health-fitness
Collective Healing at Dhaka Flow: Festival of Yoga & Wellness
This Friday (January 13, 2023), from 11 am to 5 pm, Shazia Omar hosted Bangladesh’s first-ever yoga and wellness festival, Dhaka Flow. The event saw 60 private sector companies, 20 fitness teachers and healers, and over 1000 people gather around the theme of healthy living. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the Media Partner of Dhaka Flow's yoga and wellness event held at Gulshan Society Lake Park in Dhaka.
“Dhaka City can be a toxic space with the chaotic traffic, population density, air pollution and overall lack of healthy living. Given this, it is important for us to cultivate a higher conscience and embrace a more intentional way of life that is harmonious and nurturing for our people and our planet,” said Shazia.
In the opening session, Shazia said she organized Dhaka Flow as a way to give space to all the people making efforts to contribute to a healthy community. She said healthy living is not about exercise alone, its about mind, body, spirit, as well as home, community, country. She said one cannot be healthy in isolation. Good health requires good physical health, good mental, psychological, emotional health, clean air, green earth, pure water. She described a vision of Dhaka City as a place that is free, healthy, clean, inclusive and green.
Dhaka Flow, in partnership with Gulshan Society, made use of public space to provide a free event for the community that would encourage everyone to live healthier. For the event, Shazia had a few pillars. Managed by Interspeed, the event was entirely plastic waste free and eco-friendly. All companies participating did not use PVC banners. Stalls were made of bamboo and jute with cloth canvas signs, keeping an eye on the aesthetics, to ensure an eco-artistic feel.
Read More: Dhaka Flow brings day-long Festival of Yoga and Wellness
No plastic bottles were sold, instead everyone enjoyed Pureit by Unilever’s water dispensers. The event had 14 food vendors, all taking on the challenge, or opportunity, of designing purely vegetarian treats, as ahimsa, non-violence towards living beings, was one of the pillars of the event. The final pillar was that of collaboration rather than competition, as all vendors and instructors were asked to cross-promote one another. Pushing the boundary bit by bit can lead to cataclysmic change. She hopes all events going forward will see how it easy it is to shift modus operandi and adopt cleaner habits.
Mustafa Turan, Turkish Ambassador, and Natalie Chuard, Swiss Ambassador, also spoke at the opening, to express their strong belief in yoga as a positive way of life. The theme of devoting time to taking care of oneself, in order to show up better, so we are in a better place to raise a healthy family and healthy community and healthy nation came up.
Shazia said she was thrilled to see how many people are actively engaged in the wellness sector in their own way. She said Dhaka Flow showcased several start-ups including East Bengal Coffee Grinder, Mama’s Tarts, Aliens, fithobo.com, Moar co-working space, Smart Air and Just SXY sportswear. WhiteBoard participated to record citizen’s voices around the theme of building a better Bangladesh. Basecamp offered park visitors a chance to climb a 50-foot tree. Clay Station, Aranya and Art for the Soul gave people space to be creative. Aqua Paints, the Growing Up Club and Kolpotoru kept the kids zone active. F45, Amra Active, Yasmin Karachiwala Body Image and individuals like Ed Jujitsu, Naziafitstudio and Britto offered cardio sessions while Faria Athar, And_zen, Tasmiah and Dyuti offered yoga sessions. Anita Aparna Muyeed offered meditation and energy healing while Namira Hossain offered intuitive tarot card reading.
Read More: Pandemic Yoga: How to strengthen lungs, ease breathing problems with yoga
Core sponsors, Turaag Active, a local designer sportswear brand, provided yoga pants to the yogis, Aarong Earth, with organic skin and hair care products, and Prime Bank, with green financing, made the event possible. ACI Nutrilife showcased their healthy grain products, Sprint from Apex showcased shoes made from recycled plastic bottles, CalciPlus showcased calcium fortified milk for bone health, Sajeeb Group showcase Isobuler Bhushi as a traditional and effective way of keeping ones gut healthy, Blenders Choice Ispahani tea showcased green tea, and Sajida Foundation showcased Kaan Pete Roi and Shojon, suicide hotline and mental health service providers. Other stalls at the event included Shombob,com, online pharmacy, Movement Solutions, physiotherapists, Dhaka Ayurveda Centre, offering therapeutic massages, and many more.
