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#SayYesToTheWorld 11 Startling Travel Secrets (11 is fave)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on March 25, 2018 39

When I talk about eleven startling secrets about traveling, it’s not a post about best deals and destinations. It’s about my realization about how being a world traveler made me a better person.

When I was a little girl I used to study very hard. Guess why? My maternal uncle used to take us for summer holiday trips to different places. But this happened only when all the cousins were doing well. While this custom stopped with time and circumstances, my love for travel was forever.

Luckily the friend I married loves to travel too. While studying in Delhi for our PGs, we got married in our second year. We wanted to travel together married. We are both traditional that way. Also, I felt many of the Indian socio-economic-cultural norms help form deeper relations. They help us live and love freely without the burden of negative emotions. While love made us want to get married, our love of travel made marriage fun. Delhi is a cool place to travel from. Most of the major airlines have flights here. Comfort travel is high on my list, but more important are the simple insights into the human life we get.

My 11 Startling Travel Secrets: SayYesToTheWorld

#1 When in Bhutan I realized why the people here have such high happiness quotient. It’s about being close to nature. Believing you exist as part of them.

#2 Human lives are strung in chords of the same song, that all animals and plants on this beautiful world sing.

#3 When we traveled to Srilanka the food made me realize how similar we all are, even across borders.Why exactly men fight no one knows but we are all poorer for going to wars. Travel inspiration exists everywhere. Most often when you are traveling you realize your thirst for some more of the same or something different. Whatever it is, more you travel the more you want to travel!

#4 In Iceland I realized how beautiful the world will be if we all stopped to think and cared more.Nature in its beauty gives us gifts of love, positivity, compassion, and empathy. By cutting trees and disturbing the ecological balance, we destroy our own chances of happiness. Is that worth it?

#5 In Milan the vertical gardens on the cityscape made me realize that’s the solution to pollution.

#6 In Singapore the Botanic garden stole my heart. That’s on my dream list. A treehouse, with mountains on one side and the sea beach on the other.No harm in dreaming right? When you love the world, the world loves you right back!

#7 In Dubai the splendor of all things with the contrasting stories of immigrant workers made me realize.

#8 The only way to a happier and peaceful world is one where all are educated.

11 Startling Secrets about Travel #SayYesToTheWorld

While education is not a magic wand it will give you more choices.

The choice not to be bonded labor.
The choice to live life with dignity
The choice to live with family.

#9 It’d also during traveling with family that some of my best blogging projects appeared.

I blogged while waiting at airports. I blogged sitting in a coffee shop in Paris. All this was possible because the Internet travels with us.

#10 The power of technology and the power of positive thinking, together makes travel an opportunity like no other.

#11 Travelling opens up the heart, mind, and soul.

[bctt tweet=”Travel makes your spirit breathe! #SayYesToTheWorld” username=”misra_amrita”]

It challenges my ability to adjust. It makes me look deep into your soul. It makes me thankful. A thankful heart is a happy heart. Travel makes me happy.

Celebrate life with a thankful heart.

My thoughts on how travel makes me open-minded:

I stop feeling like I know everything. This, unfortunately, lasts for the duration of travel. Then I start feeling like a super mom, Batman with Harry Potter all rolled into one! I realize how blessed I really am. I feel thankful for the kindness of strangers.I understand the role of population, natural resources, and health of a nation. I also realized some truths we all know, but need to travel to accept!

Read my full disclosure here. While all the realizations are heartfelt, the travels are virtual.

Mother and Child: Bond is Deeper than you can Imagine #FeedIQ

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on March 22, 2018 92

Our genetics are very important. Our environment is very important.Mother and child bond is deeper than you can imagine.

The big question:
What should be the most important criteria for a well balanced, intelligent and healthy child?

That is a billion dollar question.While genetics and the exact IQ of a child has a lot to do with God’s blessing, as a mom you can do a lot.

Role of genetics and environment on a healthy intelligent child: Baby IQ

You are literally the sun in the life of your unborn child.Your flesh, blood your soul.
Genetics you share with hubby.
The unborn child’s environment is you.
The external sound and the father’s voice are all heard by the child. But what you as a mommy eat, think, feel, do and decide will and can change your unborn child’s trajectory forever.

Mother’s nutrition

This opportunity is golden to help your child. Health is a habit. It’s a lifestyle choice. It doesn’t work as a fad. If you smoke, drink alcohol while planning a baby, be careful. This will not only affect your health but also that of your unborn child. If you think negative and are surrounded by negativity, it can be extraordinarily stressful for both of you.

The right nutrition, right stimulation at the right time, in the right amount and the right way can be life-changing. It minutely affects baby’s body and baby brain development.

