Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Lifestyle

  • Hot Topic: How should she say no to her boss?

    Imagine this scenario:

    Your friend just got the kind of job she had been dreaming of all her life. The pay is great, the office location is favourable and the working condition is comfortable.

    One month into her new job, her boss starts making subtle passes at her. Her boss is a married man whose wife and children live abroad. He claims he doesn’t want an affair with her, but just wants to be closer than necessary. He asks her for dates often, wants her to come to his house on weekends, wants to drop her off from home every evening, and gives her more bonus than her colleagues.

    Every time she declines a date, he reminds her that he doesn’t want an affair with her, but just wants to discuss work outside the office. He also reminds her that he has the power to keep her in the company or kick her out. She finds this very uncomfortable, but is very passionate about her job and desperately wants to keep it.

    This is actually a real life scenario presented to me by a younger friend recently. If you were in her shoes, what would you do? How should she say no to her boss?

  • Why You Should Stop Using Your Phone In The Bathroom

    Using your phone in the bathroom can spread serious illnesses, and the problem is only becoming worse as people use handheld devices more and more. From tweeting, to putting up Instagram posts, making comments on facebooks and even answering calls, people use their phones for a good number of reasons in the bathroom.

    In a recent study of mobile phone habits of 1000 people by Wtop.com, about 75 per cent of those questioned admitted to surfing the web, using apps, emailng and texting while in the toilet – with more than 90 per cent saying they had returned calls. Are you guilty of this? If yes, here are some reasons you should stop this habit:

    1. Anything that you intend on taking out with you, into the environment, probably shouldn’t be accompanying you into the bathroom. That goes for electronic devices, that goes for food, and that also goes for anything that you might be sharing with people. – Huffington Post

    2. According to a U.K.-wide study by scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Topical Medicine and Queen Mary University of London, one in six mobile phones was contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Fecal bacteria and viruses like the flu can survive on someone’s hands and on surfaces for hours, especially in warm temperatures away from sunlight. – CBC

    3. The use of a cellphone without either washing your hands or cleaning off the device with an alcohol wipe could lead to a “cumulative effect of bacteria”. – Huffington Post

    4. Smartphones, keyboards and tablets are even more contaminated than toilet seats, said a study by U.K. watchdog Which? in 2013.

    5. Any place where people are touching their bodies, then an inanimate object, with their hands without washing – they are potentially transferring bacteria or viruses to the objects – Sunshine Coast Daily

    So, next time you want to take your phone to the bathroom, or use someone’s phone who has just taken it to the bathroom, you should remember these points!

    Stay safe.

     

     

  • 5 Things To Put In Your Fridge That Aren’t Food

    Did you know the shelf-life of some items can be extended if they’re kept in cold, dry areas? From beauty items to some common tricks, here are five non-food items to put in your fridge for best results:

    1. Medicines: I’ve always kept medicines in the fridge right from my childhood days. The instructions for preservation of most drugs actually advise for storage in a cool, dry place such as a fridge. Not freezer!

    2. Batteries: You’re supposed to keep batteries in a cool, dry location, making the fridge—at around 40°F—an ideal location. The low temperature prevents electrolyte fluid, which is what allows the current to surge into battery-powered objects, from depleting.

    3. Lipsticks: Lipsticks, just like most makeup items can “go bad” over time. This is because the oxidation reactions cause some of the oils to spoil. The problem with storing lipsticks in the fridge however is that you may see tiny droplets (sweating) forming on the lipstick over time. For those colors you only wear every once in a while, or for tubes that seem to last endlessly, it might be worth keeping them cool.

    4. Eye Cream: Putting your eye cream inside the fridge for a while to cool will help with depuffing after a long night or an early morning.

    5. Envelopes: Here’s a new trick: If you want to open a sealed the envelope without messing it up, simply stick the envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. When you bring it out, you should easily be able to pop the adhesive with a knife or letter opener.

    What NON-food items do you keep in your fridge and/or freezer?

  • Fashion Nostalgia: Rocking the Fro’s Again

    One thing I have discovered about fashion – and culture in general – is that it evolves so much that each trend or fad, seems to exist in the origin of the former. Old school is becoming new school, and new school was the old school of yesterday.

    The Afro hairstyle is one that has remained timeless right from the 80’s when it became very popular among black American communities. Though it became less popular in Nigeria at some point, however, it is refreshing to see guys and girls these days rocking the Afro look in grand style.

    Kinky and Curly hair is becoming a strong contender for its Indian, Brazilian and Peruvian counterparts, and Nigerians are gradually embracing it more.

