Unlike alcohol, which continuously stands as the most common method of debilitating a victim, “date rape drugs”, such as GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine metabolize too quickly for most medical professionals to detect when administering immediate rape- and assault-related aftercare. In the interest of keeping women and men as safe as possible, recent innovations have started trickling into labs and (soon) the marketplace, intent upon discovering drugged beverages before consumption.

“Even if one drug-facilitated sexual assault is prevented, then we were a success,” opines DrinkSavvy founder and CEO Mike Abramson. A patent lawyer by trade, his inchoate company based out of Boston currently works on developing plastic straws and cups capable of detecting the tasteless, colorless, and odorless substances. Worcester Polytechnic Institute chemistry professor Dr. John MacDonald heads up the research, which seeks the most discreet, most effective methods to turn cups and straws different colors upon contact with the more prevalent date rape drugs. This will allow individuals at bars, clubs, and other events to maintain quick, comparatively easier vigilance over their drinks’ integrity as time passes.

Enough individuals and organizations found empowerment in DrinkSavvy’s devotion to lowering the number of rapes and sexual assaults committed annually, they contributed a grand total of $52,089 to its Indiegogo campaign (in the interest of full disclosure, I donated as well). The company plans to hit the market later this year with cups, stirrers, straws and hopes to evolve into more glassware. Abramson and his company realize they cannot rest contentedly once they finalize their work on GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol.

“DrinkSavvy will be actively on the lookout for new date rape drugs and ready to update our products quickly in response,” Abramson assures. He notes that survivors only report an estimated 5% of drug-facilitated acts of sexual violence, reflecting the overarching reluctance, so it’s impossible to gauge just how many atrocities the cups and straws might preclude. From his perspective, however, any number ultimately proves a gratifying number.

Beyond DrinkSavvy, other developers chase technology meant to bulwark the populace against rape and sexual assault. Tel Aviv University chemists Fernando Patolsky and Michael Ioffe announced their research into GHB and Ketamine (with Rohypnol on the way) detection in 2011. Users pipette a small amount of their drinks into a solution that changes color following contact with the drugs, and a tiny light in the containment device clicks on as an additional alert.

“I don’t think our cultural understanding of sexual assault is sophisticated enough to introduce this kind of product into the mainstream without an inevitable backlash against a woman who suffers a drug-facilitated sexual assault and didn’t use the product,” said Julie LaLonde, of the Draw the Line campaign and Hollaback! Ottawa. “If we’re only reaching perpetrators at the stage of placing something in someone’s drink, then we’re going to be playing ‘catch-up’ forever.”

LaLonde agrees with efforts to “make [DrinkSavvy] product[s] available and get bars and establishments on board,” with the caveat they accompany other lessons “teach[ing] … that it’s okay for a woman to say no to a free drink, that buying someone a drink is not bartering for sex and that only yes means yes.”

Hugo Schwyzer, writer and professor of history and gender studies at Pasadena City College, believes that, “as long as rape is still happening, we need to give potential victims every possible tool to protect themselves, while still pushing for a change to rape culture.” While “not a big fan of mandates,” he “certainly would like to see this encouraged — get buy-in from the Greek system nationwide, requiring the products to be used at all alcoholic events.”

Abramson chastises the stereotyping of rape and sexual assault survivors as somehow deserving of their suffering, and explicitly wishes that nobody holds up DrinkSavvy’s products as a means of escalating the excruciating, painful rounds of victim-blame-and-shame all too common in these scenarios.

“There is NEVER an excuse for sexual assault. It is the unfortunate so-called ‘rape culture’ (and not any preventative product) that is responsible for perpetuating the idea that the onus of prevention must fall on the survivor rather than the criminal. It is a concept with which DrinkSavvy vehemently disagrees and hopes to change.”

An alarming 55% of drugstore and department store lipsticks tested positive for detectable traces of lead, some as high as 3.22 parts per million according to a recent study commissioned by ABC’s Good Morning America and Underwriters Laboratories.

The study, which evaluated 22 unnamed lipsticks and glosses, follows-up on an earlier U.S. Food and Drug Administration report released last February which confirmed traces of lead in a whopping 400 lipsticks, including products from cosmetic industry giants L’Oreal, NARS, Cover Girl, and Maybelline.

Maybelline’s Color Sensational “Petal Pink” lipstick had the highest concentration of lead with 7.19 parts per million. But even the worst offenders aren’t breaking the law.

Although the FDA suggests a maximum lead limit of 0.1 parts per million in candy, cosmetic makers aren’t required to follow such guidelines. In fact, because lead is seen as an “unintentional” manufacturing byproduct –color additives are mineral-based which can contain natural amounts of lead found in soil and other elements— lead does not need to be listed on ingredient labels.

