August 17, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC If you have difficulty expressing yourself or speaking your truth, an energy healer is likely to say that your throat chakra is a bit out of whack. And luckily, they might add, there’s a crystal that could help with that. Actually, there are many crystals that could help. For many people, crystals are one of those just-for-fun parts of their self-care routine (seeing as gemstones’ effectiveness at being anything more than pretty is not exactly backed by scientific research). But others count on the healing stones for better sleep, inner strength, to help quell anxiety, attract abundance, and of course, to balance their chakras. If you’re unfamiliar with the chakras, here’s a little summary: According to the Vedas, the earliest Sanskrit literary records and the most ancient scriptures of Hinduism, our energetic bodies have seven main chakras that run along the base of the spine to the top of the head, says Serena Poon, a certified reiki master. Mariah K. Lyons, a crystal healer, reiki master, and founder of ASTARA, adds that each chakra governs different principles of consciousness and vitality of life force. The throat chakra is the fifth chakra and is located—big surprise!—on your throat and neck area. It’s all about communication, self-expression, speaking your truth, and being authentic, says Heather Askinosie, co-founder of Energy Muse. An unbalanced throat chakra can manifest itself through both physical and non-physical symptoms. Physically, it can look like a stiff neck and shoulders, thyroid disorders, speech
Day: August 17, 2019
7 healthy vegetarian air fryer recipes that are ready in 20 minutes or less
August 17, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC As a vegetarian, there are some staples you know you’re going to have on hand: tofu, grab-and-go snacks full of protein for your gym bag, and a good bacon substitute. If you haven’t been using the air fryer to make all of the above (and more), your meal prep game is about to be forever changed. Rounded up here are seven vegetarian air fryer recipes that are bound to make their way into your regular rotation. From a bomb four-minute French toast recipe (with no eggs!) to snacks and protein-based meals, you’ll keep turning to them again and again. The best part: Nothing takes more than 20 minutes to make. Keep reading for 7 quick and easy vegetarian air fryer recipes. Photo: Fat-free vegan 1. Italian-style air fried tofu It can be tricky and time-consuming to get tofu perfectly crispy on the stove, but if you put the OG vegetarian protein in the air fryer, all the hard work is done for you. Season with a few key Italian spices, and you have your protein spiced up and ready-to-eat for the next few days. Photo: Fried Dandelions 2. Air fryer Brussels sprouts A plate of perfectly crisp Brussels can set you back as much as an entree now at a restaurant. Well, you can feel just as fancy at home—for next to nothing—by dumping your sprouts in the air fryer. They’ll be just as crisp, and even healthier than the oil-cooked way they’re
Wait, should we all be using reef-safe sunscreen?
August 17, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaiʻi each year, and despite the enduring cliché of the sunburned tourist, the majority of travelers wear sunscreen at some point. But as people have been protecting their skin, they’ve inadvertently been damaging one of the islands’ most valuable assets: its coral reefs. Chemicals commonly found in sunscreens cause coral bleaching and overall degradation of the marine environment. The situation is dire enough that last year, Hawaiʻi became the first United States state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing two chemicals known to harm reefs. Beginning in 2021, sunscreen formulas with oxybenzone and octinoxate will no longer be available for purchase in Hawaiʻi. But considering the amount of sunscreen that ends up in reef waters—at least 4,000 tons per year, according to the National Park Service—there’s already an effort to encourage visitors to use a safer option as soon as possible. After giving away nearly 300,000 sample packets of Raw Elements mineral sunscreen on its flights, Hawaiian Airlines now sells the product on its flights at a discounted price—which gives tourists an incentive to make a better choice before stepping foot on the islands. Similarly, the Surfjack hotel in Waikiki offers guests the same sunscreen in pump dispensers—free—so visitors are encouraged to slather it on before they head to the beach. And yet, if you ask locals in Hawaiʻi, banning two chemicals is just one step in protecting the state’s reefs. The bigger challenge involves getting people
Does Your Shampoo Bar Make Your Strands Dry? Here’s What To Know
August 17, 2019 at 08:32AM A full bar breakdown. Continue Reading… Author Alexandra Engler | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
The real reason mood lighting works like a romantic magic trick
August 17, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC My very favorite cocktail bar is nearly a dead ringer for for Miss Havisham’s dilapidated mansion in the 1998 remake of Great Expectations. The main difference between the two venues? Candlelight. That’s presumably because when it comes to setting the mood, candlelight is a GD game-changer. Without it, I surely wouldn’t repeatedly stumble into the venue for a nightcap with my boyfriend (because, again, it would look like Miss Havisham’s dilapidated mansion). So I have to wonder: Is gaining the desired effect of mood lighting solely reliant on a material good you can buy en masse at Dollar Tree, or is it more so a state of mind? Unfortunately there’s not much by way of scientific evidence to explain why the common mood since the beginning of romance itself is that candlelight is the move for when you mean business regarding matters of the heart. But, as one pro points out, there’s a good chance human beings have been into the amber glow for entire eras in large part because it makes you look good. “In general, most people tell me they like warm tones that feel soft and flattering against the skin,” says psychotherapist and sex therapist Vanessa Marin. And really, who doesn’t feel good when they feel they look good? Setting the mood with lighting appeals to self-confidence From my scientific research of introspecting about my own opinion and unofficially polling my friends for theirs, it’s clear that being intimate with
15 at-home cardio exercises that will make you want to cancel your gym membership
August 17, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC No matter what your exercise of choice is—whether you’re Pilates-forward or prefer to sweat it out in the boxing ring—cardio is an important part of every routine. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find any coach or trainer who wouldn’t tell you to make it a priority. If you’re a fan of at-home fitness, however, it can admittedly be challenging to find ways to fit it in, because most of us assume that “cardio” is synonymous with logging miles on a treadmill or a bike. But contrary to popular belief, at-home cardio can get your heart rate pumping to max capacity without ever having to leave your living room—or put on pants. Cardio is really important in your routine First of all, you’re going to want to understand why cardio should be a part of your life. In the same way you prioritize brushing your teeth and washing your face for the sake of a healthy mouth and well-functioning skin, you should also be making time to get your blood pumping for the sake of a healthy heart. “Cardio is by definition exercise of the heart,” says Jaime McFaden, an Aaptiv master trainer, noting that it’s particularly important because it helps to circulate blood throughout our bodies. Our heart, as we all well know, is essentially what keeps us alive (thanks, heart!), and carries nutrients throughout our bodies and brings oxygen to our tissue. Not only is a good cardio workout getting
Asking for a “friend”: What’s the best way to get rid of cleavage hair?
August 17, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Whenever my “friend” is wearing anything that isn’t a crew-neck T-shirt—like a summer dress, or a deep V—she complains that all she sees when she looks down is her cleavage hair. I’m not talking about nipple hair, which is its own whole thing, but rather longer hairs that sprout out from the center the space between your boobs. And as with other certain body parts that can grow hair, like your chin or butt, some women (like my “friend”) aren’t so keen on having… chest hair. While those rogue nipple hairs are totally OK to pluck, cleavage/chest hair is more similar to, say, leg hair, so if you choose to remove it, the methods are pretty similar. As in: You can shave it, wax it, and/or opt for laser hair removal. “Traditional and older methods of removing hair such as waxing or shaving require ongoing maintenance, and can cause ingrown hairs as the hair begins to grow back,” says Quenby Erickson, MD, a Chicago-based dermatologist. “While they may be less expensive, they’re temporary solutions that will need ongoing treatments. Laser hair removal has improved drastically over the years and surpasses any other option.” Christian Karavolas, owner of Romeo and Juliet Laser Hair Removal in New York, agrees. “The best way to remove hair in those areas would be with laser,” he says. “If you do six sessions, spaced six to eight weeks apart, it’d suffice for permanent hair reduction.” His advice? Avoid waxing
Driving along the rocky cliffs of Ireland helped me navigate my feelings post-divorce
August 17, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC A friendly sign inside the rental car reminds me that I have one responsibility and one only—to drive on the left-hand side of the road. This roadtrip along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way seemed like a much better idea several months ago when my best friend and I had decided to divorce our husbands at the same time. I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to escape reality than Ireland in December, where it would be perfectly acceptable to drink and cry at all hours of the day in dark pubs next to hot Irishmen. “I can’t do this,” I say. “You have to,” Allison replies. “It’s your turn. I’ve already done the first leg.” I’m still jet-lagged, and I don’t know how to convert kilometers to miles, but at least if I die here, I won’t have to go back home and deal with attorneys and divorce papers. I inch out onto the roadway. A car honks. I swerve back into the left lane. Even with the warning sign directly in my face, I’ve already forgotten how to drive here. Allison shoots me a look, the same one she’s given me for the last 25 years whenever I’ve done something stupid, like when I got the bright idea to wax my own eyebrows. I know Allison is wondering maybe if she should just take over, but this would mean she’d have to drive. She checks her phone, perhaps sending a good-bye text
Here’s exactly how to care for your new snake plant, according to someone with a green thumb
August 17, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC My plant obsession has gotten a little out of control over the past couple years. Greenery graces every corner of my apartment—on shelves, in big planters on the floor, on my dresser. I’ve got an urban jungle, and I love it. But even with all the different species I’ve collected, one of my favorites will always be the trusty snake plant. While some plants are pretty fickle—dying if you even slightly overwater them or don’t give them enough light—sansevieria, better known as the snake plant due to its reptilian leaf pattern and shape, are basically the cockroach of the plant world. And I mean that as the biggest compliment. Although they’re much prettier than the insect to look at, they’re just as tough. Even through the long, dark days of winter, my little guy has never wavered. In fact, somehow he keeps on thriving no matter the conditions, happily sprouting new leaves year-round. “The snake plant is a great option for beginners for a two big reasons,” says Erin Marino, director of brand marketing at The Sill. “First, it’s technically a drought tolerant succulent. This means you’ll be watering it less frequently than other common houseplants, and when you forget a watering (or two!), it’ll be fine. Second, the snake plant is also low light tolerant. Although snake plants prefer medium to bright light, they can tolerate lower light levels than other common houseplants. This means you can pretty much stick it in
Post-Yoga Glow Made Easy: The Best Way To Apply Blush
August 17, 2019 at 02:03AM Every. Single. Time. Continue Reading… Author Alexandra Engler | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC