December 09, 2019 at 10:08PM by CWC Mary Cain’s Spotify Wrapped for 2019 includes song after song by Dermot Kennedy. “He’s the only person I listen to when I run. There’s something about his very soulful singing that can really pump me up but also keep me relaxed,” she says. Nowadays, Cain’s workouts are just as she describes Kennedy’s music: soulful. On a Friday night at Outdoor Voice’s brand new Flatiron location in New York City—shortly before the 2013 World Championships finalist steps on stage to speak on a panel to a packed room of those who resonated with her powerful story—Cain tells me that her workouts are now led by the joy of movement. When I ask her about her workout of the day, she smiles: “I went up to Central Park, and I did about 10 miles worth of work because I didn’t really do a very long cool down. I kind of skipped on that,” she laughs. What Cain has pinpointed in her workout regimen is an acknowledgement of fitness as a fluid and flexible part of life. Sure, there’s nothing casual about going to the park and running multiple miles around Central Park’s six-mile loop, and the runner doesn’t pretend like the workout is no big. But, she’s quick to celebrate movement of any kind as a positive. “It’s super important to recognize that you can do things outside of an organizational structure. You can go do sprints in the park, you can go play frisbee
Day: December 9, 2019
Nike just launched a shoe to help you stabilize your plank for (much!) longer
December 09, 2019 at 09:00PM by CWC Our sneakers used to have one job to do. If you were a runner, that job was to help you log injury-free miles; if you were more into strength training, it was to keep you grounded for your lifts. But with the rise of boutique fitness, and more specifically of HIIT workouts, our sneakers are now forced through dozens of different movements in the course of a single session—from sprints to burpees to jump lunges. And so, Nike set out to develop a shoe that could do it all. The brand created their latest SuperRep family of shoes specifically with today’s fitness classes in mind. “Fitness classes are booming around the world,” Jamie Jeffries, VP and GM of Nike Training said in a statement. “Working out is its own sport, and Nike’s SuperRep shoes are designed to deliver on the performance needs [that are] specific to these activities.” The first shoe in the collection, the Nike Air Zoom SuperRep ($120), is meant to make HIIT workouts easier on athletes’ bodies. The diverse movements performed in these types of routines put forth a lot of impact on your joints (think: jump squats and high knees), which means that the right sneaker needs to have cushion and support. But Nike noticed that most of the options out there only offered one or the other, forcing people to choose which was most important to their movements. And so, the Nike Air Zoom SuperRep has air pockets
Chobani is coming for Oatly’s crown with its new oat milk
December 09, 2019 at 08:30PM by CWC When you think of Chobani, you think of Greek yogurt. It’s the top-selling brand in the country. But for the first time ever, the company is entering the non-dairy space—and with that comes its first round of non-yogurt products, including so-creamy-you-won’t-believe-it Chobani oat milk. The company’s biggest expansion to date, Chobani Oat includes multiple flavors of non-dairy yogurts, including some blended with crunchy granola crumbles. The real stars of the show, though, are the oat milks in four flavors: plain, plain extra creamy, vanilla, and chocolate. Expected to hit shelves in January at $4 for a 52 ounce carton, the price is hard to beat. There’s also a special Barista Blend available that acts like steamed whole milk, allowing you to make frothy, coffee shop-level lattes right at home. In addition to the oat milks and yogurts, Chobani will also release non-dairy creamers in four classic flavors, including caramel, sweet cream, hazelnut, and vanilla. One splash, and you’re good to go. I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. Photo: Chobani “Our vision for better food for more people has always spanned further than the yogurt aisle. Now, we’re ready to take that first step beyond the category where our story began,” Niel Sandford, vice president of new product development at Chobani, tells Well+Good. “The demand for plant-based, non-dairy options has significantly grown over recent years, and we see oat as a superior base from both an agriculture and sensory perspective.” These are
This push-up variation is a real triple threat of strength, flexibility, and mobility
December 09, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC There are a few standard ways to up the intensity of a push-up. You can channel your inner superhero with the Spiderman version, get some air with a clap, or toss in a jump between reps. (Yeah, I’m talking about burpees.) But blast-off push-ups are a real triple threat, combining strength, flexibility, and mobility. Blast-off push-ups require a little coordination. Instead of just doing the standard up-and-down motion, you’re shooting your lower body back into a crouch hover plank-like position then quickly bringing your body back into a push-up, all in one fluid motion. As you transfer your weight back and forth, you’re working your entire body, especially your arms and abs. You’re also getting some cardio as you build up your strength, as well as increasing your flexibility and mobility. It’s not an easy exercise, but it’s certainly effective. Here’s your step-by-step guide to mastering it. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJmK2UWbwkw] How to do blast-off push-ups: Begin in a push-up position. Shoot your pelvis back, moving your lower body toward your feet. You should have a bend at your knees, and they should be hovering a few inches off the floor. Quickly push your body back into a push-up position, keeping your core tight and engaged the entire time. Lower into a push-up, getting as close to the floor as you can, and return to your starting plank position. Repeat the motions in a fluid motion. There shouldn’t be any pauses between steps. To make
Wellness shots 2.0 want to help you sleep better, feel less stressed, and more—no ‘cleanse’ required
December 09, 2019 at 07:30PM by CWC The idea of knocking back a wellness shot in the name of health is nothing new. Concentrated vials of wheatgrass or ginger have been DIY-ed in many a home kitchen and ordered in juice bars for decades. They’re as time-tested as smoothies and juices themselves. While the act itself hasn’t changed, what’s in the shot glass has. Instead of concentrated singular ingredients, brands such as Suja Juice, Vive Organic, and Legacy Juice are crafting multi-ingredient wellness shots to serve various functions such as focus, energy, and sleep—without requiring a full-on “cleanse.” Here, insiders share how wellness shots have evolved, and where their place is in your healthy routine now. Getting functional Lianna Sugarman has long been passionate about using beverages for better health and well-being. She launched her juice and shot company LuliTonix in 2012, which soon became a cult favorite among in-the-know wellness insiders. But Sugarman, who paused the LuliTonix business to refocus and rebrand, says she’s noticed a major shift in the making and marketing of wellness shots. When she launched her business, cleanses were all the rage, and many juice companies like Sugarman’s offered drinks and shots billed for cleansing and detoxification. But as our attitudes around cleanses have shifted, so too have the products, she says. “In the last few years, we’ve moved away from the idea of a cleanse and using shots in that way,” Sugarman says, as cleanses and detoxes can often be unsafe and potentially promote
This month’s full cold moon will either be magical or confusing, depending on your sign
December 09, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC The last full moon of the year and the decade, nicknamed the full cold moon, is taking the sky on December 12 at 12:12 a.m. EST. And given that it’s happening in Gemini, you can either expect a magical and mystical time, or to be incredibly confused. The key here is to trust your intuition but to ask questions that facilitate clarity before you make any big decisions. “Because the Gemini moon emphasizes communication, it’s important to be clear, honest, and direct during this full moon to avoid confusion,” says Rachel Lang, intuitive astrologer and healer. “It’s also a time when your intuition could be heightened, and you don’t want to rush to conclusions if you have an inkling about something being off.” Furthermore, it’s important to stay open to shifts in your schedule during the full cold moon. “A Jupiter-Uranus trine means plans could change unexpectedly, or you could receive a last-minute invitation. Keep your mind open to what’s possible,” Lang says. “New doors of opportunity could open. Stay flexible and adapt to whatever changes occur. Trust they are part of a bigger picture. This cosmic event is also noted for benefiting from human connection, and not just romantic relationships. That’s because right now, even if you typically prefer to keep your feelings and thoughts close to the chest, there’s value to opening up. You can benefit from hearing the thoughts others can offer you, and also help them find the answers
Is an ‘eco-friendly Christmas tree’ even a thing?
December 09, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC I side with Charlie Brown on the whole Real Versus Fake Christmas tree debate. Yes, he’s a blockhead, but I feel a sort of inauthentic cheapness when I glide down a Sears aisle of straight plastic; I neeed a little fresh friend that I can nurture and bedeck with glassblown goodies. However, I’m trying to make baby steps in sustainable living because not sure if you heard, but CLIMATE CHANGE. Merry Christmas, the World is Over (If You Want It)! So I’ve started to ruminate on my real tree habit: is there such thing as an eco-friendly Christmas tree? When I posited this question among my colleagues, there was a ton of ping-ponging before firmly landing on “lol idk find out.” Fortunately, I was able to have Ashlee Piper, sustainability expert and author of Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet weigh in on the matter. Fake Trees Again, as a card-carrying member of the Real Trees Only club, I was quick to throw shade at plastic trees. After all, they’re plastic. Or aluminum. Or nylon. That said, Piper is in support of a fake tree as an eco-friendly option with a few caveats. “Plastic holiday trees are a great eco option if you already have one, you’ll keep it in good repair and reuse for years to come, and/or you get one secondhand,” she says. Confession: my eyebrows shot straight up at the last one, because all I could think was “PINK.
