February 06, 2020 at 04:25PM by CWC You’ve heard the old adage: “calories in, calories out.” It’s the concept that a person can manage their weight by simply burning more calories through exercise than they consume in food—and it was one of the guiding forces in nutrition for the past twenty years. (Hell, a Reddit community named after and dedicated to the concept has over 24 million members.) For decades, people were fixated on calorie counts as a primary consideration for what they put on their plates. But we’re happy to report that this narrow mindset is something we’re firmly leaving behind in the new decade. “In recent years, there’s a recognition that not all calories are created equal,” says health coach and nutritionist Jess Cording, RD. “There’s a shift from just calories to factoring in satiety, blood sugar, and other factors that go into weight management [and healthy eating].” In 2020 and beyond, the emphasis will be on the full nutritional profile of your plate and how these foods support your brain, energy, gut health, and mood. A history of calorie counting While calories are also used in chemistry and physics, in nutrition, calories generally refer to the amount of energy that foods provide us. The concept of the calorie hit the mainstream in the U.S. in the 1920s with the publication of Diet and Health by Lulu Hunt Peters. The book, which praised the merits of calorie counting for weight management, went on to become the number-four nonfiction book
Month: February 2020
I’m a sexologist, and this is what I would look for before investing in a sex toy
February 06, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC You always remember your first. Something simple, perhaps with a wire (how quaint!). Or maybe it was battery powered with real batteries—AA and everything. The day that we bring home our first vibrator is a huge milestone, and that’s why if Old Faithful gets put out to pasture we become dizzy-headed. And even if it’s had many buzzy successors, if you’re buying a sex toy for the first time in a long time, where do you even begin? Gone are the days where you’re just going to pick up a Silver Bullet, a classic Rabbit, or a Bed, Bath, and Beyond “back massager” (lol come on) and call it a day. The sexual wellness space is dominated by women who recognize that the orgasm gap is bullshit, which is swell. But that presents a happy paradox: Too Many Sex Toys makes finding The One easier and harder. Also, let’s be real, when they’re retailing in the triple digits, you want to make sure you get back on your investment. Listen, you’re an adult now, one who deserves sophisticated, elegant, earthshaking orgasms. So we enlisted sexologist Alicia Sinclair, certified sexologist and creator of Le Wand Massager, to outline what to look for when investing in a sex toy. What to consider before buying a sex toy 1. The material For some of us, making sure there’s a checkmark next to “waterproof” is more than enough. In general, though, you should double-check that your next pleasure friend
10 easy-to-digest foods to eat when your gut is feeling out of sorts
February 06, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC Benjamin Franklin once said that we can only expect two things from life: death and taxes. Well, there’s actually a third thing that the Founding Father neglected to add to the list, and that is digestive issues. (Sorry, Ben, but you know it’s true.) Whether it’s an upset stomach, indigestion, reflux, nausea, diarrhea, or worse, food poisoning, these kinds of things can happen to the best of us, and they’re far from pleasant. Although there are many things you can do to improve your digestion, such as Ayurvedic breathing exercises, getting an abdominal massage, or even analyzing your poop, sticking to easy-to-digest foods is one of the best things to do when this happens. These types of foods, says Anabelle Harari Clebaner, RD, founder of Wellspring Nutrition, give your GI tract and bowels a break by not needing to work so hard to break down food when it’s already inflamed. It’s like the digestive equivalent of taking a sick day—you need to let your gut rest in order to heal. As a general rule of thumb, Brittany Modell, RD, founder of Brittany Modell Nutrition and Wellness, says that when dealing with digestive disorders or symptoms, it’s best to opt for creamy textured foods that are lean, contain reduced fat, and are low in fiber. But things that don’t get better after a few days likely require more help than a temporary diet change. “Gastrointestinal disorders are complex,” Modell says. “There is no one-size-fits-all
5 whisper-quiet hair dryers we can’t stop talking about
February 06, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC We’ve all been there: We’re at the salon getting our hair blown out or standing in our bathroom attempting to style our hair ourselves, only for someone to try to start a full-blown conversation amongst the racket. What usually ensues is a lot squinting and eyebrow raising in an often-failed attempt to actually hear what they’re trying to say. Of course, this wouldn’t be the case if hairdryers were even the slightest bit less noisy (and yes! quiet hair dryers do exist)! Fortunately for us, we live in an age where beauty technology is forever on the rise, and with that has come a series of hairdryers that are so quiet, you can still carry on a conversation. To save you from having to find device with a magical motor—one in which produces high-speed air at a lower sound decibel—I’ve done the hands-on research for you. Now, before introducing you to these must-try dryers, I want you to remember two things: A) A quiet hairdryer is still not 100 percent noiseless, it’s just noticeably less noisy than a regular dryer, and B) with lower sound often comes a higher price tag, but know that investing in one of these puppies will help make drying faster and more efficient. So, without further ado, shop five conversation-positive hairdryers below. Photo: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $399 This ultra-quiet hairdryer is a must-have among celebrity stylists all over the world—and for good reason. In addition to
I’m the biggest podcast fan I know, but the constant information in my ears stresses me out
February 06, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC I scheduled my podcast listening like I schedule my workouts: Book Riot on Monday, J Train on Tuesday, U Up? on Wednesday, That’s So Retrograde on Thursday. And so on, and so forth. The charismatic hosts of these shows stuck with me during my morning commute, while I sweat on the treadmill, and throughout any other pockets of free ear-space time I could find. Until I noticed a distinct change: As I offered my eardrums to more and more of Spotify’s lengthy list of titles ranging from comedy and horror to wellness, I realized that listening to podcasts all day turned them into something that harms, not helps, my mental health. It turns out that your brain can absolutely be overstimulated as a result of merely listening. “The constant listening of podcasts and music can definitely be problematic, as it can be a barrier to our ability to be fully present and focus on what is going on in the moment,” says therapist Michele Burstein, LCSW. “We definitely tend to pride ourselves on being multitaskers; however, if we are always doing so many things at once, it is nearly impossible to show up a hundred percent for anything.” It does make sense, then, that when you’re not giving the thoughts in your head the air time they demand, they can to pile up like paperwork that needs to be sorted. And when you put your head to your pillow after a long day or have a
How an RD stays energized all day—even when winter is hitting extra hard
February 06, 2020 at 10:00AM by CWC Picture this: You’re at work. It feels like you’ve been there for days. You look outside to find near darkness, but the clock on your computer reads 4 p.m. What is this madness, you might be asking? Well, it’s February. The shortest month of the year can feel like the longest due to your sinking energy levels, temps that make you wonder if you’ll never be warm again, and the sun disappearing right after lunch. What gives, y’all? According to Jessica Beacom, RDN and co-founder of The Real Food Dietitians along with with Stacie Hassing, RDN, it’s vital to head into this time of year with a bright outlook. “I always approach this time of year with the mindset that this is only temporary,” she says. Sunny days, where art thou? “Lower energy levels and the desire to eat more cozy and comforting foods and sleep in more often is a normal response when our circadian rhythms are disrupted,” Beacom says. “Knowing that keeps me from getting down on myself since it’s not really lack of motivation, but rather biology at work.” See? You’re definitely not the only person craving hearty soups and endless naps. However, there are other things you can start doing this time of year to combat the midday slump (like trying Ocean Spray’s new hybrid drink made with real fruit juice and cold brew coffee) and feel energized to live your life, no matter how low the temps are
The 3-step facial formula that will stop breakouts in their tracks
February 06, 2020 at 03:00AM by CWC If there’s one question that my friends ask me, their beauty editor BFF, about the most often, it’s “What type of facial should I get for my breakout?” I get it—when you’re faced with acne, it’s tempting to put your skin in the hands of an esthetician for professional-level help. But, if you’re mid-breakout, not all facial treatments are going to help—so you’re going to want to be sure you’re finding the right one. “Facials will extract dirt, impurities, dead skin, and product build-up, leaving the skin radiant and visibly clearer after one treatment,” says Vanessa Marc, a New York-based celebrity facialist. The one that best fits the bill for quashing acne? A triple-threat formula that features a chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and light therapy. “We highly recommend doing a medical grade chemical peel,” says Marc, who explains that these types of treatments kill acne-causing bacteria to help prevent future breakouts. San Fransico-based facialist and founder of Spa Radiance, Angelina Umansky, echoes this sentiment, saying that she “loves doing peels when a client is breaking out.” She’s a particular fan of using salicylic acid for the job because it “kills bacteria much better,” she says. Next comes microdermabrasion, which acts as a light physical exfoliant. “Microdermabrasion helps to get the chemical peel in a little deeper and helps with blackhead removal,” says Umansky. However, she warns that if it isn’t done correctly it can potentially backfire and spread acne, so you’ll want to make
