February 18, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC The refrigerated section at the grocery store is getting pretty crowded these days. First there were new alt-milks to compete with dairy milk and old standbys like soy and almond milk, then a variety of new alt-cheeses, meats, and yogurts popped up. And now, a new class of snacks—refrigerated protein bars—want to get in on the action. That’s right—the OG of convenient, healthy snacks is getting in on the refrigeration game. It started with Perfect Snacks (which launched its OG Perfect Bar way back in 2005), but as they exploded onto grocery store shelves nation-wide, more and more brands started to jump on the refrigerated bar bandwagon. Think: CORE Bar ($48 for 16), OHI Bar ($32 for eight), Bright Foods Bars ($48 for six), and Phyter Plant-Based Food Bar ($55 for eight). Even OG protein bar brands like ProBars are getting into the refrigeration game. This trend was even recognized by Whole Foods as being one of the top trends they’re seeing across customers for 2020, so we don’t see the movement dying down anytime soon. Yet, what is the point of moving these snacks to the refrigerated section? Here’s everything you need to know. The healthy appeal of refrigerated protein bars and snacks For starters, refrigerating bars and other snacks is to forego preservative use. “Refrigeration is often used to eliminate the need for preservatives in food products, and as such all of the refrigerated bars on the market I’ve found are preservative-free,”
Tag: Well+Good
I adopted my partner’s favorite hobby as my own—am I losing myself in my relationship?
February 18, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC It’s Saturday morning, and I’m waiting in line at REI to buy $80 climbing shoes when I realize something: There’s a very real chance my boyfriend and I are morphing into the same human being. That’s because a year ago, I would have cited my fear of heights to get me out of anything that involved ascending much higher than my local New York City’s street level. (“I can’t go to a rooftop bar with you! It’s too high!”) But after several months of dating, my love interest somehow convinced me to try his go-to hobby of rock climbing, and I was into immediately. I fell in love with a human being, and now I own climbing shoes! Expensive ones! I’m still having fun, and I’m still happy—romantically and otherwise—but a nagging voice in the back of my head keeps asking: Am I losing myself in this relationship? Dominique Samuels, PsyD, resident psychologist for relationship-health app Emi Couple, says patients often come to her wondering just that, whether they’re sacrificing their own individuality and melding into their partner’s identity. So, if you’ve ever experienced a similar thought, at least take comfort in knowing you’re hardly alone—and, according to Dr. Samuels, there are a couple reasons you may be feeling this way. 2 reasons for wondering whether you’re losing yourself in a relationship 1. You’re afraid of commitment. You think you’re losing yourself in a relationship because you’re nursing a very real desire to actually
Drop what you’re doing: It turns out procrastination isn’t always a result of laziness
February 18, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC If you’re a living, breathing human, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve procrastinated on something at some point in time. Whether with little things, like doing chores and running errands, or bigger-deal personal checkpoints like hitting career goals, the inclination to put off your to-do list items has a tendency to show up at times in life when we most pressingly need to get stuff done—and there are a number of causes of procrastination that explain why it happens. Although in the short-term, you may feel relieved to put things off, in the long-term, it can become a detrimental habit. “Procrastination turns into a deeper issue when it begins to shift how you see yourself,” says industrial-organizational psychologist and leadership coach Tianna Tye. “It’s too common that we adopt a ‘this is how I am’ or ‘I’ve always procrastinated’ mentality. It is damaging to our confidence and our belief that we are capable of achieving great things.” When procrastination hits, you’ll either miraculously get a burst of energy at the 11th hour and accomplish the task, or you’ll run out of time, not get it done (or at least not to the best of your abilities), and end up feeling disappointed in yourself. But that disappointment is often tied to the belief that laziness is what propelled your choice to put off your tasks when in actuality, causes of procrastination are more vast and wide. “You can find a clue to your deeper issue
