Chocolate, Ice cream, and Candy…Oh My! 04/06/2010
Every day it never fails…cravings for something sugary attacks! 10am…3pm…8pm… and every hour in between. It’s an unfortunate curse, but it’s something I have to live with. See, I come from a long line of Chocoholics. My grandmother was notorious for baking chocolate chip cookies daily and ALWAYS kept a secret stash of chocolate bars. My mother adored Reese’s peanut butter cups and Hershey kisses which she said “magically” vanished after a day or two. So, it was not a shock when I too was bit by the chocolate bug. I could (and did) sit around and eat chocolate and bon bons all day long in order to satisfy ever-present sweet tooth. Unfortunately, popping every sweet in sight in my mouth day and night left me feeling green, violated, and worst of all fat! After finally topping the scale at the highest weight I had ever been, I made a decision. I had to somehow force myself stop eating so many sweets, but still cure my horrible cravings. HUGE task. However, after searching high and low and surviving through many failed attempts I have finally found some HEALTHY and, best of all, SATISFYING treats that have helped me lose and maintain my weight! I have found through my struggles that the key is finding healthy foods that taste similar to the sweets that you love. My lineup: Fat Free Reddi Wip (can) – my fix for soft serve ice cream cravings. Squirt on a large spoon and enjoy. 5 calories and 0 grams of fat for 2 tablespoons of heavenly bliss. Bad day? Whole can is only around 250 calories. Fat Free Cool Whip (carton) – my fix for ice cream. Add 1 teaspoon of your favorite flavored extract and sweet spices, mix, and put in freezer. YUM-O Sugar Free JELL-O Pudding – Dark Chocolate fixes my chocolate cravings quick and Dulce de Leche or Strawberry Cheesecake will fix ANY sugar craving. They have tons of flavors, only 60 calories. For best results at a squirt of fat free Reddi Wip. No Sugar Added Tapioca/Rice Pudding (Kozy Shack) – Filling and satisfies this southern belle – plus the texture makes this a fun snack! NOTE: I have not been paid, bribed, or threatened to endorse these products. They worked for me and I hope that they do for you too! Great Breakfast Ideas to Start Off Right 01/04/2010
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not only will this first meal give you that extra push to get going, but it also wakes up your metabolism to start burning those extra calories! Here's some quick, filling, and healthy ideas to start your day with: * Light Natural Yogurt mixed with 1/2 cup fruit (sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) * Egg white omelet w/ veggies (onions, tomatoes, spinach) * Egg white omelet sprinkled with oats while cooking and topped with natural or low fat nutty butter (peanut or almond) * Oatmeal (not instant) with dried fruit (no sugar added raisins, cranberries, cherries, apples) or 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (add cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla, etc) lightly sprinkled with chopped pecans (I go for honey glazed) * 2 pieces of Whole Wheat Toast (I like the double fiber and low calorie types) spreaded with low fat (2% or less) cottage cheese and drizzled lightly with honey Breakfast Bars - a healthy alternative to breakfast or snack on the go - aim for low fat and high fiber bars My choice : Kashi Pumpkin Pie Bars (120 calories, 3 g fat, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein) Coffee Accessories - Bring your own fat free, sugar free, or low/no calorie add-ins – they usually only carry the regular add-ins in hotels! My choice : Fat free or sugar free French Vanilla Coffee-mate and Ideal or Splenda no calorie sweetener packets Sugar Free Flavor Packets - best way to get your water in for the day My choice : Sugar Free Kool-aid or Diet Raspberry Snapple Tea Fruit - fills you up and get your daily dose even when away from home – stop by a local grocery store to keep some on hand My choice : Apples, Bananas, and Oranges are easy and not messy plus Dried Fruit and Nut Mix - Scoop some fruit and nut mix from the bulk section of your grocery store to add some energy the healthy way while you are away – go for raw nuts and lower sugar dried fruit – most bulk sections have the nutrition facts on the containers so watch what you get My choice : Raw/unsalted/no oil – pistachios (healthiest nut), almonds, pumpkin seeds; Unsweetened berries, apples, pineapple chunks The Sweet Potato 10/27/2009
