Green Cleaning

Cleaning will definitely never make my list of favorite pastimes. I hope this could be the case for many others too.But to me the worst part about cleaning is the cleaning product companies that constantly bombard us with ads of the latest chemical filled products. The worst are the ones that try to sugar coat the chemicals by adding one natural ingredient or pine smell. Their packages may be eye catchingly bright, but underneath the usually long list of chemicals and additives are the not so eye catching warnings. The plain truth is commercial cleaning products are packed with chemicals that are bad for our bodies and horrible for the oceans. Using only lemon, baking soda and vinegar, you can clean almost anything in your home while saving money, your health, and the environment!

USES FOR LEMON

Lemons are acidic, using lemons adds antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is also a natural bleaching agent, use it for:

• dissolving soap scum and hard water deposits
• clean & shine brass and copper with lemon juice. A lemon cut in half and dipped in salt is good for cleaning spots off copper fixtures
• put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal to freshen the drain and kitchen
• pour lemon juice on white linens & clothes and allow them to dry in the sun to bleach away stains 

USES FOR VINEGAR

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer and is a great all purpose cleaner, on anything but marble. The strong smell will disappear when it dries. Use it by:

• mix 1 part water to 1 part vinegar for an all purpose cleaner that you can use on the stove, appliances, & counter tops, stone and brick surfaces
• add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener
• pour vinegar around the inside rim of the toilet bowl and scrub to get rid of rings
• mop the flour in the bathroom with a vinegar diluted with water
• add a couple teaspoons to a spray bottle filled with water for window cleaner

BAKING SODA                                                                                         Baking soda is abrasive cleanser that is excellent at dissolving dirt, mildew, grease, and even wax. It also acts as a natural deodorizer, use it for:

• paste, baking soda is great for removing dirt and grime
• 4 tablespoons baking mixed with 1 quart warm water and shaken makes a great all purpose spray you can use on anything from the bathtub to the fridge
• add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle instead of fabric softeners as well as help remove odors from clothes.
• wet stains on the oven and then shake baking soda over them, scrub with steel wool and watch even old rust stains disappear
• place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odor
• sprinkle it your carpet before vacuuming to eliminate food and pet odors.
• neutralize food and cat litter odors by sprinkling it at the bottom of the garbage and litter box
• use it to clean and polish metals and plastics

COMBINATION POWER
Lemon juice mixed with vinegar and or baking soda make great cleaning pastes. A lemon cut in half and sprinkled with baking soda makes a great abrasive cleaner you can use to scrub stubborn dishes, surfaces, and stains

• Pour ½ cup baking soda down drain, add ½ cup white vinegar, and cover the drain. Wait 15 minutes and then pour 1 gallon of hot water down the drain to get rid of build up.
• make a super toilet cleaner with ¼ cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour it into toilet and let sit for 5 min. before scrubbing with a brush
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda with 2 Tablespoons of Borax mixed together can replace automatic dishwasher detergent.
• 1 cup olive oil blended with ½ cup lemon juice makes a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.

Life Of Lord BodhiDharman

For those who raise questions about my usage of "Lord" prefix to Bodhidharman name,the Answer comes from Hinduism religion.Yes, the Creator of "Buddism",Lord Gautama Buddha,Himself was born in an "Hindu"King's Family and I'm of a firm belief that he had formulated the Principles and Laws based on the "Hinduism"vedas.This can be proved  Quoting various quotes from a lots of ancient Books and Observations.One such Valid example would be that the arrival of "Lord Buddha" on the Hindu Sacred place of "Kasi" or "Varanasi".It was mentioned in many ancient books that "Gautama Buddha" has visited this Holy place and Prayed "Lord Visveshwarar" several times under several occassions in kasi.
O.k. This may get slightly bending away from my today's BlogPost ,but i just want to point you an fact here.

I wished to share about legends from India and so I have chose to "Lord Bodhidharman" as he is an "Tamilian"too.By now,many of you might have learnt something about the Life of "Lord Bodhidharman".There may be some myths or truths behind them.But ,below here, I have given Authentic informations which I've collected from Internet and confirmed thro' some Authentic Books on "Lord BodhiDharman".
I have highlighted a few important notes and facts for your convenience sake.I'm feeling very Happy on sharing on my blog and Plz do have the same while you share this with others too.

Lord Bodhidharma was the 28th patriarch of Buddhism (28th direct descendant of the historical Buddha) and the first patriarch of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism. He was an enlightened master who introduced Chan Buddhism to China and is known as the founding father of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Born as a prince in the southern Indian kingdom of Pallava at around 440 A.D., .He was born in Kanchipuram near Chennai in Tamil nadu,India.His real name was "Bodhitara", which was changed to "Bodhidharma"by His Guru,Prajnatara.

