February 17, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC It’s hard to pin down the exact moment in a Black woman’s life when she may begin to feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. For some of us it happens seemingly in childhood, while for others it might strike much later, like when entering the workforce. While we, Black women, are not a monolithic group, many of us do share similar experiences with the familial and societal pressures placed upon us, and because of that shared experience we recognize the power of community-minded growth. The assumption that we must take on Superwoman-like roles in a society that wasn’t built for Black women can—and often does—take a toll on us. Our need to shed the toxicity of workplace microaggressions, police brutality, and a government that continuously makes adverse decisions against our well-being is real. An overarching issue is that while Black women exhibit high rates of depression, we are also not likely to have adequate mental health care. The rise of so many WOC-led communities, like Sad Girls Club and Black Girl In Om, does provide hope that we at the beginning stages of a collective healing journey. And it’s completely necessary, because, simply put, Black women deserve a break. These are the five best wellness retreats for Black women. 1. The Colored Girl’s Imara Retreat View this post on Instagram Forever #mood… realizing all things are connected & walking fully in our #power. #IMARA2019 A post shared
Tag: Well+Good
I stuck to a 9:30 p.m. bedtime on vacation—here’s the Ayurvedic reason I’m continuing the habit at home
February 17, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Even before I arrived at the Rosewood Mayakoba resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, I knew I would be in for some excellent sleep. That’s because I was visiting to check out the property’s eight new wellness suites, which are packed with snooze-enhancing amenities such as circadian-rhythm-optimized lighting, soothing aromatherapy showers, and bedside essential oils blended by a local shaman. Just as I suspected, on the last night of my four-day trip, I ended up sleeping more deeply than I have in many months, but that accomplishment might be thanks to another reason entirely: I decided to go to sleep at 9:30 p.m. I did so at the advice of Daniel Seymour, Rosewood Mayakoba’s resident Ayurvedic practitioner. Seymour told me during a consultation that turning in between 9:30 and 10 p.m. is a simple hack that can result in higher-quality sleep, working in accordance with the Ayurvedic body clock. See, according to Ayurvedic wisdom, every person is made up of three energy signatures, or doshas. In super-simple terms, vata is airy and intellectual, pitta is fiery and action-oriented, and kapha is earthy and grounded. Most people have a dominant dosha that affects their physical and mental state in the long-term, but different doshas are also believed to be more active within us at different times of day, which dictates the Ayurvedic body clock. Kapha time is from 6 to 10 (a.m. and p.m.); pitta time is from 10 to 2 (a.m. and p.m.);
Your step-by-step guide to treating (and preventing) eyebrow dandruff
February 17, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC Your scalp can get flaky, your skin can get flaky, and even your eyebrows can get flaky once in a while. Most people have tips and tricks on hand for dealing with these flakes, but when the issue morphs into dandruff (you’ll note that small white flakes turn into flat, oily yellow ones), your solution isn’t simply to exfoliate. And if you’re dealing with a bout of eyebrow dandruff, that sentiment rings doubly true. Usually, flaking—whether it’s on the face, the scalp, or the brows—happens because of excessive dryness. But dandruff is actually caused by an oil-loving yeast. “Contrary to popular belief, dandruff isn’t caused by dry skin, but rather by a fungus… the same one that causes scalp dandruff,” says Michelle Wu, master therapist at Evertrue Microblading. “The presence of this fungus causes itchy, flaky skin.” And no one’s exactly going for the flaky look when they’re grooming their brows. What causes eyebrow dandruff Dandruff is caused by a yeast-type organism found on the scalp called pityrosporum ovale (P. ovale) or malassezia furfur (M. furfur). “These happen from the division of cells,” says trichologist Penny James of Penny James Salon. “In normal skin conditions, the stratum corneum consists of about 30 layers of closely consistent keratinized cells. When the skin has flakes over it as is the case with dandruff, there are about 10 layers badly formed, with haphazardly arranged cells that have moved from the stratum gerninativum [the deepest layer of
4 tips for dealing with the negative people in your life during Mercury retrograde
February 17, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Like peanut butter and jelly or Batman and Robin, Mercury retrograde and issues within in your interpersonal relationships is a real iconic duo. That’s because the cosmic transit, happening three times this year, has a way of messing up so may aspects of our lives. But, exactly how does Mercury retrograde affect us, you ask? Well, since technology, travel, communication, and any combination of those big-hitters are compromised, so many components of our lives are out of sync during this time. As such, many understandably end up walking around angry, unapproachable, and downright negative, leaving the rest of us in some need of serious cosmic attitude protection from energy vampires. We all have a few of them in our lives, whether it’s a constantly complaining friend, an ex who keeps resurfacing every few months, or a toxic narcissist boss who always takes credit for your work. So, given that communication is one of the big-deal ways Mercury in retrograde affects us, how can you best deal with the negative energy during a time when we’re all especially sensitive? Well, self care and healthy boundaries are both key. To keep you positively protected, given that Mercury is in retrograde in Pisces through March 10, we got expert tips for getting through. Because everyone is going to be in their feelings for the next few weeks. How does Mercury retrograde affect us? Usually, not well—here are 4 ways to protect yourself from the negativity. 1.
