healthy

You might be pooping wrong. That is, you’re probably pooping wrong if you aren’t using a squatty potty on your traditional toilet. These are big claims, especially if you’ve been pooping your whole life (which you have).

Traditional toilets cramp our intestines, making it harder for our stool to pass through. Squatty potties, on the other hand, allow our insides to straighten out–which is how we’ve been pooping since the beginning of humanity: by squatting. 

Rosehip oil might sound like something you’d find in your grandmother’s cabinet, but it might actually be the secret to youth–or, at least, youthful beauty. Better known as rosehip seed oil, this special oil is a well-known facial ointment for treating everything from acne to eczema, age spots and osteoarthritis. Considered a dry oil, rosehip seed oil is absorbed directly into the skin, rather than leaving a greasy coat on your cheek or forehead, which makes it suitable for both daytime and nighttime use. Need more convincing?

Everyone in my family is fond of heavy white sauces, but not me; I’ve always been a fan of this thing called flavor. If you think you’re more of a white sauce person, think again. This velvety, luscious red sauce will even win over the hearts of Italians who think their nonna's “gravy” is the best hands down.

Magnesium is a trending supplement, and for more reasons than you might think. While stress and anxiety are at all-time highs due to our fast-paced lifestyles, our food is becoming less nutrient-dense due to the depletion of our soil. The widespread use of pesticides and the pressure to maintain a high crop turnover has left little room for our soil to replenish its nutrients through fallow fields or crop rotation.

I grew up absolutely loving the super sugary, tomato-based condiment that is ketchup. Now, I’m still infatuated with it. However, I don’t buy overly sweetened ketchup anymore; I only eat ketchup that I’ve made myself. Making ketchup from scratch is cheap, ridiculously easy, healthier, and oh so delicious. I’m even comfortable with claiming that homemade ketchup is just as good as the bottled stuff, if not better (assuming that’s a possibility).

“Put on a hat–you’ll catch a cold!” and “Turkey makes you sleepy” are just some of the old wives’ tales you’ve likely heard growing up. Or, perhaps you had a mother or father who was particularly insistent upon herbal remedies like consuming raw garlic for colds and flus. While some old wives’ tales are just that–tales–we’ve gathered the ones that seem to have actual merit and thus a place in your kitchen, too.

Cranberries are more than just the lumpy, coagulated red side dish on your Thanksgiving dinner table, and certainly more than the name of a 90s rock band. These acidic red berries do more for your health, and perhaps more for your taste buds, than you think. Read on to find out why it’s worth it to take a second look at cranberries.

Premenstrual symptoms are something lots of cis-women go through roughly every month for much of their lives. Some common symptoms include cramps, bloating, increased acne, depression, irritability and tender breasts. Research is still being conducted on why women experience PMS, and some doctors even believe PMS could be hereditary.

Not long ago, I was digging through my cupboards looking for some protein to add to a meal. I came across a can of black-eyed peas and thought I was in luck—that is, until I saw the expiration date. Two years ago! Instinctively, I reached to put the can in the trash.

But wait. Isn’t canned food supposed to last forever?

Some of the common conceptions of belly dancers are of temptation, seduction, and entertainment. Little do people know that the art of belly dance contains much more history and meaning than what the typical media often portrays. Believe it or not, along with having cultural richness, belly dance can be very healthy and beneficial for both men and women of all ages. As someone who practices this art, I want to share with you 10 beautiful health benefits of belly dancing.