N are 0 Vis 0 é me Big Organic—~ Gy ae ad te “ ETN ec J ia h Kidnapped by Terrorists Play ttt PUT eset fr 9 Cole t Darr) 2013How many geckos does it take to screw in a lightbulb? HIVE P TOLEDANO/TRUNK AR yi Te cy Ted AC) ar brie) October 2013 128 Comical Comments Food Fight inthewar on Eocene eeinan ras esetueke ead tir cnn Pee en sane acnni Tecan cet ton Wasa te 140 My Most Unforgettable Everything Connects co YET Anne Rice onthe Snes ee le acy Nee mn et) ered ese Peon emcee tec ene nee eeec Ca ee een aa The Mess at the Top of the 144 Look Twice World Garbage and overcrowding leans fuerte Col aa Ace lem a 148 Mr. Mom, Meet Alpha Dad Naa Ue eee #7 The modern dad balances life at home ea Lola cee ea a) rere ett Yon eo eC Paro ese) Project Happiness SR ea econ SI el Pees ola tes naan Decent MTT kctgi een CCT CT en ages your peril. SHARON BEGLEY, FROM THE Pane ACE a) Lee Oh ae Permenniraian diel cus) Renee leeuet lutte Stee eee eo Kidnapped by errorists AnAmerican feeneeeaeti eres Sem aUtl an test EOE ao Oats 25 Things Rich yA ma Ridiculously easy ways ere aaa Oe RC nea) Peta naast aclBie bo tec Coulis at) treasured monuments Wise words from Jeff Bridges Contents HUMOR 16 Laughter, the Best Medi 68 Allina Day’s Work 160 Humor in Uniform 162 in These United States THE DIGEST 24 Family 13 thingsahigh school coach wonr’t tell you 28 Home dalloweeninstacrafts; the note every dad should leave for his daughter 36 Food Howapples heal (and harm!); the ultimate comfort soup 44 Tech 3-Dprinters hit the shelves 51 Health prevent aheartattack; breakthrough ways to boost mood 62 Pop! social mediathat sparks a movement Jownload his Issue! DEPARTMENTS _ TheReader’s Digest Editor’s Note app for the iPad and 5 Kindle Fire has bonus 7 React. Your letters content, video, and more! 10 Everyday Heroes Aformer boxer takes ona carjacker;a grandma savesateen@ 71 Word Power Spellingbee stumpers EMILY COX & HENRY RATHVON 156 Daily Digest a3 35 158 Uncommon Sense ze JEANNE MARIE LASKAS cg 168 Quotable Quotes. 3 go ON THE COVER BE PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER Ze FOOD STYLIST: VICTORIA GRANOF FOR a3 STOCKLAND MARTEL 23 when your pet’s health is on the line, all the fancy bowls in the world won’t keep him healthy. VPI® will. From routine shots to unexpected emergencies, VPI Pet Insurance helps you provide the best care possible for your pet. VP! — healthy pet, happy owner. see why happy owners love VPI at petinsuran om/happy Pee ol iXTRA adaptive A Fresh Look at Junk Food was a bad mom this weekend: On Saturday, my daughters and I ate lunch at McDonald’s. & Itry. I really do. I take pride in eating as close to “nature” as possible. I do it for myself and for my girls and to set a good example for my readers. I wash and cut fresh fruit daily. I tote snacks of carrots, string cheese, and nuts, and I make a pot of veggie-based soup most Sundays. I have the motivation (and the means) to eat well. Even so, I sometimes fall back on processed convenience food. And then I suffer the guilt. That’s why I couldn't put down David Freedman’s essay “How Junk Food Can End Obesity,” in the Atlantic. Freedman questions whether fast food is as evil as the “wholesome foods” movement makes it out to be. He asks whether local farms can ever really supply enough healthy foods, at a realistic price, for the entire population. Maybe, just maybe, Big Food is better positioned to make a dent in the nation’s obesity crisis. These days, the response to a story becomes part of the story itself. Freedman’s article sparked such out- rage from whole-foods advocates that we decided to curate the responses, both pro and con, that appeared in its wake. Pm proud that RD can bring both sides of this issue to you. I hope our package on page 76 makes you feel like part of the national conversa- tion, no matter what your opinion on the subject. ‘As for me? Freedman’s perspective was more than provocative. It brought me a sense of validation and relief. At McDonald’s, my girls and I shared the fries, and we ordered yogurt parfaits for dessert. I wasn’t a bad mom this weekend. I was just a busy one. eR Ale eae) ai] LEIS COS ea ees: an ee Veni-9 Resear am PNY Tal ae aolge lo ial Bl Ee Leite] light. Learn more about Transitions XTRActive lenses at Transitions.com/Active PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE VACCARIELLO; WARDROBE STYLIST: ELYSHA LENKIN readersdigest.com 10/13HAS NO LOVE FOR LOVE HANDLES. at ia! af gil 216 ns Praca Voccu ati 70 calories Pre ire , Noy 3¢ dietary fiber Could’ve had a V8? V8juice.com 7 spueig 959 E10z@ CJ KALE/LAVA LIGHT GALLERIES React) LETTERS ON THE AUGUST ISSUE An Emotional Ride Wow, | can’t remember another issue of Reader’s Digest that made me laugh so hard or cry so much, | wanted to play tag with the friends from “Tag, You’re It!” and | cried reading baby Austin’s story (11 Hours in Room 407”). Thank you for the emotional ride! ‘Meg Kelly, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. A Personal Reflection I finished “11 Hours in Room 407” with tears in my eyes. In 1996, my son was born with severe meconium aspiration syndrome, which damaged his lungs. We were told he would not survive. Now my son is getting ready to apply for colleges. Never underestimate the will and determination to survive. Judi Zimmerman, Fairlawn, New Jersey islands, but this one seemed to fit with your Editor's Note (“The Night I Met the Sky”). Jim Grayson, Marietta, Georgia Starry Skies This image of the Milky Way, seen from a volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, was snapped by two friends of mine who are photographers. They take many pictures of the ___ readersdigest.com 10/13My faithful Reader’s Digest arrived today, and the first thing I read, as always, was your Editor’s Note. My heart swelled with emotion as I read your memories of the amaz- ing Wyoming sky. I live just a cou- ple of hours away from Grand Teton. National Park, and I share the same fascination every time I look up at the starry sky. Come back to this wonderful part of this great country, and you'll find that the same blanket of stars is waiting to shine upon you again. Sonia Schuetz, Shelley, Idaho Meaty Advice Contrary to the item that claims a cake tester is the best tool for deter- mining whether meat is cooked correctly (“A Top Chef's 89-Cent Secret,” Food Digest), I was told you should never stick anything into meat or fish—poking holes can leave your meal less juicy. Instead, use the “finger test”: As you touch your thumb to each finger, the changing firmness of the fleshy base of the thumb mimics the doneness of meat at different stages. Bob Brewer, viae-mail True Inspiration Herdes® ] Hooray for 12-year-old Luka Tavéar (Everyday Heroes)! His spirit is strong despite his incredible physi- cal limitations. I loved seeing Luka in those four action shots. And I thank Matej Peljhan for taking the time to make a difference in a little boy’s life. David Tulanian, Los Angeles The Nose Knows ‘As a nurse, I lave reading about human anatomy. “A Day in the Life of Your Nose” (Health Digest) was informative. It’s especially interesting how the sense of smell can trigger memories of long ago. The complexity of the human body is truly profound. Lori Kohl, Overland Park, Kansas Are You the Next Great RD Cartoonist? Hey, creative geniuses: Are you between the ages of 14 and 23? Do you want to see your artwork in Reader’s Digest? Of course you do! So enter our Search for the Next Great Cartoonist Contest by sending us your funniest original cartoon, comic strip, animation, infographic, or otherwise hilarious piece of visual art. You could win $1,000 and instant fame. Details and full rules at rd.com/cartoon. Now go make funny art! No purchasenecessary to enter or win, Open to US. residents ages 14 0.23 only, Contest begins 916/13 and ends 12/13. Void where prohibited. readersdigest.com t0/13 corals Mind Your Manners When did passive-aggressive behav- ior start passing for manners (“Jokes That Harm, Jokes That Heal”)? Life doesn’t have to be filled with snappy comebacks. Sometimes sincerity is best. Rosalie Everson, Brighton, Colorado Word Power While rereading 1984, I realized I would not have known the mean- ing of baize had I not learned it in August’s Word Power. Garl Welser, Brighton, Michigan EVERYWHERE! | il ‘a.com Nook Kindle KindleFire | iPad You facebook.com/ youtube.com/ readersdigest _readersdigest ¥ & @readersdigest @readersdigest @ pinterest.com/ readersdigest readersdigest stumbIr.com, Send letters to React, Reader's Digest, PO Box 6100, Harlan, twa 1593-1600. include your fullname, address, e-mail nd > "with her kids] in the car. I couldn’t let that happen.” When the man noticed DeBruyckere coming his way, he dashed down the median in the opposite direction. DeBruyckere caught up with him after about 60 yards. A former Golden Gloves champ, DeBruyckere tackled the man, but the fugitive wriggled free and forced his way into the cab of another stopped truck, sending the driver fleeing. DeBruyckere followed the car- jacker and lunged into the vehicle from the passenger’s side to pull the parking brake. The men wrestled for control of the wheel. They fought for “what seemed like an eternity but was probably 20 or 30 seconds,” says DeBruyckere now. “Then I heard, ‘Freeze! Don’t move!’” Dozens of Scottsdale and Phoenix police officers had arrived on the scene. One police officer drew his gun and approached the truck. He ordered DeBruyckere to get out of the cab. What DeBruyckere learned later: The police had been chasing the suspect, Kenyatta Kindu, because not only was he a reckless driver and a carjacker, they allege, but more shockingly, he was also sus- pected of robbing a Phoenix bank and locking its employees in the bank vault just hours before. The backpack Kindu wore held the stolen money—as much as tens of thousands of dollars. Kindu is awaiting trial. 12 CASTRO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA Fearless on the Front Lawn Agrandmother defends her turf— and saves a boy’s life ne Friday night in May 2010, 0 Oliver and Ione Kleven heard angry shouts coming from their front lawn. Ione, 65, stepped onto the porch and saw two men in dark clothes struggling with something on the ground— right where she and her grandson had planted a flower bed the week- end before. “Go fight somewhere else!” she yelled, worried her plants would get trampled. At the sound of her voice, the face of a boy Ione hadn't noticed before appeared from beneath the two men. He looked 14. “They’re trying to kill me!” the boy screamed. Ione ran toward them and, without hesitation, grabbed the boy’s arm, pulling him out from underneath the men. “Leave him alone!” she yelled. When the men stood up, Ione saw what looked like a sharp object in one man’s hand. When she turned back toward the boy, he was hunched over, moaning in pain and holding his stomach. The attackers began to move in on the boy again when the voice of Ione’s husband, a former >> readersdigest.com t0/13 COURTESY IONE KLEVEN 100% Coffee. No Nuts. Remember when chatting meant meeting face-to-face with a friend over a cup of coffee? Get back to what's good with Chock full o'Nuts Coffee. Because the original Chock Café opened its doors in 1932 as a nut shop, the word “nuts” has always been part of our name and our history. But nuts in our coffee? Never. There's nothing but pure coffee in every can. Enjoy deliciously simple Chock full o’Nuts today and let its enticing aroma and smooth taste take you back toa simpler time, when the front porch was the perfect place to connect. www.chockfullonuts.com © 2013 Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA package S4 Fr 1% the consumer: This coupon is good for $1 olf the purchase " price of any one (1) package of Chock full o'Nuts® coffee. Any J, other use constitutes fraud. Coupon may not be reproduced, copied, transferred or sold, including on intemet auction sites. Limit’ one J] coupon per purchase, To the retaller: For each coupon you accept from a customer pu I chasing the above-described product, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, Inc. will reimourse you the face value of the coupon plus 8¢ | handling, provided that the coupon is redeemed in compliance with ‘our coupon policy. A copy of the policy wil be sent upon request | Yoidif prohibited, taxed or restricted. Redeem by mailing to: Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, inc., P.O. Box 870035, EI Paso, TX 88587. 