We Saw Dozens of Hummingbirds after Hurricane - Gardening and Hobby 20

Fig 01- Hummingbird flies near a feeder

Our state, Louisiana has two hummingbird migration visits every year:

- Spring migration

- Fall migration.

We saw dozens of hummingbirds visit our backyard after hurricane Ida. It is might be Fall migration.

About hurricane Ida hit our areas have been posted previously:

- Hurricane Ida Debris Piles in the Neighborhood

As reported by Baton Rouge Audubon Society (2021), we may find the following species of hummingbirds in our city or neighborhood:

- Anna's

- Allen's

- Buff bellied

- Calliope

- Black chinned

- Broad tailed

Fig 02- A little hummingbird

Fig 03- A hummingbird flies around

In normal time, we always see two beautiful species of hummingbirds in our backyard:

- Rufous

- Ruby throat

Some of our neighbors said that they saw at least 6 species of hummingbirds visited to our neighborhood every year. It is included very rare species called as:

- broad billed

How many species of humming have you ever seen?

# Previous postings:

- Will We Have Hantavirus Outbreaks or Pandemic? - Virus 6

- The Fastest Test for Covid-19 with 5 Minutes Result - Virus 7

- Did you Go to Groceries During Self Quarantine Periods? - Virus 8

- Is Herd Immunity without Vaccine the Worst Strategy? - Virus 9

- Should We Get Covid-19 Antibody Test to Avoid Lock-down? - Virus 10 

A Low Carbohydrate Food – Diabetes 26

Fried rice with low calories

Many grains in the commercial markets are considered as high calories diet. These grains include:

- rice
- wheat
- oats

As suggested by Butler, N (MedicalNewsToday, 2018) that American should consume 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day.

About 1,100 calories must come from carbs which equal to 275 gram carbohydrates per day.

However, diabetes patients should eat much lower calories contents of foods, it is about 1,200 to 1,600 calories per day.

Since rice is one of higher calories foods, and should be avoided or limited, hence, unfortunate for many million of diabetic people around the globe, especially diabetic patients from Asian countries who eat rice as main source of energy.

Wild fruit, illustration only.

Sure, food intake management could be done to make blood sugar level under control.

Bird Eye is a brand well known for freezing foods in the package. The brand is own by several companies now:

- Conagra Brands (United States)
- Nomad Foods (Europe)
- Simplot (Australia)

The brand then develop called a “cauliflower rice” which contain:

- low carbohydrates
- high fiber
- antioxidants
- vitamins

Its may be alternative to real rice, and good for diabetic people.

# Previous postings:

- What is Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 1
- What is the Relationship between Eggs and Diabetes? - Diabetes 2
- Why Pancreas of Type 2 Diabetic Persons Produce Less Insulin? - Diabetes 3
- Could Medicines Affect on Pancreas to Produce Insulin? - Diabetes 4
- Effect of Metabolic on Beta Cells in the Pancreas - Diabetes 5

Hurricane Ida Debris Piles in the Neighborhood

Fig 01- Debris on roadside and grass

As you might know that Hurricane Ida just hit Louisiana about 11 days ago, then travel to several states in the USA.

In addition to our state, other states hit by Ida include:

- Mississippi

- Alabama

- Pennsylvania

- New Jersey

- New York

Economic lost was estimated about US$ 95 billion due to this hurricane, and recorded as one of costliest hurricanes in the USA.

Death toll was estimated at least 60 people, and might be rises after counting process is finished.

Our neighborhood in Baton Rouge, LA was hit hard by this hurricane. Leaves and branches scattered everywhere.

Fig 02- A tree fall down

Fig 03- Branches and leaves scatter on the road

Fig 04- A falling tree and branches in the neighborhood.

Neighbors did do hard work to collect debris, then pile its on the:

- sides of curb (drainage)

- grass

- yard

No, we can not put our debris on the street, it is because debris will block traffics, and in many cases can cause damage to passing cars.

Unfortunately, we didn’t know when trucks will pick our debris, it will leave dead grass patches.

Hope, everything goes well in coming days.

# Previous postings:

- How to Know Someone Infected by Wuhan Virus? - Virus 1

- Is there Affordable Kit to Detect Corona Virus? - Virus 2

- Older, Men and Preexisting conditions are Vulnerable to Covid-19 – Virus 3

- When Will Vaccine for Covid-19 Available? - Virus 4

- Homemade Face Masks to Combat Spread of Covid-19 – Virus 5 

What is a Fiber Painting or Fiber Art? - Art 2

Fig 01- A beautiful bird with crown.

I just saw from a distance that there is “paintings” exhibition in the library. When I approach, a notice said: “An exhibition of mixed media fiber art.”

What? What is Fiber Painting or Fiber Art Means?

I know about fiber arts and watch about it several times in the TV, but I never see in personal of fiber painting.

