The skin that glows...

Pigmentation

Imbalance in the colour of the skin can lead to pigmentation and melanin causes blackening, pigmentation and discoloration of skin. Excessive exposure to the sun, irregular eating, sleeping habits and consumption of foods and drinks are responsible for the aggravation of this condition.

Remedies

* Grind five almonds and mix with one teaspoon of fresh cream and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this paste to the face and neck. Leave on for about 15 minutes.

* Apply papaya juice, or mashed papaya, to the affected areas.

* Grind equal amounts of sesame seeds and turmeric in a small quantity of water. Apply to face or discolored skin.

Premature Aging

Aging is something that can be prevented to come to early but can't be cured as such. It's a natural ongoing process and beyond human limit to control it. Aging causes dryness and wrinkling of the skin. Factors like excessive thinking, stress, tension, overwork, strain, irregular sleeping and eating habits and cold or dry foods enhance aging. Foods containing artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and chemicals also aggravate this and fasten aging.

Remedies

* Massage the face with almond oil or coconut oil before going to bed.

* Use grated cucumber in a face pack.

* Apply fresh aloe vera gel to the skin.

ayurveda-herbal-remedy.com

A voyage to unravel the mysteries of life on earth

Lihini Aluwihare sails the oceans to find answers:

Suharshi PERERA

When sailing in the sea of life the unfathomable mysteries of the ocean fascinated the young and vibrant student prompting her to explore the vast depths of knowledge. The energetic researcher took the plunge to unravel the mysteries where only a few make a smooth sailing by studying the chemistry of ocean and life on Earth.

Lihini Indira Aluwihare, Associate Professor in Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, USA says " it's all interconnected".

"It has taught me a great deal about how life on Earth is sustained and how interconnected everything is," Lihini recalls how her relationship with the sea has influenced her understanding of many aspects of life.

"Changes in climate can influence ocean circulation patterns, which in turn influence the distribution of nutrient chemicals and thus eventually, fisheries productivity," elaborates Lihini. It has also taught her how carefully balanced these connections are. "It has shown me how man's activities can profoundly upset, in a very short time, the equilibrium that has taken the Earth millions of years to achieve," she remarked.

Lihini born in Kandy has made several successful voyages in her field of study thousands of miles off her Motherland.

Before reaching La Jolla, California, USA, where she is residing, she has been moving to many countries and continents since the age of eight. Her parents are from Matale. She attended Swarnamali Vidyalaya, Kandy up to Grade Two. Lihini's father, U. Ananda Aluwihare was attached to the Survey Department and later lectured at the Sabaragamuwa University. Her mother, Srimathie M. Ellepola passed away 12 years ago. Her brother, Assaji Aluwihare, a General Manager in the telecommunications hardware development field lives with his family in USA.

Lihini along with her parents moved to Africa and continued primary schooling and secondary schooling in Kitwe, Zambia.

She completed secondary schooling in England. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Philosophy at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA and received her PhD in Chemical Oceanography in the USA. Lihini is married to Chris Charles, a climate scientist at the same institution.

"My parents returned to Sri Lanka in the early 90s but I have remained here. We visit Sri Lanka at least once a year," she said.

Lihini, an enthusiastic chemistry graduate developed a keen interest towards oceanography during a summer internship at a leading oceanographic institution in the USA. "It [oceanography] represents a field that is evolving as a result of climate change and has many basic discoveries to offer," she said. " My first oceanographic research cruise was pretty fun," Lihini recalls. Most recently, the first three PhD students 'navigated' by Lihini graduated this year. "That was very rewarding,"she exclaimed.

"I was always interested in science from a young age probably because my parents encouraged and supported an interest in it. I developed a love for chemistry specifically during my education in England. I had two fabulous chemistry teachers; and knew then that I would like to obtain a PhD in that field," she explained how she cruised to become a scientist.

Lihini says, like any other job academia can be challenging. "Juggling teaching, an active research lab with PhD students, field work and grant writing to generate funds for student salaries and research require you to wear many hats in one day! The most rewarding and challenging aspect of the job is that you are your own boss - you are primarily responsible for the failures and successes of your career. It is really a drag when you don't have someone else to blame for your bad day! Also, balancing family with a full-time job is a major challenge, especially without the support of an extended family."

It is difficult not to bring work home in this profession because of the diverse nature of the responsibilities, she says. "However, I religiously walk my dogs, usually twice a day, and I try to fit in some other form of exercise on a semi-regular basis. At the moment I am obsessed with American politics," Lihini remarked.

