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.)
They’re still junk food, but I like to buy Pringles and Cheese Its in individual snack packets. I am also a big fan of Lean Cuisines.
Okay, this may sound weird but its’ very good:
Carr’s Water Table Crackers (1 gram of fat for 4 crackers)
Slices of Granny Smith apple on top
Sprinkle with sea salt
Top with bleu cheese crumbles
Microwave for 40 seconds
WOW.
One of my favorite healthy snacks it Whole Foods fresh ground peanut butter (honey roasted, you grind it yourself) with a sliced banana or apple. The peanut butter tastes like the cookie dough when you make peanut butter cookies. So good!!
Beth, I thank you sister for this idea! I am presently doing a Bible Study by Carole Lewis – First Place which I absolutely LOVE and this fits right in with it. If we could only compile al of these into a list, etc. Amanda, are you busy this week????? Also, I want to tell youthat I LOVE this blog as well. I have not responded too often because I am just learning how to do all of this with my computer. A little hint: That’s why I still remain anonymous!!!! lol But. . .I have done almost all of your Bible Studies Beth and I really respect and love you. You are a girl after my own heart! Love, Nancy
I love skinny cows too! They are 2points on Weight Watchers! I prefer vanilla even though I’m a chocoholic! I also snack on Hershey sticks 60 calories. They are 1 point on WW. Too fun! I am also 50 soon to be 51 and pace myself as well! =) You are too funny! That’s part of why we love you so!
Well, my favorite treat isn’t at all a low-guilt treat. I love Dairy Queens Reese Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard (with extra stuff of course). This is my treat when I’m in desperate need (or just in need). Hey we’re women, we have the right. When I was expecting my daughter (she is 10 now) my favorite MEAL was a Reese Peanut butter cup blizzard and french fries. I would dip the fires in the ice cream…yum…yum…at that time, anyway.
God bless you all
Oohh Siestas! These recommendations for low-guilt treats are so good, I may gain wait just tryin’ everything out!
Beth, went today and got my skinny cows – never had ’em before. Got the pack with chocolate and vanilla and my o’ my are they good! Brought them home and ended up having to share them with my three boys – ages 4, 10, & 14. So here we were sitting around our kitchen island saying how yummy the new snacks are and they asked, “Why did you get these, Mom?” So I replied, “Well, boys they were recommended by my good friend..” and before I could finish all three of them in unison exclaimed, “BETH MOORE!”. So I thank you and my boys thank you. We raise our skinny cows to you!
ps they didn’t catch on that skinny cow means low-fat – hehehe
Oh boy is this question right up my alley!!
You have got to try the Skinny Cow drumsticks if you have not yet – they are incredible!! Edy’s slow churned ice cream is also great. This low fat ice cream does not taste like it is low fat, I promise!
I also like fat free candy like licorice, gummy Life Savers, candy corn, etc.
Homemade Rice Crispies are a great lower fat snack too. I could eat a whole pan of those myself. In college I used to rationalize my consumption of them by saying, “It is just like eating a bowl of cereal… with a few marshmellows and a pat of margarine!”
Amazing what we can rationalize, isn’t it Siestas??
Just stopped by Krogers on my way home from work to pick up my supply of Tofutti’s Dairy Free Frozen Dessert Snack Size Sandwiches – Mint Chocolate Chip. Then when I read the blog, I had to jump right in. I did see where Ashton likes these also, but her Krogers obviously has a bigger selection. All I have found is vanilla and mint chocolate chip – the latter being my favorite.
Another fun snack I recently discovered in an attempt to eat healthier is Stonyfield Farm Organic fat free yogurts and there is a chocolate flavor which I can’t remember the exact flavor name, but it is the only one with chocolate in the name. It tastes like chocolate pudding.
Whoo hoo on yummy no-guilt snacks!!! Of course, I love the yummy snacks that make you feel guilty also!
My latest afternoon delight ~ STONYFIELD FARM low fat yogurt…the MOCHA LATTE flavor…It is yummy. It’s 130 calories and only 1.5 grams of fat! It satisfies my sweet tooth…(it’s organic, too, if that really means anything. 🙂 )
Hope you enjoy it too!
Well…this could be delightful, b/c … well …. I don’t have enough confidence in the ‘low-fat’ goods. Confession: I go straight for the Little Debbies if there’s a need to. To the point that my college friends used to call me ‘little ho-ho queen’ (after the ‘ho-ho’ debbies! lol).
What can I say? I cannot forsake my *first love* though – chips/salsa 🙂
oops, Amanda…I accidentally left the same message twice…I didn’t think it went thru the first time. Sorry about that! Hugs & blessings to you!!
(it’s the message about the Stonyfield MOCHA LATTE yogurt)
Kashi TLC Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookies
3 gm fiber
+ 7 Whole Grains
+ 0 Grams Trans Fat
+ All Natural
_________________________________
VERY YUMMY!
Dark Chocolate even has antioxidants! You owe it to your body to try these!
Fudgecicles and See’s candy lollipops: chocolate is awesome but butterscotch and cafe au lait are great, too. My sister-in-law in California sends them to the kids at holiday time.
Ok. Anything with the word “fiber” as the name of it couldn’t be good right? Wrong. I love the Fiber One Chewy Bars. Chocloate Chip is my favorite and they have 9 grams of fiber in them. They really are DELICIOUS.
I also enjoy the 100 calorie 3 Musketeers and M&M’s boxes that they are making now. Just a really small version of both and enough to satisfy that chocolate urge.
Lastly, my favorite is chips and salsa. The best is Salsa Bobos. It’s made by D.L. Jardines and is the perfect salty snack for me. I sometimes mix in a little low fat cream cheese with it. Sounds weird, I know but the salsa is great. I buy it – at a little kitchen store near where I live. I’ve seen it at TJMaxx too.
I love this time of year because I LOVE the Marshmeellow Peeps! Those litte yellow bunnies or chickens are the best! Only 140 calories of pure sugar and no fat!!
I’m lactose-intolerant, so no Skinny Cow for me. I like Soy Dreamers,vanilla flavor. They are as good as any ice cream sandwich and low-fat. Also, I’ve discovered Stoneyfield Farms low-fat and non-fat frozen yogurt. Any flavor as long as it has chocolate!
I can also eat Laughing Cow light cheese wedges. Great with Kashi crackers or with mango. Sam’s Club usually have them in packages of 3 containers for about the price of two at regular supermarket. MMMM…
Mary Ann, one of your MN siestas
When I saw that there were vacant seats in Vancouver, I could not believe it !!!!!! If they only knew how hard some of us have tried to get tickets to see you, they would have NEVER let there be empty seats. Are they crazy up there? Don’t they know what they are missing? I mean, Help me Jesus, what some of us would give to be able to get a ticket somewhere. It is their loss. Love you lots, Elaine Ross
By the way , try nonfat tapioca pudding mixed with sugarless strawberry jello. Huge treat, low calories.
I’m a South Beacher. I stay away from carbs, if I can (somedays, it’s impossible). I love Jello Sugar Free Pudding. The mint chocolate and dulce de leche is heavenly. There’s only 60 in a serving, but it taste like much more!! For a little extra sweetness, I usually add a squirt of whipped cream on top. Of course, I always wash it down with a Diet Coke.
Okay, I am currently loving dried strawberries. I also love the new Special K Bliss bars,the orange and chocolate option. It taste just like an orange tootsie-roll pop.I also love to take a banana, spread peanut butter on it and sprinkle sunflower seeds all over. yum and hearty makes a great breakfast. There is also a fruit salsa and sugared pita chips recipe in this months Southern Living I would love to try. Tiff.b
I know (with my head) that you are a real person, but I still can’t fathom that you shop at Kroger and eat Skinny Cow’s like the rest of us! Thanks for being so very real! (Because to me, most of the time I see you like I see David or Moses.)
I like a half cup of low-fat vanilla ice-cream, with some left over(cold)coffee poured over it-maybe a dab of dark chocolate syrup over the top. I guess the guilt free part is the small portion! It tastes like a starbuck’s creation.-Angela
I love weight watchers double chocolate chip muffin when you get it hot in the microwave it tastes like a huge brownie, it has 5 fiber to boot! The skinny cow rocks! we have mint in TN….
