I Love Diet Soda

A little pick me up...

2012-02-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

I'm beat today. I don't know if it's the cool temperatures or stress or something in the air, but I can't seem to get much sleep lately. I toss and turn at night and goodness knows I've never been able to master the art of the afternoon nap. Seeing as how we're supposed to meet some friends for dinner and drinks tonight, I'm in search of a little pick-me-up.
Fortunately, I found a Diet Mountain Dew at the store earlier. Mountain Dew (and coffee, of course!) helped get me through college. I used to buy a 12-pack of the Dew every time I needed to pull a study-related all-nighter - not sure I would have made it through my courses without it.
Here's hoping it provides the energy boost I need to last the rest of the night!

Super Sunday!

2012-02-05T11:14:00.001-05:00

Well, the big night is finally here! I love me some Super Bowl Sunday. Of course, it would be better if my beloved Bears were playing, but that doesn't happen too often so I typically just suck it up and enjoy the pomp of it all.

So I'll be celebrating the big game with several friends, chowing down on artichoke dip, buffalo wings, chips and salsa and brownies and sipping light beer and diet soda. While I'm looking forward to the actual game, I'm also eager to see if there are any good commercials this year. Here's hoping there's one as good as Terry Tate or last year's pint-sized Darth Vader ad.

Here are a few of my fave Super Bowl ads from years past.

And one more thing I'm excited about tonight? PUPPY BOWL! Squee! Too much cute.

Diet Soda Desserts!

2012-01-29T23:03:00.001-05:00

We attended not one, not two, but three birthdays this weekend. That's a lot of cake and cupcakes to account for, which is not the best excuse when you're trying to stay healthy. Fortunately, one of my friends loves diet soda as much as I do and actually made a low-calorie birthday cake using Diet Sierra Mist. And let me tell ya - it was dee-lish! So here's my deal: when it comes to candy, I'm a chocoholic. When it comes to cake or milkshakes, I prefer vanilla and or fruit-flavored. So a white cake with whipped cream and strawberries made with diet soda? Hello heaven!

Here's the recipe she used, courtesy of sparkpeople. You better believe I will be whipping this up sometime very, very soon.

White Cake w/ Strawberries (Diet Soda Cake)

Minutes to Prepare: 10
Minutes to Cook: 30
Number of Servings: 15

Ingredients
1 pkg White Cake Mix
1 can Diet Sierra Mist
Cool Whip Sugar Free (or light cool whip)
Fresh Strawberries (sliced)

Directions
1. Mix together cake mix and sierra mist.
2. Coat 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
3. Pour cake mix into pan.
4. Bake at 350* for 25-35 minutes, until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cake cool completely.
6. Top with whipped cream and strawberries.

Best of 2011?

2012-01-22T16:36:00.000-05:00

Wow. I thought I was pretty "in the know" when it comes to the world of diet drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks, but in looking at BevNet's "Best of 2011" list, it seems there are a lot of new products I need to check out.

Both big and small companies had representatives among the winners. The "product of the year" award went to ZICO Chocolate flavored Coconut Water, while Monster Rehab took "best energy drink" honors. Mamma Chia won the "best non-carbonated beverage" category and "best social or interactive marketing" went to Coca-Cola Freestyle, the on-site soda delivery system that allows consumers to build custom tailored beverages. A few of the unfamiliar? Deluxe Honeydrop, Greater Than and Aloe Gloe. Looks like I've got some taste tests to do soon!

So it seems 2011 was another good year for beverages. What types of products would you like to see more of in 2012?

A glam can

2012-01-21T09:34:00.000-05:00

Diet Coke has done it again! The beverage brand just keeps rolling out new high-fashion cans that I covet, because yes, I like shiny, cool things. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like these will be available in the US. The new cans were unveiled earlier this month in the UK as part of the product's "Love it Light" campaign and will be rolled out in seven European countries in the coming weeks. The campaign also includes new ads and a Facebook app that apparently helps female consumers ‘get glam.’

Sooo, if any of my readers are in Europe or UK, feel free to send me a can, strictly for research purposes! Seriously, though, how cool is that houndstooth can? J'adore! The new ads are pretty adorable as well. Check it out!

