Category: Lifestyle

Well+Good 

When you hear someone mention “batwings” in the gym, you might assume they’re making a demeaning reference to someone’s upper arms. But the term is also the name for one of the most effective bodyweight exercises you can do.

What is it? Lying down on your back with your elbows at your sides, you put your weight in your elbows to raise your chest and head off the ground.

It’s that simple. And it targets several muscles along the backside of your body: the rhomboids (upper back), trapezius (lower back), latissimus dorsi (side of back), rear deltoids (shoulders), and triceps (upper arms), plus your core. Talk about getting a solid return for your time spent under tension.

This is especially useful because, in a world where most of us focus more on the muscles at the front of our body, our posterior chain often gets neglected. “We do a lot of exercises on the front muscles of our body, largely because that’s the most common direction we move and because that’s what we see when we look in the mirror,” says Danica Osborn, a certified personal trainer and LifeTime group training coach. “However, to promote better posture, reduce muscular imbalances, prevent back pain, and optimize athletic performance, we have to be careful not to overlook our posterior chain.”

The best way to work batwings into your workout repertoire is to work in a few different variations of the move. This not only spices things up but keeps your muscles on their toes: You create a new stimulus by switching up the exact movements, causing muscle adaptations and progression over time. Variety can also help prevent overuse injuries. Here are four batwing variations that Osborn suggests putting into regular rotation if you have access to equipment like resistance bands, TRX straps, and a cable machine.

Try these batwing variations

Osborn recommends performing three sets of 10 reps for each of these.

Standard batwing

Lay flat on your back.
Pressing into your elbows, lift your shoulders and head off the mat. Keep your chin lifted away from your chest and roll your shoulders back and down. Make sure your heels remain on the floor.
Pause for one to two seconds at the top before slowly returning to the starting position.

“If you notice your abdominal muscles flaring as you crunch up in a batwing, a great way to modify this movement is to lift your feet off the floor and hinge your knees at a 90-degree angle,” Osborn says.

V-sit resistance band pulldown

Loop a resistance band around a pull-up bar or another secure structure.
Grab each end of the resistance band, then sit down in a V-position (legs off the floor) below it.
Pull the band toward you while remaining in the V-position.
Pause for one to two seconds before returning to the starting position.

TRX high row

Grab the TRX handles and lean back while keeping your back and legs straight and heels firmly planted on the ground. Hold the handles with palms facing down.
Pull yourself up toward the cables, with your elbows in line with your shoulders.
Pause for one to two seconds before slowly lowering back to the starting position.

“To decrease the intensity of this move, walk your legs back,” explains Osborn. “That way, the TRX cables bear less weight as you row.”

Seated lat pulldown

Set a cable to the highest position before sitting or kneeling on the ground. Use a rope cable attachment that you can grasp with both hands.
Grab the rope then sit down in a reclined V-position with your feet and glutes on the floor.
Pull the rope toward your chest while directing your elbows back and down.
Pause for one to two seconds before carefully returning to the starting position.

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Carscoops 

The actions of police in Birmingham, Alabama, are being reviewed internally after video was published of an officer running into a pedestrian with his police cruiser earlier this week. The officer struck the pedestrian while responding to a call relating to a collection of drivers engaging in “Exhibition Driving.”

“The Birmingham Police Department has been made aware of several social media videos regarding an Exhibition Driving incident that occurred on January 1, 2023, in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue North involving Birmingham Police Officers and several of participants of Exhibition Driving,” the department wrote in a statement. “The Birmingham Police Department is currently in the process of reviewing the actions of our officers in this incident.”

In the video, a Dodge Charger (among other vehicles) can be seen doing donuts in the middle of a public intersection as a man, also in the intersection, films on a smartphone. An officer then shows up in a marked cruiser—a Ford Explorer—with sirens on to stop the display.

Read: One Californian City Combats Street Takeovers And Racing With 823 Tickets In A Month

The officer lines his SUV’s nose up with the nose of the Charger, backing the car up for some distance. After the Charger’s driver stops briefly, the man who was filming the donuts, steps between the vehicles with his hands up. As he steps in front of the cruiser, the officer accelerates, bumping the pedestrian, and moving him several inches in the process, though he remains on his feet.

