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6 reasons why people enjoy horror movies

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shane-rogers-575838">Shane Rogers</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/coltan-scrivner-1475716">Coltan Scrivner</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/arizona-state-university-730">Arizona State University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shannon-muir-2237282">Shannon Muir</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p>The creeping shadows and haunting decorations transform the everyday into something eerie at Halloween. And you might be thinking about scaring yourself with a <a href="https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-horror-movies-of-all-time/">good horror movie</a>.</p> <p>Grotesque imagery, extreme violence, startling jump scares and menacing characters are common elements, making viewers feel fear, dread and disgust.</p> <p>We generally aim to avoid these <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1321053/full">negative emotions</a> in our everyday lives.</p> <p>So why would some people seek them out, and enjoy them, in horror movies?</p> <h2>1. Fear can be thrilling</h2> <p>There is lots of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763423002063">overlap</a> between the emotions of fear and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-53533-y">excitement</a>. In both, <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.neuro.051508.135620">stress hormones</a> are released that can produce physical symptoms such as increased heart and breathing rates, sweating and muscle tension. People also feel <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-fear-2671696">more alert</a> and “on edge”.</p> <p>Research has <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02298/full">consistently shown</a> people with personalities that crave intense emotional experiences, including fear and excitement, tend to enjoy horror movies.</p> <p>But for more fearful people, the jump scares and violent scenes can be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197535899.001.0001">too intense</a>. This can result in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797620972116">coping behaviours</a> such as looking away or putting their hands over the ears, especially if they are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/ebs0000152">highly immersed</a> in the movie.</p> <p>Although, if they also happen to enjoy intense emotion, they may still enjoy the thrill of the ride.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/llpsjbNQIns?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Movie makers work hard to get these ‘jump scares’ just right. And viewers enjoy the thrill.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>2. There’s a sense of relief</h2> <p>People may enjoy horror movies because of a <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/7uh6f">sense of relief</a> after a <a href="https://www.the-scientist.com/ts-digest/issue/science-experiments-from-the-afterlife-24-14?utm_campaign=TS_TS%20Digest%202.0%20Promotion&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=329250194&amp;utm_content=329250194&amp;utm_source=hs_email#why-do-some-people-enjoy-horror-movies-72181">scary moment has passed</a>.</p> <p>Watching a horror movie can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, with distinct <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811920300094">peaks and troughs</a> of fear and relief over the course of the film.</p> <p>For example, in the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1396484/">2017 movie It</a> the main protagonists survive a series of scary encounters with a demonic clown. The scary moments are separated by calmer scenes, prompting a rollercoaster of emotions.</p> <p>In the classic <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/">1975 movie Jaws</a>, viewers experience relief from the scary moments, only to be scared again and again.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yFXG5QQYOvg?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Jaws is a rollercoaster of emotions.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>3. They satisfy our morbid curiosity</h2> <p>Many horror movies feature supernatural themes and characters such as zombies, werewolves and vampires. So horror movies can help satiate a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886921005183">morbid curiosity</a>.</p> <p>The violence, death, destruction and grotesque elements can provide curious people a safe space to explore things that are not safe (or socially appropriate) in the real world.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZbdMMI6ty0o?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Horror movies can help people satisfy their curiosity about death. But why are they curious in the first place?</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>4. We can work out our limits</h2> <p>Horror movies can reflect our deepest fears and prompt introspection about our personal thresholds of fear and disgust.</p> <p>So some people may enjoy watching them to get a <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/sdxe6">better understanding</a> of their own limits.</p> <p>Watching horror might also be a way to push personal boundaries to potentially become <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/7uh6f">less fearful</a> or grossed out by things in real life.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110397">study</a> one of us (Coltan) conducted, horror movie fans reported less psychological distress during the early months of the COVID pandemic compared with people not identifying as a horror movie fan.</p> <h2>5. They can be social</h2> <p>Some people say the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/ebs0000152">social aspect</a> of watching horror movies with others is a big part of their appeal.</p> <p>Watching with others might help some people feel safer. Alternatively, this might help <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/b8tgs">amplify</a> the emotional experience by <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223259">feeding off the emotions</a> of people around them.</p> <p>Horror movies are also a common pick as a <a href="https://www.imdb.com/list/ls023286138/">date night</a> movie. Being <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.3.586">scared together</a> gives a good excuse to snuggle and take comfort in each other.</p> <h2>6. They give us pleasure in other people’s misery</h2> <p>Horror movies can provide the pleasurable emotion we feel when witnessing the misfortune of others, known as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/schadenfreude">schadenfreude</a>. This occurs most when we feel the person experiencing misfortune deserves it.</p> <p>In many horror movies the characters that suffer a gruesome fate are only side characters. Much of the time these unfortunate souls are made out to be unlikeable and often make foolish choices before their grisly end.</p> <p>For example, in the 1996 teen witch movie <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115963/">The Craft</a>, the character Chris Hooker is portrayed as being cruel to women. Then he dies by being blasted out of a window.</p> <p>Despite the grisly nature of horror movies, a <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-43893-001">study</a> by one of us (Coltan) found horror fans seem to have the same levels of empathy as anyone else.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZvLmyts6cEY?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">In The Craft, viewers enjoy witnessing the misfortune of others, particularly if the character is a ‘baddy’.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>What do I make of all this?</h2> <p>Horror movies allow us to confront our deepest fears through the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000354">safety of make-believe</a>.</p> <p>People enjoy them for lots of different reasons. And the precise combination of reasons differs depending on the specific movie, and the person or people watching it.</p> <p>What is certain though, is the <a href="https://www.the-numbers.com/market/genres">increasing popularity</a> of horror movies, with <a href="https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-horror-movies-of-all-time/">many</a> to choose from.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241480/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shane-rogers-575838"><em>Shane Rogers</em></a><em>, Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/coltan-scrivner-1475716">Coltan Scrivner</a>, Behavioral Scientist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/arizona-state-university-730">Arizona State University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shannon-muir-2237282">Shannon Muir</a>, Lecturer in psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/6-reasons-why-people-enjoy-horror-movies-241480">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Readers response: What exercises or activities do you enjoy that help you stay mobile?

<p>It's no secret that we start to physically show down as we age, but keeping active and mobile can keep us going. </p> <p>We asked our readers what exercised they do to keep mobile in retirement years, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Karen Ambrose</strong> - I’ve been a dance teacher since 1982 and am still teaching. Dancing is my happy place!</p> <p><strong>Rosemary Andrews</strong> - Dragon Boat Paddling. I started when I was 59. Still going 14 years on. Love it!!</p> <p><strong>Anne Gray</strong> - Pilates, Yoga, Zumba.</p> <p><strong>Sue Ryan</strong> - Boxing, HIIT, Body Attack, Pilates, Aqua, Pump and running. I’m 72.</p> <p><strong>Wendy Oliver </strong>- Chair based exercises.</p> <p><strong>Anne Moulynox</strong> - Pickleball at least twice a week. I took up ballet at 70 but gave it up as it was far too sedate, so took up Pickleball at 73.</p> <p><strong>Sally O'Neill</strong> - Volunteering makes me get up and meet other people.</p> <p><strong>Robyn Harrison</strong> - Swim a kilometre twice a week and two long walks on the beach each week.</p> <p><strong>Suzanne Bluett</strong> - Nothing better than walking. </p> <p><strong>Lorraine Clarbull</strong> - Tai Chi. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

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"Go enjoy your life": Young woman announces her own death

<p>A young woman has announced the news of her own death after a gruelling battle with cancer, while sharing her wishes for her grieving loved ones. </p> <p>Daniella Thackray, a 25-year-old from Leeds, took to social media to share the her heart-breaking final words, after an eight-month battle with the rare disease. </p> <p>The young digital marketing specialist had pre-written the message for her family to post on her behalf after dying of cholangiocarcinoma, a type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts.</p> <p>The emotional message paid tribute to her family, fiancé Tom, and dog Leo, as she encouraged her loved ones to “enjoy the little things” in life and “cherish every moment” after she had “gone”.</p> <p>She wrote: “If you’re reading this then it means I have died from my battle with cancer and my family are posting my final message on my behalf.</p> <p>“Firstly, I just want to say that not all cancers are caused by lifestyle choices, in some cases it’s genetics or unfortunately it just happens." </p> <p>“In my case, despite me being very healthy and active, a cancer started in my bile ducts which was not caused by anything in my control and my life was never the same again."</p> <p>“Cholangiocarinoma is a rare aggressive cancer with often no obvious causes and no cure’.. I really really do hope that in the years to come more research is done about this horrid cruel disease so that more lives can be saved.”</p> <p>Despite her devastating diagnosis, she chose “not to mourn life” and make the most of her time. </p> <p>Daniella added: “So with that being said, although we can’t control what happens to us, we can control how we react. I chose not to mourn the life I was losing despite being so devastated, but to instead enjoy every moment I had left."</p> <p>“As I have always said and believed, you should enjoy the little things in life and cherish every moment! Romanticise your life! Do whatever makes you happy and don’t let anyone take the joy of life away from you." </p> <p>“I LOVED my life. Everything I had achieved was what I wanted. I loved my job, my fiancé, my family, my friends and my dog, and the house we were going to buy and the future we were making for ourselves."</p> <p>“Leo my fur baby was definitely brought into my life to help brighten my darkest days."</p> <p>“And lastly to my dear, beautiful Tom, I love you and always will. Thank you for supporting me and bringing so much love and happiness into my life. Go enjoy your life now, you deserve it.”</p> <p>Her message has already gained more than 30,000 likes, while hundreds of people rushed to leave their condolences to her loved ones.</p> <p>One person wrote, "Such courageous words from someone that I’ve never met. What a wonderful message to leave us with, may you rest in paradise.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