Simple steps to stay on track in the New Year

2012-01-17T00:26:00.000-05:00

Bleh. Ate too many chicken wings and tater tots this weekend thanks to playoff games and birthday parties. But it's all good. I've been hitting the gym and eating healthy other than these "special" occasions. And I just came across some great advice in this article. Should help to keep me on that healthier path.

1) Take small bites: We don’t mean to literally take smaller bites; we mean start slow and simple when going for a lifestyle change. The whole idea of changing your entire diet is unrealistic. If you want to change the way you eat, change your breakfast – start with one thing, because it’s feasible and more often than not, if you change your breakfast, you’ll feel differently at lunch and make a healthier choice then. If you push too hard or make it extreme and different from your regular life, then you won’t continue it. So go slow and take small bites.

2) Make it fit: If the idea of getting up an hour early to go for a run or head to the gym makes you cringe now, you likely won’t actually get up and go when the alarm is blaring at 5am. Make your goals fit in with your lifestyle. If you don’t like waking up early then then try to tackle your workout after work. Buy free-weights and use them and do a few sets of crunches while you watch your favorite TV show if you can’t get the gym. Make working out a group activity. Go for a brisk walk with your friends or children.

3) Give it three weeks: Don’t buy a gym membership or start a crash diet thinking that after a week, you’ll have lost 10 pounds and gained a brand new set of abs. That’s just not how it happens. Wellness doesn’t happen overnight, lifestyle is something that is created. Habits get ingrained over 21 days, so you have to give something at least three weeks to stick.

Hmmm...simple steps to live by. I think I can handle it!

Dreaming of a vacation...already

2012-01-12T21:01:00.001-05:00

I know, I know. I'm awful. It's been two full weeks since I've updated this blog. But in my defense, 2012 has been pretty insane so far. From holiday travel to moving into a new home, long hours at the office to furniture shopping, I've barely had any downtime. By the way, are any of you interior decorators? If so, holla! I'm at my whit's end trying to figure out what paint colors would work best, what pieces of art should go on the wall, what type of mattress is ideal for back support and where to find a sofa that is stylish yet comfortable. Who knew these decisions would be so difficult?!

Fortunately, life seems to be slowing down a bit, which is much needed, as far as my sanity is concerned. And thanks to the upcoming three-day weekend, I'll have a little more time to get my chores done. Other things we'll be doing this weekend? Hosting a little playoffs gathering so our buddies can check out the new pad. I've already got a bunch of Trader Joe's snacks, light beer, Diet Sunkist, Diet Coke and Fresca Black Cherry Citrus soda on-hand for the masses.

Anyway, I promise to be better about posting in the weeks to come, umkay? That's my resolution to all of you, dear readers. On a different note, since Martin Luther King Day is Monday, I'm attaching a video clip of the Reverend's famous "I have a Dream" speech from 1963. May his words continue to inspire generations of people worldwide.

Too much holiday food makes the belly rebel...

2011-12-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

I've been in Chicago for nearly a week now, celebrating the holidays with family. Between all the rich holiday food and attempting to hit all of my favorite local restaurants, I've pretty much done nothing but eat and drink (and be merry) since we arrived. Seems my stomach is finally starting to rebel - I had to primarily stick to soup, crackers and toast yesterday. The worst part is, though, I had to watch while a bunch of friends ate takeout from one of my favorite Middle Eastern restaurants. At least someone picked up a liter of Diet Ginger Ale - I hit that bottle hard yesterday, along with some ginger tea that I found in my mom's cabinet. For those that don't know, ginger ale and ginger tea work wonders on a cramped, icky stomach.
Now, keep your fingers crossed that my tummy cooperates today. We're supposed to either get some deep dish pie or Greek food, and I definitely want to partake in that food celebration. Opa!

