February 13, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC If your beauty routine were the Super Bowl, serums would be J.Lo’s halftime performance, which worked to make watching the nearly four-hour affair worth your time. They’re the workhorse with the active ingredients that truly transform your complexion for the better, more than any other product. Which is to say, I’m a big fan. Because of the holy power of serums—and, well, because I’m a beauty editor—I’ve tested hundreds of different ones over the years. We’re talking more than $10,000 worth of products. Some are great. Some, not so much. But when I say that the Marie Veronique Barrier Lipid Complex ($95) is the only one that I’m sticking with until I die, I mean it. Photo: Marie Veronique This product is chock-full of the three fundamental lipids (or fats) that make up your skin’s barrier: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. Once slathered on, these go to work by replacing your skin’s natural fats, which are key for maintaining moisture. On top of these, the serum also contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which are all hydrating superstars. Although it’s a product I’ve used before, it circulated back into my life again after a time when my skin barrier got damaged and needed serious TLC to repair. I turned to none other than chemist and skin-care guru Marie Veronique, who formulated a series of products made specifically for this common dilemma. I’m now a changed woman. Even in the middle of winter, with this baby
Month: February 2020
Find your new go-to easy, healthy sauce based on your favorite flavor profile
February 13, 2020 at 07:00PM by CWC There’s a reason why a tub of Ranch dressing or green goddess dressing sits at the heart of every party’s crudité platter. And can you even imagine the horror of serving stir-fry that wasn’t topped with soy or peanut sauce? The right sauce completely transforms a dish, whether it’s veggies, rice, or proteins like chicken and tofu. Life is too short for boring meals, but that doesn’t mean your inside fridge door should be more crowded than Sweetgreen at lunchtime. Really, all you need is one smart sauce that can do it all. That’s where Richard Rae, corporate executive chef at The Butcher’s Daughter, comes in. Many healthy eaters have been taught to avoid condiments as they are a sneaky source of hidden sugars and other additives, but Chef Rae’s easy sauce recipes prove that this doesn’t have to be the case. Here, he shares four easy sauce recipes (pick your go-to based on if you prefer something spicy, sour, salty, or sweet), all made with ingredients healthy eaters recognize and love. They can be used with *everything*: vegetables, grains, protein, on sandwiches…you name it. Your meals are about to get way more delicious. Keep reading for 4 healthy, easy sauce recipes you can use for literally everything Graphic: W+G Creative If you like it spicy: Charred jalapeño tahini sauce Chef tip: “Keep in mind, each jalapeño is different, so use with caution,” Chef Rae says. “I suggest adding one jalapeño and tasting the
The 5-move upper body workout a surfer does to boost strength
February 13, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC Surfing might look like a peaceful, easy way to spend a day at the beach, but as anyone who’s ever tried it (or anyone who’s ever seen Blue Crush) well knows, the sport requires a lot of strength. In addition to having a strong core that’s required to help you maintain balance on the board, paddling out and popping up require a near-Herculean level of upper body strength. And though surf season may still be a few long months away (at least in this hemisphere), these athletes can serve as a source of gym inspiration all year round—particularly when it comes to your arm workouts. Take it from Jack Freestone, pro surfer and co-founder of Kelsen hair care, who says that though surfing works every muscle you have in your body—”from your eyes to your toes,” as he puts it—your arm strength is particularly critical. “Every wave starts by the surfer paddling into it,” he says. “Strength, coordination, and mobility are the primary components that every surfer should have.” Water adds resistance to your workout when paddling, so Freestone pays special attention to his upper body when in the gym. Though he switches his exercise routine up pretty frequently, he says that every exercise he does “translates to a strong and mobile upper body, which is perfect for surfing.” To incorporate his exercises into your own sweat sesh for arm strength, keep scrolling. Upper body strength training for surfing [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PByI4RoZ_Ek] 1. Single-arm landmine
The fertility ‘information gap’ is keeping LGBTQ+ people from getting the care they need and deserve
February 13, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC Thirty-three percent of U.S. adults have either used fertility treatments or know someone who has, reports Pew Research Center. But if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the process of seeking medical help for pregnancy—which is hard regardless—becomes exponentially more challenging. Mere Abrams, LCSW, a gender researcher and licensed mental health professional who identifies as transgender and non-binary, knows first-hand what it’s like to start a fertility journey in a medical system designed for heteronormative needs. (Abrams uses the pronouns they/them.) “I’ve known that I want to be a parent much longer than I knew what my gender and sexuality were,” Abrams says. “When I decided to take steps to medically affirm my gender at the age of 26, [fertility] really came to the forefront because, at that time, there really wasn’t as much research as there is now about fertility options for trans folks and for folks who are starting hormone therapy.” Abrams ultimately made the decision to go on a low dose of testosterone to preserve their fertility and keep their uterus, despite their doctor’s recommendations to eventually undergo a hysterectomy. (Twenty-one percent of those who identify as transgender report wanting to keep their uteruses). And three years later, Abrams and their partner started thinking about building the family they’d wanted since childhood. “I went through the fertility preservation process in the summer of 2018 in order to store my eggs and have that option available…. so I had to work
FODMAP 101: A Detailed Beginner’s Guide -healthline.com
Since what you eat can have a major effect on your body, digestive issues are incredibly common. FODMAPs are types of carbohydrates found in certain foods, including wheat and beans. Studies have shown strong links between FODMAPs and digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation. Low-FODMAP diets can provide remarkable benefits for many people with common digestive disorders. This article provides a detailed beginner’s guide to FODMAPs and low-FODMAP diets. What Are FODMAPs? FODMAP stands for “fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols” (1). These are short-chain carbs that are resistant to digestion. Instead of being absorbed into your bloodstream, they reach the far end of your intestine where most of your gut bacteria reside. Your gut bacteria then use these carbs for fuel, producing hydrogen gas and causing digestive symptoms in sensitive individuals. FODMAPs also draw liquid into your intestine, which may cause diarrhea. Although not everyone is sensitive to FODMAPs, this is very common among people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (2Trusted Source). Common FODMAPs include: Fructose: A simple sugar found in many fruits and vegetables that also makes up the structure of table sugar and most added sugars. Lactose: A carbohydrate found in dairy products like milk. Fructans: Found in many foods, including grains like wheat, spelt, rye and barley. Galactans: Found in large amounts in legumes. Polyols: Sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol and mannitol. They are found in some fruits and vegetables and often used as sweeteners. Summary FODMAP stands for “fermentable oligo-,
8 healthy and delicious high-protein breakfast recipes *without* eggs
February 13, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Many high-protein breakfasts require cracking an egg or two. But there are many healthy high-protein vegan breakfast recipes that will load you up on the essential nutrient without having to rely on animal products. It might come as a surprise, but plant are an excellent source of protein. While eggs contain 6 grams each, tofu—which is commonly turned into an egg-like scramble for breakfast—contains 10 grams per 1/2 cup. Impressive, right? And that’s just one of the many options you have when it comes to making a high-protein vegan breakfast without a single egg. From hummus toast to quinoa breakfast cookies, start your day with these nutritious recipes. Our favorite high-protein vegan breakfast recipes Photo: Running on Real Food 1. Vegan breakfast skillet Between all the veggies, avocado, and plant-based sausage, this high-protein breakfast contains nearly 34 grams per serving. Photo: Minimalist Baker 2. Hummus toast Peanut butter is great, but nothing can top this hummus toast recipe when it comes to protein. Between the sprouted bread and spread—which contains hummus, hemp seeds, and sunflower seeds—you’re getting around 11 grams per slice. Photo: Choosing Chia 3. Vegan breakfast burrito This protein-packed breakfast burrito—which contains egg-y tofu scramble, sweet potatoes, avocado, and spinach—is nothing short of a win. Photo: Deliciously Ella 4. Banana pancakes Pancakes got a high-protein upgrade in this recipe that uses oats, ground almonds, almond milk, and chia seeds in the batter. Photo: Blissful Basil 5. Vegan Nutella granola These crispy
Is your astrological opposite your soul mate? Here’s an astrologer’s take on your matchup
February 13, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC While growing up, my mother, like many mothers, gave me quite a bit of unsolicited love advice. That’s how I first learned about astrological polarity, which says we are magnetically drawn to people of polar opposite zodiac signs. This yin-to-yang connection is essentially the universe’s version of opposites attracting, but can the secret to having a healthy long-term relationship really be so simple? Well, it’s complicated, because compatibility isn’t just a matter of matching sun signs. “Astrologers often say that the remedy for any sign’s neurosis is the enlightened qualities of the opposite sign,” astrologer Juliana McCarthy previously told Well+Good, caveating that opposite sun signs only work well together if other parts of your zodiac chart flow. So many personalized nuances of a natal chart factor into whether you’re a good romantic match for someone, astrologically speaking. That said, knowing your astrological magnet may explain certain surface-level dynamics—like, say, who’s worth a right swipe on Bumble and why you keep attracting people born in September. To that point, astrologer Rachel Lang breaks is here to break down these fruitful and, at times, complicated dynamics between opposite zodiac signs, and suggests how each pairing can get along harmoniously. 1. Aries (March 21 to April 19) and Libra (September 23 to October 22) As the most incendiary of the fire signs, Aries acts on impulse, is headstrong, and is known to jump into action with intensity. Meanwhile, Libra benefits from taking time to ponder, considering
A to-do list app can power up your productivity—here are 9 worth downloading
February 13, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC When it comes to getting things done, there are many strategies worth trying in order to increase your productivity. But when, say, listening to music, ditching the multitasking, keeping your desk organized, and setting boundaries with your colleagues don’t seem to be cutting it any longer, it might be worth downloading a to-do list app to try. Because, while all of those aforementioned techniques can be helpful, the most effective way to maximize your productivity is to simply track and manage all your tasks. A pen and paper works great (especially if you fancy yourself to be a talented bullet-journaling artist), but when you have many projects in the works simultaneously that require your attention, keeping track of everything can quickly become overwhelming. Enter: to-do list apps. A whole host of them exist, and each offers unique features to help you, your tasks, and your entire life stay organized and super productive. And to save you from the perils of decision fatigue, rounded up below are nine to-do list app options that are each perfect for a specific focus. The best part? They’re all free to use, although you can upgrade to paid premium versions that’ll grant you access to added snazzy features. Found: The best to-do list app for streamlining 9 situations in life. 1. For note-takers: Evernote Consider Evernote to be your go-to hub for not just to-do lists but all of your notes. Weekly grocery lists, meal plans, work notes,
Pros say meridian exercises have the potential to open up your entire body
February 13, 2020 at 02:30AM by CWC If you’ve ever gotten acupuncture or pressed on an acupressure point, you know how much of an overwhelming release you can get throughout your body by targeting certain points. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, your body is made up of 12 main meridians that are pathways within the body, explains Bethany Lee, yoga instructor and certified TCM expert. “There are acupuncture points that correlate to your organs, so when the needle is placed in these points along the meridian pathways, you’re stimulating that certain section on the pathway to feel relief,” she says. And the same can be said for meridian exercises, which are like acupressure in fitness form. Meridian exercise are often achieved via Yin Yoga, a slow style of yoga where you hold poses rather than flow through them quickly. “We’re stretching that entire [meridian] band,” says Lee. “When you’re in the pose, you’re targeting that entire meridian line, so it’s the same effect as stimulating it with your thumb on an acupressure point.” Practicing this kind of yoga is meant to help you relax and to create mobility in the body, says Lee. Ready to get started? Keep scrolling for all you need to know. Meridian exercises to try for yourself [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqnua4rHVVA] 1. Cat pose: According to Elizabeth Martin, licensed acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine expert, this pose works the kidney meridian, which purportedly helps decompress the lower back. In quadruped position, tuck your head down and pull your navel towards your
A tube of this $5 drugstore mascara sells every 16 seconds
February 13, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC There are the products you buy exclusively at the drugstore, and then there are those you get from the department store. For example, I’m a huge fan of Pond’s moisturizer, which pairs very well with $200 worth of serums and oils. But you can always get away with buying mascara at the drugstore. In fact, a tube of Essence Lash Princess False Lash Mascara sells every 16 seconds, according to the brand. That’s 5,400 tubes every day. There are thousands of YouTube videos dedicated to this mascara, with its narrow cone-shaped brush. Makeup artist Molly R. Stern previously told Well+Good that narrow mascara spoolies are great for people with short lashes. “Precision helps when you’re dealing with something that feels short,” she says. This mascara is one of four in the Essence Lash Princess family. Her sisters include Lash Princess Volume Mascara ($5), Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara ($5), and Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara ($5). But the original False Lash Mascara reigns supreme as one of the brands best sellers of all time. If you’re a clean beauty devotee, this mascara is paraben- and gluten-free (yes, some mascaras contain gluten). And like the rest of Essence’s products, it’s also cruelty-free. The brand boasts that it produces 95 percent of its products in Europe, and that every one meets both FDA and European Union Cosmetics Directive standards. The latter is known for having much stricter cosmetic laws—the European Union bans over