November 13, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC As the holiday season approaches, you have enough things to worry about (making your list, checking it twice, etc, etc). The one thing you definitely don’t want to spend time fretting over? Your skin. But with that long list of to-do’s, feeling the pinch of holiday stress is usually almost as much of a given as cookie swaps and ugly sweaters—and that stress doesn’t do your complexion any favors. “We all react differently to stress, but it will most often show up on your skin in the form of breakouts, inflammation, dryness and an overall dull or fatigued appearance,” says Jacob Douglas, director of innovation at Josie Maran. And who wants any of the above when you’re in the stretch of holiday parties galore? Luckily, Douglas has a few why-didn’t-I-think-of-that tips for dealing with your seasonal skin woes, naturally—because in a season overloaded with sugar and champagne, your skin-care situation is one area you can easily prioritize clean ingredients. Here’s how to make sure your daily regimen is on the nice (ahem, non-toxic) list. Keep reading for his clean winter skin-care tips for the top holiday-induced complexion concerns. Photo: Josie Maran (Argan Smooth Skin Resurfacing Serum) 1. Dryness Winter air is notorious for drying out your skin, and with the first wave of cold weather rolling through just in time for all the party photo opps, that means dealing with dryness is your first order of business. In order to fix it, Douglas
Tag: Well+Good
This little gadget has changed my daily routine—and it’s not what you think it is
November 13, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Before I begin, it’s important that you know a couple of things about me: I travel a lot and I can sleep anywhere and at any time, which basically translates to the idea that my “routine” is really not one, but rather the suggestion of things I do in a day. I also am a marketer’s dream. Show me anything new, shiny, and with a well-curated Instagram feed and I’m in. Here’s my money. So when Quip (yes, that same company that makes those sleek AF toothbrushes, which I obviously have because, like I said, I’m marketer’s dream) told me it was launching its second product years after it launched that first toothbrush, I thought, Yeah, okay, you probably put some thought behind this. I thought maybe it was a whitening kit. Or a teeth straightening program. But then—THEN—they hit me with a back-to-basics product with a sleek upgrade. (I see your branding, Quip.) Enter: Strand ($20), the Quip floss applicator. Yes, dental floss. Photo: Quip Skeptical would be one way of explaining my reaction. Bored would be another. Not only am I among the many, many of us who don’t floss regularly (sorry, I’m gross), but c’mon. Who cares about floss? Are you Vivian Ward? (If you didn’t get that Pretty Woman reference you can kindly exit left on the stage that is my life.) But they sent it to me. And being the good investigative journalist that I am, I tried
The science-backed reasons why we crave heartier foods during the winter months
November 13, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC Like many people, I’m more active when the outdoor temperatures don’t require me to leave the house looking like a human down comforter. In T-shirt weather—and even sweater weather—I’ll take every opportunity to go for an outdoor run or get my errands done by walking instead of hopping in the car. Winter is a different story. When it’s dark and cold, I’m way less likely to pull myself out of bed for a morning workout and once I come home in the evening, I’m in for the night. There’s absolutely no doubt that I’m way less physically active—which is why I’m confused that my appetite essentially doubles during the colder months. Salads and fresh fruit are perfectly satisfying in the summer. But this time of year, not only am I more hungry, I start to crave big bowls of pasta, chili and cornbread, and just-baked brownies. Can you relate? To get to the bottom of why it’s human nature to look for cozy, comfort foods during the winter, I consulted neuroscientist and Why You Eat What You Eat author Rachel Herz, PhD and registered dietitian Olivia Wagner, RD. Hearty foods make us happy This probably won’t come as a shocker, but foods we think of as comfort foods lead to a short-term mood boost. “Foods high in carbs and fats trigger a release of dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, so they’re definitely triggering chemicals in the brain that make us feel good,” Dr. Herz
Eyebrow extensions are the no-pain answer to getting the boy brows of our dreams
