Into megawatt smiles? These 5 states have the best dental hygiene

January 31, 2019 at 01:11PM by CWC Before firing off a flirty GIF to one of your dating app suitors, have you ever stopped to consider why they’ve piqued your interest? Is it the witty one-liner in their profile? Their pet poogle? Or is it, as is the case in so many rom-coms, is it a universe-splitting, alabaster smile that does the trick? Data from a few of today’s most popular dating apps suggests that the teeth definitely affect your love life. On Tinder, smiling in a photo makes you 14 percent more likely to be swiped right compared to those who aren’t smiling. Over at Hinge, women who smile with teeth are 76 percent more likely to receive engagement and men who smile without showing their chompers have 43 percent more success. Beyond the aesthetics, I’m willing to bet that everyone values good oral hygiene (or at least those who keep up with their semi-annual teeth cleanings) in a romantic partner. And now, we know exactly which states boast residents who take the very best care of their mouths. By analyzing 26 metrics including factors like “dental professionals per capita” and “poor or fair oral conditions,” researchers at WalletHub published  a report demonstrating how states stacks up against one another when it comes to “dental habits and health” and “oral health.” Connecticut, D.C., Rhode Island, Minnesota, and Massachusetts have the highest percentage of adults who visited the dentist office last year. And Minnesota, Hawaii, Illinois, Wyoming, and New Jersey have the fewest residents with “poor or fair” oral

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BRB, planning an adventurous vacation to combat stress (because yep, it helps with that)

January 31, 2019 at 12:57PM by CWC For the most part, I subscribe to JOMO and I’m perfectly happy under a blanket with a good book in hand. Occasionally, though, serious wanderlust kicks in and I find myself searching for something adventurous to do that brings on a rush of adrenaline. (And nope, not just the kind that comes from watching yet another scary movie.) I don’t think I possess the “thrill-seeker’s gene,” but Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD says it’s fairly common to hunt for a thrill. “Research supports that some people need an adrenaline rush. And it’s not always by doing something physical, like skydiving,” she says. “It can also be artistic or intellectual, like being a public speaker or politician. It’s as necessary for them as calm is for those who are more comfortable in the ‘backstage’ or working in their own private cubicle,” she says. When you do something exciting, your heart races. “Adrenaline dilates the eyes, sends more blood to the muscles, increases lung capacity, and in general, it makes you temporarily faster, stronger, and more alert. When you’re in danger, adrenaline gives you a survival edge,” says Chicago-based clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus, PsyD. Seeking a rush can be seriously addictive, too: “It’s a stimulant, in the same class of drugs as nicotine and cocaine,” she says “You can definitely learn to like adrenaline too much.” There’s a solid middle ground when it comes to getting your adrenaline fix. According to Dr. Daramus,

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We got 4 fitness trainers to tell us definitively what the best pants are for every type of workout

January 31, 2019 at 12:49PM by CWC It’s a given at this point that leggings are a crowd favorite for working out. That said, certain styles are better suited for a downward dog than they are a double jab, cross. And with more fitness routines in the mix—plus a seemingly endless list of activewear brands to choose from—narrowing in on the right pair of bottoms for every workout can be harder than you’d think. But if there’s anyone who knows the ins and outs of leggings, shorts, and sweats, it’s fitness instructors. As workout buffs who spend more time in Spandex than anything else, they’re experts at determining the best pants for every kind of sweat sesh from barre class to spin and boxing. So, to guide your next workout pant purchase, four fitness trainer’s share their top picks below (including a unanimous favorite they’ve deemed worthy for the yoga mat, boxing ring, and beyond). Photo: Getty Images/JGI/Jamie Grill For: yoga, Pilates, barre Yoga, barre, and dance instructor Sam Garcia (catch her at Y7, Equinox, and Yoga at the Raven in Los Angeles), says full-length, moisture-wicking leggings are her number one for low-impact workouts like yoga, Pilates, and barre, specifically Lululemon’s Wunder Under High-Rise Tights. “They’re my favorite pant of all time and made with four-way stretch fabric so you can execute all your shapes with ease,” she says, noting how the breathable fabric is perfect for the hot yoga classes. In the color department, she predicts rich earthy tones like

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Here’s the DL on your “magical” lemon water, straight from a doctor

January 31, 2019 at 12:08PM by CWC If there’s one thing that unites women from all different wellness cliques—A-list nutritionists, natural beauty bosses, and fitness fashion moguls alike—it’s gotta be drinking water with lemon. (And let’s not even try and count all the celebrities who’ve made it a part of their a.m. routines.) The benefits of this quick-and-easy practice are supposedly many, ranging from brighter skin to improved digestion to a boosted immune system and beyond. Of course, these are all welcome side effects of staying well-hydrated, even without a lemon slice in your glass. Which raises an important question: Is that little squeeze of citrus actually doing much more for our bodies than plain water would? To find out, I consulted naturopathic doctor Erica Matluck, ND, NP, who started by filling me in on the ancient roots of this modern wellness craze. “While drinking lemon water is an Ayurvedic tradition, there are reports of many historical cultures using lemons for medicinal purposes—Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans,” she explains. “The earliest clinical benefits of lemons were observed in 1747 by the Scottish physician James Lind, who added lemon juice to the diets of seamen with scurvy. Though he concluded that lemon juice was effective, he found oranges to be more effective.” (Makes sense, since oranges are higher in immune-boosting vitamin C than any other citrus fruit.) While there’s been some clinical research on the nutritional value of lemons since then, Dr. Matluck says there have been “few, if any, randomized, controlled studies” on lemon

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I used to hide my freckles, but now they’re something I love about myself

January 31, 2019 at 11:45AM by CWC I’m covered in freckles, and it’s been that way since I was a wee child. While I’ve come to accept them—and to even like them—that wasn’t always the case. My mom told me they were normal (and she’d had them too). My classmates called them “angel kisses,” which I suppose makes them feel special. But to me, they made me stand out. I’d find myself pulling down my sleeves in order to cover my speckled arms so that my classmates wouldn’t judge me (TBH, I also did this to cover up my arm hair, another old foe of mine). It also didn’t help that beauty advertisements and models in magazines were always completely Photoshopped so that not a spot one peeked through their flawless complexions. To me, this meant that my freckles were something that I wasn’t supposed to have (like pimples or dark circles, but you know, for an elementary school kid). In reality, freckles are a genetic (thanks, mama!). But they actually show up after sun exposure (I spent my early years in bright and sunny southern Florida, FWIW). “Freckles are genetic. In the presence of the sun, pigment-producing cells make extra pigment that’s deposited in the skin, causing brown spots,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. “Freckles tend to get darker in the warmer months because of the effects of UV light, and tend to fade during the winter time.” With melanoma on the rise, it’s important to

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I went on a quest to find pretty, sexy underwear that are actually comfortable

January 31, 2019 at 11:40AM by CWC The first time I slept with someone after getting out of my long-term relationship, I was wearing a pair of underwear that, had I known someone would be seeing them, I would have never, ever donned. They weren’t completely horrendous…but they were beige, high-waisted boy shorts. Any of those things on their own could be cute, but the trifecta was like granny panty central. (Luckily it was dark and I only said, “Wait, ignore how ugly my underwear is” twice. Eye roll at myself.) After that experience—where he totally didn’t care about my underwear—I vowed with god as my witness to never wear un-cute underwear again. Because I realized that, while maybe he didn’t necessarily care that I wasn’t wearing “sexy” underwear, I kinda did. It had been a while since I had felt desirable, and there’s something confidence-boosting about wearing a matching set of lacy underthings, even if no one is going to see them. There’s something confidence-boosting about wearing a matching set of lacy underthings, even if no one is going to see them. But as I began to add racier pieces to my collection, I quickly came to the realization that a lot of sexy underwear is hell-bent on making your nether-regions feel trapped in a cage of elastic and lace. Now, I have done some weird, uncomfortable things in my sartorial endeavors—like purposefully giving myself a wedgie to avoid bodysuit-induced VPL for a first date. (Yeah, and you thought

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You’ve heard of CBD, but there’s a trendy new cannabinoid in town—and it might help you sleep better

January 31, 2019 at 11:32AM by CWC The buzz surrounding cannabidiol is strong, but folks in the wellness community are whispering about a different cannabinoid compound, one that might help you sleep at night. You may have heard of the murmurs, but what is CBN? The most dominant cannabis compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), steal all the attention, but cannabinol, or CBN, could be the next big thing. According to Bon Appetit, as marijuana oxidizes, the THC converts to CBN. In other words, old weed is high in CBN. But can you get high on it? Not really. The CB1 receptors are weaker than with THC, but it definitely still has the potential to make you drowsy, which is why more people are turning to it before they turn in for the night. Scientific evidence is sparse, but CBN has been studied on mice. (Rodents given cannabinol were more likely to stay asleep.) There’s a chance it could even be used to fight the signs of aging, so look out for CBN as an ingredient in a night cream and sleep aids. But here’s the kicker: Most studies suggest it works best when combined with other cannabinoid compounds, like THC or CBD. Anecdotal evidence still dominates in conversations pertaining to uses for CBN. In any case, it’s worth noting that if your friend says it works for them that doesn’t mean it will work for you. As always, consult your doctor about your options and possible interactions with other medications. Currently, the health benefits

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These recyclable mini packs will finally end your struggle with expired spices

January 31, 2019 at 09:29AM by CWC Plenty of items in your pantry will keep fresh for an eternity. Honey, for example, never expires. The same can’t be said for spices. While I cook with enough garlic salt and oregano to fill a dump truck each month, other jars on my spice rack mostly just collect dust. (I’m talking about you, cumin, nutmeg, and paprika.) But do spices expire? They certainly do. It varies, but most ground spices have shelf life of about three years, though freshness is more fleeting. As time goes on, flavor and potency really diminish. (Let’s not forget about the problem with bugs, too.) Breaking the seal to scoop a measly 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom required to make single batch of delicious buckwheat waffles hardly seems worth it, particularly considering that a typical jar contains packs a full 50 teaspoons of spice. You’d have to make thousands of waffles to finish a whole jar before the spice loses its potency. As much as I love a little cardamom here and there, that’s impossible. Fortunately, a genius money-saving, waste-free solution is in the works. A women-led company called Occo has created a collection of 12 spices, including a handful of favorites, like curry and fennel, that you might use only every so often. The spices come sealed in recyclable aluminum cards, each with 12 peel-to-open pre-measured servings of 1/4 teaspoon. View this post on Instagram Introducing a phrase: molecularly fresher. We seal our spices using modified atmosphere technology – a process in which

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