Drinks

Here are six yummy drinks to help you through the day, including Cappuccino Cooler and Apple Cider Floats. Enjoy!

STARBUCK'S FRAPPUCINO

This is from Healing Heart Foundation, and begins, “Make this popular frozen delight at home, without the caffeine buzz(or with it).”

1 1/2 cups strong cold decaffeinated coffee

1/2 cup fat-free or low-fat soy or rice milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon chocolate syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups crushed ice or ice cubes

Combine the coffee, milk, sugar, chocolate syrup and salt in a blender and mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve sugar. Add the vanilla extract and ice then blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses.

2 - 16 oz servings, each 191 calories: 1% from fat (0.029 g), 99% from carbohydrates (47.7 g), 1% from protein (0.24 g). Sodium 282 mg, Fiber 0 g.

LEEANN'S LUSCIOUS SMOOTHIE

This recipe, as well as the next one (Slim-Down Smoothie), is from “20 Super Healthy Smoothie Recipes” on the Runner’s World website. Both are originally from The Editors of Prevention.

This one begins, “To eliminate processed sugar, reader LeeAnn created a smoothie sweetened with strawberries.”

Servings: 1

1 cup skim milk

1 cup frozen, unsweetened strawberries

1 Tbsp cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil

1 Tbsp sunflower or pumpkin seeds (optional)

Mix milk and frozen strawberries in a blender for 1 minute.

Transfer to a glass and stir in the tablespoon of flaxseed oil, or serve with a tablespoon of sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 256; Protein: 9 g; Carbs: 26 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 19 g; Total fat: 14 g; Saturated fat: 1.5 g; Sodium: 106 mg

SLIM-DOWN SMOOTHIE

This one begins, “Wonderfully thick and tasty, this healthy smoothie recipe easily substitutes for milkshakes and ice cream.”

Servings: 1

1 cup frozen berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries

1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (any flavor)

1/2 cup orange juice or other juice

Place the berries, yogurt, and orange juice in a blender and pulse for 30 seconds. Blend for 30 seconds, or until smooth.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 185; Protein: 8 g; Carbs: 35 g; Fiber: 3.5 g; Sugar: 26 g; Total fat: 2 g; Saturated fat: 1 g; Sodium: 90 mg

APPLE CIDER FLOATS

This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”

Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 c. caramel sauce

1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar

2 c. apple cider, warmed

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

cinnamon sticks

Whipped cream, for serving

Apple slices

Directions

Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.

Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.

Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.

CAPPUCCINO COOLER

This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The recipe begins, “There's no need to pay the small fortune that your corner coffee bar charges for a frozen concoction when you can make this smoothie. If you like your coffee strong, omit the sugar.”

POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 1; Preparation Time: 6 min; Cooking Time: 0 min;Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk

1/2 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt

1/4 cup black coffee, but brewed espresso preferred, cooled to room temperature

1/4 cup ice cube(s), about 3 cubes

1/2 tsp sugar, superfine

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

In a blender, combine all ingredients; puree until smooth.

Pour into a tall, chilled glass; sprinkle with additional cinnamon, if you like.

PURPLE POWER BLACKBERRY PEACH SMOOTHIE

This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The recipe begins, “Sweet peaches get a royal purple color and a berry tang from blackberries in this delicious smoothie. Try one for a filling breakfast that feels just a little decadent.”

POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 1; Preparation Time: 8 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty; Easy

Ingredients

3/4 cup ice cube(s)

2 medium peach(es), peeled, pitted and quartered

1/4 cup blackberries

1/2 cup fat-free skim milk

Directions

Place ice in a blender container; add peaches, blackberries and milk.

Blend on high until smooth and ice is completely crushed, about 3 to 4 minutes. Yields 1 serving.