Friends for Weight Loss

Hi everyone!  We are heading off to Vegas!  I just wanted to pop in to tell you that I have a GIVEAWAY plus some fantastic contributor posts lined up for you all this week.  Stay tuned tomorrow for when all the fun begins….for now, I wanted to share one of my favorite posts on Friends and tell you all to MAKE THESE SUNDAES to beat the heat!

It only takes 3 simple steps to make a 0 Points+ Healthy Banana Sundae.  This recipe is so easy to make and honestly tastes just like ice cream ~ super creamy, super rich and fluffy like whipped cream.  It melts in your mouth and is guaranteed to cure any craving you have for the real deal.

 1.  SLICE and FREEZE your super right bananas.  It’s really important to slice your bananas BEFORE you freeze them or you can burn out the motor in your blender, chopper, food processor, etc.  I didn’t feel like busting out my Food Processor, so I pulled out the next best thing ~ My Black & Decker Mini Chopper.

2.  Add a splash of vanilla extract and 1 Tbsp of Fat Free Milk, ,Almond Milk or Chocolate Almond milk and blend away until smooth and creamy.  You may have to add 1 additional Tbsp of milk if it’s too thick.  Looks just like ice cream, huh?

 3.  Heat 1 Tbsp of your favorite caramel sauce (it spreads further if it’s hot) and drizzle with a little whipped cream.

Variations

* Chocolate Banana Ice Cream ~ Add 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
* Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream ~ Add 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder & 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter Powder
* BANANA SPLIT ~ Add 3 frozen strawberries and drizzle with 1 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup and Whipped Cream
* Strawberry Banana Frozen Yogurt ~ Add 4 oz Fat Free Strawberry Yogurt with 3 Strawberries.

Makes 1 BIG Bowl of Ice Cream ~ O points+ with no toppings, 1  points+ with 1 Tbsp Caramel & Whipped Cream

 This is one of my favorite desserts to have during the summer when it’s hot.  If you have NEVER put your sorbet, frozen yogurt or ice over fresh fruit, you HAVE TO try it ~ it’s awesome.  I LOVE the combination of creamy homemade sorbet over fresh fruit (it doesn’t hurt that fruit is 0 points+ either!).  You can find a fantastic selection of using what is “in season” at your local farmer’s market to create a refreshing and healthy dessert that will have you going back for more.

INGREDIENTS

•  6 ripe nectarines
• 1 pint raspberries
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tSP freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cups of your favorite fruit blend (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, nectarines, peaches ~ whatever is in season and full of color)

 INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Slice the nectarines in half and remove the pits. Cut the unpeeled nectarines into small chunks and cook them with the water in a medium saucepan, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add a bit more water if necessary during cooking.

2.  While the nectarines are cooking, rinsed your raspberries, pat them dry and blend them in your food processor. Drain through a sieve placed on a small bowl to remove seeds, reserving the raspberry juice. Set aside.

3.  Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and honey. Let cool to room temperature. When cool, purée the mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth. Stir in the raspberry puree and the lemon juice.

4.  Chill the mixture thoroughly in the fridge, and then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you do not have an ice cream maker, place sorbet in a square baking dish and freeze until solid.  You may need to let the dish sit out for about 10 minutes to soften if it’s too hard.

5.  Serve your nectarine sorbet over your favorite zero points+ fruit blend and enjoy!

Makes 1 quart, eight 1/2 cup servings, 3 points+ each