May 31, 2019 at 07:15AM by CWC After eight hours of sitting at a 90-degree angle at my desk, I always feel like I need to dust of the proverbial cobwebs in my aching muscles. Truth be told, I usually reach for the remote—not my yoga mat—when I arrive home from work. But adding one (just one!) stretch to my evening routine would majorly combat my hip pain from sitting all day, every day. Introducing, the origami stretch (also known as “cat pulling its tail”)—a yummy, yoga teacher favorite for unfolding (ha!) super-compressed muscles. Yes, you can do it lying down. Yes, you could theoretically nap in the position. And yes, it works wonders on every last muscle group that suffers from sitting 24/7. To move into the stretch, yoga teacher Lindsay Pirozzi of New York City’s Y7 studio says to first get horizontal on a mat, in bed, on a paddle board, or—you know—really anywhere. How to use “cat pulling its tail” to combat hip pain from sitting “When the shoulders settle comfortably onto the ground, inhale while subtly drawing your navel in and up, and hug your right knee into your chest,” Pirozzi instructs. “As you exhale, guide your right knee across your body, to the opposite side. Allow the spine to gently rotate, placing your left hand on top of your right knee for support.” From there, rest your right knee on the ground (make sure it aligns with the hip socket) and extend your right arm at shoulder
Month: May 2019
This healthy banana bread won’t mess with your blood sugar thanks to two smart tweaks
May 31, 2019 at 06:59AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzRLZdwygNQ] There are few things in life better than a slice of banana bread. Just one bite can make you feel all warm and fuzzy, whether it’s paired with your morning coffee or with some nut butter for an afternoon snack. But that good feeling may not last long if it’s also packed with refined sugar and flour. (Hello, late-afternoon slump!) That’s why chefs Jenny Dorsey and Mia Rigden teamed up to show you how to make a gluten-, grain-, and refined sugar-free version of the classic treat in the latest episode of Alt-Baking Bootcamp, Well+Good’s new YouTube series. In order to keep the banana bread from taking your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride (while still preserving taste!), Dorsey and Rigden made two key tweaks to the classic recipe. First, the chefs swap white flour for a mix of coconut and almond flour. “Not using white gluten or grain-containing flours will make it have a lower glycemic load,” Rigden says. “Which means it will spike your blood sugar levels less and make it less likely that you’ll be craving sweet foods all day long.” They also incorporate cinnamon into this dessert, but not just because it tastes good. “Cinnamon actually helps regulate our blood sugar levels,” Rigden says, “so be sure to put a lot of cinnamon on your sweet foods.” The more you know! To get the full recipe, be sure to watch the video above. And if you’re
The comfiest sandals for getting in your 10,000 steps, according to a foot doctor
May 31, 2019 at 06:40AM by CWC Warm weather is finally here, which means 1) you can actually walk from point A to point B, instead of having to bundle yourself up in a parka and hurl yourself from your building into a taxi or train car, and 2) it is officially sandal season. Unfortunately, as my feet are currently well aware, those two things can be a lethal combination. I’ll spare you the vivid description of my numerous blisters and cracked skin, but let’s just say that my two-mile commute (or as I like to call it, strut) to work has taken a serious toll… mostly because I’ve been wearing the wrong shoes. The good news: You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort when it comes to finding the best sandals to walk in—as long as you know what you’re looking for. “For those looking to walk some good distances in their sandals, more than a simple flip flop is important,” says NYC-based podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM MS. “Some of the recommended features include a built-in arch support, such as that provided by Aetrex Sandals, straps that wrap around the ankle for stability, and quality materials such as cork that are absorbent to impact forces.” While all sandals can technically be worn for walking, that doesn’t mean they should be. “The risk of foot pain is higher in less appropriate sandals, including very flat sandals with no arch support, flip flops that have no true attachment to
3 key things that happen when you stop showering for a month
