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angelakSo, I had begun to have an addiction at some point to McDonald's iced lattes. Yes. I undoubtedly liked the coffee, and the preparation better than $tarbuck$ concoctions. (Some of them anyway, the ones I choose to drink anymore) - when, I began to want to hold back on these. Primarily because I've been shaving down my caloric intake to account for the joys of ... wait for it: sitting on my ass for a few weeks with the dandy NSAIDs.
So, I swore off them. Even if they were 50 calories for a small, 60 for a large, and 70 (no flavoring) for a big big one.
Then came the notion that I do have an awesome coffee station that is virtually unused at home anymore. The coffee station, was one of my HUGE enthused items that I was going to HAVE when I moved into 874. So much so, that I made a huge deal to go buy the coffee cart.
Therefore, the thoughts drifted into my head the other day. Coffee itself: 5 calories per cup. Whatever, I don't count it. (I burn 5 calories taking an extra large duke, right?)
So - I do avoid sweeteners when I can. But sometimes, you just get tired of avoiding avoiding avoiding. I decided that for my coffees, I can bare an exception on the Splenda. (All my coffee flavorings are made with Splenda.)
The other day I experimented and created my own iced concoction. The fact of the matter is, I had never tried or even liked iced coffees until about 2 months ago. It was McD's new campaign's fault. I saw they were lower in calories than a lot of beverages. Of all things in my life, I am a huge beverage drinker. When I chose to switch what I ate and drank around, I largely went to water and select diet sodas. (No biggie - but there were indeed things I missed. Like an all around variety).
NEEDLESS to say, I first started with regular nonfat milk + ice + flavoring. Turned out pretty good. This morning I realized I was out of milk. So instead, as I began experimenting, and wanting a more precise measurement so I could not botch it up and be more regimented (what can I say, I am a Virgo) I measured, played and added nonfat condensed milk to my latte.
This being said, I have had 2 iced lattes because my first one I experimented, the second one I decided I had to have to make SURE my recipe and proportions were how I wanted them.
Now I know, and use an ML beaker for condensed milk, flavoring, and I use 6 oz of coffee total. It means the whole coffee drink I make at home is about 1/2 the calories, and double the size, as the McD's ones. This makes me happy. I can have my treat, spend a whole lot less $$$ doing it, have it in the convenience of my home in about... hmmm, 3-5 minutes - make it with any flavoring *I* want, and get more for less as far as calories. I can easily work this into my morning, or afternoon treat list of "stuff I can have that I absolutely love," without compromising quality of taste. To be honest, I am already seeing mine taste better.
When I was out with Mom yesterday, we stopped by Cash and Carry - where they carry the syrups really cheap in EVERY variety you can imagine. I spent more than I'd have liked to (trying to save cash for other important stuff) but, admittedly, this seriously seems like an investment in helping me stay on my game, and keeping me all coffee'd and treated. How wonderful!!!
I just hope the peanut butter syrup is good and not assy. :P
I was thinking I could combine the PB syrup with some chocolate and make a reeses peanut butter cup iced latte. Right? RIGHT? How great does THAT sound????
Wait. Is it apparent I've had 12 oz of coffee????
Normally I've been drinking about 4-8 oz a day.
I'm a bit caffeinated. I'd also like to note that 1 20 ounce iced latte (the size I am making) comes under the amount of OVERcaffeination that I'd like to avoid.
A little is great. Too much is no fun. So, now that I have figured out the secrets to my own blend, I am tickled.
I would also like to note condensed milk is definitely the way to go for this.
Way creamier. I also might tweak the proportions more as I go along. Can I cut back from 40 ml of condensed milk to 30 without feeling it is not creamy enough, for instance?
And next time I might go lighter on the syrup. But I hate not enough syrup so today I went heavier etc.
I also moved the coffee station to a different location in the dining/kitchen area. We'll see how I like it where it is. I love its wheels. I love the whole thing. I re-orged it all.
My "lattes" are - (separate note here) more iced coffees, than lattes. But whatever. :D
Anyways. I could have done a lot of things this morning, but instead I played with coffee.
I think that was a worthwhile endeavor before 7AM.
It is sort of nice to take my sweet ass time in the morning also, with this whole 30 day trial of early rising (at 5AM).
It was way easier to get up first beep at my alarm clock today. I think my body is adjusting. I am very excited for this prospect. If the 30 days ends, I am almost sure I won't go back to sleeping in past 5.
