January 25, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The Yale online course in happiness (“The Science of Well-Being“) has earned its spot as the online version of the university’s most popular course in its centuries-long history. It seems many of us are on a quest to live a life that’s filled with joy, and now, there’s another class, or rather slate of classes, you can take to build on those foundational basics. To enroll, simply transfer schools—er, websites—and sign up for the University of Pennsylvania’s “Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization.” The online specialization includes five full courses: “Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science,” “Applications and Interventions,” “Character, Grit and Research Methods,” “Resilience Skills,” and “Design Your Life for Well-being.” And, the whole positive psychology program will cost you exactly zero dollars—that’s right, no pricey textbooks necessary. If you work your way through seven hours of coursework per week, you’ll finish in exactly 7 months, but you can set your own pace to work through the class slower or more quickly. The online specialization includes five full courses: “Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science,” “Applications and Interventions,” “Character, Grit and Research Methods,” “Resilience Skills,” and “Design Your Life for Well-being. If the component of the positive psychology program you’re most interested in is fostering your own wellness rituals, you can skip right ahead to the final installment: “Design Your Life for Well-being.” That said, it’s highly suggested that you take the four preceding courses before you turn your knowledge on yourself. (So
Day: January 25, 2020
I’m an RD and this is why I never recommend coconut oil
January 25, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC It’s a common misconception that just because something is natural, it’s inherently good for you. Case in point: cane sugar. While most healthy eaters know to keep sugar in moderation, there’s one all-natural food that is still commonly misunderstood: coconut oil. Coconut oil has many amazing benefits on the beauty front; it can do everything from fight frizz to moisturize skin. But as far as nutritional benefits go, registered dietitian and You Versus Food host Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, says its track record is way overblown. “Nope, it isn’t as great as you think,” she recently proclaimed on Instagram about coconut oil. Then, she proceeded to debunk several myths about the wellness world darling, drawn in large part from a new review of studies published in the journal Circulation. One: Coconut oil isn’t high in antioxidants, as many believe. “Coconut oil consumption has no anti-inflammatory or blood sugar benefits,” Beckerman writes in her post. This was backed up in the Circulation review, which looked at 16 studies and concluded that “coconut oil consumption did not significantly affect markers of glycemia, inflammation, and adiposity [aka severe obesity] as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.” Translation: Eating coconut oil didn’t do much to help improve blood sugar levels, inflammation, or weight issues. Want to know more about coconut oil’s impact on health? Check out this episode of You Versus Food: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdxvxtgwn4w] Most concerning, she writes, is its saturated fat content. Yes, coconut oil comes from
4 all-star astrologer’s predictions for each of the astrological elements
January 25, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC Let’s be real, astrology can be so confusing. Aspects! Jupiter Return! Trying to decrypt if Oscar Isaac and I are compatible based on our birth charts! That’s why I love the simplicity of astrological elements. Fire, Earth, Air, and Water define the temperament overall energy of a person. So what should each cosmic clique expect as we barrel into the new year? Well, we have some intel! At a panel led by astrologer, Ophira Edut, one half of the AstroTwins’ and co-author of The AstroTwins 2020 Horoscope, four of the cosmic greats predicted what each of the astrological elements should expect for 2020. And the star-cast should help each sign rise to whatever challenge the universe—particularly evil Mercury—might throw at you. Fire Signs Astrologer Mecca Woods is co-host of the aptly named Stars on Fire and a Double Fire (Sagittarius sun, Leo rising), so in true Flame Child form took the lead on what’ll define the element’s 2020 energy. It would seem that Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are working to avoid burnout by saving your fuel for the missions that matter. “I would definitely say that this is a year for us to really conserve our energy and make sure that whatever we’re putting our energy into are things that are really worth it,” says Woods. “Because as Fire signs we have a ton of energy. You know, we can do all kinds of things, or at least we think we can, right?” Yes, yes, yes! Fire signs are
Dissolve years of tension in your upper back with this physical therapist-approved stretch
January 25, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC When it comes to postural issues, your shoulders carry a lot of weight—they can be rounded, your weight distribution in the shoulders can be off-center, or they can simply be tight, which can throw off the rest of your body’s alignment. But, according to a physical therapist, strengthening and foam rolling the upper back can help melt away a lot of those shoulder issues. “The upper spine is likely to cause the most problems in the shoulder area,” says Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Bodyevolved, who notes it’s tricky to mobilize your shoulders themselves without professional guidance. “Mobilizing around the shoulder will not only keep other areas of the body mobile, but will also help prevent shoulder injuries.” Simply lying down on a foam roller that’s aligned with your spine can decompress your back, but it’s also useful to roll in certain spots along the spine (obviously check with your doc first to make sure this kind of a routine is a good idea for you). Croce recommends doing a couple of rolling exercises along the upper back specifically, which will help with rounded or tight shoulders, but note that you should avoid foam rolling the lower back since it can mess with your mobility. Keep scrolling for Croce’s foam rolling and strength training combo for a more fluid, limber upper back. Foam rolling and strengthening your upper back 1. Position the foam roller horizontally and sit in front of it.
What it’s really like to spend 24 hours at an Ayurvedic wellness retreat
January 25, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC After a particularly busy month, I deemed myself in need of some deep pampering. I’d been burning the candle at both ends, doing extra work during the day, and attending events in the evenings. I was getting a lot done and having a lot of fun, but I was overextending myself, much to the chagrin of my newly blotchy skin and fatigued body. A two-pronged approach—healing my mind and body—seemed to be the best restorative measure I could take. So, I booked a stay at New York’s Ayurvedic retreat center, YO1, in the Catskills. Having previously visited Ayurvedic spas in both California and India and also completed a panchakarma cleanse (an Ayurvedic detox for the five senses), I thought I generally knew what to expect during my stay at YO1. Based on those experiences and a recent consultation with Ayurveda practitioner Ananta Ripa Ajmera, director of Ayurveda at wellness center The Well, I anticipated I’d be on a caffeine and alcohol-free nutrition plan full of kitchari and other warming vegetarian foods. I also expected to be situated in a cozy environment where healers perform traditional practices, like shirodhara (the practice of drizzling oil over the scalp to stimulate melatonin production) and herbal massages tailored to each dosha (or Ayurvedic energy type). As it turned out, my expectations didn’t match up with what actually happened. Here’s what happened at the Ayurvedic YO1 Catskills wellness center When I first arrived at YO1, the gate attendant
I went to India and got the perfect inflammation-fighting winter recipe—and it’s 100% vegan
January 25, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC When I was invited on a a 10-day tour of India, the thing I was most excited about was the food. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I dreamt of the curries and masalas I would sample, and made a lengthy mental list of the spices I would smuggle back to the U.S. when my journey was over. While I certainly ate my weight in naan and butter chicken (and daal and aloo matar) my favorite food takeaway from the trip was actually one I could replicate right here at home in New York. At a cooking class with Gita Jaishankar of Gita’s Kitchen, between teaching us how best to sauté potatoes and organize spices, our teacher revealed that the best inflammation-fighting food combination, particularly during the winter months is spinach and green lentils. The fiber- and protein-packed ingredients are superfoods on their own, but when you put them together, some real magic happens. “The vitamin C from the spinach helps to power on the mighty iron compounds, known as non-heme iron, hiding in the green lentils,” says Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD. Since inflammation happens when there is poor circulation or lack of oxygen in your red blood cells, this flux of iron helps soothe inflammation, promote circulation, and boost energy. Finding a recipe that uses both of these powerhouse ingredients is as easy as one, stew two, three. “By throwing spinach—or even kale, swiss chard or collard greens—into a stock
