February 29, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC There’s a misconception that lives in many people’s heads (and, okay, on Instagram) that living a healthy life requires an abundance of time and money. Time because surely being a wellness goddess requires frequent trips to the farmers’ market to buy fresh ingredients and the ability to devote hours to making healthy, home-cooked meals. And money because, well, it’s expensive to buy foods healthy food bloggers often write about, such as almond flour and avocado oil. Is it easier to live a healthy life if you’re rich in both time and money? Sure, virtually everything is easier. But according to registered dietitian Melissa Rifkin, RD it’s absolutely not necessary. Some of her favorite foods are super cheap (we’re talking less than $3 cheap) and have a long shelf life. Here, she shares her seven favorite cheap healthy foods she loves adding to her cart. One note before you start shopping for the cheapest healthy foods: If you buy online, some retailers (Amazon, we’re looking at you) may make you buy in bulk. This is one case where it may be cheaper to do your grocery shopping IRL. The cheapest healthy foods one dietitian loves 1. BARILLA WHOLE WhEAT PASTA, $1.28 One super easy, dietitian-approved meal: A cup of whole wheat pasta (which has fiber, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins) tossed with a cup of cooked frozen veggies. With just two ingredients (and about 60 seconds of actual active cooking work) you’ll master the
Month: February 2020
Not just for burns: Here are 7 ways aloe vera can nourish your skin
February 29, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC When it comes to skin, the aloe vera benefits are no joke. Aloe vera is a natural, plant-based ingredient that’s been used for medicinal purposes for, well, seemingly forever. When you open up the leaves of the succulent plant, you’ll find a clear, jelly-like gel, which is rife with healing properties that are great for treating cuts, healing burns, improving digestive health when consumed, and promoting better oral health, says Gretchen Frieling, MD, a board-certified dermatopathologist. In other words, aloe vera is definitely worthy of a permanent spot in your medicine cabinet, but it isn’t just there for you in times of minor ailments. It’s also great for your skin, too. You can rub the gel straight from the leaf, and you can find it in many creams, gels, and ointments. Keep reading to learn other ways aloe vera can benefit your skin, plus tips on how to incorporate the star ingredient into your daily skincare routine. Benefits of aloe vera for skin Aloe vera is a great moisturizer Aloe vera gel is incredibly moisturizing for your skin, hair, and scalp. “Aloe vera leaves, particularly in the innermost layer, are abundant with water, so it helps to hydrate the skin and seal in moisture,” Dr. Frieling says. “The sugars it contains, also known as mucopolysaccharides, aid in retaining moisture in the skin.” Dr. Josh Axe, DNM and founder of Ancient Nutrition and DrAxe.com, adds that aloe gel also promotes the regeneration of skin tissues and
I’m single, and my new favorite sex toy is a vibrating ring for couples—here’s how I use it
February 29, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC It doesn’t take a degree in marketing to discern that I, a very single vulva-owner who generally doesn’t enjoy P-in-V penetration, am not the target buyer for the Lelos Tor 2, which is advertised as a “couples’ vibrating ring.” But when the rumbly ring showed up at my door, I decided to get creative and see how I could make it work for me. I got started with the Lelo Tor 2 the same way I get started with any new toy (or heck, any person) I bring to my bed: by getting acquainted first. I stroked it, squeezed it, learned its unique crevices and curves, and then spent tested out its different intensities and patterns. Nowadays it’s not hard to find a vibrator with plenty of vibration settings, like the Le Wand Point and Ora 2. But I think the range of intensity between the lowest setting and highest setting is a better indicator of versatility than the sheer number of settings. I was pleasantly surprised by the difference in experience I could feel within Tor 2’s six settings that range in sensation between teasing murmur and intense pulse. To use it solo, I first adjusted it to its lowest setting, then applied some lubricant, and then pinched the flexibly round product and brought the vibrating part against my vulva. To use it solo, I first adjusted it to its lowest setting, then applied some lubricant, and then pinched the flexibly round
Tactical fitness brings you Navy SEAL-level training with real-life benefits
