January 24, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC I don’t have to tell you how important it is to brush your teeth. It’s something that was likely drilled into your childhood brain by your mom, dentist, and that catchy toothbrushing song from kindergarten and has taken hold in your adult life. But while we’ve always been taught that proper oral hygiene is a necessity for keeping your pearly whites glistening, avoiding cavities, and not scaring away friends and loved ones with bad breath, there’s another reason why you need to be brushing your teeth on the reg: The sake of your gums. I know, I know—it isn’t exactly the sexiest topic, but it is an important one. The American Dental Association recommends giving your mouth a good scrub down with a toothbrush twice a day and a once-over with floss to keep your teeth clean, which will help you avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar. These “wool sweaters” are packed with bacteria, which can cause gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, which can lead to more serious gum issues ranging from mild to severe periodontitis. And in case painful, swollen gums (and the potential of loose teeth) wasn’t enough to cause you concern, periodontal diseases have been linked to more serious issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. While the frequency of your toothbrushing is unquestionably critical (yes, your mom, dentist, and kindergarten teacher were right), there are other factors that also come into play. “Some of the best practices that gets overlooked are how you utilize the toothbrush,” says Lawrence Fung, DDS, founder
Category: 2019 Health
Standard Dose navigates the confusing world of CBD products so you don’t have to
January 24, 2019 at 05:30AM by CWC For many of us, making the decision to try cannabidol (CBD) is easy. A natural substance that can supposedly reduce anxiety, improve sleep, soothe sore muscles, and illuminate skin—with basically no known side effects? Cool, take my credit card. The challenge, traditionally, has been getting our hands on the stuff. Since the CBD industry is still largely unregulated, most well-known retailers have shied away from stocking it. (Although that is changing thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill; retail giant Neiman Marcus recently added CBD beauty products to its shelves.) Plus, it’s hard to know if the product you’re getting is legitimate since so many aren’t. Budding e-commerce startups, like Miss Grass, Svn Space, Fleur Marché, and Poplar, have paved the way toward solving these problems, creating platforms that combine CBD products with educational content. And now, there’s a new entrant to the market that seeks to do the same—both online and off. Launching Thursday, Standard Dose is primed to do for CBD what Carbon38 did for the activewear industry. In other words, it’s a 360-degree platform that encompasses a trifecta of digital retail, brick-and-mortar stores, and product development. Founder Anthony Saniger, who also heads up his own creative agency, conceived of Standard Dose while working on a branding project for a new line of cannabidol-infused tonic waters. “I started digging around and doing an analysis of the space, and I realized everything’s very fragmented,” he says. “Products are scattered around everywhere, and there’s a
Pop in your earbuds, single ladies: We rounded up the 7 best podcasts for you
January 24, 2019 at 05:30AM by CWC While everyone has different goals and ideas about their ideal romantic situation, mine is not to be single forever. I’ve been regarding it as a fleeting, temporary status—like having braces. Basically I feel that being single will (like braces) ultimately benefit me, and though it’s not my favorite thing ever, it’s also not something to lose my head over. As of late though, I’m actually into it. Still, the status isn’t without its emotional hardships, and us unattached ladies need a life raft here and there. When we’ve worn out our friends, it’s time to turn to some choice podcasts, so ahead find a roundup of perfect listening material for a singles gal’s ear. Some are hilarious, others are informative, but all of them are insanely entertaining. After all, being single can also be a blast. Check out 7 podcasts every single gal should know about. 1. How Cum At 28 years old, comedian Remy Kassimir had never had an orgasm. So she kicked off this podcast to try and figure out why. She interviews people about their first times coming, and even has her boyfriend on to discuss their sex lives. (Spoiler: Remy has successfully had an orgasm since the podcast’s debut. Hooray!) 2. Why Won’t You Date Me? Comedian Nicole Byer (who you may know as the host of Nailed It! on Netflix) wants to know one thing: Why you won’t date her. Each week, she sits down with a different guest and
7 recipes for buckwheat waffles because weekends deserve to be savored
