Reader Digest Version Global
Jan 09, 2013 01:49 PM EDT

by Beth Dreher

Dogs Get Their Day, and a Font

Between the nearly $1,000 chinchilla fur coats and the exponential growth of the organic dog food industry, it's hard to dispute that this is a dog-obsessed world in which we live. Don't get me wrong—I have fond memories of my childhood dog, Sadie, our beloved Dachshund that proudly delivered half-dead toads to our back door as if they were rare jewels. But she wasn't running around in red tartan Read More >>

Jan 09, 2013 12:16 PM EDT

by David Noonan

What's All This About a Trillion-Dollar Coin?

I was still recovering from a nasty case of Fiscal Cliff Fatigue when my current-events radar started picking up vague references to a "trillion-dollar platinum coin" that was somehow connected to the looming debt-ceiling crisis our elected officials have prepared for us as a kind of late (and awful) Christmas gift. At first I figured it was another brilliant piece of satire from The Onion. But no… Read More >>

Jan 08, 2013 02:30 PM EDT

by Diane Dragan

Awesome Acts of Charity You Probably Never Heard Of

When a billionaire like Bill Gates whips out his checkbook to help the less fortunate, it's not so surprising. But it was cool to find out, at Reddit's Today I Learned (TIL), that: • Dana Carvey had heart-bypass that was done incorrectly. He was awarded $7.5 million for medical malpractice which he donated entirely to charity. (wikipedia.org, via lgunn1) If you get the… Read More >>

Jan 08, 2013 02:27 PM EDT

by Dawn Raffel

David Milarch is a pioneering spirit who believes that cloning huge ancient trees—such as the remaining Giant Sequoias in California— is the key to saving the planet.  He explains: "Because they are survivors—several hundred to several thousand years old—they hold the entire genetic history of their species and they are one of the key components of… Read More >>

Jan 08, 2013 10:56 AM EDT

by Caitlin O'Connell

Must Read: Short Story Genius George Saunders Does It Again

Ever since I first read "The Falls," the dark and powerful final short story in George Saunders' 2000 collection, Pastoralia, I've devoured every piece of writing he's done while impatiently anticipating his next collection. After six years, his latest, Tenth of December, is finally here, and it's even more than I expected. Tenth of Decemberis Saunders' deepest collection to date; each story captures… Read More >>

Jan 07, 2013 05:29 PM EDT

by Damon Beres

Got 22 Bucks? Make a Standing Desk, Save Your Life

Recent studies show that sitting for long chunks of time significantly impacts your health—and not in a good way. Scientists have noted, for example, a correlation between hours spent sitting in front of the TV and a decline in life expectancy: According to the Times, spending an hour watching the tube might reduce your lifespan by nearly 22 minutes if you're… Read More >>

Jan 07, 2013 03:31 PM EDT

by Alison Caporimo

At Last: Create Your Own Mini-Me

In an age where we can get almost anything we want when we want it, it's no surprise that instant 3D printing has taken off. Need a firearm for the apocalypse? Print it at home. Looking to escape in a getaway vehicle? Grow-a-jet-engine (and hope you have a piloting license). Searching for spare parts on the front lines of war? Try the backpack-sized printer, a work-in-progress for the US Army. So it was only a matter of time before this cutting-edge… Read More >>

Jan 07, 2013 12:50 PM EDT

by Alyssa Jung

Fries or a Salad? Site Helps You Make Healthy Food Choices

The start of a new year has become nearly synonymous with weight loss pledges and fresh diet kickoffs. But what do you do if you can't decide which food choice will help you meet your healthy eating goals? Head over to twofoods.com. It's a super simple food comparison site that can help find the healthiest meal selection for you. Just plug in the two foods you're torn between… Read More >>

Jan 07, 2013 11:02 AM EDT

by Perri O. Blumberg

Shhh: A Top Chef's 89¢ Secret to Cook Like a Pro

I recently spoke with Mike Isabella, the proud New Jersey native and Top ChefAll-Stars Runner-Up who's currently owner of two Washington, D.C. restaurants--Graffiato and Bandolero. After we talked about his exciting career, I posed a simple question: "What's the one trick that's changed your life in the kitchen?" Without missing a beat, he replied "A cake tester!"… Read More >>

Jan 04, 2013 03:35 PM EDT

by Caitlin O'Connell

Dog News: Greyhounds Need Homes

With greyhound racing on the decline nationwide, more and more greyhounds (and hound-mix breeds) are in need of homes. The Massachusetts-based organization, Greyhound Friends, is helping out by placing hundreds of  dogs into loving homes every year. Currently greyhound racing is only permitted in seven states,including Florida, Texas, Alabama and Arkansas. Racing requires an… Read More >>