May 31, 2019 at 06:25AM by CWC Ever skip a shower after a workout? Maybe. What about skip a shower for an entire month? That’s what one writer from The Atlantic, James Hamblin, set out to do a few years back. No, it wasn’t out of laziness (although we wouldn’t quite blame him). It was actually an experiment to see whether his natural microbes—found in the gut, as we know, but also on the skin—were enough to keep him smelling clean and fresh, without any extra products. (He did wash his hands regularly, though, and rinsed off when he was visibly dirty, “like after a run when I have to wash gnats off my face, because there is still the matter of society.” Good call.) Hamblin was inspired to take on this challenge by journalist Julia Scott, who originally went a full month without showering. Scott sprayed herself daily with a bacterial body spray called nitrosamonas eutropha (kind of similar to the spray-on probiotics for your home), which is meant to replace every single one of your personal-care and beauty products and keep you clean and fresh-smelling. While it took her body the full 30 days to begin cultivating healthy bacteria naturally, it only took three showers to completely erase it—bringing her back to square one. Both brave, no-shower testers promised they (eventually) didn’t smell—and we’ll take their word for it—but they also both found a bevy of positive results from the challenge. Scroll down for the most surprising things that happen when you stop showering. (And we have to know: Would you try the
3 key things that happen when you stop showering for a month
May 31, 2019 at 06:25AM by CWC Ever skip a shower after a workout? Maybe. What about skip a shower for an entire month? That’s what one writer from The Atlantic, James Hamblin, set out to do a few years back. No, it wasn’t out of laziness (although we wouldn’t quite blame him). It was actually an experiment to see whether his natural microbes—found in the gut, as we know, but also on the skin—were enough to keep him smelling clean and fresh, without any extra products. (He did wash his hands regularly, though, and rinsed off when he was visibly dirty, “like after a run when I have to wash gnats off my face, because there is still the matter of society.” Good call.) Hamblin was inspired to take on this challenge by journalist Julia Scott, who originally went a full month without showering. Scott sprayed herself daily with a bacterial body spray called nitrosamonas eutropha (kind of similar to the spray-on probiotics for your home), which is meant to replace every single one of your personal-care and beauty products and keep you clean and fresh-smelling. While it took her body the full 30 days to begin cultivating healthy bacteria naturally, it only took three showers to completely erase it—bringing her back to square one. Both brave, no-shower testers promised they (eventually) didn’t smell—and we’ll take their word for it—but they also both found a bevy of positive results from the challenge. Scroll down for the most surprising things that happen when you stop showering. (And we have to know: Would you try the
9 comfy ‘Booksmart’-inspired jumpsuits that’ll earn you an A+ in summer party style
May 31, 2019 at 06:19AM by CWC For the uninitiated, Booksmart follows two overachieving besties who try to jam-pack a last chance at high-school revelry into a single night after having spent years playing things, well, by the book. Spoiler alert: They’re as successful in their party endeavor as they undoubtedly were on their AP tests—perhaps most notably in their #lewk for the night out. Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) end up styling themselves like badass Ghostbusters in comfy AF jumpsuits and sneakers. Some might call that an ill-informed fashion faux pas or just like, “a real chore if you need to pee.” But I, for one, am here for it because when you’re ready to eschew the JOMO and be a high-performing social butterfly, nothing says you’re ready to kick ass, take names, and make some memories like a cool jumpsuit. An all-purpose jumpsuit is the outfit for ambitious doers who prioritize function above all. Done right, it’s work-appropriate, errand-appropriate and gym-appropriate. It communicates that you’re crawling out of your introvert shell and you’re doing just fine. Sure, a case could be made for cute floral sundresses being the summertime party go-to, but the one-piece look encompasses enough visual interest that it doesn’t even need a wacky print to jazz it up. It is the strong and silent type that means business—even if the business at hand is a good time. Sure, the summer jumpsuit can be accessorized with the likes of funky belts, heeled metallic sandals,
9 comfy ‘Booksmart’-inspired jumpsuits that’ll earn you an A+ in summer party style
May 31, 2019 at 06:19AM by CWC For the uninitiated, Booksmart follows two overachieving besties who try to jam-pack a last chance at high-school revelry into a single night after having spent years playing things, well, by the book. Spoiler alert: They’re as successful in their party endeavor as they undoubtedly were on their AP tests—perhaps most notably in their #lewk for the night out. Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) end up styling themselves like badass Ghostbusters in comfy AF jumpsuits and sneakers. Some might call that an ill-informed fashion faux pas or just like, “a real chore if you need to pee.” But I, for one, am here for it because when you’re ready to eschew the JOMO and be a high-performing social butterfly, nothing says you’re ready to kick ass, take names, and make some memories like a cool jumpsuit. An all-purpose jumpsuit is the outfit for ambitious doers who prioritize function above all. Done right, it’s work-appropriate, errand-appropriate and gym-appropriate. It communicates that you’re crawling out of your introvert shell and you’re doing just fine. Sure, a case could be made for cute floral sundresses being the summertime party go-to, but the one-piece look encompasses enough visual interest that it doesn’t even need a wacky print to jazz it up. It is the strong and silent type that means business—even if the business at hand is a good time. Sure, the summer jumpsuit can be accessorized with the likes of funky belts, heeled metallic sandals,