The benefits of Pilates go way beyond core strength—here’s what to expect
February 06, 2020 at 02:00AM by CWC If you peek into any Pilates class, it’ll look like a lot of small movements and core-focused exercises (and space-age-looking contraptions a la the Reformer). While it’s true that Pilates is centered around your core muscles, the low-intensity workout modality has an extensive list of benefits that you might not even realize. Pilates focuses on stability and controlling your muscles so that you get better mobility (and strength too, of course). “This allows you to find better range of motion and to move with ease,” says Rebecca Lubart, Pilates pro and founder of Dynamic Body Pilates. A Pilates class can either take place on a mat or on specialized equipment pieces (Lubart points to the Reformer, Cadillac, ladder barrel, and Wunda chair), but both variations focus on the breath, core activation, and slow, controlled movements. “In a Pilates class, you can expect to receive a lot of cues to coordinate your breathing and your movement,” says Lubart. Unlike in yoga though, Pilates breathing involves engaging your abs in every move you do. Since the exercises are slow and controlled, Lubart says she often hears clients say they’ve worked muscles they never have before, “and that’s because you’re simply not working on them in other exercise styles,” she says. Another perk of the slow movements? You’re working on increasing your range of motion, says Lubart, who adds that speed and momentum are a way of compensating for lack of strength. “That’s why your flexibility
Being cool with your food choices is hard enough—here’s what to do when other someone makes you feel otherwise
February 06, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC Establishing a healthy mindset with food isn’t always easy—especially if you’re recovering from diet trauma. After spending years trapped in a culture emphasizing that certain foods are “bad” (and you are too if you eat them), it can be difficult to extract yourself from unhealthy food narratives, particularly when you’re around other people struggling with their own diet baggage. (Like that friend who is always talking about her “detox.”) While you can’t control what people around you say and do, you can control how you react. Easier said than done though, right? Here, psychotherapist Victoria Blumberg, LCAT and Truce With Food creator Ali Shapiro both give tips on what to do when other people trigger an unhealthy mindset related to food choices. When everyone is bonding over a specific food choices or eating plan Keto, Paleo, Whole30, intermittent fasting…adhering to a specific eating plan or food choices can seem like belonging to a type of “team,” which leaves out eaters who don’t want to live their life based on food rules. “As humans, we crave a sense of belonging, but there are so many other ways to bond besides food,” Shapiro says. But when someone attempts to bond over restriction, it can be triggering if you’re trying to create a healthy (and non restriction-based) relationship with food. “When this happens, you first want to consider the context and the relationship,” Blumberg says. “If it’s a coworker or someone you interact with minimally, changing
The first apartment essentials you need for a healthy, cozy, organized home
February 06, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC Moving into your first apartment is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. It’s a major move that makes you feel independent and shows all your hard work has paid off. Officially having a space that’s entirely yours also means it’s one without rules or judgements about how many TV episodes you can binge-watch in one sitting. Clearly, adulting is going to be awesome. But to set yourself on the right track, you’ll want to pick up a few first apartment essentials before moving day. Since furnishing your first space can be a little intimidating, we compiled all the items you’ll need to ensure your home is healthy, efficient, and cozy. From stocking the kitchen with the items that will allow you to make nutritious homemade dinners to making sure your bedroom is a relaxing retreat, consider this your first apartment checklist. These are the first apartment essentials you need, room by room 1. Kitchen Since you’re just starting out, there are some things you’ll need in order to cook up your favorite meals. You don’t have to go on a spending spree—just stick to the basics first, then add to your collection over time. T-fal Ceramic Nonstick and Toxic-Free 14-Piece Cookware Set, $78 With this set, you’ll have all the pots and pans (and basic cooking utensils!) you’ll need to cook up your go-to recipes. Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, $60 The perfect size for an apartment,