Toxins in litchi kill children in Bihar

Scientists from the U.S. and India have found that consumption of litchi fruit and skipping evening meal can result in very low blood glucose level and acute encephalopathy including seizures and coma, and causes death in many cases.

Unexplained illness in children aged 15 years and younger in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, which claims many lives during an outbreak that occurs in May-June, has been solved. Scientists from the U.S. and India have found that consumption of litchi fruit and skipping evening meal can result in very low blood glucose level (less than 70 mg/dL) and acute encephalopathy including seizures and coma, and causes death in many cases. The results were published in the journal Lancet Global Health.

Children in Muzaffarpur frequently spend the day eating litchis and some skip the evening meal. Skipping evening meal, by itself results in low blood sugar levels during the night. This is particularly so in the case of young children as they have limited hepatic glycogen reserves. Hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), which are naturally present in litchi fruit, make the condition worse. The toxins block enzymes involved in normal glucose metabolism and this results in an inability to synthesis glucose leading to acutely low level of blood sugar. The build-up of other metabolic by-products could also have an adverse effect (encephalopathy) on the child. These two cause death in many children.

The study shows the modifying effect of skipping the evening meal on the impact of these toxins.

In 2013, scientists from Delhi’s National Centre for Disease Control, India (NCDC) and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started an investigation. The first focus of the team was to evaluate if the mysterious condition was due to an infectious cause or not. “Most of the children did not have fever. And on testing the spinal fluid we did not find elevated white blood cell count. These two indicated that it was less likely to be to an infectious cause. It gave us a clue that we should look at non-infectious causes,” recalls Dr. Padmini Srikantiah, Global Disease Detection Programme-India, CDC, Atlanta and the corresponding author of the paper.

With infectious causes ruled out and most sick children presenting with low blood glucose levels the team started investigating the role of toxins — exposure to pesticide, insecticide and heavy metals to name a few.

“In late 2013, CDC colleagues in Atlanta brought to our attention the well reported case of toxic hypoglycaemic syndrome in West Indies caused by hypoglycin A, a toxin found in ackee fruit, which is in the same family as litchi,” she says. “MCPG, which is a homologue had been detected in the seed of litchis, and was reported to cause low blood glucose in rats. So we started with a hypothesis.”

The 2014 outbreak allowed the scientists to investigate the role of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, besides hypoglycin A and MCPG in litchi fruits. “We heard over and over again from parents that their children were healthy and running around the day before, but presented with seizures and loss of consciousness in the early morning. Some people also said their children had skipped the evening meal the previous day [to illness],” says Dr. Srikantiah.
Over 62% sick children had blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dL. The median was 48 mg/dL and it was as low as 8 mg/dL.

Researchers compared 104 children with illness with similar number of controls. They found metabolites of hypoglycin A and MCPG in 66% (48 of 73 cases) of urine samples but none from the 15 controls. About 90% of children with illness showed severe disruption of fatty acid metabolism. In 36 litchi samples tested, hypoglycin A ranged from 12.4-152 microgram per gram and MCPG ranged from 45-220 microgram per gram. The level of hypoglycin A and MCPG was twice in unripe compared with ripe fruits.

“After our field investigation in July2013, we didn’t know the cause but we recommended dextrose therapy to children who were sick. The mortality fell from 44% in 2013 to 31% in 2014. So administration of dextrose to sick children is very important,” she says. Whether malnourishment and other factors also play a role merits further investigation.

“Our data supports a public health recommendation — minimising litchi consumption, eating evening meal throughout the outbreak period and implementing rapid glucose correction for suspected illness. These recommendations are specific to children in Muzaffarpur. ” she says. 

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Skipping breakfast can make you fatter

Skipping breakfast may increase your likelihood of overeating and eventually gaining weight, a new study has found.

Researchers found that eating breakfast, particularly meals rich in protein, increases young adults' levels of a brain chemical associated with feelings of reward, which may reduce food cravings and overeating later in the day.

Understanding the brain chemical and its role in food cravings could lead to improvements in obesity prevention and treatment, researchers said.

