August 15, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC My boyfriend is hanging upside down when I realize—holy crap—I’m head over heels in love with him. We’re at a rock climbing gym in Queens, and I’m gawking up at his six-foot frame alongside a group of his closest friends as he scales a perilous course known as “the cave.” It should be impossible, but not for him. Suddenly, I think, “That person picked me! I picked him!” I want to cup my hands around my mouth and shout “Hey, you! I’m in love with you!” in a Say Anything-style boombox moment. He’s my first love and this should be it; this should be wonderful. Instead, my mind reels back to a conversation we’d had two weeks before. You see, my boyfriend—let’s call him Logan—recently accepted a job offer in the midwest that’s no hop, skip, and a jump away from me. In three months’ time, he’ll whisk himself away to a new life far from my home in New York City, and the inevitability of that move has made the subject of our “future” together sticky and painful. To make an apropos analogy—it now feels like I, too, am gripping precariously to multi-colored climbing holds against gravity’s better judgement. In three months’ time, he’ll whisk himself away to a new life far from my home in New York City, and the inevitability of that move has made the subject of our “future” together sticky and painful. Spending time with Logan now feels
Tag: Well+Good
A dermatologist says *this* ingredient is the little black dress of skin care
August 15, 2019 at 02:21AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0sqKBXyjls] Welcome to ‘Dear Derm,’ our brand-new series in which dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD shares serious skin-care realness. In each episode, she’ll answer your most burning beauty questions and give you all the tools you need to take your glow game to the next level. Ask any dermatologist to recommend one ingredient that should be a part of your morning skin routine, and they’ll send you straight for a bottle of vitamin C serum. “I think that vitamin C is essentially the LBD of skin care,” says board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, in the latest episode of Dear Derm by Beauty Geek. “It makes absolutely everybody look better.” Why the reputation? The superstar skin ingredient—otherwise known as L-ascorbic acid or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (you can probably understand why we just call it “vitamin C”)—is known for its antioxidant prowess, which fends off fine lines in the long run, while brightening and acting as an anti-inflammatory in the short term. Rushing out to buy 100 bottles of the liquid gold? Know this: “Vitamin C is an amazing ingredient, but just like that Bumble date you had that weekend, it sure isn’t perfect,” according to Dr. Gohara. That’s because it’s highly unstable (like Edward Cullen, it too, hates the sun), and so you have to look for three things (check out the video above to find out what they are!) to make sure that it retains its potency. Check out the video above for everything
Hugger, high-fiver, or cheek-kisser? Your greeting style says a lot about your personality
August 14, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC I’m convinced that one of most cringeworthy feelings that can be experienced in life comes as a result of going in for a hug and being met with a handshake from the other person. Take a second now to imagine those uncomfortable fragments of a second when the handshaker’s arm sort of snakes into an adjusted position that could lend itself to either greeting, until one gesture inevitably wins out. Makes your skin crawl, right? While there are so many different ways of saying hi, hugging and handshakes tend to simply not mix, and the overarching reason for this may well have to do with the two tendencies reflecting very different personality types. While there’s no one explanation for how someone ends up as a hugger or a handshaker, but the way you’re socialized certainly plays in. One 2012 study published in Comprehensive Psychology asserts that how we react to physical touch is “is an important element in a child’s emotional upbringing,” and can influence our behaviors into adulthood. For instance, if your childhood resembled a string of Full House episodes, you’re likely to be a big-time hugger in adulthood. And if your childhood was all about the stiff upper lip, you may not be so inclined to show affection upfront. So regardless of your preference for ways of saying hi, you can feel okay about foisting at least some blame on your parents. And if your greeting style doesn’t fall in either category?
S’well made water bottles cool—and now they’re coming for your meal prep routine
August 14, 2019 at 03:30PM by CWC Five years ago, who would have thought that designer water bottles would be a Thing? Yet, having a S’well stainless steel water bottle has become a chic workout accessory. Whether you’re into the marble design, teakwood, or one with a psychedelic print, spending $35 on something to hold your water has become normalized just like buying $110 leggings and $60 sports bras. They’re just so pretty. Well, get ready for your kitchen to get a lot more attractive, too. Tomorrow, the brand is launching a new lines under its S’well Food umbrella, including S’well Eats (portable bowls that keep food hot or cold), S’nack by S’well (portable snacking containers), and Barware. All three new offshoots have the same stainless steel, sleek designs that made the water bottles a cult favorite. Both the bowls and snacking containers come in two sizes (small and large), are microwaveable safe, and keep food the desired temp for between six and eight hours. Prices range between $20 and $50. The Barware includes wine tumblers, an ice bucket, carafe, wine chiller, and even champagne flutes all in either gold, black marble, or teakwood. Like everything else in the S’well lines, it has triple-layer insulation and keeps bevvies chilled for up to eight hours, which means it’s here for your beach and picnic days. As sustainability becomes a bigger focus, more brands are working to create solutions that are not only better for the planet but actually look cool, too.
A therapist’s guide to coping when you feel completely overwhelmed
August 14, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Experiencing the heaviness and stress that comes with feeling overwhelmed can be paralyzing, regardless of the cause. It’s looking down at your to-do list and having absolutely no idea where to start. It’s thinking of everything your partner, kids, and seemingly everyone else in your life needs you to do and worrying you’re going to let them down. It’s needing a break but feeling like you have so much on your plate that you can’t take one. A frequent friend of anxiety, feeling overwhelmed is an emotion that is so big, it’s hard to see your way out of it. That’s where these tips from therapist and anxiety specialist Laura Rhodes-Levin, LMFT, come in. She shares advice on what to do when you’re overwhelmed in a few common scenarios, along with some general insight on what you can do on a regular basis to nip that feeling in the bud the next time life throws a lot your way. When you’re overwhelmed by your to-do list It’s totally counterproductive, but somehow, the longer a to-do list gets, the harder it is to actually get started and tackle what’s on it. When this happens to you, Rhodes-Levin suggests breaking it down into actionable steps, starting with what needs your attention first. Focus on completing the most critical task—having one thing crossed off on your list will feel empowering, she says, giving you the confidence to move on to something else. “I actually cross things
Cherries are jam-packed with vitamins and antioxidants, so consider it your skin-brightening superhero
August 14, 2019 at 01:04PM by CWC Pineapple and watermelon tend to get all of the credit as our fruit-favorite summer skin saviors. In addition to being picnic basket and beach snack staples (because, really, is it even a beach day if there isn’t a bag of watermelon packed and ready in the cooler?), they also happen to be heavy hitters when they’re used in our products: One is packed with enzymes, while the other is a full-on hydrating hero. But get ready to see another fruity fave making its way from our beach blankets into our beauty cabinets, because cherry—aka my favorite summer snack—has a whole lot to offer for our faces, too. “Cherries contain anthocyanins which are a great source of antioxidants,” explains board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling, MD. “They also contain vitamins A, B, C, and E, which are great for keeping skin healthy, and they can help with pigmentation and skin rejuvenation.” For anyone keeping track, that is four different vitamins that cherries have to offer, plus antioxidants. Vitamin C specifically is great for brightening and helping to fight off free-radical damage (aka aging), while vitamin A helps with cell turnover, which is where the skin rejuvenation that Dr. Sperling mentioned comes from. And vitamins B and E are known to be great hydrators, making cherries not only great for use on your skin in the summer, but also all year round. Farmacy Beauty recently launched their first foray into cherry skin care—their Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean
This super-intense plyometric move combines the two hardest glutes exercises into one killer butt workout
