December 06, 2019 at 10:55PM by CWC Putting together a skin-care routine from scratch can be a daunting task. Usually, it involves a lot of scrolling through websites wondering where to begin. According to dermatologists, the basics of a good routine include a cleanser, an antioxidant serum, a retinol, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. So if you’re looking to start fresh, those are all the elements you need. Even with that in mind, putting together a multi-step regimen can often feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the game. The good news? The holiday shopping season has brought along an entire haul of skin-care kits chock full of everything you need for a lot less than what you’d usually spend on crafting a regimen. From cleansers to serums to moisturizers, these babies have got it all—just add some sunscreen into the mix and you’ll be good to go, all with the single click of the “add to cart” button. Shop the best skin-care sets below, and get ready to make 2020 your most radiant year yet. These are the best skin-care sets for re-vamping your routine Photo: Glossier 1. Glossier The Skincare Edit, $50 Achieve the #topshelf of your dreams with this set, which puts mini versions of the brand’s cult faves into one place. You’ll get a Milky Jelly Cleanser, Priming Rich Moisturizer, Future Dew and Super Bounce Serums, and two Balm Dotcoms. Your Instagram feed (and your skin) will look lit. Photo: Sunday Riley 2. Sunday Riley Acid Appeal,
Day: December 6, 2019
Confused about what it means to eat for the environment? Here’s how 4 sustainability experts grocery shop
December 06, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC While it’s good news that eating sustainably isn’t at odds with eating well, navigating the grocery aisles with both yourself and the planet in mind is easier said than done. Deciding if you should go for grass-fed beef or one of the many plant-based alternatives, debating whether you should worry about the water resources it takes to make a carton of almond milk, Googling what all the different phrases on various egg carton means…it’s confusing. In an effort to gain a little clarity, I asked four experts—all of whom work in different areas of the sustainability space—to reveal what goes through their minds when they grocery shop. You’ll see that there isn’t just one way to live sustainably; what that means and looks like can vary. The big takeaway is that getting into the habit of thinking not only about what’s in your food but where it’s coming from is a major step in the right direction. Here, each person shares their grocery haul photos and also explains the thought process behind their choices. Keep reading to see what sustainable grocery shopping looks like for four experts. Photo by Lars and Alena Schowalter; Graphic by W+G Creative Lars and Alena Schowalter, co-founders of Nutritiously About the experts: Based in Germany, Lars and Alena Schowalter founded their company as a way to give people actionable ways to eat healthy and sustainably. For them, this means following a vegan diet. Alena is a recipe developer and
Barry’s Bootcamp is selling discount classes for the only time all year, so you’d better stock up for 2020
December 06, 2019 at 07:30PM by CWC Let’s be honest here: boutique fitness ain’t cheap. Many classes will set you back $30 or more, so when a deal comes knocking at your door, it’s time to pull out your wallet. The holiday Barry’s Bootcamp sale is one of those moments. If you’re one of the one-hundred thousand people who love the treadmill HIIT studio, step right up. Through December 7, Barry’s Bootcamp is offering class packs at slashed prices. Since Barry’s has now become a global mainstay, the deals vary by region. For example, New Yorkers can buy a 10-class pack for $280 (originally $330) and save the extra $50 for post-workout brunch, or another holiday splurge. If you’ve never tried the boot camp-style class before, Well+Good’s fitness editor Rachel Lapidos’ review might just convince you to lace up. “Barry’s has been my favorite workout studio for years now,” she says. “It’s definitely more of a treat myself-kinda sweat sesh, though—which is why I wait with bated breath for them to slash their class pack prices. I pounce on this once a year Barry’s Bootcamp sale like a lion that’s been patiently eyeing its prey, and it has already brought me so much holiday joy.” Oh, and did I mention you can gift that same, sweat-soaked holiday joy to others? Winning at gift-giving, indeed. Be sure to stretch after class, runners: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgbAG-O66hA] Wondering how to tackle the treadmill at the gym? Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method or try the curved
How SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, really works