"Our research showed that people experience a dramatic decline in cravings for sweet foods when they eat breakfast," said Heather Leidy, an assistant professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri.

"However, breakfasts that are high in protein also reduced cravings for savoury - or high-fat - foods. On the other hand, if breakfast is skipped, these cravings continue to rise throughout the day," said Leidy.

Leidy studied the effects of different breakfasts on participants' levels of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in moderating impulses and reward, including food cravings. Dopamine levels were determined by measuring homovanillic acid (HVA), the main dopamine metabolite.

Eating initiates a release of dopamine, which stimulates feelings of food reward. The reward response is an important part of eating because it helps to regulate food intake, Leidy said.

"Dopamine levels are blunted in individuals who are overweight or obese, which means that it takes much more stimulation - or food - to elicit feelings of reward; we saw similar responses within breakfast-skippers," Leidy said.

"To counteract the tendencies to overeat and to prevent weight gain that occurs as a result of overeating, we tried to identify dietary behaviours that provide these feelings of reward while reducing cravings for high-fat foods. Eating breakfast, particularly a breakfast high in protein, seems to do that," Leidy said.

Participants in the study were young women with an average age of 19; however, Leidy said the findings may be generalised to a larger population of adults.

The research was published in the Nutrition Journal.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.








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11 Diet Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  Relying on Crash DietsDetermined to lose 10 pounds fast, you turn to a crash diet. Perhaps your plan calls for nothing but grapefruit or cabbage soup each day. You slash your daily calories to fewer than 1,000, and sure enough, the pounds melt away. But when you eat so few calories, you train your metabolism to slow down. Once the diet is over, you have a body that burns calories more slowly, and you usually regain the weight.

 Skipping Breakfast
Skipping breakfast seems like a simple way to cut calories, but it can make you hungry the rest of the day. This may lead to unplanned snacking at work and eating a super-sized portion at lunch, making calorie counts soar. But breakfasts that are high in protein and fiber can curb hunger throughout the day. In fact, studies show people who eat breakfast every morning are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

 Losing Track of Your Snacks
Maybe you count calories at every meal, but what about all those nibbles in between? There's the bag of pretzels at your desk, the little slice of cake at a party, the taste of your son's ice cream cone. All of this mindless munching adds up and could sabotage an otherwise well-planned diet. If you're serious about counting calories, you may want to use your smartphone or a notebook to keep track of each bite.
 

Not Snacking at All

While mindless snacking can pad your waistline, thoughtful snacking may do just the opposite. People who eat several small meals and snacks a day are more likely to control hunger and lose weight. Snacking helps keep your metabolism in high gear, especially if the snacks are protein-rich. Having a few nuts is a good, high-protein choice, and research suggests people who snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don't.
 

Loading Up on Low-Fat

Low-fat products can play an important role in your diet. Just remember that low-fat isn't the same as low-calorie, and it's not a license to take second and third helpings. If you pile your plate with low-fat cake, you may end up eating more calories than if you had a smaller slice of regular cake. The best way to know how much fat, sugar, and calories you're getting is to check the nutritional label.
 

Sipping Too Many Calories

When counting calories, many of us tend to overlook what's in our drinks. This is a big mistake when you consider that some fancy coffees and alcoholic beverages have more than 500 calories. Even the calories in fruit juice and soda can add up quickly. What's worse is that liquid calories don't curb hunger. You're not going to eat any less after a high-calorie drink.
 

Drinking Too Little Water

This is one of the simplest diet blunders to fix. Water is essential for burning calories. If you let yourself get dehydrated, your metabolism drags, and that means slower weight loss. Research suggests adults who drink eight or more glasses of water per day burn more calories than those who drink less. So try adding a glass of water to every meal and snack.
 

Ditching

Dairy-full-fatmilk, cheese, and ice cream are taboo for many dieters, but ditching dairy foods may be counterproductive. Some research suggests the body burns more fat when it gets enough calcium and produces more fat when it's calcium-deprived. Calcium supplements do not appear to yield the same benefits, so dairy may have other things going for it, too. Stick to nonfat or low-fat dairy 

Taking the Drive-Thru Bait

The drive-thru is convenient after a hectic day, and you can always order the salad or other healthier option. But once you're there, can you resist that milkshake or other treat? And if you allow yourself the ease of fast food once, it could become a habit. According to one long-term study, people who ate fast food more than twice a week gained 10 more pounds than those who had it less than once a week.

