The Butterfly Milkweed Plants - Gardening and Hobby 31

The milkweed plants belong to the genus of Asclepias which have plenty species, about 140 kind of plants.

Fig 01- Butterfly milkweed plants.

The 140 species of milkweed plants are found mainly in the areas of North America, Africa and South America.

I have known just two species grow beautifully in our neighborhood, Baton Rouge, LA: Common butterfly milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Mexican, also well known as Tropical butterfly milkweed (Asclepias curassivica)

As reported by USDA (2023: Which Milkweeds Do Monarch Butterflies Prefer?) that the Common butterfly milkweed plant is preferred by Monarch butterfly to lay their eggs.

Fig 02- Unidentified butterfly, illustration

However, we always find Monarch butterfly drinking nectar of Mexican (tropical) milkweed flowers in our neighborhood areas during Spring times.

Wisconsin Horticulture (2023: Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias currasavica) suggested that Monarch butterfly prefer Mexican Milkweed than other Milkweed plants in Wisconsin state areas.

Fig 03- A Monarch butterfly landing on the Milkweed flower

Do you recognize both Common butterfly milkweed and Mexican (Tropical) butterfly milkweed? What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 1 | Tanza

- Land Snail in the Garden – Critter 8 | Tanza Erlambang

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Ornamental Fish for Pond in the Garden – Critter 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Slow Cat Crossing in Neighborhood – Sign 13 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Drug, Smoke and Alcohol Free Campus – Sign 40

We posted the sign of firearms free zone, then a sign about homeless and drug addiction in our city, Baton Rouge, LA.

Fig 01- The sign of Drug, Smoke and Alcohol Free campus.

You may read the previous signs:

- Firearms Free Zone – Sign 12 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A couple days ago, we found the sign of Drug, Smoke and Alcohol Free Campus hang on the side wall of our city community college entrance. The campus has about 8,500 students enrollment in recent years.

What make me wonder is the word “smoke!”. Is it a problem for young generation in our state or America?

Fig 02- Flowers, just illustration

Louisiana is the third higher rate of smoking in the USA. National smoking rate is 15.5%.

The top 3 states with higher smoking rate for adults in 2023:

1) West Virginia, 23.8%

2) Kentucky, 23.6%

3) Louisiana, 21.9%

Fig 03- The sign of a weapon free zone.

Louisiana state government prohibits smoking on properties belong to the state since 2014, then revised in 2015.

# Previous postings:

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Land Snail in the Garden – Critter 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Ornamental Fish for Pond in the Garden – Critter 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Reasons Your Dogs have Eaten Grass – Part 1

We might wonder why a dog eating grass, is it just natural or habit? The answer, actually is yes and no. Yes, it is just a dog habit or its natural behaviors, happen to every dogs, if dogs just eat here and there while they are going out.

Fig 01- A dog is eating grasslands.

As suggested by Jaime Milan (2022: Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Is This Normal?) that if a dog eats grass a lot, then it is signs of nutrients deficiency and even medical problems.

There are several reasons why dogs eat grass, they are:

- stressed, bored, sick

- nutritional deficiency such as fiber.

- treating intestinal worms

- improve digestion

Fig 02- Magnolia, illustration only

How about if dogs eat grass and sometimes followed by vomiting?

PetCheck (2020: Why Do Dogs Eat Grass and Vomit?) recommend:”If she vomits a lot—more than just once after eating grass—or she is having watery, frequent diarrhea, it’s time to schedule a vet visit.”

Fig 03- A nice dog on the street

Since eating grass is bad signs for dogs, it is suggested to find good ways to avoid dog from eating grass. Then, how?

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Firearms Free Zone – Sign 12 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Land Snail in the Garden – Critter 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

List of Foods with Low Glycemic Index – Diabetes 30

We talked about important of Low Glycemic Index (GI) for diabetes patients. Index may relate to spike of blood sugar level when eating certain foods. The index has scale from 0 to 100.

Fig 01- The long bean in the grocery

You may read the previous post about Low Glycemic Index: Why is Low Glycemic Index Important? - Diabetes 29 | Tanza

Then we might wonder about which foods have Low Glycemic Index. As suggested by Mayo Clinic (2023: Low-glycemic index diet: What's behind the claims?), there are 3 levels of index scales:

- low Glycemic Index, scale between 1 to 55

- medium Glycemic Index, scale between 56 to 69.

- high Glycemic Index, scale between 70 to 100

Fig 02- Broccoli, Low Glycemic Index

# Posting about diabetes:

- Effect of Metabolic on Beta Cells in the Pancreas - Diabetes 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- How Lipotoxicity Relate to Diabetes? - Diabetes 6 |

- What is Hypoxia and How Its Relates to Diabetes? - Diabetes 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Can Abnormal Blood Sugar Lead to Seizure? - Diabetes 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03- Cassava, Low Glycemic Index

Some examples of foods based on their Glycemic Index (GI) levels

1) Low GI levels include:

- most fruit, peas, beans and green vegetables

2) Medium GI levels may include:

- multigrain, whole-grain, corn, pineapple and bananas

3) High GI levels are:

- white bread and white rice

Fig 04- Corn, medium Glycemic Index

# Previous postings:

- Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only? |

- Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Rattan End Products Sold in the USA Market |

Even Pharaoh Died due to Virus – Part 1 - Virus 41

We may know the deadly disease called as a smallpox. The disease date back to thousand years ago, about in the timelines of ancient Egypt Pharaoh authorities.

Fig 01- Pharaoh, Ramses V (credit to Google).

Two well known viruses caused smallpox diseases, they are:

- Variola major

- Variola minor

One of very famous historical figures of ancient Egypt Pharaoh, Ramses V died due to smallpox.

He was the pharaoh of 19^th dynasty, ruled Egypt in the short time, from 1150 to 1145 BCE, just 5 years.

You might be wonder: How do we know the caused of Ramses V dead?

Fig 02- A mini garden, illustration only

As reported by World Health Organization (WHO, May 1980) that after Ramses V mummy discovered in 1898, scientists have known the caused of pharaoh died.

The lesions on Ramses V face indicated acute illness due to a smallpox disease at very young age.

Fig 03- Fruit, illustration only

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Social Range in the Bird of Guinean Cock of the Rock | Tanza Erlambang Update

- We Have Seen Jumping Worms in Louisiana – Critter 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Sign of Lower Inflation – Sign 39

In fact, inflation rate drops from the highest ever, 9% to about 6% in the USA recently, and we have found the food prices in the groceries are little bit lower compared to several months ago.

Fig 01- Sign of happy shopping.

Increasing price of eggs not only due to inflation but also diseases, then “millions of hens are slaughtered due to bird flu:”

- Crisis of Chicken’s meat and Eggs – Sign 31 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Egg prices reached peak at US$ 11.09 per 18 count of eggs in January, 2023. Nowadays, we just buy about US$ 4.34 per 18 count of eggs.

Chicken egg price drops so much at almost all food stores in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We pay less than a half price compared to two months ago, and might be much lower in near future.

Fig 02- Colorful signs

We show some “inviting” signs for shopping from malls, supermarket and shopping centers in our city currently.

Fig 03- Three colors signs

Other items such as clothes, furniture, and even rental apartments getting lower and lower prices.

Fig 04- The Towne Center, Happy shopping

How about with your areas? Do you experience with lower price of goods and services?

# Previous postings:

- Social Range in the Bird of Guinean Cock of the Rock | Tanza Erlambang Update

- We Have Seen Jumping Worms in Louisiana – Critter 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 2 - Food Variety 29

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 1 - Food Variety 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Single candy is wrapped in the special plastic

As suggests by many recently “medical” reports that Pecan nuts are believed to have some health benefits (WebMD Editorial Contributors, 2022: Health Benefits of Pecans):

- anti-oxidants to lower hearth diseases risk

- lower risk of cancer

- anti-inflammatory

- to get better digestion

- boosts immunity

Fig 02- Pecan candies, ready to be wrapped

Pecan candy means candy with pecans (nuts) inside. Pecan nuts are cooked and stirred with:

- brown sugar and white sugar

- milk and butter

One of our neighbors sell homemade Pecan candies. We have software application called “next door” to communicate and posting relevant neighborhood issues.

We may order candies through online with bargaining prices and even ask for free. Wonderful neighborhood.

Fig 03- Special pecan candies, sold in the groceries

Have you tasted Pecan candies

# Previous postings:

- Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Free Meal Register for Students in Our City – Sign 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Green Lizard on the Window Screen – Critter 6 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- High Occupancy Vehicle Parking Only - Sign 10 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Social Range in the Bird of Guinean Cock of the Rock | Tanza Erlambang Update