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Sabudana Vada For Navratri

Sabudana Vada

Another sabudana or sago recipe. This one does not contain onion. It will supply peanuts that supplies protein and cumin seeds that reduces any stomach ailments.

Ingredients:

  1. Sabudana or Sago -1 Cup
  2. Medium size potato -3
  3. Crushed Peanuts -1/2 Cup
  4. Green Chilli-2
  5. Salt- as per your taste
  6. Cumin Seeds-1/2 teaspoon
  7. Chopped Coriander Leaves-1 tablespoon
  8. Lemon Juice-1 teaspoon

Preparation:

  • Wash and rinse the sago atleast twice and soak in water for 2 hours.
  • After 2 hours, drain the water from sago using a strainer and allow it to dry for couple of minutes. Mix all the ingredients with sago and make it small balls.
  • Flatten the sabudana balls between palms.
  • Heat sufficient oil in container and deep fry vadas in hot oil till golden brown.
  • Drain on absorbent paper. Serve hot with chutney of your choice.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 24, 2023
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Amaranth Flour Puri For Navratri

Amaranth Flour (Rajgire ka Atta) Puri

Many amaranths are considered as weed. However, the cultivated or weed these plant leaves are delicious and seeds can be used to sprout to eat. Ancient cultures depended on amaranth as a major staple of their diet, due to its high concentration of protein, folate, minerals, and vitamins.

Ingredients

  1. 2 cups amaranth flour
  2. 1 large potato/]
  3. rock salt as required
  4. water as required
  5. some rajgira atta or amaranth flour for dusting

Preparation:

  • Boil potato and allow it to cool completely. Once it cools, peel and mash
  • Mix amaranth flour and salt. Add little amount of water and begin to knead the dough. If needed add little more water and make a non sticky dough.
  • Keep aside the dough covered for 15 minutes.
  • On a dusted work surface, make medium sized pooris, neither thin nor thick and fry them in hot oil. Drain the puri on paper napkins to remove excess oil.
  • Serve puris hot with daal, vegetable curry prepared without onion and garlic.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Sabudana Khichdi For Navratri

Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana is made from raw tapioca roots. It is extracted from the stems of sago palm trees, then processed into small, circular pellets, which are sometimes referred to as pearls. For infants and sick persons or during fasts sabudana is considered an acceptable form of nutrition. It contains good amount of carbohydrates, protein and is low in fat.  Sabudana is light on the system and tasty too.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 cup sabudana
  2. 2 small to medium size potatoes
  3. ½ cup roasted peanuts
  4. 8-10 curry leaves
  5. 1 tsp grated ginger
  6. 1 green chili
  7. 1 tsp cumin
  8. ¼ cup grated fresh coconut (optional)
  9. ½ to 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
  10. 2 tbsp oil
  11. rock salt as required

Preparation:

  • Soak sabudana overnight or for 3-5 hours.
  • Next day drain the sabudana very well and keep aside in a bowl.
  • Boil the potatoes and when warm peel and chop them.
  • In a pan dry roast the peanuts till browned and when cooled make a coarse powder in a mortar-pestle or in a dry grinder. Mix the coarsely powdered peanuts and salt with the drained sabudana.
  • Heat the oil. Fry the cumin first till they crackle and get browned. Add the curry leaves and green chilies. Fry for half a minute and then add the grated ginger.
  • Stir till the raw smell of the ginger goes away. now add potato and saute for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the sabudana. keep on stirring the mixture. When the sabudana looses their opaqueness and starts becoming translucent they are cooked.
  • Add grated coconut, mix well and remove from heat source.
  • Before serving garnish with coriander leaves and serve sabudana khichdi.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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10 Simple and Healthy Navaratri Vegetarian Recipes

10 Simple and Healthy Navratri Vegetarian Recipes

From October 1st, 2016 whole India will be celebrating Navratri festival. During these nine (Nav in Sanakrit) nights nine forms of Shakti/Devi/Goddess are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or “Dussehra.”  Traditionally, everyday people prepare and offer various types of foods to Goddess. Many people also follow a ritual known as “vritam” and fast.  According to Hindu philosophy, food means gratification of the senses and to starve the senses is to elevate senses to contemplation.  Fasting during Navaratri helps to balance body and mind while focusing on the positive energy. The food that is offered to Goddess is called Naivedya and later will be distributed for lunch or dinner to end the vritam.

There are specific requirements one has to follow during 9 days of fasting. People who fast do eat. The food they consume will be healthy and will serve balanced nutrients. This keeps them going for whole nine days without losing energy and interest. Instead of preparing unhealthy food, one can prepare healthy food and offer to Goddess and end the fasting. Another requirement of these foods is the ingredients should not contain garlic or onion. Some of the simple and nutritious navratri foods are for you in next few slides….

