As soon as we heard:  where you are and when you there, our ears perked up and we thought, “Would I want someone that I don’t know – who is not even in my online friend circle – to know exactly where I am?”

So what are the potential risks in location-based social media?

(1) Your Boss Finds Out You Aren’t Grabbing that Cup of Coffee

The first thing we thought of was that users may be unwittingly giving away their information to everyone on these social media platforms.  Something as innocent as running out to get a cup of coffee, then Tweeting quickly about an Hermes scarf as you stand outside the Hermes store near Rockefeller could send a message to your boss that you are not where you are supposed to be.  In a world of digitally alert bosses, human resources, and co-workers, the last thing you want to do is appear to be somewhere you are not supposed to be.

Twitter & Facebook posts have gotten people fired.  Those aren’t protected classes underemployment law.

(2) Your Personal Safety is at Issue

Having spent some time working in crimes against women & children in the District Attorney’s office in Atlanta, we automatically thought of one glaring issue:  predators & minors.  With the explosion of MySpace in the digital sphere, there was a critical concern of safety issues with minors connecting with predators online.  With something as innocuous as an online post an a location-aware site, these same minors are exclaiming their location to those same predators.

(3) Everyone Knows if You are at Home or Not

There have already been burglaries that may be linked to online status postings:  ”Out of town for the week!”  on Twitter or “Won’t be home till 2am” on a public profile on Facebook.  While it’s true that most people don’t make a habit of running through social media posts to plan their next heist – it’s also not unheard of.  A location based social media platform would make it increasingly easy for these crimes to occur, because there will be an online database of all the empty homes in that location.  To tempting to resist?

We’re not saying that location based social media is a bad thing, but as with all things out there:  realize & assess the risks!

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Reprinted with permission from Sardar Law Firm and Social Media Legal.

To celebrate the first ten years of the new millennium, and to usher in a year better than our last, here’s a list of seven easy resolutions for you to declare in the kitchen for a healthier, and hopefully happier year. Pick one or try them all!

1) If you haven’t already, jump on the olive oil bandwagon

Olive oil has many benefits because it contains more monounsaturated fats, the good fats that prevent the bad fats from clogging up your arteries, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Now don’t go dousing every salad or drowning every stir-fry in olive oil just because it’s called the “good” fat! Olive oil should be used in the same sparing way regular oils are used, and the incremental change in your cooking habit will have long-term benefits to your health (and your heart!).

NOTE: it is not recommended that you deep fry with olive oil because of it’s low smoking point.

2) Use nonstick cookware to avoid the use of too much oil

Some people believe that nonstick cookware is unsafe and should therefore be banished from the kitchen, while some think it is a godsend to making cooking (and cleaning up) quicker and easier. Depending on what you believe, there are different types of nonstick cookwear for everyone, and if you are weary of the dangers of nonstick coating getting into your food (which is said to be poisonous), check out the site below for a recap of the new safe nonstick options. Whatever you choose, using a nonstick cooking surface will certainly help you cut down on the amount of oil used.

3) Repeat after me: whole wheat, whole wheat, whole wheat

This is one to swear by. Changing your wheat intake from plain white, bleached flour to whole wheat flour has tremendous health benefit s. Whole wheat contains real nutrients and more fiber, which is good for your digestive system and is said to lower cholesterol (among many other benefits). And lucky for you, whole wheat can be added to your diet in so may ways – flour, rice, pasta…Granted, some people just don’t like the nutty taste of whole wheat, but if you can acquire the taste – your body will thank you! Make the transition easy by getting a lighter whole wheat flour or a mixed bag of brown and white rice.

4) Steam those suckers

How many times have you read a recipe that tells you to boil your vegetables? What that recipe is not telling you is that by boiling vegetables (or anything, for that matter), you are giving up all those lovely nutrients to that bubbling water. Instead of submitting your vitamin and anti-oxidant rich veggies to the hot water, try steaming them instead. Thi s way they can still retain their bright color and most importantly, all those healthy benefits – because isn’t that main reason we try to eat vegetables? Just put a few tablespoons per cup of vegetables into a pan over medium to low heat and cover.

5) Don’t loose your skin

Keep the skin on your fruits and vegetables (if you can). For many foods the main nutrients lie in, or near, the skin. For example, if you are making mashed potatoes, only peel half of your potatoes and keep the skin on the other half. This will enable you to get some of that smooth and creamy texture while also getting a bit of crunch and that potassium, iron and calcium that makes potatoes good for you (and not just a whole load of starch).

6) Better than butter

When baking, try using a healthier substitution for butter or oil in your recipe. Applesauce or ripe bananas are common favorites. If you are skeptical, ½ a cup of butter has around 900 calories while ½ cup of apple sauce will only have 50. Not only do substitutions keep the flavor and consistency of your baked goods in tact, but they reduce the fat – now you won’t have to feel guilty about having seconds!

7) Can it! Actually…don’t can it!

Canned foods are very high in sodium, so use frozen veggies when you can. Most vegetables are flash frozen which freezes the product at its peak, locking in those nutrients and retaining the original integrity. In a can, salt is used to preserve the vegetables, but a high-sodium diet is more likely to increase your blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular and kidney diseases. With this tip, not only do you avoid that risk, but frozen veggies are very tasty and you don’t lose out on flavor.

— Mahira Sheikh, NEEM Magazine Contributing Writer

1) Wear glasses.

From the sexy librarian to our  intellectual heroes, Jean-Paul Sartre, Noam Chomsky, Elton John. They all wear glasses.  Hint.

2) Massage your temples.

You’ve seen Clark Kent do it.  And everyone thinks he’s smart.  So before you ask or answer a question, massage  your temples for the dramatic flair.  Everyone will pause and pay more attention to what you have to say.  And even for people that aren’t listening to what you are saying… it gives the impression that, wow – that person must be thinking/working very hard.  A huge plus at the office!

3) Sit with one leg crossed over the other.

Sitting with one leg crossed over the other is one of the intelligent community’s worst kept secrets. Anyone who has ever attended a family party can recall seeing at least one of their uncles sitting this way.

4) Begin conversations with a famous quote.

Ever notice how much smarter someone sounds just because they can pull a quote out of thin air.  Learn from these people.  It creates an instant “wow” factor and you are less likely to be questioned on even a dumb answer.  Now, don’t quote Kiss or Aerosmith.  Try quoting Ben Franklin or someone with a fancy name like François de la Rochefoucauld.

5) Coffee Love, Stop With the Red Bull.

Red bull at work is akin to college.  When you are at work, you can’t meet the Partner over a Redbull or another energy drink.  But – you can meet them over a cup of coffee.  So learn about coffee — not Starbucks — and local coffee shops.  Know what to recommend, know the tastes.  Love the tastes.

– Aram Jawad, NEEM Magazine Contributing Writer

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The twin burdens of expectations and stereotypes were placed on my shoulders one day when I was standing in the workroom with my boss during my first year of employment at a non-profit agency.

I had some downtime, so I offered to help her with stuffing envelopes for a mailing that was going out later that week. As I stood there, wishing I could hire an intern so I could avoid paper cuts, she began to talk about her two teenage sons, who were both involved in numerous extracurricular activities at their high school. The question arose: “How are Asians able to get their kids to be so disciplined?” I didn’t answer her immediately as she elaborated, “When I look at graduating classes, theirValedictorians and Salutatorians are always Asian. They excel in sports and they’re always practicing piano…” As the myth of the model minority dripped from her mouth, I began to wonder if it would always be this way. Would a “teaching moment” present itself every time cultural issues arise?

My boss’s candid question caught me off guard that day. As a new employee and as a proud Asian woman, I knew I couldn’t just deflect her question and comments and continue folding and stuffing so I came up with a comfortable response that wouldn’t make me feel like I was patronizing her. I explained to her that although the label “hard-working, disciplined achiever is a positive one, I, as an Asian (who at many times wore said label) never liked the assumption that I would have a 4.0 and go on to a stereotypically Asian profession (medicine, engineering, law, business-basically anything other than the non-profit and activist positions I’ve held) that follows good grades and great expectations. I didn’t like the limitations that came with such expectations. I came out of the conversation with two conclusions: that she hadn’t yet gotten her head around what I had said and that this question would lead to many similar conversations.

The second time I realized that my boss wasn’t well-versed in the art of diversity in the office came during a staff meeting. We were discussing our relationship with a newly hired director at a branch nearby. One of the first comments out of my boss’s mouth was, “The only reason she got hired is because she speaks Spanish.” She shrugged her shoulders and a look of disbelief walked across her face. The same disbelief, accompanied by shock, rested in my gut. The location of the aforementioned branch was located in the middle of an area with a significant migrant population-a demographic very different from the one we served at our location. It made sense that bilingual skills would be crucial there. Could it be possible that my boss- an educated woman nearly twice my age couldn’tconnect those same dots?

I regret not defending the director that day. I was pacified by fear that my honesty would jeopardize my career or cause my co-workers to view me as a belligerent minority who felt entitled because of past obstacles. I didn’t want my boss to think that I thought I was better than her. Staying silent like I did in that meeting room was a mistake that I don’t want to make again, so I didn’t stay silent when my boss referred to one of our African volunteers as “white as anyone else here.” I didn’t stay silent when one of my co-workers expressed concern over supporting an international organization that sends books to children around the world-including Muslim children. Instead, I directed them away from ignorance and towards enlightenment.

