February 05, 2019 at 11:15AM by CWC At this point in the year, it often feels like flu season is endless—like, when does the torment stop? Unfortunately, the virus is only getting started. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports flu activity is strong and will continue for weeks, and that’s not good. So far, there have been 11.4 million flu illnesses, 5.4 million doctor visits, and 136,000 hospitalizations. Those stats are more than enough to convince me to look up some immunity-boosting recipes. Beyond getting the flu shot, fighting a persistent virus requires focusing on what you’re eating. “Eating the rainbow with a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats benefits immune health, and certain nutrients are especially great at keeping your immune system healthy,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN. “Vitamin C keeps the immune system strong and may reduce the length and severity of symptoms of the common cold, and vitamin D helps your immune cells fight off bacteria and viruses that make their way into the body. Zinc is also important for the development of some of the cells that are in charge of defending your body against toxins or foreign substances that threaten your immunity.” So, what are you waiting for? When you #EatTheRainbow, the flu won’t even stand a chance. Try these immunity-boosting recipes to help you stay healthy all season long Photo: Unsplash/Jose Soriano 1. Turmeric and lemon green smoothie Two prime immunity-boosting ingredients to add into your green smoothie
Category: 2019 Health
Conquer laundry day by folding your T-shirts like they do in U.S. Army
February 05, 2019 at 10:51AM by CWC If you ask me, laundry day is, hands-down, the lowlight of the week. I can think of no fewer than 5,000 things I’d rather do. Nonetheless, each Sunday I find myself trapped in the basement of my apartment buidling, separating my whites and delicates. I’ll admit that a sense of accomplishment washes over me once the detergent has been shelved and all my leggings have been cleaned in preparation for a week of workouts. Learning how to fold T-shirts correctly is key to winning laundry day. And now that I’ve mastered a genius, Army-approved method, I’m certain I’ll feel more fulfilled the next time I rejuvenate my wardrobe. As you’ll see in the video, the “ranger roll” is a technique that turns a shirt into something resembling a tightly-wrapped burrito. The YouTuber’s method, derived from basic training in the U.S. armed forces, is strangely satisfying to watch (like when Dr. Pimple Popper faces off with a whitehead but not gross). How to fold T-shirts, the Army-approved way. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so93nqxZLjM?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281] Step 1: Spread the shirt out on a flat surface, front side facing up. Step 2: Fold the bottom part of the T-shirt upward about three inches (like you would a beanie). Smooth out the corners and make sure your fold is straight all the way around. Step 3: Take one side and fold it over the center. Fold the sleeve over as well. Step 4: Repeat on the opposite side. You should be left with a six-inch wide shirt that’s ready to be
Talk about your beauty routine the way French girls do to make it feel so. much. better.
February 05, 2019 at 10:10AM by CWC If your essential beauty products had job titles, retinol would be the cell-turnover specialist, hyaluronic acid the SVP of hydration, and vitamin C the brightening executive. It might well feel natural to value skin-care staples in terms of the results they give your complexion, but at Well+Good’s most recent TALK in New York City, New York Times beauty columnist and author of Skin Deep Bee Shapiro suggested viewing your skin-care routine through an à la Française lens. Meaning, rather than putting all the emphasis on the effects of your lotions and potions (très American), consider how they make you feel in the process of using them. “I have this French girlfriend who’s so into beauty,” Shapiro tells the audience. “When we talk about products, her descriptions are always like, ‘Oh, it feels so good. It makes me feel relaxed. I use it like a massage before I go to sleep.’” Meanwhile in the US—where we all basically have “achieve! achieve! achieve!” tattooed onto our brains—many of us tend to equate a product’s worth with what it can accomplish. But why not enjoy the actual lathering, slathering process instead? “We’re so result-driven that even during self care, we’re like, ‘Oh! Gotta achieve something.’ Maybe you just like that oil because it feels really good.” —Bee Shapiro, New York Times beauty columnist and author of Skin Deep “We’re so result-driven that even during self care, we’re like, ‘Oh! Gotta achieve something,’” Shapiro adds. “Maybe you just like that oil because it feels
6 date night outfits Marie Kondo would approve
February 05, 2019 at 10:07AM by CWC As a typical New Yorker with a strong desire to expand her closet, but the sinking reality that my apartment space just won’t allow for it (or my budget for that matter), there’s one question that, in one way or another, I’ve been asking myself a lot thus far into 2019 and that’s: WWMKD? (What would Marie Kondo do?) What would Marie Kondo do about this extreme weather? What would Marie Kondo do about (another) government shutdown? What would Marie Kondo do with Ariana Grande’s jewelry collection? And while this story isn’t necessarily here to answer any of the above burning questions (although we should still look for their answers!), it does get me wondering how the Tidy Queen herself approaches something a bit more tangible and up her alley, like Valentine’s Day. Regardless of how you celebrate (or don’t celebrate), I think we can all agree, Valentine’s Day comes with its own fair share of consumerism baggage—a quick walk into any local CVS will confirm this, with a never-ending variety of stuffed animals that play ting-y sounding renditions of “My Girl,” “You Sexy Thing,” and, my favorite left-field option, Toto’s “Africa.” Of course, once you factor in candy or flowers, dinner reservations, and possibly a gift that isn’t of the stuffed animal variety, Valentine’s Day starts to resemble a collection of things veering into the “no longer sparking joy” pile. Throw in a pink sequin cocktail dress that doesn’t quite fold well using the
More than a gut feeling: New research links your microbiome with depression
February 05, 2019 at 09:05AM by CWC An oft repeated phrase within the wellness community, “your gut is your second brain” takes on a new level of meaning with research now suggesting a real link between the two indispensable systems. Last year, a study linked injections of a particular bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae, to reduced levels of stress in rats. This study led to greater understanding of the relationship between postpartum depression and the gastrointestinal tract. With new research published yesterday in the journal Nature Microbiology, scientists have found preliminary evidence linking low levels of certain gut bacteria to depression, reports The Guardian. By studying the feces of 1,000 people enrolled in the Flemish Gut Flora Project, researchers in Belgium set out to understand the relationship between the gut and mental health. Here’s the SparkNotes version of their findings: Two bugs found in the gut, Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus, were found more frequently in those who reported good mental health; those with depression had a lower average amount of Coprococcus and Dialister bacteria—regardless of whether or not they were on medication. Keep in mind that the study doesn’t prove a gut-brain connection when it comes to mental health. However, lead researcher Jeroen Raes says follow-up studies do suggest that there’s at least a conversation going on between the two, with the help of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin (both of which are crucial for a healthy mental state). “We studied whether gut bacteria in general would have a means to talk to the nervous system, by analyzing their DNA,” Raes told The Guardian. “We found that many
You’ve Totally Overlooked This Online Beauty Mecca—But It’s a Skin-Care Goldmine
February 05, 2019 at 07:28AM by CWC One of my 2019 goals is to revamp my skin-care lineup, because, if I’m being honest, it’s a little bare-boned at the moment. But when I scroll through endorsements of new miracle products every time I open Instagram, it’s pretty much impossible to know which ones I can really trust, right? Actually, wrong. Dermstore, a dermatologist-founded beauty marketplace, is the expert-curated skin-care shopping experience I didn’t know I needed. Basically, it cuts through the clutter to create a high-quality edit of indie brands (plus stuff I thought I could only get recommended by an MD) so that everyone from beauty mavens to newbies like me can easily find exactly what they need. “Our skin is a window to our inner health and wellness,” says Ashley Magovern, MD, Dermstore’s medical director. “There really is no shortcut to youthful-looking skin other than through a healthy mind and body.” That’s why Dermstore stocks products across the spectrum from professional-strength formulas (otherwise only available at a dermatologist’s office) to natural beauty gems and general wellness-supporting essentials. Talk about a haul. In addition to helping me buff up my nightly face routine (AKA actually stick with one), Dermstore has interviews with skin-care experts and a treasure trove of reviews to help me parse, parcel, and add to my probably-way-too-big shopping cart. Keep reading for 3 ways Dermstore helped me upgrade my beauty-shopping experience—plus my fave products you can snag right now. 1. You can save with the rewards program (and it’s actually
A celeb stylist taught me a blow dry technique that I can’t stop using
February 05, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC The farthest I’ll go in terms of “doing” my hair begins and ends with a blow dryer. I’m trying if I’m not just letting my hair air dry, and that’s exactly why I don’t feel like myself whenever I get a blow-out. It’s inevitably uber-smooth or loaded with Disney princess curls, and all I can do is count down the seconds until I can mess it up. But then I got my hair done by Kendall Dorsey. The celebrity hairstylist—who’s worked with Solange and Nicki Minaj—understood the undone, texture-filled blowout I was going for. Not only did my hair turn out looking fantastic, but Dorsey taught me how to replicate the look at home, and it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever learned. The technique is called hand styling, and even those who hate blowouts can do it (AKA me). “All I’m doing is making an S-shape with your hair and scrunching it,” says Dorsey as he demonstrates on my damp lengths. “You then just squeeze it for 5 to 7 seconds under a diffuser and it’ll give it a loose wave. When I release my hand it’s gonna set it—and once you dry it, that’s how it sits.” He likens it to the roller days of yore. “It’s the same format as that,” Dorsey explains. “While holding that S shape, you put the hair dryer over it and it gives you that Carrie Bradshaw full, wavy hair.” What my dreams are made of. While my goal
