December 18, 2019 at 04:23PM by CWC I love gel manicures, but after getting them every two weeks for an entire year my poor nail beds have been ravaged. That’s because gel manicures—while shiny and pretty and nearly-impossible to chip—cure onto your nail, which means that when you remove them, some of your nail will get damaged in the process. Enter stick-on manicures, which offer the same shine and durability as gels, but are a whole lot better for your nails. If you’re picturing sloppy-looking sticker nails that don’t even come close to fitting your actual nail, don’t worry. The latest generation is much smarter about sizing, formulas, and design, so they’re nothing like the ones you might have found at the mall in 1994. Color Street, a stick-on manicure brand, exploded in popularity this year, and “how to apply Color Street nails” was one of 2019’s most Googled terms—for good reason. The better-for-your-nails stickers use real nail polish, and look almost exactly like what you would get in a salon, but without the hassle, cost, or dry time. If you’re wondering how to apply Color Street nails for yourself, the process couldn’t be easier. The kit comes with 14 stickers, so once you select the ones that will best fit your nails, all you have to do is peel off the backing, stick them on the surface of your nail, and file away the excess. When it’s time to remove them, you just use regular nail polish remover. Color
Year: 2019
Can a cheater change? Depends on whether they’re relationally self-aware
December 18, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Statistics show that about one in five people report having cheated on a partner, and that number seems to rise in older generations. (There’s some research pointing to this partially being due to a person’s genetics.) All of this being true gives some credence to that old saying of “once a cheater, always a cheater,” and leaves an ominous cloud over the question of can a cheater change? So, ummm, can they? And, for the sake of everyone involved being able to sleep at night, how can partners of reformed cheaters build trust? If your partner has cheated before, either in your relationship or a past one, trusting that it won’t happen again may be a struggle. In this case, it’s important to understand that you are the one controlling your own narrative. But, says clinical counselor Karla Ivankovich, PhD, this narrative is “only as true as you want it to be,” and insecurities could lead to conflict and potentially even the end of the relationship. In this case, don’t panic, and also don’t jump to conclusions, she says. Instead, says licensed clinical psychologist Alexandra Solomon, PhD, focus on answers to questions that may help you feel better about the state of your relationship and its future: “How much remorse do they feel? Do they take responsibility for their actions? Have they forgiven themselves? What have they learned about themselves as a result of the cheating? How do they define fidelity? How committed
I’m a dentist and these are the best electric toothbrushes at every budget
December 18, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Investing in self care is important. It’s why you’ve got a bathroom shelf stocked with skin-care products, a gym membership, and a subscription to a meditation app that automatically renews once a year. Whatever your feel-good modality of choice is, chances are you’ve put some cash towards the cause. And, according to dentists, purchasing an electric toothbrush is one spot of your wellness routine that could deserve a slice of that self-care budget. “Research shows that even with the best manual toothbrushing habits, electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque, whitening teeth, stimulating and improving gum health, and a person’s overall oral hygiene,” says Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, founder of JBL Dentistry in New York City, who recommends electric toothbrushes for a number of reasons. “The little micro movements of the toothbrush head allow for you to brush more with each pass, and new technology also allows the toothbrush to assist and even improve brushing habits.” An electric toothbrush tells you when you’re done with each part of your mouth, and if you are brushing too hard or for too long. Investing in an electric toothbrush doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank on a $300 speciality item. While it certainly can, there are also plenty of effective options on the market that won’t leave quite so big of an impact on your next credit card statement. Here, dentists share their picks for the best electric toothbrush for every budget, so you
Make room, locally grown—regenerative agriculture is where it’s at for in-the-know foodies in 2020