You usually only see or think of sweet potatoes this time of year as the days get colder, shorter, and closer to Thanksgiving. However, sweet potatoes are delicious and are ranked as the number one super food according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Not only are they sweeter, and in my opinion much much tastier than most veggies, they are packed vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. The reason why sweet potatoes are orange is because of beta-carotene, "an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that's in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones" (self.com). My favorite fact that I have found about this orange veggie : the beta-carotene in each sweet potato eats up all those free radicals "that cause DNA mutations that can lead to wrinkles" (self.com). Sign me up for this veggie immediately!!! Studies have also proven that they contain a good amount of antioxidants because of their unique root. Antioxidants are known for riding the body of free radials which are "are chemicals that damage cells and cell membranes and are associated with the development of conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, and colon cancer" (whfoods.org). Sweet potatoes are completely different from your normal potato. Both potatoes contain vitamin C, a good source of copper, fiber, vitamin B6, and potassium. However, sweet potatoes are a greater source of manganese and iron. The sweet potato is even in a completely different veggie family which does not contain nightshade alkaloids like baking potatoes which can trigger allergy symptoms (whfoods.org). Reader's Digest even states that if you eat a sweet potato instead of a regular ole' potato "your blood sugar will rise 30 percent less". After researching the many studies and articles over sweet potatoes, it is really incredible how great a sweet potato is for you. I definitely plan now on snacking on this sweet veggie all year round! There are a ton of recipes out there for sweet potatoes, but here is a quick and sweet fix to try it out: 1) Wash and dry the sweet potato - prick at least 4 times with a fork or knife. 2) Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes in aluminum foil OR microwave in a wet paper towel on the potato setting for 2 pieces (8 minutes - flip over at 4 minutes). 3) Slice open or mash and add cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract/sugar free syrup, and splenda. 4) Enjoy! Sugar Free Syrups 10/13/2009
I use sugar free syrups to cut calories, add flavor , and get some extra sweetness to my coffee creations. Sugar free syrups have no calories....actually they don't have anything else but about 10 mg of sodium per tablespoon of syrup - an amount too small to even care about. So I got to thinking...I use these syrups daily in my coffee so why not use them in foods as well?! I started to test this idea in my mission for the best healthy muffin....and it worked!!! When reviewing "regular" and unhealthy recipes for research and ideas, I replaced the recommended sugar dosage with Splenda, added 1/4 cup of sugar free vanilla syrup, and omitted the vanilla extract. Results: Delicious! Try my Cherry Almond Muffin recipe if you don't believe me. I can't wait to try out other syrups - there are sooo many to choose from! Since my local grocery store only carried sugar free vanilla and hazelnut in the coffee aisle I went online. I was able to find so many flavors like Pumpkin Pie, Praline, Eggnog, French Vanilla, and Coconut. I got so excited that I did in fact order all 5 of those flavors! My boyfriend thought I was crazy when they first came in the mail, but when he saw what I made with them he was very impressed. Definitely worth ordering a few to keep on hand (they have a long shelf life) and use in your favorite recipes. I'm going to try them out next in my search for an awesome brownie recipe! NEW PRODUCT: Coffeehouse Inspirations 10/01/2009
International Delight is apparently now making three brand new flavors of non-dairy creamer in their new line called "Coffeehouse Inspirations". Caramel Macchiato, White Chocolate Mocha, and Vanilla Latte. Wow....that sounds too good to be true! I love all three of those drinks at Starbucks. With International Delight's Pumpkin Pie Spice liquid creamer I was able to perfectly mock and get my fix for the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but that's only one drink I love! By using the product locator it seems that this new line is available at Randall's and Kroger. Talk about saving a bundle! Nutrition Facts ( 1 tbsp ) : 40 calories, 1.5 g fat, 5 mg sodium, 7 g carbs, 6 g sugar Definitely going to try out this recipe: 2 tbsp Caramel Macchiato + Coffee (Try CoffeeAM's Caramel Cream) + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract + 1/4 cup microwave heated non fat milk = about 100 calories Starbuck's real recipes for the three inspirations ( size: tall ) : 1) Vanilla Latte = 3 pump vanilla syrup + 1 espresso shot + steamed 2% milk + 1/2 inch foam = 190 calories 2) Caramel Macchiato = 2 pump vanilla syrup + steamed milk + 1/2 inch foam + 1 espresso shot + caramel syrup = 180 calories 3) White Chocolate Mocha = 3 pump white chocolate mocha syrup + 1 espresso shot + steamed milk + whip cream = 370 calories |
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