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4 tips to help your loved one with dementia enjoy the festive season

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nikki-anne-wilson-342631">Nikki-Anne Wilson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p>The festive season is fast approaching, and if you’re organising celebrations with family or friends, you might be grappling with a seemingly endless to-do list. But as you make these plans, it’s important to consider how you can best include any friends or loved ones living with dementia.</p> <p>While no two people experience dementia in the exact same way, <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/what-is-dementia">dementia</a> often affects the way people process and respond to their environment. Too much stimulation – like a lot of noise and activity at a Christmas party – can be overwhelming and may cause confusion or agitation.</p> <p>Finding ways to create a <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/creating-a-calming-home-for-people-with-dementia#:%7E:text=The%20physical%20environment%20is%20important,in%20and%20enjoy%20everyday%20activities.">safe environment</a> at home for your loved one with dementia will help maximise the chances everyone has a good time.</p> <h2>1. Plan ahead, but be flexible</h2> <p>Planning celebrations can be overwhelming for everyone involved, and having excessive expectations can raise stress levels. Try to keep <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/information/about-you/i-am-a-carer-family-member-or-friend">expectations realistic</a> and in line with the current needs of your friend or loved one living with dementia.</p> <p>For example, people with dementia may experience <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/information/about-you/i-am-a-carer-family-member-or-friend/personal-care/eating">changes in their appetite</a> or food preferences, or difficulties chewing and swallowing. These changes might make some of the things on your festive menu unappetising or difficult to eat. Be guided by the needs and preferences of the person with dementia and keep options limited to one or two special foods if larger banquets are likely to be overwhelming.</p> <p>Things can change quickly for people living with dementia and their abilities will likely <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/what-is-dementia/progression-of-dementia#:%7E:text=A%20person%20with%20dementia's%20abilities,over%20a%20number%20of%20years.">vary from day to day</a>. Try to be flexible and have a backup plan in place. For special events, plan to record speeches or ceremonies to share when things are quieter.</p> <p>If you’re planning a large event, consider having a smaller gathering with your loved one with dementia and just a few special people.</p> <h2>2. Stick to the familiar</h2> <p>The sudden appearance of lots of decorations <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/helpsheets/Helpsheet-TipsToAssistSocialEngagement03-TipsForHolidayCheer_english.pdf">may be overwhelming</a> for a person with dementia and trigger a negative sensory reaction or distress. Ensure decorations are safe and familiar and put them up slowly over a period of a few days.</p> <p>Try to also stick to familiar traditions and routines. <a href="https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan">Daily routines</a> are an important way of supporting people with dementia and sudden changes <a href="https://memory.ucsf.edu/caregiving-support/behavior-personality-changes#I-Investigate-Possible-Causes">may result in agitation and distress</a>. Stick to routine eating, bathing, and rest times where possible throughout the holiday period.</p> <p>For many people with dementia, long-term memories are less affected than <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/memory-loss">more recent memories</a>. Familiar family traditions can therefore be a good way to <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/national/support-and-services/carers/therapies-and-communication-approaches">reminisce</a>. Family keepsakes or <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/20110303-NSW-LifeHistoryBook.pdf">memory books</a> can also help connect with stories from past celebrations.</p> <h2>3. Have a quiet space</h2> <p>Try to have <a href="https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/supporting-people-with-dementia/dementia-friendly-environments/noise.asp">a quiet place</a> where the person living with dementia can go if things become overwhelming. Designating a support person who can stay with them throughout the day and take them to a separate room or area away from the action can help to keep things calm.</p> <p>Having some familiar objects or <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5432607/#:%7E:text=Passive%20music%20listening%20is%20reported,et%20al.%2C%202013">quiet music</a> in the space can be a good way to block out the noise of activities and reduce agitation.</p> <h2>4. Make sure everyone has a part</h2> <p>Everyone wants to feel a part of the activities on a special day, including people living with dementia. Ensuring everyone has a role to play may mean modifying tasks to suit the abilities of the person with dementia.</p> <p>For example, if you’re hosting an event at home, try to get your friend or relative with dementia involved in the kitchen by tossing the salad or helping to set the table.</p> <p>People with dementia are still the same person, even if their abilities have changed or they can no longer communicate their needs and feelings like they used to. It’s important to treat everyone with dignity and try to include your friends and loved ones with dementia in celebrations whenever possible.</p> <h2>Sometimes, you can’t be together</h2> <p>Despite the best laid plans, sometimes it won’t be possible to share in festive celebrations with your loved one living with dementia. More advanced dementia, <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/racf-latest-advice.aspx">aged care visitor restrictions</a> or even just distance can keep many of us apart from our loved ones.</p> <p>Be prepared for this separation to bring up your own feelings of <a href="https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/caregiver-health/grief-loss-as-alzheimers-progresses">grief or sadness</a>. Look after your mental health as well as the person with dementia.</p> <p>Caring responsibilities still largely <a href="https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/resource/download/national-strategy-gender-equality-discussion-paper_0.pdf">fall to women</a> and it’s important to share the load. Where possible, the holidays can be a good time to think about giving primary carers a break to help them recharge for the year ahead.</p> <p>If you’re caring for someone with dementia and need support, <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/support">Dementia Australia</a> or <a href="https://www.carergateway.gov.au/about?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid-search&amp;utm_campaign=10841470526&amp;utm_adgroup=146956908840&amp;utm_term=&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw9-6oBhBaEiwAHv1QvI1uJVJRppcDJtdgYNTDeObUk1tyrNUtLGBqpp3ytjb_khYkGExICBoC_5EQAvD_BwE">Carer Gateway</a> offer useful resources.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214944/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nikki-anne-wilson-342631"><em>Nikki-Anne Wilson</em></a><em>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image </em><em>credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/4-tips-to-help-your-loved-one-with-dementia-enjoy-the-festive-season-214944">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Taste depends on nature and nurture. Here are 7 ways you can learn to enjoy foods you don’t like

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicholas-archer-181464">Nicholas Archer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/csiro-1035">CSIRO</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/astrid-poelman-1481227">Astrid Poelman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/csiro-1035">CSIRO</a></em></p> <p>You’re out for dinner with a bunch of friends, one of whom orders pizza with anchovies and olives to share, but you hate olives and anchovies! Do you pipe up with your preferred choice – Hawaiian – or stay quiet?</p> <p>This scene plays out every day around the world. Some people ferociously defend their personal tastes. But many would rather expand their palate, and not have to rock the boat the next time someone in their friend group orders pizza.</p> <p>Is it possible to train your tastebuds to enjoy foods you previously didn’t, like training a muscle at the gym?</p> <h2>What determines ‘taste’?</h2> <p>Taste is a complex system we evolved to help us navigate the environment. It helps us select foods with nutritional value and reject anything potentially harmful.</p> <p>Foods are made up of different compounds, including nutrients (such as proteins, sugars and fats) and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P_0HGRWgXw">aromas</a> that are detected by sensors in the mouth and nose. These sensors create the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZn2PMUWO-Y">flavour of food</a>. While taste is what the tastebuds on your tongue pick up, flavour is the combination of how something smells and tastes. Together with texture, appearance and sound, these senses collectively influence your food preferences.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MZn2PMUWO-Y?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Flavour is the overall impression you get when eating.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Many factors influence food preferences, including age, genetics and environment. We each live in our own sensory world and no two people will have the same <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-do-some-people-find-some-foods-yummy-but-others-find-the-same-foods-yucky-77671">experience while eating</a>.</p> <p>Food preferences also change with age. Research has found young children have a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24452237/">natural preference</a> for sweet and salty tastes and a dislike of bitter tastes. As they grow older their ability to like bitter foods grows.</p> <p>Emerging evidence shows bacteria in saliva can also produce enzymes that influence the taste of foods. For instance, saliva has been shown to cause the release of sulphur aromas in cauliflower. The <a href="https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2021/acs-presspac-september-22-2021/childrens-dislike-of-cauliflower-broccoli-could-be-written-in-their-microbiome.html">more sulphur that is produced</a>, the less likely a kid is to enjoy the taste of cauliflower.</p> <h2>Nature versus nurture</h2> <p>Both genetics and the environment play a crucial role in determining food preferences. Twin studies estimate genetics have a moderate influence on food preferences (between 32% and 54%, depending on the food type) in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652305027X?via%3Dihub">children</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385609/">adolescents</a> and <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/twin-research-and-human-genetics/article/dietary-patterns-and-heritability-of-food-choice-in-a-uk-female-twin-cohort/8507AAF01330C599BAC62BCC0EF4CF06">adults</a>.</p> <p>However, since our cultural environment and the foods we’re exposed to also shape our preferences, these <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24452237/">preferences are learned</a> to a large degree.</p> <p>A lot of this learning takes place during childhood, at home and other places we eat. This isn’t textbook learning. <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/9780851990323.0093">It’s learning</a> by experiencing (eating), which typically leads to increased liking of the food – or by watching what others do (modelling), which can lead to both positive or negative associations.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652305027X?via%3Dihub">Research</a> has shown how environmental influences on food preferences change between childhood and adulthood. For children, the main factor is the home environment, which makes sense as kids are more likely to be influenced by foods prepared and eaten at home. Environmental factors influencing adults and adolescents are more varied.</p> <h2>The process of ‘acquiring’ taste</h2> <p>Coffee and beer are good examples of bitter foods people “acquire” a taste for as they grow up. The ability to overcome the dislike of these is largely due to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>the social context in which they’re consumed. For example, in many countries they may be associated with passage into adulthood.</p> </li> <li> <p>the physiological effects of the compounds they contain – caffeine in coffee and alcohol in beer. Many people find these effects desirable.</p> </li> </ul> <p>But what about acquiring a taste for foods that don’t provide such desirable feelings, but which are good for you, such as kale or fatty fish? Is it possible to gain an acceptance for these?</p> <p>Here are some strategies that can help you learn to enjoy foods you currently don’t:</p> <ol> <li> <p>eat, and keep eating. Only a small portion is needed to build a liking for a specific taste over time. It may take 10–15 attempts or more before you can say you “like” the food.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950329302001106">mask bitterness</a> by eating it with other foods or ingredients that contain salt or sugar. For instance, you can pair bitter rocket with a sweet salad dressing.</p> </li> <li> <p>eat it repeatedly in a positive context. That could mean eating it after playing your favourite sport or with people you like. Alternatively, you could eat it with foods you already enjoy; if it’s a specific vegetable, try pairing it with your favourite protein.</p> </li> <li> <p>eat it when you’re hungry. In a hungry state you’ll be more willing to accept a taste you might not appreciate on a full stomach.</p> </li> <li> <p>remind yourself why you want to enjoy this food. You may be changing your diet for health reasons, or because you’ve moved countries and are struggling with the local cuisine. Your reason will help motivate you.</p> </li> <li> <p>start young (if possible). It’s easier for children to learn to like new foods as their tastes are less established.</p> </li> <li> <p>remember: the more foods you like, the easier it’ll become to learn to like others.</p> </li> </ol> <p>A balanced and varied diet is essential for good health. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315003438?ref=pdf_download&amp;fr=RR-2&amp;rr=82a5fd5069821f63">Picky eating</a> can become a problem if it leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies – especially if you’re avoiding entire food groups, such as vegetables. At the same time, eating too many tasty but energy-dense foods can increase your risk of chronic disease, including obesity.</p> <p>Understanding how your food preferences have formed, and how they can evolve, is a first step to getting on the path of healthier eating.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/215999/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicholas-archer-181464"><em>Nicholas Archer</em></a><em>, Research Scientist, Sensory, Flavour and Consumer Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/csiro-1035">CSIRO</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/astrid-poelman-1481227">Astrid Poelman</a>, Principal Researcher, Public Health &amp; Wellbeing Group, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/csiro-1035">CSIRO</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/taste-depends-on-nature-and-nurture-here-are-7-ways-you-can-learn-to-enjoy-foods-you-dont-like-215999">original article</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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"Matthew would enjoy the humour of it": Ironic detail spotted in Friends tribute

<p>While many fans of the long-running sitcom Friends are in mourning over the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/you-were-loved-tributes-flow-over-tragic-passing-of-matthew-perry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sudden death of Matthew Perry</a>, others have delighted in an ironic detail surrounding the Friends apartment in New York. </p> <p>Since the announcement of Perry's death on Sunday, thousands of fans of the show has flocked to the apartment building in New York City's West Village, where the external shots of the gang's apartment was filmed, to pay their respects. </p> <p>While the sitcom, which ran for ten years from 1994, was actually filmed in Los Angeles, the Bedford Street address was used for the external shots of the New York-based show, with the humble apartment being home to each of the cast members during the show. </p> <p>Fans of the show have left notes, flowers, Central Perk memorabilia, and other sentimental items to pay tribute to the late actor. </p> <p>However, one eagle-eyed fan spotted a quirky detail hovering around the building, as Perry's death coincided with Halloween. </p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKidspotAustralia%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02xSVyrpRthTeLeBNqtvHKWUB36us5bVB5vKCW1R9DYgF66kBWqnsSYarY2kDFfCT3l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="581" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Part of the building's Halloween decorations included a large ghost hovering near the iconic apartment, with many quick to point out the hilarious irony of the figure floating above the makeshift memorial. </p> <p>“That Halloween ghost is kinda fitting for the photo/mood and I think Matthew would enjoy the humour of it,” fan Holly astutely pointed out, sharing photos of the ghost on Facebook.  </p> <p>The ironic decorations emerged shortly after Perry's Friends co-stars have <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/so-utterly-devastated-friends-cast-break-silence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broken their silence</a> over his sudden death in a group statement to People magazine. </p> <p>Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer said on Tuesday, "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family."</p> <p>"There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook / Kidspot</em></p> <div id="fuse-injected-22953829264-1" class="fuse-slot-dynamic publift-video-ad" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 24px; display: flex; justify-content: center;" data-fuse="22953829264" data-fuse-injected-at="1698722632652" data-fuse-code="fuse-slot-22953829264-1" data-fuse-zone-instance="zone-instance-22953829264-1" data-fuse-slot="fuse-slot-22953829264-1" data-fuse-processed-at="1440"> <div id="bb-iawr-over60au-1692594483990158" class="bb_iawr" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; overflow: hidden; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: 730px; height: 0px; opacity: 0.01;"> <div id="bb-wr-over60au-1692594483990158" class="bb-media bb_wrapper bb-muted bb-phase-init bb-mode-video bb-state-loading" style="box-sizing: content-box; cursor: auto; 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box-sizing: border-box; position: var(--button-position); top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 54px; height: 54px; display: grid; align-content: center; justify-content: center; transition: transform 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, transform 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; opacity: 1;"> <div style="text-shadow: 0px calc(var(--font-size) / 12.5) 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); min-height: 12px; height: var(--icon-height); line-height: var(--icon-height); min-width: var(--icon-height); display: inline-flex; justify-content: center;"> </div> <div class="toggled slot-content svelte-1eoizxx" style="text-shadow: 0px calc(var(--font-size) / 12.5) 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); filter: drop-shadow(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25) 0px 2px 0px); box-sizing: border-box; position: var(--button-position); top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 54px; height: 54px; display: grid; align-content: center; justify-content: center; transition: transform 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, transform 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; opacity: 0;"> <div style="text-shadow: 0px calc(var(--font-size) / 12.5) 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); min-height: 12px; height: var(--icon-height); line-height: var(--icon-height); min-width: var(--icon-height); display: inline-flex; justify-content: center;"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="start-time svelte-fllze1" style="text-shadow: 0px calc(var(--font-size) / 12.5) 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); top: calc(8px + var(--size-big-button)); position: absolute; left: 27px; transform: translate(-50%); background-color: var(--bg-color-pane); padding: 8px 16px; border-radius: 32px; font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: var(--margin-size); margin-left: 2px;" data-cy="start-screen-duration">01:31</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="center-area svelte-10zo7b2" style="text-shadow: 0px calc(var(--font-size) / 12.5) 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); flex-grow: 1;"> </div> </div> <div class="chrome-bottom-shadow svelte-10zo7b2" style="text-shadow: 0px calc(var(--font-size) / 12.5) 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); transition: opacity 0.15s ease-in-out 0s; opacity: 0; position: absolute; inset: 0px;"> </div> </div> <div class="bb-layer bb-context-layer" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 730px; height: 411px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px; pointer-events: none !important;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem;">"For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

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5 things to enjoy on Kangaroo Island