If a wanderlust pro could only pack 4 outfits for a vacation, here’s what she would bring
February 18, 2020 at 10:30AM by CWC You’ve been planning this year’s vacay for months, and now it’s two days away and all you’ve packed are your fave grab-and-go snacks, your hydrating skin-care products for the plane, and your passport (#priorities). But before you start stressing about what you’re actually going to wear, try this packing-light formula from travel expert Michelle Halpern for what to pack in a carry-on that’s comfortable, can be worn multiple ways, and will look great in photos (because, again, #priorities). “When packing for a trip, there are really three main factors that go into my overall strategy: how long the trip will last, what the average weather is at that time of year, and what specific activities I’ll be partaking in,” Halpern says. “When packing for a trip, there are really three main factors that go into my overall strategy.” Once you’ve answered these three questions, you can start raiding your closet. But make sure you save room in your suitcase for footwear, because according to Halpern, the right shoes can make or break a trip. “If you’re not comfortable in the shoes you’re wearing on your adventures, you won’t enjoy the trip,” she says. “So investing in comfort is so important.” Her go-to shoes are classic, look great with many different outfits, and above all, keep her feet happy (i.e. leave your stilettos at home). That’s where kicks like Sperry’s new PLUSHWAVE shoes come in clutch, because they’re so lightweight you can pack a
Need workout motivation? Just get a dog, according to research
February 18, 2020 at 10:00AM by CWC In the age of “if you didn’t Instagram your workout, did it really count?” fitness can feel like an all-or-nothing proposition—but it shouldn’t. Together with Michelob ULTRA—the next-level light beer that wants to take the stress out of staying fit—we’re exploring ways to be active that you’ll actually enjoy. Because being healthy doesn’t require fitness to be your whole life, just one (fun) part of it. The ideal workout buddy is someone who supports you unconditionally, who always looks on the bright side, and who knows how to lift you up, especially when the going gets tough. They even lick your face when you hit a fitness milestone—wait, what? Let’s face it: We all know dogs make everything better. But what you might not know is that owning a dog has health benefits that stretch way beyond feeling limitless love and happiness. So when we teamed up with Michelob ULTRA—the light beer that’s all about finding the joy in wellness—it only seemed right that we unpack the wellness benefits of having a four-legged fit-friend. Because if there’s anything better than the feeling of completing a great workout, it’s spending time with your dog. Keep reading for the science-approved health benefits of owning a dog, plus a pup-friendly workout to do with your four-legged friend. Doctor doggo They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but according to research, it turns out that Fido might help, too. Findings from the CDC suggest that pets can
Why one of the best things you can do for sore legs is… go for a walk
February 18, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC If your legs are really sore, you’d think that the smartest thing to do would be to sit down and take a load off so that they can have time to heal. While that certainly feels great every now and then, trainers actually recommend that you get up and move around by walking to relieve muscle soreness. No kidding. Though having sore legs after a killer lower body workout can mean that it’s harder to move, putting one foot in front of the other will help get rid of that heavy feeling. “Walking is very important immediately after leg training and during recovery days,” says Branko Teodorovic, a Flexit master trainer. “It might seem uncomfortable to start walking, but as we warm up, there is more blood being circulated into the legs, and after 10 to 15 minutes it’ll feel much more pleasant.” Basically, the movement shakes your legs out and helps relieve the tightness that just accumulated from your workout, and it has a host of other benefits. “Walking gets more oxygen transported into your legs versus than when you’re lying down or sitting,” says Teodorovic. “It transports all the nutrients necessary to ‘feed’ the muscles in your legs and to replenish glycogen, our muscle energy. Plus, walking breaks up lactic acid buildup so that your muscles are more prepped for your next training session.” Don’t worry: To reap these benefits, it’s not like you have to go all-out with a hardcore power-walking
Can your gut bacteria impact your…personality?
