December 18, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Karma describes the concept of getting back whatever you put forth, good or bad, into the universe. By definition, it’s central to Hinduism and Buddhism for determining a person’s next existence based on the ethical net of their current one. But no matter which belief system you follow (or don’t), the concept of karma plays a role in your life. That’s because there are 12 laws of karma constantly at play, whether you realize it or not. When you live in accordance with the 12 laws of karma, you create good karma in your life, theoretically increasingly the likelihood for good things to happen. Below, find a breakdown of what each of the laws mean, plus tips for how to harness the power. Below, find everything you need to know about the 12 laws of karma. 1. The great law Also known as the law of cause and effect, the great law is what comes to mind for many people when consider what karma means. It states that whatever thoughts or energy we put out, we get back—good or bad. “It’s like sowing and reaping,” says Jennifer Gray, certified professional life coach. “If you plant love and kindness, you shall get that in return.” 2. The law of creation The law of creation is all about—you guessed it—creating. You don’t just wait for good things to magically happen in your life; you have to actively go out there and make things happen. Gray
Category: Your Healthiest Relationship
Everything you need to know about getting a colposcopy—the 5-minute procedure that could detect cervical cancer
December 18, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Like most women, I don’t exactly look forward to gyno appointments. It’s nothing against my doctor—she is lovely, really—the whole experience just isn’t my idea of fun. I spend way too much time worrying about things that don’t actually matter, like if she’ll think I’m not being totally honest about my sexual history or what small talk we’re going to have when my legs are in the stirrups. After I leave the visit, however, I don’t spend any more time worrying about it. It’s crossed off my yearly to-do list and I’ve moved on. See ya next year, doc! It’s part of the reason I was caught off guard when a few days after a routine appointment, my gynecologist called me and said I needed to see her colleague for a colposcopy. “A what?” I asked her, annoyed that I had to carve time out of my workday yet again. She explained to me that my Pap smear came back abnormal and the colposcopy was a way to screen for cervical cancer. Now she had my attention. Cancer? I spent the nights leading up to the appointment lying in bed freaking out. I wish I knew then what I knew now: that a colposcopy is essentially a more detailed Pap smear and it takes all of five minutes. I’m not sure why colposcopies aren’t talked about as much as other things that go down in the gyno’s chair, like STD testing and IUD
The 9 most unexpected cooking secrets we learned this year
December 18, 2019 at 06:02PM by CWC Sometimes you learn a cooking secret that totally changes the game. Whether it helps you prepare an impressive dinner in record time or ups the flavor of one of your favorite dishes, finding good cooking hacks is like winning the lottery. And this year, we won a lot. From learning a healthy low-sodium way to season pasta water without salt to cooking Trader Joe’s famous cauliflower gnocchi like a boss, these are the secrets you should start using immediately. The best cooking hacks we learned this year 1. seasoning pasta water with seaweed Pasta tastes so much better when you salt it. The only problem? You’re really loading up on the sodium. For the same great flavor minus the sodium, simply grab some seaweed. “If you’re looking to reduce your sodium intake, you can add other types of seasoning to the water to help infuse your pasta,” says Whitney English, RD. “Bragg makes an awesome organic, vegan sea kelp blend that’s salt-free, yet provides that umami flavor thanks to the sea vegetables.” 2. ignoring the instructions on Gnocchi Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi stole everyone’s hearts this year. While it’s undeniably delicious, the instructions on the bag don’t do it justice. Instead, food blogger Nicole Cogan shared a alternative cooking method with the world: Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a skillet, then add the gnocchi and sauté it from frozen to fresh. 3.Chopping a salad with scissors There’s a true art to
Stick-on manicures last just as long as gels with none of the damage to your nails
December 18, 2019 at 04:23PM by CWC I love gel manicures, but after getting them every two weeks for an entire year my poor nail beds have been ravaged. That’s because gel manicures—while shiny and pretty and nearly-impossible to chip—cure onto your nail, which means that when you remove them, some of your nail will get damaged in the process. Enter stick-on manicures, which offer the same shine and durability as gels, but are a whole lot better for your nails. If you’re picturing sloppy-looking sticker nails that don’t even come close to fitting your actual nail, don’t worry. The latest generation is much smarter about sizing, formulas, and design, so they’re nothing like the ones you might have found at the mall in 1994. Color Street, a stick-on manicure brand, exploded in popularity this year, and “how to apply Color Street nails” was one of 2019’s most Googled terms—for good reason. The better-for-your-nails stickers use real nail polish, and look almost exactly like what you would get in a salon, but without the hassle, cost, or dry time. If you’re wondering how to apply Color Street nails for yourself, the process couldn’t be easier. The kit comes with 14 stickers, so once you select the ones that will best fit your nails, all you have to do is peel off the backing, stick them on the surface of your nail, and file away the excess. When it’s time to remove them, you just use regular nail polish remover. Color
Can a cheater change? Depends on whether they’re relationally self-aware
December 18, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Statistics show that about one in five people report having cheated on a partner, and that number seems to rise in older generations. (There’s some research pointing to this partially being due to a person’s genetics.) All of this being true gives some credence to that old saying of “once a cheater, always a cheater,” and leaves an ominous cloud over the question of can a cheater change? So, ummm, can they? And, for the sake of everyone involved being able to sleep at night, how can partners of reformed cheaters build trust? If your partner has cheated before, either in your relationship or a past one, trusting that it won’t happen again may be a struggle. In this case, it’s important to understand that you are the one controlling your own narrative. But, says clinical counselor Karla Ivankovich, PhD, this narrative is “only as true as you want it to be,” and insecurities could lead to conflict and potentially even the end of the relationship. In this case, don’t panic, and also don’t jump to conclusions, she says. Instead, says licensed clinical psychologist Alexandra Solomon, PhD, focus on answers to questions that may help you feel better about the state of your relationship and its future: “How much remorse do they feel? Do they take responsibility for their actions? Have they forgiven themselves? What have they learned about themselves as a result of the cheating? How do they define fidelity? How committed
I’m a dentist and these are the best electric toothbrushes at every budget
December 18, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Investing in self care is important. It’s why you’ve got a bathroom shelf stocked with skin-care products, a gym membership, and a subscription to a meditation app that automatically renews once a year. Whatever your feel-good modality of choice is, chances are you’ve put some cash towards the cause. And, according to dentists, purchasing an electric toothbrush is one spot of your wellness routine that could deserve a slice of that self-care budget. “Research shows that even with the best manual toothbrushing habits, electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque, whitening teeth, stimulating and improving gum health, and a person’s overall oral hygiene,” says Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, founder of JBL Dentistry in New York City, who recommends electric toothbrushes for a number of reasons. “The little micro movements of the toothbrush head allow for you to brush more with each pass, and new technology also allows the toothbrush to assist and even improve brushing habits.” An electric toothbrush tells you when you’re done with each part of your mouth, and if you are brushing too hard or for too long. Investing in an electric toothbrush doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank on a $300 speciality item. While it certainly can, there are also plenty of effective options on the market that won’t leave quite so big of an impact on your next credit card statement. Here, dentists share their picks for the best electric toothbrush for every budget, so you
Make room, locally grown—regenerative agriculture is where it’s at for in-the-know foodies in 2020
December 18, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC First, there was the “natural” movement that turned people’s attention to the ingredient labels on their food. Then, there was the push for “locally grown” products and the desire to get to know your farmers. But now that we know the what, who, and where of what’s going on our plates, what about the “how”? Considering how your food affects not just your body, but also the planet is a growing trend in the food space that’s bringing the term “regenerative agriculture” to the table from dining rooms to boardrooms. The complicated-sounding phrase really just refers to agricultural practices that help rather than hurt the environment, according to Ryland Engelhart, co-founder of Kiss the Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring participation in regenerative agriculture. “Most agriculture today has a degenerative effect on the land that destroys life in the soil, resulting in desertification,” Engelhart explains (yep, that’s literally when fertile land becomes desert). “Regenerative agriculture is a system that works with nature’s principles to rebuild soil, increase water holding capacity, improve fertility, and expand biodiversity.” Need an example to help visualize? On Ocean Spray’s farms across North America and Chile, for every one acre of cranberries grown over 5.5 acres of wildlife habitat are supported. “This means our farming principles and practices have positive impact on the biodiversity, soil, water streams, wetlands, and communities,” says Audrey Perkins, MS, MPH, global corporate communications manager at Ocean Spray. TL;DR: Regenerative agriculture takes sustainability to a
The 3 biggest mistakes people make when doing kettlebell workouts
December 18, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hinonqqzatk] Kettlebell deadlifts are one of those fitness moves that aren’t exactly what they seem to be. While picking up the bell from the ground using your hands might imply that the move works your upper body, it’s actually your lower body that’s doing the brunt of the lifting. And as far as form goes, this can get pretty confusing. The main muscle groups you should be working in a deadlift with kettlebell are your glutes, hamstrings, core, and lower back—not your arms and shoulders, like you would think. But there are some common mistakes that people make when doing the move that mess with their form. Ultimately, this can switch up where the weight is distributed when they lift the bell off of the ground. Not only does doing a kettlebell deadlift the wrong way limit the effectiveness of the move (because, ya know, you’re working the wrong muscles), but it also puts you at risk of getting hurt. A few biggies worth looking out for when you try the move on your own: 1. Rounding your back as you bend over instead of keeping it flat, which in addition to putting the weight in your upper body also increases the risk of pulling a muscle in your back. 2. Bending your knees and extending your chest so that you’re coming down into a squat, instead of hinging at the hips and engaging your glutes and core. 3. Thrusting your hips forward
On the Cusp: Why the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp is the sharpest zodiac combo
December 18, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Stefanie Iris Weiss Each month with On the Cusp, we point our astrological magnifying glass on all the people born between two zodiac signs. Because when your birthday falls at either the tail end or the very beginning of your sun sign’s season, your personality may be influenced by your cosmic neighbor. Now, fully in holiday mode, it’s time to give those on the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp the dedicated astrological spotlight they deserve, and Stefanie Iris Weiss, astrologer and co-author of Surviving Saturn’s Return: Overcoming the Most Tumultuous Time of Your Life, is here to illuminate us. Below, Weiss (who is available for 2020 readings), explains what happens when the pleasant, sage traits of a Sagittarius (November 23 to December 21) meet and blend with expertly overachieving Capricorns (December 22 to January 19). If you’re born on the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp, let me begin with…sorry. We all know that December birthdays, especially those born between December 19 and December 24, get seriously lost in the holiday mix. There is an upside, though: Weiss says the Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp is one of the most distinct and powerful of all cusp-crossings. “It’s marked by the deeply meditative and magical winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere,” Weiss says. “This is when we’re at our darkest moment, but also when the universe reminds us that the light will return in a few months. That’s the perfect blend of Sagittarius and Capricorn
With mainstream dairy brands jumping on the oat milk bandwagon, what will happen to cow’s milk?
December 18, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC Of the long (long) list of alternative milks on the market, oat milk is currently king. This year, oat milk sales reached $29 million—up from $4.4 million in 2017. While the OG oat brand darlings continue to expand (with Oatly rolling out ice cream and Rise Brewing launching canned lattes), brands that were once committed to cow’s milk are jumping on board the trend, too. Danone—one of the largest dairy businesses in the world—has recently shifted its focus to make oat milk-based projects a main priority. The company’s brands have launched not only oat milk, but also oat-based ice cream, creamer, yogurt, and lattes. Chobani, a brand that has long been a major player in the yogurt space, launched *three* oat milk-based products this month. Even The Dairy Farmers of America, a milk marketing firm, is coming out with a line of “blended” milks that are half dairy, half-plant-based (yes, including oat), spawning an entirely new beverage category. (FWIW, cult skyr brand Siggi’s launched its first-ever plant-based yogurts in December, although they use coconut milk instead of oat milk as the base.) With major brands once committed to cow’s milk now jumping on board the oat milk train, it raises major questions about dairy, such as how the new oat milk products compare nutritionally, and what will happen if Americans stop consuming dairy completely. Is oat milk even healthy? Check out the video below to see what a registered dietitian thinks: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L–bGxpHTVQ]