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Healthy Hot Drink Holiday Recipes

November 29, 2015 by Janelle Marie Leave a Comment

Hot Drinks Holiday Recipes

Need to warm up this winter but don’t want to splurge on a 400 calorie hot chocolate or creamy frothy latte from Starbucks? Well here is a nice little compilation of some sweet and low-calorie hot drinks you can make just in time for the Christmas and winter holidays!

Homemade Light Eggnog

light-eggnog-recipeFor me, the season isn’t complete without a nice mug of eggnog! It’s one of the treats I enjoy most during the holidays. Here’s a great recipe for you to try out:

Ingredients:

– 3 cups of 1 percent milk
– One vanilla bean
– 2 eggs
– 1/3 cup sugar (You can also substitute for organic coconut sugar)
– 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
– Nutmeg or Pumpkin Pie Spice

Directions:

– Heat up 2.5 cups of the milk in a medium sized saucepan. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and take out the seeds. Later add the seeds and the pod to the saucepan and simmer with the milk over medium heat.

– Whisk the eggs, sugar and the cornstarch in a large bowl until the mixture changes to a yellowish shade.

– Gradually pour the mixture of hot milk into the mixture of eggs and make sure to whisk the mix constantly (so that you don’t cook the eggs!). Pour the mixture back into the pan.

– Place once again over medium heat and constantly stir the mix with a spoon until the mixture of eggnog starts to thicken which will take around 6 minutes or so.

– Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the leftover 1/2 cup of milk to prevent the mixture from cooking more. Remove the vanilla bean leftover. Let the mixture cool and pour into a glass pitcher. Serve once it is chilled!

This recipe makes 7 servings of 1/2 cup each and there is only 106 calories per serving!

Healthy and Light Hot Cocoa

light-hot-cocoa-recipe

Ingredients:
– 1 Cup of 1% Milk or Organic Coconut Milk
– 1 Cup Almond Milk
– 3 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
– half a teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
– 2 tablespoons of honey or stevia (or sugar if preferred)
– a pinch of cinnamon or chocolate powder

Directions:

Heat both types of milk together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.

Make sure the milk is heated and mixed well but do not burn the milk!

Slowly add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, honey/stevia and cinnamon. Whisk all the ingredients together well until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and drink once warm.

Filed Under: Holidays

Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2016!

December 14, 2014 by Janelle Marie Leave a Comment

The Holidays are all about cheer and good fun.  This month we are exploring ways to celebrate the holidays other than resorting purely to sinful sugar and sweet indulgence.  What better way to get in the spirit and get your kids excited for Christmas (or even entertain your roommates, family or partner) than getting an Elf on the shelf and partaking in a cheerful play! Here are a bunch of elf on the shelf ideas for you!

the-elf-on-the-shelf-ideas

Some people are new to the whole concept and wonder what IS an Elf on the Shelf? The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition book was written in 2005 by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell and revolves around a sweet little elf who visits the children during November and December to report to Santa all that he sees (both the good and the bad) and works as a way to encourage children to behave well so they can continue to see the delightful little elf each morning as he hides in new places throughout the home and is often quite mischievous.

As you and your family discover what type of Elf will work for your family, remember this important rule!

Just as the Skinny Network celebrates women and men of all shapes and sizes, we certainly feel the same way about elves (girl elves, boy elves, dark or light, hard or soft, remember that:

Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2016

While some mums and dads opt to “adopt” the traditional elf found in the book, others enjoy the hunt of finding their own cute and cuddly elf to be cherished year after year by their young ones.

Don’t have an elf yet? Browse Amazon for your very own or get the traditional elf on the shelf here:christmas-traditional-elfHere are some incredible Elf on the Shelf ideas for spreading mischief and magic this holiday season!

#1 Jingle Bells the Elf

jingle-bells-the-elf
Elf on the Shelf Idea from Keith and Pippa Bostock

This cute little elf was found in a tangle of candy canes hanging from the skylight!

#2 Barber on the Bed

elf-shaves-dad-head
Elf idea from Nadine Gunning and her brave husband!

The naughty Elf in Nadine’s household has shaven her hubby’s head in his sleep! Look at that cheeky little grin the elf has. Although I must say, he is quite the barber!

#3 Builder Elf – Resident Lego Expert

lego-elf-on-the-shelf
Elf on the shelf idea by Kaella MacMillan

What a young visionary who has built a life size replica of himself!

