Indice dei contenuti per July 2021 in Readers Digest Australia

WE THRIVE ON CELEBRATING individuals who strive to brighten the lives and hearts of others – and that includes our animal companions. That’s why we’re particularly excited to bring you ‘Finding Gobi’ (Bonus Read, page 124), which tells the amazing story of how Dion Leonard was able to complete the gruelling seven-day Gobi Desert ultramarathon race – thanks in part to the support of a very determined homeless dog. Their friendship, set in the parched landscape of Central Mongolia, helped forge new beginnings for them both. Our health focus this month is one of modern society’s silent afflictions – chronic pain. In ‘Conquer Your Everyday Aches and Pains’ (page 38) we take a close look at the latest pain self-management strategies, all of which are expert-approved. We meet Andrew Lloyd…

Begin slowly with brief initial sessions of up to a minute with lots of treats. Accustom your pet to the toothbrush by dipping it in chicken or beef stock or just use water. Try brushing one or two strokes on a few teeth, slowly increasing the amount of brushing as your pet becomes more comfortable. Start at the front of the mouth as pets are generally more accepting of this. Move to the upper and lower teeth in the back. Hold the toothbrush at an angle to the teeth and brush gently in a circular motion. Pay particular attention to where the teeth and gums meet.…

BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS DON’T RAISE CANCER RISK Scientists have long discussed the possibility that blood pressure drugs might affect cancer risk. After several news stories were published that focused only on the potential risk, some patients were hesitant about taking their medications. But the largest analysis to date should put their minds at ease: based on 31 trials involving a total of 260,000 people around the world, the 2020 University of Oxford review concluded that none of the classes of blood pressure drugs raises the risk of cancer. Meanwhile, there is good evidence that these prescriptions help to prevent heart attacks and strokes. HEALTHY DIET COUNTERS SOME ILL-EFFECTS OF OBESITY People living with obesity don’t need reminding that, as a group, they have a higher risk of life-threatening health issues.…

Accepting a life with pain isn’t something that comes naturally to most of us. Since a car accident in 1986, Keith Meldrum has experienced severe discomfort in his abdomen, hip and back. The 50-year-old engineer used to try to push through it. “For a long time, I wanted to show myself and the world that I was not going to let my injury hold me back.” But when he would overdo it, like playing sport, he’d often end up in the hospital. Sixteen years ago, Meldrum’s doctor referred him to a health care team who specialised in pain and self-management techniques. It was a turning point, he says. “I stopped fighting and started putting my energy into living the best life I could.” Globally, around one in ten people live…

Over 200 years ago, a terrible and little-known disaster struck our planet, when Indonesia’s Mount Tambora issued the most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded human history. The 160-213 cubic kilometres of volcanic ash Mt Tombora spewed into the atmosphere dispersed around the world, lowering global temperatures so much that 1816 was known as the Year Without a Summer. These extreme weather conditions drastically affected crops around the globe and in Germany, horses were slaughtered for food. With the main source of transport in short supply, German inventor Baron Karl von Drais put on his thinking cap. By 1817, he had devised the Lauf-maschine (running machine) – aka the ‘Draisine’, ‘hobby-horse’ or ‘Dandy Horse’. Today, we call it a ‘balance bike’, and few people over the age of four would be…

My ordeal with being bullied started when I was just in primary school. I was a chubby, awkward kid and to make matters worse, I hit my growth spurt sooner than most. My body became a constant target for ridicule and my classmates took every opportunity to make fun of me for it. They called me “fat butt”, “frog eyes”, “donkey girl”, “heifer” and accused me constantly of stealing or lying. Teachers ignored the bullying and my pleas for help. They told me to just wait it out, that “kids will be kids” and we’d “grow out of it”. My small town made it hard for that to happen and the popular kids not only remembered every misstep but reminded me of them endlessly. In high school, the bullying only…

QUESTIONS 1 Does wealth make you happy? Not necessarily. According to Greek legend, King Midas asked the god Dionysus to grant him a wish. His request was granted but the King quickly came to regret this good luck. What had Midas wished for? a. That everything he touched would turn to gold b. That he would find precious stones in soil where crops grew c. That rain would turn to silver d. That he’d live forever 2 The New Testament of the Bible warns three times that it is easier for what to happen than for a rich man to be granted entry into the kingdom of God? a. The sun to rise in the west b. For a camel to pass through the eye of a needle c. For…

