• Fourteen hotels were named the best boutique hotels in the world for 2018.
• Boutique Hotel Awards chose a series of standout boutique hotels from more than 300 nominees in 80 countries.
• The hotels were judged on dining and entertainment, design, facilities, location, service, and "overall emotional impact."
• A hotel in Bali was named the best overall boutique hotel, while hotels in Portugal, South Africa, Greece, New Zealand, and other countries also won top honors.

A hotel has the possibility to make or break your vacation — but, if it's one of the best boutique hotels in the world, chances are you'll be in very, very good hands.

In 2018's Boutique Hotel Awards, fourteen hotels around the world took home top honors in a range of categories.

The hotels were judged on "all aspects of the guest experience covering six categories: dining and entertainment, design, facilities, location and, most importantly, staff service and overall emotional impact," according to the news release.

A hotel in Bali was named the best overall boutique hotel, while hotels in Portugal, South Africa, Greece, New Zealand, and other countries also won top spots. Categories include World's Best Beach or Coastal Hotel, Best Honeymoon Hideaway, Most Stunning Views, and more.

Here are the top boutique hotels in the world, from a beachside retreat in the Maldives to a wellness resort in Austria.

SEE ALSO: Disappointing photos show what 9 top luxury destinations look like in real life

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World's Best Beach or Coastal Hotel: Reethi Faru Resort

Location: Filaidhoo, Maldives
Rates starting at: $171

World's Best City Explorer: Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel

Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Rates starting at: $133

World's Best Classic Elegance Hotel: Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage

Location: Bruges, Belgium
Rates starting at: $222

• A billionaire who has produced movies including "Crazy Rich Asians" is selling a one-bedroom apartment in New York City for $39.5 million.
• It takes up an entire floor of Manhattan's iconic Ritz-Carlton building and is one of just 11 homes at the Ritz-Carlton Residences.
• The 8,000-square-foot home includes a 2,000-square-foot master suite, onyx and marble bathrooms, and a 53-foot terrace with front-and-center views of Central Park.

A lavish one-bedroom apartment in New York City's iconic Ritz-Carlton building has hit the market for $39.5 million.

The seller is Sidney Kimmel, a billionaire movie producer worth an estimated $1.3 billion, according to Forbes.

His New York City apartment, one of just 11 residences in the Ritz-Carlton across the street from Central Park, is on the market for $39.5 million, listed by Corcoran. Kimmel and his wife bought the apartment in 2001 for $22.3 million, according to Curbed, and commissioned architect Thierry Despont to redesign the space, which includes a 2,000-square-foot master suite, two terraces, two elegant dressing rooms, a full gym, and two onyx and marble bathrooms. 

Kimmel made his fortune in retail by founding Jones Group, an apparel company, that went on to sell brands including Stuart Weitzman and Nine West. More recently, he founded SK Global, an entertainment company, through which he was a producer for movies including the 2018 hit film "Crazy Rich Asians" along with "Moneyball" and "The Kite Runner."

Here's a look inside the opulent home, with its unbeatable views of Central Park.

SEE ALSO: This $245 million Los Angeles mansion is the most expensive home for sale in the US — and it costs 960 times more than a typical US home

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The one-bedroom apartment is in the iconic and historic Ritz-Carlton building, a luxury hotel that includes 11 permanent residences.

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Source: Ritz Carlton, Corcoran

The building at 50 Central Park South was originally the St. Moritz Hotel from 1930 to 1999. After extensive renovations, the hotel reopened in 2002 as the Ritz Carlton.

Source: Ritz Carlton

Sidney Kimmel's one-bedroom apartment takes up the entire 27th floor of the building, spanning more than 8,000 square feet. The grand entryway offers an elegant welcome to the home.

Source: Corcoran

• Aer Lingus is Ireland's national airline.
• Since 2015, Aer Lingus has been part of International Airlines Group or IAG and is a sister company of British Airways and Iberia. 
• We recently had the chance to fly Aer Lingus between New York and the airline's home base in Dublin on board a new Airbus A330. 
• We were impressed with the airline's service, cabin amenities, and entertainment options.

Ireland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. In 2017, nearly 9 million people visited the island nation, 1.7 million of which hailed from North America. 

Aer Lingus was founded in 1936 and is Ireland's national airline despite the fact that it's actually the country's second-largest carrier behind ultra-low-cost giant Ryanair.

In case you're wondering, its name is an anglicization of the Irish words for "air fleet."

In the late 2000s, Aer Lingus suffered greatly from the fallout of the financial crisis. This led to a succession of failed takeover attempts by Ryanair. 

International Airlines Group or IAG completed a €1.5 billion or $1.7 million takeover of Aer Lingus in late 2015, making the airline a sister company of legacy brands like British Airways and Iberia. 

Read more: I flew Virgin Atlantic from London to New York to see if Richard Branson's airline is still one of the world's best — here's the verdict.

These days, Aer Lingus is a four-star airline according to the reviewers at consumer aviation website Skytrax and operates a fleet of around 50 Airbus and Boeing jets. 

Recently, I had the chance to visit the Emerald Isle with my fiance and as part of the experience, we chose to fly Aer Lingus between Newark Liberty International Airport just outside of New York and the airline's home base in Dublin Airport. 

Aer Lingus operates flights to 13 US cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Seattle. The airline also flies to two destinations in Canada; Toronto and Montreal. 

We took Aer Lingus Flight EI100 to Dublin and returned home on Flight EI101. 

Here's a look at our experience in economy class on board Aer Lingus Flight EI101 from Dublin to Newark. 

SEE ALSO: The 21 safest airlines in the world

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After a weekend of fun in Ireland, it was time to return home. We arrived at Dublin Airport Terminal 2 nearly three hours early for our flight. We'll explain why in a bit.

I had trouble checking in to the flight using the Aer Lingus website and app.

And... the kiosk didn't work either.

While the world of cocktails may seem to be constantly evolving, year after year it's the classic recipes that customers continue to demand.

In its January issue, Drinks International released its list of the world's best-selling classic cocktails in 2019 — and it shows that while bartenders may put a modern spin on old recipes, the desire for established, sophisticated drinks remains.

The website asked bartenders from 127 of the best bars in 38 countries around the world — all of which have won or been nominated for global awards over the past year — to rank their 10 best-selling cocktails.

Read more: The 30 best-selling cocktails in the world in 2018

It then weighted and ranked each drink to compile the list.

From Moscow mules to mai tais, scroll down to see the 50 best-selling cocktails in the world, ranked in ascending order, and to see how many you've tried.

50. White Russian

Made popular in the '90s by "The Big Lebowski," this vodka, cream, and coffee-liqueur cocktail may not be as trendy as it once was, but it still made its way into the top 50.

49. Bellini

Invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harry's Bar in Venice, the Bellini may not be considered to be a cocktail by some, with only two ingredients — prosecco and peach purée or nectar.

48. Champagne Cocktail

Made with sugar, Angostura bitters, Champagne, brandy, and a maraschino cherry as a garnish, the Champagne Cocktail seems a little outdated next to some of its more modern contenders.

• Real estate consultancy Knight Frank's report on global ultra-prime destinations includes four ski destinations.
• Three of those are in the Alps, including St. Moritz, the hidden gem beloved by the 1%.
• Aspen is the only American market represented in the list of ultra-prime real estate markets.

The world's wealthiest people are buying homes in four main ski destinations globally, and they're focused mostly in the Alps. The only exception to the European dominance in this field — and it comes as no major surprise, given its reputation and prices — can be found in Aspen, Colorado.

That's according to a recent Knight Frank report on the global ultra-prime market, which looks at destinations that have seen at least three home sales over $25 million every year for the past three years running.

Those four ski destinations fit into a larger scheme of 17 total ultra-prime destinations, including cities like London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

While the town is home to a year-round population of only about 7,400, Aspen has for years been recognized as a hot spot for the rich and famous, attracting the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Elton John, and Jack Nicholson.

Media mogul Lachlan Murdoch numbers amongst the high net-worth individuals who have contributed to Aspen's ultra-prime standing; in 2017, he bought a $29 million mansion that includes a horse stable and a 300-bottle wine cellar.

Read more: 50 of the best ski resorts to visit this winter in the US and Canada, ranked from most expensive to least

The three European ski destinations can be found in St. Moritz, Courchevel, and Gstaad. The first two, in particular, are familiar names amongst celebrities and business moguls looking to kick back in style on and off the slopes, and both are host to resorts that have historically been listed amongst the most expensive in the world.

St. Moritz is, as Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower previously reported, a Swiss resort "... with world-class skiing, the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, twice a home to the Winter Olympics, and a hidden gem for the one percent."

Gstaad, meanwhile, also in Switzerland, is home to the winter campus of the world's most expensive school, Switzerland's Institut Le Rosey.

SEE ALSO: A new report reveals the 17 most popular housing markets for the world's richest people, and a notoriously expensive city is missing from the list

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The 3 best holiday gifts for a wine lover — according to a top sommelier

• Sam Shank, CEO of booking app HotelTonight, gets up at 5:15 every morning, even though he wasn't always a morning person.
• He says that starting his morning with a workout class helped him adjust to the new routine.
• The penalties incurred by missed classes and the expectation of seeing the same people in workout classes were key parts of making the change stick.

Sam Shank wasn't always a morning person. Nowadays, though, the HotelTonight CEO starts every morning bright and early.

"I get up at 5:15 every morning, and if you'd told me five years ago that I'd be getting up that early, I'd be like, 'you're crazy,'" he recently told Business Insider.

As someone who wasn't necessarily hardwired for early mornings, Shank used to exercise after work. However, moving those workouts to the beginning of the day proved "transformational" for his lifestyle: Getting his exercise — which varies from HIIT workouts and boot camp classes to pilates and yoga — done in the morning allows him to be in the office by 7:30 a.m. and fuels him with energy for the whole day. It also frees up time in the evening to spend with his family.

As for the trick that got him to stick to the routine, Shank found the solution in gym classes.

"It was committing to an exercise class," he said. "There's a penalty if you don't show up at Equinox or ClassPass ... and there's an expectation where you see the same people all the time."

"That commitment was key for me," he added.

Shank launched the online travel company in January 2011. Users are able to book discounted, last-minute hotel rooms via its app or mobile site, and they can access a wide range of hotels across international destinations.

Read more: The CEO of a top travel app says the best boutique hotels all have the same 2 things in common, no matter what city they're in

His morning routine puts him in good company. Early mornings are a common feature of many successful peoples' routines, from actors like Melissa McCarthy, who gets up at 4:30 a.m. and starts her day with a "carefully curated" routine to CEOs like Tim Cook, who reportedly starts his day at 3:45 a.m.

But a morning workout is just one way in which the CEO is deliberate with his time.

He also noted that he blocks out what he calls "Sam time" on his calendar: two- to three-hour chunks that he purposely leaves unplanned and unscheduled. He uses that time for anything from talking to members of his 260-person team and checking in with mentors to delving into any given detail of his company's work.

"I made it a goal for my assistant to put those in my calendar for five hours a week," Shank explained.

SEE ALSO: I interviewed over 300 highly successful people about their morning routines — here are 5 things they do to have a focused and productive day, every day

READ MORE: What your daily routine should look like, according to science

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Barbara Corcoran on Donald Trump: 'He is the best salesman I've ever met in my life'

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network.

• When American Express launched its new American Express® Gold Card in October, it also introduced a special, limited-edition rose gold version of the card. 
• The new design — the regular version of the new Gold Card is a metallic gold — comes in addition to competitive rewards on restaurants and supermarkets in the US, airfare, and more.
• You can request the rose gold card if you're a new applicant, or currently hold AmEx's previous version of the card, the Premier Rewards Gold. 
• However, the rose gold version is only available until January 9.
• New cardholders can also get a unique, limited-time welcome bonus if they apply before the same date.
• Here's what you need to know about the AmEx Gold Card.

SEE ALSO: The AmEx Platinum is available to active duty servicemembers at no annual fee — but even with the fee, the credit card is a great value

Join the conversation about this story »

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Dandy Blend, an herbal coffee substitute, features dandelion root, chicory root, barley, and rye and tastes just like the real thing.

• Coffee, with its high acid content and diuretic properties, can lead to dry, inflamed skin, but Dandy Blend is packed with vitamins and nutrients that aid in the overall health of the body — including skin health.

Quitting coffee is one of those things I dabble in, without fail, at the beginning of every new year.

Intellectually, I know the habit isn't great for my body — but I always go back to it because, as researchers have shown, caffeine addiction is real. Some of the symptoms of coffee withdrawal prove it: Headaches, fatigue, and irritability set in when the caffeine-spiked morning Venti goes away.

I have another theory about coffee addiction, though. In my experience, the habit of making, pouring, grabbing, and sipping on a cuppa is just as addictive as the caffeine itself. When my hand is grasped around a warm mug and that sweet-bitter taste hits my tongue, I feel like the day has officially begun. So when I made up my mind to quit coffee once and for all, I knew I needed a replacement habit — something that would easily fit into my already-established morning routine and trick my body into perking up.

Enter herbal coffee, or more specifically, Dandy Blend.

Dandy is an herbal blend featuring dandelion root, chicory root, barley, and rye. It looks strikingly similar to instant coffee and is just as easy make; you simply scoop a heaping tablespoon or two into a hot cup of water and stir. Voilá! "Java" is served. But where Dandy differs from other herbal coffee alternatives I've tried is that it actually tastes like the real thing. Chicory root mimics that full-bodied coffee taste I've grown to love, but in a slightly earthier way.

With Dandy Blend in my cup, my first two coffee-free weeks flew by without any of the headaches and irritability I anticipated… probably because Dandy Blend is more than just a coffee substitute — it's actually healthy. Whereas coffee is highly acidic (which can cause heartburn and stomach issues) and a diuretic (which leaves the body dehydrated), Dandy Blend can reduce inflammation in the body (thanks to dandelion root) and regulate digestion (courtesy of barley and chicory root).

But the biggest change I noticed from cutting out coffee? My skin started to G-L-O-W.

"Coffee may cause insulin resistance, which is your body's ability to process sugar, and that can stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce extra oil," Jill Therese, a skin and nutrition specialist and the founder of Heal Your Face With Food, tells Business Insider. "Excess oil can lead to blocked pores on the skin and potential breakouts." Additionally, the caffeine content in coffee directly stimulates the adrenal glands. "This overstimulation of the adrenals over time can lead to dehydration and premature aging down the road," Therese says. So if you struggle with problem skin and consume coffee on a daily basis, you may want to cut back to see if caffeine is the culprit.

My improved skin tone wasn't just a result of eliminating coffee — it turns out, Dandy Blend is full of glow-inducing vitamins and minerals, too. "Dandelion root is like the nectar of the gods for your skin because of its ability to support the liver's detoxification process," Therese notes.

The liver has long been connected to skin issues, since it's basically the body's detox center. When the liver isn't functioning properly, it doesn't filter toxins out of the body, and these toxins can show up on your skin in the form of pimples, rashes, and even eczema and psoriasis. "Dandelion increases the flow of bile in the liver and as a result, all excess hormones and toxins are efficiently processed out of the body," Therese explains. "This leads to better digestion, less stress, and much clearer skin."

The chicory root in Dandy Blend helps as well. It's packed with antioxidants to neutralize the effects of pollution on the skin (like wrinkles, fine lines, inflammation, and age spots) and features high levels of Vitamins A and K — two of the most important vitamins for skin health. Vitamin A is famous for its anti-aging and anti-acne properties, while Vitamin K boosts the body's ability to heal, so skin issues clear up faster and don't leave scars behind.

As soon as I realized that ditching my daily cup of joe in favor of Dandy Blend would lead to better skin, I knew I'd be off coffee for good. I've even altered my go-to Dandy recipe to include additional skin-boosting benefits.

Want my clear skin recipe?

In an eight ounce cup of hot water, I mix together one tablespoon of Dandy Blend, a half tablespoon of bone broth collagen (for plumper, firmer-looking skin), and one tablespoon of coconut oil (since healthy fats help to keep skin moisturized from the inside out). You can also make this with cold water and add ice cubes, if you're into a cold brew-esque experience.

After a week of Dandy, I promise you won't miss coffee — or the inflammation, dehydration, and dull skin that come with it — at all.

Buy Dandy Blend Herbal Coffee at Amazon from $13

SEE ALSO: This $12 magnesium and vitamin C serum brightened my dull, tired skin practically overnight

DON'T MISS: This $8 reusable K-cup filter saves me more than $1,000 a year on coffee

Join the conversation about this story »

• World Economic Forum says the global gender gap will take 108 years to close around the world.
• When it comes to economic gender disparities, the gap will take in excess of 200 years to eliminate.
• The WEF's survey shows that Iceland has the lowest gender gap, while the highest gap is in the civil war stricken state of Yemen.
• USA ranked 51st globally, while the UK was 15th.

It will take more than 200 years for economic gender equality to emerge, and 108 years to completely close the global gender gap across politics, health, education, according to the latest report from the World Economic Forum.

The WEF's annual Global Gender Gap Report compares attitudes towards gender equality around the world. It considered factors such as educational opportunities available to each gender, life expectancy, literacy rates, the number of women in professional positions, and in positions of power in each country.

The WEF surveyed men and women in 149 countries to compile the list.

"Stagnation in the proportion of women in the workplace and women’s declining representation in politics, coupled with greater inequality in access to health and education, offset improvements in wage equality and the number of women in professional positions, leaving the global gender gap only slightly reduced in 2018," the World Economic Forum's report said.

Each nation is given a score out of 1, with higher scores indicating a greater level of gender equality. The USA was right in the middle of the pack with a score of 0.72, ranking 51st out of 149 nations.

Check out the best and worst countries for gender equality, as well as the global averages, below:

SEE ALSO: 6 charts show how much more men make than women

DON'T MISS: This is what could happen if Roe v. Wade fell

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The legendary economist who predicted the housing crisis says the US will win the trade war

• Wines at Costco have a reputation for being high-quality and high-value — and they've attracted a whole community of fans through the independently run Costco Wine Blog.
• Business Insider spoke to Costco Wine Blog founder Andrew Cullen and reviewer Erin Reyes about what makes the warehouse's wines so special.
• The pair singled out Costco's ability to wrangle tempting deals, as well as its attention to quality.

Lots of Costco members have a rosy — or should we say rosé? — view of their warehouse's wine selection.

That's especially true among followers of the Costco Wine Blog. This blog features detailed reviews of Costco's selection of reds, whites, rosés, and bubblies, as well as forums for members.

Founder and editor Andrew Cullen told Business Insider that he's always been a fan of Costco wines. After one of his early blog posts about wine at Costco blew up, he realized that he'd stumbled into a community of like-minded members.

"Everyone's looking for the same thing, myself included," Cullen told Business Insider. "We want to find really good wine at really good prices. That's it. Costco's a really good place to do that."

Business Insider spoke to Cullen and contributing reviewer Erin Reyes about what sets Costco apart, in terms of its wine section.

Read more: Costco wine experts dish on their favorite picks and deals that you can only get at the warehouse chain

Both reviewers stressed the fact that the blog is completely independent of the members-only warehouse club.

"I really felt it was important to retain the freedom to do and say whatever we want, however we want, whenever we wanted," Cullen said. "We're trying to help people find good stuff and avoid bad stuff."

But according to Cullen and Reyes, most of the offerings out of Costco's wine section qualify as "good stuff."

Reyes said that the power Costco wields over suppliers is a key factor in its ability to provide members with an array of high-value wines.

"Costco has a unique purchasing power for wine because they're able to buy so much at one time," Reyes said. "And, for the most part, anyone would want their wine to be stocked in Costco. There's so many people who go through looking for the wine."

That purchasing power often shows up at the cash register.

"Just in my experience, their wine prices are from 0% to 40% better than other outlets," Cullen said.

Beyond the price tags, Reyes said that Costco also takes care to provide a "good variety" of wines, and continuously adds new bottles every week.

"There's always something to look forward to," she said. "Sometimes, there are unique wines that are hard to find that will just show up and then they're gone. And then they never come back again, so that's kind of intriguing."

That being said, there is a limit to Costco's wine selection. Cullen added that it's more like a "curated wine collection" than an all-encompassing, expansive stock. But for Cullen, a crucial part of that "curated wine collection" is the warehouse chain's in-store line of Kirkland Signature wines.

Costco oftentimes partners up with major vineyards to create these Kirkland Signature offerings, so you might just be purchasing a particularly fancy or notable wine at a reduced price and under a different name.

"Having access to those is a huge, huge benefit for any Costco member and wine shopper," Cullen said. "You can only get them at Costco. There's been a few Kirkland duds, and we definitely call those out. But I think they're a really big benefit."

SEE ALSO: 8 mistakes you should avoid when shopping for wine at Costco

DON'T MISS: 13 tips for getting the best deals on wine at Costco

SEE ALSO: What happens when you show up at Costco without a membership card, according to employees

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We tried the Costco food court and it totally blew us away

• After years spending New Year’s in New York City at bar crawls, house parties, and underground raves, I was determined to find a New Year’s Eve party while visiting Morocco that would blow the bash in Times Square out of the water.
• I scoured the internet and found out there was an all-night dance party arranged by Moroccan electronic-music partiers RAK Electronik in the Agafay Desert, a lunar landscape just an hour outside of Marrakech. I bought tickets.
• With just 130 attendees and music blasting all night amid a stunning landscape, this New Year’s Eve bash was one I won’t soon forget.

Every year, I scramble for something to do come New Year’s Eve. Living in New York City, as I have for the last seven years, can be a bit exhausting around that time of year.

There’s the huge expectation that you want to do something cool and the crushing realization that all the bars cost hundreds of dollars a person. Some years, I’ve pushed myself to do a bar crawl at the few free bars in Brooklyn or, when I’ve gotten lucky, some far-out underground party. But most of the time, New Year’s means having a few friends over and watching the ball drop in Times Square on the television.

This year, I wanted to go big. I had plans to be in Morocco, and I figured there must be something interesting happening. Cue a montage of me frantically scouring the internet.

On Resident Advisor, every raver’s favorite website, I found out that Moroccan electronic-music outfit RAK Electronik had arranged an all-night dance party at a luxury camp in the Agafay Desert, a lunar landscape just an hour outside of Marrakech. A few friends and I bought tickets.

It blew all of my New Year’s Eves in New York City out of the water. Here’s what it was like:

SEE ALSO: We partied at the exclusive, sexy Hong Kong party with the art world’s elite on a 62,000-square-foot floating restaurant — here’s what it was like

The party was held in the Agafay Desert, a hilly, lunar landscape about an hour outside of Marrakech. It’s a popular spot for Moroccans to head to on the weekends for horseback riding, riding ATVs, or just staring at the stars.

There are a number of camps you can stay at in the area, but the RAK Electronik party was being held at the Agafay Desert Luxury Camp. It seemed to be farther into the desert than most camps. You could see the stunning Atlas Mountains in the distance.

Agafay Desert Luxury Camp

Tickets to the event weren’t cheap at $80 and up, depending on your tent setup. But I’m used to paying through the nose to stand in a crowded bar in New York City for the same amount of money or more. And don’t get me started on Times Square.

• It's no question that Chick-fil-A is dominating the fast-food industry, while Raising Cane's is an undeniable cult favorite in the South and one of the fastest-growing chains in the US.