    So where next do you see this “hairvolution” going? Would Jerry curls make a grand re-entrance, or would we be going about in oversized sweaters? What ‘old school’ trend is gradually becoming hip again?

  • Why Women Should Sleep More Than Men

    There is a lot of information on the internet supporting the fact that women live longer than men. This time, researchers are also saying women need to sleep more. According to Jim Horne, a sleep expert, women need a time advantage of twenty minutes more than the men, because they tend to multitask , and do a lot of things at once, therefore they use more of their brain than then the men.

    Researchers from Duke University have discovered that, compared to men, women experience more mental and physical consequences from inadequate rest.

    According to the research, women suffer more than men, both mentally and physically, if they are forced to skimp on their sleep. As well as a higher risk of heart disease, depression and psychological problems, sleep-deprived women have extra clotting factors in their blood, which can lead to a stroke. They also have higher inflammation markers, which indicate developing health problems.

    The study estimated men and women’s respective needs for sleep by assessing their ability to deal with insufficient rest and noticed a sharp difference between genders. The results showed that women had more depression, women had more anger, and women had more hostility early in the morning.

    So, guys, if the woman in your life woke up grumpy this morning, don’t be too hard on her. It is, apparently, only natural.

    To all you ladies, I would say you treat yourself regularly to a good sleep. Today might be a good time to start, don’t you think?

    Have a restful day!

  • 8 Amazing Kitchen Tips To Make Cooking Easier

    It’ a beautiful Saturday and I’m sure like me, some of you would be spending some time in the kitchen.

    To make your cooking experience easier, here are some interesting kitchen tips I’d like to share with you:

    • Always wash your meat thoroughly with lime or lemon. It kills off all the bacteria & gets rid of all that awful smell.
    • When boiling rice or pasta always add a tablespoon of butter. It gives it wonderful aroma & makes it taste even nicer.
    • Always wash rice thoroughly before cooking at all times. This way you don’t need to parboil the rice. Especially Basmati rice.
    • If you don’t like the skin of chicken and you happen to be the one taking it off, all you have to do is get a cloth or napkin, place it on top of the chicken part & pull the skin off. Easy!
    • If you aren’t sure how fresh your eggs are, place them in about 10cm of water.Eggs that stay on the bottom are fresh. If only one end tips up, the egg is less fresh and should be used soon. If it floats, it’s past the fresh stage.
    • If you over-salt a pot of soup, just drop in a peeled potato, the potato will absorb the excess salt.
    • For burnt rice, place a piece of white bread on top of the rice for 5-10 minutes to draw out the burned flavour.
    • Don’t store your bananas in a bunch or in a fruit bowl with other fruits. Separate your bananas and place each in a different location. Bananas release gases which cause fruits (including other bananas) to ripen quickly. Separating them will keep them fresh longer.

    Do you have any more kitchen tips to add?

  • Breaking Free From Your Zone

    Have you ever been scared of trying out something totally new or out of your zone? Are there times had wished you learnt a skill, or taken a technical/business course, start a business or even apply for a job?

    Every day, we are faced with different choices, to speak or to keep quiet; to smile or frown, to keep or to discard; to act or to retreat. Our very lives are a culmination of the choices we have made, so whatever you do, or do not do is who you allow yourself become.

    As the poets would tag it, it is important to “seize the day.” Let every moment count, it is never too late to learn how to drive or to play the piano. You could still get that Masters, or even go back to school. Stop going through life in motions without movement. Take a definite step towards your goal. I am sure you would find the following tips helpful:

    1. Make a conscious effort to build up interest in a particular area you wish to explore.
    2. Build the right networks and relationships, and read books in that line. Skills can be learned.
    3. Do not be afraid to be vulnerable; if you do not know something, simply say so, and don’t try to impress people. You are doing yourself more harm than good.
    4. Make the best use of every moment and opportunity.

    In as much as you “seize the day,” do not be anxious or use external standards to judge yourself. Strive to be the best of you – and not someone else.

  • Photo Of The Day: The Heartbeat

    At first glance, the picture below just looks like an ordinary photo, a hug shared by an older and younger woman. But when you read the story behind the picture, it simply warms your heart.

    Vicki Brannon, 56, lost her son, Matthew McIntyre on July 5, 1996 after being mortally wounded by a friend who had accidentally fired a handgun. The grieving mother made the decision to donate Matthew’s organs, and the next day, the 14-year-old boy’s heart went to Jennifer Lentini. The 13-year-old girl, who had suffered from heart disease and was hospitalized for months waiting for a transplant, was given a new lease on life thanks to Matthew’s heart.

    After 18 years, Vicki had the chance to hear her dead son’s heart beat inside the chest of the woman he saved with a transplant. Their meeting is what you see in the picture below.

