" The most powerful social stereotypes towards nerdy people concern their clothing and appearance. Society anticipates a nerd as someone who is dressed slovenly or unkempt. Perhaps some or all of their clothing is branded by icons from their favorite movies or video games. If you're looking to not be seen as a nerd--for whatever reason--look to your appearance first.  Avoid over-accessorizing. Most people see nerds as wearing their interests, so keep away from big logos or clothes with images. Consider contact lenses if you wear glasses. Alternatively, choose glasses that look cool or fashionable. Recently, as in the last 10 years or so, traditional nerdy glasses has become popular with the non-nerd crowd so you may not want to ditch your old nerdy glasses yet.  Just be sure to wear non-nerdy fashionable clothing while you do wear these glasses. Especially for those looking for social camouflage in a professional environment, wear nothing which you might say "makes a statement." Avoid bright colors, anything overly provocative, and anything with words or symbols. Save your fun clothes for when you can be your fun self; don't let your clothes give any impression when you're trying to get by unnoticed.  Men: wear slacks and a button-down dress shirt, tucked in with a belt. If it's not a formal occasion, try jeans and a plain, well-fitting t-shirt. Women: wear slacks and a modest shirt or blouse for formal occasions. For casual occasions, jeans and fitted t-shirts are classic. Both genders: look to your peers or brows through fashion magazines for ideas on what to wear. What some term "nerd chic" is seeping into the fashion world, so don't be afraid to re-work some stuff you've already got. For either of the sexes, don't shy away from simply mimicking contemporary trends in pursuit of not looking nerdy.  Formal wear turned casual is a good idea, particularly for men. If you have a sports jacket or suit coat that fits well, try wearing it with a image-less t-shirt and jeans. If you're really trying to flush away your nerd image, swing to the other side of the pendulum and dress "preppy."

Summary: Avoid dressing "nerdy. Dress neutrally. Pay attention to contemporary fashion trends.


Saffron has a flavor profile similar to vanilla: sweet and musky. The two typically work well together, but they are not similar enough to serve as strict substitutes for one another. Turmeric and safflower are often used instead of saffron to give foods a similar color, but the flavors are much different. . Harvesting saffron is a labor-intensive process, so if you want high-quality saffron, prepare yourself for an expensive purchase.  Examine the saffron before you buy it. Good saffron consists of fine, evenly sized threads that are deep red in color with an orange tendril on one end and a trumpet-shaped flute on the other. If the tendril looks yellow, the saffron is likely real but of slightly poorer quality. Additionally, a stronger scent also indicates a stronger, better flavor. In comparison, fake saffron may look like shredded, irregular threads with disconnected tendrils and pieces of bark mixed into the package. The scent may not be very strong and usually smells like bark. Simply put, whole saffron has a stronger flavor than ground saffron. Ground saffron can be a good substitute if you cannot find or afford the whole spice, though. If you do decide to buy ground saffron, go through a reputable spice seller. Less honest sellers may cut saffron with other spices, including turmeric and paprika, to reduce the overall cost. Saffron doesn't spoil, but it will gradually lose its flavor in storage. Proper storage can preserve the saffron for longer periods, however.  Wrap the saffron threads in foil and place them in an airtight container. Store them in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. For longer storage, keep the container of saffron in your freezer for up to 2 years. Note that ground saffron should be used within 3 to 6 months and stored in an airtight container and a cool, dark place.

Summary: The colour of red saffron doesn't change if you dip in water or milk. Get what you pay for Opt for whole saffron instead of ground. Store the saffron carefully.


Iodine deficiency used to be the major cause of goiters worldwide, but is now less common in parts of the world where iodine is added to packaged table salt (iodized salt). However, if you don’t regularly consume iodized salt, your doctor may ask you to increase your intake to about ½ teaspoon (4.8 g) of salt per day (enough to get 150 micrograms of iodine).  If you are on a very low-sodium diet, primarily use sea salt, or buy non-iodized table salt, it’s possible you might have an iodine deficiency. In some cases—for instance, if your body has difficulty processing iodine so it reaches your thyroid gland—your doctor may prescribe a daily iodine supplement. If you’re on a low-sodium diet for medical reasons and aren’t looking to increase your salt intake, you can ingest more iodine in other ways as well. Seawater is a natural source of iodine, so seaweed (kelp) and shellfish (shrimp in particular) are good food sources of iodine.  Sushi is a great source of seaweed/kelp. Seaweed and seaweed-derived iodine are also available in supplement form. You might, for instance, try eating shellfish 2-3 times per week and taking a daily kelp supplement for a few weeks, then go back to your doctor to check for improvement. If you live near the ocean, locally grown produce picks up iodine from the soil, and local dairy products will also contain higher amounts of iodine. In this case, “eating local” may benefit your thyroid and help reduce a goiter. If you live far from the sea, try eating more fruits and vegetables that are naturally higher in iodine, such as citrus, strawberries, lettuce, onions, and garlic. It may seem contradictory, but some goiters are caused by your thyroid getting too much iodine instead of too little. In this case, you need to cut back on iodized salt, shellfish, seaweed, and other higher-iodine foods. This is why it’s important to get a medical diagnosis instead of trying to treat a goiter on your own. Otherwise, you might increase your iodine intake and actually make the problem worse.
Summary: Use iodized salt if you have an iodine deficiency. Increase low iodine by consuming seaweed and shellfish. Eat iodine-rich foods grown or raised in coastal areas, if possible. Reduce your iodine intake if advised by your doctor.