NO STRESS CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST

Christmas Morning is full of fun and excitement and the last thing you want to be doing is slaving over a hot stove making your family breakfast while they are opening presents without you. Here is the quickest, easiest, tastiest, most figure friendly,  most affordable muffin recipe EVER.....and what's even better, you can make a variety of flavors....this will be our Christmas Morning breakfast....how about you:

QUICK AND EASY FAT FREE MUFFINS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-box of Krusteaz FAT FREE Muffin mix…..comes in Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Banana, and Cranberry Orange….2.00

RECIPE DIRECTIONS:

-all you have to do is add the amount of water per package instructions to muffin mix along with can of fruit that comes in package, stir, fill muffin tins…will make 12 regular muffins or I like to make  6 jumbo muffins  using a jumbo muffin tin and bake according to package instructions. The best Fat Free muffins I have ever tasted

MAKES 6 JUMBO MUFFINS FOR 2.00….50 CENTS PER MUFFIN!

HAVE YOUR MILKSHAKE AND DRINK IT TOO

Milkshakes are a favorite American treat anytime of year!  We love the creaminess and sweetness of these delicious drinks but most of us don't like all the fat and calories that come along with their yummy flavor.  I challenged myself to come up with lowfat alternatives to my favorite flavors and I must say, I am not disappointed....see for yourself:

LITE EGGNOG MILKSHAKE

This is delicious any time of year, stock up on ice cream in winter and freeze for warmer months ahead

½ cup lowfat eggnog icecream

½ nonfat milk or( coconut milk with 50 calories or less per cup)

¼ cup nonfat cool whip

A few ice cubes

Place everything in blender and blend, pour into glass and add a dollop of nonfat whipped cream or cool whip and a sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired

You can try this with any flavor ice cream for delicious, lite, holiday treats…..my other favorite flavors are: pumpkin pie milkshake (using lowfat pumpkin ice cream), peppermint milkshake (using lowfat peppermint ice cream), or banana split milkshake (using lowfat rocky road ice cream with ¼ of a banana added in….experiment with your favorite flavors for the ultimate lowfat milkshake!

YUMMY SNOWBALLS

Finally, snowballs that your kids want to eat and you are ok with serving them!
-FORM A SCOOP OF VANILLA ICE CREAM INTO THE SHAPE OF A BALL, PLACE IN A BOWL, AND SPRINKLE WITH POWDERED SUGAR....OR COCONUT FOR ADVENTUROUS KIDS!
LET THEM EAT SNOW!

GINGER RECIPES

I love the Holidays and all the wonderful spices and flavors that are associated with it!  One of my favorite holiday flavors is: Ginger!  Ginger is so warm and spicy and has a wonderful aroma.  I love Gingerbread men cookies..... warm, hot from the oven: Gingerbread, but 2 of my favorite ginger recipes are in liquid form and am happy to share them with you:

GINGER PUNCH:

-1 12 oz bottle of hard cider
-1 12 oz bottle of favorite beer (I love Blue Moon's Spiced Amber Ale)
-24 oz of sugar free sparkling flavored water ( I used apple cider flavor)
-1/2 cup of splenda
-rind of 1 orange studded with about 6 cloves
-3 cinnamon sticks
-1 tsp ginger

-pour all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours......serve warm or chill and serve cold.....delicious either way!

GINGER LATTE:

- 1 cup of brewed coffee
-1/4 tsp ginger
-1 tbsp splenda
-1 tbsp gingerbread flavored coffee creamer or sugar free/fat free vanilla coffee creamer
-1/2 oz sugar free gingerbread syrup (optional)

GINGER PUNCH

-Pour coffee in mug and add rest of ingredients and stir.....enjoy....yum!!

DON'T PANIC, ALWAYS IMPROVISE!

Has this ever happened to you:  You are all set to try the new recipe you found and you get started and are well into the recipe when you discover.....you don't have any tomato paste?  What do you do? Well, I'll tell you......don't panic....improvise!  If this ever happens to you, check your pantry, chances are you have something that will work just fine.  In a pinch, ketchup makes a fine substitue for tomato paste, in case you were wondering.  Here is a list of substitutions that I frequently use when I am all out of that particular ingredient!

