Category: Lifestyle

Food52 

Tofu is truly versatile. Light on flavor in the best way possible, it soaks up whatever ingredients you cleverly pair it with, from spicy to salty to sweet to tart. Treat it as a wonderfully-textured blank canvas: You can grill, fry, or bake firm tofu as a stand-in for meat or purée silken tofu as a substitute for dairy or eggs. In our favorite tofu recipes, however, this wonderful block of soy isn’t simply a stand-in—it’s a star. Try these 15 dishes that feature tofu as a headline ingredient.

1. Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu With Soy-Scallion Sauce

Here, crispy tofu serves as a neutral base for a concentrated, super-flavorful sauce made with gochugaru, soy sauce, honey, and a whole lot of scallions. Inspired by both Japanese agedashi tofu and the Korean-style pan-fried tofu she ate growing up, recipe developer Joy Cho says that all you need is a bowl of rice to complete this simple, budget-friendly meal.

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Carscoops 

If we asked you to name which car brand you think has the least-exciting line-up of new vehicles, there’s a good chance Mitsubishi would be the first name that comes to mind.

The Japanese car manufacturer has been around for 52 years and while its current range of vehicles is rather uninspired, it has produced some incredible cars over the decades. That leads us to our latest QOTD: just what is the greatest Mitsubishi ever made?

It goes without saying that no current Mitsubishi models are ‘great’ so we will have to look at the company’s past. When we think of great Mitsubishi models, the first word that pops to mind is Evolution.

Read: 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR Is A Petrolhead’s Wet Dream

Mitsubishi built the Lancer Evolution between 1992 and 2016, making 10 distinctive generations starting from the Evolution I and ending with the Evolution X. Each and every Lancer Evo is special but to us, the Evolution VI, VIII, and IX are among the very best. These are proper rally cars for the road and offer exceptional levels of performance even by current standards. We’re particularly fond of the Evolution VI Tommi Makinen and Evolution VIII MR models.

Of course, it is not just Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution models that are great. One particularly memorable performance model from the brand was the 3000GT and 3000GT VR-4. Sold in Japan as the GTO, this front-engined beast was sold in a host of different guises and sported heaps of innovative features, including four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics and electronically controlled suspension. In addition to being one of the absolutely great Mitsubishi models, the 3000GT is also one of the most underappreciated.

But what do you think? What’s the greatest model Mitsubishi ever made? Let us know in the comments below.

Image via Silverstone Auctions

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The Points Guy 

It’s official: Marriott is providing a “soft landing” to Bonvoy elites who didn’t requalify last year.

Specifically, the brand will offer Marriott Bonvoy members who didn’t requalify for their statuses in 2022 the opportunity to hold the status one tier below from March 2023 until February 2024. Loyalty Lobby first reported this news.

Here’s what you need to know.

Marriott’s elite status soft landing policy

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance in California. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

The Marriott status you earned in 2021 will expire at the end of February unless you requalified or achieved a higher status level in 2022. However, Marriott will offer members who didn’t requalify in 2022 the status tier just below their expiring status:

“Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite status in 2022 will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2024. These members will see their new status starting in March 2023 and can enjoy their existing status through February 2024.”

With this announcement, members who didn’t requalify for their existing status tier will hold status for the tier just below their expiring status until February 2024:

Ambassador Elite members who didn’t requalify in 2022 will have Titanium Elite status through February 2024.
Titanium Elite members who didn’t requalify in 2022 will have Platinum Elite status through February 2024.
Platinum Elite members who didn’t requalify in 2022 will have Gold Elite status through February 2024.
Gold Elite members who didn’t requalify in 2022 will have Silver Elite status through February 2024.

It’s worth mentioning that Marriott offered similar policies before the pandemic. However, this was put on hold as Marriott extended elite status earned in 2019 and 2020 through February 2023. Providing this “soft landing” gives Marriott elites some benefits to hold them over until they can regain their desired status tier this year.