I know Hebrews 4:12 but I’ve got to look up that last blank…..
My favorite low fat/low cal snack is fresh sliced strawberries mixed with Splenda and spooned on top of angel food cake (also lowfat) with Cool Whip Lite on top. Unfortunately, my hubby likes Reddi Whip so I “sacrifice”. LOL We keep Kashi Trail Mix bars and Fiber One bars in the cabinet for quick snacking.
Oh, wow!!! How neat, Miss Beth!! I just got hooked on “The Skinny Cow” icecream sandwiches in the last month, and it is so cool, to read your take on them!!! I think we’re on to something!! I am sooo honored with my taste buds!! And if YOU say they are okay, oh my, I am just going to enjoy them all the more!!! Yea!!
At Wild Oats grocery store they have peanut butter that is only 100 cal. and 2 g. of fat for 2 tbls…it’s called “Better N’ Peanut Butter”…and it actually taste like “real people” peanut butter!!!
Beth you need look no further than hungrygirl.com . She’s your one stop source for everything low-guilt!
I can’t think of a non fat, non carb, non non non treat that is worth anything right at the moment. BUT your comment about your man brings up a good laugh I have with my husband often. He says the only thing worth eating that is white and slimey is ice cream AND if you ask him to eat mayonnaise on anything…he’d rather have a dead skunk on a stick! so there you have it! I have nothing nutritional to add to this conversation!
okay so i want to know which tasty treat was tried more..the coolwhip choc. graham cracker ice cream sandwich or the diet soda cakes? Come on siestas….’fess up!
Skinny cows rock!!! If you drizzle a little bit of sugar free hershey’s syrup and dollup (is that how you spell that word?) of cool whip free it makes a little sundae. They are super yummy alone though. My favorite is the peanut butter ones, but I only see those once in a blue moon.
Those little weight watcher cakes are really good too, and only 1 point each (for those of you familiar w/ WW).
I don’t discriminate against any low fat/low cal treat. I really like the full fledged treat, but one must enjoy in moderation.
What a fun post!
Love-
Cynthia in Oklahoma
I love Olive Garden Minestrone soup!! You can buy it in bulk and store it for the week! I love to munch on it for lunches and it always leaves my tummy soooooo happy!
Sweet Potato Shake
I cook lots of sweet potatoes (just bake ’em in the oven)–like 10 or so at once, and then I let them cool, peel them, and dump all the pulp into a big bowl. I stir in about 3 Tablespoons of maple syrup and 3 Tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice. That is my sweet potatoe base, which I store in an airtight container in the fridge or divide into ice cube trays and freeze. (I sometimes combine 2 cups of the refrigerated base with 1/4 cup milk and 1 beaten egg and bake it for a healthy sweet potato casserole)…BUT, for my sweet potato shake, I mix 1 cup (or 8-10 “ice cubes”) of my sweet potato base with a frozen “half banana” (I keep those onhand for smoothies of all sorts) and whiz it in the blender with about 1 cup vanilla rice milk (or 1 cup milk, plus 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract)–until smooth. Very healthy, high-fiber, and no refined sugar. YUMMY! 🙂
Sweet Potato Pancakes… so good they don’t need syrup! I just use a great mix that only requires you add water! Here’s the link:
http://www.brucesyamsbrand.com/pancake-mix.html
A treat not to be missed ladies!! I buy by the case! Not all for myself, I have six kids!
Back when I was at a godly, healthy weight, Skinny Cows were my treat ju jour as well as Lemon Chills, though I never see Lemon Chills at the store anymore…talk about a run on sentence…too much wind and rodeo for me tonight.
Miss Beth, send me your address and I will Fed Ex you some Skinny Cow MINT ice cream sandwiches! (I’m talking overnight, here!) I found some at the Wal-Mart and I bought them up right away! I KNEW I was saving some for a friend! *giggle*
kimnicurt at msn dot com
First off, I LOVE the siesta’s recipe for a Mexican snack of Triscuit, Fat free cheese, Jalapeno, & Fat Free Sour Cream. I’m thinking add a little Salsa and there we have it!
