June 30, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Let’s be real: Who isn’t tempted by every kitchen contraption at Sur La Table and Bed Bath & Beyond? Butter cutters and avocado slicers and “chorks” all serve their purpose…right? “It’s so easy to go overboard and want it all!” says Isabel Maples, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Whether you’re building up your chef’s arsenal to start a healthy cooking habit or just want to perfect your game, you definitely don’t want things falling on your feet every time you open your cupboard. So what tools do you really need to avoid kitchen overload? We talked with eight nutritionists and healthy chefs to get the lowdown on the 13 kitchen essentials they absolutely can’t cook without. 1. Electric tea kettle A watched (tea)pot never boils…so set your electric tea kettle and forget it. Plant-based, whole-foods chef Katie Simmons says she uses her kettle to boil water for stewing quick oats or soaking grains like couscous and bulgur. Or make her quick miso soup by using your kettle to boil a quart of water. Pour into a pot, add 2 tablespoons miso, grated ginger, and a dash of red chili pepper, and bring back to a boil. Let it steep for about 10 to 15 minutes, and enjoy! ad_intervals[‘403093_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403093_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Buy it: AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Porrtable Electric Hot Water Kettle ($21); Cosori Electric Kettle ($31) 2. Immersion blender Stick
Category: 2019 Health
How to recognize your twin flame, the person who sets your soul on fire
June 30, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC I thought I had heard about twin flames in the upper echelons of classic literature—like maybe in a quote from Wuthering Heights. But like many of my shamey moments, I realized I was actually thinking of a Taylor Swift lyric; this time it was “twin fire signs” in “State of Grace” from her Red album. So…close, but no smokey cigar on the answer to my question: what is a twin flame? Upon light research, I learned there’s a better song to explain the concept: The Velvet Underground’s “I’ll Be Your Mirror,” a tune inspired by Nico’s reflection of Lou Reed (and vice versa)—because your twin flame is your greatest teacher and other half. When I chatted with the expert on twin flames, Dr. Harmony, she ignited in me an even greater understanding of the concept: “Your twin flame is a fragment of you,” the author of Twin Flame Codebreaker tells me. “They enter your life to help you discover more of your authentic self by releasing what no longer serves your life, love, and livelihood. Their purpose is to help you turn your life ‘messes’ into a ‘message’ so you can help others walk a similar path.” ad_intervals[‘403598_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403598_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Kind of sounds like a soul mate, right? The big distinction, though, is that soul mates are widely believed to have a strong romantic connection—like love of first sight, being in a committed relationship,
I found a $1 foot softening scrub so good I’d be willing to pay $1,000
June 30, 2019 at 06:02AM by CWC When you lace up your kicks and run your first-ever mile, no one tells you that the humble sport of running will destroy (and I mean: vanquish, maim, wreck) your feet. That’s a lesson I quickly learned when I began pounding the pavement years ago. So last night, when I was considering surrendering to my not-so-pretty feet and tossing my last pair of sandals in the garbage, I decided one last Google was in order. I typed in “how to get soft feet” (LOL) and found a DIY scrub that called for just four pantry ingredients. Would it work? I shoved aside my skepticism for all things “do it yourself” and gave it a try. The first thing that should be said about the scrub I found on YouTube is that it’s as easy to make as a TV dinner. All you need to do is combine two parts sugar (a mix of brown and white) with one part oil (a blend of coconut and olive oil). Frankly, I only felt like spending $1 on this whole experiment. So I combined coconut oil with white sugar and came up with a paste very similar to that of YouTuber Recipes by Carina. (You know, it’s kind of like when a recipe calls for 10 different spices and you opt to use only three…because, priorities.) ad_intervals[‘403370_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403370_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Once I had about one cup of
Here’s how often you need to clean your eye mask for irritation-free beauty sleep
