Ready, set … AMRAP!
Short on time but not on your desire to keep fit? Check out AMRAP, an acronym that stands for “as many rounds (or reps) as possible.”
Fans of AMRAP love it for its scalability, the fact that it can be done with minimal equipment (or even your own bodyweight), and how it provides the flexibility to choose when—and for how long—you’d like to work out (plus, it’s suitable for all fitness goals and levels!).
While AMRAP workouts might conjure up images of non-stop high intensity interval training, they can also include stretching and other forms of gentle movement.
Remember, when it comes to sticking with a new exercise program, enjoyment is one the greatest predictors of consistency. As long as your heart rate is elevated, you’ll continue to reap the rewards of physical activity, which include lower blood pressure, decreased risk of diabetes, and reduced inflammation.
Add a touch of pink to your crisper drawer
With slim pink stalks and leafy green tops, Chinese pink celery, also known as rose celery., is making a colorful splash at farmers markets across the county. Just like regular celery, this pink version is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as trace amounts of nutrients like calcium and iron.
When served raw, pink celery has a herbaceous scent and faintly licorice flavor. As the stalks mature, they transform into a deeper shade of pink—a vivid magenta that holds its color even after cooking.
With a stronger flavor than regular celery, pink celery becomes even sweeter and milder when cooked but retains its crisp texture. The green leaves are delicious raw, particularly when finely shredded and added to salads.
Pair cooked rose celery with intensely flavored aromatic ingredients such as ginger, sesame, and garlic.
Getting to the root of custom haircare
Imagine a line of hair care products tailor-made to your specific concerns. Oily scalp? Dry ends? This is the mission behind custom hair care: to troubleshoot issues that are unique to your hair and scalp.
Although big on promises, the research has yet to show drastic advantages of custom hair care brands. That’s not to say that certain ingredients can’t improve the health of your hair. Try chatting with a haircare professional; there’s lots of research on how certain natural ingredients have been shown to help with common conundrums:
- Dandruff? Apple cider vinegar can be used as a rinse to prevent dry scalp.
- Dry hair? Coconut oil moisturizes the scalp, helps prevent breakage, and tames frizz.
- Slow growth? Diluted peppermint oil promotes blood flow to the scalp which encourages hair growth.
Okra water: is this slippery sipper worth it?
If the latest TikTok trend is to be believed, the benefits of drinking okra water—made by soaking sliced okra in water—include beautiful skin, improved digestion, and enhanced fertility. Okra water has a decidedly viscous texture (some fans describe it as “gooey”), which you may find appealing if you’re already a fan of aloe vera or kefir water.
While the aforementioned benefits are, at this time, only anecdotal, whole okra is a good source of vitamins A and C, magnesium, and folate. It’s also thought to increase antioxidant activity in the body and is currently being studied for its “cancer-blocking” effects.
In case you need a reminder to stay hydrated—whether with regular H2O or okra water—drinking plenty of fluids helps keep your internal organs healthy, your skin glowing, and your body functioning at its best.
This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of delicious living magazine.
