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I’ve long believed in good alternatives tobanks, and so the rise of crowdfunding(“With a Little Cash from My Friends”, page74) fills me with joy. My most recent venturein the field is a book on 16th century Austriantextiles that arrived just as we were going toprint. It’s many months later than the originalproposal, but about a third longer than I waspromised, so I feel my gamble has paid off!DONYALE HARRISON, chief subeditor and production editorAs someone who loves travel and foodwith equal passion, a stand-out for mewas the tale about Portugal (“Life andLove in Alentejo”, page 94). It broughtback vivid memories of my last trip tothis vibrant country – days and nightsspent exploring the terrain andrestaurants. The writer weaves anenchanting tale – indulging in dogfishsoup, duck rice and veal – all swisheddown with Portuguese vino and themost important ingredient of all, awonderful old friend.P HOTOS : THI NKSTOCKKATHY BUCHANAN, contributing editorMy ten-year-old daughter loathesbreakfast. So much so thatpersuading her to “Just eatsomething” usually sees us startthe day on very unfriendly terms.The same daughter loves AudreyHepburn. So much so that she wasDo you have a favourite story in thisissue? Write to us: details on page 6.willing to take the “madeleinechallenge”. We made the chocchip variety and she devouredthem. Smugly, she added that ifI continue to offer her “cakes”every morning instead of cereal,yoghurt or toast, she would neverresist. If it was good enough forAudrey, it’s good enough for us!(“Breakfast at Audrey’s”, page 48).VICKI POLZOT, editorial coordinatorWhere was Mark Lorch (“ChemicalReaction”, page 60) when I was inschool? I paid little attention to mychemistry teachers because alongwith the “danger” involved, the labsdid not smell so great and the contentwas presented in an extremely dullmanner. Had I a teacher who capturedmy imagination things could haveELLEN WESSELING,been so different.executive assistant to the managing directorOctoberđ2015 9

MY STORYMental hospitals in the 1960s were hard places. Irenenever said a word but her sparkling eyes spoke volumesBeyond SilenceBY JAN W E L L SJan Wells isretired andstill lives inNewcastlewith herhusband. Sheis an activemember of theCameron ParkProbus Club,plays croquetand loves tocollectinterestingitems fromyesteryear.10 I FIRST MET IRENE IN 1964 when, at the age of 17, I started asa trainee psychiatric nurse at Stockton Mental Hospital, nearNewcastle in New South Wales. For five years, I worked ona ward that housed about 100 patients. Some of the patientscould be very aggressive and so they were often restrained instraitjackets. Irene was in her mid-20s and was in the groupneeding to wear a straitjacket – although I never witnessedher being physically violent.As I gained experience and came to understand my patients’needs, my job became easier. Irene was a character. She neverspoke a word but her beautiful brown eyes would sparkle. Itdidn’t matter how well I laced her into the straitjacket, withinten minutes she would hand it back to me. Each time, I’d tellher that only Houdini could escape the straitjacket. However,no sooner was she left alone than Irene would be standingback next to me, jacket in hand. This became a game andeach time she would twinkle with mischief, knowing she hadoutsmarted me and the system. Although she never uttereda word and never smiled, her eyes told me she understoodeverything I said. I respected her because Irene seemed toOctoberđ2015

P HOTO: THI NKSTOCKpossess an inner resolve that neveraccepted defeat.In the late 1960s, the treatmentof mental health patients changeddramatically, and we were told thatour patients were no longer to berestrained in straitjackets. Withina few days of us issuing sets ofnew clothing to the patients on ourward, I noticed that Irene seemedunwell and dejected. The patientshad each been given shoes and socksand I thought Irene would preferthis to the restraint but she just satin the corner lookingsad. The doctor checkedIrene and ordered bloodtests which all cameback clear.I soon realised what theproblem could be: Ireneno longer had a challenge.I decided to test my theory.As I dressed her, I made abig deal about telling her howgood she looked and that shemust keep her shoes and socks onto keep her feet warm. Sure enough,she returned in a couple of minutesand handed the shoes and socks backto me. This time I helped her with hershoes and knotted the laces but thatdidn’t deter her either. The sparkle inher eyes was back! This gamecontinued and I didn’t mind as Irenewas again happy. I did try giving herpuzzles and books and pencils butshe wasn’t interested.After many years nursing, I marriedand resigned from my position toraise our family. Then in 1992, IOctoberđ2015 11

