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Kitchari is given to all ayurvedic patients because it’s so easy to digest, giving their systems a break to restore and heal themselves. Think about it—if a car is always on, eventually it’s going to crash. Well, our digestive systems are the same way. If we’re constantly stuffing hard-to-digest food in it (even things seemingly easy like a salad), we can actually burn out our digestive fire over time. Kitchari is like a reset for your gut, and best of all—it’s delicious....

Nailing proper pushup form not only challenges your arm muscles but also calls for engagement in your core and glutes, making your body a united front as your push through the movement. While it is inherently challenging, fitness instructor Mindy Lai walks us through the best way to ace your pushups and build strength (plus, some modifications to help along the way). Keeping your spine straight and your eyes trained to the floor between your hands will also ensure you’re maintaining proper form....

My first few weeks in grad school, it felt like I was asked this question daily. Thinking about the future would make my mind go blank. How could I not know what I wanted to do in five years? I still get asked that question, and while it makes my heart pound, it’s not out of fear of not knowing the answer. It’s out of excitement and anticipation for achieving my vision....

That’s up for debate. Many sex therapists and sex educators today encourage mindfulness and meditation practices as part of developing a healthier sex life, including easier access to orgasm. Tantric sex is a sexual practice that actively encourages people to merge all these practices together. (Yes, tantric masturbation is a thing, and so are energy orgasms—aka orgasms from masturbating without touching.) The science concurs: A 2018 study2 published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapist found people who meditate tend to have better sexual functioning and more sexual desire than non-meditators....

The answer is, of course, yes! Making your own candles at home is not only economical but fun. It’s one of those gratifying projects that gets you back to basics and connects you with past generations of people who’ve made things with their own two hands. Plus, it allows you to control exactly what ingredients go into your clean-burning candle. The following method is an easy-to-follow process that even beginning DIYers can tackle....

Before we get started, the biggest thing to keep in mind when it comes to manifesting is this: You are in charge of your life. Here are the four essential steps that you must take to manifest the partner you’ve always wanted. Follow these steps, keep your eye on the desired outcome, and anything you want can be yours. The problem is that most of us don’t want to commit to finding love for one reason: We don’t want to be let down....

And yet, it often feels like a weird taboo—even though most people are doing it. Most people have never really learned how to do it, why it’s good for us, and what a healthy masturbation practice even looks like. Instead, it’s typically done in secret, coated in a thick layer of shame, and often becomes a confusing topic of conversation when we enter into romantic relationships with other people. You’re likely here because you’re now embarking on developing a masturbation practice....

Pour some sea salt into small bowls or small cups and place them around your home in areas where you feel the energy is heavy or stuck. Leave them for a day, several days, or as long as it feels right to you. (People tell me they “know” when it’s time to get rid of the salt, and I feel the same way.) Once you feel the space is fresh and clear, gather up the salt bowls and dump the salt into a trash bin....

The name “howlite” comes from the Canadian mineralogist Henry How, who discovered this stone in the 1800s, according to Merriam-Webster. Today, howlite can be found throughout Canada, California, Mexico, and parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. Howlite’s white color, on the other hand, can actually reflect or repel that negative energy as opposed to absorbing it, she says. “A lot of times we can have a lot of angst and anxiety around wanting these things to come through, and with howlite being a crystal that allows things to slow down, it can help in aiding your process and having patience with your intentions,” she explains....

On the macro level: The best thing you can do to curb mindless spending is to track your purchases and budget accordingly, as we’ve learned about keeping a money diary. This will help you be aware of patterns long term. “I’m a big fan of having people notice what is happening with their money. Physically writing down your purchases is creating an awareness that’s in the moment,” financial expert Lynne Somerman told us....

According to family physician Bindiya Gandhi, M.D., if eating fermented foods and taking multiple probiotic supplements causes someone to feel worse (think bloating, gas, nausea, or abdominal pain), then there is most likely a medical problem beyond dysbiosis, or an imbalance of bacteria in the microbiome. In this case, they should consult a doctor. “Some people who have a histamine intolerance may actually have a problem with fermented foods, as well,” Singh says....

