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This electrolyte powder is a low-sugar way to replenish fluids and prevent dehydration after workouts or long nights out

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hydrant electrolytes

  • Drinking electrolyte water to replenish missing fluids and electrolytes is not a new concept, but many of the current options aren't doing enough and may not be as good for your body as you think.  
  • Hydrant, a powdered electrolyte mix, is an exception. It contains an efficient balance of only the ingredients you need to refuel after you work out, fall sick, or drink alcohol. 
  • They taste good, absorb quickly into your body, and combat the effects of dehydration effectively. 

After working out, falling sick, or a night of drinking, what's the first thing after water you reach for? For many, it's a bottle of Pedialyte, Gatorade, or Vitaminwater.

You understand vaguely that they'll replenish your body with the electrolytes and fluids you've lost. I, for one, grew up drinking a lot of Gatorade after sports games and even up until recently drank it to nurse hangovers. 

However, a closer look at their contents reveals they're filled with artificial ingredients, an excessive amount of sugar, or an improper balance of electrolytes. It's not surprising, then, that after chugging one of these drinks, you only feel minimally better and not as re-energized as you'd expect. 

From using powdered rehydration packets as a child whenever he was sick to revisiting them after rugby games and nights out while attending Oxford University, Hydrant cofounder John Sherwin has also experienced his fair share of dehydration experimentation.

He realized while working alongside constantly tired coworkers that they were chronically dehydrated, but this time around, he wanted to find electrolyte powder packets that were actually good for them. The search for clean electrolytes turned up empty-handed, so in typical startup founder fashion, Sherwin created his own, combining his personal experience with his background in biology. 

hydrant electrolytes 1

Each 8.7-gram packet of Hydrant contains eight ingredients and only what your body needs, including sodium citrate, potassium citrate, salt, magnesium citrate, and zinc gluconate. Its balance of electrolytes are based on the World Health Organization's standard for oral rehydration. 

Hydrant does contain cane sugar, but only just enough to activate the sodium-glucose transport mechanism that gets water and electrolytes into your bloodstream faster. Since it doesn't have too much sugar or any artificial sweeteners, it won't lead to a crash and upset stomach later. 

It also has low osmolarity, which means your body can more easily and quickly absorb the ingredients and feel their effects. 

hydrant electrolytes 2

Because Hydrant is a portable powder, you can drink it anywhere, provided you have a bottle of water to mix it with. Depending on which bulk pack you buy, each packet costs $2 or less, making it less expensive (and less wasteful) than bottled electrolyte drinks. 

It tastes pretty good, like a tangy lime (from lime juice powder) with a hint of salt. Taste is an underrated but important factor considering all the times you'll want to reach for Hydrant: during and after airplane travel, a workout, alcohol consumption, or a stressful work day where you haven't had the time or thought to drink something.

If you notice muscle or brain fatigue, headaches, or nausea, chances are you're experiencing the effects of dehydration. The efficient, clean, and tasty fix to replenish the culprit — those missing fluids and electrolytes — is a packet of Hydrant. 

Shop electrolyte powder packets, available in packs of 10 to 120, at Hydrant here

SEE ALSO: Aaptiv, a $15-per-month fitness app, gets me unlimited access to thousands of audio workout classes

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Disappointing photos show what Las Vegas looks like in real life, from crowded venues and packed pools to long wait lines

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las vegas strip

  • Almost 39 million people visited Las Vegas last year.
  • As a result of so many annual guests, the county's gaming revenue often reaches close to $10 billion.
  • High visitor traffic also leads to daily crowds at many of the iconic Las Vegas venues and sites.
  • In addition to crowds, visitors should be prepared for an extreme climate, long walking distances, and extensive wait times.

Popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, shotgun weddings, and other weekend getaways, Las Vegas is a staple in American tourism.

While some travelers visit with a budget, others purposely or accidentally — can end up spending thousands of dollars in the infamous "Sin City."

These travelers come from across the country (and around the world), and many may be surprised to find the city — like so many others — is much less glamorous in the daytime.

Read more: Disappointing photos show what Venice looks like in real life, from extreme overcrowding and devastating floods to pollution from cruise ships

Crowded streets and hotel lobbies make venturing outside city limits to national parks worth it — if you don't mind the drive.

However, despite its flaws, Las Vegas promises cheap flights and endless entertainment for the steady stream of visitors each and every weekend.

Keeping reading to see more of the surprising photos taken in America's gambling capital.

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

SEE ALSO: An artist is launching an Instagram-friendly black-and-white wedding chapel in Vegas where couples can get married and take photos from $250

Las Vegas, Nevada is consistently ranked as one of the most fun cities in America. The city is infamous for its bright lights and nonstop entertainment.

Source: Travel + Leisure



It is also well known for its many luxurious hotels ...



... famed restaurants ...



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Instant Pot came out with a blender that can also cook and puree soups — I put it to the test

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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.

instant pot blender 4x3

  • You can now find the programmable, multi-functional magic of Instant Pot in an unexpected appliance: the Ace 60 Blender ($99). 
  • It features eight different blending and cooking programs, with the capacity to actually heat soups and purees.
  • These programs made it easy to simply throw in the right ingredients and step away.

Many home cooks live and die by their Instant Pot. From the Mini to the Max to the smart and Wi-Fi compatible, these are the all-in-one multicookers you can rely on for nearly all your cooking needs. Now, thanks to the company's $99 Ace Blender, you can complete your menu with smoothies, alternative milks, frozen desserts, and blended soups. 

In addition to manual controls, this blender has eight preset blending programs, four cold and four hot. Many blenders can handle both cold and hot ingredients, but where the Ace Blender sets itself apart from the competition is its hidden heating element, which brings the blender's contents to a steaming boil. Instead of cooking ingredients separately on the stove or in the oven, you can directly cook, then blend ingredients in the same appliance, cutting down on prep and clean-up time. Instant Pot is synonymous with efficient, one-pot cooking, and its new blender is, too.

instant pot ace blender review 1

Read more: The newest Instant Pot is $200 — we tested it out to see if the price increase is worth it

Getting to know the Ace Blender

The pitcher and base that host the versatile array of functions are hefty, together weighing 11.7 pounds, but not without cause. The pitcher is made from thick glass, and its handle is strong and sturdy, while the base features non-slip foot pads and a control panel design similar to the Instant Pot pressure cookers. A food tamper, cleaning brush, strainer bag, and 150 mL measuring cup are also included in the package. 

It's hard to make a mess with this blender. The pitcher clicks into place in the base and beeps to indicate it's in the right position, and you won't be able to use any of the functions unless the lid is rotated and locked. If the lid is removed at any point during blending, the program will automatically pause. After you make your drink or meal, you can use the Pulse/Clean button to attack leftover bits of food. 

Putting the Ace Blender to the test: non-dairy milk, soup, and smoothies 

Whether you're lactose-intolerant or you just like to mix up flavors and textures, you can stop paying extra at the coffee shop for your almond or oat milk latte and easily make your own non-dairy milk at home. More substantial dishes like creamy tomato basil soup or chunky chicken noodle soup will be ready in only 20 minutes in the blender. If you're in the mood for a healthy fruit smoothie or ice cream treat, this blender chops up all the ingredients quickly and blends them to a smooth consistency.

The Nut/Oat Milk, Soup, and Smoothie programs provide the best idea of the Ace Blender's range, so I put them to the test. Learn more about how they performed below. 

Test 1: Almond and oat milks 

I followed the user manual's recipes for these non-dairy milks. The process was easy and straightforward: add a cup of nuts or oats and water (the sides of the pitcher have measurement markings to help you measure this), then hit the Nut/Oat Milk button. After straining them, the resulting milks were a little frothy and not as creamy as I would've liked — as The Strategist also documents in its comparison to the Vitamix Ascent 2500— but it was still tasty, and I liked that I didn't have to babysit the four-minute blending process. 

Test 2: Creamy and chunky soups 

instant pot ace blender review

Next up was soup, where the heating element came into play. There are two settings, one for creamy soup and one for chunky, though for my first attempt I made the mistake of not paying attention to this and ended up with a partially blended vegetable and chicken soup. The blender heated up to boiling temperature, 100°C, and spent the next 20 minutes simmering and intermittently blending the ingredients. Again, the hands-off approach let me take care of other tasks in the meantime, and the final soups were as hot and delicious as if I had made it on the stove. As I ate the creamy soup, I took solace in the fact that I was spending more time eating then cleaning pots and pans. 

Read more:I made hot soup, pizza dough, and mocha with Vitamix's incredible $600 smart blender, and now I get why people love them

Test 3: Smoothies 

instant pot ace blender review 2

The smoothie program, when faced with tough, leafy greens and frozen chunks of fruit, also handled the job with ease, giving me a smooth and well-blended drink. Depending on the type of smoothie texture you like, there may be some trial-and-error moments as you figure out the ideal proportion of ingredients. What's immediately clear, however, is that the blender chops and mixes any type of fruit, vegetable, ice, and liquid you throw at it. 

The bottom line: You can't find a more versatile and effective blender for $100

The Ace Blender's quality construction, powerful blending, and variety of programs are all the marks of a solid blender, but what impressed me the most is that you don't have to pay more than $100 for it. I can appreciate the power and efficiency of a top-of-the-line blender, but I'm not going to commit $400 to $500 when I have other necessities to prioritize. The Ace blender achieves the perfect balance of functionality and price, and I would pay more for it — but obviously, I'm really glad it only costs $99. 

Buy the Instant Pot Ace 60 Cooking Blender for $99 at Walmart here

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You can buy the same American Wagyu beef used at Michelin-starred restaurants on this site — here's what it's like

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snake river farms review 4

  • The highly coveted Japanese Wagyu is hard to come by in the US. An alternative that's just as delicious is American Wagyu, which is Wagyu crossed with Angus breeds to make a highly marbled and flavorful meat. 
  • Snake River Farms is a top purveyor of American Wagyu cuts — think juicy and tender filet mignon, prime rib, and even brisket. 
  • Though its cuts aren't cheap, you can taste and feel the difference in quality. If you love a good steak, it's easy to order and cook one from Snake River Farms. 

The city of Kobe, Japan is synonymous with Wagyu beef, prized among steak lovers for its unique marbling, rich flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Before you book a flight to Japan or put your name on the months-long reservation list at the fanciest restaurant in your city, there's a secret you need to know: you can order your very own Wagyu beef here in the US.

Snake River Farms (SRF) is a premium meat brand that's used at Michelin-starred restaurants and sold at select retailers and online. It sells not Japanese Wagyu, but American Wagyu — the result of imported Japanese Wagyu cattle crossbred with traditional cattle breeds.

Chef and Snake River Farms fan Wolfgang Puck describes American Wagyu as having "the richness of Japanese beef with lots of marbling," but with a flavor that's "more akin to what we’re used to in America." He even says that given the choice between the best Japanese Wagyu and American Wagyu, he would "choose the New York steak from Snake River Farms every time." 

snake river farms review

Instead of using the USDA Prime designation, the highest USDA grade for beef, SRF follows the Beef Marbling Standard (BMS), a Japanese marbling scale that the company believes better captures the superior quality of its beef. Its steaks range in BMS from 6 to 12, with 9 to 12 considered excellent (you can find these top-notch, "Gold Grade" steaks here). 

The cattle are raised along the high plain of the Snake River in Idaho, where they're fed balanced diets and have space to roam freely. Each piece is wet-aged (marinated in its own juices) for more than three weeks, then hand cut by a butcher and shipped frozen to you. 

On the website, you'll find dozens of American Wagyu beef cuts to buy for a treat-yourself meal or to impress your dinner guests, including porterhouse, filet mignon, ribeye, and prime rib. Even hot dogs and brisket are elevated here, the perfect additions to a gourmet backyard cookout. 

snake river farms review 2

SRF sent me its American Wagyu Prime Rib Starter Kit ($255), a set designed to help novice cooks make their first prime rib. A simple kit that reinforced how easy it really it is to make a tasty prime rib, it contained a five-pound prime rib, Jacobsen black pepper salt, and a Thermoworks digital thermometer — quality meat, a generous sprinkling of savory seasoning, and accurate temperature are the only things you need. 

Everything arrived in an insulated box (the insulated foam is biodegradable and dissolves in water) with dry ice and a reusable thermal bag, and the prime rib was a little thawed by the time I came home to pick it up. 

Prime rib is no doubt a treat I usually only indulge in around the holidays, and a treat this was. The cooking process was a breeze, and I ended up with a huge, flavorful, and juicy prime rib, which I of course also shared with friends.

I don't buy or eat a lot of meat regularly, but when I do, I know I want high-quality stuff. There's no point in skimping or settling, and Snake River Farms is now one of the first online companies I'll turn to, whether I want to buy for myself or for a friend who deserves a good meal. 

Shop American Wagyu beef at Snake River Farms here

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Samsung's new smartwatch is the answer to the Apple Watch for Android users — and its battery life is better

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samsung galaxy smartwatch review 2

  • The smartwatch that makes the most sense for Samsung owners to buy is the new Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch ($279.99-$299.99). 
  • Syncing easily to apps like messages, calendars, alarms, Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, and more, it's a powerful and versatile smart companion to your phone. 
  • It works hard while maintaining a decent battery life and passing as a stylish analog watch — a couple distinctions the Apple Watch can't claim. 

Despite the constant pressure from my friends to convert to Apple, I like my Samsung phone. Occasionally, however, I've experienced some iPhone envy, at least with respect to its tight and seamless integration with the Apple Watch. 

After the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch was released in the second half of 2018, Apple owners that started eyeing us with a new tinge of jealousy. A great all-around smartwatch, it boasts numerous features to keep you up-to-date on the notifications you care about, track your health, and much more — plus it has a battery life of longer than a day and a sleek, stylish look that doesn't scream "smartwatch." 

I've tried wearables like Fitbit fitness trackers as well as budget smartwatches under $100, but the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch is by far the best I've tried yet, and I get why people would pay around $300 for a good wearable

samsung galaxy smartwatch review

Though the smartwatch is technically compatible with both Android and iOS phones, you'll have the best user experience if you pair it with an Android phone, and more specifically, a Samsung phone (I have the Galaxy S9). After I connected the watch to my phone via the Galaxy Wearable app, features like my messages, calendar, and Samsung Health app synced easily, but reviewers with iPhones or other Android phones reported some difficulties or glitches with syncing these basic features.

Since it's not always convenient or appropriate to pull out my phone, I enjoyed the ability to access my digital life from my wrist, from replying to (or deciding to ignore) texts and calls, to skipping a song on Spotify, to reminding myself of the events I have going on that day. The Samsung Health integration was also helpful in nudging me — almost annoyingly so — to tear myself away from the computer screen and take a lap around the office floor, and to be more consistent about working out. Other cool uses of the Samsung Health app include stress tracking, sleep tracking, and guided meditation exercises. 

Making the smartwatch an even more powerful device are Samsung Pay and SmartThings compatibility. With Samsung Pay, you can travel light and simply use your watch to pay for purchases. Meanwhile, you can control smart home devices like security cameras and kitchen appliances from anywhere using the SmartThings app. 

samsung galaxy smartwatch review 1

A big draw of this smartwatch is customizability, so I can't tell you the exact combination of apps to use or what watch face to choose (and there are a lot of beautiful and sleek ones to choose from!), but I can say you'll never feel like there aren't enough options or that it's missing an important feature.

While heavy use will affect the battery life, the battery is still surprisingly long-lasting. From what I hear from Apple Watch owners, they have to charge their watch every day, but I only have to charge my Samsung watch every few days. The 46mm version, with its 472 mAh battery, lasts even longer, for four to five days. If battery life is one of your biggest concerns and you like the Silver style, go for the 46mm. 

The rotating bezel bordering the screen also sets this smartwatch apart from the competition, letting you navigate through apps and screens without touching the screen. Concerning the clear and smooth display screen itself, you needn't worry about scratches because it's made from damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. The entire watch is water-resistant, and its overall military-grade durability makes it a practical accessory to wear for everyday life. 

What makes a practical accessory even better is when it doesn't sacrifice aesthetic. You can shop three different styles, like the pretty Rose Gold one above, none of which give away their advanced capabilities within. They also come with silicone bands that can be switched out to other styles and materials. 

samsung galaxy smartwatch review

It might've taken some time for Samsung to come out with a worthy Apple Watch competitor, but it looks like the effort paid off because you won't find another Samsung-geared smartwatch of this performance and style. 

Shop the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 42mm (Rose Gold) for $279.99 here: Best Buy, Target,Samsung

Shop the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 42mm (Midnight Black) for $279.99 here: Best Buy, Target, Samsung

Shop the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 46mm (Silver) from $297.99 here: Amazon, Samsung

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29 thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts from Target — all under $25

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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.

Target Valentine's Day

If you're still recovering from the insane amount of money you spent on your significant other during the holidays, Valentine's Day might be your least favorite day of the year. But fear not; Although you can't (or at least you shouldn't) skip the day altogether, you can still find a ton of cost-effective gifts at Target.

To help you take the stress out of shopping for that special someone, we rounded up 30 gifts under $25 at Target, including selections for men, women, and kids. From assorted chocolates and scented candles to personalized jewelry and romantic movies, you'll find plenty of affordable gifts that will win the heart of your Valentine this year.

Check out the list below or Shop at Target for all Valentine's Day gifts here.

Limited-edition Valentine's Day nail polishes

Essie Valentines Day Nail Polish, available in six colors, $8.99



An essential oil diffuser to set the mood

SpaRoom PureMist Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser, $19.99



Romantic movies to cuddle up and watch together

Nicholas Sparks Collection: 4 Film Favorites, $9.99



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Hilton is sponsoring San Diego Museum Month this February — it's offering special packages at all 29 of its hotels throughout the city

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

San Diego 1

  • February is Museum Month in San Diego, when locals and visitors can get half-off admission to more than 40 museums across the city.
  • To participate, all you need to do is pick up a free Museum Month pass.
  • Hilton, a sponsor of the event, has special Museum Month packages at all 29 of its hotels throughout San Diego, and will have the passes available for guests.
  • Read on to learn more about Museum Month, and how to get the most for your stay at Hilton Hotels — both in San Diego, and elsewhere.

San Diego may be best known for the surf and the ships, but there's more to do in the SoCal city than you might have realized.

From a flourishing craft brewery scene, a burgeoning culinary culture, homegrown arts, and a world-famous zoo, there's something for every kind of traveler. One thing to make sure to remember: San Diego's dozens of museums.

Next month is the ideal time for a trip to the city. Every February for the past three decades, San Diego has hosted a citywide museum month. More than 40 locations are taking part in this year's Museum Month, offering half-off admission to anyone who has a free museum month passbook.

The passbook is available to locals and visitors, and can be picked up from more than 80 locations around the city. For locals, the best bet is the closest public library. Visitors can stop by a library branch too, but this year, Hilton Hotels is partnering with the San Diego Museum Council to offer the pass to guests.

Learn more: Hilton has announced new offers for all of its AmEx credit cards — sign up now to get up to 150,000 Hilton Honors points

To get the pass, either book Hilton's Museum Month package at any of the company's 29 hotels in the city, or ask at the front desk during your stay.

There's a wide variety of museums, ranging from family-friendly to more fun for grown-ups. Take a look below at some of the participating museums, and for tips on how to get the most value from your Hilton stay. Also, be sure to check out the San Diego Museum Council or Hilton's Museum Month page for full details.

Click here to book a stay with Hilton for San Diego Museum Month.

SEE ALSO: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and perks of 2019

One great stop — especially with kids — is the San Diego Natural History Museum.



With a focus on the natural history and environment surrounding greater San Diego region, the museum has fun exhibits and fascinating specimens.



There's active research going on, and museum visitors can watch volunteers work with newly uncovered fossils.



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I got -154° nitrogen gas blasted on my face for 12 minutes to get 'tighter, brighter skin,' and it was the strangest spa treatment I've ever had

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clean market nyc

  • Clean Market is a luxury wellness center in New York City that offers treatments such as cryotherapy, infrared saunas, and vitamin IV drips. 
  • It also sells wellness and beauty supplements, and treats like CBD smoothies.
  • I got a $55 cryofacial, where a technician blew -154° nitrogen gas on my face for about 12 minutes.
  • It was the strangest spa treatment I've ever gotten, but I would definitely do it again.

 

With wellness increasingly viewed as the ultimate luxury, treatments like cryotherapy — where athletes and models expose their bodies to super-cold temperatures to soothe sore muscles and boost metabolism — are becoming more and more popular.

I visited Clean Market, a luxury wellness center in New York City that offers services such as cryotherapy and vitamin IV drips, to see what the hype was all about and to try a cryofacial, where a technician blows -154° nitrogen gas on your face for 12 minutes to supposedly give you better skin. 

Read more: I got -154° nitrogen gas blasted on my face for 12 minutes to get 'tighter, brighter skin,' and it was the strangest spa treatment I've ever had

I got the $209 "Facial Detox" package, which includes an infrared sauna session, cryofacial, and NutriGlow IV drip, but the cryofacial by itself costs $55. Whole-body cryotherapy, for context, is $85 for two to three minutes.

Clean Market owner Lily Kunin told Business Insider that the majority of customers are neighborhood regulars who want to feel their best, boost energy and immunity, reduce stress, and increase their metabolism. She noted that the center has also had clients including NFL quarterbacks, Victoria's Secret Angels, and Real Housewives.

Here's what it was like to get a cryofacial.

SEE ALSO: I spent 2 hours at a luxury wellness center in NYC getting a vitamin IV drip and testing out an infrared sauna, and now I see what the hype is all about

DON'T MISS: I visited a fancy egg-freezing clinic in NYC — and it looked nothing like any doctor's office I've ever been to

Clean Market is a luxury wellness center in New York City that offers services including cryotherapy, vitamin IV drips, infrared saunas, and smoothies infused with boosters such as collagen and CBD.

Source: Clean Market



I went to get a cryofacial, a $55 treatment where a stream of -154° nitrogen gas is blasted on your face and neck for about 12 minutes. It's supposed to reduce inflammation, puffiness, and dark circles, and "tighten and brighten" skin, according to Clean Market.

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Source: Clean Market

 



While whole-body cryotherapy can be done on a daily basis, according to Clean Market owner Lily Kunin, cryofacials shouldn't be a daily treatment. "For a cryofacial, I only recommend up to a few times per week, because it is very powerful," Kunin told Business Insider.

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The cofounder of Halo Top says he eats the low-calorie, low-sugar ice cream every day, but he warns against the extreme diet that has people living off it

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Halo Top   September new flavours trio

  • Halo Top is a low-calorie, low-sugar ice cream that has developed a cult-like following.
  • It soared to fame after a number of people started trying the "Halo Top Diet," eating nothing but the ice cream for up to 10 days.
  • The company's President and COO warns against the extreme diet, but admits he eats Halo Top every day.

It's no understatement to say Halo Top has disrupted the ice cream market.

The low-calorie, low-sugar ice cream has an almost cult-like following, with health-conscious foodies obsessed with the fact that they can demolish a whole tub of sweet, creamy goodness for a mere 280 calories.

Halo Top, founded in 2012, is now available in 12 countries across the world, and became the best-selling ice cream in America in 2017. After launching in the UK last year, it has also swiftly become the country's fastes-growing luxury ice cream brand, according to IRI data cited by the company.

Spearheaded by two former lawyers, Justin Woolverton and Doug Bouton, Halo Top rose to even bigger fame in January 2016 when a GQ journalist decided to eat nothing but the ice cream for 10 days and write about it

"The Halo Top Diet" duly became A Thing, with members of the public and writers from the likes of Betches, Delish, and Yahoo taking on the challenge themselves.

Halo Top 10Day2 UK GroupA 1

But as brilliant as the Halo Top Diet has been in terms of spreading the word about the brand, the founders warn against it.

"One the one hand, these articles are great publicity for us, on the other hand, it's not recommended," Halo Top's President and COO Doug Bouton told Business Insider.

Indeed, despite Halo Top being low-calorie and low-sugar, some nutrition experts have expressed concerns around it.

One professor of nutrition, Barry Popkin from the University of North Carolina, questioned the company's use of erythritol, the sugar-alcohol additive that Halo Top uses to replace sugar.

Too much erythritol could cause diarrhea and bloating, Popkin said, but Halo Top responded by saying that you'd have to eat three pints at once to be at risk.

"Nutritionally you're going to need more than Halo Top in your diet," Bouton added. "We think it's a great part of your diet and what you eat every day but we absolutely do not recommend that you go on the Halo Top Diet."

Read more: 11 things you probably didn't know about Halo Top ice cream

The difference is in the sugar and calories, not the protein

The brand promotes itself as "high protein," and indeed weighs in at around 20g of protein per tub, which is around the same amount as a protein shake or bar — but the idea is that a pint of ice cream is far more enjoyable to eat.

However, a full-fat ice cream such as Ben & Jerry's actually contains about the same amount of protein. The difference is that as Halo Top is so low in calories and sugar (about 32g of sugar and 300 calories per tub compared to around 100g and 1,150 calories in a pint of Ben & Jerry's), you can realistically eat a whole tub pretty regularly as part of a balanced diet.

"Nobody's going to eat 1,200 calories of Ben & Jerry's for the 20g of protein," Bouton said. "We've maintained the protein while bringing the calories and sugar sugar down. Ice cream has milk and milk has protein. We don’t add protein powder. It's from milk, eggs, and cream, just like Ben & Jerry's." 

Doug Bouton, President, Halo Top

The Halo Top founders originally launched the brand because they wanted to create a product that would reflect how people actually eat — a serving size of more than a scoop or two.

"Nutritionally it can become a staple for you, whether that means you eat a whole pint or half a pint every day," Bouton explained.

"It's one of those treats that, after dinner, if you're still a bit hungry, and you want something sweet, rather than killing your diet with Ben & Jerry's or Häagen-Dazs, you can have Halo Top instead and not feel terrible about it. And be satiated."

While Halo Top fans tend to consume it differently to other ice creams, with many eating it every day, that doesn't mean they never buy higher-calorie brands.

"The Ben & Jerry's, Häagen-Dazs, full-calorie customer, they're a customer of both brands, it's just that Halo Top becomes that everyday ice cream," Bouton explains. "Once every few weeks I'm still going to take down a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

"They still indulge every month or so, but for people who love ice cream, it gives them this every day or every week option, which they didn't have beforehand."

Bouton himself eats the ice cream every day.

"We're in constant flavour development so I eat way too much Halo Top," he said. "Every day. My favourite is peanut butter and jelly, it's amazing."

SEE ALSO: People are going crazy for this ice cream that's just 240 calories per pint — but is it actually any good?

