November 14, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Here’s how this is going to go: Your eyes are going to roll way back into the darkest depths of their socket as you decide you hate me, and then I’m going to win you back—promise. Two weeks ago, Sweetgreen 3.0 personally victimized me and my lunch, and I’m still not over it. (Yes, this is when you hate me.) Allow me to explain: Sweetgreen 3.0 is the newest concept from the customizable-salad eatery that I’ve come to rely upon when I have $12 to $17 to burn on a healthy yet satisfying lunch. That’s not something that happens so often, so when I splurge, it’s to treat myself to a lunch that’s more exciting that the tired options in my meal-prep rotation. Which is why I was so enraged (I’m not being hyperbolic here) when I stepped into the new store a few days after its October 28 opening and enjoyed exactly zero percent of my experience. There was no assembly line of employees tossing greens and cheeses and proteins into lunch art. Rather, Sweetgreen 3.0 uses what it calls concierge ordering, wherein you either order ahead, from an on-site kiosk, or from a iPad-armed staffer. Your order is prepared in a kitchen that’s not visible to you and when it’s ready, your name is called for pickup. The company’s founders, according to the Wall Street Journal, envisioned this as being “a cross between an Apple store and a farmers’ market” designed
Category: Your Regeneration
Here’s what to do with your empty tubs of moisturizer instead of throwing them away
November 14, 2019 at 07:30PM by CWC Now that it’s freezing cold outside—the season of super-dry, flaky skin!—you’re probably flying through tubs of moisturizer like crazy. Instead of letting those empty tubs build up in your recycling bin, repurpose them by turning them into DIY recycled plant pots. The idea gives new life to an empty tub of moisturizer. For example, the container for one of our favorite products, derm-approved CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, easily transforms into a chic plant pot that’s the perfect size for succulents and little cacti. All you need to do is remove the lid, cut off the top of the tub where the screw lines are (it’s plastic, so you can do it carefully with scissors). Then, use sandpaper to smooth it out. Next, drill a hole in the bottom so your plant doesn’t get waterlogged. It’s that easy. Turned a moisturizer tub into a succulent bowl. Cut off the top and drilled a drain hole at the bottom. 5 minute DIY project from r/houseplants //embed.redditmedia.com/widgets/platform.js Countless beauty products come in perfect plant-sized plastic or glass containers. Just think about all possibilities among the numerous face masks and body scrubs in your bathroom that are almost empty. You can also keep your new repurposed pots as is, or give them an upgrade with a little paint. Think of your DIY recycled plant pots as a reward you get every time you finish a product. For keeping your skin healthy, you get to gift yourself a new
8 grippy, non-slip sneakers that will keep you secure and up your gym game
November 14, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Footwear is probably the most technical piece of equipment that you slip on in your day-to-day gym regimen. A shoe has to fit properly, it’s got to suit the workout that you’re doing, and it has to hold your foot in place to stave off injury and make you feel super secure. So, as much as you might like your chunky tennies and HIIT trainers for everyday wear, finding a pair of well-fitting non-slip sneakers is never a bad idea. The trick to finding a pair that’s both slip-resistant and comfortable all comes down to design. Namely, a rubberized sole with intricate tread patterns for extra grip, and a form-fitting upper that melds to the position of your foot. Fortunately, whether you’re looking for walking, jogging, running, hiking, or training shoes, some of our favorite brands have us covered. From APL and Puma to Merrell and Keen, ahead you’ll find eight pairs of non-slip sneakers, all of which have a little something extra to offer. Photo: APL APL Women’s TechLoom Bliss, $200 These celeb-fave non-slip sneakers are renowned for their intersection of performance, comfort, and style. The slip-on sneaker is super light, weighing just 6.8 ounces. What’s more, thanks to the wide-stain elastic strap over the top of the foot, you never have to worry about them slipping off mid-stride. Photo: Puma AL x PUMA LQDCELL Shatter XT Leather Women’s Training Shoes, $130 We’ve all seen the “train like an angel” workout videos circulating
I tried a hypnosis app for better sleep, and it indeed made me very, very sleepy
November 14, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC I’ve never been a great sleeper—truly ever. I recently asked my mother if I slept well as a baby, and her response was a very quick “no,” in the weary tone of a person recalling a past trauma. “Because I couldn’t fall asleep or because I couldn’t stay asleep?” I asked. “You couldn’t fall asleep. I tried everything. Sometimes if I rocked you really hard or vacuumed, that would work,” she said, in one long, suffering sigh. In the years since, I’ve tried a veritable laundry list of methods to fall asleep, including but not limited to: melatonin, CBD, ASMR, listening to Michelle Branch’s Hotel Paper, and dousing myself and my bed with essential oils. (The amount of lavender I have used is truly something.) These strategies have helped to an extent, but haven’t yielded entirely satisfying results. But then I was introduced to hypnosis for sleep, and my luck turned around. A small 2014 study from the University of Zurich, Switzerland of 70 women in their early twenties found that “young, healthy, suggestible females” (it me) who listened to audio hypnosis before sleeping had 80 percent more slow-wave sleep (the deepest level) than those who didn’t, and spent 67 percent less time awake, trying to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation also lists auditory hypnosis as a helpful tool for falling asleep. Sure, it’s not a new finding, but since it’s certainly new to me, I finally decided to try it one fateful
What’s the real difference between a fetish and a kink?
