This morning’s juice was a nice departure from the typical orange juice. Here is today’s juice recipe:
6 carrots
2 oranges
1 apple
1″ ginger
1 pear.

It was super delicious. One with breakfast and one to sip all day. I found the white plastic jar lids at Walmart. (Super handy!)

I added a gym membership to my healthy living. I know I’m eating more than the 1600 calories per day that the Flat Belly Diet recommends so hopefully by burning some calories at the gym every day, I can make up for it and still lose weight.

I was so excited to start my gym membership, that I went the first day and completely forgot to eat lunch first. The guy behind the counter suspected my hunger. (I swear people can read me like a book. Why do I even talk?) And he gave me a piece of his Red Velvet ONE bar. OMG! I have never had a protein bar that actually, dare I say it, tasted good. So I found these ONE bars at Sprouts and sorry the Cookie Dough one is missing because I ate it. It was just as tasty as the Red Velvet! These are perfect for pre- or post-workout.

A late lunch consisted of the following which was mighty tasty with that Newman’s Own Sesame Ginger dressing. This recipe is from the Flat Belly Diet book.

Sesame Ginger Shrimp Wrap: 1 Thomas’ Whole What Sahara Wrap (170) filled with 3 oz broiled medium shrimp (90), ¼ cup fresh snow peas (10), ¼ cup chopped celery (5), and 2 Tbsp. cashews (100) and drizzled with 1 Tbsp. Newman’s Own Lighten Up Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing (18)

Total calories = 393

Seems like ever since I’ve been using jars as drinking glasses, it’s now a trend. (haha!) I even saw them today at the 99 cents store! Super cute but how practical if you can only use these around Easter? Anyway, it’s worth the picture.

Another thing I have to mention to the ladies (and even the men), what I have learned through my research on skin products for the face, is that you don’t need to spend $30 to $100 or more on skin creams and oils with a ton of ingredients. Trust me when I say I have tried most of what is out there and it’s all rubbish. I wish I could have that money back.

Since I began my “minimalist” skincare regimen, my complexion has never been better. I hardly ever break out and my skin tone is smooth and my face always feels soft and hydrated. Each one of these three ingredients, which I buy separately and mix in my palm, only cost between $10-$20.

You can get any brand, but make sure that there is only the single ingredient in it. All those expensive creams do is mix a tiny bit of beneficial ingredients with a bunch of other irritating chemicals and preservatives so they can sell it as a unique product. That is why they never work. Your skin can’t handle so many ingredients at once.

My minimalist face care regimen: Mix a tiny bit of each in your palm and apply to face, neck, and backs of hands twice daily.

1. Marula Oil
   Marula Oil is rich in essential fatty acids Omega 9 – oleic and Omega 6 – linoleic that deeply hydrate and reduce redness while nourishing, healing, moisturizing and improving skin elasticity. Marula Oil helps reduce transepidermal water loss and increases the smoothness of skin.
2. Rosehip (seed) oil (it has a nice amber color, but it doesn’t turn your skin orange.)
   Harvested from the seeds of rose bushes predominately grown in Chile, rosehip seed oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines.
3. Hyaluronic acid cream (not pictured); I use Andalou Naturals Hyaluronic DMAE Lift & Firm Cream which I find at Sprouts or Whole Foods. It’s almost always on sale too! Hyaluronic acid keeps skin plump and hydrated and keeps collagen synthesis up to combat wrinkles.