Not having enough protein, calcium, iron, vitamin D, folic acid and other micronutrients can give your unborn child unnecessary stress and challenges too. Breastfeeding is an important way of providing the right amount of nutrition to the child. In case of preterm babies other than breastfeeding additional nutritional support may be needed under strict supervision for adequate growth.

Mother’s role in infant nutrition and cognition:

Baby food and infant cognition go hand in hand. Stimulation with various methods and creative play can aid infant cognition.

What does research say: the two hit theory

Do you know about the two hit theory of gestational stress? Children when exposed to intrauterine stress in mother’s womb feel every wave of negative emotions that the stressful situation brings.

The Barker Hypothesis proposed in 1990 by the British epidemiologist David Barker (b. 1939) that intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, and premature birth have a causal relationship to the origins of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, in middle age.

This suggests that there is a fetal origin of adult lifestyle diseases.Whenever you worry, your blood pressure increases and the corticosteroids flood your bloodstream.This can precipitate gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension. It can also make the unborn child face similar risks when facing stress after being born.

What is Feed IQ?How can you help develop the baby brain?

A baby’s brain development is based on the environment, genetics and nourishment she/he receives in utero and via breastfeeding. The right stimulation that is infant brain exercises also boosts infant cognition.
So when a mother takes care of what she eats, she is literally feeding IQ to her baby!

As a mom, you are the sun: Smart moms start early

When I write today I thank my mom. Everything I am today is because of God’s blessing and my mom’s firm belief in exposure to creativity and education. From my earliest memories, I remember my mom reading to me. My growing up memories are full of books. The libraries and the book fairs were my Disneyland.

Moms need to start early. Preconception planning can go a long way in giving the unborn child the best chances for a healthy adult life in all ways.

The first step is a healthy lifestyle before conception.The next step is a healthy pregnancy focussing on nutrition and being stress-free.

The third step is the infant. Up to two years of age, their brain is ready to learn anything.Their nutrition, and physical and brain development go hand in hand.There is no way to forget the role of infant nutrition and infant cognitive growth in the future adult.

Takeaway:

Eat the right type of food.
Take the right supplements and medicines before conception, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Sometimes you may need additional nutritional support for an infant under doctor’s supervision.Take the right decision at the right time.
As a mother, you have a lot of responsibility to start early. Mind, body, spirit, and health starts in the womb for the child and continues after birth.

Start early, do the right thing at the right time.Health indeed is the biggest blessing.

Disclaimer: This article is meant to help create awareness and spread knowledge. All decision regarding your health and child’s health should be done after consultation with your doctor.Read my full disclosure hereWhile all efforts are made to keep articles updated the speed of research in these fields mean the information often may change when more research knowledge is available. Healthwealthbridge or the authors should be in no way held responsible in that case.
Written after consultation and discussion with Dr. Abhijit Misra (MD Pediatrician – Healthwealthbridge board of advisors).

Reference: Nelson Text Book of Pediatrics

Protinex :Is it a good Protein Source?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on February 19, 2018 75

When children are growing up, the right amount of protein is needed to help them grow. Growth spurts, pregnancy, old age, you, me, everyone needs protein. All, your cells are made up of proteins. In fact, proteins are the building blocks of cells. This is where Protinex lends a helping hand.

In this post

What is Protinex ? Is Protinex a good source of protein?

How exactly does hydrolyzed protein help you?

Can you take Protinex after a workout?

Does Protinex increase weight?

What is a Protein calculator?

Can you get your daily requirement of protein from food?

What exactly is Protinex and how do you include it in your diet?

5 steps to improve protein intake

Important things you should know

(Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links in the blog post. This means I will get a small commission if you visit and buy after clicking on a link at no extra cost to you. This also helps to sustain the website. Thank you for your help)

What is Protinex ? Is Protinex a good source of protein?

Protinex is a protein powder, often recommended during times of nutritional deficiency. It has a good amount of protein in one scoop and is a trusted source of protein.

- Proteinex has soy protein isolate and should only be taken under a medical prescription during physiological or pathological need
- The hydrolyzed protein in Protinex makes digestion and absorption easy.
- It is hydrolyzed protein-containing di, tri, and polypeptides which are predigested proteins.

How exactly does hydrolyzed protein help you?

Since these are already partially digested and broken down into simpler protein blocks, the absorption and utilization in your cells are quicker and more efficient. But be careful, this is not for everyone. If you are already overweight, have a blood sugar problem or deranged lipid profile or any of the risk factors for Metabolic syndrome consult your doctor before adding anything tto your diet.

Protinex :All you wanted to know(Image source:Fashionablefoodz.com)

Can you take Protinex after a workout?

Yes, you can. Hydrolyzed protein is great post work out to avoid muscle breakdown. But since it has soy protein you must consult your doctor about it. It can cause hormonal disruptions if taken without proper precautions. You can also take your eggs.

Does Protinex increase weight?

