January 12, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The week ahead brings paradigm-shifting, game-changing, energy. Starting Sunday, January 12, when Saturn and Pluto perfect their conjunction at 22 degrees of Capricorn, the cosmic weather commands you to declare your most sincere intentions for your life. The process may lead you to experience some cognitive dissonance as you reconcile expectations you may have held for your life versus the reality that’s emerging now. While this reality might not match your previously held expectations, it’s essential to be open to what’s developing rather than cling to an outdated vision for your life. As these two titans of the sky, Saturn and Pluto, conjoin, Mercury, the planet of communication, joins forces with them. This influence of Mercury commands you to use your words and speak your intentions; it asks you to commit to your truth. Warning: This effect might not feel gentle and can easily be mistaken for chaos rather than productivity. Like the Hindu goddess Kali Ma, who breathes creativity into life first through the force of destruction, Saturn, the planet of structure, aligning with Pluto, who represents ruthless transmutation, breaks down that which doesn’t serve you, opening up the potential for what does. Understand that surrendering the old you creates space for the new, allowing for your life to unfold in alignment with the highest order. The changes you are experiencing now are karmic and decades in the making. To make the most of the transformative energy, consider who and what are
Day: January 12, 2020
9 healthy desk snacks nutritionists always keep at work
January 12, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC When “hanger” sets in mid-afternoon, we’re often left with no other choice than to hit up the vending machine or make our way down to the corporate cafeteria for some overpriced, processed fuel. But if you remember to leave a stash of super healthy desk snacks in a drawer, you’ll save money while boosting your energy levels, focus, and productivity during the 9-to-5 grind. Not sure what to keep on hand? Try these delicious snacks that nutrition pros rely on to make it through the day. Healthy desk snacks nutritionists eat at work 1. KIND bars “I never leave home without a KIND bar in my purse or in the glove compartment of my car, and they can easily squeeze into a desk drawer,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, author of Read It Before You Eat It. What she appreciates most is that transparent wrappers allows you to see the whole ingredients clearly, like nuts, seeds, oats, and dried fruit. “The decadent taste and sweetness from chocolate surprisingly only brings five grams of sugar, and it also gives six grams of protein and a whopping seven grams of fiber to help you feel fuller longer,” she says. She adds that if you’re only slightly hungry, KIND mini bars are a great lower-calorie option that delivers equally on taste. 2. Almonds When Taub-Dix needs an afternoon energy boost, her snack of choice is a handful of Blue Diamond whole natural almonds that provide six grams of
Level-up your wellness cred by learning how to make apple cider vinegar
January 12, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is one of those buzzy, trendy wellness products that continues to stand the test of time. While ingredients like goji berries have mostly faded into the background, apple cider vinegar can be found virtually everywhere, from drinks and “shots” to shampoos and hair treatments. The cult of ACV lives on into the new decade—and with it, storied accounts of all its purported benefits for digestive, immune, and overall health. But the ingredient has pretty humble origins as, you know, just vinegar. It’s made by combining apples and water and letting it ferment. The process “allows sugars to be converted to alcohol, beginning the process of fermentation. Acetic acid is what ultimately turns the alcohol into vinegar, creating the apple cider vinegar that we see on shelves,” says Rachel Caine, MS, RD, LD, a dietitian for Baze. As mentioned, apple cider vinegar is basically…everywhere. And you can certainly buy bottles of it at the store for just a few dollars and go on your merry way. But if you’re an ACV connoisseur and want to take your relationship with it to the next level—or you’re just looking for a fun new cooking project—you might consider learning how to make apple cider vinegar at home. Remind me…what are the benefits of apple cider vinegar again? In case you’ve been living under a rock, apple cider vinegar is touted to have all kinds of health benefits, from supporting digestive health to
A lazy-girl’s guide to dry brushing your winter skin in 3-minutes flat
January 12, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC The last time I tried dry brushing, I took my decade-old hair brush and stroked my sad, sallow skin. It did not end well. Because the ancient practice has so many health and beauty benefits, I’m glad I learned a better way how to dry brush. “Dry brushing has been used in many cultures for centuries to help remove dead skin cells and increase circulation,” says Kimberly Kelder, lead esthetician at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa. Firstly, dry brushing helps promote lymphatic flow and drainage, which allows the body to detoxify itself naturally (read: no green juices or colon cleanses necessary). Increasing circulation through dry brushing also helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, Kelder adds. (And it might work at the cellular level, too: research from the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that the pressure of a massage—in this case administered by a dry brush—can help reduce tissue edema under the skin that presents as cellulite, as well as help stimulate fibroblast and keratinocyte activity while decreasing adipocyte activity). On a surface level, dry brushing works to reveal glowing skin by loosening and removing dead skin cells that carry dirt, oil, and residue, Kelder explains. What’s more is that sloughing off dead skin helps enhance the efficacy of your moisturizer since it won’t longer need to traverse an icky barrier to work its magic. And according to the Cleveland Clinic, dry brushing also stimulates the nervous system, which can help you feel