December 15, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC By the end of the week, on Saturday, December 21, 11:19 p.m., EST, the sun moves from bold and blunt Sagittarius into stern and stoic Capricorn, heralding the official change of seasons. The northern hemisphere’s winter solstice of 2019 happens when the sun’s most direct light reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. This isn’t because the sun itself is moving, but rather we, on planet Earth, are hurling through space and traveling in a new quadrant of the sky in a new season, relating differently to the sun. In the north, this night marks the longest of the year. And with temperatures dropping, calls increase to get cozy indoors, making winter the ideal time to restore what Traditional Chinese Medicine would refer to as our yin energy. Yin energy is vital to our well being, and nourishing it provides many benefits—it specifically helps to combat the challenges of aging, helping the body to feel supple, restored, and bright. Soon, the length of day will gradually expand as the sun enters a cycle of rebirth. But it’s so important to linger in this moment of darkness while it lasts. Getting quiet and nurturing yourself provides way more long-term energy than another shot of espresso will land you. In fact, more than any other time of year, staying mindful of caffeine consumption now will deeply impact your well-being. This week, specifically, provides the perfect conditions for sleep, so take advantage. Since this cosmic event marks not
Day: December 15, 2019
8 delicious, gut-friendly snacks that registered dietitians love
December 15, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Sorry, high-protein everything—we’re all about fiber right now. Why? The nutrient found in foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains, has been linked a whole slew of health benefits from more regular digestion to promoting the health of your gut microbiome. Hell, it can even improve your skin. And unlike protein, most of us aren’t getting enough of it in our diets. That’s where high-fiber snacks come in. They can help you more easily meet your daily fiber quota without feeling like you have to load up all at one meal and risk gastrointestinal distress. Speaking of gut health, here’s the 101 on the topic straight from a dietitian: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpAjl3cFn6A] “Since the standard recommendation of 25 grams for women and 30 grams for men is just an average, it’s helpful to know that the real recommendation is a minimum 14 grams for every 1000 calories consumed,” says Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. Adding in fiber to snacks—at least four grams per serving, she says—is an easy way to make sure you’re getting enough each day. But instead of scouring labels all day at the grocery store, we asked a few dietitians to share some of their favorite high-fiber snacks. These picks are sure to keep you and your gut happy. Keep reading for the best high-fiber snacks for optimal gut health. Photo: Courtesy of brand 1. Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans ($22 for 24) Fiber: 5 grams per serving
A derm says this post-shower mistake could be what’s making your skin so dry
December 15, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuLmx0JslY] Your skin-care routine starts in the shower. Everything from the temperature of the water to the ingredients in your body wash make a significant difference in how your skin feels when you step out. But according to board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, there’s a critical—and common—mistake that people are making after they turn off the water that could be making their skin dry. In the latest episode of Dear Derm, Dr. Gohara delivers a deep dive into everything you need to know about dry skin—from what could be causing it to exactly the products you should be using to get it to go away. A few of the common culprits are hardly surprising: a dry environment, harsh ingredients, and physiological factors could all be coming into play. But according to Dr. Gohara, the way you, well, dry off your face after you wash it could be what’s making it feel dehydrated throughout the day. Bath towels aren’t exactly the smoothest thing to rub all over your skin, and drying off too intensely could compromise your barrier. “We all know that over-exfoliating is a problem. People scrub left and right trying to get rid of pimples, trying to get rid of wrinkles, trying to get rid of this and that. I tell my patients every day, ‘exfoliating is for toilets, not for skin,’” says Dr. Gohara. “Be gentle to your skin.” Her suggestion? Pat your face dry instead of wiping it, then slather on your favorite moisturizer.
Should you be washing your gloves? Here’s the germy truth—and exactly how to clean them
December 15, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When’s the last time you washed your gloves? If the answer is “never,” you’re in the majority. Every winter, you wear them daily, touching germy surfaces like door handles and—let’s be honest—using them as a tissue for your runny nose. As expected, that makes them nothing short of a hot bed for bacteria. In a 2015 study conducted by Good Morning America, gloves of all different materials were swabbed for bacteria and viruses. While some samples tested positive for coronavirus, which is commonly behind winter colds and infections, there were also more serious discoveries. Nine came back with potentially harmful bacteria, including staph and MRSA. And, keep in mind, this was with a very small sample size. Never washing your gloves isn’t the best idea for your health. (It also makes them smell.) The good news is it’s incredibly easy to clean them, and these are the best tactics to use this season. How to wash your gloves, according to the material 1. Cotton Cotton gloves might not be the warmest option, but they’re certainly the easiest to clean. Put them in the washing machine just like you would your other clothes. Either wash them separately, or toss them in with lights or darks, depending on the color. Then lay them out flat to dry, as they will shrink in the dryer (unless you’re not using heat). 2. Wool Wool is more delicate, so you have to be gentle. Instead of using the
This lymphatic drainage-boosting face roller doubles as a piece of art
December 15, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC In between a full-time grad program, an internship, and hours of weekly freelance work, my skin has not been thriving. The end result of zero time for self care has resulted in quite visible signs of stress, and so dark circles and dullness have gotten quite comfortable on my face—which doesn’t leave me holly or jolly this holiday season. This is why the only present that I want this year is a stunning face massage tool that’s fit for an empress. I want (need, really) to be pampered, and this Kindred Black Huizache Wood and Obsidian Face Massage Tool ($95) looks like something Cleopatra herself would have kept on her vanity. You may be thinking, “What’s the fuss? Rollers are everywhere.” I hear you, but this roller is different. Yes, lymphatic drainage is the beauty industry’s hot ticket treatment these days, and I could pick up a jade roller or a gua sha stone from just about any store I walk into. But this massage tool is a piece of art. Kindred Black’s facial massager has a hand-carved handle made from gorgeous huizache wood, which makes it look like an ancient beauty relic unearthed from an archeological dig. Then there’s the black obsidian stone that not only looks lavish, but is a crystal known for deep healing powers on the psyche. Sourced from Mexico and hand-crafted in a workshop “near the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacán,” according to the brand, the roller lets
The key to lower body strength is the ‘foldability of your legs’
December 15, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC Toddlers are natural-born yogis. They stretch their backs out in cobra pose and cat-cow like there’s no tomorrow. And according to Will Torres, founder of NYC-based movement studio, Willspace, the squat babies pop into naturally while they’re playing with toys serves a leg strength exercise that grown-ups should be doing, too. “The legs are made up of two parts: the lower leg, which is between the knee and ankle, and the upper leg, which is between the hip and knee. If you bend the knees, flex the hips, and dorsiflex the ankles, both parts of the leg come together with the upper leg resting on the lower leg,” says Torres. The ability to hang out in this position is called leg “foldability” and it can increase your range of motion, help with digestion, and keep the spine, hips, knees, ankles healthy. “It’s also incredible for the tendons and ligaments and is beneficial for blood flow and removal of toxins and waste within the body. It is the ultimate equalizer,” says Torres. Training your squat doesn’t require complex moves or stretches. Instead, you just have to (literally) pop a squat and work your way up to longer and longer holds. “After every two hours of working at a desk, you can step away and lower yourself into a squat and just hold it for time. After driving to work or home from work, sit in a squat. While you watch TV or play with