Blog Posts by genConnect.com

What do you do when you attend a conference? Besides soak up the brilliant conversations and panel discussions, you network, network, network! When our team traveled out to Austin, TX, for the South by Southwest Interactive Conference (where 15,000 of the world's top internet geniuses gather) we knew we would run into dozens of smart people leading their fields in social media. We weren't disappointed.

After interviewing more than 70 of these trailblazers, we've highlighted 10 whom you should follow in your social networks. These are the web super stars who offer wit, wisdom and pertinent information all for free via their status updates.

1. Guy Kawasaki is the co-founder of Alltop.com, author of Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions and former chief evangelist at Apple. It was in the early '90s when Guy made it cool to be obsessed with our computers and tools.

Follow Guy on Facebook and Twitter @GuyKawasaki to read about his new book [his tenth!]

As a chef who aims to please the palates of NYC's finest, it's a scary thought that 160 foods can cause allergic reactions in people with food allergies. However, the US Food and Drug Administration was able to narrow 8 "major food allergens" that account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions. In my ongoing quest to serve world-class meals that clients with food allergies can enjoy, I've learned a few tricks. Without compromising on taste or flavor, here are some very delicious alternatives to foods that can trigger most food allergy sufferers …

ALLERGY: Dairy: milk and milk products (Lactose Intolerance)
WHAT TO EAT INSTEAD: Soy, almond and rice milk products are great alternatives.

ALLERGY: Eggs: Eggs and egg products
WHAT TO EAT INSTEAD: Arrow root or potato starch are great substitutes for eggs in baking.

ALLERGY: Shellfish: Shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, snails and other seafood with shells
WHAT TO EAT INSTEAD: Squid is a substitute with a similar chew

I gave birth to Emma at 9 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2011. At 11:30 p.m. as I began settling in for the night, two kind nurses helped me to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet was too much for me. I felt dizzy and nauseous. I needed to return to the bed, fast.

As I lay back down one of the nurses asked me the question that I knew was coming, "Are you breastfeeding or bottle-feeding?" I confidently answered: "Both."

Read Laurie Puhn's: Top 5 Rude Comments Pregnant Women Hear

The nurse appeared confused. I explained, "I will nurse during the day and send my baby to the nursery for formula feedings at night. Oh, and I'm also going to pump at home, so could you tell me who to talk to so I can rent one?"

The nurse was satisfied with my answer. After an hour of nursing, I sent my baby to the nursery and my husband and I went to sleep for a pleasant, calm, five hours. (We were able to get a private room with a pull-out bed for him, and my in-laws stayed at our house with our son.)

Actor Mickey Rooney testified before Congress this week that he himself was a victim of elder abuse, and called on Congress and the president to do something immediately to stop it.

Elder abuse - emotional, physical and financial - is more common than we like to believe.

There are several factors to consider with regard to Mickey Rooney's testimony to Congress. For example, risk may increase when the elder is affluent, eminent, has biological and step-children from two or more marriages, and when there is cognitive and mental or physical impairment. Physicians, home health care aids, neighbors and relatives need to be made more aware of this possibility. Just as with abused children, victims may not willingly disclose such issues due to shame, ambivalence or fear of retribution, as well as fear of not being believed.

Many states and communities have agencies which one can notify about any suspicions of mistreatment - either in a nursing home or in the elder's home. These

Sooner or later we are going to have to face facts: We have an aging population which, thanks to medical advances, can be kept alive longer and longer.

At the same time that we can extend life, however, we have to recognize two related facts: that as we age we need more and more assistance and, second, that as we age our natural support system (family and friends) becomes smaller and smaller. These facts of contemporary (and future) life largely account for why more and more Americans find themselves living their final years, months, or days in nursing homes. Yet, from personal experience with family members, as well as from stories told to me by my patients, for the overwhelming majority of people the prospect of moving into a nursing home evokes nothing but dread. Why is that? More importantly, is there anything we can do to remedy this?

Nursing home care is dreaded simply because in most cases it is anything but a "home." Rather, it is a sterile existence marked by stagnation

You are perfect just the way you are.

Stop preparing for marriage and know you are perfect. You don't need to do anything. You just need to be you. It's not about the size of your thighs or your bank account. You are perfect just the way you are. If you don't believe me, believe Billy Joel: "Don't go changing to try and please me…I want you just the way you are." That is the way marriage is meant to be. Do you accept that you are perfect today?

What makes us unique makes us attractive.

There are a lot of five-foot-eight-beautiful-blondes out there. What distinguishes you is your unique beauty. Today, one of my male clients told me he is "absolutely in love!" And he talked about how "quirky and funny" she is. What are your funny quirks? What is your eccentric essence? That is what Mr. Right will find adorable about you. That is what makes you one-of-a-kind to your one true love.

Be the real you and be real.

My work with clients involves helping them become "The

Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Colin Firth were just a few of the actors who walked away with Oscars last night, but it wasn't just the actors themselves who were celebrities at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards - moms were, too!

"Social Network" star Justin Timberlake had his beautifully dressed mom Lynn Harless on his arm at the event (his movie won the award for "best film editing"), while "The King's Speech" director Tom Hooper thanked his mother Meredith Hooper for bringing to his attention the story line that eventually led to the creation of the acclaimed film.

Co-host James Franco pointed out his grandmother in the crowd - a woman who stole the show when she excitedly said, "I've just seen Marky Mark," referring to "The Fighter" actor Mark Wahlberg. Comic actor Russell Brand - singer Katie Perry's husband - also showed up with mom Barbara in tow.

Natalie Portman, who won the award for "best actress" for her role in "Black Swan," also thanked her parents for

Last night at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards style experts Jayne Geller and Audrey Mansfield oohed and ahhed at several of the red carpet fashions.

Trends included red gowns and soft hues of makeup for the belles of the ball. The gentlemen kept is simple in traditional tuxedos. Surprises? There were few. Best Supporting Actress nominee Helena Bonham Carter, who is known for her eclectic style, wore a black gown that wasn't over-the-top. However, underneath the dress, she did flash a British flag tied to her calf.

Here's A Recap of the Trends That Caught Our Experts' Attention:

Most Popular Colors … red and blush shades

Most Popular Hairstyle Trends … shorter shagged bob, shorter hair and structured buns

Best Dressed Actress … Mandy Moore and Sandra Bullock

Best Dressed Actor … Justin Timberlake

Best Makeup Trend … strong brow, strong eye, soft lip with an orange hue

Most Improved … Helena Bonham Carter

Worst Dressed Man… Javier Bardem and