M Y STO RYreturned for a large staff reunion atthe hospital and we were invited tovisit the ward we had worked on. Somuch had changed. The wards werenow called units and the patientswere now called residents. Theresidents enjoyed listening to musicand watching television. Theatmosphere was much more relaxed.While I was talking with the staff,I looked over and saw Irene, now inher early 50s, sitting and watchingtelevision. She wore a pretty dressand neat shoes and socks. I walkedover, took her hand and spoke a fewwords to her but she didn’t seem torecognise me. I returned to the groupbut not long after, I felt a pat on myarm. It was Irene. And, yes, you’veguessed it: she handed me her newlystripped off shoes and socks. I hadto laugh.I sat her down. Together we put hershoes and socks back on. I gave hera hug and as I looked at her not onlywere those beautiful brown eyes stillsparkling, but this time she also gaveme the most beautiful smile.I kissed her and walked back to thegroup and told the staff about ourjourney from a straitjacket to shoesand socks. They were amazed at howfar Irene had come because now shehelped in the dining room by settingand clearing the tables at meal timesand she was immaculately dressed atall times.I like to think Irene’s beautiful smilewas telling me she was happy andcontent. Through it all, she hadalways demonstrated a spirit thatwould not be harnessed.Late last year Irene passed away atthe age of 75. It was a privilege toknow and work with you, Irene.Do you have a tale to tell?We’ll pay cash for any original andunpublished story we print. See page6 for details on how to contribute.YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS.Sometimes relatives can do the oddest things – as recounted byTweeters posting on the topic of #myweirdrelative.My uncle got banned from a Chinese buffet for staying four hoursand then trying to take home 50 crab legs in his pocket.@WolfxxMy grandma stood on her head while someone wrapped her induct tape to appear thinner at her divorce court hearing.@JuliaLamberth12 Octoberđ2015

1 W I00 N0100STORYWORDWRITING COMPETITIONOur incredibly successful 100-word storycompetition is back. This is your chance towin US 1000 and see your work published byReader’s Digest – all you have to do is write abrilliant work of fiction in just 100 words.Stories should be original, unpublished and exactly 100 wordslong (99-worders will be disqualified, hyphenated wordscount as one). Submit your entries by December 31, 2015.For more on how to enter, and full terms and conditions, visit:Asia: rdasia.com/terms-and-conditionsAustralia: readersdigest.com.au/terms-and-conditionsNew Zealand: readersdigest.co.nz/terms-and-conditionsSouth Africa: readersdigest.co.za/terms-and-conditions

KINDNESS OF STRANGERSIt’s not easy being a single mother with few resources,so a friendly gesture shines a ray of warmth Through thePouring RainAdeline Jean,42, lives inQueensland,Australia. Sheenjoysbushwalking,country drives,British murdermysteries andhas recentlystarteddabbling ingardening.14 Octoberđ2015THE TORRENTIAL RAIN was sudden and furious on a coldnight over ten years ago. My bus was not going all the wayalong its normal route this evening and had stopped atthe depot because of flash flooding. With 2km still to go,I was running out of time to pick up my then four-year-olddaughter from her childcare centre. I waded through kneehigh water in the pouring rain into the shopping mall to buya cheap plastic poncho for my daughter. Then I took off myjacket and put it in my bag to keep dry, hitched up my skirt,took off my shoes, and ran. I arrived at the day care soakingwet but I was glad to be only a few minutes late. Now I couldface the next problem.I had no way of getting home. It was around 6pm andthere were no buses and I couldn’t afford a taxi. Home wastoo far to walk in the rain with a young child and it wasquickly getting dark. We stood outside the childcare centrestaring at the rain pelting down, with it showing no sign ofabating. Caught up in my swirling thoughts, I just barelynoticed another parent pull up and race inside to collecthis child ten minutes later. I did not recognise him and mythoughts turned back to my current situation.Having recently gone through an unpleasant split, I was asingle mother with no family in Australia and no close friendsP HOTO: THI NKSTOCKBY A DE LI N E JE A N

I could call. I had to do something;we could not stand on the steps allnight. I was getting cold and I knewthat I had to get us somewhere withsome protection. Then I rememberedthat with a quick dash across the roadwe could be at the convenience store.Although it was closed by this time,there were dry, empty cardboardboxes by the door. I figured that wecould cover ourselves with the boxes(plus I had the plastic poncho for mydaughter) and wait there until the rainceased. My only concern was whetherthis would be all night.I pulled the plastic poncho over mydaughter’s head, grabbed her hand,tucked my head down and was aboutto run, when a voice asked, “How farare you going?”I whirled around to face the manwho’d arrived late to fetch his child.I could hardly believe that here wasa chance of a lift and I stumbled overmy words telling him where I lived. Hethen casually offered to take us, saying“I’m going that way.” I was completelysoaked and didn’t know how I’davoid getting the car seat wet. As if hecould not see for himself, I nervouslyinformed him that I was very wet.But he didn’t seem to mind, and wassimply happy to do us a favour.To this day, I am still grateful, and Iget goose bumps when I think aboutthe evening that my daughter and Iwere stranded but for the kindness ofthis stranger.Share your story about a small act ofkindness that made a huge impact.Turn to page 6 for details on how tocontribute and earn cash.Octoberđ2015 15

UnbelievableTRUE TALES TOLD TALLMan vs WildTHE WOMEN IN MY LIFE are quitelikely the most powerful humans whohave ever lived but they will stillscream if they see an ant. Luckily,I am The Man Without Fear in thisregard, and can remove the offendingant WITH MY BARE HANDS.I’m not saying men are any better.At a garden party, I saw a sticky,16 Octoberđ2015smelly toddler run to the adultsholding a large spider. The womenran shrieking from the spider and themen ran shrieking from the sticky,smelly toddler.Small kids aren’t scared of bugs.In fact, their total all-roundfearlessness is a major cause ofparental stress. My kids used to fall outI LLUSTRATI ON: AN DREW JOYNERNury Vittachi on the importance of being able to tell animals apart

of trees all the time until I told themminutes to take close-up pictures ofthat if they died in real life, they would large beasts licking their lips, fetchingALSO die in Runescape, their favourite cutlery and unfolding napkins.computer game. After that they satIn the UK, a snake catcher wasquietly on the bench with the mums.summoned by a man who said thereWe modern people are cut off fromwas a dangerous looking snake curlednature by technology. I was on theup asleep inside his computer’s boxmorning commuter train the otherpart. The thing had red and blackday and some guy LOOKED UPmarkings, which suggested that it wasFROM HIS PHONE. Itpoisonous. The snakewas actually quite scary. Icatcher raced to themean, who does that sorthouse, where he openedA man fromof thing these days?the computer to find itChina raisedAt the office, I found I’dcontained a red andbeen sent several newsblack electric cable. Ittwo “dogs”cuttings that showed thatwas dangerous, butwithoutunfamiliarity with natureunlikely to slither aroundrealising they the house biting people.is a problem. A man inwere AsianYunnan, China, raisedUnless it was an Appletwo “dogs” for severalcomputer, thenblack bearsyears without realisingsomeone’s probablythat he was actuallymade an app that gives itsharing his home with a pair of Asianthis function.black bears. The article didn’t sayTalking of weird animals, we sawhow the owner was finally clued in,many when I took the family tobut I’m guessing he probably foundAustralia for a holiday recently. I toldthem sitting upright eating honeymy kids that God made kangaroos andcoated picnickers. The man gave hisduck-billed platypuses to win a betnon-dogs to some sort of animalbut then couldn’t find them so had torescue centre – they’ll probably causeleave them down here. Which leads toa sensation as the only bears in thethis vital lesson: it’s NEVER TOOworld that wag their tails, lick yourEARLY to teach your children science.face and fetch sticks.I have to go now. I’ve justAt a safari park in China recently, aremembered that the dog we adoptedgroup of tourists in a small bus (orfrom a rescue centre likes honey, so I“packed lunch container” as theneed to get home and count the kids.animals probably think of them)found the exit gate jammed. This gave Nury Vittachi is a Hong Kong-basedauthor. Read his blog at Mrjam.orgthe visitors a fascinating 45 extraOctoberđ2015 17

