August 23, 2019 at 12:07AM by CWC After a day spent off Instagram yesterday, I dived into my feed for a few minutes before bed to check in on the latest in #hotgirlsummer content. But instead of a series of smoldering selfies, I found shocking images of the Amazon rainforest burning, photos re-posted by a broad swath of friends—including one whom I had recently watched gobble down a steak at dinner. I point to my friend’s menu choice as an example of the disconnect I felt while scrolling last night. Because deforestation—defined as the human-driven and natural loss of trees—is happening at unprecedented and unsustainable rates, and the animal agriculture that produced his filet is a significant contributor to this destruction. So while the fires are scary to see (and yes, are tragic, I don’t mean to minimize their devastation), they’re a symptom, rather than the main cause, of a larger problem. Statistics around deforestation are a bit shocking, actually. Los Angeles-sized swaths of land are being depleted in the Amazon annually. And despite settled climate science that tells us the planet is in crisis—and the knowledge that the Amazon rainforest’s survival is critical to the planet’s—this deforestation is actually accelerating. As reported by NPR, Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) says the amount of Amazonian land that was deforested in July 2019 represented a nearly 300 percent surge over deforestation in June 2018. ad_intervals[‘417677_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417677_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The amount
Day: August 22, 2019
Puffy Eyes? Here Are The Reasons You Get Bags + What To Do About It
August 22, 2019 at 11:04PM Look well-rested, stat. Continue Reading… Author Alexandra Engler | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
7 eye doctor-approved mascaras for sensitive eyes that keep watering out of sight
August 22, 2019 at 11:02PM by CWC Mascara can do a lot of amazing stuff. The right product can lengthen and volumize your lashes in the flick of a wand. The wrong one, though, can leave you itching and burning, especially if you’ve got sensitive eyes. That makes finding a suitable mascara for sensitive eyes especially important—even if it’s not always easy to do. “Sensitive eyes” is a pretty big blanket term, and there are a whole lot of causes, including seasonal allergies, migraines, light sensitivity, and wearing contacts. Yet, plastering lashes with a coat of lash lacquer isn’t exactly helpful for any of these conditions. “Ingredients in eye makeup—including mascara—may have harmful effects,” says Mark Jacquot, OD, clinical director at LensCrafters. “Many mascara products on the market that can help you gain length and volume in your lashes contain ingredients that can negatively affect your vision.” He suggests always, always reading the label before you purchase a mascara, and calls out ingredients including aluminum powder, propylene glycol, retinyl acetate, and color additives as the ones you should stay away from. ad_intervals[‘417317_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417317_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “Typically what happens is that the eyes, and the skin around them, area may get inflamed, which can cause itching and burning. Many different eyelid conditions, caused by certain ingredients in eye makeup products, can cause infection or build-up at the eyelashes,” explains Dr. Jacquot. “So keeping your lashes and eyelids clean can help prevent this
This delicious, low-sugar birthday cake is definitely worth celebrating
August 22, 2019 at 10:30PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYSyVKWwpTU] A low-sugar (but still delicious) birthday cake? You need this recipe ASAP. Without a doubt, the best part of any birthday is the cake. Getting a year older? Eh. Presents? Cool, but I can buy my own stuff, thanks. But a thick slice of frosted cake so enticing that you find yourself licking your fork, the plate, and the candle bottoms? That’s what I’m talking about. In the latest episode of Well+Good’s YouTube series Alt-Baking Bootcamp, chefs Mia Rigden and Jenny Dorsey health-ify the classic dessert with a few smart substitutions to cut down on the sugar without taking out any of the joy. Here’s a run-down of what they use to make it: coconut oil, oat flour, almond flour, baking powder, kosher salt, honey, eggs, vanilla extract, and sprinkles. “Oats are super high in fiber and have their own set of health benefits,” Rigden says. “Also, the almond flour is high in fiber and is also totally grain free,” Ridgen says—always a good thing for people who can’t eat gluten. ad_intervals[‘417610_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417610_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Of course, every good birthday cake needs frosting. Ridgen and Dorsey opt for a coconut whipped cream frosting, made with organic unsweetened coconut milk and vanilla extract. Because coconut milk is naturally sweet, that’s all you need! Pro tip: Keep the coconut milk in the fridge overnight. “It separates the coconut cream from the water and we’re
Whole30 just launched its first restaurant concept to give people a break from meal prep
August 22, 2019 at 09:30PM by CWC If you’ve ever tried the Whole30 diet, you know that unless you meal prep everything yourself, figuring what to eat can be tricky. Obviously most restaurants and takeout joints don’t make their menus with the specific needs of the eating plan in mind, which often means people have to get creative and piece together a meal for themselves, like ordering a turkey burger without the bun…or any condiments. Not exactly optimal. Hopefully, this won’t be the case for long, because now there’s a restaurant specifically designed for Whole30 eaters in mind. That’s right: Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (a restaurant group) and Grubhub announced Wednesday that they partnered to open the first Whole30 restaurant concept, Whole30 Delivered. It’s a delivery-only eatery in Chicago where literally everything on the menu is approved for the eating plan—by Whole30 founder Melissa Hartwig Urban, no less. ad_intervals[‘417695_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417695_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); A sampling the menu: Thai curry coconut soup, spaghetti and meatballs (made with spaghetti squash), roasted lamb tikka masala, and chimichurri beef tenderloin skewers. Yum. And prices are pretty comparable to what you’d get from regular restaurant delivery—the Thai curry coconut soup is $14, for example, while the roasted lamb tikka masala is $20. The Grubhub menu also includes the option to bulk-order meals so that you have dinner for tonight and tomorrow delivered at once, which aims to keep people on track with the eating plan. The concept
Why ‘no’ is the single most important word when it comes to dealing with anxiety
August 22, 2019 at 08:59PM by CWC When it comes to quelling anxiety, ideas for different strategies abound; there are books, balms, blankets, and beyond. But according to Kristen Bell, an advocate for mental-health realness, one of the best, simplest, and most effective ways to self-soothe just requires two small letters. In her keynote speech at last week’s Mindbody Bold Conference, Bell shared that the power of saying no more often has been a saving grace to her as she navigates the struggles with anxiety and depression. “I realized that my codependency was so crippling that I couldn’t say no to people,” she said. “So what I’ve been doing this month is practicing saying no to people in a very kind way.” But that certain doesn’t mean prioritizing boundaries and becoming a no person is an easy thing to do, especially for those who struggle with anxiety. “Perception is heavily tied in with anxiety,” says psychotherapist Jennifer Silvershein, LCSW. “So often an individual may fear that by saying no it will give the wrong impression or reflect badly on them. I teach my clients that saying no is a sign of respect for ourselves—it says, ‘I know my boundaries and I’m going to honor them.’” ad_intervals[‘417563_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417563_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “Saying no is a sign of respect for ourselves—it says, ‘I know my boundaries and I’m going to honor them.’” —psychotherapist Jennifer Silvershein, LCSW Beyond saying no more often being a powerful
Twitter has spoken—and this is America’s preferred way to sweat
August 22, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Social media has become a #fitspo free-for-all. You can tailor Instagram to become your very own digital personal trainer, join a sweat-focused Facebook group, or take to Twitter for the most relatable gym memes around. But when researchers combed tweets about physical activity from 481,146 users, one sweat modality stood out from the rest: good, old fashioned walking. The survey, as reported in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Medicine Exercise, examined over one million tweets about physical activities that were geotagged in the United States between April 2015 and March 2016. After sorting out irrelevant terms (like, “The Walking Dead,” lol), the study authors identified that the top exercise terms were “walk,” “dance,” “golf,” “workout,” “run,” “pool,” “hike,” “yoga,” “swim,” and “bowl.” The volume of each keyword varied based on gender (more women tweeted about yoga than men, for example) and geographical region (more people broadcasted their hiking adventures out West). But, as a good reminder that your workouts don’t have to be expensive or fancy, walking proved to be the buzziest term overall. ad_intervals[‘417571_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417571_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); The results make sense. First, walking has a low barrier to entry—you just need shoes, a bit of time, and somewhere to go. According to the folks at Harvard Health (who recommend logging two to four miles per day—bonus points if you take the stairs instead of the elevator), “You don’t need any special equipment to walk
According to Headspace founder Andy Puddicombe, true enlightenment is possible every single day
August 22, 2019 at 06:22PM by CWC There’s no one definition of enlightenment. The Buddhist principle is defined by some as “a state of perfect knowledge or wisdom, combined with infinite compassion,” while other schools of thought say that enlightenment is more of a single transformative moment. But Andy Puddicombe, founder of meditation app Headspace (as well as a former Buddhist monk), has his own thoughts on the matter. On a recent episode of Life Will Be the Death of Me, a podcast hosted by the one and only Chelsea Handler, Puddicombe shared that enlightenment doesn’t necessarily happen in one revelatory moment that changes life as you know it. Instead, the multi-hyphenate entrepreneur-slash-monk thinks that each of us have an opportunity to reach an enlightened state in every single second. “Rather than thinking of enlightenment as a place over there, a place we need to get to, think of it as stability of being present.” —Andy Puddicombe, founder and voice of meditation app Headspace “Rather than thinking of enlightenment as a place over there, a place we need to get to, think of it as stability of being present,” he tells Handler. “So in every single moment, that’s an enlightened moment. If we are present in the moment, multiple times throughout the day, we’re having multiple moments of enlightenment throughout the day.” That’s right: you don’t necessarily have to pop a squat for hours on end—just tune into the right here, right now. ad_intervals[‘417613_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready)
10 Pilates exercises that will help you stand taller and get stronger
August 22, 2019 at 05:42PM by CWC There’s nothing quite like waking up early on a Saturday to take charge of your weekend by starting it off with a Pilates sweat sesh. It’s also true, however, that doing so on the reg can start to make a dent in your wallet. If you love the strength that comes with stretching on reformers and the excitement that accompanies trying to stay steady on the carriage, but can’t always make it into the studio, you’ll be glad to know that there are an array of Pilates exercises that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Since many trainers understand that heading into the studio each and every day is pretty unlikely, two of the industry’s top instructors shared their 10 favorite movements that will make your muscles quiver and help you to stand straighter thanks to a stronger core. Keep scrolling for their advice below. Try these Pilates moves for better posture and a stronger core 1. Criss cross: “Lying on your back, draw bent knees into tabletop, interlace fingers behind the head,” instructs Heather Anderson, the founder of New York Pilates. “Exhale to nod and curl your head, neck, and shoulders off of the ground.” For more of an advanced movement, incorporate a Pilates ring into the exercise. “Place it so that the pads are resting between the right elbow and left bent knee,” Anderson says. “Rotate at the ribcage to increase pressure from the right elbow into
Avocado mayo is living proof that the green fruit makes everything taste better
August 22, 2019 at 04:20PM by CWC If you want to make healthy foodies freak, here’s a tip: put an avocado on it (or in it). I don’t just mean on your morning avo toast. I’m talking 200-level stuff, like turning the fruit into Paleo- and keto-approved avocado mayo. Unlike traditional mayonnaise, which typically uses soybean oil and also contains ingredients like added sugar and “natural flavors,” you can have your mayo and make it healthier, keto- and Paleo-approved mayonnaise (while still having it taste good!) using avocado oil, eggs, vinegar, and salt. That’s it. Speaking of avocados, here’s what a registered dietitian thinks about everyone’s favorite fruit: ad_intervals[‘93628_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘93628_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5D6Xr1gg7c] Using avocado oil ensures that the mayo is filled with what are considered good, healthy fats (the monounsaturated ones). “It’s [also] high in oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid), which is thought to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties,” says Michelle Dudash, R.D.N., chef and author of Clean Eating for Busy Families. And of course eggs are another key ingredient for avocado mayonnaise that’s a keto- and Paleo-favorite dietitians love. “Eggs contain all the essential amino acids your body needs. Plus, your body is able to fully absorb all the protein from the eggs to help lower blood pressure, optimize bone health, and help to increase muscle mass,” registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD previously told Well+Good. So what can you use avocado mayonnaise for? The condiment can be