Shazia Omar has been teaching yoga in Dhaka for over 15 years. She encourages everyone to subscribe to her channel, Youtube.com/ShazzyOm. She is a writer, a yogini, an activist and a mom. She runs yoga retreats around the country and classes in Gulshan. To join the wellness movement and ‘surrender to the flow’, she invites everyone to check out Dhaka Flow’s website and join the Dhaka Flow community on Facebook and Instagram.
One of the key messages of the event was that yoga can help people cope with stress and reduce physical and mental ailments. Meditation and mindfulness can improve concentration, compassion, peace and community spirit. An understanding about healthy habits and better nutrition can contribute drastically to our fitness and journey towards inner peace.
Read More: From coffee to yoga to happiness: Offbeat ministries from around the world!
The event was closed with some beautiful songs by Armeen Musa, Grammy-award nominee. We look forward to more such events in the future.
For more information about yoga or Dhaka Flow, please email [email protected].
First 'Total Fitness Day' observed in Bangladesh
Quantum Foundation observed the first "Total Fitness Day" in Bangladesh Friday to sensitise people about "total – physical, mental, social and spiritual – fitness" to help them lead a happy and healthy life.
The foundation organised a special awareness session at the capital's Jatiya Press Club, where it arranged body balance tests, meditations, yogas, exercises, and discussions.
Also, the foundation organised such sessions in open spaces in different parts of the country. Some volunteering organisations promoting fitness and wellness also observed the day.
Also Read: Quantum Foundation to observe first 'Total Fitness Day' Friday
Hundreds of people from different professions, including artists, journalists and students, celebrated the day joining programmes at more than 120 parks in Dhaka and other district towns in the morning.
From now on, Quantum will mark the first Friday of January every year as Total Fitness Day. This year's theme of the day was "healthy body, peaceful mind, busy happy life."
Quantum Foundation to observe first 'Total Fitness Day' Friday
Quantum Foundation will observe the first "Total Fitness Day" Friday to sensitise people about "total – physical, mental, social and spiritual – fitness" to help them lead a happy and healthy life.
The foundation will organise a special awareness session at the capital's Jatiya Press Club, where it will arrange body balance tests, meditations, yogas, exercises, and discussions.
Also, the foundation will organise such sessions in open spaces in different parts of the country. Some volunteering organisations promoting fitness and wellness will also observe the day.
From now on, Quantum will mark the first Friday of January every year as Total Fitness Day. This year's theme of the day is "healthy body and peaceful mind, busy happy life."
Read more: Quantum Foundation honours 300 voluntary blood donors
Dhaka Flow brings day-long Festival of Yoga and Wellness
Yoga is an ancient system to experience divine freedom, peace, and self-realization through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual practices. Originating from Sanskrit, the term Yoga means “yoke” which refers to drawing, binding; or uniting together. The purpose of Yoga is to unite the body, mind, and soul, as well as the universal consciousness. A healthy mind and body lead to a healthy family, community, and city.
However, the hectic urban life in Dhaka city gives the residents little room for calmness, contemplation, or purpose. Thanks to Shazia Omar for hosting the Festival of Yoga Wellness Dhaka Flow. Let’s take a look at the host and the festival.
Dhaka Flow: A Wellness Movement
Dhaka Flow is a wellness movement in Bangladesh. Dhaka Flow aims to promote a sustainable lifestyle of self-growth, joy, and gratitude. Dhaka Flow promotes wellness through festivals and retreats, events and gatherings, social media, and more.
Read More: Which Type of Yoga Should You Try?
Dhaka Flow organizes the Festival of Yoga & Wellness in January 2023 to bring together the vendors of wellness products, fitness teachers, healers, and people, to build community, celebrate health and healing, honor the environment, and elevate the spirit.
The festival will be conducted with zero plastic waste. Dhaka Flow also upholds the principle of ahimsa which means non-violence towards any living being, and as such, food stalls will ALL offer vegetarian meals only.
Journey of Shazia Omar: From investment banker to yogi
Starting her career as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers in Manhattan, Shazia soon realized this was not her calling in life. She grew disillusioned with the state of the world and geopolitics and capitalism and soon after 9/11, she left her job and went traveling around the world to look for a better way to be. Shazia landed up in South Africa, working at an AIDS orphanage as a volunteer, where she met a group of yogis.
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From there, her passion for the practice began. She began visiting ashrams and yoga schools in India and Thailand and eventually got certified in ashtanga yoga. She has been teaching yoga for 20 years.