• Chick-fil-A is giving competitors like Taco Bell a run for their money — analysts projected it to become the third-largest restaurant chain in terms of sales by the end of 2018.

• But on the flip side is another fast-growing opponent: the Louisiana-based Raising Cane's, with its no-nonsense chicken-finger-centric menu and deliciously mysterious sauce.

• Business Insider's Kate Taylor even dubbed it restaurant chain of the year back in 2017 — a title that she gave to Chick-fil-A in 2018.

• Business Insider recently visited Raising Cane's and Chick-fil-A to compare apples to apples ... or rather chicken to chicken. Here's why we thought Chick-fil-A was better.

SEE ALSO: We ate at dozens of fast-food chains in 2017 — here's the best

First up was Raising Cane's.

We visited a location in Austin, Texas, near the University of Texas campus. It's one of the chain's more than 400 nationwide stores.

Source: USA Today

Longhorn paraphernalia fills the space.

• Some products at Whole Foods can be a great deal and healthy for you, while other items are either expensive, nutrition-lacking, or both.
• Here, several food experts and nutritionists list 25 items you should buy at Whole Foods and 25 items you should avoid. 

While the company has worked to combat its "whole paycheck"stigma, Whole Foods can still cost you a pretty penny. But that tide is changing in the wake of its 2017 Amazon deal.

If you shop right, you can not only save money at the high-end supermarket chain, but you can eat healthier food that's actually delicious.

Unfortunately, if you're not careful, you can also be duped into spending big bucks on artery-clogging treats (processed cookies are still cookies even if they're organic).

We spoke to several food experts and nutritionists to compile this list of what to buy and what to skip at Whole Foods.

SEE ALSO: 10 'As Seen On TV' cooking products that actually work

Buy: Eden Foods sauerkraut

Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that colonize our digestive systems, and they're found in fermented foods like sauerkraut. They're great for healthy digestion.

"Boost your intake [of probiotics] with foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, brine cured olives, miso soup, and tempeh," said Melissa Litwak, a registered dietitian and founder of Chickpeas and Chocolate. "Whole Foods has a great selection to choose from, including well-priced sauerkraut by Eden Foods."

Skip: Salads from the salad bar

We'd all love to be Martha Stewart in the kitchen (but who even has that kind of time!), so we're the first to see the appeal in Whole Foods' salad bar. That convenience, however, can prove expensive.

"If you want to make it a robust salad stuffed with veggies other than lettuce, you'll pay a pretty penny — about $8 to $9 per pound, which can easily turn a salad that costs you $5 to make at home into a $25 splurge," said The Nutrition Twins, Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, nutritionists and authors of "The Nutrition Twins' Veggie Cure."

Buy: Organic bok choy

You can always count on Whole Foods for good quality and variety when it comes to produce.

"They typically carry both regular and baby bok choy on their shelves and for good reason," Litwak said. "Cruciferous vegetables like this one are highly concentrated in vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids. They're also full of fiber, providing good fuel for your intestinal bacteria."

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Potluck is a new online startup that sells home and professional cook-approved sets of cookware, knives, and utensils for half the cost of traditional retail. 
• We tried its 22-piece Essentials Bundle ($270), which provides an easy way to upgrade your current collection of kitchen supplies in one buy. 
• Not a single piece in the bundle will go to waste — you'll be using the tri-ply stainless steel cookware, sharp knives, and durable tools again and again regardless of your cooking level or experience, making the value of Potluck's products unbeatable. 

If you could press a hard reset button and replace the pots, pans, knives, and cooking utensils in your kitchen with high-quality pieces, how much do you think it would all cost?

Have a number in your head?

Now halve it and you're closer to the surprisingly affordable number you would pay at new online kitchen company Potluck. $270 will get you its Essentials Bundle, a set that equips home cooks with the 22 pieces you'll need to cook basic ramen, the ambitious multi-ingredient seafood stew you've had marked in your cookbook for months, and everything in between. 

Two former senior managers from Glossier, Minsuk Kim and Jessica Sheft-Ason are the founders behind Potluck who love cooking and don't think the tools you use should be complicated.

In developing Potluck's offerings, they consulted numerous cooks to understand how they cooked at home and in professional kitchens. The insights directly led to a thoughtful curation of the tools you're likely to need and to the product design decisions like opting for tri-ply stainless steel construction (which they favored over five-ply because a friend who cooked at Chez Panisse told them she only used tri-ply during her time there). 

The Essentials Bundle combines the company's Cookware Set ($160), Knife Set ($60), and Utensil Set ($80) into an ultimate kit teeming with straightforward and durable pieces. It includes a 10-inch skillet, two saucepans, a large stock pot, two mixing bowls, three knives, two spatulas, tongs, a wooden spoon, and a ladle. Small tools like a peeler, grater, measuring cups, and measuring spoons round out the no-frills assortment. 

For me, some highlights were the sturdy colander that didn't let a single strand of angel hair slip through, the versatile skillet that distributed heat quickly and evenly, and the light, flexible fish spatula that snuck under fillets with ease. 

If you're looking for colorful or heavily branded cookware, you might want to look elsewhere because everything at Potluck is stripped of distractions. You never have to think twice about which tool to reach for or fiddle with unnecessary bells and whistles, which is the type of set-up that's really ideal for cooking because you can focus your energy on ingredients, tasting, and technique. 

Creating an effective kitchen environment and cooking experience starts with the right cookware and tools, but all too often, we waste time shopping for and stumbling through poor experiences with them. Potluck removes these tensions by picking out the essential tools for you and offering them at a great price. 

Shop the Essentials Bundle for $270 at Potluck here

Shop all kitchen sets at Potluck here

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LeBron James may be 33 years old and in his 16th season but the NBA veteran remains a force to be reckoned with.

James joined the LA Lakers in July after a four-year spell with the Cleveland Cavaliers and has made headlines ever since because he opened the I Promise education facility for 240 at-risk children, hinted that he could be tempted to run for president one day, and, of course, because he remains a magician on the court — as this spell-binding self-assist clearly shows.

