May 02, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC The beauty world has long drawn inspiration from the food world: After all, your body needs many of the same nutrients—which is why you’ll find things like oatmeal and strawberries in your breakfast dishes and in your moisturizers. In a growing trend, your skin care is taking cues from the juice bar down the street, where the technology used to produce your fave $12 spinach elixirs is now being tapped for serums, too. Cold-pressed skin care—which draws from the concept of cold-pressed juicing—is taking over our beauty routines, and for good reason (namely: it retains the ingredients vitamins and minerals in the most uncompromised way). Traditionally, heat has been used to extract the core ingredient from plant materials, however, adding heat changes the nature of the ingredient by causing it to oxidize and degrade. By cold pressing a plant, the ingredient at hand remains in its most vitamin-packed form. “Cold-pressed beauty is created by extracting the purest, highest quality nutrients from ingredients without the use of any heat above room temperature,” explains Allison Taylor, founder of skin-care brand Le Prunier, who uses the method in her own line. This method allows the active ingredients to stay their “closest to nature,” says Ian Lirenman, CEO + Founder of emerginC, Rawceuticals and Scientific Organics, which keeps them the most active and bioavailable they can be. But according to dermatologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, it may not be worth dropping significant dollars for the sake of
Category: 2019 Health
True or false: Using honey in coffee instead of sugar is an easy healthy hack
May 02, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC There may be lively debates about whether putting butter in your coffee is healthy or not, but virtually everyone is in agreement that sugar in your morning brew isn’t great for you. However, it’s hard to go from being a sweetened coffee lover to “just black, please” just because you know sugar isn’t healthy. Which is where alternative natural sweeteners like honey come in. In theory, putting honey in coffee sounds a heck of a lot better than something artificial. To find out how healthy it actually is, I asked the senior dietitian at UCLA Medical Center, Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, to weigh in. Are there any benefits to adding honey in coffee? In general, honey has some major pros in the nutritional density column compared to sugar, like having vitamins B2 and B6, iron, and manganese. B vitamins are crucial for giving the body energy, and combined with the caffeine in coffee, you’re bound to feel a boost. The iron in honey is linked to increased cardiovascular health; the manganese has antioxidant properties and can support bone health. Honey also has some antibacterial properties, especially manuka honey. In order to reap all of these amazing benefits from honey, Dr. Hunnes says it’s important to make sure you’re buying a good-quality product. “Honey bees are dying off at fairly rapid rates globally and demand is outpacing the supply,” she says. “Many honey products out there are not 100-percent honey because there just
Exactly what to expect when Saturn goes retrograde *during* your Saturn return
May 02, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC In case you didn’t have No Doubt’s Return of Saturn in heavy rotation as a youth, it’s like, the ultimate expression of catharsis when it comes to combatting the effects of that astrological event, largely because it was created during Gwen Stefani’s own first Saturn return. And for the uninitiated, that planetary event happens when Saturn returns to the exact location it was when you were born, says astrologer Stefanie Iris Weiss. “It tends to coincide with the turning-30 transition, which is already such a loaded moment, where you’re supposed to have your ‘adult’ stuff in order.” Basically, get ready for the stress and identity crisis that makes you sit up straight when someone tells you to “act your age.” Furthermore, it all this tracks for the Stefani example: The music video for “Simple Kind of Life” depicts some real existential troubles, including the timeless conflict of, “Do I want to settle down, have babies, and get married? Or do I want to have pink hair and be a rock star? Or do I not have to choose?”I felt those things at 9, I’m living it ’em 28—smack-dab in the midst of my window for experiencing my first Saturn return. Sorry—am I bumming you out? Well, there’s good news: Though Saturn return can bring about some tough love for certain folks, it’s also known for happy adulthood milestones, like moving in together, having babies, buying homes, and more. You know, good stuff that
