January 10, 2019 at 01:30PM by CWC I have mad respect for anyone who exercises outdoors in the winter. While I’m sweating it up to an online workout in the comfort of my climate-controlled apartment, others are training for marathons in the freezing cold. So, what’s the secret to being able to tough it out in the great outdoors? Besides a whole lot of will power and determination, it’s all in the gear. Going on a run when it’s literally freezing outside can be incredibly tough on the body. Hypothermia—which occurs when your body loses heat faster than it’s producing it, causing you to hit a dangerous internal temperature, according to the Mayo Clinic—is a real risk. Especially if you’re running at a slower pace and therefore not generating as much body heat, or if you become exhausted from a longer run. On top of that, your skin can also take a toll if it’s not properly protected: Even a quick jog can result in painful dry, cracked hands or a serious case of windburn. To ensure you’re all sorts of cozy while you’re checking a workout off your to-do list, there are a few items you should consider adding to your fitness wardrobe. Consider this your winter-running starter kit, featuring fleece-lined leggings, wind-blocking jackets, and sweat-wicking turtlenecks. Who knows, you might find yourself so toasty you’ll forget you’re surrounded by ice and snow. Stay warm with these winter running must-haves. Here’s how getting new workout clothes can help you find
Day: January 10, 2019
Healthy food and drink brands are prettier than ever—but you still have to read that label
January 10, 2019 at 01:19PM by CWC Call it the Instagram effect, but chances are the inside of your fridge is looking pretty ~cute~ these days. While in generations past, packaging for healthy food and drinks looked more crunchy than cool, now, it’s hard to imagine a brand launching without a sans serif font and minimalistic label—as the New York Times recently called out in a major way. Look, I’m a sucker for pretty packaging just as much as the next person. One of the perks of being Well+Good’s senior food writer is a steady influx of new-to-the-market healthy foods and drinks. Some of it is so dreamy that I too can’t help but share it on Instagram. But as a reporter and certified health coach, I also know beauty is more than just skin—or font—deep. Let’s not lose sight of why the food industry needed a healthy makeover to begin with: what’s listed in the ingredients list and on the nutritional panel is still what matters most. (Along with good ingredient sourcing, ethical treatment of workers, and sustainability.) Notice how I didn’t say “Instagram meme-creating skills” or “pastel-colored packaging?” As a reporter and certified health coach, I also know beauty is more than just skin—or font—deep. Go by clever branding and IG follower count alone and you could get played. Remember: The primary goal for brands is to make money, not make your bod healthier. Yes, grocery stores (and the products they contain) are healthier than ever, thanks in
There are plenty of fish in the canned food aisle, but this one is your soulmate
January 10, 2019 at 01:12PM by CWC Of all the fish in the sea, salmon is among the fanciest. (I blame brunch.) But you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it regularly. In spite of its bougie reputation, salmon is accessible enough that you can pick it up in a tin can at almost any grocery store. And that’s precisely why you should use it to prepare quick, healthy, and affordable meals, says celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. “It’s funny because we think of frozen food and canned food as less healthy, but in fact not only are they as healthy, but often they’re even healthier,” said Pasternak at an event in partnership with Marshall’s in New York City. “You see, how fish is caught is they go out in these big fishing boats, they catch the fish, and can it on the boat. They actually cut the fish, clean it, put it in a can, seal the can so it’s a-septic, and then they steam the can so the salmon is actually poached in the can.” The more you know, right? “We think of frozen food and canned food as less healthy, but in fact not only are they as healthy, but often they’re even healthier.” —Harley Pasternak, celebrity trainer Kellie Gragg, RDN, a licensed dietician in Colorado, says there’s one more reason to call the packaged fish your new best friend. “Canned salmon may also contain less mercury because smaller, less ‘attractive’ fish are typically used for
Burned out on HIIT? Time to give cortisol conscious LISS a go instead
January 10, 2019 at 01:09PM by CWC Between the boot camps and the boxing classes, the simple act of going for a brisk walk for exercise isn’t something we think about much in the current era of wellness. Thanks to packed schedules and a squeezed-for-time culture, we’re all about getting more bang for our buck—we see you, HIIT—but it might be time to reconsider that mentality. At the other end of the spectrum, low intensity steady state cardio, otherwise known as LISS is a one form of cortisol-conscious workouts (which, BTW, we called as one of our 2019 Trends) that could pay off in the long run. LISS is a form of exercise where your heart rate stays at a moderate intensity for the entire duration of the workout unlike HIIT, which is all about getting your heart rate up and down over a shorter period of time. In other words, an easy jog, a pleasant bike ride, a brisk walk—yep, that’s LISS. So, who should do LISS, and how often? Let’s take a closer look. Why you should give LISS a go If you think LISS isn’t for you, think again. According to nutritionist and certified personal trainer Gabbi Berkow, anyone can benefit from LISS. In fact, it’s the main form of exercise recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine, which is the organization that develops our national exercise guidelines. “The ACSM recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise at least five days per week for
Here’s how the government shutdown affects almost everything you eat
January 10, 2019 at 12:31PM by CWC The partial government shutdown is going on its third week. That means 800,000 federal employees are not working—and aren’t likely to receive their next paycheck. (Essential employees, like prison guards and TSA staffers at airports, are still on the clock though similarly unpaid.) Among those staying home are roughly 41 percent of the Food and Drug Administration’s 17,000 employees. “We are doing what we can to mitigate any risk to consumers through the shutdown,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told The Washington Post, which notes that the agency has suspended routine inspections nationwide. In a nutshell, the FDA is responsible for ensuring that all our food and prescription drugs are safe for consumption. At a granular level, it seems like a pretty heady job—and a lot of paperwork. Below, the biggest ways the FDA plays a direct role in our lives (without us even realizing it), including how a government shutdown affects you and me: 1. Creates the guidelines food, drink, and drug companies must follow in order for their products to be distributed. It seems like every day a new healthy food or drink brand enters the market, and while that may be true, it takes a lot of work for companies to get their products to the public. The FDA not only has strict guidelines every company must meet, it also inspects the facilities first-hand to make sure they’re up to snuff. If FDA-approved, your favorite kombucha isn’t made in someone’s basement with eight cats
I tried a digital detox facial meant to undo the damage blue light causes
January 10, 2019 at 12:03PM by CWC Technology is such a part of my life that I can’t even remember what things were like before my smartphone existed. My job requires being on a computer, like, all day, and when I’m not typing away, chances are my hands are preoccupied with using my cellphone. Yeah, I know—I can feel you shaking your head in disapproval. So when an email popped up in my inbox announcing a new “digital detox” skin-care treatment catered specifically to tech-loving beauty enthusiasts, my screen-addicted, blue light-riddled face perked right up. The facial aims to undo all of the damage that technology can cause for your complexion. That means tech neck, the effects of blue light, and facial tension that comes from staring at screens. Um, yes please to all of the above. “The digital detox treatment relieves tech neck through touch therapy and complete relaxation,” says Lynne Araw, global service innovation manager at Dermalogica, the brand that’s offering the treatment in their spas starting this month. “Touch therapy massage stimulates and loosens the muscles in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, plus helps balance the circulatory and lymphatic systems to help recapture a healthy, energetic glow.” In other words—it sounds completely necessary. First of all, I was strongly advised to put my phone down—meaning, no social content. (I negotiated being allowed to take one selfie, but the benefits would def be better if you resist this temptation.) “We are on our phones and computers all day so
5 places to take pole dancing classes in NYC without feeling weird about it
January 10, 2019 at 11:32AM by CWC Even if you have every spin studio and boxing workout in New York City bookmarked and memorized, pole dancing classes tend to be a little trickier to track down. So, to help you avoid a potentially NSFW situation while trying to find a fitness class, I’ve rounded up some of your best options for all-level pole dancing workouts in NYC. I also spoke with Kyra Johannesen, co-founder of Body & Pole boutique studio about why it’s worth adding the workout to your fitness routine in the first place. “The techniques and exercises in class directly target your upper body and abdominals,” she says. But Johannesen adds that, while the moves will definitely work your upper body, it’s possible you’ll feel the effects of the exercises from head-to-toe afterward. “The next day, you’ll most likely feel a little sore,” she adds. “You probably had no idea during class that you were lifting and spinning your bodyweight around the pole because you were having so much fun.” If it’s your first time taking a pole dancing class, Johannesen says that when starting out, wear clothing that’s comfortable for you—you’ll spend most of your time on the ground working on mastering technique so wearing what you would to a typical group fitness class is fine. (You can also email your studio ahead of time or read its FAQ page online for more info.) As you advance and begin to execute more difficult moves, however, having more skin contact is
The secret to preparing Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi? Ignore the instructions
January 10, 2019 at 09:28AM by CWC As thrilling as it is that cauliflower now rules the Trader Joe’s frozen-food aisle, cooking with the cruciferous vegetable is not without obstacles. For one, convincing a cauliflower pizza crust to stay together as you slice it is futile. And following the stovetop directions for TJ’s cauliflower gnocchi sometimes leaves shoppers with an ooey-gooey mess rather than a plate of gluten-free goodness. The voice behind Instagram account @nobread, food blogger Nicole Cogan has a fix. In a video posted Thursday, the Los Angeles-based foodie reveals that pan-frying the gnocchi from frozen—not defrosted as the TJ’s instructs—yields delightfully crispy gnocchi without fail. “DO NOT prepare the way the bag tells you,” warns Cogan in the caption. Instead, she recommends pouring one tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil into a skillet, and adding the frozen pasta-imposters (impastas?) directly to the skillet. “Sauté it from FROZEN to fresh,” she writes. View this post on Instagram Every time I post the #glutenfree #vegan Cauliflower Gnocchi from Trader Joe's, my DMs and comments go WILD with questions asking how I prepare it! SO here it goes!! DO NOT PREPARE THE WAY THE BAG TELLS YOU Add 1 T Olive or Avocado Oil to a skillet . Sauté it from FROZEN to fresh! Add salt, pepper, garlic powder (and sauce if you would like)! When it is nice and crisp, plate and serve! xx #nobread by @inspiredfoody !! A post shared by Nicole Cogan (@nobread) on Jan 8, 2019 at 11:15am PST
My skin hurts when I run outside in the cold, so I asked a derm what to do
January 10, 2019 at 09:04AM by CWC At this point, I’ve got the whole staying-warm-during-outdoor-winter-runs thing down to an art form. Fleece running tights? Check. A heat-bonded jacket? Check. Insulated gloves, socks, and a hat? Check, check, and check. However, while keeping my body warm during sub-zero sprints is a no-brainer, my skin is a totally different story. No matter what I do prior to hitting the pavement, after 30 minutes in the elements my face feels like it might fall right off. So I asked a dermatologist: What should I be putting on my skin before working out in cold weather? The answer, according to dermatologist Heather Woolery Lloyd, MD and founder of Specific Beauty, is three-fold. “You want a barrier, so a ceramide-based product would be helpful because the wind can strip your skin,” she explains. “The wind against your skin is in a way mechanically removing the top layer, so you want to have a barrier. So ceramides are important because that’s truly what they are: barrier repair.” You’ll want to prevent moisture from leaving your skin by way of transepidermal water loss (which will ultimately dehydrate it), so look for the phrase “barrier repair cream” on your labels for a hint that they’re packed with ceramides. In addition to this protection from the elements, you’ll also want to look for an ingredient that pulls the moisture from the air to help hydrate your skin. Dr. Woolery suggests hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 400 times its
Hey sweetie pie, there’s now science to support using pet names
January 10, 2019 at 09:00AM by CWC Sappy relationship tropes generally aren’t my thing, and I’m certainly not into Instagram PDA—or IRL PDA, for that matter. In fact, I’ve been known to audibly gag when I see a couple savagely making out on a street corner, and it makes my skin crawl whenever I hear a pair communicating via baby talk when no child is in sight. No one, I contend, wants to see it or hear it! But there is one icky-by-my-own-standards relationship behavior I myself tend to fall into with just about every partner I start to catch feelings for. And that, friends, is the pet name. Once I get comfortable with a man I’m dating, the nicknames just start flowing out, unconsciously, like a romantic tick. My usual suspects are “babe” and “doll” (“baby” and “daddy” are gross, so I never go there). And while I see myself slide into pet-name territory as a compelling sign that I’m warming up to the person in question, the practice isn’t just reserved for romantic partners. My platonic pals get ’em too—“kitten” and “sweets” are some stellar terms of friendship endearment in my lexicon. Calling a partner “sweet cheeks” may actually be code for—or even a more romantic way of saying—“our relationship is progressing to a point where I feel comfortable letting my guard down around you.” Are you annoyed with me yet? Well, if you are, consider switching over to the pet-name-accepting team, because there’s science to back up