Posts made in March 2022

ESPN NCAA Championships Coverage

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ESPN‘s long-standing commitment to NCAA Championships continues in 2022 with a full slate of winter and spring NCAA competitions through April. In total, more than 200 hours of trophy-lifting action will be featured across ESPN networks.

The NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships are first in the blocks for ESPN networks in March, as the competition begins from Birmingham, Ala. at 11 AM ET on Friday, March 11. Live coverage is set for ESPN3 and the ESPN App throughout the weekend, with a recap show on ESPNU on Sunday, March 13, at 9:30 PM. SportsCenter anchor John Anderson, Olympic bronze medalist Dwight Stones, Olympic decathlon champion Dan O’Brien and veteran commentator Jill Montgomery will have the call from the CrossPlex.

The NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships are slated for back-to-back weeks at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta—March 16 to 19 (women) and March 23 to 26 (men). All live action is available on ESPN3 and the ESPN App, with recap shows of the women’s and men’s championships set for ESPNU. Play-by-play commentator Bill Spaulding will be joined by three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines and Olympic bronze medalist Cynthia Potter for both meets, with three-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel providing additional analysis for the women’s championship.

ESPN is the home of 29 NCAA Championships. Comprehensive coverage of women’s and men’s ice hockey, women’s basketball, wrestling, and women’s gymnastics will be highlighted across ESPN networks, with details announced in the coming weeks.

Washington Commanders × USO Ukrainian Aid

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Washington Commanders and USO staff teamed up to pack 4,000 Care Packages comprising more than 24,000 items for troops deployed to Eastern Europe in response to the Ukrainian crisis. The Care Packages, which include hygiene essentials such as combs, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, as well as team merchandise and snacks, are the last items troops receive before deploying overseas and an invaluable resource.

Additionally, last Thursday, March 3^rd, co-owners and co-CEOs Tanya and Dan Snyder donated $300,000 to support response efforts for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine to the USO and the following organizations:

USO Support our Troops, which has mobilized to support service members who have been deployed to Ukraine and the surrounding areas as well as their families, through care packages, USO2GO, and boxed snack programs.
DC-based World Central Kitchen, which is providing nourishing, hot meals through distribution points across six countries to refugees, in addition to partnering with local restaurants in Ukraine to support local needs for those who are staying in their cities.
International Rescue Committee, which is working to rush critical aid and direct support to displaced families through locally-based organizations.
Save the Children, which is working with Ukraine’s most at-risk population, children, to address physical harm, severe emotional distress, and mass displacement by coordinating efforts to provide immediate aid, supplies, psychosocial support, and cash assistance.

“As we watch the events unfold in Ukraine, it is important to us to continue supporting response efforts in as many ways as possible. Today we partnered with USO to pack 4,000 Care Packages which include essential goods troops receive as they begin their deployment overseas. We hope that these USO Care Packages bring much-needed support and encouragement to the brave soldiers who are risking their lives to help those in need,” said Dan and Tanya Snyder.

Elle Canada April Issue

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KO Média is excited to unveil the April issue of ELLE Canada featuring multi-hyphenate Tracee Ellis Ross. The award-winning Black-ish star shares her lifelong love of fashion, from playing dress-up with her stylist to using clothes as a tool for advocacy. “For a while, clothing was like my armor, a way to protect myself,” she says in a candid interview. “When I began to feel more comfortable in my own skin, fashion became one of the most important means of my self-expression.” The new Tiffany & Co. ambassador also talks about finding self-acceptance with age. “I have created a life that works for me, that looks like me, that feels like me, and I know myself. It took me many years to become who I am now, and it feels good.”

Environmentalism is imbued in this issue, with articles that delve into North America’s seemingly insatiable appetite for fast fashion and how environmental racism affects the physical, mental, and emotional health of Indigenous and other marginalized communities. We also explore the role of women in the fight to protect our planet—with a spotlight on four Canadians who are leading the charge—and talk to the teams behind seven beauty brands that are revolutionizing the industry with their sustainable practices.

