What Are Veneers? Everything to Know About the Procedure, According to Cosmetic Dentists

Having a smile you love can quite literally transform your life. Countless studies have shown that a beautiful smile can enhance your confidence and improve your social interactions. This explains the growing popularity of dental veneers: custom and permanent coverings for the front surfaces of your teeth that can turn crooked, discolored, or damaged teeth into a gleaming-white smile in just a few hours. However, veneers sometimes get a bad rap. We've all seen individuals with artificial-looking teeth that seem worse than their original smiles. While this can happen with any aesthetic procedure, it highlights the importance of skill in execution. When done right, veneers should look natural and enhance one’s appearance rather than detract from it. What are Veneers? Veneers are essentially thin, artificial surfaces that cover the visible part of the teeth. Dr. Jon Marashi, a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles,…

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Your Daily Horoscope for December 24, 2024

It's Christmas Eve, and your daily horoscope is both festive and fragile, like a sparkly ornament made of glass. Bold Jupiter is in a challenging angle to stoic Saturn, setting up a push-pull dynamic between our positivity and our need to set limits. This is the planet of optimism in a pitched battle with the planet of reality-checks. Loneliness is a big issue for many people during the holiday season, and this astrology asks us to look closely at our relationship with solitude. You might have big plans to gather with family, friends, or chosen family and get temporarily thwarted from arriving or greeting guests. It could be bad weather, traffic, or a late/canceled flight. Find something to look forward to, even if what you planned to do doesn’t work out exactly as you hoped it would. Aries March 21–April 19 With jovial…

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4 Tips for Crafting the Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

As we approach 2025, the landscape of non-alcoholic (NA) drinks is rapidly evolving. Gone are the days when NA options meant settling for a basic Diet Coke with a slice of lemon. During the festive season, it’s only natural to seek out something a little more elaborate, regardless of your drinking preferences. Enter the world of sparkling, non-alcoholic cocktails—perfect for adding a touch of cheer to any gathering. In recent years, a plethora of creative NA beverages has emerged, transforming the once sparse drink menus into vibrant selections that cater specifically to those seeking alternatives to traditional cocktails. Emily Saladino, a contributing editor at Imbibe and Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large, highlights that just as vegetarian and vegan options have flourished in the culinary realm, the beverage industry is also elevating its non-alcoholic offerings. "A non-alcoholic beverage should be a choice, not an exception," Saladino…

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Zooey Deschanel’s Embrace of Slow Holiday Mornings: Waffles, Movies, and Family Time

Zooey Deschanel's career continues to shine through a variety of roles, from her recent performance in the 2024 adaptation of Harold and The Purple Crayon to her memorable stint as Jovie in the holiday classic Elf. As we approach the festive season, we caught up with Deschanel to discover how she spends her holiday mornings, characterized by a comforting blend of family warmth and cherished traditions. Early Riser: A Consistent Morning Routine Starting her day at the crack of dawn, usually by 5 a.m., Zooey values the quiet time before her children wake up. "I like getting up and getting some stuff done before they wake up. During that window, I’d definitely have some coffee, catch up on the news, send a few emails, or write in my journal, which I do daily," she shares. This early start is not just about productivity;…

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Lotus Sex Position: Tips, Tricks, and Variations for Utmost Intimacy

Want to get even closer to your partner? Consider the lotus position, also known as the “lotus blossom” in the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian text on erotic pleasure. The lotus blossom is one of the most intimate and advanced sex positions: you face your partner and look into each other’s eyes, all while wrapping your legs around one another. (Intense!) It’s a tried-and-true tantric position—at least 2,000 years old—that is sure to connect you with your significant other. Ahead are some tips and tricks to spice up your sex life with this iconic position: What is the lotus sex position? The position is also known as “yab yum” in the tantric tradition for the union of the male deity (“yab”) and female deity (“yum”), or father and mother. It’s similar to the lotus position in yoga (but for two) since, traditionally, one…

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Why Do My Legs Hurt *So Much* When I’m on My Period?