This $6 Walmart find might just turn you into a smoothie person
December 09, 2019 at 05:50PM by CWC Among the many reasons to love healthy breakfast smoothies is that they’re portable and refreshing. But making a smoothie from scratch is jsut so much work, especially in the morning when you’re cranky and half-asleep. My intention intentions to blend a smoothie often goes unfulfilled, giving way to a microwaved bowl of instant oatmeal or a protein bar before heading out the door. A new product coming out this month just might make things a little easier. Everipe is a new smoothie company that has ready-to-blend smoothie kits in five different flavors. It’s a similar concept to Daily Harvest (without the buzzy add-ins, like adaptogens or CBD), but Everipe smoothie kits will be available at your local Walmart. (You know, in the frozen food aisle, where so many wellness wins are sold. All you do is add a liquid base (milk, alt-milk, coconut water, etc.) to your blender, dump the smoothie kit ingredients in, blend for 60 seconds, and breakfast is served. What makes these smoothie kits so healthy is that the fruits and veggie ingredients are all freeze dried right when the nutrient density is at their peak. None of the nutrients are lost while they sit in the freezer until they’re ready to be bought and blended. A pack of four is $6.25, making it just $1.60 per smoothie—much cheaper than some alternatives. Everipe just might take smoothie-making from a healthy aspiration to an everyday ritual. What to eat to boost
8 bisexuality myths, debunked—by people who identify as bisexual
December 09, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Bisexuality is a term that most if not all have heard, yet unfortunately, its pervasiveness doesn’t reflect widespread understanding of what it actually means in practice. That’s because for many, the concept of bisexuality is shrouded heavily in confusion and misconceptions. And unfortunately, clearing up the answers the most simple of undertakings. But that doesn’t mean the confusion can’t be unpacked, period. Below, find eight common misconceptions about what bisexuality actually means, plus what people who identify as bisexual are especially tired of hearing. 1. Actually, bisexuality isn’t gender-exclusionary The Bisexual Manifesto, published in 1990, reads: “Do not assume that bisexuality is binary or duogamous in nature.” That means anyone who contends bisexuality reinforces the gender binary, given its prefix that means two, is mistaken. Rather, according to The Bisexual Resource Center, bisexuality means “being attracted romantically and/or sexually to more than one gender.” That said, Mimi, 24, a queer bisexual tomboy-femme, adds that some (herself included) define it as attraction to genders that are like and unlike their own, meaning not necessarily just male or female. 2. Identifying as bisexual does not make dating any easier “It’s hilarious to me that people think dating would be easier because I’m bi,” says Mimi. Sure, in theory there’s a larger group of potential suitors from which to draw. But in reality, that’s not actually the case, she says. “Dating seems to be much harder for me. Finding someone who is accepting of, not shame-y
Amp up arms day with this 5-move kettlebell workout, straight from a trainer
December 09, 2019 at 03:36PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol3hUJJSPKo] When arms day comes around, it’s only natural to settle into your usual routine with dumbbells and push-ups. But this week’s Trainer of the Month Club workout challenges you to mix things up in an entirely new way: by adding kettlebells into the mix. Kettlebells can be your secret weapon for getting an effective arm workout, because unlike dumbbells, they offer a higher-intensity level of weight training, and are great for moves like swings because they increase the energy you’re using, as you push against the momentum going forward and back. One thing to note when it comes to selecting the right weight to use for your kettlebell arm workout: Since you’ll be working a mix of big and small muscles, it’s worth grabbing a couple of heavy and a lightweight options and switching between them as needed, so that your form doesn’t suffer. Follow along with trainer Roxie Jones in the video above, then check back next week for an entirely new way to integrate kettlebells into your routine. Try this 5-move kettlebell arms workout 1. American kettlebell swing x 12: Holding a lightweight kettlebell, push your hips back and swing the bell between your legs. Lift your arms over your head, stopping right above your temple, not passing your arms behind your shoulders. 2. Single-arm chest press with glute bridge x 12: Start with your back flat on the floor and feet planted. Hold your lighter kettlebell in your