Hey, Siestas! I LOVED VANCOUVER! I loved the group God gave us so much! It was the best possible way to start a new speaking year AND our 10-year anniversary celebration. If any of you were there, let me begin this post by giving you a huge hug with words (if you’re the kind that likes hugs and, if you’re not, a really enthusiastic wave from about 12 feet away) and my deepest gratitude for having the joy of serving you. I just thought you guys were the cutest things. Very engaged despite my southern accent. (What someone once had the gall to call “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” How rude.) Then again, I guess you probably had to listen really hard. I am glad, however, that we found immediate common ground with “Eh-men?” Much love to the Canadian Siesta who insisted in the last post that I really don’t just throw up on stage (as a speaking style – and sometimes almost really) but I am afraid I really do. I’m still a serious work in progress and sometimes I wonder how you all sift clear thoughts out of some of the messes I make. I really do have notes up there and try to come before you prepared. I don’t know what happens. (Please don’t feel the need to answer back to any of that stuff. It’s just mostly in fun anyway. We don’t want to take ourselves too seriously.) Nevertheless, God is so awesome and faithful and wonderful and even FUN and, as we learned together this weekend, HIS WORD DOES NOT RETURN VOID! That’s the only thing that lasts when the conference is over. The only thing with a promise attached to it. I’ve already been praying for you, especially those who brought things to the altar. Remember to take one day at a time with Jesus. Sometimes one hour at a time when you’re getting over a fierce addiction and please seek out a support group of other believers and find yourself a good Bible-teaching church if you don’t have one. We have to do this thing together. Whatever you do, stay in the Word and keep up your memory work! Because “The Word of God is ______________ and _______________ . Sharper than any _______________ -_____________ _______________, it penetrates even to dividing ________________ and ________________, __________________ and ___________________; it judges the _____________________ and ___________________ of the heart. Nothing in all creation is ______________________________________________.” You’re getting it! Yahoo-Jah!
As for the rest of you, I’m gonna throw something out there I think might have some potential fun attached to it. I just got back from the grocery store. That’s not the fun part of it but, come to think of it, there was a particular delight on the way in the door: cub scouts that were selling coupon books and were so cute I could have eaten them alive. Most of them didn’t have any front teeth. I could also tell that their mothers had fixed their hair and kinda slicked it back. The fun part I’m writing to tell you about is that I remembered to get one of my very favorite not-naughty treats while I was there and was so filled with anticipation that I grinned like those cub scouts all the way home. (Keith does most of the grocery shopping because he’s the much better cook so it’s kind of fun for me when I get to go and pick out a bunch of stuff he refuses to buy me. For instance, he wouldn’t eat a whole wheat carb if you bought him a new pair of cowboy boots to go with them – he’d say the latter would taste better anyway – and gets an expression on his face like he sat on a spur every time he sees one in the cupboard. Myself, I’m rather taken with Nabisco Garden Harvest Toasted Chips if I’ve had my quota of tortilla chips and hot sauce that week and am going to throw myself into a man-hole if I don’t have something crunchy and I don’t mean celery. That was a run-on sentence. I’m sorry. I’ve been in a time-change and I feel a little extra compulsive. Hence, this post on treats. I’m simply trying to tell you that Keith likes naughty treats that put five pounds on you while you carry them into the kitchen. So do I but one has to pace one’s middle-aged self.)
SO, today while I was at the Kroger I got me some of those low-fat ice cream sandwiches called “The Skinny Cow.” Have you guys ever had one of those? Now, that’s some good eatin’ right there, Siestas. I try to remember to get a six-pack (that’s how many come in a package and they’re big, too) every time I go but I usually end up getting all distracted on the hair product aisle and forget what I really wanted until I get home and trip over the dogs while trying to get to the kitchen. About the time I say “Dad-gummit!” I remember a few extra things I should be saying “Dad-gummit” about. I almost always forget half my shopping list…because I never make one. I’m a wreck. Anyway, for all you South Beachers, no, “The Skinny Cow” ice cream sandwich (in both vanilla and chocolate and even packs with both) is not low-carb but it IS low fat and not a ton of calories and, for crying out loud, it has 3 grams of fiber in it. What the heck do you want from me here??? I have you know it’s approved by “Best Life” and it’s mighty tasty to boot! (Much tastier than a boot. I don’t care what Keith says.)