There’s no shortage of rising stars in this edition. Writer-director Domee Shi shares the inspiration behind her first feature film, Turning Red, and her thoughts on the diverse future of animation. Singer-actor Sonia Ammar reflects on finding courage, self-love, and landing her first major Hollywood role. And, Lana Condor discusses her role in improving Asian-American representation as an actor and a brand ambassador. We also talk to Veep star Anna Chlumsky about playing a journalist in Shonda Rhimes‘s latest series, Inventing Anna. Canadian photographer Maya Fuhr opens up about her continued push for body-positive beauty standards.

In fashion, we explore the consumer shift toward subtle status signaling; give readers an inside look at Chanel‘s latest fashion show; learn about luxury Italian fashion house Fendi‘s collaboration with Mabeo, a Botswana-based furniture brand; and check in with jewelry designer Valérie Messika on her mission to democratize the diamond. Plus, the ELLE team presents its beauty and fashion trend reports for Spring/Summer 2022.

Finally, a look at how the pandemic has obliterated the boundaries between our work and personal lives.

The April issue of ELLE Canada will hit stands and Apple News+ on March 14, 2022.

Lady de Rothschild Collection

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Silver, tableware, and jewelry from the private collection of style icon, philanthropist, and taste-maker, Victoria Lady de Rothschild (1949-2021), proved highly popular, with every single lot selling in Dreweatts fine jewelry, silver, watches, and luxury accessories two-day sale, which has concluded.

Victoria was born to an American father and married the British banker Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, of the illustrious Rothschild banking family. Upon moving to London, she managed to cross the transatlantic divide into British society. She was very well-connected, wealthy and with her impeccable taste, she amassed an outstanding private collection of artwork, iconic design pieces, silver, tableware, furniture, and jewelry.

The top lot in the sale was from Lady Victoria de Rothschild’s jewelry collection. A four-row coral beaded necklace, which epitomized her personal taste for statement beads by new designers and craftsmen, achieved £35,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £800-£1,200. Two further stunning coral necklaces from her collection realized £18,750 against a pre-sale estimate of £300-£500.

Victoria’s silver and tableware featured unique statement pieces by a range of designers, from antique to contemporary. Among them was a stunning pair of Late George III silver gilt twin-handled cups, by Paul Storr (1770-1844), the greatest English goldsmith and silversmith of the 19th century. Storr was notable for his exquisite tableware, as well as his magnificent Royal commissions for grand monumental pieces. The pair of beautifully detailed cups in the sale, dated 1817, sold for £32,000 against an estimate of £6,000-£8,000.

The sale also included a private collection of silver stashed away in boxes by an English gentleman who started his collection in the mid-19th century and was found by the current generation of his family decades later. The fascinating treasure trove was found to contain forty exceptionally rare early spoons, some from as far back as the 1400s. This proved to be extremely desirable with every lot selling! Among the star lots were some exceptional examples of apostle spoons. Apostle spoons are the most recognized of all antique spoons, as their figural finials depict the 12 apostles, each identified by the emblems they carry. A further detail is found on top of the apostle is a round disc (known as a nimbus), depicting a holy dove. Apostle spoons date from as early as the 14th Century and, due to their popularity, were produced up until the 17th Century in England.

A Henry VIII silver apostle spoon in the sale achieved a staggering £27,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £8,000-£12,000 and a second Henry VIII apostle spoon sold for £25,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £6,000-£8,000, showing the demand for them.

Antique jewelry was another area of the sale that performed exceptionally well, with competitive bidding for a beautiful single stone diamond ring, which sold for £21,250 against a pre-sale estimate of £10,000-£15,000. There was spirited bidding on all platforms for a stylish 1930s French diamond and emerald bracelet, which sold for £18,750 against an estimate of £5,000-£7,000. Also popular was a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra diamond set bracelet, which sold for £16,250 against an estimate of £16,250.

Commenting on this spectacular sale, James Nicholson, Deputy Chairman and International Head of Jewelry, Silver, and Watches at Dreweatts said, “It has been thrilling two days of frenetic bidding from buyers all over the world who responded across the collecting disciplines of antique and modern silver, jewelry, and luxury accessories. The 549 lots Dreweatts offered spanned a date range of 500 years, from the early 16th century to the 21st century. To be involved with the sale of these marvelous collections has been absolutely wonderful. The market continues to respond in such a positive manner to private collections with unrivaled provenance, as seen in this sale, in which all but one lot, out of the whole auction remained unsold—quite an indication of how much demand there is in the market.”

