We are just a few weeks into the year, and it’s not hard to spot some trends that will influence us in 2019. While most are not exactly brand-spanking new, the rate in which they are becoming mainstream demands our attention. Here are a few that we can’t ignore.
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Celery Juice:
Celebs and fitness influencers have taken to Instagram to tout the benefits of celery juice. Advocates claim that drinking 16 oz. of pure celery juice on an empty stomach, (made from one whole bunch of celery stalks) will miraculously aid digestion, help you lose weight, lower blood pressure, reduce cancer risk and fight inflammation. While the jury is still out as to whether or not these claims are true, celery is low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients, so it certainly isn’t harmful if you want to give it a try.
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JOMO:
We all know the acronym FOMO, which stands for the “fear of missing out.” This year, it’s all about JOMO; the JOY of missing out. Where in the past we vowed to “lean in”, this year we are opting to “lean out”. Expanding on the concept of self-care, which is highly focused on self-indulgent “me time” activities, such as massages, facials, candlelit baths and meditation apps, this trend allows us to feel good about not doing anything at all. Think pajamas and fuzzy slippers, vs. luxury spa-wear, and popcorn vs. champagne and caviar.
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The Return of the Treadmill:
Don’t call it the “Dreadmill” anymore! High-intensity intervals are a challenging and effective way to log miles. We’ve been addicted to Spin class for years, and now it’s time to take that concept to the treadmill. Coached group runs are growing in popularity, and are a great way to build speed and endurance, interspersed with periods of active recovery. Peloton, who live streams cycling classes on their state of the art bike has just added a treadmill to their arsenal of exercise equipment, accompanied by a library of content for coached runs. I personally have a love|hate relationship with Equinox’s Precision Run class, where an instructor takes you through a series of intervals and elevations, based on your own personal record speed. (Spoiler alert: It’s HARD!!)
Fast | Casual | Healthy:
These are the buzzwords that define a growing trend in the restaurant business. Fast food giants are being challenged by casual spots that specialize in healthy fare. Look for organic grab and go, free of gluten, preservatives and added sugars, with a focus on sustainability. The price tag is commensurate with the higher quality so don’t expect to find dollar meals at these places. It is certainly an idea that has been around for a couple of years, but the sudden growth of this concept makes it notable.
Streaming:
We have been streaming things for years, but our appetite for watching what we want, when we want it, is only getting bigger. We all subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, like it is a basic human need. The fitness world is following suit in a big way. In addition to the above mentioned Peleton, others have entered the home workout market, with companies like Mirror getting into the act with individualized, interactive workouts streamed live into your living room. Think virtual, rather than digital. Many others offer digital on-demand subscription services for just a fraction of the cost of a gym membership. Need to check out for a bit? There’s an app for that! Guided meditation apps, such as Headspace, are available to help you shut down and recharge, right on your phone. Counterintuitive, or genius?
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CBD Oil:
Many states are legalizing marijuana, but in the meantime, a derivative, CBD oil is turning up virtually EVERYWHERE! Look for this THC-free extract to help promote relaxation in your cosmetics, foods, drinks, and candles.
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Immersive Experiences:
We are seeing a surge in popup, immersive experiences. From the Museum of Icecream, which premiered a couple of years ago, to today, a new crop of one of a kind experiences has emerged to delight us. Amex launched its “Live Life Experience” in Toronto which includes hidden rooms, an adult foam pit, mythical creatures, and a giant ramen bowl. “The Color Factory” currently features 20,000 square feet of interactive and colorful installations in collaboration with top artists providing the ultimate Instagramable experience. Last fall, New York’s Greenwich Village was home to “A Human’s Best Friend,” which boasted 8 rooms of dog-centric adventures for you and your pup, including a group of real live dogs available for adoption. Living for the ‘gram doesn’t come cheap though. The Color Factory costs $38 per person, and the price of admission for a Human’s Best Friend was $39 for a person and a pup and $29 for each additional human.
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The Next Big Vegetable of Note:
Cauliflower has taken over for the last couple of years, popping up in everything from pizza crusts, and Buffalo-style bites, to its appearance on fine dining tables across the country. Finally unseating its predecessor kale, cauliflower’s versatility gave it real staying power. It’s too early to be sure, but it might just be rainbow carrots that emerge as the big winner this year. The carrots, in their gorgeous range of colors, are popping up in every new cookbook that I touch. West African flavors, such as rose harissa and dukkah, elevate them to cult status. Others are talking about mushrooms, both for their umami flavor and meaty texture, as a stand-in for animal products, as well as for their adaptogen properties. Kelp is another sea vegetable that is getting a lot of hype. Let’s see where the greenmarket takes us on this one.
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Paring Down |Tidying Up:
Organizational guru Marie Kondo is famous for her books on the art of tidying. Her new show, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” premiered on Netflix a couple of weeks ago, and set off a new fury of purging and organizing among viewers. Ridding oneself of things that don’t “spark joy” is a concept taking the Netflix-viewing nation by a storm this month. Since we are now content to stay inside and lounge around streaming content, we might as well do it in a clutter-free and serene environment. So light up that CBD candle, put on your sweats, stream the new show to inspire you, sip some celery juice, and get organized!
Indigo jones 