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Easy Tips to Clean Your Greasy Kitchen Chimney at Home
Chimneys are an essential feature of most modern kitchens; they do a fine job of evacuating all the smoke and vapours which would otherwise leave the kitchen grimy and smelly. Like all equipment, chimneys need regular cleaning as they inevitably get clogged. Here’s how to clean your kitchen chimney the easy way without having to shell too much on it.
Why Is It Necessary to Clean Kitchen Chimney in a Timely Manner?
The function of a kitchen chimney involves removing smoke, airborne grease, vapours, fumes and steam from the kitchen and venting it outside. It has several working components such as meshes, filters and baffles that trap airborne substances such as grease droplets, soot particles and steam. These eventually get deposited as thick layers of grime that block the flow of gasses through the chimney; therefore it’s necessary to clean them periodically to keep the chimney functional.
Microbial infestation is another problem that needs to be tackled. The deposited grime areas are hot spots for the growth of bacteria and fungus which are health hazards and can lead to foul odour in the long run.
How Often Should You Clean the Kitchen Chimney?
Depending on how much load your kitchen handles and the type of food you prepare, chimneys should be cleaned once in 2 months at the least. If you prepare a lot of oily and spicy food, it’s best to clean the meshes and filters once a month. If you have a charcoal filtered chimney, however, you will have to replace the filter once in 6 months.
How to Clean Your Kitchen Chimney at Home?
The cleaning materials and methods used are determined by which component of the chimney it is that you are cleaning. Also, not all cleaning activity requires you to take your chimney apart, and different types of stains need a different method to clean effectively. Here are five tips to clean kitchen chimney filter, mesh, baffles and hood:
1. Vinegar
White vinegar is a good cleaning agent for grime and stains that collect on the chimney exterior such as the hood and the panels. For a quick clan of the hood, dip a paper towel in the vinegar solution and wipe the surfaces clean. Make sure you wipe through every nook and corner with sufficient amounts of vinegar soaked into the towel. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe again with a paper towel dunked in plain water to remove whatever is left.
2. Caustic Soda
Chemically caustic soda is called Sodium Hydroxide which is commonly used in industries as a cleaning agent when mixed with hot water. It’s an inexpensive but powerful industrial cleaner which can dissolve oils, grease, fats and other organic compounds from industrial equipment. It’s also commonly used in households as a cleaning agent. Caustic soda works very well for cleaning kitchen chimney grease. To start, remove the baffles, metal meshes and filters from your chimney and place them in a metal bucket or a heavy-duty plastic bucket. Sprinkle the sodium hydroxide powder thoroughly over all the components and let them sit for 5 minutes. Next, pour hot water over the filters until they are fully immersed in the bucket. Ensure you do this in a well-ventilated space as the process releases fumes that can cause lung and eye irritation.
Let the chimney components sit in hot water for about 3 hours. Wash them clean and let them dry in the open air. This method is very useful to clean large filter components of chimneys inexpensively and with little effort. Remember, however, that sodium hydroxide can cause chemical burns to hands when handled without gloves. Therefore, use adequate safety protection and wear rubber gloves, boots and eye protection during cleaning.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another commonly found compound in the kitchen which has been used in cleaning for thousands of years. It’s often supplied with cleaning kits, or you may have a pack of it sitting in your refrigerator. Chemically, baking soda is called Sodium Bicarbonate, a salt basically. It has a gentle abrasive nature to it, so it’s good for scrubbing away tough stains using a paste of it made from water. There are many ways on how to use baking soda to clean the chimney.
If you are trying to get rid of some grease deposition on the chimney hood, make a thick paste of two tablespoons of baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply this paste over the surface and allow it to stay there for 5 minutes. Wipe it off with a moist cloth to remove the grease. You can also use white vinegar as an alternative to water to make a stronger cleaning paste. To clean filters and meshes, you will need a big tub to hold all the components in. Pour two cups of vinegar over it and sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and salt on them. Fill a tub with hot water and let the filters sit in the solution for 2 hours. Rinse them with clean water and wipe clean afterwards.