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NOW WATCH: Japanese lifestyle guru Marie Kondo explains how to organize your home once and never again

The best pizza peels you can buy

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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.

the best baking peels

  • High-quality pizza peels can transfer your raw dough from the counter to the oven without misshaping your creation, whether it's pizza or another delicious baked good.
  • The EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel is our top pick because its innovative conveyor belt design and nonstick finish simplify putting your pizza into the oven and taking it out.

If you've ever been in the kitchen of a pizza parlor, you've probably seen the large paddle-like devices the pros use to move pizzas from the prep counter to the oven and back out of the oven again. These are called "baking peels" or "pizza peels," and they are an indispensable tool when making homemade pizza on your stone or grill.

Though we are going to mainly focus on their uses for putting pizza in the oven, baking peels are also useful for baking bread and pastries. Many wooden peels also work well as charcuterie boards.

Though our top pick is in a category by itself, there are two main types of baking peels: wooden and metal. Wooden peels are made of either wood or bamboo and have a finish that is easy to clean and allows doughs to slide right off. The main negatives with wooden peels are that they tend to scratch easily, and they are usually thicker, which makes it harder for you to slide the peel under your pizza when it's time to remove it.

Metal peels usually have an aluminum paddle or blade that is thin enough to easily slide between the pizza and the pizza stone for quick removal. The handle is typically made of wood so it won't heat up too quickly and potentially burn your hands. The biggest drawback with metal peels is that dough tends to stick to the blade, which can be a hassle when unloading your creation into the oven.

In our research, we found experienced home pizza makers sometimes own a wooden peel for putting the pizza into the oven and a metal one for taking it out. You might consider doing the same if you have plenty of kitchen space and love making pizza.

Keep in mind that all of the peels we researched required at least a light dusting of flour or cornmeal to help the raw dough slide off.

While researching the best baking peels, we read through hundreds of buyer and expert ratings and reviews of countless models. Our guide features peels that are easy to use, make unloading baked goods and removing them from the oven effortless, and have a track record of durability.

Here are the best pizza peels you can buy:

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

The best pizza peel overall

Why you'll love it: The EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel uses an innovative approach to transfer your pizza to the oven without making a mess or deforming your creation.

The EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel is unlike any other peel in that it incorporates a pastry cloth conveyor belt. You just lightly dust the cloth with flour, move the slider forward, put the edge of the pizza on the lip of the peel, and push the peel forward as you pull back on the slider.

To put your pizza on the stone, you simply reverse the process. The non-stick polymer coating facilitates easier cleanup and sliding. Also, you can remove the cloth to clean it.

Cook's Illustrated recommends the EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peelbecause in its tests it was one of the best peels for putting a pizza in and taking it out of the oven. The reviewer also liked that the polymer coating guarded against moisture, which helps with long-term durability. However, the reviewer did note that the peel takes a little getting used to, and it doesn't do a very good job of rotating half-baked food in the oven. Best Advisor, Gimme Tasty, Village Bakery, and My Pizza Stone also recommend this pizza peel.

About 91% of the Amazon buyers who reviewed the EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel gave it four or five stars. Kevin M. Combes, the most helpful reviewer, bought this peel because America's Test Kitchen endorsed it. He previously had trouble transferring his uncooked pizza onto his pizza stone, but the smooth polymer finish of the Super Peel remedied that. Others echo this sentiment.

One buyer noted that the peel has been incredibly durable, and — compared to ordering pizza out — it paid for itself after just a couple of uses.

Pros: Effortlessly transfers uncooked pizza from peel to stone, durable, makes it easy to remove pizza from the oven

Cons: Expensive, has a bit of a learning curve

Buy the EXO Non-Stick Polymer Sealed Super Peel on Amazon for $57



The best all-wood pizza peel

Why you'll love it: The wooden finish of the Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peel make it attractive enough to display in your kitchen when you're not effortlessly transferring pizzas to the oven.

According to founder Michael Tecku, one of the benefits of the Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peelis you can "create a charcuterie board and place it in front of your smug in-law." Regardless of the over-the-top marketing copy and your relationship with your in-laws, this peel really does have an attractive design and is functional for charcuterie as well as moving your pizzas from the counter to the oven and back.

The beveled edge is about an eighth of an inch thick, which is flat enough to wedge between the pizza and your stone for removal from the oven. To clean, you wash the peel by hand with warm, soapy water and let it air dry.

Kitchen Byte recommends the Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peel because pizza dough did not stick to it in their tests, it looks good, and it’s made of top-quality materials. The reviewer noted that there was no damage after several uses. However, she warns that you do need to follow the manufacturer’s care guidelines to ensure a longer life.

Best Reviews also recommends this peel because pizzas slide off easily, it can accommodate pizzas up to 14 inches, and the handle is nice and long. Yet, the reviewer questions the long-term durability of the wood.

Approximately 84% of the people who reviewed the Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peel on Amazon gave it five stars. The most helpful reviewer liked the peel because it looked beautiful and seamlessly transferred pizzas into the oven without sticking. She just sprinkled it with a little cornmeal. She was also impressed with the personalized customer service.

Several buyers comment that they hang the peel for display in their kitchen as a decorative element. Others found it was easy to clean with nothing more than a damp cloth.

Pros: Pizzas slide off easily, easy to clean, beautiful appearance

Cons: Questionable long-term durability

Buy the Heritage Acacia Wood Pizza Peel on Amazon for $21.97



The best baking peel for mini pizzas

Why you'll love it: The Pizza Royale Bamboo Pizza Peel is made of eco-friendly and antimicrobial bamboo and is backed by a 180-day guarantee and excellent customer service.

The Pizza Royale Bamboo Pizza Peelis one of only a few high-quality pizza peels that are available in small sizes. This is helpful because larger peels tend to take up a lot of space. If you prefer smaller pizzas and kitchen space is at a premium, smaller peels are the way to go.

The Pizza Royale peel is made of bamboo, which is lightweight, durable, and generally considered the most environmentally-friendly "woods," though it’s really a grass. Bamboo is also antimicrobial, which should keep bacteria and other germs from setting up shop on your peel.

Food Shark Marfa recommends the Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel as the best pizza peel because it’s lightweight and feels comfortable in one’s hands. The reviewer also notes that the bamboo is easy to clean and is resistant to bacteria. In the tests, the tapered edge slid under the pizza easily. Several other sites recommend this peel as the best pizza peel, including Kitchen Rated, Chew the World, and Yum of China.

There are more than 800 five-star reviews of the Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel on Amazon. One buyer found that all of the marketing claims for this model were true: the board is smooth, has a nice beveled edge, comfortable grip, and is easy to clean. She was also impressed that the owner of the company contacted her to see what she thought of the peel.

Other reviewers like how dough slides off the bamboo easily, though one buyer notes you may need to use tongs to lift the edge of the pizza off the pizza stone.

Pros: Easy to clean, comfortable grip, made of sustainable bamboo, excellent customer service, risk-free 180-day guarantee

Cons: Requires proper care for long-term durability

Buy the Pizza Royale Ethically Sourced Premium Natural Bamboo Pizza Peel on Amazon for $10.95 to $27.95 (price varies by size)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I checked out an exclusive $1.75 million Ferrari Monza SP. Here's what it was like. (RACE)

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Ferrari Monza SP1

  • The Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 are part of a new Icona lineup.
  • The cars evoke classic racing Ferraris of the past — and they're priced for exclusivity, at nearly $2 million.
  • They're "barchetta" designs, with no windshields but with available Ferrari-branded carbon-fiber helmets.


Ferraris are already exclusive, but there are some Ferraris that are more exclusive than others.

The newest prancing horses to join the stable are the Icona Monza SP1 and SP2. Only 500 will be produced, and they're set to priced around $1.75 million apiece. 

The Monzas evoke Ferraris long, long history in racing. "The ... SP1 and SP2 are inspired by barchettas of the 1950s which were driven to victory in international motor sport not just by official works team drivers from the Scuderia, but also by a legion of gentlemen drivers who, in those years, frequently found themselves wheel to wheel with legendary professional drivers of the era," the Italian carmaker said last year when the due was revealed.

I recently had a chance to drop by Ferrari's North American headquarters to check out the Monza SP1. Here's how it went:

 

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The Monza SP1 is a "barchetta" ("little boat" in Italian). You'll need a helmet with a face-shield. Or goggles. Or some very fashionable sunglasses. Because the Monza has no top and no windshield.



The SP1 has a partner in style: the SP2, adding a seat. Both cars are Ferrari specials, and only 500 will be built, all based off customer specifications. Ferrari announced the cars last year.



Ferrari brought this impeccable example of the 750 Monza from 1955 to its North American HQ to celebrate the new Monza SP1 and SP2 — together they form the basis of ...



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I recently bought this $250 bed frame from Amazon — and was surprised at how much more expensive it looks in person

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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.

Zinus Bedframe

  • At $250 for a queen, the Zinus platform bed is reasonably priced for a bed frame and headboard that looks clean and classic, and more importantly, won't break after one move.
  • It comes in four sizes and two different neutral colors to fit any bedroom's vibe.
  • If you're moving, you can also get an additional 10% off with the Amazon movers' discount.