But that’s a pretty narrow classification. In reality, any part of the body that triggers sexual pleasure can be considered a sexual organ. Yes, genitalia (the external body parts located in the pelvic region typically used to assign a biological sex at birth) are definitely sex organs, and so are some internal reproductive and body-specific anatomical features like the vaginal canal and the internal part of the clitoris. But importantly, an organ doesn’t need to have a reproductive function (see: the clitoris) nor need to be related to traditional sex assignments to count as a sexual organ....

Often, you’ll hear people claim that there’s a “better” time of day to take collagen—and in doing so, you’ll increase its efficacy. Here’s what the experts have to say about the most common claims, plus a tip on when to actually take yours: Your stomach produces even more acid when the vagus nerve, which helps regulate digestion (among other things), is stimulated, he says. “The presence of food in the stomach further stimulates acid secretion,” Galligan says....

This iconically bright yellow citrus fruit is one of the most versatile (and functional) foods. From lemon meringue pie to lemon-scented cleaning products, it’s hard to imagine life without it. Plus, how dull would life be without lemon water and lemonade? I mean, can you imagine summer without them? I can’t. To see how the oh-so-iconic lemon oil fares when put to the test, we sought out scientific research to back up its presumed effects....

Leo’s ruler, the sun, teaches us all we need to know about this bright sign: In astrology, the sun symbolizes the fuel, energy, and vital life force that powers all the other planets. Whereas the moon illuminates only some things, the sun shines upon everything—giving us life and light in the process. The sign of Leo wants to see and be seen, just like the sun that rules it, which is why Leo is associated with visibility, attention, courage, generosity, and creative impulses....

Here’s what we know about what constitutes “likable qualities,” according to research and experts, plus a likable person test to gauge your own likability. “They tend to be individuals who are open-minded and create a space where people feel comfortable to be themselves. They have an ability to create a no-judgment experience,” she explains. And licensed marriage and family therapist Shane Birkel, LMFT, echoes this point as well, noting that likable people have high emotional intelligence and know how to interact well with others, thus inviting others in....

If any of that sounds familiar, you might want to consider adding some lotus (and even half lotus pose, if the full extension isn’t available to you) into your yoga rotation. Here’s how to get into it, as demonstrated by certified yoga and meditation instructor Pilin Anice. On top of the physical benefits, lotus is a great pose for working with the root chakra. This chakra is all about stability but can be blocked by fear....

“When I get that scratch in my throat, I go straight for the Manuka honey,” Will Cole, D.C., IFMCP, functional medicine expert, told mbg. “This honey from New Zealand has even higher nutritional content than regular raw honey and has next-level antimicrobial properties. I’ll add a little to my dandelion tea throughout the day.” But what sets it apart from all the other wonderful honeys out there? While raw honey’s reputation as a medicinal aid is largely due to its antimicrobial activity that stems from its hydrogen peroxide3 content, Manuka honey contains additional compounds—methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and a few others—that make it even more beneficial4 for both internal and topical use....

This phase is called stationing, and it describes the time the direct planet (Mercury, in this case) needs to recover the distance that it retreated while in retrograde. “It’s a bit like retracing steps,” the twins add, and it can last for weeks and even months. We see this “shadow” with the moon phases as well. You might feel the full moon’s heightened, semi-chaotic energy in the days leading up to it and after it, for example....

Wim credits his superhuman feats to a specific kind of breathwork and focused meditation, and he believes that anyone can develop similar abilities by using them. I tried these methods for three months; here’s my review. Cold therapy alone has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and the benefits include reduced inflammation1, improved recovery2, increased thermogenesis, increased life span3 in mice and flies4, improved sleep5, reduced pain6, and reduced anxiety and depression7....