4. Dishwashing Liquid
If you’re looking for other solutions on how to clean kitchen chimney mesh filters, you need not look any further than your dish washing liquid. These cleaning agents are made specifically to remove oil and grease efficiently, and they work well with chimney filters. To clean meshes and filters, apply some dish washing liquid on the filters and scrub it all over gently, so all the surfaces are wet with the liquid. Fill a plastic bucket with hot water and immerse the filters in it. Allow it to stay for about 2 hours.
Take the filters out and scrub them with a soft scrubber until all the grease is gone. Wash with fresh water and dry them out in the open. To tackle thicker or tougher grease depositions, you can go at it with a stronger cleaning method. Use a steel drum instead of a plastic bucket and repeat the same process with dish washing liquid as mentioned above, only this time, set it on a burner and allow it to boil for 30 minutes. Boiling effectively removes the tough grease from hard to reach spots on the mesh or filters. It is also faster, and you won’t have to wait for hours for the grease to come off.
5. Paint Thinners
Paint thinners are powerful cleaning agents that contain organic solvents such as Acetone, Toluene, Turpentine and other mineral spirits. Since these solvents evaporate easily, you would end up inhaling quite a bit of vapour when you try to clean whole filters with it. Instead, use it for cleaning the most stubborn of grease that is lodged in hard to reach places such as crevices and folds; preferably when any of the above cleaning processes are unable to remove the grease completely.
Unlike the other cleaning methods that are elaborate, paint thinners work instantly to remove grease, paint, stains or any other material stuck to the mesh. Cleaning with thinners is best done outside where there’s enough airflow to disperse the vapours. Start by dabbing cotton or microfiber cloth with some thinner and scrub the grease with it. You may also pour a few drops of it into a crease and allow it to do its thing and scrape it off with a sharp tool such as a knife or blade.
It’s important to clean chimney filters and meshes periodically to keep them running at their best and last longer. Basic grime on the chimney hood can be cleaned with simple solutions such as vinegar and baking soda. For removing tougher grease use caustic soda or paint thinners.
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Probiotics for Kids - Why is It Important?
Providing a nutritious diet to the child is a constant endeavour of every parent. Making a child eat healthy food is a continuous challenge. But in today's age of fast foods and processed foods, it is not always easy to eat healthily. In this respect, probiotics are fast gaining immense popularity. There is substantial evidence to believe that probiotics are beneficial for children. Several studies show that intake of probiotics either through supplements or food can bestow several health benefits on kids by positively affecting their gut. Many parents are increasingly opting for probiotics supplements for their kids to enhance their kid’s immune system.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics can be defined as live microorganisms like yeast or bacteria which are beneficial for our health. Simply put, they are the “good” bacteria. They aid in keeping our gut in a healthy condition by boosting the healthy bacteria. This is important because almost 80 percent of our immunity resides in the gut. Interestingly, the number of probiotics in our digestive tract is ten times more than the cells in our entire body. Probiotics can be derived from foods like yoghurt or consumed as additions which are available in various forms, such as, chewable tablets, drops and also particular probiotics coated straws. Remarkably, different probiotics work to cure different health issues. Hence, selecting the right kind of probiotics is important.
Why Do Children Need Probiotics?
A child’s gastrointestinal system is alive with many bacteria. Some are “good” bacteria, and some are “bad” bacteria. Various medical conditions like allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases can disrupt the normal balance between the “good” and the “bad” bacteria. Consumption of processed foods and fluoridated water can also alter this balance. Probiotics can help in building up the good bacteria in the child’s gut, thereby improving the immune system of the child. A boost in immunity safeguards the child from falling prey to various diseases and infections. But the child may not be getting his daily dose of probiotics through his regular diet. Thus, it may become necessary to provide probiotics supplements to the child. However, it is always a good idea to first discuss it with your paediatrician. The benefits of probiotics for kids are as follows:
Probiotics can help in boosting the child’s immunity by maintaining the gastrointestinal flora balance in the child’s gut.
Antibiotics, when taken by a kid, generally destroy the good as well as the harmful bacteria thereby, causing distress in the gastrointestinal system of the child. For this reason, doctors may offer to give the child probiotics beforehand and even afterwards to reduce the harm to the healthy bacteria.
Many diseases also can disrupt the balance between the “good” and the “bad” bacteria in the gut. Consumption of probiotics can help restore this crucial balance.