While the FDA considers small amounts of lead in lipstick safe, medical experts warn that even the lowest amounts of lead can have severe consequences. It can damage your IQ as well as induce behavioral problems, heart complications, and result in birth defects.

“Although the amount of lead in the lipsticks was very small [in the study] it does add up over time,” warns Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board certified dermatologist and media spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. “The problem with lead is that it does accumulate in the body. Lead is a known neurotoxin. ”

The good news is that only half of lipsticks were tested positive for lead in the latest study, which means there are some healthy alternatives available on the market.

Sherrell Dorsey, an eco-glamour expert, owner of the blog Organic Beauty Vixen: A Brown Girls’ Guide to Eco Glam Living, and author of the ebook Eco-Glamorous shares with us some of her favorite toxin-free cosmetic beauty lines as well as some general beauty safety tips to abide by all-year long.

Green Cosmetic Beauty Manufacturers

Lead isn’t the only ingredient lipstick users should be concerned about when purchasing a new tube, Dosey warns. There are tons of “questionable” and ick-factor ingredients, such as carmine (which are crushed red beetles), sulfates, and preservatives that cause allergic reactions and other health issues. If you’re concerned about your health as well as cruelty to animals, you might want to check out these hand-selected eco-conscious and natural beauty brands:

• ILIA Beauty : This beauty line uses 85% certified organic active botanicals to make its pigments and nourish the lips. Although easily accessible for online orders, there are quite a few retailers in major cities that carry the line, including Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
• Lamik Beauty: Dubbing itself as the first eco-chic makeup brand, Lamik offers a large variety of lipsticks and lip glosses to choose from including shades in “really red” and “romantic pink.” Lamik boutiques can only be found in select cities, but can be ordered online. Dorsey has personally used this line for three years.
• Tarte Cosmetics: This natural beauty line, which can be found in Sephora, offers a plethora of beauty products including “Glamazon,” a 12-hour red lipstick.

Other recommendations include: Alima Pure, Christopher Drummond Beauty, Youngblood Cosmetics, RMS Beauty, and Dr. Hauschka. Dorsey warns, however, that because eco-cosmetics don’t use harsh chemicals or products, the pigment might not stay on as long or be as vibrant. “Try putting on a layer of concealer so you don’t need to reapply as much,” she recommends. Eco shimmers, tinted balms, and stains can work too.

Do Some Research Before Shopping

Lead won’t be listed on the ingredients list, but not all odd-sounding scientific names for ingredients are dangerous. To help guide you when shopping, Dorsey suggests doing research on the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database, a service that allows you to search individual products. It’s also smart to use phone apps designed for the same purpose.

Makeup Bag Beauty Rules

If you worry your makeup may have some not-so-healthy ingredients, don’t dump everything away just yet—that’s not feasible for your wallet or the environment. Instead gradually replace the items in your makeup collection. “Green beauty doesn’t have to be complicated,” Dorsey says. “You can slowly make the change.” In the meantime, work to keep your makeup “fresh.”

• Replace mascara every six months.
• Clean brushes and makeup sponges with anti-bacterial spray or non-toxic makeup wipes once a month.
• Replace eye shadow, powder, and blush every one to three years.

Her boudoir photography session with Washington, D.C.,-area photographer Tracy Shaide of Tracy Lynn Photography is something she would describe as a “princess dress-up” time. At first it was a bit uncomfortable to invite a relative stranger into her home and be photographed in lingerie, but Ullrich said the feeling faded within about 15 minutes.

“It was surprisingly fun,” she said. “Once I got more comfortable with it, I’d come up with pose ideas too.”

What she ended up with was a set of photos that she considers to be classy, tasteful, and ladylike. She has shown the photos not only to her husband, but to friends and family members as well. She now hopes to make the photo shoot an annual tradition, and encourages her friends to schedule their own sessions as well.

Gifts for Many Occasions

Ullrich is not alone. According to the Washington Post, 21% of Professional Photographers of America members shoot boudoir photography, in hopes of leaving women everywhere feeling more confident and more beautiful—and leaving their partners, if applicable, with lasting gifts.

While Ullrich was hoping to give something memorable to her husband, Regina Brooks, on the other hand, wants to do this for herself. Brooks, an attorney by education but wedding planner in Chicago by trade, has scheduled a boudoir photography shoot for herself in June, two days before her 30th birthday. While she may eventually give the photos to her future fiancé, right now, this shoot and these photos are for her.

“I’ve never really done anything big for my birthday,” she said. “I want to have superstar treatment for a day. A-list treatment. I want to know what that looks and feels like for a day.”

As a wedding planner, Brooks sees a lot of women who are interested in a boudoir session for photos to give to their husbands-to-be. She will frequently offer suggestions to brides when they are alone, and more and more brides are either giving the photos to their husbands the day of or night before the wedding, or schedule a session for a one-year anniversary present.

“I always say that obviously their hand in marriage is a lovely gift, but this is too,” Brooks said.

Shaide said her busiest times of year for boudoir sessions are in time for Christmas and in time for Valentine’s Day.

Options in Photography

The premium photo package Brooks bought consists of four clothing changes, two rounds of hair and makeup, and a leather-bound photo album with her prints. Depending on the photographer, budget, and client’s wishes, photography packages vary. Some sessions include hair and makeup, and some will allow for multiple outfits, while others will not.

There are also different levels of nudity in photography, explained Fairfax, Va.-based photographer and artist Larry Oskin. Though he started off as a commercial photographer, photographing models and displaying his photographs and art in gallery shows, he began taking on traditional clients – who he also refers to as models – as demand increased and women asked him to photograph them just like the models.

There’s no dictionary definition of boudoir photography, Oskin said, but he explains various levels of clothing in his words from his own experiences:

• Nude: Exactly how it sounds. There are no clothes, and you can see everything.
• Semi-nude: There’s a lot exposed, but things are covered with lingerie, a towel, a sheet, or props. “You’ll see here what you see with a bathing suit.”
• Implied nude: This is similar to nude; models are dressed, but it looks like they aren’t.
• Erotic: Suggestive poses are photographed, and the photos are sexy but not pornographic.

In a client’s first meeting with him, Oskin asks them to bring in photos of what they’d like to try, and he encourages all women to discuss what they feel comfortable with and would like to try with their photographers prior to the session.

“I like to go on the tasteful side,” Oskin said. “I feel like the glamour and beauty is in the emotion.”

Choosing the Right Photographer

Because of the nature of the photography, it is imperative that clients feel comfortable with the photographer they choose.

Many of Shaide’s clients come from word of mouth. Others find her online. Shaide recommends that when clients choose a photographer, they go well beyond just an online portfolio.

“Initial contact with your photographer is key,” she said. “Call. Ask Questions. Gauge the feel of the photography and photographer.”

Oskin agrees.

“When you hire your photographer, you should be careful to interview him or her,” he said. “Hire someone with experience, and be sure to check out their studio or know if they will shoot in your home.”

Making the Most Out of Your Boudoir Session

Being half-naked in front of a stranger can be nerve-wracking, but good photographers know how to put their clients at ease early on in a shoot and help them get the most out of their sessions.

Shaide said she helps her clients choose outfits to be photographed in based on their style and body type. She encourages her clients to eat healthy leading up to the shoot and to get a good night’s sleep the night before, and discourages any tanning or facial procedures the week of the session.

The day of the photo shoot, after hair and makeup are done, Shaide said she uses various techniques to get her clients to relax. Both she and Oskin show the clients their photos as they are shooting, to put them at ease. Oskin said they are always surprised by how good they look, and that immediately makes them feel more comfortable.

Many women are self-conscious about certain parts of their bodies, and Shaide said she is able to quickly ease those concerns as well by helping them pose in flattering positions.

“These are photos that are complimentary to them,” she said. “We use props and positioning to cover up areas women might not want exposed, and use angles that will make them look their best. These photos show off their best assets.”

The Ultimate Confidence Boost

Shaide said her favorite part of the job is seeing the confidence ooze out of women once they get going in the session, and then especially once they see the end results. Many women feel something they haven’t felt in a long time.

“For some women, especially those who are married with children, they kind of lose themselves and forget they are women,” she said. “Having these pictures reminds them and their partner just how beautiful they are.”

Oskin said he believes every woman deserves a boudoir session.

“This is a chance to take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate the way they look,” he said. “They’re proud of themselves and their bodies. This isn’t something dirty, but a reward for feeling good about themselves. All women want to look and feel beautiful, and they are. This helps them look and feel their best for what they have: their eyes, their skin, their shape. It’s positive and something to be proud of.”

“Rather than throw money away, I thought ‘why not invest in a home that I could possibly sell down the line?’” she said.

Boudreaux is now the owner of a brand-new four-bedroom, three-bath home in a developing subdivision outside of Houston. She closed December 20.

“As a first-time homebuyer and coming from an apartment – where basically everything is done for you – I thought it would be easier on me to buy a new home because I wouldn’t have to fix everything,” Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux began her house hunt working with a realtor, but wasn’t pleased with the home options she was given, so she continued her search on her own. Her mother is the one who ended up spotting the neighborhood which she now calls home. There was a realtor on site, so Boudreaux purchased through them.

“Buying a home is a big responsibility so first-time homebuyers should ask all the questions and find a realtor that works for them. Don’t just settle on a home and don’t just settle on a realtor,” Boudreaux said. “Ultimately, you will be the one investing in this property and it has to be a good fit for you. Go with your gut to find what works for you.”

Dallas-based realtor Jeanie Douthitt has specialized in helping single women homebuyers since 2005 through her program Smart Women Buy Homes. She has helped hundreds of women close on homes using a six-step process.