January 24, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Maybe your ideal morning looks like waking up early, going to yoga, and then coming home and making breakfast. Or maybe your ritual is to eat your breakfast in bed, coffee and newspaper next to you on the nightstand, before getting up and getting stuff done. Whatever that ideal looks like, there’s a high chance that waffles can make it that much better. The brunch staple has a rep for being about as healthy as a frosting-covered piece of cake. It’s not unwarranted—usually made with flour, and coated in maple syrup, it can seem more suited for dessert than breakfast. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Waffles can be downright good for you if you sub the primarily ingredient, flour, with buckwheat. Despite its misleading name, buckwheat isn’t wheat at all; the pseudograin—which, like quinoa, is actually a seed—is completely gluten-free. It’s been linked to lowering cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar levels, which means unlike your typical brunch entree, it won’t make you need a nap later. Rounded up here are seven buckwheat waffles recipes, all resulting in the perfect light-yet-crispy breakfast you’ll crave all week. Is it the weekend yet? Photo: Unconventional Baker 1. Coconut-vanilla buckwheat waffles Instead of getting its sweetness from syrup, this recipe from Unconventional Baker works a few smart ingredients right into the batter: coconut water, creamy almond butter, cinnamon, and vanilla bean. Top it off with berries and voilà—brunch is served. Photo: The Healthy Maven
Make an A+ decision on what vitamin C serum to buy with this skin-saving checklist
January 24, 2019 at 03:09AM by CWC Along with popularity and the cult-fave status, comes some mystery—vitamin C serums, famous for their brightening and free-radical-fighting benefits, are recommended by skin pros and dermatologists alike, and yet, there are still plenty of questions that arise when you’re face-to-face with them on the skin-care shelves. “Vitamin C is well-loved for brightening and firming your skin, in addition to boosting collagen, strengthening elasticity, and providing a surge of antioxidant power,” raves Jenna Walsh, skin therapist at Heyday LA. “It’s shown to help with free radical damage from pollution and sun-drenched summer days, and results in noticeably smoother, brighter skin for those who use this ingredient consistently.” But boy, does it mean business. In part, superstar ingredients, like vitamin C, require some testing to figure out what works. The ingredient comes in different concentrations, in different textures, and in different bottles that are meant to help it from oxidizing and going bad. To know how to make the most out of vitamin C and make it work harder for your skin, here’s the unfiltered 411 on what to look for. The vitamin C checklist for brighter skin 1. Know the concentration: As far as the concentration goes, it really depends on your skin type. “It’s important to know if you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin when choosing a concentration of vitamin C,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Start low with 10 percent and then work your way up over
I love the Oscars, but why do we seek approval from total strangers?
January 23, 2019 at 01:14PM by CWC When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces the Oscar nominees, the Twitterverse responds like clockwork with equal parts criticism and congratulation, pecked out as pithy 280-character commentary. This year, the Academy snubbed Timothée Chalamet for his role in Beautiful Boy. (Twitter is sad.) Black Panther made history as the first film in the superhero genre to be nominated for the best picture category. (Most people are psyched.) Lady Gaga is nominated for best actress in a leading role. (And, of course, the people of the Internet have feelings about it.) We’ll have to wait until February 24 to see how it unfolds, but all the chatter surrounding the big show raises the question: Why put so much weight on the end of a sentence that begins “And the award goes to…”? And why do 33 million people tune in to watch the Academy validate—or veto—their box-office heroes? The pass-the-popcorn version of public approval fulfills a basic human need, says Jennifer Guttman, PsyD, the author of A Path to Sustainable Life Satisfaction. “We crave validation because as social beings we feel comfort in a ‘group think’ mentality,” she says. “It’s reassuring to believe that other people think the way we do because it gives us a feeling that we’re ‘right’ about our choices and behaviors.” The only thing more fun than declaring your undying love for Bradley Cooper is having millions of people agree that he’s a total dreamboat, right? “Award shows like the Oscars are exciting and entertaining because they reinforce our belief that people
Found: The lazy girl’s solution for dealing with curly third-day hair
January 23, 2019 at 12:12PM by CWC To me, curly hair is a blessing and a curse. Yes, on a good day I feel like Cher, but on a bad day, not so much. Part of the problem is that I’m lazy and I haven’t been able to find a solution to second-, third-, or let’s be real, fourth-day, hair that doesn’t involve rinsing my strands with water. It’s these mornings when I roll out of bed to hop in the shower that I wish to myself that my third-day hair dilemma could be a greasy scalp, for which dry shampoo is an ace up the sleeve. Instead, I’m left with flat, lifeless curls that need some oomph. Enter: Resetting spray. On day 1, I usually wear my hair down, but my go-to move at night is to wrap a scrunchie around my 3A curls before bed. Usually, this stretches them out enough that on day 2, I either have to wear it up or wet it down since water is the easiest way to reset my curls. In the name of hitting snooze for 20 extra minutes of ZZZs, I went on a search for an alternative and came across a few very enthusiastic reviews from friends about Bumble & Bumble Bb. Curl Re-Style Primer ($28). Here’s how it works: The products that are typically used to style curly hair can contain drying ingredients like alcohols. In part, that can mess with curls, making them more prone to frizz as the