<p>There’s plenty to love in this South Australian gem. Here are just five things you can enjoy on a visit to Kangaroo Island.</p> <p><strong>1. Eat, drink and be merry</strong></p> <p>Kangaroo Island might only be tiny, but it’s absolutely stuffed with gourmet food and top notch wine. Take the Kangaroo Island Farm Gate and Cellar Door Trail to discover farm gates, artisan producers, wineries and breweries. Don’t miss unique Ligurian honey, fresh oysters and marron, chocolate lavender fudge, sheep’s milk cheese and rich olive oil.</p> <p><strong>2. Walk with the animals</strong></p> <p>As the name suggests, you’ll find lots of kangaroos on Kangaroo Island – western greys to be precise. But that’s just the beginning. Walk among a colony of around 1,000 Australian sea lions (one of the rarest species in the world) at Seal Bay. Little penguins will start waddling along the shore from April and glossy black cockatoos will be nesting above. Look out for shy echidnas, sleepy koalas and the tiny rabbit-sized Tamar wallaby.</p> <p><strong>3. Head out onto the water</strong></p> <p>As soon as you arrive on Kangaroo Island, you’re going to want to get right off it again and back out into the water. Take an ocean safari to spot seals, sea lions and dolphins – you can even jump off and snorkel among them. Fishing charters will head out into the deeper waters off the coast in search of King George whiting, snapper, trevally, tuna and more. If you’re a surfer, you’ll fall in love with the uncrowded breaks of the island’s five main surf spots. There’s something for all levels of experience.</p> <p><strong>4. Get your heart racing</strong></p> <p>There are a lot of adventure to be had on Kangaroo Island. Jump on a quad bike to explore inaccessible parts of the island, climb the dunes of the Little Sahara for some sandboarding or explore incredible natural underground formations with a canyoning and caving expedition. For something a little more sedate, there are plenty of walking and hiking trails winding through the island.</p> <p><strong>5. Indulge in a luxury lodge</strong></p> <p>One of the most luxurious hotels in Australia (and in the world) is tucked away on the southwestern shore of the island atop dramatic ocean cliffs. Southern Ocean Lodge has just 21 rooms with lavish interiors, bespoke furniture and sweeping views. The restaurant serves up exceptional ‘paddock to plate’ cuisine and the award-winning spa will have you floating on a cloud.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / Shutterstock</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Caught in the act: supermassive black hole 8.5 billion light years away enjoys violent stellar snack

<p>A supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy some 8.5 billion years way has ripped apart a nearby star, producing some of the most luminous jets ever seen.</p> <p>When stars and other objects stray too close to a <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/how-big-is-a-black-hole-watch-how-it-eats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black hole</a> they are destroyed by the black hole’s immense gravity.</p> <p>These occurrences, known as <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/a-star-is-torn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tidal-disruption events (TDEs)</a>, result in a <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/the-sleeping-giant-black-hole-that-awoke-to-destroy-a-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circling disk of material</a> that is slowly pulled into the black hole and very occasionally, as in the case of supermassive black hole AT2022cmc, ejecting bright beams of material travelling close to the speed of light.</p> <p>Luminous jets are produced in an estimated 1% of cases and are known as a type of astronomical occurrence known as a transient, because they are short-lived.</p> <p>Bright flashes from the jets were spotted in data from the <a href="https://www.ztf.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF)</a> in <a href="https://astronomerstelegram.org/?read=15232" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February this year</a> using a special new technique which can comb through the equivalent of a million pages of information every night.</p> <p>Due to the rapid results produced by the novel data analysis method, a research team in the US was able to swiftly follow up on the transient event with multiwavelength observations of the system from different observatory facilities.</p> <p>The jets were visible across many wavelengths, from X-rays to radio, and follow-up observations enabled the European Southern Observatory’s <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/australia/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Very Large Telescope</a> to place AT2022cmc at a whopping distance of 8.5 billion light years away, while optical and infrared observation from NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble telescope</a> were able to precisely pinpoint AT2022cmc’s location.</p> <p>“The last time scientists discovered one of these jets was well over a decade ago,” said Michael Coughlin, an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and co-lead on the paper <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05465-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published in <em>Nature</em></a>. “From the data we have, we can estimate that relativistic jets are launched in only 1% of these destructive events, making AT2022cmc an extremely rare occurrence.”</p> <p>Exactly why this behaviour is so rare remains an enigma, however, the research team believe that AT2022cmc’s rapid spin powers the jets, adding to the current understanding of the physics of these behemoth dead stars at the centres of galaxies.</p> <p>This detection – and the method used to discover it – are valuable as a future models for astronomers as they scour the skies for more events. “Scientists can use AT2022cmc as a model for what to look for and find more disruptive events from distant black holes,” says lead author Igor Andreoni, from the Department of Astronomy at UMD and NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre.</p> <p>This includes using ground-based optical surveys, as opposed to gamma-ray observatories in space – how previous jets were primarily discovered.</p> <p>“Our new search technique helps us to quickly identify rare cosmic events in the ZTF survey data,” says Andreoni.</p> <p>“And since ZTF and upcoming larger surveys such as <a href="https://www.lsst.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vera Rubin’s Large Synoptic Survey Telescope</a> scan the sky so frequently, we can now expect to uncover a wealth of rare, or previously undiscovered cosmic events and study them in detail. More than ever, big data mining is an important tool to advance our knowledge of the universe”.</p> <p><!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --></p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=226753&amp;title=Caught+in+the+act%3A+supermassive+black+hole+8.5+billion+light+years+away+enjoys+violent+stellar+snack" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" /></p> <p><!-- End of tracking content syndication --></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/supermassive-black-hole-stellar-snack/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Clare Kenyon. </em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Technology

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7 secrets to enjoying food on a cruise

<p><em><strong>Jennifer Campbell writes for <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></a>, the blog of a <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">global luxury travel network</span></a>, and she enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.</strong></em></p> <p>When you conjure up great food and drink experiences, you might think of a fabulous meal by a celebrity chef, or a sommelier-led wine tasting, or local cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients.</p> <p>You probably don’t think of having all these on a cruise.</p> <p>Cruise lines have realized the enormous appetite of travellers for fine cuisine, wine and spirits. The World Food Travel Association says more than 39 million people are culinary travellers, seeking out food and beverage experiences around the world. Dining is consistently one of the top three favourite travel activities, and all demographics love food equally.</p> <p>For me, a self-professed lover of all things food, wine and spirits, the more than 10 cruises that I’ve been on have provided amazing opportunities to enjoy all of these loves while exploring the world. Here are my eight ways to make the most of the myriad ways to indulge in great cruise food and drink experiences.</p> <p><strong>1. Open your mind to new experiences</strong></p> <p>Gone are the stereotypical days of extravagant buffets and cruisers filling their pockets with crab legs before the seemingly endless piles vanish. Not to say that there aren’t still buffets on cruise ships. But the buffets of today cater to a more discerning and well-travelled client.</p> <p>Because of the international nature of cruising, the breakfast buffet might include congee and dumplings. Or maybe kippered herring, muesli or sliced meats and cheeses alongside traditional American staples of cereal, yogurt, eggs and pastries. The lunch buffet might be like visiting Japan, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Germany in one 50-foot stretch.</p> <p>For my friends and dining companions last year on Silversea Cruises, the amount of sushi that I consumed every day from the lunch buffet became embarrassing. We got to the point where our waiter would see me coming and prepare a plate of sushi to be sent to the table. I can still taste that salmon sashimi.</p> <p>Remember that the buffet isn’t like the Thanksgiving table; you don’t have to get it all at once. Eat in courses, try things and enjoy!</p> <p><strong>2. Master the main dining room</strong></p> <p>This can enhance your cruise immensely. Most cruise lines now offer open seating – meaning that you can eat at any time you like rather than at a set time.</p> <p>The great thing about the main dining room is its flexibility. The menu might offer appetizers, entrees and dessert, but guess what? You can order any or all of them in whatever configuration suits your mood.</p> <p>If you want three appetizers and no dessert, then fine, that is what you’ll have. If you order the wiener schnitzel and then notice that someone at an adjacent table has the shrimp scampi and you want it too, it is yours. Don’t see shrimp cocktail on the menu but it’s your favourite? Just ask and chances are they’ll make it just for you. My mom enjoyed it every night on our last cruise in October.</p> <p><strong>3. Discover the specialty restaurants</strong></p> <p>Specialty restaurants on many ships offer five-star dining experiences, comparable to some of the world’s great restaurants. Celebrity chefs are now as common on cruise ships as the swimming pool. Nobu Matsushisa, Todd English, Jacques Pepin, and Jamie Oliver (to name a few) all work with cruise lines in menu design, chef restaurants and cooking demonstrations. They’re elevating cruise food to new levels.</p> <p>Steakhouses, sushi bars, Italian trattorias, French dining – all of these can be found on cruise ships. Craving escargot or maybe a Pittsburgh-style steak? You can get these in the middle of the ocean.</p> <p>I had one of the best goat cheese soufflés of my life recently on board Azamara Club Cruises. Yes, there is typically a surcharge at the specialty dining restaurants. But many cruise lines now offer packages that discount that rate. So whether you want to buy a package and enjoy the specialty restaurants multiple times, or pay the one-time upcharge for one splurge evening, take advantage of them and their over-the-top menus.</p> <p>Depending on the cruise line and the category of cabin in which you’ll be staying, sometimes reservations are included and can be made well in advance. Other lines require you to book onboard. When booking onboard, don’t be dismayed if the time and date you want is not available. Many times there are cancellations, so spots open up daily. Befriend the maitre d’ and you’ll be surprised what can happen for you.</p> <p><strong>4. Buy bar and wine packages</strong></p> <p>Is there a particular sprit that you enjoy each evening? Maybe a dry Belvedere martini with a lemon twist or a Glenlivet scotch neat? The premium bar packages on many lines allow you to have these same comforts onboard the ship at a price not much more than you pay at home.</p> <p>Rather than paying $20 each evening for your martini like in a fine restaurant, your daily rate pays for itself in one drink. On my last cruise on Azamara, the premium bar package was less per day than one cocktail with my favourite spirit. Great deal for me and no guilt if I decided to splurge and have a second one.</p> <p>Love wine? Consider a wine package where you can pick premium bottles of wine from around the world and enjoy them at any restaurant on the ship.</p> <p>Can’t finish the bottle? The sommelier will cork if for you and it will be waiting the next night, just like you are at home.</p> <p><strong>5. Opt for a cosy dinner in</strong></p> <p>If you had a busy day of exploring on shore and just want to cocoon in your room that night, order room service. Unlike a hotel on land, it’s included in the price of your cruise. And it’s generally available 24/7 for any late-night cravings.</p> <p>On certain lines, waiters will set up a table in your room and – just like at a restaurant – return with each new course as you’ve finished the last one.</p> <p><strong>6. Take advantage of all your cruise food options</strong></p> <p>Your dining isn’t confined just to the buffet or the main dining room. Get to know all the ship’s venues and sample their wares.</p> <p>Have a casual meal on deck at the barbecue grill. Enjoy a snack or dessert at the ice cream shop. Indulge in special late-night culinary offerings after a show or nightcap. Savor a morning beverage and pastry at a coffee bar.</p> <p><strong>7. Pick your shore excursions with food and drink in mind</strong></p> <p>With so much traveller interest in local food and beverages, most lines offer culinary experiences while in port. You might taste wine in one of the world’s most acclaimed wine regions, tour a distillery, explore local farmers markets with one of the ship’s chefs or try a local specialty like olive oil in Italy or rice vinegar in Japan. You may be able to dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant or in a private home.</p> <p>What’s your favourite part about eating on a cruise? Is there a meal that stands out? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><em>First appeared on Virtuoso. <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to visit their website for more information.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/queen-mary-2-cruise-ship-gets-pet-friendly-makeover/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Queen Mary 2 cruise ship gets pet-friendly makeover</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/06/best-cruise-lines-in-the-world-revealed/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The world’s best cruise lines revealed</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/cunard-queen-mary-marilyn-monroe-showcase/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cunard to showcase world’s largest Marilyn Monroe collection</span></em></strong></a></p>

