January 11, 2019 at 12:31PM by CWC Controversial opinion time: The most underrated part of any fruit salad are the melons. Sure, everyone goes for the berries and grapes first, but you’re making a rookie mistake by skipping the cantaloupe chunks sitting forgotten at the bottom of the bowl. Because…well, the benefits of cantaloupe are pretty legit. “Cantaloupe carries a host of benefits, aside from being delicious!” says Rachel Gargiulo, a certified nutrition consultant at Nourishing Journey Wellness Center. “It is rich in beta-carotenes, an antioxidant that converts into vitamin A in the body, as well as vitamin C. Additionally, its phytonutrient compounds help combat inflammation and oxidative stress.” (The icing on the cake? Cantaloupe is also a keto-friendly fruit. #praise.) So what does this mean for those who decide to add cantaloupe to their dietary repertoire? Gargiulo provided a more thorough run-down of the major health and nutrition benefits of cantaloupe: 1. Tons of inflammation-fighting antioxidants. In every serving of cantaloupe you get beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. (Try saying all of those three times fast.) Gargiulo notes that antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, plus they ward off cancer-causing free radicals in the bod. Both beta-carotene (once converted to vitamin A) and zeaxanthin are thought to play key roles in eye health, including reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration. 2. Immune-boosting vitamin C. Okay yes, oranges and mangoes have tons of vitamin C. But one cup of diced cantaloupe has 59 mg of the stuff (about 79 percent of your recommended daily value).
Day: January 11, 2019
Hair boosters rehab dry, drab strands in under a minute flat
January 11, 2019 at 10:54AM by CWC This time of year, it seems like everything on our body needs a little extra love. From chapped lips to dry cheeks to flaky elbows, “hydrating” is a major buzzword in our beauty routines, and our hair is no exception. Even if you’re skipping washes and regularly slathering your strands in a twice-weekly moisturizing mask, it still might not be enough, especially with the daily styling that tends to happen when it’s too dang cold to walk outside with wet hair. Well, your nearly-dead ends are about to get some much-needed relief thanks to a new step that stylists are recommending you add to your hair-care arsenal: The hair booster. Think of them, quite literally, like shots for your hair. Unlike leave-in conditioners, which are reacting to damage that’s already been done, these high-impact serums are proactively helping to fend off damage before it actually happens. “They’re meant to be used on a regular basis, so you can stop the damage before it starts,” explains Brian Zinno, the educational director at Antonio Prieto Salon. “Once hair is damaged, you can make it feel better cosmetically, but you’re obviously going to have to get a trim to get rid of those dead ends.” The boosters are heavily concentrated, so you only need to leave them in for a minute or two in order for them to work their strand-saving magic. “The technology has advanced so much over the years with these type of products, you really
Your guide to the world of Ayurvedic herbs and their many benefits
January 11, 2019 at 10:45AM by CWC 2019 thus far seems to be the year of “what’s old is new again.” The Mediterranean diet has made a comeback, people are starting to be okay with carbs again, and Cookie Monster (yup, the very same) is suddenly a wellness icon. And when it comes to your health, more people than ever are dabbling in Ayurvedic herbs—one of the oldest wellness practices of all. “Ayurveda is an ancient system of complementary medicine that originated with the Tamil Siddhas in the the south of India 10,000 years ago,” says Martha Soffer, Ayurvedic doctor, MACA (Maharishi Ayurvedic Clinic Administration), MAT (Maharishi Ayurvedic Therapist), and founder of Surya Spa in Los Angeles. “Ayurveda can return us to balance, health, and vital well-being. It’s a beautiful and easy-to-apply self-care tool.” The ancient healing practice is known to be good for all sorts of things including skincare, easing period cramps, and better digestion. And while they’re popping up in supplements, foods, and even beauty products, herbs are a fundamental part of Ayurvedic healing. “Ayurvedic herbs are herbs that have been used in Ayurvedic lineage for 5,000-plus years and grow in India and surrounding areas,” says Sahara Rose, certified ayurvedic health counselor and author of Eat Feel Fresh and Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda. “Each herb is unique and can help with physical or mental ailments.” But before you dip your toes into Ayurvedic herbs, Soffer says you should see an Ayurvedic doctor to help you access your imbalances and understand your health.
Eating More Of This Could Reduce Your Risk Of Disease By Up To 30 Percent
January 11, 2019 at 10:30AM It’s our new resolution. Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Yes, if you have acne you should be using a moisturizer—here’s why
January 11, 2019 at 10:21AM by CWC When I have a pimple, I’m either smothering it with exfoliants or spot treatments until it dies, or avoiding it like the plague—it all depends on what product I’m using. My whole life becomes a strategic game of pile on the acne-fighters while keeping any enemies—AKA pore-cloggers or irritants—at bay. But there’s one product in my beauty arsenal that makes me hesitate in this war on acne: moisturizer. It feels like a skin-care conundrum—you need to hydrate your skin, but it feels as though putting a moisturizing cream on top of a breakout will only make it angrier, or somehow block it from vanishing. Welp, a dermatologist schooled me on the matter. Basically, not moisturizing your acne will have the opposite effect of what you’d think. “When the skin is dry, it can be more irritated and make acne look and appear worse,” explains Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist. “With acne, the issue is inflammation in the skin—most acne responds better and improves when you calm it down. Therefore, moisturizing is helpful.” “Many people find that their skin starts to over-produce oil in reaction to dry skin, which is another reason to keep skin balanced by applying a moisturizer.” —Rachel Nazarian, MD Another important thing to note: Most pimple treatments do their job by halting oil production—which is even more evidence on why you still need to hydrate when your skin’s broken out. “Many acne medications work by targeting oil
The case for going moist—not dry—with your January drinking habits
January 11, 2019 at 10:10AM by CWC So, your Instagram feed has been overrun by “Dry January” posts? Same, same. With everyone zeroing in on the practice, the staff of Well+Good couldn’t help but wonder whether going “moist”—not dry—throughout the first month of the year might be a catalyst for healthier booze-related decisions all year long. “Moist January” might serve a legit purpose for many, according to licensed dietician Kellie Gragg, RDN. “If you have ever tried making a life change using an ‘all or nothing’ approach, you have likely discovered the pitfalls of that mindset,” she says. “The achievement of perfection is rare and therefore limiting yourself to that standard usually results in beating yourself up and feeling guilty over and over again until you just give up—feeling like a failure.” Research suggests that we Homo sapiens stick to habits most successfully when we start with baby steps (“I will drink one fewer drink each week”) rather than giant strides (“No drinking for me this month!”). By making moistness your mantra this month you’re actually working in tandem with science. Cheers to that, fam. “If you have ever tried making a life change using an ‘all or nothing’ approach, you have likely discovered the pitfalls of that mindset.” —Kellie Gragg, RDN Here’s the fine print: For some, opting for Dry or Moist January should take other medical factors into account. Certain medications simply don’t mix with alcohol, and diabetics should keep in mind that alcohol metabolizes as sugar. “Although many feel
Marie Kondo Is Onto Something: Here Are The Ways A Clean Home Helps Mental Health
January 11, 2019 at 09:32AM Marie Kondo Has us Looking for All the Ways Clutter Brings us Down Continue Reading… Author Elizabeth Gerson | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
“Barbie heels” are everywhere right now, but why?
January 11, 2019 at 09:27AM by CWC A few weeks ago, Well+Good’s senior style editor slacked me a picture of some really cute Loeffler Randall slingbacks. “I keep seeing these heels with the V-cut toe that remind me of my Barbie’s heels growing up,” she said, adding a photo of the Barbie shoes in question. And I instantly got what she meant—pumps or mules that give fairly full coverage of the foot, with an angular upper that plunges down towards the toe. I did a little more digging and came across tons of other variations on the look. Tibi’s current collection features an office-appropriate, kitten-heeled “Barbie shoe.” Stella McCartney’s version is crafted with sexy, peek-a-boo PVC. Jimmy Choo’s ballet-pink take rings true to the Barbie vibe, while Alumnae NYC makes theirs super-modern in python and red leopard prints. Of course, Barbie probably wasn’t at the front of designers’ minds when these styles were born. But given that this shoe shape was popular back in the ’80s and ’90s—not just in plastic Malibu dream houses, but in real womens’ closets, too—it’s safe to say that nostalgia did play a role. At least, that was the case for London-based designer Alexander White, whose Mila pump perfectly illustrates the trend. “The Mila is inspired by a shoe my grandmother used to wear when I was a little boy. It was this gorgeous brown elaphe [snakeskin] high-vamp pump with an 80mm heel,” he tells me. (That’s what the style is actually called, FYI—a high-vamp pump.) “Every time she wore
Tampons and pads are expensive—here’s how you can help a girl out
January 11, 2019 at 09:20AM by CWC Real talk: It’s annoying for every woman to have to shell out money every month for tampons and pads—as if you have a choice in the whole getting-your-period thing. But if you’re a woman in without money, you feel the blow the hardest. According to a new survey, nearly two-thirds of low-income women say they can’t afford menstrual hygiene products, Reuters reports. Instead, they use rags, toilet paper, paper towels—anything free they can get their hands on. “This is not a luxury,” said associate professor in the College for Public Health and Social Justice at St. Louis University Anne Sebert Kuhlmann in an interview with Reuters. “It’s a need. It affects a woman’s sense of self, her sense of dignity, and her ability to participate in life.” When it comes to giving back, feminine hygiene products aren’t as front of mind as other things, like food, clothing, and blankets—which are greatly needed, too! Here are three ways you can help provide better access to menstrual products for women in need: 1. Donate products to Support The Girls. This non-profit provides bras and feminine hygiene products to homeless women with affiliates all around the world, including 48 different locations in North America and in Australia, Philippines, and Pakistan. Check out their locations page for more infomation. 2. Buy a menstrual cup with a one-for-one model. Unlike pads and tampons, menstrual cups can be reused, making them a valuable resource for women in need. Ruby Cup has adopted
What’s the deal with everyone getting sick on cruise ships—and how do I stay healthy
January 11, 2019 at 08:16AM by CWC For me, cruises conjure visions of a prime getaway for folks celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary—visors, fanny packs, shuffleboard, etc. But in recent years, it seems like every generation is getting in on the action, and that makes sense. With an increasing number of wellness-centric options on board, even millennials enjoy drifting from one island to the next aboard floating hotels (albeit the smaller versions). But what’s the deal with everyone getting sick on cruise ships? One of the world’s biggest cruise ships, Norwegian’s Oasis of the Seas, changed course early after nearly 300 of its 8,000 passengers contracted highly contagious norovirus. Commonly referred to as the “stomach flu,” norovirus spreads through food, water, and contaminated surfaces. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 11 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness aboard cruise ships, where something as simple as one person forgetting to wash their hands after using the bathroom can spoil a good time for hundreds of people. Unfortunately, a stomach bug isn’t the only sickness that’s common on cruise ships. Like illnesses caused by food contamination, motion sickness can ruin an otherwise peaceful vacation. Even aboard humongous cruiser liners, many passengers still feel the rocking motion. After you’ve set sail, use these simple tips to make sure you don’t miss out on any shuffle board or sightseeing. Here are 5 easy ways to stay healthy on the high seas 1. Wash your hands—a lot One of the most effective preventative measures you can