OK. Now it’s your turn. What’s your very favorite high-taste, low-guilt treat? If you have to get it somewhere special, don’t leave your Siestas hanging. Give us the goods.
I’ll be checking to see what my Siestas like! I may be about to make my very first shopping list! Sure love you, you darling things. (P.S. I’ve already read a ton of these and they are just as fun as I thought they’d be! You’re even going to find some great recipes! Yep, I’m gonna be making another trip to the grocery store but not the same one because NOT ONE SINGLE TIME have I ever seen a Skinny Cow in mint. I feel betrayed.)
The best snack ever…
Kroger fat free/sugar free frozen yogurt(in a yellow box next to the ice cream) and Diet Right Raspberry soda! It makes great floats and freezes with only 2 Weight Watchers points per 1/2 cup serving of yogurt.
Everybody loves Mexican but the chips do add up.
For a free snack try Salsa with cucumber chips!
It will satisy that crunch craving!
I am starting a new tradition this spring. We live up in Wisconsin (a transplant) and it has been a very long snowy and very cold winter. So I told my family I am watching for the first Robin. On the day I see one I am going to make those little dirt cups with chocolate puddding, oreos and gummy worms to celebrate. So, if you girls down south could send some robins our way I could eat my dirt cup. Back to shoveling a landing pad for them in my driveway!
mama beth,
you can tell the 20-somethings in my house are broke cause our pantry is surviving on cereal and coffee most weeks…we don’t venture over to the grocery aisles with doors too often cause they tend to put our rent bill in jeopardy 😉 (like the time our house went through 3 boxes of ice cream in 4 days. and no, there weren’t even any break-ups to blame)
i’m not sure i’ve even heard of a skinny cow? i do have a new favorite snack…can’t say much for the guilt-factor..
-townhouse reduced fat crackers
*on one side of cracker spread one dab of fat free cream cheese on 1/2; pepper jelly (i like red pepper, not green) on other 1/2 🙂
HOMEWORK HELP!!!!!
Beth, I’m writing a paper on Limited vs. Unlimited atonement now the professor wants 3 book refernces, I’m praying you may be able to recommend 3 books (not the size of the bible since I will need to read them in the next week). I’m at a real loss here, can you help?
Blessings and Thanks.
Chocolate covered almonds 🙂
Ok now that I read almost everyones here is one I like. Take the chocolate graham crackers and put one scoop of cool whip on one and then put one on top and make a sandwich. Then lay them on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer, when frozen store in ziplock bags and take one out when you want something sweet and frozen. You have just made your own ice cream sandwiches and low in fat.
Thanks Beth for blogging and making my day!!
I love sliced red bell peppers and hummus, or carrots and hummus. The crunchiness gives it an added effect (I’m very big on textures). Or if you go to Central Market or Whole Foods where you can get the fresh peanut butter (I cheat and get the Honey Roasted kind – which is way better in my opinion), but I put that peanut butter on a couple of apple slices.
I LOVE Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches! You must find a store with the mint ones…they are wonderful!
For a healthy treat, I like to slice up an apple, heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, and top it with no-sugar added ice cream. (Blue Bell vanilla is pretty good.)
I also like fruit smoothies: blend a cup of skim milk with frozen berries and a banana. Add honey if you want it to be sweeter.
I am in love with Schwan’s 100 calorie chocolate marshmallow ice cream cups. I get giddy when I see that yellow truck pull in my driveway. The problem with these is that I have found that when I eat five of them at once, it kind of defeats the low cal purpose.
Skinny cow is awesome. I discovered a new treat just last week. I am on the 2nd week of the South Beach Diet which means no carbs and no sugars (not even fruit). So by Thursday of last week I was about ready to kill somebody. My Mom had a “Chicks and Chocolate” party on Thursday night. She made sure there was something there that I could eat and still stay on track plus take the edge off a little. She called it a Brownie triffle. It was Sugar Free-Fat Free White Chocolate pudding, brownie crumbs ( you can use lite brownies) and lite whip cream. It was really good. I brought some to work the next day and a very macho man loved it! Of course I didn’t tell him that is was low in fat and calories. HA!
Love lauging cow cheese (light french onion flavored) and pretzel crisps. I also like fat free pudding cups with whipped cream. Little Debbie has new 100 calorie Nutty Bars. YUMMY!!
