Are you on your way to dead butt syndrome? Here’s how to combat it, stat

October 30, 2018 at 06:11PM Science rarely has anything good to say about sitting. (Unless that sitting involves a fluffy blanket, a steamy cup of tea, and some mental-health-boosting me time.) Anyone who works a desk job can easily spend upwards of eight hours a day on their tush, and all that stationary time has been shown to cause some serious health problems, including one that starts right at your center of gravity: Too much sitting can literally cause your bum muscles to stop working. According to the Huffington Post, “dead butt syndrome,” or gluteal amnesia, occurs when prolonged sitting inflames your gluteus medius (gluteus maximus’ often-overlooked cousin, which plays an important role in hip rotation and stabilizing the pelvis), preventing it from functioning properly. “Sitting too long can restrict the blood flow, which can lead to hip pain, lower backache, and problems with your ankles. The glutes will fail to fire properly even when performing exercises targeting the glutes,” Donovan Green, celebrity fitness trainer, said. “Sitting too long can restrict the blood flow, which can lead to hip pain, lower backache, and problems with your ankles. The glutes will fail to fire properly even when performing exercises targeting the glutes.” —Donovan Green, celebrity fitness trainer When dead butt syndrome (hereafter known as DBS) occurs, you’ll probably feel a tingling in your backside, just like you would in your foot after you’ve crossed your legs for too long or your arm after you nap in a contorted position (oops). The “falling

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10 wellness horror stories, straight from Well+Good readers (two words: yoga queef)

October 30, 2018 at 02:02PM Halloween is upon us, which means you’ve probably been getting your healthy candy stash ready for Trick-or-Treaters (or, you know, just for yourself!) and preparing your list of scary flicks for a movie marathon. But while the holiday is certainly spooky (oooOOOOooo), not all horror stories make you jump. In fact, when it comes to wellness gone wrong, some are more likely to make you LOL. After polling Well+Good readers on Instagram about their wellness-related scary stories—if you’re not already following us, you’re missing out!—plenty of awful-slash-hilarious situations came piling in. And, TBH, most of them are things you’ll totally relate to, which is a beautiful reminder that we’re all in this crazy world together—and you’re hardly the first to suffer from a bout of flatulence in yoga class or a face mask that doubles as a pumpkin costume. These 10 reader-submitted wellness gaffes will make you shriek…with laughter. Yogi dominos “After attempting to do a headstand after a few month hiatus to yoga in a packed room, I gracefully toppling over, dominoing my entire row. I literally knocked over 7 people…” Going green “I’ve always dyed my own hair, except one time it turned out green—it was supposed to be blonde.” Treadmill topple “I fell off a treadmill in a fully-crowded gym. And no one helped me!” Oompa loompa “I turned my face orange with a DIY turmeric face mask.” Namaste here until the shame passes “I queefed…in yoga class.” S**ts and giggles “During my

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This (adorable!) $11 kitchen tool will help you take your meals to the next level

October 30, 2018 at 12:13PM Let’s be real. Some of those kitchen gadgets jammed in the back of your drawers are totally useless. (Like does anyone really need a banana slicer?) But every once in a while, you actually stumble upon a for-one-purpose-only tool that can totally take your meals to the next level. Case in point: A garlic baker. Certainly, a garlic baker falls into the the category of “things I didn’t know I needed.” Maybe a garlic press or a garlic keeper—but a baker? Totally unfamiliar territory. Here’s the deal, though: When you roast garlic, it becomes milder than in raw form—plus, it’s also sweeter and somehow more savory as well. While many people just use aluminum foil to get the job done, on Swearby—a site that features #nonsponsored product recs from real women—user Emily Lael Aumiller (who also happens to be a chef!) found an $11 terra-cotta option from Whisk that’s quickly become her favorite way to bake whole garlic. The reusable and eco-friendly tool can fit a few medium to large heads of garlic at a time, and it’s incredibly easy to use: You just fill it up, add any spices you want, and pop it in the oven or microwave. The reusable and eco-friendly tool can fit a few medium-to-large heads of garlic at a time, and it’s incredibly easy to use: Simply fill it up, add any spices you want, and pop it in the oven or microwave. There are so many ways you can use your

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The real reason I don’t wear makeup

October 30, 2018 at 10:49AM It’s no secret that one of the perks of working for a women’s lifestyle publication is having access to the “beauty closet.” This could be an actual closet, or a space the size of an entire New York City studio apartment, or just a bunch of shelves fully stocked with samples of the newest makeup and skin-care products that you’re able to try…for free. The beauty closet is a lot of little girls’ and boys’ dreams, and I get it. I grew up in a family predominately of women, each of whom possesses her own form of Midwest glamour. One thing they all share, though, is an affinity for lipsticks, blushes, foundations, concealers, and eyeshadows. Let’s put it this way: I have more than one Mary Kay consultant in my family tree. Yet, I’ve never really worn makeup myself. And until recently, I believed it was for the reason most people are quick to offer: “You don’t need it.” A compliment? Sure. A cop-out? Most definitely. The real reason I don’t wear makeup is that, until now, it’s never existed in my skin tone. You see, I’m mixed race—just like Tracee Ellis Ross, Rashida Jones, Nicole Richie, and so many other people. In fact, the number of Americans who identify as being two or more races grew by 32 percent in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s a larger increase than those who identify as a single race, and in all likelihood that ratio will only continue

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Kroger has gone full wellness with its 2019 trends—and we’re totally here for it

October 30, 2018 at 09:58AM Whether you grew up with a neighborhood Kroger or not, the grocery store chain’s 2019 food trend predictions are serving up major inspo for filling your cart with wellness-approved eats. According to the chain (which has 2,782 locations across the U.S.), its team of product developers, chefs, and innovators have named regional flavors, plant-based foods, eating styles (like ketogenic or vegan), gut healthy foods, and low-sugar and natural sweeteners as the top five crazes that will reign supreme next year. 1. Regional flavors: Kroger’s experts say, “Foods influenced by regions across the country are bringing flavor and fun to any meal. From tried-and-true barbecue sauces and flavorful potato chips with a twist—inspiration is coming from Nashville hot chicken, Southern Appalachian pimento cheese and other geographies.” Take next year as your excuse to explore the nutritious gastronomy of your local scene. (Healthified soul food, here I come!) 2. Plant-based foods: Citing Mintel’s US protein report, Kroger remarks that 31 percent of consumers went meat-free at least once per week during 2017. “Our consumers are finding it is easier than ever before to incorporate more plant-based fare into their daily diets. By choosing to go meat- or dairy-free, whether for a meal, a Meatless Monday, Flexitarian Friday, or every day of the week, there will be more plant-based options available to power through the day,” says the company. 3. Eating styles: Whether you’re vegetarian, ketogenic, Paleo, or adhering to another popular diet, the grocery chain fully intends on accommodating whatever eating style

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