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.

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!

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!  😉

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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

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.

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.

Ditch The Diet for Healthy Habits

What I Eat In A Day

~Dith The Diet~

What I eat in a day ditch the diet | lookingjoligood.blog

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.  We can get more into the details of 80/20 in a future post.

I also follow intuitive eating.  This basically means 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’s leftover Easter candy laying around…

Here is what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast | lookingjoligood.blog

Breakfast 375 cal

Chobani Strawberry Greek Yogurt -120 cal (serving size one container 120 cal)

1/4 cup Trader Joes Pecan Praline Granola 105 cal (serving size 1/2 cup 210 cal)

1/2 Banana 45 cal (serving size 1/2 large banana 45 cal)

3 large strawberries- 45 cal (serving size one cup 55 cal)

1 Tbs Super Seed Ancient Grain Blend 60 cal ( serving size 2 Tbs 120 cal)

Usually, around mid-morning, I would also have a post-workout snack that consists of about 250 or so calories.  I didn’t workout yesterday, so I wasn’t hungry and didn’t need the mid-morning snack.

If I were to have a snack it would most likely be either a medium sized apple and 1.5 Tbs of peanut butter or two pieces of low-fat mozzarella string cheese.

Lunch | lookingjoligood.blog

Lunch 400 cal

Solid White Tuna 2 oz 60 cal (serving size 2 oz 60 cal)

Old Fashion Hearth Whole Wheat English Muffin 130 cal ( serving size one muffin 130 cal)

1/4 Avocado 60 cal (serving size 1/2 avocado 120 cal)

2 oz Sabra Hummus 150 cal ( serving size 2 oz/ 1/4 cup 150 cal)

Baby Romain Lettuce Celery Carrots <5cal
Cucumber

Snack | lookingjoligood.blog

Snack- 60 cal

Halo Top Lemon Cake Ice Cream 60 cal (serving size 1/2 cup 60 cal)

Dinner | lookingjoligood.blog

Dinner- 430 cal

Ground turkey (3 oz 130 cal) black beans (2 oz. 60 cal) chili – 250 cal total

1 Tbs Chobani fat free plain greek yogurt- 25 cal (serving size 1 cup- 120 cal)

2 Tbs Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese -25 cal (serving 1/4 cup- 85 cal)

7 chips Trader Joes Veggie and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips- serving size 7 chips 130 cal

veggie snack | lookingjoligood.blogEvening Snack 35 cal

Carrots- 15 cal

Celery –

Cucumbers- <5

Sugar Snap Peas- 15 cal

Here is a rough breakdown of my macros
1300 calories
Protein 75 g -300 cal from protein
Fat 40g -360 cal from fat
Carbs 140g-560 cal from carbs
Fiber 45 g
Water 98 fl oz

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.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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

Make up · Review

Doucce Freematic Eyeshadow in Marisa Review

I received this eyeshadow in my March ipsy glam bag. I have received a few different products from ipsy from Doucce, but otherwise, I had never heard of the brand.   Ipsy marked this as a “Creator Fave” so I had high hopes for it.

Because of ipsy’s high recommendation, I decided to add this to the group of things I was trying for my current “How ’bout Them Samples” post.  As I started writing that post my review for this shadow was getting so long that I decided it deserved its own post…

doucce eyeshadow | lookingjoligood.blog

The last few times that I have received eyeshadows from ipsy they have given me some similar version of this rosy/orangey/cranberry red shade.  Generally, 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.

doucce marisa swatch | lookingjoligood.blog

The way I have been wearing this shadow while testing it out has been to put an eyeshadow primer on, a transition shade in the crease, and using a wet brush applying Marisa all over the lid and blending.  Once I apply and blend this shadow, the less rosy it looks and the more burnt orange it appears.

Despite the change from rose to orange, after a bit of work, I have been mostly pleased with the end result.  When using this shadow I always do my eyes first and then my face makeup afterward, you’ll see why below…

doucce fallout | lookingjoligood.blog

Here is what I think about this shadow…in the pan it is a beautiful sparkling deep rose color that is exactly what I love!  Although once swatched and applied, it is definitely has a more burnt orange undertone than a deep rosy pink…That is ok, not my favorite, but I could still work with it.

The metallic sparkles are gorgeous!  When applied dry the pigmentation and color payoff are only ok.  Once blended the sparkle and color fade significantly!  Applied with a wet brush or foiled in the pan the pigmentation is much better and the fallout is less significant.

