May 24, 2019 at 11:07AM by CWC The shoulder knots I deal with on a daily basis (thanks, hardcore workout classes and terrible posture) are so bad that they keep me up at night. But as a single gal living in New York City (boys, get @ me), I don’t have a partner-slash-in-bed-massage-therapist to help me get them out at night. And since spending money on regular rub downs at the hands of a professional isn’t exactly in the 2019 budget, I’ve gotta find another solution. While you can invest in a professional grade tool or one of those pricey back massagers that vaguely look like they could be used to massage another more… personal area on your body (vibrators. they look like vibrators.), experts agree that one of the most effective ways to unwind those shoulder knots also happens to be one of the most effective. Enter: the lacrosse ball, which is a whole lot more fun to hang out in your bedroom with than most of the lacrosse players I dated in college. “A lacrosse ball is the perfect size ball to release muscles in and around your shoulder,” says Dr. Gary Olson of the LI Spine and Sports Injury Center. “It’s best to lean against the wall, with the ball in between your spine and the wall, then move up and down slowly, massaging any knots or tender areas.” You can also try the same trick with a tennis ball, depending on where your fandom lies. You
Day: May 24, 2019
Cancel your massage: This $1 buy will get *all* the knots out
May 24, 2019 at 11:07AM by CWC The shoulder knots I deal with on a daily basis (thanks, hardcore workout classes and terrible posture) are so bad that they keep me up at night. But as a single gal living in New York City (boys, get @ me), I don’t have a partner-slash-in-bed-massage-therapist to help me get them out at night. And since spending money on regular rub downs at the hands of a professional isn’t exactly in the 2019 budget, I’ve gotta find another solution. While you can invest in a professional grade tool or one of those pricey back massagers that vaguely look like they could be used to massage another more… personal area on your body (vibrators. they look like vibrators.), experts agree that one of the most effective ways to unwind those shoulder knots also happens to be one of the most effective. Enter: the lacrosse ball, which is a whole lot more fun to hang out in your bedroom with than most of the lacrosse players I dated in college. “A lacrosse ball is the perfect size ball to release muscles in and around your shoulder,” says Dr. Gary Olson of the LI Spine and Sports Injury Center. “It’s best to lean against the wall, with the ball in between your spine and the wall, then move up and down slowly, massaging any knots or tender areas.” You can also try the same trick with a tennis ball, depending on where your fandom lies. You
This genius dish soap hack will make your white sneakers look brand spanking new again
May 24, 2019 at 10:39AM by CWC Pretty much every person I know owns at least one pair of white sneakers. And when I’m walking down the streets of New York City, dozens if not hundreds of white sneaks pass by me as I strut about in my own white Vans. But here’s the thing: Almost none of these white sneakers that I see all day everyday are actually white anymore. Which means that the majority of white sneakers out there are actually a variety of off-white/cream/pale beige hues. That’s not to say you can’t rehabilitate them back to brand-spankin’ new white, though—there are plenty of cleaning hacks out there. You can use baking soda, a washing machine, or some elbow grease—but the easiest way to clean white sneakers is one I just learned about, and it involves something you definitely already have handy: dish soap. It sounds weird, since your dish soap is typically used on, well, your dishes and not stuff in your wardrobe—but Maeve Richmond, founder of home organizational company Maeve’s Method, says it’s great for your white sneaks. “Sure, dish soap seems like it should only be used for pots and pans, but it’s actually a great all-purpose cleaning tool for the home…including shoes,” she tells me. That’s because of the magical cleansing agents within it. “The primary active ingredient in dish soap is detergent, so when mixed with water, it creates light, foamy bubbles which are great for penetrating stains and breaking down oils.” AKA all
This genius dish soap hack will make your white sneakers look brand spanking new again
May 24, 2019 at 10:39AM by CWC Pretty much every person I know owns at least one pair of white sneakers. And when I’m walking down the streets of New York City, dozens if not hundreds of white sneaks pass by me as I strut about in my own white Vans. But here’s the thing: Almost none of these white sneakers that I see all day everyday are actually white anymore. Which means that the majority of white sneakers out there are actually a variety of off-white/cream/pale beige hues. That’s not to say you can’t rehabilitate them back to brand-spankin’ new white, though—there are plenty of cleaning hacks out there. You can use baking soda, a washing machine, or some elbow grease—but the easiest way to clean white sneakers is one I just learned about, and it involves something you definitely already have handy: dish soap. It sounds weird, since your dish soap is typically used on, well, your dishes and not stuff in your wardrobe—but Maeve Richmond, founder of home organizational company Maeve’s Method, says it’s great for your white sneaks. “Sure, dish soap seems like it should only be used for pots and pans, but it’s actually a great all-purpose cleaning tool for the home…including shoes,” she tells me. That’s because of the magical cleansing agents within it. “The primary active ingredient in dish soap is detergent, so when mixed with water, it creates light, foamy bubbles which are great for penetrating stains and breaking down oils.” AKA all
The “Murph Challenge” is a workout created to honor veterans—here’s how to do it
May 24, 2019 at 10:26AM by CWC Most people will spend the weekend throwing back a few beers and grilling burgers. But for the CrossFit community, the highlight of Memorial Day weekend isn’t setting up an out-of-office automated reply on your work email; it’s completing in the Murph Challenge. The Murph Challenge was created in 2014 to honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL and recipient of the Medal of Honor for distinguished acts of valor during the war in Afghanistan. Lt. Murphy was killed in action in 2005, but his legacy lives on through the Murph Challenge, which has raised more than $1 million for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The challenge is a way to remember what Memorial Day is truly about while coming together as a fit squad. “The ‘Murph‘ is more than just a workout, it is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor a man who gave everything he had,” the foundation explains. So, what exactly does the challenge involve? Here’s a breakdown: How to complete the Murph Challenge 1 mile run 100 pullups 200 pushups 300 squats 1 mile run (yep, again) Intense, right? Only with CrossFit, it seems, do reps rise into the hundreds. But there’s a little twist to make this workout even harder. It’s all done while wearing a 20-pound weight vest. Nope, not a joke. The Murph Challenge is exactly what it sounds like: a
The “Murph Challenge” is a workout created to honor veterans—here’s how to do it
May 24, 2019 at 10:26AM by CWC Most people will spend the weekend throwing back a few beers and grilling burgers. But for the CrossFit community, the highlight of Memorial Day weekend isn’t setting up an out-of-office automated reply on your work email; it’s completing in the Murph Challenge. The Murph Challenge was created in 2014 to honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL and recipient of the Medal of Honor for distinguished acts of valor during the war in Afghanistan. Lt. Murphy was killed in action in 2005, but his legacy lives on through the Murph Challenge, which has raised more than $1 million for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The challenge is a way to remember what Memorial Day is truly about while coming together as a fit squad. “The ‘Murph‘ is more than just a workout, it is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor a man who gave everything he had,” the foundation explains. So, what exactly does the challenge involve? Here’s a breakdown: How to complete the Murph Challenge 1 mile run 100 pullups 200 pushups 300 squats 1 mile run (yep, again) Intense, right? Only with CrossFit, it seems, do reps rise into the hundreds. But there’s a little twist to make this workout even harder. It’s all done while wearing a 20-pound weight vest. Nope, not a joke. The Murph Challenge is exactly what it sounds like: a
A doula practice grows in Brooklyn, but its founder isn’t stopping there
May 24, 2019 at 09:56AM by CWC When I was invited to visit a new doula space in Brooklyn at the end of February, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Lots of incense, maybe? Scenes from Call the Midwife? But my arrival to Well+Good Council member Latham Thomas’ Circle by Mama Glow center in Williamsburg had me check my expectations at the brownstone door. Upon entering, it feels like you’re stepping into a friend’s living room. The light, airy rooms, decorated with colorful throw pillows, comfortable chairs, and West Elm-esque rugs, feel like miles away from the loud street on the other side of the door. (The secret: sound-proofed windows and doors.) The friendly seating area leads into another, larger room stocked with candles and meditative cushions. This is where Thomas says yoga classes, meditation sessions, and a doula immersion training takes place. (There’s also a fridge stocked with kombucha, because of course there is.) It’s a place that feels inviting, warm, and comfortable—which was exactly the point, Thomas tells me. “I’m so moved by community,” Thomas says. It’s a topic she circles back to again and again during our conversation—and something she sees as the heart of what it means to be a doula—a person hired to support and assist an expectant mother throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and early postnatal care. Modern childrearing is isolating, she says, far removed from our collective roots of “it takes a village” to properly raise a child. “Before, we were not just with one
People spent nearly $2 billion on brain-boosting tech last year—but you don’t need an app to stay sharp
May 24, 2019 at 09:33AM by CWC Every once in a while, when I’m in the passionate throws of Tetris Blitz, I get an ad for one of those brain games. You know, the apps that say if you’re able to make a bunch of words out of six letters, it’ll strengthen your memory tenfold. I’ve always been skeptic ’cause I figure, like, opening a book might be better swiping my screen, and that pause isn’t unfounded. According to a recent report by MarketWatch, consumers have spent over $1.9 billion on digital brain health and neurotechnology—but evidence as to whether they actually work is a little, um, lacking. While certain speed-of-processing cognitive training can lower risk of dementia, trying to fight the good fight against cognitive decline takes more than an app. Aside from brain games, we’ve got a pretty good idea as to what might help you stay sharp as a tack. Dig into some mind sharpening food Loading up on fiber, for example, helps boost protective proteins in the brain, and you can get your fill from red cabbage or cauliflower. (As if you needed another reason to make buffalo cauliflower or cauliflower parmesan bites!) And here’s some great news for fans of fungus: mushrooms have powerful antioxidants and one recent study shows that there’s a link between mushroom lovers and a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. And with the arrival of barbecue season, keep in mind that grass-fed organic red meat helps improve cognitive function,
Trader Joe’s new sparkling ACV drink lets you reap the benefits *without* the sour taste
May 24, 2019 at 09:08AM by CWC I vividly remember the first time I tried taking a shot of apple cider vinegar in my quest to be super healthy. (Keyword: Tried.) I spit it out into the sink, wondering why I expected sour vinegar to go down smoothly. I’ve yet to give ACV another chance, but a new beverage from Trader Joe’s might change my mind. The healthy grocer just added Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Drinking Vinegar to its shelves, allowing you to reap the benefits of ACV without having to drink it straight. At 30 calories and 5 grams of sugar a bottle, it’s better for you than traditional summer drinks—plus, it contains probiotics and could help give your gut health a boost. Something your favorite spritz probably can’t do. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trader Joe’s List (@traderjoeslist) on May 22, 2019 at 12:33pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js The ingredients list isn’t available just yet, but the debut flavor offers hints of strawberry and basil. It’s organic, refreshing, and lets you get in on the ACV trend in a much more enjoyable way. Here are 10 healthy uses for apple cider vinegar you should know about. Then, take a look at six apple cider vinegar-based beauty products that can totally transform your look. Continue Reading… Author Tehrene Firman | Well and Good Selected by iversue
5 Ways To Stay Energized While Traveling This Memorial Day
May 24, 2019 at 09:09AM Here’s what I suggest. Continue Reading… Author Nora Tobin | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC