November 27, 2018 at 01:00PM There are exactly two things that I dread every time I walk into a session with a personal trainer: Russian twists, and any and everything having to do with battle ropes—which is why my jaw nearly dropped when I saw Kaley Cuoco’s latest strength training routine, which combines both hellish-yet-effective moves into one ultra-intense hybrid crunch that works her shoulders, arms, and abs at the same time. Whew. As Cuoco demonstrated on Instagram, the triple-threat move involves holding your body in a V-sit with your feet off of the ground (thankfully, you can bend your legs), which is challenging enough as is. To kick things up a notch, instead of weighting the move with a dumbbell, she holds a battle ropes in one of her hand and swings it back and forth across her body… somehow managing to make it look like it ain’t no thang. View this post on Instagram Definitely did not think I was capable of this 41/2 months after shoulder surgery thank you @proactivesp @ryan_sorensen @titoramirez78 A post shared by Kaley Cuoco (@kaleycuoco) on Nov 16, 2018 at 11:44am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js “To get the rope over your legs, you’re using your shoulders, so it’s not actually primarily an ab workout,” says Cristina Capron, founder of personal training app CCFIT. But if you, like me, have watched this video multiple times in a row and wondered, “How is that even humanly possible?!” there’s some good news: Achieving the move on your own doesn’t
Day: November 27, 2018
This in-everything ingredient lurking in your lotion could be drying out your skin
November 27, 2018 at 12:10PM Raise your hand if you’ve ever had this feeling: You’re dutifully slathering on your trusty lotion from your appendages to your fingertips, only to feel dry and itchy hours later. I feel you. To combat the mysterious issue, I’ve cycled through product after product with the ultimate goal of achieving lasting hydration for my skin (moisture is the essence of beauty, after all)—only to face the same problem. Then I discovered that there’s a culprit lurking in the lotions I’ve been buying, and it’s one that seems innocuous (but it ain’t): fragrance. “Fragrance in skin care means that a smell is added to the product—it can be either synthetic or natural, and is usually a blend of chemicals to impart a particular scent,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Whether natural or synthetic, fragrances can be sensitizers to the skin. Some, if used in higher doses, can cause rashes and irritation, especially in those with sensitive skin.” Though they may smell lovely, fragrances are actually highly allergenic—which, as you’ve likely gathered, ain’t good. “Fragrances are typically highly allergenic, especially the synthetic kind,” explains Tony Nakhla, MD a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eighth Day. “Although many natural fragrances can also cause intense allergic reactions to. Fragrances are the most commonly tested allergens at dermatologist offices and can cause severe contact dermatitis (or a red, itchy rash). It can also cause intense skin inflammation, which ages and damages the skin.” Yikes. All
11 decorative candles that are too cool to burn (which makes them the healthiest kind)
November 27, 2018 at 11:55AM A few years ago there was a cute little boutique in the Lower East Side called Objectify 139 that kicked off my obsession with kitschy (of course) candles. I soon began to collect them like I do vintage ashtrays (to hold my sage and palo santo, duh). I’d pop into the store and leave with a pastel blue Bambi candle or one shaped like a hand. Ever since, I’ve gravitated toward candles that are looks first and scent second, and truth be told, I’ve never lit most of them. (I hear it’s not that great for your health.) But just seeing my bedroom mantlepiece adorned with a wax Disney character deer is enough to keep the winter blues away. Today I was reminded of my love for candles that double as home decor when I came across news of a collaboration between Joya Candles and A24 (a production studio responsible for movies like Moonlight, Ladybird, and Hereditary). It sent me on a fond walk down memory lane by way of an internet deep dive into home decor candles. The results of my search are the 11 wax works of art below that’ll add some fragrant flair to your home—without getting lit. Little wax works of art Buy Now Feng Sway ’70s painted lantern candle $38 Buy Now Le Feu Phthalo Bleu $65 Buy Now Fornasetti Ortensia Scented Candle $195 Buy Now Urban Outfitters Tall Faceted Pillar Candle $10 Buy Now Cire Trudon Marie Antoinette Bust Candle $125 Buy Now Tom Dixon
This Keto Breathalyzer Will Make The Keto Diet So Much Easier
