Is it really Monday? Why yes, yes it is. In that case how about a little coffee jump-start?
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know I love love love Starbucks. I love sitting in a Starbucks to catch up with friends, I love eating one of their Petite Vanilla Scones because it’s just the right size for a decadent treat, and I love decaf soy no-foam lattes.
You’ve seen a few of these types of photos on the ol’ blog:
What I don’t love that their soy milk is sweetened vanilla, because it adds a fair of amount of added sugar. (I also don’t love that they charge an extra 60 cents for SOY milk in lieu of regular, but that’s a whole other soap box right there.)
A few months back I had a friend over for some yoga, followed by some chat time. Normally this friend and I would have met up at Starbucks. So I decided to make us some homemade lattes (sans cool espresso machine or frother, neither of which I own.)
Enter my 40 calorie homemade latte:
Step 1:
Select fun (and tall) mug.
Step 2:
Mix up a packet of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew (aka instant) coffee in your fun mug. I use one packet to about 7 oz water.
Step 3:
Heat up 3/4 to 1 cup of unsweetened original Almond Breeze Almond Milk (40 calories per cup). Microwave for about 90 seconds. Check it at a minute to make sure it’s not overheated since microwaves vary. If you are someone who avoids the microwave (for which I commend you), feel free to use the stovetop. Whisk it well to give it a ‘frothy’ feel. 
Step 4:
Add heated almond milk to your VIA and stir. For sweetness, I like to add 1/2 a packet of Stevia and a few drops of natural vanilla extract.
Step 5:
Enjoy! And if you have extra wiggle room in your “calorie budget” for the day, add in a piece of pie*. 
*Pecan Pie Larabar not included in the 40 calories. 
Do you have any favorite foods/snacks that you make yourself in order to “lighten them up” from the original? Do tell! Drop me a comment!
Have a MAGNIFICENT day everyone! Make it great!
– Shari B. =)