February 17, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The mind-gut connection is one of the biggest topics in wellness right now. Research has shown us that there’s a connection between the amount of good bacteria in the gut and how happy, depressed, or anxious someone feels. There’s also growing research showing a link between gut health and cognitive function, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. But the idea that what you eat—and the type of bacteria living in your gut—can affect your personality? Now that’s new. Is how outgoing someone is or how someone acts in social situations really connected to what’s going on in their gut? According to a new study, it’s possible. Published in the Human Microbiome Journal, stool samples were collected from 655 people for bacterial analysis. The participants also answered extensive questions about their socio-demographics, diet, health and lifestyle habits, and behavior traits. The researchers then compared the results to see if there were patterns between the types of gut bacteria present in the stool and behavior. What the researchers found was that different types of bacteria were associated with different behavioral traits. “There’s quite a lot of evidence of how the gut can affect stress, anxiety, and depression, but I was really interested on doing a human study to see if there was a link between the gut and personality traits,” says study author Katerina Johnson, PhD, as to her initial goal of the study. What she found was that people with a thriving microbiome—full of lots
7 haircare products that will help stretch the time until your next cut and color
February 17, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC Tired of seemingly-incessant haircuts and coloring appointments? We feel you. Whether you’re incredibly busy or simply trying to grow your hair out, frequent salon trips, as lovely as they are, can begin to feel like quite the nuisance. (Not to mention a money suck.) That’s why it helps to have your shower and vanity stocked with haircare products that help stretch the time between bookings. Not only do these beauty buys help maintain the health and appearance of your hair, but they save you money in the long run, since using them means tacking a couple extra weeks onto the duration between appointments. Intrigued? We thought you might be. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best haircare products that will help lengthen the life of your cut and color. You’re welcome in advance. 1. TRUHAIR Whipped Moisturizing Nano-Encapsulated Cream Conditioner, $26 Photo: Courtesy If dry, brittle strands are cause for concern between your cuts, it’s time to swap out your regular conditioner with this formula. It’s made with ceramides and vitamin E, not to mention keratin, wheat, soy, and corn proteins, to hydrate and strengthen hair. And, the stronger and more moisturized the ends, the longer you can go between trims. 2. Davines The Renaissance Circle Hair Mask, $10 Photo: Courtesy If your hair feels progressively duller and drier the longer you go between salon sessions, it’s time to add this extreme reparative mask to your hair routine. Where nourishing babassu
Chickpea pasta at a restaurant near you? Banza CEO Brian Rudolph wants to make it happen
February 17, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC In the almost six years since Brian Rudolph co-founded chickpea pasta line Banza in 2014 with his brother Scott, the company has: entered more than 12,000 stores, expanded its produce line to include vegan mac-and-cheese, lasagna noodles, and chickpea rice, and now plans to expand beyond the supermarket space into the food service industry. (Think: the pasta version of Beyond Meat.) Given the brand’s track record, there’s little doubt Banza will not only reach these new heights, it’ll exceed them in ways consumers can’t see coming—all of which is exactly why Rudolph was named a Well+Good 2020 Changemaker. Here, Rudolph talks to Well+Good about why the brand’s mission of reach and accessibility is so important to him and their pie-in-the-sky dreams. W+G: People are passionate about Banza products, to say the least. How do you decide, “Okay, this is what we’re going to make next”? Rudolph: We listen to the consumers really closely. People have been reaching out to us and asking about lasagna noodles pretty much since we launched. Same with the plant-based mac-and-cheese. Ever since we came out with our original mac-and-cheese, the top comment on Instagram was asking for us to make it 100 percent plant-based. It was a very clear request, but it took us a while to get it exactly right. How long does it take for something to go from idea to finished product? It depends on the product. With the chickpea rice, that was actually pretty
The $29 top-selling moisturizer at Sephora that derms won’t stop talking about
February 17, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC The best thing about shopping for skin care on Sephora.com is all of the different ways you can peruse the products. You can sort them by their type, by which skin concern they’re meant to treat, and can even browse through the best-sellers in each category. But I’m going to let you in on a little beauty-insider secret: The “top-rated” section is the best way to suss out the skin-care products that are worth investing in. People aren’t simply buying these products, after all. They’re so enthusiastic about them, that they’re leaving reviews for others to buy them as well. And every once in a while, you can find a gem that is effective and affordable, like Innisfree Orchid Youth-Enriched Gel Cream ($29). The moisturizer has earned itself more than 2,000 “loves,” landing among the retailers’ highest rated moisturizers. It’s made with Jeju green soybean-derived hyaluronic acid, plus the brand’s proprietary skin-protecting orchid elixir, which are meant to firm and hydrate skin while also protecting it from environmental stressors. The texture is a jelly that’s thick, but not at all sticky. Reviewers swear that it “doesn’t make your skin feel greasy,” even if you’re naturally oily or combination-complected, while those with dry skin say that it soaks in quickly to leave them feeling smooth and soft. Photo: Innisfree Users aren’t the only ones who have given this particular product a stamp of approval: Dermatologists love it too. “This is a nice, basic moisturizer,”