Search Results for: health

Alamunda for your balcony garden with ThursdayTree love 19

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 14, 2018 9

Have you seen an Alamunda?

It has pretty bell-shaped yellow flowers.Perfect oval, jewel green leaves with a waxy texture.It’s a climber and one of my favorite plants in my balcony garden.

It’s also one of the first plants I bought.The water and nutrition need of the plant is less and is very easy to care for.

“[bctt tweet=”If you wish to make anything grow, you must understand it -Russel Page ” username=”misra_amrita”]

If you wish to make anything grow, you must understand it and understand it in a very real sense. ‘Green fingers’ are a fact, and a mystery only to the unpracticed. But green fingers are the extensions of a verdant heart.”
Russell Page, The Education of a Gardener

It wraps around the support you give it quickly makes a beautiful green wall or canopy for you to gaze at.

If you want to change the view from your room.Block out an ugly building, this is just the one for you.

Balcony gardening:A;lamunda for your balcony — Balcony gardening:Alamunda for your balcony

Put it in a nice deep pot with potting soil and bone meal mixed with regular soil.
Place it in the middle.Fill up the pot
Keep about 2 inches free from the rim of the pot.

You can put a few sticks deep into the pot and make a frame with wire if you are putting this in your roof .or you can let it hug the balcony rails and grow either way it will make you happy.

It blooms throughout most of the year, except in winters when the old leaves need to be trimmed and the plant hibernates.Sun filtering through the leaves is the prettiest picture you will ever see.

What do I use for keeping nutrition of the potted plant intact to make it grow well?

This Organic liquid plant fertilizers makes balcony gardening easy.I also have a detailed list of things you need to get your balcony garden started.(Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link.I make a small commission if you click on it and buy something.This in no way affects the price of the product.But helps support the website).

Linking up with Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove & #ThankfulThursdays . I am always thankful for what nature has given me.

Mompreneurs journey:Melissa from “designs by little bee”

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 12, 2018 0

Mompreneurs journey has been a part of my blog from the time I started writing.It’s inspiring reading how other moms do it.How they learn, fall, try and do it again.What’s about moms that’s invincible?The answer is blowing in the wind and you can hear, only if you care to listen.

When most people give up, moms get started.When other people don’t help you, only you can do it yourself.That’s what moms all over the world know and believe.

Today I will share the story of beautiful embroidery which sold dreams and made a mom an entrepreneur.Not rocket science, but creativity, sincerity, and hard work.If you see her Instagram account you will fall in love.

Let’s hear from Melissa of Designs by little Bee.

Who is your target audience?

Embroiderers! All ages, anywhere in the world.

Dinosaur snap tabs :Designs by Little Bee

Why do they need to visit Designs by Little Bee?

Embroidery machines use digital patterns to stitch out their projects. To create an embroidered piece, you need the digital pattern. That’s what I sell!

What’s your vision for this venture?

To allow my husband to work as he’d like – the pressure is off of him to make money as an attorney. To take over the embroidery world with my friend/assistant.

Are you involved in any charitable causes?

I have a second Etsy shop, from which all proceeds are donated to the Nashville Kangaroos, a 501c3 organization. This is the sports team my husband plays for.

Melissa and her Inspiration for Designs by Little Bee — Melissa Bee and her Inspiration for Designs by Little Bee

Your inspiration my kids. I never had much as a kid and I don’t ever want them to have to worry about money. I’m teaching them entrepreneurship and industriousness.

My kids are my inspiration. I never had much as a kid and I don’t ever want them to have to worry about money. I’m teaching them entrepreneurship and industriousness.

Best designs graphic:Designs by Little Bee — Best designs graphic: Designs by Little Bee

Tell us about your workspace

My workspace is always a horrible mess! I work in our finished basement. It used to be a theater room. Now it’s a sewing studio. It has no windows, which I hate!

Heres hoping Melissa makes all her dreams come true.Check out her shop on etsy.

Get fun stuff from Designs by Little Bee shop

designsbylittlebee.etsy.com

Facebook:
facebook.com/designsbylittlebee
facebook.com/groups/designsbylittlebeegroup

How Dangerous is Late Night Food Craving

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 12, 2018 49

Heartburn and acidity appear to be everyone’s favorite disease.

Apparently harmless. Drugs easily available even without prescription.

This silent epidemic is more dangerous than it is given credit for.

A Few Stats about Reflux

Up to 60% of Americans may have at least one symptom of acid reflux during a 1 year period.

33% of Americans have persistent GERD .That makes it one of the commonest gastrointestinal problems.