Jonesin' for the Jones

2011-12-18T23:06:00.001-05:00

Another holiday season, another limited release of new products courtesy of Jones Soda. Known for its innovative marketing - and promotion of beverages with names like Turkey & Gravy Soda, Dinner Roll Soda, Antacid Flavored Soda and Pea Soda - Jones seemed to tone things down this go-round. The 2011 limited edition offerings star the holiday classics of Gingerbread, Pear Tree, Candy Cane and Sugar Plum. Here's the official description from the website:

Officially endorsed and distributed by local Elf Union 422, and run via extremely limited quantities deep in a hidden crater, buried beneath a glacier..(under a mountain) in the North Pole, we proudly present this virtual Holiday feast for the sophisticated sweet toothed aficionado. This year’s 4 Holiday flavors to include: 1) Ginger Bread: made from only the smiley faced heads of 100% organic, free range, gluten free gingerbread people. 2) Sugar Plum: fresh squeezed a la the aforementioned fruit of legend, and plucked from the only known remaining Sugar Plum tree in existence, nestled deep in the Foja Mountains of Indonesia. 3) Candy Cane: a drink so crisp and winter fresh, you’ll have no choice but to exclaim “By the beard of Santa!” in a crowded library, and finally 4) Pear Tree: a nectar so refreshing Zeus himself was known to sip it from his silver goblet, whilst wearing headband antlers. So drink up buckaroos, because this limited time offer will be gone before you can say “jet-pack reindeer.”

To determine this year's winning flavors, Jones reached out to fans via social media and tallied hundreds of votes. Each 12-ounce glass bottle is also emblazoned with a photo submitted by Jones Soda fans.

Looking for a unique holiday gift or commemorative memento? Fans can create their own customized Jones Soda bottle labels online. This allows people to pick a traditional Jones Soda flavor, upload a picture and message of their choice, and receive their own custom twelve-pack of soda bottles.

I love Jones. Not only do they provide some super tasty beverages, but I always enjoy their creative marketing. And for all my fellow calorie counters, the company offers a sugar-free product line. Jones Zilch includes Pomegranate, Black Cherry, Vanilla Bean and Cola. Drink up!

Paint Samples and Moving Dates

2011-12-11T22:55:00.000-05:00

Well, for the first time in my life, I'm a homeowner. Does that mean I'm all grows up?! Seriously, though, after months and months of searching, we found ourselves a lovely town home in a fabulous neighborhood. And the best part is, it won't cost us much more than we've been paying in rent the past two years. Woohoo! But while the hard part is over, now comes a new set of challenges: finding new furniture to fill the extra space and some good paint for the walls. Any color suggestions? I'm leaning toward a cool green, blue or gray for the bedrooms but haven't made a decision yet. In the meantime, we're still in the process of packing up our apartment and preparing for the big move in a couple days. However, we've already started dropping off a few things, such as a box with DVDs and one of the TVs, a 12-pack of Diet Coke and some beer for the fridge and a few suitcases of clothes. Priorities, folks! Wish me luck. It's going to be a busy few weeks.

I give this a ten!

2011-12-04T23:06:00.001-05:00

Great news! It appears Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. will be offering up several new diet sodas in the near future. Starting as early as January, the company will begin testing 7 Up Ten, Sunkist Ten, A&W Ten, RC Ten and Canada Dry Ten in select markets. The decision followed promising early results from Dr Pepper Ten, a new 10-calorie version of the flagship soda. The company is trying to appeal to consumers who stopped drinking sodas because of the high calories, but didn't like the taste of diets. However, unlike Dr Pepper Ten - which was marketed primarily to men - these other new flavors will cater to a broader audience, targeting men and women ages 25 to 49.

Dr Pepper is not the only company unveiling new lower-cal products next year. Pepsi plans to launch Pepsi Next, a mid-calorie soda with about 40 calories per eight-ounce serving, as part of a stronger entry to attract lapsed soda drinkers.

So? What do you think? I say any addition in the diet soda product line is great news by me. Can't wait to try them out!

Road Trip Grub

2011-11-28T22:30:00.000-05:00

I'm typically a creature of habit. I tend to be a healthy eater in my daily life, but when stuck in a car for more than four hours, I want something more junky. And that's why I found myself buying a bag of cheddar cheese cracker Combos and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups at a Pilot gas station in the middle of nowhere in south Georgia yesterday. I know, I know...what I should do is pack some light snacks such as string cheese, low-cal yogurt or carrot sticks - especially after gorging on high-cal Thanksgiving food all weekend. But nooooo! Once we step foot in a station, I find myself grabbing Funyuns or Cheetos or Chili Cheese Fritos or Haribo gummy candy. The more salty or sweet, the better. It's awful, I know. What is it about the open road and rural gas stations that brings out my bad eating habits? Fortunately, I still prefer the diet sodas to the full-calorie version so I washed down my Combos with Diet Sunkist yesterday. Hooray for having some control. What about you? Any guilty pleasure road trip snacks that you wish you could ditch?