FRUGARL'S SUBSTITUTIONS:
mayonnaise---- sour cream or plain yogurt (I always use the lowfat or nonfat version)
buttermilk----- nonfat milk with 1 tbsp of vinegar mixed in (let sit for 5 minutes, if possible)
tomato paste-----ketchup
sherry-----vermouth
applesauce------jam or jelly
honey-----maple syrup
bacon----smoked ham or turkey or ham or turkey lunchmeat
oil-----corn syrup (when baking)
raisins-----any dried fruit
graham cracker crust------any crushed cookies you have on hand mixed with a little melted butter to form a crust
cream------nonfat milk mixed with a little melted butter
oil or butter in baking recipes-----pureed pumpkin (my favorite substitution)
broth-----wine mixed with water (for chicken broth, use white wine, for beef broth, use red wine....adds so much more flavor)
bread crumbs------any type of bread or crackers you have on hand crushed by hand or in food processor (another one of my favorites.....adds so much flavor)

I AM UP FOR A CHALLENGE....IF YOU HAVE AN INGREDIENT YOU CAN'T THINK OF A SUBSTITUTION FOR, FOLLOW MY BLOG AND COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT IT IS AND LET'S SEE IF I CAN COME UP WITH ONE FOR YOU!

KIDDIE MOCKTAILS

We all love a good cocktail especially during the Holiday Season but what about the kiddos?  They want something special too!  Here are MY versions of "kiddie mocktails" that are sure to please the little ones in your life!

SHIRLEY TEMPLE LITE:
-sprite zero (or anything similar)
-1/2 to 1 oz (depending on how sweet you want it) sugar free strawberry, raspberry, or cherry syrup
-1 maraschino cherry
MIX SPRITE AND SYRUP TOGETHER AND POUR INTO GLASS,STIR, AND  TOP WITH CHERRY

ROY ROGERS LITE:
-coke zero (or anything similar)
-1/2 to 1 oz (again, depending on how sweet you like your drinks) sugar free strawberry, raspberry, or cherry syrup
-1 maraschino cherry
MIX COKE AND SYRUP TOGETHER AND POUR INTO GLASS, STIR, AND TOP WITH CHERRY

STRAWBERRY LEMON DROP:
-sugar free sunkist lemonade (or anything similar)
-1/4 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
-1/2 oz sugar free strawberry syrup
PUT STRAWBERRIES INTO GLASS AND MASH A LITTLE  WITH A SPOON, POUR IN LEMONADE AND SYRUP AND STIR

GUILT FREE HOLIDAY FOOD FINDS

Yes, you can still enjoy the Holidays without feeling too guilty with my Holiday food finds:
-sugar free Peppermint Mocha coffeemate....only 15 calories per tbsp!
-sugar free Torani Peppermint and Gingerbread syrups.....0 fat and 0 calories......absolutely delicious in coffee....guilt free and so much cheaper than a latte at your local coffeehouse!
-gingerbread marshmallows......0 fat
-chocolate mint marshmallows....0 fat and 100 calories per 17 MARSHMALLOWS!!
-alpine lace sugar free apple cider mix.....0 fat and 15 calories per serving
-swiss miss diet hot chocolate....0 fat and 25 calories per serving......does not taste "diet" and you can add a splash of Torani's sugar free peppermint syrup to it for  a peppermint hot chocolate....yum!
-eggnog, gingerbread, and candy cane flavored candy corn.....0 fat and only 7 calories per corn....available at Big Lots
-pumpkin spice and eggnog flavored "nips"...only 30 calories a piece

-dreyers peppermint ice cream....naturally low in fat and calories......2 grams of fat and only 100 calories per 1/2 cup
GO GET THEM BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE!

HOT DISARONNO

What better way is there to warm up on a cold winter night  than having a shot of a flavored liqueur that just warms your whole inside up!  Nothing does this better for me than Disaronno....an almond liqueur.  1 1oz shot has 110 calories and that's a lot of calories to use in just a tiny amount so I've come up with some cocktails that uses half the amount with just as much flavor!
DISARONNO LATTE:
-fresh brewed coffee
-1 1/2 tsp almond/amaretto flavored coffee creamer
-1/2 oz disaronno
-1/2 oz sugar free almond syrup such as Torani, if desired
-splenda to taste
Pour coffee in mug and add creamer, disaronno, splenda, and syrup if desired and stir....may top off with sugar free/fat free reddi whip and dusting of nutmeg if desired
LESS THAN 1 GRAM OF FAT AND 75 CALORIES PER SERVING

