January 26, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC As the week begins on Monday, January 27, the moon waxes through the sign of Pisces. Simultaneously, Venus, the planet of love and beauty, conjoins Neptune in Pisces, too. Amid other, more challenging astrological energy swirling through the cosmos, Neptune and Venus in Pisces coming together with the moon serves to comfort us all, as if to say “everything is going to be okay.” Pisces, the sign of dreams, compassion, and spiritual development emphasizes emotional intelligence and promotes cathartic release. With the moon, Venus, and Neptune all working together in this intuitive sign, it’s time to synthesize undigested feelings and lean into your sixth sense. Trust yourself and your intuition, and give yourself the space you need to process your feelings. How to make the most of Pisces’ sleep-enhancing potential Pisces rules sleep, which means that even though you might feel a bit groggy Monday morning, there’s a great chance you experienced a prophetic dream or two. If you remember your dreams and enjoy tracking them, get excited for your night of sleep on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, all of which offer an exceptional opportunity to tune into your subconscious this way. To level up your sleep hygiene in order to make the most of the benefits offered by the trifecta in Pisces, first create a dark and quiet atmosphere to amplify your ability to take advantage of the dream-inducing astrological moment. A few other pre-slumber tips for optimizing sleep include taking magnesium,
Day: January 26, 2020
Your guide to healthy, easy meal prep on a plant-based diet
January 26, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC Opening the fridge to find pre-made food is a godsend for busy healthy eaters. Investing a few hours on a Sunday to grocery shop and meal prep a few lunches or dinners at home helps make eating well throughout the week (without having to think too much) that much easier. But that planning can get tricky if you’re working on a new eating plan. The go-to recipes you may rely on for easy meal prep might not work with how you eat now, or figuring out how to build a healthy, filling meal might be harder depending on what macronutrients or ingredients are now emphasized with this particular way of eating. That certainly can be a challenge for people new to plant-based eating, which emphasizes putting vegetables, fruits, and other plants at the center of your plate. You have to get used to a different dietary style, which can make planning a week’s worth of lunches or dinners a bit more challenging than usual. The good news is that many plant-based foods and proteins are actually easy to buy and prepare in bulk—making them a meal-prepper’s dream if you know how to work with them. Here’s a starter guide to building healthy meals when you’re starting plant-based meal prep. Step one: Define what being plant-based means to you While people might think “plant based” is another way of saying “vegan,” that’s not quite the full story. A plant-based diet is a bit less
Rebuild your ravaged skin barrier with this simple 3-step formula
January 26, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC I’ve dealt with a lot of skin conditions, ranging from hormonal acne to hyperpigmentation, but for the first time in my life I’m dealing with a totally new issue: a sabotaged skin barrier. And it is brutal. The skin barrier acts as a natural protective shield, and when it’s disrupted (the way mine is right now) it makes skin especially vulnerable to damage from pollution, winter air, sunlight, etc. TL, DR: everything hurts. Although it’s easy to confuse an impaired skin barrier with other woes like wind burn, eczema, or a sensitivity, the telltale signs are skin inflammation and redness (like… a lot of redness). As a refresher, a damaged skin barrier function means that the lipid or oil barrier of your skin is disrupted. “So the small, exposed cracks in the skin are more sensitive to products and outside agents that can get in and cause inflammation,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Water is able to evaporate from the skin more, resulting in drier skin.” And since your skin is more exposed to the environment, she points out that you can experience even more sensitivity to the products you’re using. Suddenly reacting to retinol for the first time in your life? A damaged skin barrier could be to blame. Building your skin barrier back up is a process that involves a strategic regimen filled with ultra-nourishing ingredients, and absolutely nothing that can cause irritation. As
I’m a relationship therapist, and this is the most common question single people ask me
January 26, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC I’m a perpetually-single-but-never-actually-single individual who alternately uses my therapist as a professional psychologist, best girlfriend, oracle, dating profile evaluator, horoscope reader, and more when it comes to navigating the dating world. Though I’m ostensibly in therapy to work through past trauma and navigate the anxieties that cripple my work life, sometimes I feel like I pay money for her to tell me what I should be doing about this or that boy. Of course, I’m doubtful alone. Whether we’re propelled to therapy by a broken heart, a desire to meet “the one” who somehow seems to always elude us, or by a simple, primordial fear of dying alone, many of us seek professional insight into how to achieve the holy grail that is a healthy relationship. If you’re among this group, you might benefit from the free advice offered by four relationship therapists below, where they respond to the questions they hear most often from single folks at various stages along the journey to coupledom (or not). 4 questions single people always ask their therapists and the pros’ answers 1. Why am I failing miserably at using the dating apps? Laurel Steinberg, PhD, a relationship expert and professor of clinical sexology, tells me this is the question she hears most frequently from single people. “Most often, the reason is that people have unrealistic expectations for the number of efforts it will take to find someone great using the apps,” she says. “When people
Target is now stocking a $12 shampoo that we’d pay well over double for, TBH
January 26, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Even though the drugstore beauty aisle has gotten a serious upgrade over the past couple of years, stocking dermatologist-backed, better-for-your-skin options, the hair selection has been slower to change. Last year, Herbal Essences partnered with the EWG to launch a truly game-changing clean shampoo. And now, Odele, a brand-new clean hair-care brand making its debut at Target today, is here to chic the whole category up a bit. One look at the brand and you’ll fall in love, but you’ll stay in love thanks to the minimally-scented, hair-nourishing formulas that make the wash-and-go a cinch. And not to bury the lede, but everything in the line is $12. “Odele was born out of a want (slash need) for a high-quality, clean formula that didn’t break the bank, and of course, we wanted it to be chic and something you’re proud to display,” says co-founder Lindsay Holden. Her goal with Odele? To create a product “that met our high expectations for performance, but we felt good about sharing with those who shared our showers,” she says. Photo: Odele Within Odele’s line are there are three different shampoo-conditioner collections meant, each meant to either volumize, smooth, or help define curls. Out of the shower, there are also three stylers: an air-dry crème, a leave-in conditioner, and a texturizing salt spray. While the line is relatively edited, from what we’ve tested, the products are able to achieve results on their own, so you don’t have to
What to put in your oatmeal if you can’t do another day of raisins and cinnamon without falling asleep into your bowl
January 26, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC Confession: I’ve been eating oatmeal for breakfast (almost) every single day for years. Overnight oats, in particular, are my fave because I can prep them at night, pop them in the fridge, and ta da! Breakfast is ready for me in the morning. That said, I won’t say no to a warm bowl of goodness either. Oatmeal is a habit I can’t seem to quit, but I’m not mad at it for a few reasons. Numbers one and two: It’s healthy and filling. Dietitians swear by it—as Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, previously told Well+Good, “Oats contain a unique form of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan which helps you stay satiated for hours.” Three, it’s so easy and quick to make, especially if you’re like me and can’t be bothered to cook every morning. And four, the possibilities for flavor combinations are endless. The oatmeal itself is really just a blank canvas for whatever toppings you want to add. Need some inspo for what to put in oatmeal? Check out these 11 RD-recommended toppings to jazz up your bowl and elevate its nutritional value. 1. Date syrup Bored of honey and agave? Shake things up by sweetening your oatmeal with date syrup instead. “Date syrup is made from the superfruit dates, so it’s naturally rich in stress-relieving magnesium and potassium,” says Beckerman, who’s also the author of The Better Period Food Solution and host of Well+Good’s You Versus Food. “There are a lot of fun brands to