Reader's Digest

Including Over 35 Uses of Coconut Oil!

Prakhya Kakumanu 

Table of  Contents 

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….1 
Anxiety Amidst the Youth…………………………………………….……2 
Prosciutto & Mozzarella Sandwich Recipe……………………...4 
The MYO Armband……………………………………………………………….7 
Spotlight on Vamsee Chirasani…………………………………………..9 
The Previously Terrifying Debacle………………………………….10 
The New Addition………………………………………………………….……12 
Review of ​Carry On ​ on Rainbow Rowell……………………..……13 
Buy Coconut Oil Today!.........................................................15 
Sunlight Can Trigger Sneezing………………………………………..17 
Picture Stories…………………………………………………………………….19 
 

1 

 

Anxiety Amidst the Youth
Anxiety among teens is a serious issue that is often overlooked. Many people
dismiss it, saying that ‘it will pass’ or ‘they’re just overreacting’, but having an anxiety
disorder is very different than experiencing normal anxiety, which teenagers might feel
before an important test or on a first date. There are many different types of anxiety,
such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social phobia, Panic phobia, specific
phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) (Beyondblue). However, they all have relatively similar physical and behavioral
side effects; panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, a racing heart beat, tightening of the
chest, quick breathing, restlessness, a tense feeling, excessive fear and worry,
obsessive thinking, and avoiding situations where one might feel anxiety. 18% of the
American population suffers from these symptoms (10 Behaviors). Unfortunately, 80%
of teens with these conditions aren’t getting any treatment (Children and Teens).
Getting treated is very important, seeing as anxiety can result in students performing
poorly in school, removing themselves from social situations, engaging in substance
abuse, and it often leads to severe depression and/or suicidal thoughts. Both medical
and psychological treatments are required for a teenager to recover from their anxiety.

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Psychological treatments can include: seeing a professional, going to group
therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), behaviour therapy, and e-therapy online
programs. Sometimes, teens are given antidepressant medications, including
Benzodiazepines​. Even after recovering from anxiety, it is vital that students stay well.
They can do this by managing their stress levels, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and
never giving up because of their setbacks.

Prakhya Kakumanu

Citations:
"Children and Teens." A​ nxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA​.
N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
"Beyondblue." ​Beyondblue - Home.​ N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
"10 Behaviors That May Make Anxiety Worse." ​Mercola.com​. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr.
2017.

3 

 

Prosciutto and Buffalo Mozzarella Sandwich

Ingredients:
French Sub Rolls, sliced lengthways
Prosciutto, thinly sliced
Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, sliced 1/4" or less
Fresh Spinach
Roma Tomatoes, circle sliced 1/4" or less
Pesto Aioli
4 Tbsp. Pesto
1/4 Cup Real Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
Dash of Black Pepper
1/2 - 3/4 Cup Olive Oil
Oil & Vinegar Dressing​ (optional)
2 Tbsp. Canola Oil

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1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:
1. Combine all of the aioli ingredients in a food processor & pulse until thoroughly
blended.
2. In a condiment bottle or a small bowl with a lid, combine the dressing ingredients
& shake until completely blended (optional).
3. Cut open a roll lengthwise & brush a thin layer of aioli on both halves.
4. Lightly toast the bread in a 250°F oven for about 5 minutes.
5. Layer the meat, mozzarella, spinach, and tomatoes.
6. Drizzle the oil & vinegar dressing on last (optional).
7. Cut it in half & eat it right away, or wrap it in parchment paper or special
sandwich wrap paper and refrigerate.

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The prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella sandwich is much more than what meets
the eye. While it may seem like just a random sandwich order, it is actually a symbol of
my love for the ABC television show, Agents of SHIELD (AOS). To the AOS fandom,
this sandwich is known as the ‘Fitzwich’. This is due to the fact that prosciutto and
buffalo mozzarella is the go-to order for Leopold James Fitz, one of the main characters
on AOS, in addition to one of my top 5 favorite (fictional) people. Leo Fitz is sweet,
smart, and childish, yet adorable. Basically, he is an all-around lovable person. Fitz has
expressed his love for this sandwich numerous times over the years, and his lab
partner/best friend/girlfriend, Jemma Simmons, normally makes the prosciutto and
buffalo mozzarella sandwich for Fitz right before he goes on dangerous missions. The
sandwich represents Leopold, in all his awkwardness, which is why I love it so much.

Prakhya Kakumanu

6 

 

The MYO Armband
The MYO Armband is a gesture recognition bracelet that was invented by
Stephen Lake, Matthew Bailey, and Aaron Grant (Cool New Gadgets). The device
works on any television, computer, phone and​ smart technology​ system. Using the
gadget, the owner is able to control any of the listed mechanisms by merely moving
their hands, effectively eliminating the use of any mice, remotes, keyboards, and
touchscreens. These outdated methods of conducting electronics are often faulty and a
pain to anyone who is forced to rely on them. Thanks to MYO Armbands, the population
can now change the television channel or make a phone call with a simple gesture.
The gadget identifies hand motions by muscular and electrical activity in the
forearm instantaneously (Myo Gesture Control). The armband has many features, such
as Bluetooth 4.0, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and it works out-of-the-box with
Mac and Windows PC. So far, 20 hand gestures can be recognized on the bracelet. The
MYO Armband trumps all other gesture recognition technology, like Wii by Nintendo and
Kinect​ by Microsoft. While those softwares require the user to be in a

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specific location due to motion sensors and cameras requiring positioning
coordinates, the innovative armband can work from anywhere, can connect to anything,
and allows the owner to move freely (MYO Reads Your Muscles).

The MYO Armband dominates all other new and old means of controlling
modern day smart devices. Society no longer has to search for the most convenient and
potent way to access the digital world. No households will be complete without this
revolutionary piece of technology.

Prakhya Kakumanu

Citations:
Prindle, Drew. "Myo Reads Your Muscles for the Snappiest Gesture Tracking Ever

Devised." D​ igital Trends​. N.p., 25 June 2015. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.
"COOL NEW GADGETS." I​ nventor-Strategies.com​. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.
"Myo Gesture Control Armband Review: Pointless or Ahead of Its Time?" N​ ew Atlas -

Latest News​. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

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Spotlight

Vamsee Chirasani, the mother of the author of this article, and a dog owner, says

that her past self ‘would be very surprised’ that she now has a pet maltipoo, seeing as

she never imagined as a child that she would be in this situation. However, she now

doesn’t see her household as complete without the furry critter greeting her everytime

she steps into the house, and she can’t bear even parting with him when she goes on

vacation with the rest of her human family. She encourages other families to get dogs,

saying that they will instantly love the new addition to their family, but understands that

dogs might not be for everyone. Vamsee believes that dogs should be treated as

individuals and not property and said that, “...in many ways, they are no different than

us.” She also states, however, that dogs give unconditional love, which is something

that humans can’t give, because humans are, in her words, unpredictable creatures.

Interestingly enough, Vamsee does not have the same attitude towards cats as she

does dogs. “...They aren’t as interactive as dogs,”, she says. Ms. Chirasani admits that

she might mollycoddle her dog from time to time, as she and her dog’s other owners

constantly hug him. Overall, Vamsee Chirasani loves her dog very much and treats him

as family. Prakhya Kakumanu

9 

 

The Previously Terrifying Debacle
At the time, this incident was absolutely terrifying. Yet, now that I look back at it,
and everything turned out okay, it seems amusing. After all, social psychologists say
that it takes 36 days after a tragedy strikes before it becomes funny. In any case, while
what happened was completely unexpected, it was still somehow inevitable. My dog,
Prince, is very hyper and tends to run around a lot. In circles. One Sunday night, he was
whizzing around my family’s living room, tearing across the stretch of carpet at full
speed, when he ran into a sharp corner. Being the 7-pound dog that he is, it hurt him. A
lot. He was limping towards the couch, which was occupied by my sister and I, and
whining simultaneously. My sister, Akka, immediately bolted to Prince’s side and picked
him up. She was trying to look into his eyes to see if he had a concussion, which didn’t
make much sense to me considering that the only visible part of his eyes is entirely
pupil, and no one would be able to tell if they were dilated or not. Anyway, she was
supporting his upper chest so that he could stand on his hind legs while she peered into
his eyes, which meant that his belly was facing her. Prince must’ve been in a lot of pain,
because he lost control and started peeing all over my sister’s green Wright State
University t-shirt. The look on her face was one of complete, utter shock and disgust. If

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I hadn’t been so concerned with the well-being of my puppy, I would have burst out
laughing. Akka dropped Prince in the heat of the moment, jumped up, and started
screaming. After I calmed her down, she rapidly sprinted to her shower to clean herself
up, and I was left to take care of Prince. Though it didn’t seem like it at the time, it was
hilarious to watch.

Prakhya Kakumanu

11 

 

The New Addition
I stood by the window, my eyes darting to every moving object in my vicinity.
Each second was stretched to what seemed like an eternity as I impatiently waited for
my dad’s car to pull up. At the sight of the white vehicle, I rushed to the front door and
threw it open. I grinned from ear to ear at the scene unfolding before me. My father was
holding a crate which contained a small, fluffy, brown creature. As soon as the homely
cage was set down, the four-legged bundle of joy crept out of its abode in an excited,
yet cautious manner. The over-enthusiastic puppy wobbled as his feet skidded across
the wooden floors, but didn’t seem to mind. In fact, his tail wagged even more
vigorously and was now just a blur that followed the jubilant critter as if it were a
shadow. My previously dampened spirits from a long day at school lifted high enough to
swim in the clouds, and I knew that the new addition to my family and I were going to
get along very well.

