January 12, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The week ahead brings paradigm-shifting, game-changing, energy. Starting Sunday, January 12, when Saturn and Pluto perfect their conjunction at 22 degrees of Capricorn, the cosmic weather commands you to declare your most sincere intentions for your life. The process may lead you to experience some cognitive dissonance as you reconcile expectations you may have held for your life versus the reality that’s emerging now. While this reality might not match your previously held expectations, it’s essential to be open to what’s developing rather than cling to an outdated vision for your life. As these two titans of the sky, Saturn and Pluto, conjoin, Mercury, the planet of communication, joins forces with them. This influence of Mercury commands you to use your words and speak your intentions; it asks you to commit to your truth. Warning: This effect might not feel gentle and can easily be mistaken for chaos rather than productivity. Like the Hindu goddess Kali Ma, who breathes creativity into life first through the force of destruction, Saturn, the planet of structure, aligning with Pluto, who represents ruthless transmutation, breaks down that which doesn’t serve you, opening up the potential for what does. Understand that surrendering the old you creates space for the new, allowing for your life to unfold in alignment with the highest order. The changes you are experiencing now are karmic and decades in the making. To make the most of the transformative energy, consider who and what are
Year: 2020
9 healthy desk snacks nutritionists always keep at work
January 12, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC When “hanger” sets in mid-afternoon, we’re often left with no other choice than to hit up the vending machine or make our way down to the corporate cafeteria for some overpriced, processed fuel. But if you remember to leave a stash of super healthy desk snacks in a drawer, you’ll save money while boosting your energy levels, focus, and productivity during the 9-to-5 grind. Not sure what to keep on hand? Try these delicious snacks that nutrition pros rely on to make it through the day. Healthy desk snacks nutritionists eat at work 1. KIND bars “I never leave home without a KIND bar in my purse or in the glove compartment of my car, and they can easily squeeze into a desk drawer,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, author of Read It Before You Eat It. What she appreciates most is that transparent wrappers allows you to see the whole ingredients clearly, like nuts, seeds, oats, and dried fruit. “The decadent taste and sweetness from chocolate surprisingly only brings five grams of sugar, and it also gives six grams of protein and a whopping seven grams of fiber to help you feel fuller longer,” she says. She adds that if you’re only slightly hungry, KIND mini bars are a great lower-calorie option that delivers equally on taste. 2. Almonds When Taub-Dix needs an afternoon energy boost, her snack of choice is a handful of Blue Diamond whole natural almonds that provide six grams of
Level-up your wellness cred by learning how to make apple cider vinegar
January 12, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is one of those buzzy, trendy wellness products that continues to stand the test of time. While ingredients like goji berries have mostly faded into the background, apple cider vinegar can be found virtually everywhere, from drinks and “shots” to shampoos and hair treatments. The cult of ACV lives on into the new decade—and with it, storied accounts of all its purported benefits for digestive, immune, and overall health. But the ingredient has pretty humble origins as, you know, just vinegar. It’s made by combining apples and water and letting it ferment. The process “allows sugars to be converted to alcohol, beginning the process of fermentation. Acetic acid is what ultimately turns the alcohol into vinegar, creating the apple cider vinegar that we see on shelves,” says Rachel Caine, MS, RD, LD, a dietitian for Baze. As mentioned, apple cider vinegar is basically…everywhere. And you can certainly buy bottles of it at the store for just a few dollars and go on your merry way. But if you’re an ACV connoisseur and want to take your relationship with it to the next level—or you’re just looking for a fun new cooking project—you might consider learning how to make apple cider vinegar at home. Remind me…what are the benefits of apple cider vinegar again? In case you’ve been living under a rock, apple cider vinegar is touted to have all kinds of health benefits, from supporting digestive health to
A lazy-girl’s guide to dry brushing your winter skin in 3-minutes flat
