Rowena Recommends

Ice Cream vs. Diet Ice Cream vs. Frozen Yogurt – Who Wins?

July 4, 2018
Talk about a heat wave. We are definitely in summer mode. Now that the nice weather is here, ice cream is so enjoyable when it’s so hot outside. What are some great options out there?

What’s the recommended portion for ice cream? A recommended serving size of ice cream is 1/2 a cup. The question is how many of us stick to this portion? Half a cup serving just doesn’t sound satisfying enough.

Let’s put things into perspective:

A cup serving is more reasonable. When I look at ice cream, calories is a factor. Typically, a half cup serving of regular ice cream will range between 120-150 kcals. With a cup serving, you will get 300 calories. This is reasonable given that it is an indulgence.

When you get into the premium ice cream (e.g. Haagen Daaz or Ben & Jerry’s), a half cup serving will put you at close to 300 calories. A cup serving would be more reasonable; however, know that if you decide to eat this amount, you will have to balance the energy in with energy out. You will have to make sure you do enough physical activity to work off the 600 kcals.

As a registered dietitian, individuals are often curious of my eating habits. Confession: I love ice cream and won’t be able to stop at 1/2 c serving. If ice cream is in the house, I often will be able to finish the little container in a matter of days. As a result, I often don’t keep ice cream in the house and like to go out for my ice cream treat.

Where Are My Top Choices for Ice Cream Treats?
1. Summer’s Ice Cream (This is my absolute favourite spot in the city)
2. Tsujiri (pictured in the middle -> when I need my fix of matcha ice cream)
3. La Diperie (pictured on the right –>an ice cream spot conveniently located in my neighbourhood)
Have you heard of Milk Cow?

The first location in Toronto opened up near the Yonge/Lawrence neighbourhood. This place focuses on using natural ingredients and uses 30% less sugar than regular ice cream places. This place prides on providing a delicious and creamy treat.

If I did have ice cream at home, what would I usually buy? Like I mentioned above, I try not to keep it in the house as it is a temptation for me.
1. My husband and I are a sucker for anything mint chocolate. We’ve bought many brands of Mint Chocolate but actually prefer PC Mint Chocolate Ice Cream. We find it has the right balance between chocolate and mint flavour.
2. Ben & Jerry’s
  1. Half Baked
  2. If I had 1,000,000 Flavours
  3. Chocolate Fudge Brownie
  4. The Tonight Dough
3. Coconut Bliss
  1. All the flavours within this brand taste SO GOOD! It’s totally a guilty pleasure of mine.
4. Haagen Daaz Mini Bars
  1. As I have mentioned above, if I were to have a serving of premium ice cream, I could easily have a cup but I don’t know how I feel about eating 600 kcals in one sitting so I usually like to go for the mini bars for portion control.
Halo Top Ice Cream

I know that alot of individuals have tried the many flavours of this very popular brand. I have tried multiple flavours of this brand in both the dairy containing line and the non-dairy containing line.

Verdict: I’ve always said this to all clients who have asked what my ice cream recommendations are- if you are craving ice cream, nothing will satisfy that craving but the ice cream you love. I found that Halo ice cream was good but not satisfying. A word of caution: you still need to exercise portion control with this low calorie ice cream as this ice cream contains sugar alcohols. If you eat too much sugar alcohols, it can cause digestive issues.

Breyer’s Lighter Delights Ice Cream

If you haven’t noticed this option on the shelf, say hello to Halo Ice Cream’s twin. Like I mentioned above, these lower calorie option ice creams contain sugar alcohol. You still need to exercise portion control as too much sugar alcohol in you can cause digestive issues.

What about Frozen Yogurt?

Frozen yogurt may be a lot lower in fat; however, it is still is a source of added sugar. Some individuals enjoy Chapman’s Frozen Yogurt and think it is much better for them. Is it? For a 1/2 cup serving, it offers you 100 calories and 14 grams of sugar. Given my rule of thumb above, individuals will be more satisfied with a 1 cup serving. As result, this serving will give you 200 calories and 28 grams of sugar.

My verdict: Personally, I’d much rather go for ice cream than frozen yogurt if it’s my treat. That’s just me though. If you really enjoy Chapman’s Frozen yogurt for the taste, there is nothing wrong with it. If you are trying to enjoy frozen yogurt because it offers you less calories, is it really a low calorie option?

What Are Some Good Calorie Control Portioned Products On The Shelf?
1. PC Blue Menu Kefir Bars
2. PC Blue Menu Greek Yogurt Bars
Both these options offer a variety of flavours but all options contain only 100 calories. Guess what? It’s satisfying! If you haven’t noticed these options on the shelf, you should give it a try yourself one day.

Have you heard of Nice Cream?

I’ve had the Yo Nana machine a few years now and I love making Nice Cream! 🙂 What’s the key ingredient? Frozen Banana should be the base. Alternate with your frozen fruit options. The result: yummy delicious nice cream! 🙂

I really like the combination of strawberry, kiwi and banana. You wouldn’t even know that all this is just frozen fruit compressed into a creamy texture to mimic frozen yogurt. The taste reminds me of Yogen Fruz but without the dairy components.
What Do You Use to Wash Your Face?

July 1, 2018
Did you know healthy skin should sit at a pH of 4-5.6? Healthy skin is naturally acidic in nature.

By keeping your skin acidic, the skin will maintain a strong acid mantle (aka your skin’s barrier made of sebum) and have the ability to stop growth of bacteria.

It is best for you to use an acidic cleanser as these products will be gentle and not remove too much oil from your face.

It is ideal to keep your skin acidic as your acid mantle will continue to be strong. Depending on what you cleanser you choose, there is a chance where you can disrupt the acid mantle. If you use a high pH cleanser, your skin becomes more alkaline.

Alkaline skin is more prone to irritation, dryness, flakiness and pimples. You want to prevent breakouts as much as possible right? Let’s pay attention to the pH of our cleansers now.

What I have used and really enjoyed:

Bioderma Sensible H20

The packaging is unappealing; however, this is a product that really works. It is able to remove waterproof make up very well. I was pleasantly surprised. This product is priced very reasonably as it normally is priced at $25 per 500 mL bottle. Shoppers Drug Mart often does fun promotions and sometimes, you can get two of these bottles for $29.90. You can’t go wrong.

Dermalogica

You only need to use a dime’s worth of this cleanser at one time. It is soap free and it feels really good on your skin. This cleanser does not over dry your skin but it does remove impurities effectively while keeping the pH of your skin intact.

Cle De Peau Softening Foam Cleanser

Priced at $82, it is a pricier cleanser; however, you don’t need alot at one time. You need less than a dime’s worth of this cleanser as it does foam up. It really foams up as you add water to cleanser. This cleanser has a really nice light scent (a mix of rose and orchid) and you can definitely feel the tingle when applied on your skin.

I would say the biggest difference between Dermalogica and Cle De Peau is the scent. When you feel like you want to treat yourself, use Cle De Peau but Dermatologica is a good everyday cleanser. Bioderma is a great option for those who are more budget conscious.

If you are really curious about the pH of your cleanser, you can always do a test at home. Buy some pH paper (e.g. from Whole Foods Market) and squeeze a little of your cleanser out. Stick a piece of pH paper and see what pH level it has. You may be surprised. 😉

Food For Thought:
1. What cleanser do you find effective in keeping your skin clear and/or prevent breakout?
2. Do you need to check the pH level of your cleanser?
3. Do you need to switch to a more alkaline cleanser?
The Perfect Summer Side Dish

June 27, 2018
I’m all for meals made within 30 minutes especially during the hot weather. Who wants to slave in the kitchen cooking away when it is so nice outside? This is a perfect example of a side dish using in season vegetables that can be made quickly and will be consumed in no time.

Say Hello To The Asparagus Tomato Feta Salad

Ingredients for the salad

1 bunch of asparagus

6 cups halved cherry tomatoes in varied colors (has anyone tried Axiany tomatoes recently? They are absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!! The tomatoes are worth checking out because they totally add another level of flavour and texture to the salad)

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 cup sliced basil leaves

Ingredients for the dressing

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preparation
1. Boil a large pot of salted water for 2 minutes. Once water is boiled, blanch asparagus.
2. Drain and rinse with cold water.
3. Mix asparagus with remaining ingredients in a large bowl
4. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, kosher salt and pepper
5. Pour dressing over salad and mix well.
**To complete the meal, add 1/2- 1 c of chickpeas OR add a piece of baked chicken breast OR 1/2 a can of light flaked tuna. If you decided to have 1/2 a can of light flaked tuna, feel free to mix in 1/4 of a standard avocado.

Asparagus is a good source of prebiotics.

What are prebiotics you ask?

Prebiotics help probiotics function better. Probiotics are the good bacteria found in your gut to help with digestion and/or immune system. Aside from asparagus, good sources of prebiotics include: garlic, onions, leeks, bananas, whole grains, dandelion greens and apples.

This is why it is important to never cut any one food out of your diet. Every food really does have a purpose. It’s a matter of how much and when you should eat something.

Food For Thought:

Will you make a conscious effort to make sure you have incorporate a food source of prebiotics in your daily diet?
Do You Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly?

June 23, 2018
During a recent facial I had gotten, I was gently reminded that my cleansing game was not up to par. Why? When the aesthetician initially cleansed my skin, she could feel the layers of dead skin I had failed to remove. I need to remember to exfoliate my face more often. I do exfoliate my face at least one time per week but I need to be consistent about doing exfoliation at least 2 or 3 times per week. Some individuals need to exfoliate more. It all depends on your skin and your individualized situation.

Why does someone need to exfoliate his/her skin? Here’s 3 reasons why:
1. To help keep clear skin (i.e. prevent blemishes and/or clogged pores)
2. Prevent wrinkles (i.e. by exfoliating, your skin is tricked into thinking and/or acting young again)
3. Provide instant glow (i.e. products you use can penetrate better into your skin)
My husband always complains there is no counterspace but when it comes to skincare products, you really have to have different options to different situations. Here are some of my favourites:

Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel:

This is a very gentle product where it does not leave your skin feeling dry at all. How I generally use it is:
1. Clean your Face.
2. Pat your face dry.
3. Squeeze the FirmX Peeling Gel out (~toonie size). You may need more if you feel like you need to cover more surface area.
4. Apply the FirmX Peeling Gel to your face. Massage your face in circular motions around your face. As you massage, you will see the gel clumping together. This is the dead skin being removed.
5. If you feel satisfied with the amount of dead skin removed, rinse your face.
It is recommended to use this product up to 3 times/week but I would be comfortable in recommending that this product is gentle enough to be used everyday if you really have lots of dead skin to remove.

Glam Glow YOUTHMUD Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask

I find this exfoliation mask to be stronger than just an exfoliator. With this product, I still would clean my face. I would apply this on clean skin. As soon as you put this product on, wait a few moments. You will immediately feel your skin tightening and your skin will tingle. I leave it on for ~10-15 minutes. Your skin feels AMAZING afterwards.

If you have fine lines and/or wrinkles as well as uneven skin texture, this product can help correct these problems. You will definitely feel the tingling and tightening effects during the treatment.

Cle De Peau Clay Mask

A new find for me includes this product. Although it may not sound Japanese, it is a Japanese brand. I like this product as it is a cleanser in addition to being an exfoliator. I would definitely still remove my makeup with Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil and/or Micellar Water first before using this product.

This product boasts of an illuminating complex EX which is made up of: golden silk essence (helps to alleviate loss of suppleness), Japanese Pearl (helps with the smoothness of skins), theanine (helps to even out skin) and Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract
(a traditional herb is known to support skin’s beauty).

After using this product, not only does your skin feel amazing but it smells really good as well. 🙂

Food For Thought: Do you need to exfoliate more often?
In Need of a Suggestion of Where To Go To Buy Lunch?

June 20, 2018
Do you live or work near:
1. Yonge/College
2. PATH
If you answered yes to either questions, check out Salus Fresh Foods.

I’ve only been to the Yonge/College location and had the Bravocado as well as the Bruh..Cali. I’ve been able to taste the Beets Me option but I’ve loved all the options I’ve tried so far! I always order the box option. I like how you can ask the staff member to add even more vegetables and cut down on the carbohydrate portion. I eat my carbohydrates but I would really like to see the 3:1 ratio (3 parts veggies to part carbohydrate). I like how the dressing is automatically put on the side. Of that dressing container, I may have only used 1/3 of the container. When asked if I’d like to add protein, I chose salmon. The staff estimates ~5 oz. of protein is given with each box.