1. How many islands are there in the Philippines archipelago? a. 352. b. 7641. c. 9058. 2 points 2. What type of wine was sent to the International Space Station for a year, to see how it would age? 2 points 3. Vikings might have helped which animals spread across the globe, by bringing them on ships to control rodents? 1 point 4. In which of the following countries would you not find a pyramid that’s more than 2000 years old: Sudan, Mexico, Madagascar or Italy? 2 points 5. Which Australian band sang the global hit song ‘Down Under’ released in 1980? 1 point 6. Approximately three quarters of the world’s smartphones run on which operating system? 1 point 7. An estimated 18 to 35 per cent of humans experience…

Love Thy Neighbour Karen Stiller’s article, ‘Next-Door Strangers’ (April), must have struck a chord in the hearts of people everywhere. Her persistence and ingenuity in bringing good out of lockdown was inspiring. I would love to read the sequel describing the neighbours getting together over dinner. EULALIE HOLMAN Positive Perspective As a hypochondriac, I usually avoid reading other people’s experiences dealing with illness, especially the ‘big C’. I came across the article ‘My Shocking Diagnosis’ (May) expecting to feel fear and anxiety. To my surprise, I found the story uplifting. The author’s surrender to the unknown, yet dogged determination to live each day to the fullest, was inspiring. Instead of wallowing in depression, he accepted that there may be no tomorrow but today is enough to live for. JANINA BERNARDO…

Knock, knock. Who’s there? A little old lady. A little old lady who? I had no idea you could yodel! @KNOCKKNOCKJOKES Knock, knock. Who’s there? Nobel. Nobel who? No bell. That’s why I knocked. LAUGHFACTORY.COM Knock, knock. Who’s there? Candice. Candice who? Candice door open, or am I stuck out here? Knock, knock. Who’s there? A broken pencil. A broken pencil who? Never mind. It’s pointless. RD.COM…

CLINGING TIGHTLY to our independence: we’ve all done it for years. We’re well-versed in refusing help, unwilling to accept the notion that we just might need it. As your parents age and struggle with health and mobility issues, you find yourself worrying about them and wanting to help. But remember… they’re not likely to accept your offer with open arms. Here are a few ideas for talking to your parents about your concerns in a respectful, non-patronising way. 1 Recognise and respect the significance of this life shift. When you’ve done things your way for decades, it’s hard to hear the words, “you need help” or “let me help you” – especially from your children. Bear this difficult reality in mind, even when your concerns about your mother and father…

We’ve all seen it, perhaps without even registering it – the diamond-shaped patch on backpacks that seems, at best, someone’s strange idea of a design feature. But it turns out that the patch is actually very useful for staying organised. The slotted patch, which is typically found on the front of backpacks, is called a ‘lash tab’ or ‘pig snout’, and is made to hold your spare gear on cords, according to today.com. For hikers and backpackers, that might mean hanging items that you often reach for, such as a torch or canteen, and for employees toting a backpack to the office, it might mean stringing headphones or electronic chargers through the slot for easy access. Lash tabs once appeared only on backpacks created for adventures in the great outdoors,…

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AS OUR PETS CAN’T TAKE CARE of their own teeth, it is important that owners understand their dental hygiene needs, says veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren. DENTAL PROBLEMS ARE COMMON and it’s alarming that a majority of pets show symptoms of dental or periodontal disease by three years of age. Adult dogs have 42 teeth, which is ten more than humans. Your dog’s dental health is just as important as your own and it should be one of the things you take care of on a daily basis. It’s a good idea to ask your vet to show you what healthy teeth and gums look like, so you can identify a problem. BAD BREATH, tooth loss and pain can all be caused by poor dental care. Many pet owners aren’t aware…

DANDRUFF (seborrhoeic dermatitis) is caused by an overreaction the body has to normal yeast that lives on the skin, according to dermatologist Dr Jennifer Haley. Over-the-counter remedies include shampoos containing salicylic acid and antifungal agents while natural remedies for dandruff include tea tree oil. ALLERGIC REACTION If you recently coloured your hair, it’s possible that you’re experiencing an allergy to the dye. “If the hair colour is temporary or semi-permanent it can be washed out,” explains dermatologist Dr Joshua Zeichner, “but if it’s a permanent dye, that presents a more challenging situation.” People can have a reaction to anything they put on their scalp – from shampoo to hair dye to hair-smoothing keratin treatments. While your scalp is healing, choose only gentle formulations. SUNBURN It’s possible that your itchy scalp…

