Health/ Fitness

Delicious Foods That Help You Lose Weight

A big killer of weight loss is snacking!

One way to help prevent snacking between meals is eating foods that keep you feeling fuller longer.  These are some of my favorite delicious foods that help me prevent snacking by staying fuller longer.
Delicious Foods to Help You Lose Weight! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comOne of my favorite things to eat for breakfast is oatmeal! It is a great way to start the day because in just a half a cup of rolled oats there are five grams of fiber!  Oat meal also has an appetite regulating hormone called cholecystokinin. Both of these will help you to feel fuller longer.  (You can put an entire tablespoon of raw sugar on your bowl of oatmeal for only an additional 45 calories!  Or a tablespoon of real maple syrup is only 52 calories!)

Delicious Foods to Help You Lose Weight! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comChia seeds are a great source of omega-3s, protein, and fiber.  I love to put the seeds into hot water so that they swell up.  Then I brew some chai tea and add the “bloomed” seeds to the chai.  Does that make it a chia chai?  I don’t know if the swollen seeds actually fill your stomach to make you feel less hungry, but I still really love them.  They are great in yogurt and smoothies.  Just be careful because they can easily get stuck in your teeth, (not pretty, haha!)

Avocados are full of healthy monounsaturated fats, which help keep you full.For breakfast, I love to add half an avocado to a slice of toast with one egg scrambled and a little bit of Frank’s hot sauce (so good!).It is a great way to start the day that will also keep you full until lunch. That leads me to my next food…

Studies have shown that Eggs are a protein packed food that can help you control your appetite for up to 36 hours.  Not really sure if they will keep you full for 36 hours, but hey, if studies say it, I like it!

Delicious Foods to Help You Lose Weight! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comNuts are a great sources of fiber.  They digest slowly so you feel fuller longer. My favorite nuts are Almonds!  There are so many different types of nuts that just because you don’t like one doesn’t mean that another won’t be your favorite!  Just be sure that you are eating raw nuts and not processed or sugar coated ones!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?!  Apples have pectin (a soluble gelatinous polysaccharide that is present in ripe fruits and is extracted for use as a setting agent in jams and jellies) which helps to prevent spikes in the blood sugar.  Apples have a high water content and are also are a great source of fiber giving a feeling of fullness.

Delicious Foods to Help You Lose Weight! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comAnother food that is high in both water content and fiber is dark leafy vegetables: kale, spinach, Romaine lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.  I love to eat salads with all kinds of dark leafy greens.  Adding a tablespoon of your favorite oil and vinegar salad dressing will only add between 50-80 additional calories.  Stay away from cream based dressings  they cause the calories to really add up making your “healthy salad” into a diet destroyer!

I love to add lemon juice to my water. Just like apples, lemon juice also contains pectin, that can help slow digestion. Eating something sour can help you feel satisfied after a meal by curbing cravings.  Speaking of water….sometimes a craving can be quelled with just a glass of water, and it can also keep you hydrated as well.  (I wrote a whole post just about water.  Read it by clicking HERE.)

Delicious Foods to Help You Lose Weight! | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comOne of my favorite things to eat is sushi!  While sushi isn’t necessarily the thing that helps me lose weight, one of the things I also love to get when I eat sushi is edamame.  Half a cup of edamame has over eight grams of protein but is less than 100 calories.  Making it a great way to keep you feeling full!

Ever since I have been eating more healthy, I have been loving beans. All kinds of beans!  Black bean, garbanzo beans, kidney, and navy!  Beans are a low-calorie source of fiber and protein, so if you’re wanting to stay full longer, eat some beans.

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

So here is the “full” list…
Oatmeal
Chia Seeds
Avacado
Eggs
Nuts
Apples
Dark leafy greens
Lemon juice
Edamame
Beans
Hope you have a day “filled” with lots of these delicious foods!
lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

My Recent Good Reads!

Obviously from the title you can probably already tell that this book is hilarious!  Especially if you are a mother you will relate to almost everything written in this book.  I really loved this one!

This book goes into great detail about the foot binding rituals.  It is also a great story about the complexities of realtionships with others and with yourself.  I was thinking about this book for a long time after I finished reading it.
This isa trilogy that covers the time from right before the first World War up until somewhat recent history. I recently read all three of the books in this Century Trilogy.  I highly reccommend the first two, the third one is only ok.

You know how recently all books want to say they are “the next Gone Girl”?  I kinda hate that… I think that this on claims the same. Despite that, I still highly recommend this book.

Don’t get me wrong, Gone Girl is awesome, and if you haven’t read it, you should!  Instead of reading “The Next Gone Girl”, why not just read another book written by the author of Gone Girl.  Both Sharp Objects and Dark Places are amazingly creepy reads.
Delicious Recipes

Broccoli Salad

A few years ago we went to a cookout at my husband’s Aunt’s lake house.  She served this broccoli salad, and I was in instant love!  She has always been a wonderful cook with lots of great recipes. I think that every time I left her house I had a new recipe that to add to my collection.  This broccoli salad is quite simple and very delicious.

broccoli-salad lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Ingredients:

  • 1 head broccoli, stems removed and florets cut into pieces
  •  4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 
  • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 3/4 cup  mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1/4 cup roasted no salt added sunflower seed kernels
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl combine mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.  Mix well and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl combine broccoli, bacon, onion, cranberries, and raisins.  Gently stir in the mayo dressing completely covering the broccoli mixture.
  3. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds and serve immediately.

The only down side to this delicious salad is that due to the fact that it doesn’t keep well, it has to all be eaten on the day it is made .  But hey, that is not really much of a problem considering how delicious it is!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Make up

The Essence of Target

Here is just another reason to love Target…Essence Cosmetics is now being sold at Target!!!

Previously Essence was just sold online and at Ulta and Fred Meyer stores, but now it can also be purchased at Target as well!  The line has so many great items and now it even includes some Target exclusives.  You can check out the full line that is available at Target by clicking HERE.

You can purchase directly online or pick up in-store. Some stores already have it on display now, while other “select stores” across the country should be getting it soon.  I haven’t seen it yet in my local Target, but I am excited for it to arrive.

Everything is so reasonably priced, with eyeshadow and contour palettes less than $10 all the way down to lip and eye liners for just around $2.

Essence Now Available at Target | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Some of my favorite Essence items are their lip liners and lipsticks. A while back I wrote a post featuring their lipliners which if you are interested you can read by clicking HERE.

Essence Lipliners | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

 

Essence Now Available at Target | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comI have heard really great things about their matte sun club bronzers and silky touch blushes.  I have also heard that the All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder is a dupe for the Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder. ($4 compared to $36!)   I am already planning to try out those as well as the I Love Extreme Waterproof Mascara.  When I do, I’ll let you know what I think!

I would love to hear what your favorite Essence products are?  What are you looking forward to trying out?  Have you ever tried anything out that I should definitely buy?  Or have you ever tried anything out that I should definitely avoid?  I would love to hear.  Let me know if the comments below!

 

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

 

Free/Good Deals · Make up

Beauty On A Budget

One of my favorite places to find great deals on beauty products in CVS!  They always seem to have great sales and with their extra bucks rewards and their CVS Beauty Club.  (I don’t know about you, but I always spend my extra bucks on more makeup!)

If you aren’t already enrolled in the CVS Beauty Club, you really need to sign up!  For every $50 you spend on beauty products you receive $5 in extra rewards bucks.  It is like getting paid to buy things that you would already be buying!  Click HERE to sign up. (by the way, this is not an affiliate link, just a really great deal!)

Beauty on a budget CVS | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

 

Here is a list of the great deals going on this week at CVS!

  • Beauty on a budget CVS | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com25% of all Wet n Wild cosmetics (excludes clearance)
  • All Maybelline eyeshadow palettes (The Nudes, The Blushed Nudes, etc.) $9.99 each
  • All Lumene skincare 25% off; spend $20 get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 1 on Extra Bucks offer, excludes clearance, trial/travel, and 0.5 oz. jars)
  • Spend $10 on any Milani cosmetics get $4 Extra Bucks (limit 3, excludes clearance)
  • Spend $12 on any Almay cosmetics get $4 Extra Bucks (limit 6, excludes clearance)
  • Spend $15 on any e.l.f. cosmetics get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 3, excludes clearance)
  • Spend $15 on any Maybelline cosmetics get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 3, excludes eyeshadow palettes and clearance)
  • Beauty on a budget CVS | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comSpend $15 on any L’Oreal cosmetics get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 3, excludes clearance)
  • Spend $15 on select Burt’s Bees lip cosmetics (includes the new lipsticks) get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 1, excludes clearance)
  • Spend $15 on any Beauty 360 cosmetic brushes or implements get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 2, excludes eye palette and clearance)
  • Spend $15 on any Sally Hansen nail get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 1, excludes Miracle Gel Top Coat and clearance)
  • Spend $15 on any MUA Makeup Academy products get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 2, excludes gift sets and clearance)
  • Spend $15 on any Nuance Salma Hayek products get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 1, excludes clearance)
  • Beauty on a budget CVS | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comBOGO1/2OFF all NYX cosmetics (excludes clearance)
  • BOGO1/2OFF all Revlon cosmetics (excludes clearance)
  • BOGO1/2OFF all CoverGirl eye cosmetics (excludes clearance)
  • BOGO1/2OFF all Physicians Formula cosmetics (excludes clearance)
  • BOGO1/2OFF all Rimmel cosmetics (excludes clearance)
  • BOGO1/2OFF all Garnier skincare (includes the new Micellar Water); spend $15 get $5 Extra Bucks (limit 1, excludes clearance)

