Wednesday, January 31, 2018
The Secret Ingredient That Makes Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade
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We discovered it totally by accident.
Recently, my roommate’s boyfriend lost a bet (we were trying to cut down on our dessert consumption, but he caved on vacation), and, somewhat ironically, we decided that the loser had to bake the rest of us a cake. It didn’t take long for us to pick our preferred flavor: the super-sweet, sprinkle-studded deliciousness that is Funfetti.
Off he went to the store, only to return to find that we didn’t have the vegetable oil the boxed mix required. Instead of going back out to the deli, I suggested he try coconut oil. As someone who dislikes the flavor of coconut, he was skeptical—but I reassured him he wouldn’t taste it. He warmed it in the microwave until it was liquefied, measured out the specified amount, added it to the mix, and proceeded as usual.
The cake, however, was far from average. It was exceptional, especially considering it came from a box. It was moist and extra light and fluffy, and—dare I say it—tasted just as good as a homemade vanilla cake. We couldn’t stop eating it straight from the pan, dipping pieces into the tub of Funfetti frosting. It was, hands down, the most delicious cake from a box I’ve ever had.
If you want to try this hack, it’s easy: just replace the oil called for with melted coconut oil. I suggest using refined coconut oil, which doesn’t have a coconut-y flavor. Unrefined (or virgin) will also work, but you’ll be able to taste it in the cake. Try it with any flavor cake, not just Funfetti. And don't save your coconut oil for cakes alone. Try it in these dark chocolate chip cookies, almond butter cups, or even pie crust.
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This Type of Non-Dairy Milk is the Healthiest, Study Says
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That almond milk latte may be delicious, but a study just published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology suggests that the trendy beverage also has some drawbacks. When researchers compared the nutritional profiles of four popular “alternative” milks, they found that soy milk came out on top—and that almond, rice and coconut “milks” all lacked essential nutrients important for overall health.
Plant-based “milks” are often marketed as wholesome and appropriate substitutes for the real thing. To find out if these claims measured up, scientists at McGill University in Canada studied the nutrition labels of several unsweetened almond, soy and rice milks, plus coconut dairy-free beverages, on grocery-store shelves.
Cow’s milk, the researchers say, is still the most complete and balanced source of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Soy milk, a popular alternative option for more than four decades, was found to be the most comparable to cow’s milk in terms of overall nutrient balance. It’s also the highest in protein of all the alternative milk options studied, with about 7 to 12 grams (and about 95 calories) per 8-ounce serving.
Soy milk also contains phytonutrients known as isoflavones, which have been shown to have cancer-fighting properties. It’s not a perfect substitute, though; some people complain about its “beany flavor,” the authors wrote, and some scientists have expressed concerns about “anti-nutrient” substances naturally found in soy, like phytic acid, which can make it harder for the body to absorb and digest important vitamins and minerals.
Almond milk, on the other hand, is low in calories (about 36 per serving) and rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. Getting more of these healthy fats may be beneficial to weight loss and weight management, the authors wrote, and they have also been shown to reduce LDL—or “bad”—cholesterol. But almond milk is also low in protein and carbohydrates, making it less nutritionally balanced than cow or soy milk.
Meanwhile, dairy-free coconut beverages have no protein. And although it’s low in calories (about 45 per serving), most of that energy comes from saturated fat. On the plus side, the report states, drinking this type of beverage has been associated with increases in HDL—or “good”—cholesterol and reductions in LDL cholesterol.
Sweet-tasting rice milk can serve as an alternative for people with allergies to soybeans and almonds, but it’s high in calories (133 per serving) and relatively low in beneficial nutrients. Research suggests that “consumption of rice milk as an alternative to cow’s milk without proper care can result in malnutrition,” the authors wrote, “especially in the case of infants.”
MORE: The Case Against Low-fat Milk Is Stronger Than Ever
Cow’s milk, by comparison to the dairy alternatives, contains about 158 calories per 8-ounce serving, along with 8 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat (5.5 of it saturated fat), and 11.5 grams of carbohydrates. That’s the “perfect composition of nutrients” for baby cows, the authors wrote in their paper, and it’s similar to the composition of human breast milk.
Milk is also an important source of vitamins and minerals—including calcium, which the body needs for bone health, especially during childhood and adolescence. Most milk substitutes are fortified with calcium to mimic the levels in cow’s milk, although the authors point out that “further research is needed to establish the consequences of added calcium in the human body.”
So why the need for alternatives? For one, dairy is one of the most common allergens among infants and children. Between 2% and 4% of children have a milk allergy (that’s more than peanuts or tree nuts), although as many as 80% may outgrow them by age 16. Plus, milk has been linked to outbreaks of pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli around the world, suggesting that it’s not always the safest beverage for children or for adults.
Then there’s the issue of lactose intolerance. Somewhere between 15% and 75% of adults—depending on race, food habits and gut health—lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme needed to properly digest dairy products, according to the report. It’s even been estimated that up to 80% of people of African origin, and up to 100% of people of Asian and Indigenous American origin, are lactose intolerant.
Finally, while studies suggest that dairy products—even full-fat versions—can be a healthy part of a balanced diet, some people may not want to overdo it on high-calorie, high-fat cow’s milk. For all of these reasons, the authors say, consumers should know how popular milk substitutes compare.
“It is quite clear that nutritionally soy milk is the best alternative for replacing cow’s milk in human diet,” they concluded in their paper. They acknowledge, though, that more people may enjoy the flavor of almond milk. Those who choose the latter should make sure they’re getting enough essential nutrients, like carbs and protein, through other sources in their diet, they write.
That should be easy enough for adults, says lead author Sai Kranthi Kumar Vanga, a PhD candidate in McGill’s department of bioresource engineering, since they can also get protein from meats, nuts and beans, and healthy fats from sources such as olive oil. It can be more difficult, he adds, for babies and young children with dairy allergies. “Parents have to monitor their diet and provide them with appropriate alternatives for the lost nutrients, which is not easy,” he wrote in an email.
And while swapping out a few tablespoons of milk in your coffee every day won’t make a big difference in overall nutrition, Vanga says there could be implications for adults who consume considerably more milk—like every morning with their cereal. “Just replacing your cow’s milk with one of the plant-based milks and assuming it’s fulfilling the nutritional requirement could lead to health complications in the long run,” he says.
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Spice Up Your Super Bowl Menu With These 5 Slider Recipes
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Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Gordon Ramsay Is So Beyond Done With These 3 Popular Food Trends
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Leave it to opinionated MasterChef personality Gordon Ramsay not to mince words. In an interview with PopSugar, the notable food personality — and scathing social media arbiter of taste — had plenty to say about three popular food trends that he’s ready to see end their time atop menus and plates globally.
For Ramsay, foams — specifically those of the savory variety — are a no-go. “Sometimes they look like toxic scum in a stagnant pool,” he elaborated. Culinary foams had their heyday thanks to the explosion of molecular gastronomy across fine-dining restaurants, including top-rated places like Ferran Adrià’s El Bulli in the 2000s.
Next on his hit list? Wagyu. Wagyu is one of the most exclusive and expensive cuts of beef, derived from Japanese cows and known for melting in your mouth with tenderness and fat. Thanks to its boom in popularity, though, Ramsay thinks Wagyu is being over-served. “It needs to be treated with a little bit of respect,” he told PopSugar. “Everywhere you go now, there’s f–king Wagyu meatballs.” He’s not wrong.
And finally, Ramsay might break some hearts with this one: truffle oil. Of late, truffle oil has become ubiquitous as a topper for anything from mac-and-cheese to hamburgers, adding that rich umami flavor that eaters seek. But not for Ramsay. “That thing needs to be let down,” he said, noting that people tend to pour it on lavishly instead of savoring it in small amounts.
Of course, we already know how Ramsay feels about pineapple pizza, so you can scratch that one off your list as well.
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8 Exercises Trainers Never Do (And What to Do Instead)
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Heading into the gym with a solid workout plan is a surefire way to have a successful, efficient sweat session. But figuring out exactly what strength exercises to do can get a little tricky. While certain exercises (think biceps curls and crunches) seem like easy, familiar choices, they’re not always the best bet for seeing results. In fact, just because everyone’s doing a certain move, doesn’t mean it’s even safe.