Shazia teaches regular classes at Nordic Club and Canadian Club in Dhaka. She has conducted numerous corporate workshops on yoga, mindfulness, well-being, health, and fitness. She organizes retreats around Bangladesh and around the world because she believes well-being and wanderlust go hand-in-hand. She is associated with Samahita Yoga Retreat in Thailand.
Shazia has written a mind, body, and spirit book (Intentional Smile: A Girl’s Guide to Positive Living, Bloomsbury 2016) and children’s books (Sun Moon Secret, Guba Books 2022) as well as two novels. Shazia writes a regular column for Daily Star (Kundalini Rising). Shazia did her undergrad at Dartmouth College, USA, and her Master's in Social Psychology at LSE, UK. Shazia Omar’s channel is YouTube.com/ShazzyOm.
Read More: How to strengthen lungs, ease breathing problems with yoga
Dhaka Flow: Festival of Yoga and Wellness
Dhaka Flow organizes a unique event to bring many of Dhaka’s yoga teachers and healers under the same sky. Aside from yoga, there will be certified practitioners offering meditation, reiki and energy healing, martial arts and boxing, cardio and HIIT, and much more.
Over 30 companies and entrepreneurs are participating in the fair, with a similar vision to promote a cleaner and greener Dhaka city, cultivating good health and well-being. The event will be organized with eco-friendly materials, like jute stalls, cloth canvas signs, etc. Food partners will provide vegetarian treats.
During this festival, there will be free yoga classes all day long by different teachers in the yoga shala. These classes are suitable for all ages and sizes. There will be cardio and HIIT and martial arts classes in the fitness pavilion. There will be dance, breathing, meditation, and kids' yoga in the amphitheater. There will be art activities in the art corner.
Read More: From coffee to yoga to happiness: Offbeat ministries from around the world!
Time and Venue of Dhaka Flow Festival of Yoga and Wellness
The festival will be held at Gulshan Society Lake Park on Friday, January 13, 2022, from 11 am to 5 pm.
How to Participate in Dhaka Flow Festival of Yoga and Wellness
Registration is required to participate in the event. It is totally free of cost.
Visit the following link for free registration:
https://partyinvite.club/e/Dhaka-Flow--Festival-of-Yoga---Wellness-6388813caf21872f9b6dcf8b
Bangladesh built fast response capabilities for influenza, other respiratory infection using lessons learned from Covid-19: WHO
Bangladesh has used lessons learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic to build emergency preparedness capacities by training rapid response teams that can be deployed during any public health event due to influenza or any other respiratory pathogen.
In total, more than 200 rapid response team members have been trained, including epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians, communication officers, anthropologists, logisticians, psychosocial support experts, data managers, and environmental experts, among others, said a WHO media release issued on Tuesday.
Read: Over 50% of life-threatening bacterial infections becoming resistant to treatment: WHO
For more than two years, responding to the Covid-19 pandemic has been a live exercise in rapid response for these trainees, it said.
The rapid response trainings gave participants a chance to share their experiences and review lessons learnt so that they might be better prepared to tackle future outbreaks of influenza or other respiratory pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential.
The trainings were developed and delivered by a group of epidemiologists and laboratory scientists from the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) with direct field experiences in managing Covid-19, influenza and other respiratory pathogens.
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Key topics in the training package that were built on lessons learnt during the pandemic included:
- How to leverage the existing influenza surveillance system to integrate monitoring of other respiratory pathogens.
- How to establish an early warning and alert system and why it’s important.
- How to use risk communications and community mobilization in outbreak response.
- How to plan, prepare and carry out outbreak investigations.
- How to ensure biosafety and why it’s important; and likely challenges and how to overcome them.
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During 2022, supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Partnership Contribution, twelve groups of rapid response personnel successfully completed the training and are ready for deployment during the next public health event due to influenza or any other respiratory pathogen.
PCOS Diet: Foods to eat & avoid for ovarian cyst conditions
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders found in women of reproductive age. It frequently leads to excess secretion of a masculine hormone called androgen. When a woman is experiencing PCOS, several cysts or little fluid-filled sacs form in her ovaries that hamper the process of releasing eggs. So, women with ovarian cysts need to maintain a PCOS diet. Let’s take a look at the healthy and harmful foods and drinks for women with PCOS.
Symptoms of PCOS
-Irregular, heavy, or light menstrual periods
-Pelvic pain
-Infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant
-Patches of thick, velvety or darker skin
-Excess body hair in the chest, stomach, or back
-Weight gain, especially in the abdomen area
-Acne or oily skin.
-Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair.
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What to Eat and Drink With PCOS
Some research has shown that particular foods can help lose weight and manage PCOS symptoms. 7 best foods for PCOS are:
Fruits
Choose fruits like apples, avocados, kiwis, and plums as these fruits are loaded with nutrients and have high fiber contents. You should also select fruits that have anti-inflammatory properties including grapes and berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries. All these fruits are also helpful to manage PCOS. These fruits don’t have or have few side effects for PCOS.
Vegetables
You need to select vegetables having high fiber, nutrients, and vitamins for a PCOS diet. Your broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy green vegetables like spinach you can choose.
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Fatty fishes
Roi fist is a good source of protein and healthy fats. Roi fishes are anti-inflammatory foods. They fight the inflammation that energizes the ovaries to produce more androgen. Plus, they have fish oil and vitamin E, which helps maintain insulin levels.
Dried beans, and lentils
Dried beans and lentils like chickpeas, black beans, and yellow lentils are rich sources of fibers and plant proteins and so they are beneficial for females with PCOS. They are great to manage overweight.
Healthy Nuts
You can add healthy nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and pine nuts to your PCOS diet. These nuts have high calories and healthy fats in them. Plus they help to reduce inflammation and thus prevent PCOS symptoms from worsening. Among them, you must add walnuts and almonds to your PCOS diet.
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Seeds
You need to add seeds including chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds to your PCOS diet because they are healthy and they have nutrients to manage hormonal imbalances, weight, and PCOS. They are a great source of essential nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and vitamins, which improve overall well-being.
Spices and herbs
Spices including turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon can be added to your diet. You can also add herbs, for example, basil, fenugreek, and ashwagandha to your PCOS diet as they are helpful in managing PCOS. They are anti-inflammatory and help to manage blood sugar levels. Moreover, they stimulate women’s fertility and regulate the menstrual cycle.
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Alzheimer's Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Preventions
Thor actor Chris Hemsworth has decided to take a break from acting after discovering the risk of Alzheimer's. This news has shocked millions of fans worldwide. Now, what is Alzheimer's? It is a neurological ailment that causes cognitive decline and memory loss. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the death of brain cells. If you are experiencing frequent memory loss, this should not be ignored. Let’s take a look at the symptoms, causes, and preventive measures of Alzheimer's disease.
What is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's disease is an incurable and irreversible brain condition. The condition has a profound impact on a person's memory, reasoning, learning, and organizational abilities, and ultimately impairs their capacity to do routine everyday tasks. Alzheimer's disease is not a typical component of aging.
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worsen with time. In fact, experts estimate that the disease process may continue for at least ten years before the onset of Alzheimer's clinical manifestations.
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German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer, a pioneer in correlating symptoms to microscopic brain changes, tells the eerie case of Auguste D., a woman with severe memory loss, unjustified suspicions about her family, and other deteriorating psychological abnormalities.
At her autopsy, he saw significant shrinkage and aberrant deposits surrounding nerve cells in her brain. Dr. Alzheimer passed away in 1915, never imagining that his experience with Auguste D. would impact the lives of millions and spark a large worldwide research initiative.
Dr. Alzheimer is revered by scientists not just for his ground-breaking description of a serious illness, but also as a role model. He created a new benchmark for comprehending neurodegenerative illnesses by developing a deep therapeutic interaction with his patients and using innovative scientific methods to assess how symptoms connected to physical brain changes manifest.
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Symptoms and Signs of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory loss. Recent talks and occurrences may be difficult to recall at an early stage. As the illness advances, memory deficits increase, and more symptoms emerge.
Initially, a person with Alzheimer's disease may be aware of memory and thinking organization difficulties. A family member or acquaintance may be more likely to observe the worsening of symptoms.
Changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer's disease exacerbate problems with:
Memory
Everyone has periodic memory lapses, but Alzheimer's disease is characterized by persistent and worsening memory loss that impairs the capacity to perform at work or at home.
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Individuals with Alzheimer's may repeat comments and inquiries repeatedly. Forget talks, appointments, and activities, and subsequently do not recall them. Frequently misplace belongings, frequently placing them in odd places. Get lost in familiar surroundings. Eventually, forget the names of loved ones and commonplace items.