Cruising

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Another delicious way to enjoy the sweet, sweet banana

<p dir="ltr">BANANA DATE AND WALNUT SPELT BREAD</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr">Serves: 8</li> <li dir="ltr">Prep time: 20 mins</li> <li dir="ltr">Cooking time: 55 mins</li> <li dir="ltr">Difficulty: Easy</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">INGREDIENTS </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2/3 cup (100g) dried pitted dates, coarsely chopped</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 cup (100g) walnuts</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 cup (150g) wholemeal spelt flour</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 cup (150g) white spelt flour</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">3 tsp baking powder</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">¾ tsp bicarbonate of soda</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2 tsp ground cinnamon</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">4 Ecoganic® Red Tip® bananas, peeled,  </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">3/4 cup (180ml) light olive oil</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2 eggs</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">¼ cup (60ml) date syrup</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Peanut butter, to serve, optional</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">METHOD</p> <p> </p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Preheat the oven to 170°C fan forced. Grease and line the base and sides of 6cm deep, 10cmx21cm (base) loaf pan. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Place the dates into a heatproof bowl, add 2 tablespoons of boiling water. Cover and stand for 10 minutes. Coarsely chop 2/3 cup (75g) walnuts. Set the remaining 1/3 cup aside for the top.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sift the spelt flours, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon into a large bowl, adding any husks left in the sieve from the wholemeal flour. Stir in the chopped walnuts.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coarsely mash the bananas on a plate with a fork (you should have 11/3 cups). Transfer to a jug. Add the oil, eggs, date syrup and softened dates including any water. Stir to combine. Add to the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Top with the reserved walnuts. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven. Stand 10 minutes in the pan then lift onto a wire rack. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Slice and serve warm or serve toasted in a sandwich press spread with peanut butter.</p> </li> </ol>

Food & Wine

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“A night of magic and music”: Julie Andrews enjoys touching ‘Sound of Music’ reunion

<p dir="ltr">Dame Julie Andrews has been awarded one of Hollywood's highest honours - bestowed on one person each year - and had a heart-warming reunion all in the same night.</p> <p dir="ltr">When the acclaimed actress received the American Film Institute's lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles on Thursday, she was surprised with a sweet rendition of 'Do Re Mi' from five of the stars who played the Von Trapp children in <em>The Sound of Music</em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c0365a4-7fff-eb66-55da-638e9fb1020f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Andrews went on to join Duane Chase (Kurt), Kym Karath (Gretl), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta), and Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) in their performance which marked the first time the cast had performed together in over six decades.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Julie Andrews is surprised by her kids from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and joins them in a sing-a-long of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ to kick off the AFI Life Achievement Award presentation to her — what a beautiful moment! <a href="https://t.co/TZYT7UNPhr">pic.twitter.com/TZYT7UNPhr</a></p> <p>— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg/status/1535106725946093568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Only Charmian Carr, who played eldest sister Liesel and passed away in 2016, and Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa and died in 2017, were missing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to receiving her award, Andrews said she was “gobsmacked” to find her career was being honoured in such a way.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t know or think that it would ever come,” she said on the red carpet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But it’s just as well, because you can’t go around expecting awards and things like that.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca10a206-7fff-1b50-f412-1247ae730fed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Fans took to social media to share their delight at Andrews’ award and reunion with her castmates, prompting Karath to share an update on what happened after.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night! <a href="https://twitter.com/thesom7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thesom7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DebbieTurnerDTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DebbieTurnerDTO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/acstudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@acstudio</a> <a href="https://t.co/memxYDOR5V">pic.twitter.com/memxYDOR5V</a></p> <p>— Kym Karath (@KymKarath) <a href="https://twitter.com/KymKarath/status/1535362904928575488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night!” she commented on a video from the performance, sharing a behind-the-scenes look of the five Von Trapps.</p> <p dir="ltr">All five, along with Andrews, also posed for a formal portrait and shared it on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So much fun last night at the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award honouring Julie Andrews,” Cartwright captioned the photo on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CepYeBdFTtc/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was great being with my ‘Sound of Music’ siblings once again. A night of magic and music.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e6277b9a-7fff-3527-d2e4-ec84f8e524f8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @angelacartwrightstudio (Instagram)</em></p>

Music

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From Tarantino to Squid Game: why do so many people enjoy violence?