When my fiancé and I were moving into a new apartment in New York City, we knew we had to upgrade our furniture, specifically the bed frame from our first-job-out-of-college days. It wasn't broken, but it also wasn't not brokenwe just needed something more grown-up. Our next pick had to fit just three small requirements it couldn't cost a ton (hey, we're already paying NYC rent!), it had to be sturdy enough to last at least one move (there's no such thing as a single-use bed frame), and it had to have a headboard (a clear sign of "adulting"). This Zinus bed frame nailed all three.

It has a 4.7 star rating on Amazon and it's easy to see why the price is reasonable, the overall look is quite classic, and it's really easy to assemble.

At $250, the bed isn't dirt cheap, but it's also not an investment piece, either. It's a reasonable price for something that doesn't have an immediately recognizable brand name or brick-and-mortar location where you can check out the quality in person. Since we were moving, we also applied for the Amazon movers' coupon. It's a 10% discount off all items sold by Amazon (as in, Amazon, the seller, and not just Amazon, the site) capped at $200 for 90 days. To apply, you just have to fill out a change of address form with the USPS in person for free or online for $1. Once verified, you can buy everything you need to furnish your next apartment at a pretty sweet discount.

Zinus bed frame 2

The Zinus bed comes in a twin, full, queen, and king size, and in dark and sage gray. We have the dark gray, but both are neutral colors that can match any room's vibe. The diamond pattern in the headboard is a low-key elevated touch that makes you wonder if it's a West Elm piece, because it definitely doesn't look like it's from IKEA. And speaking of the headboard, it also has a handy zippered compartment behind it that's perfect for holding the instruction booklet and assembly tools, so you won't lose them. We also use the space to store extra (read: old) bed sheets and pillowcases.

Like with most other furniture, the bed came with easy pictorial instructions and all the tools you'd need to put it together — which is basically a teeny-tiny hex key that you'll drop every other turn because it's so small. Thankfully, the instructions are easy enough so using a tool meant for a child's hand is the only frustrating part of putting the bed together.

Zinus Bed frame 3

Another thing we also really liked was the customer service, though not all the reviews will agree with us on this. Our bed arrived in a few days with Prime shipping and a cracked leg, which meant we couldn't use it the night we got it, so we left feedback about the problem on Amazon and it promptly sent over a whole new set of legs. They arrived fine and have held up, so if anyone needs extras, hit me up.

For $250, the Zinus bed is a pretty good buy. It's reasonably priced for something a step above your college furniture and will last a few years, or at least a few moves. It also means that we won't regret it too much if we decide to upgrade our bed again in a few years.

Buy the Zinu Shalini Diamond Stitched Bed Frame for $189-$278 on Amazon

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This $11 clay mask that has over 14,00 5-star reviews on Amazon is the only thing that has helped clear up my skin

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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.

aztec secret indian healing clay

There are a few things that the majority of people who know me would be able to recite off-the-cuff that I love. That list would include the Scribd reading app, comfort and convenience in general (twill flannel-like sheets, fluffy robes, and non-spilling wine glasses), and, lastly, face masks.

For the last few years, face masks have been a pivotal part of 'relaxing' for me. Long day? Throw on a face mask! Horrible commute? Face mask. It became the creature comfort version of Penicillin for every daily ill.

While I've tried everything from the Allure Best of Beauty 2017 $80 TLC Babyface Facial to whatever was under $6 in the TJ Maxx pile, the changes in clarity specifically were always minimal or too fleeting to warrant much shouting from the rooftops or jazz hands in the streets. Sheet masks and hydration masks always moisturized wonderfully, but clay masks remained entertainingly garish and lavish (so, more mentally helpful) rather than actually noticeably improving the clarity, texture, and tone of my skin. 

That is, until I tried the $11 Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask that has almost 20,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.4-star rating. Even though I've been obsessed with face masks for years, this is the only one that I would go so far as to claim has actually markedly (and for the long-term) improved my skin. After a few weeks of using it once a week, my temperamental combination skin is smoother, clearer, and more even overall. 

The Aztec Clay Mask basically acts like a vacuum for your pores in the 5-20 minutes it's on. The 100% natural calcium bentonite clay draws out all the impurities deep in your skin for what has been called 'the world's most powerful facial'. I can't say it's "the world's most" anything, but it is the first thing I have ever used that wasn't prescribed by a dermatologist and actually works. In fact, it's the first topical treatment I've ever used (prescribed or not) that has actually worked. 

Like all of my best purchases, I found it through a recommendation. A couple weeks ago, I asked the Business Insider staff to send me the best things they had ever bought on Amazon for under $25 and I bought this mask after seeing a colleague mention it as her "most recommended product." Apparently, it had been hiding in plain sight. Once I had heard of it, I couldn't stop seeing it everywhere: in articles, videos, Youtube testimonials with over 1 million views, and even the Sephora beauty blog, which is typically filled with luxe options from of-the-moment brands. But, all in all, the Aztec Clay Mask is worth the eerie, cult-favorite hype. 

59ea0f5e2f2d9234008b4767 750 563 1

Now, instead of putting on any face mask to have a fun night drinking wine with girlfriends, I apply this religiously once a week to sit with my facial muscles rendered immobile for about 10-20 minutes. In other words, it's the first mask I've used for the purpose of what it does to my skin, rather than how it makes me feel. I actually had a moment of paranoia where I considered buying another tub (which is giant even for $9) in advance in case the sellers catch onto the craze and raise prices.

However, you should be careful to only use the Aztec Clay Mask for the recommended 5-10 minutes if you have delicate skin, and be prepared to feel the mask become scaly and tight on your face. I actually have to drink out of a straw when this stuff is on. It's powerful, so you'll see some redness after you take it off, but that has always dissipated within 10-15 minutes or so for me, despite having the sort of sensitive, pale skin that makes yoga teachers worried they aren't giving the class enough water breaks. 

Thanks to its massive popularity, you can grab it from basically any retailer, but it's a few dollars cheaper on the organic food site Thrive Market ($6.59 versus $9+ elsewhere as of now — though you'll need a membership to access it).

All in all, I can say from experience that this cheap wunderkind clay mask is absolutely worth a try if you'd like to see clearer and smoother skin immediately. Skin care is a touchy thing, and even with nearly 20,000 reviews you can't know for sure that it will work for you, but it is so far the only thing that has ever really made a difference in the clarity and appearance of my skin — and it seems I'm not alone in feeling that way. 

*Update: After many suggestions from Amazon reviews and a reader writing in, I tried the Aztec Mask mixed with Apple Cider Vinegar. It worked markedly better than before even. You may find the smell unpleasant, but it is worth it for the soft skin, even texture, and improved tone — and absolutely at $9.

Buy the Aztec Secret Clay Mask on Amazon, $10.95 

Buy the Aztec Secret Clay Mask on Thrive Market, $6.59 

Buy Apple Cider Vinegar on Amazon, $9.59

SEE ALSO: 30 beauty gifts from Nordstrom that come with free shipping

DON'T MISS: I'm using this unexpected pantry item to wash my face — and my skin has never looked better

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The CEO of a real-estate brokerage says the weekend that determines the direction of the housing market every year is right around the corner

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manhattan real estate housing

Super Bowl Sunday is a long-awaited moment for sports fans across the US — but it's also an indicator of how the year's housing market will perform.

That's according to Glenn Kelman, CEO of the online real-estate brokerage Redfin, based in Seattle.

NPR's Stacey Vanek Smith spoke to Kelman last month on a segment of the podcast "The Indicator From Planet Money." When Smith asked him if he expected 2018 to end with a whimper or a bang, Kelman gave an answer that was simple but definite: a whimper.

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman

While the downward trend could smooth out in 2019, "a deeper drought in housing is dark news for just about everybody, not just the banks," Business Insider's Alex Morell reported. "Significant housing declines have foreshadowed nine of the 11 post-World War II recessions in the US, according to another note by UBS from December examining the housing slowdown."

And there's one weekend that Kelman says will indicate the direction of the market: the weekend of the Super Bowl, which is this Sunday.

Read more: Redfin's CEO explains why competitors should fear him

"That weekend is the weekend where the housing market either goes crazy or it takes a nap," Kelman said on NPR, later referring to the weekend as a sort of "Groundhog Day for the housing market."

"What I'll be watching that weekend is just how many people are touring houses and, on Sunday night, how many of them decide to make an offer," Kelman continued.

2019 has already seen several notable real-estate transactions. Most recently, the billionaire hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin shattered the US real-estate record with the purchase of a $238 million New York penthouse, topping the $137 million Hamptons mansion that the hedge-fund manager Barry Rosenstein purchased in 2014.

That news, however, followed a decline in home sales in 2018 that reached every region of the US, including the Hamptons.

SEE ALSO: Billionaire Ken Griffin just bought a $238 million penthouse — and it's the most expensive home ever sold in the US

NOW READ: The top real-estate broker in the US sold $1.9 billion worth of homes in 2017 — and he says he pulled it off by following 2 top rules of selling

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NOW WATCH: You've probably been folding your shirts and socks all wrong, according to organizing expert Marie Kondo

I ditched Instagram 2 months ago for my birthday, and now I'm convinced there's no going back

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scuba

  • In the fall I deleted my Instagram account before spending my birthday in Honduras.
  • I haven't reactivated my account or looked at the social-media platform since.
  • Without Instagram, I have an easier time enjoying the present. I no longer stress about taking good photos, uploading them quickly, or getting lots of likes. It's incredibly freeing.

There's a four-minute video my fiancee took of me on a beach in Honduras where it looks like I'm doing nothing but staring at the ground. For four whole minutes.

In reality I'm watching a tiny peach-colored crab ducking in and out of its shell in a kind of delicate dance on top of a tangle of blue-green seaweed. I was curious.

Curiosity, though, is a trait of mine that tends to disappear when I'm on social media.

Had I been using Instagram during that weeklong birthday vacation at the beginning of December, this moment probably wouldn't have happened.

But just before boarding the plane, I gave myself the gift of choosing to hit pause on one form of social media. Out of all of the options — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram — Instagram had been my stand-up favorite.

I loved taking photos and editing them. I loved getting validation from friends who liked and commented on my pictures. I also loved — or at least felt compelled to love — ogling the images others posted.

Yet as I watched their adventures unfolding in front of me, I couldn't help feel like my activities didn't measure up. I was either missing out on something or not doing enough. As I scrolled each stroke of my thumb seemed to erode the miniature bursts of confidence that every like on my photos seemed to produce.

I'd also been reading the news.

This fall, Facebook had been accused of failing to interfere in several orchestrated campaigns of misinformation, racism, and ethnic cleansing carried out on its platform.

First was Myanmar, where military personnel had reportedly used Facebook as a tool for ethnic cleansing, according to a blistering October article in The New York Times. Then came reports that Facebook had hired a Republican-linked opposition-research firm called Definers Public Affairs to smear activists within the company.

So in November I decided I'd had enough. I deleted Instagram and started the process of exiting Facebook's other two platforms, Facebook and WhatsApp. I'm still on Twitter, which I use primarily for work.

A few days later, I took my first vacation in years and celebrated my birthday in Honduras without two-thirds of my normal social-media diet. I haven't reactivated Instagram — or even scrolled through a friend's — since. It's not that I buy the "social media is bad for your brain" argument (in fact, I've written about why most of the so-called research behind that claim is bogus). I just felt as if Facebook was playing too central a role in my life.

By scaling back, I learned a lot about the relationship I want to have with myself and the world around me.

Breaking up with my favorite platform

dock

I fell out of love with Instagram the moment I realized it made me fall out of time: recording moments after they'd finished rather than experiencing them as they were unfolding.

When I first started using Instagram, I thought the platform was helping me to savor each moment. I could snap a photo of an experience, save it on my phone, and simultaneously broadcast it to my family and friends.

In reality, using the platform shifted the act of experiencing to past tense. If you were to take me back in time to some of my most "Instagrammable" moments, I couldn't really tell you what happened. Instead, my clearest memories of the event include a sharp recall of the rush to edit and post and a strangely crisp recollection of the images that people liked the most.

So just before leaving for Honduras I decided to delete my Instagram account. I opened up my laptop (you can't delete your account from your phone), told Instagram why I was leaving (the option to delete appears only after you've selected a reason for leaving from a drop-down menu), and clicked "Permanently delete my account." (If you survive the onslaught of messages that ask if you're "sure" you want to leave, you'll be tempted again about 24 hours later by an email that let's you reactivate, no questions asked.)

A few days later I boarded a plane and prepared to spend a week without the social-media network I'd relied upon the most.

Living in slow motion

crab

At first, being without Instagram was lonely. It didn't help that I'd just left most of my closest friends and family 2,500 miles away, or that I'd also just promised to scale back from Facebook, the other platform I used most frequently.

I missed knowing what everyone was up to; I missed everyone knowing what I was up to.

And then I realized: There was a great deal of freedom in not knowing. I could do whatever I felt like doing, not whatever I felt like I should be doing.

The next few days felt like they unfolded in slow motion. In retrospect, I think it was just the first time in a long time when I didn't feel rushed, pressured, or observed.

I knew that even being able to take a vacation was an immense privilege, but for years, I struggled to enjoy it, to feel like I was doing what I should when I should, that I was where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there.

Then I got off Instagram, and it suddenly became a lot easier.

From our friend's apartment on Roatan, Honduras, my fiancee and I wandered along the pale warm sand, felt it scrub our toes and heels, and listened to the waves crash in the distance. We hung our feet over a dock nearby and watched hundreds of tiny fish circling in the clear water. We watched a sunset and felt the breeze tickle our necks as dusk settled in. Out on that dock, I also finished the first book I'd read in months.

Later on, we took a boat to another island, where I scuba dived for the first time. Swimming in the turquoise water behind our boat, we crossed paths with a pod of dolphins and heard them squeakily calling to one another as they passed. We got caught in a torrential downpour, ate street food from a cart, tasted freshly caught lionfish marinated in lime and salt.

On the beach I found a tiny crab, crouched down next to it like a child, and watched it timidly climb up and down tiny mountains of seaweed for four whole, uninterrupted, blissful minutes. I imagined what the world must look like to that crab — so much beauty to explore, yet so many giants to be afraid of too.

With the exception of one photo I posted to Twitter, none of those moments exist on a social platform. But I remember them like they were yesterday.

SEE ALSO: A group of Mark Zuckerberg-funded researchers is testing implantable brain devices as part of a $5 billion quest to end disease

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NOW WATCH: I stopped eating breakfast for 2 weeks and I'm never doing it again


Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and other models who appeared in the viral Fyre Festival ad could be forced to reveal how much they got paid to promote it

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Fyre

  • The top models and influencers who promoted Fyre Festival could be forced to reveal the details of what they were paid to do so.
  • A court-appointed liquidation trustee in the Fyre Media case has asked the judge to submit a round of subpoenas to Kendall Jenner and IMG Models and DNA Model Management, agencies that represent Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Emily Ratajkowski.

Fyre Festival is coming back to bite the top models and influencers who promoted it.

On Friday, a court-appointed liquidation trustee in the Fyre Media case filed a request for the judge to subpoena management agencies representing top models to force them to reveal how much money they were paid by Billy McFarland and his media company to promote Fyre Festival. Billboard was first to report on the filing.

McFarland, the 27-year-old founder of Fyre Media, was sentenced to six years in prison in October after pleading guilty to defrauding investors out of more than $27.4 million.

The court document said that IMG Models and DNA Model Management, which represent Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Emily Ratajkowski, were paid as much as $1.5 million for their services. These models appeared in the Fyre Festival promotional video, frolicking on yachts in the Bahamas.

Kendall Jenner may also be subpoenaed regarding a payment of $275,000 outlined in the filing. Jenner reportedly received $250,000 for one Instagram post, which she has since deleted.

Read more: These photos reveal why the 27-year-old organizer of the disastrous Fyre Festival has been sentenced to 6 years in prison

The trustee, Gregory Messer, is requesting the judge subpoena other management agencies, musicians, and suppliers who worked on Fyre Festival. In total, these parties received nearly $5.3 million from Fyre Media, the filing said.

Fyre Festival was advertised as an exclusive music festival on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas over two weekends in April and May 2017. Tickets cost $1,200 to $100,000.

Guests were told they would fly in from Miami on private jets, sleep in luxury accommodations, and eat gourmet food. The reality was very different: They were left stranded with half-built huts to sleep in and cold cheese sandwiches to eat.

Fyre Festival "spent tremendous amounts of time and borrowed money promoting the Festival through YouTube videos and social media promotions featuring famous celebrities," the filing said. "As a result of this advertising and promotional blitz, thousands of people purchased tickets to the Festival."

Watch the full promotional video for Fyre Festival:

SEE ALSO: Fyre Festival founder sentenced to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors out of millions of dollars in various ticketing schemes

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NOW WATCH: How KFC became China's most popular fast-food chain and made nearly $5 billion last year

7 retail products that are going to explode in popularity in 2019 — and the startups making them

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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.

2019 product trends 8

Everything about online retail is changing: how you look for products, how social apps influence what you actually buy, and how a product gets to your front door not long after you place your order. 

But it's not only how you shop that's rapidly innovating. It's also what you're shopping for. 

In every industry, companies are becoming more creative, sustainable, and smart about their products. With shoppers enjoying the vast choice and convenience of the internet, brands have no alternative but to stay on their feet and think a couple steps ahead of the competition. 

These changes and trends are all good news for shoppers. As both product writers and regular shoppers, we predict that in 2019, the following product trends are set to take the stage and have their moment. 

Based on their growth in the past couple years and their future potential, these 7 types of products should be on your radar in 2019.

Clothing made from sustainable and recycled fabrics

In every facet of your life, you have opportunities to be a more responsible consumer and do your part to reduce your impact on the planet. You can wash your hair without lining your tub with bottles, pack up your leftovers in a beeswax wrap instead of plastic, and invest in long-lasting clothes made from alternative materials. 

The movement against fast fashion is led by startups like ADAY, Everlane, and Reformation, where sustainability is woven into their DNA. Larger companies like Patagonia and Adidas are also doing their part. Next year, it'll be easier than ever to find closet staples like cashmere sweaters and work flats that use repurposed materials — and you won't be able to feel the difference. 



Healthy, ready-made meal kits

Meal kit delivery services often tout convenience as one of their main draws. After all, you don't have to think about what to make, spend time at the grocery store, or leave your house. However, much to the chagrin of anyone who doesn't love cooking or doesn't have 30 minutes to an hour to spare, you do in fact still have to cook the food.

Ultimately, the fastest way to feed yourself is a ready-made meal. Snap Kitchen and Veestro are two online companies that are appealing themselves to customers who realize traditional meal kit delivery services aren't for them by delivering healthy meal plans and a la carte meals that you can simply microwave or heat in the oven. Preservative-free and made with organic, natural ingredients, they're a large step up from the microwave dinners you're thinking of. 



CBD — in everything

While 2018 saw the introduction of many products containing CBD, 2019 is when this industry will really flourish. In December 2018, Congress passed a bill legalizing hemp, a key source of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD. That means you're going to see CBD infused into every possible product you can imagine, from food to skincare.

Already, you can buy small-batch olive oil from California, moisturizing body lotion, and even vitamin gummies, all harnessing the restorative power of CBD to treat chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety.



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The best curtain rods you can buy

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the best curtain rods

  • Curtain rods are functional but they also act as a decorative accessory to the curtains in your home. 
  • The Decopolitan End Cap Single Curtain Rod Set is our top pick because you can choose from a variety of finishes, the rods are sturdy, and they complement just about any space.

Whether you have just moved into a new home or are redecorating, window treatments are one of the first things you need to add privacy and style to your space. Selecting the curtains depends on function and personal taste, but it's easy to forget that the curtain rods should also be selected with care.

Curtain rods and hardware can be chosen purely for functionality or as a finishing touch, like selecting jewelry for an outfit. In every instance, the rods must be able to accommodate the weight of the fabric and the number of curtain layers at each window.

When you're shopping for a curtain rod, consider the finish color. Do you want the rod to disappear, complement the curtains, or make a statement? Look at other finishes in the room. Stainless steel or nickel are great in kitchens and bathrooms, but copper or bronze may work better with lighting fixtures in living spaces.

Before you begin your search, be sure to measure the window or area you want to cover so that you are sure the curtain rod meets your needs before you fall in love with it. It's also important that the rod is sized to accommodate the grommets, curtain rings, or top pocket opening of the curtains you've selected.

Here are the best curtain rods you can buy:

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

The best curtain rod overall

Why you'll love it: If you are looking for a reasonably-priced, sturdy curtain rod in a variety of finishes, Decopolitan's End Cap Single Curtain Rod Set is the best choice.

Affordable and durable, the Decopolitan End Cap Single Curtain Rod Setwith itsclean, classic lines is a perfect choice. The set is offered in three finishes, including black espresso, nickel, and copper, and you can get it in adjustable lengths from 18 to 144 inches. The finishes are baked on, factory applied to the metal — not painted — for durability.

The rods measure 7/8 of an inch in diameter and feature a matching end cap. The rod and mounting brackets are made from steel to support heavier fabrics. The only tools needed for installation are a 1/4-inch drill bit, Phillips head screwdriver, and a level. Matching curtain holdbacks are sold separately.

Widely available online and in stores, the curtain rods received great reviews from buyers at Kohls. One buyer wrote, "This product came as described and installation was a breeze. I was worried about the extension and weight but the rods were solid with the middle support."

On Amazon, 68% of shoppers found the rods to be just what they need. Top comments were "easy to install," "looks great," and "great price."

The many options for sizes and finishes will meet the demands of nearly every home. If a larger rod is desired, Decopolitan offers a wide variety of drapery hardware reflecting the latest in home decor trends.

Pros: Sturdy, all metal construction, three finishes available, adjustable rods in a variety of sizes

Cons: May not support heavy drapes over a long span

Buy the Decopolitan End Cap Single Curtain Rod Set on Amazon for $16.15 to $29.99 (price varies by size)



The best curtain rod for renters

Why you'll love it: Landlords can get pretty upset when you start drilling holes for curtain rods, but with a RoomDividersNow tension rod, you can avoid stressing them out.

Tension curtain rods are the perfect solution for renters. There are no holes to drill in the wall to mount hardware, they can be used with decorative curtain rings or simply slipped through the top pocket of the curtain, and you can take them with you to your next home.

The rods from RoomDividersNow come in a variety of adjustable sizes from 28 inches to 150 inches. As the company's name implies, you can use them for windows or create a room divider in a loft or kid's room. These heavy-duty rods come in black, gold, silver, or white finishes.

If you are looking for a turn-key solution, Bed Bath & Beyond sells a package that includes the rod and a heavyweight panel curtain in a choice of seven colors. The majority of reviews are five stars with one buyer stating, "Great quality product. Easy to set up, color great. Great value. Love it."

Some 68% of the nearly 2,000 reviews on Amazon say that RoomDividersNow rods are five-star worthy. The most commonly mentioned phrases are "easy to install," "well made," "heavy duty," and "good quality."

Pros: Easy to use, no holes to drill, can be easily moved to a new location

Cons: Not the most decorative rod, will rust in high humidity areas, long runs may need additional center support to prevent sagging

Buy the RoomsDividerNow tension rod on Amazon for $28.99 to $59.99 (price varies by size)



The best curtain rod for traverse draw heavy drapes

Why you'll love it: For heavy fabrics or long runs of drapery, the Rod Desyne Heavy Duty Adjustable Traverse Rod is an excellent choice for smoothly opening and closing drapes.

A long span of drapes over multiple windows or sliding glass doors can be difficult to open and close by hand. A long curtain rod is going to need center supports to hold the weight of the fabric and that makes closing drapes completely nearly impossible. Using a traverse rod with a pull-cord system will solve the problem.

By pulling a cord to smoothly slide drapes open and closed, you do not need to pull on the fabric with your hands. This keeps the drapes cleaner and looking new longer by reducing wear and tear.

Traverse rods are available for single or double-hung drapes if you would like to add sheers under heavier fabrics. The Rod Desyne Traverse Rod comes in adjustable lengths of 30 to 156 inches. Each rod is complete with mounting hardware, end brackets, supports, and sliders. The drapes are attached to the sliders by drapery pins or hooks.

On Amazon, 69% of the buyers rate the rods as five stars. On JCPenney, a shopper wrote, "this rod glides smoothly when you pull the cord. It didn't have that jerky action like some rods do."

Another reviewer found that the rod was perfect for heavy velvet drapes. "Much better than the previous rods which weren't made to handle heady-duty drapes and buckled under the weight."  Around 92% of buyers agreed and would recommend the rods.

Pros: Available in a wide range of lengths, heavy-duty, easy-to-install

Cons: Plastic slides can break if drapery is very heavy, long rods are prone to damage during shipping

Buy the Rod Desyne Heavy Duty Adjustable Travers Rod on Amazon for $20.49 to $48.99 (price varies by size)



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Southwest is running an unheard-of deal for its credit cards — you'll get the coveted Companion Pass simply by opening one

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  • When you open a new personal Southwest credit card, you can earn the best-ever sign-up bonus offered for the cards: 30,000 points and an unlimited Companion Pass, which is valid for travel through 2019.
  • The Companion Pass lets you book a free ticket for a companion whenever you travel — all you'll have to pay is taxes and fees (which are typically as low as $5.60 each way).
  • There are only two weeks left before this offer is gone for good — it ends on February 11.
  • Our pick for the best Southwest card to open is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card; however, read on to see which is best for you. 

For a limited time, people who apply for any of Southwest Airlines and Chase's co-branded credit cards will be able to earn Southwest's coveted Companion Pass as a sign-up bonus.

The new sign-up bonus is effectively the best deal ever offered on any of Southwest's credit cards. In addition to the Companion Pass, which will be valid through 2019, new cardholders can also earn 30,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points. 

To earn the sign-up bonus, new cardholders must spend $4,000 on the card within the first three months of opening it. The bonus is available only until February 11.

The surprise promotion — coming just one day after a previous limited-time offer ended — represents what can arguably be described as the best-ever sign-up bonus offered by Southwest and Chase.

The Southwest Companion pass is often seen as the "holy grail" of travel for points-and-miles aficionados and self-described "travel hackers." When you earn the Companion Pass, you can select a designated friend or family member to travel with you for free, as long as the pass is valid.

Normally to earn the Companion Pass, one has to earn 110,000 qualifying points with Southwest within a calendar year. The pass will then be valid for the remainder of that calendar year, as well as the entirety of the following one.

