March 12, 2019 at 10:21AM by CWC If someone were to rank the decade’s most hyped-up wellness phenomena, I’d bet you an oat milk latte that CBD and adaptogens would be fighting for the number one spot. It’s obvious why so many people are obsessed: Both buzzy substances are credited with soothing stress, which is pretty much the plague of our times. Not-so-surprisingly, brands are now creating products formulated with both CBD—a compound found in hemp and marijuana plants that’s said to provide numerous health benefits without the high—and adaptogenic plants, which are traditionally used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. One of the first to do so was CAP Beauty, whose Daily Hit oil caused a legit sensation when it debuted back in 2017. The product combined CBD with add-ins like immune-enhancing reishi mushroom. More recently, Plant People launched Stay Sharp, a CBD supplement that’s said to improve focus and mental clarity with an assist from gingko and bacopa monnieri; Calivolve‘s CBD truffles are crafted with a blend of stamina-boosting maca and calming ashwagandha; Yuyo Botanics’ AM Formula stress-support tincture also combines CBD with ashwagandha. According to Plant People co-founder Gabe Kennedy, CBD and adaptogens make sense together because they both have similar functions: They’re believed to help the body maintain balance when we’re on the brink of burnout. “When stress occurs… our systems become interrupted and our vitality diminishes,” he explains. “Both CBD and adaptogens help mitigate our response to these stressors, making it easier to reach homeostasis and therefore better wellbeing.” CBD
Year: 2019
The internet lied. That pineapple pulling “hack” is just a sticky mess
March 12, 2019 at 10:21AM by CWC If you were stranded on an island and you could bring only three things, what would they be? If one of your chosen items is a knife to split open juicy pineapples (hopefully) growing on the isolated atoll, the internet has news for you. A series of viral “pineapple pulling” videos suggests you don’t need a sharp edge to slice through the tropical plant’s barbed exterior to reach the sweet golden flesh. Instead, while you’re secluded and staring out at a miles-long crystal blue sea all around you, you can simply pluck a pineapple straight from the trees and proceed to pull it apart like monkey bread. At least, in theory. In case this is the first you’ve heard of this so-called “hack,” it involves slicing off the bottom of the pineapple (this part is optional but helps) and yanking out pieces of the fruit in bite-size chunks. “Pineapple is like a Jenga of pulp,” says YouTuber Patrick Cloud. Pineapple belongs to the Fibonacci fruit family, which means each ridge visible on the outside corresponds with a “spear” of fruit within. When my coworkers and I tried the technique for ourselves, we were rendered speechless but for one word: “Why?” Why would anyone do this? Yes, the technique worked, stripping the pineapple piece by piece to leave nothing but the core. But under the fluorescent lights of civilized office decor, it seemed—well—extra. I suppose if you don’t know how to cut pineapple, have at it with your
I don’t have a single pimple on my face, but my body is breaking out. What gives?
March 12, 2019 at 09:09AM by CWC So, you’ve finally done it: Through some combination of good skin-care practices, a healthy diet, and balanced hormones, you’ve managed to keep your complexion clear and pimple-free. Congrats! But just when you feel like you’ve got it all figured out on your face, a nasty one pops up on your back/butt/boobs/body, as if to say, “Not so fast, sucker!” What gives?! Why can’t the rest of your body get with the program? “Acne can show up anywhere, but the most common areas for body acne are the back, chest, and butt,” says Dr. David Lortscher, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Curology. “There are a few causes of body acne. Genetics, normal hormonal fluctuations, stress, diet, and other lifestyle choices can all contribute.” He also notes that tight clothing—like your workout leggings—can also cause body acne, which is why you may see back zits cropping up along the line of your sports bra. Part of why pimples pop up has to do with excess oil (aka “sebum”) which is secreted by glands into the pores of your skin. “These sebaceous glands are more prominent on our chests and backs, which can explain the prevalence of body acne in these areas,” explains Dr. Lortscher, noting that microorganisms like P. acne (a bacteria) and pityrosporm (a fungus) contribute to the inflammatory aspect of acne. “Our immune system works hard to fight against them via inflammation, [but] they love a warm, oily, moist environment, such as the one
Something to ink about: The body-positive healing power of tattoos for many women
March 12, 2019 at 09:00AM by CWC I heard it all when I was thinking about getting my first tattoo. That they’re not very ladylike. That I’d regret how it would look when I got older. And, my personal favorite: What if I met a guy and he didn’t like tattoos? The horror, right? I felt discouraged from getting a tattoo—something I should have had the agency to choose for myself, no questions asked—because of an archaic ideal of keeping up “feminine” appearances. What the naysayers don’t realize, though, is tattoos can contribute to a positive sense of self. That they can make you feel like a work of art by literally adding one to your body. I have two tattoos currently (getting a third soon), and beyond the skin-deep ink, they have become part of me—they’ve even helped me become more myself. Put simply, they just make me feel more confident. And I’m hardly alone in my my feelings here: According to recent Pinterest data, searches for “self-love tattoos” is up 1320 percent, and psychologically, it totally makes sense why. “In a culture that constantly polices how women show up in their bodies, getting tattoos can be a symbolic and empowering act and can help people see parts of themselves in a new light.” — body-image therapist Sarah Herstich, LCSW “In a culture that constantly polices how women show up in their bodies, getting tattoos can be a symbolic and empowering act and can help people see parts of themselves in a
Experts debate whether ultimatums are an effective relationship tool—even if they “work”
March 12, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC In the heat of the moment, tossing out an ultimatum to your boss, your partner, or even a restaurant manager after a decidedly awful experience might seem like the best if not only option. But, #realtalk: Are these my-way-or-the-highway brokerages ever really a good idea? Because after you get what you want and the dust settles, the result is likely not everything going back to a slightly elevated normal. So, why do we resort to ultimatums in the first place? “When we lack the skills to convey our needs in healthy ways, we often turn to control and demands to gain a false sense of security in a relationship,” says Gin Love Thompson, PhD, psychotherapist, relationship specialist, and author. “In general, ultimatums set a relationship up for future resentments.” And that applies no matter how big or small the ask is and whether or not it’s met. Beyond highlighting some lacking communication skills, a reliance on romantic-leaning ultimatums is also a reflection of the current dating environment, says licensed psychologist Mary Jo Rapini, a love and relationship expert. “In the dating world now, there is a lot of fakeness, and nobody really wants to commit to anything, so people forget they have to set boundaries,” she says. It’s true that boundaries are key in any type of relationship, because without them, it’s pretty easy to be taken advantage of. And if you’re not getting what you want from the relationship and find yourself giving more to
Wegmans proves cereal *can* be healthy with new protein-packed Coconut Flakes
March 12, 2019 at 07:58AM by CWC Let’s be real. Cereal isn’t something most adults really want to give up. Sure, it’s branded as more of a kids’ thing, but everyone knows a bowl of cereal satisfies at any age. While the eye-catching, artificially-colored and sugar-packed cereals in most aisles aren’t doing anyone any good, one company is here to prove that high protein cereal can be just as healthy and nutritious as other breakfast foods. A beloved family-owned supermarket chain, you’ll Wegmans sprinkled across the United States. The company recently shared its latest product on Instagram. Coconut Flakes are essentially a protein-packed spin on Frosted Flakes made with plant-based proteins and whole grains. Thanks to garbanzo beans, navy beans, and red lentils on the ingredients list, there’s actually 6 grams of protein per serving—aka as much as there is in a large egg. The cereal contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. View this post on Instagram Move over eggs, we’ve got a new protein option for breakfast! Made with plant-based proteins and whole grains, our new cereals are great for breakfast or any meal of the day. #healthybreakfast #wegmans A post shared by Wegmans Food Markets (@wegmans) on Mar 9, 2019 at 3:01am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js While there is 10 grams of added sugar in the form of milled cane sugar, the servings sizes are bigger than most cereals at 1-1/4 cup compared to 3/4 cup in Frosted Flakes. And this isn’t the only healthier cereal option Wegmans is producing, either. The supermarket also
You shouldn’t have to choose between a potato and a sweet potato because they’re both good for you
March 12, 2019 at 07:09AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zYQBK7Nq18] The rivalry between sweet potatoes and their regular potato cousins has never been greater (we’re talking Sharks versus Jets level stuff here). As people ditch white potatoes for their sweet orange counterparts in the name of more fiber and better health, it’s easy for any spud lover to wonder which camp to choose. Luckily for you, nutritionist (and pun master) Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, tackles this very debate in the latest episode of You vs. Food (Well+Good’s video series unpacking all things food and nutrition). Here are some of the mind-blowing revelations she offers up: Sweet potatoes and yams are NOT the same thing. Sweet potatoes have more vitamin A and are lower in calories. They also taste sweeter. Yams, however, have more potassium and fiber. Sweet potatoes can also help stabilize blood sugar levels because they’re a low to medium glycemic index food (meaning that its carbs and sugars don’t affect your blood sugar levels as much as, say, pasta or ice cream). To get the most out of that benefit, Beckerman suggests eating sweet potatoes with healthy fats like ghee, nuts, or avocado. Iron is absorbed better by the body when eaten with vitamin C. Guess which food has both at once? Yup, the sweet potato. White potatoes may have less fiber than sweet potatoes, but they’re generally more fibrous than other starches, Beckerman says. They’re also packed with potassium, which can help lower blood pressure, she says. You won’t get
The fragrance rules to memorize, according to perfumers
March 12, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC More than arguably any other step in your beauty routine, there’s something about applying perfume that makes you feel equal parts sensual and luxurious. After all, there’s a reason why all Marilyn Monroe wore to bed was Chanel No. 5, and why the chase of a “signature scent” is a life-altering pursuit. Coco Chanel herself actually may have put it best: “No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” Whether you’re one of those people who, like me, can’t leave the house without walking through a cloud of fragrance—more specifically, a cloud of Glossier You ($60), ICYWW—or if you just dab a roller ball on your wrist in honor of special occasions, your scent has the potential to speak volumes about you. As perfumer Maurice Roucel once said, “Your fragrance is your message, your scented slogan.” (Can you tell I went down a black hole of perfume quotes while researching this story?) But while fragrance can be one of the most personal beauty choices you can make, there are a few things worth knowing about the “right” way to wear it. To find out, I tapped some of the top pros in the industry to share their tips on how to wear perfume. Keep scrolling for their sound advice. Think about the scents themselves All scents are (obviously) not created equally, which means that the way you apply them actually depends on the scents themselves. “Fragrances that are from the aldehydes,
You can use Trader Joe’s Chunky Salsa (yes, salsa) to make the easiest vegan soup ever
March 12, 2019 at 06:57AM by CWC You know a recipe is damn good when you return to it more than once. We live in the era of Pinterest, where a few clicks of the keyboard reveals approximately 100 billion recipes for cauliflower gnocchi. So there’s really no need to revisit any one dish. And yet, I have made Dana Shultz of the Minimalist Baker’s five-ingredient black bean chili approximately 10 times. The recipe typifies the unbeatable combination of coziness and ease. And oh—did I mention its primary ingredient is Trader Joe’s salsa? In retrospect, it’s strikingly obvious that salsa could work as a soup base. It’s packed with veggies already diced down to bite-sized morsels that are ready to be thrown straight into a pan. Until Schultz suggested though, I’d never considered that the party staple possessed a dual purpose (a double-life outside of dunking). Better yet, even thought the recipe boasts it only has five ingredients total, you’re really scoring a nutrient-dense bonus of tomatoes, peppers, and onions. In retrospect, it’s strikingly obvious that salsa could work as a soup base. It’s packed with veggies already diced down to bite-sized morsels that are ready to be thrown straight into a pan. Now that the vegan blogger has opened my eyes to the versatility of salsa, I use it as a soup starter every chance I get. Since the mix is loaded with spices like paprika and oregano, you wouldn’t put it in something like an Italian wedding soup or classic
This Pre-Run Ritual Will Transform Your Workout & Keep You Injury-Free
March 12, 2019 at 06:12AM Would you rather take 5 minutes to warm-up or spend weeks nursing an injury? Continue Reading… Author Ray Bass | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue