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Devon’s first book, Earth Women, is coming soon. To learn more, join the mailing list, and receive updates, head to www.devonbarrowwriting.com.

What we do know is that there are parenting styles that remain fairly consistent—even if these styles present themselves differently in real life. And what are these styles? Well, experts have narrowed it to four of them; here, we explain. What she found was four different styles, those being authoritative, uninvolved, permissive, and disciplinarian (also known as authoritarian). “What it comes down to is where the parent falls on the grid of sensitivity and expectations,” says Aliza Pressman, Ph....

The mattress you have sex on can be the difference between a banging time in bed and a sex session that’s cut short by aches and pains, according to Searah Deysach, a sex educator and owner of pleasure products company Early to Bed. “It’s going to be impossible to relax and enjoy the sexual activity at hand if your mattress is putting you in discomfort or pain,” she says. And “if you are uncomfortable [or in] pain, you probably aren’t experiencing pleasure or able to connect with your partner(s), which are really the whole point of sex....

Greenpeace recently set out to rate major grocery chains in the U.S. based on their plastic packaging and, pretty unsurprisingly given the advocacy group’s high environmental standards, every store technically failed. The scores were assigned based on Greenpeace’s analysis of retailers’ sustainability policies and goals, plastic reduction efforts, and transparency. While the industry certainly has a long way to go, the good news that came out of the report is that a lot of stores are working hard at combatting the problem—five of the top innovators are below....

Many newer flippable mattress models even offer a difference in firmness on each side, which is great if you are compromising with a partner or if you want to test different mattress types without going through the hassle of ordering and returning multiple mattresses. Flippable or not, Damon Tong, D.C., of Body Forward Chiropractic in Beverly Hills, says he typically recommends a medium-firm mattress for most people. Not only does this pick fall right in the middle of the firmness spectrum—which means it’s the most compatible with a variety of sleepers—but research also shows that medium-firm mattresses tend to be best1 for those who suffer from back pain....

Note: This seven skin method works, and it’s oh-so-easy to add to your skin care routine. Here’s exactly how to do this method for skin that looks plush and pillowy. No matter how many layers you choose, the kicker here is hydration: a difficult feat, it turns out, as our skin is exposed to so many daily aggressors that can easily suck the moisture from our skin. “You’re essentially giving yourself a mini hydrafacial,” says Yoon....

That’s all good, but it definitely makes things a bit trickier: How do we really know if a product actually lines up with what’s imprinted on its package? Even peeking over at the ingredients involves some guesswork for most of us. It’s why Sephora introduced a “Clean at Sephora” category last year—to clearly establish what they, as a retailer, consider “clean,” and help shoppers make more informed decisions about the products they buy....

The good news? There ARE some key things to look for on a hemp label—from checking the THC percentage, to understanding third-party testing (look for a certificate of authenticity (COA)), to making sure it’s free of any artificial additives. Even if you do find a full-spectrum hemp oil, that doesn’t mean they’re all created equally. Buying from a trusted brand—we’re big fans of the Synchronicity™ line by Colorado-based company, Functional Remedies—that rigorously tests its products and strives for the highest levels of quality, potency, and purity can make all the difference....

“Cheese sometimes gets a bad rap because it is generally high in fat and certain types, like processed cheese, aren’t the best picks because they may contain added oils, dyes, and even sugar,” says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, author of Eating in Color. “But cheese can absolutely add nutrients, like protein and calcium, to your diet, and it’s incredibly satisfying. I like to enjoy a small wedge with fresh grapes and some almonds....

To live in the shadow frequency of a chakra is to be guided by the associated wound of that chakra. We make decisions from that wound, we relate to others from that wound, and in extreme cases, we become that wound. To heal, we must first become aware of the wound and then do the work to heal it. This propels us into the gift frequency, where we can truly become our best selves....

After a few cups of my trusty Throat Coat tea wouldn’t soothe the scratch, I remembered an all-natural throat spray someone had sent me over the summer—a warmer, healthier time when I had zero use for it. So I dug it out of my cupboard and got to spritzing. It was a bee propolis throat spray containing just three ingredients: bee propolis extract, vegetable glycerin, and water. Much to my surprise, there was a subtle but immediate numbing effect that quickly soothed my throat, accompanied by a pleasant sweet honey taste....

Clothing swaps have been trending—and it’s no wonder why. They’re the new, sustainable way to swap styles and revamp your wardrobe. Add in some fun Ketel One Botanical cocktails, sustainable decorations, and trust us when we say your friends (and their bursting closets) are waiting. So here are the five tips you need to get your first Sustainable Clothing Swap Soiree off the ground: Devon’s first book, Earth Women, is coming soon....

Here, we tapped board-certified dermatologists to get the scoop on vegetable glycerin: what it is, how it benefits the skin, and how to use it properly. This heating process causes the glycerin to separate from the fatty acids and, mixed with water, forms an odorless, syrup-like liquid. But before you think about adding this syrupy potion to your meals, you should know that vegetable glycerin is uber-hydrating for the skin....

There are a few ways to avoid sitting too much, but one of easiest ways to restore movement to your day is an under-desk treadmill. These compact additions to your workspace offer an easy way to increase your step count throughout the day. And while walking may not leave you as sweaty as a HIIT session, Blue Zone expert Dan Buettner says it’s the best exercise to support longevity. For example, you can walk towards the end of the pad to slow down your speed during an important work call, or gently increase your speed up to 3....

However, you can take part in eco-friendly slugging by using botanicals rich in fatty acids. One example is sea buckthorn oil—a natural oil that comes from tiny orange berries. Here’s why we love it for slugging, color correcting, and more. In more recent years, sea buckthorn oil has gained popularity for its skin-softening properties, though it’s also been used topically for centuries. The fatty acid properties are similar to other botanical oils, but its nutrient profile is particularly rich....

But did you know that the placement of said cracks and chaps may give you some indication of what the cause is? Yes, indeed: If you’ve ever experienced cracked corners on your lips, you may be dealing with something slightly different from your everyday dry lips. We’re talking about angular cheilitis. And if you’re experiencing it for the first time, you may be tempted to think that those red corners are simply extra dry, but there’s actually a lot more going on than you might think....