Pictured here: Bravocado with salmon

What Makes Up the Bravocado? spinach, quinoa, avocado, beets, roasted broccoli, cucumber, strawberry, edamame, goat cheese, dried cranberries, balsamic vinegar (on the side)

Let’s Break Down Key Ingredients for Nutritional Benefits:

Quinoa
- a gluten free seed which is packed with protein
- good source of iron, magnesium, Vitamin E, fibre and potassium
- looks like couscous and versatile like rice but has a nuttier flavour profile
- Because it is still a carbohydrate containing option, please try to limit to eating 1/2 c – 1 c cooked at one time
Avocado
- A source of healthy fat- can help to bring down cholesterol
- Rich source of potassium & Vitamin E
- Good source of magnesium, phosphorous and trace elements
- Because each 1/4 of an avocado is equal to 60 kcals, please be conscious of portion; eating an avocado is no different than eating a 1 tsp of fat (i.e. oil) as each tsp of fat is ~50 kcals
Broccoli
- A member of the famed cruciferous vegetable family known for its high phytonutrient content
- It is a source of fibre as there’s 2 grams of fibre for every 1/2 c
- Knowing the above fact, are you eating enough vegetables at dinner to get your daily fibre needs?
Spinach
- The familiar dark green vegetable most individuals enjoy regular
- Did you know in 1 c of spinach, you get 1 gram of fibre? It’s very important you mix your spinach with other vegetables to increase fibre intake.
- A rich source of Beta-Carotene and Vitamin K
Beets
- There is 2 grams of fibre for every 1/2 a cup serving
- Rich in potassium and many trace elements
- Good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin K
- Don’t forget to eat the beet greens as they can also be a good source of magnesium!
Strawberries
- A household fruit favourite among many
- Eating 8 strawberries will result in the same amount of Vitamin C as you would get in 1 orange
- Anthocyanins make up the majority of the flavanoids in berries; anthocyanins are responsible for giving the blue/red/purple hues of berries, grapes and of other fruits.
Goat Cheese
- A cheese choice which is naturally low in fat
- A creamy & delicious way to obtain calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron
- Instead of feta, give goat cheese a try on your salads as it can be lower in sodium.
Edamame
- There is 12 grams of protein and 4 grams of fibre in 1/2 a cup serving
- A good source of iron, potassium, phosphorous and calcium
- This can be a wonderful, delicious, nutrient-dense snack if you are always on the go
Salmon
- A great source of omega-3 fatty acids famed for anti-inflammatory properties, heart health benefits and brain development properties
- If you decide to eat the canned salmon, you may also get additional calcium as there are also bones in the can
- Topped with a little dill & lemon juice with a hint of pepper, this can be an easy protein to be cooked in 20 minutes.
Did You Get Inspired to Incorporate More Of These Nutritious Options As Part of Your Daily Lunch?
What Deodorant Do You Use?

June 17, 2018

As the warm weather is upon us, the dilemma of how to avoid getting too smelly is always present. How do we pick?

As we become more concerned about ingredients being used in our cosmetic products, I have ventured to using more natural options for deodorant.

Have you heard of the company called Consonant Skincare? It’s a little shop near Yonge/Eglinton. I walked in there as a friend told me she likes their products. I walked out with a few of their products and one of the products happened to be…

Consonant Dealkalizing Deodorant

This product is formulated to bring the pH of your skin to 4.5-5 to help prevent body odour for 24 hours. Research shows that odour-causing bacteria loves to flourish in alkaline areas so having your skin at a pH of 4.5-5 will help to prevent growth of odour-causing bacteria.

Ingredient such as bentonite clay and arrow root powder absorb moisture. Cocoa butter is present to help even skin tone and hydrate.

I like the Consonant Dealkalizing Deodorant as it glides on clear on the skin and has no scent. It doesn’t leave a mark on your clothes.

Keep in mind: This is a deodorant; therefore, this means that it helps to prevent odour but it does not prevent you from sweating. Antiperspirants will prevent you from sweating; however, antiperspirants are not recommended.

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes

I got this product as part of a goodie bag.

I thought this was cute packaging and was a good idea as you can always throw it in your bag as you never know when you need some odour control given the hot weather we’ve been experiencing. I put the product to test when I recently went out for a 2 hour walk in the beautiful weather. I came back and felt the underarm area could use some freshening up. The towelette is very moist and had a nice scent. It did the job. 🙂 I’ll definitely have this product when I’m on the go and need to freshen up a bit. Other scents are also available from this brand.

What Do You Use to Prevent Unwanted Body Odour?
Blenditarian burger

June 12, 2018
Father’s Day is quickly approaching. How many of you are planning to host a BBQ? Many individuals choose to buy pre made burgers just for convenience from supermarkets and/or butcher shops; however, I know just as many individuals who make their own burgers. Making your own burgers is so easy! Let me share with you how I make my burgers:

Ingredients (Makes 8 burgers- 6 regular burgers & 2 smaller burgers):

227 g mushrooms

454 g extra lean ground turkey or beef

garlic (2-3 cloves)

green onions (2-3 sprigs)

onion (1 medium onion)

oats (to act as a binder)

Grapeseed oil (1 Tbsp)

Sesame oil (to taste)

Worcestershire Sauce (to taste)

Instructions
1. Clean your mushrooms. Slice them up and put them in a food processor until they are ground up.
2. In a pan, pour 1 Tbsp of grapeseed oil. Heat up pan before putting your onion, garlic and mushrooms in. Sweat the mushrooms out first.
3. Put the muhrooms in a bowl; remove some of the liquid if you feel it is too much.
4. Mix cooked mushrooms with extra lean ground turkey and/or beef.
5. Bind the mushroom/meat mixture together with oats. I use ~1/2 c of oats for that amount of mixture.
6. Mix in a dash of sesame oil and a dash of worcestershire sauce.
7. Grill on BBQ
Confession: When my husband and I moved from our previous place, we left our barbecue with the new owners. Since moving to our place (1.5 years ago), we still have yet to get a new barbecue. How do I make these burgers? I bake them in the oven @ 400 degrees fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy your blenditarian burgers with the usual burger toppings.

I normally do put lettuce and tomatoes on my burgers; however, it was recently brought to my attention that not everyone likes having lettuce and in their hamburgers. I’m a fan of Marilyn Denis and follow her on Instagram. In a post honouring Anthony Bourdain, she said that one of the funniest things he said to her is “You never put lettuce on your hamburger”.

I decided to try this and decided to do more of a Californian burger combination including: onions, tomato variety from Mucci Farms, cucumber and avocado.

Do you make your own burgers? Let me know how you make them. 🙂
Protect the Skin Around Your Eye to Ensure A Youthful Look

June 10, 2018
Men and women alike are now obsessed with caring for the delicate area around our eye. We don’t like to see the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles (i.e. crow’s feet) or sagging (the bags under our eyes).

Will any product on the market effectively eliminate any of these issues completely? The answer is probably not. Products on the market can temporarily relieve and/or diminish these issues; however, to completely relieve yourself of puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles and/or sagging, lifestyle changes must be incurred as well.

Confession I have never been one who has experienced puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles and/or sagging but I’m always open to learning about different ways to prevent different issues.

I’ve used eye creams for a long time and have been very diligent. I do apply twice a day everyday. I want to prevent the signs of aging around this delicate area for as long as possible. 🙂

For individuals who do have puffiness in their eyes, here are some reasons why:
- high stress level (modifiable factor)
- high salt intake (modifiable factor)
- seasonal allergies
- genetics
- Aging/Loss of Baby Fat
What are some ingredients in an eye cream which can help with puffiness around the eyes?
- Caffeine
- Vitamin K
- Chamomile
- Witch Hazel
- Haloxyl
For individuals who have dark circles under their eyes, here are some reasons why:
- Lack of sleep (#1 reason)
- Allergies
- Stress (which can lead to lack of sleep)
- Dehydration (Drink your water to maintain your skin’s elasticity!!!)
- Genetics
- Sun Exposure
- Aging (which can lead to thinning of skin)
- Alcohol and/or Smoking
- Anemia
To help diminish the look of dark circles, here are some ingredients your product should contain:
- Retinol
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Peptides
- Caffeine
- Arnica
Some of these ingredients can lighten up dark circles and/or temporarily brighten up the skin. Don’t forget a good concealer can also cover up those dark circles temporarily. 😉

How does everyone deal with the fine lines under and/or around their eyes? We all look for products with claims like “minimize the look of wrinkles” or “anti-aging”. Here are some ingredients to look out for when trying to minimize the look of wrinkles:
- hyaluronic acid
- collagen
- retinol
- ceramides
- coenzyme Q10
- niacinamide
Many of these products contain ingredients rich in antioxidants and help with hydrating the skin.