Multitasking
Managing funds, balancing checkbooks, and paying bills on time may be very demanding, and multitasking is especially difficult. A person with Alzheimer's may eventually lose the ability to identify and manipulate numbers.
Making choices and judgments
Alzheimer's disease diminishes the capacity to make appropriate choices and judgments in daily circumstances. A person may, for instance, make bad or unusual decisions in social encounters or wear unsuitable clothing for the weather. It may be more challenging to react successfully to routine concerns, such as food on the stove that is burning or unexpected driving scenarios.
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Planning and completing routine duties
As the illness develops, tasks that formerly required sequential steps, such as planning and making a meal or playing a beloved game, become difficult. People with severe Alzheimer's disease often forget how to do fundamental functions such as dressing and washing.
Alterations in personality and conduct
Moods and behaviors may be affected by Alzheimer's disease-related brain alterations. Because these abilities are governed by regions of the brain impacted later in the progression of the illness, they may be retained for longer.
Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is caused by aberrant protein accumulation in the brain. The accumulation of these proteins, which are known as amyloid protein and tau protein, causes cell death.
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In addition to nerve cells, the human brain includes around 100 billion different types of cells. The nerve cells collaborate to carry out all the communications required for cognitive processes such as thinking, learning, remembering, and planning. Scientists think that amyloid protein accumulates in brain cells to create plaques, which are bigger aggregates.
Tau forms tangles composed of twisted fibers of another protein. These plaques and tangles impede the connection between nerve cells, preventing them from performing their functions. Alzheimer's disease symptoms are caused by the gradual and progressive loss of nerve cells, which begins in one region of the brain and spreads to others.
How to Minimize the Risk of Alzheimer's
There are no proven preventative methods. At present, the most effective means of preventing cognitive decline are behaviors that promote health.
Read More: Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents
The following steps may be useful:
Attempt to stop smoking:
If you are a smoker, quitting has both immediate and long-term health advantages.
Exercise frequently:
Physical activity decreases the risk of several diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Keep your mind engaged:
Try some mental conditioning activities.
Eat healthily:
Consume a properly balanced diet with the right amount of fruits and vegetables.
Read More: World Mental Health Day: What effect does depression have on the performance of athletes?
Maintain a socially engaged lifestyle:
It is probable that friendships, volunteering, and hobbies will help your general health.
Before making significant changes to your lifestyle, consult with your physician.
Treatment of Alzheimer's
Although there is no cure, several therapies might temporarily alleviate symptoms. Many individuals with Alzheimer's disease learn to manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.
Medications
Cholinergic medications may temporarily alleviate mild to severe Alzheimer's disease's cognitive symptoms. These function by raising the concentration of acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter that helps reestablish communication between brain cells.
Other drugs alleviate behavioral problems including insomnia, agitation, anxiety, and sadness. Although these therapies do not directly cure Alzheimer's disease, they may enhance the quality of life.
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Lifestyle changes
A person with Alzheimer's disease should, to the extent feasible, maintain normal social contact with friends and family, engage in regular exercise, and participate in activities that stimulate the brain. Consult a physician if you have any safety-related concerns (such as driving abilities).
Verdict
The disorder known as Alzheimer's disease is one that causes neurodegeneration. Memory loss and cognitive decline are caused by the accumulation of plaques and tangles in the brain, in addition to the death of brain cells.
At this time, there is no known therapy that will reverse the condition, but there are medications and other therapies that may assist improve a person's cognitive, psychological, and behavioral symptoms, as well as their quality of life.
Read More: National Mental Health Strategy 2020-2030: Towards ensuring quality mental healthcare
So far, we have discussed the signs, reasons, and prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Hope it helps!
10 Rooftop Gardening Tips for this Winter
A rooftop garden is something more than a collection of plants. A garden offers a place of serenity on the rooftop of a flat or apartment building. Especially, under the winter sun, people of all ages enjoy spending time in a roof garden. With the proper planning, you can not only grow plants in your roof garden, but also make the space suitable for social gatherings, romantic evenings, and family time. Let’s take a look at some effective tips for winter roof gardening.
10 Effective Tips to Start a Roof Garden
Urban rooftop gardens are an excellent idea, especially in winter. But before you start planting, you need to consider several things in winter rooftop gardening. Check here for the best and perfect tips to get started.
Building Code
First, check your building codes to ensure that your local building codes will allow you to plant on the roof. If you are living in a rented apartment, talk to the building owners to see whether they allow gardening in the shared space.
