People across the world are always curious about the British Royal Family and want to know as much about them as possible. That even includes wondering what they eat and how they exercise.

Princess Catherine (aka Kate Middleton) has previously revealed the secret to fitting exercise into her busy day. But how does a princess eat?

We were curious after she recently opened up about her health, revealing that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. With a bit of digging, we were able to put together an idea of what sort of foods are part of her diet!

Read more to see what kinds of foods Princess Catherine eats

Cosmopolitan did a bit of research into Princess Catherines diet and highlighted three different elements.

For starters, the royal reportedly eats a lot of home-cooked meals, and she is said to be a bit of a pro in the kitchen. Shes opened up about baking birthday cakes, and her roast chicken appears to be one of Prince Williams favorite dinners.

Princess Catherine has also been reported to enjoy a smoothie in the morning. One recipe that was referenced in the Daily Mail included spirulina, kale, matcha (a finely ground green tea powder), spinach, romaine, cilantro and blueberries.

The publication noted that the Prince and Princess of Wales are both sushi eaters.

What else do we know about Princess Catherines diet? The List noted that shes enjoys a spicy dish but is not a fan of almond milk. The more you know!

Last year Prince William revealed everything he ate in a day, which gave more insight into a royal diet!

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What Does Kate Middleton Eat? The Princess of Wales' Diet Revealed - Just Jared

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, causing hormonal imbalances and a range of symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, and weight gain. While PCOS cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes, particularly focusing on diet and exercise. Adopting a PCOD diet and exercise plan is crucial for women with PCOS to alleviate symptoms and improve overall health.

We spoke to our expert Dr Kapil Dave, Director Sports - Sharda University to shed some light on the importance of diet and exercise in managing PCOD. Here is what he shared with us.

Choosing the right foods is essential for managing PCOS symptoms. A PCOD diet should primarily consist of unrefined, natural foods that are low in processed sugars and high in essential nutrients. Here are some dietary guidelines for women with PCOS:

Opt for whole grains, legumes, and minimally processed foods to stabilise blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

Include fatty fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel in your diet to reduce inflammation and support hormone regulation.

Load up on nutrient-dense greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli to provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Also Read:World Down Syndrome Day 2024: 10 Tips for Caregiving Parents

Choose fruits like grapes, cherries, and berries that are rich in antioxidants and low in sugar to help manage insulin levels.

Incorporate sources of healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, and nuts to support hormone production and maintain satiety.

Add anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and cinnamon to your meals to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.

Indulge in dark chocolate in moderation, as it contains antioxidants and may help regulate mood and cravings.

Minimise consumption of cakes, pastries, white bread, and other refined carbohydrate products to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.

Also Read:Expert Shares 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Fennel Tea

Avoid fast food and fried foods such as fries, pizza, and burgers, which are high in unhealthy fats and contribute to weight gain.

Steer clear of processed meats like sausages and bacon, which can exacerbate inflammation and hormonal imbalances.

Limit intake of high-sugar fruits like bananas, mangoes, and jackfruit, as they can cause rapid increases in blood sugar levels.

Reduce consumption of red meat, pork, and ham, as they may contribute to insulin resistance and inflammation.

Exercise is an integral component of managing PCOS, as it helps improve insulin sensitivity, regulate hormones, and promote weight loss. Here are some exercise recommendations for women with PCOD:

Incorporate cardio workouts such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, or rowing into your routine to improve cardiovascular health and aid in weight management.

Include strength training exercises to build muscle mass, increase metabolism, and enhance insulin sensitivity.

Practice yoga asanas, meditation, and breathing exercises to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and promote relaxation.

Strengthen your core muscles through exercises like planks, crunches, and leg raises to support posture and stability.

Incorporate HIIT workouts into your routine to maximise calorie burn and improve cardiovascular fitness in less time.

It's essential for women with PCOS to consult with healthcare professionals, including dieticians and physicians, to develop a personalised diet and exercise plan tailored to their specific needs and goals. These experts can provide guidance on nutritional requirements, exercise intensity, and lifestyle modifications to effectively manage PCOS symptoms and improve overall health.

Adopting a PCOD diet and exercise plan is crucial for women with PCOS to alleviate symptoms, regulate hormones, and improve overall well-being. By making healthy food choices, engaging in regular physical activity, and seeking professional guidance, women with PCOD can take control of their health and enhance their quality of life.

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Managing PCOD: Expert Shares the Importance of Diet and Exercise - Onlymyhealth

As a mother of four and the boss of a fashion powerhouse, Victoria Beckham's schedule is undoubtedly a packed-out one, so it's no surprise that the 49-year-old prioritises her health and fitness to keep at the top of her game.

