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Day: April 21, 2019

2019 Health

A new 7-year astrological cycle is starting now—and it’s all about pleasure and embodiment

4 min read

April 21, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC This week there are a couple of major conjunctions happening, astrologer Jennifer Racioppi says. (What’s a conjunction? We’ve got you covered.) The first one’s all about pleasure and embodiment, and the second supports the healing of old wounds. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of these cosmic conditions. This week begins with the sun, which now travels in the sign of Taurus, conjoining Uranus, the planet of evolution. Uranus, a slow-moving outer planet, entered into Taurus on March 6 and will remain in the sign of the bull until 2026. Take time on Monday (the sun-Uranus conjunction perfects at 7:06 p.m. Eastern) to consider this: What changes do I want to make in my life as it relates to how I nourish myself? How can I bring more pleasure and embodiment in my life? How can I better handle my money? How can I show up for the earth and the planet more fully too? Taurus, after all, represents pleasure, embodiment, nourishment and the resources that fuel your life. Uranus offers new perspectives and encourages change. With the sun now in conjunction with this revolutionary planet, it’s the perfect time to set intentions for how you want to use this seven-year cycle to advance your spiritual journey. Here comes some serious healing (if you’re ready) On Tuesday, Venus (Taurus’ ruling planet) meets up with Chiron, the wounded healer, in Aries. This potent conjunction (the second significant conjunction of the

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2019 Health Fashion

6 things your spin instructor wants you to know before you clip into the bike for the first time

5 min read

April 21, 2019 at 10:02AM by CWC Of all the workout classes out there, spinning tends to be the one that brings on the most intense “gymtimdation” for beginners. With the strobe lights, loud music, and rapid-fire choreography, walking in for the first time can be nothing short of overwhelming. In fact, if I had a dollar for every time someone had told me that they’d never tried spinning because they were too scared, I’d practically be able to afford a year’s worth of SoulCycle classes. And unless you have the luxury of doing a digital class in the privacy of your home where you won’t be surrounded by professional-level cyclists who look like they could do tap-back crunch push-ups in their sleep (which in most tiny NYC apartments, is nothing short of a pipe dream), finding a beginner spin class workout can admittedly be challenging. But even so, that shouldn’t deter you from at least trying it out for yourself. To help, I asked spin instructors to share the advice that everyone should have before their first spin class. Read on for what they had to say, then get ready to clip in and tap it back like it ain’t no thang. 1. Listen to your body: Spinning can be unexpectedly intense, which may come as a surprise during your first time at the rodeo. “Cycling is an epic cardio event that can catch you off guard—don’t push at the level your body pushed at five years ago, or

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2019 Health Beauty

The one occasion when you should really be swiping on a facial toner

2 min read

April 21, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Out of all the skin-care products you could have in your regimen, some people say that the toner is the most superfluous. It’s even kind of controversial, as plenty of people argue that it’s a totally unnecessary beauty product to buy, while others wouldn’t dare apply serums without toning their skin first. Whatever camp you’re in, though, one thing rings true: You should use a toner if you’re working with hard water. A refresher—hard water is water that’s chock-full of magnesium and calcium that can complicate your complexion game by acting like free radicals. That’s compared to soft water, which has only minor levels of these. Signs you have hard water include having mineral deposit streaks on your dishes after washing them or buildup on your faucets or shower head. While you can definitely invest in a water softener that attaches to your faucets, an even easier solution is to—yep—swipe on a facial toner. “Toners are liquid skin-care products that have a slightly acidic pH to balance the skin’s natural pH level,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “The outer skin layer, referred to as the acid mantle, has a pH of about 5.5. Harsh scrubs, true soaps, and even hard water can disrupt the outer skin layer, alter the pH, and cause inflammation.” AKA nothing that you want to happen on your complexion. And so he recommends using a facial toner to combat the issue. “Toners can be helpful if you

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2019 Health Relaxation

Meet the ridiculously easy breathing exercise that’ll get you through every WTF moment in life

4 min read

April 21, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC When you’re internally freaking out about something, there’s no shortage of advice about how to handle it: sniff some lavender oil, pop some CBD oil under your tongue, roll out your yoga mat. And while all of these things have merit, holistic healer Ashley Neese is here to tell you that calming your nervous system can be even simpler than that. All you have to do, she says, is breathe. Okay, well there’s a little more to it than that: You have to breathe with intention, which isn’t how we, as humans, generally operate. Think about the last time you paid any attention to your respiration, outside of a workout or yoga class. It was probably a long time ago, if ever, right? “We are out of touch with our breath because we’re out of touch with our bodies,” says Neese, author of How to Breathe: 25 Simple Practices for Calm, Joy, and Resilience. There are lots of things that cause this detachment, she adds, including chronic stress, trauma, illness, negative body image, and disconnection from nature. But when we’re mindful of how we’re breathing, it can completely change our physical and emotional state—and fast. As Neese explains in How to Breathe, slowing your breathing rate in times of stress sends a message to your brain that everything is cool. As such, it can help your body transition from fight-or-flight mode into a state of greater peace, even if your external circumstances are still chaotic.

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2019 Health Diet Vegetarians

7 Mediterranean diet recipes you’ll love to make with your Instant Pot

3 min read

April 21, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC In the current moment, the Mediterranean diet and the Instant Pot dominate in conversations about food. Unlike some other wellness “trends,” these two stand the test of time. Pair them up for a match made in heaven. With an Instant Pot and the right ingredients, healthy and inventive dinners have never been easier. The secret to mastering Mediterranean diet cooking is having a go-to protein, a crisper full of veggies, and an arsenal of anti-inflammatory spices. Once you’ve crossed off your shopping list, these Instant Pot Mediterranean diet recipes are the perfect way to get started. 7 delicious Instant Pot Mediterranean diet recipes you can make in a flash Photo: Wholesome Delicious 1. Lemon pepper salmon It wouldn’t be a Mediterranean diet recipe roundup without salmon, right? This recipe is about as easy as weeknight dinners get. Besides water and salmon, all you need is ghee, a handful of spices, and three of your favorite vegetables. Five minutes of prep, 10 minutes in the Instant Pot, and dinner is served. Photo: From The Grapevine 2. Mediterranean spiced chicken Inspired by cuisine from Morocco, this meal is flavor packed. Cumin, coriander, garlic, and za’atar (red pepper flakes) blend together to bring the heat while red peppers, roma tomatoes, and chickpeas round out the taste, giving balance. Served over a bed of couscous, this 15-minute meal might just make it into your regular healthy meal rotation. Photo: Little Bits Of 3. Chicken shawarma Not only

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