Curls, Dumbbells & Glitter

October 03, 2018

Dont worry guys! I'm still here!

I am sure all of you have heard about the Keto craze that swept the nation( well the gram). Let me just start off by saying your girl has been a firm low carb, no sugar believer for quite some time now. HOWEVER, trying to factor in this whole "Fats are your friend" thing has been an adjustment.

Anyways, I have been toying with this idea for a while and felt it was time to share. I LOVE following my Keto and Weight loss journey girls online. HOWEVER I hate that a lot of the "diet friendly" snacks are not as readily available in Canada. I really don't want to have to jump through whoops to get low carb bread. Or pay a ridiculous amount in shipping and duties.

So, as I get to the point here. I will be sharing some of my favorite keto finds. I will be tagging my posts as #KetoinTheCity, and #Ketointhesix.

Most of my products will be accessible by vehicle within the GTA( Greater Toronto Area). BUT I will also upload links and more purchasing options.

If you know me, and know me well you know I am all about " Sharing is Caring"

For my first #KetoinTheCity, and #Ketointhesix post....drum roll please......

"SMART SWEETS"

I recently discovered these as I was visiting my local Keto Bakery ( OH YES, They do exist) I grab my usual Fat bomb, and a keto donut, when to my surprise, as if illuminated by light I saw them. Keto friendly gummies!

Smart sweets come in 4 flavors. Regular gummies, sour gummies, sour blast buddies and sweet fish. I grabbed a package of the regular and sweet fish. They retailed at $4.99 + tax. Mind you, with anything keto, or diet friendly you are going to expect to pay more. But at the end of the day you have to pick and choose your battles.

Consumed with joy and a sweet tooth, as soon as I got to my car I ripped open the back of the regular gummies.

The Verdict

Texture: They were a bit harder then regular gummie but nothing to complain about.

Taste: They tasted amazing. Not a smack in your face, bursting with flavor. I found the flavors mild, but I actually prefer that over an over powering artificial sweeter flavor you get with most sugar free/reduced sugar snack foods.

Quantity: Its the perfect amount for a quick snack. It can be shareable, depending on how much you like the other person.

Price: $2.94 - $5.99 - depends on where you buy them

Macros: Serving Size 50g - 1 Bag - 90 Calories - 0 Fat - 33 Carbs - 28 Fiber - 5 Net Carbs - 3g Sugar - 3 Protien.

Whats in this stuff?: Prebiotic soluble fiber from tapioca, chicory root fiber, gelatin, lactic acid, citric acid, rice flour, malic acid, fumaric acid, natural fruit flavor, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), coconut oil, stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax.

What does Smart Sweets have to say?

"At SmartSweets we’ve innovated the first candy that kicks sugar—naturally. Our promise to you: free from sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. Every ingredient we use is non-GMO, always real and never artificial.

Gluten Free
Non-GMO
Dairy, Soy & Lactose Free
Free from Sugar Alcohols
Peanut + Tree Nut Free
Free from artificial colors

Produced on equipment that does not process peanuts, tree nuts, milk, or wheat"

Over all Rating: I really enjoy these. I would give them a 4/5. I didn't go for a 5/5 because I am greedy and wish there was just a LITTLE bit more in each bag. They are a great snack for movie nights, gossip sessions with your girlfriends, taming that sweet tooth, or if you want a healthier alternative for your kiddos.

Brownie

Chocolate Brownie Cheese Cake

July 12, 2017

I've missed you guys!

For those of you who read my post Pinch ME, I'm Dreaming, you can imagine what I have been up to! *Brace yourself, wedding season is upon us. lol

In between bookings, the office, the studio, gym life and maintaining what social life I have left I have been experimenting in the kitchen! Every time I come up with a new recipe or cook a 3 course meal I think to myself " I AM SUPER WOMAN" My poor boyfriend has had to repeat it back to me on occasion for reassurance me of my super human powers.

I have been experimenting a lot with Ketogenic/ Low carb recipes. I have been making so many goodies I am DYING to share with all of you, BUT for my return I felt something AMAZING was needed. And what better way to apologize for being M.I.A then with some home made, guilt free, cant have just one slice, cheese cake. OH YEAH. Its THAT good.

I made this for my hunnie the other day. I really do love cooking for him. And for the most part he loves to eat what I make.