Healthcare costs per year are upward 10 billion dollars per year.This includes both prescription medicines and OTC’s.

Acid reflux is thus easily the most expensive gastrointestinal disease affecting Americans.

For Indians, it is the National disease .7.6% of Indians have significant GERD symptoms at least once a week .(source)

The prevalence of GERD was 22.2 % in South India(Source).

Acid Reflux; everyone has it

So what’s the problem?

The discomfort is just the tip of the iceberg.

The real problem is what happens to your esophagus or food pipe with regular, splashes of acid.

Imagine when acid is dropped on the floor, regularly at one spot.

The discolouration and textural changes happening there reflect what happens in your food pipe.

The normal lining mucosa of the food pipe gradually changes. There is a real risk esophageal cancer.

How Dangerous is Late Night Eating?

Single most important lifestyle change , which can improve acid reflux is your dinner time.

As high as 50 % of people in a survey have complained of experiencing higher episodes of reflux at night.

This is important.

With our lives getting busier the end of the day meal is often quite late.

It is also one of the heaviest meals.

For you to be healthy, this has to be turned upside down.

Earlier dinner.

Smaller meals.

The main factor is your dinner time

Dinner and bedtime should have a minimum gap of 3 hours.

During this time you should be sitting upright.

Sitting and standing allows gravity to work on the food and acid and keeps it in the stomach for digestion.

After 3 hours as the food travels from the stomach to the intestine the chance of reflux drastically reduces.

Try to have dinner by 7 pm and no later than 8 pm.

Late night tea, coffee, desserts are definitely not a part of the plan.

Why should you stop eating late at night?

With great medicines available why should you even bother?

Medicines work.Most of the time

Sometimes they may not.Especially for chronic cases of GERD, we find that even twice a day doses may not work, without lifestyle changes.

The constant burning sensation, sleepless nights, hoarseness, persistent cough happens, with poor control of acid reflux symptoms.

Medicines are a support system to help you get back in track with a healthier lifestyle.

Otherwise, even with increasing drugs, your problems continue.

So make a pledge.Try eating earlier.

Your heaviest meal should be your breakfast.

The lightest meal the last one; dinner.

The amount of money you will save by this one sincere change in your daily habits should be an added bonus to make this change.

Takeaway

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is more common than squamous cell carcinoma in the USA.

Asians are increasingly showing an upward swing in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

The upswing is associated with changing dietary habits and lifestyle choices.

Barrett’s esophagitis: diagnosed typically in men in their 50’s.

Caucasian males are more commonly affected with this potentially premalignant condition.

Direct correlation between Esophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett’s esophagitis has not been proved conclusively.

However GERD, acid reflux, heartburn whatever name you call it, it’s still the devil in disguise.

Irritating and potentially dangerous symptom, which can be zapped by your lifestyle change.

Eat dinner earlier and sleep peacefully at night.

References:

1)GERD statistics

2)Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Hospitalizations in 1998 and 2005 – HCUP-US Home Page. Retrieved March 5, 2012

3)Liker, H., Hungin, P., & Wiklund, I. (2005). Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 393-400.

4)Lifestyle modifications :Reflux no more

5)Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its risk factors in a community-based population in southern India(Pubmed)
Hai-Yun Wang,# Kondarapassery Balakumaran Leena,# Amelie Plymoth, Maria-Pia Hergens, Li Yin, Kotacherry Trivikrama Shenoy, and Weimin Yecorresponding author

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is meant purely for educational purpose and is not meant as a substitute for a registered physicians opinion after clinical examination and appropriate tests.

Updated:25th July 2017

Linking this with Bloggers Pit Stop.

Parmanu movie:My Thoughts on Pokhran

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 12, 2018 1

Pokhran test in 1998 is a time in history which changed how India was viewed by the world. Those in power always want to stay powerful. They find ways to stop others from growing powerful.But India no longer wanted to be a victim of circumstances and greed of more powerful nations!

India is a country which in 2500 years,has never invaded another territory. But has been invaded multiple times by foreign powers-APJ Abdul Kalam (President of India)

That’s why India needed to become a nuclear power. The logic was simple. If you want to keep your home safe, you make your own home stronger. That’s what our Government, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee made India a Nuclear power.

Pokhran Nuclear test: What was it?

Pokhran was India’s second nuclear test. It happened in Rajasthan, in Indian Army’s Pokhran test range. The hot arid deserts helped keep India’s secret safe.

Pokhran Nuclear tests: The why?

USA, Russia, UK, France, and China already were nuclear powers before 1967 .and though they signed the in a treaty on Nonproliferation of Nuclear weapons, have yet to destroy their entire stash of nuclear warheads. The treaty said they would help when in need. But imagine your neighbor having that kind of power. That won’t help you sleep peacefully.

One country was from which we had wrested freedom and one more who shares several borders with India, was already a nuclear power. An unscrupulous neighbor who could never be trusted. What the Government did is called Preventive medicine like vaccines, or strategic defense. However you look at it, a foreign nation will think twice about attacking India. It serves as a warning.

Every Action has an Equal an opposite reaction:Newtons’ Third law !

Not something which helped India sleep peacefully. It was time to get stronger, not to attack but to defend. That’s the why behind India’s birth as a Nuclear power.

Who all did it?

The scientists at DRDO and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
Indian Army
Government of India

APJ Abdul Kalam :The chief of DRDO during Pokhran

What Pokhran Achieved?

India tested five Nuclear warheads. One fusion and Four fission. The developing and testing was under such secrecy to avoid detection by eyes in the sky. The passion,.courage, and dedication of the scientists and politicians who made this possible make them superheroes.I t also sent out a strong message to the world.

Indians believe in nonviolence, but we can protect our own.
Enough of being invaded.L oving and caring for neighbors is fine, but if the same neighbor attack or cast aspirations on our motherland, we are prepared.
India and Indians appreciate their Independence .It will never allow a foreign power to invade and take over again.
India has the brains and brawns to stand with the most advanced nations in this world.
India will stand by its own word to its citizen, they will be kept safe.
India can keep a secret.
India is an ancient land and the people value their motherland to keep it safe.
India is a responsible nuclear power.

You can catch this amazing movie of valor, Indian intelligence, Indian scientists and a wise Government who knew it was time to act. Whether it was foresight, historical perspective or good intelligence, is for us to guess and for them to know then Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief APJ Abdul Kalam who later become our Late President famously said, nuclear weapons were for “national security”

[bctt tweet=”That’s what Pokhran gave India: National security! ” username=”misra_amrita”]

The Critical view:

Is it overly simplistic? Is it a nationalistic viewpoint without sense? Is it propaganda? Nuclear power is destructive, why risk it?

My answers:

It’s not simple, but a cinematic representation of an event whose entire details cannot be revealed, because of national security.
It is nationalistic and I find no harm in that.
It is not propaganda but a necessary part of modern India, you should know about.

Nuclear power is destructive, but it can be used for constructive purposes. Both fission and fusion happens simultaneously inside the sun, What will you call the sun? Science and technology are rarely evil or good. Their application and the people behind them, decide the nature of the action. India will never be the first to use the nuclear weapons. Our ex-Prime Minister Mr.Vajpayee promised that. He also wanted India to be safe.

Pokhran was needed and the Parmanu movie is a spy thriller! It’s a must watch, to know how India hoodwinked foreign intelligence and become a Nuclear power!

This Independence Day, let’s celebrate India’s journey in becoming a super-power country of the world! On August 15, 12 Noon, Zee Cinema brings to us ‘India Ka Superpower Moment’ with the World T.V. Premier of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran

One Dream that you Remember:WOW

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 11, 2018 11

One dream that you remember, is a Blogadda, write over weekend prompt.What’s it about dreams that make me happy?

I am a dreamer.I like day-dreaming with my book, curled up in the rocking chair while gazing out at my green balcony.

Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity – Khalil Gibran.

I have a dream.

Traveling by wishing.No packing, unpacking, booking tickets, nothing.No money worries, no hair tearing discussion about taking leave or getting late for the flight.

Only the fun of seeing new places, meeting new people and relaxing!

Long back when I was a child we could hardly afford frequent travel.Rarely once every 4 or 5 years.Studies, money troubles all made travel the least important priority.

The first thing I did when I got my first salary at Safdarjung Hospital was getting a fourteen inch Samsung Television.I still have it and it keeps reminding me what was and where I have come from.It also helped me travel vicariously through those glorious travel shows.

The next thing I did was plan trip to Shimla.The family traveled from Kolkata to Delhi.

I booked the Shatabdi to Kalka.But one thing was undecided.

How to reach the weird Nizamuddin station at 4 am at night?It was Delhi and we were females!God’s blessing and a kind elderly auto-driver helped when Ola and Uber were unheard of.Hiring a car was not in the budget!Thus my dream was a recurring one.

My dream has two very different sources of inspiration.The famous Goopi Bagha movie series by Satyajit Ray is the direct inspiration.In the movie, the two unlikely heroes get the gift of traveling anywhere, by wearing their magic slippers and wishing together while giving a high five!How cool is that?

