November 29, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC In the encyclopedia of abs workouts, everyone raves about the plank. It’s effective, of course, since it engages so much of your core (not to mention your arms, shoulders, and glutes), and there are dozens of plank variations you can play around with (bear planks and side planks, for instance). But, I’ve got controversial news for you: A physical therapist says there are two abs exercises that are more effective in getting a stronger core. “There are many other exercises besides a plank that can help strengthen the core,” says Adefemi Betiku, DPT, physical therapist and instructor at Club Pilates. “Basic planks predominantly tap into strengthening and activating the transverse abdominis.” However, there are plenty of other muscles in your core that you should be paying attention to, he says. Betiku’s take? “The most effective core exercises are the ones that strengthen and activate specific parts of your core, like the bicycle and Superman exercises,” he says. What’s more, he’s anti-plank because there are easy ways to wreck your form, which means not only are you not activating your core, but you could be hurting your body. “So many people experience pain with planks because of poor form,” says Betiku. “Your spine and neck should remain neutral with your hips in line with your body.” Miss that alignment and you’re missing the point of your abs workout. That said, keep scrolling for tips on slaying the most effective core-strengthening exercises that Betiku swears
Month: November 2019
No matter the skin concern, argan oil has become the face savior we need
November 29, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC When Morrocanoil launched to viral success in 2010, it introduced women on this side of the Atlantic to the wonders that argan oil—otherwise known as “liquid gold”—can work on hair. What you may not realize, though, is that using argan oil for face and skin can have just as many—if not more—benefits than argan oil for hair. Because: “liquid gold” is right. As far as skin is concerned, this stuff does it all. “Argan oil is a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer which is rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” says board-certified dermatologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD. All skin-types can benefit from using it, so whether you’re dealing with acne, dry skin, inflammation, or general signs of aging, it’s got you covered. “Argan oil is powerful and because it’s just one pure ingredient, it can draw into skin and you can see an improvement in smoothness, hydration, and the appearance of wrinkles,” says Josie Maran, who uses the ingredient as the backbone of her namesake skin-care line. Below, the pros share exactly how to add argan oil for face and skin into your routine, because as Maran puts it, “if you have skin, you need argan oil.” What are the benefits of argan oil for face and skin care? Hydrating: Layering an oil on your face is a great way to lock in moisture, but argan oil takes things one step further. “Argan oil is loaded with vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which help to
Susan Miller shares her exclusive 2020 forecast for each zodiac sign
November 29, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Not only are we in the victory-lap portion of the year, but also of the decade. And while we may well prioritize staying present and making memories with loved ones during the holiday season, fact remains that we’re human—and human nature urges us to look ahead to what’s next. To that point, we getting a peek at 2020 horoscopes is likely of interest. Will our star signs predict good fortune, or will we fall into the ’20s on our face? Well, thanks to Astrology Zone founder Susan Miller, you don’t need to wait until January 1 to get a look at those 2020 horoscopes and answer your burning questions. According to Miller’s vision of the cosmic forecast, all signs can get excited for different energies in the new year. Below, get Miller’s big predictions for the 2020 horoscopes that’ll really define your year. Take a peek at Susan Miller’s predictions for the 2020 horoscopes below. Aries Rams are keen on getting things started with absolute velocity and drive, and if you’ve feeling stagnant in your current role or impatient about a big promotion, don’t worry—the 2020 horoscopes forecast show the new year to be a great time for you to thrive. “Aries is all about spectacular career growth,” says Miller. And it makes complete sense; Aries is a fiery, Mars-ruled sign and emblem of leadership. In 2020, they can expect their natural front-of-the-line energy to propel them to the top of the chart,
3 tasty breakfast recipes to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers
November 29, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Thanksgiving day is great and everything—but if we’re all being honest, the whole spread tastes way better on day two (and three). Stuffing, sweet potatoes, gravy, turkey, and other dishes can elevate every single meal. (Ice cream smothered in cranberry sauce? Yes, please.) You only have a few days to use your leftovers—they don’t last nearly as long as you’d think. But we’ve got you covered. 3 Thanksgiving leftover recipes to make for breakfast View this post on Instagram The day after Thanksgiving, I wake up SO excited to have this for breakfast!⠀ ⠀ Shoot, I go to bed on Thanksgiving night excited to have this the next morning. I’m excited to have this NOW and I’m still a week away!⠀ ⠀ This Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Hash has turkey, dressing, leftover cooked Brussels or other veggies and gravy that’s warmed in a pan and topped with a fried egg. I of course also add some hot sauce. ⠀ ⠀ Seriously so delicious and one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving!⠀ ⠀ Recipe: https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/thanksgiving-leftovers-breakfast-hash/⠀ ⠀ Enjoy!⠀ XO,⠀ Kathryn⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #familyfoodonthetable⠀ #thanksgivingleftovers #breakfasthash ⠀ #thanksgivingturkey #thanksgiving2019 #thanksgivingfood #thanksgivingweekend #thanksgivingfeast ⠀ #breakfastclub #breakfastlover #breakfastinspiration #breakfastideas #breakfasttable #morningtime #breakfasteats #brunchtime #morningeats #brunchgoals #breakfastfordinner #clteats #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #eatingwell #yahoofood #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodwinewomen #TODAYfood #BHGfood #thekitchn #forkfeed A post shared by Kathryn | FamilyFoodOnTheTable (@familyfoodonthetable) on Nov 22, 2019 at 8:16am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS BREAKFAST HASH Anything can be made into a hash—including
Checks+Balanced: How pregnancy changed budgeting for a 25-year-old in Seattle
November 29, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Even in a world where questions about menstrual cups and the ins and outs of sex are completely (and blessedly) normal, somehow the ever-ubiquitous use of money remains a touchy subject for many. People want to live their healthiest life ever, but—#realtalk—it can add up. Have you ever wondered how your colleague who makes less than you do (or so you think) can afford to buy a $5 matcha and a $12 chopped salad every day? Or how your friend’s budget allows her to hit up $34 fitness classes three times a week? It’s enough to make anyone want to ask, “Ummm, excuse me. How do you afford that?!?” That’s where Well+Good’s monthly series Checks+Balanced comes in. By lifting the thick, tightly drawn curtain to expose how much women of varying income brackets spend on wellness, we’re spreading transparency and hopefully providing some inspo that’s possible to copy. Because no matter how much you make, it’s possible to cultivate healthy habits that work within your budget. This month, Chelsea Foster, a 25-year-old geologist living outside Seattle, Washington, reveals exactly how much she spends on nonnegotiables (like rent and food) and healthy habits (like supplements and acupuncture) alike. Foster has PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), and says sticking to her nutrition plan is key for managing her symptoms—but costs for the foods she relies on add up. She’s also newly pregnant and says her budget has definitely changed as a result. Keep reading for an up-close-and-definitely-personal look at her finances. Here, a 25-year-old
The 5 best foods for fighting inflammation, according to a dietitian
November 29, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0jXdgL6nGs] Looking for some easy things you can do every day to combat inflammation? Watch this video. When it comes to wellness buzzwords, inflammation is one of the big ones that people can’t stop talking about. But like lots of things that get over-hyped, its true meaning has kind of gotten lost in all of the noise. Thankfully, that’s why we have experts like registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, to help us set the record straight. As Beckerman explains in the latest episode of You Versus Food, inflammation is the body’s natural process of fighting against harmful bacteria and toxins that lead to illness and infection. “When your cells are damaged, the body releases chemicals, triggering a response from the immune system causing tissues to swell,” says Beckerman. This isolates infected tissues from the body, which allows them to heal without spreading the infection elsewhere. However, sometimes the immune system gets confused and stays active long after the threat is gone (or without any threat to begin with), causing chronic inflammation—and a whole host of potential health problems. There are a few things people can do to combat the effects of chronic inflammation, like managing stress and addressing unhealthy sleep habits. But diet can also play a huge role—which is why Beckerman is all about eating anti-inflammatory foods like berries. “Berries are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have the ability to reduce the risk of heart
I’m a meditation expert—here’s how I befriended my mind
November 29, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC People think an average of 80,000 thoughts per day, 80 percent of which are negative. As brilliant as the human mind can be, it’s natural to wish that we all had a pre-programmed, “do not disturb” feature for the times when we just wanted some peace and quiet. Since none of us are blessed with such an ability, it’s important to learn not just how to clear your mind but to calm it. And Ellie Burrows Gluck, co-founder and CEO of New York City’s MNDFL meditation studio, says that she has four tools in her toolkit for doing just that. “Meditation is without question my number one go-to for de-exciting the mind, but I find there are a couple of other things that also be effective for me personally,” says Gluck, who’s certified in Vedic tradition of meditation. “I love a follow-along dance class at Body By Simone where I have to use my mind to learn the steps. That kind of direct focus paired with the endorphin release is a pretty powerful combo for quieting my mind and releasing stress.” Moving to the beat has also been linked with overall better cognitive health, so why not crank Lizzo and bust a move? When she’s not dancing her way to a more accommodating mind, Gluck says that the simple act of touch can help refresh her brain. “Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed, hugging my husband and talking to him is very soothing. He’s