It’s a good way to improve the protein intake in people recovering from illness, surgery. It improves health and may increase weight, depending on your overall activity level. It’s great for infants, children, during pregnancy, lactation, and the elderly. I don’t recommend this without an underlying cause for simple protein requirements.

What is a Protein calculator?

Protein calculator is an interesting online app that will help you access your protein intake and correct deficiencies if any.

Ideally, you need to have 0.7gram up to 1 gram of protein per kg per day.But this needs to be adjusted according to your age, gender, physiological states like a growth spurt, pregnancy, breastfeeding, disease states, nature of daily activity and activity level.

So that makes planning a diet challenge. You need to have protein with all your meals.But what if you are busy and can’t always manage a balanced meal .That’s when Protinex can help you.Just find out from the calculator about any deficiency you may have, then supplement it.

Protinex: All that you wanted to know (Image source:Fashionablefoodz.com)

Can you get your daily requirement of protein from food?

Yes, you can. But it needs a diet rich in animal protein with every meal. Fish, chicken, eggs, and milk needs to be part of your diet in the correct portions. Plant proteins are not complete proteins .Soy protein isolates

Read Soybean: Good Bad and Ugly

The problem is with the very busy schedules you lose the determination to plan your meals.This is when Protinex helps.

What exactly is Protinex and how do you include it in your diet?

Protinex is a powder.
You need to take it mixed with milk.
Since its predigested or hydrolyzed protein, it gets absorbed quickly and helps revitalize your cells easily.
Protinex is a complete protein source having all essential amino acids.
Since its hydrolyzed protein it acts quickly and ensures your body does not suffer from protein deficiency.
You can include it as a post-exercise drink for yourself and post playtime drink for your children.
The Protinex bytes are protein biscuits and are pleasantly vanilla flavored and are great for giving as snacks to kids In their growing age we often worry about how to give enough protein. These biscuits help me keep up with my daughters daily protein need and avoid unhealthy snacking.

The range of flavors like tasty chocolate. Elaichi, vanilla and the original Protinex are trusted for its excellent quality. A brand recognized for over 50 years presents you with a simple Protein calculator to help you be healthy every day.

5 steps to improve protein intake

1)Check my Protein Calculator

2)Input your daily meal data.

3)They will give you a score depending on which you will know regarding deficiency if any.

4)Find how you can improve your daily protein intake.

5)Shop for your weekly food carefully. Makeup your deficiency with a good quality protein in diet or consider a supplement like Protinex after talking to your doctor.

Important things you should know about protein

Vegetarian sources of protein are deficient in essential amino acids. They are thus incomplete proteins.
Pulses and vegetable proteins lack essential amino acids.
Animal proteins are complete proteins. Eggs, fish, meat, chicken are complete proteins. Protinex is a complete protein source too.
Pregnant mothers and lactating mother are helped by a good supplement like Mama Protinex to meet their complete daily protein requirement.
Growing children need a protein-rich diet to help with their complete growth. Adding protein to each of their meals will help improve their performance at academic as well as extracurricular level.
The right kind of protein in your diet will help keep your immunity and your family’sdisease-fightingg ability intact.
Proteins are a part of the body’s enzymes, hormones, skin, hair and in fact each and every cell of your body.

At the Protinex Event

Joining hands with Danone India, Protinex launched a protein calculator at an event on 15th February 2018.

Our U19 Champion captain Prithvi Shaw unveiled the Protein calculator.

Interesting facts which I learned at the event

The recent IMRB survey has found 73% of the Urban population are protein deficient. Lucknow is most deficient(90%) and Kolkata least deficient.

Mr.Himanshu Bakshi Danone IndiaDirector-Marketing,, mentioned that 93% of Indians are unaware of their protein need and intake.

Protein in your diet is very important. ?Ask me why I insist on eggs and fish in my little one’s diet every day?

This is what I tell my daughter

The most important macronutrient which is responsible to make you taller, stronger and sharper is protein.

Disclaimer: All information provided is for general health awareness. This is a post written in association with brand activity. Kindly consult your doctor for advice regarding specific conditions and dietary requirements. Full disclaimer.

How much protein do you need per day?

Make Room for What You Love by Melissa Michaels Review|Book summary| Science of Decluttering

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 14, 2018 32

Make Room for What You Love book summary,is my chance to tell you about my secret behind managing it all.

My favorite quote from the book “Make Room for what you love”:

“Your outer world influences how you feel inside.
External chaos is an indication of inner chaos .”

How you care for your home and the things in it influences your life deeply. It silently affects the decisions you take.
So think carefully each time you invite a thing, a person, or a thought in your home. Will it produce order or disorder?

This post contains affiliate links. This means at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission in case you buy something using the link in the post. Thank you for your help. I deeply appreciate you reading this post.

Three Simple Truths and powerful habits(from the book Make Room for what you love)

1)If you keep a little piece of random something it becomes a clutter magnet.
2)Have simple rules about what to keep and what you give away. GIVE EVERYTHING A LOCATION.
Ask yourself in your mind: Order or disorder?(like this tip a lot)The system should be easy to keep up with and enjoy.
3)There will always be unwelcome things trying to take control of our heart-mind soul and physical surroundings. But what you allow is your choice.

My favorite thought from the book

Make a home filled with grace.

About clutter magnets

You have all faced this problem of random keys coins, and screws accumulating on small trays meant to display pretty trinkets.
Melissa suggests you either find a home for them immediately, if not immediately then maybe a week (this is flexible) to decide what to do with them.
If you have not used them by the designated time give them away or throw them away.

Even DIY projects make a conscious decision to let go if you have not done it in a year.

Super tip :
Clutter Grows. But, if you keep at it’s not so bad.

Order or disorder?

If you remember one thing from this book it should be these two words.
Now, this is not exactly anything new.

But somehow together they will sound like a buzz in your mind, every time you decide to keep hanging on to a clutter magnet.
Your home is a work in progress. But it should always move forward in the spectrum of order.

A line that made me laugh.

“This is a place for undies, which I wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen in should the fire department have to rescue me”

Every time you put down something, ask yourself if will this create order or disorder. Decluttering is never done.It’s a work in progress and life gets in the way.

A home filled with grace…

This powerful concept elevates Melissa’s book from its home decor niche to a different level.

What exactly is grace?

Thoughtfulness towards others.

Pleasing appearance or effect.

So grace is something you have and your home has from little things.
The book gives you a long list of questions to ponder which helps you get going in the right direction.

My favorite Qs:

What colors feel energizing or soothing to you? Ivory, pastel shades cool colors that are happy.
What kind of settings brings you peace? Green plants, and less stuff!
What is the most frustrating part of your home? Storage and organizing! It’s a rental!

Psychology of decluttering:

A clutter-free environment helps avoid decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is a psychological condition where mental exhaustion and diminishing productivity occur due to making too many decisions.

The key:

Have just the right amount of stuff…to love the home you have.
Interesting checklist to help you decide, what should be invited into your home.

Do I have space to display this? What happens if it breaks down
Can I get this done with what I have?

By creating order out of chaos you create peace.

Make room for What You love: A quote that has changed how I felt about my home

My Takeaway from the Book

Always have Specific measurable achievable realistic time-limited (SMART) goals.
Let go of perfect solutions. Get work done with the time money and resources you now have. When you create order out of chaos you create peace. Live beautifully and have a home filled with grace.

How it changed my life. ..

Like Melissa, I feel you can never have too many books.

But trying to make a place for all of them takes some worrying.

So now I have a system. I buy those books which I want to re-read (like Enid Blyton Everything, Perry Mason, Agatha Christie, The Go-Giver, The 4-hour Workweek, Love the home you have ….)And I buy ebooks(#ecofriendly ) and I joined a lending library.

What do you do to, decrease the chaos around you?
As I read the book, (mine is an ebook???????? because I am in India and the paperback is not yet available here )
I am underlining the words in my head.

Melissa has done it again. She tells us the truth without ever sounding boring. Whenever I read her book I feel blessed that I found her blog.

[bctt tweet=”Wherever you are you can make a home you love.” username=”misra_amrita”]

I love plants, I love flowers and I love growing edible plants. But sometimes when it gets a little too much.I step back and think about what makes me really happy. I have realized seeing green everywhere makes me really happy.

But I have to balance a green home with a realistic goal. How many can I plant and take care of, without gardening feeling like a chore? That’s the benchmark gardening is for your health and spirit. It should make you feel happy and content. Not worried.

That’s why reading Make Room for what you love by @Melissa Michaels is, so much fun. You can do the exercises as you read and declutter!

So is the declutter outside and get peace, backed by science?

You bet!
Clutter is actually a sign of fear.
Fear of letting go.
Fear of regret.
Fear of the what if.
Too much Clutter is not only about your stuff! It’s actually about how your brain is wired. Keeping stuff and not using it is the inability to make decisions.

[wysija_form id=”16″]

This can actually be a red flag for underlying mental health issues like ADHD, Depression, and OCD.

How Clutter affects you?

Causes an increase in our stress level
Decreases your ability to concentrate
Makes you unhappy
Affects your ability to think positively.

But do you all have a problem?
Not really.
A bit of chaos may help spark creativity.
But a lot of stuff, pulling at your brain cam hamper your ability to think tangentially.
So when is clutter too much Clutter and borderline hoarding?
When throwing away giving away stuff causes you to have palpitations.
extreme anxiety, sleeplessness.
That needs help.

So which part of your brain needs looking into?
The orbitofrontal cortex ..part of your brain involved in decision-making is responsible for the physical responses hoarders feel.
The good news: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help rewire your brain’s thinking pattern can definitely help you.

You don’t know how far you can go before your try

Clearing clutter helped me focus on what was important. What else do you learn from the book?
Your home is your sanctuary. To declutter and keep it clutter-free is a journey. To live beautifully with things you love, you need to let go of things you don’t.Don’t let decision-making pull you behind.

Buy or borrow the book

Make Room for What You Love: Your Essential Guide to Organizing & Simplifying

But definitely, read it.

Reading Melissa’s book is like talking to an old friend. A friend, who knows, something is troubling you even, before you speak.
It’s decluttering therapy!
Just like mindfulness protects against the ill effects of multitasking, uncluttered clean spaces help your brain concentrate and are more productive.

I recommend this book for:

Moms struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing needs of their growing families.

Moms who know a bit of clutter is inevitable with young children. But still, want to keep some semblance of order.

Anybody who wants to be more productive in their home or work.

Why I loved this book?

It has actually motivated me enough to not only read the book, wrote the summary post it plus clean the house one cluttered corner at a time.
Melissa’s book has grace.

I have realized I too want to live with grace.

Disclaimer :I received a digital copy of this book for review. The opinions and thoughts I share about this book is strictly mine and in no way influenced by any third person.

Taj Gateway & Vizag Vistas (Part 1)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 30, 2017 18

When hubby planned a trip to visit Vizag, the timing was a surprise.The pujo holidays had to be skipped because of exorbitant airfare during the 5 days of Durga pujo.
Surprisingly during Diwali, the prices were reasonable and we were able to get a great rate.There are Indigo direct flights from Kolkata to Vizag.

Direct flights are our favorites because we travel with a child and stopovers or flight changes with a child is never fun.
We booked our flight in July and our hotel directly online at the same time.We did look at a few other properties But I wanted to experience the much acclaimed Taj hospitality.
At the very beginning, I must say the online booking was simple. This was the email address I had, and my contact person was Dinesh Boora Reservation officer. The first point of contact with a hospitality service helps me feel confident and relaxed about the potential for further interaction

Since we were traveling with a senior citizen and baby a lot of planning needed to be done. We booked two executive sea view rooms. We also pre-booked airport pick up and drop.Mr. Dinesh arranged our booking including pick up and drop off and sent me the bill.

The wonder of wonders they wanted no advance booking amount. This was a pleasant surprise. Even Dona Sylvia at Goa had a 10% advance payment rule. This instantly made me feel trusted like a valued guest.

We were set and looking forward to the trip away from the hustle and bustle.

Taj Gateway a & Vizag vistas : Mommy travels to Vizag and covers 12 places in 3 days

The Flight from Kolkata to Vizag

The morning Indigo flight was around ten in the morning and we reached about 12 noon.We were greeted by a pleasantly smiling chauffer waiting for us.

We had a comfortable ride to the gorgeous Taj right at the Ram Krishna beach.The place is picture perfect, the sea choppy and beautiful and the roads clean.

Vizag is beautiful. I had heard about the gorgeous Araku valley, what I was not ready was for the unhurried pace of the city. The clean wide well maintained roads and the total lack of chaos.

At the Taj Gateway Vizag

The flower rangoli greeting us at the reception lobby .the lobby decor reflects understated elegance ,with double height ceiling and a sparkly chandelier.The gorgeous vertical garden feature at the entryway stole our heart.

The best part is the soul pleasing sea view, day or night from the large windows in the executive sea View room.We booked two rooms 517 and 514.The 514 had the better view though.

The lunch that day was at GAD.That’s Gateway All Day their all-day dining with a wide variety of cuisine.

More about that in part 2 of the post.

VIZAG TaJ Gateway food and the view

About the Ramakrishna beach

It was pleasant just roaming the beachfront lazily.The first evening was the Diwali evening and we didn’t venture anywhere except the beach front.It was just a crossing away and had a children’s park which my daughter enjoyed.

The beautiful beach made us wonder how the sea could be such different colors in different parts of India.

The sea at Mandarmoni is a baby, when you compare it to the beach at Vizag.

VIZAG DAY 1 Trip

Day one of Vizag trip

If we wanted to cover the popular and must visit parts of Vizag for our short trip we needed a smart plan.We hired a car through the hotel.The next day my hubby chalked out a plan for us.

Kailashgiri
Indira Gandhi Zoo
Simhchalam(Lord’s siesta at 2 pm)
Lighthouse at Dolphins (shuts down at 5 pm)
Aquarium
Submarine museum
Shopping

First Kailashgiri and the iconic Kailashgiri express train rip all around this superb green vision of Vizag.The AC coach was Rs 100 per ticket and the regular coach costs around Rs 30.

The Kailshgiri has a Shiv Parvati temple, beautiful walks, children’s park, snack shacks, tourist keepsakes and an interesting way to go all around the Kailashgiri hilltop.This circular Kailashgiri Express rail. l is the best way to get a view of the sea and the green hills at the same time.

Kailashgiri means the residence of Lord Shiva.It is a park created by the Vishakapatnam urban development authority having gorgeous overflowing flora and tree covered hilltops.It is at a height of 360 feet with panoramic views of the city of Vizag.You can see the sea and sky meeting and hugging each other from the Kailashgiri viewpoints.That’s Vizag’s USP .you get the gorgeous green hills and the beautiful sea.

Our guide and chauffeur for the day was a polite young man who guided us with tips and stories about each of the spots.He next took us to the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park.This can be toured both in your own car or foot.We saw the exotic white tigers, rhinoceros, exotic birds, alligators, lions, Royal Bengal tigers and bear ,ostrich, emu, giraffes, and deer.

Nothing was out of place at the zoological park.It was one of the most natural landscaped zoos I have seen.The best part, cars were allowed inside at a flat rate of Rs 200.That made zoo hopping easier .Kids and even adults will have a hard time covering the sprawling zoo on foot.

We also like the public ladies rooms available.Services were basic but clean and well-maintained.For women traveling with small kids this is always a blessing.I salute the zoo staff and the people who visit for together doing an amazing job at maintaining the beauty of this place.

The Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam temple

It is the temple of Narasimha an avatar of Lord Vishnu.Lord Vishnu is one of the Three trinity Gods of the Hindus.It is one of the richest temples in India.Not at the same level as Tirupati but rich nonetheless.

We had a problem here.Our guide thought post lunch it opens at 2 pm.But at a checkpoint on the way we got to know it was open until 2 pm and then a one and a half hour wait.The agitating part,it’s a roundabout way to the temple.You buy a ticket, keep your shoes in a nice clean shoe shelter for a minimum charge, buy the offerings for the deity and then pray.

VIZAG SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE

We had 3 challenges.

We had exactly 10 minutes in hand before the doors to the temple shut for the Lord’s siesta.
There were about 40 or so steps to actually reach the deity.
My mom is a senior citizen and my daughter is 5.

So the sprint would involve me with the offerings hubby with the 5-year-old(no confusion about this) and my mommy as fast as she could.

The good news first. We bought the special darshan ticket only Rs 100 and cuts short waiting time.
Luckily there were no pending queues otherwise we wouldn’t have made it

Now praying hard, I started sprinting, thanking the Lords for my walking schedule which kept me agile and I was not huffing and puffing. The first problem I faced, I forgot to take the ticket from my husband. On the way, I told three kind gatekeepers, that my hubby was coming with the baby and he had the tickets. They could have stopped me, they didn’t. They could have admonished me. They didn’t.

Did I reach the temple on time?

Luckily we did, in the nick of time and we all had a few seconds of praying before we were ushered out.A nice Prasada from the Lords luncheon and we were off to visit the Dolphins nose.

At the Dolphins nose

I remembered the Famous Five mystery of Lighthouse when I visited this tourist spot.

This viewpoint had a Lighthouse as a tourist attraction. My mom couldn’t make it to the top but she enjoyed the view of the sea from the base of the lighthouse. It has a place for keeping your shoes and for you to rest before climbing up the stairs to the top. The lighthouse light is a top attraction and the view defies description. We fancied we saw the disappearing nose of a submarine.

Next stop was a visit to the aquarium with an interesting selection of fishes. The submarine museum close to our hotel was our last stop for the day. It is, in fact, an old submarine bought by the Government of India from the Russian Government. The trip inside is interesting if you like to know cool stuff(which we do) but my mom skipped.It can make the elderly and those afraid of closed spaces uncomfortable. A little walking, waiting and stairs involved.I enjoyed it and almost felt like I was on an adventure.

We retired to the hotel for the day and was greeted by a sumptuous seafood festival at the GAD for dinner!

The heavy breakfast in the morning was a brunch and we took no lunch breaks in between. The dinner was a delicious affair, but we needed a post-dinner walk after it.

In part 2 of my post the Araku valley trip, mystery of the bamboo chicken and the Borra caves will be revealed.

I was nominated for the Tripscam Trip Experts Award 2017 by Mayuri for this contest.Read the rules here.

Trip Experts Awards 2017

Is the Air you Breathe Indoor Killing you?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 16, 2017 31

India ranks among the top 10.Excited?In what you ask?
India’s cities and towns have the highest level of indoor air pollution amongst the world’s top cities.Sad shocking and totally disturbing.This WHO REPORT shares national disease load due to indoor Air pollution.India has more than 1.5 million deaths per year due to indoor air pollution.

