December 03, 2018 at 01:41PM Okay, I get it: being vegan is pretty damn good for you. The eating plan is consistently ranked as one of the best diets for weight loss and diabetes management, and is associated with lower cancer rates and better gut health. Plus, shunning animal products in favor of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and grains is widely considered to be better for the environment. And as someone who was recently told to avoid dairy because of an autoimmune condition, I’ve definitely considered going fully vegan after years of experimenting with vegetarian and flexitarian eating. However, while most downsides about veganism have been largely debunked (yes, you can get enough protein!), there’s one concern I still have: Will such a restrictive diet mess with my brain health? Rather than going down an Internet rabbit hole, I decided to throw this question to experts to unpack. Do you lose any brain-boosting nutrients by going vegan? Possibly. Research shows it can be a lot harder to get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients essential for proper health with such a limited diet. That’s particularly true when it comes to brain health—in nixing all animal products, you’re eliminating key sources of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. Omega-3s, particularly a variety called DHAs, have been shown in studies to be “associated with better non-verbal reasoning, mental flexibility, working memory, and vocabulary,” says Lisa Mosconi, PhD, author of Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power. And a vitamin B12 deficiency, she
Day: December 3, 2018
The jury’s out on whether or not exercise can help rev up your sex life
December 03, 2018 at 11:32AM Picture this: A wellness freelance writer (who sometimes writes about sex) goes on a date (errr, coffee hang, shall we say) with a muscle-bound CrossFit coach. As we walk to grab a cup of Joe, I attempt awkward small talk with the Fabio-bodied man, telling him that: “I’ve been researching supplements you can take to boost your libido!” (Yes, my voice said it in a tone deserving of an exclamation point. Smoooooth.). Like the first-date trooper he is, he doesn’t take this flub with any sort of insinuation. Instead, he tells me that, as a personal trainer and coach, he likes to talk to his clients about their libido, saying that sudden on-set low libido can be a sign of poor recovery. Now, he has my attention, I’ll tell you that for sure. But, I wonder: A) How true this is and B) If this is just the case for men, who, after all, are better-studied than women. I’d read headlines in the past that stemmed from a study done on men’s sex drives and working out, which found that exercise can decrease desire. The caveat of the findings? It’s only if it’s really, really strenuous and prolonged exercise (however, other studies like this one and this one have shown that working out boosts testosterone and libido in men—especially those who are sedentary or do very little physical activity). But given CrossFit’s reputation for being hardcore, it’s not too surprising that my “pal” (don’t @ me, dating is confusing) jumped
This 4-Point Checklist Will Tell You How Effective Your Probiotic Is
December 02, 2018 at 11:00PM Is your probiotic really working? Read on to find out. Continue Reading… Author | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
What to get your fitness-obsessed friends who seemingly have everything
December 03, 2018 at 10:51AM Feeling stumped about what to get your workout buddy who never misses a 7 a.m. spin date and always has a spare hair tie? We got you covered with an editor-approved list of routine-simplifying, smile-inducing, and straight-up ingenious picks (see: luxe refillable deodorant). Whether she prefers hill climbs or low-key flows to achieve that post-workout glow, you’ll find something she won’t expect but ultimately needs. Prepare for a lot of ecstatic gushing from your workout pals. Scroll down and click on the hotspots to learn more about the winter gym-bag essentials. @import url(“https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/plugins/imagelinks/lib/imagelinks.theme.dark.css?ver=imagelinks”); ASICS Women’s GT-2000 7 Upgrade her runs with these supportive sneaks, which come in five crave-worthy colors. The durable, impact-absorbing sole helps her feel light on her feet at every mile—and closer to crushing her goal. Buy Now $120 ASICS Lite-Show 7/8 Tight These fitted tights are the perfect companion for chilly morning jogs and nighttime runs. The reflective leggings come with a convenient laminated pocket for her smartphone, protecting it from sweat and snow. Buy Now $70 ASICS Urban Racer Jacket Since winter is all about smart layering, this heat-retaining, lightweight jacket is guaranteed to be a mainstay in her lineup. She can throw on as a top layer for outdoor workouts, and wear it as a mid-layer to stay super toasty on her walk to the gym. Buy Now $130 TheraGun G2PRO Professional Massager Foam rolling is so last year. Introduce your fitness enthusiast to DIY percussive therapy and she’ll never
