July 31, 2019 at 01:32PM by CWC “RockStar Shaman” Alyson Charles is here with her energy forecast for August—and a spirit animal that will help you get your fall mojo going way before Labor Day. Here’s everything you need to know about the ant, and why its medicine is the perfect tonic for our times. We are exiting out of July, a month that brought much fiery energy—the kind that, if you didn’t watch it and weren’t extra mindful, may have caused some arguments and situations that were quite intense or tumultuous. But through it all, these frictions were here serving us to initiate much-need realizations and change, creating the sparks that ignite transformation. The energies of August now beckon us to stay very strong, grounded, and clear, to continue to step forward with any changes we implemented recently. Be anchored in your choices and do not retreat back to old patterns and ways. ad_intervals[‘412013_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412013_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The spirit animal who you can call upon to keep you persevering is the ant. Ant medicine is so divine, reminding us that mastery of patience in key areas of your life is everything. You are at a pivotal moment in life right now, a time where you are literally ripping away from, and pivoting out from, old ways that previously held you back—and kept you playing small and bringing toxic situations or people into your life. Keep plunging forward into your
Month: July 2019
Cool off and de-stress ASAP with this delicious CBD lemonade
July 31, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QhBGjH1te0] CBD lemonade? Watch the video for the easy recipe. From skin-care products to food and tinctures, you can get your CBD just about any way you like. And if you pick up a CBD-infused drink on the reg, herbalist and holistic health practitioner Rachelle Robinett is here to teach you how to make your own in the latest episode of Well+Good’s YouTube series Plant Based. In this episode Robinett is joined by Lou Sagar, the founder of The Alchemist’s Kitchen. Sagar (who’s a bit of a CBD expert) says that people use the cannabinoid compound for a variety of reasons, including stress, anxiety, menstrual pain and bloating, and muscular or joint pain. (It has a lot of potential health benefits, although of course more research is needed.) ad_intervals[‘412034_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412034_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); When trying out CBD for the first time, Robinett recommends finding your own dosage by starting low and working your way up. “You want to reach the point where you feel the desired effect,” Robinett says. “If it’s the right plant for you, you’ll get there. If you don’t get the benefit then it might not be the right plant for you.” However, if the taste of CBD oil straight is just not your thing (don’t blame you there!), Robinett has a solution for you: a celery juice/lemonade hybrid infused with CBD perfect for unwinding in this summer heat. For the recipe,
This best-selling Amazon buy will give you an ab-quaking workout on your living room floor
July 31, 2019 at 10:52AM by CWC I spend $100+ a week on Megaformer Pilates classes. Yes, I know how insane that is. No, I don’t have any intention of bettering my budgeting any time soon. What can I say? I love the feeling of strengthening my muscles on the machine, working them in 50-minutes worth of planks and lunges until my core, legs, and butt are shaking. It’s the only workout that I can do multiple times a week, for months on end, without getting bored or burnt out. And also, it helps me get seriously strong. Thankfully, I have inexpensive taste in clothing and a limited social life, otherwise it would be hard to justify the expense. But the other morning, when a trainer at New York City’s [solidcore] (that, along with SLT, are the Megaformer studios currently depleting my bank account) made a comment about squeezing your core during the workout the way you would on one of those “old school ab rollers,” a lightbulb went off in my brain. Could I get the same full-body, core-quaking workout that I rely on in my $40 Megaformer classes in my living room, from a $17 device that hasn’t been popular since 1996? ad_intervals[‘412104_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412104_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); In the words of Justin Bieber, “YUP.” While the Megaformer offers a few more bells and whistles that help amp up your workout (and let’s be honest: there’s something to be said about dim
Think somebody took a bite out of your takeout order? 28% of the time you may be right
July 31, 2019 at 09:09AM by CWC There are nights when takeout is definitely called for. Days when you get home and there is nothing in the fridge besides condiments and a carton of oat milk, family movie nights when the only dinner everyone can agree on is a large pizza from the place down the street, when a craving for that very specific Buddha bowl from your favorite vegan place hits. These are the nights when only delivery will do. But just in case you order in on the reg, there’s a little something you might want to be aware of. Just a minor detail, really. Okay, here it goes: Roughly one quarter of the time you place an order through an app, someone might be sneaking a bite of your food, according to survey conducted by foodservice distributor US Foods. Of the 497 people surveyed who have worked as a food deliverer (for apps such as UberEats, Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates), 28 percent admitted to “taking food” en route. ad_intervals[‘412061_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412061_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Gross? Um, yeah. But the number actually shows some willpower: deliverers said they’re tempted by the food they’re delivering 54 percent of the time. Before you lose your cool, remember that customers aren’t perfect either. We’re not excusing the consumption of a few french fries from your order, but when it comes to tipping, 60 percent of deliverers said customers either didn’t tip or didn’t tip enough.