THE DIGESTFOODPepping UpVegetablesMake your daily diet more delicious easilyin our meals. But with so many vitalnutrients, they are far too importantto be sidelined. If you are in a hurry,grab some frozen or pre-cut varieties.And if you think they’re boring,try pepping them up in one of thefollowing ways: Squeeze a little lemon juice overspinach, kale or zucchini to enhancethe flavour. Dress steamed broccoli orcauliflower with a little toastedsesame oil, soy sauce and sesameseeds, or with lemon juice, olive oiland roasted pine nuts or pumpkinseeds. Drizzle steamed Asian greens withoyster sauce and scatter with finelychopped garlic. Cut root vegetables, potatoesand pumpkin into chunks and roastdrizzled with oil, rosemary and garlic. Chargrill slices of zucchini andcapsicum, and whole corn cobs, thenseason with pepper and olive oil. Stir-fry quartered Brussels sproutswith pine nuts.ROAST VEGETABLES IN SALADSDrizzle your choice of oil over chunks of orange sweet potato,pumpkin, even carrots and red capsicum then roast untilcooked through. Add to a bowl of mixed salad leaves and tossthrough a little balsamic or white wine vinegar. Yum!P HOTOS: THI NKSTOCKVegetables are often an afterthought

Which Oil is Best?If your pantry is home to justone type of cooking oil, you’remissing out. As well as their uniquetastes, different oils have differentproperties. Here’s a rundown ofcooking techniques and whichwidely available oils suits each best:FOR SEARING, BROWNING, ANDDEEP-FRYING Almond oil is a member of thehealthy monounsaturated fat group,along with olive and macadamianut oil. It has a high smoke point(450 C) so it can be used for all kindsof cooking and will add that allimportant extra nutty flavour. Store ina cool dry place. Sunflower oil is a mildtasting oil well suited to hightemperature cooking and mostcommonly used in frying food. Itis also a good substitute for butterin cakes for people with a dairyintolerance. Store in a cool, dryplace, and discard 12 monthsafter opening.FOR BAKING ANDSTIR-FRYING Macadamia nut oilgives any dish a richbuttery flavour and isfull of antioxidants andmonounsaturated fats. It can tolerateup to 230 C and will last up to threeyears if stored in a dry, cool place.FOR LIGHT SAUTÉING, SAUCES,AND LOW-HEAT BAKING Sesame oil is often described asthe queen of oils and is widely usedas a cooking oil in India and a flavourenhancer in Chinese and SoutheastAsian cuisine. Unlike some cookingoils, sesame oil is delicate and willspoil after only a few months. Alwaysstore in the refrigerator.FOR COLD SALAD DRESSINGS,DIPS AND MARINADES Extra virgin olive oil is one ofthe world’s healthiest foods andloaded with flavour, which willvary depending on where theolives were grown. If stored in adark bottle away from light andheat, extra virgin olive oil can lastup to 12 months. Walnut oil is availablein both cold-pressed androasted varieties and bestused cold. Add it to saladsor over cooked dishes,fish and vegetables justbefore serving. Walnut oilspoils quickly, usually 3-4months after opening.Octoberđ2015 19

HEALTHEver feel stuffed to the gillsafter a normal meal?Wake up feeling finebut have a belly thatmakes you lookabout six monthspregnant by lunch?Welcome to the worldof bloating. Thiscommon symptomcan be triggered bycertain foods, butit also can be theresult of other, moresurprising factors.STOMACH BUG About 25%of patients who get gastroenteritis,a stomach infection, have bloatingeven after the illness clears.A likely suspect: smallintestinal bacterialovergrowth (SIBO).In SIBO patients,abnormal levels ofmicrobes colonisethe small intestine,which can lead to gasand bloating, says DrHenry Lin, chief ofgastroenterology atthe New Mexico VAHealth Care System.Gastroenteritis candisrupt your defencemechanisms that normallykeep bacteria out of thesmall intestine, leading to SIBO.TEST YOUR MEDICAL IQWhat is paraesthesia?A. Radiation disease.B. A tingling or prickling sensation.C. Fear of enclosed spaces.D. An allergy drug.Answer: B. The feeling most of us20 Octoberđ2015know as pins and needles is harmless ifit is temporary. But if the paraesthesiahurts, doesn’t go away or is linked toloss of sensation, get checked out – itcan be symptomatic of everythingfrom carpal tunnel sensation to heavymetal toxicity.P HOTOS: YAS U J UNKO; THIN KSTOCKSurprising Reasons YourBelly’s Bloated

It is typically diagnosed with abreath test and can be

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