I tried to search in google about fiber art and fiber painting. I got some information about a fiber, fiber art and fiber painting.

Two type of fibers, natural and man made fibers. Most known natural fibers are:

- Linen

- Cotton

- Wool

- Silk

Fiber art is fine art which utilized fiber (either natural or man made) to form any kinds of arts.

Fig 02- Several types of guitars

Fiber painting is painting which using techniques of sewing, weaving, stitching, dyeing and other traditional techniques to create any style of painting.

Fig 03- Diving activities

Some examples of synthetic fibers are following:

- Spandex

- Acrylic

- Polyester

- Nylon

- Rayon

- Polyethylene

Fig 04- Several fiber paintings are hanging on the wall

The base materials for fiber paintings could be laces, trim, threads and yard. The results like other painting, then, hanging on the wall.

I think fiber paintings are great, no different with painting as I know. They are so beautiful. Highly aesthetic values.

Like other paintings, fiber paintings have style too. They are grouped based on such as concepts, medium and techniques.

This kind of painting is getting broader audiences recently, because this art form are:

- Easy to understand

- Using familiar stuffs

- Techniques are moderate, not difficult

Do you know about “fiber painting?”

Have You Tried Jalapeno Cheese Poppers? - Food Variety 14

Fig 01- Jalapeno chili, sold in many groceries.

You might know Jalapeno, Capsicum annuum, quite hot spicy for me, but medium compared to other chilies for many people.

Some hotter chilies than Jalapeno:

- Serrano
- Red Habanero
- Cayenne peppers

Almost all groceries across USA sell Jalapeno with reasonable price

I always see this pepper and used it for cooking while peppers in green color.

They could turn red when ripen. Both red and green can be eaten.

The red is less spicy and grassy.

Sure, Jalapeno has several health benefits, the most important one that Jalapeno may be used for migraine relief due to it contains the capsaicin.

Other health benefits are anti inflammatory, improve our immune system and improve our nervous system.

Research has been done to use Jalapeno as an anti cancer drug.

Fig 02- Spicy vegetable for illustration

Fig 03- Jalapeno cheese poppers

We just went to a grocery, and the first time, we noticed a Jalapeno Cheese Popper.

We bought several of poppers to try their taste.

Since I like cheese, the taste of poppers is not bad, a quite delicious.

It seems that chef uses cheddar cheese inside poppers. I think the cheddar cheese is quite sharper.

Fine shred of cheddar was fit in the hallow of a half jalapeno chili, and then insert inside popper. Cheese makes smell delicious.

Have you tried Jalapeno Cheese Poppers?

Could Consume Mushroom Reduce Cancer Risk?

Fig 01- Simple Cooked mushroom ready to consume

Mushroom is one of luxury foods in some developing countries, because its supply depend on nature.

Yes, many of them have picked mushroom from areas such as:

- forest

- rice fields

- yards

- farming areas

Here, in America, We may find mushroom in almost groceries with reasonable price.

USA is included as one of the top world’s mushroom producers. Top 4 world producers are:

- China (5.1 million metric ton)

- Italy (785 thousand metric ton)

- USA (388 thousand metric ton)

- Netherland (307 thousand metric ton)

Fig 02- Sliced mushroom in the small plate

Fig 03- Fresh mushroom in the bowl

Fig 04- Enoki is one of mushroom variety

Good news that If you mushroom lover, then you have lower risk to get cancer diseases.

As reported by Penn State News (written by Tracy cox, April 21, 2021) that who consume mushroom daily could reduce their cancer risk by about 45%.

The conclusion is made by Pennsylvania State University, after observing the following data:

- 17 cancer studies from 1966 to 2020.

- 19,500 cancer patients.

How often do you consume mushroom?

Daily, weekly or monthly?

Wild Berries Grow Well in Our Backyard - Food Variety 13

Fig 01- A single wild red berry

At least, we have 3 kinds of wild berries grow well and produce fruit in our backyard every year:

- two red berries
- one is blackberry.

One of red is ground berry, another red berry climbs the fences.

All of three photos in this post are ground red berries, presumably has a scientific name Rubus sp.

The size and form (shape) as small as blackberry.

My ground wild red berry has no taste (fairly to say is tasteless).

Some people said, the berry is good for jam, jelly and alcohol drink.

It is believed the wild red berry contains manganese and have a lot of health benefits. Some of them are:

- good for bone health
- metabolism improvement
- has antioxidant effects.

Fig 02- Three wild red berries

Fig 03- Two wild red berries on the ground

The berry also rich in vitamins C and K. Vitamin C is needed for repairmen and development of our body tissues.

We might know that Vitamin C could improve the immune system too.

Moreover, the Vitamin that makes protein for “normal blood clotting” and healthy bones (together with manganese) is Vitamin K.

This vitamin is an essential vitamin for wound healing.

What kind of wild berries do you know?