January 12, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC The last time I tried dry brushing, I took my decade-old hair brush and stroked my sad, sallow skin. It did not end well. Because the ancient practice has so many health and beauty benefits, I’m glad I learned a better way how to dry brush. “Dry brushing has been used in many cultures for centuries to help remove dead skin cells and increase circulation,” says Kimberly Kelder, lead esthetician at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa. Firstly, dry brushing helps promote lymphatic flow and drainage, which allows the body to detoxify itself naturally (read: no green juices or colon cleanses necessary). Increasing circulation through dry brushing also helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, Kelder adds. (And it might work at the cellular level, too: research from the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that the pressure of a massage—in this case administered by a dry brush—can help reduce tissue edema under the skin that presents as cellulite, as well as help stimulate fibroblast and keratinocyte activity while decreasing adipocyte activity). On a surface level, dry brushing works to reveal glowing skin by loosening and removing dead skin cells that carry dirt, oil, and residue, Kelder explains. What’s more is that sloughing off dead skin helps enhance the efficacy of your moisturizer since it won’t longer need to traverse an icky barrier to work its magic. And according to the Cleveland Clinic, dry brushing also stimulates the nervous system, which can help you feel
The best beginner skin-care routine for your kid (or yourself) to start with
January 11, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC Like pretty much everything in your early teens—your first crush, your first period, your first bra purchase—navigating your first skin-care routine can be particularly confusing. It’s as if all of a sudden, your hormones have all teamed up and decided to hit you with a one-two punch of oily skin and acne, and you’ve got to figure out how to deal. My own personal introduction to skin care came at the ripe age of 13 by way of a mail-order skin-care kit that Jessica Simpson swore cleared up her acne. In other words, I had no idea what I was doing. Allow me to make things easier for future generations of skin-concerned teenagers. Besides helping deal with whatever skin concerns are looming from hyperactive sebaceous glands (damn you, adolescent acne), the products we use as teenagers actually help set up our skin for later on in life. “Think of your youthful skin as the foundation that your skin starts from as cell turnover slows down after the age of 30,” says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “When you are young, your cellular machinery is functioning optimally so you want to enhance that activity the best you can.” In other words, taking care of your skin the right way early in life means you won’t be making up for lost time when wrinkles and age spots set in down the road. While we grownups can’t exactly do anything about, say, the plastic beads we
West African foods offer delicious variety and flavor to plant-based eaters
January 11, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC Given that the U.S. has long been a melting pot of cultures, other countries’ traditions have always been a big part of what’s considered to be “American” cuisine. If you’re an adventurous eater, you likely already have Indian, Thai, and sushi on a regular basis and are on an endless hunt to expand your palate. The latest place inspiring healthy eaters’ plates: West Africa. On Pinterest, searches for West African recipes saw a 311 percent growth in 2019—pretty major. West African cuisine was also included in Whole Foods’ wellness trends for 2020. “We’re seeing more people gravitate toward the flavors of West Africa right now partly because of big, bold ingredients like chilies, ginger, and lemongrass that create a vibrant base for many healthful, plant-based dishes,” says Chris Manca, a local forager for the Northeast region at Whole Foods Market. Of course, people in West Africa—a region in northwest Africa consisting of 16 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana—have been enjoying and perfecting their cuisine for far longer. But as these foods become more widely available in the U.S., you can expect to seem them become a bigger part of the American culinary conversation. Why West African food has a place on every healthy eater’s plate If you’re looking for healthy meal inspo, West African food is definitely worth your attention; the cuisine is primarily plant-based and vegetables are typically the star of the plate. According to Nigerian food blogger Funke Koleosho, yams, plantains,
Why a sexologist says right now is the best time to reset your sex goals
January 11, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC Now that we’re back in the ’20s it’s the perfect time to embrace bob haircuts, gin cocktails, hot jazz, and hotter sex. Maybe not at the same time, you might be more of a whiskey person, but if nothing else the wild adventures in pleasure part should get a big reprise. New Year, New Decade, and new sex goals. And you’re more likely to make those goals now when you’re fueled with that shiny new energy. “Realistically anytime is a good time to spark up your sex life,” says Alicia Sinclair, certified sexologist and creator of the Le Wand Massager. “However, since so many folks see the New Year as a marker to make change, it’s a fantastic time to amp up your sex life. Since most of us feel naturally inclined to ring in a new year with positive life changes, the momentum is already supporting change and primed for new resolutions — like the sex life you’ve been dreaming of during those holiday food comas.” From a psychological standpoint, this phenomenon is referred to as The Fresh Start Effect. With the Fresh Start Effect, highlighting landmarks like birthdays, anniversaries, and yes, a new year reprograms the brain to think aspirationally. You get a clean slate that motivates you to act and leaves room for new ideas and innovations. And even though (or maybe because) resolutions tend to swan dive as the year goes on, you might as well get started setting up and
