Ditch The Diet for Healthy Habits

High Five for Fiber!

Fiber refers to certain types of carbohydrates that our body cannot digest. These carbohydrates pass through the intestinal tract intact and help to move waste out of the body.

Fiber | lookingjoligood.blog

Diets that are low in fiber have been shown to cause problems such as constipation and hemorrhoids and to increase the risk for certain types of cancers such as colon cancer.

Diets high in fiber; however, have been shown to decrease risks for heart disease, obesity, and they help lower cholesterol. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products. (See the 4 Fs of Bowel Health post for a more detailed list of high fiber foods.)

Delicious Foods to Help You Lose Weight! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Fiber helps to keep everything moving down and out.

The majority of American women do not get enough daily fiber. Most people should aim for 25–35 grams of fiber a day.

An added bonus to fiber is that it keeps you feeling fuller longer, as well as slowing down the absorption of sugars and the release of those sugars into your bloodstream.

If you are not used to eating a fiber rich diet you need to take it slow! Don’t just start eating all the high fiber foods that you can find. Start with a little bit at a time and increase your intake by one fiber rich food every two -three days depending on how your gut is responding.

You cannot just increase your fiber without increasing your fluid intake. You will end up with a lot of gas and possibly even more stopped up!

Keep in mind that losing weight and being healthy are so much more than just choosing a “diet plan” and following it.

Are you interested in learning more about ditching dieting for good?  You can read more about it by clicking HERE.

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Love and Life

Redeemed

Way too often I have to remind myself that I need to stop fighting a fight that has already been won!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

I try to do things on my own.  Do right on my own.  Forgive others on my own.  Be better, act better… on my own.  My problem is that often I don’t trust in Him enough to let Him do it for me… So instead I try to take control, I try to do it on my own. Then I remember, God, You’re not done with me yet!  He doesn’t expect me to do it on my own.  He already gave me the power to do it through Him.  I don’t always have to be the same, I  am redeemed, God set me free!

Big Daddy Weave - "Redeemed" - from the new album Love Come To Life | lookingjoligood.blog

Big Daddy Weave – “Redeemed” – from the new album Love Come To Life

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me “son
Stop fighting a fight that’s already been won”

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be
I am redeemed
I’m redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember oh God, You’re not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be
Because I don’t have to be the old man inside of me
‘Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I’ve got a new name, a new life I’m not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be

Oh God I’m not who I used to be
Jesus, I’m not who I used to be

‘Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

 

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Love and Life

Up and Vanished

When I find something that I love, I have to share it with all of you!

I spend around two hours of every weekday driving my kids back and forth to school.  I love listening to audiobooks and Podcasts during my commute!  For years I have been listening to This American Life and Snap Judgment.  I love Serial and The Moth. I highly recommend all of them!

Recently I discovered a cold case crime podcast called Up and Vanished.

up and vanished podcast | lookingjoligood.blog

“Up and vanished as an investigative podcast that explores the unsolved disappearance of Georgia beauty queen and high school teacher Tara Grinstead and 11 year old mystery that is the largest case File and Georgia’s history follow along as host Payne Lindsey a documentarian turned amateur investigator examines old case evidence RI interviews Persons of Interest and uncovers New Leads while guiding listeners through his real-time investigation a recent arrest in the case may have given us more questions than answers in this main question Still Remains…WHAT HAPPENED TO TARA GRINSTEAD?”

tara grinstead up and vanished podcast | lookingjoligood.blog

Payne Lindsey does a great job of piecing together the mystery of what happened to Tara Grinstead 11 years ago when she up and vanished from her small town in Georgia.

If you like crime stories and enjoy listening to podcasts, I recommend this one!

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Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #64

Here’s another tip for Tip Tuesday:

Tip Tuesday: Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Ever have a tough time getting your matte liquid lipstick off?  

My friend Toni sent me a tip for Tip Tuesday, and I wanted to share it with all of you!