The former Spice Girls singer has been vocal about how she stays in such great shape and her love of exercise. However, her overall wellness routine is less spoken about and she has a few surprising methods up her sleeve she enlists as part of her regime.

Whether it's working out in a gym that is surprisingly relatable despite her A-list status, or her bizarre beauty gadgets, Victoria's wellness game is more than varied. What's more, she even has surprising ways of elevating her routine at her and her husband David's stunning farmhouse mansion in the Cotswolds.

Victoria is passionate about health and wellness

Victoria's wellness spends all rack up to an impressive amount of more than 16,000 so we took a closer look

We love that when Victoria previously opened up about her daily exercise routine, she explained how it was equally important to her to view it as "me time" as well as a pastime that is going to keep her in shape the ideal attitude when considering overall wellbeing if you ask us.

Speaking with The Guardian, Victoria explained her exercise regime is her opportunity to focus on herself, and usually takes place first thing in the morning at her home in West London before taking her daughter Harper, 12, on the school run.

Specifically, the fashion designer hops on the treadmill to clear her head and prioritise alone time."For me, that's where I go in the morning, that's 'me' time.

Victoria sees her workouts as 'me time'

"It's not just about how it makes you look. It's how it makes you feel. It really gets me ready for the day. It clears my mind. It's also where I have lots of ideas. It's a time when I'm not on the phone, I'm not with the children, I'm not with David; I can literally just be left alone."

Another method for Victoria to bask in some alone time and focus on wellness is to spend some time in their at-home sauna.

The Beckhams spent an eye-watering 15,000 to install a sauna in the garden of their 12 million mansion in the Cotswolds, and it wouldn't look out of place at a luxury hotel and spa! So it's clear that Posh and Becks take wellbeing very seriously indeed.

While most of us folk only get to enjoy saunas at our local gym or health spa, Victoria gets to bask in the heat therapy after exercising her muscles from the comfort of her own home.

The Beckham's have their own sauna at their country home

We're yet to see Victoria post a photo of herself enjoying the sauna but her husband is a big fan! David has shared clips of him taking to the plunge pool which is a few steps away from the sauna, and we bet the ex-footballer likes to engage in hot-cold therapy by immediately jumping into the sauna after an ice bath.

Hot-cold therapy is an epic way to elevate your wellness game, and there are so many mental and physical benefits (read our full review on why, here).

MORE:Victoria Beckham's teeth transformation: Secrets behind star's 'age-defying' smile

MORE:Victoria Beckham's high-waisted 70s-style jeans are living in my mind rent free: We've finally found some amazing lookalikes

Victoria is never without her sense of humour. The fashion and beauty guru posted a photo of herself enjoying an LED mask while relaxing at home in some seriously chic loungewear.

Although the photo sparked a mixed reaction from her followers due to the mask looking a little jarring, her effort for great skin actually has many benefits.

Victoria Beckham uses LED face masks regularly

Dr Leah Totton, former winner of BBC's The Apprentice and founder of Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics, told HELLO! about LED therapy: "LED stands for light-emitting diode, a non-invasive treatment that offers a range of clinically proven benefits for the skin. Each colour of light penetrates the skin at a different level, triggering specific responses."

The good news is, LED masks are suitable for all skin types and do not cause UV damage, so there's no harm in trying them out and channelling your inner Posh Spice. However, it's worth noting that a high-end LED mask from the premium market can set you back a cool 500 or more.

Victoria is fortunate enough to have personal trainers at her fingertips and often works out in the gyms in her multiple homes, but it seems Posh Spice at times likes to keep things more low-key.

Most recently, the star was photographed at Gold's Gym, an American chain of international fitness centres, in London close to the family's Holland Park mansion.

Victoria Beckham is passionate about exercise

Surprisingly, the gym offers a range of facilities and fitness amenities such as Zumba, Yoga, Group Cycling, Mixed Martial Arts, Muscle Endurance Training, and Pilates classes, all for just 32.99 per month.

Victoria often posts snaps of her in the gym lifting weights or pulling off low-intensity exercises such as lunges and squats. She's often joined by former England Football captain David, too, who also ensures to keep on top of his fitness game.

Read more from the original source:
Victoria Beckham's 16k wellness routine will leave you surprised - HELLO!

Oprah Winfreyhas finally explained why she quit her position on the WeightWatchers board last month after almost a decade.

The 70-year-old's sudden departure was announced in a statement by the company, but no specific reason was given for her exit.

However, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, Oprah revealed that she decided to step down because of her upcoming special about prescription weight loss medications.

Oprah filmed an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

"An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution" which airs on ABC March 18 "delves into the prevailing questions and concerns surrounding the impact on our health care, economy, lifestyle and culture".