“It’s important to measure the risk-to-benefit ratio of any exercise,” says Susie Crossland-Dwyer, strength and run coach and founder of Studio S in Cincinnati, OH. She tends to avoid exercises that target a single muscle or muscle group and moves that carry little benefit with high risk of injury. So what are the strength exercises trainers never do? Here are eight for starters, plus recommendations for safer, more effective substitutions.
RELATED: The 7 Best Strength Exercises You’re Not Doing
Strength Exercises You Should Skip and What To Do Instead
1. Skip: Crunches
Old news that still rings true: Crunches aren’t nearly as effective as other core exercises. Yet people still continue to do them. “A lot of exercise enthusiasts do crunches ad nauseam without really increasing their core strength,” says Crossland-Dwyer. What’s worse is the move can lead to neck or back pain and sometimes hip issues.
Substitution: Pilates Roll-Up
Unlike a traditional crunch, this move targets deeper layers of your abs, which will increase your stability and improve your posture.
How to: Lie on your back with your legs extended and your arms overhead, palms facing one another (a). Slowly roll up, making a C-shape with your spine as you do. Your abs should be pulled in and engaged during the entire movement, creating a hollowing feeling through the low abdominals (b). Continue to roll forward into a stretch, while keeping your shoulders down, away from your ears (c). Hold the stretch for about 10 seconds, then roll back to start and repeat.
2. Skip: Hip Abductor Machine
“People often think that machines make it easier to perform the exercise movement and manipulate the body because they look user-friendly,” says Nikki Snow, a Les Mills International trainer based in Chicago. But strength exercises on hip abductor machines often aren’t as beneficial as moves with free weights or even just your bodyweight. “The abductor machine — aka thigh master machine — packs a big burn, but there are more effective exercises that can isolate the side glutes and hips safe and effectively.”
Substitution: Sumo Squat
This squat variation, with your legs wide apart, targets your inner thighs like none other.
How to: Stand with legs a few steps wider than hip-width apart, toes turned out. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at your hips (a). Lower your hips down and back until your thighs are parallel to the floor (b). Stand back up and repeat.
RELATED: 50 Butt Exercises to Sculpt Stronger Glutes
3. Skip: Weighted Standing Side Bends
Holding a dumbbell on one side of your body during side bends “puts the spine in a compromised position, and it’s hard to maintain alignment to isolate the obliques properly,” says Snow. “It’s easy to use momentum and rock side to side, which can put strain on the lower back and decrease isolation in the targeted muscle group.”
Substitution: Side Plank with Hip Lift
“This move isolates the obliques and strengthens shoulders and surrounding core muscles very effectively,” Snow says.
How to: Lie on your side and prop yourself up on your forearm and elbow. Your feet, hips and shoulders should align. Extend your top arm toward the ceiling (a). Lift your hips off the ground and up toward the ceiling. Hips should stay stacked, with body in one straight line (b). Lower your hips a few inches toward the floor, then lift back up to a straight side plank, using your abs to move you (c). Repeat.
4. Skip: Leg Press
The leg press can be fun, because you can typically lift more weight on the machine than you can handle on a standing squat, so you feel extra-powerful. But that increased weight is part of the problem, says Greg Justice, MA, owner of AYC Health and Fitness in Kansas City, KS. “The biggest problem I see with the leg press is the inclination to put too much weight on the machine, potentially causing the pelvis to rotate away from the back rest as you lower the weight. This can cause a herniated disc.” Plus, using the leg press takes stability out of the equation, forcing your quads to do most of the work, without hitting the hamstrings or glutes, says Crossland-Dwyer.
Substitution: Bulgarian Split Squat
“With split squats, you start with stabilizing the body before going through the range of motion,” Justice explains. “You need to engage the whole body throughout the entire process, and that transfers to real life movements or recreational sports.”
How to: Stand with your back facing a bench or box. Put one foot on top of the bench. Make sure you’re far enough away from the bench so you can create a 90-degree bend in your front knee (a). Bend your front knee to lower your back knee toward the ground, and aim to get your front thigh parallel to the floor (b). Push through the heel of your front foot to return to the starting position, keeping your chest up, eyes forward and shoulders back (c). Repeat.
Check out the rest of the exercises trainers never do at Daily Burn.
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Monday, January 29, 2018
The Mindful Eating Hack That Helped Me Stop Obsessing About Food
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One of the main battles in overcoming overeating is to stop thinking of some foods as "good" and others as "bad." Food is nourishment and hunger is a healthy, involuntary sensation just like feeling cold or tired, the thinking goes.
But like so many people with a history of dieting, I’ve struggled with knowing when I'm truly hungry, and I've had a hard time not judging myself harshly if I pass up a so-called "good" or healthy food in favor of something I've categorized as "bad," like an indulgent dessert. That puts me in a cycle of disordered eating, one I've dealt with for much of my adult life.
RELATED: 5 Crazy Delicious Super Bowl Snacks for Everyone Doing Whole30
To finally address my overeating issues, I began seeing New York City psychotherapist Alexis Conason. Over two years in private and group therapy, I learned about mindful eating, which she describes as "eating what you want when you want it." Sounds so simple, but for most people, this is pretty revolutionary. We spend so much time depriving and judging ourselves, and one of the ironies of this is that even if you don’t struggle with your weight, food judgments are a constant yet ever-changing part of our culture.
Gluten, salt, animal products, sugar, carbs—we are barraged by conflicting information that flip-flops through the years. But by far the most painful to live with are the judgments we place on ourselves. Denying yourself food that your body is craving will never help you maintain a healthy weight long-term. In fact, it will almost always set you up for disordered eating, as I've learned the hard way.
Dr. Conason helped me understand why. “When we believe that our food will be restricted, we have a 'now or never' mentality, thinking this is our one opportunity to eat this food, so we should eat as much as we can in this moment because we’ll never allow ourselves to have it again,” she says. One of the many issues with this is that we will eat it again...and probably again after that. We hate ourselves not only for eating it, but for failing.
RELATED: Best Superfoods for Weight Loss
Her advice to break this cycle? She recommends stocking your kitchen with as much "bad" or unhealthy food as you want—actually more than you think that you could eat at any one time—and then making sure to always keep your stash of it replenished. “When we truly believe that food won’t be restricted, the food usually loses its emotional power. Over time, we don’t feel compelled to eat all the cartons of ice cream in our freezer in one sitting because we trust that there will always ice cream in our freezer, and we can have more when we want it.”
When she suggested this to me, I thought it was bananas. The logic behind it made sense, but I didn’t trust myself remotely. If I had every “bad” food in the house at once, I would never leave, I thought. I told my husband about it though, and he thought I should try it out—and one night came home from the market with six boxes of brownie mix.
RELATED: Here's What to Snack on if You're Trying to Slim Down, According to a Nutritionist
I remember my nervous laughter that turned into a cackle when I saw those boxes of brownie mix. I have tried many things to gain control over my eating, but this had to be the craziest. Then after I stopped laughing and thought about it, I suddenly felt liberated. I think this applies to anyone, whether they’ve struggled with their weight or not: Just imagine for a minute how it would feel to be able to eat anything you wanted, as much of it, whenever you wanted. It’s an almost unthinkable circumstance for most people.
This sense of freedom turned out to be life-changing. Okay, I tore through the first few boxes in a matter of days, making and eating batches of delicious brownies. But after the second box, the idea of eating brownies somehow truly became less exciting, less seductive. I realized how I was imprisoning myself with this idea of what I could and could not eat; how making some foods off-limits gave them a power over me. The worst part was that after years of this pattern of behavior, I was still fat. It was all a waste of energy.
Conason warns that allowing yourself to have whatever you want and managing to resist consuming it all immediately is not something that happens overnight. “It’s a process—you may eat through your whole stock of ice cream the first night. This isn’t indication that you have failed or further evidence that you can’t be trusted around ice cream. It is just part of the process of recovering from diet culture," she explains.
"If we stick with it, eventually one day—maybe the following day, maybe a week from then, maybe a month from then, but at some point, we realize that we don’t want any more ice cream right now, and we can have more later and the food loses its power,” she adds.
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It took about six months for this to happen to me, to accept that I could eat whatever I wanted and not give in to the compulsion to consume everything in one sitting. This freedom from a cycle of binging and depriving myself helped lead me to a light bulb moment: I came to realize that just because I can eat whatever I want doesn’t mean I should.
The key to this is not that I should or shouldn’t eat something because of calories or watching my weight. I “should” or “shouldn’t” from a self-care perspective. Taking away the power foods had over me helped me realize that I don’t feel well after I binge eat unhealthy foods—physically or mentally. If I don't like the way I feel after consuming them, I shouldn't eat them.
RELATED: 16 Ways to Lose Weight Fast
With this in mind, I'm now choosing my well-being over a momentary sugar rush. To be clear, sometimes I still choose the sugar high. I’m still deep in my process, as Dr. Conason calls it. But after years of viewing certain beloved foods as forbidden, I’ve been able to indulge when I want, without thinking about it obsessively beforehand or regretting it after.
Cutting myself off from foods I wanted never made me skinny—it only made me miserable. Proving to myself that I can eat whatever I want has helped me take the power back and make genuine, mindful decisions that make me feel healthy both physically and mentally.
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The Weirdly Hydrating Thing You Should Drink After a Workout
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Still pounding sports drinks after a tough workout? You’re behind the science times, according to a small new study. Milk and milk alternatives—thanks to their natural balance of sodium, carbohydrate and protein—help the body retain fluid, researchers report in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, making it an effective recovery drink for exercisers.
The researchers wanted to see how the sports drink Powerade stacked up against different kinds of milk, so they subjected 15 men to four rounds of cycling on separate days. Each workout was followed by a different beverage: cow’s milk, soy milk, a milk-based meal supplement or Powerade. Researchers then measured their blood and urine to determine hydration and nutrient levels.
Drinking a milk-based meal supplement after exercise led to better fluid retention than the other drinks, but all of the milk-based products were superior to Powerade in terms of rehydrating the body post-exercise. None of the beverages made the cyclers thirstier than any other.
That said, Powerade had an edge in one regard: The men reported that the sports juice was the most pleasant (soy milk, unsurprisingly, was the least). Those who drank milk reported being more bloated and feeling more full—probably due to the protein content in milk—but they were more rehydrated compared to sports drinks.
And as for water? Drinking plain water after exercise actually causes a drop in sodium levels, potentially leading to even more dehydration, the study authors note. Consider chasing your next workout with milk—just be sure to wear your roomiest pair of yoga pants.
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Here’s What to Snack on If You’re Trying to Slim Down, According to a Nutritionist
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Tired of eating almonds and Greek yogurt (over and over and over)? I hear you. When you're trying to shed pounds, it's easy to fall into a healthy snack rut. But luckily, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Below are five easy ideas that satisfy all the criteria for a slimming snack. Each one is packed with nutrients to boost your energy and mood; filling enough to tide you over till your next meal; and low-cal enough to support your weight-loss goals. There's something for every type of craving—from salty to crunchy, and yes, even chocolate.
Savory egg salad with chopped veggies
Chop one hard-boiled pasture-raised egg. Mix with one cup of finely chopped vegetables, like kale, cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Toss mixture with a quarter cup of hummus to coat thoroughly and evenly.
RELATED: What to Eat for Dinner If You're Trying to Lose Weight, According to a Nutritionist
Spiced-up almond butter spread on celery
Stir one quarter cup of shredded zucchini, one quarter teaspoon fresh grated ginger, one eighth teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a teaspoon of pure maple syrup into two tablespoons of almond butter. Fill four fresh celery stalks with the mixture and crunch away.
Oven-roasted chickpeas
Toss a half cup of canned (drained, rinsed) chickpeas with a half tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and one sixteenth teaspoon each sea salt and black pepper. Roast on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for 15 minutes.
Salmon-stuffed avocado
Whisk together a teaspoon of Dijon, half teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Mix dressing with half a can of wild Alaskan salmon. Fill half an avocado with salmon mixture, and enjoy with a spoon.
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Dark chocolate and berries
Pair a half cup of fresh or frozen, thawed raspberries, blueberries or strawberries with one or two squares of 70% dark chocolate. Sweet tooth, satisfied.
Cynthia Sass is Health’s contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a consultant for the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets.
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Friday, January 26, 2018
How to Lose Weight Without Actually Eating Less
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When it comes to losing weight, the most important rule of thumb is to consume fewer calories than you’re taking in each day. But cutting calories doesn’t have to mean eating less food. In fact, simply focusing on healthier food choices may be a more sustainable weight-loss strategy than trying to reduce portion sizes, a new Penn State University study suggests.
The findings come from a small new clinical trial, published in the journal Appetite, which compared food consumption among 39 women who’d taken part in a previous, year-long weight-loss study and 63 women who were not part of the earlier study. All of the women came to the study lab once a week for four weeks to eat a meal, with varying portions of seven different foods served each week.
RELATED: What to Eat for Dinner if You're Trying to Lose Weight, According to a Nutritionist
The women in the first group, as part of the previous study, had been counseled on various strategies for weight loss, including measuring out portion sizes, calculating calorie density of different foods, and making overall healthier choices. Because the training focused heavily on portion control, the researchers expected the women who’d participated in those training sessions to eat less food overall.
That didn’t happen, though. Women in both groups fell victim to the “portion size effect,” what researchers call the tendency to eat more when larger portions of food are presented. (For example, when meal size increased by 75%, the average amount consumed went up 27%.) Overall, there was no significant difference in total amount of food consumed, by weight, between those who’d received training and those who had not.
But there was one difference. “When we dug into their food choices, we found that the trained participants were selecting to eat more of the lower calorie-dense foods—like salad, for example—and less of higher calorie-dense foods, such as the garlic bread,” says first author Faris Zuraikat, a graduate student in the department of nutritional sciences. In other words, even though they ate the same total volume of food, they consumed fewer calories.
RELATED: 17 Snacks Packed With Protein
The study did not measure the women’s weights, and since it only involved four meals over four weeks, the difference in calories likely would not have had any real weight-loss impact. But Zuraikat believes that making healthier choices over time could be an effective way to reduce calories and shed pounds.
That's not terribly surprising, says Zuraikat, but it's a good reminder that the ideal diet is not one of deprivation. And even though the women were trained in portion control, he adds, it seems to be the general healthy-eating advice that stuck with them—and it’s what they ultimately put into practice. “It may just be easier to judge which foods are higher or lower in calorie density, versus trying to judge an appropriate portion size,” he says.
Zuraikat says it may be helpful to encourage people to focus on a food's nutritional quality. “When you’re selecting lower calorie-dense foods, you can eat more of them,” he says. The payoff, he adds, is that you'll be more likely to feel full and satisfied.
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Even though the women in the study underwent special training, Zuraikat says there are a few basic rules that anyone can follow if they want to make more low-calorie choices. For starters, foods with a high water content—like fruits and vegetables—tend to have a lower calorie density than foods with less water. He also recommends checking out the Volumetrics Diet, designed by his study co-author Barbara Rolls, PhD, and based on the concept of low calorie-density foods.
“We don’t want people to think they have to eat salad all the time,” Zuraikat says. “But there are ways to incorporate water-rich ingredients into every meal, so you can keep the same level of palatability and enjoy the same amount of food while still focusing on your weight-loss or weight-maintenance goals.”
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Do Cannabis-Infused Beauty Products Actually Work? Everything You Need to Know
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Chances are, you've probably started to notice cannabidiol hemp oil, or CBD hemp oil, popping up as an ingredient in beauty products such as body lotion and facial oil. While it's definitely the buzzy beauty ingredient of the moment, a fad this is not: CBD-infused beauty products have been growing in popularity, with entire brands now dedicated to the healing properties CBD hemp oil has when used topically. But there are still a lot of misconceptions about CBD-infused beauty products, so we went to the experts to get some answers.
