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. =)
#1 by bernadette on May 4, 2010 - 7:23 am
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Great tip! I am for sure going to try this!!
I was making my own “bars” for a while but got away from it.
I don’t usually drink the fancy drinks at Starbucks, I’m just a regular coffee girl, it’s the half and half that gets me…. and there’s just no really good substitute for that
Have a great day Shari!!!
xoxo
#2 by Joan on May 3, 2010 - 5:52 pm
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hmmm….good question…can’t think of any right now…
we used to have an el cheapo espresso machine, but the clean up was worse than was worth it so we just love our french press and I add my soy vanilla creamer which is just as yummy as STBUX in my opinion minus the ambiance tho.
I think I’m becoming a lazy slobsan…instead of making my own concoction I just eat/drink half or an 8 oz cup. LIke a half a cupcake treat or cookie with an 8 oz latte for example, and take the other half home for the next day. The scone sounds nice, I’ll have to try one next time I’m at STBUX. Cupcakes have WAY too much frosting which I scrape off anyway so what’s the point of buying it, now I ask you?
I wonder if their green tea latte would taste better if I made it at home? I never tried one. I could whip up the soy creamer or soy milk in my bullet and pour it in my jasmine green tea…hmmm now the brain is on a roll!
.-= Joan´s last blog ..It’s Lilac Season =-.
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#3 by Cindy on May 3, 2010 - 8:34 am
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LOVE IT!
I love to make my lattes at home but, um, we do have the foofy machine that crushes the beans, makes an espresso and lets you (if you wish) froth up whatever milk you like)
and I love that i can leave the sugar out!
I thinkANYTHING you make at home, has much less of the bad stuff.
Have an AMAZING MONDAY
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..Blogger Math =-.