8 pairs of comfortable heels that will make you want to walk *everywhere* for the rest of the summer
July 31, 2019 at 08:22AM by CWC I am an avid sneaker wearer, and a person who hates to be even the slightest bit uncomfortable, so the thought of wearing heels in summer turns me into a human scream face emoji. The only thing worse than wearing painful heels is wearing painful heels while you are sweating uncontrollably. Who has time to deal with that stabby ball-of-your-foot pain from standing in high heels for too long while dealing with excess foot perspiration? Not I. No matter how pretty the shoes may be. It is a rare occasion where I think, gee it was a really good idea to ravage my feet for this dinner/date/day of work. Also, sweat plus open blisters equals stinging, and that just doesn’t work for me. But sometimes an outfit simply begs for a heel. I’ve even found myself, on occasion, longing to switch up my tried-and-true sneaks/sundress outfit combination, and pair my dresses with a heel instead. I’m just about five-foot-three-inches tall, so I always appreciate the height boost heels give me. And as much as it pains me to say this, sneakers are not always an appropriate footwear option. My point: there is a time and place for heels, and if we’re going to wear them they shouldn’t make us suffer. ad_intervals[‘411986_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411986_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); So, yes, “comfortable” and “heels” are usually two things that repel each other, like oil and water or myself and
This $15 drugstore buy is the closest thing you’ll find to Sephora’s most expensive serum
July 31, 2019 at 08:05AM by CWC There are few things in this world that I am willing to shell out $495 on. A flight to California, maybe. A portion of my rent, for sure. But a skin-care product? I’d have to take major pause (and calculate whether or not I’d be okay to go an entire month eating canned chickpeas) before swiping my credit card. That said, Sephora sells a $495 serum—Perricone MD Neuropeptide Smoothing Facial Conformer—that’s renowned for using proprietary neuropeptide technology to activate the renewal of the surface of your skin, making it a game changer for things like dullness, discoloration, under-eye circles, fine lines, sagging skin and wrinkles. And if the reviews on the product are to be believed, it’s the real deal. “Within one day I began to see positive changes in my skin—not just in toning, but it really does peel off the years,” wrote one fan. “I’ve used this for 10 days every night and morning and my skin is tighter, velvety smooth, and so bright,” echoed another. ad_intervals[‘412064_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412064_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); While the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, if you’re not able to shell out that much cash, you don’t have to feel left out. We scoured the Internet to find the closest thing possible to a drugstore dupe. Our pick? Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, which retails for only $15. Photo: Olay Like the Perricone MD serum, the Olay version utilizes peptides. “Peptides are made of
Asking for…myself and everyone else: Are simultaneous orgasms a real, achievable thing?
