Blooming of Starfish Cactus - Gardening and Hobby 29

The cactus with scientific name Stapelia hirsuta, strarts blooming after July, during summer months in Northern America every year. Since we live in the southern state, some of flowers blooming in February.

Fig 01- The Starfish flower

Flower looks like “a starfish,” and quite bigger compared to the plant size. In our case, the flower may reach 36 cm (14 inches).

I think, our flower is mixed of flesh and yellow colors. Other blooming colors may different from species to species.

Some of other flower’s colors are:

- gray

- yellowish

- reddish and purple

Fig 02- No single flower yet

In term of odors, we smell quite offensive aromas such as foul odors, stink smell, rotten meat or dead animals.

Fig 03- Close up of starfish flower

The smell to invite pollinators like flies and other insects to come and pollinate the cactus flowers.

Have you seen Starfish cactus?

# Previous postings:

- Push-Ups are Good for Our Health – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- How Nature could Make Human being Happy? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Reasons Raccoon Visit Our Neighborhood – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do People Keep a Pig as a Pet? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What are Tempe Health Benefits? - Part 1 – Food Variety 16 | Tanza Erlambang Update

How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 2 – Virus 40

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 1 – Virus 40 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Handcrafted, just for illustration

The mutated protein is crucial, because it could block HIV to enter and infect immune cells.

Bone marrow ultimately produces immune cells which able to resist HIV, and slowly replace infected or vulnerable cells.

Then, HIV patients will be cured in certain periods. WHO (2022) reported that the first man who remission from HIV got 12 years treatment by “bone marrow stem cell transplant.”

Fig 02- Hibiscus flowers, illustration

Fairly interesting that there are plenty of donors, about 22 thousand and even more have mutant CCR5 proteins, and donors mainly from the countries of Northern Europe so far.

Scientists could identify more donors from any part of the world if they wish in the near future. 

Fig 03- Yellow Jessamine flowers, illustration

This is the good news for all of us to combat AIDS epidemic!

# Previous postings:

- 40 million Guests Sleep on Camping Sites in the USA – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Push-Ups are Good for Our Health– Part 1

- Growing Some Sweet Fruits at Our Backyard – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 22 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- 40 million Guests Sleep on Camping Sites in the USA – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Push-Ups are Good for Our Health– Part 2

The Friendly Himalayan Cat – Critter 31

The Himalayan cat is a result of cross breeding between Persian and Siamese cats. Some people said it is the best combines. However, others said that it is just a kind of a Persian version of breeding.

Fig 01- The cat looks at you

They call the Persian version cats it is because the breedings are “super friendly” with a very sweet expression.

Some other important characters that the cats have:

- large round eyes

- a snub nose

- small ears

- and love to stay indoors, sure they will be happy if we bring them outdoors.

Fig 02- The cat is ready to play

The beautiful coat is another reason why many people love this cross breeding critter as a pet.

I love blue coat colors. Some colors may include chocolate, cream, lilac and many others.

Fig 03- A cute Himalayan cat

Have you known about the Himalayan Cat? What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Halloween in Our Neighborhood – Photos | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Habit may Contribute to Diabetes? - Diabetes 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Growing Some Sweet Fruits at Our Backyard – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 22 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- 40 million Guests Sleep on Camping Sites in the USA – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 1 - Food Variety 29

I bought pecan candies from a small vendor sold at the corner of our neighborhood long time ago. He said the candies are made by himself.

Fig 01- Pecan candies on the plate

It was first time I tasted pecan candies, the special candy from Louisiana. I can not eat more than two, since they are so sweet for me, due to higher sugar content.

Based on report from SparkRecipes (2023: Calories in Pecan Pralines Candy) that calories content per serving candy (18.92 gram equal to 0.7 oz) is 131 calories. Quite higher, I think.

Bsic ingredients of pecan candy are granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, butter, salt and evaporated milk.

Fig 02- The ceramic teapot, illustration only

Pecan is a tree, native to southern parts (states) of USA such as:

- Georgia

- Texas

- Mississippi

- Alabama

- Arkansas

- Arizona

- California

- Florida

- Louisiana

Fig 03- Candies inside boxes.

Scientific name of Pecan tree is Carya illinoinensis. The trees produce nut, also called as “pecan.”

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Painting Exhibition in Our State – Sign 33

Our state art association (Art Guild of Louisiana) is like other art organizations, has several missions in respect to art, local art off course.

Fig 01- An artist from art association

The missions include to provide opportunities to all stage (proficiency) levels of artists in terms of exhibition and education.

We love to attend painting exhibitions in public areas or buildings in near by our neighborhood through out the year.

Few venues for art or painting exhibitions are:

- restaurants, coffee shops

- libraries

- hospitals or other public venues.

Fig 02- The pelican, painted by Lisa

One of artists who show their paintings is Lisa Sanchez. She is very young and talented. Her paintings depict of beautiful birds as you may see at Fig 02 and Fig 03.

Fig 03- Painting of two birds

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Millions are Bitten by Snakes Every Year – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Local Jelly at the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 15 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Millions are Bitten by Snakes Every Year – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

 

Food Sources for Coyote in the City – Critter 30

You may read previous post about coyote at our neighborhood:

- We Spotted Coyote in Our Neighborhood – Critter 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- The coyote just sitting on the grass

Yes, Coyote is the predator animal, but interestingly this predator may adapt to urban environment by changing its diet.

So many neighbors have observed that Coyotes consume following foods:

- household garbage

- small dogs

- cats

- rabbits

- and rodents

Fig 02- A cat, could be targeted by Coyotes

Strangely, Coyotes at our neighborhood have consumed fruits such as grapes, ficus (figs), fruit of palm trees and loquat.

Hence, they are always found meandering around backyards of our neighbors. It seems that the predators aren't going away and they are getting smarter by the days or times.

Fig 03. Small or medium size dogs are favorite for Coyotes

Some of neighbors hide their outdoor cats and small pets in the safe place and think to have backyards of Coyotes proof.

Fig 04- A Coyote tried to enter backyard

# Previous postings:

- A Low Carbohydrate Food – Diabetes 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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

- Banana Spiders in our Neighborhood - Gardening and Hobby 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is Autumn Favorite Season in the USA? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Local Jelly at the Farmer Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 15 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Why is Low Glycemic Index Important? - Diabetes 29

Some of you may be have good knowledge about list of foods with higher calories. If not, we just look at packaging of foods. Calories and nutrition facts are written there.

Fig 01- Fruits have Low Glycemic Index

I always observe in many groceries, even kids and teenagers have a kind of “automatic” skill for reading quickly the nutrition facts and calories written on the packaging of any foods.

In respect to calories, it is important for diabetic or pre-diabetic patients. High calories may lead to spike of blood sugar.

In addition to calories, we should know Glycemic Index. Then what is Glycemic Index? Why important?

Fig 02- Vegetable is good for Low Glycemic Index

# Some postings relate to Diabetes:

- What is Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 1

- What is the Relationship between Eggs and Diabetes? - Diabetes 2 | Tanza Erlambang

- Why Pancreas of Type 2 Diabetic Persons Produce Less Insulin? - Diabetes 3 | Tanza

- Could Medicines Affect on Pancreas to Produce Insulin? - Diabetes 4 | Tanza Erlambang

Fig 03- Peanuts and beans have Low Glycemic Index

Glycemic Index is index to measure affect of certain foods on level of blood sugar in our body. The scale is between 0 to 100.

Lower Glycemic Index means the body could minimize the spike of blood sugar, so the level of blood sugar in balance.

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- Could Consume Mushroom Reduce Cancer Risk? 

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