A Heartfelt Holiday

Happy almost Valentine's Day! I know, I know...it's a pretty stupid holiday and one that I hate celebrating regardless of my relationship status. But there are a few things about it that put a giant smile on my face...mainly red velvet cake! Growing up, my southern mother used to make the delicious treat every Valentine's Day. In a long list of worthy contenders, red velvet is quite possibly my favorite cake and one that I typically only eat each Feb. 14. Anyway, I'm not sure that I'll have the time or energy to whip up my own version this year, but if I do, I'll be trying one of these two lower-fat, sucralose-sweetened versions.

Sugar-Free Red Velvet Cake

HG's Red Velvet Insanity Cupcakes

By the way, here are a few highlights from an informative Calorie Control Council article featuring tips on how to get through the big night without adding inches to your waistline.

Meal modifications are key. Feel free to make special requests. Ask the waiter if they can put the sauce on the side - or to substitute veggies for the french fries. Find out if your meal can be made without butter, oil or salt...anything that could help cut down on calories. And remember: in terms of calories, grilled is usually better than fried and baked is better than braised.
Practice portion control. Remember that restaurant sizes are often larger than normal. Consider eating half of your meal and putting the rest in a doggie bag.
Think red. Red bell peppers, radicchio, cherries, strawberries, red beans, red onions and tomatoes, for example, are all packed with vitamins, cancer-fighting antioxidants or cholesterol-busting fiber and protein. In addition, a daily glass of red wine is believed to help reduce the risk of blood clots and keep the cardiovascular system in shape. So forgo that cocktail, which can be loaded with sugar, and have a glass of red wine instead (and ask if they serve a light version).
Don't always give the gift of chocolate. If you and your significant other are trying to lose or maintain weight, consider purchasing a fruit basket instead of a box of chocolate, or baking a low-calorie dessert. It's also important to remember that a number of sugar-free candies and chocolate brands are available and can be found at your local grocery store or the candy section of an area pharmacy. A bouquet of flowers, healthy cookbook, personal training sessions or a day spa gift certificate could also prove worthy gift substitutes.

And finally, since that cheese-tastic-looking film "Valentines Day" is hitting theaters tomorrow - I thought I would share some clips, in no particular order, from some of my favorite romantic movies.

1. Say Anything


2. Roman Holiday


3. An Affair to Remember

4. The Princess Bride


5. Pride & Prejudice


6. When Harry Met Sally


7. Casablanca


8. Lady and the Tramp



Of course, there are so many others worth mentioning: Moonstruck, The Shop Around the Corner, Rebecca, Somewhere in Time, Doctor Zhivago, Love Story, Beauty and the Beast...what else did I miss? Anyhow, I hope you all have a wonderful V-Day and I'll be back next week!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Don't be haters, but guess where I'm heading to in about 12 or so hours? NEW ORLEANS, baby!! Yup, I'm finally returning to the Big Easy - one of my fave cities in the whole word - after a multi-year absence. Although I'll be there for a wedding, I've already planned out my entire trip in terms of where I'll be eating and drinking in my free time. And yes, I'm fully prepared to come back lugging a few extra pounds around my waistline, because let's be frank...NOLA is not a city for dieters. I just plan to eat healthy foods and work out like a madwoman next week when I'm back in the ATL.

Anyhoo, for all of you who sit by jealously as I enjoy my trip to the Crescent City, here are a few low-calorie variations of some of their most famous menu items.

TURKEY MUFFULETTA PITA
Ingredients:
3 oz smoked skinless light turkey meat, thiny sliced and cut into strips
2 oz provolone cheese, sliced and cut into strips
1 1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
1/4 oz green olives, manzanilla, stuffed with pimiento and sliced (1/3 cup)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tbsp Italian fat-free salad dressing
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 slices of white, enriched pita bread, 6 1/2" in size, cut in half crosswise

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients; toss well. Cover and chill for one hour.
2. Divide lettuce evenly into pita halves. Spoon turkey mixture evenly on top of lettuce.
3. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN JAMBALAYA
Ingredients:
1 spray non-fat cooking spray
2 1/2 oz raw turkey sausage, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium celery, stalk, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 medium chicken breast, cooked, skinless, cubed (about 2 cups)
28 oz canned tomatoes, whole, plum, peeled with juice
2 cups fat-free chicken broth
1 cup uncooked white rice, long-grain

Directions:
1. Coat a large, nonstick saucepan with cooking spray. Over high heat, sauté sausage until crispy on edges. Add onion, celery and green pepper; sauté until tender.
Reduce heat and stir in cayenne, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic; sauté until garlic is fragrant.
2. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, broth and rice. Bring to a simmer, cover and let cook until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
Flavor Booster: Popcorn rice, a specialty of Louisiana, is a delicious substitute for long-grain rice. The rice, which has a mild nutty taste like basmati rice, is available through gourmet food stores and Internet specialty shops

HURRICANE
Ingredients:
2 oz light rum
2 oz dark rum
* 2 oz passion fruit juice
1 oz orange juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
* 1 tbsp simple syrup
1 tbsp grenadine
* For a healthier recipe, use some V8 Splash Guava Passion and make sugar-free simple syrup combining 1 cup of sucralose with 1 cup of boiling water. Once it has cooled, strain the sucralose and water through a coffee filter.

Directions:
Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, pour into a hurricane glass and garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

BEIGNETS
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons granulated Splenda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1 cup water
1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil for frying
Powdered sugar

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, combine Splenda, salt, butter, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil.
2. Add flour and cook over medium heat, beating with spoon until dough forms a ball and leaves side of pan. Remove from heat.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating with electric mixer at medium speed after each addition. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth.
4. Mix in vanilla.
5. Roll dough on a floured surface and cut into 2-inch squares.
6. In skillet, heat 1 to 2-inches of oil. Then fry dough (three or four pieces at a time) until puffy and golden brown on both sides.
8. Remove beignets and drain on paper towels. While hot, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

Finally, here is some great NOLA music bound to put a smile on your face. Enjoy! Or should I say - let the good times roll, chere!

Here today, goo tomorrow....

Happy Good Friday! I'm not sure how the rest of you celebrate Easter weekend, but I can't seem to get through it without snarfing down at least one or two Cadbury Creme eggs. And even though one egg is nearly 172 calories, they are just too yummy to pass up. Hey, cut me some slack, would ya? Easter only rolls around once a year.

But for all of you folks with more discipline, here are some low-cal, sucralose-based dessert recipes sure to indulge your sweet tooth this weekend.

Lemon Pound Cake

Double Layer Carrot Cake

Mango Cheesecake

And, of course, don't forget about the perennial Easter fave known as marshmallow peeps. After all, nothing says Easter like peeps jousting. Sidenote: Just Born - the maker of Peeps - now has a Splenda-based addition to their infamous marshmallow treat line. I don't know yet whether sugar-free Peeps can joust as well as their resilient sugary counterparts, but I'm willing to give it a shot. If you're unfamiliar with Peeps wars, check out this video for a few chuckles.


For any of you old-timers out there (aka, those who remember the 80s), check out this retro Cadbury bunny commercial.


And here is another cool clip that's been making the rounds. An entry in Cadbury's "Unleash the Goo" competition, the video features a complex contraption created solely to squish a Creme Egg.


Finally, I thought I would end this blog post with a passage from one of the most hysterical collections of non-fiction I have ever had the privilege to read. Written by David Sedaris, "Me Talk Pretty One Day" highlights the author's life as an expatriate in Paris and a strange childhood spent with a foul-mouthed brother, a sister that wears fat suits and cosmetic bruises, a father that hordes spoiled fruit and a mother who fills Easter baskets with cartons of cigarettes. Forgive me for my excitement. I'm going to see Sedaris in person next week so I've been re-reading all of his books lately. YAY! Anyhoodle, in this particular chapter, the author is in a French class in Paris and tries, along with fellow students from various nations, to explain the concept of Easter, in beginning French, to a baffled Muslim classmate:

