Skinny Cocktails that taste amazing!

I struggle most weekends when all of our friends gather and want to throw together some cocktails before we go out.  Yes we all know that alcohol isn't the best and that is has calories but sometimes after a long week you just need a drink!  But hey it could be worse!  The cocktails I'm about to share with you have under 200 calories each.  Not bad compared to some!  Here is a quick list of the worlds most unhealthy cocktails:

The Pina Colada:  
625 calories
75 g sugars

Margarita:
740 calories (large)

Mudslide:
820 calories
27.2 grams of fat.

The Long Island Iced Tea:
780 calories (3 shot drink) plus all that added sugar!

Do we feel better now about having a cocktail under 200 calories? I sure do!  Before we start here are some simple tricks that will keep you skinny while you drink:

Use club soda (nice carbonation flavor with no sugar)
Use fresh juices such as lemon and lime for flavor

And my favorite one.... use MIO for flavor!  Never heard of it?  Google it!

Mio has saved my life. And it's calorie free!  It only takes a few drops to give any drink extreme flavor.  My favorite kinds are:

Blue raspberry
Grape
Lemonade
Strawberry Lime
Kiwi Strawberry

To make a low calorie cocktail you simply need a lemon or lime flavor, club soda or regular water, Mio of your choice, and liquor of your choice.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes!

Whiskey Lemonade:
1/2 cup water
3 squeezes lemonade Mio
1 1/2 shot whiskey
Fresh lemon juice





Sparkling Strawberry Lime Vodka:
1/2 cup sparkling water
3 squeezes Strawberry lime Mio
1 1/2 shot vodka
Fresh lime juice
Mint leaves to top



Sparkling Blue Magic Cocktail:
1/2 cup sparkling water
3 squeezes Blue Mio
1 shot UV Blue vodka
1/2 shot raspberry vodka
Lemon or lime for flavor


All of these cocktails have less than 200 calories!  What's even better is if you blend them. So good for summer time! So pretty much you can have all 3 of these cocktails for the price of 1 pina colada!  Remember that next time and enjoy!

100 calorie banana icecream- great dessert choice!

I don't know what it is about bananas but somehow when you freeze them and then blend them...it makes ice cream!  I kid you not it's like magic!  Anyways, I've been trying to find a healthy dessert because I always crave something sweet before bed.  Luckily, this recipe has only 100 calories and let's be honest, it's made of bananas- hello potassium and other vitamins!  Here is what you will need for 1 serving:

• 1 Frozen banana 
• 1 tablespoon Almond Milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 3 blackberries or any other fruit (optional)

So I have made this 2 different ways.  One is in my magic bullet blender and the other was in my food processor.  Now please don't be like me and not screw the lid on tight enough and have my banana ice cream explode in my face. 

Either way you decide to do it, blend it under it is a thick creamy consistency.  Now you're done!  You can also top with nuts and other fresh fruit for more flavor as well!  After finding this recipe I literally have bags of frozen banana in my freezer so I can make this every night!  I finally get to go to bed feeling guilt free after eating a bowl of ice cream!

Low Calorie Egg Breakfast Muffins

I have been trying to start my day with some more protein but still keep it low calorie.  I think this is one of my favorite new breakfast items!  I make 6 egg muffins and then store them in the fridge for a quick breakfast for the rest of the week.  Each egg muffin contains only 100 or so calories!  Here is what you will need for 6 egg muffins:

• 6 eggs
• 1 green bell pepper 
• 1 cup red or green salsa
• 1 large tomato 
• 1/4 cup onion 
• salt and pepper to taste 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and evenly poor the mixture into the muffin pan.  Place in the oven and cook 15-20 minutes or until the egg is cooked through.

I usually store them in a zip-lock bag in the fridge and eat them all week!  Just heat them back up in the microwave for 1 minute.  Enjoy!

Breakfast Egg Sandwich- below 300 calories!

Though oatmeal is my absolute favorite breakfast food (reference all of the oatmeal recipes I have posted already in my blog), I will make this egg sandwich some mornings as well!  I love this recipe because it has very few calories and is filled with healthy ingredients.  We have all been to McDonald's and seen their breakfast egg sandwiches....Yikes....

Their sausage egg and cheese McGriddle has 550 calories.  Please don't eat that.

Here is what you will need to make this breakfast egg sandwich:

• 1 whole wheat sandwich thin (only 100 calories, yay!)
• 1 block skinny laughing cow cheese (I use the herb or blue cheese)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 avocado
• salt and pepper to taste

Heat up a skillet and spray with Pam or any other non stick.  Don't use oil, it's just putting calories into your meal plus you really don't need it for this recipe.

