayed as harmless, but the truth is that marijuana is an addictive drug that can cause serious risks and consequences.

So, what is this Marijuana?

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. It belongs to Cannabaceae family. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Extracts with high amounts of THC can also be made from the cannabis plant.

Street names for Marijuana are: Blunt, Bud, Dope, Ganja, Grass, Green, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Trees, Weed; Hashish, Boom, Gangster, Hash, Hemp.

Marijuana is an addictive drug

Just like with alcohol, nicotine, and other illicit drug use, children who smoke marijuana can lose control over their use and become addicted. Many people overlook marijuana addiction because its withdrawal symptoms are not prominent or may not be present at all. However, withdrawal is only one symptom of addiction.

Teens who are addicted to marijuana likely smoke several times a week or more. Although most believe they are in control and can quit at any time, most cannot. Those using marijuana heavily often perform poorly in school or sports, lose interest in hobbies, and develop interpersonal problems with family and friends. Teens continuing to use marijuana into adulthood tend to have lower job achievement and less stable families than their siblings who don’t use drugs. As with alcohol, the younger a person is when starting marijuana use, the more likely she will become addicted.

Dabbing & Marijuana Extracts

Smoking THC-rich resins extracted from the marijuana plant is on the rise. Users use less potent parts of the cannabis plant to create concentrated butane hash oils (BHO), which are crystalized, then heated with a blowtorch, so that the vapors can be inhaled. Users call this practice dabbing. People are using various forms of extracts, such as:

  • Hash oil or honey oil—a gooey liquid
  • Wax or budder—a soft solid with a texture like lip balm
  • Shatter—a hard, amber-colored solid

These extracts can deliver extremely large amounts of THC to users, and their use has sent some people to the emergency room. Another danger is in preparing these extracts, which usually involves butane (lighter fluid). A number of people who have used butane to make extracts at home have caused fires and explosions and have been seriously burned.

What is “High”?

High
https://www.drugabuse.gov/

Image : cross section of the brain with marked areas that are affected by THC.THC acts on numerous areas (in yellow) in the brain

THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals in the brain. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function. Marijuana overactivates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the “high” that users feel. Other effects include:

  • altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
  • altered sense of time
  • changes in mood
  • impaired body movement
  • difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
  • impaired memory

 Marijuana use affects health and well-being:

Mental effects

Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some users, such as:

  • temporary hallucinations—sensations and images that seem real though they are not
  • temporary paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
  • worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (a severe mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking)
  • Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as:
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • suicidal thoughts among teens

Other effects:

School

Marijuana users have a hard time thinking clearly, concentrating, remembering things, and solving problems. Frequent marijuana use often causes grades to drop. Users often lose interest in school and may quit.

Driving and physical activity

Marijuana impairs judgment, complex motor skills, and the ability to judge speed and time. Those who drive or take other risks after smoking marijuana are much more likely to be injured or killed.

Sexual health

Teens who smoke marijuana are more likely to take sexual risks and have unwanted or unprotected sex.

Long-term health

Teens’ bodies and brains are still growing and maturing, so smoking anything, including marijuana, is not good for lung health. Marijuana use may also lead to addiction or mental health problems.

Signs of marijuana use in children

Recognizing the signs of drug use is the first step in getting help for your child, but some signs are vague. Consider marijuana or other drug use if your child:

  • Spends less time with family and friends and more time alone or away from home
  • Change of friends , friendship with strangers and with much seniors to his or her age
  • Often seems moody or irritable
  • Begins to skip classes, often shows up late for school, or has a drop in grades
  • Buys things like CDs and T-shirts with pro-marijuana messages or symbols
  • Loses interest in hobbies
  • Comes home high (talkative, giggly, red or glassy eyes) or goes straight to his room
  • Smells of marijuana
  • Possesses drugs or drug paraphernalia

 As a parent what you can do?

As a parent, you are your child’s first and best protection against drug use. The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about marijuana and how to help your child say “No” to drug use.

Take these steps to help prevent your child from becoming interested in using marijuana or other drugs.