February 29, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC You can rely on basic fitness modalities for the traditional benefits of working out, like increasing strength, boosting endurance, gaining power, and improving your cardiovascular capabilities. With tactical fitness, a military-bred way of training, you get all of those perks plus the physical and mental stamina that together make you more agile in your everyday life. Essentially, tactical fitness is functional fitness, but amplified, according to trainer Corey Phelps. “It’s training in real-life movements with real-world equipment, and it’s training that’s focused on true strength in a well-rounded fashion to prepare an individual to be strong and agile while also remaining calm,” she says. So that translates to classic agility exercises mixed with cardio, weights, and pretty much every element of fitness blended into one training philosophy that improves not only your strength, but your overall capabilities in times of stress. And who doesn’t need that? Keep scrolling for the low-down on why tactical fitness can help everyone, and how to practice it yourself. What is tactical fitness? Since tactical fitness is something that originated in the military, strategy (or tactic) is a foundational element of the training. Stew Smith, a former Navy SEAL and author of various books on the subject, says that it involves gaining the physical requirements that’d allow you to save your own life or the life of someone else. “It helps people become a better asset to themselves and to others,” he says, noting that he’d dub the
‘Steady increase exercise’ is the best for your heart—here are 6 steps that make it easy
February 29, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC When you start an exercise routine from scratch, the tendency can be to go all in. (HIIT! Strength training! Spinning! Running!) A massive new review of past scientific research conducted by the American Heart Association (AHA) finds that going from 0 to 100 with your workouts just might backfire, though. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to exercising for your heart health. Upon reviewing more than 300 scientific studies, writers of a scientific statement considering the health factors of exercise found that physically active people have up to 50 percent lower risk of sudden heart attack or cardiac arrest. After taking a closer look at the data, however, the team of scientists concluded that those still ramping up their fitness routine could likely benefit from steadily increasing their activity levels rather than, say, running 26.2 the day after running their very first mile. As evidence, the researchers sited the fact that first-time participants accounted for about 40 percent of cardiac incidents among first-time triathlon participants and that about half of cardiac events occur during the final mile of a half-marathon or full-marathon. To boot, their research revealed the importance of acclimating to a given climate before doing the same workout you would at home. When compounded, all of this info led to the conclusion that, in the words of Barry Franklin, PhD, director of preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Beaumont Health: “It is important to start exercising—but go slow,
7 savory pancake recipes that work for any meal of the day
February 29, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC There’s something so nostalgically delicious about a pancake. I love eating a little round cake that was made just for me. I’m a huge proponent of breakfast for dinner, and a few good savory pancake recipes might make that experience even better. Like savory crêpes, savory pancakes take a delicious sweet treat to the next level. Whether you add zucchini, corn, or sweet potato, savory pancakes can be eaten for any meal. Maybe you top it with a jalapeño maple syrup, or dip it in avocado sauce. The possibilities are endless. No, this does not mean you should go add a handful of cauliflower to the sugary pancake batter you have in the pantry. We’ve rounded up the most mouth-watering savory pancake recipes for you to make from scratch. Make these delicious savory pancake recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner 1. VEGAN JALAPEÑO CORNBREAD PANCAKES Photo: Babe Made These pancakes are the perfect combo of fluffy, savory, and sweet. Jalapeños add a touch of spice that complement the sweetness. You can also top them with Babe Made’s jalapeño-infused maple syrup. 2. CAULIFLOWER PANCAKES Photo: Babaganosh These fritters keep it simple with mashed cauliflower, eggs, flour, and seasoning. Top with a garlic and dill aioli for a zesty finish. 3. VEGAN SAVORY CHEDDAR PANCAKES Photo: Vegan Huggs Chives and vegan cheddar for breakfast? Yes please. These pancakes take all the yummy goodness of a baked potato and put them in a pancake. 4. SAVORY
This is the perfect pillow formula for your posture, according to a physical therapist
February 29, 2020 at 03:00AM by CWC Your relationship with your pillows is just about the closest in your life. After all, you do fall asleep and wake up next to them every day. And finding your perfect feather-stuffed partner might just be even more important than finding your romantic one. The way you sleep has a major impact on your spine—and ultimately, your posture—and your pillow can have a major impact. “If you’re sleeping with a pillow that is the wrong size for you, your neck won’t be able to sit in a neutral position, which means your head is going to rest too far in one direction toward either shoulder,” says Jeff Brannigan, director of programming at STRETCH*D. “Over time this will create misalignment in the spine and negatively impact your posture.” Because of this, you’re going to want to put together the right pillow formula for your go-to sleep position. If you sleep on your back (which is best for your posture and alignment), you’ll want to choose a firm pillow that supports your neck. “For maximum support, you need a material that gives way to pressure and stays put,” says Burke Morley, vice president of brand at Purple, a mattress and pillow company. This means that it should hold firmly under your neck, but give a little bit beneath the weight of your head. If you’re a side sleeper, Brannigan suggests picking a pillow that allows your neck to sit in a neutral position, which will