Prakhya Kakumanu

12 

 

A Review of “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell
Carry On​ is yet another genius novel by the wondrous Rainbow Rowell. It has the
perfect balance of romance, magic, action, and vampires. It is the tale of two unlikely
lovers who must overcome both internal and external demons, along with the help of
magic and their friends. The book’s narration alternates between many characters,
including Simon Snow, Tyrannus Basilton "Baz" Pitch, Penelope Bunce, and Agatha
Wellbelove, which provides a fresh point of view for each chapter and invites readers to
explore each of the character’s intricate personalities and witness their character
development first hand. The main protagonists are extremely relatable and encourage
the audience to always listen to their heart, even when those around them and society
thinks they shouldn’t.
The book is filled to the brim with mystery and exciting plot twists, which keep the
story alive and ever-changing. Just when the reader thinks they know everything, a new
development pops up. The plot never fails to deliver, which is just one of the reasons
why this book is such a page-turner, along with Rowell’s captivating writing style and the
compelling characters. ​Carry On i​ s stocked with enough humour, emotion, adventure,
and poignant themes to last a lifetime, with all of these aspects adding up

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to the book’s emotional impact and entertaining storyline.
While trying to stop a villain that can’t be killed or harmed, and when fought, only

grows stronger, the heroes of this story discover many things about who they are as
people. The characters learn, grow, and evolve into better versions of themselves as
the story progresses. They also learn how to accept parts about them that they
previously ignored, or denied. Rainbow Rowell successfully managed to create an
entirely new world, filled with magic, strange, yet wonderful, creatures, an indestructible
villain, and realistic protagonists. C​ arry On ​is a triumph.

Prakhya Kakumanu

14 

 

Buy KTC 100% Pure Coconut Multipurpose Oil Today!
The coconut tree isn’t known as ‘the tree of life’ in countless tropical locations for
no reason. The coconut is a life-saver! More specifically, the coconut oil is. Not only can
the oil be used for cooking, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes, but it additionally comes
at breathtakingly low prices with KTC 100% Pure Coconut Multipurpose Oil! There are
also spectacular health benefits, including improved digestion, moisturized skin, cellulite
reduction, decreased wrinkles/age spots, higher HDL levels, lower LDL cholesterol
levels, and it can kill Candida, a yeast infection.
When it comes to the kitchen, coconut oil is the perfect secret weapon! Unlike
other oils, such as olive oil, coconut oil doesn’t oxidize when it is cooked at high
temperatures, so feel free to sauté and fry using coconut oil. Coconut oil also replaces
many unhealthy fats, such as butter and vegetable oil, and can even be used to boost
the nutrients in any fruit smoothie. Coconut oil has a multitude of roles in the kitchen
setting. Don’t want to rely on sugary sports drinks to receive an energy boost? Try
mixing coconut oil with chia seeds! Is the non-stick cooking spray not working? Just add
a teaspoon of coconut oil to the pan! Are the eggs going rotten too soon? Coat the
shells with coconut oil and prolong their period of freshness for one to two weeks! The

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uses are endless!
Coconut oil has many cosmetic benefits, too. It is a natural makeup remover,

deodorant, wound salve, shaving cream, sunscreen, and mouthwash. It can also be
used to make homemade lip balm, lipstick, toothpaste, massage oil, soap, insect
repellent, shampoo, and conditioner. Moreover, coconut oil is handy for household
uses, such as being a laundry detergent, dust preventer, rust reducer, shoe shiner, and
furniture polish. Buy coconut oil today and decrease life’s hardships!

Prakhya Kakumanu

16

 

Strange but True: Sunlight Can Trigger Sneezing
Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, philosophers and scientists have both
questioned why humans seem more prone to sneezing when they walk out of a dark
area to a bright patch of sunlight. About a third of the population experiences this
phenomenon known as the photic sneeze reflex, or sometimes as the
Autosomal-dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst syndrome (ACHOO). It is a
genetic trait that still befuddles some of science’s greatest minds today. Aristotle
himself, in ​The Book of Problems​, once pondered why the sun causes sneezing. He
hypothesized that it was correlated to the heat on one’s nose. An Englishman during the
early 1600s by the name of Francis Bacon proved this theory wrong by repeatedly
stepping into the heat of the Sun, with his eyes closed, and not sneezing, which meant
that the sensation was provoked by the sunlight, and not the heat. Bacon speculated
that the Sun’s light leads to watery eyes, followed by the moisture creeping into the
sinus system, and that agitates the nose, generating the sneeze. Society accepted this
explanation until modern-day physiologists reasoned that the sneeze occurs too soon
after one’s pupils are introduced to the light to be the result of watery eyes. After
hearing this, the brightest minds of the age turned to neurology for answers. To

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understand how neurology can spark a sneeze, one must understand why humankind
sneezes in the first place. Irritation in the nose prompts the expulsion of air, yet the
irritation can only be sensed by the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve just so
happens to be in close proximity to the optic nerve, which transmits information from the
retina to the brain. The retina can sense a sudden flood of light, and then proceeds to
send electrical impulses to the brain via the optic nerve. The trigeminal nerve can
mistakenly pick up these signals and send them to the brain as sinus irritation, thus
prompting a sneeze.

Prakhya Kakumanu

18 

 

“The Gateway” and “The Dragon” by Prakhya Kakumanu 

19 

 

“The Ocean” and “Alex Greenleaf” by Prakhya Kakumanu 

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