Cocoa Shake

Seems like a lifetime ago but I use to be in Diet Workshop.  I remember drinking lots of Alba shakes to get past my sugar cravings.  I kind of liked them.   Do they even still sell these?  Hmmmm.  Well, yes, I guess they do.  Click here to order it. Wonder how I would feel about it today?

Seeing this recipe on Pinterest and the claim that it tastes like Wendy's Frosty, I knew I had to try it.  Well, I don't know what the people were sipping before they had one of these but I am sorry, it doesn't remotely taste like a Frosty to me.  Having said that, I would so make this again.  It is a light, chocolatey cold drink that goes down real nice on a hot day.  Kind of reminds me of the Alba shake.

Frosty Chocolate Drink

but not a Frosty

3 tablespoons cocoa
15 ice cubes
1 banana
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups almond milk

Whirl all the ingreidents in a blender.  You can add sugar but really it is fine without it.

Serves 3- a nice tall cool one!

Muffins to Widdle down the Muffin Top

I am on a muffin kick. Why, because they are a way to satisfy my sweet tooth without eating something I shouldn't. They also make a great on the go breakfast. Eat one with 10 almonds and you have a nice satisfying breakfast that will stay with you a little while.

I will warn you that these are not that sweet. When you haven't been eating sugar you have a heightened sense of sweetness. If you want them sweeter just ad a 1/4 cup more of sugar.

Zucchini Muffins
Lipsmacking Goodness Original

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached flour or all purpose
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
zest of one lemon
1 egg
1 1/2 cups lowfat buttermilk
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shredded zucchini (if frozen squeeze and use 1 cup squeezed)

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside. Combine wet ingredients and pour into dry ingredients. Bake in a 350 F preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Makes 12 regular sized muffins.

Calories 148 per muffin.

A Muffin, A Spot of Tea and a Good Cry

I was blog hopping tonite and I came upon this blog, Wonderings and Wanderings that had this video to share. It was pretty powerful for me and I wanted to share it with all of you. It is about Women and Friendships. A very moving vignette. Grab a cup of tea and a muffin (see below), find a few (five) moments to watch it, uninterupted. click here.

I am offering up this recipe to A Southern Grace's Cinnamon Event. Cinnamon, can you believe it? Ha. If you read her blog you know that she is an avid cinnamon fan. Hey Grace we could call you Cinnamon Girl (music fills my ears).

APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 heaping cup of chopped apples
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 cup skim milk
zest of an orange

Combine dry ingredients, set bowl aside. Combine wet ingredients and mix into the dry. Stir to combine. Pour into muffin tin. Bake at 350 F for about 20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Creamy Fruit Salad

This dessert was such a treat. It tasted so good, it might have been a piece of cake for how much I enjoyed it. This tastey little indulgence only cost me 180 calories which really was worth it. Knowing I can have it again tomorrow, if I mind my calories, makes me smile. Oh, the little things in life!

Today, I went to Zumba (which is actually yesterday by the time you read this). I have to tell you folks I was seriously bummed when class was over today. I have been going for a while now but it was such a break from my week of cardio machines that I simply loved it. In case you haven't heard of it, it is a dance/aerobic class. Lots of Latin music, Hip Hop and African music to PUMP you up! It's addicting. There are, no lie, about 80 people in our class! It really is infectious. Check out my teacher Shelly here. She is the COOLEST! Sometimes I think I go just to see her funny faces she makes while we all sweat our tushies off (literally).

So I offer up this "recipe" as more of an idea than an actual recipe. I had it once at a restaurant long ago and I just loved it.

Simply mix up some fruit. I used apples and pears. Mix some yogurt (plain) with honey and drizzle over the fruit. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of walnuts. Of course you can add whatever flavors you like. I used vanilla yogurt (low fat/aspertame) on mine and it was about 180 calories for the bowl (1/2 cup pears and apples, 1/2 cup yogurt and 1 tablespoon walnuts).