 Weighing Yourself Every Day
Weighing yourself daily is a recipe for frustration and doesn't yield useful information. It's more important to look for a long-term trend with weekly weigh-ins. If your goal is to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week, you'll be satisfied to see those full-pound drops when you step on the scale. The result is more motivating than the confusing swings that may accompany daily weigh-ins.
 

Setting Unrealistic Goals

Telling yourself you'll lose 20 pounds your first week is probably setting yourself up for failure. If you know you won't be able to do it, you may never start your diet in the first place. If you diet and lose 5 pounds in a week, instead of celebrating, you may feel discouraged that you didn't reach your goal. A realistic goal is vital to successful dieting. If you're not sure what your goal should be, talk to a dietitian.

 

PS- THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

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Skipping breakfast may increase heart attack risk

Another reason to eat breakfast: Skipping it may increase your chances of a heart attack.

A study of older men found those who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack than those who ate a morning meal. There's no reason why the results wouldn't apply to other people, too, the Harvard researchers said.

Other studies have suggested a link between breakfast and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other health problems seen as precursors to heart problems.

"But no studies looked at long-term risk of heart attack," said one of the study authors.

Why would skipping breakfast be a heart attack risk?

Experts aren't certain, but here's what they think: People who don't eat breakfast are more likely to be hungrier later in the day and eat larger meals. Those meals mean the body must process a larger amount of calories in a shorter amount of time. That can spike sugar levels in the blood and perhaps lead to clogged arteries.

But is a stack of syrupy pancakes, greasy eggs and lots of bacon really better than eating nothing?

The researchers did not ask what the study participants ate for breakfast, and were not prepared to pass judgement on whether a fatty, sugary breakfast is better than no breakfast at all.

Other experts agreed that it's hard to say.

"We don't know whether it's the timing or content of breakfast that's important. It's probably both," said a researcher who has studied a link between skipping breakfast and health problems like obesity and high blood pressure.

"Generally, people who eat breakfast tend to eat a healthier diet," he added.

The new research was released Monday by the journal Circulation. It was an observational study, so it's not designed to prove a cause and effect. But when done well, such studies can reveal important health risks.

The researchers surveyed nearly 27,000 men about their eating habits in 1992. About 13 percent of them said they regularly skipped breakfast. They all were educated health professionals — like dentists and veterinarians — and were at least 45.

Over the next 16 years, 1,527 suffered fatal or non-fatal heart attacks, including 171 who had said they regularly skipped breakfast.

In other words, over 7 percent of the men who skipped breakfast had heart attacks, compared to nearly 6 percent of those who ate breakfast.

The researchers calculated the increased risk at 27 percent, taking into account other factors like smoking, drinking, diet and health problems like high blood pressure and obesity.

As many as 18 percent of U.S. adults regularly skip breakfast, according to federal estimates. So the study could be important news for many,he said.

"It's a really simple message," he said. "Breakfast is an important meal."

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7 Reasons Your Metabolism is Slow And You Gain Weight

 1. First reason  of a slow metabolism is one that can’t be directly controlled – genetics. Some gifted people are blessed with a fast metabolism, but that certainly does not mean that genetics always is destiny. A regular exercise program that includes both aerobic activity and resistance exercise to build lean body mass can do much to speed up a slow metabolism.

2. Age – it is known that lean muscle mass burns more calories than fat tissue. When you have a higher percentage of muscle mass, your metabolism is faster. As you get aged, the percentage of lean muscle mass you have naturally decreases and is slowing down your metabolism. Training is important for any age group, but it is especially important for adults after the age of 25.

3. Lifestyle factors can be the cause of a slow metabolism. Some medications, particularly those which are used to treat depression, may cause the slowing of metabolism. The same can do skipping meals and fasting. If you skip a meal, your body goes into a survival or resting mode. When in this state, your body responds to a lack of food by slowing down your metabolism in an effort to store calories. This leads to a decreased metabolic rate and probably weight gain. To prevent the body from entering this starvation mode and keep your metabolism running effectively- eat small meal or snack every two to three hours.

 4. Eating too many calories - when people receive calories more than they burn off it leads to increasing blood sugar. Tissues can’t assimilate partly divided glucose. It accumulates in cells and causes slowing down of metabolism.

Even though there are some marked lifestyle habits and things you can’t control like your advancing age that can cause a slow metabolism, a decreased metabolic rate is usually the result of an underlying hormonal disorder.

5. Cushing’s Syndrome - a disorder that develops when your tissues are exposed to cortisol- a hormone responsible for maintaining the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats- for an extended period of time. This prolonged exposure slows down metabolism, which can result in obesity, increased fat around the neck and a rounded face.

6. Hypothyroidism - a disorder which is characterized by an underactive thyroid gland. When this gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones all of the processes taking place in our body including metabolism slow down.

7. Diabetes - It is not yet completely clear why diabetics have slow metabolisms, but they seem to have more trouble with taking off weight than non-diabetics. This fact may be related to their higher blood sugar levels which fools the body into believing there is lots of energy around, resulting in a slowing down in metabolism.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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Skipping Breakfast a Recipe for Heart Disease

Men who skip breakfast have a 27 percent higher risk of suffering a heart attack or developing heart disease than those who start the day with something in their stomach, according to a new study.

The study confirms earlier findings that have linked eating habits to elevated risk factors for heart disease, the researchers said.

"Men who skip breakfast are more likely to gain weight, to develop diabetes, to have hypertension and to have high cholesterol," said a senior author.

For example, breakfast skippers are 15 percent more likely to gain a substantial amount of weight and 21 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, earlier studies have reported.

The new study,  found that these men also indulged more heavily in other unhealthy lifestyle choices. They were more likely to smoke, engage in less exercise and drink alcohol.

"We've focused so much on the quality of food and what kind of diet everyone should be eating, and we don't talk as often on the manner of eating," said Dr. "This study is not even discussing the type of food. It's just talking about behaviour and lifestyle choice. Part of heart-healthy living is eating breakfast because that prevents you from doing a lot of other unhealthy things."

For the new report, researchers analysed data culled from a 16-year study of nearly 27,000 male health professionals that tracked their eating habits and overall health from 1992 to 2008. During the study period, 1,572 of the men developed heart disease.

The study also found a 55 percent increased risk of heart disease in men who regularly indulge in late-night snacking. However, the researchers did not consider this a public health risk because few men reported eating after they'd gone to bed.

There are several possible explanations why skipping breakfast can have such a drastic effect on heart health.

The study found that men who skip breakfast do not pick up another meal later in the day, which indicates that they tend to "feast" on higher-calorie meals when they do eat. Previous studies have found that feasting can result in high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure, compared with nibbling smaller meals.

"It's the extra strain on the body of eating more calories during the few times in a day they do eat," he said.

The type of food that a person consumes during breakfast also might be a factor. "Breakfast is typically a time when people tend to eat a healthy meal," . "By skipping a meal that usually features fibre or fruit or yoghurt, you're missing out on an occasion where people can get healthy nutrients."

Younger men tend to skip breakfast more frequently than older men, the investigators found, which leads to another possible explanation. "It may be in line with the fact that these are men who are rushing out to stressful jobs and not eating along the way," Dr. said, noting that stress is bad for heart health and is associated with negative lifestyle choices such as drinking or smoking.

The study did not include women, but Dr. believes the same pattern likely occurs in women who skip breakfast. "There haven't been any studies independently on women, but I would suspect we would find the same outcomes," she said.

Dr. said the study reinforces the age-old emphasis on breakfast as a key to good health.

"There is so much we know about reducing risk of heart disease, and some things like exercise or quitting smoking take quite a bit of effort," he said. "But it is easy without a big huge financial or time commitment to have breakfast, even if it is a bowl of oatmeal or a bit of cereal before you start the day."

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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9 habits that may do more harm than good

1. Compulsively using hand sanitizer.

If you reach for hand sanitizer any time you make contact with the outside 

world, you might want to take pause. Unless you're in an especially germ-

prone place like a hospital, soap and water will work just fine. When you're 

not near a sink, hand sanitizing gels can help, but be sure to read the label 

first. Recent research has shown that those containing triclosan may promote 

bacteria and virus resistance to antibiotic medications (this goes for 

antibacterial hand soaps that contain triclosan, too). Instead, choose brands 

which contain at least 60% alcohol, which will kill 99% of bacteria on 

contact.

2. Experimenting with skincare products.

Who isn't tempted to buy the latest skin creams and serums promising to 

shed years from your face? While looking for something that works for you is a 

good idea, overhauling your routine every few weeks in search of the fountain 

of youth isn't. "Women get easily bored with their beauty routine, especially if 

they don't see results right away. It can take between six and eight weeks to 

see changes; if you're using a product to increase collagen, expect to wait six 

months to see results." A Dr. often cautions patients against constantly 

changing products, noting that it may cause adult rosacea (a condition that 

results in red, patchy and sometimes inflamed skin). People may be forming 

sensitive skin by trying out too many different products with high levels of 

fragrance and other sensitizers. In lieu of always trying something new, stick 

with what works for you, or see your dermatologist to develop a new routine. 

And manage your expectations, a consistent regime should "keep your skin 

clear, clean and smooth. Make that your rule of thumb and don't expect 

miracles, especially when it comes to over-the-counter anti- ageing products."

3. Wearing flip-flops.

Forgoing sky-high heels and toe-pinching boots for the freedom of flip-flops is 

giving your feet a much-need break, right? Not exactly. Turns out, your 

summer shoes aren't doing you any favours. "Flip-flops and other unsupported 

sandals, which have no arch support and give no structural support to the 

foot, can lead to stress fractures since your un-cushioned feet become 

strained when they try to support too much weight," she explains. "Extensor 

or flexor tendinitis is also a common problem that happens as a result of 

trying to keep your flip-flips on — the muscles on top or underneath your feet 

overexert themselves while trying to grip your shoes." She also advises 

against walking around shoeless, even if you're by the pool or in your gym's 

locker room. "Aside from not giving your feet any support, going barefoot can 

also be challenging for those prone to infectious skin diseases such as plantar 

warts and athlete's foot, which are easily spread poolside, in pedicure salons 

and in gyms." But that doesn't mean you need to spend your summer in 

closed toe shoes. Dr. recommends comfortable sandals that also provide 

plenty of support, like styles.

4. Brushing your teeth after every meal.

Rushing to brush immediately after every meal may seem like a great way to 

keep your oral health in check, but according to a periodontist, it's better to 

hold off. Food can leave acid on your teeth, which can weaken the enamel, 

"and brushing while the enamel is in a weakened state can actually scrub the 

enamel away." To dislodge any food particles that may remain after eating, 

he recommends simply rinsing your mouth out with water and saving the 

brushing for morning and night. Then when you do brush, be sure to do so in a 

circular motion. According to Dr., this will improve your chances of removing 

harmful bacteria between the teeth and gums. Brushing up and down or back 

and forth, on the other hand, can leave behind harmful bacteria, causing gum 

disease; while applying too much pressure can lead to receding gums.

5. Doing only cardio when you work out.

It's easy to assume that the best way to lose weight is to stick to the same 

cardio workout, but "if you only do cardio, your body will become so 

accustomed to the routine that you'll start to burn less fat over time," says a 

physical therapist. Plus, going through repeated motions on the treadmill or 

elliptical machine can create tight muscles and lead to injury. Trade in a few 

of your cardio workouts for circuit training, which involves doing a number of 

different strength training exercises with little rest between moves in order to 

keep your heart rate up while also working out your entire body, ensuring that 

you'll burn the most calories — without burning out. Integrating resistance 

training into your routine will create muscle mass, which will help you burn 

more calories throughout the day, even when you're at rest. It is also 

recommended revamping your cardio routine by mixing in interval training 

once a week. Try doing 30 seconds of high intensity motion, whether you're 

on the treadmill, elliptical machine or in the swimming pool, followed by 90 

seconds of recovery at a moderate pace, working your way up to 10 

repetitions. The bursts of intensity followed by recovery will effectively and 

efficiently blast calories and fat.

