December 09, 2018 at 06:30PM From kicking it into gift shopping mode every weekend to making your holiday party rounds, your life during the winter season—and oftentimes your diet—are thrown off track, and your gut’s the one to pay. You’re not the only one feeling this off-putting shift. Rachel Paul, RD feels you. “This time of year brings on a lot of added stress—the mental stress of choosing what to eat, eating too much, and the physical stress your body is under from the extra cold and flu germs,” Paul adds. No wonder you’re feeling a little on edge. To help find your way through this wild ride of a holiday season and avoid the dreaded head cold, too, we asked Rachel Paul to share some gut-friendly tips that’ll help you crush the season without a meltdown. Keep reading for 3 tweaks to your holiday meals that’ll ensure your gut (and overall health) is at 100 percent all season long. Photo: Stocksy/Jeff Wasserman 1. Be mindful of added sugars and refined carbs—but don’t ban them! If you have a hankering for something sweet, eat something sweet—just be aware of the amount of added sugars and refined carbs. “Foods high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can cause a lot of inflammation in the lining of our GI tract, which can lead to bloating, lethargy, and gas,” Paul says. More than the discomfort factor, you don’t want to feel in urgent need of a nap when catching up with that friend you haven’t seen in
Tag: Well+Good
There’s an astrological reason to break out that ugly Christmas sweater this week
December 09, 2018 at 11:51AM If you have a holiday party coming up, consider yourself supported by this week’s Aquarius moon to be as weird and wonderful as you wanna be, says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi, who has a very “you be you” message for the next seven days. And Racioppi’s sharing her best advice on making the most of the current cosmic conditions, AKA your fitness, food, and self-care habits—no matter what your sun sign is. Monday, December 10 With the waxing crescent moon in Capricorn, a sign of brass-tacks commitment, the day begins on a strong upbeat tempo. Yes. Lead with joy, stay kind, and enjoy it. (You might even find yourself sharing some holiday cheer.) After last week’s encouraging new moon in Sagittarius, and Mercury stationing direct, this year-end, mid-December Monday boasts some high-vibe mojo and tenacity. 2018 might’ve kept the best for last. With the majority of the planets traveling direct (only Uranus is retrograde) finally, things move forward. Follow your desires. The stars are (finally) aligned. Tuesday, December 11 There are relatively clear astrological skies for this Aquarius moon Tuesday to potentially feel liberating. Maybe so much so, you want to experiment with not shaving, and flirting with the power of Big Bush Energy (or BBE as Well+Good’s editors affectionately named the latest trend stemming from the body-inclusivity movement). With performative self-care becoming a thing of the past (another 2019 W+G trend), performative grooming can potentially fall by the wayside too—especially for those desiring a more natural relationship to
These are the best glasses for every face shape—be it round, oval, heart, or square
December 09, 2018 at 09:40AM While glasses were once thought to be a nerdy necessity, these days a chic pair of spectacles is as much an in-demand accessory as a pair of statement earrings, patterned tights, or an ethi-cool handbag. So while you no longer need to hide your less-than-20/20-vision behind contact lenses, one problem that persists in the eyewear world is finding the best pair of glasses for your face shape. First, there are so many different face shapes out there—round, square, heart, diamond, the list goes on—and sometimes it’s hard to know what shape your face qualifies as. (Here are some handy visuals to help you figure it out.) The good news? According to Kim Nemser, vice president of product strategy at Warby Parker, picking the right pair of glasses is less about face shape and more about trusting your instincts. “First, it’s all about having fun and picking frames that make you feel comfortable and confident,” explains Nemser. “We recommend looking for a pair of frames that balances your face shape. If you’ve got a round face, look for an angular shape. Or, consider a pair of round-lensed frames to complement a strong jawline. But above all, pick what makes you look and feel great.” While we’re all for a you-do-you method of picking out, well, anything, from your frames to how you wear your pubic hair, TBH. If you’d rather have more of a concrete guide based on face shape, no worries. We’ve got that, too! Here’s
Searches for meatless holiday recipes are majorly increasing on Pinterest
December 09, 2018 at 03:00AM With the holiday season in full swing, people are scouring the internet in order to find the perfect recipes to enjoy with family and friends. And you know what that means: browsing Pinterest for hours on end. Well, if you’ve been thinking about switching things up and swapping your traditional meals for something meatless, you’re definitely in good company. According to VegNews, searches on Pinterest for “meatless Christmas meals” have increased by 53 percent this year alone. That’s not all, though: Both vegetarian and vegan dishes were top categories in the 2018 UK Food + Drink Awards with trending pins that could easily replace roast beef or ham as the star of the show, including Seitan Butter Chicken, Mushroom Lasagna, and Harissa-Roasted Cauliflower. Talk about yum. No matter if this will be your first meat-free holiday ever—or you’re already a seasoned pro—here are five recipes to try this year. Photo: Greenhouse Juice Co. 1. Glazed butternut squash If you want to display a dish that’s just as pretty as it is delicious, try this glazed butternut squash. The fiber-rich meal takes minimal effort to make, and with a sweet glaze made with maple syrup, no one will be able to resist it. Photo: Hell Yeah It’s Vegan! 2. Matzo ball soup Seconds will certainly be in order for this vegan matzo ball soup. The healthy mix uses veggie stock instead of chicken, and you get heaps of protein from the tofu. Photo: Laura Lea Goldberg 3. BBQ chickpea and sweet potato loaf This
Dentists say *this* is the most important thing to keep in mind when brushing
December 09, 2018 at 02:00AM I don’t have to tell you how important it is to brush your teeth. It’s something that was likely drilled into your childhood brain by your mom, dentist, and that catchy toothbrushing song from kindergarten and has taken hold in your adult life. But while we’ve always been taught that proper oral hygiene is a necessity for keeping your pearly whites glistening, avoiding cavities, and not scaring away friends and loved ones with bad breath, there’s another reason why you need to be brushing your teeth on the reg: The sake of your gums. I know, I know—it isn’t exactly the sexiest topic, but it is an important one. The American Dental Association recommends giving your mouth a good scrub down with a toothbrush and floss twice a day to keep your teeth clean, which will help you avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar. These “wool sweaters” are packed with bacteria, which can cause gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, which can lead to more serious gum issues ranging from mild to severe periodontitis. And in case painful, swollen gums (and the potential of loose teeth) wasn’t enough to cause you concern, periodontal diseases have been linked to more serious issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. While the frequency of your toothbrushing is unquestionably critical (yes, your mom, dentist, and kindergarten teacher were right), there are other factors that also come into play. “Some of the best practices that gets overlooked are how you utilize the toothbrush,” says Lawrence Fung, DDS, founder of Silicon Beach Dental. “It’s not
Burning question: Why does my UTI keep coming back?
December 08, 2018 at 09:00AM When you’ve got a urinary tract infection (UTI), it can feel like it’s never going to go away. The pain, the fatigue, the urgent and frequent need to pee—every hour is straight-up misery. What could be worse than that? Well, a recurrent UTI that actually does keep coming back, for starters. This kind of gynecological Groundhog Day scenario is actually quite common. Research finds that out of the 40 to 60 percent of women who experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, 1 in 4 is likely to have a repeat infection. According to Candice Fraser, MD, of New York City’s Trinity Medical Care, there’s a variety of reasons why a UTI might rear its ugly head again and again. (And, if you’re really unlucky, again.) “Some people may have structural differences in their urinary tract that make them more susceptible to recurrent or chronic infections,” she explains. Other factors can include certain types of kidney stones that can make a person more susceptible to recurrent or chronic infections, as well as bladder catheters. Your body’s bacterial balance can also be upset by factors that aren’t directly related to your bladder and urethra. Los Angeles-based OB-GYN Tristan Bickman, MD, notes that other risk factors for a recurrent UTI can include the use of diaphragms and spermicides, douching, and hormonal changes in menopausal women. Another risk factor: GI conditions that result in frequent diarrhea or stool incontinence. “The anus is close in proximity to the urethra, and bacteria can easily be transmitted
3 tips to make sure sleeping in separate bedrooms doesn’t turn your S.O. into your roommate
December 08, 2018 at 05:30AM In TV shows and movies, couples are, like, never shown sleeping in separate bedrooms—not even in I Love Lucy, where the two main characters sleep in separate twin beds in the same room (because…the ’50s). In the rare case that onscreen couples do sleep apart, chances are someone’s on the couch as a consequence of a major blowout. Truthfully though, catching zzz’s in a different bedroom than your S.O. is something one in four married couples do—and it’s not necessarily because the relationship is rife with issues. Getting enough sleep is a major cornerstone of living your healthiest life ever—and crucial for ensuring your mood isn’t constantly awful. “There are all sorts of reasons why sleeping separately can be better for someone’s health, whether it’s because someone snores, is sensitive to light, or the couple has different sleep schedules,” says relationship therapist and Sex Without Stress author Jessa Zimmerman. “Getting enough sleep is crucial, and you need to make that decision for you and your health. As long as having separate rooms is for that reason, I think it’s a good idea.” Being well-rested is blissful, but what happens if the arrangement starts to make you feel like you and your partner would be better described as roommates than as a couple? Sure, it’s normal for the initial passion of a new relationship to fade over time, and sleeping in separate rooms can amplify that feeling even more. But Zimmerman says it doesn’t have to—and
