June 17, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC I used to think hip pain was only something cute little old ladies complained about. But if you’re glued to a desk all day at work, you’re probably familiar with. Spending that much time planted in a chair in front of your laptop surely helps you achieve your career goals, but it doesn’t do any good for your body. Luckily, one expert says combating hip pain with a foam roller is easier than you think. The causes of hip pain are many, says New York City-based orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert Steven Struhl, MD. Sometimes it’s from tight hip flexors that become stiff from being in a seated position for long periods of time, and other times it’s from running, sprains, and strains. Whatever the case may be, dealing with hip pain isn’t fun, and grabbing your trusty foam roller is a simple and effective way to fix it. “In a nutshell, foam rolling smooths out your fascia—connective tissue that binds and stabilizes your muscles—and is similar to giving yourself a deep tissue massage,” Dr. Struhl says. “Foam rolling is able to release knots or trigger points in muscles and connective tissue, which cause pain. Similarly, it’s able to increase blood flow in the muscles, help with recovery, and enhance joint mobility.” ad_intervals[‘400805_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400805_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Dr. Struhl says the best way to go about relieving hip pain with a foam roller is
Month: June 2019
Experts say that *this* is the best time to take probiotics for your best gut health
June 17, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC I take my supplements whenever the bottle says to do so—for an inanimate object, the label is usually very bossy. That is, until I started to wonder if certain supplements work best at certain times—magnesium at night, for example, has been purported to help you sleep. With my probiotic, the one supplement I religiously take, I started to wonder if there was a perfect time to reap the optimal benefits of probiotics for gut health. “Probiotics are bacteria that live in your body and provide a variety of health benefits,” says Sarah Greenfield, RD, education director at HUM Nutrition. “They play a role in mood, digestive health, and they [help] make certain vitamins,” such as synthesizing vitamin B12, she says. Gastroenterologist and internist Niket Sonpal, MD, adds that probiotics are “beneficial bacteria that help your gut digest food, breakdown nutrients, and level out harmful bacteria.” They can play a role in a lot of aspects of your health, from gut health to your mood. (As with any supplement, though, definitely talk to your doctor before trying probiotics!) ad_intervals[‘397017_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘397017_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Interestingly, when you take your probiotics matters a great deal when it comes to reaping all of the above-mentioned benefits, says Greenfield. “In order to get the highest amount of probiotics from your capsule, taking them at the right time is important,” says Greenfield. That’s because that encapsulation of all that bacteria has
On the Cusp: What being a Gemini-Cancer blend may say about your personality
June 17, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Each month with On the Cusp, we point our astrological magnifying glass on all the people born between two zodiac signs. Because when your birthday falls at either the tail end or very beginning of your sun sign’s season, your personality may be influenced by your cosmic neighbor. With summer heating up, it’s Gemini and Cancer feeling the love. Below Stefanie Iris Weiss, astrologer and co-author of Surviving Saturn’s Return: Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life, explains how social butterfly Gemini and Group Mom Cancer may exist in one star-powered person. Happy birthday, turn-of-the-solstice babies! Those born on the Gemini Cancer cusp (around June 21) have the distinct honor of blossoming during a pretty baller time of the year. “This cusp marks one of the loveliest transitions of all—that delicious moment when spring officially slides into summer on the solstice,” says Weiss. “It’s one of the most magical points of the astrological year.” ad_intervals[‘401217_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401217_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); But, why? And what does it actually mean to be born on the Gemini Cancer cusp? First, a reminder that you are always one sign or another, but depending on your birth date, hues from your zodiac neighbor may influence your nuanced personality. So maybe you’re a Gemini with Cancer-esque qualities leading you to pause and feel, or you’re a Cancer with Gemini tendencies to dial your emotions from an 8 to an 11—but you’re
How to score a first class flight upgrade at a fraction of the cost
June 17, 2019 at 01:13PM by CWC Several months ago, a booking error landed me in first class for the very first time in my life. As we soared over the clouds, the flight attendant served me a warm bowl of assorted nuts, refilled my coffee on the five-minute mark (bless her soul), and read the mile-high dinner menu with the enthusiasm of a French sommelier describing the fermentation process of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. All my stress melted away as I drifted off to sleep in deeply reclined leather seat. I landed relaxed and ready to explore my destination. Now that a coworker has let slip her inside secret for upgrading on the cheap, I know how to fly first class without giving an arm and a leg. If you, too, would like to inch ever-closer to the front of the plane, get bidding. More than 50 airlines—including Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Swiss—send follow-up emails after fliers book their travel itineraries inviting them to upgrade to first or business class for a fraction of the price, reports Forbes. Simply click on a link they send you, enter the amount you’re willing to pay, and they’ll notify you if you’re the lucky winner. In the case of my colleague, she bumped herself to the premium class of a Norwegian flight from Amsterdam to New York City for a mere $150. ad_intervals[‘401558_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401558_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’);}); } }, 100); Not sure what to bid?
This 5-minute stretch sequence will have you doing a split in no time
June 17, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Some people dream of finishing a marathon or executing a pull-up—but I’ve always been fascinated with mastering a full split. As a long-time yogi, former figure skater, and Bring It On superfan, I’ve attempted to stretch my way to a split in the past, but never quite mastered it. Eventually, I figured my lower body just wasn’t naturally flexible enough to execute this cheer-squad staple and gave up. But according to one expert, pretty much anyone can do a split with a little time, patience, and the right conditioning. Not only is a split more accessible than you might think, but it’s a super healthy milestone to aim for, says Kristina Nekyia, founder of Los Angeles flexibility training studio Fit & Bendy. “There are so many benefits to flexibility, because flexibility is all about increasing our ability to move in the world,” says Nekyia, who has a background as a dancer, Pilates instructor, and contortionist. “It requires a very deep knowledge and understanding of your body—you learn something abut yourself through the process.” She adds that flexibility can help make you stronger in pretty much any other fitness endeavor, from running and cycling to surfing and dancing. (And let’s not forget that splits just look fun.) ad_intervals[‘391887_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘391887_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re new to flexibility training, Nekyia recommends starting with a front split, where one leg is coming out in front of you and
Sun’s out, buns out: Here’s why you’re suddenly dealing with butt acne (and what you can do to fix it)
June 17, 2019 at 12:27PM by CWC It’s an all-too-common summer scenario: We slip into a cute bikini or one piece, turn around to check out that peach, and suddenly see a big, honkin’, zit obstruction. It’s butt acne, and it’s annoying AF. (Or so my, uh, friends tell me.) Sure, pimples can sprout up on our face, but it can be especially frustrating when they show up on your butt. You’d think that area—which never, ever gets to see the light of day and just sits innocently in your underwear 24/7—would be perhaps the only part of your bod that’s exempt from acne. But(t) that just isn’t the case. One of the main culprits? A healthy—aka sweaty—lifestyle. “In our active culture where staying in our yoga pants all day is the norm, we have a high risk of developing butt acne,” says Janelle Vega, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of BIA Life. “I’d recommend showering and changing as soon as you’re done working out to prevent triggering the condition. If you suffer from it commonly, I’d also try to wear loose-fitting clothes and breathable fabrics so that the hair can exit the follicle without getting disturbed.” Bring on the cotton. ad_intervals[‘401520_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401520_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); You read that right—Dr. Vega explains that butt acne (or “buttne,” if you wanna be cute) is actually a case of plugged-up follicles. “Butt acne is usually what we call folliculitis,” she tells me. “This
Two hairstylists spill the tea on how to get rid of frizz once and for all
June 17, 2019 at 12:01PM by CWC The weather forecast in New York City this week consists of a mix of rain, thunderstorms, and temperatures teetering between 75 and 80 degrees. It’s the type of weather that will leave you feeling sweaty and sticky before you even walk out of the house, and your hair simply doesn’t stand a chance. Humidity and frizz go together like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen—you just can’t have one without the other. As I type this, my own hair seems to be poofing out by the minute, and what started as a straight, sleek blowout now looks like a weird, dry static-y mess. Needless to say, it ain’t cute. And since the “June Gloom” that’s currently hitting the atmosphere right now doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon, I turned to the pros to find out what I could do to help the cause. “Moisture brings out natural texture,” says Melissa D’Avenio, a stylist at Antonio Prieto Salon, adding that the curlier your hair is, the more likely it’s going to frizz out. “A lot of people don’t know how to control their texture, and uncontrolled texture leads to frizz.” ad_intervals[‘401548_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401548_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); She suggests turning to anti-humectant products, like Kerastase Fluidiste Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo ($33) and Fondant Fluidealiste Conditioner ($44), to help combat that pesky puffiness. “Preventing your hair from freaking out in this kind of weather starts in the shower,” adds
Study Reveals Why Many Lyme Patients Still Have Joint Pain After Treatment
June 17, 2019 at 11:00AM This might be the reason you can’t seem to get better. Continue Reading… Author Stephanie Eckelkamp | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
The ‘5-5-5 method’ for perfect hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot
June 17, 2019 at 11:07AM by CWC Fact: Eggs are incredibly versatile. You can eat ’em over-easy, poached, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, shirred, sunny-side up—you name it. People will tell you that poaching is the most difficult technique to master, but those people are wrong. Perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs are rare indeed. While plenty of methods claim to be “the best” for making hard-boiled eggs, there’s a handy little hack that removes the guesswork and gets the job done in record time using your Instant Pot. The blog One Happy Housewife calls the tried-and-true method using an Instant Pot to make perfect hard-boiled eggs the “5-5-5 method,” which gets it’s name from the five-minute cook time, five-minute natural pressure release, and five-minute ice bath. The ‘5-5-5 method’ for hard boiled eggs in your Instant Pot Add water to your Instant Pot and arrange the eggs using an egg rack, which Valerie says is crucial to keeping the yolks centered. Then, cook on high for five minutes before allowing the five-minute pressure release. Carefully remove the eggs from the Instant Pot and give them a little ice bath, which prevents overcooking. And that’s it! Done. ad_intervals[‘401446_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401446_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); The 5-5-5 method is especially handy if you want to boil a lot of eggs at once for an egg salad or as part of meal prep for the week. Fifteen minutes to cook a week’s worth of eggs for breakfast? Go ahead and
Mentally writing wedding vows on a first date? You, my friend, are ’emotionally masturbating’
June 17, 2019 at 09:29AM by CWC Warning: Embarrassing content ahead. Before striking out on any first date, I always (without fail) betray my better judgement and mash up my first name with the guy’s surname to see what my “married name” might be. The rational part of my brain knows that I have no desire to take my future husband’s last name. And yet, as we shake hands and sit down to drinks, I find myself planning our honeymoon and picking out drapes to frame the windows in our harbor-facing home library. The tendency to imagine far into the future of a brand spanking new relationship is what Betches co-founder Jordana Abraham calls “emotional masturbation” in her book I Had A Nice Time And Other Lies. If there’s a more appropriate name for the nonsense fantasizing that parades through my head on first dates, I certainly haven’t found it. But what to do? Is it okay to indulge my reverie? Or should I ignore my heart-eyed inner monologue? ad_intervals[‘400839_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400839_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Abraham believes that contemplating someone new in the future tense is always, always a no-no. “I think it’s dangerous to linger in [the future] for too long because the more you let yourself fantasize about what this person could be like, or what your life could be like together, that takes you away from the reality of the situation,” she tells me. “It makes you put that person