August 31, 2019 at 11:29PM by CWC We are coming off a time in August where we really had big opportunities to continue stepping forward with heightened ways of being. Over the last few months we have seen new goals enter in, learned ways about ourselves we wanted to improve, and begun to implement in these changes. August gave us the energies (and the persevering ant medicine) to support us in getting these new ways integrated into our lives. As we step forward into September, I’m sensing teachings of optimism—and themes of observing negative thinking or pessimistic thoughts. It’s time to really take inventory of areas in your life where you tend to expect the worst, create unnecessary negative storylines, or have reflexive fears. In taking meditative space to ask yourself those questions, you can see with compassion what fears have been keeping you paralyzed or stuck in the same spot. In what area of your life do you feel you are lacking momentum? With that area, is there false evidence creating that fear that needs transcended? ad_intervals[‘419975_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419975_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Rabbit medicine is very powerful in activating great abundance, prosperity, and positive manifestation for our lives. It’s a game-changing time! Your September soul assignment is to make absolute certain to do the above process and then call in our spirit animal for this month, the rabbit, to aid you in strengthening your intuition and quickly changing directions as soon as
Category: You and your body
Makeup artists reveal which cosmetics you should splurge vs save your bucks on
August 31, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC I remember the very first time I waltzed into a Sephora on a mission: to buy my first lipstick. The gold and lacquer-black tubes sparkled in my eyes as I swiped and tested and blotted to my heart’s content until I landed on the perfect hue. All I know is that my spirits sank when I saw the price tag, which was just out of my then-teenager budget. Which all goes to say that the world of makeup is dazzling, sure, but like skin care, the prices range from drugstore diamond-level to extravagant. And as I learned during that first Sephora shop, it’s easy to fill your cart in a frenzy only to realize it might be financially wiser to shop with more of a strategy in mind. Guess what? I’ve got the insider tips on exactly how to put together said strategy. I asked a handful of pro makeup artists to tell me exactly which cosmetics products are worth the splurge, and which you can save your bucks on with more budget buys. ad_intervals[‘416244_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416244_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); A general rule of thumb? “The bigger the surface area you’re tackling, the more likely a splurge will pay off,” says Jeannie Vincent, makeup artist, explaining that an affordable eye or lip product will look more expensive when paired with the perfect foundation. Now for more MUA-approved intel on shopping makeup like a pro. Save Mascara:
How to make a healthy nacho cheese sauce—because those chips aren’t going to eat themselves
August 31, 2019 at 08:01PM by CWC Nacho cheese sauce seems like it would be hard to make dairy-free. It’s hot, creamy, packed with flavor—basically everything you could ever want in an appetizer. But fun fact: You can make the same thing with plant-based ingredients, and the final result is so convincing no one will believe you that it’s not real cheese. You can use cashews to create everything from Alfredo sauce to mac and cheese, so it’s only fitting that the nut makes for a great nacho cheese base, too. In a recent Reddit post, one user shared a way to make a vegan version with hardly any effort and only a handful of ingredients—something that’s not only healthier than what you’ll find on store shelves or in restaurants, but also (dare I say it!) even more flavorful. After soaking a cup of raw cashews in a cup of water for a couple hours, soften a red bell pepper and half an onion in a pan. Then add the cashews, veggies, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 1/4 cup hot sauce (or hot peppers), and a twist of lime into a blender and blend until smooth. If you don’t have cashews available, you can also use hemp hearts, raw macadamia nuts, or raw sunflower seeds. ad_intervals[‘418270_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418270_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Once you taste it, it’s bound to become part of your meal-prep routine. You can use the healthy cheese sauce all throughout the week
The resurgence of oat beauty products is here to save your sensitive skin
August 31, 2019 at 06:01PM by CWC Oat is having a major moment in the alt-milk space, but it’s been a key player in the skin-care world for a long time. It’s an effective skin-care ingredient, but it’s been overshadowed by trendy ingredients like CBD and moringa. I’m not saying these ingredients don’t work, but it’s kind of like when kale became A Thing and everyone forgot that spinach is a delicious green that is also really good for you. It’s time to get oat back on our radar. It’s an ingredient that has actually been backed up by research, which is part of the reason why it will stand the test of time. One study found that a 1 percent colloidal oatmeal cream helped reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis and eczema. And polyphenyls called avenanthramides, which are found in oats, have been shown to help reduce inflammation and itching. Basically, it’s a stellar ingredient—especially if you have sensitive or irritated skin. Oat is one of the few DIY ingredients that dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, actually endorses. “It has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects,” she says. She recommends putting a cup of oats in your bath to help quell bug bites or irritated skin. As a person who can attract a ton of mosquitos (but not an emotionally stable date LOL), I can attest that oatmeal baths have saved me from scratching all of the flesh off of my legs after the one time a year I decide to be outdoorsy.
10 low-glycemic index desserts to help you enjoy a sweeter sleep tonight
August 31, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When it comes to bedtime snacks, there’s a reason why sugar doesn’t typically make the list. While foods with tryptophan, vitamin D, or magnesium can help you drift off to dreamland, foods high in sugar and saturated fat are actually associated with disrupted sleep patterns, and eating sugar late in the day can potentially affect melatonin production. But… the best part of dinner is dessert, so what’s a person with a sweet tooth to do in the evening? Meet your new BFFs, low-glycemic desserts. These treats still taste sweet but because they use less sugar and refined flour (and incorporate healthy fats and fiber), they won’t make your blood sugar levels spike to such extremes as with traditional desserts. That means no sudden before-bed energy bursts to keep you up longer, and less chance of disrupted snoozing. You can have your cake and eat it too—while still clocking in a solid night of sleep. ad_intervals[‘419088_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419088_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Keep reading for 10 low-glycemic desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Photo: Inspiring Pretty 1. Microwave mug brownie This brownie is just as chocolate-y and gooey as you want from a decadent dessert, but it won’t mess with your blood sugar levels. The secret is using coconut flour in place of regular flour (for extra fiber) and coconut sugar instead of the refined stuff. The recipe also calls for raw cacao, which is high in antioxidants.
A lesson in how to not ruin your expensive products in the shower, care of a derm
August 31, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC If I’m shelling out even a single dollar of my hard earned paycheck on a skin-care product, you better believe I want that puppy to last as long as humanly possible. While I’ve learned a number of ways to make sure that not even a single drop of my serums go to waste (like being mindful of their expiration dates and using them exactly the right way on my face), I’ve apparently been totally ignoring the longevity needs of my $33 cleanser (don’t @ me—it’s amazing) and storing it in the shower, which according to Women’s Health UK, isn’t so great for my sudser. After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I reached out to cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski, who told me this is pretty much a surefire way to ensure that your nice skin-care products won’t stay nice—aka as active—for as long as they’re supposed to. “You probably want to avoid storing them in the shower as they might last longer if stored in a dark cool place,” he explains. “Active ingredients like vitamins or enzymes can break down when exposed to warmer temperatures and light. So, these products might be worth storing in a cabinet.” He notes that a change in color or smell will indicate that the ingredients have turned. ad_intervals[‘419775_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419775_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Cleansers should be ok to keep in the shower, as should all shampoo in body care products in
6 Aries personality traits that sum up what it means to live life horns-first
August 31, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC My most iconic friend is the lead singer of a glam-grunge band, and I contend that she propelled herself to the top by virtue of being an Aries. If you’re also a ram (or simply just familiar with their fiery traits)—born between March 21 and April 19—you can probably intuit what I’m getting at. My friend is perpetually covered in glitter, posting outtakes from her busy life of Instagram, actually socializing when she’s not posting, playing shows, creating, and creating, and creating. That’s because the true signifier of Big Aries Energy is being a Scene Queen, and all of those traits are evidence. “The sun is exalted in Aries, meaning these people are blessed with certain qualities necessary to be leaders and innovators,” says astrologer Emma Toynbee. “They represent all that is newly born, are movers and shakers, lead-role actors, agents of change, individual and unique, pioneers, inventors, innovators, strong competitors, and fierce warriors.” Granted, they also tend exhibit some strong “me-first” energy, which can be exhausting, but in general, they’re people to look to for leading the charge. ad_intervals[‘416614_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416614_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And whether you’re an Aries warrior yourself, or you’re simply curious about how Aries personality traits may factor into cultivating the fiery, highly successful profiles common to the first sign of the zodiac, it’s worth knowing more. Below, Toynbee outlines the specific characteristics true to this fire sign. Read on for
A nostalgia expert explains why reminiscing in groups is such a great unifier—at work and otherwise
August 31, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Which Baby-Sitters Club member do you think best describes you? Well, I’m blonde, wear all black, and feel a constant need to remind people I’m from New York…I’m, ugh, probably Stacey. The other day at the Well+Good office, staffers were feeling nostalgic about BSC since—fun fact—the series is seeing a big revival in the form of a Netflix series. Within minutes, we were discussing the traits of each character and identifying with them, like a more wholesome take on that Sex and the City game. Between this and our recent team-wide debate over the best Disney character, I’m convinced that nostalgia is an excellent unifier. It puts everyone back on the playground where they can be friends again. ad_intervals[‘398339_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘398339_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And according to a real professional who specializes in the psychology of nostalgia, it totally makes sense that throwback energy may lead to team bonding and maybe even friendship. Discussing things like BSC taps into nostalgia’s ability to deal with the tension of needing to belong while still upholding our independent identity. “Each of us has our own life history that has contributed to our becoming the special person we are,” says licensed psychologist Krystine I. Batcho, PhD. “But we need to feel the common bond that prevents loneliness and alienation. Sharing nostalgic memories about trends during our childhood or youth brings back both the happiness we felt then and the feelings of
Dating after divorce can be fun, not intimidating, with these expert-approved tips
August 31, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC When you first start dating—whether it’s in high school, college, or beyond—everything about it is exciting. The feeling of another person’s body heat as you sit next to them at the movies, the anticipation of the first kiss (and all the other firsts that follow it), the dizzying happiness of waking up to a “good morning” text from someone you’ve been dreaming about all night…It’s easy to love whole heartedly when you’ve never been hurt before. But after heartbreak, dating is harder—especially when that heartbreak comes from a divorce. Getting back out there after divorce—regardless of whether you’re looking for a casual fling or something more serious—can be intimidating. Not only is there a devastating hurt in your rearview mirror, but it might have been a while since you’ve actually been on a date with someone new. The dating landscape may look different than it did before you got married. (All these apps!) Then there’s the whole issue of when to tell a potential partner you’ve been married before. ad_intervals[‘419278_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419278_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); To help make tiptoeing back into a new relationship a bit easier, relationship therapist Amy McManus, LMFT, offers up some helpful—and super relevant—tips for dating after divorce. Keep reading for her intel. How to know when you’re ready to start dating again Knowing if and when to start dating again are two big questions that may be looming in your mind.
Whether you’re a 32A or 36DD, this $38 “half wire” bralette is the only one you’ll want to wear
August 31, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC When I was 12, I bought my first bra. Actually, it was a bralette (with black spaghetti straps, ICYWW), and came in a ’90s-style clear plastic tube that I’m sure the company thought would appeal to first time users. It worked: I was a total loyalist right off the bat. But as my body continued to change and my chest required a little extra support, that whisper-thin training bra didn’t do the trick quite like it used to. So I spent the better part of the next decades (yes, that’s plural…) bouncing from bra to bra trying to find a keeper. I sampled every style you could think of—unlined, lightly lined, balconette, triangle, T-shirt, and more—to no avail. But a few years ago, it finally happened: I found the one. The Free People Lace Triangle Bra ($38) is half-bralette, half-underwire bra. It has jusssst the right amount of support, but in a comfortable, unimposing construction so that you might not even notice it’s there. The brand actually refers to the style as a “half wire,” which their website describes as “a thinner than normal underwire [that] gives the same support as a more constructed bra, but with the comfortable aesthetic of a soft bra.” Sold. What’s more, it boasts a low neckline that supports some of my most chest-baring tops, but the triangle cup shape ensures that you’re not going to fall out of your lingerie every time you bend over. And if