August 14, 2019 at 12:53PM by CWC Walking into New York’s Dogpound fitness studio, there’s no question that you’re about to put in work. There’s a huge black tire outside beckoning for you to flip it over (like supermodel Ashley Graham does on the reg), a boxing ring, assault bikes (which make me tremble in fear), a weighted sled meant for pushing down the street (casual), and weight machines galore. It’s known as a hotspot for supermodels to get their workouts in at, but it’s also just a really good place to HIIT it out until you literally. And that is precisely what I did there this morning: After cycling through different stations in which I did everything mentioned above (and a whole lot more), I came up to the “lower body” section. The two trainers had me do resistance band butt stuff, clamshells, weighted squats and curtsy lunges… and then finish things off with a very hard plyometric combo move that is basically my two least favorite exercises combined. The move in question? Jump lunges-into-jump squats, no standing up allowed. “The jump lunge-squat combo is a great dynamic movement to bring your heart rate up,” says Rhys Athayde, founding trainer of Dogpound. “It helps with quad, hamstring, and glute development as well as targets the hip flexors and calves.” The reason you have to stay low, which makes it even harder? “By staying low, your lower body stays in a constant state of stress which burns more calories and increases your
25 seaweed recipes that prove it’s delicious beyond sushi
August 14, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC While seaweed may not be the sexiest superfood (It’s green! It’s slippery! It’s texture is meh.), the ultra-nutritious underwater plant has stepped into the spotlight as one of the “it” foods on the market over the past few years years. Yes, it’s often rolled up in rice and served up as sushi roll, but a quick perusing of the World Wide Web shows that its uses go far beyond holding together your California roll. It’s even in breakfast foods now—no. joke. In case you’re not quite sure why the slimy plant should get a spotlight in your diet, listen up. Seaweed’s major claim to nutritional fame is that it contains iodine: a critical antioxidant that helps keep your thyroid up to snuff. It also contains about 4 grams of protein per tablespoon and trace amounts of other nutrients. As you’ve likely observed in all your time splashing by the ocean shore, seaweed comes in many iterations, including salty-savory nori to pasta-substituting kelp noodles. It’s time to deconstruct your sushi into a bowl, or even top your morning oatmeal with nori (trust us on this one). Nori You probably recognize nori as the papery green seaweed that holds your sushi together or the snack taking over shelves at Whole Foods. The member of the red algae family is rich in protein and fiber. Eat it dried as a snack, or use it recipes ranging from risotto to pizza. Sushi Pizza with Miso Ginger Dressing You read that
Meet the plant-based protein that will help you sleep better tonight
August 14, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oSMO1uvTaE] Pesto can be the perfect bedtime eat when you add just one secret ingredient: spirulina. Get the recipe here. We love a good bedtime snack, especially when it’s full of nutrients that can promote sleep. In our newest episode of Plant Based, herbalist and holistic health practitioner Rachelle Robinett explains that spirulina can do just that. Also known as blue-green algae, spirulina was the first plant life on Earth, she says. (A true superfood!) Technically, spirulina is a bacteria, but don’t let that put you off. It’s super high in protein—about 70 percent by weight, Robinett says. “It’s also one of the few plant foods that are complete protein, which means that it contains all of the essential amino acids that our body needs but can’t make,” she adds. One of those essential amino acids is tryptophan, which Robinett explains is a precursor to serotonin (meaning your body needs tryptophan in order to make it), the happy neurotransmitter. It can help boost your mood and calm you down. Serotonin is also the precursor to melatonin, which Robinett says can help you sleep better. Those two chemicals are essential for, what else, a good night’s rest. Downside: Because it’s algae, spiriulina tastes a little… fishy. Robinett turns it into a delicious pesto to make it a bit more fun (and palatable) to eat. To get the recipe and learn about all of spirulina’s other health benefits, be sure to watch the full video
Like a rom-com protagonist, I told my best friend I was in love with him
August 14, 2019 at 10:25AM by CWC Harry and Sally. Ross and Rachel. Dawson and Joey. Sam and Diane. Cher and Josh. Monica and Chandler. Robin and Barney. Etcetera. Etcetera. Etcetera. Few love stories appeal to me so much as do those centered around best friends-turned-lovers. In my cynical mind, something about the level of intimacy, of authenticity, that exists in friendship makes love feel less hormonal/doomed when it blooms between them than when it does between strangers. Harry and Sally knew each other, really knew each other, before they fell in love. All the warts were on display and yet they still chose to be together. That’s the kind of relationship origin story I have always craved, especially as an introvert, and it’s become ever more appealing in the era of smoke-and-mirrors internet dating. The stage was well set for me to get this, my version of a fairy tale, back in college. After my older boyfriend moved to Japan post-graduation, his friends adopted me into their circle. One in particular became my bestie, acting as a big brother figure of sorts as I finished college. We partied together, served as each other’s wingmen as well as plus ones, supported each other through tough moments, and shared friends and family with one another until our lives were very much intertwined. It was lovely, but it wasn’t love. When I fell in love with my best friend, it hit me like a ton of bricks—suddenly. Until, one day, it was.