“I’m a single woman myself, and I’ve purchased two homes. I’ve got a lot of single girlfriends who have done the same thing,” Douthitt said. “Single women make up 20% of all homebuyers and there’s really nobody out here targeting them.”

Douthitt said purchasing her first new home was a daunting task because of lack of information. At a friend’s urging, she decided to create a resource to help single women purchase real estate.

“Many of my clients are divorced, widowed, or young professionals. I had one client who was 22 years old when she closed on her first home,” Douthitt said. “Women are more financially educated than they used to be. They have better jobs and they want to make good financial decisions.”

Maybe the interest rates are low. Maybe the Millennial generation is more financially educated. Or maybe they’re just downright tired of renting. Whatever the reason, more Millennials like Boudreaux are making the decision to purchase homes.

Real estate experts had this advice to share with first-time homebuyers:

• Get pre-approved. “When people think they’re ready to buy a house, the first they do is go out and start looking. I would say that’s a big mistake,” said Andrew Zuckerman, co-founder of Homehub who has 36 years of experience in real estate in South Florida. “You don’t know what you can afford yet, so you might set yourself up for disappointment. If you get pre-approved you’ll know what you’re able to afford.”
• Know your credit score. “A potential homebuyer should have nothing below 620 or 640 to be considered,” Zuckerman said. “It’s imperative that you know your credit score and if it’s low, take the steps necessary to increase it. With a higher credit score, you’re going to save potentially thousands of dollars on the price of your home.
• Find a lender you trust. “There are many things in the contract a purchaser can be held liable for even if it’s not their doing,” said Adam Isaacson, real estate agent in Washington, D.C. with 10 years of experience. “A lender’s greatest asset is their experience and knowledge. You want them to be an advocate for you.”
• Negotiate. “Many first-time homebuyers are fearful of negotiating,” Zuckerman said. “It’s up to the buyer and the real estate agent to help determine what the value of the potential home is. Gather the knowledge and make an intelligent offer based on what you think the home is worth.”
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. “I think people tend to focus on the interior of a home and forget about the bigger picture,” Isaacson said. “I always tell them you can change the interior at any time, but you can never change the location. Resale value is important, so you want to be sure to pick a home in an area that is going to have a good resale value.”
• Be prepared for costs other than price. “The purchase price of the home is the biggest number which you know upfront, but there are other costs associated with a home purchase,” Zuckerman said. “There are closing costs, inspection, insurance, possibly flood insurance, moving expenses, window treatments, additional furniture, and homeowner’s association approval – which requires an application and deposit.”
• Avoid making other big purchases. “After you make an offer on a house, don’t go out and make another major purchase, like a car for example,” Isaacson said. “Lenders do not want to see a major purchase made when you are under contract for a home. It sends a red flag.”
• Renters: hold off on giving notice. “First-time homebuyers who are renting always want to know when they should give their notice to vacate, and I advise them to wait until the last minute if possible,” Isaacson said. “You need to plan on holding that rental property at least one month after your purchase date of your home, because there’s always the chance that the deal can fall through. You need to have ownership of the house before you give notice. You might have to pay an extra month’s rent, but it’s more like insurance for you.”

Follow Valerie Jones on Twitter @ValerieJ_tweets

While consumers have had years of hard lessons that have schooled them in desktop computer security, most smartphone users have not had any rude awakenings regarding the security risks inherent to cell phone use. But experts believe 2013 will be unlucky for many more owners of mobile devices, because the potential rewards for hackers more than justify their attention (and should be reason enough for users to get their security up to par).

First and foremost, there’s what you might call the hard data: usernames and passwords, which could open the doors to everything from the more trivial (Twitter and Facebook accounts) to the more serious (banking accounts). Steve Jensen, a consultant with security firm BT Global Services, said that XML files and even contact lists are of interest to hackers.

“Hackers are taking this information and either selling it to other people/groups or they are using it to take over accounts via social engineering attacks, performing identity theft to open new lines of credit or using it in conjunction with other resources to damage an individual’s public reputation, such as hijacking their social media accounts and posting fraudulent or embarrassing activity,” he said. He added, dishearteningly, that the hacker’s motivations could include “financial gain, to get revenge, or just the ‘lulz’.”

They’re Stealing What?!?

Speaking of “embarrassing activity,” therein lies another strong draw for hackers: intimate cell phone photos and messages, the leaked sex tape equivalent of the last decade. Celebrities have proven easy targets for such attacks, but as the popularity of “sexting” has proven, stars are not the only ones walking around with potentially humiliating data in their pockets.

“It’s well known to Apple Store employees and cell phone stores that people take compromising photos of themselves,” said John Pozadzides, co-host of Geek Beat LIVE and CEO of its parent company Livid Lobster. “If I can get control of enough phones I can also go through photos and use them either as blackmail material, or to post to websites that specialize in whatever strange porn I happen to find.”