#4 –  The Elfish Wrap Artists

wrapping-furniture-elves-on-shelf
Photos and Elf on the Shelf ideas by Nicola Crook

Naughty elves Imanuel & Merriel have left Rubie to take the blame for wrapping up Nicola’s new couch!  The three of them wrapped up the kitchen.

One of my favorite ideas is introducing a new character every year to play with your elf on the shelf and his adventures.  Have you heard of the elf on the shelf’s little reindeer friend?  This popular item on Amazon is a hit with the kids and a great way to add some new fun and mischief into your holiday by giving your elf his very own pet! The set comes with the reindeer and a story book to read about the adventures of the elf and his reindeer.elf-pets-reindeer

#5 – Stair Sliding Elves and Friends

stair-sliding-toilet-paper-elf
Elf on the shelf idea by Carrie Walker!

What better fun than toilet paper slides down the stairs! Who hasn’t tried something similar with a sled, be honest! One of my favorite elf on the shelf ideas.

#6 – Tight Rope Walking

tight-rope-walking-elf-on-shelf
Photo taken by Sophie Clarke and sent in by Angela Haggar

Rosie Elf has a great head for heights. 😛

#7 – Elf Leaves Seeds and a Special Poem

garden-elf-grow-candy-canes
This sweet photo and note is by Colette Norton

The special note reads:

Dear Oliver and Dominic,

Plant my Special Seeds and wait patiently what will grow.

Remember to be good or you will never know!

Love, Chilli xx

If the children behave well, usually candy canes will grow the next morning! 🙂

#8 – Toothpaste and Shaving Cream Elf Selfie

 

elfie-selfie-mirror
Lovely idea and photo from Cally Sebis!

This elf has discovered his brush is as good for painting as it is for brushing his teeth.  What a nice little selfie he has painted of himself on the bathroom mirror! What a great elf on the shelf idea! Tis the season for selfies!

 #9 – Get on your Game Face for the Elf Race!

north-pole-races-elf-on-the-shelf
Thanks for this great photo from Dannii Hodges!

 You know this is a big race when Santa’s made an appearance to referee! We love the lights track!

#10 – Dining Room Table Skiing

table-ski-slopes-elf
Thank you to Debs Houston for this lovely photo of her ski bunny elf!

We love this idea! I bet the kids couldn’t believe their eyes walking into this winter wonderland! The cute little elf is about to hit the slopes looking like a proper ski bunny!

#11 – Elf Story with Buzz and Woody

elf-story-3-toy-elves
Thank you to Vicki Ciebrant for this fab photo!

Buzz Lightgear has made an appearance to help Elf shoot across the living room! How fun to mix Toy Story and Elf on the Shelf together 🙂

#12 – Caught On the Pot!

elf-caught-on-the-toilet
Cheers to Alison Booth for this hilarious picture of her cheeky elf!

This cheeky little elf has been caught on the toilet looking relaxed as ever.  Only thing he’s missing is his magazine 😛

#13 – Chilled Out Elf

rock-on-elf-picture
Thanks to Terri Neill for this great elf on the shelf picture!

This Elf is taking some time off from being naughty to chill out to his favourite tunes!

#14 – Fishing with a Candy Cane Rod

fishing-with-candy-canes
Thanks to Sarah Waugh for your adorable and clever pic!

This Elf is determined to catch some goldfish with his handmade candy cane rod! Looks like he caught his first fish 🙂

#15 – Frosty the Snowman Meets Hairdryer

melting-snowman-elf-prank
Thanks to Mary Jo Bunting for this great idea!

Goodness, how naughty! Elf has decided to bust out the hairdryer to melt frosty for good.  He looks positively delighted with himself!

#16 – Winter Wonderland

winter-wonderland
Thank you to Claire Wright for this lovely pic!

Claire’s kids have woken up to a winter wonderland! The tuckered out elf has retreated to the snow cave under the chair after having made snow angels in the carpet all morning!

#17 – Oh No! Elf in a Globe!

Thanks to Rachel Honour-Mitchell for this great photo and elf on the shelf idea!
Thanks to Rachel Honour-Mitchell for this great photo and elf on the shelf idea!

Trapped in a snow globe waiting for the young ones to rescue him! Now how did he manage that one?! 😉

#18 – The Magic Pennies

magic-penny-elf-on-shelf-picture
Cheers to Amy Blunt for this incredible idea and photos!

Letter reads:

Dear Harry and Isabella,

Magic Penny

Two Magic pennies just for you,

they are magic, all you have to do,

Is make a special wish you see,

and they will grow quite happily,

Whisper your wish and they will hear,

and a treat for you will appear,

after whispering your wish, you wait one night,

and in the morning you see such a sight!

I love when the elves bring magic in addition to mischief! The wide eyes the morning after when the children experience such wonder and joy is what Christmas is all about!

#19 – All Wrapped Up!

 

tv-wrapping-paper-elf-prank
Thanks to Natasha Graham for this fab pic!!

Looks like the elves have pulled the plug on TV for tonight after having wrapped up the flat screen!

#20 – Finish with an EPIC North Pole Tea!

elf-on-the-shelf-north-pole-tea-breakfast
Thank you to Michelle Marie for sharing her incredible photos of her North Pole Tea!

Michelle M. has outdone herself with this fabulous North Pole Tea! Complete with Grinchy Grape strawberries, marshmallow candy cane dips, and even melted snowmen to drink (water!) So clever and a fabulous way to end or begin the festive celebrations!

Well, there you have 20 incredible Elf-on-the Shelf ideas taken by twenty wonderful mothers and parents with joyous spirits and an incredible sense of magic and play.  This season, I encourage you to take part in some sort of Christmas festivity as you celebrate the season with your loved ones.

The thing I love about elf on the shelf is how the parents end up having just as much fun as the children. From planning the ideas to putting them in action, it rejuvenates the spirit and gets your creative juices flowing! And there’s nothing like seeing the priceless faces of the girls and boys the following morning!

If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share with your friends and family to help get them in the spirit of Christmas! If you do, you can download free elf on the shelf printable cards, ideas, and jokes to give to your children throughout the week!

I wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year! I hope the holiday season is full of love, wonder and joy! Once again, I thank all of the lovely women who submitted pictures of their elf on the shelf in their very own homes to put together this collection!  Hope you enjoyed these elf on the shelf ideas!

Happy Holidays to all!

Click here to download the Elf on the Shelf PDF Printable Cards 

 

 

Filed Under: Holidays

11 Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes That Won’t Plump You Up Like the Turkey

November 15, 2014 by Janelle Marie Leave a Comment

November and December are home to the two most gluttonous holidays of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas. And they are side by side!

How is a dieter supposed to enjoy their favorite thanksgiving dessert recipes while still maintaining or losing weight?  I believe that no one should deny themselves over the holidays. The key is to find low-calorie or low-sugar alternatives and to eat smaller portions. Here is a list of the best thanksgiving recipes that are light, diet-friendly and easy to make!

1. Frozen Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

thanksgiving-dessert-recipes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
  • 4 tablespoons Truvia, or other sweetener
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • chopped pecans

Directions:

Melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir often. Add pureed pumpkin just after the butter has melted and keep whisking. Next, add cream cheese, sweetener and spices. Whisk until smooth, then add the vanilla extract.

Mix it completely and remove from heat. Line a 9×9 pan with wax paper and pour the fudge mixture into the pan or dish.

Sprinkle with pecans and place in the freezer for 24 hours. When ready to slice, remove the fudge by pulling out the wax paper and cut into pieces. Store fudge in a container with a lid in the freezer – until ready to serve.

2. Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

pumpkin-pie-ice-cream
All-natural ingredients!

Ingredients:

  • 4 bananas
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Blend together and freeze. It’s that simple! Enjoy.

3. Pumpkin Pie Bites

pumpkin-pie-bites
Low Carb! One of my favorite thanksgiving recipes

Ingredients:

  • 1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 tsp of liquid stevia (or one cup of sugar)
  • 2 cups of 100% pure pumpkin
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp  all spice
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Whip the cream cheese using a hand mixer. Next, add the eggs and whip with the cream cheese. Add pumpkin, spices, liquid stevia (or sugar) and vanilla. Spray muffin pan and spoon in. This makes 24 pumpkin bites. Bake at 350 degrees for 28-35 min. Let cool for a bit.. loosen the edges so they are easier to take out and finish cooling.

4. Apple Pie Tacos

apple-pie-tacos

Ingredients:

  • 4 apples peeled & sliced
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Nutmeg
  • ½ cup water
  • Tortillas (flour) 6″ size
  • Oil (for frying tortillas)
  • 1/2 c sugar-cinnamon mixture
  • Whipped cream

Directions:

Place apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water in a sauce pan.