The Poles led the charge to the best of their ability. "It is," said one, "a party for the little boy of God who call his self Jesus and ..." She faltered and her fellow countryman came to her aid. "He call his self Jesus and then he be die one day on two ... morsels of ... lumber." The rest of the class jumped in, offering bits of information that would have given the pope an aneurysm. "He die one day and then he go above of my head to live with your father." "He weared of himself the long hair and after he die, the first day he come back here for to say hello to the peoples." "He nice, the Jesus." "He make the good things, and on the Easter we be sad because somebody makes him dead today." Part of the problem had to do with vocabulary. Simple nouns such as cross and resurrection were beyond our grasp, let alone such complicated reflexive phrases as "to give of yourself your only begotten son." Faced with the challenge of explaining the cornerstone of Christianity, we did what any self-respecting group of people might do. We talked about food instead. "Easter is a party for to eat of the lamb," the Italian nanny explained. "One too may eat of the chocolate." "And who brings the chocolate?" the teacher asked. I knew the word, so I raised my hand, saying, "The rabbit of Easter. He bring of the chocolate." "A rabbit?" The teacher, assuming I'd used the wrong word, positioned her index fingers on top of her head, wriggling them as though they were ears. "You mean one of these? A rabbit rabbit?" "Well, sure," I said. "He come in the night when one sleep on bed. Which a hand he have a basket and foods." The teacher sighed and shook her head. As far as she was concerned, I had just explained everything wrong with my country. "No, no," she said. "Here in France the chocolate is brought by a a big bell that flies in from Rome."

Have a fabulous weekend, folks!

Roses are red...yada yada yada

In case you've been living under a rock the past couple weeks, you probably already know that tomorrow is Valentine's Day - that lovely little holiday featuring sappy Hallmark cards, roses, chocolates and expensive meals. As you can tell, I'm a bit of a Grinch when it comes to celebrating V-Day. Regardless of my relationship status, I've never understood why people make such a big deal out of it. But I digress...

The Washington Post ran an interesting article earlier this week featuring a list of healthy foods hued from pink to rose to auburn to scarlet in honor of the romantic holiday. And that, my friends, is one thing I can get behind when it comes to Valentines. Here are a few of the highlights:

* Red bell peppers. This vegetable has nearly three times the daily value of Vitamin C and tons of antioxidants to fight cancer-causing free radicals. It's also rich in Vitamin A, which is thought to protect against lung cancer and promote eye health, and is one of the handful of food sources of lycopene, which protects against such cancers as prostate and pancreatic.

* Red quinoa. It looks and tastes like a nutty grain, but quinoa, red or otherwise, is actually a seed. It's a sound source of protein, making it a staple for vegetarians and vegans. In addition to potassium, it contains manganese and magnesium, both of which may help mitigate migraines.

* Radicchio. This low-calorie, highly flavored leaf vegetable makes a colorful addition to salads. It has lots of vitamins B6, C, E and K, plus folate and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

* Watermelon. Watermelon is a rare source of lycopene, plus vitamins C and A, both powerful antioxidants. Because it's mostly water yet very sweet, it's a dieter's dream: You can eat a lot, sate your sweet tooth and feel very full without consuming many calories. The redder and riper the melon, the more nutrients.

* Raspberries. These berries are good sources of Vitamin C and fiber.

* Cherries. Another sweet source of Vitamin C and fiber.

* Strawberries. In addition to containing more Vitamin C than any other berry, strawberries contain phenols, making them powerful inflammation fighters.

* Red beans. Canned or dried, red pinto and kidney beans contain lots of cholesterol-busting, blood-sugar-regulating fiber, and they are packed with protein. Red beans also feature molybdenum, which battles sulfites that can cause headaches and rapid heartbeat in some people.

* Red potatoes. Red-skinned pototoes are a relatively low-calorie, high-fiber food chock-full of Vitamin C.

* Red onions. All onions, including red ones, are rich in Vitamin C and fiber; they also reduce the risk of stomach and other cancers and heart disease. Their chromium helps cells respond to insulin, helping to regulate blood sugar and perhaps reduce diabetes risk. Incorporate it into your diet. The stronger the smell, the better the nutritional value.

* Red wine. A daily glass of red wine is believed to help keep the cardiovascular system in shape and reduce the risk of blood clots.

* Red grapes. In addition to Vitamin C and fiber, red grapes confer many of the same heart-health benefits as red wine.

* Tomatoes. Full of the antioxidants lycopene and Vitamin C, tomatoes are thought to protect against many cancers, particularly those of the prostate and pancreas.

* Cranberries. Snack on them dried, or drink a low-sugar cranberry juice for a huge dose of Vitamin C. Like red wine, cranberry juice keeps such pathogens as E. coli from adhering to the lining of your digestive tract. Research supports the long-held legend that cranberry juice helps keep urinary-tract infections at bay.