Speaking to Jimmy, Oprah said she was worried about a "conflict of interest", so she believed she had no choice but to quit the WeightWatchers board.

She explained: "I decided that because this special was really important to me and I wanted to be able to talk about whatever I wanted to talk about, and WeightWatchers is now in the business of being a weight health company that also administers drug medications for weight.

"I did not want to have the appearance of any conflict of interest."

Oprah stepped down from the WeightWatchers board in February 2024

At the time of her resignation, it was reported that Oprah would donate her sizeable 10% stake in the company to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which she confirmed to Jimmy.

She added: "I resigned from the board and donated all of my shares to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. So, nobody can say, 'Oh, she's doing that special, she's making money, promoting.' No, you cannot say that."

Oprah joined the board in 2015 and has long been an advocate for WW's (formerly WeightWatchers) points-based weight loss program.

Oprah turned to medication to help her lose weight

At her heaviest, she weighed 237lbs and credited WW for helping her to lose 40lbs. But recently, she sparked controversy when she revealed that she had turned to an unnamed weight-loss drug to help her maintain her slimmed-down physique after previously calling drugs like Ozempic an "easy way out".

Despite the backlash her revelation caused, Oprah stood by her decision and told Jimmy that she turned to weight loss medication after her doctor told her she would most likely always "yo-yo" because "obesity is a disease".

Oprah was 237lbs at her heaviest

She explained: "I've been in the storm of losing the weight, gaining it back. Losing the weight, gaining it back.

"What I realized when I listened to what the doctor said that you are always going to put it back on, and it's like holding your breath underwater and trying not to rise."

She added: "You're always going to rise."

Oprah has lost a dramatic amount of weight

During a previous interview with People, Oprah admitted that being able to turn to weight loss medication felt like "a gift".

"The fact that there's a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for," she said.

"I now use it as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing," she added. "I'm absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself."

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See the rest here:
Oprah Winfrey reveals real reason behind sudden departure from WeightWatchers board - HELLO!

The owners of a Long Island, New York-based vegan market are claiming that the donuts they ordered from a local vegan bakery were actually from Dunkin and a state agency is investigating.

The evidence for the accusation? Dunkin's signature "D" sprinkles.

Cindysnacks co-owners John Stengel and Indiana Cindy Kay first postedon Instagram on March 3. They said the items they purchased from The Savory Fig were delivered by baker Michelle Siriana on Feb. 23.

I (John) immediately became concerned as to why this one donut was decorated differently than all the others and in such a strikingly similar way to a recognizable chain, Stengel wrote on the social media platform.

The accompanying carousel begins with a photo of a donut with a pale pink glaze and orange and magenta sprinkles that appear to be in a D shape, similar to those found on Dunkins donuts.

I pulled all of the items delivered out of our racks immediately and stored them in the back out of precaution until I could confirm what was or wasnt happening here, Stengel continued.

In the next slide, Stengel showed correspondence allegedly between him and Siriana.

"These are definitely not Dunkin' Donuts! If you don't wanna put them out, don't. But they are not Dunkin' Donuts!" reads one text.

In another exchange, Stengel asks to see the container that the "D" sprinkles allegedly came from and a reply reads, "I could send you the picture later. I made a bunch of donuts for someone's birthday."

When Stengel responds that he's seen the same sprinkles at Dunkin', the response says, "I would never do that!"

The following morning, Stengel appears to get a follow-up message that includes an Amazon link and reads, "I'm still out in Montauk visiting my boyfriend. I won't be back till this afternoon. These are the sprinkles that I bought for the kids birthday party."

I raised my concerns respectfully, hoping a simple explanation with confirming evidence would clear this up, Stengel wrote. We (Cindy and I) were not given satisfactory answers nor evidence and in that moment knew deep down how bad this was. Still trying to hold out hope that our trusted fellow vegan small business wasnt doing something so horrific, we scoured the internet for possible sprinkle dupes that would make it make sense.

Stengel says they bought the colored sprinkles that Siriana identified as the ones she used, which he claims are not labeled vegan, nor do they match the sprinkles on the donut he received.

The market owners then ordered an at-home gluten test, which they say found that the donut in question contained substantial amounts of gluten.

We can only assume, given this recognizable logo design, where these donuts really came from and what other ingredients they might contain, Stengel wrote. We have cut all personal and business ties with this person effective immediately. We are mortified that we provided any of her products to our customers and our own family.

Neither Cindysnacks owners nor Siriana have responded to PEOPLEs request for comment. The Savory Figs Instagram account appears to have been deactivated.

Cindysnacks posted an update on Instagram on March 6 saying the company had contacted the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Food Safety and Inspection, which was launching an investigation into the matter.