Unfortunately, embarrassment is only one part of compromised photos and videos. As Aaron Webb, CEO of Seattle security company Arachnid Data Services, pointed out, when you couple geotagging (longitude and latitude data on where the file was created) with biometric info (your face and voice), you’ve given hackers considerable ammo to work with. The latter can be fed through either voice or facial recognition software – which Webb says “has gotten very good in the last decade” – and used to identify and impersonate the actual person.

“[Hacking] certainly does not end with passwords and credit information,” Webb said.

Cell phone invaders may not even be looking for information. Pozadzides raised the possibility of hackers hijacking devices and turning them into bots churning out junk messages with ads.

“Imagine compromising, say, 10,000 phones with a bit of malware. In the wee hours of the morning I could use them as an army of SMS spam machines. They could easily send 500-1000 texts each, so that’s a pretty significant incentive,” he said.

Tips to Protect Your Cell Security

So what are users to do? In his cheekily titled article “How I’d Hack Your Weak Cell Phone,” Pozadzides recommended:

• Tough, varied passwords
• Never installing apps from anywhere other than official app stores
• cell phone locks and remote wipe functionality for erasing your phone’s data in case of emergency.

But neither of these will be necessary for the cell phone owners who don’t leave their devices out of their sight. Nothing makes a hacker’s job easier than a phone laying on a table just waiting to be pocketed and exploited.

Like language and the latest technology, children are able to learn instruments a lot more easily than most adults. It makes sense, too: kids have more time to devote to practicing, have more elastic memories, and are creating muscle memory while they’re still developing. But while an adult isn’t likely to become a virtuoso, there are many advantages to learning an instrument past the optimal age, from having a longer attention span to better coordination. Though what will likely help you out most of all is the desire to learn.

“Sometimes, people have wanted to do this their entire lives and haven’t had the chance,” said Roy Ernst, founder of the New Horizons International Music Association, which organizes group music lessons and camps for adults around the world. “So the desire to do it is pretty strong.”

Jason Konopinski is living proof. The Pennsylvania-based copywriter has long had a love of old-time blues and bluegrass music. In his early 20s, he decided to start cold and learn how to play the mandolin and dobro, two instruments popular for the style. A decade later, he’s proficient in both.

“I don’t have any aspirations of cutting an album or being a professional musician, but this is something I enjoy,” said Konopinski, who regularly participates in bluegrass festivals in his area. “I’m pretty good, but I know my limitations.”

Danno Sullivan is another success story. The 48-year-old Harvard, Mass., resident picked up the ukulele for the first time 10 years ago with few musical bones in his body. Today, he teaches beginning ukulele courses at his local adult education center and heads up the group Boston Uke, which holds regular jam sessions, or “strum-alongs,” for its more than 400 active members, almost all of whom have picked up the instrument as adults.

Danno Sullivan

“The uke is easy to get started on, but is also capable of real music, so it draws beginners (as well as) folks who have bigger dreams,” said Sullivan.

Both Konopinski and Sullivan used almost every means available to them to master their instruments, from books to live jam sessions to online tutorials. That just touches the surface of what’s out there, with the Internet especially providing more opportunities than ever before to find lessons, tutorials, and willing teachers. A quick search on YouTube for “guitar lessons” brings up about 730,000 results. Students can connect with music teachers via webcam. Websites like ZOEN and StrumSchool even facilitate this practice, connecting music students with professional music teachers across the country for live lessons. There are plenty of in-person options, too, from one-on-one and group lessons to adult music camps run by organizations like New Horizons and the Toronto-based Lake Field Music.

While online resources like YouTube make tutorials and lessons readily available at any time — and, most important, for free — both amateur and professional musicians emphasize the value of a real live teacher.

“There’s nothing worse than sitting down with a four-, six-, or eight-string instrument and saying, Yikes, where do I put my fingers first,” said Sullivan. “A couple starter lessons can put you in the right direction.”

Konopinski relied on online tutorials when he was first starting out, but soon realized it wasn’t enough to get to where he wanted to be.

“I kind of plateaued pretty quickly,” said Konopinski. “You can only reach so much with a book or a video series or online forum. In a perfect world, everyone would have a teacher.”

It’s no surprise that music teachers themselves also advise beginners to seek out professional instructors who can help them correct technical mistakes that might otherwise frustrate them enough to quit.

“As a music teacher, my opinion, of course, is that online info is a great supplement yet not a substitute for a real teacher,” said Susannah Kamer, who teaches private violin and piano lessons to both kids and adults at the Vermont Institute of Music. “Often, when someone is learning on their own, they know what the problem is but have no idea how to find the solution.”

Finding the right instrument is just as crucial as picking a teacher. When you’re starting out, the temptation is usually to go with the cheapest option, but that could backfire in the end.