DISARONNO SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE:
-1 packet lite hot chocolate (25 calories per packet)
-1/2 oz disaronno
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
Microwave 8oz water for about 2 minutes, meanwhile:
to a mug, add hot chocolate mix, cinnamon, and disaronno....add hot water to it and stir...may top off with sugar free/fat free reddi whip and dusting of cinnamon if desired
O GRAMS OF FAT AND 80 CALORIES PER SERVING

DISARONNO CIDER:
-1 packet alpine sugar free spiced apple cider (15 calories per packet)
-1/2 oz disaronno
Microwave 8oz water for about 2 minutes, meanwhile:
to a mug, add cider mix and disaronno....add hot water to it and stir.....DRINK!
0 GRAMS OF FAT 70 CALORIES PER SERVING

use a candy cane for your stirrer

all set to watch "A Christmas Story"

another fun way to enjoy your hot cocktail!

GET OUT YOUR MUGS, DISARONNO, AND TREAT YOURSELF TO ONE OF THESE FESTIVE COCKTAILS TONIGHT AND CUDDLE UP WHILE  MAYBE WATCHING YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE!

FUN HOLIDAY FOOD

Here are some ideas to transform your favorite dishes into holiday dishes with just a little creativity:

guacamole and bean dip with olives as ornaments and shredded cheese for the snow

low fat brownies with crushed candy canes on top and 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract added to the batter before baking , if desired

I HAVE MANY OTHER IDEAS TO SHARE......COMMENT TO AND FOLLOW MY BLOG TO SEE MORE!

GUILT FREE EGG NOG

You either LOVE egg nog or you HATE it!  I happen to LOVE IT!!  What I don't love though, is all the fat and calories that come in just a small glass.  How can I enjoy my favorite holiday drink without having to adjust my waistband?  Make a low calorie "version"....yeah!  Here is a recipe that I have used for a couple seasons now that I am thrilled with:

You will need:
-2 cups of nonfat milk (or soy milk or almond breeze with no more than 60 calories per cup)
-1/4 cup sugar free/nonfat coffee creamer, liquid or powder (I prefer liquid)...try regular, vanilla, or cinnamon vanilla is good too!
-2tbsp splenda
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice or 1/4 tsp of each
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1 tsp rum extract
-1/2 cup nonfat coolwhip
-1/4 of a small package of sugar free/fat free vanilla pudding mix (4 serving size box)

Mix all ingredients together in blender and refrigerate for at least 2 hours......Cheers!

Top with a squirt of fat free reddi-whip and a sprinkling of nutmeg to complete!

I make batches of this stuff from Thanksgiving all through New Years....it's the perfect low cal holiday beverage for all ages!

MY FAVORITE GUILT FREE PRODUCTS

During this festive, happy month, we are faced with lots of yummy food that is hard to resist.  It's ok to indulge once in a while throughout the holiday season but make sure it's something you REALLY want and maybe don't have a chance to have it any other time of the year, basically, make it worth your while and the calories!
For the rest of the month, keep these guilt free products on hand to help keep you in check:
-sugar free peppermint mocha coffee creamer (0 fat and 15 calories per tbsp)
-sugar free maple syrup (30 calories per 1/4 cup) to serve with my pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes
-sugar free torani syrups (0 fat and 0 calories) or make my version of sugar free syrups
-meringue cookies (0 fat and about 30 calories per cookie depending on size) they come in lots of different holiday flavors
-fat free/sugar free whipped cream (0 fat and 20 calories per 2 tbsp) available in regular, chocolate, and peppermint right now
-applesauce or pureed pumpkin (use as a substitute for butter or oil when baking)
-candy canes are always a good choice....very low in calories and fat...lots of yummy flavors right now
-salt water taffy (available in holiday flavors such as egg nog and gingerbread....virtually no fat and about 20-30 calories per piece depending on size)
-candy corn...so many different flavors right now (0 fat and 7 calories per piece)
-jelly bellies  (0 fat and 4 calories per bean)
-peeps....LOVE the holiday flavors right now (0 fat and around 30-40 calories per piece)
FOR MY STARBUCKS FANS:
-skinny peppermint mocha or skinny cinnamon dolce latte (0 fat and only 90 calories for a tall)*

*skinny peppermint mocha has a trace amount of fat due to the mocha syrup but still only 90 calories!

NOW GET GOING AND STOCK UP!