July 31, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC There are so many things components of sex that movies and television often glamorize, if not get dead wrong. Take, for instance, the situation of having perfect hair and makeup upon waking up the next day, and no one having a problem with morning breath. Also, anyone ever see a sex scene that starts with a lady peeling off her Spanx? Because I sure haven’t, and if movies mimicked reality, I sure would. That’s just scratching the surface of vignettes perpetuating what I feel to be an unrealistic sexual landscape—and another prominent example that comes to mind? Simultaneous orgasms. In the most PG version, it’s depicted by a a couple popping out from under the covers, panting from having both finished—together. (The R-rated version is simply more…detailed.) But really, I need to know (and I’m sure I’m not the only curious soul around): How common are simultaneous orgasms in real life—and if they’re not, in fact, mythical unicorns of the sex world, how can couples give them a whirl? ad_intervals[‘406061_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406061_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The simple answer, according to the experts, isn’t actually so simple. It seems that while simultaneous orgasms are possible, they often take a concerted effort to achieve. And since in execution they kind of become a main focus of the entire event, prioritizing them for every encounter can unknowingly deemphasize other aspects of sex, which obviously isn’t ideal. “The reality is
Found! The ingredient that targets acne and dark spots in equal measure
July 31, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC After having acne for such a long time (like, a r-e-a-l-l-y long time), I’ve become so well acquainted with the typical acne-fighting ingredients that I could rattle them off in alphabetical order. There’s benzoyl peroxide (the strong one that derms love), salicylic acid (the trusty chemical exfoliant), sulfur (it’ll dry those suckers right out), tea tree oil (a natural antibacterial), and a slew of others. It wasn’t until very recently, however, that I stumbled upon another all-star acne-fighter: azelaic acid. “Azelaic acid is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderate acne and rosacea,” explains Shari Spelling, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. But it’s not just something you need to get an Rx for—beauty shelves have been filling up with over-the-counter products touting the ingredient, too. That’s because its benefits include more than just fighting acne: “It treats acne, but also rosacea, and can be used to treat pigmentation from acne in darker skin tones,” says Dr. Spelling, adding that it’s really great at reducing inflammation. “If you suffer from facial redness and acne, azelaic acid could benefit you because this acid soothes irritated skin,” says Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, echoing that it’s effective for hyperpigmentation and also that it functions like an antioxidant. ad_intervals[‘409083_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409083_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Since it’s effective at combatting inflammation, it’s useful for all almost all skin types. “Azelaic acid can be used in most skin types because of its
Your menstrual cycle is way bigger than just your period—here’s how it all goes down
July 31, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Here’s a pop quiz for you: How long is the average person’s menstrual cycle? (No, you’re not allowed to Google it!) Stumped? You’re not alone. The average person will spend about 40 years of their life having periods. Yet most of us don’t fully understand the nitty-gritty process behind their monthly bleeding. A small 2016 survey found that while an encouraging 80 percent of women knew about their reproductive anatomy, 46 percent didn’t know what ovulation was and 50 percent didn’t know how long the average menstrual cycle lasts. (The answer, BTW, is 28 days, although it can be as short as 21 days and as long as 32.) From a purely biological standpoint, “the menstrual cycle exists to support a pregnancy,” says Molly Moravek, MD, MPH, a reproductive endocrinologist and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan. No matter your stance on having kids, it’s important for people to understand what’s going on with their cycles, adds Nazaneen Homaifar, MD, MBA, an OB/GYN and clinical instructor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. A regular menstrual cycle can be a sign of good health and is connected intimately to the functioning of your hormones. ad_intervals[‘411939_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411939_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Knowing what’s happening with your body every month can help take a bit of the mystery out of the fertility process if a person decides to have
6 foods for gut health a gastroenterologist wants you to eat every day
July 31, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Every conversation about health seems to come back to gut health. Often referred to as “the second brain,” the microbiome affects more than just digestion; it’s connected to everything from mood and energy to immunity and weight management. Every wellness expert will tell you that having a healthy gut is very important. You probably already know that sugary and fried foods aren’t great for the gut while fermented foods work wonders at boosting the good bacteria in there. But when it comes to the top foods gastroenterologists recommend, you might be surprised at what makes the list: it’s not all kimchi and kombucha. Here, three top gastroenterologists share the top foods they recommend for better gut health. These are the foods for gut health a gastroenterologist wants you to add to your diet 1. Leafy greens “One of my top recommended foods is leafy greens of all sorts,” says integrative medicine doctor and gastroenterologist Marvin Singh, MD. The reason why Dr. Singh is such a fan is because of all the fiber they’re packed with. Fiber-rich foods contribute to gut health in many ways, including promoting the growth of good bacteria and killing off the bad guys. ad_intervals[‘411823_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411823_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); 2. Caribbean sweet potato Gastroenterologist and Happy Gut author Vincent Pedre, MD, encourages people to think outside the box and experiment with different varieties of the root veggie. “There are so many great