There are 52 million mascara videos on Google, but this is the only one you need
December 08, 2018 at 03:30AM Any time I’m talking to someone who has incredibly enviable, mile-long lashes, I can’t help but wonder what their secret is. Especially because no mascara I’ve ever brought home has gotten me on that level. But maybe it’s not about the tube—maybe it’s about the technique. Out of 52 million mascara video search results on Google, this seems to be the only lash-lengthening one I’ll ever need. According to Sydney-based makeup artist Stephanie Lange, there’s a simple hack that not only gives you extra-long lashes, but thick ones, too, and it’s quite simple. You simply have to combine whichever mascara you already have at home with some powder. After applying a layer of mascara just as you normally would, all you need to do is take a small amount of face powder with a clean eyeshadow brush and dust it onto still slightly-wet lashes. Then, again swipe on another layer of mascara to completely coat the lashes, using a separate spoolie to comb out any clumps. “You can repeat the mascara and powder routine as many times as you want until you build up your lashes to be as thick or as long as you want them to be,” Lange explains in the video below. “The more times you apply powder and mascara, you’re building up the volume on your lashes and, in a sense, you’re creating your own lash extension mascara, minus the exceptionally annoying little fibers that fall out into your eyes throughout
The top 5 places to go for cupping therapy in LA
December 08, 2018 at 02:00AM There are a few wellness treatments that you can totally do yourself at home—foam rolling, Theragun-ing, and even a luxe spa-like rejuvenating facial. Cupping therapy, however—isn’t one we’d recommend attempting without the guidance of a pro as it tends to involve a combination of fire, plastic, glass, and suction. Plus you know, it’s kind of impossible to cup your own back. And, since the goal of cupping therapy is to engage your muscles in deep relaxation for the purpose of pain relief, reducing inflammation, and overall well-being, it’s way less stressful to let someone else do it. That being said, finding a place to get in a session in Los Angeles can seem sort of overwhelming—there are so. many. options. After all, the City of Angles is an epicenter of everything wellness and woo-woo, so it’s unsurprising that LA has a ton of prospects when it comes any and all holistic treatments. To help you narrow down your search to just the top choices, here’s a handy list of where to get your fix of cupping therapy in the SoCal city. 1. The Spa on Rodeo If you’re seasoned and familiar with cupping therapy, this spot offers traditional and next-level treatments like facial cupping(!!), which is thought to relieve sinus issues, inflammation, and improve circulation. The other more rare modalities of cupping offered at this spa include foot cupping (believed to relieve tired and achy feet), cupping targeted are reducing the appearance of cellulite, and stomach
Timber! Your yoga mat could be actively sabotaging your balancing poses
December 07, 2018 at 11:36AM You’ve had your downward dog and warrior poses mastered for years, but when you put yourself into trickier situations that require some serious balancing skills, it only takes a second to fall out. So what gives? Well, according to a podiatrist, you might be able to blame your yoga mat. In a recent episode of the Urban Wellness Clinic’s Muscle Medicine podcast, Emily Splichal, DPM, reveals the prime yoga accessory could actually be why balancing is so hard. “When you go onto a yoga mat, you’re dampening or blocking the small nerves in the bottom of the feet,” she says. And those nerves are crucial for mastering one-legged poses: They have quicker reaction times, making them better at sensing tiny movement changes to help keep you balanced. Unfortunately, due to the texture and thickness of mats, those nerves are often suppressed, forcing you to rely on the large nerves on the outside of the ankle that don’t do nearly as good of a job at keeping you stable. “When you go onto a yoga mat, you’re dampening or blocking the small nerves in the bottom of the feet.” —Emily Pplichal, podiatrist Since all soft surfaces in general are culprits—and there’s no way you’re doing yoga on a hardwood floor—there’s really no quick fix besides Dr. Splichal’s go-to mat: the Naboso ($110), a proprioceptive mat that’s specifically designed to stimulate the nerves in the bottom of the feet for better control and stability during exercise. “There are tiny little