0071038-072466 ! ! 1 I ! 1 1 1 ! 1 1 I ! 1 ! 1 I 4Marine, boomed from the porch. “Get lost!” he shouted. The two men walked quickly and quietly across the street and drove off in a dark sedan. “I have to get to the hospital!” the boy cried. He lifted his shirt, and Ione could see his intestines bulging from a bloody wound on his stom- ach. Oliver hugged the trembling boy on the porch steps while Ione grabbed her cell phone and car keys inside the house. She handed the phone to Oliver. “Call 91,” she told him. “I’m going after them.” Ione took off but was unable to find the car. The men have not been caught. 8 ‘When she returned, the police — and paramedics had arrived, and the boy was on a stretcher. The Klevens then learned what had happened. Earlier that night, as the boy waited for his parents to pick him up from the high school across the street from the Klevens’ house, two men approached and demanded his wallet. When he refused to hand it over, one of the men punched him in the face. The boy ran across the street. The men caught up with him, and one stabbed him in the back and stomach with a sharp hook. That’s when Ione stepped in. The boy’s wounds required oper- ations, but he has fully recovered. “He was alone and outnumbered,” says Ione. “There was no time to do anything except what I did.” Christopher Davis ihe 4 From Captive to Caretaker Atimely adoption gives two abused souls afresh start hen the police rescued. Gina DeJesus, 23, and two other women from a south Cleveland home last May after more than a decade of sexual enslavement, they also saved three dogs: Lola, a terrier mix; Drake, a Shih Tzu %, mix; and Dina, a Chihuahua. ~-< ASPCA psychologist _) Stephanie LaFarge thinks » 2 the animals may have helped the women cope with their circumstances. “Even if you can’t help your- self, there’s something rewarding about caring for another living creature,” she says. After brief stints in foster homes, the dogs landed at Dogs Unlimited Rescue in nearby Pepper Pike, Ohio. The shelter volunteers assumed that the animals and the freed women had become attached over the years, so the staff offered the dogs to them first. Gina adopted Lola. “Gina and Lola had a special bond,” says Marcy Munoz, a Dogs Unlimited volunteer. Gina won’t comment on the adop- tion. But LaFarge believes that “a res- cued animal expresses appreciation for being rescued.” In some ways, “Gina is helping the dog as much as it helped her,” she adds. Damon Beres readersdigest.com t0/13 FROM TOP: MARK DUNCANJAP PHOTO. COURTESY MARCY MUNOZ Patient Name: EE a ih Cardioviva”™ rT eT Ue Mats] ap cholesterol levels without a prescription Introducing Cardioviva: The #1 Cardiologist recommended probiotic*. You depend on your doctors’ advice to stay heart healthy. So choose the natural heart health probiotic developed by them. Cardioviva™ safely maintains healthy cholesterol levels — high blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors of heart disease. Cardioviva's probiotic formulation supports both heart health and digestive health. ‘Cardioviva™ is a heart health supplement and is not intended to replace cholesterol reducing medication. EAS wwmycardioviva.com "Among US. cardiologists who recommended a brand of probiotic ina Symphony Health Solutions 2013 Survey. Love Your Heart Naturally. Available at WalgreensLaughter, the Best Medicine millionaire, ahard hat, and a cheapskate are at a bar. When they get their beers, they notice a fly in each mug. The million- aire politely asks the bartender for another beer, then sips the new one. The hard hat spills out just enough to get rid of the fly and quaffs the rest. It’s now the cheap- skate’s turn: He sticks his hand into the beer, grabs the fly by the wings, and shouts, “Spit it out! Spit it out!” Aman, shocked by how his buddy is dressed, asks him, “How long, have you been wearing that bra?” The friend replies, “Ever since my wife found it in the glove compartment.” Did you ever notice that from the time you hang up the phone until the pizza guy shows up, the only conver- sation you have is “Where’s the guy with our pizza?” 16 Comedian Bob Marley a Ee yyy yy Ved 7 eer Wi Ahermit leaves the solitude of his rural home and ventures into town for the first time in his life to try to get a loan. Inside the bank, he tells the manager, “I want to borrow TU gear Deas Protea ae ee eo metas ER CRUE tae ILLUSTRATION BY ROY DELGADO. BRUCE GLIKAS/GETTY IMAGES $10,000 to build a bathroom in my house.” “T don’t believe I know you,” says the manager. “Where have you done your business before?” The hermit replies, “Out back in the woods.” Submitted by Adam Joshua Smargon, Newark, Delaware Pen in Cheek Here are intentionally bad first lines from nonexistent novels, courtesy of the annual Lyttle Lytton Contest: @ “Agent Jeffrey’s trained eyes rolled carefully around the room, taking in the sights and sounds.” @ “It was a beautiful night, and the full moon glew like it had never glown before.” = “BOOM! said the bomb very loudly” @ “Ooh la la!’ whispered Larry in French.” @ “She had the kind of face that made you want to say, ‘Hey, look at your face!’” readersdigest.com 10/13 Amaninvited a woman over to his. home for a seven-course meal. “That’s lovely,” she said. “What are we going to have?” He said, “A hot dog and a six-pack of beer.” — From Jokes Every Woman Should Know (Quirk), edited by Jennifer Worick Why are cowboy hats turned up on the sides? So that three people can. fit in the pickup. SMM} SAY WHAT? Jimmy Fallon noticed | that you can’t always > trust every quote you read online. While some ring true, others are suspect: Oscar Wilde said: “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” He might not have said: “The other name we give them is Lower Back Tattoos.” Lord Chesterfreld said: “History is but a confused heap of facts.” He might not have said: “You ever notice that if you wear a blue shirt in Best Buy, everyone thinks you work there?” Charles Darwin said: “A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” He might not have said: “A man who dares to waste ten hours of time has probably discovered Facebook.” From Late Night with Jimmy Fallon WULULALUUUAULLLUUU MILAM AAA dd hdd dd ddd bddétdéddhtt ddl Your favorite new joke, funny anecdote, lor crazy news story might be worth $$$. See page 160 for details. NOTE: Ads were removed from this edition, Please continue to page 22.Knock, knock. Woo. Rian i That's the sound of millions of people saving money with GEICO. es) Mashups Deep cd PLU Mees Deere ae as designer Marc Ghali ERT a Deters Pere dens Pe Peco) Cerca Pee Fe etd Bese ry esses, Cenc perfect pairings— like James Dean and Brad Pitt—and Peeters REPT cla cotta certries BON tame lilpFami EDITED BY BETH B Things a High School Coach Won’t Tell bic BY MICHELLE CROUCH 1 Every coach says, “T don’t have favor- ites.” But we do. They’re the ones who show up to practice on time and work hard. Your child doesn’t want you to be an expert in his sport. I believe a big reason lacrosse has become so popular is that the kids know their parents don’t understand the game, so all Mom and Dad can do is watch the match. 3 If your kid gets cut from one team, encourage him to participate in something that doesn’t have cuts, like track or cross-country. It’s a great way to get in shape for other sports, and a lot of kids end up loving it. 24, DREHER Poel ic) etc incollege ees We put in at least 20 hours a week as coaches in addition to other full-time jobs. We plan prac- tices, watch film, fill out paperwork, and sort out drama with kids and parents. A lot of us also run a web- site or a concession stand and work with a booster club to raise money for the team. Most of us get paid only a few thousand dollars per season. But it’s worth it to see the kids improve. ILLUSTRATION BY EDDIE GUY 5 Sometimes I give a player at the bottom of the roster hope that he may play, even though he probably never will. You need those players on the team in case your best ones can’t play, and you need them to build your team for the future. Plus, you don’t want them to think there’s no way they can help. It’s really tough to keep kids focused these days. I've had players who were text messaging in the locker room before the game. Last year, I kicked a player out of practice because he had his cell phone in his sock. Win or lose, tell your child how much you enjoyed watching her play rather than reliving every min- ute of the game. I once found a kid shooting baskets in an almost-dark gym after a game. She said she was waiting as long as she could to go home so maybe her father would be in bed and she wouldn’t have to talk about the game. When I was in school, I played three different sports. To be competitive these days, kids have to pick one sport when they’re young and play all year. When we get our coaching certification, they stress choosing our words carefully. We have to constantly worry about saying something that could get misconstrued in the retelling. So I talk as though I have a camera on me at all times. readersdigest.com 10/13 10 If you want to work with your child at home, it’s better to practice what she already knows rather than trying to teach her some- thing new. I spend a lot of time cor- recting things you’re teaching wrong. 11 As soon as a player I'm coaching starts to get good, the private schools come calling. They'll promise him a full scholar- ship and all sorts of perks, and we lose players. That’s tough. 