* Keto Friendly*

Chocolate Brownie Cheese Cake

· Brownie Base:

· 3 tbsp of Butter

· 3 tbsp of Cocoa Powder

· 3 tbsp of Almond Flour

· 3 tbsp of Truvia Blend

· 2 Eggs

· 1 tbsp of Vanilla extract

· Cheese Cake:

· 8 ounces of Full Fat Cream Cheese

· 2 tbsp Truvia Blend

· 2 tbsp Full Fat Sour Cream

· 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

· 2 Eggs

· Chocolate Topping:

· 2 Ounces of Dark Chocolate

· 2 tbsp of Butter

Instruction:

Preheat oven to 325F, and grease a 8" Cheesecake pan.
Mix all dry ingredients.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter.
Add butter and eggs to dry ingredients. Mix well until smooth
Spread brownie mix evenly in greased cheesecake pan. Bake for about 6-8 min MAX. You want the sides to be set, but the middle to still be a bit gooey.
Remove from heat and put aside to cool while you prep your cheese cake mix.
Reduce oven temperature to 300F.
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
Pour cheese cake mix over the cooled brownie.
Bake for 25mins
Lets the cheesecake cool down before releasing the sides.
In a microwave safe bowl , melt butter and chocolate together for about 30-40 secs depending on the strength of your microwave.
Mix well until smooth.
You can pour it decoratively over the cake, or cover the entire top of the cake. BE CREATIVE. :)
Place the cake in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Below I've added a link to the Truvia blend I've been using in all my baking recently. I really hate the taste of sweeteners, but I find this one doesn't leave that obvious after taste. I get it on amazon. Most of your local grocery stores should carry it though.

ENJOY

J.R

Cleansed and Refreshed

April 12, 2017

Hi Loves,

For those of you who follow me on my social media accounts, you know that on March 30, 2017 I started my 3 day juice cleanse, followed by 2 days of Puree vegetable soups.

As promised here my video on my experience with juicing and my current diet.

My 5 Day Detox Breakdown

My 3 day Juice Cleanse was provided by Anti Vice. I found them locally through google.

Here is a break down of my three days :)

Breakfast

MORNING AFTER

cucumber, coconut water, blueberry, kale, lemon

Mid Day Snack

GREEN GIANT

cucumber, celery, kale, spinach, romaine, lemon, chlorophyll

Lunch

ALL STAR

apple, carrot, celery, beet, lemon, ginger

Afternoon Pick Me Up

ILLUMINATOR

grapefruit, orange, pineapple, cayenne pepper

Dinner

GREEN GIANT

cucumber, celery, kale, spinach, romaine, lemon, chlorophyll

I was having at least 500ml of water before and in between my juices. I made some homemade vegetable broth that I would usually have with my Dinner.

On The 4th and 5th day I would have a juice for breakfast and for snacks.For lunch and dinner I had vegetable puree soup. On the 6th day I started a clean diet of Ketosis.

The movie I mentioned in my video is " Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" you can find it on Netflix :)

Check Out these great links :)

http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/
http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/
http://www.antivice.ca/

Follow me on my social media accounts for instant shenanagans. :)

Pinch Me, I'm Dreaming

April 10, 2017

It was around this time last year that I was getting ready to start preparing for my first day as an official Jr. Makeup Artist for the Jen Evoy Makeup Team. I remember laying awake in bed before my very first booking, not be able to sleep from all the excitement and anxiety I had.

Ever since I can remember I had wanted to be a makeup artist. I use to play beauty parlor with anyone I could get my hands on. My poor mother had to endure afternoons filled with fuchsia lip stick, blue eye shadow and blotchy pink cheeks. Did I mention I also did her hair.

I have officially worked my first wedding season in 2016, and to this day I still feel like I need to pinch myself. When you dream about something for so long its almost hard to accept that it has become your reality. After 1 year of being with the team I finally earned my spot on the Jen Evoy Makeup Studios website. Which was a huge deal for me.

I had the privilege of getting dolled up by one of the senior artists at Jen Evoy Makeup Studios for my official head shot. I swear after that day I must have visited the company site 3 times a day just to see if my photo had gone up in its reserved spot.

One sweet day, as I was doing my daily check, there I was. Little ole me, mixed in with a bunch of strong, talented, passionate and driven group of women. It was not only an honor, but I felt like I finally made it.

Working with the Jen Evoy Makeup team this past year I have gained so much confidence in my art, and in myself. I have learned so much and cannot wait to continue to learn and perfect my craft. I feel so blessed to be able to work along side such a wide group of talented and amazing women.

I must admit, waking up at 4am still feels like a chore, but nothing can replace the feeling of doing what you love and in turn sharing what you love to do with someone else.

I cant wait to share some of my work with you guys, and all the fun adventures that come along with being a Jr. Makeup Artist for the JE Team.

If you want to check me out on their site check out the link below.
http://www.jenevoymakeupstudio.com/about

xo

Joana Rita

Body Positive RANT

March 17, 2017

Hello My Darlings,

I was backing up my cell phone the other day and I found this GEM! I filmed this last April, but the feeling is just as strong!

I want to apologize for all the F Bombs. Just one of them days!

Enjoy xo

Happy FRI-YAY

Joana Rita

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