While Harry Potter’s method of apparating, explained the hidden dangers and made it appear all the more possible.

Imagine wishing and blinking hard and you appear at your chosen destination.What fun if things would be as easy as that, with none of the risks of turning up without an ear or a nose.

I so wish scientists would discover special travel pods which could make this possible.A single pod and family pod.With options of zooming or zipping.Of one blink or two blinks.

The only payment needed would be your desire to travel and wishing really hard.Also, it could be linked to your Aadhar of good deeds and kind acts!

Clap your hands.

Wish hard and zoom!

Is this a dream.Is it wishful thinking?But isn’t all fiction and dream based on reality?

Maybe one day.

Have you ever dreamt an impossible dream?This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by Blogadda.

Linking this #WritingWednesdays

Linking up with Bloggers Pit stop .

Walking and Writing Connection:Treadmill Desk

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on August 11, 2018 23

During my UG days when I went out on a date with my then BF now hubby, we used to walk around and round and talk. Let me rephrase it was more often, I talked and he listened. For me, that was the direct line to my heart. I fell in love walking with him, while the poor dear bravely listened to all my random dreams and worries and carried my satchel.

Featured post

How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!

Health of the Nation Report — Apollo Pro Health

I even wrote a book about How to Walk Write and Garden for the Healthy Life You Want (Wellness series part 1)

Walking for me always had a special place.I used to walk after dinner for one hour inside the Safdarjung hospital campus. We were married, staying in the doctor’s hostel and the post-dinner walk was a great chance to meet and catch up with friends. So both mind and body refreshed. Studying acres of notes, tons of books and writing fresh notes, was easier with this one hour of relaxing walk.

[bctt tweet=”The best part of life comes when you are not watching. Amrita” username=”misra_amrita”]

In 2013 I started my new job and shifted to my hubby’s hometown with a 10-month-old baby and full-time job. Mad days but blessed ones. With a small child and no pedestrian walkways walking was anything but fun. Luckily I had a treadmill that was collecting dust for sometimes. My hubby suggested I start using it. That was 2014.

Walking and Writing:The Connection — Walking and Writing: The Connection

I have walked mainly on the treadmill since then. Park and nature walks are my favorite walks. But what to do?

[bctt tweet=”You play the cards you are dealt with.” username=”misra_amrita”]At home, I can look at my potted plants, put on my favorite nature sounds and walk away.

At home, I can look at my potted plants, put on my favorite nature sounds, and walk.

I started blogging in 2014 too.I wrote once a month and struggled with writing. Things changed when I clubbed my treadmill, with a DIY wooden plank and made it my writing spot too.

[bctt tweet=”Habits can make or break you.” username=”misra_amrita”]

That’s what I have learned. Writing while walking, makes me feel good and positive and avoid the traps of weak back and poor BMR due to endless sitting.

The treadmill cum standing desk hack

Multitasking is frowned upon. I like mindfulness for most things I do.
What if it prevents lifestyle diseases? This habit of mine lets me walk more and write more. I am clubbing something I resist doing(walking on Treadmill), with something I love doing(writing ).A result, I walk as much as I write, when I write.

That’s when I am on the treadmill I get more work done on the blog, than when I am sitting. Even if I walk slowly at 2 Km per hour, I am walking 2 Km in one hour and writing too. That’s exciting!

Sitting is bad for your health. While the treadmill desk is not for everyone, you should definitely think of using a standing desk. It’s not about calories it’s about your spine, back, and leg muscles. The stronger they are, they will help you more. The weaker they are, your brain will waste resources worrying about them.

Creativity needs nurturing. Walking is as much an exercise for your body as it is for your mind. Even now I go on trips to places with good nature walks. I feel starting walking again together with my gardening has both helped me write.

While walking, my brain becomes calmer and my thoughts more organized. The result is, I write more and quickly. Walking and typing on the laptop, somehow makes the writing quick.I edit and add pics later. But do all rough drafts on the treadmill. Working this way is easier for me.

Don’t believe me?

Read this excerpt from the Stanford research paper where the treadmill desk was also used.

This paper published by Stanford researchers supports, what I have experienced using the treadmill desk.

Walking led to an increase in analogical creativity.Walking,and not being outdoors, was the driver of novel, high-quality analogies. While research indicates that being outdoors has many cognitive benefits, walking has a very specific benefit—the improvement of creativity.

How to WALK, Write & Garden for the Healthy Life you want Podcast