…WE LIVED IN A RENTED FLAT When my parents met, Dad had close to zero income. He, Mum, my dear Granny Molly and Mimi, my mother’s pet monkey, shacked up under one roof in a rented flat in London’s South Kensington. …MY FATHER WAS A MILD MAN My paternal grandfather was a keen amateur musician. As a child, Dad got music scholarships all over the shop. At an unprecedentedly youthful age he won a gong to the Royal College of Music. But for all his talent Dad wouldn’t say boo to a goose. He was content in his academic roles such as Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music. Mum found his lack of ambition infuriating. …MUM’S MONKEY DISLIKED ME When Mum got pregnant, her pet monkey Mimi…

Saw some idiot at the gym put a water bottle in the Pringles holder on the treadmill. @MIKHANX Doctor’s orders say 30 crunches a day. That’s an awful lot of chocolate, but I guess I can give it a shot. @WX388 I’m afraid of being murdered only because they would record my stomach contents. @ELUNATYK If I eat healthy today, then I can have one piece of chocolate as a reward. If I eat unhealthy, I can have the whole bar. @GIGGLEGIRLNOEL Fries should be offered more often, like, “Yes, your mortgage was approved. Would you like fries with that?” @SENTENCEREDUCED…

Some 15 years ago, in the picturesque Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, Joe Dorgan – an organic farmer from the aptly named Seacow Pond on the northern tip of the island – split his dairy cows across two paddocks. One herd was located to a paddock with beach frontage. Over time, he noticed that the cows by the ocean were in better shape than their sisters; they were producing more milk, had fewer udder infections and were highly reproductive. They seemed to be all-round happier cows. The only difference he could see between the two herds was the happier ones had access to the beach and were eating seaweed. So, Dorgan dragged seaweed across the road for his other cattle to discover if it would make a difference. Before…

WAITING FOR ‘SOME DAY’ IS POINTLESS.AURORA BROWNE, ACTRESS, ON HOW 2020 TAUGHT HER TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT WHEN YOU HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS YOUR INSTINCT IS TO ISOLATE AND MAKE YOUR WORLD AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE, BUT A DOG WILL OPEN YOU UP.MICHAEL J. FOX, TALKING ABOUT HIS PARKINSON’S DISEASE As you experiment with your voice – a high note, a low note – it’s a dance between your heart, your mind, your voice and your experiences.SHANIA TWAIN, SINGER We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.CARLOS CASTANEDA, ANTHROPOLOGIST Those who cannot feel the littleness of great things in themselves are apt to overlook the greatness of little things in others.OKAKURA KAKUZO, JAPANESE SCHOLAR As you get older, you become…

As a teenager, I worked at a bowling alley. Within an hour of starting, a new girl was fired on the spot for dropping a ball on the foot of a complaining patron. JEFF_THE_NURSE I work in construction. We had two new employees who were friends. The boss told one to take a coffee order and come back. He took everyone’s money and said he needed his friend to go with him to help carry because it was a big order. They never came back. DENDAD1218 A guy slept through two meetings on his first day. During the second meeting, he started snoring. XSITED1 ALL FROM REDDIT.COM…

1. rouleau – A: roll of coins. B: mushroom cap. C: crystal ball used by fortune tellers. 2. ellipse – A: crater. B: oval. C: revolution. 3. gyre – A: spiral motion. B: ring of fire. C: pirouette. 4. rotund – A: curled. B: plump. C: rotating. 5. circuitous – A: winding. B: surrounded. C: eclipsed. 6. bobbin – A: life preserver carried aboard ships. B: spare tyre. C: spindle for thread. 7. aureole – A: pearl. B: plant seed. C: halo. 8. cupola – A: bald spot. B: espresso mug made from glass. C: roof dome. 9. roundelay – A: traffic circle. B: song with a refrain. C: barber pole. 10. chapati – A: flatbread. B: eye patch worn by pirates. C: tasselled belt. 11. globular – A: convenient…