December 20, 2018 at 05:02AM The holidays are that special time of year when wearing your pajamas to the airport and lounging around your parents’ house for hours on end in your sweats is completely acceptable. The mere prospect of wearing “real clothes”—AKA jeans, dresses, and tops—suddenly feels like a dreadfully unnecessary task, and, in fact, it is. An equally comfortable and stylish alternative to your faded tees and holey sweats are fashion-forward athleisure pieces (and yes, leggings fall into this category). When comfy is key, the trick to looking more pulled together is finding those just-stylish enough pieces that are performance-inspired but built a little more for form. Then, it’s a matter of pairing them with relaxed essentials like an oversized sweater, fleece-lined legging, or knitted jogger—when you’re feeling particularly driven, stretchy jeans are an easy way to level up athleisure staples without feeling like a comprise in comfort. The effect is the epitome of cozy-cool and a look that your family (and onlookers you encounter during a grocery store run) can’t judge you for. If you’re planning to spend the rest of 2018 catching up on Netflix and face-masking on the couch, check out these nine ultra-stylish athleisure pieces that are equal parts comfy and chic. Real clothes, see you in 2019. Photo: Bandier All Access Tune Up Track Pant, $145 Track parts are one of those pieces that look as great with a button-down and heels as they do with sneakers and a tee. For laid-back luxe at
Category: 2019 Health
Earl Grey tea is steeped with healthy benefits that can boost your immune system and fight inflammation
December 20, 2018 at 04:12AM With all the fancy wellness beverages at your fingertips—from frothy matcha lattes to creamy turmeric-packed golden milk—when’s the last time you had something as simple as a mug of brewed tea? At the grocery store, there’s a seemingly endless amount to choose from: the sleepy-times, the tummy-soothing gingers, and the mood-boosting peppermints. But an often-overlooked option might just provide some of the most impressive benefits of all. Earl Grey has been around since the early 1800s and has quite a unique flavor. The black tea base has a hint of citrus thanks to the addition of bergamot oil, which comes from a funny-looking orange commonly found in the Mediterranean that more closely tastes like and resembles a lemon. Aside from the bright taste—which is ultra-energizing and refreshing—it also comes with plenty of health benefits. The next time you’re craving a cup of something cozy, you might want to reach for some of these OG tea bags. The benefits of Earl Grey tea 1. It’s high in antioxidants The base of black tea in Earl Grey brings on all the health benefits. According to Amy Gorin, RDN, and owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area, it instantly gives you a boost of antioxidants: something that helps out your overall well-being in many ways, including combating inflammation and fighting off free radicals. 2. It decreases your risk of disease Because of all the antioxidants in Earl Grey, drinking the tea also helps decrease your risk of many different diseases—many of which are
I stopped meditating after 3 years, and I feel like I’ve lost a part of who I am
December 20, 2018 at 04:00AM The first time I ever sat down to meditate, I left the cushion with a strange, intangible feeling that my life had just shifted in some way. I can only compare it to the second (not first) time I read The Great Gatsby, and knew I wanted to be a writer. Or the first time I ran an entire mile without stopping, and could tell there would be so many more to follow. Simply stated, I felt like I’d stumbled over some truth about myself that I hoped I would never unlearn. But a few years later, I did. Now that I’ve started working my first full-time job and earning my graduate degree in the evenings, I’ve paused my meditation practice for a TBD length of time. Let’s be clear: When people say they “don’t have time” to do things, it really irks me (yet another reason I need meditation!). Because, IMO, it really means that they don’t make time to [enter non-priority item here]. So, for the record, I’m taking ownership of the fact that I no longer spend a third of an hour daily trying to become more intimate with the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire third-task maze that is my inner world. I found silence comforting rather than suffocating; I listened with less judgment; I could focus on quiet, singular tasks for hours without growing bored. In the glowing light of retrospect, there are so many things I love about this meditating Kells. Before I tell you
Nope, apparently you don’t need to let your skin-care products dry before you put more on