I’m an “ALL OR NOTHIN'” Girl. Can’t help myself. Call me addictive personality. I know nothing in moderation. I’d rather have the ENTIRE cheesecake or none at all. Please don’t punish me by only letting me have 2 slices!
What can I say? Oh, Lord, I desperately need you to help me with moderation and balance!
So when I’m “trying” to be good…my only trick of the trade is to drink a can of V-8 (the Wal-Mart brand tastes better than the real thing. More celery flavor, I think). It kind of takes the edge off and then it’s easier to control my urge for a WHOLE CHOCOLATE CAKE!! Hehe. I’m only half kidding.
I’ve also trained myself to adore black coffee…pathetic, isn’t it??!!
Weight Watcher chocolates – but instead of eating them from the package, cut them into tiny squares and put them in a zip-lock baggie in the freezer. Then when you feel the chocolate craving, just eat one or two. It instantly satisfies the taste and is nothing in calories or W.W. points.
(You can do this with any chocolate bar, but the calories add up much faster)
This is a great treat with coffee or as a quick, little dessert. And my family knows that the little baggie of smooched chocolate pieces in the freezer is off-limits!!
Beth,
I just returned from Canada this evening. I left Raleigh, North Carolina last Tuesday to visit a friend in Langley, BC and take her to see her first LPL event. We had a blast! I haven’t gotten the melody (and message)of “come running to the mercy seat” out of me head yet. Thanks bunches.
I’ve got this picture in my head of some poor woman walking through her local grocery store, frustrated beyond belief that she can’t find a skinny cow. Of course, the thought first occurred to her that she’d never seen such an animal in life before, but, hey, Wal-Mart carries everything, don’t they?
If I’m going to indule in a low-guilt treat, I go for the Whipped Yogurt by Yoplait. Get you some chocolate, or some chocolate mint, or even the chocolate raspberry, and you are just set!
I actually don’t do low-guilt treats. I’ve tried, but they all taste low-guilt as well. If you know what I mean. I do dark chocolate. As dark as possible. And just in case no one’s told you dark chocolate has antioxidants and chocolate is a natural antidepressants. I have Major Depressive Disorder and I’m always telling my husband he’d have to spend less money on my Lexapro (It’s an antidepressant) if he’d just buy me chocolate more often. He also does most of the shopping. Only because I don’t drive. But he is the better cook. He doesn’t have time, though. He has two jobs, so I do most of the cooking. Let me tell you we don’t eat anything that doesn’t come out of a box or a can!
I love Skinny Cow but can’t keep them in the house once you get started it is hard to stop. I recently got a pint size Ben and Jerry Strawberry Shortcake ice cream it was awesome. That is what you can get at the store but my fast food treat is Carmel-Moca Java Chiller at Sonic. Try it sometime they are addictive.
Becky
Attalla, AL
Wow all this talk of chocolate is making me hungry! My favorite indulgence that is not so healthy…
bugles with the wide end dipped in chocolate with an M&M stuck in it. Let it set up and I promise you can’t eat just one. These are great for holidays as you can pick M&M’s colors that match that holiday.
On a slightly healthier note- I really like chocolate popcorn with pecans. Recipe follows.
1 bag light microwave or air popped popcorn (it doesn’t need all that fancy flavoring)
2 Squares of white almond bark
1 tsp or less of peanut butter
Pop popcorn and let cool. Separate un-popped kernels. And place in large bowl.
In double broiler melt chocolate then stir in peanut butter. Slowly pour mixture over popcorn and fold in. Spread popcorn flat on cookie sheet or wax paper. If you like you can drizzle dark chocolate over popcorn to add color and flavor. Let dry then break apart. Store in container.
I like to add pecans- if desired add to pop corn before you coat with white chocolate. (the pecans are so yummy)
You can make more than one batch at a time. I usually do two almond bark squares to one bag of pop corn. You can add peanut butter to taste but remember a little goes a long way in the flavor dept.
