August 02, 2019 at 10:42AM by CWC If you’re the proud owner of an Instant Pot, chances are, you barely remember how to cook without. Using the kitchen tool to meal prep and make dinner almost nightly has never been easier. Now, I know this is going to be hard to believe, but there’s even more you could be doing with your Instant Pot. The same way a statement necklace or the perfect pair of shoes can flat-out transform an outfit, the addition of a few simple add-ons can elevate the Instant Pot to new heights. Find a quick rundown of our favorite Instant Pot accessories, and where to buy them, below: These are the most essential Instant Pot accessories 1. Steamer basket The steamer basket comes in handy for anything you don’t want up to soak up the liquid in the Instant Pot too much, like veggies and protein; otherwise they could end up a little soggy. ad_intervals[‘412615_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412615_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); 2. Glass lid This is helpful for the same reason a glass pot lid is; you can check in on your food while it’s cooking or being kept warm. The IP version also has a built in steamer, which helps keep food warm without continuing to cook it. 3. Yogurt cups All it takes is this $10 add-on to turn your Instant Pot into a yogurt maker and giving it the ability to create individual yogurt cups, ready to
Category: 2019 Health
Make periods less of a literal pain using targeted treatments and strategies for every ache
August 02, 2019 at 08:08AM by CWC In addition to feeling waves of depression and the resurgence Mount Everest-size cystic acne, there’s a surefire sign that tells me Aunt Flo is on her way for a visit: excruciating breast pain. About once a month, I swell up to a regular Dolly Parton, and my two gals become unbearably achy. Without fail, despite the historic pattern, I wonder, Am I pregnant? Am I dying? Yet somehow, I’m always shocked when the answer to both those questions inevitably reveals itself as a “no.” Neither dying nor pregnant, I meet the crimson demon yet again, smug with its ability to fool me about 12 times a year and relegate me to a state of desperation trying to once and for all find an answer to “how to help period cramps.” No matter how long I’ve had my period, and thus should be able to anticipate these recurring feelings, I end up googling the same concerns, like I’m stuck in a mensural-pain version of Groundhog Day: how to help period cramps, why do my breasts hurt, painful cystic acne, am I dying, rinse, repeat. ad_intervals[‘410935_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410935_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); To this point, it’s worth noting that my personal symptoms subside progressively as my cycle charges onward. And while you’re almost certainly not dying, if your period-related pains don’t ease up as the days pass, it could be a sign of an underlying issue to ask a
Why tattoos can be an important part of mental health recovery
August 02, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Twenty-five year-old Annie Jacobsen got the words “Be Here Now” tattooed on the inside of her arm one year after her struggles with anxiety pushed her to the point of what she calls a “mental breakdown.” “Almost exactly a year prior to getting the tattoo, my anxiety had reached an all-time high, and it had spiraled out of control in a way that my therapist could no longer give me the help I needed. We decided to try medication,” she says. “Eight months later, I was in a place to come off that medication. A few months after that, I had reached a point post-2017 mental breakdown, where—honestly for the first time in my life—I felt like I was finally in control.” Cut to September, 2018, when Jacobsen was traveling through Serbia and decided to get the three words inked in script stretching from her elbow to her wrist. “I knew it wasn’t over—my struggle will never be over—but I wanted a way to remember how much had changed in one year,” she says. “I wanted something to look at to remind me to be present and live in the moment. People with anxiety tend to live in the future, and my experience in 2018 taught me the importance of taking in what’s in front of you, even if it’s impossibly challenging.” ad_intervals[‘394954_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘394954_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Jacobsen’s ink may be deeply personal, but it
How would you perform in the CrossFit Games? Check out the challenges for yourself
August 02, 2019 at 07:33AM by CWC The CrossFit Games kicked off this week in Madison, Wisconsin—and even though only two of the Individual workouts have been announced, all I have to say is “yikes” and “ow.” For the uninitiated, the games are basically like a CrossFitter’s Super Bowl, where the “fittest humans on Earth” compete in a multi-day competition featuring grueling workouts. Those of us in the community watch to cheer on our favorite athletes, but also to check out the CrossFit Games workouts which will inevitably end up in our box’s programming. So far, only four women competing at the games have finished the first workout under the time cap. That’s CrossFit for you—it’s supposed to be challenging, both physically and mentally. Maillard Howell, owner of CrossFit Prospect Heights and founder of the The Beta Way, says his biggest piece of mental advice is to not change your pace off of your competitors. “I’d start slow and steady rather than try to lead out the gate, and grab my wins as they come per round,” he says. “Also, gotta hype yourself up. I become my own cheerleader, in my head and verbally.” ad_intervals[‘412486_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412486_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); CrossFit Games workout 1: 4 rounds 400m run 3 legless rope climbs 7 snatches (185/130) Time cap: 20 minutes Howell, who is currently at the games, says he noticed that the transition from the rope climbs to the snatch was taxing. “Their grip
Marianne Williamson shows why science needs to be an integral part of the wellness conversation
August 02, 2019 at 05:10AM by CWC Before she announced a bid to seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency, I had mostly forgotten about spiritual leader and author Marianne Williamson; however, like many Angelenos, I went through a Marianne Williamson phase. In a dark period of my life, I found comfort in her book A Return to Love, and even went so far as to purchase a copy of Williamson’s Bible of sorts, A Course in Miracles, which is dense and hard to read and honestly all kinds of interesting. I sometimes attended her regular Monday night talks, too. That said, she is not someone from whom anyone should be taking medical advice, despite the fact that she is keen to give it. This is true of all non-credentialed influencers and celebrities. The fact that some are prone to doling it out to audiences with whom they’ve built trust and admiration for other reasons is a large part of what gives wellness a bad name. The wellness industry has become hotbed for hoaxes in part because of those offering dubious medical advice, people who at one time might have only influenced others as far as their voice could carry but now reach millions at once via social media. Some are harmless, sure, but many are actively dangerous. Consider blogger Belle Gibson, who claimed she’d cured a non-existent cancer and offered health advice accordingly, potentially leading very sick people away from live-saving medical treatments in favor of nonsense therapies. ad_intervals[‘412053_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]
Hard boiled eggs are perfect for meal prep—here’s how to make them more fun to eat
August 02, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Whenever you ask a bunch of healthy eating experts what their go-to snack is, you’re probably going to have at least three people wax poetic about hard boiled eggs. They’re high in protein! They’re portable! They’re easy to make! Yet no one is willing to cop up to their fatal flaw: They’re really, really boring. Okay, hard boiled eggs are boring, but eggs in general are pretty damn good for you: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFlWUHtKQs4] Unlike omelettes, which are infinitely customizable, hard boiled eggs are just…cooked eggs. The taste is great, but when you’re meal prepping them as often as health experts encourage you to, things get monotonous pretty quickly. While companies like Peckish aim to solve the yolk-related doldrums with fun seasoning dips and clever packaging, there are plenty of DIY options out there for you to get your eggy fix without your taste buds falling asleep. Consider the case of HBE fatigue cracked with these hard boiled egg recipes. Keep reading for 5 healthy and creative hard boiled egg recipes Photo: A Couple Cooks 1. Hard boiled egg grilled cheese As classic of a combo bread and cheese is, the simple addition of hard boiled eggs ups the nutritional density considerably. This five-minute meal works for a protein-filled breakfast or lunch. Add a teaspoon of avocado oil mayo to up the healthy fats even more. Photo: Teaspoon of Spice 2. Hard boiled eggs gratin Feeling fancy? This meal has all the flavors
Dear derm: why do chin hairs appear in women and how do we make them stop?
July 31, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC I remember when I first noticed it. I was going through my skin-care routine, when one stray (but surprisingly long) chin hair caught my attention. That’s new, I thought to myself. I plucked it and have continued to do so since, but over the years, I’ve realized that I’m not the only one with rogue, unwanted chin hair that appears from time to time (and by that I mean every two weeks on the dot). It’s come up in conversation at the Well+Good office, and amongst my friends, and while we vary in the number of hairs that appear and how often they come, we all have them. After doing some digging, I learned what the elusive culprit typically is: always mysterious hormones (surprise!). Since these guys are extremely complex and differ for everyone, not everyone will have the same chin hair woes. So, to find out about all of these variables, I sought out the expert advice of a dermatologist and a hormone expert. Keep scrolling for their insight. ad_intervals[‘342548_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘342548_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Why unwanted chin hair happens First of all, know this—so many ladies experience the hairy issue. “Having stray facial hairs is very common for women,” says Arash Akhavan, MD, a New York City dermatologist with the Dermatology and Laser Group. “It’s not uncommon for women in their mid to upper 20s to begin noticing stray hairs on their face.” And usually, the
6 essential oils to get rid of pesky dandruff once and for all
August 02, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC Ugh, dandruff. If you’re the victim of a flaky scalp, you know that struggle is real. While flakes of any sort can arise, it’s actually an excess of oil that causes true dandruff. A yeast called malassezia lives on the scalp and feeds off of the oil produced, creating yellow-ish flakes that are hard to stop. Flakes from product buildup and a dry scalp, while difficult to nix, actually aren’t the same thing. The more you know! The most common thing to do if you’re in any kind of flake predicament is swing by your local drugstore and pick up a bottle of dandruff shampoo, which tend to contain the active ingredients known as selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithone. However, if dandruff shampoos aren’t for you, or you want to go a more natural route, essential oils could be worth a try. They’re said to help with a long-list of ailments including dandruff, PMS, headaches, and low energy. ad_intervals[‘410992_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410992_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); However, it’s very important to note that essential oils should always be diluted into another substance, as they can cause irritation if applied directly to skin (or scalp, for that matter). In general, it’s always smart to consult with your dermatologist before starting a regimen with them, because the scalp is a sensitive area to treat and you want to make sure EOs are the best option for you. Next up: “Choose
Here’s what goes into the vitamin IV drip cocktail created by a functional medicine doctor
August 02, 2019 at 02:15AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuhsUzxI3To] Curious about vitamin IV drips? Watch the video. Not so long ago, IV drips were only seen in the halls of hospitals and on reruns of Grey’s Anatomy. These days though, that drip, drip, drip has found its way to wellness wonderlands across America. What sets these fluids apart is that the bags at such establishments, like Lily Kunin’s Clean Market in New York City, are loaded with vitamins. In the most recent episode of What the Wellness, Well+Good’s YouTube series exploring the newest (zaniest) frontiers for living your best life, video producer Ella Dove tries Clean Market’s energy drip—a cocktail of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B12—designed by functional medicine doctor Maurice Beer, MD. ad_intervals[‘410750_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410750_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Although the efficacy of IV drips still hasn’t been widely studied, they’ve been rising in popularity since early 2018 (we called it) for fast-tracking your wellness routine, particularly when it comes to beauty from the inside out. “If you think about it, when you take in food or a supplement, you have to digest it and it has to get absorbed in order to get to the right place,” Erika Schwartz, MD of Manhattan’s Evolved Science previously told Well+Good. “When you do an IV, you’ve bypassed all of that and you’re going directly into the bloodstream. It’s a lot faster.” If you’re intrigued by the idea of tapping a vein to take your
7 myths about the low-FODMAP diet that gut health experts are sick of hearing
August 01, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Everyone likes to giggle when someone farts in yoga class or when they hear the word diarrhea, but having your life continuously affected by digestive problems is far from funny. Always being aware of the nearest bathroom, skipping important events in fear of an upset, eating the same foods on rotation because you’re scared to eat anything else…it can be paralyzing and majorly disruptive to a person’s life. For many, being put on a low-FODMAP diet for IBS or other gut issues can be life-changing—it can provide the framework to pinpoint troublesome foods and allow someone to start eliminating their symptoms. The eating plan focuses on six different types of short-chain carbohydrates—fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans, and polyols —which can cause digestive distress in some. On a low-FODMAP diet, a person eliminates foods with high concentrations of FODMAPs and then slowly phases them back in, one category at a time, to determine which of the groups are causing a person’s digestive issues. ad_intervals[‘412056_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412056_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Again, the eating plan is really helpful to people with digestive problems. But gastroenterologists say there is quite a bit of mixed information out there on the eating plan. Here, three gut health experts set the record straight by dispelling the most common myths they hear about the low-FODMAP diet. Myth 1: Stay far away from everything on the “don’t eat” list. Anyone who has ever attempted the low-FODMAP