Healthy Versions of Holiday Drinks

We love the holidays, but when it comes to holiday drinks, most aren’t even remotely healthy. I have trimmed back the calories and the added sugars in these recipes so you can enjoy your favorite holiday flavors without the guilt. Let me know what you think in the comments! Happy Holidays From Parris Fitness

Holiday Eggnog
Try this lighter version of eggnog that’s all-natural, all vegan, and all yum.  Here is the recipe

Try this lighter version of eggnog that’s all-natural, all vegan, and all yum.

Total Time: 9 hrs. 15 min.
Prep Time: 9 hrs. 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:
4 cups raw almonds
Filtered water for soaking almonds
8 cups filtered water
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup raw almond butter
1½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 tsp. rum extract (or to taste)**
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 dash ground cloves

Preparation:
1. Soak almonds overnight in water.
2. Rinse and drain soaked almonds.
3. Place soaked almonds and 6 cups of filtered water in blender or food processor (may need to do in 2 batches). Blend on highest speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Strain milk through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth; discard solids.*
5. Place almond milk back into blender; add almond butter, extracts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
6. Blend for 30 seconds; pour into large pitcher with cover.
7. Cover and refrigerate until cold.

Tips:
1. *Solids can be dried out in the oven at a low temperature (225° F) and used as almond flour in baking recipes.
2. **You can hold off on the rum extract if you think the kids won’t like it, and then add a few drops to your individual glass of eggnog.
3. Vegan eggnog can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Peppermint Mocha Chiller

Get the flavor of chocolate and peppermint with this yummy Shakeology recipe made with brewed coffee. Here is the recipe.

Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup brewed coffee, chilled
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
½ tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place coffee, almond milk, Shakeology, extract, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Vanilla Nog Shakeology
This recipe lets you enjoy a healthy twist on eggnog and your Shakeology all in one! Here is the recipe.  Eggnog is delicious, but also loaded with fat. Try this healthier version that will still have you feeling festive.

Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup nonfat milk
½ cup water
1 tsp. rum extract
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place milk, water, extract, Shakeology, nutmeg, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Gingerbread Man Shakeology
A touch of ginger and cinnamon turns Shakeology into a festive treat!. Here is the recipe

Satisfy your cravings for a holiday dessert with this tasty yet healthy cinnamon-ginger spiced treat.

Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 scoop  Chocolate Shakelogy
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup ice

1. Place milk, extract, Shakeology, ginger, cinnamon, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Peppermint Mocha Latte

Why buy one when you can easily make your own for half the calories?

 

Come the holiday season, I love peppermint mocha lattes. But, they’re full of a ton of additives. The ingredients of the Starbucks version (my personal favorite) are: espresso, milk, mocha sauce (corn syrup, water, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, cocoa (processed with alkali 13%), potassium sorbate, artificial flavor), and peppermint-flavored syrup (sugar, water, natural flavors, preservative, sodium benzoate, citric acid), whipped cream, and dark chocolate.

Calories in one Tall nonfat Peppermint Mocha Latte with no whip (add 70 calories and 7 grams of fat for whip):

Hmm. This prompted me to ask our incredible nutritionists to whip up their own version. I couldn’t be happier, and I think you’ll love it too. If you swap almond milk for nonfat milk and leave out the honey, you can enjoy it vegan.

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 5 min.
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. raw honey (optional)
¼ tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup brewed black coffee (or 1 shot espresso)
1 fresh mint leaf (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Bring milk, cocoa powder, and honey (if desired), and peppermint extract to a boil in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat; mix vigorously with a whisk until frothy.
3. Pour coffee into a large serving mug; top with milk mixture.
4. Garnish with mint leaf if desired.

Here’s the nutrition details for the vegan version: