May 14, 2019 at 10:56AM by CWC If black tea and green tea had a baby, it would be a little like oolong tea. Slightly grassy with a hint of sweetness, oolong is a bit harder to track down than its cousins Earl Grey, matcha, or English breakfast, but it’s definitely worth going out of your way to find given its impressive health-boosting, stress-reducing benefits. “It has similar health benefits to black and green tea and is actually made from the same leaves as green tea. The difference is how it is processed,” explains registered dietitian Amy Shapiro, RD. “Green tea leaves are not allowed to oxidize much and black tea is. Oolong falls somewhere in the middle.” Here, Shapiro gives the scoop on what makes it so great. What are some health-related oolong tea benefits? 1. It can help the body manage stress. Shapiro says oolong tea contains l-theanine, an amino acid that’s associated with sleep and relaxation. “This is what is responsible for the relaxing effect oolong tea has,” she says. Scientific research shows that l-theanine stimulates alpha waves in your brain, which are associated with a relaxed, focused state of mind. Of course, oolong also has caffeine, so you’ll feel focused, not sleepy. (So, better as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up than a bedtime drink.) 2. Oolong tea is full of polyphenols. Shapiro also points out that oolong tea is high in polyphenols, which are linked to lowering inflammation and help protect the body against free radicals and prevent the growth
Month: May 2019
Everything about the Outdoor Voices x Madewell collab is cute—but honestly, I’m here for the tote
May 14, 2019 at 10:33AM by CWC When two brands we love collaborate with one another, it’s like that time Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men blessed the airwaves with “One Sweet Day.” Now that Outdoor Voices and Madewell have had an athleisure baby that takes the form of items like ready-to-sweat sets ($95), scrunchies ($10), and—my personal favorite—a sassy tote ($12), my wardrobe is ready to reap the rewards. The collection could be placed next to the word “technicolor” in the dictionary. OV’s signature colorblock sets adopt the cool grey, pink, and blue hues that Madewell devotees know and love. (And duh, there’s a matching scrunchy in your color palette of choice.) You can also snag a T-shirt ($45) or a sweatshirt ($80) adorned with wave-like pattern if you’re channeling a “surf’s up!” kinda vibe. Photo: Outdoor Voices As I mentioned, I’m particularly smitten with the tote—a striped montage to both brands, which—if worn to Trader Joe’s or thrown over a shoulder en route to the beach—is sure to spark envious double-takes. We’re guessing the whole line is already selling like avocado toast, so if you want to get in on the sporty look, grab your (ca-yute!) tote and shop until the next Madewell x Outdoor Voices drop. Ready to style those leggings for the office? Here’s how to pull it off. Oh, and ICYMI, bike shorts are taking over. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by iversue
Trainers agree: Vanessa Hudgens’ workout equation is something everyone can learn from
May 14, 2019 at 09:34AM by CWC Vanessa Hudgens is really, really strong. I know this, because when I worked out next to her at an event for Propel Vitamin Boost yesterday (and made all of my eighth grade dreams come true), she was not messing around. She piled on double the amount of ankle weights as the rest of us did, held a perfectly-formed plank for an entire song, and somehow made it all look so easy that she walked out with her hair and makeup still intact. I, on the other hand, collapsed on the floor into a pile of my own sweat. When Hudgens and I sat down to chat after 45-minutes of Megan Roup kicking our butts (and after I chugged two bottles of Propel’s new electrolyte water to replace all the water I’d lost during the workout), I had to know what her strength-building secret is. And while I was fully expecting her to cop to spending 2+ hours a day with a trainer, the reason behind her success in the gym is actually super simple: consistency and variety. She told me that she has pretty much stuck with the same three workouts—SoulCycle, Pilates, and yoga—for the better part of the last ten years, mixing things up throughout the week to target different parts of her body. And, in case the results didn’t speak for themselves, pros confirm that she’s onto something with this methodology. “It’s really important to mix up your routine to ensure
Fight Seasonal Allergies With This Integrative Doctor-Approved Tonic
May 14, 2019 at 09:10AM These powerhouse ingredients will help you beat the sniffles, STAT! Continue Reading… Author Taz Bhatia, M.D. | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
Yale scientists discover possible route to PTSD-related suicide prevention
May 14, 2019 at 08:44AM by CWC From 2000 to 2016, the rate of death by suicide in the United States increased by 30 percent. For the estimated 5 percent of Americans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a major risk factor for suicide, new research shows progress toward the prevention of self-harm. A small study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a connection between people who suffer from PTSD with a likelihood of committing suicide to a specific biomarker (a visible indication of someone’s medical state), reports The Yale Daily News. Using PET imaging, the team of researchers at Yale University looked at the brains of 87 people (29 with PTSD, 29 with depression, and 29 with neither). The brain scans of the PTSD group with current suicidal thoughts showed higher levels of metabotropic glutamatergic receptor 5, or mGluR5, which has been linked to both mood and anxiety disorders. Researchers did not find raised levels in the depressed group, which included both individuals with and without suicidal thoughts. Irina Esterlis, PhD, the associate professor of psychiatry at Yale who authored the study, posits that the finding could possibly have meaningful implications for people who have lived through trauma. When their PET scans show high levels of mGluR5, mental health professionals can step in on time to give them resources and psychiatric help to prevent them from committing suicide. It’s viewed as a breakthrough for the scientific community as well, given that—if researchers
6 Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Dementia, According To A New Report
May 14, 2019 at 08:32AM These lifestyle changes may reduce your risk of cognitive decline. Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
This low-sugar milkshake recipe packs two cups of vegetables, but you’d never know
May 14, 2019 at 08:19AM by CWC When you think of milkshakes, you probably picture a creamy dessert with a cherry on top. You just know it’s loaded with sugar—both natural and added—to the brim. But you don’t actually need all that sweet stuff to make a delicious and healthy milkshake. You can create an equally mouth-watering final product with vegetables instead of fruit and dairy. Sneaking veggies into smoothies is nothing new, but Lauren Kirchmaier, the recipe developer behind Flora & Vino, recently shared her new favorite treat—a fruit-free milkshake that contain two cups of vegetables as well as healthy fats and protein. Whether you’re trying to live that low-sugar life or simply aren’t a fan of fruit, there’s no healthier way to enjoy dessert. To make a healthy milkshake, Kirchmaier begins with a base of unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, nut butter or peanut powder, and a two cup mix of cauliflower, broccoli stems, green zucchini, and sweet potato. The result is something more savory than sweet. “The taste is slightly sweet from the incorporation of root veggies—mainly the sweet potato. It’s like a healthier Frosty,” she tells me. After blending the base, you can add flavor with vanilla, cinnamon, or chocolate chips. In minutes, you’ll be sipping on a decadent yet healthy milkshake that’s so good you’ll forget it’s even made from vegetables in the first place. And what’s better than meeting your daily guidelines through dessert? Interested in more healthy desserts? First find out why Trader
Sharing AirPods with running buddies is the best way to pass the miles
May 14, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC Some days, solo workouts are a recipe for a clear head and calmer vibes. Others, it’s good to have a partner in sweat to get through the endorphin-filled tough stuff with. Plus, that fit buddy can help you go harder for longer, according to research. Those who planked with a partner were able to hold the exercise for up to 24 percent more time than those doing it alone, according to a study published in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. In fact, over half of the people who participated in a Sonos study said that music helped them to push themselves harder and workout for longer and a whopping 68 percent said that music is the motivation that helps them show up when they otherwise would’ve skipped. A guaranteed way to bring some fire to your next joint workout? Turning up the tunes. While it may not necessarily make you focus in on the task at hand, music will lead to an increase in overall enjoyment, according to Brunel University research. In this particular study, participants liked the effort 28 percent more when listening to Pharrell versus hitting the track sans beats (and 13 percent more than a podcast, FWIW). Plus, music promotes closeness and connection—ideal aspects to any good partner workout. Granted, you don’t have the opportunity to blast a stereo anywhere and everywhere. And that’s where the Airpod sharing comes in. Now that the ear buds are wireless, it’s
14 healthy foods to snag at Wegmans for under $5
May 14, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Despite Wegmans being the most popular grocery store chain in the entire country, when it comes to scoring healthy go-tos for cheap, Trader Joes, Costco, and Aldi tend to get all the love. It isn’t public knowledge, it seems, that the East Coast grocery chain’s aisles are full of inexpensive wellness wins, too. (They also have tons of free food samples, so you can basically get a free meal while you shop while you save money.) Rounded up here are 14 healthy foods and drinks all under $5—no coupons necessary. All the items are by Wegmans’ own “Feel Good About” store brand or their Wegmans Organic store brand, which includes over 3,000 products. All the “Feel Good About” items are free of artificial ingredients, flavors, and preservatives, and the majority is organic. From riced cauliflower to sweet potato hummus, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of the best healthy food you can buy at Wegmans. Wegmans wellness wins Buy Now Wegmans Organic Vanilla & Almond Granola $3.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Steel Cut Oats $3.49 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Chia Seeds $3.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Popcorn with Olive Oil & Himalayan Salt $2.49 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Chickpea Penne $2.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Beef Bone Broth $3.99 Buy Now Wegmans Feel Good About Dark Chocolate, 72% Cacao $1.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Riced Caulifower $2.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Green Pea Fusilli $2.99 Buy Now Wegmans Feels Good About Sweet
Level with me: Can hair get used to shampoo over time?
May 14, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC They’ve been your longtime steady for years, but almost overnight, you start to notice that things are, well…different. Where there used to be such dimension and luster, everything suddenly seems dull, and everything you once loved about them just doesn’t seem to be working anymore. The signs are all there, and as you find yourself tempted by other options, you start to wonder if you need to suck it up and end things with them once and for all. Nope, we’re not talking about your long-term relationship ― we’re talking about that shampoo and conditioner duo you once loved so passionately. But it’s not you, it’s them. According to Michael Bowman, hairstylist at Brooklyn’s trendy Rob Peetoom Salon, the lackluster results could be due to your hair simply getting used to one formula. “Hair is essentially protein that is dead, but it definitely can get used to using the same thing over and over and over. The cycle of hair changes, but every seven years, your hair becomes a little bit different,” he explains. “Especially with weather, water conditions, and where you live, you do need to switch up shampoos every now and then.” Bowman recommends that his clients have two different formulas in their showers ― he uses the Davines SOLU Shampoo ($28) in the salon―to help reset the hair and scalp as needed. Especially in the summer as the weather starts to change, Bowman finds that clients need something a bit stronger