Table of contents for February 2022 in Readers Digest Australia

THE EASE WITH WHICH ONLINE SCAMMERS can manipulate your private digital identity is terrifying. ‘Delete Your Internet Footprint’ (page 26) details 24 simple steps we can all take to keep our identities and finances safe. With as many as one in four people falling victim to identity fraud, this article is definitely worth a read. This issue has insights into well-known people and events, such as the man whose invention we all recognise (‘Meet Ernő Rubik’, page 66). The publicity-shy architect shares how his love of geometrical shapes led him to invent the 3D puzzle that the world knows as Rubik’s Cube. While our Bonus Read tells the story of the 2019 Thai rescue, ‘The Boys In The Cave’ (page 126). The complexity and risk involved in the rescue to…

For quality products, book sales and more, call 1300 300 030 or head to Readersdigest.com.au/shop CONTRIBUTE READERSDIGESTAUSTRALIA Anecdotes and Jokes $50–$100 Send in your real-life laugh for Life’s Like That or All in a Day’s Work. Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter Is the Best Medicine! Smart Animals Up to $100 Share antics of unique pets or wildlife in up to 300 words. My Story $400 Got an inspiring or life-changing tale? Submissions must be true, original, unpublished and 800–1000 words. Letters to the Editor and Reader Submissions Online Follow the ‘Contribute’ link at readersdigest.com.au Email editor@readersdigest.com.au Mail Reader’s Digest Magazine, PO Box 6458, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 Please include your name, address, phone number and email. Letters: We may edit letters and use them in all print…

FROM BICYCLING MAGAZINE IT TOOK SEVERAL drafts to get the letters right. To distil her boy’s life into the two dimensionalities of words on paper. To paint a picture of someone full of energy and love, so that the beneficiaries of his death, the recipients of his organs, would know just how lucky they were. Three weeks earlier, the thread that held Christine Cheers’s world together had been ripped away. On February 21, 2018, someone on the other end of the phone had said the words that bring parents to their knees: “There’s been an accident.” Her son, James Mazzuchelli, 32, a flight surgeon with the US Navy, had been injured in a helicopter training mission at a military base in California. If she wanted to see him while he…

This Valentine’s Day, say the three little words she’s longing to hear: “You sleep in.” @COPYMAMA Me: Do you want me to pick up some Valentine’s chocolate for you and the girls today? Wife: Absolutely not. Me: Seriously? Wife: It’ll be on sale tomorrow. @XPLODINGUNICORN Me: What are we doing for Valentine’s Day? My husband: Raising three kids. @NOT_THENANNY I’m chaperoning a Valentine’s Day date for my 15 year old and his girlfriend so I made her garlic pizza for dinner. Genius Level: 100. @JENNYPENTLAND…

• Preheat oven to 175˚C and line a tray with baking paper. • In a bowl, mix together 400 g sweetened flaked coconut with 150 mL coconut cream, 150 mL evaporated milk, ½ tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt until thoroughly combined. • Beat two large egg whites until stiff then fold into coconut mixture. (It’s OK if the eggs mostly deflate during folding.) • Using clean hands, form the coconut mixture into golf-ball-size mounds. • Arrange on the prepared tray. Bake, until macaroons are deep golden brown all over, about 35 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through cooking. • Let cool on the tray, then transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature.…

Anything For A Quiet Life There is an order of monks that is sworn to silence. But each year, one monk is allowed to say two words. The day arrives and a monk stands up and says, “Porridge lumpy.” The abbot then declares the session over. The following year, another monk stands and says, “Porridge fine.” A year later, it’s a third monk’s turn. “I quit,” he says. The abbot is shocked. “Why?” The third monk replies, “I can’t stand the constant bickering.” SUBMITTED BY ERNEST FREEMAN Here Comes The Pun ■ Just so everyone’s clear, I’m going to put my glasses on. ■ A generous army general walked into a bar and ordered everyone around. ■ I lost my job as a stage designer. I left without making a…

I have decided to stick to love; hate is too great a burden to bear.MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST YOU ALWAYS GAIN BY GIVING LOVE.REESE WITHERSPOON​, FILM ACTRESS ALL THAT YOU ARE IS ALL THAT I’LL EVER NEED.ED SHEERAN, SINGER When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.PAULO COELHO, AUTHOR In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have…

Protein is easily one of the most important nutrients to get into your daily diet, but it’s possible to get too much of a good thing, especially if you’re on a high-protein diet like Atkins or Paleo. Critical part of our diet We need protein to feel full, have energy, build and repair muscle, process nutrients and boost immunity, among other vital roles. “Protein is made up of amino acids that are the building blocks of body tissues, including muscles, blood vessels, hair, skin and nails. It’s also involved in the production of enzymes and hormones that help the body to function normally,” says dietitian and nutritionist Kaleigh McMordie. Why are these amino acids so important? According to McMordie, there are some amino acids that the body can synthesise, but…