Four words – “Frozen Thin Mint Cookies” – OK, so they are not totally guilt free, but my oh my how good they are. Buy extra store in the freezer then when it is summer, oh what a treat! I have always loved these cookies and I am not even associated with the organization that sells them once a year. For a totally guilt free experience, take sugar free jello, layered with, no sugar added pie filling, like Comstock Cherry, next Carb Master Vanilla Yogurt (at Krogers) and then topped with sugar free cool whip. You can even make it in parfait glasses for a dessert for company and how happy everyone is to know how low in calories and sugar it is.
Love and Blessings, Debbie in Tennessee
We love “Skinny Cow” also. The best part is you can get them at Sam’s in a 12-pack and a great price! A little price comparison shopping tid-bit!
Enjoy!
Enjoying Grace
I love this post! I am currently on a weight-loss plan (my construction-worker-naturally-no-body fat-muscular husband just joined me at the gym this weekend, thank God) so I am loving all of these ideas! Keep them coming!
I love to mix Fat Free Sour Cream with Ranch packets (or whatever dip you like) and have it with pretzels or wheat thins.
I also have been doing smoothies in the morning — freeze a bunch of fruit ahead of time. I put about 1cup frozen fruit, 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt, juice and milk in a blender and it is just delicious! I add juice and milk until it is as chunky or smooth as I want it. Watch the sugars in the juice you get (sneaky sneaky). This is also great if you’re using a protein powder and really fills you up for the morning. It’s cut my morning snack out!
Love you all
I’m from Florida and of course love the sun, sand and ocean, so my favorite summer treats are the sugar-free Popsicles (the original, no imitations!) in tropical flavors. Holy cow! They’ll put you on the beach with your toes in the sand and the sun in your face in an instant!
I love many tasty treats because I have quite a sweet tooth.
I love grenn apples with fat free caramel. Also I love , LOVE popsicles. May be I am still a kid at heart. Walmart makes lime with real fruit popsicles. They are very yummie if you like things a little tart, which I do.
Right now we are enjoying the girl scoot cookies!!!!!!
Thanks Beth, you are so fun
Have a wonderful day,
Candy Smith
Love dark chocolate, 60% cocoa to 80%, esp. with other flavors like fruits,nuts, coconut, and mint! It’s good stuff! (and good for your heart:)
Just watched the video recap also of Vancouver LPL. God did a work there for sure; I am very, very happy for those precious women, looked like they met God there-will continue to pray for you all.
Love ya’ll
katiegfromtennessee
Venti 4 pump sugar-free vanilla non-fat latte.
when I was really counting. Two grahamcrackers with sugar-free cool whip between, freeze it for and hour. Voila..a low cal “ice cream sandwich”
I LOVE Breyers No Fat icecream! It’s the best no fat icecream I’ve ever tasted. They also have a 50% less fat version that’s also yummy. I would like to speak to the person that dictated that a serving size of icecream is only half a cup. Really? Who only eats half a cup of icecream?! 🙂
I LOVE super hot buffalo wings, but at 4 weight watchers points EACH (without the obligatory blue cheese) I don’t get to have them often. I have, however, substituted them with celery (I know, I know..just wait for it…) dipped in low fat blue cheese dressing and then sprinkle it liberally with tobasco sauce. Yummm. Makes my mouth water every time I think about it.
I love Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches! . I buy them in bulk at SAM’S CLUB. My 3 yr old even loves them. They are delicious! I am also a huge fan of Breyer’s Light Double Churned Ice Cream…any flavor will do, right now I’m hooked on chocolate. I just bought some Mott’s Healthy Harvest applesauce in the Granny Smith Apple flavor…I haven’t eaten it yet, but hopefully it will be a tasty, healthy treat.
This is so fun! I can’t wait go back & read all of the other comments!
Love,
Sarah, TN
I make my own ice cream sandwiches with light coolwhip and graham crackers. They’re not bad.
I do weight watchers and love the Fudgesicle brand “No Sugar Added” fudge sticks. They are only 1/2 point a piece. I also like the Hostess mini chocolate cupcakes. You get 3 little ones and they are only 1 point.
Yum… thanks for the tips!
My favorite “low-guilt treats”: Flat Earth veggie chips (Garlic and Herb flavor is the best!)- You get 1/2 a serving of veggies in each serving! They are crunchy and taste great!
Also, Wheat Thins….now in 100 calorie packs- and you actually get more than a few!!
My new find are organic Chili Lime tortilla chips from Target. Archer Farms is the brand! YUM
Those Fiber One bars (Oats and chocolate) are really good and approved by Best Life. Just don’t eat the whole box at once. BTW, Beth what do you think of all of this hooplah of The New Earth book Oprah keeps talking about? Love Ya.
I love skinny cow ice cream especially the mint ones….you have got to find them…. they are the best!!!!
Skinny Cow Rocks!! A daily favorite of mine is 100 calorie popcorn bags by Pop Secret, butter or kettle corn (you can buy a variety package)-10 bags for $2.50.
That and a wild cherry diet Pepsi is my 3pm daily snack. Weight Watchers has a Smart One dessert in the frozen food section in a red box that is awesome–chocolate chip cookie dough sundae.
Doo-Dah
My favorite guilty pleasure isn’t low cal…but that’s why it’s a guilty pleasure…i work in downtown Houston and we have a mall in the next building over – they have a pretzel place there that sells theselittle “snack packs” of hot, buttery, salted puffy pretzel bites…OH MY…sorry girls, i am headed downstairs!!! Can we say SNACK ATTACK?
Never heard of Skinny Cow treats, but I will be looking for them next time! The Weight Watchers frozen sundae on a stick are very good and pretty guilt free, too! Thanks for all the great ideas!
beth-chocolate skinny cow (by the CASE from costco.)-we sacrifice the freezer space for that box!
lovin life in Him-lisa
pourin buckets at the beach.
oh, those Skinny Cow sandwiches are SO yummy. I used to work in the factory where they’re made, and that was a lot of fun!
They actually come in a ton of flavors, but not all stores carry all flavors. Besides choc and vanilla, there’s mint, coffee, peanut butter, strawberry cheesecake. My favorite is the mint with chocolate cookie. Yum yum!!
They’re made by the same company that makes Dreyer’s and Edy’s ice cream, as well as all the Nestle treats. The Slow Churned low fat ice cream is awesome, too. Now, I need some ice cream!!
The mint Skinny Cows are the best. I can’t even eat the other flavors anymore. My kids even love them.
Amen to Allsion on the Tofutti little cuties (vanilla ones rock!). Non dairy and 8 grams of sugar. You do have to eat 2 because they’re little, so 16 grams of sugar and still non-dairy!
When you’re allergic to dairy you tend to get excited for Tofu that tastes decent 🙂
Lynn
Vanilla Crisp Special K bars. They’re only 90 calories and they fill that sweet craving in the mid-afternoon.
Whatever it is, I gotta have a Coke Zero with it, peferably over ice. Yum.
You may not believe this, but I found and love dark chocolate pomegranate bites that you can get at Sam’s Club. I love them because I have been watching my cholesterol…go down, I’m happy to say, and I can eat these because they have fiber and dark chocolate. And, I’m sorry, doc, but I have to have SOME chocolate somewhere. So, dark chocolate and fruit, all in one. You can’t beat that!
Kozy Shack brand NO SUGAR ADDED Tapioca pudding cups.
90 calories, 7 net carbs, probably low-fat, too, but I don’t count fat!
Here are 2 of my favs – cherry yogurt with almonds mixed in – yummy. Next one is to take a cup of vanilla yogurt and dip tangerine or clementine slices in it – tases like a dreamsicle!
I love the Tostitos Multigran chips, they are soo much better than the regular ones. I also love Yo Plus digestive health yogurt. This is a Yoplait brand. It is very good, and good for you. My fav flavors are cherry and peach. For a good crunch to it, crumble up a hard granola bar and put on top of the yogurt. Caramel rice cakes are good too, the minis.
Sweet (tooth) Blessings~
Alyce
Hi Beth,
One of my favorite fat-free treats is something you have to make, but it only uses 2 ingredients and one bowl!!!!
1 box angel food cake mix
1 lg. can crushed pineapple (do not drain).
Mix the two things together until moistened….by hand, no need to dirty the mixer….and bake in a 9×13 inch (vegetable sprayed) pan for 45 min. at 350 degrees. Makes 8 HUGE servings.