First, the big question you're wondering: CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning you're not going to get high from using any of these products. CBD hemp oil is sourced from hemp with lower levels of THC than marijuana, (which is responsible for altered mental state) and high levels of CBD. It's also a rich source of fatty acids and other nutrients that benefit your skin, says Francesca Fusco, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City. "Studies have shown it can improve reduced barrier function, improve hydration, minimize moisture loss, and decrease inflammation," she explains.
Skincare brands are catching on to the benefits. If you're looking for something to address dryness, the CBD for Life Pure CBD Hand and Body Massage Lotion ($22; cbdlife.us) is an all-star. On your face, try Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil ($25; amazon.com), which contains hemp seed extract for a healthy glow along with other skin-loving ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E. If you're feeling sore after a workout or have muscle aches, try Lord Jones Pure CBD Pain & Wellness Formula Body Lotion ($50; lordjonesbrand.com).
Many of these products are geared towards CBD oil's anti-inflammatory benefits because "the primary receptor for CBD (CB2) is found on immune cells," which is where inflammation takes place, notes Adam Friedman, MD, a dermatologist in Washington D.C. This is major, because many skin conditions are connected to inflammation, which is why there are so many conversations about the power of CBD in the beauty industry right now.
Research on CBD oil and its benefits is ongoing, but Dr. Friedman points out that the ingredient's ability to regulate cell growth, reduce inflammation, and stimulate important fats in the skin and sebaceous glands could help inform treatments for other skin issues, such as dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema.
Beyond beauty products that you can use at home, spas are starting to include CBD oil in their treatments. The Remède Spa at The St. Regis San Francisco, for example, just released a limited-edition treatment for Valentine's Day called the Love & Haight hot oil massage, which substitutes CBD hemp oil for essential oils typically used. Multiple spas in Denver offer similar massage treatments with the ingredient.
According to Dr. Friedman, cannabis beauty products are certainly worth a try. He reiterates that the benefits are "strongly supported by several pilot studies," not to mention that many users swear by them.
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The 6 Simple Changes That Helped Me Shed 87 Lb. After Giving Birth
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Tabatha James, 43, 5'8", from Alpharetta, Georgia
Before: 230 lb., size 14
After: 143 lb., size 8
Total lost: 87 lb., 6 sizes
Confession: I’ve had digestion issues forever. Even when I was active in college, I had stomachaches and felt bloated all the time. Then I gained 70 pounds while pregnant in 2011, which didn’t help. I was eating for two (and then some) and craving foods I’d never even liked before, like fried chicken strips and mashed potatoes. Two months after giving birth—and still in a fast-food frenzy—I blacked out in a parking lot. The doctor told me I’d collapsed from dehydration, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation. It was clear to me that my weight wasn’t helping either. I needed a lifestyle change, and fast.
But first, exercise
After my incident, it was six weeks before I could begin to exercise. When I got the OK in June of 2012, I went full throttle. Five days a week, at 5:30 a.m., I did at-home workouts I created with help from my husband. It took time, but the cardio, weights, and bodyweight moves helped me drop pounds. Replacing fried food with grilled options and tracking my calories were also key. By the next February, I was down to about 150 pounds, from a high of 230.
Hooked on veggies
While I was thrilled with my new frame, I still didn’t feel 100 percent. My stomach bothered me, and I would break out in rashes. Then one night I watched the documentary Vegucated, which highlights animal treatment. Stunned by the cruelty, I ditched animal products. I didn’t make the change for my health, but going vegan did transform my body: My digestion and rashes improved, I shed five more pounds, my clothes fit better, and I felt more energized, too. It’s been almost two years since I went vegan, and I know I’ll never look back. Those fried chicken strips have nothing on the new me!
Get toned like Tabatha
This veggie lover got strong thanks to these healthy strategies.
1. Repeat your eats: I try to eat the same meals almost every day: green smoothies and veggie burrito bowls. This way, I’m never scrambling to come up with something to eat—or resorting to fast food.
2. Get app happy: I’m obsessed with the quick and effective routines on the 7-Minute Workout app. Plus, it sends you reminders to wake up and work out, so you never have an excuse to miss a sweat session.
3. Re-create classics: My blog, The Sensible Vegan, is my passion project. It allows me to "vegucate" others and share my recipes, like tuna-less salad, peanut butter-chocolate energy bars, and "buttermilk" biscuits.
4. Snack smart: Eating every three hours helped keep me satisfied when I was trying to lose weight. And since I never felt deprived, I was less likely to overeat.
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Thursday, January 25, 2018
The Supplements That Can Actually Help With Diet and Weight Loss—and the Ones That Can't
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New year, new supplement routine? If you’ve started 2018 with a diet or exercise plan that involves vitamins, herbs, shakes, or pills, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a message for you: Check the research first. Not all weight-loss supplements or fitness supplements have been shown to work, experts say, and some may even be dangerous.
To help out curious consumers, the NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) has created two easy-to-use factsheets. Available on the ODS website, the factsheets lay out the effectiveness and safety of many different supplement products, and the ingredients within them.
RELATED: Best Snacks for Weight Loss
“It’s January and people are making resolutions about their overall health and weight and fitness,” says Paul Thomas, nutrition scientist for the ODS and author of the new factsheets. “We thought it was a nice time to emphasize that we have these factsheets that may be useful for people who are considering whether or not these supplements may be of value for achieving their goals.”
One of the factsheets, titled Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance, covers more than 20 common supplement ingredients that have been purported to improve strength or endurance, increase exercise efficiency, achieve a fitness goal more quickly, or increase tolerance for intense training. Products containing these ingredients are sometimes called ergogenic aids, and are often sold in drugstores, organic food stores, and fitness clubs.
Research shows that some of these ingredients may be helpful in specific circumstances. Creatine, for example, might help with short bursts of high-intensity activity (like weight lifting), but not for endurance efforts (like distance running). Drinking beetroot juice might improve aerobic exercise performance, but it’s not known whether supplements containing beetroot powder have the same effect.
RELATED: 7 Easy Breakfast Recipes That Can Help You Lose Weight (Even if You Have No Time in the Morning)
Caffeine is another ingredient that gets a cautious thumbs up. “Sports-medicine experts agree that caffeine can help you exercise at the same intensity level for longer and reduce feelings of fatigue,” the factsheet states. Intake of up to 400 or 500 mg a day is safe for most adults, and experts recommend taking 2 to 6 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, 15 to 60 minutes before exercise.
For other ingredients, there’s limited or no science to back up their fitness-related claims. Antioxidants, for example, may be good for overall health, but no studies have found that they play a role in athletic performance. And ingredients like Tribulus terrestris and deer antler velvet—marketed for muscle building and male virility—haven’t even been studied enough to know whether they’re truly safe.
“You may be surprised to learn that makers of performance supplements usually don’t carry out studies in people to find out whether their products really work and are safe,” the factsheet states. And when human studies do happen, they often include only a small number of young and healthy people—often just men—for only a few days or weeks.
RELATED: 57 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science
Other ingredients on the factsheet include tart cherry juice, amino acids, ginseng, iron, and protein—which you’re probably already eating enough of, the evidence suggests. The bottom line? Only a few of these have been shown to really improve exercise and athletic performance, the NIH says, and even those should only be used by athletes who are already eating a good diet and training properly.
The other new factsheet includes supplements marketed for weight loss—a category Americans spend more than $2 billion a year on. “Sellers of these supplements might claim that their products help you lose weight by blocking the absorption of fat or carbohydrates, curbing your appetite, or speeding up your metabolism,” the factsheet states. But there’s little evidence that they work, say Thomas. Plus, they can be expensive and can interact with prescription drugs, and some may even be harmful.
RELATED: What to Eat for Dinner if You're Trying to Lose Weight, According to a Nutritionist
A few ingredients on the factsheet, like chromium, might help you lose a very small amount of body fat, studies show. Drinking green tea is also safe for most people, and may help them lose a small amount of weight—although green-tea extract pills have been linked to liver damage. (Drinking a lot of green tea can also interact with statin medications, a recent study found.)
But some, like bitter orange, raspberry ketone, and hoodia, have not been studied enough to prove that they’re safe. Others, like beta-glucans and garcinia, seem to be safe when taken as directed, but have not been shown to have any effect on weight loss. Many of these ingredients can also cause unpleasant side effects, like flatulence or diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, headache, and stomach cramps.
The NIH doesn’t want people to stop taking supplements entirely, and Thomas says that supplements, for the most part, are safe to take as directed. But he does want to remind consumers of the uncertainty that exists in the industry, and stresses that pills and powders are not a magic solution to getting in shape.
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“These supplements cannot and are not even marketed to take the place of the standard types of things we know we should be doing for our overall health, fitness, and weight loss,” he says. “Those include eating a very good diet and getting regular physical activity. The question becomes whether any of these supplements possibly add to that, or could possibly be an additional kind of aid.”
If you’re thinking about taking a performance or weight-loss supplement, the factsheet states, talk to your doctor. Talking to a health expert is especially important if you’re a teenager, have any medical conditions, or are currently taking any medications or other supplements.
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What Is Micellar Water, and Should I Be Using It?
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One dermatologist explains the gentlest (and possibly most confusing) skincare product you should be using.
You’ve heard about it, maybe even used it, but do you know what it actually does? Micellar water seems to be that mystery skincare product that leaves many of us scratching our heads. It looks like water and even feels like water, but (as you’ll later find out) it’s far from that. I asked dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara why this stuff is so important for clean, healthy skin.
How Micellar Water Works
“Micellar water has little tiny micelles suspended in it. Micelles surround dirt particles and break them down—they can clean the skin without drying it out, so there’s no barrier-stripping soap needed.” says Gohara. Micelles, if you’re wondering, are tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules that attract dirt and oil naturally, so you’re not stripping the skin of the natural oils your skin needs to stay hydrated and healthy.
RELATED: The Best Moisturizers for Dry Winter Skin
Why You Should Use Micellar Water
So, why do you need it? Doesn’t cleanser do the same thing? Well...not exactly. “I like micellar water as part of a double cleanse," explains Gohara. "It gets rid of the big stuff like makeup, oil, and dirt. While the gentle non-soap cleanser takes care of the nitty-gritty grime hiding deep in the pores,” says Gohara.
Gohara explains it simply: “Irritating soaps strip the skin of natural oils and proteins, micellar water helps to keep the barrier in tact, translating into healthy skin.” Micellar water is like your best, heavy duty soap without the dry, dull skin afterwards. It’ll keep impurities off your face and leave you feeling refreshed, and most of all, clean.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Acne Scars With Different Treatments
Ready to Test it Out? Try These Brands
Are you convinced yet? If you’re thinking about trying micellar water, Bioderma Sensibo H2O Micellar Water has been a staple of mine for two years and has yet to let me down. Gohara loves La Roche-Posay, which is available at Target, but you can find micellar water at any drugstore near you. Since it’s growing in popularity, everyone has been jumping on the micellar water train, and believe me, you don’t want to miss out.
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I Tried Sugaring After Shaving My Bikini Line for 8 Years—Here’s Why I’ll Never Go Back to Razors
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I’ve always wanted to wax my bikini line, but modesty and fear kept me in that population of women who spend their money on fancy razors and expensive shaving creams. So when a friend told me about a hair removal technique called “sugaring,” I was intrigued.
She assured me that sugaring wouldn’t cause razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or vaginal infections—all of which I’d experienced with a razor. Even better, my pubic hair wouldn't regrow as quickly as it did after shaving. But what really sold me on the idea were all the internet claims that sugaring was better than waxing for people with sensitive skin. "Once you try sugaring, you'll never go back," estheticians promised in ads.
After having an allergic reaction to a new anti-bump shaving gel, I finally put aside my fear earlier this month and decided to give sugaring a try.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs, According to a Dermatologist
I live in New York, so I made an appointment at Sugaring NYC, a salon in Manhattan. The place was super clean (and entirely painted pink) and the estheticians were welcoming. After undressing from the waist down and getting comfortable on a soft table in one of the treatment rooms, the sugaring esthetician came in and explained the process. “It is going to sting a little only because it’s your first time, but if you keep coming, you eventually won’t feel a thing," she said.
Let me clarify upfront that “sting a little” is a bit of an understatement. But before I tell you how the process went down, here’s some information about sugaring.
Sugaring is a hair removal technique used in the Middle East and Northern Africa for centuries. The name comes from the organic paste used to remove hair, a mix of sugar and water. According to Sugaring NYC, because it’s hypoallergenic and free of chemicals and fragrances, sugaring paste won't irritate skin the way chemical-laden wax can.
RELATED: The Best Bikini Line Hair Removal Product You Can Buy at the Drugstore
The paste looks sort of like honey, and it's applied at body temperature. It only adheres to the hair, and it pulls hair from the roots rather than pulling at the skin. This means sugaring won’t cause hyperpigmentation or damage the skin, and that's why the process is considered to be less painful than waxing. A sugaring session ranges from $10-60, and the hair can take about a month to grow back.
Sugaring NYC offers sugaring for the face, body, and vaginal area, which is what I wanted. I knew that getting a totally bare full Brazilian would be too intense for a sugaring virgin like myself, so I went with the bikini option—which removes all pubic hair from the top and a little from the sides (cost: $45).
I'm the kind of person who does a lot of research before trying anything new, so I learned that my pubic hair had to be at least an eighth of an inch long (the size of a grain of rice) so the paste can bind to the hair. You're also supposed to shower before the appointment to get rid of any oils in the area that can interfere with the paste, and wear loose-fitting clothing or underwear as well.
So, here’s the real deal. Although my opinion could be due to my inexperience with any kind of hair-removal method other than shaving, to answer the question if sugaring hurts—yes, it hurts. The process felt like never-ending bee stings in an area that you would never, ever want a bee to sting.
RELATED: 10 Things to Know Before Your First Bikini Wax
The esthetician spread the sugar paste and then did four to five little pulls, rolling the paste into a ball and then dabbing it on the stubborn pubic hairs. In an attempt to distract me, she asked me questions about my life, but that didn’t stop me from screaming like I was in labor. I noticed that some spots caused me more pain than others (hello, inner thigh). For the entire procedure, I was holding back tears and angry with myself for willingly signing up for torture.
The process lasted about 25 minutes, which I was told is a little longer than normal because the esthetician did some extra tweezing to get rid of some pubic stragglers. She then cleaned off the remaining bits of sugar paste and told me to avoid hot water, tanning beds, and the gym for a day, to prevent any irritation.
When I finally looked down at the finished product, I was in shock. Part of that was due to the trauma I had just experienced, but also because the results looked . . . beautiful. My bikini area was completely bare. No leftover hairs, no paste residue, and no redness. For the first few hours post-sugaring, the skin down there felt a little sensitive to the touch, and walking was slightly uncomfortable. But by the next morning, I was back to normal.
RELATED: These Hair Removal Devices Make a Good Case for Shaving Your Face
It’s been two weeks since my sugaring experience, and I am happy to report that I’m still free of hair, razor bumps, and ingrowns for the first time since I began grooming myself down below eight years ago. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin—or anyone who is totally over lifting one leg up in the shower and still not getting rid of all their unwanted hair.
Although sugaring was probably one of the top five most painful things I’ve done so far in life, I am going to continue with this method. I would rather deal with 20 minutes of pain than all the discomfort from shaving every week.
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The Turpin Children Imprisoned by Their Parents for Years Are Starting to Tell Their Story
(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) — The California children who authorities say were tortured by their parents and so malnourished that their growth was stunted are slowly providing valuable information to investigators, a prosecutor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
“Victims in these kinds of cases, they tell their story, but they tell it slowly. They tell it at their own pace,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “It will come out when it comes out.”
David and Louise Turpin are accused of abusing their 13 children — ranging from 2 to 29 — before they were rescued on Jan. 14 from their home in Perris. They have pleaded not guilty to torture and other charges.
On Wednesday, a judge signed a protective order prohibiting the parents from contacting any of their children, except through attorneys or investigators.
Before the brief hearing, Louise Turpin, who wore a white button down shirt and jacket, looked at her husband and smiled.
All of the children remained hospitalized and were relieved to be out of the home that authorities have described as a torture chamber, Hestrin said.
Deputies arrested the husband and wife after their 17-year-old daughter climbed out a window and called 911. Authorities found the siblings in the family’s filthy home, with three of them shackled to beds.
Investigators have learned that the children were isolated from each other and locked in different rooms in small groups, Hestrin said.
The children did not have access to televisions or radios but were able to read and write and expressed themselves in hundreds of journals that were seized from the home, the district attorney said.
“It appears to me that they lacked any kind of understanding about how the world worked,” Hestrin said.
One of the older boys had taken a variety of classes at Mt. San Jacinto College, a community college, but his mother took him to the campus and waited outside class for him, Hestrin said. The college confirmed that one of the Turpins had been a student but refused to provide additional information, including some that is generally releasable under federal privacy laws.
Earlier this week, Louise Turpin’s half-brother, Billy Lambert, told several news organizations that she had aspired to have a reality television show focusing on their large family. But Hestrin said investigators have uncovered no evidence indicating the couple was seeking media attention or a show.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call 1-888-934-5437.
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Wednesday, January 24, 2018
15 Ways to Add Self-Care to Your Workout Routine
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The fitness fanatics out there probably know the feeling of pushing yourself to the max in a workout. But a holistic approach to health and wellness involves movement, nutrition, and regeneration, says Alicia Agostinelli, a personal trainer and yoga instructor at Equinox Seaport Square in Boston. And while many avid gym-goers tend to be up to date when it comes to the latest HIIT craze or health food trends, most people falter when it comes to the recovery component, both for the body and the mind.
Practicing self-care strategies during your workouts and in your free time can help you come back stronger, and in a more peaceful headspace—not to mention they make exercise that much more enjoyable. Steal some tips from these top trainers who manage to sweat it out hardcore and still make self-care priority.
Try a breathing exercise
“In session, I connect to my breath. I try to practice 4-7-8 breathing [breathe in for four seconds, hold your breath for seven, then exhale for eight] a couple of times every hour to help me reduce stress and regulate my parasympathetic nervous system.” —Matt Delaney, CSCS, innovation coordinator and a Tier X coach at Equinox
Be your own biggest fan
“It took years, but I genuinely view fitness as an opportunity to be a better version of myself, to build myself up, and let my strengths guide me, while looking at weaknesses with a sense of compassion. When I need to rest during a tough core series, it's okay. I'm stronger than I was a year ago, and isn't that the point? It's so much more satisfying to push yourself to the tune of ‘yes I can’ than to be afraid of failing or feeling like you're somehow not good enough if you don't perform the way you wanted to. Your mental game affects how you feel emotionally and how you perform physically, so I always make sure my inner voice is pumped up, ready to rise up to a challenge, but is ready to celebrate every moment of the work I put in.” —Emily Walsh, a Boston-based instructor at SLT
Warm up, cool down, and hydrate
“I practice self-care while exercising by including a dynamic warm-up before any workout and a good stretch after. I also have water with me at all times to stay hydrated.” —Michelle Lovitt, a California-based trainer and author of Exercise For Your Muscle Type: the Smart Way to Get Fit
Get off Instagram at the gym
“The most important self-care action I can take during my workouts is to let my mind be in my workout 100%. I’ve had to create a rule so that I am not responding to emails, checking social media, or replying to texts when I workout. If I can escape and truly enjoy my workout, my life is fantastic.” —Holly Perkins, CSCS, author of Lift To Get Lean and founder of the online health and fitness platform Women’s Strength Nation
RELATED: How to Break Your Smartphone Addiction in 21 Days
Keep an eye on the 'why'
“I am all about the whys behind the workout: why am I doing it, what will it achieve, and how will it make me feel. I am not a numbers-oriented person, so this is a way I track my progress and motivate myself to keep going.” —Aly Raymer, senior lead instructor and director of talent at B/SPOKE Studios, an indoor cycling studio in Boston
Tune into your body
“The best way to practice self-care during exercise is be conscious and listen to your body. Don’t ignore the signs of your body. I stretch whatever muscle I work after a workout and I try to treat myself to a massage once a month if possible.” —Scott Weiss, CSCS, a physical therapist and trainer in New York
Wear your favorite gear
“I am mindful of what I wear. I know that sounds silly, but when I feel good in my clothing and am wearing the right pieces for the workout, I will work out harder. If I am wearing something that doesn't fit well or is too thin (think: see-through in yoga!) I will be distracted the entire practice.” —Raymer
Meditate on the reg
“I have a very dedicated meditation practice that I do mornings and evenings. It literally keeps my head on straight. For me it’s critical that I work on my internal dialogue and remind myself to speak lovingly and in a supportive manner. I can get into trouble really fast if I don’t keep an eye on this. But when I am on track, my mental attitude really does help me live a happier life and accomplish more each day. And my body thrives on it.” —Perkins
RELATED: 8 Self-Care Habits That Will Help You Feel Less Stress and More Joy in 2018
Journal
“I write in a gratitude journal every single morning, listing three things that I’m thankful for from the past 24 hours, and I also read a passage from a book that a good friend gave me called Journey to the Heart. It helps me get my mind right and I feel a lot more calm before jumping into a busy day.” —Emily Abbate, an ACE-certified trainer and creator of the new podcast Hurdle
Snap pictures
“Photography is my self-care. I picked up the hobby a couple of years ago and have made it part of my daily life ever since. It gives me an opportunity to step away from my normal schedule and get lost in the world around me for a little while. It's has also helped me separate from technology because my eyes are always on my surroundings looking for interesting photo opportunities and no longer buried in my phone.” —Delaney
Get organized
“I keep my work, home, and training environments clean and orderly. Keeping things free from clutter has been proven to keep you on track and better at maintaining your goals.” —Weiss
RELATED: Push Through Any Workout with These Trainer Mantras
Have a Sunday check-in
“Every Sunday, ask yourself: ‘What am I doing to take care of my mind and body this week? Can I add something to my daily routine that will rest or refresh me? Can I take something out that is no longer serving me?’ Recovery and regeneration is the often forgotten third leg of a three-legged stool. When we check in both on and off the exercise mat and implement changes that benefit our health wellness, we leave our workouts and enter our personal and work lives refreshed and recovered.” —Agostinelli
Eat well
“My self-care outside of working out is to make sure I eat healthy, organic, non-processed foods. This is so important to my energy levels and mental functioning and clarity during my busy weeks of working out myself and my clients.” —Lovitt
Do something that brings you joy every day
“I rely on so many different methods to keep me stress-free and take care of myself beyond exercising. I write in a journal, I watch a good film, I go out and take photos. I make sure to incorporate some activity in my day-to-day that brings me joy and fulfillment.” —Sarah Coppinger, an instructor at indoor cycling studio The Handle Bar
Wake up with the birds
“During the week, I set my alarm 45 minutes to one hour earlier than I actually need to get up so I can enjoy some quiet time drinking fresh-ground coffee, enjoying a healthy breakfast, and writing in my journal. Being a small business owner, my days can be long and sometimes a little chaotic. Giving myself a little me time in the morning is a priority. It allows me to start the day off a little slower.” —Becca Lucas, owner of Barre & Anchor, a barre studio in Weston, Massachusetts
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Forget Vinegar, This Is the One Thing You Need for Perfect Poached Eggs
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Ask three Southerners how to poach an egg, and you'll get three different replies complete with a handful of different "secret" ingredients (vinegar! salt!) and tools (ramekins! egg-poaching rings! egg-poaching pans!).
But vinegar or not, swirling method or poaching pan, here's the most important thing when it comes to poaching your eggs: Use fresh eggs. Yes, those three words can solve a lot of hardships on your egg poaching journey since using "aging" eggs can wreak havoc on your Florentine dreams.
As EatThis.com explains in a recent story on the topic of poaching eggs, there's a scientific reason that older eggs don't fair as well in the poaching game: "As an egg ages, the proteins in the thick white disintegrate, and this decreases the proportion of thick to thin albumen [the egg white] from 60–40 to 50–50. (It also happens to increase your risk of losing a lot of your egg white to the water)," the article states. "In addition to the whites becoming more watery, age will also cause the twisted chains—known as the chalazae—that hold the yolk suspended in the middle of the white to weaken, which may result in a dislodged yolk when poached." Beyond the excellent taste, this certainly gives us even more evidence that farm-fresh eggs or our own backyard chicken coop are superior.