12: hate it when kids say, “T can’t.” That drives me nuts. You can. Just try. 1 At the end of every season, Tm always ready to quit. Other coaches tell me the same thing. We're just so sick of dealing with the drama, the practices, the time commitment, and everything else that comes with the season. But by the next year, our love of the sport and the kids always draws us back in. For more insider secrets from coaches, }go to rd.comJoctober. Sources: Coaches in Florida, Washington, and California and former coachesin Massachusetts and Connecticut "WORD OF THE MONTH “Peer-enting” Astyle of negotiation parenting (as opposed to “because | said so” parenting) favored by mothers and fathers of the Millennial Generation. “| negotiate daily with my son, who is 13,” says one dad. Source: Tine 25) FamilyDigest Why Finnish Babies Don’t Sleep in Cribs Generations of mothers are connected bya simple gift or expectant parents in [5 Finland, their “bundle of joy” isn’t just the baby. Since 1938, new mothers and fathers have received a cardboard box, often used as the baby’s first crib, filled with a small mattress, blankets, infant clothes, outerwear, toiletries, and more. ‘The Finnish government supplies the boxes, saying the gift encour- ages good parenting habits and aims to give all children an equal start. Some experts think that the starter kit has even helped Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant-mortality rates. Before the tradition began, when many Finnish babies slept in their parents’ beds, 65 out of 1,000 babies died each year. Since the introduc- tion of the box—and the custom of having babies sleep separately from their parents—Finland’s infant- mortality rate has plummeted to only 3.4 deaths for every 1,000 babies. Over the years, the box’s contents have often reflected historical trends. Until 1957, the kits contained plain 26 The 28-inch-long maternity box contains 48 items (baby not included). fabric that mothers would use to sew the baby’s clothes. Stretchy fabrics appeared in the 1960s; disposable diapers debuted in 1969. As more women began careers in the 1970s, the layette came in easy-to-clean stretch cotton. In 2006, cloth diapers reappeared for environmental reasons, and bottles were removed to promote breast-feeding. “It’s easy to know when babies were born because the box changes alittle each year,” Titta Vayrynen, 35 and the mother of two young boys, told a reporter for the BBC. “It’s nice to compare clothes and think, That kid was born the same year as mine.” a readersdigest.com t0/13 COURTESY KELA/ANMIKA SODERBLOM (2) Over 40 tasty, heart-healthy soups. How lucky can you get? Campbells. ‘American a soto ese ak While many factors allect heart disease, cts fw hn ‘saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the rik of heart disease.Jaga | EDITED BY ALISON CAPORIMO See a Lets Fett UST Our favorite new craft book serves up instant aE Ule\ Xa Ke (ree 4 of as i i Cer CeCe eto t Cty eChoice rented sty to make these glass ghosts. Cea Cee nha etic bottles (we used Perrier ones here). Cisneros DRC RNa a ee Micrel ac tat fete ee To remove thestains after the party, wash with bleach. Ce ee) Cups look creepy when sitting Geintcersattcltaeet tate CMa vacant 3s-inch flat metal washer. Me ener tne aera eee asain CBS Vecle0e aly anak Cierra Ceri) Pura) b Vampire Napkin Rings Serious chompers make your table settings look so cute it’s scary. Y CFs reel aaa ae ry or TNS TACPAL Pes a oy CBee MUR LaN Cadence oA) BND LPL Reader's Digest reseed corres) REE Priests ecesstcon) Per henesces Poses Predega cen eres Cees cet kee Cini) Err ere ue ee rtd (Seem CCC aa aaee cea Peer ci rier aeeney Pr) HomeDigest NK Hi (Nuria A Letter to My Daughter What one dad wants his precious girl to know about her future husband BY DR. KELLY FLANAGAN @ From drkellyflanagan.com THIS IS YOUR SECRET INGREDIENT 2 8 $ e 2 Dear Little One, “How to keep him interested.” From coffee beans to applesauce, find delicious recipes for everything in your pantry ecently, your mother and I It startled me. I scanned several Pi were searching the Internet, of the countless articles about how and Google returned a list to be sexy, when to bring him a beer of the most popular searches in versus a sandwich, and the ways to ae the world. Perched at the top was make him feel smart and superior. >> Ney se Distt 3° tmdacsieutsom mn igesteDigest And I got angry. Little One, it is not, has never been, and never will be your job to “keep him interested.” Little One, your only task is to know deeply in your soul—in that unshakable place that isn’t rattled by rejection and loss and ego—that you are worthy of interest. (If you can remember that everyone else is worthy of interest also, the battle of your life will be mostly won. But that is a letter for another day.) Tf you can trust your worth in this way, you will be attractive in the most important sense of the word: You will attract a boy who is both capable of interest and who wants to spend his one life investing all his interest in you. Little One, I want to tell you about the boy who doesn’t need to be kept interested, because he knows you are interesting: I don’t care if he puts his elbows on the dinner table—as long as he puts his eyes on the way your nose scrunches when you smile. And then can’t stop looking. I don’t care if he can’t play a bit of golf with me—as long as he can play with the children you give him and revel in all the glorious and frustrat- ing ways they are just like you. I couldn’t care less how he votes— as long as he wakes up every morn- ing and daily elects you to a place of honor in your home and a place of reverence in his heart. 32 SECURITY, BEST PLACE TO HIDE YOUR KEYS We hid ours beneath the welcome mat or under the flowerpot—unt we learned this savy tip from Gizmodo: Tape a spare key inside awind chime and hangit near the front door. The metallic key will be seamlessly camouflaged by the metal noisemakers. Even if a smart robber manages to spot the key, he'll have to create a clatter to grab it, by which time you and the whole neighborhood will be awake. In the end, Little One, if you stumble across a man like that, and he and I have nothing else in common, we will have the most important thing in common: you. Your eternally interested guy, Daddy . readersdigest.com t0/13 GETTY IMAGES Fluzone High-Dose INFLUENZAVIRUS VACCINE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INDICATION Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine given for active immunization in persons 65 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. Approval of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is based on superior immune response relative to Fluzone vaccine. Data demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose vaccine relative to Fluzone vaccine are not available. ‘SAFETY INFORMATION The most common side effects to Fluzone High-Dose vaccine include pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site; fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Other side effects may occur. Fluzone High-Dose vaccine should not be given to anyone with a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component, including eggs or egg products, or to a previous dose of any influenza vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have ever experienced Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) after a previous dose of influenza vaccine. If you notice any other problems or symptoms following vaccination, please contact your health care professional immediately. Vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose vaccine may not protect all individuals, For more information about Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, talk to your health care professional and see complete Patient Information on the adjacent page. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gow/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Visit Fluzone.com/hiahdose to find out where to get Fluzone High-Dose vaccine and for more information. o ° a €Patient Information Sheet Fluzone® High-Dose Influenza Virus Vaccine Please read this information sheet before getting Fluzane® High-Dose vaccine. This summary is not intended to take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. if you have questions of would like more information, please talk with your healthcare provider. Whaat is Fluzone High-Dose vaccine? Fiuzone High-Dose is a vaccine that helps protect against influenza iliness (fu). Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is for people 65 years of age and older. Vaccination with Fiuzone High-Dose vaccine may not protect all people who receive the vaccine. Who should not get Fluzone High-Dose vaccine? You should not get Fluzone High-Dose vaccine if you: + ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or egg products. * ever had a severe allergic reaction after getting any flu vaccine. + are younger than 65 years of age. Toll your healthcare provider if you have or have had: + Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) after getting a flu vaccine. + problems with your immune system as the immune response may be diminished. How is Fluzone High-Dose vaccine given? Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is a shot given into the muscle of the arm. What are the possible side effects of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine? The most common side effects of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine are: + soreness, pain and swelling, redness where you got the shot + muscle ache + tiredness * headache These are not all ofthe possible side effects of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine. You can ask your healthcare provider fora lst of other side effects that is available to healthcare professionals. Call your healthcare provider for advice about any side effects that concern you. You may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967 or htip:/vaers.hhs.gov. ‘What are the ingredients in Fluzone High-Dose vaccine? Fluzone High-Dose vaccine contains 3 killed flu virus strains. Inactive ingredients include formaldehyde and octylphenol ethoxylate. Manufactured by: Sanofi Pasteur inc. ‘Swiftwater PA 18370 USA SANOFI PASTEUR w MikT26886-2 6304 Adventure of a lifetime in Alaska! Alaska is one of the most beautiful and unforgettable places on Earth. Get your FREE Oficial Alaska Vacation guide to start planning your trip today! Get Your FREE Atkins Quick-Start Kit with 3 Free Bars Now!” “No obligation required. Offer limited to USS. residents only. Limit one per household vale quantities lat. your link Take the See More Sights Challenge! As the Official Sponsor of Sightseeing”, Transitions” lensesis giving you the chance to experience must-see moments. You could see yourself living it up in Vegas or sampling the best cuisine in Miami www.seemoresights.com Transiti@ns ADAPTIVE LENSES rm one tromerot Sightseeing FREE eNewsletter: Live Well With Diabetes Gel the lalest news, tips, recipes, and more to help manage your diabetes. Sign up for the Reader's Digest diabetes newsletter and get 12 Diabetes-Friendly Dessert recipes. www.rd.com/LiveWell DLiveWell §Diabetes OxiClean” Gets the Tough Stains Out! OxiClean™ is the one that gets it done all around your home. OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover, now with 40% more oxygen power per scoop, has over 101 uses and is color sate and chlorine free. In stores: everywhere o visit: Find Out Why Happy Pet Owners Love Veterinary Pet Insurance From routine shots to unexpected emergencies, VPI helps you provide the best care possible for your pet. VPI—healthy pet, happy owner. Geta no-obligation quote at www. Petinsurance.com/ happy —__ Pi Veterinary fa] Pet Insurance go to readersdigest.com/connections for more!)Food EDITED BY PERRI O. BLUMBERG NUTRITION APPLES: When They Harm, When Heal @ From Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal They Health Benefits © Fight Alzheimer’s Apples contain querce- tin, a powerful antioxi- dant that protects brain cells from degenera- tion in rats and might do the same in humans. Eat the skin to get maximum disease- fighting compounds. © Prevent colon cancer When the natural fiber in apples ferments in the colon, it produces chemicals that help fight the formation of cancer cells, according to recent research from Germany. Other studies have shown that one 36 caer cre read type of anti- fee enced oxidant found Pr in apples, called procyani- dins, triggered a series of cell signals that resulted in cancer cell death. Apples are loaded with soluble fiber, which slows the digestion of food and the entry of glucose into the bloodstream. One group of researchers discovered that women who ate at least one apple a day Choose Pov were 28 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who ate none. called nature’s tooth- ness of the apple brush. Though eating prompts an increased an apple doesn’t actually cleanse the flow of saliva, which reduces tooth decay teeth, biting and chew- _ by lowering the level © Boost gum health ing one stimulates the — of bacteria in the Apples have long been — gums, and the sweet- mouth. >> RECIPE Electrify Your Taste Buds Try this surprising prepara- tion for the fall fruit as a side or a sandwich topper Pickled Apples Yield: 1 qt. 1 large seedless (English) cucumber, unpeeled tbs. kosher salt large firm and sweet apples (such as Crispin, Rome, or Braeburn), unpeeled, cored, and halved 2 medium shallots 4, jalapefio pepper % cup cider vinegar % cupwater \ cup granulated sugar 1 1 vo cinnamon stick star anise pod 1. Prep cucumber: Cut off ends and discard; slice cucumber very thinly crosswise (using mandolin if possible). Putslices in colander; toss with salt. Let sit 20 minutes; rinseand drain. 2. Meanwhile, thinly slice apples, shallots, and jalapefio crosswise (using A OULIUTILULLLLUDUUOLU ALLL ULL DLLU LULU LU TDU DLL LULL DLU LL LLDLDLUDDDDUDDLDLDUDLULUUDDDUU bd, PHOTOGRAPHS BY LUCAS ZAREBINSKI PPVWWWQW WIND, WWW... mandolin if possible). Transfer to bowl; set aside. 3. In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, water, and sugar until sugar dissolves. Add cinnamon stick and anise pod; stir. Pour over apple mixture. Add cucumber and toss; let mixture sit at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, before serving. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks in mason jar or airtight container. Recipe courtesy ofthe U.S. Apple Association 37Digest Prevent high blood pressure Adults who eat apples are 37 per- cent less likely to have hypertension, accord- ing to a recent food database analysis. Stay slim Apples are packed with fiber and water, so your stomach will want less food. Plus, studies out of Washington State and Brazil have shown that people who eat at least three apples or pears a day lose weight. Fend off heart dis- ease A fresh apple is an ideal snack. Apples are rich in flavonoids, anti- oxidants that help pre- vent heart disease—but you must eat the skin. Fight high choles- terol Apples are low in calories and high in the soluble fiber pectin, which helps lower artery-damaging LDL blood cholesterol levels. Pesticides Because apples are vulnerable 38 to worms, scale, and other in- sects, the conven- tionally grown varieties are usually sprayed with pesticides y several times. Always wash fruit carefully before eating, and consider peeling waxed apples—the wax may prevent pesticide residues from being rinsed off. Allergies Sulfur dioxide is often added to dried apples to pre- serve moistness and color; it can provoke allergic reactions in susceptible people. Bacterial infections E. coli and cryptospo- ridium have caused serious illness in people who consumed unpasteurized apple juice or apple cider (most commonly found at roadside stands or country fairs). Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems should take precautions by opting for pasteur- ized juice or cider. Check the label. a "FOODS H. Our newly hf updated as sercie FOO! covers 375 foods HEAL and the 100 conditions they harm or heal (rd.com/ foodsthatheal; available wherever books are sold). readersdigest.com t0/13 J PROP STYLIST: SARAH GUIDO FOR HALLEY RESOURCES ADVERTISEMENT q J YOU'LL LOVE IT. WE PROMISE! Get all your favorite stories, jokes, health tips, and more in an engaging, exciting reading experience. a ce Big Organic Who Will Save America? Cronica oe : muro DAC c od Pern Unforgettable Character) FoodDigest The Ultimate Comfort Soup The most important ingredient is et amother’s love BY JAMI ATTENBERG @ FromtHe New York Times y grandmother died when my mother was Il years old, and so my mother never learned how to cook particularly well. Water, she could boil. Recipes, she could follow. But with a single father, my mother lost some skills along the way. I did not learn to cook either. Instead, I have become a superior dinner guest. I am wonderful to have at your side while you cook, particularly if you give me a glass of wine at your table. I will appreciate your food ina deep, emotional, and highly verbal way, perhaps because I did not get to expe- rience that kind of cooking growing up. Cooking skills aside, my mother is an exceptional nurturer. Two years e ago, she flew to 40 New York to care for me while I recovered from a minor operation. The surgery went smoothly, and the painkillers were a delight. At my apartment, I handed her a grocery list of comfort foods, which included Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. “I should make you some chicken noodle soup instead,” she said. “Mom, you have never made me chicken noodle soup in your life— @ xcept from a can," I said. “That's not true,” she said. “It is absolutely true,” Isaid. We discussed this a moment longer. Soon, a cell phone surfaced from a purse, and my father’s voice came through on the end of the line. “Your mother did many wonderful things for you,” my father >> ILLUSTRATION BY NEIL WEBB You researched. You planned. You saved. Still, unpredictable events can happen on vacation. Next time you travel, make sure your trip investment is covered through Travel Guard. You could save hundreds. or thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. A Travel Guard plan can include: Coverage for trip cancellation, interruption or delay Coverage for lost or delayed baggage Coverage for medical expenses and evacuation 24-hour worldwide emergency assistance For more informati contact your travel agent, call us at 1-888-389-4323, or visit www. TravelGuard.com/RD. TRAVEL GUARD Insurance ofered by Travel Guard Group, nc, alcensed insurance producer. This is only abet escition ofthe coverages) avallabe The Policy wil contin reductions, imitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwiten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pitsburg, Pa, a Pennsyhvaia insurance company, witht principal place of business at s Water Street 18th Foor, New York, NY v8 is currently authorized to transact busines nal stats andthe District of Columba. NAIC No. 44s, Coverage may not be available inal tates. Travel asistance services provided by Travel Guard. 115 06/26/3Digest said. “She encouraged your love of books; she taught you to believe you could be anything you wanted in life.” “I know she did!” I said. “But there was no chicken noodle soup, right?” “I do not recall any chicken noodle soup,” my father said. “Well, now I’m definitely going to make you some soup,” said my mother, who loves a well-thrown gauntlet. Te-mailed my friend Kate, an amazing chef. I wrote that my mom was going to make some chicken noodle soup and that perhaps this was dangerous terrain. “Send us a recipe,” I said, “But make it airtight.” Kate sent a recipe, and off my mother went to the grocery store. Pirie rns 42 Meanwhile, the painkillers were wearing off. That soup better be good, I thought. Three hours and a dozen e-mails with Kate later, my mother had suc- cessfully made the chicken broth. There were some arguments along the way. She bought low-sodium stock, for example, and I forced her to salt it. “I’m recovering from sur- gery,” I said. “Let me have my salt!” But it looked good, and it smelled good. It was definitely chicken soup, and it was made with love. All we needed was the noodles. I watched as my mother emptied an entire one-pound bag of noodles into the soup. At that exact moment, Kate sent me an e-mail. Subject line: Noodles. “I forgot to say how many,” she wrote. “Did she put in the whole package? Really, it should be like ... acup.” We watched in horror as the noodles sucked up all the soup. We tried to add more water, but it was too late. My mother and I stood in the kitchen, frantically spooning the remaining broth into our bowls. “It’s my fault!” wrote Kate. “It’s my fault!” said my mother. Aha, the final ingredient: guilt. But let me tell you, that one bowl of chicken noodle soup was delicious. We did not think about the vat of soup-soaked noodles sitting in the kitchen while we ate, nor did we think about the imperfections of life. I was my mother’s best dinner guest, and she was my favorite chef. a readersdigest.com t0/13 PHOTOGRAPH BY LUCAS ZAREBINSKI; PROP STYLIST: SARAH GUIDO FOR HALLEY RESOURCES. DN LT Ot) ae PR PRCA mC (On any Colgate Total® 2x Pro-Shield™ Plus Sensitty Toothpaste (4.0.02 or larger) 5090-o5 5147 ili ew tecetmn i)TechDiges EDITED BY DAMON BERES Odd Thin New Printers Can Make ow sitting on the shelves at IN] Staples is a new breed of device that may transform your home: the 3-D printer. The Cube (from Cubify) makes the widely discussed future of digital technol- ogy accessible. Consider it your own personal mini-factory for $1,299. Here’s how it works: The unit melts plastic from cartridges you buy (like normal printer ink) and layers it over and over again to create desired items. Want a new bracelet for a night on the town, a set of coasters for tomorrow’s pot- luck, or a toy rocket ship for the kid? You can download mod- els for the printer to make these items and many more. Sots De iea fot eye Gene Ferner Ds 44 The at-home Cube can make almost anything you can think of, as long as your imagination is limited to inanimate plastic objects. However, exciting advances may be coming soon, as scientists push the boundaries and experiment with raw materials. One day soon, you might print your lunch or even the clothes you wear to work. Here, the innovative—and often bizarre—stuff advanced 3-D printers can make right now ... readersdigest.com t0/13 LEFT: COURTESY 30 SYSTEMS (2). RIGHT: FROM TOP: FRANK WOJCIECHOWSKI. JUSTIN TALLIS/GETTY IMAGES. An Ear in a Petri Dish Patients in need of new organs could soon be in luck. Re- searchers at Princeton University earlier this year created a so-called bionic ear that can both send and receive sound. The fleshy concoction reportedly started with cells from acow, a little bit of gel, and some silver, which a printer made into the shape of an ear. Scientists hope the new body part will interface with personal computers in the future. The Extinct Mastodon Here comes Jurassic Park in real life: Researchers at the University of Michigan 3D Lab managed to print accurate replicas of mastodon bones this year—120 centuries after the beast went extinct. The plaster models open the door for new learning on this prehistoric creature. Fashionable Apparel In 2012, designer Janina Alleyne printed a runway-ready shoe called the Exoskeleton. And this past spring, Michael Schmidt and Francis Bitoni crafted a dress out of Gero 3D-printed nylon mesh. We'll see where this goes: Asked, “Who are you wearing?” at this year’s red-carpet events, actresses just might say, “Ink-jet!” Edible Meat Where’s the beef? In your computer, perhaps. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested in U.S. start-up Modern Meadow in pursuit of 3-D printers that can produce meat from animal cells and other materials like amino acids. This could reduce the envi- ronmental impact of livestock and muddy the rules of kosher food- stuffs: If your pulled pork was never actually on a pig—well, you can consider the implications for yourself. A King’s Head After archaeologists dug up the bones of King Richard ITT beneath a parking lot in Leicester, England, this year, forensic artists made a digital model of the royal leader’s head and printed an incredibly lifelike version with 3-D technology. Every- thing from Richard IIl’s crinkled eyelids to his flowing dark hair -was painstakingly re-created, a 45“ONCE | STARTED TAKING LYRICA THE DIABETIC NERVE PAIN STARTED SUBSIDING.” ETIRED POLICE OFFICER’ Prescription Lyrica is not for everyone. Tell your doctor right away about any serious allergic reaction that causes swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, throat, or neck or any trouble breathing, rash, hives or blisters. Lyrica may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people. Patients, family members or caregivers should call the doctor right away if they notice suicidal thoughts or actions, thoughts of self harm, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. These changes may include new or worsening depression, anxiety, restlessness, trouble sleeping, panic attacks, anger, irritability, agitation, aggression, dangerous impulses or violence, or extreme increases in activity or talking. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, do not stop Lyrica without first talking to your doctor Lyrica may cause swelling of your hands, legs and feet. Some of the most common side effects of Lyrica are dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or work with machines until you know how Lyrica affects you. Other common side effects are blurry vision, weight gain, trouble concentrating, dry mouth, and feeling “high.” Also, tell your doctor right away about muscle pain along with feeling sick and o PREGABALIN © capsules Diabetic Nerve Pain (or pain from Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy) is characterized by shooting, burning, pins and needles symptoms. Lyrica provides effective pain relief so patients feel better.* Some patients also had a significant reduction of pain in as early as one week. And, Lyrica is not a narcotic.** Ask your doctor about Lyrica today. “Individual results may vary. **Those who have had a drug or alcohol problem may be more likely to misuse Lyrica. ” Lyrica is FDA approved to treat Diabetic Nerve Pain. LP NTWK epiction Diabetes damages nerves which may cause pain. ‘We asked Terry to tell us about his experience with Lyrica. Get specific treatment for Diabetic Nerve Pain. feverish, or any changes in your eyesight including blurry vision or any skin sores if you have diabetes. You may have a higher chance of swelling, hives or gaining weight if you are also taking certain diabetes or high blood pressure medicines. Do not drink alcohol while taking Lyrica. You may have more dizziness and sleepiness if you take Lyrica with alcohol, narcotic pain medicines, or medicines for anxiety. If you have had a drug or alcohol problem, you may be more likely to misuse Lyrica. Tell your doctor if you are planning to father a child. Talk with your doctor before you stop taking Lyrica or any other prescription medication. Please see Important Risk Information for Lyrica on the following pages. To learn more visit www.lyrica.com or call toll-free 1-888-9-LYRICA (1-888-959-7422). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. PBPS37601-03 ©2013 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. March 2013( IMPORTANT FACTS Lymicn > | teenie (IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT LYRICA ) LYRICA may cause serious, even life threatening, allergic reactions. Stop taking LYRICA and call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a serious allergic reaction: + Swelling of your face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, throat or neck + Have any trouble breathing + Rash, hives (raised bumps) or blisters Like other ee drugs, LYRICA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very ‘small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms, especially if they are new, worse or worry you, including: + suicidal thoughts or actions + new or worse depression + new or worse irritability + acting aggressive, being angry, or violent * new or worse anxiety acting on dangerous impulses + feeling agitated or restless + an extreme increase in activity and talking + panic attacks + other unusual changes in behavior or mood + trouble sleeping If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, do not stop LYRICA without first talking to your doctor. LYRICA may cause swelling of your hands, legs and feet. This swelling can be a serious problem with people with heart problems. LYRICA may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive a car, work with machines, or do other dangerous things until you know how LYRICA affects you. Ask your doctor when it is okay to do these things. ABOUT LYRICA LYRICA is a prescription medicine used in adults 18 years and older to treat: * Pain from damaged nerves that happens with diabetes or that follows healing of shingles, or spinal cord injury. * Partial seizures when taken together with other seizure medicines + Fibromyalgia (pain all over your body) Who should NOT take LYRICA: + Anyone who is allergic to anything in LYRICA OO >) BEFORE STARTING LYRICA Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you: + Have had depression, mood problems or suicidal thoughts or behavior + Have or had kidney problems or dialysis + Have heart problems, including heart failure + Have a bleeding problem or a low blood platelet count + Have abused prescription medicines srct drugs or alcoho in the past + Have ever had swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, lips, gums, neck, or throat (angioedema) + Plan to father a child. Itis not known if problems seen in animal studies can happen in humans. + Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. It is not known if LYRICA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide whether you should take LYRICA of breast-feed, but you should not do both Tell your doctor about all your medicines. Include over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. LYRICA and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you take: ( BEFORE STARTING LYRICA, continued ) + Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. You may have a higher chance for swelling and hives. « Avandia’ (rosiglitazone)*, Avandamet* (rosiglitazone and metformin)* or Actos* (pioglitazone)** for diabetes. You may have a higher chance of weight gain or swelling of your hands or feet. + Narcotic pain medicines (such as oxycodone), tranquilizers or medicines for anxiety (such as lorazepam). You may have a higher chance for dizziness and sleepiness. \_ + Any medicines that make you sleepy ( POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF LYRICA ») LYRICA may cause serious side effects, including: * See “Important Safety Information About LYRICA.” + Muscle problems, pain, soreness or weakness along with feeling sick and fever + Eyesight problems including blurry vision + Weight gain. Weight gain may affect control of diabetes and can be serious for people with heart problems + Feeling “high” If you have any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. The most common side effects of LYRICA are: + Dizziness * Trouble concentrating + Blurry vision + Swelling of hands and feet * Weight gain * Dry mouth + Sleepiness If you have diabetes, you should pay extra attention to your skin while taking LYRICA. ( HOWTO TAKE LYRICA ) + Take LYRICA exactly as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to take it. Take LYRICA at the same times each day. + Take LYRICA with or without food. Don’t: + Drive a car or use machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy while taking LYRICA. + Drink alcohol or use other medicines that make you 4 while taking LYRICA. + Change the dose or stop LYRICA suddenly. If you stop taking LYRICA suddenly, you may have headaches, nausca, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or you may feel anxious. If you have epilepsy, you may have seizures more often. + Start any new medicines without first talking to your doctor. ( NEED MORE INFORMATION? ») + Ask your doctor or pharmacist. This is only a brief summary of important information. \_+ Go to www.lyrica.com or call 1-866-459-7422 (1-866-4LYRICA). ) Uninsured? Need help paying for Pfizer E medicines? Pfizer has programs that can (eI f | aa Elprul help. Call 1-866-706-2400 or visit cD www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com. answers PARKE- DAVIS, Division of Pfizer Inc., New York, NY 10017 Rx only ©2012 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Version November 2012 + Avandia and Avandamet ae registered trademarks of GlaxoSmithKline. ** Actos isa registered trademark of Takeda Chemicals Industries, Lid. and is used under license by ‘Takeda Pharmaceuticals of America, Ine., and Eli Lilly and Co,Dame Surprising... The unexpected gift that changed author James Michener's life forever! Encouraging... The advice Dwight Eisenhower gave to America’s future leaders. Fascinating... What Barbara Walters discovered as she inves- tigated the meaning of heaven. And much more! Preview it FREE for 14 Days. Own our must-have collection of the best true stories and famous essays from 90 years of Reader's Digest. Read a FREE Chapter and Order Today at ReadersDigest.com/joy Also available on your favorite digital device. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LUCAS ZARERINSKI EDITED BY LAUREN GELMAN HealthDigest¢ DoGooD Breast Cancer . i Heroes You’ve Never Heard Of These grassroots groups have made it their passion and mission to give survivors the best life possible BY BETHANY KANDEL THE KNITTERS aughter and the L staccato of click- ing needles fill the air at the Tempe Yarn & Fiber shop in Arizona. It’s Friday evening, and volunteers lovingly pro- duce colorful piles of “knitted knockers,” prostheses for women who have had mastectomies with- out reconstructive surgery. When put in a bra, the knockers—which are lighter and softer than silicone and plastic versions—look and feel like real breasts. Since its inception three years ago, the group has supplied more ILLUSTRATIONS BY SERGE BLOCH ce ¥, than 2,000 knockers to. women in some 40 states. The website knittedknockers .info provides patterns for do-it- yourselfers and lists groups that make and distribute the prostheses to women in need. Many of the knitters have first- hand experience with breast cancer. They send off each knocker with >> 51HealthDigest a personal note; some list the name of a person they’re honoring. One knitter with a sense of humor wrote, “You can get this one pierced, and it won't hurt.” THE HEALTHY COOK nn Ogden Gaffney is the daughter of a master baker and the granddaughter of a chef. But it took two bouts of cancer for her to learn about the therapeutic benefits of eating well through cooking and to pass that knowledge on to others. “Cooking foods I could tolerate during chemo was nourish- ing and empowering at a time when I had little control over anything else in my life,” says Gaffney. She decided to launch Cook for Your Life, a nonprofit that provides free monthly cooking classes to cancer patients and caregivers, who learn to cook an entire meal with fresh, plant- based ingredients. Five years later, in 2012, she created the website cookforyourlife.org, which 52 offers cooking videos, a nutritionist to answer questions, and a search engine that organizes recipes based on treatment, side effect, and dietary needs. “I love showing people how easy it is to turn dark leafy greens and whole grains into deliciousness,” says Gaffne self starts with what you put on your plate, and cooking healthy is the key.” THE TATTOO ARTIST innie Myers, 51, didn’t ex- pect to spend his career tattooing 3-D nipples on breast cancer patients’ re- constructed brea: He started tattooing to earn extra money as a U.S. Army medic in South Korea in the 1980s and then. built up a busines his native Maryland. In 2001, a local breas surgeon first asked Myers to create the impression of real nipples on a patient after her breast cancer surgery. But it wasn’t until Myer: younger sister was diagnosed with the disease nearly a decade later that he knew this would be his li work. >> readersdigest.com t0/13 ources PROP STYLIST: SARAH GUIDO FOR HALLEY RE: Saeco ZzzQuil” SLEEP-AID. BECAUSE SLEEP IS A BEAUTIFUL THING: eer! Keep out of ee eee a eis © Procter & Gamble, Ine, 2013 Oe cnn) Beer en makers of NyQuil” It’s not for colds. eure ola ei) aes) Pe rs Follow us @ZzzQuil eSHis nipples are so lifelike that they fool the eye, which gives women who've had mastectomies and recon- struction an aesthetic sense of whole- ness. It’s rewarding to be the final IthDigest step “in the long, hard journey many of them have gone through,” says Myers. “But it’s over when they leave here. I’m lucky to be the guy who puts the cherry on the cupcake!” IS DHsd,; N|NAAA_MAMA--A-AMMMMIIN, ELCOME MA AN * HOME IS A FALLEN SOLDIER, A GRIEVING SISTER, YOUR TURN: for cancer patients; @ YOUR CAR The Ameri- PERSONAL iris Thesiver Gener tokecovey Program TWO STRAYS, AND ONE QUESTION: GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE @ YOUR WEDDING GOWN Brides Against Breast Cancer resells wed- ding gowns, slips, and veils (from 2009 or later) to raise funds for the cause; bridesagainstbreastcancer org, 877-721-HOPE. @ YOUR HAIR Pantene Beautiful Lengths collects healthy hair for free wigs tion Fund collects gray, silver, and white hair (which other organizations often don’t accept); wigfund.org, 714-547-4461. @ YOUR CREATIVITY To donate to cancer patients any hats, shawls, and blankets you knit or crochet yourself, search the Charity Connection registry on Lion Brand Yarn’s website; lionbrand .com, 800-661-7551. provides rides to and from treatment for people with cancer; cancer.arg, 800-227-2345. @ YOUR TIME Participate imresearch studies to dis- cover the causes of breast cancer with the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Needed: women withand withouta personal or family history of cancer who are 18 and older; actwithlove.org, 866-569-0388. FOUND: MISSING MEMORIES FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD SLOT | SWIOD}2AN How to save these dogs from a war zone? — Welcome Home, Mama & Boris draws readers into a brave tale of determination, grief, happiness, and the inspiration to keep a brother’s memory alive. SLIOG 8 CUI Ever wonder why you can’t recall poignant moments from your days as a toddler? Before we turn three, the hippocampus (a region of the brain responsible for memory) creates neurons at sucha fast clip, it may lose track of where it stored old memories, Canadian scientists recently found. As neuron growth rate slows down with age, the brain organizes itself better. This improves long-term mem- ory. The researchers tested their theory of “infantile amnesia” in an animal study. When they slowed the rate of neuron formation in the brains of baby mice, the mice remembered how to navigate a maze better than those that produced neuronsat the usual rapid pace. PVCu El arte RD.com/MamaAndBoris and wherever books are sold 54 readersdigest.com 10/13) HealthDigest abe dali) ; 3Waysto Attack Your Heart Risk BY JOEL K. KAHN, MD Start with low prices on top brands for women’s wellness. GET THE RIGHT TESTS Basic imaging tests, such as electrocardiograms and stress tests, detect only large, old heart attacks or the worst blockages (more than 70 per- Centrum’ Silver* Women 50+Multivitamin/ Multimineral Supplement cent narrowed). Only advanced imaging tests, such as coronary artery calcium scans or carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) ultrasounds, find early signs of silent atherosclerosis. I recom- mend them to high-risk people: those with type 2 diabetes, abnormal cho- lesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, a family history of heart disease, or a personal history of smoking. Though these tests may not always be cov- ered by insurance, you may find them at a lower cost at some cen- ters. In my community in Michigan, several hospitals offer them for be- tween $50 and $125. If a test detects mildly clogged arteries, your doctor may recommend things like daily aspirin or other meds, a cholesterol- lowering plant-based diet, vitamin Ke, and exercise and stress manage- ment to reverse the damage. 56 @® AVOID THE THREE D’S: DELAY, DENIAL, AND DEATH An artery that is only 50 percent blocked can become fully obstructed in a matter of hours, leading to a serious heart attack. That’s why I tell my patients to never ignore worrisome symptoms such as chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sudden fatigue. These may be signs of a forthcoming heart attack. If you're concerned, get checked ASAP. WATCH YOUR BLOOD SUGAR Contrary to what most of my patients think, not all “bad” LDL cholesterol is equally harmful. The latest science shows it is more damaging when it is modified >> readersdigest.com t0/13 DAN SAELINGER/TRUNK ARCHIVE ~tsacnete deste par hth Vii atc, +100-ct. tablets Caltrate® Plus Minerals Chewables Supplement + 90-ct. tablets, Emergen-C° 1,000 mg Vitamin ¢ Dietary ‘Supplement Drink Mix + 30-ct. packets bonehealth Cuan Walmart eT ive better.) HealthDigest by oxygen or glucose. Tests that directly measure these modified LDLs aren't widely available, but doctors can follow this simple secret to get an estimate: The DWP} wwy5yd}}}}HFHFHW sy WHY | GIVE HOLISTIC HEART ADVICE Joel K. Kahn shares the moment that ypatient—a trim, hand- some, 58-year- old business leader—was the picture of health. He was thin, ate reasonably well, exercised, didn’t smoke. But his younger brother had just hada heart attack, and he was worried. | sent him for advanced blood work and aCAT scan of his heart. It was shockingly abnormal. You’d never know from looking at him, but this man had the diseased arteries of an 80-year-old. He treated the news as a second chance. He made changes, such as lowering his fat intake, to unclog his arteries and dramatically improve his health. | think about this patient whenever | give lectures about the epi- demic of heart disease and the power of lifestyle 9, COLLILLLLULLULLILLULTULIUULLUULULLU LULU LLAMA DUDA hb ddd ddd hdd ddd transformed his medical practice to prevent or reverse it. For me, a cardiologist who emphasizes integra- tive medicine, that means ahealthier grocery cart or arestorative yoga class as muchas the latest imaging tests or surgical procedures. | didn’t always think this way. When | was medical student 25 years ago at the University of Michigan, Iwas taught that | could stop heart disease witha balloon catheter and half adozen pills. But after Ifinished my training, | found myself increasingly drawn to the medical literature that studied the impact of diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and supple- ments. In fact, | couldn’t get enough oft. Iread every journal cover to cover and began sharing this knowledge with my patients. higher your blood sugar, the higher your modified LDL cholesterol levels. Ask your doctor about including an HgbAIC blood sugar test in your next workup. a SPAM AWWW Inoticed, though, that many other doctors weren’t teaching their patients about the sci- ence of heart disease prevention. No wonder most people have no idea that 75 percent of heart disease can be stopped by decisions they make with forks and spoons, gym shoes and weights, and smoking or not. Sonow, inaddition to treating my own patients, lalso travel across the country teaching other doctors to spread the credible message that lifestyle is the key to prevention. And| hope to share many of these in- sights with you in my new Reader’s Digest column. Joel K. Kahn, MD, is a clini- cal professor of medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine and director of cardiac wellness at Michigan Healthcare Professionals. readersdigest.com t0/13 MONNI MUST/NATURALLY MONNI 4 ai To Your Good Health® wa World’s Best Oatmeap—T With all the hasty bent varieties and ease of prep, it's no wonder the world loves Bob's Red Mill. For deliciously creative oatmeal recipe ideas, go to bobsredmill.com/oatsthDigest Medical Mood Boosters Beat the Blues with a Brain Ultrasound a The same tool that lets Pregnant women see their unborn babies may help your mind relax, foundapreliminary study. Ten minutes after researchers used an ultrasound for 15 sec- onds on the temples of chronic pain patients, the volunteers reported feeling happier and calmer and, 30 minutes later, reported feeling less pain compared with aplacebo. Ultrasound may activate tiny struc- tures in brain cells and improve their ability to communicate. The researchers plan to test aportable ultrasound headset next. Source: Stuart Hameroff, MD, departments oF anesthesiology and psychology and Center for Consciousness Studies, University of ArizonaHealth Sciences Center 60 BY REGINA NUZZO Personalize Depression Treatment Oo Some people respond better to talk therapy; others respond better to drugs. Inarecent study, researchers took brain scans of depressed patients, then randomly assigned half to therapy and half to Lexapro. Three months later, they found that those with more activity in the insula—a part of the brain linked to emotion and decision making— improved after meds but not therapy. Those with lower insula activity fared better with ther- apy over meds. If other studies confirm the find- ings, brain scans might help tailor treatment. Source: Helen Mayberg, MD, professor of psychiatry, neurology, and radiology, Emory University School of Medicine Toss Low Self-Esteem in the Trash qeGiea \ duamb/ Treat negative thoughts like old newspaper at the bottom of the bird- cage. When students were asked to write bad thoughts about their body and then toss the paper ina garbage can, they were later more positive about their body image