SFLC Latte Fix

I guess this should be classified as more of a tip vs a recipe, but as Miley so eloquently put it: "It's my party I can do what I want."

Possibly second in line to my love of cheese is my love of espresso. (Lamar makes this list at some point, honest. Probably somewhere between pizza and wine, which are both super high up there so he should really feel privileged.)

Don't get me wrong, I love a good doppio espresso shot or a trusty Americano, but most of the time I crave a rich, creamy, velvety, vanilla latte. Which, if you drink them as they normally come, are LOADED with carbs and sugars. Vanilla lattes are more than just an occasional cheat/treat for me, so I had to figure out a sugar free low carb alternative. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I work a couple nights a week as a barista, so I had all kinds of equipment at my disposal with which to experiment. 

Half of the sugar-free part was easy. As far as I know 99.9% of Starbucks/coffee shops have a sugar-free vanilla syrup (usually caramel too, if that's your thing) which takes out a load of sugar right there. But we're still left with all the sugar and carbs that come from the milk. Surprisingly, skim is the worst offender. Followed by 2%, whole, then half and half.  While breve (half and half) lattes are delicious, 1 cup of cream still carries 10g carbs and a lot of calories. In my best estimation just a tall would have you at around 425 calories. Not something I want in my diet on an every other day basis.

*you're not really stupid

Cue the Hallelujah Chorus, I found the answer.  

Start by ordering a basic Americano (espresso + water). Ask your barista to add sugar-free vanilla syrup. (Side rant, seriously you don't need to specify the number of pumps. We know how much to put in each size to make it taste right, and ordering a certain number is just obnoxious.) Then ask for a couple inches of steamed half and half on top. 

While this doesn't taste exactly like a latte made entirely with milk, it is a pretty dang good mimic. Having the majority of the base as water saves loads of calories, but the steamed half and half still gives it that nice foamy layer and the creaminess that I crave. Plus, it's even cheaper than a regular latte and since it's ordered as an Americano you get an extra shot! What what!

Now go try it out! Any barista at any coffee joint will be able to accommodate your request. And as long as you don't answer our "How are you today?" with "Venti Americano" we won't hate you, and you'll end up with a delicious drink.

Nutrition*:

120 Calories 

3.9g Carbs

0g Sugar

*approximate counts depending on individual barista's interpretation of "a couple inches" 

Spinach and Feta Eggs and Bacon

Let me start my first entry with an apology for the terrible staging and picture quality below! I promise, it will get better. I was in a hurry this morning and really just wanted to get that food in my belly asap, so I made a 0% effort to make it look nice.

Moving on....

Eggs are one of my breakfast staples. They're fast, easy, low carb, good source of protein, and you can put just about anything in them depending on what you love. And if you only ever learn one thing about me let it be this: I love good cheese. Obsessed may be better descriptor. I'm not talking Kraft cheddar, flavorless and greasy. And I'm DEFINITELY not talking about pre-shredded cheese in bags covered in that weird waxy stuff. Seriously, barf. Life is too short for that. I mean delicious Parmesan, Vermont sharp cheddar and Gouda that come in huge blocks for me to grate myself. Big tubs of crumbled feta and hunks of gooey mozzarella....YUM. Nothing makes me more excited. That whole tangent to say, I put cheese in everything, and these eggs were no exception.

 

 

 

Spinach and Feta Eggs

 

(Seriously, zoom in and see how delicious they look despite the crappy picture)

 

2 Large Eggs

2 Tablespoons Frozen Spinach (thawed)

1 Generous Tablespoon Crumbled Feta

Splash of Half and Half (approx 1-2 teaspoons)

Pinch of Salt and Pepper

Cooking Spray

Lower Sugar Ketchup or Hot Sauce (optional)

 

 

Whisk together eggs, spinach, feta, cream, salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick cooking pan and spray lightly with cooking spray. Quickly dump egg mixture in and stir frequently until cooked through. Easy peasy.

 

As far as the bacon goes, I know most people have their own methods of cooking it. I find that the easiest way is baking. That way I don't have to monitor two different pans or get hot bacon grease splashed on me. Plus it comes out looking prettier. :)

 

Perfect Bacon

 

Preheat oven to 365 degrees. Run three strips of bacon under cold water (you know that weird Pinterest tip? Yeah it totally works) and lay on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes (give or take, depending how chewy/crispy you prefer).

 

I usually do this before I start doing anything on my eggs, that way they're done at around the same time.

 

And that's it! Simple and quick, no sugar low carb yummy breakfast.

 

Nutrition*:

 

305 Calories (for whole breakfast as described)

1.9g Net Carbs

1.3g Naturally Occurring Sugar

 

 

*these are based on my findings. Be sure to check your own labels for the most accurate counts.