January 30, 2019 at 09:21AM by CWC Unusual weather we’re having, ain’t it? Indeed, the phrase takes on a whole new level of meaning when you factor in global warming. If you’re somewhere in North America right now, chances are you’ll be bundling up in extra layers before heading outside—that is, if it’s safe enough to go outside at all. The weather in much of the country right now is downright dangerous, with some areas carrying a warning of “instant frostbite.” Yes, it’s really damn cold out! Fast Company reports via ABC News that the city of Chicago is expected to experience the coldest temperatures in a generation this week. In fact, more than two-thirds of the country is bracing for below-freezing temperatures. So does the fact that it’s so unbearably cold outside mean that global warming is nothing to worry about? If the Earth is warming, shouldn’t winters be… warmer? Not exactly. In order the see the connection between global warming and weather, first you must understand the the difference. As the National Snow & Ice Data Center so adeptly explains, weather is the state of the atmosphere in short-term variations—weeks, days, minutes. (You dress for the weather.) Climate is weather averaged over a significant period of time—decades, centuries, and millennia. (You plan an economy and a sustainable future around climate.) Scientists look at the climate for more long-term predictions, such as what the temperature will be during winter 50 years from now, or if we can expect the glacial icecaps
Month: January 2019
A derm told me this drugstore body wash is the only one to shower with in the winter
January 30, 2019 at 08:56AM by CWC The moment temperatures drop below 40 degrees, I avoid showering as if my life depended on it. The hot water dries out my skin, which is already parched and miserable on account of the fact that it’s freezing outside, and that moment when I have to step out from under the stream of hot water into my cold apartment air is truly the worst part of my day. So, naturally, I’m always looking for ways to make winter showers slightly less terrible—because as much as I despise them, I also don’t want to be known as the smelly girl at work. And according to dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub of McLean Dermatology and Skincare, the only thing I need to make the experience bearable (especially for the sake of my sad, dry skin) is one simple product: Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil ($20). “It is the best moisturizing body wash I have ever used in my life,” she gushes. “I give it to every single patient—it’s so inexpensive, and I use it to wash my body as well as to shave my legs. It’s amazing.” The best part? It moisturizes your skin while you’re hanging out under the shower stream, which means you’ll hop out feeling silky smooth–even before you slather on your usual lotions and creams. It’s an ideal multitasking pick for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, two categories most people find themselves falling into this time of year. In addition the fact that
I have a theory that the best socks come from Japan—let’s investigate
January 30, 2019 at 08:41AM by CWC Socks aren’t usually items that elicit passionate declarations. But as someone who wears them every day, year-round, as a visible part of my ensemble, I have very strong opinions about them—specifically, I believe the best socks come from Japan. How have I come to draw this conclusion? There’s no scientific method for testing style theories; but my determination is due to years of personal market research and product testing—plus, plenty of anecdotal evidence to support my hypothesis in the form of celebrities who are equally obsessed with socks from the island country in East Asia. Probably the most important of which being poet, musician, and eternal cool-girl Patti Smith. After hearing Smith wax poetic about her “$60 socks from Japan” once in the middle of a performance, I of course, went straight home to Google it. This is how I discovered Japan’s high-end sock market, where a single pair of densely-knit, naturally-dyed socks from the likes of Kapital can cost upwards of $68. Around since 1985, Kapital’s pairs fall decidedly on the high-end of the Japanese sock spectrum—I once received a set as a Christmas gift, from someone who obviously knows me extremely well, and will vouch for their value. Still, as a millennial and journalist, pairs of socks at that price exceed my budget. Unperturbed by this fact (and already well on my way toward obsession), I began exploring Japan’s less-expensive sock options. Upon further investigation, I’ve come to find that both quality and craftsmanship
These hilariously real Valentine’s Day cards are perfect for any relationship status
January 30, 2019 at 07:35AM by CWC Sure, chocolates and flowers are nice, but nothing beats a Valentine’s Day card that just gets you. Don’t waste a second sifting through hundreds of heart-shaped greetings in every shade of pink. We’ve got you. This year, two companies have joined forces to create cute Valentine’s day cards for every relationship status. Dating app Hinge teamed up with Society6 for a limited edition of illustrated Valentine’s Day cards by 15 artists. Each and every one hits the nail on the head. There’s a card for your long-term S.O., one for those in-between moments when you’re not really sure where you stand, something for your favorite cuddle buddy—you name it. You’ll make anyone crack a smile on February 14 with a three-pack of cards for $4.99. Below, a few of Well+Good staffer’s favorites: These are the cute Valentine’s Day cards made for modern relationships Photo: Hinge x Society6 1. Fyre Festival Now that‘s love. Enough said. Photo: Hinge x Society6 2. I’d Rather Stay Home JOMO at its finest. Photo: Hinge x Society6 3. You Are My Favorite Weighted Blanket Weighted blankets are great, but nothing gets the job done like the pro-cuddler in your life. Photo: Hinge x Society6 4. Is It Weird That I Got You a Valentine? For those times you’re just not sure whether your relationship is worthy of a card or not. Photo: Hinge x Society6 5. Emergency Contact Once you list someone as your emergency contact, there’s no going back. Photo: Hinge x Society6 6.
The only tip you need to stop feeling jealous about your friend’s love life
January 30, 2019 at 07:15AM by CWC Let’s say you’re the only single person in your friend group. Or your BFF has a seemingly perfect relationship. Or you feel like everyone in your life has a romantic situation that is, simply put, just way better than yours. Well, it’s normal to feel salty about this from time to time. How could you not when you find yourself swiping through profile after profile on your dating apps, only to go out with a slew of duds while you’re bombarded with Instagram evidence of your pal and her partner sunning themselves on some gorgeous island? Though feeling jealous of your friend may well be a natural response, the sensation likely won’t make you feel good. And neither will any pity party you throw yourself when it seems like everyone but you is happy and in love. “This is a common ditch that a lot of people fall into,” says Susan Winter, best-selling author and relationship expert. “When this happens, it’s easy to think that everyone but you is in a relationship. But that just isn’t the case.” It’s important to remember that the world is full of people who are single both by choice and…well, not. So even though you feel all alone, you’re definitely not. “You’re really only ever getting the highlight reel of someone’s relationship, whether it’s on social media or from their own mouth.” —Susan Winter, relationship expert Furthermore, Instagram and reality are not one and the same, and
Why We All Need More Space
January 30, 2019 at 07:00AM What’s really behind the deep anxiety of our modern, digital age? Continue Reading… Author Matt Haig | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
3 Mediterranean diet desserts that prove the eating plan isn’t just olive oil, nuts, and fish
January 30, 2019 at 06:42AM by CWC Photo: America’s Test Kitchen Don’t call it a comeback (because, really, did it ever really go anywhere?), but the Mediterranean diet is trending in a serious way. (Well keto, we had fun, but I’m just looking for something a bit more long-term…) Here’s the thing though: When you look for Mediterranean diet recipes—whether it’s on Google or the cookbook aisle at the bookstore—you’ll see amazing savory ideas, likely starring fish, legumes, nuts, and of course olive oil. But what about Mediterranean diet desserts? Is that even a thing? America’s Test Kitchen executive editor Dan Zuccarello is here to tell you that you can absolutely have dessert while sticking to the Mediterranean diet. (Phew!) You just have to change the way you think about it a little bit. “Dessert is viewed much differently in the Mediterranean than it is here,” says Zuccarello, the creative force behind the newly released The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook. “While we think of dessert as a regular occurrence and the final course to our meals, it is not uncommon for ‘dessert’ in the Mediterranean to simply be a piece of fresh fruit. That’s not to say cakes and cookies are not eaten; rather they are often saved for special family gatherings and celebrations.” Don’t find fruit on its own all that exciting? There are some easy ways to upgrade it. Here, Zuccarello shares three dessert ideas from his new book (which of course also includes loads of breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes,
Work your entire body with this intense two-minute plank series
January 30, 2019 at 05:58AM by CWC Once you’ve mastered the art of the perfect plank (abs tight, ass down, hands or forearms locked directly underneath your shoulders) there are approximately infinity different variations that amp up the full-body burn. Plank jacks! Hip dips! Knee taps! These are a few of my least favorite—but indisputably effective—versions of the move, all of which I do multiple times a week. This morning though, during a HIIT class at NYC’s Fithouse, trainer Mark Ribeiro put me through the hardest two-minute series of planks I have ever experienced. Seriously: When I looked at the droplets of water on my mat, I wasn’t sure if they were beads of sweat or tears. That’s how hard these planks were. And as much as I hated every single second of it, I’ve gotta admit that they definitely had me feeling the burn in the best possible way. You see, these weren’t like regular planks, they were cool planks weighted planks, which involved holding a dumbbell in one hand and going through various motions while holding yourself up with the other. “Adding a dumbbell to your plank routine creates instability,” explains Ribeiro. “This will force you to engage alternate muscle groups to keep you in a good plank form.” To try it on your own, start with a set of light weights and place one hand flat on the floor slightly inside your shoulder line for stability. Hold the dumbbell in the opposite hand, and while keeping your core tight and hips
Okay, let’s settle this—are GMOs bad for you or not?
January 30, 2019 at 04:38AM by CWC There are few food-related debates more polarizing than the one around genetically modified organisms, or GMOs as they’re more commonly known. (Other than the question about whether people who like black coffee are psychopaths, that is.) On one side of the fence, you’ve got those who claim that genetically modified foods are generally harmless. This cohort includes the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and 90 percent of members of the American Association for Advancement of Science. But then there’s another sizable crew of experts, including prominent doctors (like Mark Hyman, MD, and Frank Lipman, MD), nutritionists (Ashley Koff, RD), and advocacy organizations like the Environmental Working Group, who are a bit more skeptical. Most GMO detractors claim that it’s simply too soon to tell whether there are any long-term health effects connected to this relatively young technology, which has only been around for about 20 years. And many feel there’s evidence that GMOs actually might have a detrimental impact on our health and that of the planet. So who to believe? It’s a tricky question without a clear answer. Further complicating matters: Ordinary consumers don’t fully know how GMOs work. A new peer-reviewed study in the journal of Nature Human Behavior that interviewed 500 Americans about their stance on GMOs found that those who opposed GMOs the most understood the science behind them the least. This years-old debate is about to resurface in the national conversation because the US government has just finalized new rules
Dry skin is no match for these editor-approved moisturizing masks
January 30, 2019 at 04:49AM by CWC At this point, my friends kind of think I’m a freak when it comes to hydration. I can’t help myself, though—it’s the end of January and every time I touch one of my limbs, it feels lizard-like. These are desperate times. That’s why I’m never not around a humidifier, why I bathe myself in as much body oil as I can, and why I reach for all of the moisturizing skin-care essentials. While there are certain powerhouses for hydrating my skin—from hyaluronic acid serums to heavy creams—I’m very partial to the world of moisturizing face masks. Face masks are 20-minute ticket to hydrated, radiant bliss. Unlike acne-fighting clay masks or tingling exfoliating types, face masks in the moisturizing category are pure joy in that they’re solely meant to replenish your parched-ass skin with ingredients like glycerin and honey and squalane. Just recently, two of my fave clean beauty brands, True Botanicals and Tata Harper, launched—specifically—moisturizing masks as if they’ve read my (dry) mind. So, in the spirit of keeping everyone’s faces happy and hydrated, I present to you Well+Good editors’ all-time favorite moisturizing masks. Photo: True Botanicals True Botanicals Moisture Lock Overnight Mask, $60 “Putting this mask on is the ultimate luxury—it smells like what I would imagine the secret garden in a fairytale would smell like. Massaging it into my face is my favorite way to end my evening routine, because every time I use it, I know I’ll wake up with silky skin.