Now, need a refresher on the poaching process? Review the video below for a step-by-step guide and thank us at the breakfast table later.
P.S. while we have you contemplating the topic of eggs, here's why adding milk to your scrambled eggs is—gasp—a huge mistake.
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I Got a Vagina Facial—and Lived to Tell the Tale
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If you thought facials were just for your face, today I’m here to change your mind. I recently had the unique experience of getting a vagina facial, and believe it or not, I would do it again.
I first heard of the treatment when DAPHNE, a European skincare and sugaring studio in New York City's Nolita neighborhood, emailed me to offer me a complimentary facial called "The Lotus." They described the treatment as targeting ingrown hairs and hyperpigmentation in the bikini area, as well as cleansing, exfoliation, extractions (!), and brightening.
Before we dive into the nitty gritty, let me fill you in on the basics. The facial is priced at $60 and lasts around 20 minutes with no extractions, or up to 45 minutes if you have ingrown hairs that might need some extra attention. I'm told that it's usually recommended for women who wax or sugar, but anyone with ingrown hairs can benefit from the treatment. Personally, I opt to shave, but I’m all about treating my skin, so although the concept seemed bizarre at first, I decided it made sense to pamper this sensitive area like I would anywhere else on my body.
So I headed to DAPHNE with an open mind and an open Notes app on my phone, ready to document my experience in detail. In my naiveté, I assumed bikini area meant bikini line—as in, underwear on, some exfoliation and extractions, nothing major. However, moments after arriving at the crisp white studio, I was lying on a spa bed with my lower half exposed, legs parted in full birthing position. The world’s brightest light was glowing over my private parts, and I was trying to remember why I volunteered to write this story.
The facial began with cleanser applied everywhere to clean and prep for the rest of the treatment. Slightly cold and surprising, I was not expecting to go from zero to person-cleansing-my-vagina in the first two minutes of the session. Luckily, my esthetician, Natalia, was a total pro. She approached the entire process as if treating the face or any other less-private area, which, while somewhat bizarre, was also comforting and made the experience significantly less awkward.
After cleanser, Natalia applied an organic toner meant to balance the PH. She explained that the toner doesn’t sting before extractions, but that it might after—something to look forward to, except not really. Next, she exfoliated the area using a body scrub rubbed in circular motions. For me, this felt abrasive, but she assured me she was being gentle, and I chalked it up to it being a very new and unfamiliar sensation for me. She explained that this type of exfoliation is important and can be done at home in the shower as well, as long as the scrub is intended for the body and the motions are circular.
Post-exfoliation, I was informed (to my slight horror) that my vagina would be steamed for two to three minutes to open my pores and prepare for extractions. The steam was hot, but not necessarily uncomfortable—the true discomfort was in having a stranger wait and watch for the pores on my vagina to "open up." Again, I stress the professionalism of my esthetician, but it is hard to not feel a bit awkward under the circumstances. (Don't try down-there steaming at home, since it could lead to second degree burns if you're too close.)
Next up: Extractions. I let Natalia know that I was terrified, and she said that I might not need any at all. I was elated and honestly, quite proud, until she took a closer look and informed me that I actually required two small extractions. She used a lancet and tweezers to expertly extract, which felt more surprising than painful, and a second after each, I felt perfectly fine. I told her that one of my friends often tries to self-medicate their ingrown hairs, and she explained how dangerous and unsanitary that can be. At that point, I realized how incredibly beneficial this treatment might be for someone who really struggles with ingrowns, and I texted that friend in the moment and encouraged her to make an appointment soon. I was officially on the vagina facial bandwagon.
After my minor extraction session, more toner was applied, then a hydrating mask was coated on and I was left for ten minutes to Snapchat everyone I know—waist up, of course—and wonder how I got myself into this situation in the first place. Normally a lover of face masking, my vagina was a mask virgin to say the least, but the hydrating and soothing properties were welcome after the extraction process.
After the mask was wiped off, she applied a hydrating cream, and The Lotus was complete. I waited until Natalia left the room to examine the results, and noted that everything looked much the same as before we began, althought it did feel slightly smoother and cleaner. The next day, though, I was definitely noticeably softer and smoother around my bikini line. I was hoping for results that would wow my ob-gyn at my appointment the next day, but she didn’t seem to notice, and I tried not to be offended.
I should mention, though, that someone with a lot of ingrown hairs might notice more of a drastic difference than I did. And even though there weren’t visible results, I felt like my skin had benefitted from the exfoliation process. More than that, it felt like I had embraced my body for what it was—after all, you get pretty comfortable with yourself after sitting in birthing position for 25 minutes straight.
While I was admittedly relieved when The Lotus had ended, I found myself encouraging friends to try it out for themselves. If you're someone who struggles with ingrown hairs in your bikini area or just want to go the extra mile to give your body the pampering it deserves, I think a similar treatment is more than worth it. After all, what more could you hope for from a vagina facial besides a smooth bikini area and a crazy story to tell your friends?
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This Yoga Flow Will Instantly Boost Your Mood
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Is Coffee Actually Good for You?
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Nike Just Announced Their New Running Shoe—and I Got to Test It Out
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When it comes to next-level sneakers, Nike always seems to be on the cutting edge, and today is no exception. The athletic brand just announced its latest development, the new Nike Epic React Flyknit ($150), a running shoe that saw 17,000 miles of testing.
The result: a runner that is lightweight, durable, soft, and provides energy return. According to the press team over at Nike, “It's ideal for distance workouts, recovery runs, and progression runs. It will be particularly appreciated by the everyday runner who wants their run to feel more enjoyable.” Basically, if you have a foot and you love to run, this shoe will put a smile on your face.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the Nike Epic React Flyknit until February 22 (I know, I know); however, I scored a pair ahead of the release date and have literally done some of the legwork for you.
My first encounter with the Nike Epic React Flyknit was in early November 2017—for about 10 minutes. As Nike employees watched, I stepped onto a treadmill in the brand’s NYC headquarters and ran for a little over a mile. Afterward, I typed a note on my phone that said “Light. Nice feel. I like. Familiar.” So these six words were literally my first reaction to this new silhouette.
Fast forward two months, when I got my very own pair of the new Nike running shoes, and was able to spend some more time and miles in them—both on the treadmill and around the running trails of Central Park. Now my opinion is a bit more informed. Here are my thoughts:
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The look
They are sleek and streamlined, but still look cool enough to turn heads. I find it a little weird that the midsole extends beyond the heel—but I only notice that when I am sitting with my legs crossed. On a personal note, I prefer the navy colorway to the white.
The feel
They are super comfy without being overly soft. Stepping into them is like pulling on your favorite pair of slippers. The weaving of the Flyknit upper feels tighter and sturdier than other Nike models I’ve worn, but still has enough give so that your foot won’t feel restricted. The shape and cut of the collar of the shoe worried me at first, because I thought I might experience rubbing, which would led me to retire these babies early. Luckily, there was no rubbing. In fact, it kind of just felt like I was wearing a low-cut sock.
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The details
There are perforations along the front top portion of the shoe, making it super breathable. The temperature during my outside runs has hovered around the low 40s, and my feet were never freezing, so I’d say that they are suitable for chilly days. That beefy midsole, which is made of the new Nike-only proprietary technology React Foam, is what all the hoopla over this new release is about.
This foam, which took more than 400 combinations of chemistry and processing to develop, is what makes you feel lighter and frankly faster on your feet. Also, the midsole and outsole are kind of one in the same here. The only distinguishing factor, in my opinion, are the pieces of clear rubber that are affixed to the forefoot and heel that add much-needed traction and make the shoe more durable.
The bottom line
I would be remiss if I didn’t note that this shoe reminds me of both the Brooks Levitate and the Adidas Ultra Boost running shoes, two runners that are currently in heavy rotation for me. The Nike Epic React Flyknit feels noticeably lighter on my feet than these other two styles though, which is a big selling point for me. But, it isn’t as springy and responsive as the Brooks Levitate, nor is it as much of a lifestyle crossover kick as the Adidas Ultra Boost.