Once the skillet is hot, crack an egg onto the pan and just let it cook until it's done all the way through.  You can break the yolk as you cook it or leave it as is.  You can even scramble it!

Spread the avocado and laughing cow cheese onto the bread.  If you like your bread warm and I usually toast it before hand or just let it sit and brown on the skillet.  Add salt and pepper to the egg patty and place between the 2 pieces of bread. Enjoy your healthy breakfast!  If you want you can add onions, green peppers, or chili for more flavor!

Weight Loss Blackberry Yogurt Oatmeal with Chia Seeds

This is a great low calorie breakfast that packs in tons off flavor and weigh loss benefits!  Here is what you will need:

• 1 pack low sugar instant (or regular) oatmeal

• 1/2 cup fresh blackberries 

• 1 tbsp Greek Vanilla Yogurt 

• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds

Cook the oatmeal as directed.  Then simply stir in the Greek Yogurt and Chia Seeds and top with the blackberries.
Seems simple right?  Well it is!  And here are the health benefits you will receive from eating this each morning:

• rich and manganese and vitamin C (important for immunity)

• good source of soluble fiber for digestive health

• good source of pectin

Chia Seeds: I purchased these at Whole Foods but you can get them at most health food stores as well. Per serving, chia seeds have no sugar, 2 grams protein, 68 calories, 5.5 grams of fiber, B vitamins, 9 percent calcium, 7 percent iron and only 2.5 mg sodium.  They help with weight loss if you

Blackberries: These are a natural source of salicylate, the substance found in aspirin. They also contain phytoestrogens. These are naturally occurring estrogen in plants that may help relieve symptoms of PMS (which is awesome!!!)  Blackberries are also beneficial because they are:

have the chia seeds for breakfast and prior to each meal. Drink with plenty of water. The chia seeds will provide energy for your workout and keep you satisfied between meals.  I was skeptical about this new seed so I went out and bought my own!  I was surprised at how great they are!  I am full after even the smallest meal and my energy levels have been great!  I will continue using these and see where it goes from there.

Mix these ingredients in with your oatmeal (high in fiber) and Greek Yogurt (high in protein) and this might be the healthiest breakfast you'll ever eat!  I eat this every single morning and it's under 200 calories!  Try it out because it really is amazing and the health benefits are insanely good for weight loss.

Mango Quinoa Salad Lettuce Wraps

Quinoa is literally my favorite food and for the past year has been my friend in weight loss!
It tastes like a grain but quinoa is actually a type of seed! Quinoa provides a complete protein, and contains all the essential amino acids, including lysine, which is crucial for growing and repairing body tissues. Did you know that one cup of quinoa provides 9 grams of protein which is one more gram than a medium chicken egg?  This makes quinoa an ideal food for dinner which can help you in your health goals!

Here is my boyfriend and I after a whole summer of quinoa prepared dinners!  It really does do wonders for the body!  Hit the gym and eat quinoa instead of bread and the pounds will fall right off!



Here is the recipe for our favorite summer dish!  It's so filling and has hardly any calories!  Here is what you will need for 2 servings:

• 1 head of lettuce 
• 1 cup quinoa (dry and cooked according to package)
• 1/4 cup raw onion, chopped
• 1/2 red or green bell pepper
• 1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup green salsa
• 1/2 avocado, diced
• Handful of chopped cilantro
• 1/2 chopped mango
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook quinoa according to package.  Mix in all the ingredients and stir.  

I usually place the mixture into the fridge for a little bit because it tastes better cold!

Once done, wrap the mixture into the lettuce and enjoy the best lettuce wrap ever!

Blackberry pudding cup- 80 calorie dessert!

 

Blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant content of any fruit!  Not only is the fruit high in antioxidants, it is high in a variety of other nutrients that can help your body with many positive health effects involving your entire system!  Here is a great dessert that only has 80 calories and tastes amazing!!!  Here is what you will need (4 servings):

1 packet of instant sugar free white chocolate pudding

2 cups milk

1 cup blackberries

Prepare the pudding as directed on the package.  Use a blender to blend in 1/2 cup of the blackberries.  Once the pudding has sat in the fridge for about 5 minutes, add the rest of the blackberries to the top and enjoy!  This dessert is low in calories not to mention a sweet and creamy treat for any night!