Related: What is Marriott Bonvoy elite status worth?

Bottom line

Mid- and upper-tier Marriott Bonvoy elite members who didn’t requalify in 2022 won’t be left empty-handed in 2023.

With Titanium Elite status, expiring Ambassador Elite members will enjoy many of the same perks of their current status, including complimentary breakfast at most brands, suite upgrades at check-in (including at Ritz-Carlton properties), a 75% point bonus accrual, choice benefits and status match to United Premier Silver. Platinum Elite also has many of the same benefits that Titanium Elite status offers.

You should see your new Marriott status and updated expiration in early March.

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Carscoops 

Foxconn and Nvidia have announced a strategic partnership that will see them develop automated and autonomous vehicle platforms as both companies look to increase their footprint in the automotive industry.

The partnership will see Foxconn establish itself as a tier-one manufacturer and producer of electronic control units based on Nvidia’s Drive Orin system. Furthermore, electric vehicles manufactured by Foxconn will feature Drive Orin ECUs and Drive Hyperion sensors to support highly automated driving capabilities.

Read: Foxconn Debuts Electric Model B Compact SUV And Model V Pickup Prototypes

Nvidia’s Drive Orin system-on-a-chip can run 254 trillion operations per second and can simultaneously handle many applications and deep neural networks required of an autonomous vehicle. It also works alongside the Ndivia Drive Hyperion platform to serve as the brain and central nervous system of the vehicle.

Foxtron Model B

“This strategic cooperation with NVIDIA strengthens the intelligent driving solutions Foxconn will be able to provide,” senior director of the Software Development Center at Foxconn, Eric Yeh said. “Together, we are enabling the industry to build energy-efficient, automated vehicles. This is a well-considered partnership that leverages unique strengths on each side in the pursuit of innovative EV development and opportunities.”

Foxconn has huge automotive ambitions. It has already unveiled an electric vehicle platform of its own as well as four electric vehicles that it will underpin. These consist of the Model E sedan, Model C SUV, Model T bus, and Model V pickup that will be sold under its Foxtron brand. Furthermore, Foxconn has purchased Lordstown Motors’ Ohio factory and will handle production of the Endurance pickup truck. The technology giant will also manufacture Fisker’s Project Pear SUV.

This forms part of chairman Liu Young-way’s plan to pivot Foxconn from more than a manufacturer of iPhones into an automotive juggernaut. By 2025, Liu wants Foxconn to account for 5 per cent of the global electric vehicle market, Reuters reports.

Foxtron Model V

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Well+Good 

Developing visible signs of skin aging—like fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration—is an inevitable part of getting older. How quickly these attributes appear and set in varies from person to person. And while genetics certainly play a role, inflammation also impacts the way our skin ages.

Inflammation is our immune system’s response to healing. When you injure a muscle, for instance, inflammation is responsible for swelling and bruises. When our skin is inflamed, we experience blotching, flaking, tightness, and itching—all things that can exacerbate signs of aging. Hence the resurgence of SkinTok’s latest buzzword: “inflammaging.”

What is inflammaging?

“Inflammaging is a term which combines the words inflammation and aging, and highlights the growing evidence that aging is linked with chronic inflammation,” says board-certified dermatologist, Tess Mauricio, MD. The term “inflammaging” was first coined by Claudio Franceschi et al. in 2000, when their research found that “the aging process has a chronic progressive proinflammatory phenotype.” Put simply, the more inflammation in your body, the quicker you’ll see visible signs of aging.

This is where the importance of our skin’s collagen and elastin comes in. Collagen is a vital protein that supports bone density and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body. “Chronic and persistent inflammation can result in disruption of the skin’s immune system,” says Dr. Mauricio. “Inflammation results in skin aging by causing a breakdown of collagen and elastin and impairs the skin’s barrier function. As the inflammation causes the skin’s defense mechanisms to break down, it accelerates the degradation of collagen and elastin, which leads to skin aging.”

How our skin-care routine impact inflammation

It’s easy to assume that using resurfacing ingredients like retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) will give your skin an immediate, “youthful” glow, but that isn’t always the case. If you suffer from chronic inflammation and aren’t treating that first, no amount of surface-level product is going to help. In fact, if you’re using ingredients that are too strong for your skin, it may just worsen the situation.

“When we use harsh products that constantly irritate the skin, we’re causing chronic inflammation and may even be contributing to inflammaging,” explains Dr, Mauricio.

If you’re worried your current routine is contributing to inflammaging, Dr. Maurico says to look out for“redness, dryness, peeling, flaky skin, skin fragility, enlarged pores, dark circles, and an uneven skin tone.”

The good news is there are ways to reduce and combat the inflammation. “I recommend using skin-care products that calm inflammation, provide antioxidant benefits, reverse damage caused by inflammation, and work to repair the skin’s barrier function,” says Dr. Maricio. Additionally, she adds that maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and an anti-inflammatory diet will help too.

Below, check out Dr. Mauricio’s favorite skin-care products that can help turn back the clock on skin that’s suffered from inflammaging.

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Well+Good 

Ready or not, an astrological revolution is on the horizon for 2023. Planetary shifts not seen in hundreds of years will be taking place, promising progressive change across the entire zodiac.

In this week’s episode of the Well+Good Podcast, astrologer and CosmicRx founder Madi Murphy is here to explain what you can expect from astrology in 2023.

Listen to the full episode:

While you might be ready to take on a new fitness regimen or reorganize your space for the new year, take some time to reflect on the prior year. Themes of collaboration and inclusivity will reign supreme in 2023, says Murphy, presenting opportunities for introspection and self growth.

Take it nice and easy. Use these first few months to meditate on your goals and visions for the year. You’ll be better equipped to tackle them head-on come springtime. “It’s a great time to plan, to plot, to look ahead,” says Murphy. “It’s really not the time to plant seeds or to start something new; it’s the time to reflect. What worked last year, what didn’t?”

Image: Well+Good Creative

While Murphy promises juicy transformations across the zodiac this year, Taureans are expected to experience glow-ups of epic proportions. Eclipses throughout 2022 caused some topsy-turvy, uncomfortable changes for the sign. Come May 16, however, Jupiter will move into Taurus, providing clarity and vision for the earthy sign. “Taurus is definitely going to have the main character energy on 1000,” says Murphy.

Revolution, too, is going to rock the zodiac this year, says Murphy. As Pluto moves into Aquarius and out of Capricorn, we’ll be experiencing the “wildest, most progressive revolutionary advances” of our lifetimes. Not since 1777 has the planet entered Aquarius’ rebellious arena—expect some much-needed changes in the collective.

“This whole year is going to be paradigm-shifting,” says Murphy. “The real theme for the year is ‘anything can happen.’ There’s going to be a lot of new energy.”

What does 2023 have in store for you? Check out the full podcast episode here, where Murphy dives deeper into her predictions for each sign. 

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Carscoops 

If you were to look at the Polestar 2 BST 270 from a distance, you probably wouldn’t think of it as a track-tuned performer. But that’s exactly what it is.

Just like the standard Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor, the BST 270 is driven by a pair of electric motors that combine to produce 470 hp and 501 lb-ft (680 Nm) of torque. A series of upgrades were then made to lift the EV’s performance with a particular focus on improving its handling.

For starters, Polestar’s engineers have fitted the car with a set of bespoke two-way adjustable Öhlins dampers. Springs that are 20 per cent stiffer are also fitted, as is a front strut bar while the 4-piston Brembo brakes of the standard model remain untouched.

Read: Polestar 2 ‘Beast’ Edition 270 Goes From Concept To 470 HP Limited Special Priced At $75,500

To show what the car is all about, Polestar chief test engineer Joakim Rydolm had the opportunity to test it at the beautiful Ascari circuit in Ronda, Spain. During the clip, Rydolm talks about the upgrades made to the car and how these alterations improve the car’s track credentials.

A handful of visual alterations also distinguish the Polestar 2 BST 270 from lesser variants. For example, it sits on a set of bespoke 21-inch alloy wheels painted black and wrapped in 245/35 Pirelli P Zero tires that were developed specifically for it. The front bumper and side skirts also feature aerodynamic extensions and customers can order it with a matte-black stripe running the length of the car. Shoppers will be able to order the car in either Thunder or Snow paint finishes.

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The Points Guy 

On Thursday, the U.S. expects to welcome back Chinese tourists for the first time since 2020, when the Chinese government implemented its now infamous “zero-COVID” policy.

Three days later, as Chinese officials loosen COVID-19 regulations on Jan. 8 (scrapping the previously enforced strict quarantine for all incoming travelers in a government-designated hotel), the U.S. will subject all visitors from China to incoming testing requirements.

As both American and Chinese citizens resume travel between the countries, here’s what you should know about traveling to and from China.

Travelers from China must test to enter the US

Beginning Jan. 5, all travelers from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, must submit a negative PCR test taken within two days of departure for the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This rule applies to all air travelers aged 2 and older, effective 12:01 a.m. (EST) Friday. However, the rule does not apply to passengers who recently recovered from COVID-19 and tested positive at least 10 days prior to entry.

“CDC is announcing this step to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the United States during the surge in COVID-19 cases in the PRC given the lack of adequate and transparent epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data being reported from the PRC,” the agency said in a press release on Dec. 28. “These data are critical to monitor the case surge effectively and decrease the chance for entry of a novel variant of concern.”

The newly announced testing requirement applies to all inbound air passengers, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, traveling directly from China or via a third country, including those transiting through the U.S.

These testing rules also apply to passengers transiting Incheon International Airport (ICN), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on their way to the U.S. if they have been in China within the 10 days preceding entry to the U.S.

“These three transit hubs cover the overwhelming majority of passengers with travel originating in the PRC and the Special Administrative Regions,” the CDC said.

Though the CDC has tasked airlines with confirming receipt of a negative COVID-19 test ahead of flying, passengers are responsible for uploading documentation during the check-in process, either online or with a gate agent. Domestic carriers also noted these changes online; for example, American Airlines says that passengers without a negative test or recovery document won’t be allowed to board the plane.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Read more: IHG sees a tale of two recoveries between the U.S. and China

“We will continue to monitor travel patterns, adjust our approach as needed, and keep Americans informed in a timely manner,” according to the CDC.

The European Union is also expected to impose mandatory COVID-19 testing on Chinese travelers among its 27 member states this week — following efforts by individual countries, including Italy, France, Spain and Germany, to do so.

“ECDC, together with the EU/EEA Member States and the European Commission has increased its monitoring activities and will revise risk assessments and adjust actions if needed,” the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said in a statement on Jan. 3. “ECDC is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO)/Europe and WHO/Headquarters and is in regular contact with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and major CDCs globally.”

Outside of the EU, India and the United Kingdom have done the same.

Current COVID-19 situation in China

The U.S. implementation of testing measures on travelers coming from China is due to a recent surge in new cases among persons in mainland China in December, according to data from both the World Health Organization and The New York Times.

Health and government officials, including the ECDC, have routinely questioned the reliability of COVID-19 data coming from China.

“The number of COVID-19 cases has reached a record high in mainland China, peaking on 2 December 2022,” the ECDC said this week. “In the past three weeks, incidence has fallen, likely also due to a lower number of tests being carried out, resulting in fewer infections being detected.”

Even though the country has administered nearly 3.5 billion vaccine doses as of Nov. 29, 2022, per the WHO, the country has relied on Chinese-made vaccines thus far; these vaccines have shown to be less effective against the omicron variant, according to various reporting, including by NPR.

A boom to travel expected

China’s reopening next week will almost certainly impact the average nightly price of a hotel room in some of the world’s most popular destinations, per industry experts TPG spoke to.

In 2019, Chinese tourists accounted for 4.2% of worldwide tourism — or $154 billion of total spending, according to a recent analysis conducted by AllianceBernstein, a global investment firm. Collectively, China accounted for 12% of the world’s total spending on hotel rooms in 2019. In 2023, it’s practically at zero.

At the same time, we expect to see hotel rates increase in U.S. cities previously frequented by Chinese tourists pre-pandemic, such as San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York City.

Thus, travelers will likely see the biggest impact in major cities still struggling to recover to pre-pandemic hotel rates, namely San Francisco.

“I see a clear positive correlation between demand and pricing,” Richard Clarke, a managing director who covers the hotel industry at Bernstein, told TPG via email. “Those locations that get a lot of Asian visitors have lagged on pricing, so a catch-up on demand should help.”

Although analysts are cautious about forecasting exact numbers specifying how much more expensive hotel rates might get with the return of travelers, they seem to rally around the idea this is good news for hotel owners — especially amid so much economic uncertainty.

“It seems like there’s an only upside, but the exact timing is a little uncertain,” Patrick Scholes, managing director of lodging and leisure equity research at investment bank Truist Securities, said.

Bottom line

The timing of China’s reopening aligns with the Chinese New Year, which begins on Jan. 21 and runs for nearly a month. With many people traveling to China for the largest Chinese holiday of the year, a large spike in new COVID-19 cases is expected.

“We look forward to welcoming Chinese travelers back to the United States,” U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said on Dec. 28. “The Biden administration’s highly targeted COVID testing approach is reasonable and appreciated.”

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Well+Good 

While most people know what it’s like to deal with the occasional headache, having a migraine attack is a drastically different experience. Even though migraine is a very common neurological condition—around 39 million Americans grapple with it—it can be downright debilitating. In fact, a 2020 study found that migraine is one of the main causes of disability worldwide, and among people with migraine in the United States, more than half reported severe impairment in activity, the need for bed rest, and reduced work or school productivity due to their migraine symptoms.

To be clear, a migraine is more than just a “splitting” headache. “Headache refers to any kind of pain in the head or face,” says Thomas Berk, MD, clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health Division of Headache Medicine. According to him, there are over 150 different kinds of headaches that are medically categorized based on certain features, including quality of pain (stabbing vs. throbbing, etc.), location, and duration.

Migraine attacks often include a headache, in which one side of the head is usually worse than the other, which is moderate to severe in intensity, and symptoms often include light or sound sensitivity and nausea, Dr. Berk says, adding that they can last anywhere from a few hours to three days. Anna Pace, MD, assistant professor of neurology at Mount Sinai Health, adds that migraines can also be associated with vision changes, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and neck pain, among other symptoms.

While research suggests that some people are genetically predisposed to migraine, there are triggers that exacerbate attacks, Dr. Berk says. For instance, “neurochemical changes in the brain that then lead to certain symptoms,” says Valentina Popova, MD, clinical assistant professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health. And exercise and movement can make them worse, she adds.

But one thing you might not have on your radar as a migraine trigger? The weather. Since it can be hard to avoid this one in your daily life, we’ll talk through what this means and what you can do about it.

Wait, why is weather a migraine trigger?

“Different factors cause different headaches,” says Dr. Berk, adding that weather does have an impact.“Most often it’s related to changes in weather patterns rather than just heat or cold,” he says. For instance, the humidity and change in barometric pressure (air pressure in the atmosphere) can be common migraine triggers. “The migraine brain is sensitive to all kinds of changes—and the response to change often is a migraine exacerbation.”

Dr. Pace estimates that in over a third of people with migraines, weather pattern changes are a trigger. “Research shows that a change in pressure systems—so when rainstorms come, or high humid states, as well as changes in temperature—can increase the likelihood of headache.” Though it is not completely understood why certain weather conditions can lead to headaches, she says that barometric pressure changes may cause over-excitement of areas of the brain that control pain. “Atmospheric pressure changes may also change the pressure within the sinuses and inner ears which can also lead to the experience of pain.”

People with migraines tend to be more sensitive to bright light, including sunlight, says Sara Crystal, MD, a neurologist who currently serves as medical director for Cove, a digital health program that allows patients to access expert care for migraine. She also mentions that weather changes may affect serotonin levels in the brain, which in turn triggers attacks.

And, unfortunately, weather changes don’t happen in isolation, so they can work in conjunction with other factors to cause pain, says Dr. Pace.”The brain may be more vulnerable to having a migraine attack if there is another trigger happening, such as stress, hormone fluctuations, or inadequate sleep, and so this may explain why some people experience headaches with weather changes and others do not,” Dr. Pace says.

How to prevent migraines caused by the weather

“While you can’t control the weather, you can control other potential triggers,” says Dr. Crystal.  “For some people with migraine, it takes a perfect storm—pun intended—to trigger an attack.”  So, she says, if you know your particular weather trigger, make sure to optimize other conditions. For example, if you’re worried about a brewing storm, make sure to avoid your known food triggers, get plenty of rest, and practice stress reduction. “And of course, make sure to have your medications on hand.”

Moreover, tracking weather can be helpful. “I recommend using the WeatherX app,” says Dr. Crystal. Once you establish a relationship between weather and your migraines, she says, you can potentially pre-treat with an anti-inflammatory medication.  

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Well+Good 

While it’s usually the most neglected part of my routine, I simply can’t afford to skip moisturizing my body in the colder months. The frosty frigid air does a number on my body skin, leaving it feeling tight, scaly and desperate for humidity. A humidifier helps account for the lack of moisture, of course, but let me put you onto a body moisturizer that brings the hydrating effects of humidity straight to your skin. Meet Humanrace Humidifying Body Cream ($54).

Founded by producer, musician, and creative multi-hyphenate, Pharrell Williams, Humanrace makes skin, body, and sun care products designed to foster your wellness journey. Illustrious music career aside, Pharrell has famously flawless looking skin—so I knew this is one celeb-founded brand that I needed to get my hands on. Spoiler alert: it’s good—like, really really good.

It’s made with face-grade ingredients

The follow up to the brand’s award-winning Humidifying Face Cream ($48), the Humidifying Body Cream brings the same moisture-boosting benefits to the skin on your body, and then some. The fragrance-free (aka, sensitive skin-friendly) cream promises to do it all—hydrate, smooth, firm, and strengthen skin—and it delivers. How? It’s formulated with proven ingredients you’d find in your most coveted facial skin care products, like bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol alternative that firms and brightens, peptides, which are known collagen and skin-barrier boosters, and the brand’s signature ingredient, snow mushroom.

Also known as “silver ear mushroom,” snow mushrooms have roots in Chinese medicine, and date back centuries. In the Humidifying Body Cream, they’re the hydration powerhouse that give your skin that plump, hydrated feel you’d get if you were on vacation in the tropics (if only). Snow mushrooms can hold up to 500 times their weight in water, and boast a smaller molecular size that allows the extract to penetrate skin more deeply and lock in moisture.

It has a soft, cushiony texture

The only thing I love more than the Humidifying Body Cream’s ingredients, is the luxe, cloud-like texture. Now, I’m not typically a fan of moisturizers that come in a tub, but scooping out a dollop of this super soft cream feels like a treat every time. The rich, nourishing texture doesn’t feel too heavy on my skin, and massaging it in takes way less time than other body moisturizers I’ve tried. What’s more, is I can feel its moisturizing and softening effects for hours after I’ve applied it, even in the dead of winter. My skin has never been softer. Plus, a little goes a long way, which means I’ll happily *refill* the Humidifying Body Cream every winter, because bonus: it’s refillable (just keep the product lid and base and you can buy a fresh inner pack of cream for a few bucks off).

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