The one diet change Jessica Biel says totally improved her digestion
May 31, 2019 at 05:35AM by CWC While some celebs curate their Instagram feed to only show photos of Sweetgreen salads and smoothies, just a peek at Jessica Biel’s shows she’s all about the balanced life. Instagramming lunch from Green Leaf Chop Shop one day and a chocolate cake the next is more her vibe. But she’s also totally in tune with her body and knows when something’s, well, a little off. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Biel reveals which foods make her feel less than sexy—and no, she’s not talking about sugar. “Honestly, I just feel better when I don’t have gluten or dairy,” she tells the newspaper. “My digestion is better, I feel better, and I have more energy.” (Maybe Mrs. Timberlake is hip to inflammation? Because avoiding those two food groups are basically step one to fighting it.) But that doesn’t mean she’s about to give up carbs. Biel says Paleo pancake mix is a staple at her house and almond butter is her hotcake topping of choice, which makes sense considering she also revealed she’s often looking for more ways to pump up her protein intake. And she says her go-to snack is gluten-free pretzels with an almond “cheese” dip…yum. Of course, she’s not perfectly gluten-free all the time. She says she still makes room for cookies and pizza within her healthy diet. Per InStyle, she’s also really into pasta. (Which, same.) Fighting inflammation, prioritizing protein…while not obsessing over any of it? The girl has wellness down. Originally posted January
How to turn a trusty plank series into an arms *and* abs burner
May 31, 2019 at 05:05AM by CWC There’s no greater joy in life than using the arm-flexing emoji and meaning it. And IRL, the same holds true. That’s why in strengthening your arms in the gym or at home during your sweat sesh can basically be a master class in feeling strong AF. And that doesn’t have to just mean cranking out reps with barbells. In fact, your trusty plank can give you all the support you need on your way to strengthening your arms as you light up your core. Happily, trainers have put together the ultimate arm-torching workout for all the good vibes and fire emojis at hand. If you’re looking to get stronger this summer, then keep on scrolling for all of the best moves to implore while in everyone’s favorite plank-ready position. 1. Push-up series “Push-ups help strengthen the chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, and upper back, while also recruiting the core, glutes, and quads to stay strong and stable in the position,” says Pure Barre vice president of training and technique Katelyn DiGiorgio. “There are so many variations of push-ups that are modifiable for most people and it is a great move to perfect over time.” To perform a series, she says to carefully come down to all fours and place your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. “Walk the feet back behind you, hip-width apart, and press the balls of your feet down into the floor,” she says. “Bend and press the arms (make sure
How to turn a trusty plank series into an arms *and* abs burner
May 31, 2019 at 05:05AM by CWC There’s no greater joy in life than using the arm-flexing emoji and meaning it. And IRL, the same holds true. That’s why in strengthening your arms in the gym or at home during your sweat sesh can basically be a master class in feeling strong AF. And that doesn’t have to just mean cranking out reps with barbells. In fact, your trusty plank can give you all the support you need on your way to strengthening your arms as you light up your core. Happily, trainers have put together the ultimate arm-torching workout for all the good vibes and fire emojis at hand. If you’re looking to get stronger this summer, then keep on scrolling for all of the best moves to implore while in everyone’s favorite plank-ready position. 1. Push-up series “Push-ups help strengthen the chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, and upper back, while also recruiting the core, glutes, and quads to stay strong and stable in the position,” says Pure Barre vice president of training and technique Katelyn DiGiorgio. “There are so many variations of push-ups that are modifiable for most people and it is a great move to perfect over time.” To perform a series, she says to carefully come down to all fours and place your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. “Walk the feet back behind you, hip-width apart, and press the balls of your feet down into the floor,” she says. “Bend and press the arms (make sure