Fitness
Best Candles to Gift for Holidays, Housewarmings, and Special Occasions
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
There’s something about unwinding after a long day with a candle that makes the dizzying deluge of your inbox melt away. Some candles, quite frankly, are poorly designed and horribly scented, while others instantly enhance ambience no matter what room they inhabit.
We searched high and low to find the best candles to gift this season (not a saccharine wickster in sight). Below, our 15 favorites for gifting, whether you want to splurge on a candle quartet for someone near and dear or pick up a candle that helps fight wildfires for the treehugger in your life.
1. Esas JOY Kolonya + Candle Set
Isn’t “joy” the finest word in the English language? Here, the mellifluous noun comes to life in a rinse-free hand cleanser with holiday-appropriates notes of fir balsam, peppermint, and citrus. The hand cleanser and hydrating serum comes with a candle made with a blend of organic jojoba oil and sustainably sourced candelilla wax.
[$92; esanyc.com]
2. The Home Collection Set of 4 Soy Candles by Lisa Queen Design X Apothenne
Two LA-based companies, interior design firm Lisa Queen Design and candle brand Apothenne collaborated to make magic in the form of four candles that burn for up to 65 hours. They’re made with non-GMO soy wax and premium essential oils. Each is designed for a different space in the home and features a whimsical illustration. The set comprises odor-neutralizing In the Kitchen, That Focused Place, For Quiet Spaces, and For Intimate Spaces.
[$150; lisaqueendesign.com]
3. Koselig Candle Co. 3-Scent Traveler Bundle
Minnesota is wild, from its North Shore to its funky craft beer scene. And its candles are pretty sweet, too. This trio of soy candles—in sage and lemongrass, cactus blossom and rose, and birch and black pepper—are great for travel, or just jazzing up a night at home.
[$30; koseligcandleco.com]
4. Paddywax Yin-Yang Candle 11 oz in Black Salt + Teakwood
Nashville-based Paddywax has dreamt up this ceramic candle with two different fragrances and wick. The recipient can light them alone or at the same time for a hybrid aroma. We love Black Salt + Teakwood the most, but it’s also available in other scent combos and colors, like Palo Santon + Cade in black and Cactus Flower + Watermint in pink.
[$36; paddywax.com]
5. Hope Fragrance HOPE Scented Candle
Audrey Gruss, founder of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF), designed her fragrance and candle collection with a mission, named after her mother, Hope, who grappled with the debilitating mental illness. Here, an elegant glass vessel with gold circles holds an eight-ounce candle with notes of lily of the valley, tuberose, gardenia, and more. All net profits from this candle go to HDRF.
[$75; bergdorfgoodman.com]
6. Curie in a Candle
Available in three scents—White Tea, Orange Neroli, and Grapefruit Cassis—these candles are all hand-poured in America. Crafted with coconut soy wax, they’ve got a 55-hour burn time. Throw in the brand’s whipped body wash discovery kit ($24) if you want to round out this gift.
[$32; curiebod.com]
7. Olive & Cocoa “Home Sweet Home” Candle Set
Need a housewarming gift? Nab this candle gift set, which comes with a grapefruit-scented candle, white crystal, and bundle of white sage to get all the good energy flowing. The gift arrives wrapped together in a hand-crafted wood crate, tied together with ribbon. Another Olive & Cocoa option we love? The Winter Candle Set ($78), which includes a three-wick candle that smells like pine and spice—plus matches, also wrapped in a wooden box with ribbon.
[$78; oliveandcocoa.com]
8. Gray Whale Gin Gray Whale Soy Candle
For the spirits enthusiast in your inner circle, try this candle made from an upcycled Gray Whale Gin gin bottle, perhaps paired with an actual bottle of the gin (if you can find it at a store near you). Each candle is made with essential oils, provides up to 200 hours of burn time, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to Oceana, an ocean conservation nonprofit.
[$40; graywhaleginshop.com]
9. DEHV Candle Co. Sequoia Gift Set
This candle is another LA collaboration, this time between DEHV Candle Co and organic soap maker Wild Lather. The result? A soap and candle bundle with a scent that brings to mind California Sequoia trees, thanks to notes of cypress, sage, moss, lavender, vetiver, coriander, and spruce. Even better than the delightful smell: 5 percent of sales goes toward forest fire recovery through One Tree Planted and Save the Redwoods.
[$50; dehvcandleco.com]
10. Hawthorne Fresh and Clean Candle Set
This trio of candles comprises Warm and Woody Citrus, Pear and Basil Marine, and Smooth and Aromatic Wood. They’re all stellar scents and made from a blend of soy wax and paraffin (they’re also free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and phthalates). Each has a burn time of 50 hours—and if this bundle isn’t quite right, there’s also the Dark and Woody Candle Set ($99).
[$99; hawthorne.co]
11. Mise en Scènt Genre Collection Candles
French new wave? Old Hollywood? Mystery? Pick your friend or family member’s favorite movie genre for these candles inspired by films in each category. The Mystery scent, for instance, includes fragrance notes of saffron, absinthe, black currant, anise, patchouli, and more that come together to create an air of mysticism.
[$36; miseenscent.com]
12. St. Brown & Co. Luxury Gift Box
This set includes two candles with crackling wooden wicks, a wick trimmer, snuffer, and two match boxes. It’s all handsomely presented in gift wrapping. You can pick the scents you want for each candle. With choices like Lemon Verbana + Thyme, Spiced Pear + Whiskey, and Driftwood + Junipers, there’s no shortage of superb selections.
[$120; stbrownco.com]
13. Gentleman Farmer The Distinguished Gentleman Set
The Wood Paneled Library Candle is made from soy-coconut wax that has hints of leather and spices, balanced by bergamot and vetiver. It lasts for up to 55 hours of burn time—but that’s not the best part. It also comes with whiskey stones, which keep beverages cold without diluting them.
[$54; shopgentlemanfarmer.com]
14. LAFCO Rose de Mai Signature Candle
Rose-scented candle? Don’t mind if we do. This soy wax candle has an intoxicating medley of honey nectar, spicy geranium, sandalwood, and more. It provides up to 90 hours of curl-up-with-a-book burn time. The Rose de Mai is our favorite in the Absolute collection, with the Orange Blossom a close second. You can also shop the full line here.
[$95; lafco.com]
15. Greentree Home Candle Josee Pillars
Choose your size (squat, medium, tall) and color for these sculptural beeswax candles, which arrive in a gift box. Burn times for these unscented tapers vary by size, from 30 to 50 hours. For another solid pick, we like the Fluted Pillar ($72), which provides up to 70 hours of burn time.
[$33-$34 each; greentreehomecandle.com]
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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