August 28, 2019 at 06:27PM by CWC As far as packaged food goes, instant ramen—the beige block of dried noodles with its silver foil packet companion—is arguably the most iconic example that comes to mind. It’s many things—affordable, convenient, tasty—but has never been associated with health. One package of the leading brand of ramen has 1,660 milligrams of sodium, more than what the American Heart Association recommends most adults eat in an entire day. Other than protein, it has very few other nutrients to offer up—barely any fiber, and minimal vitamins. Still, there’s something satisfying about dropping the noodle block into a pot of boiling water, breaking it up with a spoon, then stirring in the powdered flavoring in for a super quick dinner. And honestly, can you think of a more satisfying meal for less than a dollar? Still, the idea that instant ramen could be transformed into a health food seems virtually impossible. But hey, other unlikely transformations have happened: just look at the cauliflower’s comeback as a healthier pizza and gnocchi option. Is it ramen’s turn to metamorphose into the next, greatest health food? These three brands certainly think so. ad_intervals[‘418912_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418912_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Giving craft ramen the ‘instant’ treatment The brand: Mike’s Mighty Good The healthy upgrade: While packaged instant ramen has essentially remained unchanged for decades, “craft” ramen found at ramen bars and restaurants has become more popular than ever in the United States. When making
Category: You and your body
I’ve tried, like, 1,000 sex toys this year, and this is the 1 I’ll use forever
August 28, 2019 at 06:02PM by CWC When many hear the word “vibrator,” they immediately conjure an image of an OG wand-style tool that looks like a mega-size microphone. The back-massager-cum-clitoris-stimulators practically revolutionized the female orgasm and are indeed great options for broad stimulation, says licensed sex educator Alicia Sinclair, creator of the sex-toy Le Wand Massager. The only problem with wand-style vibes? Bulk. That’s why I contend the best wand vibrator is one that’s travel-size—and, as a sex writer who tests these products as part of her actual job, I’d say my opinion is pretty trustworthy. So when Sinclair told me she and her team at Le Wand created a vibrator that’s way smaller in size but comparable in vibration to wand styles, in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, I couldn’t help but wonder: Could this be the vibrator I’d choose over all others? The Le Wand Point is a 3.8-inch-long and 1.8-inch-wide external vibrator that appears in shape like a mini computer mouse, and it’s designed to fit in the palm of your hand. “It’s great for hands-free clitoral stimulation,” says Sinclair. (Meaning, you can still hold your erotic romance novels with two hands.) You can also use it to add clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex with a penis or dildo. “It has a lay-flat design, so you can also wear it inside a harness during strap-on or pegging sex,” Sinclair adds. That way, the person strapped in can enjoy direct stimulation, too. ad_intervals[‘418162_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if
Good news for your 10,000 steps: Power walking is as good of a workout as running
August 28, 2019 at 04:46PM by CWC On days when I just do not feel like working out, I’ll typically either opt to run very, very slowly, or walk very, very quickly. During one recent treadmill trot, I started wondering if slow running and power walking had different benefits. They’re both easier than kicking the tread up past 7.5, and they both help you get your steps in, while elevating your heart rate—but which gives you the best bang for your buck? According to two different trainers, it depends on what you’re looking for; however one thing’s for certain: Brisk walking counts as a sweat sesh. “When it comes to running and walking, both are great ways to get the body moving, keep the heart healthy, and improve your mood,” says Elena Moffa, creator of E3 on NEOU fitness. “However, while power walking or slow jogging the same distance may have a similar calorie deficit and heart rate effect, they’re obviously different from a biomechanical standpoint.” Running, even when done slowly, recruits different muscles than jogging does, and it puts different impact on your joints and body as a whole. ad_intervals[‘418590_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418590_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re worried about your joints or are looking for something that’s gentler on your body, definitely stick with power walking. “Walking is more horizontal and jogging is more vertical. There’s less pounding and impact on the joints when you walk versus a slow jog,” says celebrity
How to use an olive oil hair mask to get your shiniest hair ever
August 28, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC I’ve tried a lot of things in order to have shiny hair. From spritzing on hair milks to taking collagen and biotin supplements, my strand health has definitely improved—but I’ve yet to go the more natural route. One such hair hero that you can find in your kitchen, however, could save the day: an olive oil hair mask. Sure, olive oil is a nutritious essential for the Mediterranean diet, but beauty pros also say it’s key for hair health—mainly because of its good-for-hair fatty acids and vitamins. “Olive oil has been recognized for centuries as a beauty staple, used historically by the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks,” says Lanaia Edwards, senior director of marketing for Nubian Heritage. “It’s an ultra-nourishing ingredient that is rich in vitamins A and E, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, which infuse hair with hydration.” Besides delivering all sorts of healthy nutrients to your lengths, olive oil can also help prevent hair damage. “A study conducted on the importance of oils in maintaining healthy hair concluded that they protect the hair from damage by penetrating the hair shaft, reducing the amount of water the hair can absorb, which prevents swelling at the hair shaft,” explains says Debbi Burnes, founder of Sumbody. This means that the hair won’t swell up when you wash it, which can create damage over a period of time. ad_intervals[‘416298_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416298_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); The catch? The same researchers also
The psychobiotic food pyramid is the easiest way to eat for better gut health
August 28, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC When I first heard the term “psychobiotic food pyramid,” I thought to myself, Oh boy, they’re finally using robots to dictate the nutritional needs of humans. As it turns out, my first interpretation was wrong. The pyramid is, in fact, an Oprah Winfrey-approved way to eat for your gut health. Like the old school nutritional pyramid of your middle school days, the psychobiotic food pyramid couldn’t be more intuitive. The model was created by John Cryan, PhD, and Ted Dinan, PhD, of the University of Cork, who authored the book The Psychobiotic Revolution with journalist Scott C. Anderson. It’s taken off as a simple approach to the muddled topic of eating a gut-healthy diet. Here’s how the breakdown works, according to Psychology Today. Ready to master a gut-healthy diet? The layers work like this View this post on Instagram Check this out! This is called The Psychobiotic Food Pyramid, devised by Scott C. Anderson, author of the book The Psychobiotic Revolution. It’s a great illustration of the foods to eat for a happy, healthy gut and good mental health Psycho translates to ‘Mood; mental’ Biotic translates to ‘For Life’ Fermented foods are included in number 4 and make up a significant part of your diet every day. Prebiotic foods, such as veggies, have been included in number 5. I think you are onto something here, Scott C. Anderson! #psychobiotics #foodpyramid #moodfood #probiotics #prebiotics #thepsychobioticrevolution #guthealth #goodforyou #goodbacteria #fermentation #mentalhealth #whattoeat #gutbrainconnection #gutbrainaxis
7 questions to ask yourself when ‘toxic monogamy’ is affecting your relationship
August 28, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC In our society, monogamy is the ideal to which all relationships are meant to aspire. We throw expensive parties to celebrate those who commit to it—and have made these commitments an all but mandatory milestone for those who wish to belong to mainstream culture—while vilifying people who cheat on their partners or otherwise diminish the esteemed institution. With all this veneration, monogamy has become a bit smug as a concept; it, and the people who perform it, are healthy. Full stop. A recent Instagram post by Philadelphia-based couples therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT, however, challenges the notion that monogamy is unimpeachable. Earnshaw calls out the signs and symptoms of what she terms “toxic monogamy.” She writes: “There are many underlying beliefs about monogamy and what it should look like that can cause harm to a relationship.” View this post on Instagram Toxic monogamy – what is it? . There are many underlying beliefs about monogamy and what it should look like that can cause harm to a relationship. . The belief that your partner is your be all and end all and that you will be theirs sets a relationship up for disappointment at least and toxicity at worst. . There has never been a time we’ve expected so much from our partners. Historically, they provided us children, a place to live, financial stability. It was an arrangement. . Now, it’s a choice. A choice based on love, shared values, friendship, fun, sexual connection,
The 10 skin-care products Well+Good readers love the most
August 28, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC The term “holy grail” gets thrown around a lot when it comes to beauty products, to the point that it can feel like it’s lost its meaning. So as an editor, I rarely (read: never) use it to describe something I’m recommending, no matter how great that “something” happens to be. But when our team put together a list of the top skin-care products that Well+Good readers are buying, I finally found a reason worthy of using it—because “holy grail” is truly the only word that can describe these ten A+ offerings. Not only are they the products that professionals have recommended to us time and time again, but many of them also happen to be routine staples for Well+Good beauty editors. So with those two stamps of approval—plus the fact that our readers love them too—you just know that they’ve gotta be really, really good. Scroll through to see the 10 beauty products that Well+Good’s readers can’t get enough of. And considering they seem to love skin care just as much as we on staff do, consider these recommendations truly worth taking. ad_intervals[‘418520_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418520_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: SkinMedica SkinMedica Retinol 0.25 Complex ($62) It’s pretty cool that you can get derm-worthy products without actually having to go to the derm (or leave your bed), huh? This medical-grade retinol is available on Amazon, which means it can be at your door—and on your face—in
The sneaky foods that could be making your BMs super smelly
August 28, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC Here’s a fun conversation starter (or ender) for you to whip out the next time you’re on a bad date: Poop is not actually supposed to smell bad. While poop has its own…special aroma, it’s not supposed to stink so badly that you regret even having the ability to smell. If it does, that can have some implications for your health. “What [usually] causes stinky smelling poops is when a person has a hard time absorbing all the nutrition from the food before it comes out,” says Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, founder of BZ Nutrition in New York City. This is known as malabsorption, she says, and it’s often caused by gut issues like Crohn’s and colitis. However, if this doesn’t apply to you and yet you’re consistently stinking up your bathroom, check in with what you’re eating. There are certain healthy foods—particularly foods high in sulfur—that can make your BMs smell super bad, Zeitlin says. (Other common stink-inducing foods include lactose, alcohol, and sugar alcohols.) ad_intervals[‘418760_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418760_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); It’s important to mention up-front that sulfur is not inherently bad. It’s a common element that your body needs to produce the antioxidant glutathione as well as support blood and digestive function. It’s also great for your skin and hair, Zeitlin says. “Adding in sulfur-rich foods has been shown to help fight acne and reduce other skin issues like rosascea and dry, scaly skin patches.
Are you performing too much ‘other care’? Here’s how to tell
August 28, 2019 at 12:01AM by CWC When you place your care in someone else’s hands, you may not take stock of the energy required on their end. In 2019, self care that’s nurturing—not performative—is on the rise, but for those whose primary job is caring for the health and wellness of others, “other care”—working with the express purpose of bettering the lives of others—can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, people like nurses, body work specialists, and teachers recognize helping people as their calling. Help requires energy, however. A social resource that—when given out too freely—can be a one-way ticket to burnout. Officially recognized burnout as a medical condition by The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this summer, burnout is defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” A survey conducted by Medscape found that nearly 44 percent of U.S. physicians are burned out, and nearly 10 million unpaid caregivers deal with the very same thing. Kelsey Patel, a Reiki master, wellness expert, and Well+Good council member, says she herself has felt the pull to aid others hamper her ability to take care of herself. Which is why, now more than ever, she believes it’s so important to recognize when other care is eclipsing your own health. ad_intervals[‘418646_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418646_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “There’s this idea [in a caregiving scenario] that ‘I’m the one in pain and you’re going to help, assist,
I tried 20 different fitness classes in a month, and it taught me an important lesson
August 27, 2019 at 11:21PM by CWC You know that friend who always gives the best fashion advice? Spoiler alert: it’s not me. However, when it comes to workouts—especially group fitness classes in New York City—I’m often fielding questions from my inner circle. “What’s a good exercise to get a bigger butt?” “Did you like that Pilates studio you wrote about?” “How many minutes and miles do you run in so-and-so’s treadmill class?” I gladly respond to these questions, because the truth is: As a fitness writer, I’ve taken a lot of exercise classes. The time I’ve dedicated to sweating, squatting, sprinting, and stretching add up to no small sum. As far as personal preferences go: I typically find a workout I really like, and I stick to it for a given period of time (like 30 days, for instance) to see how it changes my body, mood, and lifestyle. At the end of my month-long journey—and after accomplishing my goals—I find something else that excites me, and I move on. ad_intervals[‘413023_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413023_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); But instead of dedicating myself in the way that I usually do, I decided to shake things up for a month. Utilizing New York City fitness studios, online instructional videos, exercise apps, and gym and living room space, I challenged myself to try 20 different workouts within a 30-day period to see if switching up my workout would change how I felt about sweating it out. Keep