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The post also said that Cindysnacks had alerted the Suffolk County Department of Health about what happened and was looking into other avenues to ensure accountability is met.

A New York State Department of Agriculture spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement, "Ensuring the safety and proper labeling of our food supply is a critical function of the Department, which includes overseeing home processors in New York State. The Department has received several complaints regarding this home processing business and is conducting a full investigation."

The spokesperson added that even though Savory Fig is registered as a "home processor," and thus exempt from certain licensing requirements, it still must clearly identify all allergens in products.

PEOPLE also reached out to the Suffolk County Department of Health, and was told that if Cindysnacks filed an official complaint, they would have been referred toNew York State Agriculture & Markets, which oversees home processors.

While Cindysnacks said they wont be issuing further statements on the situation, they explained on Instagram that they shared the initial post with the safety of the vegan community in mind.

We want to make it clear that we came forward with this information to keep our community of local vegans and those with food allergies safe from future harm, the post added.

Go here to read the rest:

Bakery Called Out for Allegedly Trying to Pass Off Dunkin' Donuts as Homemade Vegan and Gluten-Free Donuts - PEOPLE

Published on 3/6/2024 at 5:15 PM

Meditation may serve as a brief escape from the chaos of everyday life, but musician and meditation expert Murray Hidary can do you one better. Hidary is the mastermind behind MindTravel, a meditation platform that completely transports its participants through uniquely immersive experiences and live music. It's a far cry from the zen monasteries Hidary used to visit growing up, but if you're willing to try, you'll see why people can't get enough.

Hidary started playing piano when he was just 5 years old, later studying music in university. He was a teenager when he first discovered meditation, noticing how it tied into his passion for music. "The two started to speak to each other," he tells POPSUGAR. "Music is incredibly powerful at navigating our emotional state. It is the language of emotion."

To Hidary's point, research shows that music, and live music specifically, has a way of maximizing emotional responses. While listening to recorded music may trigger similar emotional processes, live music has a stronger effect on the affective brain (the part responsible for our emotional responses). One study from the University of Zurich compared the difference between live music and recorded music using MRI technology. Results showed that live music ultimately led to higher and more consistent activity in the amygdala.

As Hidary explored this relationship further, he built MindTravel, playing live music and cultivating otherworldly surroundings to help others ground themselves, quiet anxious thoughts, and come to an emotional catharsis.

"People might try some kind of meditation, but so many people feel like they're doing it wrong, or it's not for them, or they're not good at it," Hidary explains. "What we found with MindTravel is that the music actually really helps keep people in the experience, so it's a lot easier for people to have a very powerful meditation."

These meditations are far from typical. MindTravel offers immersive experiences in a variety of unforgettable settings, occasionally pushing you out of your comfort zone in the name of inner peace. "Each one's a little different, but equally powerful," Hidary says. "It's about creating a very accessible experience and really an experience that brings together a sense of wonder." The signature experience includes a guided spoken word meditation and 75 minutes of live piano, which Hidary improvises based on the energy of the moment.

Then there's the underwater floating meditation, which takes place in a heated saltwater pool with underwater speakers. As participants float in the pool, Hidary leads an awareness-based meditation. "You have this true out-of-body experience because you almost don't feel your body anymore," Hidary explains. "You get to experience what pure consciousness, pure awareness is without the constraints of the body, without gravity."

If the pool isn't your thing, there's also walking meditations, which have taken place across the Brooklyn Bridge, in San Francisco, and even virtually, enabling people to join from any city.

Tying movement to the meditation makes it easier to stay present, Hidary says. "It's not just about your meditation cushion or a comfortable spot at home, but about bringing this sense of presence into every day, no matter what you're doing." For especially visual types, there's even a meditation set in a planetarium.

Some of Hidary's all-time favorite experiences include performing on the ice in Antarctica, surrounded by 200 penguins. "I'm playing there, and these penguins are looking at me," he remembers. "You can't believe how large this place is, and it's overwhelming overwhelming physically, emotionally, spiritually."

Another bucket-list-worthy concert took place on a safari in the Serengeti. "I had an idea to do the world's first piano concert in a hot air balloon," Hidary says. "I played and transmitted the music live to 10 hot air balloons with 150 people total. And then we [were] flying."

The novelty of these moments has a way of sticking with you. But for Hidary, the most impactful aspect is seeing how his music-based meditations help people heal. "You'll have people at these MindTravel events where they're having a very powerful emotional experience. They're working through past difficulty, past trauma, difficult situations," he says. It's these reactions that encourage him to keep dreaming big.

"I just keep coming up with ideas that create fantasy and wonder, because the world around us is filled with wonder and magic if we just look," he says. "Music just wraps it all together with this incredible bow."

Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for POPSUGAR Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.

Read more:

See Murray Hidary's Wild Musical Meditations - POPSUGAR

If it always feels like you can predict the upcoming full moon just by sensing the vibes in the air, then you may not need the Moonly app, but youll definitely still enjoy it.

This wellness-meets-astrology app, which has over 6 million downloads, offers a host of healing practices based on the ebbs and flows of the lunar calendar. Since each phase of the moon has a unique energy, the idea is to keep track and navigate your day accordingly.

Moonly offers rituals and practices to follow, like tarot readings and morning affirmations, as well as personalized recommendations based on your astrological birth chart, including whether you should cut your hair, make big decisions, or even go on a date on a particular day.

To say this app has a lot going on is an understatement. It also has a guided meditation library, a dream analyzer, and built-in articles you can read to brush up on your astrology knowledge, tarot skills, and more.

Ive been unpacking the app for a week, and I still feel like I spot something new every time I open it up. Keep reading below for my honest review of Moonly, including my favorite features so far.

The Moonly app helps you tune into the monthly rhythm of the moon, which is said to impact how you feel.

For example, a new moon can be an energizing time, which means you might want to manifest or set new goals, while the full moon brings about a sense of resolution and release. When you pay attention to the phase of the moon thats occurring on a given day, you might be able to better harmonize your life.

Theres also a practice section within the app where you can flip through virtual tarot cards or reveal your daily rune. The idea is to ask the tarot cards or runes a question, and then analyze what they reveal.

From there, you can head to the healing tab, which is where youll find dozens of sound-based and guided meditations. Theres everything from relaxing rain sounds and crystal singing bowls, green and white noise, and even meditations to help alleviate anxiety, address trauma, and express gratitude.

The app also includes a wisdom section thats packed with mini-articles about seemingly every topic within the holistic wellness realm, including aura cleansing, healing breath and pranayama, full moon rituals, chakras, aromatherapy, and even gardening based on the lunar calendar.

This app is absolutely mind-boggling at first glance. Even though it has a beautiful interface and mystical graphics, it also has a ton of content. Thankfully, the moon phase is listed right at the top of the screen above the chaos.

This is where youll find a little lunar forecast for the day ahead. For example, on March 6 there was a waning moon in Sagittarius, which brought with it a sense of curiosity and a craving for excitement. Funnily enough, I actually felt inspired to go to a comedy show that night with friends, even though it was a dark and rainy Wednesday.

Today, on the other hand, theres a more low-key waning moon in Capricorn, which might explain why I will absolutely be staying in.

Below the moon phase info is a Daily Activity and Personal section based on your birth chart. To unlock this feature I paid $14.99 and entered my birthday and birth location into the app. Once I did, I got my natal chart and a wealth of knowledge about who I am according to the stars.

Turns out my birthday landed near a full moon, which means I have bright moon personality traits. If the moon is fully illuminated when youre born, it can mean that it has a stronger influence on your chart.

Since the moon represents emotions, it can also mean that youre sensitive and emotionally intelligent. And if you feel out of whack, it means harmonizing your practices with the moon can help set you right again. Ive tried a lot of astrology apps, and yet this was my first time learning about the moon and how it impacts my chart.

Paying for a birth chart also gave me access to personal daily tips, including whether its a good time to cut my hair, go on a date, or change something for my health. Today, my chart is telling me that its a good day to rest and enjoy some self-care and that I should avoid doing anything beauty-related, so Ill take the hint and try not to trim my bangs.

While its always nice to have some astrological guidance to get through the day, one of my favorite parts of Moonly has been the brand-new dream analyzer feature.

Once you scroll past the lunar phases, youll eventually come across a little animated bunny called Moody who presides over a text box. This is where you can type out your dream, which is then immediately processed by artificial intelligence.

After having a particularly interesting dream the other night, I woke up, immediately typed in the details, and an explanation popped up that actually did shed a lot of light on what was going on in my brain. It was like a little digital dream debrief.

Beyond that, Ive been having a good time flipping tarot cards, learning more about runes, and reading my daily affirmations. Today mine says, I let go of the need to criticize myself and thats always good advice.

Many features within Moonly are clickable, so you can tap the screen to learn more. The tarot section, for instance, explains how to read your tarot cards within a three-card spread and it explains what tarot is, the history, and the meaning of the major and minor arcana, all using beautiful graphics.

Remember when I said Moonly has a lot going on? Weve talked runes, tarot, dream analysis, and lunar phases, and I havent even gotten to the Healing tab.

I actually find myself gravitating here a lot, since it has countless meditations with intriguing titles like Comfort and Peace and Earth Kingdoms Unification, which promises to help you tune into the planet.