November 14, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC It wasn’t until I recently attended a class titled “Working Out the Kinks” at a sex-education and wellness retreat a few months ago that I finally learned the key differences separating a kink from a fetish. And, as a professional sex writer, that’s saying something. I always knew the two weren’t exactly synonymous, but I also couldn’t give a precise explanation as to how they’re different. Similar to the situation of being asked what a certain word means, and then using other similar but not exact words as the description, I realized then that I had been unintentionally using “fetish” and “kink” interchangeably—and was I ever incorrect in doing so. So in the spirit of spreading awareness, below, get the full rundown on what is a kink, exactly, and how it can be different from a fetish. Then—for the fun part—learn how to incorporate either into any relationship safely. What is a fetish? A fetish is the sexualization of something that’s typically non-sexual, and that, by itself, is an object of fixation, says Francisco Ramirez, a sexual-health consultant and teacher of the class I joined. “For example, if massaging someone’s genitals with shoes is a fun turn-on, it might be considered a kink,” he says. “However, if the shoe on its own is a turn-on, and it feels like a necessary part of your sexual repertoire, it might be a fetish.” Common examples of fetishes include leather, latex, a particular penis size, or
Water lily seeds are the Ayurvedic popcorn alternative taking over the snacks aisle
November 14, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Protein bars are the secret weapon for on-the-go healthy eaters, but anyone who eats them regularly knows that protein bar fatigue is real. That’s why you should explore the chip aisle next time you’re at the grocery store. (Yes, seriously.) It’s where you’ll find your next surprising protein fix: popped water lily seeds. A traditional snack in India, water lily seeds are the pea-sized kernels that are collected when water lilies shed their seeds once a year. When popped like popcorn, they just happen to be a satisfying, nutrient-rich, crunchy snack. Even though water lily seeds have long been a mainstay in India, it’s only in the past two years that they’ve become more widely available in the U.S. in the form of healthy popcorn-esque snacks. Nadine Habayeb, the co-founder of Bohana Life (the first water lily seed snack brand to enter grocery stores) says she thinks the trend is hitting in the U.S. now for a few reasons. “With the rise of a few trends such as grain-, corn-, and gluten-free, Americans’ favorite snack, popcorn, is not feeling the love it once used to,” she says. Habayeb adds that more people in the States are learning about Ayurveda and open to trying more Eastern practices and foods—thus making them more open to trying foods like water lily seeds. “Water lily seeds are one of the most prescribed seeds in Ayurveda because of their nutrient profile, making them beneficial for all body types,”
Sebum plugs are a mysterious type of pimple—here’s how to deal
November 14, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC I hate to be the one to introduce you to “sebum plugs,” but if I can’t un-hear it, neither can you. Unsure as to what it was myself, I asked some experts to explain, and it turns out you can take the term literally. “Generally speaking, a sebum plug is an accumulation of the skin’s natural oils within your pore,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. Basically, the sebaceous glands—which accompany every hair follicle on the body—create an oily liquid (sebum) that, when mixed with dead skin cells and bacteria, plugs the pore, says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD. “Sebum plugs are essentially the foundation of our blackheads and whiteheads, and often even our painful cysts,” she says. Dr. Nazarian describes them as “thin waxy strands” (when pulled from the pore), which are typically light in color but turn dark upon oxidation—which is why they’re then called blackheads. In fact, Dr. Zeichner admits the distinction between the two is not all that solid. “The definition is definitely a gray zone, and it is not clear whether it differs from a true blackhead,” he says. Regardless, sebum plugs can be found anywhere on the body, though they typically plague people on the nose, chin, and forehead. Here’s the right way to layer your beauty products: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgq640YmGjI] Common medicinal topicals are the best treatment option for sebum plugs. “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps remove excess oil and exfoliate dead cells from the