Probiotics may help in lowering the risk of several diseases and allergies.
Probiotics are believed to infuse the gut with health-enhancing microorganisms which not only improve the digestive system but also aid in the digestion of food.
Studies indicate that probiotics can positively influence the movement of genes.
Probiotics may be essential for the management of child’s weight and metabolism all his life.
Research shows that probiotics promote brain health during different stages of child’s growth as the gut and the brain are closely connected.
According to research, probiotics may lower the possible harmful side effects of vaccinations that are administered to the child.
Studies show that probiotics can help in promoting healthy urinary tract in kids by preserving the beneficial bacterial count.
Probiotics are known to produce vitamin B12, vitamin K2 and butyrate which help in increasing energy.
Ailments That Can Be Treated or Prevented With the Help of Probiotics
Studies have shown that probiotics can make a significant difference in promoting the wellness of your child. Certain ailments that can be prevented with the help of probiotics are:
Probiotics may help in treating diarrhoea caused as a side effect of taking antibiotics.
Research shows that probiotics can effectively help in easing colic, reducing gas and reflux.
Doctors may suggest probiotics for kid’s constipation.
Probiotics are also credited with curing eczema.
According to some studies, probiotics may aid in curing IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Studies show that consuming probiotics on a regular basis can promote lactose tolerance in a child.
Probiotics may also prove effective in preventing tooth decay.
What Kind of Probiotics Are the Best for Kids?
Every child has its unique gastrointestinal tract which is full of bacteria. No two kids share the same combination of bacteria. But the two commonly occurring useful bacteria in our body are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Most probiotics supplements usually use these bacterial strains. It is advisable to select probiotics supplements that are specially formulated for kids. While selecting the right kind of probiotics supplement for your child, one may want to look for more than one strain or several strains of beneficial bacteria, in the supplement, for optimum benefit. It is sensible to prefer those probiotics that occur naturally are considered safe for the kids and can easily adapt to the child’s digestive system. One can also ask the doctor for a trial to figure out the most suitable probiotics for your child. Ideally, probiotics should be given to a child after he has had his meal. When given on an empty stomach, the acids in the stomach can destroy the microorganisms. Some choices can be:
Probiotics with Bifidobacterial strain can be selected.
One may also look for Lactobacillus GG bacteria strains.
Probiotics with both bile and acid resistant strain may be a good choice.
Saccharomyces boulardi, a kind of yeast has also proved to be useful.
Food Sources of Probiotics
Dairy products are considered to be the best source of probiotics. While choosing the dairy products, one must ensure that it contains naturally active bacteria as most products lose the live cultures at the time of processing. Some of the food sources can be:
Yogurt.
Kefir.
Buttermilk.
Cheeses like gouda and cheddar.
Cottage cheese.
Sauerkraut.
Kimchi (pickled cabbage).
Miso soup.
Tempeh.
Kombucha tea.
What Are Prebiotics and Synbiotics?
Prebiotics and synbiotics also offer numerous benefits for the healthy functioning of the gut. But experts are still studying their effects and the extent of benefits that can be derived out of them.
Prebiotics are a kind of specialised fibre that promotes the good bacteria already living in the colon by nourishing it.
Prebiotics are nourishment for probiotics. The more prebiotics, probiotics eat, the better they can function in keeping the gut healthy.
Prebiotics contain fructose-oligosaccharides and fibre.
Fruits, whole grains, and vegetables provide fibre.
Foods such as onion, banana, honey, asparagus, maple syrup, rye, and oats provide fructose-oligosaccharides.
Products that contain both prebiotics and probiotics are called synbiotics.
When probiotics and prebiotics foods are combined, a synergy is produced which increases the health benefit of the food products.
Accordingly, probiotics can be mixed with prebiotics fibre like yoghurt can be taken with honey.
Providing your child with probiotics rich diet can be a wise choice to make for ensuring his excellent health. Though, it is essential to remember here that the effects of probiotics are very temporary. They vanish from the gut if their intake is discontinued. Research in the field of probiotics is still in its initial stages, and it will be a long time before concrete evidence is obtained to establish its beneficial effect on human health conclusively.
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Few Tips to increase the Breast Milk for new Moms.
Hi Mommies !!
New moms are always worried about the flow of milk. While this is a common concern among new mothers. Here are few important foods we can add into our diet for the good flow of breast milk.
1. Fenugreek : Add fenugreek in your diet, it is very rich source for breastmilk.
2. Oatmeal : you can have oats or dalia in breakfast. Whole grain foods are good to increase breastmilk supply.
3. Fennel seeds. You can take fennel seeds in the morning or evening with water.
4. Garlic. Add more garlic in your food. Garlic is a good source for breastmilk.
5. A lot of water: Stay hydrated. It is also good for yoir skin. Have lot of fluids. Take 3 - 4 litre of water per day and add extra fluids in your diet. You can take coconut water, milk or juice.
6. Get proper rest: Your body has gone through a big change. Pamper it. Take proper rest. Sleep for 8 hours a day atleast.
7.Eat a well-balanced diet.
8. Nurse often and on demand.
9. Let your baby feed fully on each side.
10. Don't forget your vitamins provided by your doctor. Take them for atleast 3 months.
11.Add lean meat and poultry in your meals.
12. You can also take Lactare or Himalya Shtavari with milk two times a day.
13. Avoid stress. This is the moat important thing for your health as well. Feed your baby with love and affection. Dont take any kind of stress.
And at the end the most important thing is your diet. Take a proper balanced diet with a lot of fruits, green vegetables, milk, juices etc. Feed your baby as much as he or she demands. Because the more we feed the more the milk will be produced.
If you still feel that your milk supply is low, meet a lactation specialist and discuss your concern.
Happy motherhood!!!! Read more
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Travel Therapy : My trip to Kashmir - Heaven on Earth! Explore nature with me!
Holiday is one of the best ways to get refreshed and feel rejuvenated. Most of you will agree to this. Whenever you travel, even for just 3-4 days it will make you forget your stress and transport you to another world. Saying goodbye to such memorable trips is often difficult. But, the memories are so beautiful that they hold a special place in our hearts forever. For me, trip to Kashmir was one such memory. Here, I share some wonderful moments from my trip with you!
Kashmir! The name itself brings to your mind images of snow clapped mountains, lush green valleys, flowing water beds, houseboats and so on. I was pretty excited and looking forward to traveling to Kashmir with my husband and my masis family in the month of April two years back. On arrival, we first visited Srinagar the capital of Kashmir famous for its Dal lake and houseboats. Our first stay was in the houseboat. The houseboat was a very pretty structure and had some unique wooden carvings and designs in the interior giving you a feeling of staying in some kind of a palace! The curtains, the furniture everything gives you a home like feeling. There are plenty rooms in one house boat so, both our families stayed together. A small garden was attached to it which made it more beautiful. The famous Shikara ride was the best thing. Sitting in a Shikara and watching the scenic mountains and waters, while dressed in a Kashmiri outfit! Yes we clicked pictures in the traditional outfit. Water ski activity took place in the lake plus I was lucky enough to have witnessed moon rise while on the Shikara ride, a rare sight! Next in line was, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgaam. A resort right in the heart of the valley, such a picturesque view. Here we were sitting in the lap of the nature! Zero point was so much fun. It's a place where you go on the snow, and enjoy plenty of activities. We did ice ski and took rides on the snow scooter. It was the most memorable day. Wearing huge gum boots and walking on the snow, falling here and there, making snowballs while shivering! It was one crazy day!
Other activities included going on a horse ride to reach a place called Mini Switzerland. You ride on ponies there, as they can cross the crisscross mountain paths with ease! Really horses are very talented indeed! It was raining when we reached Switzerland. Breathtaking views awaited us, we got wet but enjoyed throughly. Other places included Betaab Valley, a calm and serene grassland offering snowmountain views and rivers flowing by! Then we did another activity wherein you walk on the snow using a stick for support, you push the stick in the snow and move ahead! It was like snow trekking. This place is known as Chandanwari. You can go till the top and enjoy the beautiful snow on the way. The wonderfull cable car rides awaited us next. It takes you to a great height, as you reach various stations the cold increases, the final station has a number of activities on the snow. I was just happy being with nature! Any trip is incomplete without local shopping! The famous Kashmiri kahwa, kesar and walnuts that's what we purchased. The local hand embroidered dresses are a specialty too. We had the famous apple juice also. The Kashmiri biryani and wazvaan are famous local dishes. Other sightseeing included Shalimar gardens, Tulip gardens and the Mughal gardens. The Hazrat Bal suitated in the dal lake is a very beautiful mosque.