Sabudana Khichdi: Click here to know the recipe

Sabudana Khichdi For Navratri

Amaranth Flour (Rajgire ka Atta) Puri: Click here to know the recipe

Amaranth Flour Puri For Navratri

Sabudana Vada: Click here to know the recipe

Sabudana Vada For Navratri

Lemon Rice: Click here to know the recipe

Lemon Rice For Navratri

Arbi Cutlets: Click here to know the recipe

Arbi Cutlets For Navratri

Banana Payasam (Kheer): Click here to know the recipe

Banana Payasam For Navratri

Spinach Pakoda: Click here to know the recipe

Spinach Pakoda For Navratri

Papaya Halwa: Click here to know the recipe

Papaya Halwa For Navratri

Mango Almond Smoothie: Click here to know the recipe

Mango Almond Smoothie For Navratri

Chickpea Usali (Sundal): Click here to know the recipe

Chickpea Usali For Navratri

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Recipe references:

  • Healthylife.werindia.com
  • http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com
  • blogspot.com
  • http://cooking4allseasons.blogspot.com/
  • Images: Google and werindia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Help kids to express emotions

Help kids to express their emotions

As a parent or a teacher there are chances you come across a child who appears to be sad all the time. No smiles, not mingling with other children, does not play or does not talk much. Sometimes child may also throw tantrum. When we see sad face or tantrum throwing child, who goes to school and meltdowns often -it is a sign that the child is having difficulty with emotional self- regulation.

Help such kids to express their emotions!

Self-regulation is the ability to understand and manage one’s own behavior and reactions. Self-regulation develops in toddler and preschooler age and continue to develop into adulthood.

Expressing range of emotions from sadness/ anger to happiness is a normal behavior of all children. Some children can regulate their emotions. These children calm down after some excitement. They focus on task and move on to next task after going through some emotions.

Those children who cannot self-regulate their emotions and appear to be sad all the time, need help from adults. Some kids’ innate capacity of self-control depends on their personality and temperament. Sometimes environment in which a child growing will have an impact on emotional self-regulation. Children who have anxiety or ADHD may find it more challenging to manage their emotions.  School going children mostly spend time either at home or in school. Both parents and teachers can help children to overcome inappropriate and impulsive behavior, so that child will not throw tantrums. Children who are unable to regulate their emotions need support and this is where emotional regulation activity might be helpful.

Emotional regulation activities help children in various ways.

  • Child will develop self-awareness and management skill that will help them to focus on studies at school
  • Children will learn to identify and manage their behavior and emotions
  • Child will learn when and how to take decision, to be responsible at various situations, school and in public.
  • They will become more independent and will learn to manage stress, anger and anxiety.

Five activities to help children to explore their emotions

  1. Plastic egg face: On plastic Easter eggs draw varieties of emotion faces. Teach them different emotions and in a group of children have them exchange the eggs and encourage them to make different emotion faces. Let each child explain what their emotion is.
  2. Mood meter: Helps children both at school and home to identify their emotions. Let them learn the emotions and have them relate their face to mood meter. Emojis are best way to teach this concept. It helps them to identify their feeling.
  3. Yoga poses: Help child to pick up different yoga poses (5-7 poses) and let them make sequence of poses. Have them name the pose and relate it to their emotions. For example, in a warrior 2 pose child can say “I am strong”. Tree pose can be “I am kind”,  Downward dog – I am friendly, cobra pose or lion pose – I am brave, warrior 3 pose – I am good etc.
  4. HALTED – This acronym helps children to express emotions when they feel less than perfect. HALTED stands for H-Hungry, A-Angry, L-Lonely, T-Tired, E-Embarrassed, D-Disappointed. If you add OS to HALTED, it becomes HALTED-OS, O -Overwhelmed, S-Scared. When you ask a child how he or she feels, the acronym might be helpful to understand their behavior and will be able to help.
  5. Reading books: Pick up good children books. When child is disturbed have them pick up a book and read. Well written children books will help children to understand their emotions and how they feel at present.

As a parent you may need to consider professional help if your child

  • Having difficulty in controlling behavior as the child grows
  • If the behavior of child is dangerous to herself or others
  • If your disciplining methods are not working
  • If child has trouble in adjusting and interacting with others
  • Does not seem to have developed social and communication skills as other children of same age group
  • Showing and exhibiting more tantrums and unable to control

For more information on emotional self-regulation please visit:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/ , www.apperson.com, http://www.upcyclededucation.com/, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

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


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 23, 2023
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DO YOU KNOW THESE BENEFITS OF SALT?

Do you know these Benefits of Salt ?

Humans are using salt from many, many centuries. With salt food tastes better. Salt also supplies sodium and chloride for the body. Salt use is not just restricted to cooking. Salt can be used in a better way for many other purposes including prolonging shelf life of milk!