<p>Last month, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/13/squid-game-is-netflixs-biggest-debut-hit-reaching-111m-viewers-worldwide">more than 100 million people</a> watched the gory Netflix show, Squid Game. Whether or not screen violence is bad for us has been extensively studied. The <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-29260-002">consensus is</a> that it can have negative effects. But the question of why we are drawn to watch violence has received much less attention. </p> <p>Death, blood and violence have always pulled a crowd. Ancient Romans flocked to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1234-981X(199710)5:4%3C401::AID-EURO205%3E3.0.CO;2-C">carnage in the Colosseum</a>. In later centuries, <a href="https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199592692.001.0001/acprof-9780199592692">public executions were big box-office</a>. In the modern era, the film director Quentin Tarantino believes that: “<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2013/01/quentin-tarantino-violence-quotes/319586/">In movies, violence is cool. I like it</a>”. Many of us seem to agree with him. A study of high-grossing movies found <a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/133/1/71">90% had a segment</a> where the main character was involved in violence. Similarly, most Americans <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-58515-001">enjoy horror films</a> and watch them several times a year. </p> <h2>Who is watching this stuff?</h2> <p>Some people are more likely to enjoy violent media than others. Being male, aggressive and having less empathy all <a href="https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0702_5">make you more likely</a> to enjoy watching screen violence. There are also certain personality traits associated liking violent media. Extroverted people, who seek excitement, and people who are more open to aesthetic experiences, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0704_5">like watching violent movies more</a>. </p> <p>Conversely, people high in agreeableness - characterised by humility and sympathy for others - tend to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0704_5">like violent media less</a>.</p> <h2>…but why?</h2> <p>One theory is that watching violence is cathartic, draining out our excess aggression. However, this idea is <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/3/4/491">not well supported by evidence</a>. When angry people watch violent content, they <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Media-Entertainment-The-Psychology-of-Its-Appeal/Zillmann-Vorderer/p/book/9780805833256">tend to get angrier</a>.</p> <p>More recent research, derived from studies of horror films, suggests there may be three categories of people who enjoy watching violence, each with their own reasons. </p> <p>One group has been dubbed “<a href="https://psyarxiv.com/sdxe6/">adrenaline junkies</a>”. These sensation seekers want new and intense experiences, and are more likely <a href="https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0702_5">to get a rush</a> from watching violence. Part of this group may be people who like seeing others suffer. Sadists feel other people’s pain <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-psychopaths-to-everyday-sadists-why-do-humans-harm-the-harmless-144017">more than normal</a>, and enjoy it.</p> <p>Another group enjoys watching violence because they feel they learn something from it. In horror studies, such people are called “<a href="https://psyarxiv.com/sdxe6/">white knucklers</a>”. Like adrenaline junkies, they feel intense emotions from watching horror. But they dislike these emotions. They tolerate it because they feel it helps them learn something about how to survive. </p> <p>This is a bit like <a href="https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/musichtc_facpub/26">benign masochism</a>, the enjoyment of aversive, painful experiences in a safe context. If we can tolerate some pains, we may gain something. Just as “painful” <a href="https://tidsskrift.dk/lev/article/view/104693">cringe comedies may teach us social skills</a>, watching violence may teach us survival skills.</p> <p>A final group seems to get both sets of benefits. They enjoy the sensations generated by watching violence and feel they learn something. In the horror genre, such people have been called “<a href="https://psyarxiv.com/sdxe6/">dark copers</a>”.</p> <p>The idea that people enjoy watching safe, on-screen violence because it can teach us something is called “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/ebs0000152">threat simulation theory</a>”. This fits with the observation that the people who seem most attracted to watching violence (aggressive young men) are also those most likely to be encountering or dishing out such violence.</p> <p>Watching violence from the safety of our sofa may be a way to prepare ourselves for a violent and dangerous world. Violence hence appeals for a good reason. Interestingly, a recent study found that horror fans and morbidly curious individuals were <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920305882">more psychologically resilient</a> during the COVID-19 pandemic. </p> <h2>Is it really the violence we like?</h2> <p>There are reasons to reconsider how much we like watching violence per se. For example, in one study <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08934210500084198">researchers showed</a>two groups of people the 1993 movie, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106977/">The Fugitive</a>. One group were shown an unedited movie, while another saw a version with all violence edited out. Despite this, both groups liked the film equally. </p> <p>This finding has been supported by other studies which have also found that removing graphic violence from a film <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00224549909598417">does not make people like it less</a>. There is even evidence that people <a href="https://academic.oup.com/hcr/article-abstract/35/3/442/4107507">enjoy non-violent versions</a> of films more than violent versions.</p> <p>Many people may be enjoying something that coincides with violence, rather than violence itself. For example, violence creates <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12112">tension and suspense</a>, which may be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08838150701626446">what people find appealing</a>. </p> <p>Another possibility is that it is <a href="http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1087.404&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf">action, not violence</a>, which people enjoy. Watching violence also offers a great chance for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12112">making meaning</a> about finding meaning in life. Seeing violence allows us to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12112">reflect on the human condition</a>, an experience we value. </p> <p>Other theories are also out there. “<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781405186407.wbiece049">Excitation transfer theory</a>” suggests that watching violence makes us aroused, a feeling that persists until the end of the show, making the end feel more pleasing. The “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2011.570826">forbidden fruit hypothesis</a>” proposes that it is violence being deemed off-limits that makes it appealing. Consistent with this, warning labels <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-06304-002">increase people’s interest</a> in violent programmes.</p> <p>Finally, it may be that it is justified punishment, rather than violence, that we enjoy watching. Indeed, whenever people anticipate being able to punish wrongdoers, the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1100735">reward centres of their brain</a> light up like fairgrounds. That said, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/hcr/article-abstract/35/3/442/4107507">less than half the violence</a> on TV is inflicted on baddies by goodies. </p> <h2>Political motives?</h2> <p>All this suggests that media companies may be giving us violence that many of us <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2011.570826">don’t want or need</a>. We should hence consider what other corporate, political or ideological pressures may be encouraging onscreen violence globally.</p> <p>For example, the US government has a close interest in, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/washington-dcs-role-behind-the-scenes-in-hollywood-goes-deeper-than-you-think-80587">influence over Hollywood</a>. Portrayals of violence can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0896920517739093">manufacture our consent</a> with government policies, encourage us to endorse the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10509208.2015.1086614">legitimacy of state power and state violence</a>, and help <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/78912/manufacturing-consent-by-edward-s-herman-and-noam-chomsky/">determine who are “worthy victims”</a>.</p> <p>The messages onscreen violence send can, however, cause us to become disconnected with reality. <a href="https://stevenpinker.com/publications/better-angels-our-nature">When crime rates fall</a>, <a href="https://publisher.abc-clio.com/9780313015977/">onscreen violence</a> can make us think that crime is increasing. Movies also lie about the real <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071054/">impact of violence</a> on the human body – with almost 90% of violent actions showing no realistic physical consequences to the victim. Movies can also <a href="https://doi.org/10.18357/ijcyfs101201918809">disguise the reality of male violence</a> against women and children.</p> <p>The American political scientist <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/84573/the-clash-of-civilizations-and-the-remaking-of-world-order-by-samuel-p-huntington/">Samuel Huntington once wrote that</a>, “The west won the world not by the superiority of its ideas … but rather by its superiority in applying organised violence. Westerners often forget this fact; non-Westerners never do.” We should be constantly aware of how fake violence on our screens serves real violence in our world.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-tarantino-to-squid-game-why-do-so-many-people-enjoy-violence-170251" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Movies

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How coronavirus has changed how we enjoy hotel breakfasts

<p><strong>The new normal in hotel buffets</strong></p> <p><span>Who doesn’t love a good hotel buffet? They are cost-effective, delicious and it doesn’t matter if your eyes are bigger than your stomach. </span></p> <p><span>There is something truly magical about groggily taking the lift down to the hotel lobby to find an expansive breakfast spread in front of you, but while still exciting, these moments will look a little different now due to the coronavirus pandemic. </span></p> <p><span>We spoke to experts to see just what will be different about hotel buffets in a post-pandemic world.<br /></span></p> <p><strong>No more serving yourself</strong></p> <p><span>One major change we might see at hotel buffets post-pandemic is that we won’t be the ones putting the food on our plates. </span></p> <p><span>G</span><span>uests will most likely just point to the food that they want behind plexiglass and servers will place the food on their dish. </span></p> <p><span>“That way, only one person will be holding the serving utensils and guests may not have to wear gloves to prevent the transfer of bacteria,” says Laurie Wilkins, founder of Call Outdoors.</span></p> <p><strong>Hand sanitiser will become a staple</strong></p> <p><span>If you haven’t already noticed, hand sanitiser has become a staple everywhere and hotels are not the exception. Hand sanitising stations will likely be at various access points throughout the buffet. </span></p> <p><span>“These hand sanitisers might also have a foot pump dispenser, so everything is hands-free,” claims Wilkins. </span></p> <p><span>“Since there are many people coming to the restaurant, the surface of hand sanitiser bottles may potentially be unsanitary as well.”</span></p> <p><strong>Breakfast room will be sealed</strong></p> <p><span>Dining rooms will be closed in order to avoid unnecessary congregation and interaction between guests at some large hotel chains, such as Best Western. </span></p> <p><span>Guests will eat in their own private spaces so everyone can maintain distance and limit contact.</span></p> <p><strong>Grab And Go options</strong></p> <p><span>Best Western is also enhancing its “Grab &amp; Go” offerings, meaning that all food and beverage options will be pre-packaged to avoid contamination. </span></p> <p><span>With pre-packaged options, guests will avoid unnecessary touching or breathing on the food and will also have limited contact with servers.</span></p> <p><strong>Waiter service</strong></p> <p><span>“The food will still be mass-produced but, instead of customers going up to grab food, they will order from the staff who will bring the food to you,” explains Raymond Cua, founder of Travelling Foodie. </span></p> <p><span>“This will eliminate the need to have all the food displayed outside which is prone to contamination.” </span></p> <p><span>Having a waitstaff can also prevent unnecessary contact with other guests as the only outside contact people will have is with their server.</span></p> <p><strong>Contactless ordering</strong></p> <p><span>Cua also claims that some hotels may implement contactless ordering with the use of a device rather than having a server physically come to take your order. </span></p> <p><span>That way, the only contact will be the delivery of the food to the table.</span></p> <p><strong>Room service</strong></p> <p><span>“One possible action plan that hotels can do is to use room service as a platform to connect their customers to their hotel buffet offerings,” says Yaniv Masjedi, CMO at Nextiva. </span></p> <p><span>“Customers can choose the food and drinks they like to eat and relay information to the front desk. Then, room service delivers orders. With this set-up, it helps prevent the spread of the virus by eliminating the chances of hotel guests interacting with one another.” </span></p> <p><span>Hotel employees can also leave the food outside the door like many takeout places have been doing to limit face-to-face contact.</span></p> <p><strong>Directional buffets</strong></p> <p><span>For hotels that are still allowing for in-person buffets, guests will only be able to move in one direction while socially distanced – just like many stores that are placing directional arrows on the floor. </span></p> <p><span>“Buffets will become more ‘directional’ with you needing to start on one end, and finish in another, for more traffic flow,” explains Alex Miller, CEO of Upgraded Points.com.</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/travel-hints-tips/what-hotel-buffets-will-look-like-now/" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Travel Tips

