January 03, 2019 at 09:44AM I shop online in a way one might be tempted to label as “excessive.” Not that I buy a ton. I’m the kind of shopper who fills up her online cart with a bunch of items but only occasionally hits the “proceed to checkout” button—kinda like when you swipe right with guys on Bumble, but then go back and have to reassess your decision when they’re in your match queue. Only instead of double checking that they don’t have any pictures of themselves posing with a dead fish from that one time they went fishing (seriously, WTF is up with this?), I’m double checking fabric composition and price and deciding if it’s really my style. Because I rarely find something that I feel immediately connected to, when I felt an instant spark for a beige teddy jacket online at Zara, I knew I had to make it mine. It’s like they say about love: when you know, you know. And my instincts about beige teddy jackets were spot on. (Now, if only those same gut feelings extended to my dating life….) I did the only logical thing to do when true love is staring you in the face from the backlit glow of a computer screen: splurged for express shipping because when I find something I want I have to have it immediately. Related: “Learning to be more patient” is on my list of resolutions this year. I’ve gotten more compliments since I added a beige teddy jacket
Category: 2019 Health
I tried dry conditioner and it was love at first spritz
January 03, 2019 at 08:55AM If I had to pick a single beauty product to be stranded on a desert island with—aside from sunscreen, because, duh—it would be dry shampoo. I’ve written extensively about my love of the stuff (as well as my intense hatred of washing my hair), and I’m fully willing to admit that I spend at least four mornings a week treating my scalp to a dry shampoo shower. So, when a dry conditioner came across my desk a few weeks ago, care of Batiste (the brand behind my favorite $8 dry shampoo), I actually yelped with joy. I had no idea what the heck it did, but I was already obsessed. Before I doused my hair with what I was sure would become my new favorite beauty product, I turned to the pros to find out what it was all about. “While dry shampoo absorbs the oils and excess product from your roots and scalp, it can be a bit drying on the rest of your hair and leave the mid shafts and ends feeling gritty—that’s where dry conditioner comes in,” says Daniella Vassallo, a stylist at New York City’s Antonio Prieto Salon. “Dry conditioner restores shine and moisture back into the hair and leaves it with a soft, velvety finish.” Sold! After hearing the hype, I decided to give dry conditioner a try one afternoon when I was rocking some serious third-day hair. I’d given my strands a once-over with dry shampoo that morning and despite
5 recipes that make following the Mediterranean diet super easy
January 03, 2019 at 08:37AM New diets come and go every year, all promising to totally transform your health. And while the avocado-filled ketogenic diet is undoubtedly trendy, the trusty Mediterranean diet remains the tried-and-true darling of the health world. It’s been shown to help you live longer, enjoy better gut health and stronger bones, and keep your heart healthy. (It was ranked the best diet of 2019 for a reason!) Another big perk: Unlike other eating plans that come with long lists of rules and restrictions on what you can and cannot eat, the Mediterranean diet is probably one of the most…chill eating plans out there. The focus is on foods high in omega-3s and healthy fats (hello, olive oil!), along with tons of fruits and veggies, legumes, nuts, and some nutrient-dense carbohydrates. Red wine is encouraged. What’s not to love? Mediterranean diet newbies could certainly roast some salmon with some olive oil and call it a day. But if you’re looking for some more cooking inspo, check out these delicious (and easy) Mediterranean diet recipes that will help you reap all of those benefits. These 5 Mediterranean diet recipes will help you stay healthy in 2019. Photo: Jessica in the Kitchen 1. Mediterranean chickpea salad In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a veggie-packed bowl loaded with protein-filled chickpeas, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes, all tossed with a tasty vinaigrette. Photo: Minimalist Baker 2. Easy vegan falafel Falafels are a Mediterranean diet staple, and this version made from chickpeas gets a healthy remix by being sautéd—not deep
Sick of salad? Here’s how to eat Whole30 or keto at (wait for it) Red Lobster