Most people start noticing physical and emotional changes about a week before their period starts. For some, bloating, cramping, and pimples are signs that Aunt Flo is coming to town. But another hallmark symptom of being on your period is pain. While it’s common to experience pain in your stomach, pelvic region, and back, some individuals also find themselves grappling with aching legs. “Period pain is caused by many factors, and everyone experiences it differently,” says Neha Thawani, MD, an OB/GYN resident physician at Stanford Medicine. “Some people experience leg aches and pain during their period.” A little mild leg pain during your period is normal. However, in some cases, the pain can be indicative of an underlying condition. Here are seven reasons why you might be experiencing leg pain during your menstrual cycle. 1. Higher levels of prostaglandins Your period leg pain…

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Do ‘Digestif’ Drinks on the Dessert Menu Actually Help With Digestion?

There’s a reason why fancy restaurants tend to offer alcoholic drinks like Amaro, Sambuca, sherry, or port with the dessert menu: Traditionally, the liqueurs—often labeled as “digestifs”—have been used to stimulate digestion, especially after a rich meal. But do digestifs (aka after-meal drinks) actually help with digestion? Especially in Europe, people have been enjoying digestifs for hundreds of years. “Typically offered in small portions, up to 1 to 2 ounces max, they are thought to help the body meet the digestive demands of a large meal,” Danielle VenHuizen, RD, a Seattle-based dietitian who focuses on gut health, tells Well+Good. Though there’s not a *ton* of research to back this up, it’s possible that some types of after-dinner drinks might help your GI tract process a meal. Below are some caveats you also should consider. Do ‘digestifs’ help with digestion? First things first: Your…

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10 New Year’s Eve Nail Ideas That Will Shine Well Into 2025

Appointment reminder: It’s time to book your manicure for New Year’s Eve. As we count down to the most sparkling night of the year, your outfit is probably picked, but have you given any thought to your nails? Of course, you want them to match the vibe when you’re raising your beverage of choice at midnight. As we’ve seen with some of the winter’s most popular nail trends, you can truly play around with everything from subtle shimmer to full-on gemstone effects, so your New Year’s Eve nails don’t have to fit into one particular style. The best part? Many of these looks can transition seamlessly into January, so you get the best return on your time (and money) investment. Whether you’re planning to dance until dawn or ring in the new year on your couch, we’ve curated a collection of New Year…

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Hip Adduction Exercises: The Secret to Lower-Body Strength and Mobility

You may think of your hips as bones or the focus of pop songs (cue: Shakira, Shakira), but they’re so much more than that. The hip joint is quite complex, including about 20 different muscles that work to move your legs in various directions, stabilize your pelvis, and help your body move as one synergistic unit. Your hip adductors, a group of muscles often thought of as the inner thighs, typically don’t get much attention—but if they’re tight or weak, it can have cascading effects on how your body moves. Everything you need to know about training your adductors (including the five best hip adductor exercises to try), ahead. What Are Your Hip Adductors? Your hip adductors are a group of muscles on the inner thigh, sometimes referred to as the groin muscles or inner thighs. “The hip adductors help stabilize the pelvis,…

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The 5 Best Exercises for the Backs of Your Thighs

Want stronger, more powerful legs? Don’t skip the muscles you can’t see—your hamstrings. These often-overlooked workhorses, located on the backs of your thighs, do everything from powering your stride to protecting your knees and lower back. Whether you’re an athlete chasing a PR or a weekend warrior just looking to stay injury-free, adding targeted exercises for the backs of your thighs to your routine is a must. Let’s dive into the best moves to keep your hamstrings strong, balanced, and ready for anything. But first, the benefits of strengthening your hamstrings Your hamstrings do more than you might think—they’re powerhouses for both hip extension and knee flexion, according to Shawn Collins, PT, DPT, CSCS, a performance physical therapist at Bespoke Physical Therapy in San Diego, California. For hip extension: They help you bend at your waist, like when picking something up off the…

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