And now, to prove how much I love all of you, here are two sucralose-sweetened dessert recipes. You can share them with your sweetie without the fear of busting out of your pants. Have a fabulous weekend!

Chocolate Velvet Mousse

HG's Red Velvet Insanity Cupcakes

Game Day Grub

Buffalo wings. Chili cheese dip. Chips and salsa. Burgers. Pizza. Let the gluttony begin...
That's right, folks. Football's grand finale is almost here, giving Americans another excuse to drink beer and eat lots of high-calorie foods and snacks. I don't know about the rest of you, but if I keep eating the way I have been, I might start to look like one of those beefy linemen playing on Sunday. Just kidding! Well, sorta.
I know, I know...Super Bowl is tough on calorie counters. However, there are a few ways you can cut down on the fat while rooting for your favorite team.

1. For starters, it's all about portion control - not total deprivation. That means you can still enjoy some of the traditional football fare. Have a chicken wing or two, eat a handful of chips with dip and grab a slice of pizza and a cold beer. Just don't overindulge. And, as much as liquor and football seem to go hand-in-hand, don't shoot for a liquid-only diet Sunday. Enjoy your frosty beverages, in moderation. If you're truly worried about the carbs or calories in your cocktail, drink light beer or vodka with diet soda.

2. Also, if you're either A) hosting a party or B) attending a party, whip up some healthy recipe alternatives. And I'm not just talking about busting out the veggies with low-fat ranch dip. Here are a few low-cal or sucralose-sweetened recipe options - courtesy of WeightWatchers.com and Splenda.com - that won't add to the waistline.

Sweet Red Pepper Hummus

Chicken Poppers

Sweet and Spicy Marinated Shrimp

Turkey Chili

3. In addition, don't show up hungry. Try to eat a healthy, well-balanced meal - or even a light snack - before going to curb the appetite.

4. Exercise, if possible. Try to hit the gym or go for a brisk walk before the game. Even during the big event, you can stay in motion. Get up between breaks in action and stroll around - just not to the buffet table!

For all you trivia fans out there, here are some Super Bowl facts, culled from a range of organizations and sources:
* Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest day of food consumption behind Thanksgiving.
* Sports fans spend more than $50 million on food during Super Bowl weekend.
* According to research from the Calorie Control Council and the Snack Food Association, Americans will eat 30 million pounds of snacks on the big game day.
* Nearly thirteen percent of Americans order takeout/delivery food from a restaurant for a Super Bowl gathering. The most popular choices are pizza at 58 percent, chicken wings at 50 percent and subs or sandwiches at 20 percent.
* Approximately four percent of Americans watch the big game at a restaurant or a bar, over 9 million Americans.
* On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans will eat an estimated 20 million pounds of potato and tortilla chips and eight million pounds of avocados.
* Sales for antacid increase by 20% on Super Bowl weekend.

By the way, for those looking for something different come Game Day, the annual Animal Planet Puppy Bowl will be airing...and if you've never watched any of it before, please check it out. It's hi-LAR-ious! Here's a preview, featuring the game's ref.



Either way, have fun this weekend and stay safe!

Eat, drink and be merry!

Okay, gang. Unlike yesterday, I'm feeling pretty dang jolly today! First off, this is my last day in the office for almost two weeks, since I'm headed home to Chicago to spend the holidays with friends and family. Second, I saw a wonderful, live performance of A Christmas Carol last night, which put me in the appropriately festive spirit. And finally, I'm attending about three different holiday parties tonight, after heading to my company's holiday luncheon this afternoon. So it's going to be a fun-filled Friday for this girl.

Anyhoo, if you're like me, you'll have a full schedule of holiday fiestas on the horizon the next few weeks. So how does one avoid piling on the pounds when so much egg nog and fudge is around? Here are a few tips to surviving the holiday season with little weight gain.

