8 healthy cooking experts share the kitchen gadgets that are actually worth having

June 30, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Let’s be real: Who isn’t tempted by every kitchen contraption at Sur La Table and Bed Bath & Beyond? Butter cutters and avocado slicers and “chorks” all serve their purpose…right? “It’s so easy to go overboard and want it all!” says Isabel Maples, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Whether you’re building up your chef’s arsenal to start a healthy cooking habit or just want to perfect your game, you definitely don’t want things falling on your feet every time you open your cupboard. So what tools do you really need to avoid kitchen overload? We talked with eight nutritionists and healthy chefs to get the lowdown on the 13 kitchen essentials they absolutely can’t cook without. 1. Electric tea kettle A watched (tea)pot never boils…so set your electric tea kettle and forget it. Plant-based, whole-foods chef Katie Simmons says she uses her kettle to boil water for stewing quick oats or soaking grains like couscous and bulgur. Or make her quick miso soup by using your kettle to boil a quart of water. Pour into a pot, add 2 tablespoons miso, grated ginger, and a dash of red chili pepper, and bring back to a boil. Let it steep for about 10 to 15 minutes, and enjoy! ad_intervals[‘403093_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403093_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Buy it: AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Porrtable Electric Hot Water Kettle ($21); Cosori Electric Kettle ($31) 2. Immersion blender Stick

Read More

How to recognize your twin flame, the person who sets your soul on fire

June 30, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC I thought I had heard about twin flames in the upper echelons of classic literature—like maybe in a quote from Wuthering Heights. But like many of my shamey moments, I realized I was actually thinking of a Taylor Swift lyric; this time it was “twin fire signs” in “State of Grace” from her Red album. So…close, but no smokey cigar on the answer to my question: what is a twin flame? Upon light research, I learned there’s a better song to explain the concept: The Velvet Underground’s “I’ll Be Your Mirror,” a tune inspired by Nico’s reflection of Lou Reed (and vice versa)—because your twin flame is your greatest teacher and other half. When I chatted with the expert on twin flames, Dr. Harmony, she ignited in me an even greater understanding of the concept: “Your twin flame is a fragment of you,” the author of Twin Flame Codebreaker tells me. “They enter your life to help you discover more of your authentic self by releasing what no longer serves your life, love, and livelihood. Their purpose is to help you turn your life ‘messes’ into a ‘message’ so you can help others walk a similar path.” ad_intervals[‘403598_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403598_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Kind of sounds like a soul mate, right? The big distinction, though, is that soul mates are widely believed to have a strong romantic connection—like love of first sight, being in a committed relationship,

Read More

I found a $1 foot softening scrub so good I’d be willing to pay $1,000

June 30, 2019 at 06:02AM by CWC When you lace up your kicks and run your first-ever mile, no one tells you that the humble sport of running will destroy (and I mean: vanquish, maim, wreck) your feet. That’s a lesson I quickly learned when I began pounding the pavement years ago. So last night, when I was considering surrendering to my not-so-pretty feet and tossing my last pair of sandals in the garbage, I decided one last Google was in order. I typed in “how to get soft feet” (LOL) and found a DIY scrub that called for just four pantry ingredients. Would it work? I shoved aside my skepticism for all things “do it yourself” and gave it a try. The first thing that should be said about the scrub I found on YouTube is that it’s as easy to make as a TV dinner. All you need to do is combine two parts sugar (a mix of brown and white) with one part oil (a blend of coconut and olive oil). Frankly, I only felt like spending $1 on this whole experiment. So I combined coconut oil with white sugar and came up with a paste very similar to that of YouTuber Recipes by Carina. (You know, it’s kind of like when a recipe calls for 10 different spices and you opt to use only three…because, priorities.) ad_intervals[‘403370_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403370_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Once I had about one cup of

Read More

Here’s how often you need to clean your eye mask for irritation-free beauty sleep

June 30, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC When you want to settle into a deep, rejuvenating slumber, you can reach for essential oils, some melatonin, or—quite possibly the easiest option—your trusty eye mask. Right after putting it on, you’re sent straight into relaxation-mode. But if you’re not cleaning it regularly, you’re not exactly going to get the beauty perks a good night of sleep promises. Now, let’s get one thing straight: Eye masks aren’t just a cutesy Breakfast at Tiffany’s-style accessory. They really do bring on the benefits. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the main perk of using them is that blocking out light triggers your body to produce more melatonin, making you feel extra sleepy. And because they offer total darkness, they help fight off the negative physiological and psychological effects of light, whether you live in a bright city or have a partner who reads with a bedside lamp into the wee hours of the morning. Past studies have found they can help give you more REM time, less arousal, and elevated melatonin levels, helping you pass out and stay out. ad_intervals[‘403593_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403593_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Unfortunately, wearing a sleep mask every night comes with one major downside. Since it rests on the sensitive skin of your face for hours on end, it can cause some skin irritation. Especially if it’s dirty. No matter which type of fabric you choose—whether that’s silk, cotton (the most breathable!), satin, or memory

Read More