Delicious Recipes

Sea Salt Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies

What would Christmas be without Christmas cookies?!  Here is the recipe for a new favorite cookie of mine Sea Salt Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies 

sea salt Nutella chocolate chip cookies | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ( for a healthier option use almond or coconut flour)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for a healthier option use organic coconut palm sugar)
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups Chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup of Nutella

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, nutella, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

sea salt Nutella chocolate chip cookies | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

When these cookies are baking your house will smell similar to what I imagine heaven will smell like.  Yum! So delicious!

sea salt Nutella chocolate chip cookies | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your username in the comment section below!

 

Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #44

Here is another tip for Tip Tuesday!

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

 

This week’s tip is how to avoid that dreaded gap between your eyeliner and eyelashes…

While there is no “wrong way” to do your makeup, and if you like the way that something looks go for it and do what makes you feel pretty!…All that being said…

I remember when I was a junior in college I had a friend that always had a gap in between her eyeliner and eyelash line.  For some strange reason, it seriously drove me nuts!

gap eyeliner | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

When eyeliner is done correctly your lashes will look fuller and your liner will make your eyes stand out.  To achieve this is as simple as wiggling your eyeliner directly into your lash line.  Yup, that is it!   If you need to you can even lift your upper lid and tight lining underneath you lashes.  This way your eyeliner with be an enhancement and not a distraction from you beautiful eyes!

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Gel Liner | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Let me know if you try it out and what you think!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #50

Can you believe that the year is almost over? I have been posting these no gym no problem posts since the very first week of January and we are now on week 50!

I love workouts that use compound movements along with weights. Two birds with one stone!  This is a great quick workout that uses both body weight and weights.  Take some time today to improve you health and well being. You are totally worth it!  As always, no excuses, just do it!

no gym no problem | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

walkout-push-up.gif

squat-with-heel-raise

Remember to keep good 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!

 

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Quote

The Power Of YET

the power of yet...| looknigjoligood.wordpress.com

I don’t get it!

I can’t do it

This doesn’t work…!

Take a deep breath, take a little break and add the work YET to the end of each statement

I don’t get it…yet!

I can’t do it…yet!

This doesn’t work…yet!

It many not be easy now, but it doesn’t mean that you will never be able to reach your goals.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Flab to FAB

Give Yourself Permission To Enjoy Food

When I decided to make a drastic dietary change in my life, I knew I didn’t want to be on a “diet”.  I wanted to make a lifestyle change that would last forever.  I LOVE to eat.  I go to bed thinking about breakfast and wake up looking forward to all the wonderful things that I am going to eat during the day.

I have given myself permission to enjoy food.  

Being able enjoy a special meal with friends and family or have a piece of birthday cake at a party is all part of enjoying life.  I allow myself to go on vacation and fully enjoy foods at restaurants that I will not be visiting again for a long time (or possibly ever). It makes the whole balanced healthy diet attainable for a lifetime, not just to reach a specific goal.  I don’t want what I don’t allow myself to eat to hold me back from living my life.

wp-1459775062985.jpg

Once again it is all about BALANCE.

My diet is balanced and not overly restrictive.  It doesn’t just consist of  spinach, kale, and celery. (although, I do enjoy eating those things.)  Every once in a while I will let myself have a bowl of ice cream or M&M Chocolate Chip cookies.  I enjoy every spoonful and every bite, and I do not make myself feel bad about it.  The key is to not eat the entire pint of ice cream or the whole plate of cookies.

M&M's chocolate chip cookies | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Eating healthy is not a chore, it takes thought and preparation, but it isn’t a chore.

Since reaching my final goal weight I follow the 80/20% rule. Eighty percent of what I eat is healthy, and I let myself splurge the other 20% of the time.

Consistency is more important than perfection! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I love to eat and I love to exercise, but all diet and no exercise is not right, just as all exercise and not eating a healthy diet is also not best.

Trust me I have tried to only exercise and not eat healthy! For 5 years I diligently worked out so hard, 5 days a week, 1- 1.5 hours each day.  During those 5 years I sweat a lot, I got a lot stronger, and I always ate whatever I wanted to. It wasn’t until I improved my diet that I finally started to feel amazing and see all the awesome results I had been trying to achieve with exercise only.

wp-1460239182287.jpg

Giving myself permission to enjoy the food I eat and not make myself feel bad about indulging once in a while has helped me to be successful in the long run…being truly healthy is a marathon, not a 500 meter race.

What about you?  Have you been on a journey from flab to FAB?  Have you made any major lifestyle and diet changes? What do you do to keep yourself on track and accountable?

If you would like to read more about my journey from flab to FAB, you can do so by clicking HERE.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Love and Life

A Little Something To Make you Laugh

These Kermit memes crack me up!  I know all about the inner voice that tells me to buy more makeup! Haha!  What about you?!

kermit makeup | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Love and Life

It’s Your Decision

love your choices | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them!

I have been thinking about this for a few days now…

Every day we spend so much time and energy making decisions between equally good choices.

Should I eat cookies and brownies or baked chicken and spinach. Both of those choices have their benefits and drawbacks.

Do I even need to give you the benefits of cookies? After all, it’s cookies…And while baked chicken and spinach isn’t quite as tasty as cookies, it provides your body with the proper fuel it needs to be healthy and go about your day. (but, that is a whole different post…)

Making choices and decisions are not always as easy as what should I eat today.  Naturally some choices are harder to make than others.

do what you feel to be right | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

When making a decision keep in mind that it is your choice!  Ultimately it doesn’t matter what other people think.  You don’t need to feel insecure or ask everyone else opinion before making a choice.  Being that way will never help you to make the right choice for you.  

I’m not suggesting that getting sound advice from a trusted individual is not necessary.  In my nursing career, I collaborate with other nurses all the time to make the best decision for our patients. What I mean is, you don’t need to consult Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with all of life’s decision to seek the approval of the masses.

The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them!

The choice is Yours | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Here are three tips to think about when making a decision…

1. If the choice is between two good options and you just cannot decide, instead of asking for every one else’s opinion, flip a coin.  I am serious!  While the coin is in the air the choice that you hope it lands on is the one that you truly want.

2. The majority of people are most likely not even paying attention to your decisions. I am not saying this to be mean spirited.  Most people are too worried about what other people are think of them to be worried about you.

3. Those few people that are noticing you and your choices and  passing judgment on you are not really the people that you want to be around anyway.

Have confidence in yourself and in the fact that you can make your own choices no matter what others are going to think.  Make good choices and love the choices that you make.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #43

Here is another tip for Tip Tuesday!

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

This is a super simple trick will make it easy to get your eyeliner perfect every time…

LORAC Love, Lust Lace Matte Shimmer Eye Shadow Palettes | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

When applying your eyeliner, rest your arm on a table or counter to stabilize it. Look down into a tilted mirror when applying for an easy and quick line.

LORAC Love, Lust Lace Matte Shimmer Eye Shadow Palettes | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #49

As I have mentioned recently, I found this site called SPOTEBI.  I have really been enjoying it! It is exactly what I love: a ton of at home workouts for women!

No Gym? No Problem! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Flat Stomach Routine No Gym? No Problem! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Flat Stomach Routine No Gym? No Problem! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Take 15-30 minutes and improve your day! Your heath and wellness is worth it!  Remember to keep good 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!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

 

Review

How ’bout Them Samples # 5 Review

how bout them samples | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I told you a few weeks ago that I would let you know what I think of each of these samples and if I would purchase these items based on my experiences with the samples.

Since I started doing this a few months ago I have really enjoyed using the samples and trying out these new things.

