Swiss Miss Diet Hot Chocolate Review

Ok, so I know it's a little hot outside to have hot chocolate and you might be thinking "why have hot chocolate in the middle of summer?". But, like many of you, I have chocolate cravings! And at 25 Calories per packet, why not have a cup of hot chocolate? You could even freeze it and eat it as a fudgesicle! 
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Taste:
This is actually pretty good for diet hot chocolate. It has a really rich chocolate flavor and is even better if made with 3/4 cup hot unsweetened vanilla almond milk. (Big name for milk, I know! :D) If you make it with the almond milk, it is 47.5 Calories. I might even add a little fat free Reddi-wip to it. (5 Calories per two tablespoons) 
Grade: A

Texture:
Very nice texture. If made with milk, it makes it feel thicker and richer. If made with water, it's a teensy bit thin.
Grade: A- 

Ease of Making:
Simplest thing ever. Mix one packet with 3/4 cup hot water or milk. Can an idiot mess this up? No.
Grade:A+

Final Grade: A
Take it or Leave it: Take it! Load up the cart! Cheap and yummy.

Does it make your mouth water? :)

My Dinner Today (141 Calories) with dessert!

My dinner today was as follows:

• Two slices Healthy Life bread                            (70 Calories)
• 1 T part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese         (21 Calories)
• 1 Slice Oscar Mayer oven roasted turkey breast (30 Calories)
• 1/4 box of sugar free Jell-o                                 (10 Calories)
• 1/4 cup Reddi-wip Fat Free                                (10 Calories)

I put the cheese on one piece of bread and the turkey slice on the other piece of bread. I microwaved it for about 45 seconds. I put the two slices of bread together to make a sandwich and it was so yummy! For dessert, I had the Jell-o with 1/4 cup of Reddi-wip brand at free whipped cream. Oh, it was so good! All in all, only 141 calories for dinner and dessert.

Carrot Fries! (41-47 Calories)

What you need:

• 100 grams carrots; peeled & cut into sticks            (41 Calories)
• Olive oil spray or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray  (0 Calories)
• (Optional)1 teaspoon ketchup                                  (6 Calories)

Directions:

1. Set oven to 400 degrees.
2. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with the cooking spray.
3. Put the carrot sticks on the pan, spread evenly apart.

4.  Once oven is pre-heated, let the 'fries' bake for 15-20 minutes or until however crispy you like.

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Sorry, no after picture. I forgot. :(

My Lunch Today (83 Calories)

                     My lunch:

• Half a Fugi Apple; cored, peeled, and sliced          (29 Calories)
• Half a carrot; peeled & cut into sticks                    (16 Calories)
• 1 Tablespoon Chocolate PB2; dry                          (23 Calories)
• 1 Lettuce leaf w/ half a slice Oscar Mayer White Turkey  Breast                                                                                  (15 Calories) 

Total: 83 Calories

(I dipped the apples and carrots into the PB2 powder)

PB2 Review

Since I'm on a low-calorie diet, I haven't had peanut butter in forever. Then, I found this product called PB2. Oh. My. Goodness. My diet savior. I'll let Bell Plantation, the creator of this amazing product, explain it: 

Through a unique process created by Bell Plantation that does not involve the use of any chemicals; over 90% of the fat is removed from the peanut. Essentially the oil is squeezed out of roasted peanuts and what remains is a peanut powder. The resulting all-natural product is unbelievable!The possibilities for PB2 are limited only by the users imagination and creativity! An outstanding natural protein source sprinkle on shakes, yogurts, smoothies, great for outdoor sports. Excellent for ice cream as it will not seize while processing, ganaches, frostings, truffles, soufflés, cakes, muffins, brownies. Dissolves easily for savory applications- Asian noodle sauces, breadings and crust especially for seafood. It is also wonderful for baking either reconstituted or as a powder.

So, there you have it. The directions on the package say to mix 2 tablespoons of PB2 with 1 tablespoon of water. You can even just add the powder alone to smoothies, ice cream, recipes, etc. Wherever it calls for peanut butter, just use PB2!

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Okay, so let's compare the real thing with the just-as-good-as-the-real-thing powder (2 tablespoons of PB2 and 2 tablespoons of generic peanut butter)

Nutrition:

Peanut butter: 190 Calories, 16 grams fat, 6 grams carbs, 8 grams protein, 2 grams fiber

PB2: 45 Calories, 1.5 grams fat, 5 grams carbs, 5 grams protein, 2 grams fiber

Chocolate PB2: 45 Calories, 1 gram fat, 6 grams carbs, 4 grams protein, 1 gram fiber

Taste:
PB2 is almost the exact same taste as full fat peanut butter. Maybe a little...... better?

Texture: 
Since you're in control of how much water you mix PB2 with, you can make it whatever texture you want to make it.

Smell: PB2 smells so good. I probably couldn't tell the difference if I was blindfolded and given both PB2 and peanut butter to smell.

Final Verdict: PB2 is a wonderful alternative to dieters, health nuts, and average Joe's alike. It makes a great swap-in for full fat peanut butter in many things such as smoothies, muffins, cookies, brownies, etc.

There you have it. My impression of PB2 versus full fat peanut butter. (I mainly use PB2 in the powder form to use as a dry dip for apples, bananas, carrots, and anything else my imagination can think of.)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal (79 Calories)

This is such a good breakfast, especially when you want to feel full but you only have a few minutes. Perfect blend of chocolate and peanut butter. And, of course, very low calorie!

What you need:

• 3 Tablespoons instant oats                                   (56 Calories)
• 1 Tablespoon Chocolate PB2                               (23 Calories)
• 10 Tablespoons water                                           (0 Calories)

Directions:

1. Combine the oats, Chocolate PB2, and water in a bowl and microwave for 60-90 seconds.
2. Stir with a spoon and let cool.
3. Enjoy!

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Sorry, no picture. 

Mixed Berry Puffed Rice Cereal (76 Calories)

I like this for mornings when I'm not super hungry, but I want to eat something. Helps me to prevent late morning snacking.

What you need:

• 3/4 Cup puffed rice cereal (Alf's Natural Nutrition brand) (52 Calories)
• 1/2 Cup unsweetened almond milk                (15 Calories)
• 2 Tablespoons Mixed Berry Medley (Great Value Brand)  (9 Calories)
• ( Optional) Stevia                                               (0 Calories)

 

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Add Stevia to taste. Some people think it's not sweet enough without the Stevia ;)