Planners so pretty, you might *actually* stick with them through the end of 2019
December 03, 2018 at 10:05AM January 1st is your annual excuse to purchase a shiny-new planner, and start applying Marie Kondo-level organization to your TDL. After all, grabbing your gel pens and going to town with writing down your weekly action items might help boost your ZZZs and minimize your stress levels. Before you do anything though, you’ll need to go ahead and choose a 365-day paper companion that matches your aesthetic *and* that you won’t grow tired of by March (really, it’s such a problem). Below, we’ve rounded up nine of the best planners for starting 2019 out on the most organized of notes. And whether you’re partial to inspirational messages, plant lady-chic designs, or a can’t-be-beat millennial pink color scheme, you’ll find something to add a modicum of order to the daily grind. Shop (*the* prettiest) 2019 planners. Buy Now Wellness Tracker Calendar $18 Buy Now 2019 Large 12-Month Annual Planner $32 Buy Now Mon Journal Ver.2 $10 Buy Now 17-Month Hanging Plants Custom Planner $50 Buy Now May Designs Appointment Book $20 Buy Now 2019 The Starry Night Monthly Planner $22 Buy Now 100 Day Planner $26 Buy Now Bow & Arrow Press Bluebirds $20 Buy Now I’m Such a Professional 2019 Planner $40 If you prefer to freestyle your to-dos, here’s how to start a bullet journal. And while you’re already restoring order to your day, here’s how to organize your pantry, too. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by iversue
12 pairs of comfy jeans that’ll convince you to leave the stretch for your workout
December 03, 2018 at 09:46AM With the heavy influence of nostalgia in fashion right now, non-stretch denim is the look du jour, often with a high-rise waist and in a straight or slim-fit silhouette—you might also know them as “mom” jeans. But that moniker doesn’t really do this denim justice say those who are fans of the new styles on the market right now. “Non-stretch denim is one of our favorite fabrics to play with because of the cool, vintage attitude it gives to jeans,” says Jill Guenza, vice president of global women’s design at Levi’s. If you’re accustomed to super-stretchy jeans, rigid denim might feel like an unsavory style. But stiffer fabrics can actually be more flattering and get better over time, rather than breaking down and needing to be replaced after a season or two. (Let’s call it a win for conscientious consumption.) “The denim has just the right amount of body-molding give, yet holds you in and up in all the right places,” says Guenza. “Because non-stretch denim generally has more structure than high-stretch denim, it gives slim and straight-leg fits amazing attitude.” Warming to the idea of adding a pair to your wardrobe? Here’s a pro-tip for you: “With non-stretch denim, you can expect the jeans will expand slightly as they shape to your body, so be sure to buy them on the snug side,” Guenza advises. Photo: Tim Gibson for Well+Good Alaina Miller, women’s design director for Citizens of Humanity, agrees that a “perfect” or “snug” fit
This dreamy, off-the-beaten-path destination is Airbnb’s top spot to visit in 2019
December 03, 2018 at 09:14AM It’s a common MO for travelers to flock to heavily-populated cities to check out the ultimate tourist hot spots, but one of the latest vacay trends involves doing the exact opposite: putting your Eiffel Tower dreams on hold in favor of more off-the-beaten-path experiences. Airbnb just released its top destinations to visit in 2019 after culling internal data from users’ searches, bookings, and wish lists—and the results don’t lie. Next year, the most sought-after places to visit and explore aren’t the Londons and Tokyos of the world. The top location on the list? Kaikoura, New Zealand, which showed a 295 percent increase in year-to-year bookings and a 210 percent increase in year-to-year searches on the platform. And get this: There are rentals you can book for as little as $89/night. Back in 2016, the coastal town of 3,800 residents took a massive hit after it was heavily damaged by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Two years later, the place is totally booming, and it’s easy to see why. Located on a rocky peninsula, the area provides a taste of the sea and mountains. And not only do visitors get to share their experience with its many friendly non-human locals—including sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals—but there are endless possibilities to keep you busy while you’re there. View this post on Instagram I don't know about you but I am a sucker for a good sunrise! @Regran_ed from @inestausch_photography – Kaikoura, New Zealand “Own only what you can always