    The women met on National Donor Day, an emotional and momentous occasion for the two women, who wept and embraced tightly upon seeing each other in Tampa International Airport.

    “I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy—my son had a good, strong heart and it has kept her alive,” Vicki told NY Daily News. “I feel like I gained a daughter.”

    So, so touching….

    Photo of the day

    Photos by Tim Boyles

  • 5 Reasons To Be Nice To People Serving You

    Food servers don’t get as much recognition or respect as they deserve. I have had to endure watching people mistreat a waiter or waitress at public places and the sight was never pleasant. A recent experience inspired me to write this post. You should always be nice to someone serving you. Here are 5 reasons why:

    1. They need to be motivated
    Many times, to get great service from someone serving you, a simple smile does the trick. When they’ve been working for hours, they’re bound to be tired, and even when they’re not tired they’re going to be less inclined to do their best for someone who isn’t nice to them. So put your bad mood aside and motivate them to provide the best possible service.

    2. They’re human
    It’s really sad to hear many people treating a server badly as if they don’t see him or her as a fellow human being but rather just a means of getting their food. They really aren’t machines, but humans like you and I with their lives, family, problems… and deserve to be treated with politeness. Let’s not forget that.

    3. They don’t earn so much
    They don’t get paid anywhere near what politicians and others do for serving the public. Yet what would we do without them? Food servers are not paid enough for what they have to endure. This should be enough reason to be extra nice to them.

    4. They don’t often get good compliments
    It’s a two-way street. Be nice to them, and they’ll be nice to you. Everyone needs good compliments once in a while. If you have a complaint about the food or service, make your point calmly and you’re more likely to get a satisfactory resolution.

    5. They are handling your food
    You should also be aware that food servers have many devious ways of getting back at you if you treat them badly. I’ve heard shocking stories about what disgruntled chefs and servers do to your food in anger. Some may not be true, but its best not to take chances on annoying someone with access to your food. Isn’t it?

    Do you have any more reasons why its important to be nice to people serving you? What are some of the shocking stories you’ve heard of or experienced between a food server and a customer?

     

  • 10 Foods To Improve Your Eyesight

    Protecting your eyes have a lot to do with the food on your plate. Are you eating the foods that are best for your eyes? Those of us with healthy eyes tend to take eye health for granted. Instead of waiting until our vision gets poor, let’s take a look at our diets to improve our eyes.

    The best way to improve your eyesight is through the foods you eat. Here are 10 foods that are sure to improve your overall eye health.

    1. Green Vegetables: Eat as many leafy greens per day as possible — and make sure not to overcook them as they can lose some of their valuable nutrients. They’re packed with lutein and zeaxanthin—antioxidants that, studies show, lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. Vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale — are known to prevent loss of vision.

    2. Fish: Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may help protect against dry eyes, macular degeneration and even cataracts.

    3. Eggs: Eggs contain proteins that are beneficial to the lens of your eye. The yolk is a prime source of lutein and zeaxanthin—plus zinc, which also helps reduce your macular degeneration risk. Start your day off with an egg or two to keep your vision on track.

    4. Blackcurrants: Black currants contain some of the highest levels of the antioxidant anthocyanins found in nature. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids, lending added support to its anti-inflammatory properties. For medicinal purposes, many opt for using black currant seed oil, but eating the whole food is always an option.

    5. Citrus Fruits & Berries: Good new for fruit lovers. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons and berries are high in vitamin C, which may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

    6. Nuts: Almonds, cashews and peanuts all contain omega-3s, just like fish. Though they don’t contain as much, they’ve also been known to help reduce dry eyes and eye disease as you age.

    7. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin C, another vision protector. They are also packed with carotenoids, including lycopene, which helps give tomatoes their vibrant red color. Research shows that the lycopene present in ocular tissues helps prevent light-induced damage to the retina and other areas of the eye.

    8. Carrots: Carrots are high in vitamin A, a nutrient essential for good vision. Eating carrots will provide you with the small amount of vitamin A needed for good vision.

    9. Avocados: Lutein is a natural antioxidant that may help maintain eye health, as we get older. An ounce of avocado contains 81 micrograms of lutein. Lutein has been shown to be concentrated in the macula of the eye, and research suggests that it may help maintain healthy eyesight as we age.

    10. Beef: In moderation, lean beef in your diet can boost your eye health. Beef contains zinc, which helps your body absorb vitamin A and may play a role in reducing risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

    So SL Fabz, be sure to include eye-healthy foods in your diet everyday.

    Do you know of any of any other foods that are great for eyesight?