  1. Set high expectations and clear limits. Instill strong values. Let your child know that you expect her not to use drugs. Teach her healthy values that are important to your family and to use these values when deciding what is right and wrong.
  2. Talk with your child about the dangers of drug use, including marijuana. Young people who do not know the facts may try drugs just to see what they are like. Start talking with your child at an early age about the dangers of drug use. Encourage him to ask questions and tell you about his concerns. Be sure to really listen. Ask what he thinks about drug use and its risks.
  3. Use teachable moments. Discuss car accidents and other tragedies that are caused by drug use and are in the news or your child’s life.
  4. Help your child handle peer pressure. Peers and others can strongly influence young people to try drugs. Tell her that it is OK to say “No!” to risky behaviors and mean what she says. Help her find and spend time enjoying positive interests that build self-esteem.
  5. Help your child deal with emotions. Teens sometimes get depressed or anxious and might consider drug use to try to escape these feelings and forget problems. Explain that everyone has these feelings at times, so it is important for each person to learn how to express his feelings, cope with them, and face stressors in healthy ways that can help prevent or resolve problems.
  6. Set a good example. Avoid using tobacco and illicit drugs. Minimize alcohol use, and always avoid drinking and driving. Be a good role model in the ways you express, control, and relieve stress, pain, or tension. Actions do speak louder than words!
  7. Get a professional evaluation. If you think your child is using drugs, tell your child’s doctor your exact concerns. Your child’s doctor can help.

Get more information by visiting these sites:

1) Remember: There are many drugs available. However, marijuana as they say is easy to get. See other drug lists here: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse

2)https://ncadd.org/index.php/for-parents-overview/stories-from-parents

3)https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/Marijuana-Cannabis.aspx

4)http://www.michaelshouse.com/drug-addiction/gateway-drugs-addiction-start/

5)http://www.foundationsrecoverynetwork.com/research-outcomes/

 

Image credit: Image credit: Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash (Free for commercial)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 29, 2015
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FOOD ALLERGY IN KIDS

FOOD ALLERGY IN KIDS

A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. The reaction usually happens shortly after a food is eaten. Food allergy reactions can vary from mild to severe Children often outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, soy and wheat.

These foods cause the most food allergies:

  • Cow milk
  • Eggs
  • Peanuts
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Nuts from trees (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
  • Fish (such as tuna, salmon, cod)
  • Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster)

If a new mother is breast-feeding, some especially sensitive babies can have allergic reactions to foods their mothers eat. Babies can be tested for allergies. Eliminating these foods from the mother’s diet may provide relief for the child. The most severe reactions are typically to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Children often outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, soy and wheat. All parents of a child with a food allergy should be aware of the possibility of anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and can send a body into shock.

Symptoms of food allergy: When the body’s immune system overreacts to certain foods, the following symptoms may occur:

Skin problems

  • Hives (red spots that look like mosquito bites)
  • Itchy skin rashes (eczema, also called atopic dermatitis)
  • Swelling

Breathing problems

Stomach symptoms

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Circulation symptoms

  • Pale skin
  • Light-headedness
  • Loss of consciousness

The good news is that food allergies are often outgrown during early childhood. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies go away by age 5 years. Some allergies are more persistent. For example, 1 in 5 young children will outgrow a peanut allergy and fewer will outgrow allergies to nuts or seafood.

Precautions :

At School:

Your child’s school must be informed of any allergies. If your child has asthma or a severe allergy, give a copy of your child’s action plan to the school nurse or the administrative office. Also, inform class teacher about your child’s access to medication. In kids school bag keep a note of what can cause allergy to your child and provide your family physician name and phone number too. If your child is not allergic to wrist band put a wrist band that displays what allergy he or she has.

Talk to children about food allergies:

Begin by explaining your food allergy in simple terms, like “safe food” and “unsafe food.” :

As your children get older, you can provide more specifics about the disease, and how body reacts to allergens.  For example, you can say, “I have a food allergy, which means that I can’t eat certain foods that most other people can eat. But there are a lot of things that I can eat, as long as they are safe for me.”

Let them know that food allergies are not contagious or abnormal:

Many people have food allergies and more and more people are being diagnosed with them, so your children will no doubt meet people at school and on the playground who also have allergies.

When talking about food allergy, use an optimistic and calm tone:

Let your children know that food allergies must be taken seriously, but avoid talking about them in a way that may unnecessarily scare them. Children with food allergies need to understand that some ingredients that can set off their allergies may not always be clearly indicated. Peanut allergies require a special diligence because they appear as variations in so many foods. Kids need to be very cautious about not only what they eat, but how their food is prepared. For example, peanut oil is often used for frying. While some restaurants do a good job of indicating allergen information to customers, it’s better to be safe and ask a server. Berries and fish can also be problematic in the same way, as they appear in sauces and as components in larger dishes.