November 13, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC More than ever, your genetics don’t actually have to dictate the shape or thickness of your eyebrows—because there’s a whole wide world of eyebrow-enhancing treatments and products that exist to make you the maker of your own brow goals. Ya feel me? Add to the list: eyebrow extensions, which are indeed a thing. They sound pretty extra, but the effect is somewhere in the middle of a simple brow gel and the semi-permanent option of microblading. “Eyebrow extensions are synthetic hair fibers that look and feel like real eyebrow hairs,” says Umbreen Sheikh, founder of Wink Brow Bar. “They are single strands of hair applied one by one, in a similar way to lash extensions but to the brows, using gentle but strong colorless adhesive that’s safe for the skin.” While you might have to park it in your esthetician’s chair for between 25 minutes to an hour or so for application, there’s zero need to touch them up once they’re in. Unlike lash extensions, which need an eyelash to adhere to, brow extensions can be applied to the skin or your eyebrow hair, says Clementina Richardson, founder of Envious Lashes. They look really natural, but they simply accentuate the brows you’ve got. “Brow extensions can fill in brows in sparse areas or add brow where it’s needed to make you look like you have naturally full and defined brows,” says Sheikh. (BTW this reminds me: Here’s what happened when one of our editors
Are your friends health heroes or holding you back? Here’s how to find out
November 13, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC If you’re the adult equivalent of a C+ gym student, you might need a buddy to foster a certain level of accountability and camaraderie. Mutual positive influence soon develops to quell panic that erupts when somebody starts slacking. Look we shouldn’t be responsible for our friends, but do you ever wonder if certain friendships distract you from your wellness journey? Well, there’s a really easy way to find out. The Tribe Checklist from Blue Zones analyzes the behaviors of you and the “three people with whom you socialize most.” The idea is that—and not to sound like your mom—you are who you hang out with. Blue Zones encourages you to determine who among your friend group is a positive influence. And yes, positive role models are very much still an important part of healthy adulthood. Consider how those who smoke are twice as likely to hang out with other smokers. Okay, now I do sound like your mom. According to a 2017 study surveying the lives of more than 280,000 people across nearly 100 countries, quality friendships are the key to long life. Those who didn’t place that emphasis on healthy friendships tended to suffer from chronic health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, lung disease, and mental health issues. It’s simple: Friendships with a positive influence help you live longer. Yeah, good friendships are supposed to lift you up, but if the numbers for your support squad are less than admirable, it’s
How a skin-care regimen rich in veggies will do your complexion right
November 13, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC “Eat your vegetables” is one of those mom-isms that nearly everyone heard at one point or another when they were growing up. “Slather that vegetable for skin benefits” was likely not as common a refrain at the dinner table, but it may as well have been. We all know that downing a regular dose of leafy greens and other veggies has all kinds of body benefits—including making our skin look radiant—but what you may not realize is that they also serve as effective ingredients in products, too. “One of the huge benefits of skin care products with ingredients found in the produce aisle is that the formulas are often natural and organic, which means no harsh chemicals that can cause skin reactions or irritation,” says board-certified dermatopathologist Gretchen Frieling, MD. “Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and what you put on it gets absorbed through your pores and into your body.” While slathering your face with salad ingredients isn’t a substitute for eating them, it certainly can help your glow game. If you want to know which vegetables to reach for, your best bet is to look for superfoods, like kale, spinach, and mushrooms. Why? They’re “the most nutrient-dense ingredients in the world and are praised for their exceptionally high level of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients,” says Youth To The People co-founder Greg Gonzalez, whose brand formulates with these types of greens. Below, the best vegetables for skin worth adding your routine, and,
The 2 things you should *always* drink when you’re sick, according to a dietitian
November 12, 2019 at 11:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9l4gD40hjE] Make the most out of your next sick day with these foods that do the most for your immune system. Literally no one likes sitting next to someone who spends the majority of the workday battling a phlegm-y cough and a fever, but that doesn’t stop the majority of people from showing up at the office when they should be home in bed. Thankfully, there are plenty of immunity boosters that can fight off nasty bugs for you—no clearing the shelves in the Cold & Flu aisle at your local drugstore required. In the latest episode of You Versus Food, registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD gives the lowdown on the foods and drinks that will work in your favor, even if everyone around you has the sniffles. If you’re already sick, her recs will get you back up and running in no time. “If you’re making a lot of trips to the bathroom or suffering from a fever, chances are you’re losing a lot of fluids,” Beckerman says. “Drinking water will help, but you may continue to feel dehydrated until your electrolytes are fully replenished.” This is why Beckerman recommends sipping coconut water when you’re feeling under the weather; it has more electrolytes than regular H2O. Think of it as nature’s Pedialyte. Beckerman also recommends keeping hot tea on hand when you’re sick. “The warm water and steam are able to loosen up sinus blockages,” Beckerman says, adding that green