“There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a really cheap instrument,” said Konopinski, who, generally speaking, recommends buying the best instrument that you can afford with the help of a more advanced player or music shop to find the right fit. “You’re not going to have the muscle memory or the frame of reference to know when it sounds good, but if you compound that with a lousy instrument that doesn’t sound good anyway, you’re going to be frustrated really quickly.”

And speaking of frustrated — learning an instrument is hard work. There’s a reason not everyone can play “Fur Elise” perfectly. So putting in that hard work through regular practice is key. Exactly how much you should practice, however, will vary from one teacher to the next. Some may recommend at least 10 minutes a day, while others at least an hour. But however long it is, getting in that daily practice is vital.

“Even after 30 years of guitar playing, if I sit with my guitar for 20 minutes I can see something I never saw musically,” said Marc Amendola, a music coach based in Connecticut.

Rather than set time requirements, music teacher Dara Blaker establishes realistic goals for her students that they can achieve with each practice session to continually motivate them.

“I take it one goal at a time,” said Blaker, founder of the Southern Florida-based music education company Colour Me Music. “It’s something tangible. Students can realize what they’re working towards.”

Because the desire to learn is so strong in adults, Ernst has found that they are rarely likely to quit. Still, with every scratchy scale, flubbed chord, or wrong note, that temptation might arise. So as you learn, it’s also important to remember why you wanted to start in the first place to get you through those low points.

“I know why I enjoy it,” said Konopinski. “I’m not doing it for fame or anything else. At the end of the day, if I don’t enjoy it, it’s not worth me doing it.”

So bottom line — as long as you’re willing to shell out for a decent instrument and a few music lessons to get you on the right track, put in the practice time, and set realistic goals for yourself, it’s not too late to pick up an instrument. And don’t forget to have fun, too.

“You’re never too old,” said Blaker. “You might not get to the same level (you would) if you started when you were 6, but it’s never too late to start and get joy out of it.”

E-cigs contain nicotine, though in smaller doses than regular cigarettes, and no tobacco. They release only water vapor, with none of the additives, ash, smoke, or smell commonly associated with cigarettes. But the careful marketers driving recognition among the top e-cig brands also want you to know that they are more economical than regular cigarettes and allow for smoking (or “vaping”) anywhere and anytime without bothering others. And as in any oversaturated market, all the top companies are vying for our attention with flashy tactics. V2 Cigs, the self-proclaimed No. 1 e-cigarette company in the U.S., exclusively features e-liquid products and fashion-oriented Vapor Couture. Blu now famously features Stephen Dorff as their celebrity spokesman.

The advent of the e-cigarette sounds like a smoker’s dream: cheaper, cleaner, less harmful. E-cigs border on too-good-to-be-true. There’s a seemingly unending laundry list of advantages for unwavering smokers: less carcinogenic chemicals, the ability to smoke indoors, a familiar way to help cut down the habit, and cost effectiveness over the sky-rocketing prices of traditional cigarettes.

When Mike*, a Houston-area engineer, first started e-cigs a year ago, he initially sang the praises of his newly purchased e-cig starter kit. A heavy smoker, Mike planned to quit smoking by tapering down to the lowest-possible e-cig filter until he no longer needed nicotine at all. However, after a month with e-cigs, he missed the intensity of regular cigarettes and promptly returned to his pack-a-day habit.

Mike’s not alone in his struggle to quit smoking; the New York Times reported the results of a pilot experiment in which 40 heavy smokers were asked to use an e-cigarette replacement for six months. As a result, more than 50% had cut their habits in half, and 25% had stopped smoking completely. It’s still too early to draw conclusions from long-term scientific studies, but early on, some health professionals do support the e-cig as an emerging “smart alternative” to tobacco cigarettes.

Smoke shop proprietors seem very supportive of the recent surge in e-cig popularity, as they’ve noticed a spike in sales of electronic cigarette products over the last few months. Lisa* has sold the majority of her shop’s e-cig starter kits to tobacco smokers looking to taper down or quit.

“I’ve never heard anyone say they want to try the e-cigarette because they need it for a plane ride or want to smoke inside of a restaurant,” said Lisa. “They come in here looking for an alternative to quitting the old-fashioned way.” Lisa’s Houston shop carries a variety of e-cig brands, with starter kits ranging from $22-$80, but says her customers prefer the exotic flavored cartridges. She has tried the e-cig herself and was impressed by how similar vaping was to smoking, but without the odor and with a much cleaner taste. Lisa and her colleague Jeff* both enthusiastically back the e-cig as being “much better for you” than tobacco smokes, containing only liquid nicotine and “none of the other harmful chemicals.” Are they worried about what extensive testing and long-term use might reveal in the unforeseeable future?

“No way,” says Jeff. “Vape is the future!”