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"Enjoy having mutant children": Woman dumped by anti-vaxxer

<p>A lot of people have hilarious anecdotes about questionable experiences with the world of online dating. </p> <p>But one woman has taken the crown with a dramatic exchange with an anti-vaxxer she met on the dating app Hinge. </p> <p>Olivia Krueger took to her TikTok account to share her text thread with an unnamed man, saying the bar for dating "is in literal hell at this rate".</p> <p>He started out by wanting to ask Olivia "a stupid question", to which she responded "there are no stupid questions".</p> <p>His responded with a single word, reading "Vax?"</p> <p>Olivia, probably rolling her eyes behind the screen, responded saying, "I am. Is that a problem?"</p> <p>The man's attitude flipped, saying "F**k, I liked you so much," with Olivia pointing out that her Covid vaccine status was in her Hinge profile and available for him to read.</p> <p>Olivia cut her losses with the anti-vaxxer, saying "Alright well it was fun while it lasted."</p> <p>The man proved how difficult it can be for anti-vaxxers to be silenced, as he unleashed a baseless tirade against Olivia. </p> <p>He said, “Good luck having mutant children. So ridiculous that some made up bullsh*t by the government can tear people apart that actually enjoy each other for no f***ing reason other than political gain."</p> <p>“Sad. Sad you caved. I should have known. ‘It’s history and that’s what my make my life off of’. You’re (sic) kids will Literally be f***ing mutants. Hahaha. Jesus. How’s Biden looking now?”"</p> <p>Olivia's video has racked up over 50,000 views, with a lot of people commenting in support of her decisions. </p> <p>One person said, "You dodged a bullet, sis! Congrats!"</p> <p>Another called out the man's claims saying "Bold of him to assume any woman would want to have his children."</p> <p>New York couples therapist Kelly Scott told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-talk-to-your-partner-about-vaccines-disagreements-2020-7" target="_blank">Insider</a> earlier this year that couples need to clarify their differing vaccine stances, as it can often be a point of contention within relationships. </p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok @oliviakrueger11</em></p>

Relationships

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Queen enjoys a week with the grandchildren at Balmoral

<p>The Queen has spent a very special week with Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children at Balmoral - a place which holds many fond memories for the Queen of all the times she visited with Prince Philip at her side.</p> <p>Over the week, the Queen and her extended family enjoyed fishing, riding horses and hiking according to a royal insider.</p> <p>Prince William, 38, and Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all attended. It was a time for the Cambridges to spend some 'special time' with the monarch.</p> <p>It’s thought this special week at the Queen’s Scottish estate in Aberdeenshire over the Bank Holiday weekend would have 'lifted the monarch's spirits.'</p> <p>But at the same time, it would be ‘bittersweet’ for the Queen as it’s the first time she’ll be hosting a family gathering at Balmoral without Prince Philip.</p> <p><strong>First time the family has visited since Prince Philip’s death</strong></p> <p>Writing in <em>Vanity Fair</em>, Katie Nicholl revealed the occasion marked the first time the family had been able to come together for a trip since Prince Philip's death in April.</p> <p>Meanwhile another insider revealed the annual trip over the last week of August had become a tradition for the family, with the monarch reserving the Bank Holiday weekend for time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.</p> <p>They said: 'In the past it has turned into one big sleepover with lots of the Queen's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her Majesty enjoys it immensely.'</p> <p>The royal expert also reported the Queen has been known to leave gifts for her grandchildren on their beds during their stay at Balmoral.</p> <p>The monarch arrived at the Aberdeenshire estate in late July and typically remains until early October.</p> <p>It comes after a source claimed the Queen was 'itching for things to get back to normal' during her annual break and she hoped to host a BBQ for the royal family at the castle.</p> <p><strong>Fergie and Prince Andrew are coming as well</strong></p> <p>It was also revealed Fergie was invited to stay at the Queen's Scottish retreat this summer as well.</p> <p>‘Sarah Ferguson is coming,' the source said. 'She will be here with Andrew.' It's not clear whether Fergie and Andrew will be joined by their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.</p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.10047846889955px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843650/prince-philip-and-queen-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ea6723b72c024dc5904081bbe490f301" /></strong></p> <p><strong>No doubt this holiday will be bittersweet</strong></p> <p>The stay at Balmoral will no doubt be bittersweet for the Queen, who has many fond memories of her time spent at the estate with her late husband.</p> <p>While never truly off duty it was the closest the Queen and Prince Philip would come to a real holiday.</p> <p>There have been reports of raucous, drink-fuelled evenings and jovial house parties, and quiet days with old-fashioned parlour games by the fire.</p> <p>In April, the Queen released a very special photograph of herself and Prince Philip in the hills near Balmoral, giving us another special insight into how much they enjoyed their time at the estate.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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A beginner’s guide to reading and enjoying poetry

<p>One of the things you get asked most when people find out that you’re a poet is whether you can recommend something that could be read at an upcoming wedding, or if you know something that might be suitable for a funeral. For most people, these occasions – as well as their schooldays – are the only times they encounter poetry.</p> <p>That feeds into this sense that poetry is something formal, something which might stand to attention in the corner of the room, that it’s something to be studied or something to “solve” rather than something to be lounged with on the sofa. Of course, this needn’t be true.</p> <p>We’ve seen over the past couple of months how important poetry can be to people. It’s forming a response in advertisements and marketing campaigns, it’s becoming a regular part of the public’s honouring of frontline heroes and, for people who write poetry more often, it’s becoming a way to create a living historical document of these unprecedented times – this latter point was the aim of the new <a href="https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/write/">Write where we are Now project</a>, spearheaded by poet Carol Ann Duffy and Manchester Metropolitan University.</p> <p>In years to come, alongside medical records and political reporting, historians and classes of schoolchildren will look to art and poetry to find out what life was like on a day-to-day basis – what things seemed important, what things worried people, how the world looked and felt and was experienced. Write where we are Now will, hopefully, be one such resource, with poets from all over the world contributing new work directly about the Coronavirus pandemic or about the personal situations they find themselves in right now.</p> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/407507872" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>So the crisis has perhaps brought poetry – with its ability to make the abstract more concrete, its ability to distil and clarify, its ability to reflect the surreal and strange world we now find ourselves in – back to the fore.</p> <p>Many of you might be thinking now is the time to try and get to grips with poetry, maybe for the first time. A novel might feel too taxing, watching another film just involves staring at another screen for longer, but a poem can offer a brief window into a different world, or simply help to sustain you in this one.</p> <p><strong>How to enjoy poetry</strong></p> <p>If you’re nervous around poetry or are scared it might not be for you, I wanted to offer up some tips.</p> <p><strong>1. You don’t have to like it</strong></p> <p>Poetry is often taught in very strange ways: you’re given a poem and told that it’s good – and that if you don’t think it’s good then you haven’t understood it, and you should read it again until you have, and then you’ll like it. This is nonsense. There are poets and poems for every taste. If you don’t like something, fine. Move on. Find another poet. Anthologies are great for this, and a good place to start with your poetry journey.</p> <p><strong>2. Read it aloud</strong></p> <p>Poetry lives on the air and not on the page, read it aloud to yourself as you walk around the house, you’ll get a better understanding of it, you’ll feel the rhythms of the language move you in different ways – even if you’re not quite sure what’s going on.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t try and solve it</strong></p> <p>This is something else that goes back to our educational encounters with poetry – poems are not riddles that need solving. Some poems will speak to you very plainly. Some poems will simply move you through their language. Some poems will baffle you but, like an intriguing stranger, you’ll want to step closer to them. Poems aren’t a problem to be wrestled with – mostly poems are showing you one small thing as a way of talking about something bigger. Poems aren’t a broken pane of glass that you need to painstakingly reassemble. They’re a window, asking you to look out, trying to show you something.</p> <p><strong>4. Write your own</strong></p> <p>The best way to understand poetry is to write your own. The way you speak, the street you live on, the life you’ve lived, is as worthy of poetry as anything else. Once you begin to explore your own writing, you’ll be able to read and understand other people’s poems much better.</p> <p>I would say this as a poet, but poetry is going to be even more central to how we rebuild after this current crisis. Poetry, especially the teaching of how we might write it, has this wonderful ability to create a new language, to imagine new ways of seeing things, to help people to articulate what it is that they’ve just been through. The way we move forward, as a community, as a society and, in fact, as a civilisation, is to push language to new frontiers, to use language to memorialise, reimagine and rebuild, but also to remember that poetry can be an escape, something to be enjoyed, something to cherish.</p> <p>With that in mind here is a poem I wrote for Write where we are Now.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/137321/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/331106/original/file-20200428-110779-1fegtkr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /> <span class="caption"></span></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-mcmillan-535042">Andrew McMillan</a>, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/manchester-metropolitan-university-860">Manchester Metropolitan University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-beginners-guide-to-reading-and-enjoying-poetry-137321">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Enjoy a tasty pear tarte tatin

