Day: May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpUMmDLxK_w] You probably already know that that probiotics are key for keeping your gut healthy. But herbalist, health coach, and Supernatural founder Rachelle Robinett says there’s another substance that can majorly boost gut health: acacia fiber. It’s so beneficial that it’s the starring ingredient in her Supernatural Smoothie, which she whips up in the latest episode of Well+Good’s YouTube series, Plant-Based. “Acacia fiber is a form of prebiotic fiber,” Robinett explains in the episode. “It’s a soluble fiber and what your gut bacteria need to live.” Basically, the acacia fiber feeds the probiotic bacteria in the gut. This, Robinett says, helps the body better digest and absorb food, which in turn leads to more energy, a better mood, and all sorts of other benefits. It’s no surprise that acacia fiber has become a popular (and more natural) way for brands to add fiber into their products—like Bulletproof’s forthcoming high-fiber powder, InnerFuel. Robinett shares up her go-to, fiber-backed smoothie recipe that just so happens to be rich in acacia fiber. But if you want to know how to make it, you have to watch the video above for the full scoop. Health experts are all-in when it comes to fiber, but there are some things you should know before adding it in earnest to your diet. And another wellness beverage Robinett likes to sip on: sparkling beauty water. Continue Reading… Author Emily Laurence | Well and Good Selected by iversue

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May 15, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Growing up, I used to emulate my mom in terms of a beauty routine. I’d swipe on lipstick and think that was the most glamorous of all. As a teen, I copied my peers, shellacking on lip gloss and baby-blue eyeshadow. Now—as a mature, skin-care loving adult—my beauty regimen has been streamlined after years of trial and error—but, most importantly, after learning a lot from dermatologists. Every time I get to talk or meet with a derm, I immediately pull out my recorder and hold onto every single word of advice they dole out. I’m even kinda starstruck by them, since I look up to derms as the true heroes and scientists behind healthy skin—so whenever I get the chance, I ask them as many questions as humanly possible in the time I have with them. The topic on my mind as of late? Things that dermatologists would absolutely never do to their skin. Clearly, judging by my own skin-care history (chock-full of over-exfoliation, product saturation, and harsh irritants), I’m so curious to hear the experts’ own mistakes, along with common skin-care practices that they’d never do to their own complexions. And so: These are the three habits you should never incorporate into your own beauty routine, according to derms. 1. Pick zits This is one you’ve probably heard often, but it remains a skin-care staple: Do not pick your pimples. “I’d never pick at a zit!” says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, dermatologist and

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May 15, 2019 at 12:14PM by CWC Maybe the margin of every notebook you’ve ever owned (yup, even the one for “notes” at work) is filled with doodles you’ve been honing since second grade. Maybe you can’t draw a straight line. Either way, if you’re coping with trauma or are just looking for a science-backed way to relieve stress, art therapy could be another strategy to help you process what you’re going through. This isn’t a usual art class where you learn a new technique or draw from a model. Trained therapists use a variety of materials—paper, pen, watercolors, clay—to help people express their thoughts and emotions. More than the artwork itself, “art therapy is about the process, and using art to explore and learn more about yourself,” says Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC, ACTP, an art therapist in private practice for 20 years. It’s something that has a pretty considerable appeal—in a recent survey conducted by Saatchi Art on art and wellness, 88 percent of respondents said they would use or consider using art therapy as part of their own self-care. But what is art therapy, exactly? Experts share everything you need to know about the important mental health practice. Who could benefit from art therapy? Art was first used therapeutically in psychiatric wards and hospitals in the 1940s, often for people who had a hard time expressing themselves verbally. The American Art Therapists Association (AATA) was founded in 1969, with the Art Therapy Credentials Board created in 1993 to

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May 15, 2019 at 11:14AM by CWC Every once in a while—including on this very morning—I rub my lips together and discover that teeny, tiny blackheads have popped up around their perimeter. They’re not painful like normal pimples, and honestly you can barely even see them, but it’s more that they’re just kind of… there, begging to be squeezed into oblivion. Thanks to the near militaristic dedication of my skin-care routine, I rarely get blackheads anywhere else on my face, so I can’t help but wonder why these pesky little suckers keep coming back to haunt me. And when I posed the question to my colleagues, I learned that mine aren’t the only set of lips being targeted. So what gives? “Blackheads are blockages within your pores that have a wide opening to the skin, so the trapped oil is easily visible. It is not uncommon to develop blackheads around the mouth, because of the high concentration of oil glands in this area,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, noting that these can also pop up on your chin, nose, and forehead. There are a few things that can cause blackheads to emerge around your mouth, the most significant of which actually isn’t your lip products—it’s your hormones. “Sure, certain lip balms, lipsticks toothpastes or things that people use around their mouths can certainly irritate and clog the pores, but it’s usually more than just that. Usually it’s hormonal.” says dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who also lists hair removal methods like waxing

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May 15, 2019 at 10:02AM by CWC Less than 24 hours after Alabama lawmakers voted to ban almost all abortions, Planned Parenthood’s Southeast call center is inundated with hundreds of calls from women in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Each and every one is asking a similar question: If Gov. Kay Ivey signs the bill into law today as her Republican colleagues expect, what does that mean for my reproductive health care? In a press call this morning, Staci Fox, CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates, stressed that abortion is currently still legal in all 50 states. If the Alabama bill is signed into law, it will take six months to go into effect. Similarly, the “fetal heartbeat” bill that the governor of Georgia signed into law earlier this month won’t go into effect until 2020, reports The New York Times. And both are likely to face immediate legal challenges that would temporarily stop them from going into effect. “It’s important that we continue this cadence of reminding patients in states, especially here in Alabama and here in Georgia, that abortion is still safe, and legal, and accessible—and we are fighting every step of the way to make sure that stays true,” says Fox. You can advocate for abortion rights everywhere without leaving your home state. (This Twitter thread provides suggestions based on your geographical location.) Start by circulating a message championing reproductive rights throughout social media, and to any acquaintances, relatives, or friends you may have in Alabama and Georgia.

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