Important facts about Indoor Air Pollution

3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and simple stoves.They burn biomass (wood, animal dung, and crop waste) and coal.
4 million people die prematurely from illness due to household air pollution, from cooking with solid fuels.
50% of premature deaths due to pneumonia among children under 5 are caused by the particulate matter (soot) inhaled from household air pollution..

Causes of Premature deaths are:

These include noncommunicable diseases like stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, which are partly attributed to exposure to household air pollution.

Premature deaths and poor indoor air quality

Premature deaths due to indoor air pollution :

12% are due to Pneumonia
34% from Stroke
26% from Ischaemic heart disease
22% from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
6% from Lung cancer.

Photo by – Search living room pictures

Western countries have indoor air quality guidelines.It’s 20 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter. In India, it averages 375 micrograms per cubic meter.

The burning of solid fuel is a big culprit,the section of society using biomass as fuel needs help.For this, we need Government help, subsidies.Thankfully it’s happening slowly but definitely happening.

But what about urban indoor air pollution?

Do you have any idea about what your home, office, shopping malls air contain?Unfortunately, there are no well-defined emission norms for Air conditioners, refrigerators, toasters in India.So the data is not easily available.
Quality of indoor air affects children more often.
Asthma ,allergic rhinitis , has reached shocking levels in children.

What can be your solution for this?

Choose your home paint with care.Avoid lead in household paint.
Be careful about emission standards of household products.
Have indoor plants and your own indoor garden.Have balcony gardens.Have window gardens, have plants everywhere.Plants are great indoor decor option.

[bctt tweet=”“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” ― Robert F. Kennedy” username=”misra_amrita”]

Balcony garden with Chikoo plant

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Indoor Allergen Committee in a 2010 report recommended that allergists consider indoor air filtration to be part of a comprehensive strategy to improve respiratory health.

Indoor air filters and air purifiers with HEPA filters can help.
But that’s just sweeping the dust under the carpet. It doesn’t address the greater problem of a more comprehensive plan to remove air pollutants.But HEPA filters are expensive and not a solution to the Indian problem.Indoor Plants are cheap, easy, pretty, low maintenance solution to this serious problem.

How plants improve air quality?

They can absorb ambient VOCs , improve the quality of air and produce oxygen.They purify ambient air and produce fresh oxygen for you to breathe!

Photosynthesis is the method by which plants produce oxygen.It depends on the presence of Carbon dioxide, light and water molecules.
Indoor air plant can produce oxygen even in low light conditions .
They also remove air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene(VOCs).Some of these VOCs are suspected carcinogens.

Photo by – Search bedroom design ideas

VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products used in homes including:

Paints, paint strippers, and other solvents
Wood preservatives
Aerosol sprays
Cleansers and disinfectants
Moth repellents and air fresheners
Stored fuels and automotive products
Hobby supplies
Dry-cleaned clothing
Pesticide

VOCs, evaporate into the air when these products are used or sometimes even when they are stored.

What effect do Volatile organic compounds have on your body?

Irritate the eyes, nose, and throat
Causes headaches
Nausea,
Damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
Some of them can even cause cancer.

These harmful chemicals are removed from the indoor air by absorption through the stoma on leaves.

They are then broken down into simple chemical components which are harmless.For example, take formaldehyde.It’s strongly suspected to be potentially causing cancer in humans.Plants can break it down to Carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms and make it harmless.

Sources of formaldehyde at home:

Pressed woods
Some types of foam insulation
Paper products
Some paints and varnishes

How many plants per person is adequate to provide fresh air?

1 to 3 per 100 square feet is said to be adequate.

So What kind of plants are best?

NASA report compiled an interesting list of plants.

English Ivy(Hedera Helix)
Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum, also known as devil’s ivy: reduces air levels of benzene and trichloroethylene.
Boston fern(Nephrolepis Exalta Bostoniensis)

Ferns had the highest formaldehyde-removal efficiency of all the plants tested, especially Osmunda japonica, commonly known as Japanese royal fern, or zenma

Bamboo palm: removes benzene and trichloroethylene(Chamaedorea Elegans)
Dragon tree: (Dracaena Marginata)removes xylene
Peace Lily: Spathiphyllum
Lady Palm: Rhapis Excelsa
Spider Plant: Chlorophytum Comosum
Snake Plant: Sansevieria Trifasciata

Photo by Beth Kooby Design – Search bathroom pictures

What happens when you are not home?

That’s the biggest problem that stumps indoor gardeners.
Another problem with container gardening is providing optimal nutrition.

The good news I found a solution.

The Fairytale story…..

While watching Egiye Bangla an interesting program on ZEE BANGLA promoting entrepreneurship, I heard the most wonderful idea.It was an Urban gardeners dream.The winner Jayabrata Bhaduri was one of the 4 entrepreneurs behind Capacloud a startup company.

