May 14, 2019 at 08:19AM by CWC When you think of milkshakes, you probably picture a creamy dessert with a cherry on top. You just know it’s loaded with sugar—both natural and added—to the brim. But you don’t actually need all that sweet stuff to make a delicious and healthy milkshake. You can create an equally mouth-watering final product with vegetables instead of fruit and dairy. Sneaking veggies into smoothies is nothing new, but Lauren Kirchmaier, the recipe developer behind Flora & Vino, recently shared her new favorite treat—a fruit-free milkshake that contain two cups of vegetables as well as healthy fats and protein. Whether you’re trying to live that low-sugar life or simply aren’t a fan of fruit, there’s no healthier way to enjoy dessert. To make a healthy milkshake, Kirchmaier begins with a base of unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, nut butter or peanut powder, and a two cup mix of cauliflower, broccoli stems, green zucchini, and sweet potato. The result is something more savory than sweet. “The taste is slightly sweet from the incorporation of root veggies—mainly the sweet potato. It’s like a healthier Frosty,” she tells me. After blending the base, you can add flavor with vanilla, cinnamon, or chocolate chips. In minutes, you’ll be sipping on a decadent yet healthy milkshake that’s so good you’ll forget it’s even made from vegetables in the first place. And what’s better than meeting your daily guidelines through dessert? Interested in more healthy desserts? First find out why Trader
Category: 2019 Health
Sharing AirPods with running buddies is the best way to pass the miles
May 14, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC Some days, solo workouts are a recipe for a clear head and calmer vibes. Others, it’s good to have a partner in sweat to get through the endorphin-filled tough stuff with. Plus, that fit buddy can help you go harder for longer, according to research. Those who planked with a partner were able to hold the exercise for up to 24 percent more time than those doing it alone, according to a study published in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. In fact, over half of the people who participated in a Sonos study said that music helped them to push themselves harder and workout for longer and a whopping 68 percent said that music is the motivation that helps them show up when they otherwise would’ve skipped. A guaranteed way to bring some fire to your next joint workout? Turning up the tunes. While it may not necessarily make you focus in on the task at hand, music will lead to an increase in overall enjoyment, according to Brunel University research. In this particular study, participants liked the effort 28 percent more when listening to Pharrell versus hitting the track sans beats (and 13 percent more than a podcast, FWIW). Plus, music promotes closeness and connection—ideal aspects to any good partner workout. Granted, you don’t have the opportunity to blast a stereo anywhere and everywhere. And that’s where the Airpod sharing comes in. Now that the ear buds are wireless, it’s
14 healthy foods to snag at Wegmans for under $5
May 14, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Despite Wegmans being the most popular grocery store chain in the entire country, when it comes to scoring healthy go-tos for cheap, Trader Joes, Costco, and Aldi tend to get all the love. It isn’t public knowledge, it seems, that the East Coast grocery chain’s aisles are full of inexpensive wellness wins, too. (They also have tons of free food samples, so you can basically get a free meal while you shop while you save money.) Rounded up here are 14 healthy foods and drinks all under $5—no coupons necessary. All the items are by Wegmans’ own “Feel Good About” store brand or their Wegmans Organic store brand, which includes over 3,000 products. All the “Feel Good About” items are free of artificial ingredients, flavors, and preservatives, and the majority is organic. From riced cauliflower to sweet potato hummus, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of the best healthy food you can buy at Wegmans. Wegmans wellness wins Buy Now Wegmans Organic Vanilla & Almond Granola $3.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Steel Cut Oats $3.49 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Chia Seeds $3.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Popcorn with Olive Oil & Himalayan Salt $2.49 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Chickpea Penne $2.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Beef Bone Broth $3.99 Buy Now Wegmans Feel Good About Dark Chocolate, 72% Cacao $1.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Riced Caulifower $2.99 Buy Now Wegmans Organic Green Pea Fusilli $2.99 Buy Now Wegmans Feels Good About Sweet
Level with me: Can hair get used to shampoo over time?
May 14, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC They’ve been your longtime steady for years, but almost overnight, you start to notice that things are, well…different. Where there used to be such dimension and luster, everything suddenly seems dull, and everything you once loved about them just doesn’t seem to be working anymore. The signs are all there, and as you find yourself tempted by other options, you start to wonder if you need to suck it up and end things with them once and for all. Nope, we’re not talking about your long-term relationship ― we’re talking about that shampoo and conditioner duo you once loved so passionately. But it’s not you, it’s them. According to Michael Bowman, hairstylist at Brooklyn’s trendy Rob Peetoom Salon, the lackluster results could be due to your hair simply getting used to one formula. “Hair is essentially protein that is dead, but it definitely can get used to using the same thing over and over and over. The cycle of hair changes, but every seven years, your hair becomes a little bit different,” he explains. “Especially with weather, water conditions, and where you live, you do need to switch up shampoos every now and then.” Bowman recommends that his clients have two different formulas in their showers ― he uses the Davines SOLU Shampoo ($28) in the salon―to help reset the hair and scalp as needed. Especially in the summer as the weather starts to change, Bowman finds that clients need something a bit stronger
No one likes answering phone calls: Here’s what your specific avoidant style means
May 14, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC Phone anxiety is so in vogue these days, but in true off-putting, I-live-in-Brooklyn form, I had it before it was cool. As a kid, I would burst into tears trying to invite a friend over for a play date. And now, I’ll walk 1,000 miles, Vanessa Carlton-style, to get Asian takeout before I resort to calling a restaurant to place an order. In fact, my staunch stance on not using my cell phone in the way it’s primarily intended to be used has gotten me close to some dire situations. For example, only under threat of eviction did I dial my landlord’s number to have a conversation, using spoken words, so I could renew my lease. I know deep down (or even shallowly down) that I’m in good company with my phone anxiety. Perpetuated by the rise of texting, Facebook messenger, and yes, even DMs, real phone calls have become a hearty source of stress. One 2017 survey by Jive Communications revealed that of 2,000 Americans, as many as 61 percent regularly screen their incoming phone calls. Basically, the people have spoken, just not into a receiver. But not every talk-and-text style is the same, so I sought to decrypt what your phone-avoidance personality says about you. And, in the event you don’t agree with my prognosis, please remember I’m not a credentialed anything except reporter who hates phone interviews (LOL, *nervous laughs*, how did I get here in life?), and certainly not
Sorry protein, but high-fiber everything is here to take your crown
May 13, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Last year, when the Well+Good team descended upon ExpoWest—the world’s largest natural product convention, protein was the who’s who of macronutrients. But at this year’s ExpoWest, we noticed another ingredient pushing protein aside. Suddenly, being high in fiber—a designation formerly found on extremely uncool foods, like prunes and those snack bars your mom ate—has more caché than being high protein. Why the shift? Protein helps build muscle and tissues; fiber, of course, is responsible for keeping food moving through your digestive tract, says Shawn Wells, RD, and can help reduce inflammation and promote gut health. But experts say that while both are essential for health, focusing so much on protein may have distracted us from getting what we’re more likely to be deficient in—which, you guessed it, is fiber. “If you look at the data, 95 percent of Americans are getting enough protein,” Sweet Earth Foods co-founder Kelly Sweete says. “But the inverse is true for fiber; only 5 percent of Americans are getting enough.” (“Enough” for the average woman is about 25 grams per day.) While fiber is readily found in whole food sources like vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lentils, those foods can take longer to prepare—making them not a convenient choice for most of us busy humans, says health coach and Go With Your Gut author Robyn Youklis. Enter packaged food brands stepping up to the plate and adding fiber to their products, which KIND predicted would be one of
Hit a high note with these 6 CBD spa treatments worth traveling for
May 13, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC CBD—or cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis—is pretty ubiquitous these days, showing up in sleep-enhancing supplements, lipgloss tubes, and lube alike. It’s everywhere, and devotees claiming it boosts health, eases aches, and has all the soothing benefits of weed (sans munchies) can’t get enough. (Need proof? Americans spent more than $350 million on products with this cannabis compound in 2017.) For all those reasons, spas are adding CBD-infused treatments to their menus, and we’re here for them. Yes, a supercharged massage session sounds great anytime, but when your body’s maxed out during a trip, it’s kind of the perfect time for soaking up the relaxing powers of CBD. Keep reading for some of the most luxurious, must-try, muscle-melting CBD treatments at hotel and resort spas around the country. 1. Sea Wellness Spa at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, CA Take a break from the beach for a stop at this spa for the Deep Indulgence Massage, a new 60- or 90-minute treatment. Therapists use the muscle-easing magic of CBD oil to work deeper into tight areas without causing any pain. And to really treat yourself, opt for the Ultimate Bliss Experience. This treatment has you lie on your back and relax for a full two hours while a therapist takes you through body exfoliation with CBD lavender sea salt, a hot CBD oil scalp massage, CBD lavender body mask, and a full-body massage with CBD oil. Deep Indulgence massage, $220 for
What most people get wrong about the “neutral spine” position
May 13, 2019 at 11:55AM by CWC Fitness instructors often ask participants to keep a “neutral spine” during all the exercises, especially in Pilates and yoga. The position is important for both performing the exercises correctly and for getting the most out of the movements, helping to activate the right muscles. But if you think “neutral” means “stick straight,” think again. Contrary to popular belief, a neutral spine position isn’t straight at all. “A neutral spine refers to the three natural curves in the spine: the cervical (upper), thoracic (middle), and lumbar (lower). When viewed from the side, these curves form an ‘S’ shaped curve, and when all three are balanced, our spine is said to be in neutral alignment,” says physical therapist Kelly Avant. “When we think about good posture or standing up straight, the misconception of actually having a straight spine is inaccurate. Good posture requires each curve to be equally represented and balanced.” If you’re not focusing on trying to make your back as straight as possible, how do you even find your neutral spine in the first place? There are two ways to go about it, depending on whether you’re lying down or standing up. How to find your neutral spine According to Alex Leviner, a trainer at EverybodyFights, the easiest way to find your neutral spine is to lie down on your back and relax. “That will usually be ‘your’ neutral spine, but everyone is different,” he says. “There will be a gap between your
Why laughing so hard it hurts provides an instant boost in happiness
May 13, 2019 at 11:20AM by CWC A few years ago, a yoga teacher gave me a piece of advice I (try to) put into practice each day. “Anytime you start laughing,” she said, “try to keep it up for as long as you possibly can.” The idea was that by extending laughter for as long as your lungs will allow, you also maximize the hit of happiness chemical (endorphins!) flowing through your brain. Leaning in to the benefits of laughing out loud presents a free option for boosting your mood. Endorphins are happiness chemicals prompted by exercise, spicy food, love, and orgasms, according to Scientific American. Your body responds by experiencing a buzz of sorts (similar to the one you feel after an intense treadmill session). The chemicals also help you tolerate pain. Why? Well, researchers believe that the abdominal exhaustion caused by intense belly laughter signals your body to produce more and more endorphins. You read that right: Chuckling over hilarious (timeless, really) Spongebob memes, could be giving you a low-key abdominal workout and a boost of joy at the very same time. (“Art thou feeling it now, Mr. Krabs?!“) The wellness world has caught on to the mega power of endorphins. Both laughter yoga and laughter meditation have emerged as extra-curricular offerings for relieving stress. As the Jefferson Center for Mental Health in Hoboken, New Jersey, explains on its website, human connection and laughter go together like peanut butter and jelly. So if you make it your business to
This top-rated $7 sunscreen applicator is the answer to your solo beach days
May 13, 2019 at 10:49AM by CWC Applying sunscreen is a crucial step between moisturizer and makeup in my morning routine year-round. But it doesn’t stop with my face and neck. In the summer when I’m no longer bundled up in crewneck sweatshirts and jeans, the rest of my skin needs all the protection it can get. While I can apply sunscreen to my arms, legs, and shoulders with ease, getting an even coat on my back without a helping hand is the ultimate struggle. Luckily, there’s a simple tool to the rescue. The Kingsley Lotion Applicator ($7), with an impressive 839 5-star reviews on Amazon, has a 15-inch wooden handle and foam applicator that makes applying sunscreen to hard-to-reach areas a breeze. Think of the handle as an extra arm: After squeezing some sunscreen onto the foam paddle, just reach it over your head to coat your back in a few swift motions. You can also use it with self-tanner for a summery glow on without a bunch of unsightly streaks. After you apply sunscreen or lotion, simply rinse it clean with warm, sudsy water and hang it up to air dry until your next outing. Before you stock up on sunscreen, go with some reef-safe options that will keep you (and ocean life) protected all summer long. Also, if you’re wearing makeup, these choices will let you reapply without messing it up. Continue Reading… Author Tehrene Firman | Well and Good Selected by iversue