James remains an incredible athlete. He is renowned for the dedication to his craft, for his basketball intelligence, and has even been described as a "freak athlete" by one of the NBA coaches who know him better than most.

But what sort of food does this "freak" eat?

Here's everything James likes to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

SEE ALSO: This is what makes LeBron James a 'freak athlete' according to the NBA coach who knows him better than most

DON'T MISS: LEBRON JAMES: How the king of the NBA spends his millions

UP NEXT: This photo of a very upset LeBron James sums up the brutal way the Cleveland Cavaliers blew the win in the final seconds

This is LeBron James. Considered the greatest NBA player of all time, James has extraordinary career averages including 27.2 points per game, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. James is a three-time NBA champion and will be hoping for more success at the LA Lakers.

Source: Fox Sports.

James apparently spends seven-figure sums per year just looking after his body — but his favourite cereal is Fruity Pebbles, which he probably eats for breakfast on occasion.

Sources:Business Insider, Instagram.

He even has his own pair of Nike shoes — the LeBron XV — in colours that honour the cereal.

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• If you don't have a parka and you live anywhere other than the tropics, it's probably about time you added one to your closet.
• We tested the top parkas on the market to find the best ones you can buy, including parkas from Triple Fat Goose, Fjällräven, Moose Knuckles, Everlane, and L.L.Bean.

A parka is a wintertime essential for much of humankind. Without one, layering enough to stay warm can be a nuisance.

But oh, what a sea of decisions: How thick does it need to be? Do you need the hood to be lined with fur? How do you feel about faux fur? We're still left to ponder pockets, length, and lining. And what on earth does "fill power" mean? While all of the above may or may not be critical decisions, they're all things we have to consider.

A parka is something we hope to invest in for the long haul, and a parka that doesn't last more than a few seasons is, in my humble opinion, not a parka at all.

What to look for in a parka

Let's start with the filling, and what fill power means, exactly. That's how many cubic inches of loft one ounce of a given variety of feather produces. Fill power does not necessarily tell you how warm a parka might be because it doesn't denote how heavily packed the down is inside your coat. 

What the fill power of a down does tell you is how well a certain type of down traps air and, in effect, warmth. Precious as it may be, an 800-fill-power down packed lightly and loosely into a jacket might not do nearly as much as a 400-fill-power down stuffed to the edges of each compartment.

So while fill power does dictate something about the quality of a down, what really matters is how densely packed a down is. Another thing to keep in mind, especially for travelers, is that the higher the fill power of a down, the lighter the weight of it by volume, which can result in a lighter jacket overall.

The outer lining of a parka can require a little explanation, too. Why is it that most parkas seem to be made using a waxed combination of cotton and nylon or polyester? This is not a waterproofing solution. For one thing, we don't generally associate parkas with rain. We also tend to be active outside when wearing them. A parka generally needs to be breathable.

Work up even the slightest sweat and a jacket that thick and warm will quickly do the rest of the sweating for you until you're unbearably drenched. That said, we've worn all of the parkas below in a bit of rain and come out dry, but it'd be best to look for something that's fully waterproof if you're headed out into a cold, relentless rain for any prolonged period of time. Also, fur doesn't fare too well in rain, either.

While we're at it, we also have to discuss fur. Yes, it feels wonderful, and there's no denying its beauty. But it comes at a high cost in many, often questionable, regards. It's up to you, and we'll leave it at that. We include both real and faux fur options in our guide.

Length is another big concern both for style and function. While it's stylish to have jackets cropped at the waist or even above the waist, it doesn't necessarily make a whole lot of sense on the functional side of the debate. Still, people on the shorter side often don't want a jacket that comes down to their calves, while taller folks might look like they're walking on stilts with a short hem. We'll leave that to you, but it's certainly something to consider.

Below, we've got picks for most budgets and everyone from real and faux fur to no fur at all.

Here are the best men's parkas you can buy:

• Best parka overall: Triple Fat Goose Stratus
• Best faux fur parka: Fjällräven Kyl
• Best stylish parka: Moose Knuckles Sommerset
• Best eco-friendly parka: Everlane ReNew
• Best mid-priced parka: L.L.Bean Baxter State Parka

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best men's parka overall

Why you'll love it: Triple F.A.T. Goose's Stratus parka is about as warm as they come, and although it may not be the most sustainable or the most affordable, the brand's line of parkas is the most comfortable we've tried.

Packed full with 700-fill-power down, the Stratus from Triple F.A.T. Goose is an Insider Picks favorite, and several of our writers have deemed it our go-to winter jacket. 

Fur fans will also be pleased: You'll get a beautiful trim of coyote fur, which zips away from the hood in case you wish to remove it. The fur also has a wire insert that helps you shape your hood to your head and face so you're not walking around as though you have horse-blinders on.

While fur and down are not the most widely accepted materials on the market, Triple F.A.T. Goose is on the relatively "responsible" side of things when it comes to sourcing down and fur. You can read about the company's fur and down policy here.

If you're in a somewhat milder climate like the maritime, you might still want a parka, but you're going to want to make sure it's equipped for the rain. Triple F.A.T. Goose's Chenega II might be the best option with its three-part waterproofing and 700 fill power down. We also tried the Eldridge, a slightly shorter jacket that's also a tad cheaper at $600, and loved it.

If we've not convinced you yet, Outside, Men's Journal, and Men's Health all stand with us here.

Pros: As warm as parkas get, TFG offers a wide range of styles and prices on parkas

Cons: Still searching...

Buy the Stratus Parka from Triple F.A.T. Goose for $700

Buy the Chenega II from Triple F.A.T. Goose for $700

Buy the Eldridge from Triple F.A.T. Goose for $600

Shop all Triple F.A.T. Goose

The best faux-fur parka

Why you'll love it: Fjällräven's Kyl parka is a perfect hybrid of street savviness and adventure readiness with its durable canvas exterior, sustainable down fill, and faux fur hood.