APL just dropped its lightest, most sustainable sneakers yet
December 03, 2018 at 09:09AM Ask any barre babe or fitness junkie from New York City to Los Angeles for the name of her favorite pair of workout sneakers, and you’ll likely hear the same three-letter response on repeat: APL. That stands for Athletic Propulsion Labs, and the company’s grown quite a cult following since its launch in 2014. For the unfamiliar, APL is known for making cool, minimalist kicks in luxe fabrics like cashmere and other natural knit fibers that toe the line between fashion and function. And today, the brand announced that it’s adding another drool-worthy design to its collection: a next-gen running shoe made of Merino wool (yes, really!) that it created in collaboration with The Woolmark Company, a global authority on Merino wool. Dubbed the TechLoom Breeze , it’s APL’s coziest sneaker yet. “After spending more than 18 months engineering and testing, we finally created the first technical-knit footwear to be certified by The Woolmark Company,” said Adam Goldston, APL’s co-founder in a press release, meaning that the wool used in the shoes passed rigorous quality standards set by Woolmark. The shoes are made of 80-percent Australian Merino wool, which Goldston notes is “a naturally sustainable super fiber that helps protect against odor, is incredibly strong, yet is light enough to be worn during all of your workouts and has beautiful hand feel and texture.” (So yeah, this is way different from your grandma’s hot, itchy wool sweaters.) By using new technology where the shoe is knitted to the final shape
Make these easy swaps to get dewy-looking skin in the dead of winter
December 03, 2018 at 07:57AM In the summer, it’s easy to rock a dewy complexion. If your skin’s not glistening from happy hydration, you can at least fake it with sweat. When it’s cold outside, though, having that glow becomes increasingly difficult—but ya still want that dewy, fresh-from-a-facial, selfie-ready look. Amirite? Good news, though: It can be done. “Striving for dewy skin in the winter is like striving for unclogged pores in the summer—it’s not easy, but you can do it,” says Angelina Umansky, skin-care guru and founder of Spa Radiance. “It’s hard because your skin is being assaulted with dry air blaring from heaters and cold, punishing winds. But, like you need a sweater in the winter, same goes for your skin care.” That means you’ve gotta bring on the moisture and toss everything that could be getting in the way of glistening hydration. “To get your skin glowing in the winter, put away your stripping cleansers, punishing exfoliators, and light creams,” says Umansky. First things first: Embrace gentle, creamy face washes. First things first: Embrace gentle, creamy face washes. “Make sure to use a gentle cleanser like Meder Gel Net-Apax Cleanser ($80),” recommends Rebecca Herbert, esthetician at Joanna Czech Dallas. Umansky says to go with a milky option, like Patyka Rosewood Velvet Cleansing Milk ($40) for morning and night. It’s essential to still exfoliate so that you’re sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal fresh-as-a-baby new skin, but it’s just important to be gentle with it (I’m sensing a theme
Turn this pretty DIY, self-care advent calendar into your mindfulness practice for December
December 03, 2018 at 07:24AM Once December hits, out come the advent calendars. And while, traditionally, the purpose of this holiday decoration is to open a daily gift as an exciting way to count down to Christmas, it turns out having one that doesn’t focus on material things might just be the most enjoyable option of all. Theresa Götz, the Barcelona-based zero-waste blogger behind Mind&Seed, thought up a new type of advent calendar this season—one that gives thoughtful reminders on bettering your well-being and focusing on self-care. Of the inspo for her advent calendar, Götz wrote on Instagram: “This year I wanted to inspire a more fun and less consumeristic way of counting down to 24. So instead of buying 24 little gifts, we focused on appreciating what we already have.” To make her mindful advent calendar, Götz tied 24 ribbons (and some festive fake plants!) onto a medium-sized ring, each complete with a special challenge hooked onto the bottom. “Behind each card, you can find a note that prompts an act of kindness or gratefulness we can do every day,” she writes. Aside from being a cute homemade decoration for the holidays, it also helps you focus on what’s really important in life: your health and happiness. View this post on Instagram 1st of December Yesterday I realized that December is right around the corner and I got all nostalgic of wanting to have an #adventcalendar like I had when I was a child. However, this year I wanted to inspire a more