6. Skipping meals to "save up" for later.

For example, many women will hold off on eating lunch so that they can have 

a few glasses of wine to unwind at the end of the day. Not a problem as long 

as you're carefully allocating your calories, right? "Unfortunately when you 

don't eat breakfast or lunch you can develop cravings and irritability, which 

can lead to overeating later on in the day. A smarter approach to eating: Fill 

up on protein-packed meals and nutrient-rich snacks that'll keep your satisfied 

all day, so when dinnertime or cocktail hour rolls around you won't be tempted 

to fill your plate with calorie-rich and high-fat foods.

7. Drinking only bottled water.

By reaching for a bottle of H20 you may think you're doing your body some 

good by avoiding tap water, which can be filled with who-knows-what. But 

that's not the case. "Bottled water contains no fluoride, and we're seeing 

more and more adults suffer from a fluoride deficiency, which can lead to 

tooth decay," says Dr.  Instead, fill your glass with water purified by a  water 

filtration system which will keep your water free from impurities commonly 

found in tap water, but still allow you to reap the benefits of fluoride.

8. Cleaning with disinfecting products.

While keeping your home pristine and germ-free may seem like the path to 

perfect health, using cleansers that boast antibacterial or disinfecting 

properties could have the opposite effect. "These products haven't been 

proven to be any more effective than regular cleaning products, and there is 

significant evidence that the chemicals in these disinfecting cleansers — 

called quaternary ammonium compounds — can lead to asthma," says 

a senior scientist. Other cleaning product chemicals to avoid include 2-

butoxyethanol, which the Environmental Protection Agency considers a human 

carcinogen and has been linked to cancer; alkylphenol ethoxylates, which can 

disrupt hormones; and ethanolamines, which can cause asthma. But because 

cleaning product companies aren't required to list most ingredients on their 

product labels (you can call or go online instead), it can be tough to know 

what to buy. However, Seventh Generation, an eco-friendly company, clearly 

lists their ingredients on their labels, so that's one option. Another, which Dr. 

recommends, is cleaning with a mixture of one part water and one part 

vinegar, or scrubbing surfaces with baking soda, both of which have natural 

antibacterial properties. She emphasizes that when it comes to ousting 

germs, the key is cleaning often and thoroughly—not blasting every surface 

with the harshest cleaner you can find. "Your goal should be to clean 

regularly," says Dr. . "That way you'll get rid of dirt, so there's no place for 

bacteria to grow."

9. Loading up on nutritional supplements.

People often take nutritional supplements without really understanding what 

they're consuming, or if they really need them." Because so many foods are 

fortified these days, she notes that chances are many of us don't have any 

major nutritional deficiencies. If you are already getting enough of what you 

need, the best case scenario is that the supplements will have no effect on 

you. But there are more serious side effects of carelessly popping pills: 

Vitamin A in large amounts can be toxic to a developing foetus, vitamin C in 

large doses can cause gastrointestinal distress as well as interfere with 

glucose readings in people on diabetes medications and too much vitamin B6 

can cause nerve damage. It is now concluded that in the absence of a 

deficiency, eating food instead of taking supplements should be the primary 

way to fulfil nutritional requirements and deliver health benefits. If you find 

out that you need to up your intake of, say, calcium, "try integrating calcium-

rich foods into your diet, like a glass of skim milk or a spinach salad," before 

making a beeline to the supplements aisle. If you do learn that supplements 

are the best choice to remedy a deficiency, look for "USP" printed on the 

label, which signifies that the pill meets the standards of the testing 

organization U.S. Pharmacopeia.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/

I've not given details about designs, but those interested are free to mail me for the same.