One indicator that you might be consuming too much protein is a constant desire for water. In fact, too much protein can cause mild dehydration. “The dehydration is caused by your kidneys working overtime to remove the excess protein as well as the nitrogen waste from metabolising the protein. So you urinate too much and eventually can wreck your kidneys altogether,” Immer says. To the rescue? More water, of course, and lightening up on the protein. It’s important to pay attention to this sign, as kidney stones can also be caused by a high-protein diet. “Depending on other factors, when you put your kidneys into overdrive, the risk of kidney stones increases for those who are already prone,” he says.…

I was bemoaning to a friend how my last name, Loyer, is frequently changed to Lawyer by spellcheck. “I can top that,” said the anaesthetist named Bause. “Spellcheck insists on calling me Dr Abuse.” SUBMITTED BY MILTON LOYER Though my last name is not long, it can be confusing. So when a receptionist asked for it, I tried simplifying matters by saying, “It’s the first four letters of ‘suggest’.” She smiled. “And how do you spell that?” SUBMITTED BY DEB SUGG…

Movies Nightmare Alley Psychological Thriller Is he beast or man? asks carnival worker Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) to the gathered audience. With a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words, the ambitious carny [carnival worker] hooks up with Dr Lilith Ritter, a corrupt psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett). She is even more dangerous than he is, and together the pair swindle people out of their money. Based on the novel by William Lindsay Gresham, Nightmare Alley delves into the shadowy world of a shoddy carnival filled with confident tricksters. Also starring Toni Collette, Rooney Mara and Willem Dafoe. CYRANO Musical/Romance/Drama This is an epic reimagining of the 1897 play about a tragic love triangle. Cyrano de Bergerac, a brilliant poet and swordsman, is played by Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister from Game…

Jokes That Stand The Test of Time Some of the jokes, sayings, anecdotes and fillers in the January Classics issue made me laugh so hard I couldn’t catch my breath. I usually recycle the issue or give it to someone else, but this one I am definitely going to keep. I plan to read a few of these jokes every so often to put a smile on my face – and maybe even pass them on. These days humour is a valuable commodity and should be shared. AMANDA JACKSON Enduring Gifts Nowadays, when making a recording is as easy as pressing a button on a smartphone, how utterly inspiring to read that in 1955 three little children – not even teenagers yet! – saved a princely sum of money to…

THE HUMBLE GOLDFISH can make a lovely pet for children and adults alike, with over 100 varieties in different colours, shapes and sizes. While goldfish are relatively easy to keep, there are a few common errors that often result in their early death. Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her top tips. KEEPING GOLDFISH IN A BOWL It is a mistake to put goldfish in a small ‘goldfish bowl’. You’ll be wondering why they die within a couple of months. These bowls do not have a big enough surface area for the fish to obtain adequate oxygen. As goldfish require large amounts of oxygen, the best way to provide this is to have a large, rectangular tank fitted with a filter. This will aerate the water and help to keep the tank…

THE BENEFITS OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS For many people, owning a dog or cat can significantly alleviate depression, anxiety and loneliness, according to research into the benefits of emotional support animals. Although these animals aren’t trained to do anything that regular pets don’t do, they hold therapeutic significance for people who struggle with their psychological health. In a recent University of Toledo study, patients identified at risk of social isolation who adopted a dog or cat from a shelter reported faring better, on average, 12 months later. The research could lead the way towards new thinking about how emotional support animals can assist in managing mental health issues. OVER-CAFFEINATING COULD RAISE GLAUCOMA RISK If you have a family history of glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss, then you may…

As a couple who had just moved to a new neighbourhood ate breakfast, the wife looked out the window and saw their neighbour hanging clothes out to dry. “That washing isn’t very clean,” she said. Her husband looked but remained silent. For the next month, every time their neighbour hung her clothes out to dry, the wife made the same comment. Then one morning, the wife was surprised to see clean washing on the line. “Look!” she said. “Our neighbour finally learned how to do laundry!” “Nope,” the husband said. “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.” STARTSAT60.COM…

Maybe you got into a fight with your partner or you’re anxious about a presentation at work. But if you keep waking up on the wrong side of the bed, you might want to consider your protein intake. “When we are eating too much protein, we are often not eating enough carbs, like in low-carb or high-protein diets. And our brains actually run on sugar from those carbs,” Immer says. The easy solution: recognise when you swap out too many carbs for protein, then even out the difference. Reach for complex carbohydrates such as fruit, yoghurt, brown rice and whole grains. Limit overly refined carbs, which can make you sluggish.…

