Let’s talk about Cheese, today Written by Dr harold Gunatillake FRCS – Health writer Nomads in the Middle East and Central Asia carried milk in containers made from animal stomachs, when bottles were unheard of then. When on the move the milk got curdled due to an enzyme called rennet remaining in those stomachs which separated the milk into curds and whey. This was an accidental discovery. There are murals in Egyptian tombs showing the way cheese was made, then. Sri Lankans don’t traditionally use cheese in their curries. It is too expensive and that would be the main reason why it’s not included in the Asian cuisine. If you cook with cheese, you can use it straight from the fridge in the frozen state. If it is used as an appetiser or to settle your stomach after a heavy meal, it is best to serve at room temperature. Soft ...
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What health benefits are in Turmeric? Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake-Health writer I am writing this article after reading the one by Michael Mosley, one of the presenters of Trust Me, I’m A Doctor, broadcast on BBC He states that he tracked down leading researchers from across the country and with their help recruited nearly 100 volunteers from the North East to do a novel experiment. Then we divided them into three groups, he says. ...
Read More →” COUNTRY-STYLE “ I’ve said it before, & I’ll say it again, as far as “telling it like it is”, there will never be ANYTHING like “Country Music”. Good or bad, happy or sad, “Country” tells us the “Story of Life”, like no other music can do. This is the reason that, although I LOVE all types of music, my “forte” is “COUNTRY-STYLE”. There are many kinds of music And some “last” for just a while Now & then, there’ll be a new “beat” But I just sit back & smile For when the latest “craze” is over When it’s run it’s last long mile They’ll still play “our kind of music” Good old “Country-Style” Good old “Country Music”, fiddles & guitars A good old Country “hoedown” underneath the stars Nothing can replace it, walk down a Country aisle Good old “Country Music”, good old “Country-Style”. Once AGAIN we’ll hear ...
Read More →Portuguese & Dutch Influences On The Modern Sinhala Language by Aysha Maryam Cassim From the 16th century onwards, the European colonial powers made a significant cultural impact on many aspects of Sri Lankan culture. Modern Sinhala was influenced immensely by its contact with three European languages, the languages of the colonisers: Portuguese, Dutch, and English. Prior to the Colonial invasions, Ceylon’s strategic location at the southernmost part of the sea routes that connected Asia with the Mediterranean Sea brought in many Arab, Persian, and Indian sailors and merchants. They left an indelible cultural imprint on the country by changing the social, cultural, political, economic, and linguistic outlooks of the country. Abraham Mendis Gunasekara, in his Comprehensive Grammar of the Sinhalese Language (1891) enumerates approximately 400 loan words from Tamil, 231 from Portuguese, 112 from Dutch, and 76 from English. Sannasgala (1976: p. 87) stated that most of the Sinhala words ...
Read More →Australian States – jokes New South Wales A senior citizen drove his brand new Holden Senator out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he pushed it to 120 kph, enjoying the power of the car . “Amazing,” he thought as he flew down the M1, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a highway patrol car, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He floored it to 140 kph, then 180kph, then suddenly he thought, “What am I doing? I’m too old for this!” and pulled over to await the copper’s arrival. Pulling in behind him, the copper got out of his vehicle and walked up to the car. He looked at his watch, then said, “Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a new reason for speeding – a reason I’ve never before heard ...
Read More →Naomi and the Boys the best of Collection by Patrick Ranasinghe Naomi and the Boys the best of Collection Dean Martin with Lena Horne & Engelbert Humperdinck Did you know or remember ? Naomi and her brother were from Sri Lanka they had a hit song in the 60’s (Naomi & The Boys – Tennessee Waltz) The Road in Ambalangoda – Sri Lanka named after Robert Wickramasuriya (senior) the father of Naomi & Robert Suriya ( Wickramasuriya ) that’s the younger sis Fiona besides the name board. After their father passed away they all migrated to Singapore and change the surname to Suriya in late 50’s and early 60’s they formed the group The succeeding Recordings of “Naomi & The Boys” were songs with feel affection for “Old Photographs”, “Why I’m Walking”, “I’m Crying Inside” and “Happy Birthday Sweetheart”. New sounds again were introduced in this recording and this time ...
Read More →Why do we need Food when we are hungry? by Dr harold Gunatillake – Health writer We all love food whether we are in the hunger mode or not. Have you ever thought what mechanism works in the body to make you feel hungry? Michael Lowe, a professor of psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia says this about hunger. “Feeling hungry can mean at least two things, and they are pretty different” There is the traditional concept of hunger when you haven’t eaten for a couple of hours, and you would feel and complain that you are hungry. Children would cry and get irritable when they get the traditional hunger pains. Your stomach start making noises, you find it difficult to concentrate on what you are doing, and the urge for food becomes a priority. Professor Lowe says,” This feeling of hunger stems from your body’s need for calories; the ...
Read More →Is Microwaved Food safe? Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake-Health writer Microwave ovens are designed to cook food through radio-active heat. That does not mean that the food becomes radio-active. The radiation energy is absorbed by the water in each cell of the food such as vegetables or meat. The water molecules vibrate and produce intra-cellular heat which cooks the food. This means that unless there are water molecules in the food you cannot cook in a microwave oven. Fortunately, there is no food that contains no water although some come close. Meat and poultry are composed of naturally occurring water, muscles, connective tissue. The muscle is about 75% water It is important to follow the instructions given by the manufacturers in using the oven to cook food. In the modern ovens used in good condition is safe. When old, there may be a leakage of radiation through a non-fitting door, ...
Read More →Dilara Niriella – Young Archibald Winner for 2016 Dilara Niriella a Sri Lankan born young artist was announced the winner of Young Archibald 2016 at a ceremony held at the Art Gallery of NSW on the 17th of October. Her painting of her father will be exhibited at the art gallery till the 9th of October 2016. ...
Read More →MY SENIORS’ WEEK FESTIVAL 2016 STORY – MARIE PIETERSZ I have always been interested in community work and as an English tutor I have worked with many migrant adults and students. Then an opportunity came along when I was approached to teach dancing to seniors. I thought what a wonderful way it would be for my interests as a dancer, tutor and community worker to come together. Before long I was feeling good about the opportunity to help seniors learn lifelong skills through dancing, one of the best exercises one could claim for everybody, and for seniors to help with memory, fitness, flexibility, freedom of movement and exercises for bone density, through gentle cardio workouts. I have been teaching dancing to seniors now for about 10 years. My voluntary classes at the University of the Third Age have grown, sometimes with a waiting list of over a year to get in. It ...
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