While I write about health for a living, I also grew up in the diet culture of the ’90s. (Who needs Proust’s madeleine when we had the SnackWell Cookie?) The messaging may be less weight-loss focused now, but there’s still a lot of it. Do I really need to max my protein, fiber, and apparently carrots? If you’re a little confused about what, exactly, you’re supposed to eat… same.
So rather than chase the next food rule, I’ve homed in on the advice that actually makes it easier for me to fuel in ways that feel good:
You can still enjoy salad. Cyclospora outbreaks may have you side-eyeing the produce aisle, but vegetables aren’t canceled. Here’s what’s actually been recalled.
Let cookbooks do some of the work. When everyone has an opinion about what to eat, I turn to people who get it. Two favorites: Caroline Chambers — you better believe I screengrabbed this meal plan — and Julia Turshen, whose What Goes With What turns random fridge stuff into an actual meal.
Ask an expert. Many insurance plans cover nutrition counseling, and virtual dietitians make it easy. A few sessions this summer gave me new recipes and strengthened my trust in my food choices.
— Anna “PB&J Is Always OK” Davies, Writer
Well, well, well
What's Making the Rounds
On your next visit to your parents, look out for these behaviors — they could signal that it’s time for more support or a check-in with their doctor.
Can’t put your finger on how you feel? “Emotional granularity” may help. Turns out, “stressed” might not be specific enough.
Here are five things some of the world’s healthiest people have in common. Spoiler: A $12 green juice habit isn’t one of them.
Prenatals that come in easy-to-take single packets.
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well aware
Is Your Tap Water Safe?
Just when we thought microplastics were the biggest threat to our drinking water, we learned last week that hackers had targeted treatment systems in at least 12 states. The breaches exposed a long-standing vulnerability: Many smaller utilities rely on aging infrastructure, limited security resources, and outdated equipment that’s easier to exploit.
So far, officials say there’s no evidence the attacks contaminated drinking water. Out of an abundance of caution, some affected utilities switched to manual operations, and a few communities issued precautionary boil-water notices after pressure drops. Meanwhile, federal investigators are still looking into possible links to Iran.
For now, you don’t need to change your tap habits — but it’s still worth knowing what to do if an alert ever hits your phone.
For Your Sanity:
Skip the stockpile. It’s a good idea to keep some emergency water on hand, but no need for a bottled-water bunker. The CDC recommends at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days. (Here’s how to store it.)
Follow the exact directions. “Boil water” and “do not drink” mean different things, so check your local advisory. And don’t assume your pitcher or fridge filter is enough on its own.
Avoid overcorrections. Trouble at a utility in another state doesn’t make your tap unsafe. No local advisory? Carry on and let your emotional support water bottle take it from here.
the more you know
Are You Well Informed?
Which color clothing can make a summer day feel even hotter?
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
just one thing
Straight Talk
Consider this the laziest productivity hack yet: A new study found that better posture was linked to better mood, and may even affect how you make decisions. Researchers adjusted participants’ tables and tablet stands so they naturally sat either upright or slouched. Then they had them play a computer game where the bigger they inflated a virtual balloon, the more they’d be rewarded — unless it popped.
Those who sat up straighter took good risks, earned more, and reportedly felt a stronger sense of pride afterward.
Sure, playing a computer game isn’t exactly the same as leading a quarterly meeting — but it can't hurt to sit up taller in that swivel chair the next time you talk with your boss.
And right now, probably so does your counter. August is when vegetable patches and farmers markets can produce more heirlooms, cherries, and garden varieties than anyone can reasonably eat before they turn. Rather than let that bounty go to waste, save some for the months when a good tomato is much harder to come by:
Put them on ice. Pop whole fruits into a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and store. They’ll lose their firm texture as they thaw, so skip the salad — but toss them straight into soups, stews, and sauces where all that summer flavor still counts.
Slow-roast some. A low temp concentrates tomatoes’ sweetness and gives you a ready-made starter for pasta, toast, eggs, and grain bowls come winter. Here’s how to handle any leftovers.
Make freezer salsa. When the tomato pile starts looking less charming and more threatening, make salsa in bulk. Eat some now, save the rest, and congratulate yourself when you pull out a container come fall. (FYI, it’ll last three to four months.)
Life is crazy, but carving out time to get away with friends isn't only restorative, it leans into the "11-3-6 rule" of friendship. Here's how to put in the hours without breaking the bank.
If you've got an overnight: Look up nature escapes near you. (This list is Northeast-based, but gives you an idea of what's out there.) A chance to catch up around a campfire with s'mores? Say less.
Some people can eyeball ingredient measurements with uncanny accuracy. The rest of us? A food scale takes the guesswork out of cooking so that it’s easier to follow recipes as they're actually written. Bonus: They're inexpensive, small enough to stash in a drawer or cabinet, and make you feel (just a little) like Ina in the kitchen.