This mood-boosting snack delivers happiness in every single bite
May 01, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TMLQPq9oTU] Snacking should make you feel good. (Take that, sugar crash!) But what if I told you that you could make your 3 p.m. snack break even better with a treat that can literally improve your mood in just one bite? Intrigued, right? In the latest episode of Plant Based, herbalist, health coach, and Supernatural founder Rachelle Robinett shares her recipe for “Dopamine Bliss Balls,” (a.k.a. souped up energy balls) which she says are the perfect pick-me-up for any time you’re feeling a bit sluggish. The main ingredient in these bliss balls is mucuna pruriens, a.k.a. the “dopamine bean,” which is a legume native to tropical Asia and Africa. They’re dark brown and covered with stiff hairs that contain serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes calmness and satisfaction, Robinett explains. The plant is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine, and has been touted as a possible way to help manage depression. Once dried and ground, the bean produces a powder that contains L-dopa, a direct precursor to dopamine. This helps our bodies naturally produce dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter that the brain releases when you’re happy. “It can raise your mood a little bit, it can give us a little bit of energy,” Robinett says of mucuna pruriens benefits. “But it feels quite different than caffeine—it’s not quite as high and, for some people, mucuna pruriens can actually help with sleep.” Translation: It can be as good for a bedtime snack as it is in
Toto, we’re not in middle school anymore—so everyone should stop kissing like confused tweens
May 01, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC I’m really big on the Pen15, a masterpiece series that’ll resonate in some way with anyone who attended middle school ever, but it really tested my cringe tolerance when a character had her less-than-perfect first kiss. The uncomfortable up-close make-out sesh was like a summation of every kissing eff-up. And to anyone who’s ever battled an unwanted tongue, so much slobber, TEETH, or an unfortunate headbutt, it’s all very triggering. Worse yet, bad kissing doesn’t necessarily stop in middle school. To that point, I’m putting my foot down and pledging to not take part in any additional bad kisses because I don’t have time for that. So, with expert guidance, I’ve identified the components of a perfect first kiss, which skills to double down on, and what you should have stopped doing when you still had braces. A perfect kiss is less about technique and more about desire and dental care Not to riff too hard on junior high experiences, but Your Chemical Romance (don’t @ me, people—I know the band’s real name is My Chemical Romance) is really what makes for a pleasurable kiss. That’s to say, a good kiss occurs when you’re actually attracted to someone. “Our pheromones draw us to those with complementary chemistry that, when mixed together, makes a really intoxicating, unique cocktail,” says Andréa Demirjian, real-deal kissing expert and author of Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures. “You love the way they
Real talk: Which are more effective sit ups or crunches?
May 01, 2019 at 01:05PM by CWC Crunches and sit ups are the Dax Sheppard and Zach Braff of core exercises. Sure, sure, they’re both superstars, but I probably couldn’t tell the difference between which one was in Scrubs and which one just so happened to be the Armchair Expert. And the same kinda goes for the blockbuster abs-quaking exercises: I know which is which, but not so much the difference between what crunches and sit ups target, anyways. The terms tend to be used interchangeably when most people talk about “ab exercises.” But actually, they’re two totally different things, which, I’m going to admit, is pretty confusing. “From the starting position, these exercises look very similar,” says Tone House Head Coach Joe Rodonis. “The main difference is the range of motion between the two. The crunch is more of an isolated movement on the core; only requiring you to raise your head and shoulder blades off the ground. While the sit up requires more range of motion and activates other stabilizing muscles. With a sit up, you activate your hip flexors, for example, and will raise your torso off the ground.” Both moves work your core, but in different ways—crunches are made up of smaller movements to hit more targeted muscles, while sit ups require a full up-and-down range of motion. Here, Rodonis breaks things down even further to explain when to do which move. Crunches Don’t let the itty-bitty movements that crunches require fool you—these things mean business.
The trick to making perfectly crispy tofu starts in the freezer
May 01, 2019 at 11:43AM by CWC I like my tofu extra crispy. Unfortunately getting it to that point often means keeping a watchful eye on a frying pan. (Nobody likes burnt tofu.) But the trick to perfectly crispy tofu is as simple as popping it in the freezer first. When tofu freezes, the water within it expands, creating pockets of air. As you cook it and the water evaporates, these air bubbles give tofu a chewier, meatier texture while enabling it to soak up flavor from a marinade or sauce. Follow these easy instructions for the best way to ensure crispy tofu every time you cook it (with five delicious recipes you’ll want to use again and again) because nothing hits the spot more than tofu at its crispiest. How to freeze tofu Drain your extra-firm tofu and remove it from the packaging. Pat it dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel. Cut the tofu into cubes or slices—whatever size you need for your meal. Then, place the pieces in a container and store them in the freezer. You can also put the entire block in the freezer as-is, but it takes longer to cook. For best results, leave your tofu in the freezer for 12 to 24 hours. If you’re short on time, you’ll still get decent results with 3 to 6 hours. How to cook with frozen tofu Bring a pot of water to a boil and submerge the frozen tofu. Bring it back to a
Hit the reset button with our 30-day mental wellness challenge
May 01, 2019 at 11:13AM by CWC Show me a person who’s never felt stressed or down in the dumps. No really, I’d like to meet that glittery rainbow unicorn. And so would the Well+Good reader, 95 percent of whom reported being stressed in a 2018 survey. It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, which means that it’s the perfect time to re-prioritize our mental well-being. That’s why we created a 30-day Mental Wellness Challenge: a month’s worth of daily tasks designed to help you prioritize your mental wellness needs. “The data shows that small changes build up. When we notice ourselves making changes to feel better, we start to feel better,” says Natalie Dattilo, Ph.D., director of psychology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and a member of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Datillo regularly uses the pneumonic “ESCAPE” to discuss mental wellness with her clients. The acronym stands for Exercise (an instant mood booster and stress reducer), Sleep (which helps your brain function at its best), Connect and Appreciate (because social connections and gratitude can foster better mental health), Pleasure (an important component of overall happiness), and Exhale (a powerful way to calm anxieties and reduce stress). These six strategies, she says, are the most science-backed ways to manage stress and emotions to promote better mental well-being. Each tip in the month-long challenge (which we’ll be sharing on Instagram, too) is designed to help you to re-define self care, manage daily stressors, start a conversation around mental health, or
Your A to Z guide to the most potent skin-care antioxidants around
May 01, 2019 at 10:43AM by CWC Antioxidants are the hardest-working skin-care ingredients in the game. Not only do they scavenge free radicals, the number one skin-aging culprits, to promote a brighter, more even complexion, they’re also the superstars at nixing fine lines and keeping skin looking fresh. “Antioxidants are often considered the fountain of youth by skin-care professionals and experts,” says Victoria Lewis, medical esthetician at Tribeca MedSpa. “They protect, prevent, and limit free radical damage, and some assist with hydration and inflammation. Not only will your skin be better looking, but it will also be healthier in general.” Dermatologists sing antioxidants’ praises, too, saying that they’re a must for every single person’s skin-care regimen. “In my opinion, an antioxidant serum is a must for your skin-care routine,” says Lian Mack, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Antioxidants protect the skin by reducing and counteracting free radical production.” These free radicals, as a refresher, can assault your skin, damaging healthy skin cells and creating oxidative stress. “Antioxidants protect your skin from this and help reduce pigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Dr. Mack. “In my opinion, an antioxidant serum is a must for your skin-care routine.” —Dr. Lian Mack There are so many different sources you can choose from for your beauty cabinet, though. To help everyone sort them out, I asked the skin pros which were the strongest of the bunch. Something I realized, though? It’s tough to pit antioxidants against each other. “There aren’t head-to-head studies that compare one antioxidant to
The healthy “fat salad” a functional medicine doctor loves to eat for lunch
May 01, 2019 at 10:35AM by CWC I have a really important question that needs answering: What did salads look like before the avocado craze? I imagine sad iceberg lettuce paired with sadder croutons, and topped with the kind of dressing that just kind of pools at the bottom of the to-go container. (Moment of silence.) Luckily, we’re living in the era of greenery 2.0, when salads are just as fancy as any other dish. Case in point: the edible art of this salad with avocado created by functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, MD. “I’ve learned how to make amazingly delicious meals really simply,” said Dr. Hyman at April’s Well+Good’s TALKS in New York City. His choice lunch is “fat salads,” a bed of greens piled with ingredients that contain omega-3s and other healthy fats. After piling a plate high with spinach, kale, or another leafy green, he adds avocado (duh), a sprinkling of nuts, a can of wild salmon, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil. When in doubt, just add “a lot of good fats and protein,” says Dr. Hyman. If you’re a vegetarian, you could nix the salmon in favor of nature’s multivitamin (eggs!) for a boost of protein. Or, if you follow an entirely plant-based diet, you could roast a can of chickpeas and sprinkle them over your midday meal like legume croutons. It’s totally up to you. No matter the melange of ingredients, take solace in the fact that the fats on the end of