<div class="article-body"> <p>Here’s another French classic that has made it onto our favourites list. A traditional tarte tatin is made with apples, but I’ve gone for pears here, although poached quinces would work wonderfully too. You could, of course, use apples – my favourites are granny smiths. </p> <p><strong>Serves: </strong>4</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <p><strong>Baked pears</strong></p> <ul> <li>4 small pears</li> <li>110g (½ cup) caster sugar</li> <li>20g unsalted butter</li> <li>1 vanilla bean, halved lengthways and seeds scraped</li> <li>2 tablespoons brandy</li> <li>100g caster sugar</li> <li>100ml brandy</li> <li>1 vanilla bean, halved lengthways and seeds scraped</li> <li>50g unsalted butter, cubed</li> <li>1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry</li> <li>Cream or ice-cream, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <ol> <li>To make the baked pears, preheat the oven to 160°C. Butter an ovenproof dish that will fit the pears snugly.</li> <li>Peel, quarter and core the pears. Arrange the pears in the dish. Sprinkle the sugar over the pears, then dot with a little butter and some of the vanilla seeds. Pour in the brandy and cover with baking paper and foil. Bake for 1½–2 hours, or until the pears are soft and light golden brown. Remove and set aside.</li> <li>Increase the oven to 190°C. You will need an ovenproof frying pan to cook the tart. Put the pan over medium heat and add the sugar, brandy, vanilla seeds and bean. Let the sugar dissolve and cook until the mixture forms a light caramel.</li> <li>Add the baked pears, arranging them neatly in the pan, and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan gently to make sure the pears aren’t catching on the base. Dot with the cubed butter, then lay the pastry over the top. Using a wooden spoon, tuck the pastry edge down around the pears, taking care not to touch the caramel, as it is very hot.</li> <li>Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the caramel is bubbling up around the edge. Remove from the oven.</li> <li>Get a serving plate that is larger than your pan and put the plate on top of the pan. Using oven gloves to protect your hands, invert the pan onto the plate. Allow the caramel to cool slightly before serving with cream or ice-cream.</li> </ol> <p><em>Image and recipe from </em><a rel="noopener" href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fall-day-cafe-stuart-mckenzie%2Fprod9781743368404.html" target="_blank">All Day Café</a><em><a rel="noopener" href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fall-day-cafe-stuart-mckenzie%2Fprod9781743368404.html" target="_blank"> by Stuart McKenzie</a> (Murdoch Books RRP $39.99). Photography: © Armelle Habib 2017.</em></p> <p>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/pear-tarte-tatin.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</p> </div>

Food & Wine

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Enjoy sweet red papaya and mixed berry parfaits

<p>Combined with fruity goodness, enjoy this parfait as the perfect afternoon (or morning) snack.</p> <p><strong>Time to prepare: </strong>5 minutes</p> <p><strong>Cooking time: </strong>10 minutes</p> <p><strong>Serves: </strong>4</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <div class="article-body"> <ul> <li>400g red papaya</li> <li>500g (2 cups) natural Greek or vanilla yoghurt</li> <li>200g (2 cups) toasted muesli or granola</li> <li>250g (2 cups) frozen mixed berries</li> <li>1 tbsp water</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <ol> <li>In a saucepan over medium heat, simmer berries and water for four to five minutes, until just warm and syrupy.</li> <li>Mash slightly with a fork and set aside to cool while you peel, de-seed and dice papaya.</li> <li>Spoon 2 tablespoons muesli (or granola) into the base of four glasses.</li> <li>Layer each glass with ¼ cup yoghurt, 2 tablespoons berry compote, ¼ cup diced papaya and 2 tablespoons granola. Repeat layers and serve immediately.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.australianpapaya.com.au/" target="_blank"><span>Papaya Australia</span></a>.</em><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.australianpapaya.com.au/" target="_blank"></a></p> </div> <div class="social-media-column"> <div class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/red-papaya-and-mixed-berry-parfaits.aspx" data-title="Red Papaya and Mixed Berry Parfaits | WYZA Australia" data-description="Combined with fruity goodness, enjoy this parfait as the perfect afternoon (or morning) snack. - wyza.com.au"> <div id="atstbx3" class="at-share-tbx-element addthis-smartlayers addthis-animated at4-show" aria-labelledby="at-bf1a309b-c186-43e3-9374-8a1eda6455d2"><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/red-papaya-and-mixed-berry-parfaits.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</em></div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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Enjoy a sweet peach cheesecake with peach syrup

<div class="article-body"> <p>What better way to enjoy summer than with in-season fruits? Create this delectable cake topped with fresh peaches and drizzled with an oh-so sweet syrup.</p> <p><strong>Time to prepare: </strong>4 hours to set + 25 minutes</p> <p><strong>Serves:</strong> 8</p> <p><strong>Crust</strong></p> <ul> <li>250g butternut snap cookies</li> <li> <p>80g unsalted butter, melted</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Cheesecake</strong></p> <ul> <li>3 teaspoon powdered gelatine</li> <li>500g cream cheese, softened</li> <li>½ cup sugar</li> <li>1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste</li> <li>250ml thickened cream, whipped</li> <li>6 yellow peaches, peeled, cored, 2 sliced to garnish</li> <li>Sugar syrup, cooled (½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, boiled, then simmer to dissolve)</li> <li>Optional: Whipped cream, and white chocolate curls, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <p><strong>Crust</strong></p> <ol> <li>Grease and line a 20cm spring form cake tin.</li> <li>In a food processor, place biscuits and pulse until fine crumbs. Add butter and pulse again to combine, then tip into prepared tin and press firmly into the base. Chill in the fridge until needed.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Cheesecake</strong></p> <ol> <li>Place a small heat proof jug in a small saucepan of lightly simmering water.</li> <li>Add 2 tablespoons of water, then sprinkle the gelatine into the jug. Stir to dissolve set aside to cool for 5 minutes.</li> <li>Meanwhile, place cream cheese, vanilla and sugar into a stand mixer and beat until smooth. Add the cooled gelatine mix and beat to combine.</li> <li>Gently fold in whipped cream.</li> <li>Pour into prepared pan on top of the biscuit base. Cover and refrigerate until set. Minimum 4 hours to overnight.</li> <li>In a medium bowl, puree or mash 2 peaches, add sugar syrup then set aside to infuse.</li> <li>Place in a sieve over a bowl to strain, set drained syrup aside.</li> <li>To assemble, remove cheesecake from the fridge, use the peaches to decorate, and drizzle with the syrup.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of <a rel="noopener" href="https://summerfruit.com.au/" target="_blank">Summerfruit Australia</a>.</em></p> </div> <div class="social-media-column"> <div class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/peach-cheesecake-with-peach-syrup.aspx" data-title="Peach cheesecake with peach syrup | WYZA" data-description="Treat yourself this summer with a delectable cheesecake with a double dose of peaches! -wyza.com.au"> <div id="atstbx3" class="at-share-tbx-element addthis-smartlayers addthis-animated at4-show" aria-labelledby="at-84bb15f3-22bb-4ec9-9b4e-48e4dea2e418"><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/peach-cheesecake-with-peach-syrup.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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Enjoy some delicious custard apple, rum and coconut pannacotta

<p>Celebrity Adam Liaw shares a recipe that adds a tropical touch to your desserts.</p> <p>The sweet and unique taste of custard apple, slightly reminiscent of pineapple and vanilla, is a perfect match with dark rum and coconut in this creamy and delicious panna cotta.</p> <p><strong>Time to prepare: </strong>10 minutes</p> <p><strong>Cooking time: </strong>5 minutes</p> <p><strong>Freezing time: </strong>120 minutes</p> <p><strong>Serves: </strong>4 – 6</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li>400ml pouring cream</li> <li>400ml coconut milk</li> <li>2 tsp dark rum</li> <li>1 tbsp honey</li> <li>2 tbsp caster sugar</li> <li>18g powdered gelatin</li> <li>400ml custard apple pulp and juice</li> <li>Toasted coconut or macadamia nuts, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong><strong>Directions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Place the pouring cream, coconut milk, rum, honey and caster sugar in a saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin over the top.</li> <li>Heat the liquid gently until nearly simmering, stirring until all of the gelatin has dissolved. (To check this, lift your stirring spoon out of the mixture and make sure there is no gelatin granules sticking to it.)</li> <li>Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then stir through the custard apple pulp and juice.</li> <li>Freeze in individual moulds or glasses for at least 2 hours, or until the panna cotta is set.</li> <li>To serve, scatter the top of the panna cotta with either toasted coconut or macadamia nuts.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of </em><a href="http://www.custardapple.com.au/"><em>Custard Apples Australia</em></a><em>. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/custard-apple-rum-and-coconut-panna-cotta.aspx"><em>Wyza.com.au.</em></a></p>

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