While the shimmery metallic rosy orange color is quite pretty on lids, the fallout is insane!  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, there was so much fallout!

doucce back Marisa | lookingjoligood.blog
The back of the shadow has two tiny magnets on it to hold it into the quad or a z-palette

This 1.4 g size is a full-size shadow, the single shadows cost $10 each.  On the Doucce website, they have a customizable quad available for $35, which would make each shadow $8.75. There are 82 shades available: 15 matte shades and 67 shimmer shadows.

doucce quad | lookingjoligood.blog

What does the Doucce Website have to say about their shadows:

“A highly pigmented and passionately luxurious eyeshadow that serves as the building blocks of the Freematic Eyeshadow magnetic system. The 82 ready-to-wear colors come in both matte and shimmer textures, and can be used alone or within the Freematic system to create custom palettes. The versatile silky smooth powders are so rich it feels creamy. The fine weightless powders glide on easily and blend effortlessly without smudging or creasing. Apply dry for a more natural finish or apply wet for a more long lasting dramatic look.”

doucce shades | lookingjoligood.blog

Since this is the only Doucce shadow I have ever used, when it comes to application and fallout of the other shades, I don’t know if all the shadows by this brand are a similar formula. With 82 shades to choose from, I am really hoping that they are not all as terrible when it comes to fallout!

In summary:

Did I make it work while testing out this shadow?…Yes…Is this going to become a new go to look and go to shadow?… No. Do I recommend this eyeshadow in this shade?…I am going to have to say no.

Instead of spending $10 on one of these Freematic shadows, I would recommend spending $6 for a 1.5g MAC shadow (available in 112 shades) or $6 for a 1.8g Makeup Geek shadow (available in 103 shades) or $2.99 for a 2.3 g Maybelline Expert Eyewear single (available in 20 shades).  I highly reccommend these Maybelline shadows!  The shade Nude Glow is gorgeous!!!

Nude Glow Maybelline eyeshadow | lookingjoligood.blog

How about you? Have you ever heard of the brand Doucce?  Have you ever tried any Doucce Freematic Eyeshadows?  What did you think?  Did you find that the color changed with blending and that it had a lot of fallout?

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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

Tips and Tricks

Tip Tuesday #62

Here’s Another Tip For Tip Tuesday

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

Today’s tip has to do with getting ready for a big event:

Do not try out new hair and skin products the day of or day before a big event!

Do you have a special event coming up?  Don’t wait until the day of to start preparing for it.  If you have a hair mask or a face mask that you want to use to make your hair and skin look its best, start prepping and primping 5-7 days in advance.

face mask | lookingjoligood.blog

If your hair or skin has an adverse reaction to the masks you will know in plenty of time for your hair and skin to heal and repair itself!

Do not try out new hair and skin products the day of or day before a big event!

Let me know if you try it out and if it works out for you!

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.

Quote

Adventure Is Out There…

travel | lookingjoligood.blog

While a picture is worth a thousand words, isn’t it so much more exciting to be able to see something in real life!  I love to travel and I love to go to new places and try new foods.  If I could travel all the time I would!

What about you?  Do you like to travel?  Where is the most exciting place you have ever been?

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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

Make up · Review · Weekly Product Highlight

Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss Review and Swatches

nude kiss | lookingjoligood.blog

~Weekly Product Highlight~ Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss~

I was watching a video by Drugstore Maven, and she recommended the Essence XXXL Shine Lipglosses.  Being a huge fan of glossy lips, the next time I was at Target I picked one up.

I am not exaggerating when I tell you I instantly fell in love with this gloss as soon as I put it on!

The gloss goes on smoothly and evenly without feeling sticky at all.   It does not bleed outside the lip line. It has a great sparkly shine that is not glittery.  The gloss also wears off well.  I cannot stand it when a sparkly gloss wears off leaving a weird looking glittery residue on the lips. (not cute!)

nude kiss | lookingjoligood.blog

The packaging is very simple and pretty yet sturdy. It comes in a transparent glass tube with a silver cap.  The name is on a label on the cap. The gloss has a long flat doe foot sponge tip applicator. I like the flat applicator because it holds a lot more product and applies the gloss nice and precisely.

Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss | lookingjoligood.blog

 The first shade I purchased was in 22 Nude Kiss. It has just a hint of pink shimmery color to it which can be worn alone or as a glossy topper over another lipstick.

Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss | lookingjoligood.blog

Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss | lookingjoligood.blog

After wearing Nude Kiss non-stop for several days, I knew that I had to get another shade of these glosses.  The second shade I picked up is 07 Big Night Out and 08 Glamour To Go. They are a sparkly mauve and a sparkly coral nude.

Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss | lookingjoligood.blog

At only $2.49 a tube, this gorgeous lipgloss is a great deal!

As I do with most of my favorite makeup discoveries, I quickly shared it with my sisters and my sister in law.  The next day my sister sent me the below picture.  She got hers in 17 Fabulous Fuchsia.  Since then she told me that she loves it and has used her so much that it is almost gone.  A few days later she went back and picked up Nude Kiss as well.

Fabulous Fuchsia | lookingjoligood.blog

 What does the Essence Website have to say about the XXXL Shine Lipglosses:

“Ultimate shine for your lips! The XXXL shine lipgloss pampers your lips without leaving behind a sticky feeling. Contains vitamin e and panthenol to moisturize and prevent lips from feeling dry. Available in 12 glossy shades.”

Now I have three of the 12 shades and I love them all.  They are all somewhat similar, yet a bit different, and all beautiful!

Essence XXXL Shine Lipglosses | lookingjoligood.blog

What about you?  Do you have any Essence XXXL Shine Lipglosses?  What do you think?  Which are your favorites?

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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