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Access
Do you even think about access to your materials and supplies in and out? If you live in an apartment or flat and on a higher floor like 6th or 7th or more than the higher floor, make sure you can use the elevator.
Privacy
Many rooftops are adjoined by neighboring buildings. If your rooftop garden can disturb others, it won’t be honest at all. So make sure your garden is just in your area.
Containers
Containers are one of the most artistic items in a rooftop garden. Take time and choose and select your rooftop containers patiently. Besides, you need to keep in mind the size, weight, and material when choosing your rooftop containers.
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Remember, you will need containers that are large enough for the roots of whatever plants you choose. As the amount of soil needed will vary, research your choices before you plant them. If you search, you will find a lot of plants that will be labeled as “Great for containers.”
The weight of the container is a great issue as you need to think about how much your rooftop can support. Containers become heavier when you water them.
Containers made with traditional materials; clay, terra cotta, and cement are quite heavy. However, plastic pots and the newer synthetic containers are light naturally enough. You can lift them easily. Make sure you also consider balancing the height of your plants. For a windy rooftop, you have to choose heavier containers.
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Soil
Some think about soil in the last when they are planning to make a garden. But soil should be the first and most important part of your garden. Remember, you need good soil for healthy plants. When your soil is good and fertile, you don’t work hard for your garden.
If you are planning to grow your plants in containers and raised beds, you will have the advantage of bringing in soil. You will have huge good potting mixes on the market. Besides, you can combine 3 parts of compost to make good manure. Make sure you make a hole in each pot so that additional water runs away and keep the soil moderately wet as so much wet soil makes the plants spoil.
Plants
When you are going to choose a rooftop plant, you should consider some things. So, you have to choose drought-tolerant plants for rooftop gardens as most rooftops get very hot during the day. Besides, don’t forget to consider the sun exposure and hardiness zone.
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Rooftops hold heat and so they create weather that drifts about a zone higher than a garden on the ground would be. Therefore, you have to plant plants that can handle the heat.
As a list of certified rooftop plants is not available, you need to follow some tips to choose rooftop plants. You can avoid tall trees and focus on small trees for your winter roof gardening.
You can choose plants with limited root systems that don’t need a lot of soil. They can be herbs, vegetables, and smaller to mid-sized perennials. Remember trees and shrubs require more soil, larger pots, and above all more caring that you may not afford in your busy life.
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Fertilizer
You must remember that Container plants will need regular fertilizer. A great potting mix can be exhausted over time, as plants take up the nutrients and the water leaches them out. When a plant grows and becomes large, it requires more water. The type of fertilizer you use will direct you on how often and how much you will need to fertilize through its instructions. However, fertilizing every 2–3 weeks is sufficient.
You will find many good fertilizers on the market. Make sure you choose more organic ones. A water-soluble fertilizer is also available in the market and you can choose it as it is the fastest way to get the nutrients to your plants.
Tools
You don’t need so many tools for a rooftop container garden as you would for a traditional ground-level garden. As you have to do a lot of scooping and filling, you need just a trowel and perhaps a soil scoop at first. Moreover, a small tarp will be essential for you when you are emptying soil, to keep from making a mess.
Read More: Healthy plants can protect environment, boost economies: FAO
Plus, the other fundamental tool you need is a good pair of pruners, to prune and clean plants. Actually, the tools you require depend on what you’re growing and how much maintenance you intend to do.
However, you have to also remember that a rooftop garden will be subject to pests and problems also. As insects can fly and can spore, you will need to monitor your plants and try to catch problems while they’re small. You can keep your plants healthy and stress-free by feeding and watering them well. By maintaining all the possible ways you will limit their problems.
Electrical Wiring
Electricity isn’t mandatory but if you have an electrical connection to your roof, it will be easier for you to take care of your plants at night and also when you are busy in the daytime. Besides, you can enjoy the beauty of your garden with your family or lovely ones. However, if it is not possible to electrify your rooftop, you can use candles that are the best lighting for weeding and enjoying the beauty of the garden.
Read More: Grow more food, keep enough stock to avert any crisis: PM Hasina
Make a Plan
Check the space size of your rooftop as you have to put a lot of things associated with gardening including tools, fertilizer, compost, buckets, etc. If the space of your rooftop is limited, it will be hard for you to keep all things in the limited area. When your space is limited, you can consider the shelves that will help you to cover the area.
