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Some common culprits behind bloating: The good news is that what we eat (and don’t eat) can usually help. If you want to feel better fast, try this one-day de-bloating plan. Ingredients Ingredients To make grilled asparagus, trim stems and toss asparagus with olive oil and spices of choice. For example, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried parsley, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Preheat oven to 400°F and roast asparagus until tender and starting to caramelize—about 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus....

Determined to ensure I was breathing healthy air but not willing to sacrifice my thoughtful home design, I set out to find an air purifier that would add to the aesthetic. The first option to catch my eye? The Coway Airmega IconS. Below, learn my honest thoughts on the device and what I’ve learned about air quality and air purification. In fact, those household chores are oftentimes what pollutes the air in the first place....

One common term that you’ll likely see is “ascorbic acid,” which can admittedly sound a bit scary (er, acid?) but is one of the most important nutrients you can add to your routine. Read on to learn about what ascorbic acid is used for, some health benefits, plus how much you should take. A quick science lesson: Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It’s an essential micronutrient, meaning the human body is unable to make its own (unlike most other animals that are able to synthesize the vitamin)....

Considered the gold standard of air purification, a HEPA filter must remove at least 99.7% of microns at least 0.3 micrometer and larger, as defined by the United States Department of Energy. While these HEPA filters are often paired with additional layers, such as activated carbon or ionized filters, they’re considered the most important element of any air purifier—whether you’re searching for a design for someone with allergies or a space with mold....

My current lineup includes popular styles like Air Force 1s, Jordans, and Cortezes—but there’s one pair that’s quickly surpassing the others to become an absolute favorite: the Cariuma Oca Low Sneakers. I’ve been wearing the off-white canvas shoe for two months now, and I’ve been astounded. The comfy style packs plenty of arch support yet still looks so undeniably chic that my husband calls them my “fancy sneakers.” It was a super-hot Friday in July, and I was meeting my dear friend and her 2-year-old at a park in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn....

But we’re here to tell you these cyclical changes in your bowel movements that crop up just before or during your menstrual cycle are actually pretty common, thanks to shifting levels of hormones and hormone-like substances in the body. Fortunately, there are ways to make this unpleasant side effect less severe. Let us explain. These hormone-like molecules are released as the lining of your uterus breaks down before and during your menstrual cycle....

These DIY face mists are health, acne fighting, refreshing, and even mood boosting—these will seriously make your skin glow.

Despite the known benefits of exercise in pregnancy, I am continually asked one specific question by friends and patients. Is childbirth going to be easier because I am working out? One factor that has a negative impact on the length of labor and can be modified by routine exercise in pregnancy, especially in first-time moms, is a higher maternal weight at the time of delivery1. In other words, routine exercise can limit the possibility of excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy and potentially shorten the first stage of labor....

As a fabric, hemp is breathable, warm, moisture-wicking, antibacterial, and can be easily blended. It’s a very durable fabric that becomes softer with washing and wear, and it’s biodegradable at the end of its life. Beyond that, the hemp plant doesn’t require a lot of water, and it can produce two to three times more fiber per acre than cotton. It actually replenishes the soil it grows in rather than extracting its nutrients....

Essential oils can also give your DIY cleaning products an antimicrobial boost. Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup alcohol-free witch hazel, and 6-10 drops of the essential oil of your choosing into a spray bottle and you have an all-purpose cleaner that can help freshen up a variety of surfaces. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes....

Bach Flower Remedies were created in the 1930s by Edward Bach, M.D.—a British doctor. Over the years, Bach observed that his happier patients seemed to recover faster1 than the ones who were hopeless or depressed, indicating that illness begins in the spirit. He then made it his life’s work to focus on treatments for emotional distress. Dr. Bach eventually created what he believed to be a complete healing system, comprised of 38 different flower essences—one for every type of human emotion....

Studies, too, show that regular facial massages do help improve skin quality. For example, one study showed1 that daily facial rolling for only five minutes improved blood flow to the face. In another2, patients overwhelmingly reported feeling tighter, more supple skin after regular massages. “I think it makes sense that facial gua sha caught on first. Everyone is looking for a beauty fix, and it’s an easier, less scary thing to try,” says Katie Brindle, founder of Hayo’u, a London-based holistic skin care brand....

Between changes in weather, a sharp incline in the stress we’re feeling, and harsh ingredients found in some skin care products, it is unsurprising to see that search trends for sensitive skin are skyrocketing. Skin care is self-care. mbg Sensitive Skin will make sure you take the necessary steps to alleviate your topical and internal stresses. Remember that flare-ups, like emotions, can be temporary. Take a deep breath; we’re here to help you explore solutions that work for your unique skin and self....

As I often tell my clients, we don’t get to choose how we feel—but we do get to choose how we respond to those feelings. Toxic positivity is when we wish we were feeling something we aren’t, and so we admonish ourselves to feel differently by saying to ourselves some version of “Think positive!” If instead we cultivate curiosity (the first step in a true gratitude practice) about what we are feeling, then we are on the path toward transforming the negative emotion into something positive like gratitude or healthy pride....

For example, not all hair types can benefit from daily washing. People with curly hair might not need to wash every day—or even every week. Yet, there’s a caveat here. If you struggle with product buildup either on your hair or scalp, you might want to increase your wash frequency. Allison Teasdale, a hair care expert and co-founder of Unwrapped Life, notes that “I cleanse my hair and scalp about every two to three days with a shampoo bar depending on what my hair needs, either some extra cleansing power to remove styling products or added moisture....

For some people, it may be a busy shopping mall. For others, it’s the serenity of a beach. Think of it as that place you go to be fully present with yourself, and you can savor the experience. Having an emotional connection with nature can help reduce mental ailments such as anxiety, anger, and aggressiveness — not to mention the physical benefits of being in nature, like increased activity and exposure to vitamin D....

That was when I discovered Dr. Andrew Weil and his integrative medicine center at the University of Arizona. Having been trained quite conservatively as a doctor, I was a bit of a skeptic about this more holistic approach to medicine; however, with some careful prodding from my wife (it’s always a good idea to listen to your partner, I’ve learned), I started to read more about some of the lifestyle changes I could make to optimize my wellness and get my health back on track....

Now the acne had started migrating downward, showing up along my jawline and neck as well as on my face. Deep-rooted, cystic acne that never seemed to go away. I didn’t know what to do anymore. Some days I stayed at home because there just wasn’t enough makeup in the world to make me want to show my face in public. Some days I wanted to scream and rip my skin off because I hated so much what I saw in the mirror....

All in all, garlic is a healthy, natural ingredient that can certainly manage and possibly prevent—but not necessarily treat—cold and flu symptoms. The other compounds help activate immune cells, including macrophages, lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. “The job of these immune cells is to kill foreign invaders in the body, such as viruses and bacteria,” Gedroic explains. So how does this happen? According to Gedroic, “Given that colds are typically triggered by the rhinovirus and flu, helping to stimulate the immune system can boost the effectiveness of these killer cells in the body....

Overall, the amount of time you should wait between eating and working out will vary based on what you ate, how much you ate, and what type of workout you plan to do. However, there are a few general guidelines to follow: “Meals should be consumed one to four hours prior to your workout, while snacks can be incorporated anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour before exercising,” registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk, R....