They had a solution to increase green friendly biophilic designs.I was so excited I tracked down , this Bengali entrepreneur Jayabrata Bhaduri on Facebook.Sent him a message and requested a meeting, to see how in the world did they do it.Very kindly he arranged a meeting with their mentor and guide.I turned up at the designated meeting place with my hubby, who was by now quite shocked that he had agreed to meet a stranger in their home/laboratory about gardening.
Nothing to do with medicine.But everything to do with health.Yes, that was my winning argument.

The time spent in the laboratory/workshop and terrace garden was pure magic.The extent and scope of their innovation was mind boggling!

Their winning idea:

Lego-style tiles(Ecotop) made of some special material(Top secret)
This tile is incorporated with special nutrients.
This tile can be placed on almost any surface, to make growing green anywhere a distinct reality.

Experiments suggest they can provide a well-balanced plant nutrition, through their special technology for up to 5 years.Yes, that’s true 5 years!

Indoor Vertical Garden:Image courtesy Capacloud

Vertical Gardening +Hydroponics+Something special=Capaclouds new innovation.

Managing corporate orders is the top priority of the company right now.But they are planning to bring it to the indoor gardeners in the very near future.

Their upcoming project involves the United States Embassy in Kolkata.A young company already going places!

So how exactly Capacloud’s innovation, can revolutionize Urban gardening?

1) You can have improved air quality in

Schools
Hospitals
Hotels
Home
Offices
Public places
External walls

Vertical Garden :Biophilic design

Image courtesy Capacloud

2) Garden anywhere!

3) It’s supremely aimed as a biophilic interior design option.
4)It’s inspirational, restorative, and healthy.
5)Its design can adapt to the functionality of the place Seamlessly integrates to interiors.
6)It provides nutrition to the plants for 5 years with an easy method of replenishing it.

7)Its innovative tile design makes it suitable for all surfaces.

8)The nutrition mix is just right for bountiful growth.

Photo by Janet Paik – Search bathroom design ideas

No problem of plant sitters when you go for trips.Have your own urban jungle if you want.Eastern India leads in the incidence of nonsmokers with lung cancer.How many of you plant trees?How many of you have your own window boxes of greenery/balcony garden/terrace garden?

So how indoor plants do?

Produce oxygen
Absorb Carbon dioxide
Removes volatile organic compounds: nitrogen dioxide, benzene, and formaldehyde & others.
The plants remove all the poisons from the air and make your air breathable.

So how exactly does increased oxygen improve your health?

Improved cardiovascular health Decreases diastolic Pressure and calms out sympathetic system which is responsible for psychological and physiological stress .

Plants enhance job satisfaction in office workers
Improve mood states =increased feeling of wellbeing.Helps stabilize mood.
Enhance cognitive health
Improves clarity of thought= more productivity
Increased creativity=you have brilliant ideas
Improve immunity and healing.

Why Indoor air plants?

Plants are a useful way of improving air quality.
Easily available.
Maintenance is easy.
Suitable for all environment.
Plants provide an actionable option in situations where other more expensive technology may be grossly inadequate.

My take:

I think it’s time you took back your lungs.Do something for yourself. For the air you breathe.

For your children.It’s not about the future.It’s about the present.The world you live in is slowly being turned into a wasteland.Air, water, soil, sound pollution.The critical balance between the different elements of our ecosystem is terribly distorted.The possibility of this restored in the ecosystem is gradually decreased.Honestly, nobody is stopping, to think that only plants produce life-saving oxygen.

You can live without the internet, but how long can you live without breathing?No life will be possible on earth without plants.Artificial sources of oxygen are just that artificial and are only temporary solutions.If you made your home green soon your city, country and eventually mother earth would be green again.Let’s go green!

Updated:September 2017

I decided to update this post because I am getting work done in my new home usindg some of these ideas.You will know the truth behind all the claims .Also Capacloud is now doing home spaces too!.Must check out their website for more details.

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Sharing is good Karma!

Important facts about Indoor Air Pollution

Causes of Premature deaths are:

Premature deaths due to indoor air pollution :

But what about urban indoor air pollution?

What can be your solution for this?

[bctt tweet=”“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” ― Robert F. Kennedy” username=”misra_amrita”]

How plants improve air quality?

VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products used in homes including:

What effect do Volatile organic compounds have on your body?

Sources of formaldehyde at home:

How many plants per person is adequate to provide fresh air?

So What kind of plants are best?

What happens when you are not home?

The Fairytale story…..

Their winning idea:

So how exactly Capacloud’s innovation, can revolutionize Urban gardening?

So how exactly does increased oxygen improve your health?

Why Indoor air plants?

My take:

Sharing is good Karma!

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