December 20, 2018 at 03:30AM When I put on my skin-care products every morning and night, I like to think about it as if I’m frosting a cake. I let each layer dry individually before moving onto the next, which, when you’re working with a 10-step routine, can be massively time consuming. But recently, I’ve been wondering: Are you even supposed to let your skin-care products dry before applying the next layer? “I let [products] dry only for the amount of time it takes me to open the next container,” says Connecticut-based dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, who notes that as long as you pile on your products from lightest to heaviest, you should be all good to go back-to-back-to-back. According to Tina Hedges, founder of Loli Beauty, there is just one caveat to this method. “If you are using an acid treatment, it’s best to apply this first and wait a few minutes before applying your moisturizer—if you apply a moisturizer too quickly, it could ‘deactivate’ the exfoliating treatment by changing the pH of the acid,” she explains. “On the other hand, it’s always best to apply a face oil on damp skin, so if you’re using a toner or essence, don’t wait for the skin to dry. If you want pure, skin-quenching moisture, then slathering an oil, lotion, or cream over your toner, essence, or hydrating serum is great as it will lock in the hydration.” In fact, letting your products mix in with each other—instead of painstakingly applying them one
Surprise! A post-Basel dance party turned out to be the best workout ever
December 20, 2018 at 03:19AM A weekend getaway to Miami usually puts a very, very heavy emphasis on the “fun” aspect of “fun in the sun”—especially during the first week of December, when thousands flock to the seaside city for Art Basel. So, we decided to aid in some post-party recovery with our latest Well+Good Retreat, where we took advantage of the December sun in the 305 (a much, much needed respite from the freezing weather in NYC right now) with four days of R&R at the Standard Hotel in Miami Beach. In addition to outdoor workouts and dinners under the stars (real talk: there are few things more exhilarating than breaking bread with a crystal healer, then retreating to a campfire), beauty lovers also got the chance to enjoy the Standard’s world-renowned spa with treatments like hot stone massages, collagen facials, and baths inspired by the traditions of global bathing cultures around the world. “Party in the city where the heat is on,” is right—but instead of bottle service, we had unlimited yoga and Health-Ade kombucha mocktails, which is just the way we like it. Keep scrolling for a glimpse into the Well+Good Retreat at The Standard Miami Beach. Photo: Elena Mudd Guests arrived at the Standard’s beautiful Miami property and were greeted to a bag stocked with recovery friendly goodies from some of our favorite self care brands. Beauty products from Teleties, Ren Skincare, Ursa Major, Clark’s Botanicals, Au Naturale Cosmetics, Indie Lee, and Countertop; calming herbs from Gaia; scarves
18 pieces that’ll help you embrace those hygge-and-hibernate vibes
December 19, 2018 at 01:45PM It was around mid-September when I had to accept that bare-leg season was officially over (hello, patterned tights). Mother Nature charmed me into fall with her beautiful foliage, helping to ease the pain of packing away my beloved sandals until next year. I started hearing words like flannel, shearling, chenille, and teddy. It all sounded so romantic and brainstorming winter clothes ideas suddenly sounded dreamy. I know cozy means something different to everyone. According to Erin Rittling, senior manager of styling for Aerie, cozy is “all about you.” This is to say, there’s no wrong way to add more warm, fuzzy feelings into your winter wardrobe. But if you’re looking for a place to start, blanketing yourself in a super-soft sweater isn’t a bad idea—Rittling’s been styling everyone from the model and inclusivity advocate Iskra Lawrence to singer Rachel Platten in them all season. Prefer hygge with a hint of luxury? There’s no shortage of cashmere on the market right now. You can find everything from scarves and wraps to sweaters and robes in the luxe-feeling fabric. And if you can’t stay inside and hibernate ’til spring, the next best thing is to feel like you’re still in bed even when you’re not. Oversized puffer coats, blanket scarves, or long, cozy layers like this cashmere coatigan (coat and cardigan combo) from Grant Hill, $188, can help recreate those vibes. Whether you’re dressing up or down, here are some cozy pieces that’ll look just as good by the fire
Why we all need to rein in our fear of sugar
December 19, 2018 at 11:46AM The healthy food world loves a good debate. (Is nut milk still milk? Is wine good for you? Is coffee?) But at this point, no one in the health community is really sitting around wondering: Is sugar bad for you? Science has shown over and over again that consuming too much sugar is linked to diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and mood disorders. And it’s become the part of the nutrition label health-conscious consumers pay attention to the most. However, there’s a line between sugar-conscious and sugar-obsessed. “Quite a lot of people are getting low levels of orthorexia, where they’re starting to be very fearful or obsessive about health,” says holistic health coach Nikki Sharp. “People are becoming terrified of eating a piece of fruit!” So where’s the line? When is avoiding sugar healthy, and when does it reach the point where it gets in the way of reaping the rewards of other benefits, like the fiber and antioxidants in fruit? Photo: Getty Images/Apeloga AB Check your intention Sharp says the first thing to consider when wondering whether your focus on sugar is healthy is mindset. “When I talk to my clients and friends about why they’re scared of sugar, it almost always comes back to a fear of gaining weight,” she says. And that can be connected to feelings of confidence and self-worth. Sharp says this fear of sugar can also be connected to a bigger fear of losing control—as was the case with her. “I used to