The Society: State and Mason

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Hotel Californian debuts a new signature tasting room, The Society: State & Mason, deepening its culinary imprint on Santa Barbara’s trendsetting Funk Zone neighborhood. Marking the first major transformation at Hotel Californian since being acquired by Foley Entertainment Group (FEG) in late 2021, the intimate tasting room celebrates the intersection between world-class wines, exquisite cuisine, and immersive, memorable travel experiences.

Occupying a prime corner on State Street that formerly housed the hotel’s chic Isla boutique, The Society: State & Mason caters to traveling oenophiles and local wine enthusiasts looking to enjoy a day of exploration along Santa Barbara‘s Urban Wine Trail.

While relaxing in the chic indoor/outdoor space, guests can sip a rotating selection of wines from across the Foley Family Wines portfolio and opt for thoughtfully curated pairings of shareable bites from Hotel Californian’s Executive Chef Travis Watson. “Our family’s deep roots in Santa Barbara inspired us to purchase Hotel Californian for the unique opportunity to continue investing in the city’s rich history and wine culture, and we are thrilled to introduce our new tasting room, The Society: State & Mason,” said Foley Entertainment Group Chairman Bill Foley. “This vibrant space allows us to showcase not only our Santa Barbara wineries but also the range of the Foley Family Wines portfolio and creates a communal gathering place for anyone looking to celebrate their love of food, wine, and travel.”

“Foley Entertainment Group promised impactful changes when they purchased this beloved hotel, and The Society: State & Mason is only the first exciting step among many that we are developing to enhance the guest experience,” said Managing Director Warren Nocon. “We are humbled and grateful to be locally owned, working alongside the esteemed Foley family and FEG team to further cement Central California as a world-class culinary destination.”

Hotel Californian’s iconoclastic spirit echoes throughout the new tasting room, infusing the indulgence of a luxurious seaside vacation with untamed Santa Barbara spirit to create a new kind of social hub for the city. With floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air concept, the space evokes a sense of community with palpable energy felt from the nearby Funk Zone. Now open Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., The Society: State & Mason will continuously roll out new programming to include wine education classes, winemaker dinners, exclusive events, and more.

A snapshot of what visitors can expect includes:

Tasting Flights & Bites

Guests seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of Santa Barbara’s iconic State Street can drop into The Society: State & Mason for a selection of shareable plates, wines by the glass, and two distinctly designed wine tasting experiences. The pre-set “Taste of Wine Country” flight comprises a selection of esteemed wines from across the Foley Family Wines portfolio. This experience, priced at $35 per person, includes samples from Russian River Valley, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and Alexander Valley.

The “Riviera Reserve” pairing is a 90-minute sensory journey featuring a rotating selection of wine from across the Foley Family Wines portfolio, complemented by bites from Chef Watson. With only two seatings available per day in a private room for the Riviera Reserve experience, reservations are recommended. Priced at $100 per person, this evolving flight currently includes pairings such as a Two Sisters Chardonnay with a Smoked Salmon Rillette and a Kuleto Syrah paired alongside a Smoked Bresaola with Tender Arugula, Manchego Cheese and Black Cherry Gastrique.

A Home for the Foley Food & Wine Society

The Society: State & Mason will serve as a central social space for The Foley Food and Wine Society,

which provides a gateway to an array of travel and entertainment experiences spanning the globe. Through The Foley Food & Wine Society loyalty rewards program, which is complimentary to join, patrons earn points on all purchases made at The Society: State & Mason, which can be redeemed towards travel, wine, tasting experiences, and more. Those who desire additional benefits and exclusivity can level up to a Connoisseurs Club membership, which includes regular shipments of premium Foley Family Wines, and unlocks additional perks and benefits at Hotel Californian and Foley Family winery properties.

Travel Like a Connoisseur Package Fit for Wine Aficionados

The storied Hotel Californian invites sophisticated sojourners to indulge in its new offerings through the Travel Like a Connoisseur Package. Offering honorary membership to the Foley Family Wines Connoisseurs Club for the duration of a guest’s stay, the package includes a complimentary member tasting at The Society: State & Mason; 20 percent off purchases at all hotel venues; member discounts on wine purchases; and complimentary member tastings at Foley Estates, Lincourt Vineyards, and Firestone Vineyards, all of which are located within one hour from the hotel. Situated 90 minutes from Los Angeles, 20 minutes from the Santa Barbara Airport, and one block from the Amtrak station, Hotel Californian is ideally situated for travelers seeking an iconoclastic getaway. Reservations for The Society’s seated tastings can now be made on Tock or by calling the hotel directly. More information on The Foley Food & Wine Society and Foley Family Wines can be found HERE.

About Hotel Californian 

Owned and operated by the Foley Entertainment Group, Hotel Californian continues to redefine luxury in the celebrated American Riviera. The 121-room boutique hotel is a magnet for the Hollywood elite, international visitors, and locals alike. Featuring dazzling spaces from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the iconoclastic enclave–part history, part imagination, all Californian–continues to drive the revitalization of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone while upending conventional expectations. Hotel Californian is Santa Barbara’s urban luxury resort destination. For more information, please click HERE.

LAROPA × THE BLOND

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Rihanna, Jay Z, Jake Paul, Erika Jayne, Playboi Carti, Gunna and other celebrities share one thing: they all wear LaRopa. The irreverent cult brand has created a sensation for its thousand-dollar denim suits, $300 hats, and bedazzled, sewn-in-America shirts that say, “P*SSY BUILDS STRONG BONES.” Aristotle Sanchez and Jimbo Williams founded the brand while they were homeless on the street. Without a cent of investment money, they made LaRopa one of the most popular new brands in the U.S. Currently, they operate stores in downtown LA, Melrose, and New York.

Yesterday, they hosted an exclusive party at The Blond on 11 Howard Street in NYC. One of New York’s prestigious venues located in Lower Manhattan. Nestled inside the 11 Howard Hotel, it is reminiscent of Los Angeles Sky Bar. The entrance is subtle but lavish with a healthy set of stairs that leads into a dimly lit bar. We were here in celebration of LaRopa’s expansion. Music is a blend of the past, the present and perhaps the future. The staff was courteous and professional, especially the bartender, promoters and bouncers. Remember, the crowd is young and elegant. Do not waste your time if you do not belong to the culture of clandestine clubs and on a list. Bottle service is probably your best course of action. All in all, this is definitely a mood. And, after a crowded night at this spot, you’ll feel like the pandemic never happened.

Official site HERE.

Eight Healthy Tips to Prepare for Summer

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It might not feel like it if you’re in the grip of a late-season cold snap. However, summer will be here before you know it!

What can you do, now, to make the most of the coming warm season? Here are eight healthy tips to prepare for summer and adjust to a sunnier mindset.

1. Get Mindful

The world might need mindfulness now more than ever. Given current world events, even turning on the news can induce panic about an uncertain future.

However, there’s little the average person can do to impact world events. It’s far more useful – and mentally healthy – to focus on what you can control and learn to radically accept what you can’t.

You might also be one of many with lingering COVID-19 fears, especially if you have a health condition that leaves you at an elevated risk. Mindfulness helps you take your time as the world opens back up, thinking about what risks you are and aren’t willing to take before you find yourself trapped in an uncomfortable situation.

2. Change Up Your Skincare Routine

You might need to slather on a heavy-duty moisturizer during the winter months. Dry indoor air and harsh winds can leave you parched, even if you normally enjoy normal or even oily skin. However, continuing the same routine as the weather warms can leave you waking up with a fresh crop of pimples.

If you have oily skin, switch to a water-based moisturizer. If you tend to shine only in the T-zones, you might want to use something heavier on your cheeks and around your eyes.

Another option is to stick to a moisturizer that uses a breathable oil, such as argan, as a base. It’s a glorious choice if you battle both wrinkles and pimples. Although it creates a barrier against pollutants and drying winds, it also regulates the amount of sebum your skin produces, minimizing blemishes.

3. Dig Into New, Fresh Recipes

Spring means the return of fresh, organic produce. Celebrate with the flavors of the season. Asparagus, artichokes, carrots, and avocados are only a few of the items you’ll find at their freshest as the weather begins to warm.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are your best sources of antioxidants, something you should get more of as the weather warms. Why? These protect your body’s cells from free radicals, substances that scavenge electrons from your body’s cells, leading to damage or death.

Lighten up your life with this morel and asparagus salad with frisée and butter lettuce. It makes a lovely solo lunch or the perfect side for a salmon steak with dinner. You’ll need:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 dozen small, fresh morels, rinsed
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 pound asparagus, halved and cut into 2-inch segments
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
5 ounces frisée, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 medium head of butter lettuce, torn
2 tablespoons chervil sprigs
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a pan, add the stock and cook the morels for five minutes. Add the asparagus and cook for another two minutes. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the sauce absorbs.

Whisk the lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl with salt and pepper. Add the frisée, butter lettuce, and chervil, and then toss. Top with morels and asparagus or serve side by side if you’re preparing it as a main course.

4. Take Fitness Outdoors

Warm weather’s return means no more slogging away endless miles on the treadmill while you desperately search Netflix for another binge-worthy show to take your mind off your boredom.

Take advantage of the longer days to get out and explore some new neighborhood routes. If you need a bit more motivation to go the distance, consider joining a club. You’ll meet new friends with the same jogging habit.

If you have nature preserves near you, hiking is way more fun than your typical neighborhood stroll – although they also have their charms. You’ll get your heart rate pumping as you climb hills and work your hamstrings and glutes.

You’ll also strengthen your immunity against summer colds. Researchers investigated people who participated in forest bathing and found a higher number and activity of vital immune cells.

If you’re into gentler exercise, why not investigate your outdoor yoga class options? If it’s getting toasty where you live, you might find a paddleboard version that will challenge your balance in new ways.

5. Tackle Your Allergy Symptoms

Spring and summer bring allergies to many. Take action now to tackle those red eyes and runny noses.

Many over-the-counter medications do an effective job of taming symptoms, but some can leave you with unwanted side effects like drowsiness.

You can also look to folk remedies. While little scientific evidence exists to support consuming local honey to control your reaction to pollen, plenty of anecdotal reports suggest its efficacy. If nothing else, you get a healthy dose of various antioxidants and natural antimicrobial agents.

Another trick to slashing your misery? Wear a mask. Mandates might be lifting everywhere, but it’s still good practice. It cuts down on the number of airborne allergens you inhale while upping your chances of avoiding infection with COVID-19, especially if you’re also vaccinated.

6. Plan Your Next Getaway

Americans get miserably short-changed when it comes to vacation time. Many people have no paid leave at all and can’t miss a shift for fear of coming up short on rent. However, study after study shows that taking time away from work makes you more productive when you return to the office.

If at all possible, start planning your next getaway. If you can’t afford to take a week or two, can you afford a few hours on a Friday afternoon to start on a long weekend getaway? You can play tourist in your hometown or hit that nearby attraction two towns away.

7. Make Your Homestead More Sustainable

If your summer getaway plans consist of nothing but staycations, spend some time transforming your home. You want your decor to welcome you when you arrive home from work.

Take down heavy curtains and blinds to make the best use of natural light. Stick with gauzy curtains. Another option? One-way film. This material has the bonus of protecting your furniture and floors from the sun’s fade-inducing UV rays.

If you garden, why not save money on fertilizer by building a compost bin? Even folks who keep plants in containers on balconies can set up a small container with little effort. Organic plant material and coffee grounds belong inside. However, avoid including meat or animal waste, as these can contaminate the soil.

8. Update Your Bedroom for Better Sleep

Adequate rest is vital to your mood, immunity, and even weight control. Sleep deprivation throws off your leptin and ghrelin levels. These are two hormones responsible for telling you when to start and stop eating.

Start by removing electronic devices. The blue light their screens emit makes it challenging for you to fall under. Surround yourself with plenty of pillows.

Summer’s warmer temperatures can make sleeping difficult, as many people do best at around 65 degrees. If you don’t have central air conditioning, consider a window unit for the bedroom. If you don’t like the aesthetic, invest in a quality ceiling fan to keep a cool breeze on you all night long.