This vegan chipotle mayo makes everything taste so much better
February 17, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC If there was a condiment popularity contest, I’d put all bets on chipotle mayo. It has the perfect creamy texture, just the right amount of heat, and tastes great on everything from burgers to kale salads. While typical mayonnaise isn’t the healthiest option due to its high-calorie and high-fat nature, there’s a plant-based alternative that’s so healthy you can enjoy it every day. Tara Patel of My Vegetarian Family is a whiz at making nutritious plant-based recipes, and her vegan chipotle mayo is no exception. Instead of using a store-bought dairy- and egg-free mayo option as a base, she decided to prepare everything from scratch. Even so, she managed to create a mix that only requires a handful of ingredients and hardly any time. After soaking your cashews, you simply add them to a blender with your other ingredients: canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, salt, and water. That’s it. Then after a quick blend, you can use the chipotle mayo to add a major flavor bomb to all the dishes you eat on the regular. “My vegan chipotle mayo is the perfect plant-based alternative for dipping raw or air-fried veggies, layering into your favorite wrap, or when you simply need a guilt-free dip or dressing with a little kick to change things up,” she says. You can even use it as a salad dressing. Because you only need a little bit for your meals, you’ll have a big batch in the
This at-home Pilates lower body workout will set your legs *and* glutes on fire
February 17, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyT4nGIJF5I] People tend to associate Pilates workouts with a stronger core. While that’s 100-percent the core of the fitness modality, certain Pilates exercises can also strengthen your lower body, too (Pilates is full of surprising benefits, y’all). To stand as proof, SolidCore trainer Triana Brown, our Trainer of the Month, is walking us through a Pilates lower body workout that fires up your quads, glutes, inner and outer thighs, and hamstrings, right along with your core muscles. To up the ante and add resistance to the already challenging leg and butt workout, Brown recommends that you grab some sliders (a towel works, too) as a quick way to get your muscles quaking. Hot tip: It’s going to feel intense, but take a deep breath and keep going. “Push through that burning sensation,” says Brown. “It’s a mental game, and you’ve got to talk yourself through it.” Fifteen minutes later, you’ll be stronger for it. Keep scrolling for the full workout. Try this Pilates lower body workout for yourself Do each exercise for two minutes each. 1. Plank to pike: First things first: You have to warm up the core before getting to the lower body. Grab your sliders and place them directly underneath your feet in a plank position, hands right underneath your shoulders. Contract your abdominals and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, then slowly lower down so that your hips are in line with your shoulders. Squeeze your abs the entire
I gave up coffee and tried this wellness-boosted tea for a week—here’s what happened
February 17, 2020 at 10:00AM by CWC I’ll just come right out and say it: I love coffee. I love the taste, the way it smells, and the act of ordering it at a coffeeshop. Even forking over that extra dollar for oat milk brings me joy. The one thing I don’t love? Feeling like I’m dependent on it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I have an IV of dark roast hooked up to my arm—two cups is usually good enough for me—but lately I’ve needed those 16 ounces to transition from someone who barely hears her sixth alarm to the cheerful, productive, full-of-good-ideas editor I try to be. As a reset, I decided to quit my coffee habit for a week, and tap into the benefits of drinking tea instead. To fuel my new tea habit, I stocked my kitchen cabinet and desk drawer with Celestial Seasonings TeaWell wellness teas, which aren’t your typical English breakfast. I figured if I’m going to give up my beloved coffee for a week, I should probably replace it with something even more beneficial, right? TeaWell teas come in nine distinct flavors—ranging from turmeric spice to ginger mint—each of which boasts benefits such as supporting digestion, immunity, and mental vitality. Less coffee and less brain fog? Totally here for it. Keep scrolling to find out how my week without coffee went, plus my favorite benefits of drinking tea. Photo: TeaWell Drinking tea doesn’t mean no caffeine Let me be clear: While
This Mercury retrograde in Pisces is here to target communication *and* your emotions
February 16, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The week ahead promises change with Mercury stationing retrograde at 7:53 p.m., EST, on Sunday, February 16, and the sun moving into Pisces on Tuesday, the 18th. The energy of the these events invites us to reconcile pain from the past because the Mercury retrograde slows things down, and the sun in Pisces connects us to our most profound sense of empathy. The combination of these cosmic events may lead to more-sensitive-than-usual feelings, thus opening up the opportunity to forgive past grievances and envision where we wish to dedicate our intentions moving forward. Simultaneously, we can also see the truth from a crystal-clear vantage point. To tune into what might surface for you during this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, which lasts through March 9, consider what’s emerged in your life since Mercury reached 28 degrees of Aquarius, the degree where Mercury will station direct next month. Mercury traveled at this degree of Aquarius on February 1, and as the planet of communication seemingly retraces these degrees (he doesn’t move backward, it’s just an optical illusion), we are asked to revisit the past before forging ahead. So, what dynamics with others have emerged since then? To get clarity about those dynamics, ask yourself the following questions: How have I been evading truth? Where have I been going along to get along? What truth do I need to honor and accept at this moment? To tune into what might surface for you during this Mercury
How to get full-body workout using the cable extension machine at your gym
February 16, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC You’re in the gym. It’s 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday. Nearly every machine is taken. But wait—there’s something off in the distance. Is that… an open cable machine? You dash over, set down your water bottle, and claim your space. So now what? You can do a full-body workout using a cable machine. It’s true! “The cable machine is one of the most versatile and quality pieces of exercise equipment around,” says Justin Roethlingshoefer, CSCS, personal trainer, author, and NHL performance coach. “Many people are not aware of how simple adjustments can create an amazing full-body workout without leaving the 5-foot square space.” He says because the leverage point of the pulleys can be changed, you can work the body through all three planes of motion (frontal, lateral, and transverse) and hit your muscles at different angles. To start, how does a cable machine work? Watch the video below, and then keep reading for Roethlingshoefer’s full-body workout using the cable machine. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22AFyTaVs5g] 5 moves for a full-body workout using the cable machine Complete three sets of the following moves. bicep curl Attachment: rope Place the pulley at the lowest level. Grab the rope in each hand, with your thumbs pointed to the roof. With straight arms, take two steps back to create tension between the weight stack and the cable. Bend your knees and sit your butt back a bit (like your doing a quarter of a squat) with your feet shoulder
I haven’t taken off these sustainably made $25 leggings since I bought them
February 16, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC Truth time: Leggings are probably my favorite article of clothing, which is funny because I used to be such a snob about how “leggings aren’t pants.” Guess what, 2012 Allie: Leggings are pants, and you will soon be wearing them seven days a week. While I may well have a dresser packed with options, these days one pair, in particular, are on my bod 24/7: the H&M Conscious Sport Wrapover Waist Sports Legging, $25. The leggings are part of H&M’s just-launched spring activewear collection that contains dancewear-inspired pieces like leg warmers, bodysuits, and sweats that make me feel like I should be starring in an early aughts dance movie alongside Channing Tatum. Most of the products in the collection are sustainably made with materials like recycled polyester and polyamide, and BCI-grade (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton. This is part of H&M’s ongoing sustainability effort, as the brand plans to use only recycled or sustainably-sourced materials by 2030. Photo: H&M Made with a high rise and a thick waistband, these leggings—which come in light, khaki green and black—don’t roll down when you work out in them, and they don’t get baggy or slide around while you’re moving. I can absolutely see myself wearing the light green leggings (with the matching sports bra, ofc) while explaining to someone that they need to back up their computers and phones, and not engage in any difficult conversations while Mercury is in retrograde. Or when I want to emulate my