A mortar and pestle is the tool you need to take your cooking to the next level
November 29, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC There’s something magical about being able to make a healthier version of French toast bites with the help of an air fryer, or whipping up an easy, healthy meal in an Instant Pot with little effort. Even I, a person whose greatest culinary skill is putting Everything but the Bagel seasoning on whatever I pull out of my fridge and sticking it in the oven, own a few trendy kitchen gadgets. But the one thing you need to take your cooking to the next level may just be a mortar and pestle. Mortar and pestles, or some variations of, have been used for centuries around the globe, from the Aztecs to ancient Egyptians. A mortar and pestle is, essentially, a bowl and a club. Cue the Stefon voice: It has everything. The ability to smush avocado, grind spices, crush garlic and nuts, make pesto… the list goes on. “Anything that you want to have in finer pieces can go right in the mortar and pestle,” Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, says. “It’s a great one-‘dish’ catch-all anytime you’re looking to blend flavors.” Glassman likes to use a mortar and pestle to crush whole spices. “They offer so many antioxidants, which have numerous health benefits,” Glassman says. “For that I’ve always been a huge fan of adding them in whenever, and wherever, you can.” (Definitely read that last part as Shakira.) “Having a mortar and pestle around is a fun way to promote creating
This common misconception about face washing could keep you from the cleanser of your dreams
November 29, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC Even though washing your face is of utmost importance in your skin-care routine, there’s one type of cleanser that has gotten a bad rap. Foaming cleansers, the kind that give you that satisfying sudsy action as you cleanse, have been known to be drying. But, real talk: Are foam cleansers bad really? The answer, skin fans, is “no.” There’s a common misconception that foam cleansers are too harsh for anyone without super-oily skin, and while back in the day that may have been true, in 2019 it’s no longer the case. The age-old controversy with foaming cleansers stems from their use of sulfates, which some skin pros recommend avoiding because they can strip your skin of its natural oils and humectants. “Traditionally, sulfate-types of cleansers give the best foam, but they are harsh,” says Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist. Sulfates are a type of surfactant, which is what makes a foaming cleanser actually foam, but “they change the skin’s structure so that water can evaporate more easily,” says Michelle Wong, cosmetic chemist and founder of LabMuffin. We’re living in an era of peak skin care, though, and innovations in product formulation mean that foaming cleansers no longer have to be the enemy. “New cleansers use sarcosinates, betaines, and amino-derived surfactants,” says King. “They foam, but they don’t foam like sulfates, and they deliver cleansing and conditioning properties.” Newer foam cleansers also tend to have “foam stabilizers,” which Wong says “don’t strip the skin too much.”
Do you love parties but hate being the center of attention? You might be a shy extrovert—here’s how to deal
November 28, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC If you’ve taken any sort of personality quiz, you likely know if you’re either an introvert who loves a quiet night at home or an extrovert who thrives when they are surrounded by a lot of people. The introvert/extrovert divide, however, isn’t so black and white. Some people will fall somewhere in the middle (we’re looking at you, ambiverts), but there are also some subtypes of each including the often misunderstood shy extroverts. Many people assume that all shy people are introverts and all extroverts are social butterflies. While that might be the case for some people, it’s not a universal. Why? Because being shy and being introverted are two different traits. “When psychologists talk about introversion and extroversion, we’re focused on how people are energized,” says Heather Z. Lyons, PhD, licensed psychologist and owner of the Baltimore Therapy Group. “Extroverts are energized by social environments. On the other hand, introverts are drained by social experiences and are energized, instead, by alone time.” Therefore, “shy extroverts are those who crave social time but might lack the skills to socialize more effectively or even become avoidant in social situations despite the fact that they need their quality social time,” she says. Still not sure where you land on the extrovert spectrum? Keep reading to learn some of the signs of being a shy extrovert and pro tips on how to cope with it. Signs you’re a shy extrovert: 1. You dread social gatherings, but