Where else can you get antioxidants and hydration naturally? 😉 From your diet, of course! 🙂

Here are some products I normally love to use:

Shisheido Ibuki

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t suffer from any of the symptoms typically seen around the eye area. This cream reports to help decrease the signs of puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. I was attracted to this product as I find this product to be reasonably priced in comparison to other products I have used.

This product goes on light and is moisturizing. It’s creamy and is not a gel. I do also find that the cream has a pinkish tone but overall, I am happy with this product.

I’m addicted to Sephora as I am a Sephora VIB Rouge member but I am also happy to see this product available at Shoppers Drug Mart where I can collect my PC Optimum points. 🙂

La Mer

A friend first introduced me to this product and I was instantly hooked.

I have always been one not to shy away from price tags and am willing to splurge on skin products; however, as I grow older and have more responsibilities, I can’t always justify spending $265 on a little container. This is why I’ve had to explore other options; however, if I had the budget, I would use this every day of my life. The only other product I would be curious to try and compare is the eye cream by La Prairie.

Why do I love this product so much? I love how this is a gel. I also like how there is a special applicator to help put on the eye cream. This specially designed, silver-tipped applicator can help to improve natural microcirculation for an energized, awakened look. It is suggested to keep the applicator in the fridge for three to five minutes before application of the eye cream for rapid cooling refreshment and vibrancy. I’ve tried it once and it does feel oh so good. 🙂

Tata Harper

I know many individuals are concerned about chemicals put into skincare and have looked into all natural products. I, being a curious individual, am interested to see how effective these products are.

I went to the Detox Market recently and picked up the restorative eye creme by Tata Harper. It claims to have 27 high performance ingredients and is free of GMOs, toxins, fillers, artificial colours and/or fragrances as well as synthetic chemicals.

When putting this cream on, I like how it’s light and non-greasy. It does not smell as good as La Mer but it also is approximately half the price. Overall, this is a pricier product than Shisheido Ibuki but it’s half the price of La Mer. If you are concerned about chemicals placed into products, this is a very clean product.

Food For Thought: I am a curious individual and am open to trying many products for the face and/or eyes. My personal preference for any face and/or eye products is that it’s got to be gel based so that it’s extra hydrating. Gel based products are not for everyone.

Do You Believe In Using Eye Cream? What is Your Favourite Eye Cream?
Crave Rice? Have This Product Always Stocked in Your Freezer and You’ll be Safe :)

June 6, 2018

For me, it’s hard to go over 1 c cooked portion of rice at one time as I have grown up eating brown/red/black/multigrain rice. My mother would mix beans into the rice as well which adds more protein and fibre; therefore, I generally have 1 c cooked rice per time (at most).

When individuals choose to have curry night or a stew night, it’s not hard to overindulge on rice as you just want to get every last bit of the sauce. During these occasions, although your curry and/or stew may have vegetables, it’s not enough. I generally like to recommend the 3:1 one ratio. 3 parts veggies to 1 part carbohydrates. If an individual tells me that they’d like to have 1 c cooked rice @ one meal, I challenge them by saying that they have to have at least 3 c of cooked vegetables. I emphasize cooked vegetables as 3 c of raw veggies is not the same volume.

Say Hello to Green Giant’s Riced Veggies Series Cauliflower Medley. It’s a game changer!

Pop it in the microwave for 5-6 minutes and voila- you have rice made out of vegetables. Not only can you get all the sauce with these rice bits but you’ve automatically increased your vegetable consumption.

I love this specific mix as you only get 3 g of net carbohydrate in every cup of cooked cauliflower rice even though it’s mixed with green peas, carrots and onions. It’s not too mushy and it’s filling. It’s tastes GREAT! Give it a Try, you won’t miss rice at all!

Price: $4.99 per 340 g bag

If you’d like to just buy organic cauliflower bits, I love buying a big bag from Whole Foods. I love their 365 line. When paired with chicken, a side dish like this with stirfried green beans and mushroom will make you certainly not miss rice. This is a dish that can be done in 30 minutes including have the chicken baked and ready to eat.