Bodhidharma was to follow in his father’s footsteps as king. In the midst of his education and training, Bodhidharma encountered the Buddha’s teachings. He immediately saw the truth in the doctrine of Buddhism and decided to give up his esteemed position and gifted princely life to become a monk and study with the legendary Buddhist master Prajnatara who was the 27th patriarch of Buddhism. Bodhidharma rapidly progressed in his Buddhist studies and in time became an enlightened master. Master Prajnatara instructed his disciple to travel to China and spread the Mahayana teachings of Chan Buddhism to the Chinese.

Lord Bodhidharma set off on his quest and after a brutal trek over Tibet's Himalayan Mountains, surviving both the extreme elements and treacherous bandits he finally arrived in China around 520 A.D. Upon the invitation of Emperor Liang Wu Ti, Bodhidharma went to Nanjing.
Emperor Wu Ti, a devout Buddhist himself, requested an audience with Bodhidharma.

The emperor was very fond of Buddhism and often wore Buddhist garments, ate vegetarian food and recited Buddhist prayers. Proud of his knowledge and contributions he had made towards the spreading of Buddhism, the emperor asked Bodhidharma

“Since I came to the throne, I have built many temples, published numerous scriptures and supported countless monks and nuns. How great is the merit in my deeds?”

“There is no merit in your deeds”,  replied Bodhidharma.

The emperor was confused and angered by his remark. He had failed to understand Bodhidharma’s statement, which meant that one is not really practicing the dharma (Buddha’s teachings) if one does good deeds only for selfish reasons. In the emperor’s case his actions were done for the intention of gaining fame and praise. Lord Bodhidharma was explaining that the self-centered desire and craving for merit and praise changed the nature of the emperor’s deeds.

After the conversation between the emperor and Bodhidharma, which was mutually unsatisfactory, Bodhidharma left the palace, crossed the Yang Rivertze, and continued north until he arrived at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.He was travelling across the River Yang using an "Reed",making people to believe that He is beyond what they had thought about Him.
Below is a portrait of "Lord Bodhidharman",travelling in a 'Reed',while crossing river Yang in China. 

When Bodhidharma saw the monks at the Shaolin Temple, he noticed that they were spiritually strong but physically weak due to long-term meditation practice. Bodhidharma informed them that he would teach them to cultivate their minds and bodies by a two-part program of meditation and physical training.

Legend has it that Bodhidharma meditated in a cave nearby, facing the wall for 9 years in seclusion. Upon reemerging, Bodhidharma created an efficient exercise program for the Shaolin monks that strengthened the body, and enabled application in self-defense. He developed a system of 18 dynamic tension exercises. These movements are known as the Yi Jin Jing, or Changing Muscle/Tendon Classic.

We know this system today as the 18 Lohan Qi Qong Movements - the basis of Shaolin Kung Fu. Through his teachings, the Shaolin Monks forged and developed over the centuries, what is today the most advanced and complete martial arts system the world has ever known. It was also said that"Lord Bodhidharma"was preaching "Indian Sutras",tranlated in chinese to his Disciples in China.This is also one of the reason,why I have been mentioning "Bodhidharman" as "Lord".
In Japan,he was called by name,"Taishi Daruma".He was the creator of many form of martial arts that has been existing in various countries in south-east asia.
More Myths Surrounds over the  last day of "Lord Bodhidharman".Many say he was said to have attained "Moksha",while on meditation and "His Soul" was disappeared and merged with the Air right in His Cave itself.

There's an interesting legend that 3 years after Bodhidharman died he met a Chinese official in central Asia. According to the legend, he told the official he was retuning to India and carrying a single shoe. The resulting controversy caused the monks to open Daruma's grave where only a single shoe was found. Whatever the actual facts are, this led to yet another popular depiction of Daruma as travelling with a single show in toe, as in the Qing Dynasty figure on the right.

The contributions Bodhidharma has made to the spreading of Buddhism in China and beyond are immeasurable. The Mahayana teaching of Chan Buddhism was quickly assimilated into Chinese culture and began to spread throughout the country. In the 12th century, Chan Buddhism spread to Japan and then in Korea. Today Chan Buddhism is strong and flourishing in countries all over the world.

Here, I would like to mention our legendary "Lord Bodhi Dharman" has travelled to many countries by walk ,as this is the mode of communication for most of the "sages" in the past,unlike our present age fraudulent "Godmans",who were always seen flying only thro' flights or cars for their "vijayams" or visits.O.K,I'm diverting away from our subject.Lord Bodhidharman has travelled several miles past India toVietnam,Thailand,Japan and Burma before he settles down in China to preach his preachings on Zen Buddhism.

Bodhi Dharman Quotes & Teachings:

The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger and delusion. ~ Bodhi Dharma

Buddha means awareness, the awareness of body and mind that prevents evil from arising in either. ~ Bodhi Dharman

If you use your mind to study reality, you won't understand either your mind or reality. If you study reality without using your mind, you'll understand both. ~ Bodhidharma

A Buddha is someone who finds freedom in good fortune and bad. ~ Bodhidharma

All the suffering and joy we experience depend on conditions. ~ Bodhi Dharman

so far I have shared some valid and known facts on the Life of "Lord Bodhidharman",who hailed from our very own country,India.When it comes upon knowing he is an Indian by origin,it just makes us all feel up above the "sky",isn't it?.So,be proud and Happy to share about this "Legendary Hero" with ur friends and families.By this way we shall pay our Belated Tribute to our  Legend "Lord Bodhidharman".

Calories Count Chart

In Today's World , Obesity has been a Huge problem for many of them who has crossed above 45 years.Though there has been several Researches going on to Cure this Growing problem.Still people find it hard to tackle this problem.But the Best way of tackling this problem comes from ourself itself.Yes, By

1.Proper Food management - Achieved by Intaking Proper Nutritious and Diet food,

2.Relaxation - Relaxed Both Physically and Mentally-Through Good Sleep and Yoga,

3.Exercise - Exercising Simple Exercises and Jogging or Morning Walk.

As the last two ways can be achieved by anyone right from their home and on their own way itself,but many fails with the first one of Proper Food management.This can only be achieved when the Nutritious Food is intake with the right knowledge of the Calorie value i.e.calories present in it.Most of the people doesn't know how many calories they should intake everyday.The amount of calories intake for various sets of people is given below here,

For a person who practices 30 minutes or less of moderate physical activity, the number of calories that they should eat
Children--------2-3 years old 1000 calories
Children--------4-8 years old 1200-1400 calories
Girls-------------9-13 years old 1600 calories
Boys------------9-13 years old 1800 calories
Girls------------14-18 years old 1800 calories
Boys-----------14-18 years old 2200 calories
Females-------19-30 years old 2000 calories
Males----------19-30 years old 2400 calories
Females-------31-50 years old 1800 calories
Males----------31-50 years old 2200 calories
Females-------51+ years old 1600 calories
Males----------51+ years old 2000 calories

For a person who practices 30 minutes to at least 60 minutes or more of moderate physical activity, the number of calories that they should eat:
Children--------2-3 years old 1000-1400 calories
Children--------4-8 years old 1400-1800 calories
Girls-------------9-13 years old 1600-2200 calories
Boys-------------9-13 years old 1800-2600 calories
Girls------------14-18 years old 2000-2400 calories
Boys------------14-18 years old 2400-3200 calories
Females-------19-30 years old 2000-2400 calories
Males----------19-30 years old 2600-3000 calories
Females-------31-50 years old 2000-2200 calories
Males----------31-50 years old 2400-3000 calories
Females-------50+ years old 1800-2200 calories
Males----------50+ years old 2200-2800 calories

Ok,now the calories needed for everyday is done, How come i shall know that I have achieved within this range?I can able to understand people raising questions on this.For those who needs to know about the calories of food they intake everyday from various essential Food Items that we intake everyday are Listed below.Now,take a really good look for Your Proper Food management Scheme.Here you go:

1. Apple, medium: 72

2.Banana, medium: 105

3.Bread (one slice, wheat or white): 66
 
4.Butter (salted, 1 tablespoon): 102

5.Carrots (raw, 1 cup): 52

6.Chicken breast (boneless, skinless, roasted, 3 ounces): 142

7.Coffee (regular, brewed from grounds, black): 2

8. Cola (12 ounces): 136

9.Corn (canned, sweet yellow whole kernel, drained, 1 cup): 180

10.Egg (large, scrambled): 102

11.Green beans (canned, drained, 1 cup): 40

12.Ice cream (vanilla, 4 ounces): 145

13. Ketchup (1 tablespoon): 15

14.Milk (2 percent milk fat, 8 ounces): 122

15.Mixed nuts (dry roasted, with peanuts, salted, 1 ounce): 168

16.Mustard, yellow (2 teaspoons): 6

17.Oatmeal (plain, cooked in water without salt, 1 cup): 147

18.Orange juice (frozen concentrate, made with water, 8 ounces): 112

19.Pizza (pepperoni, regular crust, one slice): 298

20.Pork chop (center rib, boneless, broiled, 3 ounces): 221

21.Potato, medium (baked, including skin): 161

22.Potato chips (plain, salted, 1 ounce): 155

23.Raisins (1.5 ounces): 130

24.Rice (white, long grain, cooked, 1 cup): 205 (This is getting too much,oh...no.)

25.Shrimp or Larger Prawn (cooked under moist heat, 3 ounces): 84