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Resistant starches are often categorized into four groups, based on the source. It’s also important to note that one type of food can contain different types of resistant starches. Osteopathic doctor Christine Maren, D.O., breaks them down: “Despite the concern for carbohydrates spiking blood sugar, numerous studies on resistant starch show the opposite effect,” Maren says. “The decrease in obesity associated with consumption of resistant starch is significant enough to improve insulin sensitivity4....

So cultivate qualities and skills in which you feel confident and self-sufficient. There is nothing more powerful and sexy than someone who is independent, who doesn’t need you to take care of them. They walk with this feeling regardless of the size of their backside. If you need a bit of a warm-up, dancing can be a great way to ease into fully inhabiting your body—to start feeling attractive. I believe we should all dance more....

If you’re looking to get rid of old CDs or DVDs, the trash can should be the last resort. Since these discs are made mostly of durable polycarbonate plastics, they’ll take thousands, if not millions, of years to decompose in landfills. Though slightly time-consuming, you can list them on community resale platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist (or BuyNothing or freecycle if you’re not looking to make money off of them)....

That’s right—not all skin care products are safe to use while you’re pregnant. Common items to avoid include topical retinoids1, high-dose salicylic acid (found in peels and oral medications), and oxybenzone (commonly found in chemical sunscreens). Although, London-based dermatologist Aamna Adel, MBBS, MRCP, took to TikTok to share one “underrated” chemical exfoliant that is pregnancy-safe: azelaic acid. Adel considers azelaic acid an underrated pick because it can help ease many of the same skin concerns as other chemical exfoliants....

Plenty of lifestyle factors can keep us from reaching this deep, blissful sleep night after night. Here are a few of the ones that are within our control, and what to do about them. Even having an eventful, thought-provoking day can keep you up at night, naturopathic sleep doctor Catherine Darley, N.D., adds, and make it difficult to turn your mind “off.” Bhopal recommends stress management strategies like meditation and yoga....

No matter what’s causing it, just buildup, in general, can lead to scalp inflammation. This can cause pain, itching, and overall discomfort. Certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology William Gaunitz further explains, “depending on how tight a ponytail or braids can be, it can produce inflammatory tugging that will result in scarring and traction alopecia as well as scalp pain and tenderness.” However, he points out that this reaction would only occur after “extraordinary tension over long periods of time” due to the disruption it would create in the hair cycle....

But wait: Another type of formula provides top-notch hold and dramatic volume yet slides off with ease at the end of the day. It’s almost too good to be true. Below, find everything you need to know about tubing mascaras—consider them the antidote to wimpy, wintry lashes. But then, when you go to remove your makeup at the end of the day, the tubing formula easily dissolves with just warm water and a washcloth....

Though overfishing rates in U.S. waters have actually dropped recently thanks to stricter regulations, globally we’re still plucking more fish out of the ocean than can be replenished naturally. According to a 2018 report by the U.N., 33% of the world’s marine populations are currently overfished, and nearly 60% are at max capacity. Only 7% are being underfished. Unsurprisingly, the species whose futures are threatened by overfishing are the ones we love to eat the most—your salmons, tunas, halibuts, and the like—while smaller fish populations are less likely to be tapped out....

When mbg recently spoke with industry expert Carl Germano, R.D., CNS, CDN, the author of Road to Ananda: Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System, Hemp Phytocannabinoids/CBD, and Your Health, he explained that he regularly sees pesticides and herbicides used to combat the slew of pests and natural predators that flock to industrial hemp crops. Aside from being dangerous for farmers and the environment, chemical pesticides could pose a health risk according to the review: “Their direct human toxicity is poorly quantified but include infection, carcinogenicity, reproductive, and developmental impacts,” it reads....

“For many people, worry stones are just an actual physical touchpoint when they’re dealing with stress and anxiety,” founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy Ashley Leavy explains to mbg. If you’re the kind of person who struggles to meditate or do breathwork, she adds that “having that physical touchstone can be really helpful.” You can also assign your worry stone a specific intention, notes founder of Astara and crystal expert, Mariah K....