However, you have to account for how much you are willing to spend. Consider your budget first and then make a plan for your winter roof gardening. Remember, you need to buy some essential things to make a roof garden. Plus, you may need to do more structural work to support and take care of your gardening to make it look elegant.
Bottom Line
It is a great idea to make a roof garden in winter but make sure you do proper research to learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep the plants alive, use compost to make your plants healthy, and use insecticides to free your garden from pests. Seasonal roof terrace design ideas can also help you to build an amazing garden this winter.
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How to Clean Baby Bottles
Many parents choose bottle feeding for their babies. If you don’t compromise your child’s health and safety, it's requisite and important to properly wash and sanitize the baby’s feeding equipment. The process includes cleaning or sterilizing each bottle with the teat, and screw cap after every feed until they are at least 12 months old. Let’s take a look at the proper tips and tricks to n and sterilize baby bottles.
Health risks of babies for using unsanitized feeding bottles
Babies under 3 months old are more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria as their immune systems are underdeveloped. The South Australian Women's and Children's Health Network stresses that it is important to sterilize bottles to prevent sickness in infants up to the age of 6 months — or even up to a year. If the bottle is not washed or poorly washed bottles after each feed, it may expose your baby to certain risks, including:
Tooth Decay
Generally, tooth decay in babies can occur as the result of vulnerability to liquids for a long time like if you allow them to sleep with a bottle that contains juice. When a baby sleeps with keeping juice or liquid like milk in their mouth, this liquid allows acid-producing bacteria to build up in their mouth and cause teeth decay.
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According to the Northern Ireland Public Health Agency, formula milk contains bacteria and they can multiply if a bottle is left at room temperature.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a type of stomach bug that can spread from touching contaminated objects or surfaces. So, it is imperative for you to wash your hands frequently, especially before preparing baby bottles.
Cronobacter Infections
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national public health agency of the USA, Cronobacter germs can contaminate dry, powdered foods including infant formula and, subsequently, baby bottles.
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This type of bacteria can cause a very rare but life-threatening blood infection called sepsis. Sepsis can happen particularly in infants.
Right ways to keep baby bottles & other feeding equipment clean
Properly Wash Your Own Hands
Many people forget this important and crucial first step. Research has shown that about 97% of people don’t wash their hands properly before preparing baby bottles. For this reason, most of the cross-contamination happens. Therefore, make sure you have thoroughly sanitized your hands before preparing baby bottles.
However, if you are about to feed the baby with a bottle while staying outside the home, try to use sanitizer or find the nearest restroom to wash your own hands thoroughly with soapy water so that you can prevent yourself from transmitting germs onto the bottle or nipple.
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Wash Bottle Parts Separately with Warm Water
You need to wash every and each part of the baby bottles. Don’t focus on the type of bottle you're using. Separate every component and wash each part properly.
Then, rinse each part of your bottle under running Water. Though you can rinse the baby’s feeding equipment under cold or warm water. It is wise to rinse the bottles and equipment under warm water. Warm water helps to kill germs.
Scrub in Soapy Water
When your rinsing the bottle parts under running water is done, fill a separate basin with hot water and soap. You need to use a dedicated brush to scrub each part individually. However, make sure you use this brush to clean the baby bottles only.
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You can also use a good dishwasher instead of soap to wash every part of the baby’s feeding equipment.
You can dip the bottle parts under the dishwasher mixed water or soapy water for some time.
When brushing is done, rinse each part of the bottles and other feeding tools under running water again.
Dry on a Rack or Clean Space
After washing dry every part of the bottle or feeding equipment with a clean paper towel or dish towel, and store them in a dust-free, clean space. Let them air dry but not patting them dry, as patting them dry can transfer germs from the towel to the newly cleaned bottle.
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Other Ways of Sanitizing Baby Bottles
There are several ways you can sterilize, sanitize and clean your baby bottle:
Boiling sterilization
Boiling is the most reliable way of sterilizing baby bottle-feeding equipment. So boil all equipment after every use or within 24 hours of use.
First, take the washed bottles, teats, rings, and caps in a large pot and fill the pot with sufficient water so that everything is covered. Make sure all air bubbles are disappeared. Then boil everything for 5-6 minutes. When everything is cool, take them out with tongs or clean hands. Throw off excess water. It is not necessary to dry the bottles. Finally, store them in a clean container in the fridge.