Fjällräven has been around since 1960 when it started with framed backpacks to better distribute weight for hikers. The company has branched out in the years since, and its parkas are some of the warmest around.

During testing this fall, I spent a day wearing the Kyl parka while fishing from a small exposed boat in 30-degree temperatures and high winds. I was wearing nothing but a T-Shirt underneath, and it was toasty as could be.

Still, the Kyl isn't stuffed to the brim with down, and the fill power of the down is of surprisingly low at 500 cuin, especially when ranked with other parkas in this price range, but you can rest assured that it's sustainably sourced.

It's still plenty warm, though, and runs a little large, so if it's not going to keep you warm enough, there's certainly enough room to tuck a medium-weight wool sweater underneath.

There are pockets galore in the Kyl. A large wallet, phone, magazine, and even the occasional breakfast sandwich have all comfortably tucked into mine on my morning subway commute.

Stylistically, the Kyl is up there with the best. It's the kind of parka that flies fashionably in urban and rural settings alike. There's no massive logo or patch, just a subtly-placed leather patch of Fjällräven's iconic Arctic fox on the shoulder.

Fjällräven focuses on sustainability, and the company is working with Stockholm University to save the Arctic fox. It's also one of the few companies that can prove that all of the down used in its parkas is 100% traceable.

The outer lining is made of Fjällräven's signature G-1000 waxed polyester and cotton blend. It's durable, but it is nowhere near waterproof, meaning this is not a good jacket for wet snow or precipitation in above-freezing temps. It eventually soaks through and while you'll stay mostly dry, it will get extremely heavy, and you'll eventually start to collect dew on the inside. You can wax it further to increase the water resistance.

Durability is Fjällräven's winning quality, all in all, though, its outstanding customer service doesn't hurt, either.

If you want the most technical parka adorned with the plushest, most exotic, real fur, then look elsewhere, but if you're seeking something practical and relatively sporty yet fashion-forward enough to pull off in town, this might be your move.

Pros: Durable, utilitarian but still stylish

Cons: Not waterproof (only good in a very cold snowstorm), price, low/entry-level fill power, real fur substitution is not available to those who want it

Buy Fjällräven's Kyl Parka from Moose Jaw for $639.99 (originally $799.95)

Shop Fjällräven's full line at Moose Jaw

The best stylish parka

Why you'll love it: The Moose Knuckles Sommerset is decked out in gold-plated hardware, an incredibly handsome red fox fur trim, a fair filling of 650-cuin duck down, and a waterproof cotton-nylon outer shell. 

Canada-based Moose Knuckles is a younger company, but an Insider Picks favorite. The company has done a brilliant job of merging outdoorsy functionality with urban sensibility, covering all the weather-ready necessities while still keeping plenty of attention on looks.

While the Sommerset is our favorite, Moose Knuckles' full line covers pretty much everyone. Insider Picks reporter Amir Ismael writes: "Moose Knuckles is known for infusing cold-weather sportswear with luxury. As one of its original designs, the Ballistic Bomber is becoming a staple among fashion lovers in need of a fully capable jacket."

This is a true cold-weather jacket. The outer lining is a cotton/nylon blend, and cotton just doesn't do well wet. And while the hood is detachable, the fox fur trim is not, and you really don't want to get that wet.

The fill power of the down comes in at 650 for the Sommerset, the jacket isn't exactly packed with the stuff, and you might find yourself in a bit of a chill if you don't make sure to wear something moderately substantial underneath.

Moose Knuckles claims to use only Saga-Certified furs, and those interested can read its fur policy and other product information here.

At the time of publishing, the Sommerset Parka is only available through Neiman Marcus, but we're hoping it'll be back in stock soon. Also, be wary of purchasing Moose Knuckles' clothing and apparel on Amazon as many reviews there suggest fraud.

Buy the Moose Knuckles Sommerset Parka from Neiman Marcus for $1,124

Shop Moose Knuckles parkas at Neiman Marcus

Shop Moose Knuckles parkas at Nordstrom

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Retail price prescription medication is prohibitively expensive. If you have insurance, your policy still doesn't always cover as much as you'd like. 
• Blink Health is a no-commitment, no-fee service that offers access to over 15,000 medications for a fraction of their retail price. 
• Here's the quick and easy process: search for your medication on its site, pay the low price online, then pick it up at a major or local pharmacy near you. 

I never particularly enjoy picking up a new prescription from the pharmacy because I know I'll stand at the counter in fraught silence, waiting for the pharmacist to tell me how much it's going to set me back.

Even though I have insurance, it doesn't always cover a lot, and I'm often surprised at how much I still have to pay out of pocket. If you don't have insurance, the damage is even worse. In either case, you feel like you have no choice but to pay for expensive prescriptions, or face the repercussions on your health. 

It's a dilemma that millions have to face, but shouldn't. Though you don't have the power to negotiate prices, an online company called Blink Health does. Blink Health works with pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring you lower prices on over 15,000 medications.

There are no membership fees or hidden fees, and the process is pretty simple. As long as you have a prescription from your doctor, you can use Blink Health's website or app. 

You start by searching for your medication, making sure to match the medication form and dosage to that of your prescription. You'll see two prices, one that's available at major pharmacies and an even lower one available at one specific pharmacy near you. 

Here's an example of how much Blink Health saves you on some common medications. It also has a price match guarantee on generic medications. If you find a lower price elsewhere, it will refund you the difference.

After paying online to lock in the price, you receive a "Blink Card," which you can either print out or show on your phone to the pharmacist. Bring this and your prescription to your chosen pharmacy, and they'll fill it like any other prescription. You should pay $0 at the pharmacy. 

Its network consists of over 30,000 pharmacy partners nationwide, including major stores like Walmart and Albertsons as well as local independent pharmacies, so it's easy to pick up your prescription at a location convenient for you, or you can have it delivered to you for free in two days. 

Whether you're uninsured, insured, or have Medicare, it's always helpful to check Blink Health to see how much you could be paying instead. Especially if you're taking a medication for a long period of time, the significant monthly savings are worth the few minutes of extra effort to look up your medication. 

Search for your medication at Blink Health here

Join the conversation about this story »

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Comforters should be comfortable, warm, and breathable, a combination of criteria that's not always easy to find — and means you can pay up to hundreds of dollars when you do.
• The Equinox Comforter (from $31) is an exception, and thousands of satisfied sleepers can attest to its value.
• After trying the comforter for myself, I'm convinced that you don't always have to spend a lot for a quality piece of bedding.

Bedding can be a pricey investment, and why shouldn't it be? If you're spending every night on the same set of sheets and under the same comforter, you should hope that these pieces are soft, comfortable, and long-lasting. You might be willing to pay a premium for them, but before you start taking out your checkbook, it's also worth giving some more affordable options a chance.

I recently tried one such option, a best-selling alternative down comforter from Equinox. At first glance, the biggest draw is clearly its price: the queen size costs about $32 and the king $42. And there's a twin size for $31.

The problem with a cheap price is that it often means the product itself is cheap. After one month of testing, I was glad to see the Equinox comforter did not fall into this category. It's one of those rare unicorn products that are a steal for their quality and, as many reviewers note, an item that rivals the $200-plus competitors they've tried.

The down alternative comforter is made with a siliconized-fiber filling, which prevents dust accumulation and is resistant to bacteria, making it the optimal choice for people who are sensitive to allergens.

This filling also helps retain heat without making the comforter stifling or overbearingly heavy. I appreciate a weighty feel, especially during the winter, but breathability is still important. I never woke up sweaty with this comforter, which strikes just the right balance of plush fluffiness and weighty warmth.

The style and softness of the comforter means you can sleep with it as is. The exterior is made with a soft and smooth brushed microfiber, and has a classic quilt-like stitching.

But it also has corner tabs if you prefer to put a duvet cover over it (for part of the testing period, I used Casper's, which I reviewed in full here). The tabs were quick to tie and did their job in keeping the comforter from shifting around.

More than 2,100 reviewers agree that the comforter is a five-star purchase for the comfort and warmth it delivers at a very affordable price. While it would probably be too warm for the summer, I think that it can certainly be your essential piece of bedding during the rest of the year. For under $35 for the queen size and under $50 for the king size, you'll get more than enough use out of it.

Shop the Equinox Comforter for $30.99 (twin), $31.99 (queen) and $42.99 (king) at Amazon here.

SEE ALSO: The best mattresses you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchases. 

Cooking is an art form that encourages creativity, but it also requires precision and control if you want a meal that is actually fully cooked and tastes good. 

Smart kitchen gadgets combine tech with traditional appliances and guide you through the cooking process to help make cooking easier. They also free up your schedule so you're not spending unnecessary time watching your meal cook — many of the appliances below pair with apps that let you monitor and adjust temperatures, cooking times, and power switches remotely.

Whether you're a novice who is typically afraid of stepping foot into the kitchen, or a seasoned cook who wants to multitask, the following smart kitchen appliances can help you create the perfect meal. 

A meat thermometer

Nutrichef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer, $32.99, available at Amazon

This smart thermometer has an outdoor wireless range of 200 feet and sends you a notification and alarm when your meat reaches the set temperature. Through the app, you can see real-time temperatures and save cooking presets for your favorite recipes. The thermometer itself has an easy-to-read LCD display. 

A cocktail scale

Perfect Drink 2.0 Smart Scale, $19.95, available at Amazon

Become the party's resident mixologist with this scale that will make you the perfect drink every single time. Explore over 400 recipes, or discover new ones based on the ingredients you already have on hand. To use the scale, pour the ingredients into the glass until you hear a "ding." If you overpour, the scale will re-calculate the proportions so your drink still tastes delicious. Shake or stir away, and the built-in timer will tell you when you've reached the optimal dilution and chill. 

A fridge

Samsung Family Hub 4-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator, $3,599.99, available at Best Buy

This fridge is more than a food storage appliance. Set expiration notifications so your food never goes bad, plan a meal based on the available ingredients in your fridge, and see the contents of your fridge from anywhere. You can share photos and synced calendars on the screen, plus control smart home devices like lights, thermostats, and doorbells, and stream music, all through voice commands. 

• An e-cigarette caught fire shortly after an American Airlines plane landed in Chicago on Friday.
• Flight attendants quickly extinguished the blaze, the airline said in a statement.
• The incident follows a spate of electrical fires aboard planes.

The battery of an e-cigarette ignited on an American Airlines flight shortly after landing at Chicago's O'Hare Airport on Friday, USA Today first reported.

In a statement to Business Insider, an airline representative said that "flight attendants quickly extinguished the fire and the plane taxied to the gate," adding that employees are trained on fighting battery fires and that it would report the event to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Read more: TSA airport screeners have been working without pay during the shutdown and now many don't have money to get to work.

Electrical fires have been the culprit in a string of delays and emergency landings in recent months. Most recently, an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York had to land in Phoenix, Arizona, after what a passenger described as a "sudden burst of smoke" from a galley chiller. Overseas, a Pegasus Airlines flight en route to Paris was forced to land in Zagreb, Croatia, following an e-cigarette fire.

According to Transportation Security Administration guidelines, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices can be stored in carry-on bags or carried with a passenger but may not travel in checked bags.

Read more: We flew Aer Lingus from Dublin to New York to see if it's a hidden gem among Europe's best airlines. Here's the verdict.

Incidents are still rare, but they may be increasing. A recent report found that federal agencies had been underestimating the number of burns, injuries, and explosions related to e-cigarettes, which convert liquid nicotine into mist through the heating of a battery.

"As part of safety management and risk mitigation, we always evaluate additional ways to enhance existing procedures to ensure cabin safety," the American Airlines representative said.

SEE ALSO: American Airlines flight from LAX to JFK makes emergency landing after a reported 'sudden burst of smoke' on board

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