June 30, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC When you want to settle into a deep, rejuvenating slumber, you can reach for essential oils, some melatonin, or—quite possibly the easiest option—your trusty eye mask. Right after putting it on, you’re sent straight into relaxation-mode. But if you’re not cleaning it regularly, you’re not exactly going to get the beauty perks a good night of sleep promises. Now, let’s get one thing straight: Eye masks aren’t just a cutesy Breakfast at Tiffany’s-style accessory. They really do bring on the benefits. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the main perk of using them is that blocking out light triggers your body to produce more melatonin, making you feel extra sleepy. And because they offer total darkness, they help fight off the negative physiological and psychological effects of light, whether you live in a bright city or have a partner who reads with a bedside lamp into the wee hours of the morning. Past studies have found they can help give you more REM time, less arousal, and elevated melatonin levels, helping you pass out and stay out. ad_intervals[‘403593_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403593_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Unfortunately, wearing a sleep mask every night comes with one major downside. Since it rests on the sensitive skin of your face for hours on end, it can cause some skin irritation. Especially if it’s dirty. No matter which type of fabric you choose—whether that’s silk, cotton (the most breathable!), satin, or memory
We finally found a way around that whole “don’t wash your face in the shower” thing
June 29, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC Last year, when a dermatologist revealed that you should never, ever wash your face in the shower, my initial response was, “I ain’t got time for that.” My mornings are hectic enough as it is without having to add an extra element into my routine, thank you very much. The reasoning behind separating these steps, according to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, is because the water in your shower is simply too hot for your face. “We may love hot showers, but our skin does not,” he explained, noting that it can strip the skin of oils, which leads to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Even so, I ignored this advice entirely… and it’s worth noting that I regularly deal with all three of those skin issues. Whoops. My b. But then! Celebrity esthetician and ZIIP founder Melanie Simon, who works with A-listers like Jennifer Aniston and Busy Philipps, gave me a g-e-n-i-u-s hack that allows me to kill two birds with one stone—AKA get the overnight gunk off of my face without having to waste time (and water) using the sink and shower as separate entities. “Take a cold washcloth into the shower with you and use that to wash your face,” she tells me. “Worst case scenario it is lukewarm by the time you use it but this is much better than hot water blasting your face and breaking your capillaries.” No wonder Rachel (of Ross and Rachel) likes this lady so much. ad_intervals[‘404195_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function
We found a pro-approved hack that will make any pair of shoes more comfortable in 3 minutes flat
June 29, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC We’ve all been there—you have that one pair of shoes that you’re dying to wear…but they hurt. So badly, in fact, that no matter how cute they are you simply can’t commit to them for an entire night. They’re just a smidge too tight, and you don’t have time (or pain tolerance) to let them stretch out with wear. Luckily, you have a few options for an at-home fix—and they all take three minutes flat. When you’re in a rush, all you have to do is reach for your blowdryer and blast the shoe with heat to make it stretchable. Set it to medium-high heat, and hold it 12 to18 inches away from the shoe for 3 to 5 minutes. Once the leather is warm and more malleable, he says you can put on a sock and then walk around in the shoe to help break it in. “Just make sure that when you’re using heat on any leather, especially high-end leather goods, you have to be very careful with it that doesn’t get discolored or doesn’t stretch too much,” says Vincenzo Rao Jr. of Vince’s Village Cobbler, a shoe-repair shop in Soho. ad_intervals[‘404661_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404661_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); But if you have a bit more time, Rao recommends getting a shoe stretching liquid instead. “Heat is something that’s good, but the stretching solution is a lot more effective and a lot safer as well,” he says,
5 ways to express affection when “I love you” becomes a reflex
June 29, 2019 at 11:00AM by CWC There’s a lot of hype around the first time you say “I love you” to someone—and like, many Very Special Episodes dedicated to the phenomenon. We get all teen-anxious about it, worried about saying it the right way, worried about whether it’s too early to say it, worried that Johnny Footballplayer will laugh in our effing face is we’re that vulnerable. But after the floodgates finally open, something magical and terrible happens: It becomes so easy to say those three words that we, uh, kind of need to find different ways to say “I love you.” This is largely due to the shadow side of longterm relationships, which is where all novelty goes to die. Think about it! Like, the first time the person you’re dating watches an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with you, it’s a special and heartwarming occasion. You’re sitting there like, “This human really VALUES me and cares about my passions and they’re really in it for the long haul. We’re going to have such a great time with our new friends Buffy and Willow and Xander and Giles.” The 132nd time the person you’re dating watches an episode of Buffy with you it’s, you know, Tuesday night. Like you’re both invested in the story but season seven is just emotionally draining. ad_intervals[‘399873_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399873_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that saying “I love you” when you’re
