Tasty Treat Thursday (Skinny version!)

As the week comes to a close, we're all looking forward to shutting down our computers, putting our work away, and letting a little bit loose. Sometimes, however, Friday can seem quite far away, so why not treat ourselves a day early with a delectable and guilt-free dessert? 

Dining out at a downtown Greek restaurant recently, I had the most incredibly simple dessert in the form of traditional Greek yogurt with honey and nuts. Since the restaurant version was sinfully decadent, I decided to create a healthier at-home version for a weekday treat! Here are some tips on making your own skinny version: 

1. Start with one serving (6 oz) of plain non-fat Greek yogurt. If your local supermarket offers the brand Greek Gods, I'd recommend trying it, since their plain, all natural yogurt has a smooth, creamy texture, and is less bitter than some others. Stick with natural, plain and unflavored options (not vanilla), otherwise you'll find your treat to be cloyingly sweet. 



2. Add one tablespoon of raw, natural honey found at either your local grocery store or farmer's market. 

  

3. Thoroughly mix in a handful of almonds, pecans, or walnuts. (If you're a pistachio or macadamia lover, go right ahead)! 


4. If you're like me, and you occasionally (okay, usually) need a bit of chocolate in your treat, sprinkle a hint of coco powder on top. This also makes quite a pretty finish if you're serving to guests.  

Enjoy! 

Madison 

xx


Photo credit:  polyvore.com, sparkplugpeople.com, annmariekostyk.com

The Beneficial Breakfast: Eggs

I don't know about you, but breakfast has never been one of my favorites. The only thing I want to think about that early in the morning is grabbing my favorite mug and turning on the espresso machine. Is there anything truly appealing about soggy whole grain cereal day after day anyways? Plus, it always seemed to me that no matter what I ate, whether it be a berry smoothie, greek yogurt with granola, or a plate of toast, I was never truly satisfied and wound up running to the fridge for a snack a few hours later. That's when I discovered the benefits of eating eggs for breakfast.

Now, I know what you're thinking -- What about the cholesterol? Don't eggs have a lot of calories? And what about all that GREASE?? Like you, I had the same concerns at first, but the more I looked into it, the more I learned that eggs actually have a lot of beneficial qualities, (ehem, protein!), and are much better for you than you'd think. So, despite my reservations, I quite literally swallowed my concerns and embarked on a three-week experiment making eggs the star attraction of my morning meals. Four weeks later, I'm still going strong and am loving every minute. Among the benefits I've experienced include:

1. feeling pleasantly full after breakfast - which lasts me until lunch
2. glowing skin
3. stronger nails
4. a slim stomach after eating (Take that, English Muffins and jam)!

And if all of that's not enough to convince you, I have to add that rather than being monotonous, making eggs for breakfast each morning has been quite a joy! Rather than endlessly pouring the same cereal into a bowl and dousing it with skim milk, instead, I'm enjoying warm omelets filled with roasted vegetables, gorgeous poached eggs with a side of salmon, or, my new favorite, scamblers made with basil olive oil. Also, for those of us who have trouble bouncing out of bed in the morning, grabbing a couple hard-boiled eggs before you run out the door is quick, easy, and has virtually no clean up! (Just remember to pop in a mint before you head out for the day). What could be easier?  So, let's get cracking and enjoy all the benefits of a bountiful egg breakfast.

Happy eating!  xx

**Photo credit: whatscookingamerica.net, bbcgoodfood.com, thegirlwhoateeverything.com, gorsia.egloos.com.