December 31, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC It’s easy to throw shade at smartphones for all the ways they suck us in, burn us out, and keep us up at night. But let’s not forget that our constant computerized companions have many qualities worth celebrating, too. For starters, they’re helping to make life easier for people with disabilities. This year alone, tech companies have introduced several groundbreaking accessibility settings that help blind, deaf, and cognitively and physically disabled people interact more seamlessly with the world around them. This is a big deal given that, in America alone, one in four people is living with a disability that impacts “major life activities,” according to the CDC. “People with disabilities need the same things from their phones as those without: affordability, reliability, usability, value, functionality,” says Salimah LaForce, senior policy analyst at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Advanced Communication Policy. LaForce and her colleagues are currently collecting data on 2019 smartphone accessibility as a follow-up to a 2017 study published earlier this year. The results have been encouraging, as there are a growing number of accessibility features on devices that help those with many different disabilities. “Some were specifically designed to improve access by people with disabilities, such as screen readers, screen contrast, and font size customization for those with vision and print disabilities, and captions so that people who are hard of hearing can access video content,” says LaForce. “Other features may not have been designed specifically for people
Category: Your Healthiest Relationship
I wore a chic vibrator ring in public so I could experience pleasure…anywhere
December 31, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC This fall, a number of my friends were gifted engagement rings in celebration of lifelong love and commitment. As a super-single person, that was simply not in the cards for me, so I decided to buy myself a different kind of ring in celebration of self love. Or more accurately, solo lovin’. That’s right: While my pals were getting fitted for their wedding bands, I got a ring perfectly fit for public play: the Palma by Unbound, a ring that doubles as a vibrator. Two inches long, a centimeter wide, and plated in gold, the Palma, which launched in 2019, looks like your average statement ring. But press the button on the underbelly of this functional jewelry item, and it transforms into a bullet vibrator. (And, don’t worry, you won’t turn it on by accident—promise). View this post on Instagram MEET PALMA. The ultimate piece of statement jewelry. Palma is a multi-speed, waterproof vibrator ring with 3 speeds and two customizable modes. Put the power of your pleasure in your own hands. Palma is made with surgical grade stainless steel and available in silver and electroplated 14k gold. Shop now for $128 via link in bio! Models: @drizzythekitty @the_meli_show; photog: @savannarruedy; MUA: @jackgreenermakeup; stylist: @meganmcdearman; set: @c.f.x.x; hair: @stylebysergio #HeyPalma A post shared by Unbound (@unboundbabes) on Apr 9, 2019 at 1:04pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js While most bullet vibrators only offer one or maybe two intensity settings, the Palma caters to gals who like
These are the immune-supporting ingredients a naturopathic doctor always keeps on hand
December 31, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC If it seems like everyone you know starts calling out of work as soon as the temperature drops, you’re not imagining it. Turns out, it’s not a coincidence that it can feel like your immune system needs additional support to keep it running in tip-top shape this time of year. According to Erin Stokes, ND, registered naturopathic doctor and MegaFood® medical director, your immune system undergoes additional stress during the winter months. But since you can’t control the seasons (if only), there are several things you can do to help maintain a healthy immune response.* “There are times when we all need extra immune support, and we experience added stressors during the cold winter months,” Stokes says. “When the temperature starts to drop it’s important to make sure your immune system doesn’t.” To help you feel your best, Stokes recommends stocking up on immune-supporting ingredients—whether they’re real-food ingredients in your fridge or found in supplements like MegaFood, which uses real food grown by trusted, IRL farmers plus added nutrients to create premium supplements. Scroll down to learn more about the four immune-supporting ingredients to keep on deck. Vitamin C The king of immune-supporting ingredients is everyone’s go-to, but according to data from the CDC, 15 million people still have low levels of vitamin C in their blood. Increasing these levels is important because vitamin C supports healthy immune function by accumulating in certain immune cells that help make up our body’s ‘defensive team,’”
Here’s everything a top dietitian wants you to know before jumping on the Whole30 bandwagon
December 31, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG3ZrLFYxL8] Is Whole30 really worth the hype? Here’s what a dietitian says. As far as January resolutions go (if you’re into that type of thing), Whole30 is certainly one of the most common things healthy eaters turn to. But the 30-day plan, which urges people to focus on eating whole foods and cutting out refined sugar, grains, legumes, and dairy, isn’t easy to stick to. But many who see it through swear by its benefits…once they’ve shut up about how hard it was, of course. So is the Whole30 worth it? In the latest episode of You Versus Food, registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, doesn’t hold back on the eating plan. “Whole30 has gained popularity because it’s marketed as a way of life or a way to learn how to eat, rather than a way to diet,” Beckerman says. Certainly sounds appealing. However, it comes with a temporary nutritional price. “By completely eliminating grains and legumes, you are missing out on essential nutrients such as iron, folate, fiber, healthy carbs, and B vitamins,” she says. Beckerman also says that there is no medical research on Whole30, so while anecdotally you may hear from your friends (or influencers) how great it is, more research still needs to be done to confirm its benefits. The truth is, Whole30 isn’t all good or all bad. Watch the episode above to see Beckerman sound off on more pros and cons, and find out her verdict on
FYI most alcohols are gluten-free, so bottoms up
December 31, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC If you’re gluten intolerant or suffer from celiac disease, you already know standard beer is a no-go since it’s made of water, hops, yeast, and gluten-containing grains like barley, rye, or wheat. But as wellness culture slowly trickles into the beverage industry, you may be led to believe spirits, too, contain gluten, and that they’re off limits. And that is categorically false—to a certain degree. “The only other consideration I can think of that could matter is if a spirit is made in a facility that processes gluten. For instance, if a vodka brand also makes beer,” says Kevin Gray, beverage expert and editor of the drinks website Bevvy. “It’s hard to imagine that cross-contamination scenario, but it could happen, I suppose.” Let’s back it up for a second. Distilled alcohol is necessarily always gluten-free because the distillation process strips away the protein that those with gluten intolerances react to. Gray says alcohol labeled “gluten-free” has not been manufactured any differently than counterparts without gluten-free labeling, so distilled spirits like vodka, rum, whiskey, and bourbon labeled “gluten-free” is redundant. It’s the equivalent of a veggie burger brand proudly declaring their products are “meat-free.” Your “gluten-free” vodka might actually be a misnomer, but the microscopic amount it does contain won’t harm you. As per the Food and Drug Administration, a product can be labeled “gluten-free” while also legally containing a gluten content of up to 20 parts per million since it’s the lowest amount
3 self-reflection questions therapists ask themselves at the end of the year
December 31, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC No matter what your think of the events of the past decade, chances are you’re doing at least a little self-reflection as it comes to a close. Self-evaluation in the form of self-reflection questions can be a helpful tool for crafting new intentions. “Crafting a clear vision of what you hope to create can have tremendous benefits,” says therapist David Klow, LMFT, author of You Are Not Crazy: Letters From Your Therapist. Asking yourself a few self-reflection questions before setting intentions for the year ahead will help you to discover what you really want to accomplish. The answers might reveal your heart’s deepest desires. “I think people who self-evaluate do so because they know they do not have all the answers, they are imperfect, and they know that their circumstances eventually change,” says therapist and author of Finding Peace When Your Heart Is In Pieces Paul Coleman, PhD. The self-reflection questions therapists ask themselves 1. “What do I wish people understood about me better that they don’t understand?” Sometimes people hold themselves back because they feel misunderstood. “While it references ‘other people,’ it’s really about oneself; what do I need to do in order to be better understood? And if others did understand me better, what difference would it make in what I want to achieve or who I want to become?” says Dr. Coleman. When asking yourself this question, Dr. Coleman says it’s helpful to consider your unique strengths and weaknesses. In
Shop once, eat 5 times with this Whole 30-friendly dinner plan
December 31, 2019 at 01:14AM by CWC In the wellness crowd, it feels like there are few terms more firmly associated with new year’s resolutions than Whole30. According to Google Trends data, search interest for the popular eating plan, which functions as a temporary elimination diet, spikes consistently every year in January. “Whole30 is a whole food-centered diet that eliminates gluten, dairy, grains, legumes, alcohol and all added sugars,” says Maggie Michalczyk, MS, RD. The eating plan was designed to help people identify potentially problematic foods, although Michalczyk says many people also use it for weight management. “It’s often done in January when most people feel they want to get back on track after the holidays and want a specific set of rules to follow,” she adds. Given that it cuts out so many food groups, following Whole30 makes grocery shopping and meal prepping a definite challenge. You might feel clueless wandering down the aisles, unsure of what you can and cannot eat. And since you’re cutting out processed foods, that grocery bill might be higher than you’re used to. It should be noted that Whole30 is fairly restrictive, and isn’t necessarily the right thing to try for everyone. But if you’re looking to try it yourself in January, Michalczyk has a shopping list with some easy dinner ideas to get you started. Five days down…25 to go. Your Whole30 shopping list: Nutritional yeast Almond butter Coconut aminos Carrots Peppers Snap peas Fresh ginger Parsley 2 onions 1 spaghetti squash
Buh-bye brow gel: Brow pinching is the fastest route to lifted arches
December 30, 2019 at 11:01PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsKTLOkwws4] When it comes to eyebrows, there used to just be waxing, tweezing, and filling in the patchy spots with a pencil, but as we approach 2020, there are now brow treatments aplenty. You can swipe on a gel for quick volume, get a microblading treatment for a fuller effect, or try eyebrow extensions if you’re looking for more length. There’s also brow pinching, which is a more holistic way to lift your brows. In our latest episode of What the Wellness—Well+Good’s YouTube series that examines the wackiest wellness treatments around—director of creative development Ella Dove visits the Blink Brow Bar at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City to experience “pinching.” Brow pinching is derived from a traditional Ayurvedic practice that involve massaging (and well, pinching) the area around the eyes to help lift the brow bone. After Dove hops into the treatment seat, brow therapist Mayuri begins the 10-minute massage (which costs $26). A blend of soothing almond oil and aloe vera are used to work through marma points, AKA healing energy points in the body used in Ayurveda. Massaging these places is supposed to boost positive energy into your chakras and, in addition to helping to make your brows appear more lifted, can help with other common skin-care issues such as dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines by increasing circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage. BTW, brow pinching is something you could do yourself, much like a regular facial massage (though,
This Mexican stew is loaded with protein—and it’s 100 percent vegan
December 30, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC If you’re in desperate need of a new recipe on rotation after one too many tomato soups and grilled cheeses, I have the perfect addition to your lineup: a vegan Mexican stew that’s loaded with plant-based protein. Bethany Ugarte, the blogger behind Lilsipper, has been eating menudo—a tradition Mexican soup—during the holidays for as long as she can remember. While the main component of the original version is cow stomach, she remade it with all vegan ingredients to reap the benefits in a healthier way. And the star of the show is none other than everyone’s favorite legume: chickpeas. With 39 grams of protein per cup, chickpeas are an excellent source of nutrition. Put together with vegetarian both, tomatoes, kale, and a splash of metabolism-boosting hot sauce, you create a simple meal in minutes. The next time you want to cuddle up with a cozy stew, whip up Ugarte’s easy-to-make recipe. Mexican chickpea stew Ingredients 3 cups chickpeas (pre-cooked or canned) 4 cups water 4 cups veggie broth 1/4 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce 1 18 oz. jar diced tomatoes 1 cup fresh dinosaur kale, chopped black pepper to taste 1. Warm all soup ingredients in a pot. 2. Once warm, garnish as desired. For another healthy plant-based recipe, try this immunity broth: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-U4V3PTnas] These are the best plant-based proteins that won’t mess with your digestion. Then check out the only 7 spices you need to create a million flavor combinations. Continue Reading…
After my dad almost died, I became gripped with fear—here’s how I’m letting it go
December 30, 2019 at 09:00PM by CWC The night was already hectic—and that was even before disaster struck. I had spent the day at my parents’ house—who live an hour away from me—in order to spend some time with them while also checking some things off my to-do list (Haircut? Check). The day we spent together was nice, but it was a work night, and by the time the sun was starting to set, I was anxious to get home. My dad, who was supposed to drive me, was on the Peloton, squeezing in a quick workout. I was annoyed. Why wasn’t he ready to go? When my dad (finally…) got off the bike, he said he had a headache. And then he threw up. My mom and I took one look at the Chick-fil-A wrappers abandoned on the kitchen table and chocked it up to the mistake of downing a chicken sandwich minutes before clipping into the bike—a fool’s error. “I’ll just drive you,” my mom said, both of us simmering. But once we were in the car, our anger gave way to concern. Both my mom and I had a capital-letters Bad Feeling, wondering if we’d been too hard on my dad and worried about whether he was okay. We called him repeatedly until he answered, and when he did, his speech was heavily slurred. He was at the hospital, he told us. We turned around. My dad had experienced what’s called a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening stroke