* Don't show up hungry. Take time to eat a light, healthy snack before hitting the big holiday party food spread.
* When fixing your plate, make sure the bulk of it is fruits and veggies. That way you can fill up your belly faster with healthier items.
* Eating smaller portions is key. Yes, you can indulge in some gingerbread. Just don't eat the entire loaf.
* 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.
* If you're doing the cooking, avoid adding lots of butter, salt and fatty dressings. You may be able to use low-fat or skim milk products instead of whole milk products in some dishes. In some baked goods, you can swap applesauce for oil. Switching ingredients can create tasty results without the high calories that often come with rich foods.
* Try not to get seconds until a few hours after you've eaten the first plate.
* Always eat dessert last.
* Drink lots of water. It will help fill you up.
* Drink alcohol in moderation.
* Take a walk after supper or get in a morning or afternoon workout before arriving to the party.

By the way, here's a low-calorie, sucralose-sweetened recipe for anyone looking to bring a sweet treat to an upcoming holiday party.

Gingerbread Cake

Finally, did anyone watch The Office last night? Apparently, Michael gave Meredith (the office alkie, by the way) a cocktail that was "equal parts scotch, absinthe, rum, gin, vermouth, triple sec and two packets of Splenda." He called it the "one of everything" drink. Hee.

For your Friday chuckle, here's a clip from last night's episode - one that features another classic Jim prank.



FYI: I'll try to check in over the next two weeks with more sugar-free recipe tips, but in case it doesn't happen, happy holidays y'all!!

Tuscan Trifle, for my calorie counting buddies!

Sorry I never got a chance to post another entry last week. I had the best intentions, but I just wound up too busy between all the eating, drinking and visiting with family and friends! Okay, so long story short, I went back home for a few days and proceeded to eat my way through Chicago. From deep dish pizza to South American cuisine and Indian to Italian food, I ate enough to feed a small army. Yes, I even indulged in a little gelado on a 20-degree day. But cut me some slack! It was the first time I'd been home since last Christmas. Sadly, I did not get my Polish food fix...but since I'm headed back there next month for the holidays, I figure I'll have plenty of time to fill up on the rest of my faves.
Anyhoo, one of the highlights was all the delicious dessert. For starters, we had these amazing churros dipped in chocolate and dulce de leche sauce at Carnivale, one of my fave Latin restaurants in the city. But even better, I think, was the dee-lish tirimasu I shared with some friends at Bourgeois Pig Café.

For those unfamiliar with tiramisu, it's a popular Italian dessert made with lady fingers, coffee and mascarpone cream. The name, in Italian, apparently means "pull me up" - and is considered a "pick-me-up" reference to the effects of the sugar and espresso. Whatever the literal translation, tiramisu has long been one of my favorite sweet treats. While I chowed down on the high-cal version, I've since dug up some sugar-free recipes (thanks to Hungry Girl and Splenda.com!) for all my calorie counting buddies. I will be testing these variations out in the near future. Hope you enjoy!

Tiramisu Parfait

Ingredients:
1 (10.5 ounce) package sugar free angel food cake, purchased from bakery
3 1/2 teaspoons instant decaffeinated coffee powder
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
1 (8 ounce) package fat-free cream cheese
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
Directions:
1. Cut angel food cake into 1 cubes. Set aside.
2. Dissolve instant coffee in hot water. Chill in refrigerator.
3. Combine mascarpone and cream cheese in mixing bowl. Beat until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons coffee, dark brown sugar, SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener and vanilla. Mix well. Set aside.
4. Pour cold coffee into a 9X13 inch pan.
5. Assemble Tiramisu: Quickly dip half of angel food cake pieces into the coffee. Remove immediately and place in medium glass serving bowl. Spread half of cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle with 1 tsp cocoa powder. Repeat with remaining angel food cake, cheese mixture, and cocoa.
6. Cover and chill for three hours or overnight before serving.

Tirami-DO!

Ingredients:
8 Trader Joe’s Soft Lady Fingers OR 6 Specialty Bakers Ladyfingers
1/2 cup cooled, strong-brewed, flavored coffee (or espresso); sweetened w/ Splenda or other no-cal sweetener
1/4 cup light ricotta cheese (not part-skim, light)
2 tbsp. Cool Whip Free
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. Splenda
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions:
Begin by lining up half of the ladyfingers next to each other on a serving dish. Drizzle cooled coffee over ladyfingers until desired saturation is reached. In a bowl, combine cheese, Splenda, Cool Whip and vanilla, and mix well. Spread half of this mixture on top of ladyfingers and top with half of the cocoa. Next, layer remaining ladyfingers on top of dish. Again, cover with coffee. Spread remaining cheese mixture on top. Lastly, sprinkle cocoa over dish. Best when eaten immediately. Serves one or two, depending on how hungry you are.