This free online course teaches everything you need to know about coronavirus
February 29, 2020 at 02:00AM by CWC The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has killed approximately 2,800 people and infected tens of thousands more within a matter of weeks as it spread to 46 countries and counting. The World Health Organization declared Friday that the risk assessment for the virus is now “very high.” But there are still a lot of unknowns about the virus, and it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. Imperial College London is here to help. The university offers a free online course titled Science Matters: Let’s Talk About COVID-19. There’s a new class every week, and the content updates in real time as new information breaks. “As the epidemic seems to spread to more and more countries, people around the world are wondering about the trajectory of the epidemic and whether they should be concerned,” reads the course description. “Robust, reliable analysis is vital at this stage not only as a way to give concerned members of the public a sense of perspective, but also to support governments and other stakeholders in planning their responses.” This online course about coronavirus provides an overview of the current state of the epidemic as well as related epidemiological and public-health principles and challenges. Each class takes about one to two hours to complete, and consists of a few videos and readings. It’s taught by researchers at the MRC Centre of Global Infectious Diseases Analysis and the Jameel Institute for Disease Emergency Analytics. Both groups have been working with a number
The cheese puff snacks of your childhood are finally getting the healthy upgrade they deserve
February 29, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t love cheese puffs. There’s something irresistible about the snack, despite it just being puffed corn covered in a processed cheese powder. The satisfaction of the crunch, the yellow residue the powder leaves on your fingertips, that little curl shape… Traditionally, the snack has never been seen as a health food. It doesn’t offer any vitamins, no fiber, and almost no protein. (Sodium however, it has in spades.) But this is 2020, a time where you can milk oats and eat ice cream made of chickpeas. And now, the humble cheese puff (or doodle, as it’s also known) has undergone its own healthy makeover. Health-conscious food brands including Spudsy, Hippeas, Lesser Evil, and Brass Roots have all reinvented the cheese puff, using ingredients that range from sweet potatoes to legumes. The end result is a puffy snack that hits lots of the same nostalgic taste notes…with some added nutrition hidden in there, too. Who would have thunk it? Here, the brand founders give insider intel to how they are using good-for-you ingredients to reimagine the puff. Cheese puffs 2.0: What they’re made of Well+Good predicted that 2020 would be the year that chickpeas completely take over, and Hippeas has been building that momentum for years with its OG take on the healthy cheese puff. The brand bakes a ground chickpea flour and rice flour blend, then seasons it with salt, cane sugar, onion powder, garlic
I’m a Sephora beauty director and these 5 cleansers are makeup ‘magic erasers’
February 29, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC One of life’s great frustrations is completing 30 seconds of derm-mandated face washing, only to realize that your mascara, foundation, and blush have smeared into a Monet painting on your face. When your skin doesn’t get as clean as you wanted it to, you then have to go for another round of cleanse, rinse, repeat. Ugh. That drama is all about to become a thing of the past now, though, because Sephora Beauty Director Jeffrey English is sharing his five top cleansers that remove makeup like it’s their job. Because, um, it is. Let’s review what separates a stellar face wash from a so-so one, shall we? Apart from ridding your face of the day’s makeup, dirt, and grime, Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, previously told Well+Good that nailing your cleansing routine is really all about feel. “After washing your face, the skin should feel light and soft, but not tight,” he says. “There’s a perception that tight and dry equals clean, but it really represents post-wash dryness, which is harmful to the skin.” Roger that! Now, let’s get to English’s stable of unbeatable washes. 5 cleansers that remove makeup like a charm 1. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $38 Just about everyone at the Well+Good office loves this cleanser, and English says it deserves all that praise and more. “If you’re looking for a face wash that does it all, then this one is for you. This product combines cleanser, toner,