December 06, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Could you eat if you only had $4 a day to spend on food? That’s what millions of Americans have to try and do. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is vitally important to nearly 50 million Americans and assists low-income families who work but have large child care, housing, and other expenses that leave them with insufficient money to buy food. (The program used to be called the Food Stamp Program, and many people still refer to it as such.) A September 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that about 11 percent of households—just over 14 million—had trouble putting enough food on the table last year and that in about four percent of households, someone went hungry because there was not enough money to buy food. Yet despite these troubling statistics, the Trump administration has proposed a slate of new rules tightening access to SNAP benefits. The latest, which was finalized on Wednesday and goes into effect in April 2020, will more strictly enforce a standard that able-bodied adults without children must work at least 20 hours per week to qualify for SNAP. Before, states could waive this for periods of time, say, if there was a lack of sufficient available jobs. It will now be harder for states to do so and exempt people who live in high unemployment areas. While administration officials say this change encourages the “dignity of work” for low-income Americans, experts estimate that nearly
Make your own healthy holiday gifts with this chocolate bark recipe
December 06, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC It’s really hard to figure out what to give people as gifts, especially when you’re not trying to start off 2020 completely broke. That’s why I’m here to offer you an idea that literally everyone on your list will love. Anyone would be thankful for this healthy chocolate bark recipe. Chocolate bark has been a holiday staple for years, but it’s no surprise that it’s typically loaded with refined sugar, dairy, and other ingredients some of the people on your list try to avoid. Luckily, there’s a version everyone on your list can enjoy. Herbalist and holistic health coach Rachelle Robinett‘s dark chocolate recipe only requires a handful of ingredients, including cacao, vanilla, and maple syrup. After pouring it onto a sheet pan, freeze until solid, then break it apart. Now that it’s ready to go, you can divvy it up into holiday-themed candy gift boxes, which you can find right on Amazon. (This option made from recycled paper comes in a pack of 50, and since it’s plain, it will be easy to decorate.) It isn’t just a thoughtful gift that shows you care. It’s also a delicious one that will have everyone begging you for the recipe. Rachelle Robinett’s healthy dark chocolate bark recipe [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XunIxyXbyQs] Ingredients 1 cup cacao butter 1/3 cup maple syrup 1 cup cacao powder 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/8 tsp salt 1. Melt cacao butter in a double boiler, or in a bowl over a pot
Body serums keep skin hydrated from head-to-toe without a hint of stickiness in sight
December 06, 2019 at 04:34PM by CWC Your skin, as any derm or doctor will tell you, is your largest organ. Yet, when most of us talk about “skin care, we’re usually only referring to the space between our necks and our foreheads, and our bodies don’t get the same star treatment. In fact, I’m willing to bet that most of us have a good scrub down in the shower, and maybe slather on some lotion when we get out, before calling it a day. But with dry skin season upon us, there’s one more step worth adding into the mix: a body serum. “Body serums, like face serums, are used to introduce nourishing or revitalizing ingredients to our skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD. In the same way your face serums tend to be the most potent products in your routine, body serums tend to be chock-full of active ingredients that make them more concentrated than your usual body lotion. They’re ideal for “rejuvenating and moisturizing your skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling, DO, and can be beneficial for all skin types. Unlike creams, lotions, and oils, these products tend to be ultra-light, and won’t leave any sort of grease or film behind on your skin. They can be used on their own (particularly if you hate the texture of lotion, or are looking for something lightweight in a warmer climate) or layered underneath a thicker cream to really double down on moisture. Below, dermatologists share their
Back-channeling is a toxic-communication habit that probably exists in your office
December 06, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Ever leave a tense meeting, go back to your desk, and promptly start talking with or Slacking your work pal about what just went down? It’s a common, knee-jerk reaction for airing your frustrations, and it even has it’s own name: back-channeling. While this strain of communication may seem innocent enough, it can actually contribute to a toxic workplace environment without you realizing it. Below, learn exactly why this practice can be less than ideal for office culture, plus strategies you can implement to help break the habit. You know, without bottling up your emotions about what’s getting to you at work. First, let’s clear this up: What is back-channeling, exactly? “Back-channeling is when secret conversations occur that disagree with the larger conversation,” says Sabrina Baker, an HR consultant and founder of Acacia HR Solutions. Consider this example: A team at work meets to decide how to move forward on a new project. Everyone seems to be on the same page in the meeting and they hash out a plan on how they’ll move forward. But afterward, one person turns to another, says they don’t like what was just agreed on, and the two discuss it. “They have now created a back channel,” Baker says. “I call it a secret society of dissent where the larger team has no idea that certain members actually do not agree with what is happening.” Why is it so toxic? In the moment, back-channeling can feel like
