May 05, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC Everyone’s definition of vacay mode is different, from the poolside sunbather (with cute floppy hat and piña colada in tow, of course) to the can’t-sit-still-for-five-minutes adventure lover. Having those contrasting personalities on the same trip can cause headaches for your itinerary—unless you pick a destination that has something for everyone, like Panama City Beach. The beachfront town on Florida’s gulf coast beckons year-round with an abundance of activities for every travel personality (plus white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, and who doesn’t love those?). Here, we break down some of the highlights of Panama City Beach activities for each type of traveler to help you make your spring and summer vacation plans, no matter who your travel companions are. Scroll down for Panama City Beach activities and itinerary ideas for 6 different types of travelers. 1. Fun-loving families Panama City Beach, PCB to the locals, is the textbook definition of every kid’s dream. At Lagoon Pontoons (visualize giant pontoon boats with slides that send you directly into the water), your fam can swim with real-life dolphins, rent jet-skis for more water exploration, and embark on snorkeling tours. Park day more your thing? No problem. Visit Shipwreck Island Waterpark for one of the biggest wave pools you’ve ever seen. Seriously, it’s giant. And if you’d rather have a break from the sun and surf, try Cobra Adventure Park. It’s chock-full of fun with roller coasters, go-karts, and more arcade games than the kiddos will
Category: 2019 Health
Why it’s not too late to set new moon intentions—and why you definitely should
May 05, 2019 at 02:01PM by CWC Busy weekend? Too busy to (gasp) give proper respect to lunar happenings? No worries, it’s not too late, says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi—and you won’t want to miss the extra manifesting mojo in the air right now. Plus: It’s all about the love (and money!) for those who can tune in to the auspicious Venus-Jupiter energy this week. Here’s how. The week ahead boasts promising and exciting potential—just what’s needed as you unfurl into the next evolution of your becoming. On Monday, May 6, Mercury (the planet of communication) exits feisty Aries and enters into Taurus. Mercury in Taurus brings grounded vibes, supporting you to nurture further, nourishing and cultivating the seeds of intention planted with the May 4 new moon. Still haven’t set new moon intentions? Please do. The recent new moon in Taurus provided the perfect circumstance to cultivate a create fresh abundance in your life. Mercury travels in Taurus until May 21, when it’ll enter Gemini. Still haven’t set new moon intentions? Please do. The recent new moon in Taurus provided the perfect circumstance to cultivate a create fresh abundance in your life. Speaking of cultivating abundance later this week, Jupiter (the planet of good luck) and Venus, who rules love, create an auspicious angle known as a trine on Thursday, May 9. This connection brings with it the ability to appreciate beauty and call more of it into your life. It’s fantastic for love and money alike. However, while it’s
This 20-week training plan can get any runner through their first marathon
May 05, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC So. You want to run a marathon. First of all, congratulations! Second of all, it’s time to get to work. The thought of pounding the pavement for 26 (.2) straight miles can feel nothing short of overwhelming, but with a proper routine in place, there’s no doubt that you can do it. If this is your first rodeo, a 20-week marathon training plan is a great way to make it happen. “The best candidates for a 20-week plan are folks who are training for their very first marathon, those who want a more gradual mileage buildup, those who are returning to the marathon distance after some time off, and those who can use help establishing some structure into their running lives,” says New York Road Runners (NYRR) coach Melanie Kahn. “The biggest benefit of a 20-week plan is more time to get a really solid foundation under you. Think of building a house for a second: the stronger the foundation, the stronger the overall structure of the building. The same thing applies in running.” Here, she shares everything you need to know so you can hit the ground running for the next 20 weeks. Literally. Plan your training Once your timeline is in place, it’s all about picking the proper plan—and there are a lot of options out there. The NYRR virtual training plan, for example, starts you out with four weeks of “base-building miles” in order to help you establish a solid aerobic base and
OK, TMI: Why do I see blood clots when I have my period?