Stir until well blended and cover and cook on medium stirring frequently
For 10 minutes or until apples are semi soft. If needed, thicken sauce using
1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 3-4 tablespoons of water. Mix into sauce and stir until thickened.

Heat oil on medium heat in a skillet and holding the tortilla folded in half, place the bottom on tortilla in the oil for a few seconds. Then lay it on one side until browned and then place other side down until browned. Remove from oil and sprinkle browned tortilla with sugar-cinnamon mixture. Fill taco shells with apple pie filling and top with whipped cream, and sprinkle a little more of sugar-cinnamon mixture on top.

5. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cupcakes

pumpkin-cream-cheese-cupcakes
Low Carb and No Added Sugar

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Muffins:

  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sweetener (Truvia or other)
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup almond milk

Sweetened Pumpkin Seeds Topping:

  • 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tbsp sweetener (Truvia or other)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 1 1/2 pkgs (12 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sweetener
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Directions:

This is a classic thanksgiving recipe with a twist! For sweetened Pumpkin Seeds Topping, place pumpkin seeds, butter, sweetener and cinnamon into a bowl and stir well, set aside. For the cream cheese filling, whip cream cheese with the eggs,sweetener, salt and vanilla extract until it is smooth. Set aside.

For the muffins, preheat the oven to 325F and line 24 muffin tins with paper liners. In a bowl, whisk together the almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Beat in butter and sweetener until well mixed. Add pumpkin, eggs, almond milk and vanilla extract.

Drop a spoonful of batter into the bottom of prepared muffin tins and make a well in the center. Drop a tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the well, then top with more batter to fill muffin tins to about 3/4 full. Toss some pumpkin seeds on each muffin. Bake for 23- 25 minutes, or until tops are set and edges are just browned. Let cool.

6. Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

simple-pumpkin-muffins

7.  Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

pumpkin-cheesecake-dip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz of softened cream cheese
  • 1 container of marshmallow fluff
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup of light whipped cream
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Beat together cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, pumpkin and spice. Then by hand stir in cool whip. You could pour this into a hollowed out pumpkin for a decorative bowl! This is great on fruit, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, etc!

8.  Crustless Butternut Squash Pie

butternut-squash-pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Butternut Squash Puree
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Beat all together until well mixed. Pour into a 10″ greased pie pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes and turn down to 350 for an additional 35 minutes or until center is set nicely.

 9.  Nutella Pumpkin Muffins

nutella-pumpkin-muffins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 box cake mix – powder only, do not mix as directed on the box (I used yellow but spice cake would also be good)
  • 1 can pure pumpkin – not pumpkin pie filling
  • 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
  • 1/4 cup Nutella

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer until well mixed. Divide into lined muffin tins. Bake 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. This thanksgiving recipe is great for the kids and makes a delicious snack!

10. Two-Toned Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

two-toned-pumpkin-cheesecake-pie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages Light cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup granulated sweetener (truvia or similar)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs + 2 egg whites
  • 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1.5 tsps Pumpkin Spice
  • 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed (optional)
  • Chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Blend the cream cheese, Swerve, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl until smooth and no chunks are left. Now blend in eggs and egg whites, one at a time. Remove 1 cup of the creamed mixture and spread it around into the bottom of the graham crust; set aside.

Add pumpkin spice to the remaining mixture in the bowl and gently stir until well incorporated. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust. Put in freezer for 30 minutes. Take it out and bake it in a preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to completely cool, then refrigerate overnight. Before serving, top with a dab of whipped topping and a few chocolate shavings.

11.  Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies

pumpkin-white-chocolate-chip-cookies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cups butter or margarine (softened)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 12oz bag White Chocolate Chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix Flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves set aside.
Cream together butter and sugars for 5 min. (I used a hand mixer)
Add in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and mix until well incorporated.
Then slowly mix in the dry ingredients until the dough forms. (I mixed with a
wooden spoon). Stir in white chocolate chips. Dough is a bit sticky, place in frig for 30min.- 1hr to firm.  Drop by spoonfuls onto foil lined baking sheet and bake for 10 -12 minutes. Cool and serve.

And that’s the end of the list!

Remember, just because you are dieting and trying to lose weight doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself some of your favorite Thanksgiving treats.

I hope you enjoyed these light and easy thanksgiving dessert recipes! If you did, why not share the love with your friends and family? We could all use a little bit lightening up this holiday, especially before Christmas season begins!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes, Holidays

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