“Choco-mint” Choices in 2013!

Holiday 2013 seems to be the season of the decedent flavor combination: Chocolate and Peppermint (or chocolate and mint). No need to fear, there are ways to enjoy these partners in crime in a guilt-free way. Below are my Holiday picks for the best “Choco-mint” Choices in 2013!

1.       Dunkin Donuts Peppermint Mocha K-Cups: The perfect at-home brewed beverage this season. I mix mine with one splenda packet and 1 non-dairy creamer tub. It’s not as good as the Starbucks version (see item #4), but it is a zero calorie (10 calories with a creamer tub) coffee option for the morning or dessert!

2.       Angie’s White Chocolate Peppermint Kettle Corn Popcorn: Holy Holiday! This was a delicious snack! So far, one of the best finds of the season. It is pricey. A small 4.5 oz bag will run you about $3.50 at Target, but it might go on sale soon! 1-1/2 cups of this super yummy treat runs you 140 Calories (4 WW points). This snack is sweet, salty and crunchy- the perfect combination. My advice is to measure individual servings into separate plastic baggies as soon as you get home from the store, otherwise you may eat the whole bag! Note: I also saw online that there is an iced gingerbread version. I’ll be on the look out!

3.       Target’s “Market Pantry” Candy Cane Granola Bar: For only 100 Calories (3 WW Points), Chewy Granola meets real chocolate chips and pieces of crunchy, sweet candy canes for a snack that will indulge your sweet tooth. My guess is that this is very seasonal, so stock up now if you’re into on-the-go granola bars. 

4.       Starbucks Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte: I just can’t get enough of this drink! It’s really sweet and rich and hot and yummy! For me, it’s a little sweet for the early morning, but I do find it to be the best afternoon snack while out shopping on a cold weekend, or during that 3PM work Starbucks run. A grande will run you 130 calories (3 WW Points). 

5.       Snack Factory Pretzel Chips in Dark Chocolate (and White Chocolate) Peppermint Flavors: These were really hard to find (although you can buy on Amazon) I did find the dark chocolate version at Target in Frisco… still on the lookout for the while chocolate version. I thought these were pretty good…. I think I may like the white chocolate version better. The serving size of only 4 pretzels is 130 calories (4WW Points) so enjoy each bite!

6.       Yoplait Limited Addition Light Mocha Mint and Peppermint Bark Yogurt:  Get these while you can. They are hard to find. Check Walmart and Target. I only found the small 4oz versions (but they come bigger too). Light Mocha Mint has only 60 calories (2WW points) and Peppermint Bark has 110 calories (3WW points). Seriously - Stock up before the season is over. They are a really good, guilt-free treat. (I’ll also point out that the fall flavors this year were Light Pumpkin Pie and Apple Crisp. I found them on sale for only $2 at Target!) 

7.       Homemade Chocolate Covered Cady Canes: I made these for my coworkers this year. Super easy and (I thought) super cute! I found the Sweet Stripes soft candy canes at CVS in a mini version. Each candy cane has 45 calories. I covered half of the candy cane in chocolate bark, sprinkled with a few silver sprinkles, and placed in a candy pretzel rod bag with red and while curled ribbon! I’d estimate these at 70 calories each – max! Great – and easy - Gift idea!

As a side note: I also found the Jet Puffed Peppermint Marshmallows at Target. I’m not sure what I’m going to make with them yet… Holiday Trail Mix for New Year’s Eve, maybe? Stay tuned for a follow-up post on that. Happy Holidays!

Egg Bake Recipe

During the work week, it's hard to enjoy a protein-packed healthy breakfast when you're on the go in the mornings with barely enough time to grab coffee and a granola bar! Try making these yummy egg bake muffins on a Sunday morning, and enjoy them all week!

Ingredients:

1 cup Heart Healthy Bisquick

1 cup Skim Milk

1 cup Fat Free Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 12oz bag of Morning Star Crumbles

1 cup Egg Beaters

Seasonings to taste (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)

Super Easy Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375

2. In a skillet "brown" the morning star crumbles (with PAM or Olive Oil spray). Season to taste. - I use I dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl blend egg beaters, Bisquick and milk until smooth.

4. Stir in cheese and cooked crumbles.

5. Spay muffin tin with PAM. Fill each cup about 3/4 of the way.

6. Bake for 30mins.

7. Enjoy all week!

Keep refrigerated all week. To reheat: pop in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or toaster oven.

Makes 18 muffin cups.

Serving size 2.

150 calories

4 WW points

Subway Salad....Chopped!?!

Is it just me, or did anyone else miss the memo that Subway makes a chopped salad? Now, it may not seem as exciting to you as it is to me.... But there's truly something better about a salad when it's all mixed up and chopped! 

Loaded up with veggies and protein... What could be better? I had mine with turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, spinach, red onions, and  cucumbers --all mixed together with fat free honey mustard, and chopped of course. This huge salad was awesome! (Perfect for a light dinner after a workout when you're too tired to cook!) Estimated 200 calories and 4 WW points.

I also had some of my favorite baked chips! - 130 calories, 4WW points in the sour cream variety. (and an 80 calorie Christmas tree ice cream pop for dessert, I blogged about those the other day! Go read it!)

Move over 6" sub! I'm loving this chopped salad! 

New Food Finds on our "Ice-Venture!"

After being iced-in for days, we finally ventured out to Walmart and Kroger for an "ice-venture!" I found some new, fun, and healthy foods spotted on shelves! 

1. Dole Dipped Strawberries. I blogged about the chocolate covered bananas awhile ago, so I was happy to find a new "flavor" in the dark chocolate dole fruit family. This yummy dessert has only 60 calories and 2 WW points. Perfect for an after dinner snack!

2. Kroger Christmas Tree Ice Cream Pops. These are delicious!  - and adorable! For only 80 calories, 2 WW points, enjoy low fat mint ice cream with sprinkles in the shape of an adorable Christmas Tree on a stick. Festive and guilt-free! The mint flavor was very tasty (even on a cold day!) Also available in "snowman" with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Stock up on these, I'm sure they are seasonal. I'm going to fill my freezer with some! (Side note: Where's the low fat ice cream menorah on a stick?!)

3. Skinny Frozen Burritos from PJs organics. This frozen lunch or dinner option was a cool find. While it wasn't awesome, it was filling and tasty. Biggest flaw is that it calls for 50 mins in the oven for heating. That's a really long time for something so simple, but I'd rather bake it than nuke in the microwave. The rolled up tortilla is filled with chicken, rice, beans, peppers and low fat cheese. The burrito has 8 WW points (which I thought was a lot for the size), and 260 calories. Not too shabby because it was very filling. Good find! Something to keep in the freezer for a night when you don't feel like cooking and you have a Mexican craving.

4. 98% Fat Free French Fries from Alexia. I looked all over for these, and finally found them at walmart. One serving of these crispy potatoes has 3 WW points, 120 calories- awesome! Also available in crinkle cut and tri-cut potato. These are a must try! I am really excited about this food find. The perfect side to any meal.

Happy Grocery Hunting! Stay Warm!