May 05, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Purely speculating here, but there are probably few things more annoying than being surprised by your period while wearing white pants—except, of course, being surprised by blood clots during your period…while also wearing white pants. There’s no pleasant way to describe these period blood clots, so I’m just going to be blunt: They’re those jelly-like, red or black clumps in your period blood that are usually most noticeable during the first few days of your cycle. But why do we get blood clots during our periods and should we be worried about them? Although they can be a little disarming when they first appear, period blood clots are pretty normal. “[Menstrual] blood clots are just a mix of various kinds of tissue products,” explains Adeeti Gupta, MD, founder of Walk In GYN Care in New York City. “They contain coagulated blood, some other dead cells, fibroid tissue, and the lining of the uterus.” When a person bleeds from any part of their body, proteins and platelets in their blood combine to form clots to help slow or stop the bleeding. The same compounds are present in your menstrual blood, although your body usually produces natural enzymes that keep that blood in a liquid state. But when your flow is particularly heavy, those enzymes may not be able to keep up and clots can form. In most cases, blood clots during your period are NBD—for instance, if they’re small and consistent from month to month.
Is it safe to ingest essential oils? An aromatherapist and an MD weigh in
May 05, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC If diffusing basil is your new way to focus better at work, or you swear by a dab of clove on an achy tooth, you’ve been bit by the essential oils bug. Pop those bad boys in your bath, lotion, laundry, brownies—wait a minute. Did that last one cause a record-scratch sound effect in your brain, like it did for me? Sniffing and slathering are practically routine—but can you really ingest essential oils? The answer, essentially, is: Yes but, maybe you shouldn’t. Safely ingesting certain essential oils is wrought with caveats and debate, and it’s not recommended without guidance from a trained herbalist. “The whole purpose of distilling the aromatic components [from plants] was because we wanted to capture their smell,” says Amy Galper, aromatherapist and co-founder of the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies. “We understood the power of aroma [to affect] our mind, our spiritual life, and our physical health.” Ingesting, therefore, is outside of boundaries of essential oils’ intended use—enough reason to proceed with caution. So before you get drop happy, here’s what you need to know about ingesting essential oils. Essential oils are incredibly potent when ingested… If essential oils are made for their scent, why would anyone want to ingest them? Galper says people do it for “a more concentrated delivery” through digestion. This is precisely why Yufang Lin, MD, an integrative medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic, warns against swallowing essential oils. “I do love aromatherapy,” Dr. Lin
7 surf vacation destinations all around the world that are perfect for beginners
May 05, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Surfing is hard enough without adding in the stress of feeling like a nuisance just for being a beginner in the water among seasoned vets in the art of hanging ten. There’s so much to remember, like the gear, to keep your mouth closed in the water, and how to stand the heck up on a board, to name a few things. So, for newbie surfers, picking a beach with beginner-friendly waves and a welcoming vibe is key. “Most beginners prefer to learn in places with calm waves that break over sand, and where they can touch the bottom,” says Amy Schwartz, co-founder of Unleash Surf, a surf-retreat company for remote workers. “In general, spots that are popular with longboarders are more appropriate for beginners, as longboarders tend to prefer more chill waves,” says Schwartz. Furthermore, beginners should look for larger beaches that allow for “plenty of space” between surfers, says professional surfer Ben Bourgeois, adding that before paddling out, it’s a good idea to ask a lifeguard of fellow surfer for details to expect, like rocks or riptides. And since surf guidebooks are often written by experienced surfers, who cater to folks seeking out powerful waves rather than avoiding them, we asked the experts for beginner-friendly surf destinations. Because not being able to stand upright on a board yet doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a vacation. Read on for seven welcoming options for newbies. Below, find 7 surf destinations perfect for beginners
A healthy 4-ingredient sauce for grown-ups who won’t eat their vegetables
May 05, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC I’m still patiently awaiting the day when I get excited about vegetables. Sure, I can get down with asparagus and mushrooms. Sometimes broccoli even makes the cut. Do I get as excited about plants as I do a bowl of spaghetti? Nope. At least not yet. But a healthy sauce for vegetables might be enough to convert even the pickiest eaters—myself included. During this week’s food-focused Well+Good Talks, Lauren Toyota—the cookbook author behind the popular blog Hot for Food—made it very clear I’m not the only full-grown adult who won’t eat her vegetables. “Even though I’m vegan, I have a hard time eating greens so I have to get them all done at once and have them in a big container,” she says. And her secret sauce to getting herself to actually eat them is literally a secret sauce. “My favorite sauce—because I need creaminess and fat, like vegan Ranch—is to combine tahini with miso, soy sauce, or tamari for the umaminess, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. You can make as much or as little as you want and add some warm water to get it smooth, because the tahini will thicken,” she says. “I just put it all over my vegetables, then I can eat them no problem. If I have no time, that’s all I need. You can kind of live off that if you add some brown rice, pumpkin seeds, and hemp hearts.” Toyota t says
WTF do all those ingredients on my sunscreen bottle actually mean?
May 04, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Ask any derm: Of all the beauty products in your arsenal, sunscreen is by-and-large the most important, but it also happens to be the most confusing. As words like “mineral blockers,” “broad spectrum UV,” and “reef safe” become more common in the conversation surrounding sun protection it’s critical to understand what the heck all of those ingredients on the label actually mean. “In the United States, sunscreen manufacturers are required to list the ingredients active and inactive ingredients on the label. The active ingredients in sunscreens are the UV filters that protect our skin from UV rays. The inactive ingredients are the carrier lotion that holds the UV filters,” says dermatologist Dr. Terry Zickman, founder of Love Sun Body. “The active ingredients can be chemical, mineral, or a combination of both. Similarly, the inactive ingredients can be chemical, natural or a combination of both.” First up: Understanding the different types of sun protection products out there on the shelves. There are two different types of sunscreen ingredients on the market—”physical” and “chemical”—both of which protect your skin from the sun’s rays, but in different ways. Physical sunscreens create a literal physical barrier between your sun and the skin to form a protective barrier, while chemical sunscreens skin into your skin to absorb the UV rays. Speaking of UV rays, there are two primary types that you need to worry about: UVA, which penetrate the deep layers of your skin to cause aging and
8 healthy vegan Instant Pot recipes that will make meal prep a breeze
May 04, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC The Instant Pot, beloved kitchen staple and maker of super-fast meals, has one big apparent flaw: it seems to be mostly a thing for cooking meat. Just look at most of the recipes out there: shredded pork, beef stews, whole barbecue-flavored chickens. It’s enough for any plant-based eater to just assume the device isn’t for them. But au contraire, dear vegans. The countertop pressure cooker has as much potential for your cooking as it does for omnivores, thanks to its ability to cook vegetarian staples like dried beans, rice, and lentils in mere minutes. Need convincing? Not sure where to start? These eight vegan Instant Pot recipes are a case study in why every non-meat-eater should consider trying the pressure cooker for themselves. They’re so easy that it doesn’t even feel like you’re really cooking. Keep reading for eight healthy vegan Instant Pot recipes you’ll want in your rotation. Photo: A Virtual Vegan 1. Potato curry The current anti-carb movement has given potatoes a bad rap, but in actuality, the spud is full of fiber and potassium. One way to get your fill is with this recipe from A Virtual Vegan. Add veggies, coconut milk, and chili peppers for heat (and longevity) and you’ve got yourself a cheap, easy, and satisfying healthy dinner. Photo: Delish Knowledge 2. Burrito bowl Rice and beans are central to many Mexican dishes—which is great news for vegans. This recipe from Delish Knowledge utilizes the Instant Pot to
Share your dreams with your S.O. at the right time to boost intimacy
May 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC When I wake up from a weird dream, my instinct is to regurgitate every last detail to my unenthused fiancé in hopes that doing so will help me remember the story for longer. He, on the other hand, sometimes shares with me snippets of a sleep-time vignette he “sort of” remembers. Our differing levels of enthusiasm about our REM-world goings on haven’t caused a rift in our relationship (yet), but I am curious as to why these veritable lunatics (sorry, honey—it’s just how I feel) are apathetic at best when it comes to remembering their dreams—AKA a message from their very own subconscious. To my fiancé’s (and all the other dream wet blankets’) credit, the way in which we experience dreams differs from person to person. While one partner might be able to remember a full spectrum of visuals, another person, with a different sleep-cycle pattern, might have a hard time recalling any bit of a dream. “Typically we remember dreams when we wake up in or near them,” says sleep specialist W. Chris Winter, MD, author of The Sleep Solution. “We tend to dream for 20-to-40-minute cycles, 4 to 6 times during the night. These cycles get longer and more robust as the night progresses, [and] awakening during a dream is usually our best chance to remember them.” As a result, these nightly musings can affect some of us more directly and vividly than others, which can also lead some of us