Other options include sound healing and mantra chants, shadow work, instrumental pieces with gongs and flutes, yogic voices speaking on gratitude and self-love, nature sounds, and more.

Ive been playing relaxing bird sounds in the morning, a white noise recording when I need to concentrate, and gentle rain sounds to create a cozy atmosphere at night.

I also like that the spoken guided meditations, while the tiniest bit cheesy, have helpful messages, like Meeting Your Inner Child and Clearing Unconscious Patterns. The other morning I laid on my yoga mat and listened to one called Gift of the Present and it did help me to feel more grounded.

Moonly has a lot of content, so it feels like you can use it every day and never run out of things to do. IMO, thats a good thing for an app that requires you to pay for a lot of its features.

To test the app, I spent $3.99 for a monthly subscription and $14.99 for a birth chart, but it does feel like Ive been getting my moneys worth.

After trying it for a week, Id say Moonly is a good astrology app to download if youre into all things esoteric, especially if you want to learn more about tarot, moons, and mantras, while also putting them into practice. Nothing beats starting the day with a few positive words.

Personally, Ive been loving the lunar phase calendar, which seems to accurately explain the energy of the day. I also love the dream analyzer, which I find to be just as cute as it is helpful. For that alone, Ill be keeping Moonly on my phone.

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Moonly App Review: Price, Features, & What To Know - Bustle

Sometime in the year 2000, meditation was rebranded as 'Mindfulness', a recasting that somehow made the act more accessible. It was soon followed by the digitization of medita...er...mindfulness, which means we only needed an app and ten minutes at our desks during lunch.

The awareness created by mindfulness apps such as Headspace and Calm has brought meditation to the mainstream and has certainly helped millions focus their minds and calm their stress.

But it has all got a bit messy.

Homescreen heroes

This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn't live without. Read them all here.

There are hundreds of meditation apps, audiobooks, podcasts and tracks on Spotify. The irony is that with all the mediation app noise, it can be hard to filter the good from the bad or even to know where to start.

This is where the new app, The Way, comes in.

Rather than have a list of meditations to solve each of life's problems, such as sleep, stress, empowerment, or anxiety, The Way provides a step-by-step course by one of the world's foremost experts, an actual Zen Master.

Henry Shukman is your guide on the course. This man has spent much of his adult life studying meditation in many different forms, notably in the Sanbo KyodanZen, where he has received Dharma Transmission. This sounds like something you would find on an ecologically sustainable car, but it actually makes him a Zen master with a lineage that can go back from master to master, theoretically all the way back to The Buddha himself.

It is probably important to note at this point that The Way isn't a religious app. Although Zen is rooted in Buddhism, the app and the course are agnostic; the focus is on meditation and there aren't other doctrines at play, so it should be suited to everyone.

For the last few months, The Way has been in beta, where I have been trying it, but it is now out in the wild and live on iOS and Android app stores.

I've been using The Way to get a little more from a meditation practice. If I'm feeling stressed or anxious, I'm pretty good at being self-aware and taking a moment to shut my eyes and breathe, even if just for a moment. But I want to take that a bit further so I can perhaps become more reflective and not get as stressed in the first place. To become more, er, Zen... if you pardon the perfectly appropriate pun.

What separates The Way from other meditation apps is that it is really a course or a journey - you follow The Way - a literal illustrated path in the app. Along the path, are different retreats, each one delving a little deeper into meditation with different sessions giving a step-by-side approach.

Each session is either a guided meditation or a brief talk by Henry, offering vital context as to what the approach or aim is from this particular part of the course. From experience, the voice of the narrator is critical to the success of a guided meditation. I've started too many guided mediations where the sound of a beautiful forest or harmonious bamboo wind chimes has been broken by someone with a voice that sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard. These moments instantly break the harmonious synergy between mind, body, and smartphone app.

Thankfully, there are no chimes or gongs, at least not where I am on The Way. Instead, there is silence and Henry's voice, which is very soothing. Think of Bob Ross, although, with his English accent, a better comparison would be to Monty Don (he does gardening programs on the BBC and is far cooler than he sounds).

I first came across Harry Shukman on an episode of the Tim Ferris Show podcast a few years back. I was instantly struck by how calm and laid back Harry was, which is obvious - the dude is a literal Zen Master. But he has a sense of humor; you can hear the smile on his face when he talks.

The audio is impeccably recorded, and one of the things that I like is that there are times when you will hear Henry 'um' or 'err' when giving an introduction or talking about a topic. I genuinely like that the tone and the message haven't been edited to death as it gives it a close feeling, like Henry is actually with you, guiding you, and not just reading from a script or, worse still, an AI-generated voice.

