LAUGH IT OFF
There’s Nothing Minor About This Crime TAKE SHOPLIFTING SERIOUSLY
Shoplifting is alarmingly common during the holidays; to some, the season of giving is also the season of taking. The pressure to get all the right gifts, coupled with the fact that stores put some of their most valuable items on prominent display, creates the perfect environment for shoplifting. Amid the crowds of shoppers, many people are tempted to see what they can get away with. But here’s what they should know. Some people falsely believe that shoplifting won’t hurt anyone. After all, national mega stores like Walmart and Best Buy aren’t going to be bankrupt by the theft of one item, right? Wrong. In the eyes of the law, shoplifting is still a crime. Additionally, stores aren’t the ones who take the hit; stores recoup their losses by raising their prices for consumers and investing in more expensive security measures. Shoplifters can even cost employees their jobs if the theft occurs during their shift. In other words, Walmart isn’t Sherwood Forest and shoplifters aren’t Robin Hood. NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME
BACON-WRAPPED CHESTNUTS
Inspired by “Paleo Happy Hour” by Kelly Milton
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is an iconic image of Christmas, but we’re willing to bet most people reading this have never eaten a chestnut. Change that this year with this awesome paleo-friendly appetizer.
NOT INSIGNIFICANT
INGREDIENTS • 2 8-oz cans water chestnuts • Tamari (wheat-free soy
Perhaps it’s because the most common image of shoplifting is a teenager grabbing some inexpensive object for kicks, but many believe the consequences for shoplifting are insignificant. If caught, you’ll face more than a slap on the wrist — shoplifting crimes of less than $300 can land you in jail for over a year, and items worth more can carry a felony charge.
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar • 1 lb sliced bacon, quartered
sauce), but can substitute with coconut aminos
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat an oven to 400 F. 2. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with parchment and set aside. 3. Drain liquid from canned water chestnuts, add tamari to cover, and let soak for 15 minutes in the cans. 4. Drain tamari, roll each chestnut in coconut sugar, wrap with bacon, and spear on toothpick. 5. Place chestnuts on prepared rack. Bake for 30–35 minutes. 6. Plate and serve.
NOT FORGETTABLE
A shoplifting conviction, even a minor one, can cause hardships down the road. It will show up on criminal background checks, which is a particular danger to young people. A conviction can make landing employment difficult and impact eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, and even college admissions. This is why fighting a shoplifting charge with a skilled lawyer by your side is so important. They may be able to defer sentencing and keep your record clean.
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