How to order the healthiest smoothie at Smoothie King, according to a dietitian
December 06, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Chances are, if you’re hitting up a smoothie bar like Smoothie King, you have the best intentions of keeping your order healthy. The grab-and-go chain caters to health-minded eaters across the spectrum, with an extensive menu that includes 25 different “fitness blends,” 16 “wellness blends,” and 16 “take a break blends.” It’s awesome Smoothie King has gone the extra mile to have so many choices, but it’s also…overwhelming. With so many drink options to choose from, it can be a challenge to know which ones are truly the healthiest. That’s where registered dietitian Carrie Dennett, RD comes in. Here, she highlights the best menu choices for eaters (sippers?) prioritizing low-sugar, ketogenic, or vegan dietary habits. Consider it the unofficial Smoothie King cheat sheet for making your order as healthy as it can be. Keep reading to see her tips for each of the aforementioned eating plans. Scroll down to see Smoothie King’s healthiest options, according to a dietitian. Low-sugar Menu picks: Keto Champ Coffee; Keto Champ Berry What an RD says: The majority of Smoothie King’s offerings are high in sugar, reaching more than double what’s recommended for the entire day. (A lot of this is the nature of fruit-heavy smoothies, although many also have significant amounts of added sugar, too.) But Dennett has a smart cheat for keeping your order on the low end of the sugar spectrum: “If you choose one of the specially crafted ‘keto’ smoothies, you know it’s going to be low
8 signs you’re super stressed out, whether you realize it or not
December 06, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Stress is a word with which we’re all very closely acquainted, and many of us may well use a form of it to describe how we feel about a number of items on our daily to-do list. Stress is a states that’s both common and often spoken about, yet it still often goes unnoticed, existing under the radar. That’s because there are certain signs of stress that may not register to every person, meaning it’s totally possible for it to affect you without you even knowing that it’s happening. “Sometimes stress can mount over time, so you don’t really realize you have it,” says clinical psychologist Thea Gallagher, PsyD. “People don’t realize they’re stressed because nothing substantive has changed. It can be a slow burn.” Denial, which is a coping mechanism, can also keep you from realizing you’re stressed, says clinical psychologist John Mayer, PhD, author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life. “People don’t realize they’re stressed because nothing substantive has changed. It can be a slow burn.” —clinical psychologist Thea Gallagher, PsyD But whether or not certain signs of stress register on your awareness radar, they can still make an impact on your body and general functioning. “When stress levels are chronically high, it can cause problems for you, even if you don’t consciously realize you’re stressed,” says psychiatrist Gail Saltz, MD, author of The Power of Different. Because your mind and body are interconnected, she says stress can manifest certain physical
Lex is the new photo-free dating app that anyone with swiping-fatigue has been waiting for
December 06, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC Dramatic queen seeks switchy nerd. Enby DJ seeks chill lover. Insatiable bottom 4 masochistic top. Gay cowboy for makeouts. These one-liners, without a doubt, tell you more about who someone is and what they’re looking for than a photo of them holding a fish or making kissy-face in the bathroom mirror. And herein lies the point of the recently launched “texts first, selfies second” dating app for lesbians, bisexuals, asexuals, queer folks, womxn and trans, genderqueer, intersex, two-spirit, and non-binary people interested in meeting lovers and friends: Lex. Inspired by old-school newspaper personal ads, the idea of Lex is to swap snapshot swiping with blurb-reading. The brainchild of Kell Rakowski, Lex first lived for a few years on Instagram under the handle @_personals_ (which has since been changed to @Lex.app). Here, Rakowski and a small team posted over 10,000 user-submitted personal ads (like this one and this one), linking to posters’ IG accounts so interested muses could slide into their DMs. While Personals was a major success, introducing folks who later went to sext/sex/date/love/marry, the number of submissions overwhelmed the account. So, the concept platform-hopped in early November, and now lives full-time as an app (which is available for download on iPhone and Android). A queer dating app that offers a nostalgic and important nod to the past Personal ads aren’t exclusively a #queerthing, but as sex educator and pleasure advocate Lateef Taylor explains, the personal ads in the back of magazines like