What an MD wants you to know about taking bee pollen for allergies
January 23, 2019 at 11:17AM by CWC There’s a buzzy new ingredient that’s got the wellness world’s attention as of late: bee pollen. You’ve probably seen the crunchy nuggets as the latest garnish atop a smoothie bowl, but it has more purpose than looking good on the ‘gram. In particular, there’s been talk about taking bee pollen for allergies. But before we get to that, let’s step back and discuss what, exactly, bee pollen is in the first place. Basically, bee pollen feeds a hive (and it’s a superfood for humans, too). To create it, bees collect flower pollen and pack it into small granules using saliva and a bit of honey. It’s chock full of nutrients like protein, amino acids, and a litany of vitamins—and it’s also believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Dr. Moday likens the effect of bee pollen to allergy shots, which create resistance against an allergen so the body reacts less when it’s around. Its ability to fight inflammation is, in part, why people eat bee pollen for allergies. (It goes without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway: You should always consult a doctor before taking anything to treat a medical condition.) That’s because one way to manage allergies—if you have mild symptoms and want to avoid over-the-counter meds because they don’t work or have bothersome side effects—is to help your body build up a tolerance through exposure to the culprit. “The idea is that when you ingest pollen on a daily basis, it’ll
The best high-cut sports bras for spinning class to keep you supported
January 23, 2019 at 10:30AM by CWC Between the rhythm, the choreography, and the (hard AF) isolations, there’s a whole lot to think about during spin class. One thought that shouldn’t have to occupy your brain, though? Flashing your top half to the entire room while you’re busy trying to tap it back to the beat. As a front row fixture who is constantly worried about my girls falling out of my top, I can confirm firsthand that a spin class friendly sports bra has to go above and beyond the regular call of duty. In addition to keeping my melons from bouncing up, down, and all-around while I move to the music, it also needs to keep them secured while I ride. This is something the instructors at SoulCycle are all too familiar with, especially considering that they’re spinning on a platform in front a room full of riders. To solve the problem, the mega-spin studio partnered with Lululemon to create a line of seriously functional workout wear that includes a sports bra that covers the entire chest. To develop the line, Lululemon invited a group of SoulCycle instructors to their HQ in Vancouver to test out the merch, and give feedback on exactly what they’d need to do a series of middle-bar pushups in peace. “I was mostly concerned not just with comfort—less pull on the straps but not having to compromise the support—but also for me feeling confident while teaching means not flashing my class with cleavage from the
Brandless expands with $3 essentials for your fur babies (and real babies)
January 23, 2019 at 09:54AM by CWC Online grocery store Brandless has amassed a cult-following among many of the people obsessed with wellness, particularly those who either can’t or don’t want to devote their entire paycheck to beauty products, food, and supplements. On Wednesday, the retailer announced that it has expanded with about 400 new items to include baby products and pet supplies. “Since day one, our Brandless community has asked us to expand our assortment of high-quality, affordable stuff to their babies and pets,” CEO and co-founder Tina Sharkey says in a press release. “It’s finally here. We started creating these collections on day two, including premium diapers, clean care, organic first foods, and a selection of sustainable and cruelty-free goodness,” Like the majority of products the company stocks, most of the new products will sell for $3, including baby food pouches (with a wide selection of flavors), wipes, diaper rash cream, teething rings, and dog shampoo. For the first time, Brandless is introducing items priced at $9. New releases at this price point include diapers, pet multi-vitamins, dog collars, and chew toys. It’s still pretty affordable, TBH—especially the diapers, which sell for double the price when name brand. Companies such as Brandless continue to dispel the notion that wellness is only for people with a certain income, proving that it is indeed possible to sell healthy products without a luxury price tag. And it’s not the only one out there making wellness more accessible—we see you, Costco, Walmart, and Trader