January 03, 2019 at 07:29AM As far as healthy food chains go, Chipotle tends to get a lot of love. (And for good reason, TBH.) But let’s be real here: No one wants a burrito bowl every day. If you’re looking to expand your healthy fast-casual palate, one OG chain actually has a lot to offer: Red Lobster. Surprised? Turns out the seafood joint has some key menu items that are Mediterranean diet-based, keto-approved, and even Whole30-friendly. So next time you’re out, check out these Red Lobster healthy options for your particular eating plan, all vetted by registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Gorin, MS, RDN. Photo: Getty Images/Westend61 Mediterranean diet Menu picks: Hand-crafted garlic shrimp scampi; wood-grilled lobster, shrimp, and salmon What an RD says: “People following the Mediterranean diet typically eat fish a couple of times a week, so these meals definitely fit the bill in that regard,” Gorin says. If you’re torn between the two, she says the salmon dish will give you the most healthy fats. Order tweak: The way these dishes are prepared has a more American twist than Mediterranean: lots of butter. “The Mediterranean diet recommends replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil,” Gorin says. Ask your waiter if they can make this tweak for you in the kitchen. Side dish recommendations: All entrees let you add a side salad or coleslaw, plus an additional side. “I would recommend choosing the salad for both,” Gorin says. (All the mayo in the slaw knocks it back nutritionally.) “For the shrimp
3 ways to curl your lashes *without* a curler
January 03, 2019 at 07:25AM I have a love-hate relationship with eyelash curlers. They definitely get the job done, seriously upping the wow-factor of my peepers. But even after much practice, I still manage to pinch my delicate eyelids once in a while and I always shed more lashes when I use the tool regularly. It’s easy to accidentally yank out or break off your lashes, even if properly using the most expensive of gadgets. Fortunately, an eyelash curler isn’t the only way to give yourself the doe-eyed look. If you’re over the damage, have yet to master the technique, or simply left your curler at home while on vacation, check out these three eye-opening alternatives. Here’s how to safely curl your lashes—no metal curler required. 1. Use a spoon. Actor Eiza González says her mom taught her this very important beauty hack at a young age—and it’s almost too easy. Just grab an ordinary spoon from your kitchen drawer, warm it up, press the curved edge against your lashes, and hold with pressure from your thumb for a few seconds. “When you don’t have a curler, you can run to your kitchen and warm it up with your hands,” she tells Vogue. You can also heat up the spoon under warm water or with a quick burst of air from your blow dryer. 2. Use a Q-tip. Q-tips are great for cleaning your ears (just don’t swab too deep!) and removing fossilized eyeliner, and they’re also perfect for curling your eyelashes.
How to deal with your significant other’s ex in the most diplomatic way possible
January 03, 2019 at 05:30AM Every time I get into a new relationship, one particular behavioral mechanism forms pretty much immediately: My beau’s ex becomes public enemy number one. Once he goes through the motions of talking about past relationships, I involuntarily zero in on the person who was previously in my position with complete and utter contempt—even if I know nothing about them other than their former title as VIP of my honey’s heart. Exes of significant others are humans too, sure—but they conjure some ugly feels in way more people than just me. A lot of people I know, regardless of how confident they may feel in their romantic relationship, regard an S.O.’s former flames as villains or threats to be battled if they so much as even breathe in the direction of their special someone. And when they’re still in your partner’s life in any capacity—friend, acquaintance, coworker, Words with Friends opponent—playing it cool can be oh-so challenging. Maybe it’s rom-coms that ingrained in us the idea that the ex is the enemy or just sheer jealousy of a shared past you’re not privy to, but regardless of the cause, there are some things to keep in mind: namely, that your S.O.’s ex has gone through heartbreak too. “You get one side of the breakup, and you don’t know that other person’s side—everybody hurts, though,” says Alex Williamson, chief brand officer at dating app Bumble. “The key is to have compassion and to realize how fortunate you are to
I practiced yoga on a cork mat, and I’ll be namastaying on it forever
January 02, 2019 at 01:10PM When it comes to yoga mats, you might say I’m in an open relationship. I’ve investigated which materials make for the best overall experience. I’ve taken the most state-of-the-art surfaces for a test drive. And (don’t judge) I keep five different mat options in my closet to use based on my various flow feels. When a fellow yogi dares to suggest they’ve “just found the best mat,” you’d better believe I’ll fact check that claim before I decide to go steady with a new product. Recently, as I was warming up before a hot vinyasa class, a woman on a neighboring mat told me that using a cork mat has “transformed” her practice. Within moments of class letting out, after we had bowed our heads and softly said “namaste,” I whipped out my phone to begin my research. Two days later, at another steamy class, I unfurled my new cork mat (technically a Christmas present I’d given to my mother then kindly asked to borrow). What can I say? It was love at first child’s pose. Here’s the thing about cork: It’s antimicrobial and all natural, dries in 10 minutes flat, and perhaps most importantly, it won’t let you fall flat on your face during crow pose. From the moment I lifted my knees off the ground and pressed into my first downward dog, I felt the cork supporting me like a kind, non-slip friend. From the moment I lifted my knees off the ground and pressed into