The best brightening facial I got all year long took only 30 seconds
December 19, 2018 at 10:47AM I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m all for taking ample time out of the day to take care of myself. I love a good long run on the weekends. And, for heaven’s sake, I say take all the hours-long eucalyptus-sprigged showers you want. (I mean, derms would say keep it to 15 minutes, but you do you, girl!) But one of my favorite indulgences of all is getting a really great facial, which is why I was bowled over when I looked back at the year-gone-by and realized that the best one I got in 2018 took a mere 30 seconds, and was performed from the comfort of my own sink. Save the “that’s what she said” jokes, my friends, this is serious business: Finally, after years of beauty editing, I found out how to do a facial at home! As with most DIYs, it starts with the supplies, so if you want to replicate this blissful blink-of-an-eye facial, you’re going to want to procure a box of the skin-brightening Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vitamin C Glow Powder, which comes with 12 sachets. At $40 for the set, that brings the total cost for each of your individual facials down to a $3 and some change, which IMO, isn’t too shabby considering that at fancy spas they can cost upwards of 100 times more. Right away, you’ll likely notice that your skin looks a little more awake, shall we say. Its tone is refreshed, and
McDonald’s debuts vegan burger in the US—but is it actually healthy?
December 19, 2018 at 10:15AM Getting a fast food fix as a vegan isn’t easy. Desperate attempts to find something satisfying on a long road trip can mean settling for a lettuce and ketchup sandwich instead of a burger. That could change as McDonald’s—the second-biggest fast-food chain in the country—unveils a vegan option in the U.S. for the first time. McDonald’s has experimented with vegan burgers in other countries in recent years, but the most popular one from India was chosen to make its debut in America. The McAloo Tikki features a veggie patty made from potatoes, peas, and “seasoning reminiscent of samosas.” Topped off with red onions, tomato slices, and—get this—an eggless tomato mayo, it sounds utterly delicious, but is it actually healthy? View this post on Instagram We're giving the stamp of approval to our McAloo Tikki, which is now a perfectly balanced meal with the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. #McDGoodFoodStory A post shared by McDonald's India (@mcdonalds_india) on Apr 4, 2018 at 5:45am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js The vegan burger contains 353 calories, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of sugar. Compare that to the chain’s bestselling burger, the Big Mac, which packs a hefty 560 calories, 26 grams of protein, 13 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of sugar. So, less protein, but way less fat and calories, and zero red meat. (FYI: McDonald’s does not have a full ingredients list for the
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s self-care platform: Don’t feel guilty about treating yourself well
December 19, 2018 at 10:01AM As nice as it would be to spend your evening soaking in a bubble bath totally worry-free—phone on airplane mode in the other room—that’s not exactly the reality for most people. When you’ve worked your butt off your entire life to make your #girlboss dreams come true, taking the time for some self-care feels…wrong. In fact, it might even make you feel straight-up guilty. And no one knows that unfortunate problem better than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In a recent Instagram Story, Vogue reports that the Congresswoman-elect told her followers she’s taking the week off to focus on self-care. While the thought is nice, there’s only one problem: Despite being fully deserving of some much-needed time to herself away from the craziness of Capitol Hill, she just can’t shake the guilt that comes along with doing so—something she knows so many other women experience as well. “I’m starting a week of self-care where I’m taking the week off and taking care of me. I don’t know how to do that, though,” she said. “My mother was a housekeeper and worked herself to the bone so that I could go to college. She denied herself a lot—so I feel a lot of guilt thinking about taking a day off. It’s not okay that women subconsciously perpetuate unequal burdens for generations, just because we’re made to feel guilty if we don’t. Notice how much of this guilt is self-reinforced and internalized via social norms.” Despite the shaming that comes along