February 26, 2019 at 09:08AM by CWC The renaissance of the Mediterranean diet has prompted many to shake up their usual shopping list to include items Kalamata olives, whole grains, fatty fish, and high-quality olive oils. The Blue Zone-beloved eating plan is a frontrunner in the ongoing fight against inflammation, and now you have one more reason to join in on the hype: The retro regime helped crown Spain the healthiest country in the world. In a global health Index that ranked 169 countries based on criteria like life expectancy and environmental factors, Bloomberg gave Spain the highest health grade: 93 percent (that’s a solid A), while the U.S. came in 35th with a score of 73 (eek, that’s a D…minus). A 2018 review by Spain’s European Observatory on Health Systems observed a decade-long decline in cardiovascular diseases and deaths from cancer, and researchers say the Mediterranean eating plan—which is really just normal eating Spain—might be the reason why. A study published in 2018 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that 7,447 participants who were are a high cardiovascular risk found that those who ate a Mediterranean diet accompanied with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts had lesser incidence of major cardiac events when compared to a reduced-fat diet. And researchers believe that may well provide evidence for why Spain took the top spot (with Italy in close second earning a health grade of 92). Apart from taking those health ticker benefits to (*ahem*) to heart, it’s also important to remember that the
Month: February 2019
How to choose which crystal facial roller is right for your skin and your energy
February 26, 2019 at 09:32AM by CWC Crystal rollers might just be the chicest way to boost your skin. Not only do they make the most beautiful vanity décor—when they’re not chilling in the freezer, of course—but they also come with plenty of benefits for your face. But with so many different types available, how do you even know which one to choose? Despite using different crystals, jade, rose quartz, and amethyst rollers all seem like they do the same thing—and one expert says that’s generally pretty true. “In all honesty, the physical impact is very similar. It’s a hard, smooth surface that enables the user to roll and massage over the surface of the skin with a density that won’t crack too easily under heat,” says Abigail James, international facialist and skin-care expert. Because of their similarities in structure, you’ll notice beloved benefits from all of them, like de-puffing, increased blood circulation, improved skin elasticity, and lymphatic drainage. One major difference among rollers variety, though? Their spiritual healing properties. Since your skin can show improvements with each of the three options, your choice really comes down to choosing which crystal you want to introduce into your skincare routine. Here’s what you should know about each. 1. Jade rollers At this point, ultra-popular jade rollers are popping up just about everywhere. And there’s a lot of meaning behind that stunning green stone. “Jade is a happy stone that’s frequently used in the beauty industry globally, as well as in Chinese medicine,” James says. “It’s praised
“I’m going to try to stay alive if only to spite my insurance company”
February 26, 2019 at 09:00AM by CWC Here’s something I recently said over the phone to a customer service representative from my insurance company: “I hope your children don’t get diabetes, but if they do, then you’ll know what this is like.” And: “I know your employers would prefer it if I died.” And: “You work for an evil corporation and what you do is immoral.” And: “I’m going to stay on this insurance forever so when I have to get my foot amputated because you denied my claims you’ll have to pay for that, too.” And: “Forgive me. I know it’s not your fault. It’s just that I’m so afraid, all the time.” I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for 16 years. Up to 10 times every day, I test my blood sugar by pricking my finger and feeding some of my blood into a small plastic strip. Without insurance, each blood test strip costs $1.40. After I test my blood sugar, I often have to inject myself with insulin. One vial of Humalog, the insulin I use, costs $270 (up from $50 the year I was diagnosed). One vial lasts me about 10 days, roughly the same amount of time I would be able to live without it. At a minimum, that’s $1,230 each month—an amount I cannot afford. Insurance companies deny claims like it’s their job (because it is). I’ve had more than six different insurance plans (of a wide range of quality) and every one has
This May Be The Key To Being Happy At Work, Study Says
February 26, 2019 New research highlights the importance of being authentic at work—which can do wonders for your happiness Continue Reading… Author Elizabeth Gerson | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but these recipes for Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi are super simple to make
February 26, 2019 at 08:20AM by CWC Is there a better pinch hitter than Trader Joe’s when you’re in a bind for dinner? Walking down the freezer section is pure easy meal heaven: There’s the cauliflower (and now broccoli and kale) pre-made pizza crusts, an insane amount of wholesome microwavable meals, and—maybe the most popular of them all—the beloved cauliflower gnocchi. While traditional gnocchi is made from potatoes, flour, and egg, these better-for-you morsels give you the same taste and texture the low-carb and vegan way, with only a few ingredients. In fact, cauliflower makes up 75 percent of the final product. But that standby cauli-gnocchi and red sauce dish can get old, fast. So the next time you stock up (by like, buying 20 bags at once…only me?), try one of these dishes for inspo. 1. Cauliflower gnocchi with pesto You can’t go wrong with plain old pesto on your gnocchi—and a sprinkle of vegan mozzarella on top. View this post on Instagram Today, I’m grateful to live in a world where frozen cauliflower gnocchi exists im including my instructions for cauliflower gnocchi here because it’s a common question I get. Anyway, this is my famous cream-cheese pesto over @traderjoes cauliflower gnocchi topped with @miyokoscreamery mozzarella! I hope you’re all having a fabulous Monday. BTW has anyone tried intermittent fasting? I’m thinking about trying it out to help with my digestion and wanted your thoughts! _______ Cauliflower gnocchi instructions: DO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON BAG. Turns out mush. 1.
