May 03, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC You know how your mom always said, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” Well, she was on to something. According to this new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, skipping breakfast could be bad for your ticker. The results found that of the nearly 7,000 people it surveyed over a period of roughly 20 years, those who didn’t eat breakfast had an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. The first thing that came to our minds when reading this story: What does this mean if you adhere to an intermittent fasting-style eating plan? After all, many plans limit a person’s food intake during certain times of the day or on certain days of the week, depending on the particular plan—which can often translate into skipping a morning meal. Looking at the study with this question in mind, there’s one problem—it didn’t examine any people who were on an intermittent fasting diet. “The study says for the general population following a standard US type of diet, that those who skipped breakfast had an increased risk of dying from heart disease later in life. As this study did not examine any sort of intermittent fasters, it is tough to make a comparison between the two groups,” says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, an award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best selling cookbook author of The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook. Another thing: Although the study found an association
Month: May 2019
How to bring up hot-button topics on a date—without killing the romance
May 03, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC There are certain topics that the media, movies, friends, and society have trained us to never, under any circumstance, bring up on a date—at least an early one. Marriage, desire for kids, religion, politics, and money are all off-limits. While playing it cool can be relatively easy your goal is a casual arrangement, what if you’re looking for something specific—like, say you’re a 40-year-old woman who really wants to have kids with a partner or you’re not interested in dating someone with religious beliefs different than your own? In that case, biting your tongue until several dates have passed and it’s socially acceptable to broach what’s been on your mind since day one can be, well, torturous. So what if you just…didn’t stay mum? While the early dates are about discovering whether there’s a mutual attraction and potential to have fun with the other person, feeling unable to express what’s on your mind can lead underlying anxiety to develop, says clinical psychologist and relationship expert Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD—who, with her husband John Gottman, PhD, wrote Eight Dates, a guide to improved communication within a relationship. So, how do you find your answers in a way that won’t totally freak out your date? Below, Dr. Gottman, Dr. Schwartz Gottman, and clinical psychologist Nancy Irwin, PsyD. all give their best tips. Know your nonnegotiables If you’re dating with the intention of starting a serious relationship, Dr. Irwin says it’s important to figure out what
I found $15 sheets on Amazon so soft I’d be willing to pay $15,000
May 03, 2019 at 11:30AM by CWC Everyone in my office is always in hot pursuit of bargain brag. Whether that means scoring a $100 pair of leggings at half price, or getting two-for-one deal on platform sneakers, you better believe we’re just waiting for a compliment so we can say, “Hey, thanks! I got them for $____ at ____ ! Can you believe it?” Thanks the cheap bedding sets I scored on Amazon, I’m currently the reigning queen of the bargain hunters. Sliding between these sheets, part of the Jill Morgan Fashion Bed Set, feels like slipping into a bed-sized sweatshirt that’s been worn into unbeatable coziness. They’re sinfully soft. As someone who’s bought her fair share of cheap bedding sets, I know that’s not the norm. I’ve ended up with material that feels more like it belongs in a hospital than a five-star hotel. But my pal Jill Morgan has raised the bar. According to Amazon, the sheets are made of 100 percent microfiber, a synthetic that Tomorrow Sleep tells me will begin ripping after a few washes (challenge accepted). However, the material might beat out cotton when it comes to keeping a sleeper cool all summer long. “Microfiber bed sheets have a distinctly thin light feeling yet tend to trap stagnant air within the sheets,” says the online mag. (I’ll update come July when NYC feels like a swamp.) Perhaps one day, I’ll be able to do the quote, unquote “adult” thing and invest in a few
Derms say you’re probably skipping this critical step in your skin-care routine, and it is *gross*
May 03, 2019 at 11:18AM by CWC I always joke that the only thing I’ve ever been more dedicated to than my skin-care routine was studying for my SATs. I’ve got dozens of products in my bathroom, and slather at least 10 of them on my face during the course of a given day. I’m the girl who gets on an airplane armed with enough sheet masks, facial mists, and moisturizers to ensure everyone onboard could walk off hydrated and glowing, and who legitimately brags about the fact that I have fallen asleep exactly once in the last five years with my makeup on (…and that was only after a very, very rowdy holiday party). But last night, I realized that there was one crucial step missing from my meticulous regimen: washing my hands. When I went to slather on my Drunk Elephant Cleansing Balm ($34) in order to melt off my makeup from the day, I looked down at the glorious product in my palms and realized, holy shit, my hands are filthy. I backtracked in my brain from the taxi I’d taken home to the movie theater I’d been to, and could not remember the last time they’d had a solid soap and water treatment… and all I could think about was the alarming statistic that our phone screens (which, according to my iPhone app, I spend 7+ hours a day touching) are dirtier than toilet seats. Um, gross. I mean, all it takes is one look at my
New study shows that sexual identity continues to evolve well into adulthood
May 03, 2019 at 09:57AM by CWC As a new generation calls back to the sexual revolution with fresh attitudes about sex and relationships, an extensive study of 12,000 students emerges, providing greater understanding of sexual fluidity in young adults. Research published in the Journal of Sex Research found that people ranging in age from adolescence to their late 20s reported variation in who they were attracted to and partnered up with, as well as how they identified sexually. The studies authors mined statistics from surveys including the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. “Sexual orientation involves many aspects of life, such as who we feel attracted to, who we have sex with, and how we self-identify,” Christine Kaestle, PhD, a professor of developmental health at Virginia Tech said in a press release. “Until recently, researchers have tended to focus on just one of these aspects, or dimensions, to measure and categorize people. However, that may oversimplify the situation.” She gives the example of someone who might consider themselves heterosexual, but also have a history with partners of their same sex. Of course, how people interact sexually is far too complex to fit into the labels “gay,” “straight,” or “bisexual,” argue the study authors. “We will always struggle with imposing categories onto sexual orientation,” said Dr. Kaestle. “Because sexual orientation involves a set of various life experiences over time, categories will always feel artificial and static.” “Because sexual orientation involves a set of various life experiences over time, categories
How to shop Sephora’s VIB sale and solve every skin-care concern for under $100
May 03, 2019 at 09:24AM by CWC The Sephora VIB Beauty sale is upon us, which means that a selection of the world’s baddest and bougiest skin-care products are on sale—and you can finally make it official with all of the cleansers, masks, and moisturizers you’ve been staring at in your digital cart for the better part of the year. With thousands of products to choose from, though, deciding which ones are worthy of a permanent home on your valuable shelf space can be nothing short of overwhelming. Thankfully, the Well+Good beauty team (hi Ali! hi Rachel!) have made it our mission to test out as many of them as humanly possible, and determine which are worth spending the big (albeit discounted) bucks on—no matter what type of skin concerns you’re dealing with. To make things even easier, we’ve put together kits to give your particular skin exactly the love it needs, all for under $100. Whether you’ve been breaking out like crazy, are suddenly noticing fine lines and wrinkles on your forehead or all-over dullness, or if this weather change is giving you the same freaky dryness it’s been giving me, we’ve got you covered. As for the logistical info, the sale will run through Sunday, May 5, and you can expect the following discounts based on your Sephora spending status: VIB Rouge (customers who spend over $1000 annually): Receive a 20 percent discount with the code HEYROUGE. VIB Insiders (customers who spend over $350 annually): Receive a 15 percent
Love Coffee? New Study Explores The Real Reason You Prefer Bitter Drinks
May 03, 2019 at 09:07AM This could explain why it’s so hard to give up your go-to drink. Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
5 calf exercises you should never skip on leg day
May 03, 2019 at 08:39AM by CWC You’ve checked your abs and glutes off your workout list, but how about your calf exercises? They’re easy to forget about. Getting toned calves isn’t nearly as big of a priority for most people as working on those #bootygains. But considering keeping them strong is just as important for everyday activities like walking and climbing stairs as it is for playing sports, they definitely deserve more attention than they’re getting. Your calf muscles—which include the gastrocnemius (the large muscle you immediately picture when you think of your calves) and the soleus, which is located right underneath it—do much more for your body than you even realize. Keeping them strong helps to prevent injury since the muscles are responsible for flexing and extending your foot, ankle, and knee. Especially if you wear high heels on the regular, which can actually shrink your calf muscle fibers, causing pain and discomfort. Your calf muscles also help support your posture by stabilizing the lower body. The 5 best calf exercises, according to trainers Seated calf raises “I like this exercise because it primarily targets the major calf muscle, the gastrocnemius, which passes behind the knee joint. This exercise is great for strengthening the calf without high impact. It’s also good for rehabilitation for calf and Achilles injuries.” —Ricardo Rose, trainer at EverybodyFights How to do it: Start seated with your leg at 90 degrees. You will focus on a single side. Grab a dumbbell, making sure the weight
“Risk of HIV transmission is zero with antiretroviral therapy,” says AIDS researcher
May 03, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Today is a landmark moment for people affected by HIV—and everyone in the world. CNN reports a study has found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) eliminates the risk of transmitting HIV. The research, published in The Lancet, followed 782 positive-negative gay male couples over the course of eight years. While the couples—with one HIV-positive partner who took ART—continued to have sex without condoms, the researchers observed “no episodes of HIV transmission from the HIV-positive partners to their HIV-negative sexual partners.” (There were 15 new HIV transmissions over the course of the study, but each occurred from unprotected sex that took place outside of the relationship.) The study builds on earlier research that found similar results in heterosexual couples. “What this study really shows is that risk of transmission is zero with ART treatment and that’s quite new and important,” Alison Rodger, PhD, co-leader of the study, told CNN. Dr. Rodger says the breakthrough means that the scientific community can turn its focus toward commencing actionable steps toward making sure those affected are informed of their options. “Finding ways to get the knowledge in practice is what we need to do next,” she says. “What this study really shows is that risk of transmission is zero with ART treatment and that’s quite new and important.” Accessibility is a huge issue in fighting the spread of HIV. The disease is incredibly difficult to identify in its earliest stages. It’s also unfairly stigmatized by homophobia and the
Snack time is saved thanks to this brilliant air fryer kale chips recipe
May 03, 2019 at 07:51AM by CWC Sure, your Instant Pot has most of your meals covered, but when it comes to snack time, the air fryer takes the healthy cooking crown. The device transforms foods traditionally coated in not-so healthy oils—like onion rings and fries—and creates the crispy texture using air instead. What a time to be alive, right? Another snack you can perfect with the air fryer: kale chips. Instead of waiting 30 minutes for them to bake in the oven (which, who has time for that when you’re hangry), the brilliant Mike and Steph Le at I Am A Food Blog had the genius idea to just throw your prepped kale in the air fryer for five minutes, and voilà! Kale chips. Put them in a Ziploc bag to bring on a long hike, layer them in your sandwich like you did with Doritos or Lays when you were a kid, dip them in a spicy, low-sugar condiment… This is one recipe you’ll keep coming back to. Here’s a run-down of the ingredients you need: kale (duh), a mere half tablespoon of oil or cooking spray, and salt and pepper for seasoning. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can throw in more spices to add flavor. Paprika, turmeric, nutritional yeast…anything goes. Head to the I Am A Food Blog site to see the step-by-step process for this easy recipe. And hey, after you give it a try, share your thoughts in Well+Good’s new Cook With Us Facebook group!