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Health and diet are one of the most common topics that is involved in discussion, debate and daily talk. Health-conscious person understand why it is important to focus on good diet, what food we should be eating daily and how to focus on family health. Health-conscious individuals buy fresh produce, cook food at home and be selective while eating out. One of the important issues that these individuals should be concerned about is “where the produces are coming from, how they are grown”.
When you buy fresh produce from market you feel good about it. You will bring it home, wash it, process it and cook it to eat. However, have you checked whether the vegetables that you purchased and brought home are pesticide free? When we buy fruits like grapes, oranges, apples – it is easy to identify pesticide mark on the fruit skin as it is easily visible to naked eye. But, when you buy vegetables, most of the time it is hard to see presence of any chemicals. Once you bring produce home, there is no guarantee that washing produces will remove chemicals totally from the surface. According to studies, residues of pesticides will be still present on the surface.
Research conducted on dietary exposure of nearly 5000 people from various cities of US. Analysis of organophosphates also known as OPs. OPs are linked to several conditions and known to have severe health effects, especially of farmers who are often exposed to insecticides. IN children these chemicals are linked to brain damage. These are most common insecticides used in conventional method to grow vegetables. Analysis showed that those individuals consuming conventionally grown vegetables and even fruits had significant number of OPs in their system.
Try organic produce for a week and see the difference:
In the same study individuals who consumed organic produce had significantly lower levels of OPs in the system. Researchers were able to analyses OPs in both categories based on the amount and type of vegetables and fruits each participant typically consumes and the US depart of Agricultures’ measurements of chemical residue levels on those produces. Urine samples of the consumers were tested to compare the organophosphate pesticide levels.
In those individuals who consumed organic foods for a week, there was 95 percent drop in malathion (which is linked to brain damage in children). Another pesticide namely Neonicotinoids was dropped to 83%. This chemical is linked to loss of useful insects and pollinators.
Eating organic is healthy and organic foods taste better:
Above study was conducted by University of California and earlier similar studies were conducted by Cynthia Curl an assistant professor in Boise University School of Allied Health Sciences.
We as consumers eating organic food is not only best for our health, it is also good for farmers and workers those work in Agriculture field. When we consume organic food, demand for organic produces grows and keeps them healthy too. Conditions like autism, cancer, infertility, poor growth – these are prevalent in farmers and workers community. Chemicals that are used to control the pests and other insects can only harm us. If we use more organically grown food, it helps farmers to sustain. In addition, we consumers get good health benefits. A small amount of exposure to pesticide and its residue can result in hormone imbalance, brain damage, asthma, infertility, impaired cognitive development in children, vision problem, allergies etc.
Is eating organic produces solves the issue of pesticide intake?
Chance of exposure to pesticide reduces when you consume organic produce. It does not mean you should stop focusing on cleaning and washing of produces once you bring home. It is important to note that, there will be cross contamination and could be other type of contaminations (like E. coli) when you buy any types of produces.
Growing organic foods in your own garden:
As we all know buying organic food is costly for various reasons. This should not stop anyone from having access to healthy food. If you have place at home to grow your own vegetables, then try organic means or join community organic gardens where your neighbors and community members can grow and share organic produces. Support local farmers – go to local market with friends and families to buy organic foods. This is not only to support farmers, also to get organic foods at lower price.
For yours as well as your family’s health try organically grown foods.
References:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150205174835.htm
There is a popular quote by Will Leamon ‘Because God Could Not Be Everywhere, Therefore He Made Mothers”
Every year in many parts of the world, the second Sunday of May month is celebrated as Mother’s Day. It is to honor, show respect and love to the woman who gave birth, stood strong, sacrificed, helped the children to shape life. How the Mother’s Day celebration started?
History of Mother’s Day:
In 1900s Anna Jarvis who was daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis in USA initiated Mother’s Day to honor the sacrifices her mother made for the children. In May 1908 Anna Jarvis, organized first Mother’s Day celebration in a Church in West Virginia. She was financially supported by a Philadelphia Departmental store owner namely John Wanamaker who also organized Mother’s Day in Philadelphia store. Thousands of people participated in the event and later followed by its success Mother’s Day International Association was formed to promote the cause.
Anna Jarvis persistence to establish Mother’s Day was paid off in 1914 when president Wilson signed a measure to establish second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. Jarvis was unmarried and had no children in her life. She wanted to add Mother’s Day in National calendar. Her efforts resulted in the recognition of Mother’s Day.
In the coming years, Mother’s Day became highly commercialized and Anna Jarvis who started the Mother’s Day began openly campaigning against those who profited from Mother’s Day including florists, retailers, bakery, confectioners etc. She spent most of her inheritance on legal fees.
Do you know? Mother’s Day is clubbed with International Women’s Day in many countries. While many of the countries celebrate Mother’s Day on same day as US, there are few countries who celebrate Mother’s Day on different day.
Why Mother’s Day celebration is needed? In Hinduism there is prayer called Maathru Devo Bhava. In Sanskrit it means “ Mother is God”.
We all know how a mother makes our life easy and comfortable. Motherhood is not just raising children. It is also caring, protecting and showering love for her offspring. All countries who celebrate Mother’s day have one purpose to celebrate “to show love and respect to the lady who gave birth” . It is to honor the mothers and women who have brought love, affection, peace and improvement not only to families but also to the world. It is a day that reminds us what mothers do for us. It is to show the utmost gratitude to mother.
