Cool (sugar-free) Treats

The past few days have been really hot...

I would have loved a mocha-swirl iced coffee or some ice cream!

Instead, I added some coffee ice cubes to some unsweetened vanilla almond milk (thank you, Trader Joes!) and enjoyed a cool & refreshing summer treat! (I saw this idea on Pinterest a while back...)

Another yummy (and naturally sugar-free) treat is our Friday Morning Special:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie! (TGIF!)
This smoothie was particularly delicious after going for a 3-mile run on a pretty warm morning.

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie: (2 large servings)
2 bananas
3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
3 T. all-natural peanut butter
1 1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk
1 (heaping) c. ice

Blend all ingredients in a blender, and divide into two tall glasses. Enjoy!

empty glass = sad :(

Also, before starting the 10-day sugar-free challenge, I made a yummy coconut mango sorbet.

I had been wanting to make sorbet, since it seemed like a healthier and delicious alternative to ice cream, but most recipes that I saw (such as this one) called for a fair amount of sugar.

I came across one, though, that only called for mango, coconut milk, lime juice, and maple syrup, and I think it would be great even without the maple syrup!

(I made this before the sugar-free challenge)

Mango Sorbet (recipe found here)
serves 4
*note: this takes a while to make, due to the two separate freezing times

1 large ripe mango
Juice of one lime (1-2 T.)
8 oz. coconut milk (light or regular)
(optional: 1-2 T. maple syrup)
unsweetened shredded coconut for garnish
Blend all ingredients in a blender.
Pour into an ice cube tray or silicone muffin tin, and freeze for at least 2 hours.
Take frozen mixture out of freezer, and let soften for 30 minutes or so.
Blend in a blender or food processor (or mush with a fork if you don't have one).
Pour back into a shallow dish and stick back in the freezer to harden again.
Scoop into 4 bowls and enjoy!

Sugar(free) Magnolias!

The other day I did something fun.

Mike wanted to go out to breakfast at Sugar Magnolias, but I hesitated, since I'm doing this 10-days of no sugar, I thought I'd rather go when I can have a big yummy pancake or something...plus it's a little pricy. So instead, I created "Sugar-Free Magnolias" (doubly appropriate, since we live in Magnolia!) with a menu and everything!

I filled the menu with yummy options from the original Sugar Mags menu (which I would make using recipes from spoonfulofsugarfree, such as these and these), and my own creations as well.

Mike ordered the "My Big Fat Greek Omelet" (a solid choice) which came with a side of sweet potato home fries (to make those, I roughly followed this recipe)

"My Big Fat Greek Omelet" = 2 eggs, whisked with a splash of milk, a sprinkle of sauteed red onion, feta cheese, and snipped fresh oregano

Sweet potato home fries (2 servings):

peel and dice 1 small/medium sweet potato.

Put potato in a small pot with water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 8 minutes.

mix some paprika (2-3 tsp?) and coarse salt (1/2 tsp?) in a dish.

In a skillet, saute 2 garlic cloves (minced or sliced) and diced red onion (2 T.?)

Drain the potatoes and let them air dry for a minute.

Add the potatoes to the skillet, along with the paprika & salt. 

Stir to coat.

Grind some black pepper over the top, and stir again. 

Good to the last drop! =)

It was so much fun to pretend to be a real breakfast cafe!