Month: March 2019

March 28, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When I check the nutrition label on the back of a newfound snack, I sometimes feel like the child protagonist in a horror movie who slowly opens a haunted jack-in-the-box. Will the impossible-to-pronounce ingredients be worthy of ominous music? A blood-curdling scream? OK, so that’s a tad bit melodramatic, but chances are that I won’t recognize at least one of the elements of the food I’m currently chewing. That’s true of xanthan gum, a food additive that makes a cameo in many baked goods, frozen foods, dressings, dairy and meat products, and even pet food. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), xanthan gum is a carbohydrate made by the secretion of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris (I know, cute), which is then harvested with an alcohol and ground into a fine powder. It’s approved for use in both organic and “made with organic” foods as a stabilizing and thickening agent. And its texturizing superpowers are part of why it’s so ubiquitously found in, well, almost everything you eat. Obviously, most people aren’t into the idea of food additives, since many are associated with inflammation and other potential health issues. However, xanthan gum appears to be the least offensive of all of them—it’s even in products that you’ll find at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s). “[Xanthan gum] has been shown in studies to be safe for consumption, however, digestive issues have been noticed at high quantities,” says Rebekah Blakely, RDN, registered nutritionist for

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March 28, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC My raven-haired, rock-goddess friend is highly social and keeps her social media thoroughly documented with glittering adventures. So I was gobsmacked when her most recent birthday party invite involved a no-phones policy, like some sort of Kardashian wedding. “So tomorrow everyone has to put their phones in a box upon entry,” she texted. “And I’m bringing art supplies and everyone can draw their memories.” I read the text again, then a third time, then read over the text that said she was setting up a tip jar for phone check. No phones? No social media? Tip jar? As the consummate introvert, this had real nightmare potential. Listen, I get the need for a digital detox, but the last time I went to a party sans phone was my 6th grade graduation dance. I wore a heinous Starburst-colored lace shirt, harbored crushes on anime characters, and rocked a deeply unfortunate frizzled bob cut. I was peak cringeworthy in a way that even the writers of Pen15 couldn’t dream up. All of that combined with my crippling social anxiety made me feel #blessed when the dawn of cell phones gave me a shield to hide behind at any all social gatherings. So why go back now to the dark ages now? Well, the no-phones birthday party turned out to be one of the most introvert-friendly gatherings I’ve been to in a while. Allow me to paint you a picture of all the reasons why (rather

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March 28, 2019 at 12:57PM by CWC Last year, the Associated Press found that 26 percent of Americans named health care as “the most important issue facing the country.” Yet when it comes to legislation, most of us prefer a summary to, say, the full text of a dense (but critically important) 974-page document known as the Affordable Care Act. Now, however, it’s more vital than ever to understand the nuances of the Obama-era law. A federal judge in Texas declared the law unconstitutional in late 2018. And now that the Justice Department has agreed with that ruling, Democrats in the House of Representatives are strategizing to defend it. Even if you don’t have an “Obamacare” health plan, it’s important to remember that the ACA isn’t just about safeguarding the health-care plans of nearly 20 million Americans. The bill also protects countless well-being initiatives that aren’t as general as “covered” or “not covered.” This is how the Affordable Care Act affects your life and the lives of all Americans: The Affordable Care Act allows those under 26 years of age to stay on their family’s health care plan The Affordable Care Act allows individuals ages 25 and younger to stay on their parents’ healthcare plan—even if they’re married, no longer living under their parents’ roof, still in school, no longer financially dependent on their parents, and even if they’re eligible to enroll in their own plan through work. Once they turn 26, they’re eligible to sign onto their own coverage through

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March 28, 2019 at 12:01PM by CWC Walking is so incredibly underrated. In the fitness-obsessed world we live in right now, people tend to lean into the hard-hitting staples of running, HIIT workouts, strength training, and, heck—even trampoline workouts to get their sweat on and their steps in. But you know what? The simple act of walking can count in your fitness game, too. Hear me out: Walking is like pre-running. It’s the absolute basic form of moving. And it whisks you from point A to B, while lifting your heart rate (hey, it’s more than when you just stand or sit). So it’s without a doubt a workout modality that counts towards your daily steps and wellness regimen. “Walking in general is a great aerobic exercise that burns calories, strengthens your cardiovascular endurance, and improves your mental health and wellness,” says John Thornhill, a master trainer at Aaptiv. “It’s a great cardio addition to a healthy fitness routine.” See, even a fitness trainer’s down with the practice. In fact, in support of the OG workout of the world, workout streaming platforms are now even offering guided walks—right alongside their guided runs and guided strength training sessions. It’s legit. “Walking is an excellent form of cardio if you do it with intensity and intention,” adds Thornhill, who has his own walking workouts such as ‘Groovy Walk’ and ‘Walking on Incline.’ “A casual stroll in the neighborhood may not make you sweat or spike your heart rate, but if you incorporate HIIT into

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