Turmeric is a root used as a spice – but it does so much more than just add flavor to food. Here are the reasons why you need to start adding a pinch of turmeric to almost everything you put in your mouth.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is derived from the Curcuma longa plant. It is a root, much like ginger. In fact, the two are kissing cousins from the same family. Turmeric is knobby, but smaller in size than ginger, and the color is an intense gold-orange. This rich color signifies that turmeric is chock full of curcumin.

It is an ancient spice that has been used for centuries by Asian medical practitioners, particularly for toothaches, bruises and other mild conditions.

You’ll also find it as a main ingredient in curry, the spice blend that is the star of the show in dishes with the same name.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

What will you find in just one tablespoon of turmeric? It is a super source of iron, manganese and phytosterols. It also contains impressive amounts of fiber, potassium and vitamin B6.

Turmeric is both a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and that gives it near super-hero powers.

Inflammation in the body is never a good thing but turmeric can easily combat it. A 2013 study actually shows that turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties could be just as effective as hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone for treating things like eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions, arthritis and joint stiffness and pain.

The theory is that curcumin’s ability to neutralize the free radicals which cause inflammation makes it highly effective in alleviating symptoms of these conditions.

Here’s another benefit of turmeric. It could provide relief from bowel and colon problems. Research from 2019 showed that rats who ingested turmeric daily (in a concentration of 0.25%) were relieved of the symptoms of colitis within five days. That equals about a teaspoon for us humans to add to any savory dish.

It could be that turmeric provides a dietary way to stave off some types of cancers, too. It all comes back to the root’s antioxidant effects and its ability to protect cells from free radicals at the cellular DNA level. This is particularly true in colon cells.

In addition to preventing cancer, there is evidence to show that curcumin can destroy cells already mutated by cancer. This prevents the spread of the cancer and the formation of tumors. Researchers believe that the anti-transcription quality of curcumin shuts down cancer-causing genes and prevents them from spreading.

Research Shows How Turmeric Benefits Health

In addition to these major health benefits, there is quite a bit of promising research that shows turmeric also has a positive effect on:

• Liver function – turmeric helps the liver detoxify and rid itself of harmful chemicals. It could also decrease the risk of developing fatty liver disease.
• Cholesterol – curcumin directs liver cell genes to rid LDL (bad) cholesterol from the body.
• Alzheimer’s disease – the instance of neurodegenerative disease is very low in Eastern Indian populations and it is thought that regular intake of turmeric is key.
• Multiple sclerosis – although researchers are not sure of the why, they have shown turmeric to have a positive effect on neurological diseases. They surmise that turmeric’s ability to direct gene codes and protect the brain from free radical damage are the reasons.

These are just a few of the ways turmeric benefits health; there are plenty more still being researched and proven.

Caution!

Do be aware that, although it is very unlikely, you can overdose on this food. There are no recognized “danger levels” but 3,000mg is thought to be an extremely high dose.

If you suffer from diabetes, gallbladder or bleeding problems, GERD or any cancer sensitive to hormones, use caution when adding turmeric to your diet. Don’t eat it at all right before or after surgery. And if you are taking an anticoagulant drug, turmeric could interfere with its efficacy.

Adding Turmeric to Your Diet

Turmeric has an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that blends well with other herbs and spices, such as curry powder. Of course you can opt for an Indian curry dish the next time you go to eat, but there are other, healthier ways to get a good dose of turmeric in your daily diet.

The easiest way is to sprinkle a bit on all your savory dishes – or even add it to your daily green smoothie. Turmeric is a great addition to nearly any type of soup, especially cream or vegetable soups. It can also be added to stew, roasted vegetables, squash or bean dishes. This would include chili, pinto, or garbanzo for example.

Here’s a few more dishes that get a subtle kick of flavor and a big boost of nutrients by adding turmeric:

• Chicken or Egg Salad
• Pad Thai
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Omelets
• Meat Marinades
• Spice Rubs

The only drawback is that even a little bit of turmeric will make your dish turn golden yellow. It is often added as a spice to “ball park mustard” to give it that rich, mustard yellow hue. And if you mix it with wet ingredients in a plastic dish, it is likely to stain the plastic. But those are just aesthetic issues that do not outweigh turmeric’s tremendous advantages.

Turmeric Curcumin Is a Real Super Food

There are few foods in this world that can compare to turmeric in terms of health and nutritional benefits. It has a beautiful color, a unique flavor and it plays well with other herbs and spices, making it an easy addition to your favorite dishes.

What spices are regularly on your table and in your dishes? Do you use turmeric for a richer flavor? What has been your experience so far? Please leave your comments and join the conversation.

It might seem a little too early to start thinking about your holiday party makeup looks, but I hate to be the person who tells you this… Christmas is only 100 days away. Luckily for us, the TikTok-favorite brand Charlotte Tilbury has surprised makeup fans with a 48-hour drop of a new iteration of their best-selling Instant Eye Palette, along with a few other exciting products.

The Instant Eye Palette has a little bit of a holiday twist this year. It’s called Smokey Eye Are Forever—which I think everyone can agree on. The palette has 12 different shades that are separated out into four unique eye makeup looks. There’s a shimmer-y golden look called Love Eyes, an unexpected golden-green combo called Power Eyes, a peach-gold blend called Happy Eyes and a pigmented plum look called Confident Eyes to create the ultimate smokey eye.

There’s only one catch—this palette is exclusively on Charlotte Tilbury’s website and the first drop is only available for less than 48 hours (unless it sells out). So if you’ve fallen in love with these eye shadow shades like I have, you’re going to want to add this to your cart immediately. And you’ll be rewarded for being decisive, because Charlotte Tilbury will throw in an extra mini Eye Blender Brush for free.

Basically, with this palette, your holiday looks will be on lock. And if you need a little convincing to buy a $75 eye palette know that Tilbury has both TikTok and celeb fans. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick is one of the only universally flattering lipsticks, and the Nudegasm face palette was used to help create Billie Eilish’s Old Hollywood glam Met Gala look.

Below, you can shop the palette and take a peek at the two other items that are part of this 48-hour product drop.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Instant Eye Palette in Smokey Eyes are Forever

Boasting 12 creamy and long-lasting shades that won’t crease, this best-selling palette is divided into four different smokey eye looks—Love, Power, Happiness and Confidence. We all need more of those things, right? It’s written right on the palette, so you know which shimmery and matte shadows to pair together. And you’ll get a free mini Eye Blender Brush with your purchase.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Limitless Lucky Lips in Flame

Luck be a Charlotte Tilbury fan today, because these brand new lipsticks are also part of the 48-hour drop. Go matte this fall with this lightweight lipstick that claims to last up to 16 hours—no reapplication required. There’s a total of five shades to shop.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Advent Calendar + Bonus Palette

Treat yourself to this luxe advent calendar. Inside, this stylish set of drawers are three full-sizes faves and nine travel sized beauty products. If you order Charlotte Tilbury’s advent calendar in the next 48-hours, you’ll get a bonus Instant Eye palette and a mini makeup brush. That’s a great deal, people!

As ready as I was to leave my 8-7 (it was never 9-5) world after a successful and satisfying career, I had the usual feelings that many people experience upon the phenomenon our society calls retirement. No one tells you that retirement takes processing. It’s not a day in your life; it’s a transition.

For months, I felt an uneasy sense of displacement. There was a new time consciousness – not having to be anywhere – and the sheer issue of having time. There were the soul-searching questions: One minute I’m at the top of my game, and the next minute I’m out? What, exactly, do I mean now? Who am I?

No nameplate on my desk, no assistants, no responsibilities, no one to report to, no one to manage. Not being pulled in so many directions: family, work, community.

Life After Retirement: My Daydreaming Revelation

Fast forward two years. Yes, it took that long. Just yesterday, I was musing about how happy I am. Ridiculously happy. I had a revelation as I wondered, when was another time I was this happy, in this way?

The image of my college dorm room popped into my head. The middle of a weekday afternoon, lying on my bed reading Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment for a Russian Lit class, and then putting that book down to pick up Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain for a philosophy and lit class. My roommate walked in and said, “You want to take a break and get a coffee?” Of course I did.

Being a college student was one of the happiest times in my life. And I realized this is how I feel now. If that’s “retirement,” I’ll take it.

My Free-Spirited Student Lifestyle

As a student I had a loose, minimal schedule. Yes, I had to be at classes at odd hours of the day, but each day was different. Today, time is my own to craft as I wish. I can get up and go to bed when I want. I can sleep late or read in bed. I can take naps in the afternoon to make up for late nights.

As a student, my job was to feed my mind and soul while learning a new field or discipline in depth. The same is true now in retirement: reading books and listening to music for hours on end, having long, meaningful conversations with friends, exploring ideas, sharing dreams, attending poetry readings, art events, wine tastings.

There’s the exhilaration of learning new things and of pursuing passions that I always had to put off when I worked because there was no time.

As a student, I enjoyed myself most of the time because I had no responsibilities to anyone but myself. So too today, with children grown and flown, my life is about pleasure and enjoyment. As a student, I had the time to travel but not the money. Today I have both the time and the money to travel the world and take it all in.

When I was a student, I recall walking down the street and seeing what was going on whilst the world was at work. I loved the feeling of being an observer of life, aware that people were sitting in offices all day. I watched the men and women pour out of buildings in the early evening and couldn’t imagine sitting in an office all day, missing out.

Today too, I can’t imagine sitting in an office all day and missing out. Been there, done that. The sense of time is rich and pleasant, instead of harried and imposing.

Senior Student Weekends Are More Precious

Weekends take on a new meaning when you’re no longer in the 9-5 grind; they’re less hysterical, less precious. The days flow beautifully into each other. Sunday night is no longer terror time. I recall an anecdote on the BBC’s popular Downton Abbey series, when the family was conversing at dinner. A middle class, i.e. working, non-titled guest mentioned doing something on the weekend. “What’s a weekend?” the Dowager Countess asked.