Anyway. After 2 lattes, I seriously feel like I had some TABOO amount of beverage. You know - like it's some sort of "Cheat" day to my regimented diet, hahaha. I better go to work now, or else.
-Angela
So, I swore off them. Even if they were 50 calories for a small, 60 for a large, and 70 (no flavoring) for a big big one.
Then came the notion that I do have an awesome coffee station that is virtually unused at home anymore. The coffee station, was one of my HUGE enthused items that I was going to HAVE when I moved into 874. So much so, that I made a huge deal to go buy the coffee cart.
Therefore, the thoughts drifted into my head the other day. Coffee itself: 5 calories per cup. Whatever, I don't count it. (I burn 5 calories taking an extra large duke, right?)
So - I do avoid sweeteners when I can. But sometimes, you just get tired of avoiding avoiding avoiding. I decided that for my coffees, I can bare an exception on the Splenda. (All my coffee flavorings are made with Splenda.)
The other day I experimented and created my own iced concoction. The fact of the matter is, I had never tried or even liked iced coffees until about 2 months ago. It was McD's new campaign's fault. I saw they were lower in calories than a lot of beverages. Of all things in my life, I am a huge beverage drinker. When I chose to switch what I ate and drank around, I largely went to water and select diet sodas. (No biggie - but there were indeed things I missed. Like an all around variety).
NEEDLESS to say, I first started with regular nonfat milk + ice + flavoring. Turned out pretty good. This morning I realized I was out of milk. So instead, as I began experimenting, and wanting a more precise measurement so I could not botch it up and be more regimented (what can I say, I am a Virgo) I measured, played and added nonfat condensed milk to my latte.
This being said, I have had 2 iced lattes because my first one I experimented, the second one I decided I had to have to make SURE my recipe and proportions were how I wanted them.
Now I know, and use an ML beaker for condensed milk, flavoring, and I use 6 oz of coffee total. It means the whole coffee drink I make at home is about 1/2 the calories, and double the size, as the McD's ones. This makes me happy. I can have my treat, spend a whole lot less $$$ doing it, have it in the convenience of my home in about... hmmm, 3-5 minutes - make it with any flavoring *I* want, and get more for less as far as calories. I can easily work this into my morning, or afternoon treat list of "stuff I can have that I absolutely love," without compromising quality of taste. To be honest, I am already seeing mine taste better.
When I was out with Mom yesterday, we stopped by Cash and Carry - where they carry the syrups really cheap in EVERY variety you can imagine. I spent more than I'd have liked to (trying to save cash for other important stuff) but, admittedly, this seriously seems like an investment in helping me stay on my game, and keeping me all coffee'd and treated. How wonderful!!!
I just hope the peanut butter syrup is good and not assy. :P
I was thinking I could combine the PB syrup with some chocolate and make a reeses peanut butter cup iced latte. Right? RIGHT? How great does THAT sound????
Wait. Is it apparent I've had 12 oz of coffee????
Normally I've been drinking about 4-8 oz a day.
I'm a bit caffeinated. I'd also like to note that 1 20 ounce iced latte (the size I am making) comes under the amount of OVERcaffeination that I'd like to avoid.
A little is great. Too much is no fun. So, now that I have figured out the secrets to my own blend, I am tickled.
I would also like to note condensed milk is definitely the way to go for this.
Way creamier. I also might tweak the proportions more as I go along. Can I cut back from 40 ml of condensed milk to 30 without feeling it is not creamy enough, for instance?
And next time I might go lighter on the syrup. But I hate not enough syrup so today I went heavier etc.
I also moved the coffee station to a different location in the dining/kitchen area. We'll see how I like it where it is. I love its wheels. I love the whole thing. I re-orged it all.
My "lattes" are - (separate note here) more iced coffees, than lattes. But whatever. :D
Anyways. I could have done a lot of things this morning, but instead I played with coffee.
I think that was a worthwhile endeavor before 7AM.
It is sort of nice to take my sweet ass time in the morning also, with this whole 30 day trial of early rising (at 5AM).
It was way easier to get up first beep at my alarm clock today. I think my body is adjusting. I am very excited for this prospect. If the 30 days ends, I am almost sure I won't go back to sleeping in past 5.
Anyway. After 2 lattes, I seriously feel like I had some TABOO amount of beverage. You know - like it's some sort of "Cheat" day to my regimented diet, hahaha. I better go to work now, or else.
-Angela