The pedestrian is, however, knocked off balance, and staggers out from between the vehicles. As that happens, the officer accelerates again and deliberately crashes into the front of the Charger.

In its statement, the Birmingham Police term Exhibition Driving calls like these as “chaos” and say they have led to injuries and death. City Council Member Clinton Woods, meanwhile, called the situation “tricky” and blamed the pedestrian who was struck by the officer for putting himself in harm’s way, while speaking to WBRC.

Birmingham officials say that stunt driving exhibitions such as this one are anything but uncommon. Indeed, dangerous driving displays got a lot of media attention in 2022, with cities across the U.S. responding to so-called “takeovers,” in which some drivers perform stunts in unsanctioned, unprotected areas.

As part of its plan to deal with the events, Birmingham officials have increased their use of portable speed strips in the hopes of slowing down fast driving. The Birmingham Department of Transportation says that the city’s police force has ordered another 50 strips, and is awaiting their delivery.

“It will move [driving exhibitions] out of areas where we have seen it in the past and help us safe up certain areas,” Woods said. “Hopefully, push that behavior where it can be done without risking so many lives.”

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Carscoops 

Hennessey celebrated the 10th delivery of the Venom F5 limited production hypercar over the holidays. The Texas-based company has already assembled more than a dozen Venom F5 Coupes and Roadsters since the start of production in March 2022, and plans on delivering more than 20 hypercars in 2023.

The 10th Venom F5 is a Coupe, painted in a striking metallic blue shade with brilliant white stripes. The hypercar was handed over to its owner over the holidays at Hennessey Special Vehicles in Sealy, Texas.

Read: Why Do Bugatti And Hennessey Both Think They Hold The Fastest Convertible Record?

The Hennessey Venom F5 Coupe was introduced in its final production form in December 2020, with all 24 examples being spoken for by summer 2021. However, those interested can still reserve the remaining build slots of the $3-million Venom F5 Roadster, which was first introduced in August 2022. The latter is gearing up for a speed record attempt this year, to gain the title as the fastest convertible in the world and its advertised top speed of over 300 mph (483 km/h). The coupe is also in the process of high-speed testing, targeting over 311 mph (501 km/h).

Both models are built upon a carbon-fiber chassis, and fitted with a mid-mounted twin-turbo 6.6-liter V8 dubbed “Fury”. The mostrous engine produces 1,817 hp (1,355 kW / 1,842 PS) and 1,193 lb-ft (1,617 Nm) of torque, placing the Venom F5 in the top league, among Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and SSC.

John Hennessey, company founder, and CEO said: “Manufacturing a hypercar requires a team effort on a global scale, and I could not be prouder of our accomplishments. Each bespoke commission is visually stunning, an imaginative collection of colors and materials befitting a vehicle of this caliber. Our clientele is thrilled by the Venom F5 and simply astonished by its performance.”

Hennessey suggests that the production rate of the Venom F5 is increasing monthly, despite the supply chain challenges, and plans on further expanding its manufacturing capacity in 2023.

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Carscoops 

Mercedes launched the second-generation CLA coupe at CES almost exactly four years ago, but it looks like we might have to wait a few more months to see the facelifted version without its camo wrap.

Spy photographers spotted the refreshed coupe and its shooting brake brother undergoing a last round of tests ahead of a likely introduction in March, which would coincide with the four-year anniversary of the Shooting Brake’s debut at the 2019 Geneva Show.

Unfortunately, these prototypes haven’t dropped much in the way of disguise since we last saw the CLA testing in late 2022, but we can make out a new design of DLR in the front headlights of the red wagon and in the rear of both cars. The coupe, meanwhile, leaves its front lamps uncovered, but that’s not a blunder on the R&D team’s part. It looks like these lights are the current car’s basic halogen headlights offered in some markets to keep fleet buyers happy.