Many have turned to practices or philosophies that tell them the pain they feel is a result of wanting too much. That happiness is somehow not about living up to their potential, but of revisiting their expectations. That somehow trying to fulfill their hopes and dreams is the source of their pain. Yes, life brings pain, but so does letting it slide by. Pain isn’t the enemy. Pain is a part of living....

Interestingly, when it comes to color, your Venus sign may be a better inclination of your taste than your sun sign, as it’s the planet that governs aesthetic and personal taste. The AstroTwins have a calculator to find where Venus is placed in your chart, so you can see whether your sun or Venus sign’s colors resonate more with you. Then, you can begin incorporating those colors to create the perfect palette for you....

After all, they provide us with essential vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, and fiber that keeps us full and simultaneously feeds our healthy gut bacteria—which, in turn, helps support our immune system, digestion, and mental health.* But of all the choices out there, from asparagus to zucchini and everything in between, which vegetables pack the most powerful punch for overall health? Here, a list of the vegetables that reign supreme, plus what qualities make a vegetable extra healthy in the first place....

But if you let this influence how you show up in the world, you’ll limit your creative potential, alienate the people who can most uplift you, squander your opportunities for financial freedom, and fail to step bravely into your true purpose. I’m not suggesting you need to speak every thought you think. Some people are just plain rude under the guise of “speaking my truth.” But every time you fail to express what is true for you, you activate a stress response that weakens your body’s natural self-healing mechanisms and puts your body at risk....

King says argan oil is a great option for oil cleansing since it doesn’t clog pores. For sensitive or dry skin types, King recommends an oil-based cleanse followed by a water rinse. For oily, acne-prone skin or if you wear makeup, she recommends a double-cleanse with an oil-based cleanser first and a water-based cleanser second. Just as the fatty acids and vitamin E in argan oil hydrate our skin, it does the same moisturizing wonders for our cuticles....

When we don’t understand what’s normal, it’s easy to assume there’s something wrong with us, our partner, or our relationship. From there, it’s often a downward spiral to breakup or divorce. We see our partners in many different lights — from elegantly dressed for a special event to retching over the toilet bowl. Even over the course of a day or an hour, attraction can fluctuate, and that’s completely normal....

For example, fatigue and difficulty sleeping suggest problems with the adrenals, the glands that produce stress hormones. Fatigue —along with constipation, thinning hair, brittle nails, and weight gain — suggest problems with the thyroid, the gland that produces thyroid hormone. Peri-menopausal and menstrual issues suggest imbalances with estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, the sex hormones. The vast majority of patients I see who are struggling with their weight, especially as they get older, are somewhat insulin resistant and are eating too many carbs for what their bodies can efficiently metabolize....

Then there’s the question of shape preference: do you like a handle or something handheld? Also, if you’re vegan, you’ll need to opt for a synthetic or natural plant-derived option, like sisal bristles, which are made from plant fibers. Then there’s where you want to be doing the dry brushing, be it your whole body, just your face, or both. Lot’s of options, no? Here, we gathered the best on the market, with a wide variety of variables, so you can find one that will work for you....

As much as anyone, men deserve to enjoy the endless benefits of masturbation, and these adult toys can help get you there. Read on for the best sex toys for men, and you’ll be on your way to experiencing all types of pleasure. First, you’ll want to always make sure you are purchasing sex toys from reputable companies—and don’y always assume higher price tags equate to quality. Kort busts this myth, saying, “Sometimes a $20 sex toy can give you more pleasure than a $100 sex toy....

“A great way to understand the energetic value of a number is by putting it in context to other numbers,” Richardson tells mbg. The number one, for example, represents initiation and new beginnings, while the number nine represents endings and completion. She notes that the more times you see two repeating, the more that energy is amplified (i.e., 22 versus 222 versus 2222). “222 is known as an angel number, offering intuitive guidance, and people with a life path number of two [in numerology] are thought to be intuitive and sensitive,” she adds....