Do you shop for beauty products at CVS?  Are you going to be picking up any of these items on sale this week?  Let me know what you get, I would love to hear about it!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #2

You don’t need a bunch of gym equipment to get yourself into shape.  You don’t even need hand weights, all you need is your own body weight.  I love to use my own body weight for strength training!  I can tell you from personal experience that these 8 moves will help to build your strength!

Michele Olson, Ph.D., professor of exercise science at Auburn University Montgomery designed this simple 8 move program.  She suggests that if it is done 4 times a week for 6 weeks, you will see an increase in your overall strength.

Be sure to use good form when performing these moves!  Besides the lunges I love all of these moves! I seriously HATE lunges!  

Body weight exercises | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I first saw this article on Real Simple and wanted to share it with all of you here as part of my “No Gym? No Problem!” series. If you woud like, you can check out the original article for yourself at http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/workouts/body-weight-exercises

Keep moving, there are no excuses with these simple 8 moves!  Let me know if you decide to try out these strengthening exercises!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Make up

Looking Joli Good On FaceBook

Well, it is official, I have made a Facebook page!  You can find me by visiting facebook.com/lookingjoligood  I’d love for you to stop by and “like” my page!

You can also find me on Instagram by following Looking Joli Good

Also, if you have a page that you would like to share, let me know in the comments below!

https://www.facebook.com/lookingjoligood/

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

My To Read List

I love to read!  I love to go to the library and pick out new books!  These are the books that are on my current to read list.  Have you read any of these?  What did you think?
Click here to view Audiobook details for The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood

The Heart Goes Last
Margaret Atwood
Click here to view Audiobook details for In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
In the Unlikely Event
Judy Blume
Click here to view eBook details for At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
At the Water’s Edge
Sara Gruen
Click here to view eBook details for Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Secrets of a Charmed Life
Susan Meissner
Click here to view Audiobook details for The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
The Zookeeper’s Wife
Diane Ackerman
 Do you have any good reads to suggest?  I would love to hear what you are currently reading as well!
lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Easy Cheesy Pizza Dip

Pizza is usually an easy crowd pleaser!  Not many people can resist the wonderful taste of a warm slice of cheesy pizza.  This dip is a wonderful hot cheesy goodness with all of the favorite flavors of a cheese, pepperoni, and olive pizza!  It is perfect for serving at a party (or eating alone :-)).  As is, it serves four, but can easily be doubled, or tripled.

cheese, pepperoni, olives pizza dip | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
1 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
3 tablespoons sliced black olives
2 tablespoons diced green pepper, (I personally hate peppers, so I would never add these to my own dip, gross! But, hey if you love peppers, add them in.)

Directions

  1. Pre heated the oven to 350 F
  2. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella, and parmigiano reggiano cheese. Spread it across the bottom of a pie dish.
  3. Spread the pizza sauce on top and sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, olives (and if you choose green pepper).
  4. Bake about 20 minutes or until warmed through out and bubbling and the cheese is fully melted to a golden brown on top
  5. Serve with bruschetta or tortilla chips.

You can also make this recipe in the crock pot.  If you have been around Looking Joli Good for any amount of time, you know I love my crock pot!  So simple, and perfect for keeping the dip warm if being served at a party!  Layer everything in the slow cooker in the same way you would in the pie baking dish.  Slow cook until the cheese is nice and melted usually about 1 hours on high or 2 hours on low.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Make up · Tips and Tricks

Here’s the Best Eye Makeup for Your Eye Shape

I found this article on Real Simple and thought that it was so good that I wanted to share it with all of you here on Looking Joli Good.

Nailing your look every time comes down to one thing: knowing how to play up your exact eye shape. Here, how to identify yours, what to use, and exactly where everything should go. 

Here's the Best Eye Makeup for Your Eye Shape
Here’s the Best Eye Makeup for Your Eye Shape. by  Jenny Jin on http://www.realsimple.com