Yep, hot yoga can turn your face into a burning, itchy mess—here’s how to deal
February 05, 2019 at 06:28AM by CWC This time of year, hot yoga classes are packed. It’s a way to temporarily escape the piercing cold and pretend you’re flowing in the sweltering heat of a tropical island. While some people don’t experience any negative affects from downward-dogging at temperatures reaching 105 degrees, hot yoga skin irritation overshadows any enjoyment for others. Experts have noted that frequent attendance at hot yoga classes can cause discoloration and persistent redness due to the heat triggering your skin’s pigment-producing cells. But if your skin is even mildly sensitive, you might experience an immediate reaction to excessive heat. “Hot yoga in particular can be especially irritating to your skin because it raises your core body temperature from the inside out, triggering what’s known as an inflammatory cascade,” says esthetician Jeannel Astarita, founder and CEO of Just Ageless in New York City. “The heat and inflammation causes the moisture that you naturally have in your skin to evaporate rapidly, leaving your skin dry, dehydrated, and irritated.” Luckily, there are some ways you can prepare your skin that might be able to help alleviate the irritation. “Use a gentle cleanser before your hot yoga class, and wash up immediately after to rid your face of oils and bacteria, which can sometimes cause breakouts, itching, or dryness on the skin. Then, apply a hydrating water-based moisturizer,” says Lana Pinchasov, a dermatology-certified physician’s assistant in New York City. Also, bring along a trusty, ice-cold water bottle for the ultimate relief. “The night before you go to
I opted out of these 3 popular things, and I’ve never been happier
February 05, 2019 at 05:32AM by CWC I’m a single guy, and I haven’t ever used a dating app (I did once upon a time use the dating site OkCupid—more on that later). I’ve never had my work Slack or email on my phone. I haven’t posted on Instagram in well over a year. And believe it or not, my dating, professional, and social lives have never been better. To be clear, I’m not some kind of ascetic or martyr or one of those people who decided to live in the woods without technology. (No judgment though!) I have an iPhone, watch Netflix, and go down deep YouTube rabbit holes. I definitely haven’t rejected modernity or pop culture, but I’ve tried over the past few years to be more aware of what I think I can’t live without and what I actually can’t live without. I want to distinguish between a want and a need, and I want to need as little as possible. When I Kondo-ed my apartment last year, I realized I’ve been gradually decluttering my life for years—paring down and simplifying and finding myself happier, calmer, and more self-actualized. Specifically when it comes to how I interact with technology. Below are a few techy things I’ve opted out of already. Photo: Julia Garan 1. Instagram (and pretty much social media in general) It started with deleting my personal Facebook page in lieu of a professional one, where I used to but now rarely post my writing. My
Grab a bowl: Noodles are healthy if you choose the right kind
February 05, 2019 at 05:31AM by CWC Whether you’re braving the polar vortex, battling a winter cold, or deep into a post-breakup Netflix binge, there’s one food that’s guaranteed to make you feel a whole lot warmer and fuzzier: noodles. Clearly, the ultimate comfort dish is good for our emotional health, as anyone who’s inhaled a steamy bowl of ramen on a sub-zero day can attest. But is it just as beneficial from a nutritional perspective? With fingers firmly crossed, I checked in with dietician Brooke Alpert, RD, to find out. Lucky for all of us, she had good news. “Noodles and pasta can be a healthy choice, depending on what they are made out of,” the dietician told me. (Phew!) Here are the healthy noodles she loves the most: 1. Kelp noodles Kelp noodles received top marks from Alpert, as they’re rich in key minerals. “Kelp noodles have calcium and magnesium and, unlike traditional white flour pasta, will not cause a huge spike in your blood sugar,” she explains. This gluten-free seaweed noodle (made from the powdered flesh of kelp) is often served raw, but it’s just as delish as a base for pad Thai and pho. 2. Shirataki noodles Alpert’s also a fan of high-fiber, gluten-free shirataki noodles—another A+ option for homemade pad Thai—which are made from yam flour. (Tituss Burgess is another shirataki lover, although his go-to option is made with tofu and yam.) 3. Mung bean pasta If you’re more into Italian-style noodles, Alpert recommends trying mung