I find myself eating like a student: whatever I want, whenever I want it. I can cook, or I can fast. I can nibble or I can bake bread. There are no required meals to get on the table, no one to disappoint.

I learned to stop feeling guilty for previously “guilty pleasures.” I can indulge myself as I could in my student days, going to the cinema in the middle of a weekend afternoon, or reading for hours instead of squeezing in a few minutes on the train or before I fall asleep at night.

Now, as life after retirement sinks in, I embrace my senior student lifestyle; it makes me giggle. It’s living like a student but having money this time. Being a student of life feels like the greatest gift I can give myself. I’ve learned that retirement is not a banishment, but rather an exalted and earned privilege. It’s a prize. A time of great gifts.

How was your transition to life after retirement? What was the hardest part? Do you miss working? What do you love most about being retired? Please join in the conversation!

Leave it to our girl Chrissy Teigen to tell the truth about a very common plastic surgery. Teigen took to her Instagram to show off her buccal fat removal, a procedure a huge percentage of celebs get done but no one ever talks about it. Though the model-turned-entrepreneur always shares her personal life with her fans, including the removal of her breast implants, there’s still something refreshing about her honesty about her facial work.

“I did that Dr. Diamond buccal fat removal thing here,” Teigen said in an Instagram video, showing her more defined cheeks. “Since I quit drinking, I’m really seeing the results.” Teigen wasn’t embarrassed to talk about the work she had done. “I like it. Yeah, I did it — what?” she said, adding “No shame in my Dr. Diamond game.”

There should be no shame over plastic surgery, especially something as simple as buccal fat removal, but it’s rare for a celebrity to actually admit to getting work done.

https://twitter.com/TheCosmeticLane/status/1437258782552166412

If you’re like me and you’ve looked at every gross video under the buccal fat removal hashtag on Instagram, you know exactly what the procedure is. For everyone else, here’s the deal. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “a buccal fat removal removes the buccal fat pad, a naturally occurring pad of fat in the cheek hollow area.” Those with rounder faces, like Teigen, can get that more chiseled look. The procedure isn’t commonly done on thin faces because it can actually make you look older over time.

Source: Instagram

According to the Taylor Plastic Surgery Center, buccal fat removal surgery is a quick procedure, even lasting less than an hour. Patients generally only need local anesthesia. Small incisions are made on the inside surface of the cheeks and the fat pads are removed. The surgeon will play around with leaving some of each fat pad to ensure even cheeks. Cost depends on where you live but it will generally run between $2,000 and $5,000.

Like all elective surgery, no one needs buccal fat removal but what you do with your face is up to you. As for Teigen, she’s happy with what she sees, saying. “I’m seeing results and I like it.”

It might seem a little too early to start thinking about your holiday party makeup looks, but I hate to be the person who tells you this… Christmas is only 100 days away. Luckily for us, the TikTok-favorite brand Charlotte Tilbury has surprised makeup fans with a 48-hour drop of a new iteration of their best-selling Instant Eye Palette, along with a few other exciting products.

The Instant Eye Palette has a little bit of a holiday twist this year. It’s called Smokey Eye Are Forever—which I think everyone can agree on. The palette has 12 different shades that are separated out into four unique eye makeup looks. There’s a shimmer-y golden look called Love Eyes, an unexpected golden-green combo called Power Eyes, a peach-gold blend called Happy Eyes and a pigmented plum look called Confident Eyes to create the ultimate smokey eye.

There’s only one catch—this palette is exclusively on Charlotte Tilbury’s website and the first drop is only available for less than 48 hours (unless it sells out). So if you’ve fallen in love with these eye shadow shades like I have, you’re going to want to add this to your cart immediately. And you’ll be rewarded for being decisive, because Charlotte Tilbury will throw in an extra mini Eye Blender Brush for free.

Basically, with this palette, your holiday looks will be on lock. And if you need a little convincing to buy a $75 eye palette know that Tilbury has both TikTok and celeb fans. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick is one of the only universally flattering lipsticks, and the Nudegasm face palette was used to help create Billie Eilish’s Old Hollywood glam Met Gala look.

Below, you can shop the palette and take a peek at the two other items that are part of this 48-hour product drop.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Instant Eye Palette in Smokey Eyes are Forever

Boasting 12 creamy and long-lasting shades that won’t crease, this best-selling palette is divided into four different smokey eye looks—Love, Power, Happiness and Confidence. We all need more of those things, right? It’s written right on the palette, so you know which shimmery and matte shadows to pair together. And you’ll get a free mini Eye Blender Brush with your purchase.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Limitless Lucky Lips in Flame

Luck be a Charlotte Tilbury fan today, because these brand new lipsticks are also part of the 48-hour drop. Go matte this fall with this lightweight lipstick that claims to last up to 16 hours—no reapplication required. There’s a total of five shades to shop.

Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

Advent Calendar + Bonus Palette

Treat yourself to this luxe advent calendar. Inside, this stylish set of drawers are three full-sizes faves and nine travel sized beauty products. If you order Charlotte Tilbury’s advent calendar in the next 48-hours, you’ll get a bonus Instant Eye palette and a mini makeup brush. That’s a great deal, people!