These 10 recipes will make you want to eat protein-packed tempeh every day
January 25, 2020 at 02:00AM by CWC With all the different types of plant-based protein you can choose from, tempeh might not be your first choice… mostly because it can be hard to know what the heck to do with it. Made from fermented soybeans, it’s not only a gut-friendly staple, but also one that’s loaded with protein. One cup contains a whopping 31 grams. So instead of brushing it aside, it’s time to let these tempeh recipes shine center stage. Like tofu, there are about a billion and one different ways you can transform tempeh into the plant-based meal of your dreams. With a quick crumble, it becomes taco meat. When you cut it into strips, it becomes bacon for your BLTs or chicken tenders. You can even turn it into falafel and meatballs. To get you started, here are 10 recipes that will make you want to eat the high-protein food every single day. These 10 recipes will make you fall in love with tempeh Photo: Food With Feeling 1. Tempeh taco “meat” When you crumble tempeh, you get a super-meaty texture that’s similar to ground beef, making it perfect to season and add to your tacos and burrito bowls. Photo: Veggiekins 2. Rainbow tempeh rolls Sushi who? These pretty rainbow rolls can be made in minutes using thinly-sliced tempeh, zucchini wraps, veggies, and a tasty peanut sauce. Photo: The First Mess 3. Sesame garlic noodles with tempeh This warm and cozy tempeh noodle dish is super flavorful
I’m a Parisian facialist, and I think this French-girl drugstore buy is super overrated
January 25, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC Of all the ways to wash your face, micellar water just might be the easiest on the market. The cleansing staple has garnered quite the reputation for gently removing makeup and gunk from your skin, working on all skin types, and being so easy to use that you don’t even need the bathroom sink. Even more appealing? The fact that it’s a French-girl beauty staple, constantly flying off of Parisian pharmacy shelves and into suitcases headed for the U. S. of A. But, according to a French facialist, micellar water is way overrated (I’m gonna pause to let that land, because wow, mind blown). “Micellar water has become very famous in the U.S., but it’s just not good,” says Mila Moursi, a Parisian facialist who’s now based in Los Angeles and treats the complexions of celebs like Jennifer Aniston. If you gasped, please note that I did the same. “It’s supposed to cleanse and tone, but you cannot do it all with micellar water, and it doesn’t take the place of a cleanser and a toner.” A quick chemistry refresher on micellar water and how it works. Micelles are oil suspended in water, which act as the surfactant (aka: cleansing agent). Micellar water has molecules that have a hydrophobic (water-fearing) end and a hydrophilic (water-loving) end. This helps to get your complexion clean, because the oil end helps to attract oil and dirt (and leftover makeup) on your complexion and the water-loving end
Navigating the complicated world of ‘Instagram therapy’
January 25, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC “The early bird gets to cry for a little bit longer in the work parking lot.” When looking at this Instagram post shared by the account mytherapistsays and liked more than 100,000 times, it’s hard to believe Instagram was once a medium used almost exclusively as a digital photo diary. Today, hilarious memes and text-heavy inspirational and educational posts dominate many a feed—and the seemingly exploding number of mental health accounts are responsible for a lot of them. The actual content varies widely—some posts are memes about everything from anxiety to childhood trauma; others are helpful cartoons and simple illustrations; and others still are straightforward, guiding text—but there’s a relatability that clearly hooks followers and inspires them to share. View this post on Instagram *tears streaming down my face* rise n grind! let’s get that bread! A post shared by Lola Tash and Nicole Argiris (@mytherapistsays) on Aug 12, 2019 at 4:15pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js It makes sense, considering one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. But just because these experiences are common doesn’t mean that they have always been fodder for public discourse, much less viral social media content. Despite Instagram’s reputation as a mental wellness killjoy, posts like these—in addition to being entertaining—can help chip away at the silence, stigma, and ignorance that still surrounds mental health discussions to this day. Instagram as a force for positive mental health change So why are these mental health-adjacent posts—whether