Healthy Tips to Prepare for Summer

The warm season brings with it renewed promise. Why not greet it as your healthiest self? You don’t have to go to extreme measures – merely tweak your routine. Follow these eight healthy tips to prepare for summer and get ready to enjoy the longer days.

Ten Nutrition Tips to Take Care of Your Gallbladder

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The gallbladder is a tiny, pear-shaped organ located underneath the liver. It helps the liver by collecting bile and releasing it into the small intestine to aid digestion. Its size leaves it prone to inflammation and gallstones, and about 2,000 Americans die every year from gallbladder cancer.

You must do everything you can to keep this little organ happy and functional. Here are 10 nutrition tips to take care of your gallbladder and stay healthy!

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Water and other healthy fluids help the gallbladder release bile and prevent it from building up. Adult men and women have different recommended daily fluid totals:

Adult men: 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day
Adult women: 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day

Keep in mind that these numbers account for all fluids you consume throughout the day. That includes water, coffee, other beverages, and even liquids from food. Drinking eight glasses of water per day will help you reach the recommended total with little issue.

Stick to Healthy Fats

Understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats will do wonders for your gallbladder. Unsaturated fats primarily come from plant-based foods and are very good for you, while saturated fats are over processed and difficult to digest. Stick with foods high in unsaturated fats, such as these nutritious options:

Nuts – peanuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans
Seeds – pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
Avocados
Corn
Fish

Unsaturated fat has two subcategories. Monounsaturated fats consist of one bond between fatty acids, while polyunsaturated fats have between two and six bonds. These fats have several amazing benefits for your gallbladder and body:

Improve blood cholesterol levels
Reduce inflammation
Stabilize heartbeat

Inflammation is one of the most common gallbladder ailments, so a healthy dose of unsaturated fats in your diet can help maintain its size and shape.

Choose Lean Alternatives

On the other hand, saturated fats should largely be avoided. Too many saturated fats raise cholesterol to unhealthy levels, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. The gallbladder has a hard time digesting them, which might lead to gallstones. You will find high amounts of saturated fat in these foods:

Fatty meat
Cheese
Full-fat dairy products
Butter
Sweets
Processed foods
Coconut oil

Conveniently, most of these foods have better alternatives. You can buy lean cuts of meat and low-fat dairy products. Replace butter with one of the oils we mentioned earlier. Instead of having cookies and cakes, try a healthier snack like apples with peanut butter. Processed foods are becoming more difficult to avoid, but getting healthy requires creativity.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

This advice applies to everyone, but fruits and vegetables especially help the gallbladder because of their high vitamin C and E levels. Vitamin C boosts collagen production, strengthens blood vessels, and supports the immune system. It also acts as an antioxidant, keeping your digestive tract clean and eliminating toxins.

Vitamin E is another antioxidant that prevents inflammation throughout the body, including the digestive system. The gallbladder benefits from all of these functions. While all fruits and veggies have exceptional levels of vitamins C and E, a handful of power foods have higher levels of both vitamins:

Berries
Kiwis
Cantaloupe
Broccoli
Baked potatoes
Citrus fruits

On top of high vitamin content, fruits and vegetables contain lots of water and fiber, which fill you up and help move digestion along smoothly.

Eliminate Fried Foods

You should wholeheartedly avoid fried foods in your diet. They’re usually high in saturated fats before preparation, but frying them adds a new layer (literally) of unhealthiness with additional calories and salt. Excess saturated fats, calories, and salt can cause heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other complications.

We usually prepare fried foods in vegetable oil, which triggers more unhealthy fats when cooked and can cause inflammation. Do your gallbladder a favor and cut fried foods from your diet as much as you can.

Cook With Olive Oil

Instead of using vegetable oil, cook with olive oil instead. Olive oil has a solid amount of unsaturated fats, which helps your gallbladder empty, as we mentioned earlier.

You should make olive oil the staple cooking ingredient of your diet. It’s much healthier than these options:

Butter
Canola oil
Peanut oil
Soybean oil
Sesame oil
Sunflower oil

If you can’t get your hands on olive oil, avocado and coconut oil are good choices too.

Have a Bit of Alcohol With Dinner

Drinking a glass of wine or beer with your dinner can have some surprising health benefits. Studies show that alcohol increases HDL or “good” cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of gallstones and gallbladder cancer.

However, moderation is the key. Don’t make a habit of drinking every night. Twice a week is more than enough.

Don’t Skip Meals

Your gallbladder releases bile every time you eat, so it’s essential to maintain a consistent eating schedule to keep the gallbladder from filling up too much. When bile builds up, it raises cholesterol to unhealthy levels and causes inflammation, which can harden into gallstones. Inflammation and gallstones are two of the leading causes of gallbladder cancer.

Eating regularly throughout the day keeps the gallbladder active and stable. It also benefits the entire body, giving you timely nutrients and preventing any vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Lose Weight Slowly

Consistent eating also encourages methodical weight loss, which is much better for your body than sudden weight loss. When your body drops a lot of pounds in a short timeframe, the gallbladder doesn’t release bile as efficiently and can accumulate excess fluids. Aim to lose a maximum of two pounds per week through diet and exercise. Your gallbladder and other digestive organs will thank you for it.

Consider Medical Treatments

When all else fails, you can turn to medical treatments. If you suspect your gallbladder has a serious condition, go to the hospital for an abdominal ultrasound and blood test. If they identify a large stone or infection, you will likely need a cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery. Without the gallbladder, bile will simply pass from the liver directly into the small intestine.

You can also try gallbladder medications to dissolve stones or fight infections. However, it may take months or years for the treatment to run its course. A cholecystectomy or diet change are the best bets for your long-term health.

Help Out Your Gallbladder

Although humans can technically survive without the gallbladder, it lightens the liver’s workload and assists in digestion by releasing bile at the right times. You can make the gallbladder’s job easier through a well-balanced diet that includes unsaturated fats, vitamins, plenty of fluids, and consistent eating. You can even throw a glass of wine into the mix.

Just remember: a proper diet only works to its full potential along with an active lifestyle. Get up and get moving!

DB5 Junior

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Aston Martin and The Little Car Company announced the DB5 Junior, a two-thirds scale electric junior car, has received the final seal of approval from Aston Martin’s High-Performance Development Driver Darren Turner. The outstanding quality of both the design and engineering of the DB5 Junior means that it can proudly wear the Aston Martin wings.

Carried out on the test track at Bicester Heritage, the three-time Le Mans class-winner and Aston Martin Works Racing Driver put the DB5 Junior through its paces, subjecting it to the same meticulous and thorough testing procedures as its full-size counterpart. Included in the testing, Turner monitored both the performance and handling on the Bicester Heritage test track, examining every detail on the vehicle from the responsiveness to weight distribution.

The DB5 Junior was born out of a partnership between Aston Martin and The Little Car Company to produce an all-electric two-thirds scale version of the brand’s most iconic car. Using an official 3D scan of an original DB5 to ensure complete accuracy and authenticity, the DB5 Junior has been intricately handcrafted to include as much detail as possible from the original car.

Darren Turner, High-Performance Development Driver for Aston Martin, said: “The DB5 Junior is certainly no toy. The quality and attention to detail on the car is amazing!

“Driving the car was epic; a real surprise actually. I wasn’t expecting so much performance from the vehicle and the handling was very authentic. Despite its reduced size, it still has all the charm and characteristics of an original DB5.”

Just 1,059 DB5 Juniors will be built to ensure exceptional exclusivity and to match the original production number of the original DB5 between 1963 and 1965.

Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company, said: “We’re extremely honored and proud to have had the DB5 Junior put through its paces by Darren Turner, confirming its status as an official Aston Martin. This achievement is testament to the hard work of the phenomenal team we have at The Little Car Company and reinforces that the DB5 Junior is worthy of bearing the Aston Martin wings.”

With an electric powertrain that delivers 5kW/6.7bhp to the rear wheels, drivers will be grateful for the integrated bucket seat. Power is transmitted to the road through 10″ wire wheels with four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, complemented by regenerative braking. A removable battery pack is stored under the opening bonnet, giving 10-20 miles (16-32km) driving range, depending on driving style. A second battery can be added, and each pack can be swapped for a replacement in a matter of seconds.