That said, I think the Nike Epic React Flyknit is a good solid addition to the running space, and I am looking forward to continuing to pound the pavement in them over the next couple of months.
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3 Beginner Yoga Poses for Better Balance
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This article originally appeared on DailyBurn.com.
When you flip through the yoga playbook, most routines—if not all—include a balance challenge. “That’s because balance is the essence of yoga,” says Ariel Kiley, certified yoga instructor and lead trainer of Daily Burn’s Yoga Fundamentals program. “Fundamentally, yoga is learning how to go off balance to find balance again,” Kiley explains.
But even if nailing the bird of paradise or eagle pose isn’t your goal, finding balance is key to moving better and feeling centered in your day-to-day. Plus, it can make you a stronger and fitter runner, weightlifter and all-around athlete. “If you’re balanced structurally, then you have sound posture. Posture says a lot about how efficiently you’re using your body,” she says.
Read on for Kiley’s top three yoga poses for better balance, strength and mobility.
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Find Balance with These 3 Beginner Yoga Poses
Think tree pose is a little too advanced? Worry not! These poses from the Yoga Fundamentals program focus on bringing more awareness to your feet — the first lesson in balance. “Your feet are designed to articulate movement in all kinds of ways, but we spend so much time in shoes that we limit their range of motion,” Kiley says. Aim to hold each of the following poses for three to five breaths.
Photo: Ryan Kelly / Yoga Fundamentals
1. Sole Stretch
Balance starts on the soles of your feet, and this pose is a great way to enhance the extension of your toes while stretching the plantar fascia. “By stretching and awakening your soles, you’re going to improve balance and agility as you walk, run and dance,” Kiley says.
How to: Get into tabletop position on your hands and knees (a). Tuck your toes under and walk your hands back towards your heels. Push your fingertips into the floor to lift your knees off the mat (b). Place two yoga blocks under your knees and sit upright on your heels (c). If this feels uncomfortable on your knees, sit on your heels and keep your fingertips tented to the floor in front of you (d).
TRY IT NOW: Daily Burn’s Yoga Fundamentals Program
Photo: Ryan Kelly / Yoga Fundamentals
2. Albatross Pose
Kiley likes to think of this yoga pose as a bird about to take flight, or in exercise terms, a hip hinge. The albatross is good prep for the Warrior poses and other standing poses that involve balanced legs because it encourages even distribution of weight. “Albatross awakens and fortifies the musculature of your back, legs and shoulders to train your body to regain its open, upright potential,” Kiley says.
How to: Stand with your feet in a wide straddle and feet parallel (a). Spread your arms wide into a big “T” with your palms facing forward (b). Unlock your knees, engage your glutes and core, and actively pull your legs towards your midline as you hinge forward at the hips. Keep your head level so your neck is a smooth continuation of your spine (c). Stretch your arms wide to the sides like a bird (d).
Photo: Ryan Kelly / Yoga Fundamentals
3. Single-Leg Balance
A great progression from mountain pose, the single-leg balance helps you access what Kiley calls your “plum-line” or central axis. “When you feel connected to your center in this way, any number of other off-balance poses become more possible,” she says. For true beginners, Kiley recommends stepping your lifted toes onto a yoga block for a few breaths before hiking your knee up to your hands.
How to: Stand with your feet hip-distance apart in mountain pose with equal weight on each foot (a). Begin to shift your weight onto your left foot and lift your right leg up (b). Interlace your hands around your right knee, point your right foot and pull the knee towards the ceiling (c). Firm up your standing leg by drilling the heel down into the mat, and draw your chin in slightly. Aim to create a straight line from your left heel to the crown of your head (e). Repeat on the right foot after a few breaths.
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The Twisted Psychology of Parents Who Torture Their Children
Don’t try to fathom what was going on in the minds of the California parents who starved and imprisoned their 13 children for years before one of the victims escaped and informed the police last weekend. Really, there is no unraveling it—not fully, at least. Basic empathy and the care of offspring are among the most fundamental lines of code in the human operating system. When that gets corrupted—when the protectors become tormentors, when the nurturers become jailers—it’s nearly impossible to grasp, much less explain.
That doesn’t mean that forensic psychologists and others aren’t trying. Even as the Turpin children begin a long period of recovery, and the parents—David Turpin, 56, and Louise Turpin, 49—face sentences of 94 years to life, experts are trying to understand both the dynamics of the home and, more mysteriously, the parents’ motivations.
The darkest part of an already dark reality is that while children may be abused by all manner of people, parents are overwhelmingly the likeliest offenders. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), 71.8% of child abuse or neglect cases occurred at the hands of victims’ parents in 2015, the most recent year for which numbers are available. The leading risk factors in that study were—no surprise—parental alcohol abuse, drug abuse or domestic violence.
In the Turpins’ case, there are no reports yet of substance abuse. And while the treatment the Turpin children received was violence by any measure, it was less systematic battering—though that was part of it—than a sort of patient, sadistic torment: reportedly forbidding them to use the bathroom, allowing them to shower only once a year, starving them while at the same time tormenting them with fresh pies placed just out of reach. Drugs, alcohol or uncontrolled anger don’t explain that kind of slow, cold cruelty. But other factors might.
“In my experience there is usually a psychopathology in the parents,” says trauma psychologist Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, an adjunct professor in the department of psychiatry at Georgetown University. “They’re depressed perhaps, they’re bipolar, they’re schizophrenic. Some of the parents themselves might have been abused as children, though I say that warily because it’s not an excuse to abuse your own children.”
David Finkelhor, professor of sociology and director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, sees two other diagnostic profiles that might fit the parents: delusional or paranoid states, which can lead to all manner of irrational or abusive behavior.
A misguided ideology might be another factor. “Parents may tell themselves they’re protecting their children from the corruption of an awful society,” says Finkelhor, “or that children are evil and need to be chastised or brought into line.”
The starvation may have been a similarly convoluted way of dealing with the business of feeding a family of fifteen. Louise Turpin was listed in records as a homemaker. While her husband appears to have been unemployed in recent years, he worked as an engineer at Northrop Grumman at an annual salary of $140,000 as recently as 2011. But that was the same year the Turpins filed for bankruptcy, listing debts of $100,000 to $500,000.
“He may have felt like this was the only way for the family to survive under the pressures that were being imposed on them by society,” says Finkelhor.
The co-conspiratorial nature of the crimes implicates both spouses equally, and they have been charged accordingly. Initial suspicion, however, will likely fall mostly on the husband as the initiator. The seven-year age difference between the two is not terribly much, but it would have seemed bigger when they married 32 years ago. He was also the principle wage-earner in the household, which creates its own kind of power disparity.
“It may just be that she drank his Kool-Aid,” says Finkelhor.
Not all experts would be so likely to give Louise Turpin even a small pass. Elizabeth Skowron, a professor of counseling psychology and a research scientist at the University of Oregon’s Prevention Science Institute, says that in her group’s work, mothers are very often both the perpetrators and initiators of abuse. The NCANDS data backs that up, with 70% of victims mistreated by the mother, the large majority of those times without the participation of the father. Still, in this case, she sees a potential for collaboration.
“From what I can gather, they’re both in this eyeball-deep,” says Skowron. “[It seems like they were] mutually engaged in keeping their children held hostage.”
One additional risk factor for either or both parents might be a state that Skowron calls “extreme threat-sensitivity,” often seen in highly abusive parents. “They view the world through a lens of things that are threatening, that ‘my child is more powerful than me,'” she says. “‘If I am in complete control then I can calm down.'”
Indeed, Skowron says that such parents actually become more physiologically stressed in the few instances that they show nurturing behavior to their children. Better — for the parents at least — to crack back down and feel that their world is in order again.
All of this will be for the Turpins to contemplate during the lifetime of imprisonment they likely face, and for the children to resolve in the longer, potentially much brighter futures they have ahead of them. Trauma specialists are generally sanguine about the ability of children to recover from such unimaginable abuse, which is one mercy. Another will be if what’s learned from the horror show of the Turpin home helps prevent or at least mitigate the next such tragedy.
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