TRUE HAPPINESS !!!

When we were living in Chennai, we resided in T.Nagar for many years and then shifted to Anna Nagar after constructing our house. 

However, my wife and I used to go to Pondy Bazaar in T.Nagar for shopping since we were acquainted with many shops there. 

After our shopping, we always visited Balaji Bhavan for tiffin. We used to share all the items so that we had variety and also the cost was less. 

Sometime back, after we finished our meal, I was given a bill for Rs.80/.  I gave an Rs.100/ note at the counter. To my surprise, he returned Rs.420/, assuming that I had given him an Rs.500 note. 

Jovially, I asked him whether he was paid a good salary. He was also surprised. When I told him that he had given me Rs.400/ in excess, he was so happy and said that his salary would be deducted for the shortage. I was also happy. But I didn't know whether his happiness was more or mine.

STOMACH BLOATING.

Stomach bloating is the physical sensation of your abdomen feeling full, tight, or swollen. It often goes hand-in-hand with abdominal distension—a visible or measurable increase in belly size. 

While occasional bloating is a normal part of digestion, understanding its meaning requires looking at the common causes and when to seek advice. 

Key Factors and Meanings:

Excess Gas: 

The most common cause is gas buildup in the digestive tract, usually from swallowing air or the breakdown of undigested carbohydrates by colon bacteria.

Digestive Issues: 

Conditions like constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can cause food and gas to linger, triggering a bloated sensation. 

Food Intolerances: 

Difficulty digesting certain ingredients (like lactose in dairy or gluten) causes fermentation, leading to gas and discomfort. 

Hormonal Fluctuations: 

Many people experience bloating during menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause due to estrogen-related water retention and slower digestion.

Heightened Sensitivity: 

Some people feel bloated even with normal gas levels, which is often linked to gut-brain neural pathways in conditions like IBS.

Managing Bloating:

Mild, occasional bloating can usually be managed at home through simple adjustments:

Dietary Changes: 

Eat smaller meals, chew slowly to avoid swallowing air, and reduce consumption of gas-producing or carbonated foods.

Hydration & Fiber: 

Drinking plenty of water and gradually increasing fiber intake can help resolve constipation-related bloating.

Physical Activity: 

Light exercise and walking can help stimulate bowel movements and release trapped gas. 

When to See a Doctor:

While bloating is usually harmless, you should consult a healthcare provider if the bloating is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by red-flag symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fever, or blood in your stool, you can reach out to consult with a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist.

Google.

Points to ponder !!!!

“The one good thing about problems is that they will still be problems later. We don't have to deal with them again. It's the ifs and buts that make life livable."

Atoms on gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that dramatically suppress reactions with oxygen to avoid rusting.

The Phrase "caught pink-handed" comes from anti-corruption raids where officials use phenolphthalein powder on currency notes to trap bribe-takers. When the accused touches the tainted cash and dips their hands in a sodium carbonate solution, the liquid turns bright pink, proving contact with the money.

A Zero Shadow Day is a rare astronomical event when the Sun is positioned exactly above our heads at noon, due to which we don't see any shadows of vertical objects on the ground. It happens twice a year for regions located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

A woman has given birth to rare quintuplets in Ethiopia after 12 years of trying for a baby. The

35-year-old delivered four boys and a girl, all of whom are in "full health", the hospital said. A doctor told BBC she conceived naturally, without aid of IVF. The global incidence of quintuplet pregnancies is 1 in about 55 million births.

The Sun, a medium-sized star with a radius of about 700,000 km, can fit roughly 1.3 million Earths by volume. Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, can hold over 1,300 Earths. Saturn can fit more than 700 Earths. Uranus holds about 63 Earths, while Neptune can accommodate around 57-58 Earths.

We visit several foreign countries without knowing the people, the culture, the language, the lifestyle, the food, the places or anything. We wonder with awe the tall buildings and the richness. Have we ever thought about visiting a poor country like Congo, Kenya, Somalia or Sudan etc where people suffer? 

A research on mosquitoes has revealed that an odour compound called 1-octen-3-ol or 'mushroom alcohol', which is released from skin increases a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes within 10 meters.

ஐம்பது ரூபாய் சேமிக்க முப்பது நிமிடங்கள் நடந்த காலம் போய், முப்பது நிமிடங்கள் சேமிக்க ஐம்பது ரூபாய் செலழிக்கும் காலம் இது.

பேசும்போது சண்டை போட்டு பேசாமல் இருந்த காலம் போய், பேசினால் சண்டை  வரும் என்று பேசாமல் இருக்கும் காலம் இது.

WATER- The elixir of life !!!

Q: Why we dont get the same satisfaction that we get from water from other drinks?

A: Other drinks lack the true thirst-quenching ability of water because they contain solutes like sugar, sodium, or caffeine. 

Unlike water, these additives require the body to pull water out of its cells to process and digest them, which ultimately leaves you feeling more dehydrated. 

The lack of satisfaction from other drinks comes down to a few key biological and sensory differences: 

Cellular Osmosis: When you drink a beverage with high sugar or salt content, the concentration in your blood plasma rises. 

This causes water to flow out of your body's cells to balance out the solutes in your stomach, triggering the brain's thirst centers again. Water, on the other hand, is rapidly absorbed by the small intestine, dropping blood osmolarity and immediately turning off the brain's thirst drive. 

Neural Reward Systems: Research shows that the physical act of swallowing water activates specific sensory neurons in the brain that directly signal a reward, while your stomach monitors the drop in fluid concentration to fully satisfy the thirst. 

Sugary drinks target a different reward system entirely (dopamine/addiction), which tricks your brain into craving the flavor but doesn't resolve the physiological deficit in your tissues. 

The Sensation of "Mouthfeel": Cold water—or carbonated beverages—rapidly triggers the trigeminal nerve in your mouth. This sends an immediate, crisp signal of "relief" and hydration to the brain, which is far more physically refreshing than drinking thick, sweet, or room-temperature liquids. 

The "Processing" Demand: Liquids like fruit juices, sodas, or milk-based drinks contain fats and proteins that slow down digestion and require water for the body to metabolize, whereas plain water gets to work hydrating your cells immediately.

Hence the water is called the elixir of life.

What is Kuligai ?

Kuligai (also known as Gulikai) refers to a specific, recurring 1.5-hour period each day in Hindu astrology and the Panchangam (Hindu calendar). 

Ruled by Gulikan, the mythical son of Saturn (Shani), it is historically considered a "Time of Development".

The cultural and astrological meaning of Kuligai dictates what should be and should not be done during this time:

What to Do:

Because Kuligai is believed to make events "repeat" or "grow", it is considered highly auspicious for initiating positive, long-term actions, such as:

Purchasing gold, real estate, or vehicles.

Moving into a new house (Housewarming/Grihapravesham).

Repaying debts (so that the debts are quickly cleared).

Starting a new business venture or making important investments.

What to Avoid:

Conversely, actions or events that you do not want to see repeated or prolonged should be strictly avoided during Kuligai. Things to avoid include:

Funeral rites and ceremonies (to prevent more deaths in the family).

Borrowing or taking out loans (so that the debt doesn't multiply).

Clearing out or demolishing old structures.

Undergoing elective medical surgeries.

When Does It Occur?

Similar to Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam, Kuligai occurs every single day. The exact timing changes daily depending on the day of the week, typically spanning 90-minutes. To check exact daily timings, you can refer to Panchangam/Almanac. 

Who is responsible for our sufferings?

1. Our parents had many children believing more children more support.

2. They led a simple and contended life leading to savings and thrift.

3. They suffered to educate them and to provide them with everything.

4. Hence we reduced the number of our children to one or two.

5. We developed more attachment towards our children.

6. We preferred an independent life to bring up our children to our liking.

7. Though educated, our children also had a different approach to life like us.

8. Soon liberalization flooded the market with foreign goods.

9. Desire and greed developed for such products affecting the lifestyle.

10. Thrift and savings are ignored, comforts and luxuries are given importance.

11. More the need, more price, more expenditure, and more money needed.

12. Expenses increased sky high, resulting in loans, debts, and EMI.

13. Unethical ways of making more money led to corruption and bribe.

14  This led to inflation forcing the women to go for jobs to compensate.

15. Women claimed independence, empowerment, and liberation.

16  When both are educated and employed, stress developed leading to problems.

17. The senior citizens could not give them a helping hand, hence neglected.

18. They are crying, cursing and lamenting for reducing the number of children.

19. Now a simple and contented life with savings and thrift is just a dream.

20. Now tell me who is responsible for our sufferings?

IDLY UPMA !!!

Alfred Lord Tennyson said, " men may come, men may go, but I go on forever". 

So many new tiffins like poori, chapati, kurma, Barotta, naan, roti, raita etc, have come and gone but Idly is simple, delicious, healthy, cheap and everlasting. 

It is the poor man's delight and the rich man's favourite, and the patient's medicine. 

Idly is a food item known to Indians for over 700 years. Its original name was Intarika. 

The first mention of Idly in the Indian literature was in Kannada by Sri Sivakoti Achariyar in the epic "Vadaradane" 

The method of preparing Idly mentioned in literature was different from the present method. 

The present method is mentioned only in literature after 1250 AD. It is the method mentioned by the kings who ruled Indonesia says Food specialist Sri Akshaya in his work.

People prepare Idly Upma from the Idly cooked on the previous day. No other item will give you as much taste and satisfaction as that of Idly Upma made on the next day. 

I remember a scene in the movie "Surya Vamsam" where the rich father who visits his suffering daughter relishes the Idly Upma served by her and takes home some quantity for his wife also.

It is a pity that Indians who are so much associated with Idly when they are in India, totally forget our Idly and eat burritos, kesa Riya, enchiladas, tacos, carnitas, mole poblano, tamales, carne asada, chile Relleno, tilapia Veracruz, bacon, eggs scrambled, french toast, cinnamon rolls, etc., when they go overseas, which are not as healthy as Idly.

Courtesy: Tamil traditional foods.