Lovatts supports the Alzheimer’s Australia ‘Mind your Mind’ campaign

It is a sad reality that nearly all of us know a person living with dementia and have witnessed the effects this has not only on them, but on their carers, family and friends.

This disease can happen to anybody. Though it is more common after the age of 65, people in their 40s, 50s or younger can also have dementia.

While there is no cure, living a ‘brain-healthy’ lifestyle is a way to reduce the risk. A recent report shows that the numbers
of dementia sufferers could be reduced by lifestyle changes. Keeping physically active, reducing blood pressure, eating a healthy diet and exercising your brain are strongly recommended as ways to help reduce the risk.

According to Glenn Rees, Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer’s Australia, there are many ways to Mind your Mind. Learn a new instrument or language, join a sporting club, live a social life and include lots of physical and mental activity every day.

Dementia is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory,intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 50 – 70% of all dementia cases.

A new report has found that the number of Australians with dementia is expected to quadruple to more than 1.1 million people by 2050.

Medical research is extremely important, and that’s why Lovatts is supporting Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and their Mind Your Mind campaign. Alzheimer’s Australia’s mission is to minimise the impact of dementia through leadership, innovation, advocacy, policy, education, services and research. Glen Rees is adamant that “the emphasis should be on early intervention”.

We often hear from readers that doctors have recommended crosswords to them as either patients or carers, as a way to boost brain function. Crosswords and puzzles are not a quick fix but may help reduce the likelihood that you will get dementia or delay the onset of the disease. It is recommended that you vary your brain activity. So you should include crosswords, cryptic crosswords and puzzles such as Sudoku and brainteasers with other mental activity like taking up a new hobby or learning something new. Take an active interest in your community or help children and grandchildren with their homework.

Whatever your age, you can do a lot to keep your brain active and help reduce your risk of developing dementia.

For details of Alzheimer’s Australia’s Mind your Mind program, CLICK HERE, visit alzheimers.org.au or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. To view the Lovatts range of brain-boosting titles, please click here.

Happy Puzzling!

Hello - July

Because food is a basic necessity of life, words for food have probably been around since the first words were invented. The word food itself is an old word, related to fodder and comes from the Old English fodor which in turn came from the Germanic futter.

You may remember I’ve previously written about that useful German word futterneid (pronounced foot-a-nide) which means the wish that you had chosen what the person next to you had ordered from the menu, or the feeling when you’re eating with others (especially family) you’re not getting enough food yourself. Also related to food and fodder is the word forage ‘to search for food’, which in the past was a vital part of survival – whereas now we forage in the supermarket.

Many words for food have changed over the years.

The word for loaf comes from the Old English hlaf and the word lady comes from hlafdige ‘wife of a lord’ literally meaning ‘one who kneads bread’, obviously the main job of the lady of the house.

With the Norman invasion of Britain came an invasion of French vocabulary to add to the existing Anglo-Saxon words.  The peasants already had the words sheep, ox and pig but the French names for the meat of these animals was introduced, ie mutton (mouton), beef (boeuf) and pork (porc). The reason for this was probably because the French-speaking nobles ordered their food in French, which was seen as classy and fashionable. After a successful hunt, the huntsmen would order la veneson, which is French for ‘the game we just hunted’ which is where our word venison for ‘deer meat’ comes from.

The word eat can be traced back to the German essen and before that to Latin edere and Greek edein. Words and expressions encourage diners to start eating include tuck in, bog in, hoe in, dig in, get stuck in!  Food nearly always accompanies celebrations, and mealtimes are often the opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

You may have noticed that the theme of this month’s BIG is food and cooking. We have also taken the opportunity and remixed the ingredients of BIG to cook up a better magazine with fewer contests but better prize packs.

We’ve taken note of which competitions are popular with you and which are not and scoured your letters about BIG so we can give you more of what you tell us you like best.

We know you will love the two new contests, Wiz Words and the BIG Easy. Due to popular demand a second Acrostic has also been added.

You tell us you love crosswords so there are two more BIG Crosswords – one of them a BIG Tougher as a step between the ordinary BIGs and The Demon.

Thank you for all your feedback. You are helping us to produce the best possible variety of quality puzzles for you.

Remember: puzzles are a great way to relax at the same time as doing your brain a favour, so get your pen out and get started!

Happy Puzzling!

Hello - June

Hello!

You’ll find that the June issue of Big is dedicated to football because even if you’re not usually a soccer fan, you could get swept up with footy fever. Did you know that football is the most played and most watched sport on Earth?

The 2010 FIFA World Cup, being held in South Africa in June and July, is shaping up to be the most-watched sports tournament ever 32 of the 204 member nations are vying for the biggest crown in world football. This is the first time that an African country will play host and the advantage of playing host is that they automatically qualify for the tournament.

However, there have been several controversies surrounding the qualifying matches, the biggest of which occurred in the Ireland v France game, which France won because of a goal that should not have been allowed. French player Thierry Henry illegally handled the ball, unseen by the referee, even admitting it later, causing widespread controversy. Why the decision was allowed is a mystery to the crestfallen Irish football fans.

The Socceroos play Germany, then Ghana and Serbia, while the All Whites play Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay. Our Circulation Manager Terry Thelwell will be there in South Africa watching as many matches as he can. I’m not sure whether he will be cheering for England, Australia or New Zealand - probably all three, so let’s hope they don’t have to play each other.

The time difference between South Africa and here in Australia and New Zealand means that matches will be being screened at unearthly times of the night and many fans will be bleary-eyed the next day.
Even if you don’t follow the game, you can get into the mood by solving our sporty clues.

Happy puzzling!

Hello - May 2010

Mother’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, although on different dates. In Britain it’s on the fourth Sunday of Lent (14th March this year) and is known as Mothering Sunday,  The Italians make a big heart-shaped cake when La Festa Della Mamma comes around in May, and mother gets a day of rest. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is on 12th August, the same day as Queen Sirikit Kitayakara’s birthday.

In Spain, Mother’s Day is closely associated with Mother Mary, Jesus’ mother and is held on 8th December.
Mother’s Day is in May in Sweden and is a family holiday. The Swedish Red Cross sells flowers on the days leading up to Mother’s Day and the money is used to help needy mothers and children.

It’s called Materice in Serbia and is celebrated two weeks before Christmas. In the morning, children sneak into their mother’s bedroom and tie her up! She begs them to untie her, giving them sweets and presents from under her pillow.

Mothers have been honoured in all cultures since time immemorial. The ancient Greeks held a spring festival dedicated to maternal goddesses, with honey cakes and flowers. On 1st March, the ancient Romans had a holiday called Matronalia, a celebration of motherhood.

Native American Indian women have for many years been honoured with the name Life of the Nation for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.

The Celtic symbol for motherhood is the triskelion, a triple spiral which represents the three phases of womanhood, youthful innocence, nurturing compassion and wisdom.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there.

Happy puzzling!

Hello - April 2010

Okay, I’ve got the message that some of you readers don’t like seeing the word okay in a crossword, because you were taught at school that it’s a slang word and should never be used in polite company.

Since those days, however, the English language has moved on in leaps and bounds. So many of our presently accepted words were once slang - a journey they often have to make. Suspicious or delinquent-looking words are left on the fringes of respectable language until speakers embrace them enough to replace formerly used words. And somehow, in the case of okay, ‘all right’ just doesn’t pack the same punch and is less versatile.

Various claims have been made about the origin of the word, but it would have to be, along with taxi, one of the best known English words throughout the world.

Some years ago, in a remote island off Borneo, our taxi-driver knew no English whatsoever except for taxi and okay, and we got along just fine. Would he have known ‘all right’? I doubt it.

Words are changing as the world changes and we need to be able to communicate by using current trends. Nobody likes losing vocabulary more than I do, I will fight like a mammoth (also obsolete) to save some of the lovely old words that fall into disuse.

Ugsome, for instance, meaning ugly and a bit scary, was a word I used as a child and I’m dismayed that both Oxford and Collins have relinquished it to the giant retirement home for pre-loved words.

So if it’s okay with you, I’m going to keep okay in the crosswords because one day it will be considered a fine upstanding member of the English vocabulary.

Happy puzzling!

Hello - March 2010

 

Have you ever seen how much muscle is lost after a broken bone has been in a cast for several weeks due to lack of use? Similarly our brains need to be exercised to stay in tip top condition.

Countless research studies tell us that our minds need to remain mentally active to avoid the deterioration of brain function. Luckily, by solving crosswords, playing chess or learning a new skill, we create new pathways within our brain and can improve our neurological health.

Physical activity such as gardening or walking is another way to protect against cognitive decline, increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting cell growth. A ‘brain-healthy’ diet including protein for supplying your brain with amino acids, unsaturated fats for neurone membranes and carbohydrates to fuel neurone functioning is also important. Of course, don’t forget plenty of fruit and vegetables to supply your brain with antioxidants that protect your neurones! Finally, managing your stress and getting plenty of rest to recharge will improve your mental alertness and memory.

Regardless of age, it is never too late to sharpen your brain and expand your mind. If you can live by these golden rules, you’ll be solving Demons and Stinkers in the blink of an eye.

So laugh, learn, read, solve crosswords, eat healthily and take note of the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old - we grow old because we stop playing.”

Happy puzzling!

Hello - February 2010

There are probably more quotes about love than any other topic, and why not, when love is what makes the world go round?

With St Valentine’s Day this month, there’s no better time to read what famous people have said about love:

“It’s easy to halve the potato where there’s love”
Irish proverb

“You can’t blame gravity for falling in love”
Albert Einstein

“If you would be loved, love and be lovable”
Benjamin Franklin

“When you are in Love you can’t fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams”
Dr Seuss

“Love: a temporary insanity, curable by marriage”
Ambrose Bierce

“Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all”
St. Augustine

“To love another person is to see the face of God”
Victor Hugo

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous”
Ingrid Bergman

“At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet”
Plato

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Christine’s Hello - Jan ‘10

To celebrate the New Year, we bring you a brand-new puzzle called Concept-Cross.
In our November issue of Big, we tested the waters and asked you puzzlers for feedback. Now that we’ve read your replies, we’re in no doubt that this puzzle is going to be a big hit.
The clues are written in a slightly tongue-in-cheek style, which will bring a smile to your face when the answer comes to you. 

Here are some of our readers’ comments:

“I thoroughly enjoyed the new challenge - Concept-Cross. Once I got on the roll I just kept rolling. It was quite different and ‘ fantabulous’ for your puzzling addicts.” - Billie Halpin

‘We love the new Concept-Cross in the BIG - please give us some more. A very nice mix of knowledge and quasi-cryptic clues. We are not so good at the Editor’s Challenge ones where there is a theme - we get all the clues in due course between the two of us, especially the cryptics, but then can’t always work out the links ! But the Concept-cross is just right. More, please ! Thanks for your continued inventiveness.” - Professor Eileen Byrne

“The new puzzle was great fun - loved the twists to some of the answers! Hope it becomes a regular! Thank you!” - Elizabeth Benedict

“In a short phrase - I LOVE IT! Sneaky tricky but great! Yes please a regular feature of BIG.” - Diana J Stubbs.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SAMPLE HERE

We often get letters complaining there are not enough days in the month, especially from those of you who like to tackle The Demon. We can’t add more days to the calendar but we have decided to give you an extra week to complete your BIG contests. This will mean that the draw for prizes will take place later and because of our printer deadlines, the winners’ names will have to appear three issues later instead of two, as they have done up until now. Don’t worry though, as the solutions will still appear two issues later so you can check your answers.

All at Lovatts wish our readers the very best of health and happiness for 2010.

Happy New Year!

Christine’s Hello - Dec ‘09

Christmas is just around the corner and feasting is one of the most pleasurable ways to celebrate the season.

Turkey, ham and mince pies spring to mind when I picture my table on Christmas day, however there are many forms of ‘Christmas fare’ eaten around the world.

Kiviak is a gastronomical Christmas treat from Greenland and is made from the raw flesh of an auk which has been buried under a stone in sealskin for several months until it’s achieved an advanced stage of decomposition.

In Lithuania a twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper is traditional, the twelve dishes representing the twelve Apostles or twelve months of the year.

Portuguese families eat a special meal of salted dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes at midnight on Christmas Eve, followed by the ‘consoda’ on the morning of Christmas Day, when extra places are set at table for the souls of the dead. Food is offered to these souls to bring luck to the family during the forthcoming year.

In Belgium, Christmas breakfast is a special sweet bread called ‘cougnolle’ in the form of baby Jesus and the special Latvian Christmas Day meal is brown peas with bacon sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage.

People eat rice porridge or Yule porridge on Christmas Eve in Finland. A particular tradition is hiding a whole almond in the porridge. The one who eats the almond will be married the following year. In the evening, Finns eat a traditional Christmas dinner including a casserole containing liver, rutabaga (swede), carrot and potato, with cooked ham or turkey. Some families serve a salad made from boiled beetroots, carrots, potatoes, apples and pickled cucumber called ‘rosolli’ and is often served with herring.

Happy Puzzling!

Hello - October 2009

Many years ago James and I travelled around Australia in a double-decker bus which had been converted into a home. Now we’re repeating history except that we’ll be in a motorhome and we’re about 30 years older.

We’re hitting the road next month to meet and greet our NSW puzzlers on The Lovatts Across & Down Under Puzzle Tour, to celebrate the 200th issue of Lovatts BIG, doing puzzle workshops and talking on country radio.

We’ll be driving through the country towns of NSW, from Wollongong to Wagga Wagga, and from Gunnedah to Gosford. View tour updates and my daily blog here

We’ll be travelling around courtesy of the wonderful crowd at Around Australia Motorhomes, and what better way to see Australia? Look out for our van, which will be decorated with Lovatts signage. Listen out for us on your local community radio station - you might even win a prize pack. We are also hoping to meet some of you at local newsagencies.

We will be conducting puzzle workshops for the wonderful CWA members who do so much to improve the lives and welfare of women and their families, particularly in rural and remote Australia.

We may go further afield in the future, so I would like to ask readers from other Australian states, who are members of a community group, to let us know if they would like us to include it on the wish list for the tour.

Don’t forget to follow us on our adventure through our daily blog ‘The Daily Dirt’  and Twitter.

Happy Puzzling!