The junior car also has three integrated selectable driving modes:

A Novice mode with just 1kW/1.3 bhp of power for less experienced drivers with a 12mph (19 km/h) top speed. In this mode, a remote kill switch is included allowing the car to be remotely disabled at up to 30m. And if an enthusiastic novice disappears outside that 30m range, the car will automatically shut down and come to a gentle halt.
An Expert mode is provided for more experienced drivers with 5kW/6.7bhp of power and a 30mph (48 km/h) top speed.
Competition mode is a “Balance of Performance” (BOP) setting which allows the acceleration and top speed of the vehicle to be aligned with other The Little Car Company models for competition on an even playing field.

Finally, for the ultimate driving experience, a rally-style hydraulic handbrake is included. While strictly not necessary, it does add to the fun for the bigger kids among us.

The Vantage version of the original DB5 was known for its performance upgrade. For those who want more from their DB5 Junior, the DB5 Vantage Junior takes the pace up a level, too. While this elite model has the three driving modes of the standard car, there is also a fourth; Vantage mode, operated by a hidden ‘missile’ switch which doubles the power output to 10kW/13.4bhp and increases the top speed to a new level that is yet to be confirmed. Performance is further enhanced by the lightweight carbon fiber body and a second battery pack, doubling the range to 20-40 miles (32-64km) depending on driving style.

Aston Martin and The Little Car Company have recently launched an interactive online configurator for users to configure their very own DB5 Junior HERE.

Prospective buyers, who wish to secure one of the limited-edition DB5 Juniors, can click HERE to place a fully refundable deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. When these build slots are full, a waiting list will be put in place.

Pricing for the DB5 Junior begins at £35,000 plus local taxes, while the more powerful DB5 Vantage Junior starts from £45,000 plus local taxes. Existing Aston Martin DB5 owners will be given the first refusal on their DB5 Junior chassis number to match their full-size car.For those looking to take their DB5 Junior even further, The Little Car Company can upgrade the DB5 Junior to a No Time To Die Edition. Complete with Aston Martin and 007 badging, Silver Birch paintwork and Smiths instruments, each car features a number of iconic Bond gadgets including mini guns, cycling digital number plates, a smoke screen, and skid mode.

Watch DB5 in action HERE.

DIESEL NFT

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After a debut NFT collab with The Fabricant and Neuno recently, DIESEL’s place in the metaverse is expanding. Today, the company launches D:VERSE, a new NFT (non-fungible token) Collection that spans between the IRL and the virtual.

D:VERSE is an engaging platform that includes unique NFT editions of runway showpieces, as well as physical (and limited-run) garments, sneakers and accessories. It also provides access to the D:VERSE family – via which DIESEL NFT holders will be able to meet through a private Discord channel – and to the D:VERSE-KEY, a token that will give exclusive rights for discounted NFT pre-sales, raffles, free airdrops, additional metaverse wearables, and news about new gaming and projects that DIESEL will continue to build for its community.

DIESEL is kicking off D:VERSE with a NFT collection drop of one-of-a-kind showpieces from the Fall/Winter 2022 collection, which was just shown in Milan. These hero products (a fur jacket, a puffer jacket, a sneaker and an accessory) will be available on a first come, first serve basis until sold out—and one such NFT will be ultra-rare, in an edition of 1, with an exclusive auction taking place via Rarible, a DIESEL partner, on March 12.

The transformation of these physical products into the digital realm will come with a special customization-option dedicated to this launch. The limited-edition sneakers, in particular, will have a color-way released with a vote that’s determined by DIESEL’s NFT owners.

Subscription to D:VERSE’s Whitelist closes on the evening of March 10. This Whitelist sign-up gives users access to a pre-sale window for the first NFT drop. Then, the public sale starts on March 12 and will only be available for 55 hours.

Old money and cryptocurrencies are accepted, and, through the platform, DIESEL will offer a tutorial for setting up an e-wallet. Plus, if you’re not a crypto-head, don’t worry: NFTs will also be available to purchase on nft.diesel.com.