I've been trying to use The Way every day, which more realistically has become 'when I remember,' but that is ok. At any point, you can go back and play a previous session, and you can even choose the meditation length, either 10 or 20 minutes.

Early sessions are very much in the 'mindfulness' mold: sitting comfortably, letting your thoughts wander, focusing on your breath, scanning and relaxing your body and noticing tension and how you feel, listening and observing sounds.

Henry explains the Four Zones of practice you work through during The Way - Mindfulness, Support, Flow, and Awakening. There are 110 sessions at the time of writing, and the plan is to build on this. As a guided course, there is a lot of information, including some Zen Koans, which are statements or questions that don't have a literal answer. Koans are like tools to make you reflect. You may already kind of a know one - 'Two hands clap, and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?'.

I'm not expecting to become enlightened from being guided through The Way, although who knows what will happen. All I know is that with all the research into the health benefits of meditation alone, spending a few minutes every day to appreciate the fact that I breathe without even trying can't be a bad thing. Taking time to appreciate life and everything in it will help keep me grounded daily.

Currently, there is an Early Supporter offer, which is 9.99 ($9.99) a month ( usually 19.99) or 69.99 ($74.99) for the year (usually 139.98). Like anything digital, there is an expectation that everything should be free, but to put it in perspective, a single group meditation class could cost 10-20, so to have access to an entire course at that price is good value if you think you will complete it and get something from it.

You can find The Way on iOS and Google Play.

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This app helps me learn to chill like a true Zen Master - TechRadar

I wake at 6:45am. Then I spend the first 15 mins on my morning ritual after which I get myself and my kids ready for the day.

The first thing I do every morning is just after I wake up, I meditate in bed to connect with myself, my body and my soul. A healthy body and mind are very important to me. I do a gratitude ritual each morning, I shut myself down for about 5 minutes and focus on the things Im grateful for that day. The ritual helps me to feel lighter and gets me ready for a day with full of energy.

My morning routine is after meditating, I like to visualize how I want to feel throughout the day. It really gives me something special as it sets the tone and energy of my day and makes me feel positive and grounded. I also always make my bed in the morning and afterwards, I like to take a shower, going from hot to cold at least 4 times. I also train with a personal trainer twice a week.

I cant go to work without starting the day with my kids, having breakfast with them, and taking them to school. It nourishes my feeling of home and love.

The self-care tool I use every day is meditation and visualisation. And I try to take a walk twice a day, especially after lunch when I can.

The best part of my day is when I come home and spend time with my husband and kids after a busy workday. But I also really enjoy having focused meetings, to create together and finetune progress to reach our goals. This gives me lots of energy.

After a long work week, I destress by spending time with my family. Every Sunday we practise gratitude together, we hold hands and tell each other what we are grateful for.

The most challenging part of my day is the afternoon. Often I dont have enough time to finish what I want to and at the same time cant wait to see my kids for dinner and bring them to bed.

Before I go to bed, Ill put my phone away half an hour before I go to bed, and I also love to end my day with a candle meditation. By staring into the flame and releasing the day it increases the amount of melatonin. Right before I go to sleep, I sit quickly, and I practise breathing and gratitude as this really helps me to put the daily stress away.

My go-to comfort meal is Im a vegetarian so vegetarian Pad Thai.

When I need a moment to myself, I try to take at least 5 minutes a day for my meditations and gratitude and when I need to reflect, I like to take a walk.

Everyone should try face yoga! A healthy lifestyle is important for your skin. We all know that exercising is good for your health, but another form of exercising, namely face yoga, is also a fun and effective skincare routine. Furthermore, while focusing on my skincare routine I meditate in a way of being kind to my skin and really focus on positivity. How weird it may sound, what really made a difference for me is to treat your skin with some gratefulness. So, a tip I would like to share is to have good thoughts for your skin. We always have comments and see the imperfections, but dont forget to be grateful for the skin you have. Start or end your day with giving your skin some love and compliments. I tried it for a period, and it really worked, so it is part of my daily routine now.

Photography by Rituals.

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Wellness Diaries: Niki Schilling, Rituals Director of Innovation and Sustainability - image.ie

Eyewash and ridiculous -- these were the terms the High Court used to describe the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) report on the tragic death of a child from anesthesia during a routine circumcision.

The High Court further characterized the report as an attempt to evade liability and expressed concern regarding the presence of mafias. For the average citizen, such a scathing rebuke of this crucial government agency could be viewed as an indictment of the helplessness we face when dealing with our medical establishment.

Despite previous media reports of alleged medical negligence or mistreatment, very little seems to have come of these. This may in part be due to the intricate and resource-intensive nature of the legal system. Furthermore, families grappling with such losses, undergo severe trauma as it is; revisiting that in the courts may further heighten their suffering.

