December 29, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC As we bid adieu to 2019 this week, we do so astrologically with celestial momentum and support. Coming off last week’s solar eclipse and Jupiter conjunction with the sun, 2019 wraps on a seriously positive note. Yet with the sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in tough-love Capricorn, the cosmic weather also calls for a sober look at what you most wish to create in your life. Now’s the time to evaluate the structures of your life and see where you need more support to create your desired outcomes. To support you with this, Mercury in Capricorn makes a few supportive moves: Kicking off the week on Monday, Mercury forms a helpful trine to Uranus in Taurus. This Earth trine encourages grounded thinking, but also inspires creativity. (Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?) Lean into structure and discipline, but also open your mind to consider out-of-the-box options, because the universe might just surprise you in ways you didn’t anticipate. Later in the week, Mercury, the planet of communication, will conjoin Jupiter, the planet of growth. This rare and remarkable combination and exchange of energy perfects on Thursday, January 2, which means that come the first of the year, when you step your best forward into the new decade, you do so with this applying conjunction. This auspicious combination elevates intentions and helps you reach a higher octave of thinking. What does that mean for you? Stay positive, because this
Day: December 29, 2019
10 healthy lasagna recipes that serve as the ultimate comfort food
December 29, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Lasagna is the quintessential comfort food. Traditionally served piping hot and oozing with cheese spilling out from layers of pasta, the Italian dish is a cold-weather classic. For eaters who either can’t or choose not to consume dairy, meat, or gluten, there are many alternative homemade lasagna recipes out there. Rounded up here are 10 takes on the classic dish, full of tweaks to give eaters of a wide range of dietary restrictions something to dig into. 10 healthy homemade lasagna recipes for a delicious dinner Photo: Hummusapien 1. Vegan zucchini and tofu ricotta lasagna If you’re craving a lasagna dish but stick to a vegan diet, this is the recipe for you. It’s still dripping with marina sauce and you still get that cheesy taste you’re after, but the ricotta is made with a smart mix of tofu, roasted garlic hummus, nutritional yeast, basil, garlic, and sea salt. There’s also lots of spinach and zucchini tucked between the noodles, so you’re getting a good serving of fiber, too. Photo: The Spruce Eats 2. Very easy vegan lasagna This recipe is a good one to start with if you’ve never made a healthy lasagna recipe before or get stressed out in the kitchen easily. The recipe is simple, just nine ingredients, and the steps are straight-forward. Almond milk, nutritional yeast, and vegan ricotta cheese are used to keep the recipe dairy-free. Photo: Food Faith Fitness 3. Paleo zucchini lasagna Gluten-free, grain-free, Paleo, Whole30-approved,
10 yoga tips that have us better stretched and more mobile than ever before
December 29, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC Yoga has been around for eons, but that doesn’t mean it never changes. Within the past decade, we’ve seen the rise of hip hop yoga, shorter yoga flows that you can stream on your phone, and, well, even horseback yoga. Needless to say, although it’s an ancient practice, we’re still learning new things about it (and new ways to practice it) all the time. Take downward dog, for example. It’s one of the most foundational and basic yoga poses in pretty much every yoga class, but in 2019, a yogi revealed that simply shortening your stance can completely alter how the stretch feels. Whether you’re totally new or have been flowing for years, we can guarantee that the following #yogafacts will bring new light to your mat. Keep scrolling for the 10 most surprising facts about yoga we learned this past year. 1. Your downward dog can morph into a dreamy hip stretch Downward dog is one of the most fundamental yoga poses. But by shortening the stance of your dog, your hips and always-tight IT band will get sweet relief. 2. “Leg flossing” can help with mobility after sitting all day Our yoga instructor friend Kylie Miller of Love Yoga in Los Angeles taught us a feels-so-good lower body-opening sequence that melts away muscle tension by moving your legs in all different directions. 3. Half frog pose is the most relaxing yoga pose of all time Plenty of yoga poses fall into
8 ways to strengthen your vulnerability muscle and tap into your inner power
December 29, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC We have author Brené Brown’s wildly popular TED Talk to thank for the knowledge that vulnerability is not a weakness but rather a superpower. The standard dictionary definition of vulnerability is to make yourself susceptible to physical or emotional harm, which let’s be honest, sounds a little harsh (read: terrifying). I prefer Brown’s interpretation of it. She explains vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” Still, vulnerability is not for the faint of heart. It requires an enormous amount of courage to share personal things about yourself, allow yourself to be fully seen, and put yourself out there. The benefits, however, are well worth the risk, which is why we were eager to learn more about how we can learn to be more vulnerable in our lives and the actual steps in doing so. Keep reading for tips from a couple of experts, plus the benefits of being vulnerable and some tangible examples of how it can look IRL. The benefits of being vulnerable As scary and uncomfortable as it is, why even be vulnerable? Well, it comes along with many benefits. For one, vulnerability doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger. “Vulnerability is a paradox because the more vulnerable you allow yourself to be, the more powerful you will feel,” says Karen Anderson, a master certified life coach and author of Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters. “When you are no longer afraid of what others will think, you’re more willing to put yourself out
Infuse your 2020 travel itinerary with these 7 transformative experiences
December 29, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC For many, travel experiences exemplify the reward portion of the “work hard, play hard” continuum—and evidence abounds to support the notion: Both solo travel and soloish travel are growing in popularity; engaged couples are opting for honeymoon funds as part of or even in place of more traditional registries; and celecations aren’t going away any time soon. Even if a sense of wanderlust isn’t currently nipping at you, perhaps that’ll change upon learning about the meaningful travel experiences so many had in 2019. Allow them to spark some inspiration—and don’t worry, these are far more exciting than hearing your friend drone on about her study-abroad experience in Denmark. (It’s been 10 years, Jessica, we’ve gotta move past it). So, allow the seven transformative travel experiences rounded up to inform your 2020 itinerary. Photo: Getty Images/Allard Schager 1. Why the most magical way to see a Greek Island is to run on top of it If for some reason you weren’t already drooling over the cerulean waters of Greece on Pinterest, that’s about to change, thanks to Hydra Island, an authentic off-the-mainland paradise where one writer weaved through the small fruit markets and white stone houses on a grand runner’s tour. True to Greece’s mythical reputation, she even spotted a unicorn…well, okay, kind of. Photo: Stocksy/Juri Pozzi 2. How crying cathartic tears of joy in an Australian Koala sanctuary set me free Not all of us are professional public criers (ahem) and thus can only find
The 10 most surprising gut health facts we learned this year
December 29, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC One of the major perks of writing about wellness for a living is that I literally learn something new every single day. Sometimes the intel is merely amusing, but other times it can be life-changing—especially when it comes to improving gut health. Nothing dominated the wellness conversation in 2019 quite like gut health. At Well+Good, we’re on a first-name basis with some of the best gastroenterologists in the country because we call them up so often asking for their insight. We’ve scoured dozens and dozens of studies offering up information on what foods help with “leaky gut.” We’ve tried at-home microbiome tests first-hand. We’ve consulted registered dietitians who work specifically with clients with irritable bowel syndrome asking for their best food tips to improve gut health. As a result, we’re ending the decade armed with a lot more gut knowledge. Improve gut health with 10 surprising tips we learned this year 1. BROCCOLI SPROUTS ARE THE GUT-HEALTHY ADD-IN YOUR SMOOTHIE IS MISSING Broccoli sprouts are so great for gut health that Will Bulsiewicz, MD, a gastroenterologist and author of Fiber Fueled, adds them to his smoothie every morning, calling them his “secret weapon.” “Broccoli sprouts release a phytochemical called sulforaphane. It heals the gut, reduces inflammation, and [could help] fight cancer,” says Dr. Bulsiewicz. Talk about an amazing ingredient we’ve all been sleeping on! 2. EATING A WIDE RANGE OF PLANTS IS KEY A team of scientists looked at 11,000 people’s gut microbes and their