 Teach your child how to manage his or her food allergies

You can start teaching your child even at a young age. When old enough, teach your child to read food labels. Also teach your child how and when to use an epinephrine auto injector, and to tell an adult if he or she is having an allergic reaction.

There are also a number of ways that you can help kids understand food allergies.

  • Involve your children in cooking and making meals that are safe for you to eat.
  • Read them children’s books about food allergies.
  • Encourage your children to ask their peers if they have food allergies before sharing food.
  • Teach your children about label-reading and what to look for on a label that might indicate that it is safe or unsafe to eat.
  • Remind your children to be careful if they are eating something with your allergen in it (e.g. if they eat a lunch at school that contains your allergen or they have a snack at the movies). You can ask them to wash their hands, brush their teeth when they get home, etc.
  • Put a note on refrigerator about the foods that can cause allergy to your kids or family members.

References:

1) http://www.allergyhome.org/

2) http://www.foodallergy.org/

3) http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/

4)http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/media/steps-to-avoid-allergic-reactions.pdf

Image credit: Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 28, 2015
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CELEBRITIES WHO LOVE ANIMALS AND ARE VEGETARIANS

CELEBRITIES WHO LOVE ANIMALS AND ARE VEGETARIANS

Many celebrities have adopted Vegan or Vegetarian diet for personal, health, or environmental reasons, and are speaking up for this lifestyle.Look at some of veganism & vegetarianism’s most prominent supporters in next few slides.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India

Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam – The most loved President of India. The Missile Man, recipient of the Bharata Ratna (India’s highest civilian honor). Known for his motivating speeches, quotes and books. He is really loved by young children and has been an inspiration to millions of Indian youth…&…He is a Vegetarian! R. Aravamudan, former director ISRO’s Satellite Centre , Bengaluru who was closely associated with Prof Kalam, in an interview   quoted that “We (Prof. Kalama and others)  lived in Indira Bhavan Lodge in Thiruvananthapuram. People there called him Kalam Iyer because he moved around with vegetarians and had similar eating habit”!

Sir Paul McCartney: Famous musician

Sir Paul McCartney: Famous musician

The McCartney’s’ Meat Free Monday campaign has attracted support from pressure groups such Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and WWF (formerly the World Wildlife Fund) and from a clutch of celebrities, including Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ricky Gervais, Lily Cole, Pamela Anderson, Victoria Pendleton and Sophie Dahl. In an interview (Huffington post) Sir Paul McCartney sais “I’ve been a vegetarian for a long time now and over the years I’ve seen how the attitudes have changed around the world, so I’m not surprised when I see new research that shows more and more people are increasingly adopting ‘meat free eating’. Even 20 years ago, it could sometimes be difficult to find vegetarian options in good restaurants. Now it is great to see more and more choice with some brilliant creative dishes in restaurants, cafés and supermarkets. There is definitely now an overall greater acceptance of being vegetarian”.

John Harvey Kellogg: Of Kellogg

John Harvey Kellogg: Of Kellogg

John Harvey Kellogg, M.D. (February 26, 1852 – December 14, 1943) was an American medical doctor in Battle Creek, Michigan, who ran a sanitarium using holistic methods, with a particular focus on nutrition, enemas and exercise. Kellogg was an advocate of vegetarianism and is best known for the invention of the breakfast cereal known as corn flakes with his brother, Will Keith Kellogg.

Bill Clinton: Former president, USA

Bill Clinton: Former president, USA

After undergoing quadruple bypass surgery in 2004 and a later stent surgery, the 42nd president adopted a vegan diet in 2010. He lost 20 pounds, and has become an advocate for vegan and meatless diets.  In an interview  Clinton mentioned that “I like the vegetables, the fruits, the beans, the stuff I eat now. All my blood tests are good, and my vital signs are good, and I feel good, and I also have, believe it or not, more energy.”

Shahid Kapoor: Bollywood Actor

Shahid Kapoor: Bollywood Actor

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor was crowned as Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian in a celebrity contest held by PETA Asia-Pacific in 2011. This guy finally married to Mira Rajput who is also a vegetarian.  They both look great together! Holding two chicks in the palms of his hands, Shahid flashes a smile that helped him win PETA India’s Sexiest Vegetarian of 2009 award.   PETA in 2011 had launched a campaign with Shahid. In the ad Shahid, holds two chicks.  “I love chicks… pigs, cows, fish, and all the other animals too, that’s why I turned vegetarian.” “I am very happy being a vegetarian and I believe that it is the best way to be. The day I started believing in the fact that I would want not to kill animals for my taste buds that is the day everything changed for me.”   Did you know Shahid put his dog also on vegetarian diet?

The World’s greatest geniuses are vegetarians!

The World's greatest geniuses are vegetarians!Vegetarianism has a] powerful influence upon the mind and its action, as well as upon the health and vigor of the body. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.”: Thomas Alva Edison

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” “Our task must be to [widen] our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty”: Albert Einstein. In his diary on the day, he turned to be a vegetarian Einstein wrote, “So I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but I am feeling quite well this way. It always seems to me that man was not born to be a carnivore.”

Ellen DeGeneres: Talk Show Host

Ellen DeGeneres: Talk Show Host:

Comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres switched to a vegan diet in 2008 after reading several books on animal rights and diets. “I do it because I love animals, and I saw the reality and I just couldn’t ignore it anymore.” Degeneres’ wife, Portia de Rossi, shares the same diet, and their 2008 wedding featured a vegan menu.

 

Vidya Balan, Indian actress

Vidya Balan, Indian actress

Vidya Balan, National award winning Indian actress was also voted as the hottest vegetarian by an online poll conducted by PETA in 2010. As per Vidya ““The ‘hottest vegetarian’ recognition is an honor, but if you ask me, everyone who goes vegetarian is ‘hot’, since they each make the world a better place every day. This prolific actress says, “Adopting a vegetarian diet may seem like a small choice, but it has an enormous impact on the world around us.”

Alyssa Milano: The actress

Alyssa Milano: The actress

Alyssa Milano: The actress was speaking with a friend from New York shortly after 9/11. Alyssa recounted how “he couldn’t stand the smell of burnt flesh. It immediately reminded me of a barbecue.” Those sickening words were enough to turn the actress into an herbivore.

Alyssa Milano maintained her vegetarian diet during her pregnancy with her son, Milo Thomas. Some vegetarians begin craving meat during pregnancy, but according to Alyssa, her pregnancy cravings did not stray too far from broccoli and pizza. She is not a vegan, so she still eats dairy products like cheese.

Ayesha Takia: Bollywood Actress

Ayesha Takia: Bollywood Actress

Ayesha Takia: This Indian Bollywood actress  supports PETA cause.  It is not easy being a vegetarian when your husband is a restaurateur. Ayesha turned into a vegetarian five years before she got married. She loves to cook something fast. Now this “Wanted” woman is a vegan and supports animals whole-heartedly!

 Vidyut Jamwal: Bollywood’s actor

Vidyut Jamwal: Bollywood’s actor

Actor Vidyut Jamwal, Bollywood’s young actor and a martial art expert, became a vegetarian more than a decade ago and he enjoys the benefits of healthy eating habits. He says he is “Now I am more agile and faster. After I switched to being a vegetarian, everything in my life changed. Every good thing is happening. I really mean it because I saw transformations in my body, my mind. I could feel the connectivity between my brain and my body. That is the only reason that was very selfish. After that, I started evolving with my physical ability. I realized that I am more agile, faster.”

References:
1) PETA organization, India (Images and celebrity information)
2) Huffingtonpost.com
3) www.TimesOfIndia.com
4) Celebrity vegetarian blog.com
5) Wikipedia.com
6) http://www.veggieboards.com/

 Image Periodic table of celebrities’ courtesy: http://visual.ly/periodic-table-vegan-and-vegetarian-stars

Image courtesy: Bill Clinton: http://www.startswithyou.com/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 22, 2015
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Vidyut Jamwal: Bollywood’s actor

Vidyut Jamwal: Bollywood’s actor

Actor Vidyut Jamwal, Bollywood’s young actor and a martial art expert, became a vegetarian more than a decade ago and he enjoys the benefits of healthy eating habits. He says he is “Now I am more agile and faster. After I switched to being a vegetarian, everything in my life changed. Every good thing is happening. I really mean it because I saw transformations in my body, my mind. I could feel the connectivity between my brain and my body. That is the only reason that was very selfish. After that, I started evolving with my physical ability. I realized that I am more agile, faster.”

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Ayesha Takia: Bollywood Actress

Ayesha Takia: Bollywood Actress

Ayesha Takia: This Indian Bollywood actress  supports PETA cause.  It is not easy being a vegetarian when your husband is a restaurateur. Ayesha Takia turned into a vegetarian five years before she got married. She loves to cook something fast. Now this “Wanted” woman is a vegan and supports animals whole-heartedly!

 

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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