Well, this is just a short summary of the trip. It can go on and on. The trip was for 10 days.All I can say that the term "Heaven on earth" is the apt word for Kashmir. Nature has got immense healing power, no matter how much the technology advances nobody can beat the power of nature's way. Once you're in sync with the nature you will surely forget your sorrows and stress and marvel at this magical creation of God. When I close my eyes, even at present I can feel that I was so happier and healthier around nature, it didn't matter that I was not online, or checking messages as I was busy exploring the glory of God!
To sum up I would qoute "Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. —Khalil Gibran"
Hope you find Therapy in your next Travel too! Do share any of your travel experiences , how did it impact you? Would be great to know!
See you on the other side soon! Read more
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Premature Babies Development Concerns
Growth milestones for preemies are calculated based on their adjusted age. Adjusted age is the age of the child calculated by subtracting the weeks between his birth date and due date from his current age. Premature babies, often called pre-term babies, are born at 37 weeks or prior. This is dependent on the gestational age of the newborn that relates to the number of weeks the baby has spent in the mother’s womb.
In most cases, premature babies are born with their vital organs not fully developed. Quite naturally, such a situation may lead to several medical emergencies and complications. It may interfere with the overall system of the body, normal breathing and their ability to stay warm. To protect the preemie against any possible risk, the hospitals keep the baby in special care unit, in order to foster growth and development.
Developmental Issues in Preemie Newborns
If your newborn is a preemie, you are bound to be concerned about the overall development of your child. Even though, a pre-term baby might show trouble in development initially, the level of growth comes at par with his growing age. Here are some major developmental issues that are directly connected to a preemie.
1. Heart and lungs
Most of the premature babies are born with partially developed heart and lungs. The risk factor with the heart and lungs goes high when the gestational age of the baby is less than 36 weeks. Inadequately developed lungs and heart can create difficulties in supply of blood and oxygen. This can interfere with the normal breathing conditions.
2. Growth
Growth or development of a preemie may be affected to a significant extent due to the lack of nutritional supplements and poor feeding levels. Babies, who are born early, often have problems with swallowing and sucking milk from mother’s breast. They face difficulties with the tongue movement. These problems can be taken care of with timely medical attention and care.
3. Muscles and Limbs
Unlike the full-term babies, a pre-term baby’s muscles, limbs, and ligaments are not fully grown. This may hamper the natural development and motor movements like walking, sitting, running and talking, as compared to babies born in or after the 40th week.
4. Neuro-development
Neurological development is another major concern for doctors at the time of birth. Studies show that premature baby’s brain show subtle difference in the way it functions as compared to a full-term baby. This may lead to the pre-term newborns to suffer from impaired vision and hearing loss.
Other Common Concerns of Preemie Development:
1. When do Preemie Newborns Learn to Sit?
It is one of the first developmental milestones that the preemies achieve. Most of the preemies learn to sit during the mid first year. However, preemies with health problems may take more time than others.
2. When do Preemies Learn to Talk?
This is something that the preemies learn before their full-term peers, mainly because they have been exposed to the language for a longer period of time. However, some preemies (with their respective developmental issues) may have issues communicating well.
3. When do Preemie Babies Learn to Walk?
There is a lot of difference between full term babies and preemies when it comes to reaching the milestone such as learning to walk. A preemie that is healthy and stayed at the NICU without any long-term health problems will walk according to the standard developmental milestones given below: Such as:
6-9 months
By 6-9 months, a preemie should be easily able to stand up when supported by the parent or holding some furniture piece.
10-12 months
By this time a preemie should be able to pull up on some furniture, crib rail to a standing position.
13-18 months
Preemie should be able to walk without any support and hold his heels properly on the floor.
Preemie babies may experience certain development related problems in the initial years. Most of these difficulties can be set right with proper medical attention. Read more
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
5 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
35 mins ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
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