A most amazing Chocolate protein smoothie!

ok...  so I know most of you that read this post will immediately gag on the thought of this.  I am challenging you to put on your big girl panties now.   Yes, I mean you, R.B.  We are going to make the most delicious creamy chocolate shake ever.  Well, maybe not quite as yummy as one made with a gallon of Blue Bell.  But, it will have all kinds of rich & healthy chocolate goodness and with the added hint of peanut butter or banana.  I have been drinking this for breakfast lately.  I think I have lost a couple of pounds or so.  It is super easy and fills me up for the entire morning or evening.  It gives a healthy-needed chocolate fix too!!

Here is what you need............

1/2 cup of skim milk
1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
1/4 cup egg beaters
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons splenda or more if you need it sweeter  (do not forget to add this!!!)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup crushed ice
a tiny pinch of cinnamon (optional)
optional ......... 1/2 of a frozen banana and/or  a tablespoon of peanut butter/PB2.

Yes, you read that right........cottage cheese & egg beaters.  Stop gagging R.B.  Don't let the children see what you are getting this out!!!  Trust me here.  2 of my 3 children won't get close to this now that they know about the cottage cheese & fake eggs.  The 3rd child......she loves it.  Well, she'll eat anything.......a prune is one of her favorite snacks.  Go figure that one!

I like to layer all the stuff in there and get it all blended well together before I add the ice at the end.  It just works out better that way.  If you don't have a really good ice crusher with your refrigerator.....I think that a bag of sonic ice would be an easy alternative to keep in the freezer.  (Well, and it would be a good reason to run to Happy Hour too!)

This is also a very good reason to run over to Williams Sonoma or Costco and buy yourself a vitamixer.    I can't get enough of mine.....  It will liquify anything into a smoothie.

Yes, she needs to wash it.....

A Cup of Chai.

I love the taste of a good hot Chai from Starbucks.  It is comforting to my soul.  It just feels good going down.  However, the price...... hurts my wallet if I go too often.  It is truly a treat.  Yes, about 3.45 cents doesn't seem too great a price.  Honestly, I might go 3 times a month...but  the mental math would hurt at a yearly cost.  I can be a cheap-skate.  Is that a personality flaw?  I hope not.

It seems like everyone is on the band wagon for saving money these days.   Someone pinned this recipe for Chai on Pinterest.  I was skeptical.  Who wouldn't be?  I have been given many different forms of Chai over the years.  Chai powdered mixes.  Chai liquid concentrate.   Chai Recipes.  Chai Spices.  All are BLAH! BLAH! Blah!  With the exception of the TAZO concentrate.....That one is good.   This recipe will be made again.  My daughter, M.G. loved it.  I believe all girls need a little more milk in their lives.  This is a surefire way to get some....and without the caffeine if you use the de-caf bags.

Starbucks Chai Copycat Recipe
3 cups water
3 cups milk (I used Skim.)
6-8 tea bags (the small size)
1/2 cup honey  (Would agave be a good substitute here?)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ginger

Boil the water & milk.  Stirring occasionally...you don't want the milk to scald.
Add the rest.  Stir. Turn off the heat.  Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and filter through a strainer.

Serve hot or cold.  This was a good money saving substitute....and it was yummy! SCORE!!!!


* 2/5/12   I made this again last night and used agave.  It was just as good.  I ended up steeping it for 10 minutes and it was just as good.  I think I like it a little stronger in tea flavor.

I am still drinking those skinny latte's!!!!

I figure it is about time I shared my concoction.   This is nothing short of amazing.  I will give full credit to "Pioneer Woman".  She is my go-to gal for inspiration and a daily dose of a good distraction.  It isn't like I need another distraction in my life........but at least I can blame someone other than my children.

"Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte"

1 gallon of water

1 cup of ground coffee

mix those two together and let sit covered for at least 8 hours.

Strain with a sieve that has been covered with cheesecloth.

Chill.  Literally...you are done.

When you are ready to mix your drink.....add whatever amount of coffee you like.  Top off the glass with cold milk, half & half and a small amount of vanilla coffee flavoring.  You could also add some splenda or a small teaspoon of sugar if you need some extra sweet.   

Don't forget to add ice-cubes to the glass first.  It totally makes the difference. (Just trust me here!!)

Pioneer Woman said that you could also add sweetened condensed milk......I haven't been that brave yet.

Keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator.  This is supposed to keep for about a month.  I have been drinking this for 4 days and it still tastes fresh.  I have about enough for tomorrow.  I'm thinking that I will never know about how long it will really stay fresh.

You would think....

Yep, another night.  I have done it again.  You guessed it.  I have again had too much caffeine.   In my defense, it was mixed with skim milk....so I am officially good with my daily calcium intake.   (I need to hear a round of applause now, please???)   Unfortunately, I also had a diet dr. pepper.   I think I might have saved about 15.00 today by drinking from my icy cold tap of concentrated coffee which  I am  now hoarding in the refrigerator.   Unbeknownst to my girls...........  I haven't told them how amazing it is.   They don't know that I have developed a love of cold coffee and iced down milk.    My son.....figured it out.

A small cup of AMAZING..... Worth ONE point. Score!!!!!

Yes, I know what you must be thinking........Why is she posting ANOTHER picture of that hot chocolate? I am not losing my mind here.  This is simply a cup of "Frozen Hot Chocolate"   MY youngest child begs for this after we return from the pool.  He also asks for a cup with his breakfast cereal.   Now, since it is my job to spoil him senseless and keep him thinking that I am just awesome........  You know I need to make it just so that I can have a cup too.  BTW.....Did I mention that it is only 1 point on the WW scales???

Now all credit rights go to the Hungry Girl website for figuring it all out and making this up.  I am not so clever to have done it alone........  I just turn on the blender.

FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE

1 packet of diet hot cocoa mix..  ( I use the Swiss Miss.)

2 Splenda  packs

1/4 cup of skim milk

1 Tablespoon of Sugar-free Vanilla syrup

1 Tablespoon of Sugar-free Chocolate syrup

1 cup of crushed ice

Blend all of this together and top with 2 Tablespoons of Red-Whip..Fat Free

This is one serving...Enjoy!!!!!

Hot Chocolate.......Our All Time Favorite.

So........Is this making you thirsty for a small taste of comfort???   It is 90 degrees outside and I am feeling it....  We make this on a daily basis during the winter.  My children are spoiled to this kind of goodness.  Some might call it "Crack in a Cup"   All I know is that it is WAY better than anything the Swiss Miss can dish out...............

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

a small amount of cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

5 cups water

1 (13 oz) can of Evaporated Milk

2 cups skim milk

Stir the first three things together and mix with the water.  Heat to boiling. Add the milks and cool until heated.  Serve with Marshmallows and peppermint sticks, if desired.

Did I mention that we also make our own marshmallows now????   People need therapy for that kind of goodness all poured into a cup.    (I will post that recipe later.)