Another Houston couple, Aria* and Drew*, swear by the advantages of the e-cigarette over their old tobacco smokes. Both admit they loved smoking after developing a heavy habit over the years. After they became parents, they were able to quit smoking for a while, but the urge remained. Lured by the promise of an odorless vapor that would be less harmful for their lungs and their kids in the car and at home, they decided to try e-cigs when old temptations became too much to resist.

“I love smoking. I did not want to stop. But I have completely quit regular cigarettes, and we totally recommend e-cigs to others,” Aria said. “No stinking clothes or hands or breath; you can do it anywhere, and it’s much less detrimental to your health. Quitting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do, and this is like practically not having to. It’s wonderful.”

Like any major decisions that have the power to impact your health, your lifestyle, and those around you, the decision to smoke e-cigarettes should be weighed carefully. There’s currently a debate over whether e-cigs should be regulated by the Federal Drug Administration, with considerable research and product testing to be done, along with the expected competitor backlash. Is this merely a fad, or a historical innovation that could overthrow Big Tobacco? Only time will tell. But these former tobacco cigarette smokers are sold on e-cigs.

“I started e-cigs to quit smoking, hacking, and stinking. I am picking this for now,” said Drew. “I did cut back on the nicotine strength with the possibility of quitting altogether.
“(For me, I say), keep smoking, not stinking! Smoke e-cigs.”

*Names have been changed to protect the identities of those interviewed.

But is this trend a reflection of the way we think about food, or is it just a fad?

Although ancestral diets are all the rage now, the Mediterranean diet is perhaps one of the most widely praised and promoted eating plans among health professionals and nutritional experts. This well-balanced diet emphasizes antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, healthy oils, fish, poultry, and red wine in moderation.

Registered dietician and certified fitness trainer Shari Portnoy said the native Mediterranean diet is unlike that of the United States and many other countries. Not only do Greeks have one of the lowest rates of meat consumption and highest rates of fruit and vegetable consumption in the European Union, but they also eat much smaller portions and snack less.

Think Greek

Those who want to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet are advised to follow the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, a widely recognized guide to eating a classic Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is the nearly 20-year-old creation of Oldways, a non-profit food and nutrition educational organization. The largest food group consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil. Fish and seafood should be eaten at least two times per week, whereas poultry, eggs, cheese, and wine should be consumed in moderation. Meats and sweets are consumed less and often reserved for celebrations and special occasions.

Michael Florida, a nutritionist and owner-president of Michael Florida’s Life Nutrition in Houston, Texas, is a proponent of the Mediterranean diet because of its cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits, but cautions that it may not be the best diet for everyone. The benefits of the Mediterranean diet differs from person to person, Florida said, and nutritionists like himself have to consider an individual’s body chemistry and lifestyle choices before prescribing a Mediterranean-style eating plan to just anyone.

Florida said the main thing that sets the Mediterranean diet apart from others is the emphasis on healthy fats, specifically omega-3 fatty acids that are found in oily, fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and albacore tuna. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in reducing LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), decreasing problematic blood clotting, improving the health of blood vessels, and other benefits that may decrease your risk of having a sudden heart attack or developing cardiovascular disease.

Although Florida considers healthy fats “conducive” to good health, he also wants consumers to know that even healthy fat sources, like olive oil and Greek yogurt, have high calorie contents and need to be consumed in smaller amounts.

“The average American is stepping away from carbohydrates and incorporating healthy fats into their diets,” he said. “We have to remember portions are smaller in Europe, and too much of a good thing can still be bad for you.”

Elite Eats

All things considered, following the Mediterranean diet does not come cheap, especially if your products are imported from Italy, Greece, Spain, or another bordering Mediterranean country. Katerina Coumbaros, owner of the Orlando location of Taverna Opa, a Greek restaurant with multiple locations in Florida, use imported products because they come in the purest form and do not contain cheap additives that compromise potential health benefits.

Mediterranean dieters may spend more on finer ingredients and foods, but Coumbaros suggests that the health benefits generally outweigh these overall costs. In addition, many of the exotic food items found in the Mediterranean diet can also serve as healthier alternatives to high-fat and high-calorie foods that are commonly used in the United States. For example, Greek yogurt, and its tangy taste and creamy texture, makes an excellent alternative to cream cheese and sour cream. Even better, Greek yogurt has nearly double the protein and half the sugar content of conventional yogurt. The same goes for hummus. This hearty spread made from mashed chickpeas, olive oil, and spices can be used in place of mayonnaise, ranch dressing, and other condiments.

“It’s all about fresh ingredients in their natural state — nothing is processed,” Coumbaros said. “Mediterranean food is far better because it’s simple and light. We do not fry our foods, or use butter to prepare or add flavors to dishes. Simple ingredients such as lemon and olive oil are all you need to enhance the flavors.”

SnipSnap

SnipSnap’s slogan says it all: “Never leave a coupon at home again!” There’s no forgetting your coupons when they’re in your smartphone, which for most people is practically the very thing that’s with them 24/7. Users take pictures of retail and restaurant coupons with their smartphones, a process deemed “snipping,” and the coupons are stored digitally in the app. While shopping, users then simply locate their desired coupon in SnipSnap, select “Tap to Redeem,” and show it to a store clerk at check-out. One awesome feature of SnipSnap is that users can access not only their snipped coupons, but also those of other users through the app’s “Discovery” feature; this creates more savings opportunities for everyone using SnipSnap. The app’s only con is that it only supports iOS, leaving Android users in the dark.

Coupon Sherpa

Android (and iOS) users have Coupon Sherpa, which is essentially the same concept as SnipSnap, with a few differences. Coupon Sherpa provides its users with coupon organization and a grocery coupon feature, while SnipSnap has neither. Nevertheless, these features are overshadowed by Coupon Sherpa’s shortage of coupon options, which is due to it lacking the snip feature that SnipSnap possesses. Still, Coupon Sherpa provides Android users with an easy-to-use interface that gives them in-store savings opportunities.

Grocery IQ

Looking for a grocery shopping app that is both organized and loaded with savings opportunities? Grocery IQ is the answer. It not only enables users to create grocery lists that are organized by category, but also allows them to save money through its coupon feature, powered by Coupons.com. When users begin typing an item to add to their list, coupons that match their query show up automatically; they can then save coupons digitally or print them out. Saving them digitally, however, is the best part about Grocery IQ. When users set up an account, they have the option to add their store rewards cards to it, thus enabling them to add coupons they want to their grocery store rewards cards. Then, all they have to do is click “add to card” and when checking out, for example, users swipe the rewards card and all of the coupons they’ve added to it are applied towards their purchase.

SavingStar

SavingStar is a unique coupon app. Users create an account, digitally store their rewards cards, such as CVS, and then add coupons for their favorite stores to their SavingStar account; these coupons are automatically applied to users’ appropriate rewards cards. When they check out at a participating store, they save money by using their rewards cards, though the savings are not seen immediately. Instead, the monetary value of their savings are added to their SavingStar account within 30 days, at which time users can opt to transfer their coupon savings to a bank account, PayPal account, an Amazon gift card, or to the non-profit American Forests.

Tabbedout

The primary purpose of Tabbedout is to avoid the annoying process of paying your tab at a jam-packed bar. Through the app, users simply add their credit card, check into a bar, and pay their tab when they wish to leave; the entire process is paperless and hassle-free. “Tabbedout’s system seems incredibly well thought out and the company seems to be pretty aggressive about getting its systems in place nationwide, which could make a staple option of the mobile payments,” says Ryan Faas of CultOfMac.com.

If you’re a coupon clipper and you own a smartphone, these free apps will provide ample savings for you and your family.

When my editor approached me about writing this series, I told him that I was no expert, and I’m expecting my parenting adventure to be a series of trials and errors. He told me that he simply wanted me to write about what I encounter and learn as a new father, with the hope that it might benefit some of our readers. While writing this series over the past year, I’ve received a lot of advice and feedback that has helped me grow as a parent, and I hope that some of what I’ve written has helped others as well.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout this year, it’s that as a parent, you never stop learning. You can read every book and article out there and talk to every parent you know, but your child is still going to surprise you. My wife did a lot of reading and research while she was pregnant to prepare for parenthood, which gave us a general idea of what to expect. However, I don’t think my son paid much attention while she was reading because he didn’t really stick to the simple plans these books laid out, forcing us to constantly learn how to deal with each new thing as it happened.

I do recommend talking to family and friends and reading about what to expect as a parent; there are some great books and resources out there, but I fully believe the biggest lessons parents learn come through experience. You can’t predict everything that’s going to happen with your child, and dealing with each stage, phase, and issue is completely different than just reading about them or even watching your friends go through them with their own children. My wife and I didn’t know we were going to have to deal with food sensitivities, acid reflux, ingrown toenails, constipation, and him being a “happy spitter,” but it’s all been a part of our parenting adventure.

Throughout this series, I’ve shared much of what I’ve learned along the way. Here are some lessons that really stand out:

• Baby food carrots stain everything.
• Many cliches are true. For example, anything he finds will go in his mouth, and the box is usually more entertaining than the toy that was in it.
• Naps are more important than I realized, for him and for me.
• You can tell when prunes have done their job by the distinctive smell coming from the diaper.
• Stepping on toys hurts.
• Getting down on the floor and playing with my son is way more rewarding than just watching TV while he plays.
• My son’s laugh is the best sound in the world.

And the most important lesson I’ve learned is to enjoy every moment, even the hard ones. This year came and went so quickly, making me realize that each moment is extremely brief. I can only image how the years to come are going to fly by.