“I don’t think Beth would kick me out,” my husband Jerry said, referring to the Vancouver conference. (btw-he speaks of you as if he personally knows you.) Your message in Vancouver illustrated how living and active God’s word is. I had planned on attending the event with a girlfriend. After the tickets were ordered, she decided not to go. That’s when Jerry said he’d like to go. “But you’ll be the only man among 5,000 women,” said. (I had no idea there would actually be 10,000-plus women.) “Maybe Beth has a message for me,” he said. Maybe you did, I thought. Your messages always have me on the edge of my seat. This time, your message had Jerry sitting on the edge of his seat too. After Friday night’s conference, Jerry kind of went into a trance in our hotel room. I asked him if anything were wrong and he said, “I’m thinking about the words Beth said.” After the conference he told me he’d always felt resentful and angry by those who had wronged him. But he had laid that on the alter (figuratively, since he didn’t walk to the stage) and that he’d asked God for the “gift of love.” Since then I’ve seen a remarkable change in him. Matters that would ordinarily upset him, seem to be of no consequence. He seems more “other-centered” and more “loving.” Wow, it’s amazing how God works. Thank you Beth for being where you were, when you were and for who you are.
Bronwyn
i bought skinny cows for the first time yesterday! the cookies n cream variety, at central market.
i also tried yogurt with honey sold together, “fage” brand, also at CM. it’s got like 12 g fat and 250 cal, BUT i shared with my hubby so it was a little romantic. and half the fat, lol!
also, lo-fat laughing cow cheese wedges with rice crackers!
My mom told me to buy these and I thought she was crazy but she was very right-
Quaker mini delights 90 calorie packs in the cinnamon streusel flavor. They are even multi-grain and you will never believe they are only 90 calories.
Also love Fiber One chewy bars in oats & peanut butter or oats & chocolate flavor- still deciding which I like best
Well, if it makes you feel better, I have never had a mint-flavored “Skinny Cow” treat so, you’re not the only one. Now I can’t wait to go to the store!!!
How funny! I just indoctrinated my husband into the “Skinny Cow” ice cream healthy-eating world yesterday at Costco. And as we were leaving the store, the lady who stands at the door checking the receipts exclaimed, “EVERYONE is buying those Skinny Cows!”
Well, my husband got a kick out of that, being that I had just let him know for about 10 Costco shopping aisles that they were simply a MUST for anyone who wanted a treat but didn’t want the extra pounds.
And now he knows! I love the timing of this post. I think God is chuckling, too.
His,
Jen
OK! 321 comments … we are all about snacks, aren’t we?! One of my favorites is the Flat Earth baked fruit crisps – apple cinnamon. It’s crispy and sweet and has real fruit in every bite! You mentioned bread … I love Pepperidge Farm homestyle soft oatmeal! Add honey mustard, turkey, and cheese and put it in the micro for 20 seconds …yummy!
Happy eating, siestas!
As I was trying to think of something healthy to recommend, those sinful Oreos kept popping in my mind. Oreos you say? Not one crumb of low fat. Maybe the low fat milk you dip them in counts?!
Only a hopeless choc-o-holic could dream of Oreos during a blog full of healthy eating.
I’m only half way thru reading all the responses but just have to stop to share and say thanks.
I have been very down because of my weight. I got up this morning wanting to be determined to start a healthier routine, but I felt depressed and defeated because I have failed so many times before. I was praying for strength. Then I got on to check the blog and look at what God has provided! My dear Siestas giving me lots of snack ideas that encourage me just where I need encouraging so badly today! God is good and He met me right where my heart was aching today.
Would you all please pray for me? I so want to be healthier & have more energy (& look better).
Thank you Beth and all my Siestas for these wonderful ideas. I’m going out tomorrow & get me some Skinny Cows!
Love ya’ll!
Our store carries skinny cows in mocha. 😉
One of my favorite is chocolate eclair cake…so,so easy to make. Ingredients:1 box of graham crackers,lite coolwhip(8oz.),2 small boxes of french vanilla pudding(1 sugar free and 1 regular),3 1/2 cups of fat free or 1% milk, and 1 container of choc. fudge icing. Use a 9×11 pan for this cake.Mix pudding and milk on med. for about 2 minutes…fold in coolwhip.Place a layer of graham crackers on the bottom…then alternate the following…1/2 pudding…then crackers…1/2 pudding… crackers…top with fudge icing. Place in refrigerator.Cake is at its best if it stays in fridge for about 12 hours before eating. If you like chocolate this is a must…low fat to boot!
Cady