Happy 100th Birthday, Grand Canyon! Here’s How You Can Help Keep It Beautiful For Another Century
February 26, 2019 at 08:19AM Consider giving the national park a little gift this year. Continue Reading… Author Emma Loewe | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
8 of Brie Larson’s most challenging workouts to bookmark now
February 26, 2019 at 08:09AM by CWC When I was watching the Oscars last weekend, the standout wellness wins—including Melissa McCartney’s now-iconic Adidas track suit—weren’t the only things that caught my eye. When Brie Larson arrived, I may or may not have experienced a full-on jaw-drop: I couldn’t take my eyes off her ridiculously toned arms. So much so that I ignored the next 10 minutes of the show because I was too busy stalking her Instagram page to steal the real-life Captain Marvel’s gym routine. Larson has admitted she’s never been a fan of hitting the gym, but that all changed when she started amping up her training sessions to prepare for her starring super hero role. Big-time. This girl’s workouts don’t involve a quick run on the treadmill and some dumbbell exercises. Instead, she literally pushes a 5,000-pound Jeep around. Basically, she’s officially my inspiration for all things fitness-related from here on out, and these badass workout videos will most definitely make her yours, too. Keep scrolling to find her workouts to bookmark now (if you have a Jeep that is…). View this post on Instagram A training highlight – pushing @risemovement almost 5000lbs Jeep(with a full tank of gas and Alyssa behind the wheel for safety!)for 60 seconds. In Captain Marvel @nike Metcons! It’s a strong vibe but I like it. A post shared by Brie (@brielarson) on Feb 11, 2019 at 4:03pm PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. Jeep workout Oh you know, she’s just pushing a 5,000-pound jeep will a
As a queer woman who dates men, Miley Cyrus makes me feel seen—but she’s wrong about one important thing
February 26, 2019 at 08:01AM by CWC Miley Cyrus is queer—and her recent Vanity Fair cover story makes clear that she wants to everyone to know her recent marriage to Liam Hemsworth doesn’t change that. “A big part of my pride and identity is being a queer person,” says the artist, who came out as pansexual and then genderqueer several years ago. I, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, applaud Cyrus for the reminder—but she still has some work to do as a public ally. After identifying as a lesbian for the first quarter-century of my life, I fell for a cisgender man. From the outside looking in, we didn’t seem all that different from any other hetero duo. And as our relationship grew more serious, I felt like my previous experiences as a queer-identifying woman were getting erased. I wondered whether it possible to continue identifying as queer, even within my relationship, which felt very heterosexual in nature. At the time, the answer seemed like a clear, hard no. And as such, I felt an incredible sense of loss. But what Cyrus (rightfully) contends in the Vanity Fair piece is that your queerness doesn’t disintegrate just because your relationship looks heterosexual. Your sexual identity is not a reflection of your partner’s gender, but rather a reflection of how you define yourself. For both queer women like me (who do, have, or will date cisgender men) and a general society that glosses over the intricacies of desire and identity, that’s a powerful notion.
Why The Ketogenic Diet Is Great For Hormone Balance
February 26, 2019 at 07:45AM The high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet helps support hormone balance, whatever your age. Continue Reading… Author Anna Cabeca, D.O. | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
New Study Finds Exactly How Much Sleep Parents Lose After Having A Kid
February 26, 2019 at 07:17AM New research has found the exact amount of sleep you can kiss goodbye if you’re ready to raise a kid. Continue Reading… Author Elizabeth Gerson | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue