November 08, 2018 at 09:25AM If you’ve been sneaking some extra money into your shopping fund all year long, the time is officially nigh to break open that piggy bank: Black Friday is approaching quickly, and Target has unleashed a lot of its deals way early—along with intel on the different easy ways to save big. If you’re a brick-and-mortar shopper, you better eat your holiday feast early: The in-store deals start at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and last through 1 a.m. on Friday, November 23. Then, for true Black Friday fiends—who reserve Thanksgiving for fighting over the last piece of pumpkin pie rather than the last, say, discounted fitness tracker on the shelf—the savings will continue the next morning at 7 a.m. To make things a little less chaotic while you’re racing through the aisles, Target team members will be walking around with mobile checkout technology so you can skip the extra-long lines. Target’s app also features Black Friday store maps, so you can plan out your course of action ahead of time. Basically, start strategizing now, bargain hunters! Anyone who wants to avoid shopping in person can score major deals online, too—and sooner. Instead of waiting until Target opens on Thanksgiving Day, scan the website early that morning: all the savings will already be available. And those who have a REDcard get access to select Black Friday deals online the day before, on November 21. Don’t worry about a delay in receiving your packages, either: With the store’s Amazon Prime-style free
Tag: Well+Good
This is the up-close-and-personal truth about what it’s like to get a skin check
November 08, 2018 at 08:25AM My friends and I have a running joke that between the months of June and October, we stay far, far away from the dermatologist’s office. Because here’s the truth: Despite being a beauty editor who knows best sun-care practices by heart, I love the beach…and the pool. And while my habits have changed, for sure (I slather on SPF 70 every two hours and park it in the shade under an umbrella), I wasn’t as stringent with sun safety as a teen. But, lately I’ve been pondering the question: What does skin cancer look like anyways? So, I finally made an appointment with my dermatologist for my first-ever skin check to make sure the answer wasn’t lurking somewhere on my body. I could make up a laundry list of reasons as to why I’d avoided getting one, but considering that my profession requires me to talk to dermatologists daily, there really isn’t any excuse. Given years of bad habits, I was a so worried about what a doctor might find that I simply avoided going altogether. Irresponsible, yes, but true nonetheless. But this summer, two years after I lost my dad to a different type of cancer, a raised, black mole popped up under my arm that I couldn’t ignore. So, I scheduled my first ever skin-check appointment with Ellen Marmur, MD, a New York City dermatologist and founder of Marmur Medical. Her office on the Upper East Side was incredibly comfortable, and she did everything she could
I stopped pretending to be the most chill person ever—and my friends still think I’m cool
November 08, 2018 at 07:53AM About halfway through the summer, a complete and utter shitstorm descended upon my life. Seriously, I can’t describe it any other way. A close friend died and another attempted suicide all while I was acting as one of two primary caregivers for a family member battling a rare form of cancer. Also, I have a full-time job beyond grieving and being a pillar of strength for others, so it was rough. Needless to say, I didn’t have the same repository of time and energy to devote to convincing everyone around me that I am so chill. The reality is, I am less Rachel Green and more the Costanzas (like, George and his parents): opinionated, excitable, loud, and always accompanied by a laundry list of neuroses and mild-to-severe anxiety. So when I found myself without the energy to put every action, text, and conversation through the “is this chill?” filter, it pretty quickly changed my life—specifically how I respond to issues of toxic masculinity and the patriarchy. The reality is, I’m less Rachel Green and more the Costanzas (like, George and his parents): opinionated, excitable, loud, and always accompanied by a laundry list of neuroses and mild-to-severe anxiety. I like to consider myself an intersectional feminist set on dismantling these types of inequities women are tasked with overcoming, but that’s not chill. What is though, is refuting the idea that as a woman, I’m predisposed to being “bitchy,” emotionally volatile, overly sensitive, or hysterical. So, for a long time,
This healthy butternut squash recipe is totally French…and works in your Instant Pot
November 08, 2018 at 06:18AM Photo: St. Martin’s Griffin The French are known for their love of leisurely dinners, good wine, and complex, rich cuisine. But, apparently, they’re also just as obsessed with Instant Pots as we are here in the States. Quelle surprise! After spending time in France, food and travel writer Ann Mah (author of Mastering the Art of French Eating) realized that electric pressure cookers were the secret weapon for many a French home cook—and now she wants to teach Americans how to use it the way they do across the pond. Her new cookbook, Instantly French: Classic French Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker, features more than 70 mouthwatering recipes you can make with an Instant Pot or other kind of electric pressure cooker. But one in particular really stood out from the crowd: squash gratin. “In the winter months, Paris markets display enormous pumpkins that could double as Cinderella’s carriage, sold by the slice, as thick or thin as you desire,” Mah writes in the book. “Petite pumpkins are called potimarron, because their flavor is reminiscent of chestnuts, while butternut squash is known as le butternut.” (Okay, that one’s a cognate, but when said with a French accent, it definitely sounds fancier.) For this recipe—made with whipped egg whites and a dusting of grated goat cheese—any type will do. “You can use any kind of hard winter squash: pumpkin, butternut, or acorn,” Mah tells me. “They can take a long time to cook on the stove or
5 foolproof tips for buying good quality olive oil
November 08, 2018 at 04:38AM Healthy eating experts may disagree on the merits of carbs, coconut oil, and butter, but extra-virgin olive oil is about as controversial as leafy greens; virtually everyone feels pretty darn good about it. But here’s the thing: Not all olive oils are created equal. It turns out that there’s a lot of shade being thrown around in the olive oil industry, and many brands include weird additives in the production process—like other oils that aren’t olive oil, for example. According to Aishwarya Iyer, founder of olive-oil company Brightland—known for their high-quality standards—a lot of oils out there are actually rancid or laced with cheaper, refined oils and the companies don’t even have to label it on the bottle. In fact, Iyer founded Brightland after discovering what she thought was a gluten sensitivity, was actually a reaction to the poor-quality olive oil she was consuming on the reg. “According to the UC Davis Olive Center, nearly 70 percent of imported olive oil samples failed to meet the standards for extra-virgin olive oil and had defects that range from rancidity to adulteration with cheaper and more refined oils,” she says. “The cheaper oils can contain a blend of inferior quality vegetable oils like soybean oils, sunflower oil, palm oil, canola oil and they don’t have to indicate that.” Not exactly what you had in mind when you reached for that EVOO on the shelf, right? To start, it’s a good idea to understand what the “extra-virgin” term often
What fights inflammation, boosts collagen, and relieves pain? Echinacea—and that’s only half its health benefits
November 08, 2018 at 02:25AM There are so many supplements that you could be taking at any given time—for your skin, for your hair, for your bloat, or even for better sleep, that it can become confusing to remember which does what. One of the OGs and most versatile ingredients in the supplement world (it’s been used since at least the 1700s) is echinacea. Echinacea, which is also referred to as American coneflower, is technically an herb that belongs to Asteraceae, or the daisy family. Cultures and scientists alike have touted it for its many health benefits ranging from battling inflammation to improving collagen production—I mean, what more could you ask for? But before you dive headfirst into a world of soothing muscle pain, a few words of caution: There are side effects to using or consuming echinacea, and though they differ person to person, these are some of the most notable ones according to Charles Passler, DC, a nutritionist and life coach. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to pollen, echinacea will likely be a no-go. People with this allergy often have a heightened sensitivity to the herb resulting in symptoms like rashes, itchiness, swelling, and hives when they come into contact with it. Dr. Passler notes that people with asthma and autoimmune disorders should avoid echinacea altogether. Findings on whether or not echinacea can worsen these conditions are so far inconclusive. Some studies have found that it’s, in fact, harmful and exacerbates these conditions, while others find
How to research a salary and negotiate when the job title is…creative
November 08, 2018 at 01:00AM The nature of the workforce has changed quite a bit in the past handful of years. While many of these tweaks have made way for company-culture wins—like work-from home flexibility and the rise of workleisure—some updates have introduced new complications. For instance, you’ve probably come upon a job title that, while certainly creative, does not provide a whole bunch of clarity about the role, or its associated salary. And it’s a problem, because if you’re in the running for the role of, say, “Bacon Critic,” where do you even start to research what you should be negotiating regarding comp? As industries branch out and companies become more innovative, there’s a greater need for roles that don’t fit squarely into boxes and easy-to-understand categories like “Consultant” and then “Senior Consultant.” So, when and if you find yourself in the situation of negotiating a salary for a job offer to be “In-house Philosopher” or “Chief Executive Unicorn,” here are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re not shortchanged by your prospective employer. Check out 3 expert tips for decoding a not-so-straightforward job title Photo: Getty Images/People Images 1. Research using the right tools While you may initially feel powerless in the face of your creatively titled job, when you turn to the right tools for help, you can actually find out a lot about what kind of range your salary should be in. Tyler Murphy, a rep for job site Glassdoor, suggests using the platform’s personalized
What the historic midterm election results *really* mean for the future of women’s health care
November 07, 2018 at 04:13PM Let’s be real: Between the recent spate of mass shootings, reports of racially motivated voter suppression, and a new legislative proposal that seeks to narrow the very definition of gender, we Americans have a lot on our minds right now. But of all the issues influencing our choices in the 2018 midterm elections, health care was top of mind—an AP poll conducted in the run-up to Election Day found voters consider it the most important issue facing the nation, a sentiment that’s particularly strong among Democrats. So now that that the ballots have been counted and the Dems have officially reclaimed control of the House of Representatives, you’re probably wondering what’s next when it comes to issues relating to your own health. Is Roe v Wade still endangered? Is Planned Parenthood’s funding safe now? And what about pre-existing conditions—will the Trump administration actually be able to do away with protections afforded to them under the Affordable Care Act, as recently proposed? While a lot of these answers still remain to be seen, below are a few of the election results that indicate how things could play out in the years to come along with some of the most significant state-level decisions made, affecting everything from abortion rights to drugstore shopping lists. We’ve got more women representing us—and our bodies—than ever before One of the biggest midterm wins was the fact that more than 100 women are heading to Congress in 2019—the largest number in history. Forty of these
The real reason you shouldn’t go into the cold with damp hair has nothing to do with getting sick
November 07, 2018 at 02:00PM I may be diligent with my 10-step skin-care routine, but when it comes to my hair, I’m supremely lazy. Read: You’ll never see me touch a blow dryer—I’m all about letting my hair dry in the wind on my commute into the office. As the temperatures drop and a chill enters the air, however, this isn’t such a good idea. In fact, you know how your parents always told you never to go outside in the cold with wet hair because you’d get sick? Well, you might not actually get sick—but it turns out that damp strands plus cold temps could lead to serious hair damage. “When it’s cold outside, it’s very important not to leave the house with wet hair as it has a greater risk of damage,” says Anwar Zahar, principal technician for Aveda’s research and development claims and testing division. There’s science behind it—basically, your strands are much more vulnerable when they’re wet. “Water molecules in the hair can expand—or even solidify if it’s below freezing—which causes the hair shaft to swell, making it prone to breakage,” Zahar explains. To ensure your hair’s kept strong and healthy, it’s best to go the extra mile and make sure you don’t leave the house until it’s completely dry. “Blow drying is the quickest option to alleviate this risk, but it’s also important to keep your hair protected from heat damage, since there’s a whole season of blow drying and heat styling ahead,” explains Zahar,
We want to talk about anxiety, but we need your help!
November 07, 2018 at 01:40PM Fun fact about me: I had to delete my phone’s Twitter app six months ago. Why? Because the constant influx of news notifications on my feed (mostly political, and mostly bad) was making me incredibly anxious all the time. And this isn’t just me being “overly sensitive.” Nearly 40 percent of Americans reported being more anxious this year than last year in a poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). And yet, very few respondents reported seeking help at all (only 28 percent said they had seen a mental health professional.) That’s the catch-22 with stress and anxiety—they’re so common (40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America) and yet so few people are able to seek help. We’re passionate about this issue at W+G, and that’s where you come in. Take a few minutes to fill out the stress and anxiety survey below to help us understand what you’re struggling with. You’ll be helping us better serve you and your needs—and hopefully together we can change a bit how people approach anxiety. (Pro tip: If the survey isn’t loading on your phone, click here.) (function(t,e,s,n){var o,a,c;t.SMCX=t.SMCX||[],e.getElementById(n)||(o=e.getElementsByTagName(s),a=o[o.length-1],c=e.createElement(s),c.type=”text/javascript”,c.async=!0,c.id=n,c.src=[“https:”===location.protocol?”https://”:”http://”,”widget.surveymonkey.com/collect/website/js/tRaiETqnLgj758hTBazgd5y1FGsgX0umGucEcY9Tv77bk2lrdle5lrzWKI3u_2BfAR.js”].join(“”),a.parentNode.insertBefore(c,a))})(window,document,”script”,”smcx-sdk”); Create your own user feedback survey If you want to hear a bunch of awesome, smart people talk about combatting the stigmas around anxiety, join us for our next Well+Good TALK. And find out one of the best ways to calm yourself down the next time a panic attack strikes.