Here is the review of the fifth group of what I have tried out…

clean and clear | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Clean and Clear Deep Action 60 second shower mask

I was having some skin issues and couldn’t figure out what was going on.  I think it may have been because I was eating more sugar and candy, but maybe there was something else going on, I don’t know.  Anyway, long story short, I used this Clean and Clear Deep Action 60 second shower mask every day and my skin started looking awesome!  This 1 oz tube lasted me about 2 weeks.

A 5 oz bottle of this Clean and Clear Deep Action 60 second shower mask costs around $5. (worth every penny in my opinion.)

I have used this entire 1 oz sample and have already purchased a full-size bottle, so obviously…

YES, based on the sample, I would and did buy this Clean and Clear Deep Action 60 second shower mask.

dove purely pampering | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash

I have used a few different Dove body washes and I usually love them.  I don’t know if I just got a bad batch, but I didn’t like this body wash at all. The scent was ok, kinda shea butter like, not too strong.  The consistency was really thick and creamy, so I thought it would be great, but it let me down.  I had a really tough time getting this body wash to lather.  I also had a tough time getting it out of the bottle…too bad, I had high hopes.

A full sized 22 oz bottle costs $5.50, this sample size can be bought for $1.19.

Based on the sample, NO, I would not buy this Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash.

n4 prep and protect | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
N4 Lumiere d’hiver Super Comb Prep and Protect

This N4Lumiere d’hiver Super Comb Prep and Protect has a nice pleasant soft scent. It has a lightweight formula that leaves my hair feeling soft, and looking shiny and healthy. My daughter loves to have me spray this in her hair.

A full sized 6.7 fl oz. bottle costs $32 and this sample 1 oz size bottle costs $9.

Based on the sample, YES, I would buy this N4Lumiere d’hiver Super Comb Prep and Protect

candied vanilla hand lotion | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Mor Candied Vanilla Hand and Body Lotion

While I did like the way this lotion smelled at first the longer I wore it the more I disliked it.  It has a very strong vanilla bean scent to it and it definitely smells sweet like candy.  But too sweet and too candy like.  The lotion itself was ok, but the scent was just too strong to get over.

The sample size costs $2.25 and the full sized 100 ml 3.3 fl oz tube costs $25.

Based on the sample, NO, I would not buy this Mor Candied Vanilla Hand and Body Lotion

swisspers
Swisspers Cotton Rounds

I both love and hate these cotton rounds.  The exfoliating bumpy side is absolutely wonderful!  The opposite smoother side leaves little cotton pieces all over my face.  Because I like the bumpy side so much I can forgive it for the little cotton left overs.

Based on the sample, YES, I would buy this

vaseline intensive care | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Vaseline Intensive Care unscented lotion

This is one of the best hand lotions that I have used in a long time!  It sinks into the skin quickly without leaving a greasy feel to the skin.  A 10 oz bottle costs around $3.50.

As a nurse and mother, my hands get so sore and dry from washing them so many times a day. I have already used this entire 1 oz. sample and have bought a new full sized bottle.  So that already being said…

Based on the sample, YES, I would buy this Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion.

vitabath | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Vitabath Gelee

This bath and shower gel was great but kind of strange at the same time!  It had a wonderful lather that was actually a bright green like the color of the gelee. It definitely left my skin feeling clean without being overly dry.  And while it has a clean scent, I didn’t love the way it smells.  It reminded me of the soap that I used to use at the hospital to clean the patients. Pleasant, but kind of clinical at the same time.

A 32 oz bottle costs around $38, and as far as I know there are 4 scents available, so maybe one of them is better.

Based on the sample, YES, I would buy this Vitabath Gelee, but in the other scent that is available. 

I have been doing really well with not making any unnecessary beauty purchases!  I don’t think that I have ever gone this long without buying new makeup!  I think a lot of times the excitement of getting the new things is greater than that of actually trying out and using the samples.

If you would like to see which samples I have already tried out in the past you can read more by clicking HERE.lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.  I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!