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Chemical sterilization
This is the way where you can sterilize baby bottles with an antibacterial solution that is available in liquid or tablet form. This is one type of bleach that is mixed easily with water. Although it is enough strong to kill bacteria, it’s safe for your baby.
First, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to make up the solution the right way. Remember, the solution will work correctly when it’s made at the right strength. Completely drown-washed bottles, especially every part of the bottles including teats, rings, and caps.
Let everything keep in the solution for the recommended time. You can keep the equipment in the solution for the whole day. Remove equipment using tongs. Remove excess solution, but don’t need to dry the equipment. Store everything in a clean container and put the container in the fridge.
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Steam sterilization
In this system, you heat your equipment to a temperature high enough to kill bacteria. First, keep clean equipment in the unit and add water following the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, on the switch.
As it is automated, the unit switches itself off when the work is completed. Store equipment in a clean container and you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions to know the exact time you can store sterilized equipment.
Microwave sterilization
Microwave sterilization is like steam sterilization.
First, see the instructions carefully and check the microwave power needed. However, make sure you don’t put anything made of metal inside these sterilizers.
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Don't put your equipment straight into the microwave to sterilize it because this won’t work rather your equipment will melt or get damaged.
Bottom Line
So far we have discussed the simple steps to clean baby bottles efficiently. You can also follow the sterilization methods to get your baby's bottle and other feeding types of equipment sanitized and ready for use to avoid the risks of bacterial infection or contamination. Don’t forget to clean the bottle just after every feeding to prevent any bacterial contamination.
Safe Toys for Children: Tips to avoid harmful playing objects
Kids are always happy with their toys. The right and safe toys can provide your child with so many benefits like encouragement to play, stimulation of their senses, support in developing skills, and more. However, some toys are harmful to kids. Let’s take a look at how to choose safe toys for children.
How Toys Can Harm Babies
Toys can harm babies in many ways. For instance, -Babies may feel choked while playing with balloons or toys containing strings and wires. -The heavy large toys can fall upon small kids-Electric toys can give them shocks. -The sharp-edged toys can cause injury to children-Babies can swallow small playing objects like magnets, marbles, jewelry, etc. -Dirty toys can affect the kids with bacteria. -Noisy toys can scare young kids.-Babies may hurt themselves or other kids with shooting toys.-Toys built with harmful materials can cause harm to kids’ health.
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While playing with toys, a child may experience serious injury or even death especially when the toy doesn’t suit the child’s age or includes dangerous elements, or is improperly built or used in the wrong way. Although, toy-injuries are usually minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises parents should be careful.
13 Guidelines to Choose Safe Toys for Babies
Age-Appropriate Toys
Generally, toys are designed according to the age of the baby. Age is mentioned on the cover of the toy. So, keep in mind the age of your baby whenever you wish to buy a toy. Age-appropriate toys are safe for your child and help in the better development of your child.
Size-Appropriate Toys
Size is one of the major points you need to consider while buying a toy for your child. Make sure you select the size of the toy according to your child’s age, height, size, nature, and health status. Naturally, babies love to keep their favourite toys close to their bodies, especially their noses and mouths.
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Parents should avoid choosing too small toys for young babies as such toys can cause choking when taken in the mouth. Small objects like flashing decorations or jewelry can be harmful to young children.
On the other hand, too large and heavy toys for your child’s size can be difficult for him or her to handle. There is a risk that during playing the toy may fall on the child and hurt him/her.
Chewing Resistant
Naturally, children have the curiosity to put everything in their mouths. This habit can cause bad accidents that can be life-threatening too. So, you have to choose chewing-resistant toys for your child so that they won’t swallow them.
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Washable Toys
Children are not careful about their toys and so they throw their toys here and there while playing. When a kid throw his/her toy in a dirty place, and pick it up again, the toy may carry several bacteria.
Those bacteria may cause bacterial infections as the kids have the habit of putting their toys in their mouths. So, it’s wise to choose toys that are easily washable and you can sanitize from time to time.
Avoid Loud Toys
The main function of toys is to entertain your child. But too loud or screaming toys can hardly give pleasure to your child rather they can irritate them by causing noise pollution. Most importantly, they can harm the listening power of your child. So, don’t buy toys that are too loud for your little one.
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No Strings Or Wires
Don’t buy toys that have long strings, attached ribbons, or frills. If you have found some, remove such kind of material immediately from those toys as your child may wrap it around him/her neck and feel choked. Besides, it may harm the child’s blood circulation by restricting the flow of the blood through his/her veins.