It is very essential for us to show our affection to our mothers who fulfill duties in bringing us up. Our parents sacrifice a lot for our happiness and to fulfill dreams. As we grow, we should reciprocate and be responsible humans by showing affection and taking care of parents. A kid is mother’s child always even if he is 50 or 60, a leader, entrepreneur, business tycoon, actor. Mother has the capacity to shower unconditional love at all circumstances. This distinguished quality makes her unique in a child’s life. Mother’s love is also emotional, she is first person who recognizes when we are sick, she understands our emotions, recognizes our problems without we even telling her. She knows how to comfort her child and make child feel better.
Mother has a much difficult task in a family. She is the bridge between children and father. She is the strength of the family and she works hard to keep family happy and safe. Mother’s Day was established and celebrated on Sunday to give mother rest and happiness.
Those gifts that we give sure matter to mothers and they will happily accept anything that we give. However, they will be happier if we be there for her and show how much we care, love and respect their selfless act. In fact, if we should think that each day is Mother’s Day and we should be there for her when she needs us. As children we should be grateful and thankful for Mother’s efforts in our upbringing, for her unconditional love and support that she keeps providing us throughout her lifetime.
This Mother’s Day Let us celebrate motherhood, mother, sisters, respect aunts and all those motherly personalities who are part of our lives.
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SHELF LIFE OF SPICES & CONDIMENTS
For babies breastfeeding is the best nutrition source. However, with working mothers and schedules or due to situations – medical or any other personal reasons if mother is not able to breast feed, then the next option is going with formula or formula milk. If parents are relying on formula feed then understanding how to prepare formula and what are the do’s and don’ts – this is a must know for the parents as it is critical for baby’s health and proper development reasons.
These steps are critical as any contaminated food can be life threatening for infant. Once you bring formula follow hygiene practice to prepare and feed the baby.
Preparation tips and storing methods of baby’s formula (CDC)
Preparation
If you use powdered infant formula:
Use Quickly or Store Safely
How much formula to feed?
First Days
If you have questions about your baby’s growth or how much infant formula he or she is taking, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse.
First Weeks and Months
6 to 12 Months Old
12 to 24 Months Old
For more information on Baby’s formula and concerns that you might have please visit www.cdc.gov
Fresh cut flowers arrangement and keeping them fresh for longer time is a technique itself. If you are frustrated and not able to keep your beautiful flower bouquet for many days then follow these tips-,
Cutting the stem: Before placing the floral stem in the water, cut or trim the stem one to two inches at bottom. Cut in an angle using a garden shear or sharp scissor. Cutting stem in an angle helps the stem to absorb and carry water up to the flower. After 2-3 days you can cut the stem half an inch again to keep flowers fresh.
Removing leaves: Before immersing stem in the water, remove those leaves that are below water line. Immersing the leaves in water results in decaying of leaves and growth of microbes that impact stem and flower freshness. Daily check and remove any fallen petals or leaf in water.
Avoid direct sunlight and heat: Place the vase in a spot where there is no direct sunlight hits the flower. Avoid exposing to heat or cool vent as it leads to dehydration of flowers.
Avoid keeping near ripened fruits: Ripened fruits produce small amount of ethylene gas that could cause withering of flowers. Fruits like banana, tomatoes and apples produce ethylene gas while ripening that interfere in blooming and freshness of flowers.
Vase selection: Choosing a wrong size or wrong shape vase results in crushing or falling of stems. If the stem fits and sits nicely in the vase mouth then it is going to be good arrangement. Or chose a vase that is half size of the floral stem. Always use a clean vase for floral arrangement.
Remove wilted flower and stem: Some flowers lost longer than others. Removing browned stem and wilted flowers helps to keep other stems and flowers fresh and long. Brown stem releases phenolic compound that is not good for floral arrangement.
Types of solution mixes to keep flowers longer: Water source plays an important role in keeping flowers fresh. If your tap water contains higher levels of chlorine then avoid tap water and use filtered water.
-Water and plant food: Most bouquets come with pocket of plant food. Mix the plant food with room temperature water or lukewarm water. This will dissolve food properly. Don’t make it too concentrated solution. You can change the water every 2 days.
-Apple cider vinegar and sugar: Mix these two ingredients in water 1:1 combination.
-Aspirin: Crush one aspirin and add it to vase. Aspirin helps to lower pH level that prevents wilting of both leaves and flowers.
-Soda and water: Add 2 Tablespoon soda to water and mix well. Then place the flower stems. Best soda is lemon or lime soda!
-Keeping in fridge: some recommended keeping bouquet wrapped in a wet paper towel or newspaper and placing it overnight in fridge. This keeps flowers fresh and long.
Some people mix few drops of bleach or vodka in the water. Bleach keeps bacteria away. However if you have children or pets we don’t recommend using these as solutions.
Image credit:
Imagen de vargazs en Pixabay, Imagen de Monika en Pixabay & Imagen de Johanna Pakkala en Pixabay (all 3 images cc by 0)
Almond trees are native of Mediterranean region. As an egomaniacally important tree crop it is grown in United States, Spain, Australia, Italy, Morocco and many other countries. Almond taste is earthy and nut. One can eat almonds raw by breaking the ripened fruit shell or in soaked, cooked form. Almonds are used in snacks, desserts, cookies. Almond milk is a replacement for dairy milk in vegan plant-based diet.
Soaking almond is a traditional practice and soaked almonds are given to expectant mothers to improve their health and baby’s growth. By soaking almonds one can easily digest and absorb the beneficial nutrients present in almond. Soaked almond is source of Vitamin E, minerals, protein, Omega 3 fatty acid and dietary fiber.
Soaking almonds:
Benefits of eating soaked almonds:
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