December 18, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC First, there was the “natural” movement that turned people’s attention to the ingredient labels on their food. Then, there was the push for “locally grown” products and the desire to get to know your farmers. But now that we know the what, who, and where of what’s going on our plates, what about the “how”? Considering how your food affects not just your body, but also the planet is a growing trend in the food space that’s bringing the term “regenerative agriculture” to the table from dining rooms to boardrooms. The complicated-sounding phrase really just refers to agricultural practices that help rather than hurt the environment, according to Ryland Engelhart, co-founder of Kiss the Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring participation in regenerative agriculture. “Most agriculture today has a degenerative effect on the land that destroys life in the soil, resulting in desertification,” Engelhart explains (yep, that’s literally when fertile land becomes desert). “Regenerative agriculture is a system that works with nature’s principles to rebuild soil, increase water holding capacity, improve fertility, and expand biodiversity.” Need an example to help visualize? On Ocean Spray’s farms across North America and Chile, for every one acre of cranberries grown over 5.5 acres of wildlife habitat are supported. “This means our farming principles and practices have positive impact on the biodiversity, soil, water streams, wetlands, and communities,” says Audrey Perkins, MS, MPH, global corporate communications manager at Ocean Spray. TL;DR: Regenerative agriculture takes sustainability to a
The 3 biggest mistakes people make when doing kettlebell workouts
December 18, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hinonqqzatk] Kettlebell deadlifts are one of those fitness moves that aren’t exactly what they seem to be. While picking up the bell from the ground using your hands might imply that the move works your upper body, it’s actually your lower body that’s doing the brunt of the lifting. And as far as form goes, this can get pretty confusing. The main muscle groups you should be working in a deadlift with kettlebell are your glutes, hamstrings, core, and lower back—not your arms and shoulders, like you would think. But there are some common mistakes that people make when doing the move that mess with their form. Ultimately, this can switch up where the weight is distributed when they lift the bell off of the ground. Not only does doing a kettlebell deadlift the wrong way limit the effectiveness of the move (because, ya know, you’re working the wrong muscles), but it also puts you at risk of getting hurt. A few biggies worth looking out for when you try the move on your own: 1. Rounding your back as you bend over instead of keeping it flat, which in addition to putting the weight in your upper body also increases the risk of pulling a muscle in your back. 2. Bending your knees and extending your chest so that you’re coming down into a squat, instead of hinging at the hips and engaging your glutes and core. 3. Thrusting your hips forward
On the Cusp: Why the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp is the sharpest zodiac combo
December 18, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Stefanie Iris Weiss Each month with On the Cusp, we point our astrological magnifying glass on all the people born between two zodiac signs. Because when your birthday falls at either the tail end or the very beginning of your sun sign’s season, your personality may be influenced by your cosmic neighbor. Now, fully in holiday mode, it’s time to give those on the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp the dedicated astrological spotlight they deserve, and Stefanie Iris Weiss, astrologer and co-author of Surviving Saturn’s Return: Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life, is here to illuminate us. Below, Weiss (who is available for 2020 readings), explains what happens when the pleasant, sage traits of a Sagittarius (November 23 to December 21) meet and blend with expertly overachieving Capricorns (December 22 to January 19). If you’re born on the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp, let me begin with…sorry. We all know that December birthdays, especially those born between December 19 and December 24, get seriously lost in the holiday mix. There is an upside, though: Weiss says the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp is one of the most distinct and powerful of all cusp-crossings. “It’s marked by the deeply meditative and magical winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere,” Weiss says. “This is when we’re at our darkest moment, but also when the universe reminds us that the light will return in a few months. That’s the perfect blend of Sagittarius and Capricorn
With mainstream dairy brands jumping on the oat milk bandwagon, what will happen to cow’s milk?
December 18, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC Of the long (long) list of alternative milks on the market, oat milk is currently king. This year, oat milk sales reached $29 million—up from $4.4 million in 2017. While the OG oat brand darlings continue to expand (with Oatly rolling out ice cream and Rise Brewing launching canned lattes), brands that were once committed to cow’s milk are jumping on board the trend, too. Danone—one of the largest dairy businesses in the world—has recently shifted its focus to make oat milk-based projects a main priority. The company’s brands have launched not only oat milk, but also oat-based ice cream, creamer, yogurt, and lattes. Chobani, a brand that has long been a major player in the yogurt space, launched *three* oat milk-based products this month. Even The Dairy Farmers of America, a milk marketing firm, is coming out with a line of “blended” milks that are half dairy, half-plant-based (yes, including oat), spawning an entirely new beverage category. (FWIW, cult skyr brand Siggi’s launched its first-ever plant-based yogurts in December, although they use coconut milk instead of oat milk as the base.) With major brands once committed to cow’s milk now jumping on board the oat milk train, it raises major questions about dairy, such as how the new oat milk products compare nutritionally, and what will happen if Americans stop consuming dairy completely. Is oat milk even healthy? Check out the video below to see what a registered dietitian thinks: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L–bGxpHTVQ]
The 6 best features on your smartwatch, according to people who use them every day
December 18, 2019 by CWC A new Gallup poll reveals that one in five Americans currently use a fitness tracker. Of those who use a wearable, however, only 30 percent of deemed their devices “very effective.” For the majority not getting the fitness bang for their buck, we asked those who love their devices the most how to use fitness trackers effectively. For trainers, everyday athletes, and professionals stretchers, here are the smartwatch features that change their fitness game. How to use a fitness tracker, according to trainers and other wearable devotees KIRSTY GODSO, Nike master trainer Favorite feature: Whoop‘s “daily strain” metric Kirsty Godso, who wears straps on her Whoop every single day, tells me a few features—including HRV and sleep tracking—have completely transformed her fitness game. However, one metric stands out about the rest: the Whoop’s “daily strain” metric, which measures the total cardiovascular load someone experiences over a specified period of time. “I noticed that my strain was maxing out daily because my body was under so much stress from overuse—not necessarily from my own physical workouts, but rather my workload. I have been implementing new strategies using Whoop as my coach and have noticed my strain and recovery improve as I find a new rhythm for my body that isn’t so taxing yet. I am able to workout more, I’m feeling stronger, and performing and sleeping better,” says the trainer. Ella Dove, Well+Good director of creative development Favorite feature: step counting “I moved to LA from
Do aphrodisiacs actually work? Trying to have better sex over here
December 17, 2019 at 11:01PM by CWC I never understood how sucking down a rock booger was supposed to make you, like, really horny. I get the intent whenever a guy invited me out for red wine and oysters, but the whole presentation (and my general aversion to seafood) felt more like a turn off. It does make you wonder, do aphrodisiacs work, and if so how do they trick our mind and bodies into peak arousal? Well, in a few different ways, in fact. Aphrodisiacs have been studied forever, mention of aphrodisiacs has been found in texts from various ancient civilizations, including Hindu, Egyptian, Chinese and Roman. In modern times, there have been many interesting studies on how aphrodisiacs may make subjects frisky. As Sally Fisher, MD, integrative medicine specialist and medical director at Sunrise Springs points out, searching “aphrodisiacs” in the virtual National Library of Medicine returns 830 peer reviewed scientific studies. How plants or herbal products might effect the body or mind really varies based on the aphrodisiac. “Some examples of effects include increasing hormones like testosterone, or certain neurotransmitters in the brain, or dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow, or affecting molecules in the body such as, for example, nitric oxide, the molecule that Viagra affects,” says Dr. Fisher. And sometimes the studies just note that certain herbs make animals want to bang more. Basically, it’s complicated to deduce what will potently work on a person, although she has one herb in mind. “I tend to recommend Tribulus terrestris,
Cannabis legalization shows potential to fight the opioid crisis—but it has limitations
December 17, 2019 at 10:01PM by CWC In 2017, doctors wrote 191 million opioid prescriptions. That same year, more than 47,000 died at the hands of prescription and illicit opioids, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Now, new research published in the Journal of Health Economics suggests that cannabis access laws could lead to fewer opioid prescriptions. Using data pulled from 1.5 billion individual opioid prescriptions issued between 2011 and 2018, the study’s authors tied recreational cannabis use (currently legal in 10 U.S. states) with a 11.8 percent lower rate of opioids prescriptions each day, compared to a 4.2 percent lower rate with the use of medical marijuana. In addition, both uses were found to diminish the number of days a prescription was given for, the overall number of patients who received an opioid prescription, and the likelihood of a doctor writing the prescription in the first place. “No study has had access to the depth of information we had access to,” Benjamin McMichael, an author of the study and assistant law professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. “We had information from all different insurance carriers. We had private insurance people, we had Medicare beneficiaries, we had Medicaid beneficiaries, cash-paying patients (which you almost never get information on), as well as other government assistance patients. So we really had a very granular picture of what opioid prescriptions look like. And because we could trace them to the individual healthcare provider who wrote the prescription,