Related: Gently Updated 2024 Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake Spied In Two Colors

We can expect some minor reshaping of the front and rear bumpers, too, with those on the AMG Line cars sticking with pretend tailpipes, perhaps for the last time if styling trends move away from proudly signaling the presence of combustion power under the hood. The CLA is definitely not going electric just yet, though. Mercedes is working on a small EQ sedan, but that’s a different beast; these facelifted CLAs will only be modestly different under the hood, gaining 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to boost efficiency on all models save the 416 hp (421 PS) CLA 45 AMG halo model.

For most drivers, the more important changes will take place inside the cabin, where the CLA is in line for upgrades to its MBUX infotainment system and dashboard design. Following the lead of last year’s facelifted A-Class, both CLAs will lose the trackpad in the center tunnel to make room for a wireless charging pad and cupholders. But sadly for U.S. buyers, only the CLA coupe will make it to dealer showrooms. The shooting brake isn’t currently offered in the U.S. and there’s nothing we can see in these pictures that are likely to change Merc’s mind. 

Image Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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Well+Good 

It’s likely that you’ve heard the expression “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” before. That’s because this centuries-old adage has stood the test of time as apples have oft been linked—and praised—for their health benefits: namely, promoting healthier lungs, boosting cardiovascular health, and packing a hefty punch of gut-friendly fiber.

But aside from the research-backed benefits this humble fruit carries, it’s no surprise that apples tend to be our first pick from the fruit bowl: They’re absolutely delicious.

Now, as we enter the new year, ready to tackle our health goals, it’s important to keep in mind that, like all things in life, it’s all about striking a balance. And it’s safe to say that Elise Smith, a pastry chef and recipe developer, accomplishes just that on the latest episode of Alt-Baking Bootcamp, with her latest creation: a luscious vegan caramel apple tart with coconut whipped cream. Swoon.

Aside from the perfectly-balanced flavors in this decadent dessert—creamy coconut whipped cream, a crunchy graham cracker crust, a sweet coconut caramel layer, and tangy Granny Smith apples—Smith reminds us that treating ourselves to a tasty homemade treat is an absolutely necessary part of a well-balanced lifestyle (and if it’s made with nourishing, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly ingredients, all the better). Plus, she shares several helpful chef-approved tips that guarantee you’ll nail this recipe on the very first try.

Why this vegan caramel apple tart is a recipe we’ll be making on repeat

Of course, for many, baking is something you can’t wait to be done with (along with gift-wrapping) once the holidays are over and the year comes to an end. But that definitely doesn’t stop our insatiable need to finish dinner with something sweet once January rolls around.

That being said, baking doesn’t always have to be as tedious or time-consuming as making Grandma’s classic thumbprint cookies. On the contrary, with the help of a pastry chef’s super-practical hacks for making a tart in a few easy steps, you can be on your way to eating homemade, bakery-worthy desserts in mere minutes.

In this episode, Smith makes an easy apple tart with less than 10 gluten-free and vegan-friendly ingredients. And it’s far easier than you could ever imagine. She breaks down making a tart into three main steps: the crust, the filling, and the toppings.

For starters, Smith whips together a simple two-ingredient—yes, that’s really it!—crust using crushed vegan graham crackers and vegan butter. The key is using a springform pan that makes transferring and unmolding the crust as easy and crack-free as possible.

Then, Smith shows how to make a super simple vegan caramel (pro tip: double the recipe to save some extra for later). Lastly, she makes a cloud-like whipped coconut cream to slather over the tangy, thinly-sliced green apples for the perfect well-balanced dessert to start the year off right. Seriously, check out the episode if you’re in the mood to start your year off deliciously.

Vegan, gluten-free caramel apple tart recipe

Yields 6 servings

Ingredients

For the crust:
1 1/2 cups vegan graham crackers, ground
5 Tbsp vegan unsalted butter

For the caramel:
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 Tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp cornstarch
6 ounces vegan coconut cream

For the toppings:
1 Granny Smith apple
12 ounces vegan coconut cream
1/2 Tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp confectioner’s sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. To make the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs and vegan butter in a small bowl until the mixture resembles a sand-like texture. Add the mixture to a greased and lined springform pan. Using the back of a measuring cup, gently press the mixture into the bottom and into the lip of the pan about half an inch tall to form a crust. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, remove it from the oven, and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the crust to the refrigerator and let it set for about 20 minutes. The sides of the crust should begin to pull away from the edges.

