January 17, 2019 at 06:59AM by CWC There are two types of people reading this article right now: those who clicked because they go sock-less in sneakers and are genuinely curious in the information I’m about to present, and those who are horrified at the notion of sticking their bare feet into sneakers and are checking to see if this is actually a “thing people do.” I assure you, the latter group, that it is a thing. I’ll admit that I’ve even engaged in this practice on occasion. My APLs seemed breathable enough, and I’m always losing my socks (someone please explain where they go), so why “waste” a pair? The smell is one answer, but we’ll get there. An informal poll of my friends found that many of them, too, have foregone socks when wearing sneakers. Foot docs super do not recommend this, however. “[Wearing socks] can help decrease perspiration as well as prevent foot odor and blister—and the right socks make sneakers feel more comfortable,” says podiatrist Suzanne Fuchs, DPM. “Wearing sneakers without socks make them smell bad because of increased perspiration.” On top of that, she says that sweating in your sneakers can make your feet smell bad because the increased moisture creates a “breeding ground” for odor-inducing bacteria. Should none of this deter you from living a sock-less lifestyle, there are some things you can do to keep your feet healthy and slow down your sneaker turnover. Dr. Fuchs recommends cleaning your kicks daily—yes, daily!—if you wear
Category: Fashion
How To Winter-Proof Your Home, According To The Pros
January 16, 2019 at 08:00PM It’s all about balance. Continue Reading… Author Emma Loewe | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue Embracing winter can be rough, no matter where you live. Plummeting temperatures, dry air, storm surges, and a general germiness conspire to leave us feeling cranky, out of sorts, and ready for that surge of springtime. Ask Gay Browne, an environmental health adviser and author of the upcoming book Living With a Green Heart: How to Keep Your Body, Your Home, and the Planet Healthy in a Toxic World, and she’ll tell you that the antidote to wintertime blues is a good old-fashioned home cleanse. “I live in California, and you might think we don’t need to winterize our homes, but in fact it is important because even here we get rain and drafty weather, which affects how people behave indoors,” she tells mbg. Here are some of Browne’s top tips for keeping your home clean and cozy all winter long: 4 ways to winter-proof your home. 1. Check on your windows, doors, and furnace. If you’re a homeowner, Browne recommends having your furnace, windows, and doors checked out by a professional at the start of every winter. They should be making sure your furnace is clean and running efficiently, surveying windows and doors for draftiness, and weatherstripping areas where outdoor air is making its way inside. While these sorts of chores aren’t exactly exciting, they can work wonders to keep your home more comfortable and energy efficient
The key to keeping your winter coat from turning into a petri dish post sweat sesh
January 15, 2019 at 11:41AM by CWC During a super-sweaty workout, gym clothes can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew. (That might sound dramatic and icky, but it’s true.) And when you’re trying to avoid the cost of dry cleaning your winter coat (or washing it yourself on the regular), this poses a problem: how to keep your jacket from turning into a petri dish after, say, a hot yoga class. The solution to this particular post-workout winter issue? A third piece made out of moisture-wicking fabric (technical fibers that pull sweat from the body to the garment’s surface and help it evaporate faster than a Tabata workout). Ideally said garment also contains antimicrobial or anti-odor properties (which destroy the growth of odor-causing bacteria). Take Microban, for example. Outdoor Voices uses fleece treated with antimicrobial technology to help the fabric dry faster and control odor because, as the company’s founder Tyler Haney puts it: “After all that endorphinning, the last thing you need is to feel uncomfortable.” These types of technical fabrics are designed for heavy perspiration during high-intensity activities, but adding such a layer between your workout clothes and winter jacket will help keep it dry and create a barrier between it and bacteria. Bigger brands from Nike, Alo, and Lululemon, as well as niche labels like Nagnata, LNDR, and Live The Process, have sporty zip-ups, cozy crews, and hoodies on lock. But it’s also possible to now find transitional, sweat-wicking designs that look downright cool off-duty made from the performance
In 2019, drugstore beauty just keeps getting better and better
January 15, 2019 at 03:39AM by CWC Considering 2019 kicked off with a photo of Beyoncé strolling through Target, I’m calling it early: This year, the drugstore gets its due. More specifically, the drugstore beauty aisle gets its due. As a beauty editor, hundreds of products come across my desk every week—ranging from $2 hair serums to $200 eye creams. And I’ve got to admit: The ones I’ve been most excited about recently are a whole lot closer to $2 than $200, and I have yet to find one that hasn’t lived up to the hype. Least of which to say, drugstores have stepped up their game in a major way, making super effective actives and new textures and formulas more accessible than ever. Last summer, I replaced my entire luxury skin-care routine with one taken straight from the shelves of CVS, and many of the products I was introduced to have, since, become permanent staples in my routine. They’ve also been joined by a whole bunch of exciting new 2019 launches—all of which I’ve had the immense pleasure of testing out, and can say with full confidence that I am taken with. Scroll through for some of the best new drugstore beauty of 2019—all under $20. Photo: Sweet Chef Sweet Chef Ginger and Vitamin C Serum Shot, $20 Glow Recipe’s new line, Sweet Chef, feels nothing short of luxury at a drugstore price point. There are hydrating and smoothing serums in the inaugural launch, but my personal favorite is the brightening ginger and vitamin
Walk a lot? These are 10 of the best sneakers for your feet
January 14, 2019 at 03:51PM by CWC Whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or exercising, long hours spent walking can do a number on your body. From tired soles to achy backs, you may be surprised by the damage that such a low-impact activity can cause—which is exactly why you need good shoes. And while walking shoes may feature many of the same design specs and tech as sneakers made for marathons, the latter tend to be a lot more lightweight than what walking requires. “Almost everyone who walks excessively needs cushioned and corrective shoes that work with their foot type,” explains Dr. Melissa Lockwood, a podiatrist out of Bloomington, Illinois. “Whether you have a high arch or flat feet, corrective shoes will help to avoid muscle, tendon, and ligament issues from overuse.” Some of her favorite brands include Asics and Brooks, though, when in doubt, visit a running store to find out exactly what your feet need. Look for a walking shoe that provides plenty of shock absorption, arch support, and cushioning, but at the end of the day, comfort is key. Ready to walk this way? Scroll down for 10 comfortable sneakers that are made for walking. Photo: MBT MBT Sport 3, $185 Besides adhering to the chunky sneaker trend, the innovative, curved midsole of the MBT Sport is made with a “pivot axis” to promote active, natural rolling movements with every step. Photo: Adidas Adidas Cloudfoam Pure Shoes, $70 The brand’s signature Cloudfoam cushioning does wonders for all-day comfort. Photo: Hoka
You might be trashing the food scraps you should learn to treasure
January 14, 2019 at 09:20AM by CWC Photo: Workman Publishing Here’s a sobering fact: an estimated 30 to 40 percent of food in the U.S. goes to waste, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, even as sustainable efforts to reduce food waste become a priority nationwide. Supporting brands that utilize “ugly produce” and shopping at local farmers’ markets cuts down on food waste throughout the supply chain, but eliminating it altogether starts in the kitchen at home. Overwhelmed at where to start? Lindsay-Jean Hard is here to help. The former Food52 editor’s recently released cookbook, Cooking with Scraps, is full of innovative ways to turn every piece of that orange, carrot, avocado—you name it—into something beautiful and delicious. “There are of course exceptions—like rhubarb leaves—but for the most part, we could be eating most of the produce we buy from root to leaf,” Hard says. “From banana peels to spent coffee grounds, apple cores to leek tops, and pumpkin innards to watermelon rind, there are so many so-called scraps that are delicious, and just as versatile as any other ingredient.” 3 easy ways to start cooking with food scraps 1. Use citrus peels to sweeten your meals. “Citrus peels are great candied,” Hard says. “And for the times you don’t feel like doing that, just take a moment to zest citrus fruits before using the flesh or juice.” Citrus peels brighten everything from salads to meat dishes to baked goods. And if you can’t think of anything to do with
This Simple (And Cheap) Hack Will Give Your Beauty Routine An Instant Eco-Upgrade
January 14, 2019 You’re $10 away from a greener beauty routine. Continue Reading… Author Danielle Copperman | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue The U.N. warned us: We have 12 years before the damage we’ve done to the Earth becomes irreversible. Instead of letting reports like this paralyze us, let’s use them to empower us. The experts are saying it’s going to take a mix of large-scale change AND individual action to save our planet—and we want to help you do what you can. Consider our new series your no-excuses guide to cleaning up your act, one step at a time. Today, we’re sharing an eco-friendly hack that will clean up your beauty routine. When it comes to eco-friendly living, I like to think I’m on top of my game. Well, as much as one can be in this day in age. I made my first step into a more sustainable lifestyle when I worked as a model. Having a behind-the-scenes look into the fashion industry inspired me to make more conscious decisions about my own wardrobe: buy less, recycle more, and support brands championing natural fabrics. Soon enough, I was spending more time browsing secondhand shops and vintage markets than high-end stores—and it felt good. I was excited to start becoming more mindful in other parts of my life too, and my beauty routine soon took center stage. The problem: Some beauty tools aren’t great for us—or the planet. I probably don’t need to tell you that the
What are the best shoes for standing all day?—we found out from a foot doc
January 12, 2019 at 10:03AM by CWC Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, teacher, waitress, barista, or busy mom of toddlers, there’s one job descriptor you all share—prolonged standing. But before you resign to the pain and suffering that endless hours of being on your feet can cause, um, don’t. It doesn’t have to be that way. (We promise.) “Prolonged standing places unique stress on the feet, just as sitting places stress on the lower back,” explains Dr. Emily Splichal, a New York City-based podiatrist and human movement specialist. “But with a little support in the right shoe, your feet and back can feel worlds better.” So, what are the best shoes for standing all day? While Dr. Splichal suggests visiting an expert to ensure you have no underlying issues, if you know what type of foot you have—high arch, flat feet, etc.—you can shop online accordingly. “I advise all my patients to look for cushion, arch support, and even a slight heel in the shoe,” she says. “It might seem counterintuitive, but standing flat all day is incredibly hard on the soles, so you want something that gives it a little shape.” Whether you’re looking for a style that’s more polished or you’re looking for sneakers to rock to the office, your feet will thank you. Ready to find your solemate? Scroll down for 12 shoes perfect for standing all day. Photo: Aertex Aetrex Christie Loafer, $110 Constructed with stretchy, scalloped sides, the real all-star of these shoes is the cushioned
The one yoga pose you can do in bed to help recover from your intense January workouts
January 12, 2019 at 05:31AM by CWC Whether you’re kicking off 2019 with a 30-day fitness challenge or a pledge to hold a plank for a full one minute by the end of the month, January tends to be the time of year when you’re the most motivated to push your limits at the gym. Personally, I’ve made it my mission to get in a 30-minute sweat sesh every day until February 1st, and so far, so good—to an extent. On the one hand, I feel so, so strong (I got into my first ever headstand this week), but on the other… ohmigodIAMSOSORE. Even if you’re taking all of the proper precautions to make a harder-than-usual workout regimen safe for your body, your muscles will ultimately hurt after multiple days in a row of burning them out. So what can you do to rehab them so that you can keep trucking along? Put your legs up on the wall, apparently. According to Erica Chen, an instructor at NYC’s Yoga Vida, “legs up the wall” is the best possible pose for helping your body recover after a particularly intense series of workouts. “Like in all inversions, you are reversing the blood flow in the body which helps to improve circulation, and redirects blood back to your heart,” she explains, noting that the benefits of the pose are multifaceted. “You are calming the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. You’re allowing the legs to drain excess fluid build up, which is
Your guide to the world of Ayurvedic herbs and their many benefits
January 11, 2019 at 10:45AM by CWC 2019 thus far seems to be the year of “what’s old is new again.” The Mediterranean diet has made a comeback, people are starting to be okay with carbs again, and Cookie Monster (yup, the very same) is suddenly a wellness icon. And when it comes to your health, more people than ever are dabbling in Ayurvedic herbs—one of the oldest wellness practices of all. “Ayurveda is an ancient system of complementary medicine that originated with the Tamil Siddhas in the the south of India 10,000 years ago,” says Martha Soffer, Ayurvedic doctor, MACA (Maharishi Ayurvedic Clinic Administration), MAT (Maharishi Ayurvedic Therapist), and founder of Surya Spa in Los Angeles. “Ayurveda can return us to balance, health, and vital well-being. It’s a beautiful and easy-to-apply self-care tool.” The ancient healing practice is known to be good for all sorts of things including skincare, easing period cramps, and better digestion. And while they’re popping up in supplements, foods, and even beauty products, herbs are a fundamental part of Ayurvedic healing. “Ayurvedic herbs are herbs that have been used in Ayurvedic lineage for 5,000-plus years and grow in India and surrounding areas,” says Sahara Rose, certified ayurvedic health counselor and author of Eat Feel Fresh and Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda. “Each herb is unique and can help with physical or mental ailments.” But before you dip your toes into Ayurvedic herbs, Soffer says you should see an Ayurvedic doctor to help you access your imbalances and understand your health.