Cheering for Chili

I'm so excited!! Tomorrow is the big chili cookoff festival in Atlanta, the one that I enjoyed so much last year. To date, it remains the best outdoor event I've attended in this particular city. I mean, how do you top an afternoon of delicious homemade chili, beer and bluegrass bands - especially if the temperature is in the upper-60s/low-70s, like the forecasters are predicting. Last year, we got to taste-test a variety of recipes provided by area residents and restaurant chefs. While I enjoyed every spoonful, I think my favorite was a green chili stew with tenderloin beef tips, potato, cilantro, onion and corn. Delicious! Wonder what the stand-out will be this time around?

By the way, if you needed another reason to grab a spoon and dig in, chili is pretty dang good for you. Tomatoes, for example, contain lycopene, vitamins C, A and K, fiber and potassium. These nutrients aid in the development of healthy teeth, bones, skin and hair, help lower blood pressure and possibly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Chili peppers contain a substance called capsaicin, which is now being studied as an effective treatment for sensory nerve fiber disorders. Some peppers have also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Anyhoo, while I won't be whipping up any chili recipes for the big event, I do have a few sucralose-sweetened tricks up my sleeve. Check out these dee-lish recipes courtesy of Splenda.com.

Chili Vegetarian Style

Chili

Finally, since tomorrow is National Cappuccino Day, here is a low-cal recipe for all you coffee lovers out there. Have a great weekend!

Cappuccino Mix in a Jar

Ingredients:
2/3 cup instant coffee granules
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix
1/2 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
Have ready 2 (12 ounce) canning jars. Put the instant coffee into a food processor, and process to a fine powder. If you don't have a food processor, put it into a large plastic bag, and crush with a rolling pin.
In a large bowl, combine creamer, chocolate mix, instant coffee, SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir together until well mixed. Spoon into 2 - 12 ounce jars.
Attach a note to each jar that reads: Cappuccino: Mix 3 tablespoons of powder with 6 fluid ounces hot water.

Say what now?

Ruh roh, Shaggy! There are some newly-published reports now making the rounds that list some of the worst foods and drinks out there, in terms of calories, fat grams and sugar content. I think it's safe to say the findings are pretty disturbing.
Take a look for yourself.

Worst Breakfast in America
Bob Evans Stacked and Stuffed Caramel Banana Pecan Hotcakes
1,543 calories
77 g fat (26 g saturated; 9 g trans)
2,259 mg sodium
198 g carbs
109 g sugars
Saturated fat equivalent: 26 strips of bacon
Sugar equivalent: 12 chocolate chip cookies
Sodium equivalent: 12 small bags of potato chips
* It’s not a good sign when it takes you nearly five seconds to spit out the name of your breakfast. This bad boy packs in more than 75 percent of your calories for the day, along with more sugar and fat than nine glazed Dunkin’ Donuts, and nearly as much sodium as five Bloody Marys.

The Worst Drink in America
Baskin-Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake
2,310 calories
108 g fat (64 g saturated)
266 g
* Let's look at America's Worst Drink in numbers...
73: The number of ingredients that go into this milkshake.
66: The number of teaspoons of sugar this drink contains.
11: The number of Heath Bars you would have to eat to equal the number of calories found in one Baskin Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake.
12: The average number of minutes it takes to consume this drink.
240: The number of minutes you'd need to spend on a treadmill, running at a moderate pace, to burn it off.

Worst Summer Cocktail
Pina Colada
625 calories
75 g sugars
* Made from a blend of sickly-sweet pineapple juice and fat-riddled coconut milk, pina coladas may be this summer's biggest beach-body saboteurs. In fact, the only redeeming part of this drink is the garnish - that lonely chunk of pineapple hanging from the rim.

I'm not sure how you're feeling, but I believe my waistline expanded just reading about these things. That's a lot of calories in one sitting. So is there a solution? For starters, don't eat or drink any of the above-mentioned items. And keep an eye on menu calorie counts.

Instead of that pina colada? Try a mojito and save up to 400 calories!