You’re probably not getting enough potassium, so make sure these 7 foods are on your grocery list
June 29, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC If I were to compare the major minerals to members of a late-’90s boy band, magnesium would surely be the Nick Lachey or Ashley Parker Angel of the bunch—you know, the heartthrob who gets all the attention. Calcium strikes me as the mature, serious type, à la Kevin Richardson from Backstreet Boys. And then you’ve got potassium, which I’d liken to Lance Bass. Back in those days he may not have been center stage very often, but N’Sync wouldn’t have been the same without him and his perpetually frosted tips. (No disrespect, Lance—you were always my personal fave.) Similarly, our bodies need foods rich in potassium if we want them to perform like a tight piece of pop choreography. “Potassium is one of the seven essential minerals, also known as electrolytes, and plays a huge role in maintaining healthy fluid balance and kidney function,” says Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD, and owner of BZ Nutrition in New York City. “It also controls the signals regulating muscle contractions and a healthy heart rhythm.” ad_intervals[‘402847_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402847_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Although it’s super important, says Zeitlin, most people aren’t getting enough potassium. She points to data from the National Institutes of Health that shows most adults need around 4,700 mg of the mineral each day, but only about 2 percent of the population is reaching that goal. Complicating matters even more, she adds, is the fact that sweating can
Your rising zodiac sign is how others see you—so, yeah, knowing yours matters
June 29, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC I recently discovered my status as being astrology-curious, which, among other things, means for the first time in a long time, I have something in common with my mom. While recently urging her to download the Co-Star app and quizzing her on zodiac zingers, I learned she actually has a lot to teach me. Not only does she know her chart (“Virgo sun sign, with a Libra rising and Aries moon”), but she volleyed with, “What’s your rising sign?” I had no idea. Quickly I learned that ascendant and rising signs are the same thing. “Your rising sign or ascendant is how your spirit has chosen to project you into physical reality; it’s how others see you,” astrologer Monte Farber tells me. Your moon sign is indicative of your inner self, and your sun sign is your essence and soul—it’s probably what you look for when you check your horoscope. For an analogy, Farber suggests thinking yourself as a movie projector: a bright light, a curved mirror through which to concentrate the light, and the film and its lens. Your sun sign is the light (the essence of the movie), your moon sign is the curved mirror (the inner workings that no one necessarily sees), and your rising sign is the film and lens (what the audience sees). You project your emotions (your moon) onto the world that’s colored by your light (your sun and soul), but the world only sees the image
Cut your nails too short (or chewed them to the bone)? Here’s how to make that stinging stop
June 29, 2019 at 06:01AM by CWC Confession time: Up until about a year ago, I was a nail-biter. Before I started getting regular manicures—aka the key to finally stopping the habit for good!—I was often left with throbbing fingers from mindlessly chewing away. It was basically my prime stress-reliever. Whether you chew on your nails til the cuticles bleed or cut them too short with clippers, the result is always instant regret. Fortunately, there’s a way to deal with the pain until your nails grow back out. According to Amy Ling Lin, founder of Sundays, a nail-care brand and studio in New York City, there are two things anyone with too-short nails should start doing immediately. The first is to practice good nail hygiene, because nobody wants to deal with an infection from bacteria seeping into the skin around the nail. “I would suggest soaking your hands in warm water with a small slice of lemon a couple times a day to keep your nails clean,” she says. “Lemon is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic—however, I wouldn’t suggest having too many lemon slices, as it might cause your fingers to sting.” ad_intervals[‘401736_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401736_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Next, grab some nail oil. A little goes a long way when it comes to soothing your nails and giving you some relief. “Since your cuticle will be weak or improperly removed, try rubbing a natural cuticle oil such as jojoba oil,” Lin says. “It’s