2. To make the caramel, in a small saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar, vanilla, and cornstarch. Then, before adding the coconut cream, use a sieve lined with a paper towel to separate the coconut fat from the excess liquid in the coconut cream. Add the remaining coconut fat left on the paper towel into the caramel mixture. Whisk the mixture until thoroughly combined and the sugar is fully dissolved. Next, pour the caramel into the crust and move it around to coat the bottom entirely. Gently tap the pan on the surface to remove any air bubbles. Then, place it in the refrigerator to set for about 30 minutes.

3. For the toppings, thinly slice the apple. Then, remove the tart from the springform pan and layer it with the sliced apples. Set it aside. To make the coconut whipped cream, combine coconut cream and vanilla in a stand mixer, starting on low speed and working up to high speed until you have stiff full peaks. Halfway through, add the confectioner’s sugar, and continue beating on high. Once whipped, add the cream on top of the tart, and serve.

Next on the menu: Gluten-free herb parmesan biscuits: 



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Carscoops 

It doesn’t seem like long ago that the Ferrari 812 Superfast hit the market but the Italian car manufacturer has already started testing its replacement.

We caught our first glimpse of the new Ferrari in April 2022 before clearer images of a camouflaged prototype emerged in October. Ferrari is currently testing different mules adorned with parts from the V8-powered Roma. However, the car is noticeably larger than the Roma and the howl of the V12 is unmistakable.

Throughout this clip, the Ferrari engineer behind the wheel drives the prototype at the limits of adhesion, frequently kicking out the tail of the car but struggling to keep it under control at some stages.

Read: Ferrari 812 Competizione In Blue Proves Not All Prancing Horses Have To Be Red

Specifics about the V12 powering this prototype aren’t known. Ferrari’s simplest option would be to retain the current 6.5-liter mill and simply make some modifications to it, lifting horsepower and torque beyond the 819 hp of the 812 Competizione. As recently as 2021 there were reports circulating that suggested Ferrari would turbocharge its famed V12 to keep it alive for another generation but the engine of this prototype sounds very much like a naturally-aspirated engine.

If Ferrari does decide to advance the V12 through more than just internal upgrades, it will likely do so with the adoption of a hybrid system. Such a system could likely lift power to around the 900 hp mark, allowing the new car to slot nicely between the 819 hp 296 GTB and the flagship 986 hp SF90 Stradale.

Screenshot via Varryx

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The Points Guy 

If you’ve been looking for an affordable cruise vacation, you may have noticed a lot of last-minute cruise deals over the past few months for soon-to-depart sailings. But prices for cruises for this coming year and beyond remain relatively high at many lines — higher in some cases than they were in 2019, the last normal year for cruising. So how do you get the best cruise deal if you’re trying to book a cruise for next summer and beyond?

To start — don’t panic. Even if fares for the coming year don’t come down soon, you can find ways to save when booking a sea vacation.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Below, we’ve assembled six of our top tips for finding a bargain on a cruise. These are travel hacks that can work any time — not just when fares are rising. Combine a few of these strategies, and you are sure to find the best cruise deals available on your next sailing.

Cruise during the off-season

You’ll pay less to sail on popular ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas during off-season months such as September, October and November. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are cruise ships can be significantly less expensive during the “off-season” travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel drops off, resulting in diminished demand for many types of travel, including cruises.

In the Caribbean, it’s also hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

Related: Read this before booking a cruise during hurricane season

In addition to the fall months, the off-season period for cruising generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region.

Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August have been high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

Book early

It’s a growing truism of the cruise world: the earlier you book, the better price you’ll get.

Cruise lines often open departures for bookings with the lowest prices at which they want to sell the trips. Then, as the departures start filling up, they slowly raise prices on the remaining inventory.