Bergamot is lauded for its scent, but it does amazing things for skin, too
November 14, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC We demand a lot from our beauty products. Of course, a product needs to do its job, but it also has to look, smell, and feel good while getting to work in our complexions. It’s rare to find a single ingredient that has figured out how to do all three at once, but bergamot—which you’ll find just as frequently in your skin-care formulas as you will in your fragrances—has somehow managed to fill that tall order. Bergamot is a fruit that looks like the result of a love affair between a lime and an orange, and gives off a sweet-yet-bitter (and sorta-kinda spicy) citrus scent that has a number of benefits. “Emotionally it’s thought to help calm stress and nervous tension, and spiritually it’s often spoken of as a supporter of self. Overall bergamot is a wonderful balancer that helps encourage healing in combination with our own rhythm,” says ONDA Beauty founder Larissa Thomson. Studies have shown that bergamot essential oil can decrease stress and anxiety, making it great for sniffing at your desk during the day or dripping a few drops into a diffuser while you sleep. It’s frequently used as a top note in fragrances (like Tom Ford Neroli Portfino, $150, which happens to be one of my favorites), and pairs well with florals and spices. But bergamot’s calming scent isn’t the only thing the ingredient is lauded for: It’s got antibacterial and astringent properties, which means it can be used
Sorry protein bars, but the banana is the MVP of pre-workout snacks
November 14, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC When you think of workout snacks, one word typically comes to mind: protein, protein, protein. People load up on whey powders, munch on nuts or grass-fed beef jerky, or stash some protein bars in their gym bag. Protein is the watchword, friends. But we’ve all been wrong about our pre-workout nutritional needs this entire time. Because today I learned that the best snack to eat before exercising for energy, endurance, and recovery has nothing to do with anything protein-related at all. Apparently, we should all be eating a banana before we work out. Wait, why bananas before a workout? The TL;DR version: the banana’s nutritional profile is just what the RD ordered for a snack that provides the energy required to get through those tough, sweaty workouts. “A medium banana is nutrient rich, providing 24 grams of carbohydrates—14 of which are sugar and three of which are fiber,” says Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. “The fiber in bananas, along with the gram of protein, keeps the rest of the carbohydrate from being absorbed too rapidly, but there isn’t so much that the food will sit in your stomach,” she says. That may sound like a lot of carbs at once, but Jones says you need that digestible fuel right before you exercise. “The energy you absorb into the blood stream—ingested as both fructose and starch—is able to either get to muscle cells or maintain blood sugar levels, depending on how much carbohydrate
6 questions to ask yourself before booking that ‘Eat Pray Love’ trip, according to a travel coach
November 14, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC In a perfect world, solo travel is an indescribably empowering experience of a lifetime. You embark on this exotic adventure filled with architectural beauty, decadent meals, and Javier Bardem. Yes, the idea of a solo trip glorifies leaving your life behind, only to return once enriched by a kind, wonderful world. Don’t overthink it! Be bold! Buy the damn ticket! Cut to: you halfway across the world with a pack of feral dogs standing between you and an outhouse. The secret to solo travel is that it isn’t necessarily something that you should do alone—or at least not something that should make you feel alone. But it totally can—trust me. According to Dylan Grace Essertier, a travel coach who focuses on guiding clients through their emotional, spiritual, and literal journeys, solo travel has a way of deeply changing us. But it requires some soul-searching that goes beyond asking yourself “Where do I want to go?” “If approached with the right mindset, this type of travel can be more than just time spent away from ‘real life’ but an incredible opportunity to reconnect with who you are, what you want, and create shifts that make way for new career paths and possibilities once you return home,” says Essertier. What to ask yourself before you embark upon solo travel 1. “What’s great in my life right now?” “I don’t believe in travel as a way of ‘escaping’ since as I’ve learned through my own experience as