FOOD + HEALTH 12 foods naturally high in magnesium Reported to improve sleep and digestion, these tasty magnesium food sources provide a daily dose. CULTURE + RELATIONSHIPS Valentine’s Day With February 14 traditions plus stories to make your sweetheart giggle, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. TRAVEL The luckiest places in the world to visit These lucky fountains, temples and buildings may be your golden ticket to your biggest wishes being granted. ReadersDigestAustralia PLUS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER FOR MORE HOT OFFERS, TOP STORIES AND PRIZES!…

When you say ping me I want to ignore you. It’s true. Bio break too. It makes me cringe. And if I’m being honest I don’t care about your ducks or the row they’re in. I don’t know what net-net means unless it’s being said by an excited tennis announcer. Come to think of it let’s not circle back or drill down or take a deep dive or take it off line or level the playing field or create action items and honestly I don’t care if this won’t scale and may I add that going forward I would like to park this project. And this job. I quit. Now. Sorry. I have a hard stop. JOHN KENNEY IN LOVE POEMS FOR WORK (PUTNAM)…

FROM TRAVEL + LEISURE Trains take you behind the façade of a place and show you fleeting, random glimpses of ordinary life, sometimes beautiful, sometimes gritty. Travelling from Istanbul to Budapest on a luxurious private train called the Golden Eagle Danube Express in 2019, I looked out on storybook medieval villages and gloomy Communist housing blocks; smoke-stacked industrial suburbs and endless fields of sunflowers. Bystanders took videos of our cream-and-blue carriages, which were restored in the style of a glamorous fin de siècle sleeper train. Sometimes the train’s throwback elegance made me feel like a visitor from another era; sometimes the scenery gave me a sense of travelling through another time. Once, somewhere in Romania, beside a highway humming with boxy Cold War-era Trabants and the latest German luxury…

“It feels like tiny bursting stars that begin at the base of my neck and then move up and over my head,” says Judy Bennett. “At first, I thought there was something medical going on – like a nerve problem – but then I heard about ASMR and had a major OMG that’s what happens to me. Now I use it all the time to help me fall asleep as it leaves me feeling really relaxed.” ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response “and it’s a pleasant feeling some people experience down the spine or across the head upon exposure to certain triggers,” explains Professor David Alais who studies audiovisual perception at the University of Sydney. “It first started being talked about around ten years ago, after a single internet…

1. Even during a power outage, food-crop seeds would remain safely frozen in the Global Seed Vault, located where? 2 points 2. What is generally considered to be the first science-fiction film? 2 points 3. What major sports tournament requires players to dress in white, to minimise the visibility of sweat marks? 1 point 4. What collectible plastic-brick toy sets can sell for thousands of dollars and have even become targets for thieves? 1 point 5. On average, how much time passes between two high tides? 1 point 6. Anne Bonny and Mary Read were notable 18th-century women because of their occupations as what? 2 points 7. Residents of Chumbivilcas, Peru, celebrate Christmas by challenging each other to what? 1 point 8. Every human has wisdom teeth. True or false?…

Struggling outside the box. LES HEWITT I am not a shopaholic, I am helping the economy. KAWTAR TANI I’m going to start living in the present.  MELISSA BUTTON This is the last time I’ll use click and collect! JUDITH CAINE Congratulations to this month’s winner, Judith Caine. CAPTION CONTEST Come up with the funniest caption for the above photo and you could win $100. To enter, email editor@readersdigest.com.au or see details on page 8.…

As the saying goes: the internet is forever. Once you’ve put something online – a credit card number, a silly photo, an angry comment on social media – it can come back to haunt you. But what are the risks, really? “There are two worst-case scenarios,” says Thorin Klosowski, an expert in privacy and security. “The most obvious one is a security issue. Everyone’s email address and basic details are leaked somewhere online, and if you reuse passwords, that means a nefarious person will have an easier time getting into your accounts.” The problem is getting worse. A survey by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) found that one in four Australians have been a victim of identity crime at some point in their lives. “The second worst-case scenario is…

All Work And No Play Our son’s friend’s dad telephoned our house and asked to speak to his 11 year old who was over to play. “Hello, Dad,” said his son. “I want you to come home AT ONCE,” we could hear his dad say, “I need help with your homework!” SUBMITTED BY MICHA BRYN Licking His Lips On the odd occasion, my partner Lee makes his own sandwiches for work. The other day I got the bread, butter and peanut butter out along with two knives. When he decided to take over, he asked why I had got two knives out. I explained it’s so that I don’t get peanut butter in the butter and vice versa. “Oh,” he replied, “I usually use one knife and then lick it…