To get the very best price on any particular sailing, your best bet in many cases is to book right when the sailing opens for sale. This means planning way in advance, as many cruise lines open their reservations for sailings two or even three years before departure.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you’re far more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out first and quickly.

Related: How to pick the perfect cruise line for you

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise super far in advance? Here’s the good news: if, for some reason, the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you usually can get your fare reduced to match the lower price. This is often the case until the last few months before the sailing is set to begin, when the cruise enters what’s known as the “final payment” window. At that point, the fare you’ve paid is locked in.

Note that not all fare types allow for changes after booking to the fare you’ve paid. It’s important to read the fine print for the fare category you’re booking.

Book late

As noted above, cruise lines typically offer their lowest fare for any given sailing just after it opens for booking — often two or even three years before it’s scheduled to begin.

Generally, the fare then will only go up as the sailing date approaches. But in some cases, cruise lines will drop the price of a cruise significantly at the last minute. This can happen when the line finds itself with a lot of unsold cabins for a voyage.

If you’re flexible and can travel on short notice, you sometimes can find a last-minute deal for cruises where the line is scrambling to fill berths.

A key thing to know here is that last-minute discounting isn’t as common as it used to be. Cruise lines have become much more savvy about revenue management over the years.

You’ll also have to be flexible to take advantage of these deals. If you have a specific cabin type on a specific sailing on a specific ship that you’re eyeing for a vacation, you can’t count on it being available — especially not at a rock-bottom rate.

Sail on an older ship

RFares for older Royal Caribbean ships, such as the 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas, often are significantly less on a per-day basis than fares for newer Royal Caribbean vessels. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

At many big lines, you’ll find that the newest, most amenity-filled cruise ships sell at a premium price. Older ships come with a discount.

The older ships are, of course, older, and they sometimes don’t have quite as much to offer on board as the newer ships. But if you’re looking for a deal, they can bring great value.

Use a travel agent

Are you a go-it-alone type of traveler? We get it.

But even if you book all your land trips on your own, you might want to use a travel agent who is a specialist in cruises to book your next voyage.

One big reason for this is that cruise-selling travel agents often have access to lower bulk fares for sailings that are not available to the general public. Big travel agencies will block out large chunks of cabins on ships soon after they open for booking to lock in such group fares, then sell them over the coming months.

In addition to lower fares, cruise travel agents also sometimes throw in extra perks like onboard credit or amenities when you book through them.

Travel agents specializing in cruising also will be able to guide you through the many types of cabin categories on some cruise ships and steer you away from cabins to avoid. Plus, they’ll be there for you when things go wrong on a cruise.

Consider a repositioning cruise

Some of the best bargains in the cruise world are the voyages that cruise ships make as they reposition from one part of the world to another.

This is because cruise lines often have trouble selling these trips, which typically have somewhat oddball itineraries with very few port calls and lots of sea days. They also tend to be a bit longer than standard weekend getaways or weeklong voyages. They have to discount the trips to fill the ships as much as possible.

Related: The ultimate guide to repositioning cruises

Among the most common repositioning cruises you’ll see are sailings between the Caribbean and Europe in the spring as lines move ships to the Mediterranean for summer. Similarly, there’s always a wave of repositioning cruises between Europe and the Caribbean in the fall.

You’ll also find some repositioning cruises every year between the Caribbean and Alaska, and between the West Coast of the U.S. and Asia.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
15 ways cruisers waste money
12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
What to pack for your first cruise

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Carscoops 

Honda revealed today that the brand-new 2023 Accord will start at $28,390 ($27,295 + $1,095 destination charge) in the U.SA. That marks a modest $775 price increase over the base Accord’s price for the 2022 model year.

For that extra dough, buyers will get the 11th-generation Honda Accord LX model, which is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. It has been updated for 2023 to feature a better direct-injection system, cold-active catalyst, and more, which help it to make 192 hp (143 kW/195 PS) and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque.

More: 2023 Honda Accord Debuts With New Looks And A Techy Interior

The engine has been tuned more for smoothness than power, though, as has the CVT transmission. Inside, the LX gets a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch instrument screen, LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The EX builds from there and adds heated front seats, a one-touch power sliding moonroof, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and the sound system gets upgraded to an eight-speaker system. It is the only other ICE-only model in the lineup, and prices for it start at $30,705 (dest. included).