Minorities in the USA come from a long line of oppression. I ask myself: If women were beaten in the early 1900s to gain the right to have a voice, why should mine be silenced? If MLK and his comrades marched for equality regardless of skin color and personal beliefs, and were imprisoned for doing so, why shouldn’t my generation continue that march today? And if Southeast Asians boarded dilapidated old boats to escape persecution in search of better opportunities in a new land, shouldn’t we find reasons to sail on?

The point is that minorities have a unique responsibility. We have a lesson to pass on, a lesson that began decades ago, originating from figures like Susan B. Anthony and John Lewis. They’re counting on us to carry on their legacy just as much as future generations are depending on us to seize the opportunities to fearlessly and proudly share our experiences and knowledge with those who don’t know any better…even if they’re older than us or wealthier than us and yes, even if they’re higher than us on the professional food chain. After all, chances are they got to where they are by fighting, too.

— MM Perez,*  NEEM Magazine Contributing Writer

Step #1:  DaMaGe CoNtRoL

When you wash your face before bed tonight, pat your face dry with a towel and lean in closer to the mirror. Yes, I don’t like doing this either, but the truth is that you have to assess your eye area without cream, concealer, or foundation to really get an accurate understanding of what your skin needs. If you have dark circles or the area around your eyes is puffy, fear not because there are definitely some measures you can take. If you find yourself noticing (gasp!) a few lines or wrinkles, relax. It’s much better to take a proactive approach and start now so that you can prevent more in the future.

A time-tested home remedy to soothe dark circles is cucumber slices. Everyone has heard of this and while they do help, an even better (and less known) method is thin slices of potato. It sounds crazy but it works. Place slices on your eyes for 10 minutes a day while you lay down and you’ll definitely start to look more awake in as soon as a week.

Another great idea is to throw a couple of teaspoons in the freezer for a few hours and use them to press down (gently!) on the eye area once a day for a few minutes. This is especially helpful to soothe puffy eyes, so it might be a good thing to add to your morning routine.

Step #2:  MaInTaIn

Whether you’re in your early twenties or late thirties, it’s never too early (or late) to start using an eye cream. There are a ton of different formulas at varying price points out there, but some are better than others. One of the things to keep in mind as you search for an eye cream is that some of the most expensive ones can do absolutely nothing, while cheaper ones are surprisingly rather effective. Also, don’t expect to see a huge difference in a few days. Eye cream is more of a long term strategy to prevent and heal.  After finishing a bottle or two, you can expect to start to see a difference. Most bottles are meant to last 2-3 months. Lastly, make sure to dot (not rub) the cream under your eye with your ring finger, since it is supposed to be the gentlest. Here are some suggestions that I recommend based on personal experience or from friends. I’ve listed them in order of increasing price so you can find one that fits within your budget:

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

This was recommended to me recently by a friend of a friend so I decided to give it a shot. For $19, this sounded too good to be true, but she said that it has worked great for her. I’ve used it for about a week now and I am in love with how great it smells. Available online only at Bath & Body Works.com.

Clinique All About Eyes Rich

This is a great buy for those of you who are loyal to your department store skincare lines. Clinique has long been a favorite among many girls because of their fragrances and cosmetics. A law school classmate raves about the results she got with this eye cream. $28.50 at Sephora and most major department stores.

Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream

A friend told me she has been using this for years and has seen a dramatic difference in the way her eye area looks. I am a big fan of Shiseido eye products in general. Another Shiseido suggestion (if you’re specifically trying to target dark circles) is the White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment. I just finished a bottle of that and started to see a slight difference toward the end of the bottle. Both are around $55 at Sephora and most major department stores.

La Mer: The Eye Concentrate

Ahh, La Mer. Hands down, this is one of the best skincare lines in the world. Used several notable celebrities as well as women with an envy-worthy disposable income, La Mer has been said to literally transform skin. Even aestheticians recommend it, so you know it’s for real. $165 at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Step #3:  DrEsS ‘eM uP
Of course, these eye creams take time to do their thing, so while you’re waiting, let’s make sure you’ve got some great makeup to cover up the damage. Of course, no article about eyes is complete without some concealer information, so I shall oblige. I have tried many over the years, but my favorites have come from Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown. I found that the MAC ones were too light and Bare Minerals doesn’t provide enough coverage. Your best bet is to hit a Sephora or local department store to let one of the representatives do their thing. Remember, no makeup – they need to be able to see your skin in all its glory to give you the best recommendation. Be sure to tell them what kind of formula you’re looking for (cream, tube, etc.) as well as what other makeup you use.

Hope these suggestions help.  Remember though, that all the products in the world can’t replace lack of sleep or bad eating habits, so get those 8 hours and your fruits and vegetables!

— Sonia Lakhany, Editor of Culinary Affairs

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