Posts

Venus flytraps are known for capturing insects and bugs. They do best when grown outside, although it is possible to grow indoors if you can create the right conditions. You can purchase Venus flytraps from most nurseries, garden centers, and online plant shops. “Once captured, the plant releases an enzymatic substance that breaks down the trapped prey into nutrients the plant can utilize,” says Bloomscape’s gardening expert Lindsay Pangborn. “If nothing is detected in the trap, it will typically open back up after a day....

With a personal history of kidney stones, I started to get concerned that my morning smoothie might be putting me at risk. Smoothies have a high concentration of oxalates, and about about 80% of kidney stones are made up of calcium oxalate. Oxalates are naturally present in our bodies. They are also present in varying levels in certain plant foods. Low-oxalate diets are sometimes recommended to decrease the kidney stone development....

While that entire thought process sounds logical, it can be deeply painful to live in such a reality. Coping with the long-range effects of such a violation can be a lifelong quest, but help comes in many forms. We spoke with trauma psychologist Remi Coker, Ph.D., and licensed therapist Jessica Conquest, LMFT, about what exactly betrayal trauma is, when it can develop, how it relates to other kinds of trauma, and methods to recover and heal....

As people bring alt-milk into their homes, they’re also bringing questions. Specifically, what’s in it? Plant-based milks often have long lists of ingredients. Some, like water and almonds, are easily recognizable; others, like gellan gum…not so much. Gellan gum is a vegan thickening agent added to foods to create and maintain a desired consistency. “It’s found in nature, growing on water lilies,” explains Lauren McNeill, R.D., MPH. Food producers don’t go pond-hopping to find it, though....

Being “triggered” can mean very different things for different people, especially since trigger-inducing traumas can range from eating disorders to self-harm to sexual violence, so we spoke to psychologists and trauma experts to better understand what it means to be triggered and how to approach and respond to these overwhelming moments. Triggers can stem from very obvious traumas like sexual violence and war experiences, but they can also stem from micro-traumas in which subtle hurts build up over time....

What’s going on inside your little one’s head during all that solo time? And if they’re choosing to play alone instead of on the playground, does it mean they’re not developing adequate social skills? Here’s what the experts have to say: “Some kids get energy from being around others, and some re-energize through playing alone,” she explains. “In the United States, we prioritize extroversion and often pathologize introverts. As parents and teachers, we must watch out for this....

Sagittarius is, after all, a free-spirited and adventurous sign ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck, abundance, and expansion. As Budd explains, Venus (which relates to love and relationships) and Mercury (which relates to communication and information) both being in Sagittarius could bring some impact to the relationship front—and potentially in a beneficial way. Plus there could be “some favorable manifesting potential for intentions or opportunities related to art/beauty, money, or possessions,” she adds....

You can put plants on shelves, mantels, and coffee tables, and I love hanging them too. Spider plants, pothos, and hanging vines are great for this room since they are such prominent reminders of growth and thriving. When plants are quick to grow new leaves, this effect multiples. I’ve found that snake plants, in particular, are an excellent low-maintenance option, and mine have grown to over 3.5 feet tall. It’s so energizing to see these guys stretching toward the ceiling....

“For many people, all of the anchors to their schedule have changed or disappeared, so it is important to recreate as many as possible at home,” says board-certified sleep medicine researcher W. Christopher Winter, M.D., of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and author of The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How To Fix It. “We need to rebuild these markers in our lives.” There’s a whole cascade that happens when you get out of your normal circadian rhythm....

We can characterize all our relationships along two dimensions of negativity and positivity. With our true friends, we have high levels of positivity and low levels of negativity. With our enemies, we have the opposite—these relationships are clearly toxic. When it comes to our acquaintances, we don’t spend much time and energy on them because we have low levels of both positivity and negativity with them. But then, what about the people with whom we experience both high positivity and high negativity?...

As the twins recently wrote for mbg, “From December 29, 2022, to January 18, 2023, [Mercury is] backing up through Capricorn. As we attempt to set our resolutions, the cosmic trickster reminds us of the adage, ‘Man plans, God laughs.’” And with Mars in retrograde for roughly another week, they add, it’s only adding more fuel to this fraught fire. In other words, the stars aren’t exactly aligned for optimal advancement or tackling your resolutions, and as such, the twins recommend waiting until the new moon in Aquarius on January 21 (which will be a supermoon, BTW) to really start making headway....

It’s easy to forget the difference small gestures and connections can make. Here are four reasons I believe that women should work to empower other women, daily. Women helping women: it can be a real movement to grow a sisterhood for a better tomorrow.

But sometimes, you don’t want a hot cuppa—which is where the new breed of tea beverages comes in. Sparkling teas are essentially a mix of soda and tea, a cold, carbonated version of the healthy classic—and health experts love them. “These beverages can provide the benefits of the tea in them,” says Jessica Cording, R.D., mbg Collective member and founder of Jessica Cording Nutrition. She notes that consumers need to keep an eye on added sugar and additional calories from any other ingredients that may be present....

This was me in the years leading up to menopause. I was 243 pounds, and I was hangry. If you can relate, you may be wondering, “Is this increase in appetite an effect of menopause, or is it my imagination?” And if it is a real thing, why does it happen in the first place? To stop the hanger, you need to understand why your body is reacting this way and what you can do about it....

“Many liquid soaps, even from natural brands, are packed with drying chemicals, surfactants, and preservatives that I’d rather avoid,” explains Sarah Villafranco, M.D., (and bar soap’s No. 1 cheerleader). “Bar soap is made with sodium hydroxide, but when the formulation is done right, the sodium hydroxide disappears and you’re left only with soap molecules and moisturizing glycerin. Cool, huh?” Formulating into a bar allows you to add a higher concentration of pure, good-for-you ingredients—and leave out common preservatives....

This is probably especially true if you are using this time to skip makeup and load up on homemade masks, “spa” treatments, or the like. After all, isn’t skipping makeup supposed to stop breakouts? What gives? But first, let’s start with what’s not happening: You might hear internet-led anecdotes that when you first stop wearing makeup, your skin will “purge.” However, your skin only purges when you start using ingredients that encourage cell turnover, as the gunk deep in your pores is moved to the surface at a faster rate....

One number sequence of note as both an angel number and numerology pattern is 1010. Here’s what you should know if 1010 keeps popping up in your life, according to experts. She adds that angel numbers are considered synchronicities or meaningful coincidences, often appearing during moments when the universe wants us to pay attention to something. “When you see this number, it’s a strong sign from the universe that you are being supported with powerful forces to manifest in your life—whether this is in love, career, health, or a courageous pursuit,” she adds....

Sleeping naked from the start eliminates a layer of clothing that could make you too warm, functional medicine doctor and OB/GYN Wendie Trubow, M.D., tells mbg. This can promote higher-quality sleep throughout the night, which leads to further health benefits, like: Even more directly, tight clothing (especially when sweaty) can lead to back acne and butt acne. By sleeping nude, you avoid irritation from underwear or pajamas in those areas of the body....

The best body exfoliators remove buildup to leave skin soft and refreshed, making it a must-add to your weekly routine. Whether you opt for a scrub, lotion, or dry brush, we did the work to find the worthy options that won’t damage your skin, all made with natural ingredients. What does this mean for the body? If you tend to have dry skin, stick to once a week; if you have oily or combination skin, you may be able to get away with twice or even three times a week....