2023 Honda Accord Pricing & EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

TrimDrivetrainMSRPMSRP w/ $1,095 Destination EPA City/Hwy/CombinedLX1.5T/CVT$27,295$28,39029 / 37 / 32EX1.5T/CVT$29.610$30,70529 / 37 / 32SportHybrid$31,895$32,99046 / 41 / 44EX-LHybrid$33,540$34,63551 / 44 / 48Sport-LHybrid$33,875$34,97046 / 41 / 44TouringHybrid$37,890$38,98546 / 41 / 44

Honda believes that more than 50 percent of the model’s sales will come from four hybrid trims in the 2023 Accord’s lineup. They are the Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and the Touring, and all benefit from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors that are mounted side-by-side. They provide the Accord with 204 hp (152 kW/207 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque.

The cheapest way to get into an Accord hybrid will be the Sport model, which starts at $32,990 (dest. included). It gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Berlina Black 19-inch alloy wheels with a machined face, and Honda’s largest-ever touchscreen. Standard on all hybrid Accords, the 12.3-inch infotainment screen gets a physical volume knob, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The Sport-L builds on the Sport trim and adds a memory function to the driver’s seat, a power passenger’s seat, as well as sportier styling accents, which includes a rear diffuser. Prices for that model start at $34,970 (dest. included). The EX-L, meanwhile, starts where the EX left off and adds front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, Pewter Grey 17-inch alloy wheels, and costs $34,635 (dest. included).

Finally, the Touring trim tops the lineup with Google built-in technology that allows owners to utilize Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play within the car’s infotainment system. It also comes with a three-year unlimited data plan, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless smartphone charging, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability, heated rear seats, as well as heated and ventilated front seats.

Interested customers won’t have to wait long before they can check out the new sedan, because Honda says that the new 11th-generation Accord will start arriving in American dealerships this month.

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Well+Good 

Winter weather does frightful things to skin, often causing it to dry out and become prone to cracking, flaking, itching, and more—but that’s actually not the reason why I have dry hands this season. Sure, dry heat and icy temps contribute to my mitt’s lack of moisture, however, they’re merely a supporting act in the hydration heist that occurs on a daily basis.

As a ceramicist, I spend a lot of my free time sinking my hands into clay, a material that is surprisingly dehydrating. Just like the oil-balancing and acne-clearing mud masks you have sitting on your vanity, pottery does a fantastic job of sucking away grease and moisture—only my already supremely dry skin doesn’t need it. This often results in super-dry, rough, and itchy skin. On the worst days, it can sometimes look like my hands actually have dandruff. Big yikes.

When winter rolls around, it is a full-on fight to keep moisture locked into my thirsty paws. And, sometimes, no matter what I do, it feels like an impossible feat. That is until I decided to pick up one of my all-time favorite skin creams—Weleda’s Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream ($16)—and play around with a daily regimen that would actually revive my sad, raisin-like mitts.

The Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream dates all the way back to 1926 (that’s nearly 100 years of hydration!) and is a staple in many skin-care arsenals, including my own. As a long-time fan of Weleda, I actually can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a tube of this thick, lotion-like skin salve in my medicine cabinet. Formulated with plant-based ingredients, including rosemary, chamomile, and pansy extracts and sunflower and sweet almond oils, it’s a lifesaver for parched paws.

I love it because it has the effects of a buttery salve but glides on and absorbs like lotion, so you don’t have an oil slick sitting on top of your skin (and getting all over everything.) The fast-action formula also works almost instantly to replenish my skin’s moisture barrier and ward off the itchy sensations I experience on my knuckles at their driest.

My dry-hands solution

While I’m a big fan of the Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream as a solo act, there’s actually a trick to how I apply it to elevate the formula and make it even more effective. Every night before bed, I wash my hands with soap and water and apply either Pacifica’s Lavender Moon Body Scrub ($13) or Hand in Hand Sugar Scrub ($13). (If my hands are in extra dehydration-despair, I reach for Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub ($21) which works through severe dry skin build-up with ease.) Then, I reach for Skin Food and slather it all over, paying close attention to my knuckles and nail beds since those areas need the most TLC.

As everyday scrubs, Pacifica Lavender Moon Body Scrub and Hand in Hand Sugar Scrub both work wonders. Pacifica’s formula features teeny tiny walnut shell particles that gently and thoroughly slough away dead skin cells to reveal softer and more supple skin underneath. It also contains jojoba seed oil, which provides a base layer of nourishment before the Skin Food gets slathered on.

Hand in Hand is a sustainable scrub I keep in my shower at all times and love it for head-to-toe exfoliation, especially when it comes to my hands. The scrub has a sugar base with deeply nourishing sunflower oil—which has tons of vitamin E—and coconut oils, so it also makes for an excellent primer in addition to getting rid of dead skin build-up.

Since my skin gets so dry, it’s nearly impossible to get cream to penetrate deep enough for lasting hydration on its own. Exfoliating the skin is a necessary step in my dry hands solution, as it removes the layer of dead skin on top and allows for better product absorption and longer-lasting moisture. However, the skin on my hands can also feel super sensitive due to the lack of moisture and consistent irritation. Exfoliating it could technically result in further irritation, only it doesn’t, since the Pacifica and Hand in Hand body scrubs have such nourishing formulas.

Establishing this mini skin-care regimen for my hands has worked true wonders and helps me keep dry skin at bay, no matter how much time I spend getting my hands dirty in clay. By gently removing the barrier of dry skin on my hands’ surface and applying a thick and creamy salve (one people have sworn by for nearly a century, no less), I can create my art without the added discomfort of dehydration.

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Carscoops 

SsangYong Motor will change its name to KG Mobility, as the automaker is coming out of a long period of financial difficulties leading to its recent bankruptcy. The decision was taken by KG Group which owns the majority stake in Ssangyong.

As reported by the Korea Herald, the announcement was made during an event held by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. In order for SsangYong Motor to officially become KG Mobility, the new name needs to be approved by the general shareholders meeting this March, something that is considered a given.

Read: All-New SsangYong Torres Debuts In Korea With Rugged Looks, $21K Starting Price

This official sketch shows the all-new SsangYong Torres with the first-gen Musso (1993-2005) and the second-gen Korando (1996-2006)

KG Group, a Korean company specializing in steel and chemicals, acquired a 61.86% stake in SsangYong Motors last August after the automaker went into receivership. The goal of the new name which will be combined with a redesigned logo and a new corporate identity is to leave the past behind and start a new era for the company. It is also a sign that the new owner wants to transform the company into a mobility brand.

Kwak Jea-sun, KG Group Chairman said that the name change was “an extremely difficult decision”, but in the end, they opted for a complete overhaul instead of taking the easy road to keep the SsangYong and dropping the Motor from the old name. Kwak said: “The name – SsangYong Motor – has a fandom with good memories, but it also has a painful image. From now, all SsangYong cars will come out to the world under the name of KG. Even with the name change, SsangYong Motor’s history will not change”.

The SsangYong Rexton is the flagship offering of company

This is not the first name change in the long history of the oldest Korean automaker. Dong-hwan Motor was founded in 1954, and in 1963 merged with Dongbang Motor to create the Ha Dong-hwan Motor Corporation. In 1977, the company was renamed to Dong-A Motor and in 1984 it was acquired by Keohwa. In 1986 it was bought by SsangYong Business Group and got its final SsangYong Motor name in 1988, retaining it for the next 35 years. Over this period, SsangYong Motor passed under the control of Daewoo Group, SAIC, and Mahindra who was the last owner before the bankruptcy, following a long search for buyers and a failed takeover by Edison Motors.

It remains to be seen how the KG Mobility era will affect the design of SsangYong Motor’s SUV models. The current lineup includes the Tivoli, XLV, Korando, Rexton, and Musso pickup, alongside the all-new Torres that debuted in 2022 as the last SUV with the SsangYong badge.

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