Strengthen your body from head to toe with landmine exercises
January 11, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC If you’re into lifting weights, you’ll never be short on options to get your sweat sesh in. There are dumbbells, weight machines, medicine balls, barbells, kettlebells, the list goes on (and on). One unsung hero that can take your training up a notch? Landmine exercises. If you’re unfamiliar, this form of strength training involves using one side of a barbell with the other resting on the ground to work your strength. “Landmine exercises are single-arm barbell exercises,” says Nicholas Poulin, trainer, founder and CEO of Poulin Health and Wellness. “These are movements that can be done with a landmine machine or by placing one end of the barbell in the corner of a room where it’s stabilized by the two walls forming a right angle and bolstered with a heavy dumbbell.” Basically, you’re using one end of a barbell while the other is on the ground as a pivot point. “The freestanding end is used to do the exercises and can rotate freely through any plane of movement,” says Katie Kollath, trainer and founder and co-owner of Barpath Fitness. Landmine exercises switch up your training and get you doing more lateral movements, which more realistically mimic real life (shout out: functional fitness). “Using landmine movements can bring about a change of stimulus, introducing variety and helping increase benefits from training,” says Kollath. “It’s a great way for people, especially those with injuries, to perform compound movements.” Plus, she points out that it’s an
The psychological benefit of having 1 statement accessory to get you through winter
January 11, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC At the beginning of every winter, I break out my ethically made alpaca hat that makes me feel like the princess of the North Pole, and my entire social circle gets pumped up about it. It’s a fluffy, cream-colored circlet, and my friends know that if we’re going out and I’m wearing my winter statement piece, together we’ll be fielding about 40,000 “great hat!” compliments in the hours to come. And it’s precisely because of my big alpaca energy that I’m a big believer that all people should have a signature accessory for when the season shifts to the colder months. Let me explain: I’ve rotated between many signature pieces, but it’s always mattered to me to have an accessory or two that feels Definitively Me. This alpaca hat, though, was never intended to make a statement; I received it as a gift six years ago and initially thought it was too extra, even for me. But it changed my mind as soon as I put it atop my head and realized it hit all the hallmarks of winter coziness: comfort, warmth, and a neutral-enough color to match everything. So the hat stayed on, and the compliments rolled in. The strong positive reaction has led me to a strange conclusion: I don’t think I love the hat as much as other people love the hat. I mainly love it because it excites everyone else. I even have a script ready for when someone
The secret nutty sauce recipe a doctor uses to make plant-based meals ’10 times better’
January 11, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC When you have a good sauce on hand, it’s really all you need to take your meal from good to great. And it’s especially helpful if you’re eating a plant-based diet. That’s why one doctor has a go-to secret recipe for a nutty sauce she uses almost every day. Casey Means, MD, a Portland-based doctor and nutrition expert, recently shared one of her all-time favorite healthy cooking tips on Instagram: Whipping up a creamy nut- and seed-based sauce that makes vegan and plant-based meals “instantly 10 times better.” Using a base of any combo of nuts and seeds (her go-to is sunflower seeds and flaxseeds) combined with a splash of ACV, garlic, and a little tamari and chili powder leaves you with a dairy-free sauce that can be used on nearly any plant-based dish. It also provides some major health benefits. “For many of my patients trying to improve their diets and move away from inflammatory foods, kicking the dairy habit is the biggest hurdle,” says Dr. Means. “One of my favorite tips to ease this transition away from dairy is to substitute creamy, rich sauces made from nuts and seeds, which are extremely simple and quick to make in a high-powered blender, and can be tailored to any thickness or flavor. These sauces contain a number of health-promoting compounds, like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, micronutrients, and phytochemicals.” Using the sauce is also a great way to add satiating fats to your dishes