February 17, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The mind-gut connection is one of the biggest topics in wellness right now. Research has shown us that there’s a connection between the amount of good bacteria in the gut and how happy, depressed, or anxious someone feels. There’s also growing research showing a link between gut health and cognitive function, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. But the idea that what you eat—and the type of bacteria living in your gut—can affect your personality? Now that’s new. Is how outgoing someone is or how someone acts in social situations really connected to what’s going on in their gut? According to a new study, it’s possible. Published in the Human Microbiome Journal, stool samples were collected from 655 people for bacterial analysis. The participants also answered extensive questions about their socio-demographics, diet, health and lifestyle habits, and behavior traits. The researchers then compared the results to see if there were patterns between the types of gut bacteria present in the stool and behavior. What the researchers found was that different types of bacteria were associated with different behavioral traits. “There’s quite a lot of evidence of how the gut can affect stress, anxiety, and depression, but I was really interested on doing a human study to see if there was a link between the gut and personality traits,” says study author Katerina Johnson, PhD, as to her initial goal of the study. What she found was that people with a thriving microbiome—full of lots
Day: February 17, 2020
7 haircare products that will help stretch the time until your next cut and color
February 17, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC Tired of seemingly-incessant haircuts and coloring appointments? We feel you. Whether you’re incredibly busy or simply trying to grow your hair out, frequent salon trips, as lovely as they are, can begin to feel like quite the nuisance. (Not to mention a money suck.) That’s why it helps to have your shower and vanity stocked with haircare products that help stretch the time between bookings. Not only do these beauty buys help maintain the health and appearance of your hair, but they save you money in the long run, since using them means tacking a couple extra weeks onto the duration between appointments. Intrigued? We thought you might be. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best haircare products that will help lengthen the life of your cut and color. You’re welcome in advance. 1. TRUHAIR Whipped Moisturizing Nano-Encapsulated Cream Conditioner, $26 Photo: Courtesy If dry, brittle strands are cause for concern between your cuts, it’s time to swap out your regular conditioner with this formula. It’s made with ceramides and vitamin E, not to mention keratin, wheat, soy, and corn proteins, to hydrate and strengthen hair. And, the stronger and more moisturized the ends, the longer you can go between trims. 2. Davines The Renaissance Circle Hair Mask, $10 Photo: Courtesy If your hair feels progressively duller and drier the longer you go between salon sessions, it’s time to add this extreme reparative mask to your hair routine. Where nourishing babassu
Chickpea pasta at a restaurant near you? Banza CEO Brian Rudolph wants to make it happen
February 17, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC In the almost six years since Brian Rudolph co-founded chickpea pasta line Banza in 2014 with his brother Scott, the company has: entered more than 12,000 stores, expanded its produce line to include vegan mac-and-cheese, lasagna noodles, and chickpea rice, and now plans to expand beyond the supermarket space into the food service industry. (Think: the pasta version of Beyond Meat.) Given the brand’s track record, there’s little doubt Banza will not only reach these new heights, it’ll exceed them in ways consumers can’t see coming—all of which is exactly why Rudolph was named a Well+Good 2020 Changemaker. Here, Rudolph talks to Well+Good about why the brand’s mission of reach and accessibility is so important to him and their pie-in-the-sky dreams. W+G: People are passionate about Banza products, to say the least. How do you decide, “Okay, this is what we’re going to make next”? Rudolph: We listen to the consumers really closely. People have been reaching out to us and asking about lasagna noodles pretty much since we launched. Same with the plant-based mac-and-cheese. Ever since we came out with our original mac-and-cheese, the top comment on Instagram was asking for us to make it 100 percent plant-based. It was a very clear request, but it took us a while to get it exactly right. How long does it take for something to go from idea to finished product? It depends on the product. With the chickpea rice, that was actually pretty
The $29 top-selling moisturizer at Sephora that derms won’t stop talking about
February 17, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC The best thing about shopping for skin care on Sephora.com is all of the different ways you can peruse the products. You can sort them by their type, by which skin concern they’re meant to treat, and can even browse through the best-sellers in each category. But I’m going to let you in on a little beauty-insider secret: The “top-rated” section is the best way to suss out the skin-care products that are worth investing in. People aren’t simply buying these products, after all. They’re so enthusiastic about them, that they’re leaving reviews for others to buy them as well. And every once in a while, you can find a gem that is effective and affordable, like Innisfree Orchid Youth-Enriched Gel Cream ($29). The moisturizer has earned itself more than 2,000 “loves,” landing among the retailers’ highest rated moisturizers. It’s made with Jeju green soybean-derived hyaluronic acid, plus the brand’s proprietary skin-protecting orchid elixir, which are meant to firm and hydrate skin while also protecting it from environmental stressors. The texture is a jelly that’s thick, but not at all sticky. Reviewers swear that it “doesn’t make your skin feel greasy,” even if you’re naturally oily or combination-complected, while those with dry skin say that it soaks in quickly to leave them feeling smooth and soft. Photo: Innisfree Users aren’t the only ones who have given this particular product a stamp of approval: Dermatologists love it too. “This is a nice, basic moisturizer,”
The 5 best wellness retreats for Black women
February 17, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC It’s hard to pin down the exact moment in a Black woman’s life when she may begin to feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. For some of us it happens seemingly in childhood, while for others it might strike much later, like when entering the workforce. While we, Black women, are not a monolithic group, many of us do share similar experiences with the familial and societal pressures placed upon us, and because of that shared experience we recognize the power of community-minded growth. The assumption that we must take on Superwoman-like roles in a society that wasn’t built for Black women can—and often does—take a toll on us. Our need to shed the toxicity of workplace microaggressions, police brutality, and a government that continuously makes adverse decisions against our well-being is real. An overarching issue is that while Black women exhibit high rates of depression, we are also not likely to have adequate mental health care. The rise of so many WOC-led communities, like Sad Girls Club and Black Girl In Om, does provide hope that we at the beginning stages of a collective healing journey. And it’s completely necessary, because, simply put, Black women deserve a break. These are the five best wellness retreats for Black women. 1. The Colored Girl’s Imara Retreat View this post on Instagram Forever #mood… realizing all things are connected & walking fully in our #power. #IMARA2019 A post shared
I stuck to a 9:30 p.m. bedtime on vacation—here’s the Ayurvedic reason I’m continuing the habit at home
February 17, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Even before I arrived at the Rosewood Mayakoba resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, I knew I would be in for some excellent sleep. That’s because I was visiting to check out the property’s eight new wellness suites, which are packed with snooze-enhancing amenities such as circadian-rhythm-optimized lighting, soothing aromatherapy showers, and bedside essential oils blended by a local shaman. Just as I suspected, on the last night of my four-day trip, I ended up sleeping more deeply than I have in many months, but that accomplishment might be thanks to another reason entirely: I decided to go to sleep at 9:30 p.m. I did so at the advice of Daniel Seymour, Rosewood Mayakoba’s resident Ayurvedic practitioner. Seymour told me during a consultation that turning in between 9:30 and 10 p.m. is a simple hack that can result in higher-quality sleep, working in accordance with the Ayurvedic body clock. See, according to Ayurvedic wisdom, every person is made up of three energy signatures, or doshas. In super-simple terms, vata is airy and intellectual, pitta is fiery and action-oriented, and kapha is earthy and grounded. Most people have a dominant dosha that affects their physical and mental state in the long-term, but different doshas are also believed to be more active within us at different times of day, which dictates the Ayurvedic body clock. Kapha time is from 6 to 10 (a.m. and p.m.); pitta time is from 10 to 2 (a.m. and p.m.);
Your step-by-step guide to treating (and preventing) eyebrow dandruff
February 17, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC Your scalp can get flaky, your skin can get flaky, and even your eyebrows can get flaky once in a while. Most people have tips and tricks on hand for dealing with these flakes, but when the issue morphs into dandruff (you’ll note that small white flakes turn into flat, oily yellow ones), your solution isn’t simply to exfoliate. And if you’re dealing with a bout of eyebrow dandruff, that sentiment rings doubly true. Usually, flaking—whether it’s on the face, the scalp, or the brows—happens because of excessive dryness. But dandruff is actually caused by an oil-loving yeast. “Contrary to popular belief, dandruff isn’t caused by dry skin, but rather by a fungus… the same one that causes scalp dandruff,” says Michelle Wu, master therapist at Evertrue Microblading. “The presence of this fungus causes itchy, flaky skin.” And no one’s exactly going for the flaky look when they’re grooming their brows. What causes eyebrow dandruff Dandruff is caused by a yeast-type organism found on the scalp called pityrosporum ovale (P. ovale) or malassezia furfur (M. furfur). “These happen from the division of cells,” says trichologist Penny James of Penny James Salon. “In normal skin conditions, the stratum corneum consists of about 30 layers of closely consistent keratinized cells. When the skin has flakes over it as is the case with dandruff, there are about 10 layers badly formed, with haphazardly arranged cells that have moved from the stratum gerninativum [the deepest layer of
4 tips for dealing with the negative people in your life during Mercury retrograde
February 17, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Like peanut butter and jelly or Batman and Robin, Mercury retrograde and issues within in your interpersonal relationships is a real iconic duo. That’s because the cosmic transit, happening three times this year, has a way of messing up so may aspects of our lives. But, exactly how does Mercury retrograde affect us, you ask? Well, since technology, travel, communication, and any combination of those big-hitters are compromised, so many components of our lives are out of sync during this time. As such, many understandably end up walking around angry, unapproachable, and downright negative, leaving the rest of us in some need of serious cosmic attitude protection from energy vampires. We all have a few of them in our lives, whether it’s a constantly complaining friend, an ex who keeps resurfacing every few months, or a toxic narcissist boss who always takes credit for your work. So, given that communication is one of the big-deal ways Mercury in retrograde affects us, how can you best deal with the negative energy during a time when we’re all especially sensitive? Well, self care and healthy boundaries are both key. To keep you positively protected, given that Mercury is in retrograde in Pisces through March 10, we got expert tips for getting through. Because everyone is going to be in their feelings for the next few weeks. How does Mercury retrograde affect us? Usually, not well—here are 4 ways to protect yourself from the negativity. 1.
This vegan chipotle mayo makes everything taste so much better
February 17, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC If there was a condiment popularity contest, I’d put all bets on chipotle mayo. It has the perfect creamy texture, just the right amount of heat, and tastes great on everything from burgers to kale salads. While typical mayonnaise isn’t the healthiest option due to its high-calorie and high-fat nature, there’s a plant-based alternative that’s so healthy you can enjoy it every day. Tara Patel of My Vegetarian Family is a whiz at making nutritious plant-based recipes, and her vegan chipotle mayo is no exception. Instead of using a store-bought dairy- and egg-free mayo option as a base, she decided to prepare everything from scratch. Even so, she managed to create a mix that only requires a handful of ingredients and hardly any time. After soaking your cashews, you simply add them to a blender with your other ingredients: canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, salt, and water. That’s it. Then after a quick blend, you can use the chipotle mayo to add a major flavor bomb to all the dishes you eat on the regular. “My vegan chipotle mayo is the perfect plant-based alternative for dipping raw or air-fried veggies, layering into your favorite wrap, or when you simply need a guilt-free dip or dressing with a little kick to change things up,” she says. You can even use it as a salad dressing. Because you only need a little bit for your meals, you’ll have a big batch in the
This at-home Pilates lower body workout will set your legs *and* glutes on fire
February 17, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyT4nGIJF5I] People tend to associate Pilates workouts with a stronger core. While that’s 100-percent the core of the fitness modality, certain Pilates exercises can also strengthen your lower body, too (Pilates is full of surprising benefits, y’all). To stand as proof, SolidCore trainer Triana Brown, our Trainer of the Month, is walking us through a Pilates lower body workout that fires up your quads, glutes, inner and outer thighs, and hamstrings, right along with your core muscles. To up the ante and add resistance to the already challenging leg and butt workout, Brown recommends that you grab some sliders (a towel works, too) as a quick way to get your muscles quaking. Hot tip: It’s going to feel intense, but take a deep breath and keep going. “Push through that burning sensation,” says Brown. “It’s a mental game, and you’ve got to talk yourself through it.” Fifteen minutes later, you’ll be stronger for it. Keep scrolling for the full workout. Try this Pilates lower body workout for yourself Do each exercise for two minutes each. 1. Plank to pike: First things first: You have to warm up the core before getting to the lower body. Grab your sliders and place them directly underneath your feet in a plank position, hands right underneath your shoulders. Contract your abdominals and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, then slowly lower down so that your hips are in line with your shoulders. Squeeze your abs the entire