Who knew?! Cuticle oil is a powerhouse for all-around stronger, healthier nails
January 02, 2019 at 01:02PM The only thing I feel like I have complete control over is my nails. When my life turns into a barely manageable dumpster fire, I find solace in the fact that my nails aren’t simply done, but they look fresh AF (nail art on point 365). So during a recent trip to my nail artist, I was shook when she told me that all of my nail issues could be solved by incorporating cuticle oil into my skin-care regimen. As it happens, we may have named the stuff too quickly, because it’s not just a cuticle savior, softening and preventing hangnails from happening, it’s also pretty stellar at promoting all-around healthier, stronger tips. So to get the full scoop, I reached out to Jenny Patinkin, beauty pro and author of Lazy Perfection to hear all about how cuticle oil can help nails beyond the cuticles. Keep on scrolling for what she had to say. The multitasking ways cuticle oil is good for nails, too 1. It thickens and strengthens nails: When my nails get very long, the sides tend to bend inwards making them look more narrow than they are. I figured that this was just the way my nails grew, but I learned that it actually happens when nails are thin and weak. Horsetail oil (which despite the name, comes from the horsetail plant and not an animal) is an ingredient commonly found in or used as a cuticle oil. Patinkin says it’s “my favorite way to heal
In the market for running shoes? Here are the new ones to know now
January 02, 2019 at 12:23PM I remember my first pair of running sneakers. Scene: 2008. I had just gotten into stringing together multiple miles for fun, and purchased a pair of Nikes at a local sports shop because they were A) inexpensive and B) nice to look at. Fast forward two years later, I quickly learned that I had to stop shopping based on aesthetics or trends. I stopped by a local run store, was fitted, did a gait analysis, and the whole shebang. I walked out the door that day dropping a pretty penny for sneakers from a brand I’d never heard of, and despite being hesitant at the time, was a whole lot better for it. The fact is: It can be super overwhelming to figure out which sneaker is the right one with so many options available to runners these days. Especially as more and more brands are trying to make a name for themselves in the category. In 2017 alone, the United States athletic footwear industry generated $19.6 billion in sales, according to global information company the NPD Group. The biggest players in the game? Nike and Adidas. But other names are trying to claim some of those dollars, too, adding more run options to their portfolio. Take Reebok, for instance. In December 2016, the brand announced their Floatride Run shoe utilizing a proprietary foam that gives consistent cushioning throughout the foot. “Running is at the core of our consumer’s fitness life,” says Scott Daley, Vice
“I’m a competitive CrossFit athlete. Here’s what I eat every single day”
January 02, 2019 at 12:01PM When it comes to fit squads, nothing is more hardcore than the CrossFit community. Known as “the sport of fitness,” its devotees are so intense they even speak their own language—snatch, WOD, AMRAP, oh my! A proud member of this weights-loving community: Elizabeth Adams, a New York City-based CrossFit instructor *and* a competitive CrossFit athlete (she’s competed in the CrossFit Games multiple years in a row). You’ll find her at her local box virtually every day, training clients and testing her own limits. See proof here: View this post on Instagram @blakealakee would not be happy with those bent knees Muscle ups went from being a real fear of mine to a movement I feel confident in and (sometimes) look forward to in workouts . That whole process thing is cray #crossfit #weightlifting #thetrainingplan #headspace #wellness #health #fitness #strength #gymnastics #athlete @martsromero @thetrainingplan @crossfitgames @headspace @handspring_gymnastics A post shared by Elizabeth Adams (@lizadams21) on Nov 20, 2018 at 3:30pm PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js View this post on Instagram Hump Day @headspace Vibes There is nothing that is stable and there is nothing that can be defined . That’s freedom #crossfit #weightlifting #thetrainingplan #headspace #wellness #health #fitness #strength #nike #justmove @martsromero A post shared by Elizabeth Adams (@lizadams21) on Oct 17, 2018 at 7:00am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js As you can imagine, pulling off those incredible feats requires proper fuel, and lots of it. Wondering what this looks like exactly? Adams meticulously tracked