“Our modern-day uses of salt are a culmination of centuries-worth of cultures who coveted salt as a precious, rare, and indispensible commodity”.

See good benefits of salt in our day to day life which makes our life more healthy.

1. Relieve stings, bites, and poison ivy

  • If anyone stung by a bee -immediately wet the sting and cover with salt. This reduces pain and swelling and also don’t forget to seek doctor’s attention as soon as possible.
  • To get relief from the itching of mosquito and chigger bites, soak the area in salt water, then apply coconut oil.
  • When poison ivy erupts, relieve the itching by soaking in hot salt water and seek medical attention.

2. Deodorizing sneakers

Summer time people do wear sneakers without socks to avoid sweating. However, this creates more stinky odor in the shoe. Sprinkle salt on the shoes and soak up the moisture to remove the odor.

3. Cleaning garbage disposal

To get rid of the bad odor wafting from your garbage disposal? Freshen it up with salt. Just dump in 1/2 cup salt, run the cold water, and start the disposal. The salt will dislodge stuck waste and neutralize odors.

4. Cleaning cutting boards

After rinsing the cutting boards in the kitchen with soap and water to remove any extra stain from the boards  use salt and it will become ighter and brighter in color.

5. Stop cut fruit from browning

If you are planning to prepare a fruit bowl or fruit salad and planning to cut the fruits ahead of time then use little amount of salt to ensure that cut apples and pears retain their color.  Soak  cut fruits very briefly in a bowl of lightly salted water.

6. Remove perspiration stains

To remove the stains formed because of perspiration use salt. Dissolve 4 tablespoons salt in 1 liter hot water. Just sponge the garment with the solution until the stain disappears.

7. Condition your skin

Instead of using scented and fragranced salt dissolve 1 cup table salt in your tub and soak as usual. Your skin will be noticeably softer. Buy sea salt for a real treat.

8. Open hair-clogged drains

Clogging can cause lot of problem in the sink and tub.  To dissolved the hair and to clear the clogged drains try this: Mix 1 cup salt, 1 cup baking soda, and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain. After 10 minutes pour 2 liters boiling water or  run hot-water tap until the drain flows freely.

9. Scrubbing boiled milk stain

Everyone knows how difficult it is remove boiled milk stain from the soak pan. Next time try with salt and remove the stain. Wet the burned pan and sprinkle it with salt. Wait about 10 minutes, and then scrub the pan. Salt not only removes the stain but also, removes the burnt odor !

10. Removing odor from hands

After cutting garlic and onion it takes some time to get rid of the odor from fingers. If you don’t have patience to get away from this odor then wash hands with soap and rub with salt and wash. This takes care of odor removal from fingers and hands.

11. Soothing feet

If your feet are tired by standing, walking or with work then try this salt soaking – prepare a salt water bath- pour 1-1/2 gallons warm water in a large basin. Mix in 1/4 cup Salt and 1/4 cup baking soda. Soak feet for up to 15 minutes. Your feet will feel better and so do you.

12. Whitening teeth

To keep teeth white and clean use one part fine salt to two parts baking soda–dip your toothbrush in the mix and brush twice a day – morning and evening.

Source: www.werindia.com

Image credit: Photo by Jeff Hilnbrand on Unsplash (free for commercial use)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Adenovirus infection in Kolkata

Mysterious Flu -Adenovirus Threat in West Bengal

Kolkata is facing mysterious flu like infection and as of today the number of cases has been increased. Physicians across hospitals in India are also reporting adenovirus cases. The sickness is identified as caused by Adenovirus. Just like flu, this condition is spreading through contacts and children are the main victims. Children of all ages particularly school going young children are at higher risk of contacting the adenovirus. This sickness main symptom is flu-like respiratory illness. In Mumbai has reported significant rise in the cases, hospitalization and admission to ICU.

According to Dr Soonu Udani, Medical Director, NH SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai is concerned with the number of hospitalizations, “There are many children being admitted with pneumonia who show adenovirus on the PCR from the lungs. These are very sick children with prolonged illness and need prolonged artificial ventilation. Many are showing signs of severe lung damage even on recovery. Our patient profile too is of prolonged cough for 4-6 weeks and high fever lasting for over a week. Most are not tested for the virus. Masking and cough hygiene is the only prevention.”

Generally adenovirus is treated with symptomatic treatment and patients will recover within days. This time however, patients are showing prolonged viral symptoms. Children who are discharged from hospital are facing certain health complications due to much weekend immune system. Disturbed sleep due to cough, breathlessness, fever for many days – these symptoms are indicators that child need immediate attention. According to health experts, the precautions that parents and public need to take is “ same precautions that was followed during covid pandemic

What are general symptoms, precautions and treatment for adenovirus sickness? As per CDC-,

Adenoviruses can cause a wide range of illnesses such as

  1. common cold or flu-like symptoms
  2. fever
  3. sore throat
  4. acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of the lungs, sometimes called a “chest cold”)
  5. pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
  6. pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  7. acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines causing diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain)

Less common symptoms of adenovirus infection include

  1. bladder inflammation or infection
  2. neurologic disease (conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord)

Transmission:

Adenoviruses are usually spread from an infected person to others through

  • close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
  • the air by coughing and sneezing
  • touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
  • Some adenoviruses can spread through an infected person’s stool, for example, during diaper changing. Adenovirus can also spread through the water, such as swimming pools, but this is less common.

Length of Transmission

Sometimes the virus can be shed (released from the body) for a long time after a person recovers from an adenovirus infection, especially among people who have weakened immune systems. This “virus shedding” usually occurs without any symptoms, even though the person can still spread adenovirus to other people.

If you’re sick you can help protect others:

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
  • Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others.
  • Refrain from kissing others.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom.
  • Frequent handwashing is especially important in childcare settings and healthcare facilities.

There are no approved antiviral medicines and no specific treatment for people with adenovirus infection. Most adenovirus infections are mild and may be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain medicines or fever reducers to help relieve symptoms. Always read the label and use medications as directed.

If you have concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider /doctor.

https://www.cdc.gov/adenovirus/

Image credit: Image by AkshayaPatra Foundation from Pixabay (cc by 0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 14, 2023
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12 Butt sculpting poses

Butt sculpting poses

Reducing the butt fat is a challenge for anybody. Most our weight that we gain will be in the thighs and butt area. To put on fat in these two areas, it takes many years and we cannot expect a overnight change to reduce both areas. One need patience and good work out to reduce. To the stubborn fat sitting in the butt and to tone those muscles surrounding both butt and thighs one need to learn proper poses and excellent exercise. Working on glutes helps to reduce the fat. If you are not a fan of vigorous body work out and running, then yoga and Pilates can sure help you to tone butt and thighs both. There are many poses that help to reduce and tone the butt muscles.

  1. High lunge pose:  To fire up glute try high lunge pose. It is a glute-activating pose. Add a small bend to the back leg and it intensifies the workout.
  2. Side Plank Pose: This pose not only strengthen the glute, also maintains a firm butt. Learn how to do side plank properly. Any misalignment can cause strain and will hurt wrists and hips. Always keep hip away from the floor, do not sink in the pose.
  3. Chair pose: One of the best butt workout. Maintain your alignment with straight back, stay aligned from neck to hip. Lifting feet for few seconds will add extra workout and firms butt.
  4. Yogi squat: Malasana- Also known as yoga squats or garland pose helps to fire up the glutes.  Chest must be aligned with thighs and lift the hips until the thighs are parallel to ground. This pose also works on inner thigh muscle and firms up the butt.
  5. Fire hydrant lift: Go on knees to table top position. Use the glutes to lift leg to 90-degree angle away from the body. Rotate the lifted leg to add little more workout on glute. Or move the lifted leg slowly away from the body to firm the butt.
  6. Warrior 1 & 3: Both warriors poses 1 and 3 are great for butt firming. Both will work on gluteus maximus, medial hamstring and adductor magnus muscles. Makes the butt firm and stronger.
  7. Locust pose: Lifting legs and thighs 2 to 4 inches from the ground without hurting back is the key for this pose. Hold the pose for few seconds and release. While holding the pose tighten the glute and this firms up butt.
  8. Dance Pose : Also known as Natarajasna, dance pose is good pose to strengthen thigh muscles, leg and glute. It firms up glute with each practice. Hold pose for 13-30 seconds. This pose needs focusing and balancing to stand on legs. Tighten the glute while holding the pose.
  9. Half Moon Pose : Half moon pose have same effect as warrior 3 pose. Hold pose for 15 to 30 seconds. It works magic on thigh and glute, and both shapes up well.
  10. Triangle Posture : To reduce butt fat, try triangle pose. It tones waistline, armpit area and reduces fat in the buttocks!
  11. Donkey kick: A Pilate pose very effective to sculpt butt. On mat start with table pose. Do not sink stomach, hold the core tight. Keep your abdomen and butt firm. Arms must be flat on mat. Pointing toes, lift and kick left and right foot alternatively towards ceiling. Squeeze the glute while kicking the feet.
  12. Single leg lifts and kick: Lie on left or right side. Rest your head on your hand. Keep the opposite leg stacked on another leg in diagonal line. Use another hand to stabilize on the mat. Flex both feet and lift the top leg slowly to hip height and kick front and back (do not over stretch). Repeat on both sides. – This is one of the best Pilate exercise to tone thighs and reduce butt fat.

Image credit: Photo by Zen Bear Yoga on Unsplash &

Photo by Sonnie Hiles on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: March 9, 2023
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