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
Month: May 2019
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
These 3 New Personality Types Describe How Easily You’re Persuaded
May 24, 2019 at 08:56AM This is actually very helpful info for how to best motivate yourself to adopt a new habit. Continue Reading… Author Kelly Gonsalves | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
These 3 New Personality Types Describe How Easily You’re Persuaded
May 24, 2019 at 08:56AM This is actually very helpful info for how to best motivate yourself to adopt a new habit. Continue Reading… Author Kelly Gonsalves | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
How to make cold brew coffee at home, because damn that stuff is expensive
May 24, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Ahh, coffee. There’s nothing like the intoxicating aroma of a warm cup of joe first thing in the morning (not the mention the much-needed energy boost it provides). At least, until summer rolls around and you switch over to the delight that is cold brew coffee. “Cold brew has a richness and smoothness of flavor you just don’t get from refrigerating brewed coffee,” says Jordan G. Hardin, the director of food and beverage for cult-favorite LA coffee spot Alfred. “Since the beans are never heated, the infusion is much gentler, and you get a less acidic and sweeter coffee. I promise you’ll taste the difference.” The best thing about cold brew coffee though (especially for us lazy folks) is that it’s super easy to make at home, and for way less than the $5 per cup you’d pay at your local coffee shop. You can even make a big batch to last you all week. Here, Hardin breaks down how to make cold brew coffee at home. What do you need to make cold brew? Good news: You don’t need a ton of fancy shmancy supplies to make cold brew coffee at home. Consider this your list of essentials, courtesy of Hardin: coffee beans of your choice coffee grinder (optional) fine mesh strainer filter large jar or other vessel cold water Cool, so how do you make cold brew coffee at home? 1. Grind your coffee. Any type of coffee will work but
How to make cold brew coffee at home, because damn that stuff is expensive
May 24, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Ahh, coffee. There’s nothing like the intoxicating aroma of a warm cup of joe first thing in the morning (not the mention the much-needed energy boost it provides). At least, until summer rolls around and you switch over to the delight that is cold brew coffee. “Cold brew has a richness and smoothness of flavor you just don’t get from refrigerating brewed coffee,” says Jordan G. Hardin, the director of food and beverage for cult-favorite LA coffee spot Alfred. “Since the beans are never heated, the infusion is much gentler, and you get a less acidic and sweeter coffee. I promise you’ll taste the difference.” The best thing about cold brew coffee though (especially for us lazy folks) is that it’s super easy to make at home, and for way less than the $5 per cup you’d pay at your local coffee shop. You can even make a big batch to last you all week. Here, Hardin breaks down how to make cold brew coffee at home. What do you need to make cold brew? Good news: You don’t need a ton of fancy shmancy supplies to make cold brew coffee at home. Consider this your list of essentials, courtesy of Hardin: coffee beans of your choice coffee grinder (optional) fine mesh strainer filter large jar or other vessel cold water Cool, so how do you make cold brew coffee at home? 1. Grind your coffee. Any type of coffee will work but
No matter where body acne pops up, here’s how dermatologists send it packing
May 24, 2019 at 07:49AM by CWC Summer is almost here, which means walking around with your entire body coated in sweat will happen as frequently as influencers posting photos on top of swan floats. And with all that sweat inevitably comes body acne. Just like with your face, a combination of oil and grime on top of your skin can cause breakouts pretty much anywhere on your body—from your chest to your arms and legs to your butt. “Facial and body acne share several similarities, and can both be driven by overactive oil glands, delayed sloughing of dead skin cells and colonization with P acnes bacteria,” says Dr. Marla Diakow, MD of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Garden City, New York. But, she says, there’s one major difference. “Acne-like bumps on the body are more often from folliculitis, which is triggered by inflammation of the hair follicles.” As anyone who’s ever dealt with acne on their faces probably knows, there’s rarely just one thing causing it—chances are, it’s a combination of a few different factors coming together for a perfect storm. First, let’s break it down at a biological level. Part of the reason acne develops in general is because of excess oil secreted by our sebaceous glands, and there happen to be more of those glands on our chests and backs, which is why breakouts in those areas tend to be so common. “They love the oily environment, and our immune system works hard to fight against them, which causes
No matter where body acne pops up, here’s how dermatologists send it packing
May 24, 2019 at 07:49AM by CWC Summer is almost here, which means walking around with your entire body coated in sweat will happen as frequently as influencers posting photos on top of swan floats. And with all that sweat inevitably comes body acne. Just like with your face, a combination of oil and grime on top of your skin can cause breakouts pretty much anywhere on your body—from your chest to your arms and legs to your butt. “Facial and body acne share several similarities, and can both be driven by overactive oil glands, delayed sloughing of dead skin cells and colonization with P acnes bacteria,” says Dr. Marla Diakow, MD of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Garden City, New York. But, she says, there’s one major difference. “Acne-like bumps on the body are more often from folliculitis, which is triggered by inflammation of the hair follicles.” As anyone who’s ever dealt with acne on their faces probably knows, there’s rarely just one thing causing it—chances are, it’s a combination of a few different factors coming together for a perfect storm. First, let’s break it down at a biological level. Part of the reason acne develops in general is because of excess oil secreted by our sebaceous glands, and there happen to be more of those glands on our chests and backs, which is why breakouts in those areas tend to be so common. “They love the oily environment, and our immune system works hard to fight against them, which causes