These blazer-and-jogger combos are the most comfortable business casual looks you’ll ever wear
November 12, 2019 at 10:36PM by CWC There is no quicker or easier way to make yourself feel like a grown-ass adult than throwing a blazer on top of your outfit. No matter what you’re wearing underneath, it will instantly morph you into the professional, well-deserving recipient of a Businesswoman Special—and that includes activewear. (Yep, casual blazer outfits are indeed a thing.) The blazer-meets-track-pants look is basically the wardrobe equivalent of “business on the top, comfort on the bottom,” aka the ideal way to make athleisure appropriate for literally any scenario (though, in 2019, it basically is already). In fact, I’ve officially decided we’re calling it “biz-leisure,” because this combo is so good it deserves a name of its own. Pair it with pumps for the office, your favorite sneaks for an easy weekend look, or some strappy sandals and a statement earring for a holiday party look that isn’t some iteration of a sequin dress. All you need to get the look are two things you likely already have in your closet: a blazer and a pair of joggers. But just in case you need some inspo or are looking to invest in a few new pieces that you’ll get just as much wear out of separately as you will when you pair them together, shop our picks for these on-trend casual blazer outfits below. Adidas Originals Cuffed Track Pants ($60), Everlane The Cotton Linen Blazer ($145) This look is basically a business suit, but 2,000 times more comfortable.
4 empty barbell exercises you can use to build strength and stability
November 12, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC There’s a common misconception that a barbell has to be loaded with weight on both sides to be effective, but that’s just a gym myth. A standard barbell weighs about 45 pounds all on its own. And according to Maillard Howell, owner of CrossFit Prospect Heights and founder of the The Beta Way, both beginners and skilled weightlifters should incorporate empty barbell exercises into their workouts. “An empty barbell should always be your barometer,” says Howell. The baseline 45 pounds of the bar allows you to test—and eventually master—the mechanics required to lift heavier loads, he explains. Over time, your body will develop a muscle memory for all those deadlifts, squats, and presses. When you up the weight, you’ll be able to maintain excellent form. Barbells offer a stability that free weights simply don’t. “I think that you can definitely feel your imbalances when you’re holding free weights,” says Howell. If your left side is stronger than your right, your left arm may take longer to tire than its opposite. Barbells even the playing field so you can get your sea legs (er, gym legs?) before diving into more complex compound movements that require dumbbells. The 4 empty barbell exercises every strength-training beginner needs for gains 1. Back squat Begin with a barbell securely placed on top of your traps with your feet hips-width distance apart. Flex your knees to descend while doing your best to keep them in line with your ankles. Keep your torso
Double the number of servings in your favorite recipes with this budget friendly meal hack
November 12, 2019 at 09:00PM by CWC Whether you’re cooking dinner for a family of five or meal prepping for one, it’s easy to create budget friendly meals with the addition of a few sneaky ingredients. This hack won’t compromise the flavor of your favorite recipes, but it will increase the nutritional benefits. In a recent Reddit thread, a number of at-home chefs shared the all-star ingredients you can add to recipes to get more servings out of their meals and make them healthier. When you want to increase the number of servings in from four to six (or more), for example, add these wholesome and versatile ingredients to your favorite recipes. 14 healthy ingredients to help you create budget friendly meals 1. Black beans If you’re a taco or burrito bowl fan (who isn’t?), mix one can of black beans in with every pound of your protein of choice for an even heartier mix. 2. Cauliflower rice Cauliflower rice is currently gracing every freezer aisle. To put the time-saving staple to good use, add it to casseroles, soups, and blend it into sauces. 3. Spinach Spinach is such an underrated ingredient in warm dishes. Mix a bag into casseroles, soups, or any sautéed recipe. 4. Mushrooms Mushrooms add a meaty texture to any dish, no meat required. Make your dishes more filling by adding blended mushrooms to pasta sauces and whole or chopped mushrooms to casseroles and stir-fries. 5. Carrots Put that bag of unused carrots in your refrigerator