Talking Turkey Tips

2011-11-20T23:34:00.001-05:00

How is it possible that Thanksgiving is almost here? I feel like January was only yesterday...and yet, the winter holidays are just around the corner. Time seriously flies! Anyway, I'm looking forward to a short work week before heading to Gainesville, FL, for a massive Turkey Day feast with my boyfriend's family.
As most of you know, it's pretty much impossible to get through Thanksgiving without getting that fabulous bloated feeling by the end of the day. Between the appetizers, main course and dessert, it's estimated Americans will scarf down 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving. Ain't that a shame! So I've got a few tips that might help when it comes to controlling your food and calorie intake this holiday weekend.

* Don't show up hungry. Take time to eat a light, healthy snack before chowing down.
* When fixing your plate, make sure the bulk of it is fruits and veggies, such as salad, green beans, potatoes, carrots, squash or cranberries. That way you can fill up your belly faster with healthier items.
* Eating smaller portions is key. Yes, you can indulge in some cheesy mashed potatoes. But don't pile a mountain of it on your plate, along with moats of gravy.
* If you're eating dinner at a friend or relative's house, bring some low-calorie snack options such as a fruit salad or raw veggies and hummus.
* Avoid adding lots of butter, salt, gravy and fatty dressings.
* Try not to get seconds until a few hours after you've eaten the first plate.
* Always eat dessert last.
* Eat lots of cranberries. They're loaded with antioxidants.
* For a less-fattening stuffing, use a low-salt broth base along with whole wheat bread. Also go easy on the butter and oil while adding more celery, onion, nuts and fruit.
* For healthier mashed potatoes, use skim milk and fat-free sour cream.
* Drink lots of water. It will help fill you up.
* Drink alcohol in moderation and stick to diet soda or sugar-free drinks to curb calories.
* Take a walk after supper or round up a game of touch football in the afternoon.

Finally, as a child of the 80s and lover of all John Hughes movies, here's a scene from a holiday classic sure to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit. Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday week/end!

Fountain, bottle or can?

2011-11-14T21:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, we're having a debate and I'd love to hear your insight: can, bottle or fountain soda? I ask because I'm typically a can gal but lately, I've had a hankering for fountain sodas. Why? I think it's because the fountain soda seems a little less fizzy and a wee bit more sweet. And, you get to drink it over ice with a straw. Plus, some places serve it with the chipped ice, which makes it that much more awesome.

Another possibility, different low-calorie sweeteners are used in cans versus soda fountain:

“Aspartame is used in most canned drinks, while a blend of sweeteners is used in most fountain varieties. Something about how the sweeteners' properties react with the storage of the different versions. Perhaps the poster prefers the taste of aspartame in their drinks vs. the taste of the other blends.”

So what do you think? Any preferences? Tonight, I'd love me a cold Diet Coke from a fountain. Tomorrow, I'll probably be back to favoring the can version. I'm so fickle!

Do Dudes Drink Diet?

2011-11-06T23:27:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the ads for the new Dr Pepper Ten? The TV commercials are actually marketed at men, featuring muscular soldiers in the jungle battling snakes and bad guys.

"Hey ladies. Enjoying the film? Of course not. Because this is our movie and this is our soda," a man says as he attempts to pour the soda into a glass during a bumpy ATV ride. "You can keep the romantic comedies and lady drinks. We're good."

A diet drink aimed at men and not women? Blasphemy! The soft drink was apparently developed after the company's research found that men shy away from diet drinks that aren't perceived as "manly" enough. The ad campaign stresses that unlike "girly" diet drinks, Dr Pepper Ten is for the bros. Regular Dr. Pepper has 150 calories and 27g of sugar. Diet Dr. Pepper has zero calories and zero sugar. Dr. Pepper Ten has 10 calories, 2g of sugar, and promising to provide the same "23 flavors" as original Dr. Pepper. Also, Dr. Pepper Ten comes wrapped in "gunmetal gray" and has four bullets on the label.

Although Dr Pepper Ten is not the first diet soda aimed at men, the somewhat controversial campaign is the first to be so overt about courting men who want to drink a soda with fewer calories. A Facebook page for the drink contains an application that allows it to exclude women from viewing content, which includes games and videos aimed at being "manly." There is also a "man quiz" with questions on activities like fishing and hunting.

So, what do you think ladies? I'm all for more low-cal, tasty beverage options but would something like this turn you off the product? What about any of you fellas?

Saving polar bears one can at a time

2011-10-30T23:21:00.002-04:00

Coca-Cola keeps busting out the cool cans. Just a few weeks ago, I was raving about their sweet new style of Diet Coke cans. And now the beverage giant is apparently ditching its iconic red cans next month as part of a fundraising campaign with the World Wildlife Fund to protect the polar bear’s Arctic habitat.

Coca-Cola will manufacture more than 1.4 billion white Coke cans for the campaign, which are expected to start hitting store shelves this week. In addition to the white cans, other Coca-Cola products will feature white bottle caps including bottles of Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Nestea and Minute Maid products.
What do you think of the can? I think it's made of awesome...plus, I'm always a sucker for a good cause. So I will definitely be buying up a bunch of the Diet Coke bottles with white caps, all in the interest of saving the polar bears, of course!
For more information on the campaign, please visit the Arctic Home webpage.

Finally, here are a few of my favorite Coca-Cola polar bear ads. Enjoy!

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House hunting, schmouse hunting...

2011-10-20T22:10:00.000-04:00

You know what stinks? House hunting. I mean, I know it's ten times worse to be a seller in this lousy economy, but there's nothing more disheartening then spending your nights combing through listings only to realize there's nothing of any value is in your price range. Seriously, we've been searching online for a year now - and working with a Realtor for the past three months. And the few things we've seen that we liked we're sold and off the market before we even had time to line up a house visit. I'm over it. To top it off, I've been working long hours, dealing with budget-related headaches and wading through a plethora of weddings, birthdays, baby showers. So needless to say, it's been a stressful couple of months and I'm jonesing for a vacation.
On the plus side, I've been trying to refrain from drinking during the week, so in lieu of a glass of wine or beer to relieve stress, I've been enjoying a nice cold glass of Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper almost every night. It's so refreshing and has way less calories than a cocktail!
And for all you Muppets fans, the beverage was featured in one of my favorite diet soda ads in recent memory. Check it out!

Enjoying a home-based workout

2011-10-10T22:25:00.001-04:00

It's been a crazy few months. Seriously, between work, house hunting (yes, I'm all grows up!) and a social life that seems to be packed with weddings, baby showers, birthdays and house warming parties, I've had very little down time. It's difficult finding enough hours in the day to hit the gym on a regular basis. However, I know that's no excuse: exercise is necessary to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It's just that I've found I can't always commit a full hour to a cardio kickbox or step class. Sometimes, it's a brisk 15-minute jog before work or squeezing in 20 minutes of abs or yoga in front of the television. Research shows a few minutes is better than nothing, so don't hesitate to find some quick, home-based workouts to keep the metabolism moving. Need a few other ideas for workouts at home? Check out these tips from my new favorite website, theskinnyonlowcal.org.

Jumping rope. You may have some rope-jumping experience from your elementary school days, but this fun recess activity is also a great way to burn calories and tone your muscles! Jumping rope serves as a great form of cardio. The movements get your heart rate up, helping you burn more calories. Jumping is also great for toning muscles in the calves and thighs, and holding the rope helps you work your arms. Jump ropes are also inexpensive and small, making them great choice for home workouts!
Riding a stationary bike. Bike-riding is another aerobic exercise that can help burn calories and tone muscles all at the same time. If you’re looking for a more convenient approach to bike-riding, then consider getting a stationary bike for your home. These bicycles provide all of the exercise benefits of traditional bicycles, while resting stationary in your home. This makes it easier to listen to music, watch TV, or even read while working out, helping you pass the time more quickly.
Doing yoga. This popular type of exercise uses various poses and positions to help people achieve better strength and flexibility. It also helps with weight loss and toning muscles. Yoga gives you more awareness and better control over your body, helping you make better choices in order to maintain a healthy and attractive appearance.

Diet Coke Gets a Makeover

2011-09-26T22:51:00.000-04:00

Have you seen the new limited-edition Diet Coke can that hit the stores this month? J'adore. I think it's a bold, clean design and a cool way to promote their "Stay Extraordinary" ad campaign - which encourages individuals to stay inspired during even the most mundane daily activities..

The revamped Diet Coke cans were developed by San Francisco-based design firm Turner Duckworth. But don't worry - Coke isn't messing around with the actual soda formula. Just the can that carries it. So if you don't dig the can, you'll still love the product.

What do you think of the new Diet Coke can? Do these new Stay Extraordinary clips inspire you?

Enjoying a Sprite Zero and a Song

2011-09-19T20:10:00.000-04:00

Wow. It's been an exhausting few days. I've been spending long hours at the office, house hunting in my spare time, entertaining out-of-town guests and, well, I could use a vacation! Even my weekends have been ridiculously busy. Take this past one, for example. There were three birthdays, two showers, multiple college and pro football games to watch and a concert to attend. Phew! I'm a tired gal today. But it was worth it. Last night, we saw Ray LaMontagne perform. If you're not familiar with his music, I suggest you take a listen. Good stuff! And I was extremely proud of myself. Typically, I enjoy a beer or two while I'm listening to live music. Last night, I stuck to Sprite Zero. It was a heck of a lot cheaper and less calories!

You say chocoholic like it's a bad thing

2011-09-12T21:39:00.000-04:00

One of my friends, who hails from Pennsylvania, was blathering on and on the other day about Levis Diet Chocolate Cherry Soda and how it's the best thing since sliced bread. I can't attest to the quality of the beverage, as I've never had it. However, I do need the occasional fix of Canfield's Diet Chocolate Fudge soda, which is like dessert in a can. The aspartame-sweetened carbonated soft drink literally tastes like a melted chocolate bar or hot fudge sundae, minus the calories. And now I might have to buy a pack online! It would be the perfect sweet treat on this football Monday. What are you craving these days?

Game on!

2011-09-01T22:05:00.001-04:00

I love this time of year. The weather is starting to cool off, the leaves are beginning to change colors and most important...football is back on the tube, baby! That's right - I'm currently sitting on the sofa, Cherry Coke Zero in one hand and a Lean Pocket in the other, watching my beloved Badgers (U-rah-rah!) play their first game of the season. Yes, I know. That's not typical game day fare. But I'm trying to be a good girl tonight, since I know the holiday weekend will be a bit of a mess.

But for those of you who would rather not blow that calorie count in one sitting but aren't quite ready to watch football over a green, leafy salad, here are a few low-cal Hungry Girl recipes to enjoy while watching your favorite pro and college teams compete.

Cheesy Dog Tortilla Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
2 97% Fat Free Hebrew National Hot Dogs
1 La Tortilla Factory 95% Fat Free Low Carb Tortilla
1 slice Kraft Singles Fat Free Cheese
Directions:
Microwave hot dogs according to directions on package. Slice tortilla in half. Fold cheese to create two halves. Place each half cheese slice on top of each tortilla half. Roll cooked hot dog in cheesed-up tortilla. Toast in toaster oven until desired golden color is reached.

De-Pudged Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients:
1 fat-free (or nearly fat-free) hot dog (like the ones by Oscar Mayer, Hebrew National and Ball Park)
1 portion Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent roll dough
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut hot dog into 4 even pieces. Stretch or roll out the triangle-shaped dough slightly, to make it a larger triangle. Cut dough into 4 long, narrow triangles. Beginning at the base of each triangle, roll a piece of the hot dog up in the dough until the point of each triangle wraps around the center. Place dogs on an ungreased baking pan and cook for about 12 minutes (until dough appears slightly browned and crispy).

Ooey Gooey Chili Cheese Nachos
Ingredients:
1 bag (7 oz.) Guiltless Gourmet Tortilla Chips, Yellow Corn flavor
1 package Boca Chili
4 oz. 8th Continent Light Vanilla Soymilk
3 oz. fat-free block cheddar cheese
2 oz. Velveeta made with 2% Milk
2 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese
2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
3/4 cup Newman's Own All-Natural Bandito Salsa
Directions:
Melt all three cheeses in a saucepan with the soymilk; stir to combine. Prepare chili according to the directions on the box. Microwave chips until warm, and place on a large platter. Pour your low-fat cheese sauce all over your chips. Cover your chips with chili. Spoon salsa on top, along with a few dollops of fat-free sour cream, and, voila, there you have it! Makes 5 servings.
*Feel free to use other brands as desired. Nutritionals will vary.

Awesome Whopper Stopper
Ingredients:-Wonder Light (or other light) Hamburger Bun
Boca Burger Patty, Original Vegan
1 slice Kraft Singles Fat Free Cheese
1 Tbsp. Miracle Whip Light
3 pickle slices
tomato slice
lettuce
onion slice
1 Tbsp. ketchup
Directions:
Cook Boca Burger as per instructions on box. Toast bun (optional). Lay burger on the bun’s bottom half, followed by the cheese, tomato, onion, and lettuce. On the top half, slap on the mayo, ketchup, and pickles. Put two halves together and enjoy!

Finally, to get you in the proper state of mind, here are a few clips from some of the best football movies ever made. Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Hunker down, my East Coast homies...

2011-08-26T17:01:00.001-04:00

As a former resident of South Florida during the active hurricane seasons of 2004 through 2006, I feel for all of those lying in the path of Hurricane Irene. She looks like a beast. And let me tell you, there is nothing fun about "hunkering down" during a storm or dealing with the fallout - lack of power, food, property damage, etc. - in the days and weeks after it passes.

So for those in the eye of the storm, be sure to fill up your gas tank, invest in a battery-powered or hand crank radio, dust off the hurricane shutters, find a few flashlights and stock up on food, water and booze. It could be awhile before stores and restaurants are fully functioning again. My "hurricane" grocery list in years past included several gallons of water, non-perishable food, bread, peanut butter and jelly and low-calorie snack packs of crackers and cookies...items that didn't need to be refrigerated. And, of course, I had two cases of diet soda on hand (one Diet Coke and one Sprite Zero), as well as a little liquor to help ease the nerves.

Here are a few hurricane preparation tips from FEMA.

Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate. Identify several places you could go in an emergency: a friend's home in another town or a motel. For more information about public shelters in your community, contact your local emergency management agency.
Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to a NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.
Be alert for tornadoes and flooding. If you see a funnel cloud or if local authorities issue a tornado warning take shelter underground or in an interior room away from windows. If waters are rising quickly or local authorities issue a flood or flash flood warning, seek higher ground.
Do not return to your home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after the hurricane and after flood waters recede, roads may be weakened and could collapse. Buildings may be unstable, and drinking water may be contaminated. Use common sense and exercise caution.

Cheerwine news fills me with cheer

2011-08-19T19:30:00.000-04:00

Long-time readers have probably noticed that I'm a sucker for cherry-flavored pop. It's typically the first diet soda I reach for when jonesing for a carbonated beverage. So I was thrilled to hear that The Fresh Market will now start carrying the popular North Carolina-based brand Cheerwine (and most importantly, it's diet counterpart) in all 106 store locations. The deal gives Cheerwine far greater ability to expand outside its Southern base as the company looks to transition from a regional beverage to a national brand. It's also likely to increase what the New York Time's has referred to as the "cult of Cheerwine."
Hey, I'm all for having easy access to what some have called "adult crack." I love me some diet cherry soda!

Another weekend, another out of town trip...

2011-08-13T00:17:00.000-04:00

I swear, for a gal that has no vacation time, I've sure been logging some serious mileage in recent months. We seem to be out of town every other weekend for various reasons involving friends and family. From New Orleans to Knoxville and Norfolk to Orlando, it's been a busy year. And tomorrow morning, bright and early, we're hitting the road and driving nearly six hours down to Jacksonville and Gainesville, FL, to see my boyfriend's family. While I look forward to visiting his clan, I might be even more excited about the opportunity to dig into some of his mom's home cooking again. Hailing from the Philippines, she makes a mean batch of lumpia, which are like mini egg rolls, and a wonderful noodle dish called pancit. She also typically keeps an array of meat products, rice and desserts on-hand, which taste delicious but aren't the best dishes for those counting calories. Anyhoo, I know it will be tough, but I promise to try to eat light while visiting his family, On the plus side, his mom's fridge usually has at least two or three diet soda products in it, so I can rely on that to quench my thirst and help with any ongoing weight loss efforts. Yay! Now wish me luck and safe travels!