Typically, you may be able to earn some of those qualifying points by opening a credit card and earning the normal sign-up bonus, but as Chase has added restrictions on who is eligible — for instance, you can't just open two consumer cards at once, earn the bonuses, and use those points to qualify — it's become harder to earn unless you're a very frequent business traveler.

The ability to earn the Companion Pass purely as a sign-up bonus makes it significantly easier to acquire. Should new applicants hit the minimum spend requirement quickly, signing up for one credit card can equal 11 months of buy-one-get-one flights. Coupled with competitive fares on Southwest, the pass can be used for everything from longer vacations to easy, affordable weekends away. While taxes and fees are still charged on Companion tickets, these start at $5.60 for domestic flights, and rarely exceed $20 to $25.

In order to receive the bonus, you can't currently hold a personal Southwest credit card, and you can't have earned a sign-up bonus from a Southwest card in the past 24 months. If you currently hold a card, but earned the bonus from it longer than 24 months ago (or never earned the bonus), you may be able to close that, wait a week or so, and apply for a new card.

Southwest and Chase offer three personal credit cards. The Southwest Priority Card is the best option for most people because, even though it has the highest annual fee of the three cards at $149, it offers annual credits and anniversary bonus points that are together worth at least $150, meaning the card pays for itself.

However, if you're dead set against an annual fee in the three-digit range, the other cards are compelling options — especially with the Companion Pass as a sign-up bonus.

Read on to learn more about the three personal Southwest cards.

Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make these cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far outweigh the value of any rewards.

When you're working to earn credit card rewards, it's important to practice financial discipline, like paying your balances off in full each month, making payments on time, and not spending more than you can afford to pay back. Basically, treat your credit card like a debit card.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card

The Rapid Rewards Plus is the base level of the three Southwest cards. However, just because it's a bit less featured than its bigger siblings doesn't mean it's a bad option.

The card earns 2 times points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases, and one point per dollar on everything else. You'll also get 3,000 bonus points each year on your card-membership anniversary.

That's essentially the gist of this card — there's not too much to it. There are, however, a couple of things worth noting.

It has a $69 annual fee that isn't waived the first year. Of course, the sign-up bonus — the Companion Pass for 2019 and 30,000 points — goes a long way toward making up for that, while the anniversary points help each year after.

All in all, while the Plus card has the lowest annual fee, it doesn't offer a ton of value after the first year. If you want to earn Southwest points on your credit card, but absolutely want to pay the lowest possible annual fee, then this card is probably the best option. However, if you're ok with paying a higher annual fee, knowing that you'll get more value from the card than you'll pay for that fee, you're better off considering one of the other two.

Click here to learn more about the Southwest Plus card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card

The Premier card is similar to the Plus, with a few enhancements.

The sign-up bonus is the same, but it offers 6,000 anniversary points each year instead of 3,000.

It also offers the ability to earn tier-qualifying points, which count toward the elite "A-list" status. You'll earn 1,500 tier points each time you spend $10,000 within a calendar year, up to $100,000 (or 15,000 tier points) per year.

Otherwise, the biggest appeal of the Premier over the Plus is that it doesn't have foreign-transaction fees — if you use your Plus abroad, you'll be charged an extra 3% on every purchase.

The Premier's annual fee is $99, compared with the $69 fee on the Plus, but the extra anniversary points should generally cover that increase.

Click here to learn more about the Southwest Premier card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card

Generally, though, the Priority is the best option if you're a Southwest flyer.

That's because, even though it has the highest fee at $149, it offers at least $150 in value each year, effectively cancelling out the fee.

The Priority offers 7,500 bonus anniversary points each year, as well as an annual $75 Southwest travel credit, which can be applied to purchases like flights. Assuming that Southwest points are worth $0.01 each — although you can usually get more value than that — that means that you're getting $150 of value each year just from these two benefits, which cancels out the annual fee.

The card also has a few other benefits, including up to four Upgraded Boarding certificates each year, meaning you can board earlier and choose your seat. You'll also get 20% back on in-flight purchases, and the same ability to earn tier-qualifying points as the Premier card.

Ultimately, as long as you're willing to front the money for the annual fee, the Priority card pays for itself.

However, if you're absolutely set against the higher fee, the Plus and the Priority can be good options as well.

Click here to learn more about the Southwest Priority card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and perks of 2019

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NOW WATCH: 6 airline industry secrets that will help you fly like a pro

Save up to $70 on Amazon devices like the Fire TV Cube — and more of today's best deals from around the web

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Since you don't have all day to scour the web for noteworthy sales and discounts, we rounded up the best bargains for you to shop in one convenient place.

Echo Dot For Kids, $79.99

1. Buy one Echo Dot Kids Edition and get another one for free

Amazon transformed it's immensely popular smart speaker into a kid-friendly device: the Echo Dot Kids Edition. Kids can use voice commands to turn Alexa into a DJ, storyteller, comedian, and more. When you buy one, you'll receive a two-year worry-free guarantee and a year of FreeTime Unlimited, which gives your kids access to hundreds of hours of fun and educational content, audio books, ad-free radio stations, and more. For a limited time, you'll also receive a second Echo Dot Kids Edition for free when you buy one.

Echo Dot Kids Edition 2 Pack, $69.99 (Originally $139.98) [You save $69.99]

Samsung

2. Save up to 30% on 4K Smart TVs at Samsung

Even if you won't be in Atlanta this weekend for Super Bowl LIII, having a really good TV can make it seem like you're there — and Samsung has a great selection of 4K Smart TVs on sale. Right now, you can save up to 30% on QLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TVs and other premium Ultra HD TVs. With everything from modest 40-inch TVs to insanely big 82-inch TVs, you'll find a brilliant display that fits your home and your budget.

Shop on-sale 4K Smart TVs at Samsung now.

Naadam

3. Save 25% on outerwear and accessories at Naadam

Naadam is a new apparel company that specializes in sustainably sourced and ethically made cashmere goods. The brand's sweaters are always a good buy, but right now, you can save 25% on cold weather outerwear and accessories. The sale includes wool coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and more.

Shop the Naadam sale now.

Nike dotd

4. Save an extra 20% on clearance items at Nike

If you're aiming to improve your fitness this year, Nike has all of the gear and footwear you need to help you reach your goals — and with an ongoing winter clearance sale, you'll save a lot of money. Right now, you can take an extra 20% off clearance items by using the promo code "SAVE20" at checkout. In addition to Nike products, you'll also find selections from Jordan, Converse, and Hurley (all owned by Nike) included. The sale ends today, so you might want to jump on the opportunity to save sooner than later.

Shop the Nike winter clearance sale now.

Huckberry

5. Save up to 60% on outerwear at Huckberry

Huckberry is known for having a wide selection of quality outdoor brands that can stand up to the elements in style. While many of these premium products come with price tags to match, Huckberry is having a sale you'll want to take advantage of. For a limited time, you can save up to 60% on outerwear. The sale includes brands like Proof, O.N.S. Clothing, Baracuta, Penfield, Faherty, and more.

Shop the Huckberry sale now.

Bonobos

6. Save an extra 50% on final sale styles at Bonobos

What started out as a startup with one great pair of pants is now a premium menswear brand you'd be hard-pressed not to see around your office every day. Right now, the brand is making it a lot more affordable to fill your closet with an extra 50% off already-reduced final sale styles. Simply use the promo code "DONTQUIT" at checkout to take advantage of the offer. The sale includes chinos, jeans, button-ups, sweaters, activewear, outerwear, and much more.

Shop the Bonobos sale now.

Amazon Fire TV Cube

7.Save $40 on the Amazon Fire TV Cube

Using Alexa voice recognition, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is the first hands-free 4K Ultra HD streaming player. You can ask Alexa to turn on the TV, dim your lights, and choose what to play without getting up from the couch or touching a remote. In addition to being able to do everything involving your TV-viewing experience, Alexa can also set timers, check the weather, give you news updates, and more.  Right now, you can save $40 on the device.

Amazon Fire TV Cube, $79.99 (Originally $119.99)[You save $40]

Omaha Steaks

8. Save up to 63% on Omaha Steaks Combos and Gifts

Valentine's Day is a couple of weeks away and if you're still trying to come up with plans, Omaha Steaks has deals that might make you want to spend the night in. Rather than making reservations for a crowded restaurant and paying inflated menu prices, you and your partner or date can make a gourmet steak dinner at home. Right now, you can save on a solid selection of combos and gifts with discounts up to 63% off.

Shop all combos and gift sets at Omaha Steaks now.

Leesa

9. Save up to $210 on a Leesa mattress

As the best overall mattress we've tested, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress is a great buy even at full price. But right now, you can automatically save $210 on one. In addition to deals on mattresses, Leesa is also marking down its sheets, pillows, and blankets up to 30% off. If buying a mattress online worried you (even with the many great reviews), you'll be able to try it out yourself worry-free. Leesa provides a 100-night sleep trial with free returns and shipping if you're unsatisfied. 

Shop the Leesa Sleep sale now.

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