March sure rolled in quick this year! Most of us are ready for Spring and seasonal sweet treats remind is it’s finally on the way! Okay so the Shamrock Shakes actually arrived in February but I’ve been trying to ignore that fact because the mere idea of them adds a few inches to my waistline. With more than 6o million served yearly, those tasty shakes draw more buzz than the McRib – that’s whole other article. At close to 400 calories, 14 grams of fat, 63 of the carbs I try to avoid and 11 grams of protein I wondered if there were a healthier makeover option for the Shamrock Shake. Watching my macros, not eating anything with preservatives and staying away from dairy has made life a little sad at times especially when a favorite like this rolls into town. But don’t fret, there’s hope! I dug up some yummy lighter alternatives.
Clean & Green Shamrock Shake – Recipe from Hungry Girl
Ingredients
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 oz. (about 6 tbsp.) vanilla protein powder with about 100 calories per serving
1/3 cup spinach leaves
1/8 tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/4 cups crushed ice or 6 – 10 ice cubes
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend at high speed until smooth, stopping and stirring if needed.
Or this version from Cooking Light Magazine!
Or just have the damn thing and hit the treadmill after, whatever works for you!
Another March favorite……Girl Scout Cookies! But I’m partial to Samoas & big surprise Thin Mints. Who isn’t? Not gonna lie, there a few boxes of each in my kitchen right now. I tried to justify the purchase as a way of supporting future female leaders and entrepreneurs which is partly it, but really, COOKIES. Anyway I did happen to dig up a few make over recipes for those too.
Best Low Carb Thin Mints (Gluten Free!) – Recipe by AllDayIDreamAboutFood.com
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 3/4 cups almond flour
- 1/3 cup cocao powder
- 1/4 cup Swerve Sweetener
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp liquid stevia extract OR another 1/4 cup Swerve Sweetener
Coating
- 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil, or 1/2 ounce cocoa butter* (see cook’s notes)
- 7 oz sugar-free dark chocolate such as Lily’s OR 90% Lindt chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
Low Carb Samoa Recipe by Your Lighter Side
And if you’re feeling really ambitious, here’s 9 other Girl Scout Cookie makeover recipes you may love!
Making healthier choices has been a huge adjustment in my life, but the more I research and try new things the closer I get to feeling like making those choices doesn’t have to be such a burden. There is a lot of trial and error and there are days where I just throw in the towel and eat whatever I want. You have to have those moments I think but I always come back to how I feel when I am eating cleaner – and no cookie beats that!
Enjoy these makeovers. More coming soon + summer Grilling season is just around the corner.
Stay happy & healthy!
Shana
