Published May 1, 2023

I Tried Stirring CBD Into My Beverages for a Zero-Effort Wellness Moment—Here Are My Honest Thoughts

When I need a wellness moment with no added effort, I reach for these CBD stir sticks. Here is why they've become a part of my daily routine.

I Tried Stirring CBD Into My Beverages for a Zero-Effort Wellness Moment—Here Are My Honest Thoughts

When I need a wellness moment with no added effort, I reach for these CBD stir sticks. Here is why they've become a part of my daily routine.

Published May 1, 2023

In Partnership With

The Vitamin Shoppe

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Photo: Stocksy/Marija Savic Studio & W+G Creative

Published May 1, 2023

In Partnership With

The Vitamin Shoppe

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Two things about me: One, I’m a beverage girl. My emotional-support water bottle is on me at all times, and I live for sipping on new, fun drinks. Two, I’m constantly on the move. I thrive on a jam-packed schedule, which means I don’t carve out a lot of time for relaxing.

When I do stumble on an unoccupied minute, I find it hard to actually unwind—so I’m always on the lookout for low-effort tips and tricks to help me chill out. You might be thinking, “This girl needs to try CBD!” The truth is, despite the ever-expanding world of cannabis, I hadn’t exactly dipped my toes in yet—that is, until I heard about HOLISTIK Wellness CBD stir sticks. Given my love of all things sippable and all things on-the-go, my interest piqued at the thought of creating a calming wellness moment that’s also portable.

The sticks come in a variety of formulas that combine CBD with other ingredients to help you target your wellness goals: focus, sleep, and stress, all of which are newly available at The Vitamin Shoppe^®. While I awaited their arrival, I tapped Jamie Evans, CBD expert and author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD, for the 411 on my latest attempt at self care.

“Before using CBD, it’s best to determine why you want to take it and then figure out how you’re going to integrate it into your routine based on your particular needs,” Evans says. And once you kick off your CBD regimen, consider it a long-term play. “Although you might not feel it right away, you will begin to notice its benefits over time.”

Bottom line, Evans says that taking CBD regularly can affect systems in your body that influence things like mood, memory, and more. With that in mind, I was sold—and even more excited to give HOLISTIK Wellness CBD stir sticks a try. Keep reading for my honest thoughts after a few weeks of zero-effort sipping.

Finding focus

Clearing my head isn’t always easy. Sitting down and focusing on one thing can be hard for me, whether I’m halfway through a work assignment or desperately trying to finish a novel the day before book club.

According to Evans, CBD can help by increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), which affects memory, higher thought processes, and more.

Before I settled in to read the last few chapters of my book, I peeled the seal off the HOLISTIK Wellness focus stick—made with lion’s mane and green coffee beans to support cognitive function—and put it to the test. Shortly after stirring it into a steamy cup of tea, I noticed my shoulders relax a bit. And I nearly forgot to take note of my focus, because I was so absorbed in my novel. Verdict: I’ll definitely reach for another focus stick next time I need some uninterrupted brain power (like, before next month’s book club gathering).

Resting up

For me, falling asleep doesn’t come naturally. I toss and turn for hours before my mind decides to stop fretting over that one awkward interaction I had three years ago.

So, after learning about CBD’s calming effects on the central nervous system (which can positively affect your snooze), I was seriously crossing my fingers it could help me chillax pre-slumber. Blessedly, out of all the CBD stir sticks I tried, I experienced the most tangible benefits from the sleep variety. I mixed it into the glass of water that lives on my nightstand, and after scrolling on my phone for a few minutes (guilty), sleep came more easily than usual thanks to complementary ingredients like melatonin and chamomile.

The biggest difference I noticed, though, was how I woke up: an hour before my alarm rang and feeling seriously well-rested, which happens approximately never. These sticks are officially invited into my nightly routine.

Stressing less

Recently, I had a particularly high-anxiety day at work that left me feeling flustered. Remembering that Evans said that CBD has been linked to instilling a sense of calm, I decided to give my stress stir stick a try for a bit of reprieve without major effort.

“The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is often depleted when we are experiencing chronic stress,” she says (burnout, anyone?). Integrating CBD into your daily health routine can help rebalance your ECS and restore those diminished endocannabinoids.

Stirred into my emotional-support water bottle during a quick break between meetings, the stress stick had a few subtle-yet-immediate effects. My chest felt a little less tight, and my mind felt more at ease—and thanks to the combo of CBD and lemon balm, it was just the refresher my beverage-loving taste buds were after. You can officially count me as a card-carrying member of the CBD fan club.

Want to try HOLISTIK Wellness CBD stir sticks for yourself? Score some for 20 percent off at The Vitamin Shoppe from May 1 to 14!

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Food Nutrition

Published Feb 21, 2025

Why Are People Suddenly Eating Handfuls of Spinach Straight From the Fridge?

TL;DR: You don’t have to eat raw spinach out of the container like a raccoon to get the nutritional benefits.

Why Are People Suddenly Eating Handfuls of Spinach Straight From the Fridge?

TL;DR: You don’t have to eat raw spinach out of the container like a raccoon to get the nutritional benefits.

Published Feb 21, 2025

Written by

Emily Ziemski

Photo: Getty

Published Feb 21, 2025

Written by

Emily Ziemski

TikTok is full of microtrends, especially when it comes to food. Eating a whole cucumber, making protein Diet Coke; remember the baked feta pasta? The list is endless and frankly, can be a bit silly. The latest: Creators shoving a whole handful of spinach into their mouths, citing a “max nutritional benefit boost” by doing so.

Searching for videos about eating a handful of spinach yields hundreds of people looking vaguely uncomfortable while trying to chew and swallow, well, a whole handful of raw, unseasoned spinach. Of course, I have questions. Is this the cinnamon challenge but with vegetables? Do you hate joy? And, the most important, is this *actually* the best way to get nutritional benefits from spinach?

What is this trend, exactly?

Cropping up in feeds in early February, the TikTok videos hinge on two key factors: The spinach has to be raw, and you have to eat it first thing in the morning. One handful seems to do the trick for most, and it appears that nothing else is consumed alongside the spinach. Just a whole bunch of raw spinach. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

Surely, it would be easier to incorporate it into the smoothie you’re already planning to have, or the omelet you just made, but here we are.

Why are people doing this?

According to these videos, besides kicking off your day with multiple vitamins, iron, and potassium, some claim it can also “curb carb and sugar cravings” while others assert that doing this every morning helps “train your tastebuds for the day.”

For me, this feels like it’s veering into the 90s and early aughts culture of “no pain no gain,” a mindset that had us doing things like scrubbing our faces with apricot shells every night, and only eating cabbage soup for every meal.

Not to say those things aren’t great in moderation (gentle exfoliation is wonderful for the skin, and cabbage is a great, nutritionally dense vegetable), but banking your health on one, singular thing isn’t a great road to success. “I think that spinach is obviously a very nutritious food, but it doesn’t contain the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that one needs daily,” says Christina Manian, RDN, a sustainable food systems professional. “In terms of claims that doing this first thing in the morning hacks your body’s cravings for the rest of the day, I’m not sure whether that’s true.”

So, what’s the actual science behind this trend?

Realistically, there’s just not a lot of science that backs up these claims of tastebud training and curbed hunger. Research done by the University of Buffalo on bitter foods showed that when feeding bitter foods (like leafy greens) to rats, a protein-based salivary compound that was activated when eating something bitter could be trained to increase over time.

Basically, the press release stated that when that protein was activated, “the bitter tastes like water.” So, the rats could eat more of the bitter foods without minding the taste. It is important to note that studies done in mice and rats don’t translate well to human consequences, as our physiological differences, like hormonal makeup and immune systems, vary too much from these lab mice/rat studies to be able to draw any definite conclusions. In fact, human-based studies show that denying food cravings can actually lead to increased appetites, and even bingeing behaviors.

However, it’s not all bad news. There is a lot of info that shows food sequencing—starting each meal by eating vegetables, then protein, then everything else—*does* indeed help with hunger cues, satiety, and better blood sugar control. “I often enjoy spinach in the morning (usually cooked with tofu or eggs and whole grain toast) but don’t feel called to eat it raw as the very first thing I put into my body,” says Manian.

Should you do this trend?

There’s truly no harm (except maybe a minor choking hazard?) in trying this trend. “Considering how most Americans aren't eating enough veggies, I'll count this as a win,” says Lauren Manaker, RDN, a women’s nutrition expert and consultant. “They are still getting fiber and plant compounds when they eat it by the handful.”

If you’re like me, and seeing a new internet trend makes you feel like the oldest, crankiest person on planet earth, take solace in knowing that dietitians believe adding spinach to any part of your daily meal plan is a total win. “Overall, eating raw spinach is an excellent practice, as is eating cooked spinach,” says Manian. “I think if [people] are doing this any time of the day, that’s fantastic, and if they feel inclined to eat spinach in the morning, then that's also wonderful.”

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Food

Published Feb 20, 2025

The Making of an Internet-Famous Fruit: How Sumo Citrus Has Captured Hearts, Tastebuds, and a Devoted Following

Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With

Sumo Citrus

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Photo: Sumo Citrus® & W+G Creative

Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With

Sumo Citrus

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Confession time: I love citrus—zesty limes squeezed on my tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice on slow Sunday mornings, and the invigorating scent of grapefruit candles when I need to unwind. But when it comes to eating whole citrus fruits? Historically, not my thing. The mess of peeling, the sticky fingers, the rogue juice dribbling down my wrists—for me, most citrus has never been worth the (literal) squeeze.

Then, one day, my roommate came home from the store with an oversized citrus I didn’t recognize. She told me I had to try a piece, while effortlessly peeling it in one smooth motion—no mess, no struggle. I skeptically accepted a slice, wondering what the big deal was.

To my surprise, the experience was completely sticky-fingers-free. And the taste? Unlike any citrus I’d had before—enormously sweet, impossibly juicy, and balanced with just a hint of tang. That was my first bite of Sumo Citrus^®—and now, I understand why The Office actress Jenna Fischer planted a Sumo Citrus tree in her yard, John Mayer peeled it on TikTok, and it has its very own merch (kind of eyeing that beanie, TBH).

So, what’s earned Sumo Citrus this devoted following? Sumo is taking the sweetness on the road for you to experience it yourself with the Tastemonial Tour—and it’s making a special stop at House of Good during our Ultimate Citrus Experience pop-up from February 21 to 23. Stop by for the hype if you're in Los Angeles, and read on to find out how this one-of-a-kind fruit became a seasonal fruit fixation.

Find Sumo Citrus Near You

Sumo Citrus wasn’t just plucked from a tree one day and marketed as the next big thing—it’s the result of decades of careful cultivation, according to Sunnia Gull, AC Food’s vice president of marketing. First developed in Japan in the 1970s, it was naturally bred to combine the best traits of different citrus varieties—including the sweetness of mandarins, the juiciness of navel oranges, and the easy-to-peel skin of a satsuma.

Despite its popularity, growing Sumo Citrus is no easy feat. It takes years of expertise to perfect, and California’s Central Valley is the only place in the United States where it’s grown. Even then, farmers face unpredictable weather challenges, which means every piece of fruit that makes it to the store is a result of careful tending and patience.

The first thing you notice about Sumo Citrus is its size—it’s the largest variety of mandarins. The second? Its signature Top Knot^®, a bump on top of the fruit that serves as an easier way to peel it. The skin practically lifts off, revealing plump, seedless segments that don’t leave your hands coated in juice and stubborn pith.

Every Sumo Citrus is guaranteed to be incredibly sweet, thanks to each being measured on the “brix meter,” to ensure it meets sky-high sweetness standards before hitting shelves, Gull says. For those who prefer their fruit without surprise sour bites, it’s a game-changer.

Beyond its chef’s-kiss flavor and finally-I-don’t-need-a-wet-wipe convenience, Sumo Citrus packs a *serious* nutritional punch. Each fruit contains 163 percent of your daily vitamin C, along with fiber, potassium, and a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has antioxidant benefits. Whether you’re looking for immunity support, a gut-friendly snack, or a natural energy source, it fits the bill. Bonus: It’s the kind of snack I can toss in my bag and eat in two minutes flat—way better than the sad granola bar that’s been in my purse for the past three months.

And while Sumo Citrus is made to eat straight out of the peel, fans have gotten creative with how they use it. The fruit’s sweetness and juiciness make it an ideal addition to everything from bright citrus salads to zesty cocktails and refreshing desserts. Its bold flavor also complements savory dishes—think citrus-glazed salmon or a tangy dressing for roasted vegetables.

All of that creativity may be a result of the fact that Sumo Citrus is here for a good time, but not a long time. Unlike standard grocery store oranges that are available year-round, Sumo Citrus has a limited growing season, running only from January to April. This short window has created an almost cult-like following, with fans stocking up as soon as they see the signature purple sticker in stores.

I get it—now that I’ve experienced Sumo, I fully understand the impulse to grab them while they last. The anticipation is almost part of the appeal: Like cherry blossom season or holiday peppermint mochas, Sumo’s fleeting availability makes it even more special. And when the season ends? People (me) are already counting down the days until its return. Conclusion: Do yourself a favor and grab a few before they disappear for the year. Because once you’ve had a taste of this juicy citrus, there’s no going back.

Psst: Want a taste ASAP? The Sumo Tastemonial Tour is rolling into Belmont Park in San Diego from February 28 to March 1, Boreal Ski Resort in Tahoe from March 7 to 8, Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas from March 10 to 11, and La Encantada in Tuscon from March 14 to 15—or stop by House of Good in Venice Beach for the Ultimate Citrus Experience from February 21 to 23.