This treat taste sinful but it is pretty low calorie, easy to make, and goes a long way.
Miss Beth,
LOVE the Skinny Cows…Mint Chocolate and Cookie and Cream are my two favs. Best treat…Low-fat Graham Crackers with a thin schmear of Hershey’s syrup (spread with my finger which of course requires licking off!) then topped with a layer of Redi Wip! It’s like an open faced chocolate pie and very low in points if your a WW like me 🙂
Oh Beth…I love Skinny Cow!
I had to ban myself from buying Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches because I ate all 6 in a 24 hour time frame. I also love sugar free jello pudding, but that also comes in 6…yes, Beth, gone before the sun set.
Then come spring when I go clothes shopping, I’m the one in the dressing room crying out loud, talking into the mirror to the Skinny Cow on my hips!
So, I’ll just dream about eating a low fat snack with all you Siesta’s, for the only thing I need to gain right now is some self control…in the meantime Beth, please indulge in a Skinny Cow for me…or 6! 😉
Love you~
Lelia
Hi Beth
I’m afraid you can only buy these in Ireland – I had some friends over recently from California and they were hooked. OK, here it goes… to begin with an ULSTER FRY – Yip fried eggs, bacon, potato bread and soda bread -to die for (but not low fat!), then Irish Stew – the healthy option but wait for it- MR KIPLING CAKES – Heaven on a plate (and in the mouth!!!!) Come to Ireland
Hi Beth! Fun post, thanks! Some of my fave treats are: 1)Betty Crocker’s Warm Delights Mini, (molten fudge cake and molten carmel cake are the 2 flavors I’ve tried); 2) “Skinny Cows” also come in PEANUT BUTTER and I’ve seen them in peppermint for Christmas and I think maybe peach or maybe that was wishful thinking! 3) LOVE ME some Special K Protein bars. They don’t taste healthy at all–they taste like CANDY BARS! The “meal” ones are less than 200 calories and have 10 grams protein and fiber, but you honestly can enjoy them and know they’re good for your too. The also come in “snack” size which are 110 calories and about 4 grams protein. 4) Garden Harvest Toasted Chips–banana or apple cinnamon or tomato basil or vegetable medley. The best thing about these is that they count as a 1/2 serving of fruit or veggies and they are GOOD! 🙂 5) This isn’t a “treat” but for someone trying to eat more nutritiously I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the V8 Fusion juices–I do NOT like eating veggies, and these are great because it doesn’t taste like regular V8 (gag) but just fruit juice. Tropical Orange, Strawberry Banana and Peach Mango are my fave’s. Counts as 1 serving of both fruits and veggies. 6) Those new Oreo or Chips Ahoy candy bites in 100 calories packs are good–you get several, not just 2 pieces–and it does taste like candy and they are very yummy! 😉 Thanks for the fun post. You’re the best. Blessings on you & your ministry, dear siesta! 🙂
I enjoy a fruit smoothie made at home. I take 1 cup of ice, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1 individual serving of light fruit flavored yogurt, 1 kiwi and a handful of strawberries and put them all in a blender and set it on frappe. I wait til all is smooth. Which takes less than a minute. It’s so yummy!
I love the Weight Watchers Toffee Crunch ice cream for only 2 points and the Weight Watchers Carrot Cake cakes – only 1 point. I don’t even realize I’m eating something low fat. Even my husband and kids like them. If only I could give up McDonald’s sweet tea. 🙂
I love a Fuji apple topped with Smuckers Natural peanut butter. It’s got the sweet and salty taste all in one and is Oh So Good and good for you! Perfect treat for us “middle-agers!”
Campfire Bananas!!!
This is soooo yummy!
Slice a banana in a microwavable bowl. Top with a couple chocolate squares from a Hershey bar (or you can use chocolate chips). Heat until the chocolate is melted then top with crushed graham crackers.
We make these when camping as well. We just slice the banana down the center (not all the through)and insert the chocolate squares and then wrap them up in foil and throw them over the campfire. These are the best!