Mojito
Pour 3/4 of an ounce (about half a shot) fresh lime juice into a glass. Add one packet of Splenda and four or five mint leaves. Stir until the sweetener dissolves. Add a shot of light rum and several ice cubes. Top with 2 ounces club soda and a sprig of mint.

For whatever it's worth, here are two more sucralose-sweetened, low-calorie options.

Oat Bran Pancakes (2 g fat, 21 carbs, 130 calories)

Malted Mocha Frappe (4 g fat, 33 carbs, 180 calories)

A sucker for sorbet, a great Splenda recipe

While raiding the frozen section of my local health food store the other day, I came across a "blood orange" sorbet. WOW! I think I inhaled about half the pint in one sitting. And it was worth every last calorie...which fortunately was a pretty low figure at the end of the day. Gotta love those low-fat tasty treats! The one downfall? There was a bit of sugar loaded into each scrumptious bite. Perhaps needless to say, I quickly hit the 'net to see what sugar-free sorbet recipes were out there. After all, there are still a few dog days left of summer. What better way to cool off than with a frozen, low-fat treat?

Enjoy these Splenda recipes!

Blueberry Sorbet

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2/3 cup Splenda
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
1. Clean and sort berries.
2. In a saucepan, bring Splenda™ and water to a boil. Let boil for about 30 seconds. Put blueberries, and lemon juice in a blender; blend until smooth. Put the mixture through a fine sieve then combine with the water and Splenda mixture. Refrigerate to chill thoroughly.
3. Put the mixture into an ice cream freezer and follow manufacturer's directions for making sorbet.

Fresh Mango Sorbet
Ingredients:
2 mangos - peeled, seeded, and cubed
1 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 cup cream
1 cup ice
Directions:
1. Place cubed mangos, SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, cream, and ice into a blender; puree until smooth.
2. Pour mixture into a large resealable plastic freezer bag. Seal, and freeze for 45 minutes to an hour. Move the contents around in the bag every 15 minutes while freezing.

Feeling a little lost

Most of my friends know that I'm usually accessible should they need to reach me. However, there is one hour each week where folks are strictly "forboden" to call - and if they do, I will NOT pick up the phone. That, dear readers, is during "LOST." As loyal viewers of that show know, you turn your attention away for just one minute, and you may have missed a major plot point or Easter egg. And last night, by the way, I think my brain officially short circuited...just like poor Eloise and Minkowski. It was that good, and that much of a mind-tease, that I still don't know what exactly went down despite significant post-show analysis with friends. Yet, I still want more!
For those unfamiliar with Lost, I say get thee to the closest video store and watch the previous seasons so you can catch up. It is, by far, the smartest show on television. Not to mention there is some serious eye candy for both men and women. Anyhoo, I wish I could explain it to you but...it's virtually impossible. On paper, it's simple. Commercial passenger jet crashes onto a mysterious tropical island and scrappy survivors must learn how to fend for themselves while awaiting rescue. But honey, this ain't no "Gilligan's Island" or even "Lord of the Flies." It's so much more complex, delving into science and faith conflicts and allusions, apocalyptic references and providing all sorts of philosophical, mythological and literary subtext for fans to chew up and disect. I mean, even the numbers mentioned in each episode have some sort of deeper meaning...unless the producers are just messing with our heads, which is entirely possible.
Either way, though, I've somehow been talked into hosting a Lost-themed party in honor of the series finale in a few weeks. Yikes! See, I love to attend parties, not plan them...so this will require some brainstorming! Because of the show's island setting, I might do more of a tropical-theme with sugar-free cocktails along with beer and appetizers. Or I could use meals that symbolize something in the show. Too bad those Dharma Initiative snack labels aren't still available. That would be super cool! Yes, I know...I'm a nerd who is WAY too excited about this show. But at least I'm not getting all geeked out about something lame like "American Idol" or "The Hills." Yeah, them's fighting words - Bring it!

So here are a few more recipe ideas I might include. Any thoughts, comments or concerns from the peanut gallery?

Watermelon Fruit Salad Bowl

Colorful Seafood Pasta Salad

Polynesian Pork Chops

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Sugar-Free Pina Coladas

For those of you still not moved enough by my poetic words to tune into Lost, check out a promo summing up the action taking place this season. It's all sorts of awesome.