than those who hadn’t discarded them. When they tucked positive thoughts abouta healthy diet into their pocket, they were more likely to want to follow that diet later than those who threw such thoughts away. How you treat your thoughts affects behavior. ‘Source: Richard Petty, PHD, professor of psychology, Ohio State University LLUSTRATIONS BY JUDE BUFFUM BU Laat ormucces Casket Mma CAT eers bad Americans who have done extraordinary things for their fellow Soldiers, their Army, and their nation will soon be told at the National Museum of the United States Army. NATIONAL MUSEUM Ciace iche Gat (800) 506-2672 ARMY armyhistory.orga Di EDITED BY est CAPORIMO WHO KNEW? Monumental Cleaning Daredevil moves and high- powered tools keep these world wonders looking spiffy BY KELLI FITZPATRICK CLEANED: Every f r'so Crewmembers scale the 316-foot-tall clock to scrub its four timepieces, each containing 312 pieces of opal glass. And time doesn’t stop: Work- ers dodge the moving minute and hour hands, which measure nearly 14andnine feet long, respectively! The next scheduled cleaning is in 2016. ‘oln Me al CLEANED: Honest Abe gets blasted with apower- ful pressure washer, and then National Park Service workers use massive makeshift cotton swabs to clean bugs and bird droppings from his ears. cli CLEANE! It takes 10,000 doses of cleaning product, four tons of cleaning rags, and 25,000 trash bags to polish the Parisian landmark. In 2008, scientists set out to find the safest way to swab the 2,500- year- old marble statues. After testing 40 methods, they determined the winning technique was a combination of infrared lasers and ultraviolet rays. But the cleaning can be a dangerous job: Restorers wear goggles and oper- ate the lasers for only two hours day. Sources: parliaments, french lovetoknow.com, bbdonline.com, Traveland Leisure, dailymailco.uk. readersdigest.com t0/13 FROM LEFT: ODD ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES. GETTY IMAGES CLEANED: Mi Lady Liberty has dodged bath time for awhile now—curators haven’t cleaned her exterior in years because infrequent cleaning aids in her preservation. The inside gets scrubbed frequently, however, whichishow = the statue developed “birthmarks”—an acidic solution leaked through the inside wall and stained . her cheek in 1986. =America Mouths Off! ere’s a nifty MD) new way to look at classic regional dialect differ- ences. North Carolina State University graduate student Joshua Katz used his end-of-year statistics project to map regional dialects in the United States via a120-question survey that asked about everything from the pronun- ciation of pajamas to whether hoagie is preferred over sub. The result: 122 maps that show how differ- ently Americans speak. A sampling: 64 i [alasin father Di elasinjam One of the deepest schisms in America is over the pronunciation of the second syllable of pajamas. The Midwest calls it pop, and the Northeast and West Coast call it soda, while the South is really into brand loyalty. Philly’s Making It Up What do you calla big sandwich that contains cold cuts? readersdigest.com t0/13 MAPS COURTESY JOSHUA KATZof Lasting Interest Social media is supposedly fleeting, but these tech tags have become shorthand for meaningful conversations #YOLO The acronym stands for You Only Live Once and made its debut in Grammy-winning rapper Drake’s hit song “The Motto.” It quickly became a mainstay of Twitter, with some taking it seriously by posting about social issues and others using itasa joke to just crazed actions. #Socialgood Mashable, an online news site, created this hashtag to accompany its Summer of Social Good in 2009—the first large-scale online campaign to raise funds for charitable causes both bigand small. Since then, the hashtag has evolved to include tweets that cover philanthropy and social media and has seen up to 70 uses per hour. 66 #TBT Feeling nostalgic? Share it with the world on Throw- back Thursday, a weekly Instagram “holiday” that began in 2011, according to one hashtag-tracking app, to prompt users to post funny old photos of themselves. Bonus popularity points are given to those who post atimely throw- back of themselves for that week. This is the moment for your third-grade Peter Pan costume to shine. #Litterati During an outdoor stroll, Jeff Kirschner uploaded a photo of a cigarette butt to his Instagram account. He had no idea that it would spark massive social media trend. Now thousands of photos of misplaced garbage litter the Internet with this hashtag to inspire anti-pollution awareness. coy TT THURSDAY me Pd ea Halloween Wo childhood eee a er eo tenn eTiy M&M’S® Chocolate Candies.Allina Day’s Work Tear Up the GETTING THE MOST FROM Lease! at Sri Think it’s easy being a landlord? Check out these tenant complaints: = “The toilet is blocked, and we can- not bathe the children until it is cleared.” @ “Fifty percent of the walls are damp, 50 per- cent have crumbling plaster, and 50 percent are just plain filthy.” @ “My wife tripped and fell on it yesterday, and now she is pregnant.” @ “I request permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.” = “I wish to report that tiles are missing from the outside toilet roof. I think it was bad wind the other day that blew them off.” @ “It’s the dog’s mess that I find hard to swallow.” _ From planetproctor.com Booels in kitchen Sea) THAT REMINDS ME OF A JOKE From the news: “Bob” was consid- ereda star at the computer company where he worked. He made a six- figure salary and routinely received excellent performance reviews. And now we know why: Without his boss’s knowledge, “Bob” had outsourced his entire job toa company in China— fora fifth of his salary. He then spent his days at his desk playing games, shopping on eBay, and watching cat IT’S THE THOUGHT DO eee ecard CEP Mec eet tag videos. Source: nydailynews.com PNA ees] Greg crossed out and my name Peace eer ac -aare CeCe The joke: | like the word indolence. It makes my laziness seem classy. Humorist Bern Willéams readersdigest.com t0/13 JAMIE GRILLIGETTY IMAGES Scene: Office Suit: Do you have what I call a Sharpie? Secretary: ... What you call a Sharpie? Suit: Yes. Secreta ‘You and no one else? Suit: It’s like a felt-tipped pen. Secretary: Oh, I know what it is. Suit: Well, do you have one? Secretary: Yes, I do. I keep it here in what I call a drawer. overheardintheoffice.com Worst Interviews Ever = “I went in to meet with a hiring manager right after I'd interviewed with his company’s competitor. What I didn’t realize at the time was I did the entire interview still wearing the competitor's name badge—complete with logo—on my coat pocket.” @ “They asked me to describe myself in one word. I answered, ‘Scatterbrained.”” m “When I applied for a position in another department, I suggested several improvements. For example, I pointed out a widely distributed document that was very poorly designed and ambiguous. I ranted a bit at how little thought had gone into its creation and what I would change to improve it. There were two interviewers. One looked at the other and said, ‘You made that, didn’t you? ‘Yes. Yes I did.” reddit.com Your favorite new joke, funny anecdote, or crazy news story might be worth $$$. See page 160 for details. My friend, a flight attendant, asked a businessman what he would like to drink. After thinking about it, he replied, “Coffee ... to go.” Angela McEntee, Winston-Salem, North Carolina ron to It’s time to tell tales out of school! Teachers, send us your funniest, craziest true stories about a confused student, a demanding helicopter parent, or maybe an unintentionally comical colleague. If we like it, we'll run it in the maga- zine. You might even win the $1,000 grand prize. Runners-up will receive $100. Go to rd.com/teachers for details and official rules. Here are two examples to get you started: Anote I received from my student’s father: “Please excuse Chris’s absence yesterday. Due to my poor planning, my wife hada baby.” Mary Filicetti “Where is Pearl Harbor?” | asked my fourth-grade history class. “Here’s ahint: It’s a place where everyone wants to go.” One student blurted out, “Candy Land?” Kara Sitver No purchase necessary toenterorwin,OpentoUS, citizens 18 and older. Contest begins 96/r3and ends 122h3, Void where prohibited 69MY HE MY MY LIFE lif q i ) Co-Enzyme Q10, or CoQ10 is a vitamin-like nutrient that is essential to the human body. It plays a vital role in the energy production inside the cells of your body, but is also a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and helps protect your cells from damage. C0Q10 is also important to heart health and promotes healthy blood pressure levels. Qunol Ultra has been specially formulated to dissolve completely in water and fat and absorbs 300% better than regular CoQ10 *, making it one of the most advanced forms of CoQi0. lunol ULI err Qunol Ul ‘of Walmar' Setanta 1 300%, or Sxbeter absorption only applies to Qual Ul CoQ10 prosuets 1 Regular CoQ10 refers to unsolubiied Ubiqunone in al suspensions in softs and/er powder ied capsues/tabes, “These statements have nat been evluted bythe Food and Orug Adminstration, This peeduct not infended io lags, Weal, cue or prevent any Gease It Pays to Increase Your BY EMILY COX & HENRY RATHVON pell k This year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee, won by 13-year-old Arvind Mahankali on May 30, was the first to feature vocabulary quizzes as qualifiers. Below is a sampling of the words tackled by the kids, with fresh definitions to challenge you. Take your turn to see if you'd qualify for the bee—then check the next page for answers. A: uncountable. B: of 9. discern (dih-'sern) prime numbers. C: tiny. — v.— A: detect. B: have 5. capitulate (kuh-'pi- trouble understanding. chuh-layt) v.—A: surren- ©: get rid of. der. B: amass cash. o. volatile (‘vah-la-tihl) C:start anew sentence. _adj.—A: explosive. 6. lassitude (‘las-i-tood ) n—A: femininity. B: per- manence. C: lethargy. dearth (‘durth) n.— A: fireplace. B: value. C: shortage. flooey (‘floo-ee) adj.— ‘A: open and breezy. B: like jam. C: askew. 3. egregious (ih-'gree- jus) adj—A: very bad. flamboyant 7. mercurial (mer-'kyur- (flam-'boi-ent) adj— ee-ul) adj—A: running A: showy. B: young errands, B: obscured. and foolish. C: on fire. C: quick to change 2. fandango 8. prodigal (‘prah-di-gul) (fan-'dan-go) n.— B: very small. C:fond ——_qgj—A: spending A: wild dog. B: lively of company. unwisely. B: giving dance. C: bleacherite. j. infinitesimal (in-fi- unwanted advice. 3. eradicate nih-'te-suh-mul) adj— —_C: arrogant. (ih-'rah-di-kayt) v.— A: plant deeply. lestroy completely. ring to light. 4. fusillade (‘fyoo-si-lahd) n.— A: candlewick. B: barrage of shots. strong glue. 5. campestral (kam- "pes-tral) adj—A: of open fields. B: toward evening. C: buggy. s MA Y-PAN Whenyou spell correctly, you're practicing orthography, whichis aword with Greek roots. Ortho means “correct” or “right” and is found in words like orthodox (“right opinion”) and orthodon- ture (“correct teeth”). The suffix -graphy means “writing” and is found in words like biography (“life writing”) and geography (“the writing of the earth”). ILLUSTRATIONS BY JILL CALDER nmAnswers 1. dearth—[C] shortage. There is a dearth of Darth Vader costumes at this convention. 2. flooey—[C] askew. Your tie is crooked, your socks don’t match—your whole outfit is flooey. 