November 27, 2018 at 11:20AM It’s pain-free and efficient! Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
For the sake of your stress levels, *don’t* skip your abs work at the gym
November 27, 2018 at 10:38AM Not gonna lie: If I’m short on time at the gym, I’ll pick an extra 10 minutes on the treadmill over abs-torching moves any day of the week (looking at you, bicycle crunches). If you can relate, then prepare to learn a compelling new reason why you might want to prioritize those planks. Science shows that taking the time to strengthen your core might be one major way to keep your stress levels in check. The research, which was published in 2016 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was spearheaded by a team of neuroscientists who discovered that the brain and the adrenal medulla (a part of your adrenal glands that is partially in charge of your stress response) interacted in a far more complex way than was previously believed, reports The Atlantic. The details of their findings go deep into physiology, so bear with me here: Basically, the primary cortex portion of your brain (or M1 for short) contains a map of your entire body including regions like your legs, arms, face, and your axial muscles (AKA, the core). To the research team’s surprise, they discovered a large number of neurons in the M1 that controlled the adrenal medulla. Plus, most of said neurons were located in the axial muscle region of the M1. Stated plainly: “Well, lo and behold, core muscles have an impact on stress,” says Peter Strick, PhD, a professor and chair of the department of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute. Enough
These shower bombs offer the perks of a long bath without draining your time or tub
November 27, 2018 at 10:02AM While the idea of lounging in a warm, bubbly bath is great, there are a few different realities that get in the way of that happening: A) you #dontgotnotimeforthat, B) someone couldn’t pay you all the money in the world to soak in your apartment’s tub—one that no amount of scrubbing will ever make feel clean, and C) your bathtub is, well, non-existent. Whatever the case, you’re in luck: There’s an easy way to make your showers just as much of a stress-relieving oasis as baths—you just need a shower bomb. And Lush has you covered. The company just released Lush Moods, a collection of new products that want to change your vibes and state of mind through aromatherapy. Aside from mouthwash tabs and bubble spinners (like a fidget spinner, except one that creates bathtime bubbles), there are also shower bombs that fizzle into a smooth mousse, essentially putting you in an essential oil-filled steam room. (Mmm, sounds nice.) Plus, you can wash with them, just like you would in the bath. Right now, there are four different options for $3.25 each that are all vegan and cruelty-free: Koyaanisqatsi, which uses ylang-ylang to return anyone whose life feels out of balance to a state of equilibrium, Karma, which uses turmeric to cleanse and purify the skin, Sleepy, which has ultra-relaxing French lavender oil to help wind down those who shower at night, and Not Sleepy, for morning showerers who need a burst of energy from lemongrass oil. Instead of setting
Sick of chickpeas? Here are 7 reasons to try lentils instead
November 27, 2018 at 10:01AM Move over, chickpeas: Lentils are officially the coolest legume. The humble lentil has officially transcended soup and is popping up everywhere—from gluten-free pastas and chips to pet food. The United Nations once named them the food of the year. Even trendsetting Prince George eats them. For the uninitiated, lentils are tiny round legumes—aka a seed that grows in a pod—that come in a variety of sizes and colors, including black, brown, yellow, red, or green. They’ve long been a staple in Indian cuisine (daal, anyone?) as well as vegan cooking as a plant-based protein source. But like all buzzy superfoods (ahem, celery water), sometimes it’s hard to sift through the hype. Which begs the question: Are lentils good for you? Photo: Getty Images/ MmeEmil Health benefits of lentils Lentils actually have a LOT to offer—so yes, they are pretty good for you. They’re low in fat, extremely nutrient-dense, and generally pretty affordable to buy (always a plus when you’re in between paychecks). And they pack in a lot of health benefits, including: 1. They’re full of polyphenols. Polyphenols are active compounds that fight against harmful agents in the body—everything from ultraviolet rays and radiation to heart disease and cancer. So yeah, they’re a big deal. Lentils are a great way to get your polyphenol fix (they have more than fellow legumes green peas and chickpeas), and have been linked to long-lasting health benefits, including cardiovascular health and diabetes prevention. 2. They’re high in protein. Good news, vegans: One cup of