Have you tried cauliflower rice before? How else do you incorporate cauliflower into your diet?
Start with a Fresh Face

June 3, 2018
My mother has ingrained in my head to look your best, good skin is a must. This means always wash your face first thing in the morning and no matter how tired and/or late you get home, you must wash your face to rid yourself of the makeup. If you are not a person who wears makeup, you still need to wash your face to rid yourself of the grime that gets built up on your face throughout the day.

Growing up, I did not wear a lot of make up. I still don’t wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis as my usual routine includes: foundation, mascara, eyebrow powder and eyeliner.

I always start my cleansing routine with a makeup remover. Here is my review of 4 types of cleaners:
1. Garnier Micellar Water
In my first Luxebox, I found this product.

Micellar water has only recently started to gain popularity; however, the French have been aware of the properties of micellar water for over a century. The concept of micellar water is that it is able to draw dirt & oil from your face like a magnet. Your face does not need to be wet beforehand. Only a cotton pad is needed. Dab some micellar water on and start removing dirt & oil in a circular motion. In theory, no rinsing of the face is needed afterwards. As a result, your face does not lose hydration at all.

Although sometimes time consuming, I am a firm believer that skincare routine time is not to be sacrificed. I decided to give this product a try because if this product is as good as it says it is, I would have found a time saver. 🙂

Verdict: Although this takes the majority of my mascara and eyeliner off with one go using one cotton pad, I still feel like I need to use cleanser afterwards. With two cotton pads, I feel like my mascara and eyeliner is off; however, I still don’t think this micellar water can take the place of a cleanser. To ensure you have clean skin, don’t skip your cleanser.

I could imagine myself using micellar water in places where I have lack of facilities to clean my face (e.g. camping). Perhaps, micellar water is also an option for when an individual truly is lacking energy to go through the full routine of cleansing his/her face but would like 80% of the dirt & oils to be removed. Remember to never go to bed without washing your face. 🙂

2. Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil

I began this loving relationship with this product ~8 years ago when I first discovered this product thanks to one of my earliest nutrition volunteers. She gifted me this as a thank you gift.

This product is made from a blend of oils including sources from: Kukui seed, jojoba, olive, sunflower, ginger, lavender, jasmine and bixa orellana.

Of special interest…

Jojoba: This oil resembles sebum (the waxy substance produced by our skin glands); therefore, it’s a natural skin conditioner.

The other oils blend together to be a natural way to obtain antioxidants and healthy fatty acids.

Verdict: With only two pumps, this product takes off all of your makeup leaving your skin feeling moist and comfortable. The cleansing strength of this product is stronger than that of the micellar water by Garnier. I still cleanse my skin afterwards using a cleanser.

3. Chanel Le Blanc Cleansing Ball

Verdict: This Brightening Pearl Ball Soap Cleanser/ Makeup Remover really works!!! I was skeptical at first but I couldn’t resist the try as this product looks so aesthetically pleasing. Chanel always knows best. 🙂 This product really does take off all makeup and leaves my face feeling clean. Wet a little water and, the ball will start foaming. You don’t require a lot of foam to get a clean face.

The product claims to have pearl extract which contributes to softening the skin and correcting dullness resulting in more radiant skin. Argan oil is also in the product which can help skin feel more supple and cleansed.

4. Cleansing Wipes

When on vacation, cleansing wipes are my go to cleansing tool. Those who know me know I’m not exactly the world’s lightest packer; therefore, if I can save room on packing anything, I’m going to take advantage of it!

I’ve tried many cleansing wipes; however, I find I really enjoy Dr. Roebuck’s natural cleansing wipes. I like their brand as they believe in minimizing ingredients put into the product but maximizing results.

Ingredients of special interest:

Hammamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water: Decreases inflammation and excessive oil production, resulting in minimized pores, fewer blackheads, and tighter skin

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice: Improves natural firmness by hydrating skin and soothing it, too

Punica Granatum (Pomegranate Extract): Besides eating them, having pomegranate in your skincare can help prevent wrinkles.

Verdict: This brand takes off all my makeup.

What Makeup Removers Do You Use On a Daily Basis?