3. egregious—[A] very bad. Your deportment, sir, is reprehensible and egregious. imal—[C] tiny. When we say we're perfect, we don’t count infinitesimal flaws. 5. capitulate—[A] surrender. Don’t capitulate to his whims—stick to your guns. 6. lassitude—[C] lethargy. An adoles- cent in the morning is a case study in lassitude. 7.mercurial—[C] quick to change. Her mercurial taste in clothes keeps everyone guessing. 8. prodigal—[A] spending unwisely. Since winning the lottery, he’s been a prodigal fool. FIX OUR MISTAKE! Here are eight words from this year’s National Spelling Bee. Are theyll correct, or have we misspelled one or more? gesundheit surveillance trattoria belligerant brewhaha poinsettia inocuous sarsaparilla suas08)709 pue ‘snonsauuy “eyeynoigspiom aun joze.ta pa|edssiul oy samsuy 72 9. discern—[A] detect. Squinting through the spyglass, I was able to discern a pirate ship. 10. volatile—[A] explosive. Be careful; Nick has rather a volatile temper. 11. flamboyant—[4] showy. Oscar Wilde was nothing if not flamboyant. 12. fandango—[B] lively dance. After a touchdown, it’s not necessary to dance a fandango in the end zone. 13. eradicate—/B] destroy completely. To eradicate my termites, I’ve pur- chased an aardvark. 14. fusillade—[B] barrage of shots. A fusillade of hailstones banged. down on our windshield. 15. campestral—[A] of open fields. Even the most devoted city lovers can appreciate the beauty of a campestral milieu. VOCABULARY RATINGS © 9 and below: Study harder ou're a contender Take a bow To play an interactive version of Word Power on your iPad or Kindle Fire, download the Reader’s Digest app. readersdigest.com t0/13 ADVERTISEMENT The new diet that trims your tummy canalso soothe digestive problems The 21-Day Tummy is designed to alleviate chronic stomach issues, including acid reflux, gas and bloating, constipation and more. Discover which surprising foods support good digestion and help slim your belly at the same time. 7 ¥ \ Get your body into better shape - both inside and out! \ Find yourtrigger foods, flatten yourtummy, andstart feeling EditorinChief, Reader's THE REVOLUTIONARY DIET THAT SOOTHES AND SHRINKS ANY BELLY FAST ‘Author ofthe New York Times estsler The Digest et vars KATE SCARLATA, RO e Try it FREE at 2IDayTummy.comwiTH SNAPSHOT, GREAT DRIVERS GET GREgp SAVINGS. HOWEVER, GREAT CROQUET PLay sau STILL GO UNRECOGNIZED. us Not THAT TH SITTER. mM | | e. gy soi: ‘ry my’ \%. Sy SII. WS: Safe ONS PROGRESSIVE SS ANI = IX a 5) Ni Re ‘ k le CNCover Story PVCU 2 S = Te ae tte) EUs] a ‘Sica ae BIG MAC Who’s better positioned to end obesity and save America’s health: the makers of packaged food or the world’s organic farmers? A groundbreaking piece just changed the conversation. 76 readersdigest.com 10/13 PHOTOGRAPHS BY CRAIG CUTLER 77HAVE THE ELITE HIJACKED HEALTHY EATING? BY DAVID H. FREEDMAN @rromtue Atlantic ate last year, in a small health-food eatery called Cafe Sprouts in Oberlin, Ohio, I had what may well have been the most wholesome beverage of my life. The friendly server guided me to an apple-blueberry-kale- carrot smoothie-juice combination, which she spent the next several minutes preparing, mostly by shep- herding farm-fresh produce into machinery. The result was tasty. But at 300 calories (by my rough cal- culation) for a 16-ounce cup, it was more than my diet could regularly absorb without consequences. Nor was I about to make a habit of $9 shakes, healthy or not. Inspired by the experience none- theless, I tried again two months later at L.A.’s Real Food Daily, a popular vegan restaurant near Hollywood. I was initially wary of a low-calorie juice made almost entirely from green vegetables, but the server assured me it was a popu- lar treat. I could stomach only about a third of the oddly foamy, bitter concoction. It smelled like lawn clippings and tasted like liquid celery. It went for $7.95, and I waited ten minutes for it. I finally hit the sweet spot just a few weeks later, in Chicago, with a delicious blueberry-pomegranate smoothie that rang in at a relatively modest 220 calories. It cost $3 and took only seconds to make. Best of all, I'll be able to get this concoc- tion just about anywhere. Thanks, McDonald’s! If only the McDonald’s smoothie weren't, unlike the first two, so fattening and unhealthy. Or at least that’s what the most prominent voices in our food culture today would have you believe. WHAT THE FOODIES GET WRONG An enormous amount of public discourse has been dedicated to promoting the notion that processed food is making us overweight. In this narrative, the food-industrial complex—particularly the fast- food industry—has engineered its FOOD STYLIST: VICTORIA GRANOF FOR STOCKLAND MARTEL offerings to addict us to fat, sugar, and salt, causing or at least heavily con- tributing to the obesity crisis. In virtu- ally every realm of human existence, we turn to technology to help us solve our problems. But when it comes to food-processing technology, it’s widely treated as if it is the problem. “The food they're cooking is mak- ing people sick,” Michael Pollan, bestselling author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, has said of big food companies. “It is one of the reasons that we have the obesity and diabetes epidemics that we do... If you're going to let indus- tries decide how much salt, sugar, and fat is in your food, they’re going to put [in] as much as they possibly can.” The solution, in his view, is to replace—through public education and regulation—Big Food’s engi- neered, edible evil with fresh, unprocessed, local, seasonal, real food. Pollan’s world view saturates the public conversation on healthy eat- ing. You hear much the same from many scientists, physicians, food activists, nutritionists, celebrity chefs, and pundits, Pollan’s peers, such as Mark Bittman, the New York Times’s lead food writer; Michael Moss, author of Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us; and Melanie Warner, Times reporter and author of Pandora’s Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal, are all well positioned to spread the message. Thousands of restaurants and grocery stores, most notably the Whole Foods Market chain, have thrived by answering the call to reject industrialized foods in favor of a return to natural, simple, nonindustrialized—let’s call them wholesome—foods. If the most influential voices in our food culture today get their way, we will achieve a genuine food revolution. Yet despite the best efforts of a small army of wholesome- food heroes, there is no reasonable scenario under which these foods could become cheap and plentiful enough to serve as the core diet for most of the population—obese or otherwise—even in the unlikely case that the typical junk-food eater would be willing and able to break lifelong habits to embrace kale and yellow beets. Besides, many of the dishes glorified by the wholesome- food movement are as caloric as anything served at Burger King. REAL FOOD IS FATTENING TOO Let’s go shopping. We can start at Whole Foods, a critical link in the wholesome-eating food chain. There are three within 15 minutes of my house—we're big on real food in the suburbs west of Boston. Here at the largest of the three, I can choose from more than 21 types of tofu, 62 bins of organic grains and legumes, and 42 different salad greens.Much of the food isn’t that differ- ent from what I can get in any other supermarket, but sprinkled through- out are items that scream “whole- some.” One that catches my eye, sitting prominently on an impulse- buy rack near checkout, is Vegan Cheesy Salad Booster, from Living Intentions, whose package emphasizes the fact that the food is enhanced with spirulina, chlorella, and sea vegetables. The label also proudly lets me know that the contents are raw—no processing!— and that they don’t contain any genetically modified ingredients. What the stuff does contain, though, is more than three times the fat content per ounce of the beef patty in a Big Mac (meaning that more than two thirds of the calories come from fat) and four times the sodium. After my excursion to Whole Foods, I drive a few minutes to a Trader Joe’s, also known for an emphasis on wholesome foods. At the register, I’m confronted with a large display of a snack food called Inner Peas, consisting of peas that are breaded in cornmeal and rice flour, fried in sunflower oil, and then sprinkled with salt. By weight, the snack has six times as much fat as it does protein, along with loads of carbohydrates. I can’t recall ever seeing anything at any fast-food restaurant that represents as big an obesogenic crime against the vegetable kingdom. (Trader Joe’s website now states that the recipe has recently changed to reduce fat and raise protein. Living Intentions did not respond to a request for comment.) I’m not picking out rare, less healthy examples from these stores. Check out their products’ nutrition labels online: fat, sugar, and other refined carbs abound. BUT CHEMICALS ARE BAD... RIGHT? Hold on, you may be thinking. Leaving fat, sugar, and salt aside, what about all the nasty things that wholesome foods do not, by definition, contain that processed foods do? A central claim of the wholesome-food movement is that wholesome is healthier because it doesn’t have the artificial flavors, preservatives, other additives, or genetically modified ingredients found in industrialized food. This is the complaint against the McDonald’s smoothie, which con- tains artificial flavors and texture additives and which is pre-mixed. It’s the tautology at the heart of the movement: Processed foods are unhealthy because they aren’t natural, full stop. The fact is, there is simply no clear, credible evidence that any aspect of food processing or storage makes a food uniquely unhealthy. The U.S. population does not suffer from a critical lack of any nutrient, because we eat so much processed food. (Sure, health experts urge Americans to get more calcium, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and vitamins A, E, and C, and eating more produce and dairy is a great way to get them—but these ingredi- ents are also available in processed foods, not to mention supplements.) Processed foods, which Pollan has called “foodlike substances,” are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (with some exceptions, which are regulated by other agencies), and their effects on health are further raked over by countless scientists who would get anice career boost from turning up the hidden dangers in some com- mon food-industry ingredient or technique. “Until I hear evidence to Prete ig Eyecam tt the contrary, I think it’s reasonable to include processed food in your diet,” says Robert Kushner, MD, a physician and nutritionist and a professor at Northwestern Univer- sity’s medical school, where he is the clinical director of the Compre- hensive Center on Obesity. Through its growing sway over health-conscious consumers and policy makers, the wholesome-food movement is impeding the progress of the one segment of the food world that is actually positioned to take effective steps to reverse the obesity trend: the processed-food industry. Popular food producers, fast-food chains among them, are already applying various tricks and technologies to create less caloric