This 100% vegan protein is made of (wait for it!) air
November 27, 2018 at 09:59AM When people ask how on Earth I manage to get enough protein as a vegan, I can’t help but laugh. There are now so many tasty (really!) options to eat on the daily: soy-based ones like tempeh and tofu as well as straight-up plants, like lentils, quinoa, almonds, and chia seeds. I mean, now you can even get bleeding, meat-like burgers made from powdered peas, for goodness sake. The future of plant-based protein might not be made of plants at all, though: it could come out of thin air. Literally. Solar Foods—a company based out of Finland—had one goal: to create a totally vegan, pure, single-cell protein using some minerals, air, and electricity. They wanted to make something that wouldn’t be dependent on any of the unknowns of the future, like agriculture, the weather, or the climate. And somehow, they did it. It seems impossible, but according to Forbes, the company creates the edible product—which looks like tan-colored flakes—by first electrolyzing water to create hydrogen, then combining that hydrogen with carbon dioxide and “some minerals to feed microbes, which create protein.” This all happens in a bioreactor tank, which Forbes likens to the Star Trek replicator (AKA something way more advanced than those test tubes you tinkered with in chemistry class). Photo: Solar Foods Solar Foods plans to produce its sustainable protein powder commercially by 2021. “Our goal is to develop the protein into a high-quality product whose environmental impact will be 10 to 100 times smaller than those of meat products or
What Does Net Worth Really Mean—and Why You Shouldn’t Let it Define Your Self Worth
November 27, 2018 at 09:35AM When the net worth of celebs is constantly tossed around, it’s hard to think of the concept as having anything to do with your own personal finances. And when you do stop and compare? Cue the anxiety. Although crunching your own numbers can be a beneficial practice, you don’t have to freak out if your net worth isn’t where you want it to be (really). For proof, just look at Basu Ratnam, former financier and founder of INDAY, the buzzy New York City fast-casual restaurant empire. “As an entrepreneur, you kind of have to delink self worth and net worth as much as possible,” Ratnam says. “Because in the early days [of your career] and early stages of building your own business, your financial net worth almost inevitably—either in terms of cash flow or equity value that you’re building—is going to take a hit.” Below, we break down how to determine your net worth, what it really means for you, and why there are better measures of your current financial or life situation if you’re still figuring things out. Keep reading for an empowering lesson on net worth versus self worth—and a financially savvy pro’s strategies to give both a boost. Photo: Getty Images/ Anchiy How to calculate your personal net worth Your net worth is the sum of all your assets (cash, property, stocks) minus debt (think credit-card charges, student loans, home loans). But the number doesn’t paint a full picture of your financial situation
Got a messy workspace? Here’s what that tells people about your personality
November 27, 2018 at 07:43AM As much as I love a clean workspace, by the end of a busy, deadline-driven day, I’m going to be real: All of my sh*t is everywhere. My lunch is sitting next to me getting cold, I have a pile of papers I still need to get through, and everything that was once put away is somehow now spread out all across my desk. I don’t even know how it happens. While I look like a put-together human until about 2 p.m., after that all hell breaks loose—and according to a new study, if someone caught me during my weakest hours, that first impression could seriously affect the way they perceive my personality. In research published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, 160 participants were randomly assigned to sit in different types of offices: one that was neat, clean, organized, and uncluttered, one that was either “somewhat” messy, or one that “very” messy. Afterward, they said which personality traits those in each office had. By their initial assumptions, they thought the person with the super-clean office was more conscientious than the person with the messy office—AKA someone who’s hardworking, goal-oriented, and thoughtful. And they thought the messy office owner was less agreeable and more neurotic, as well as careless and cranky. Now, based on personal experience, I’m not sure how defining this whole thing is personality-wise. Despite being a little messy, I’d say I’m pretty darn positive, super hardworking, and agreeable. Maybe too agreeable—just ask any