Hence, the importance of institutions such as the DGHS in protecting peoples lives. When the High Court describes their investigation as eyewash and ridiculous, where is the everyday citizen left to go?

In 2011, film director Tareque Masud and cinematographer Ashfaque Munier Mishuk met their untimely and tragic deaths in a highway accident. Despite the outpouring of grief, little progress seems to have been made in road safety. Tareques spouse, Catherine Masud, continues her ground-breaking legal battle to ensure that road crash victims and their families may have a means to be legally compensated for their losses.

In 2018, two high school students were killed when a speeding bus ploughed into them. Young students marched on to the streets to demand justice, only to be forcefully dispersed later.

Last year, a daughter, mother, and grandmother were struck by a bus while sitting at a stand. The daughter was luckily spared, the mother lost her leg, and the grandmother died after two months. The family has spent over Tk12 lakh in medical costs by borrowing and mortgaging all their assets. The bus owner gave them a take it or leave it offer of BDT 200,000. If they didnt accept, he said see you in court. The family settled. Meanwhile, road accidents have emerged as the leading cause of disability in the country.

Is it little surprise then that powerful forces, whether in the medical profession or elsewhere, continue to enjoy absolute impunity?

The media has also been reporting on the alleged negligence in the treatment of a young man who tragically died from a routine endoscopy procedure at a well-known hospital. It is reported that multiple tests indicated he was at higher risk for general anesthesia.

The doctor responsible has come on record to state that he was unaware of a particular health condition and that the patient opted for general anesthesia. This reminds me of the time when, as lay persons, we sought stenting instead of open heart surgery for our mother. The doctor advised against it, deeming it absolutely crazy for one of the critical blockages.

We expect doctors, as trained professionals, to know better about the health risks. If multiple reports indicate heightened risks, why would patients be subjected to general anesthesia, especially for non-life threatening conditions?

Where are the doctors of yesteryears who would thoroughly examine the patient, delve into their family history, and use tests to confirm what they already knew? What happened to compassionately viewing patients as fellow human beings rather than mere ticket numbers?

Then there is the role of the hospital. Reports indicate that the young man was among a long line of patients awaiting the procedure that day. The doctor is said to have arrived late at night, hours after the scheduled operating time, to perform a high volume of procedures.

Does this kind of factory production-line approach fall under set standards? The hospital spokesperson claimed that they follow WHO protocols, yet they are quoted in another report as stating that the person who administered the anesthesia was from outside and not affiliated with the hospital! It seems they do not even know who exactly administered it.

In the latest news, the DGHS swiftly shut down a healthcare facility following the heartbreaking death of another child from anesthesia during circumcision, with the doctors in question arrested. The health minister has vowed decisive action, emerging as our beacon of hope. As a technocrat minister with a profound understanding of the importance of preserving human life, we pray that he will be able to withstand the inevitable pressures and ensure justice for the families.

Every year, Bangladeshis with the means to do so, travel abroad in droves for medical treatment, reflecting a lack of faith in the domestic medical establishment. Those who do not have the means, have to settle with what is available here. Furthermore, it is not always realistic or practicable to travel outside.

Hence, as consumers of healthcare services, it is imperative that we take greater control of our decision-making process. While I acknowledge that for many, such steps may seem unattainable due to limited resources, power dynamics, and access to information, we need to start somewhere.

First, it is crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle to minimize conditions that would compel us to visit doctors in the first place. As it is, we live in a stressful environment where our capital has one of the worst air quality in the world, our foods are laced with chemicals, our roads are congested, and our water polluted. Embracing a healthy lifestyle means eating in moderation, eating at the right time, avoiding harmful foods and products, exercising, meditating, getting sufficient sleep, nurturing positive relationships -- the list goes on.

Second, adopting a healthy lifestyle is not solely the concern of the middle-aged or elderly; its imperative to start early. What we do to our bodies when we are young impacts us when we grow old. The young tend to think that their bodies will fix itself. It may not.

Third, always ask family and friends for advice. Try to seek out a doctor in your circle who can be your counsel. Having that relationship can provide you with information as to which healthcare provider may be best suited for you.

Fourth, dont be unduly influenced by titles or awards. Do not solely go by social media marketing when it comes to your life. We know how social media can be manipulated. Rely on trusted sources of information.

Fifth, it is essential to consider how a doctor treats you. Do they patiently answer your questions? Do they give time? Are they empathetic? This level of personal care may be challenging in a densely populated country such as ours, but we need to start somewhere.

Safi Khan works in the social sector.

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Patient self-empowerment: Taking charge of your healthcare - Dhaka Tribune