Being a professional woman, life is a balancing act for Lihini. "And you end up having to make some difficult choices. But the key again for me is taking responsibility for my actions and not regretting the choices that I have made. Also, I think it is important not to limit yourself based on other people's narratives and experiences- many challenges are surmountable with a little luck," she says.

If one insists on following the crowd that person often ends up only going as far as the crowd, Lihini thinks. "My parents also never limited our career and life choices and I really appreciate the subtlety with which that was conveyed to us. With everyone, the basic philosophy of treating other people as you would like to be treated helps to keep me focused . I remind myself of this everyday, otherwise I can get a little impatient with people," she adds.

If circumstances had been different she would have liked to spend more time with her mother and grandmother, Lihini said. "But, in many ways regrets are counterproductive. My philosophy is that if you can't change something then it is best to move on."

The committed young scientist is seriously contemplating global climate change. "It is real and it's here, and we all had something to do with it.

It has begun to pose a major challenge as weather patterns change and become less predictable. The sea level rises and the Earth continues to warm," she believes.

"We all have to be conscious of what people like to call our "energy footprint." Think about the cars you drive and why, think about saving water and electricity when you can. In places like Sri Lanka there is still a chance to get on to a more energy efficient track and innovative technologies could help rebuild the economy, but people's mindsets have to be altered and that takes education.

Of course, there are many people who have so little that preaching environmental awareness is almost insensitive - but many of these people already have a sustainable relationship with the environment and are not excessive consumers.

It's the rest of us that have to change our lifestyles," Lihini pointed out. She is an animal lover and preaches about being kind to animals. Adopt a stray dog, they are loving and loyal, she advises.

"I have two animal-shelter mutts and they are the best". And to the children she believes education is probably one of the most empowering tools in life's toolkit and can allow one to permanently rise above many circumstances.

"I firmly believe that you can never get too much of it. I know many people think money is the key but being rich rarely makes you a better person - but I wouldn't know for sure!," she observes.

Dish of the week

Mixed Vegetable Stew with Mustard

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Mustard seeds

250 ml Water or vegetable stock

2 tablespoons oil

2 Green chilies, split

2 teaspoons Chopped fresh ginger

1 teaspoon Cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon Fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon Turmeric

3 teaspoons Ground coriander

1 1/2 cups Peeled and cubed firm yellow pumpkin

1 1/2 cups Green beans, cut in 5 cm lengths

1 1/2 cups Cauliflower sprigs

1 cup Thinly sliced carrot

1 Potato or sweet potato, peeled and diced

2 teaspoons Salt curry leaf, optional

1 tsp sugar

3 teaspoonsFreshly chopped coriander leaves

2 tsp ground black pepper

Lime wedges for serving

Method: Soak the mustard seeds in the water for at least an hour. Then grind in a blender. Alternatively, stir a tablespoon of prepared whole grain mustard into a cup of cold water. Heat oil in a heavy pan or wok and fry the chilies, ginger, cumin and fennel seeds until they are fragrant.

Stir in turmeric and ground coriander and fry for a few seconds, then add all the prepared vegetables and stir over low heat for five minutes.

Pour in mustard blended with water. Add salt and ugar, mix gently, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. If necessary, add a little more stock or water. Stir in pepper and sprinkle with chopped coriander leaves.

Serve with steamed rice and wedges of lime for squeezing over.

Twins win the day!

Text And Pictures Nimal Wijayaratne , Mirigama group correspondent

It's true that marriage brings two hearts together. And on most occasions it is feelings and ideas that agree but recently in Hettipola a unique type of a wedlock occurred in which two twin couples tied the knot at the same time with many more 'identical features' adorning their special day.

Kolitha Hemantha Suriyage and Poshitha Wasantha Suriyage, twin brothers of Koongasdeniya, Nittambuwa married Damayanthi Wijerathne and Chandrani Wijerathne, twin sisters of Karandawa, Hettipola. The Bride's Maids - Dilani Wijerathne and Chandrika Wijerathne and Best Men - Dinesh Lakmal and Sacheera Jeevan were also twins.

Another 'look alike' feature of the weddings was that Flower Girls - Hashini Warusapperuma and Hashani Warusapperuma and Page Boys - Kadisha Hirushan and Kavishka Dinushan, were twins.

The Home Coming was held at 'Twins Hotel', Nittambuwa owned by twin brothers.