Healthy Dinner Idea

I try to eat healthy, go to the gym and make use of the My Fitness Pal app, but there are some days when I just don't have as much time to make intricate cookbook type meals for dinner.

This is the simple meal I prepared tonight with a little help from M and M Meat Store.I made a green salad with my own dressing, baked garlic and herb potatoes and I stopped by M and M Meat Store and got some  seasoned chicken breast stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach.

Green Salad:
Ingredients:
-Romaine lettuce (as much as you want)
-Green Onion
- Mandarin orange
-Raw sunflower seeds
- 1 cheese slice crumbled (this can be low fat cheese if you like) 1 cheese slice =55 calories
Salad dressing :
-Grape seed oil
-Balsamic vinegar
-Sea salt
-Black pepper
-Garlic powder (optional)
 *make as much as you want.

Garlic and herb potatoes:
-6-8 medium white potatoes diced with skin
-2 cloves of fresh garlic mashed into a big mixing bowl
-Grape seed oil or extra virgin olive oil (enough to coat the potatoes)
*Sprinkle the potatoes with:
-Parsley flakes
-Italian herb seasoning
-Mrs Dash original blend
-Garlic powder
-Onion powder
-Black pepper
-Seat salt
*Bake potatoes until they are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside

Chicken breast from M and M meat shops
Boneless seasoned chicken breast, stuffed ricotta cheese and spinach, garnished with herbs.
*Nutritional information:
-150 calories
-4.5 g of fat
-25 g of protein
You can make your own seasoned baked chicken breast if you do not have an M and M store where you live.

The website for M and M Meat store is: http://www.mmmeatshops.com/en/index.asp

MAC Concealers and Foundations

Studio Finish Concealer:

I have been using MAC concealers for years and for a long time I wore the Studio Finish concealer. The Studio Finish line is well suited for people who have red undertones so it didn't work well for me. It provides very full coverage and is quite thick. It also works very well for spot treatments and to conceal blemishes.

 Pro Longwear Concealer:

I decided to switch to the Pro Longwear Concealer which works exceptionally better for my skin tone. The Pro longwear works well for people who have yellow undertones. This concealer works wonderfully to cover up dark under eye circles and blemishes and for spot treatments. I use a foundation on top of it but this concealer can stand alone because it provides full coverage. It blends easily into my skin and the formula does not make me too dewy, shiny or oily.  

My only fault with this product is the packaging. The bottle is very small and even though a little bit does go a long way it still runs out rather quickly if you use it daily. I also don’t like that when the concealer is almost finished it is very difficult to get the last of the product out of the glass tube. I had to have my husband break the packaging and even that was difficult. I would have preferred it if this concealer came packaged in a more user friendly bottle.

My Previous foundation:

I had recently been using the Studio Sculpt foundation and I  tried  three different shades in this line without the satisfaction of a great match because of the red undertones.

 The Studio Sculpt line is more suited for dry skin because it gives off more of a dewy finish for those who need more moisture. For me it came off as oily. This foundation is a full coverage foundation but it goes on very heavy and it also does not dry very well so it left a wet sticky feeling on my face that lasted the entire day.

 Studio Fix Foundation:

Since switching over to the Studio Fix line I have never looked back. I find that the shade I have now matches my skin much more accurately. I also like that this foundation gives me more of a matte finish which is great for oil prone skin.

The Studio Fix foundation gives me just the right amount coverage. It is easy to blend and helps cover blemishes and darkness if you want to wear it on its own.  If you have very dark blemishes I would suggest using a concealer along with it. I do find that this foundation can be a bit heavy if you apply a lot or layer it on.

Another issue I have with this foundation is the packaging. The bottle is difficult to work with, there is just an opening with no pump so I have purchase the pump separately. 

The Studio Fix Pressed Powder:

As you can tell by now I love the Studio Fix line of Mac face products. The Studio Fix pressed powder is a full coverage foundation in powder form. I love how even and smooth the powder applies, it does not flake or cake up on the skin. This powder can be worn alone or paired with a concealer. For extra heavy coverage, if you have a lot of blemishes to cover, or if you want a flawless finish then it can be paired with both a concealer and a foundation although this may be too heavy for some. When used alone, this powder feels light on the skin and provides good coverage.

Tips to finding the right concealer and foundation if you do not know your shade:

                             

*To find the right concealer and foundation visit MAC or Sephora where you are able to test the products against your skin and get matched by one of the associates.

*I do recommend that you get a sample of the product before you decide to make a purchase because the lighting in the store may not show you an accurate indication of what the foundation will look like in natural lighting.

*I also suggest that when you take your sample home you apply the foundation in natural light (sunlight) so you can see what it looks like during the day. Make sure to test the foundation out for an entire day to see if it has lasting power and if it reacts well with your skin type.

*Make sure to explain your skin’s needs before purchasing. Specify your skin type and make sure to ask whether or not the product is prone to cause breakouts if you have sensitive or acne prone skin. MAC foundations and concealers do have SPF protection which is important so make sure to ask about this if you are going with another brand.

*Another tip that I think is very important is finding the proper foundation brush for applying the product. You may have the best quality foundation for your skin but if you don’t apply it right it may not look so great. I would recommend a flat top kabuki brush, a duo fiber stippling brush or any other brush that is known for blending liquid makeup. The Beauty Blender is also an option.

February Favorites!

These were the products that I was loving in the month of February.

Maybelline Rocket Volume Express Mascara:

I have been using this all month and it makes my lashes long, separated and fuller looking. I like the formula and I have no issues with it coming off or looking clumpy. This mascara gives my lashes a slightly wispy look.

eos Lip Balm in the flavour pomegranate:

This lip balm is my all time favorite!  It stays on my lips for a long time and it makes them smooth and soft while preventing dryness and cracking. As you can see mine is almost done. 

Wet n Wild Mega Last Nail Polish (in the color On a Trip #213C)

I love this shade of purple. This nail polish goes on nice and opaque and the extra wide flat brush makes application a breeze. You can definitively get a few days wear before it starts to chip when you pair it with a good top coat. 

Revlon Lip Butter Lipstick (in the shade lollipop #075)

I love the Revlon Lip butters, the colors are beautiful and the formula is so creamy and they do not dry out my lips. This product is a lip balm, gloss and lipstick all in one!

Wet n Wild Lip Gloss (in the shade Rasp-berry Voice #569B)

This lips gloss gives me a lot of color but it is subtle enough to wear everyday with neutral makeup. 

Wet n Wild Blush (in the color Berry Shimmer #834E)

For such an affordable blush this one packs a bold punch of color. I think it would flatter a wide variety of skin tones.

e.l.f. All Over Face Stick (pink Lemonade): I rediscovered this product as a blush in the month of February. I can apply color on my cheeks exactly where I need it to go and it gives me a rosy dewy finish.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser and Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer (clinically proven to even out skin tone and texture):

This is one of my favorite skin care lines. The cleanser does not dry out my skin and both products leave my skin looking healthy and my complexion clear. The moisturizer has SPF protection as well.

Bestyville Makep bag by Betsy Johnson:

I rediscovered this makeup bag on my trip to Vegas in February, it forced me to take a fraction of my makeup with me and I love the cute edgy design. 

Jergens Shea Butter Body Cream:

This cream is very thick and moisturizing for dry skin. I like that the second ingredient is shea butter and not something I can't pronounce. It leaves my skin soft the entire day.

Equate Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes:

These are great for removing makeup even waterproof mascara and they are hypoallergenic and very soft against the skin. I also like that they are very wet. It says on the package that this product can be compared to the Neutrogena makeup wipes but they  cost a fraction of the price. 

Suave Rosemary Mint Conditioner (invigorating clean):

I discovered this conditioner and I have been using it for co-washing the entire month. It gets my hair clean, makes my scalp tingle and it leaves my hair soft.

Other favorites:

The Red Tent:

 This was the best book I read in the month of February. It is an amazing story about the lives of women in biblical times, their relationships with one another, their love lives and family. It was a really good read. 

Twistos Baked Snack Bites (in the flavor parmesan and garlic)

I try to eat healthy and I go to the gym during the week so I  look for snacks that are healthy. I am addicted to these Twistos snacks, they are delicious and guilt free. They come in a variety of flavors.

e.l.f. Great Cosmetics for Less

I love high end makeup, but I also enjoy getting good quality makeup at ridiculously great prices. e.l.f. or eyes, lips face cosmetics offers a wide range of makeup and beauty products that are of great quality but with this line you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to look beautiful. This post will encompass a list of my favorite e.l.f. products.

If you are interested check out the website at: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/?ctcampaign=1996&ctkwd=elf%20website&ctmatch=e&ctcreative=18122823632&ctadpos=1t1&gclid=CMW27pm137UCFahDMgod_lcAbQ

e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator: I love this exfoliator because it smells good and it has some great natural ingredients that makes my lips soft and supple. It is very useful in the winter when I have dry chapped lips. It also makes my lipsticks go on very smooth because it leaves no dry skin behind. 

e.l.f. Custom Compact and Single Eye Shadow Quad: I like this product because you can buy the empty compact for $1.00 and then custom pick 4 eye shadows to go in it. The single shadows are great quality, are easy to blend and have good pigmentation, they are also only $1.00 each. 

e.l.f. Makeup Setting Spray: This setting spray works great to keep your makeup lasting all day. It also has great ingredients like aloe, green tea and cucumber. I do find that for the best results I have to mist my face very heavily but for $3.00 you can't go wrong.

e.l.f. All Over Cover Stick in Pick Lemonade: This all over face stick cost $1 and you can use it on your lips, on your cheeks and even as an eye shadow! I love this color because it is very pigmented and it gives my cheeks a rosy glow. 

e.l.f. Cream Eye Liner and the Elf Angled Eyeliner Brush: This cream eyeliner along with the angled eyeliner brush (in the photo below)  makes it very easy to apply eye liner. You get a smooth highly pigmented application that lasts all day. The cream eye liner is $3 and the angled eyeliner brush is also $3. 

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer: I have tried many primers and I use to use the MAC prep and prime all the time until I found the e.l.f . face primer. This primer makes my skin very smooth, even and ready for my foundation. The primer is $6

e.l.f.  Translucent Matyifying Powder: This powder is great if you want something to set your makeup without giving you any color. This powder blends in flawlessly and goes on smooth. You can get this for $3

e.l.f. Contour Blush and Bronzer: I like this set because the bronzer helps to contour and works with a variety of skin tones. The blush gives a touch of color with a light dusting of shimmer for a nice glow. You can get this duo for $3

e.l.f. Eye Brow Kit in medium: This kit comes with a gel to shape and fill in the brows and a setting powder which I think gives my brows a very natural look.  This kit is $3

BRUSHES

e.l.f. Flawless Concealer brush: This is my favorite elf brush. This brush is so much better than those flat concealer brushes. It really gets the concealer where you need it to go and blends it very well. This brush is also great quality and costs $3 

e.l.f. Duo Fiber Stipple Brushes: I have the regular size and the smaller size duo fibre brushes and they both work really well. The large one could be a bit denser in bristles but they still both work very well for blending in liquid foundation or even stippling on blush. These brushes are $3 each.

e.l.f. Kaubki Face Brush: This brush is great when used with  blush, powder foundation or setting powder. It is dense, soft and I get minimal shedding. It helps create a flawless look for just $6 

e.l.f.  Studio Powder Brush: I love this brush, for $3 dollars you get a large incredibly soft brush that is great for blending liquids and powders to produce an even flawless look. This brush is $3

e.l.f Professional Blending Eye Brush: For $1 this brush is great for blending eye shadows effortlessly into the crease.

e.l.f. Professional Eye Shadow Brush: I have about 8 of these eye shadow brushes because they work great for patting on and building up the color of eye shadows. They are $1 each.

e.l.f. Small Angled Brush: This brush is great for filling in my eyebrows and the shape of the brush is ideal for giving shape to my brows. 

e.l.f. Shine Eraser Sheets: These sheets are great for blotting off excess oil for those of us who have oil prone skin. 

e.l.f Vanilla Coconut Conditioning Body Butter: I cannot find these body butters on the website anymore but I did buy this in a store a while back so you may still be able to find some. I hope they start selling them online again because I loved how moisturizing and creamy these body butters feel on my skin. 

e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipsticks: On the days that you do not want a heavy lipstick and a lot of color these sheer glosses give you a touch of color. They are a bit sticky but they don’t dry out my lips. I would recommend the darker shades if you want a bit more color, they are only $1 each.

There are still many products that I would like to try from this brand so I will probably be doing a post on those products in the future. I definitely recommend that you give this brand a try. The only downside is that many of these products cannot be easily found in Canadian stores and some of them I have only seen on the website, however Target does sell many e.l.f products.  

Cosmetics I Bought Today, Very Affordable

Hi everyone,

 So today I went to the drug store for one item and I found myself veering off to the cosmetics department as usual, so I picked up a couple nail polishes and lipsticks.

The first lipstick is by NYC which I have tried once before and even though I wasn't very impressed by the lipstick I decided to try this brand again. I need a nude lipstick that compliments my skin so I picked up NYC Plum Rum #410.  In the tube I thought it was browner but when I got home and tried it was more plum then brown...oh well, it only cost $1.77

I also got the Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in the color Amethyst Shimmer #084 which my sister highly recommended. It is a frosty mauve, pink color which has a really nice sheen. It cost $4.98

For nail polish I got the Maybelline Color Show in the color Wine and Dined #420. I was looking for a dark plum or dark wine color and this one looked nice because it has a bit of shimmer in the formula. This polish was $2.96. I really like this color.

I also got a glitter polish, I have a big nail polish collection but I don’t have many glitter polishes. Today I did not have the time to spend comparing nail polish since I had to head to the gym and run some errands so I just grabbed the NYC Long Wear Starry Silver Glitter #105 and it cost $1.27. Doing an accent nail in a different color with some glitter is in style right now and I saw some really cute ideas online so I decided to try it out.