• To open a ‘hairy’, use a clean screwdriver and find the softest of my three dimples. • Push the screwdriver into said dimple, wiggling it around to make the hole larger. • Invert me over a bowl and let my water drain out. • To separate my flesh from my shell, place me in a 200°C oven for 20 minutes or until cracks appear on my outer shell. • Then, using a meat cleaver or hammer, hit the shell repeatedly along the cracks (keep fingers well away!). • When it breaks into large pieces, wedge a spoon between my shell and my flesh to separate. • To open a green coconut, lever the flower-top section off with a knife. Then insert a coconut-opening tool around the hard core and…

FROM NEW YORK TIMES The first person to solve a Rubik’s Cube spent a month struggling to unscramble it. It was the puzzle’s creator, an unassuming Hungarian architecture professor named Ernő Rubik. When he invented the cube in 1974, he wasn’t sure it could be solved. Mathematicians later calculated that there are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 ways to arrange the squares. When Rubik finally did it, he was overcome by “a great sense of accomplishment and utter relief.” Looking back, he realises the new generation of ‘speed-cubers’ (Yusheng Du of China set the world record of 3.47 seconds in 2018) might not be impressed. “But, remember,” Rubik writes in his recent memoir, Cubed, “this had never been done before.” In the nearly five decades since, the Rubik’s Cube has become one of the…

It’s true that having a high-protein diet can satisfy your hunger, but if you go too far, you might find your scales tipping over as well. “That’s especially true if you’re eating excess animal protein or downing protein shakes. Meat often means extra fat and also kilojoules. And many protein shakes have added sugar to make them taste better,” McMordie says. Over time, too many excess kilojoules, no matter from fat, sugar or protein, will cause weight gain, she says. To shift your meals in a healthier direction, aim for balanced meals. As a general rule, half of your plate should be fruit or vegetables, one quarter should be protein, and one quarter should be starch or whole grains.…

This month, Reader’s Digest celebrates a remarkable milestone: its 100th anniversary. Since starting in February 1922, every issue has been packed with useful information and inspiring stories. Over ten decades, Reader’s Digest has become a global powerhouse, and today, with 24 editions in 47 countries, it remains one of the world’s most-read, best-loved publications. Just before the founder, DeWitt Wallace, launched this “little magazine”, he said: “The Digest will have but one mission: to interest and at the same time to widen one’s outlook, to increase one’s appreciation of things and people, to enlarge one’s capacity for enjoyable association with fellow men, to lubricate the process of adjustment to this world.” This timeline highlights some of the many historical milestones of Reader’s Digest, including mention of the most impactful articles…

FROM THE BOOK THE BOYS IN THE CAVE Saturday, June 23, 2018. The 32°C air in Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town, was like a hot damp towel wrapped around the Moo Pa (‘Wild Boars’) soccer team, but they cycled to the pitch anyway – they always did. If head coach Nopparat Khanthavong was the team’s general, assistant coach Ekapol Chantawong – ‘Ek’ – was his friendly lieutenant. With his smiling eyes and chirpy voice, at age 25 he was more like a big brother to the kids. Having spent much of his childhood in a monastery, he had learned Buddhist discipline, meditation and kindness. Ek often took his players to Tham Luang cave at the base of Doi Nang Non mountain after practice. A half-hour bike ride away, it was…

If you’re intrigued to discover whether you respond to ASMR, here are a few accounts to try the experience. Note that even if you are an ASMR experiencer, not every video or presenter will work for you. And, even if you don’t get the tingles you might feel more relaxed or find it easier to sleep after watching – which can’t be bad. Sleep Whispers This podcast is run by Professor Craig Richard and he says people using it usually fall asleep within five minutes: Sleepwhispers.com Gentle Whispering Russian expat Maria is one of the biggest ASMR stars on YouTube with over 2.1 million subscribers. Find her at: youtube.com/user/GentleWhispering Lauren Ostrowski Fenton If you want calming meditation alongside your ASMR triggers, then join the 167,000 people who subscribe to this…

1. echolalia – A: jerky hand movement in infants. B: repetition of speech by a child learning to talk. C: infant’s joyful response on hearing music. 2. bantling – A: young child. B: one-piece sleeping garment. C: baby bed with side rails. 3. bassinet – A: baby safety gate. B: bond between mother and infant. C: baby’s wicker cradle. 4. colic – A: infant’s fear of abandonment. B: intense and frequent crying in an infant. C: cereal for babies. 5. Apgar score – measure of: A: infant intellect. B: physical condition of a newborn. C: health of mother after birth. 6. quintuplet – A: each of three children born at one birth. B: each of four children born at one birth. C: each of five children born at one birth.…