She was wearing Lime Crime Velvetine in red rose matte liquid lipstick and realized it’s really hard to take off!   She used olive oil and a paper towel and it came off cleanly! She said that her mouth “wasn’t stained or on fire!” Yay for painless liquid lipstick removal!

Lime Crime Velvetine in red rose | lookingjoligood.blog

olive oil | lookingjoligood.blog

Sounds like a winning tip to me, thanks, Toni!

If you have tips or tricks that you would like to share with the LookingJoliGood readers, feel free to send them to me and I will share them here!

Let me know if you try it out and what you think! If you are enjoying these tips every Tuesday you can check them all out by clicking HERE.

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No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #19

Here is your Monday morning motivation: I say it all the time, consistency and progress are more important than perfection!

Do you have 20 minutes to improve your heath and wellness? Yes, You Do! No Excuses, Just do it! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

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Ditch The Diet for Healthy Habits

What I Eat In A Day Weekend Edition

~Ditch The Diet~

What I eat in a Day | loookingjoligood.blog

As you may remember, I follow a model of eating called 80/20 which means 80% of what I eat is clean/healthy foods and 20% is “splurge” foods.  I also eat intuitively.  Meaning if I am hungry I eat until I am satisfied, and if I am not hungry, I don’t eat.  Sounds simple right? Some days are easier than others especially if there are warm chocolate chip cookies in my house.

As you will see, I am a bit more strict with getting in all my veggies during the week, and not as much on the weekend.

breakfast375Breakfast 375 calories

I love Honey Nut Cheerios! Starting the day off with something sweet often helps me to stay on track for the rest of the day.

Kellogg’s – Honey Nut Cheerios, 3/4 cup /28 g 110 cal
1% Milk, 0.5 cup 55 cal
Trader Joes – Ancient Grain & Super Seed, 1 TBS 60 cal
Greek Gods – Greek Yogurt – Vanilla Honey 113.5 g/1 cup 145 cal
Regular Coffee Black 10 oz <5cal

 

 

two-things-i-want-right-now-1-to-lose-weight-3967851

Can you eat pizza and lose weight? Yes you can!  You just have to be aware of the type of pizza that you are eating.  I made my pizza at home with a multigrain crust and reduced fat cheese and baked chicken.What I eat in a Day | loookingjoligood.blog

 

What I eat in a Day | loookingjoligood.blogLunch 456 calories

 

2 pieces of Multi Grain Pizza with cheese and shredded chicken 250 cal ( 1 serving 125 cal)
1/2 California Avocado 120 cal
1 1/2 cups Baby roman leafy greens 6 cal
1/2 cup Halo Top – Ice Cream 80 cal (serving size 1/2 cup 80 cal)

What I eat in a Day | loookingjoligood.blog

Snack 90 calories

12 Caramel Mini Rice Cakes, 90 cal (serving size 8 mini cakes 60 cal)

What I eat in a Day | loookingjoligood.blog

Dinner 685 calories

Hamberger Roll, 1 roll 140 cal
2 pieces Bacon 80 cal
Ketchup/Mustard 15 cal
Ground hamburger 86/14  4 oz 240 cal
1 slice Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese 80 cal
Trader Joe’s – Veggie and Flax Seed Tortilla Chips, 7 chips 130 cal (serving size 7 chips 130 cal)

YES, that is a hamburger bun! Yup, a burger with a bun is not going to derail your diet! Just like eating pizza won’t kill you, you can enjoy a burger with a bun and still stay on track and lose weight too.

Here is a rough breakdown of my macros
1,605 calories
Protein 72g -288 cal from protein
Fat 74g -667 cal from fat
Carbs 158g-632 cal from carbs
Fiber 24 g
Water 90 fl oz
The biggest difference in my weekday and weekend eating habits can usually be seen in my macros.  I tend to let myself eat more fat and less fiber.
I hope these examples of what I eat in a day can help you to make some healthy choices!  I will post these “What I Eat In A Day” posts every once in a while.
Are you enjoying these Ditch the Diet posts? You can read more by clicking HERE.

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Ditch The Diet for Healthy Habits

Carb Confusion

~Ditch the Diet~

Today we are going to be talking about the most controversial of macronutrients – carbohydrates.

As we have been discussing recently, there are three macronutrients: Carbohydrate, Fat, Protein.  Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories (or energy) for our bodies.

macronutrients | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

No other nutrient causes so much confusion or controversy as carbs.

Carbohydrates are the macronutrient that our bodies need in the LARGEST amounts. Believe it or not, you can be successful eating hundreds of grams of carbs a day, as well as eating fewer grams per day.

According to the Dietary Reference Intakes published by the USDA, 45% – 65% of calories should come from carbohydrate. (Carbohydrate provides 4 calories per gram.)

Why do we need this amount of carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel and easily used by the body for energy. They can be stored in the muscles and liver to be used later for energy. All of the tissues and cells in our body can use glucose for energy.

Carbohydrates are needed for the central nervous system, the kidneys, the brain, the muscles (including the heart) to function properly.

Carbohydrates are important in intestinal health and waste elimination.

carbohydrates | lookingjoligood.blogWhich foods are carbohydrates?

They are mainly found in starchy foods like grain and potatoes, as well as fruits, milk, and yogurt. Other foods like vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and cottage cheese contain carbohydrates, but in lesser amounts.

I will be talking in more details about fiber and “good” carbs vs “bad” carbs in another  Ditch the Diet post.

Keep in mind that losing weight and being healthy are so much more than just choosing a “diet plan” and following it.

Are you interested in learning more about ditching dieting for good?  You can read more about it by clicking HERE.

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Review

How ’bout Them Samples #7 Review

How bout them samples #7 | lookingjoligood.blog

You might remember that I posted a few weeks ago that I would be trying out these samples and let you know if I would purchase the full sized product based on the sample.

Trying out all these samples of new products has prevented me from making unnecessary beauty purchases, as well as helped me to find some great new products.

Here is the review of the samples I used over the last few weeks:

befine | lookingjoligood.blog

Befine food skin care gentle cleanser with sugar mint oats and rice

I love this brand! Its formulas are completely vegan and packed with good-for-your-skin, natural ingredients like peppermint oil and leaf extract, oat bran extract, rice bran protein, sugar cane extracts, and wheat amino acids.

This cleanser is a clear green non-foaming gel that has a light clean mint scent. After using this gentle cleanser my skin feels clean and fresh, yet not tight, dry, or stripped.  It is a great cleanser but does not remove makeup well.

A 3.4 oz / 15ml Pump costs $24.00

YES, based on the sample, I would buy this Befine food skin care gentle cleanser with sugar mint oats and rice

curel | lookingjoligood.blog

Curél hydrotherapy wet skin moisturizer

As you can tell from the picture, I already bought the full size of this lotion, so I guess that kinda takes away any suspense of whether or not I would buy the full size 😉

I wrote and entire post just about this moisturizer.  You can read the long story long about it by clicking HERE.

Short story: My skin feels soft and moisturized after applying this.  It isn’t slippery, greasy, slick, or sticky. It has a nice light clean scent that isn’t overpowering. What I like most of all is how easily it applies and how much time it saves!

This 12 fl oz/ 354 ml bottle cost $10 and a 8 fl oz/ 236 ml bottle is around $7.50

YES, based on the sample, I would, and did, buy this Curél hydrotherapy wet skin moisturizer.

Dove | lookingjoligood.blog

Dove Deep Moisture Nutrium Body Wash

I love Dove products!  This Moisture Bod Wash formula is no exception.  The product claims “softer smoother skin after one shower.” I can agree with that statement, it had a great lather and made my skin feel soft and smooth.

Despite the fact that previously I didn’t enjoy the scent of the Moroccan Argan Oil body wash, I did enjoy the light clean scent of this Deep Moisture sample. I think there are seven different scents included in the Dove “nutrium moisture” line, so if you don’t like one scent, you may enjoy another one.

A 22-ounce bottle costs $5.50 and the 1.8 oz sample can be bought for $1.25.

YES, based on the sample, I would buy this Dove Deep Moisture Nutrium Body Wash.

doucce | lookingjoligood.blog

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow in Marisa

I wrote a whole post about this eyeshadow.  If you want a more in-depth review you can read it by clicking HERE.

doucce fallout | lookingjoligood.blogGenerally, when it comes to eyeshadow, I lean towards neutral shades. Forcing myself to try out this Doucce Marisa shadow has really pushed me out of my usual everyday easy neutral comfort zone.

In the pan, it is a beautiful sparkling deep rose color that is exactly what I love!  Although once applied and blended, it definitely has a more burnt orange undertone than a deep rosy pink…That’s ok, not my favorite, but I could still work with it.

Using a dry brush, wet brush, foiled in the pan, with primer, without primer, tapping my brush and then tapping it again…no matter how I used this shadow, the fallout is insane!!

Since this is the only Doucce shadow I have ever used, I don’t know if all the shadows by this brand are a similar formula when it comes to application and fall out.

This full-size shadow weighs 1.4 g and costs $10.

Based on the sample, no, I would not buy another Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow in Marisa. Maybe other shades are better, but I don’t think I want to pay $10 to find out.

epice

Epice Hydrating Mask

“Rich in antioxidants, ceramides and aloe, this Kaolin Clay mask helps to remove dead skin cells and oil while infusing the skin with vital nutrients. Hyaluronic acid is added to help plump, firm and rehydrate the skin. The added benefit of the unique Malus Domestica Swiss Apple Stem Cell extract regenerates cells to provide a long lasting effect.”

If you have kids you will know exactly what I mean when I say that this face mask smells like baby cereal.  More specifically, it smells when I mixed the oatmeal one with apple sauce…nostalgia…I kinda like it.

face mask | lookingjoligood.blog

I really enjoyed using this mask.  It is a light green paste that goes on thinly and feels cool on the skin. As it dries it doesn’t tighten or flake like some masks do.  After using this mask my face felt clean, smooth, and hydrated. I got several uses out of this 1 oz tube because not a lot of product is needed at a time.

This 1 oz / 30 g sample tube can be purchased for $6.50 and a 3.3 oz /100 g bottle can be purchased for $30.

Yes, based on the sample, I would buy this Epice Hydrating Mask

ultrarepair

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

“Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer is lightweight and quick-absorbing, providing immediate hydration with a velvety soft finish. Skin is left looking and feeling beautifully smooth and perfectly prepped for makeup or no makeup days. Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Shea Butter and Avocado Oil soften and hydrate skin while Ceramides help reinforce skin’s protective barrier.”

It is lightweight and leaves the skin soft and moisturized without feeling heavy.  It doesn’t feel greasy or oily on the skin and I can apply my makeup on top of it without any difficulty.  Great for during the day, but I wouldn’t use this as my night cream because it doesn’t provide enough moisturizing for what I want for overnight.

I really like that it is free from all the bad stuff: Alcohol, Artificial Colorants, Artificial Fragrance, Lanolin, Mineral Oil, Parabens, Petrolatum, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Sulfates

1.7 oz/ 50 ml bottle costs $24.00

Yes, based on the sample, I would buy this First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

hello | lookingjoligood.blog

Hello extra whitening fluoride toothpaste pure mint flavor

I have super super super sensitive teeth!  There are several kinds of toothpaste that are just too abrasive for me to use.  This Hello extra whitening fluoride toothpaste in pure mint flavor didn’t bother my teeth at first…  I found that if I used it several days in a row my teeth and gums would start to bother me a bit.  Not punch someone in the face kind of hurt (if you have sensitive teeth, you definitely know what I mean) but more of an “I notice that I have teeth” kind of feeling.

I would use it for a few days in a row, and then once my teeth and gums started to hurt a bit I would use a different paste for a few days.

I feel that using this toothpaste helped keep my teeth looking white.  I wouldn’t say that they whitened my teeth per se, but I did like the way my teeth looked white after using this paste for a few days in a row. I got several days out of this .75 oz sample. maybe because I had to keep taking breaks, but it seemed to last a while.  A 5 oz tube costs around $4.50.

YES, based on the samples, I would purchase the Hello extra whitening fluoride toothpaste in pure mint flavor

olay

Olay Ultra moisture body wash

This is actually the second time that I am including this in my sample review.  The first time I received it I didn’t enjoy the scent of it at all.  That bottle had a pleasant enough honeysuckle scent, but it was just too strong and overpowering for me. You may remember that I am quite sensitive to different scents…(you know I love my puns…I’m “scentsitive” 😉.)  The strange thing is, this time around I love the way it smells.  It smells sweet and flowery yet not too strong or overpowering.  It is strange, but despite being the same product, I fell like it has a much different scent!

I really like the way that this body wash made my skin feel.  It is a thick formula that lathers up really well.  My skin felt so smooth and moisturized that I probably could have even skipped my daily lotion.

YES, based on the sample, I would purchase this Olay Ultra moisture body wash.

bahama mama | lookingjoligood.blog

the Balm Bahama Mama bronzer

If you have read any of my ipsy posts, you know how I feel about these super teenie tiny samples from the Balm… why? How do they expect me to use this as a bronzer on my face? Seriously, could this bronzer sample be any smaller?  That being said…

Since the pan size is so small I have been using it as an eyeshadow instead.  It makes a really nice transition shade.This product feels soft and silky, it applies and blends so easily.  It is a great eyeshadow!

This Bahama Mama bronzer is a really nice neutral brown matte shade.  I prefer matte bronzers because I feel that they always look more natural than shimmery ones do.   I really wish that I could have tested it out as a bronzer on my face because I have a feeling that it would look beautiful.

Despite the fact that I haven’t used it as a bronzer, based on the way it applies as an eyeshadow, I can tell that this is a great product and would make a wonderful bronzer.  I can see why this is a holy grail item for so many people.

The Balm website describes it as a “Bronzer, Shadow & Contour Powder” and a 7.08g /0.25oz compact costs around $20.

(BTW, did you know that you can get the Balm products on Walmart.com?! Neither did I until I started writing this post!)

YES, based on the sample, I would purchase the Balm Bahama Mama bronzer.

ipsy swatches

Another round of great samples. Most of them were winners!

I will be posting another group of samples soon. If you would like to read more about the past samples I have tried, you can check it out by clicking HERE.

These How ’bout Them Sample Posts are always so much longer than my other posts…I had a lot to say about these products so thanks for sticking around until the end!  😉

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Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #63

Here’s another tip for Tip Tuesday:

Tip Tuesday Make up tips and tricks every Tuesday | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Don’t throw away that hair conditioner, use it as a shaving cream.  

Have you ever spent money on a hair conditioner only to discover that it doesn’t work well for your hair?  Don’t throw it away, use it instead to shave your legs.  The conditioner will not only provide a nice smooth medium for shaving, but it will also soften your skin and the hair at the same time.  You might just be surprised how soft and smooth your legs feel!

shaving cream hair conditioner | lookingjoligood.blog

Schick Quattro is my favorite razor!  I have very sensitive skin and have been using it for years without any skin irritation.  This Aussie 3 minute miracle is actually a wonderful hair conditioner and it also works great on my legs as well.

Let me know if you try it out and what you think! If you are enjoying these tips every Tuesday you can check them all out by clicking HERE.

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You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #18

Lean Arms Workout – Rhomboids, Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, and Chest

Here is another great low impact toning workout by Fitness Blender. You’ll need dumbells for this workout routine. It is a workout of 8 Exercises, One Minute Each done Twice Through.  Calorie burn info and printable routine found by clicking HERE

(If you like to workout to music you’ll need to provide your own)

Remember to keep proper form and warm up before and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts?  If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

 

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I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.