Skinny Chocolate Chip Waffles

Skinny Chocolate Chip Waffles - Can it be???

Yes. Yes it can.

These waffles changed my life. They may be not be an everyday thing, but they are perfect for that weekend brunch where you don't want to go overboard with calories / sugar / Smart Points, etc. One day, I couldn't stop craving waffles. Not just any waffles, but good ole buttery sugary chocolate chip waffles with maple syrup. Is there any way I can do that without committing diet suicide? I really didn't think so, but when I set my mind on something, that thing becomes my mission.  In this case, a very delicious mission.

So here's how these skinny missions go: I go to Walmart (yes, I'm a Walmart girl) with my mom's Weight Watchers app or MyFitness Pal and start scanning. I went to the pancake/waffle mixes and scanned every single brand and type until I found the lowest point / healthiest option and bought it (I ended up with Hungry Jack Buttermilk Mix). I went to the chocolate chips and did the same (I ended up with sugar free Hershey's).  The catch, however, is that the Hungry Jack waffle recipe calls for large eggs and vegetable oil. Both of those things can add quick points to a recipe, and there are definitely healthier options! So, I opted for Egg Beaters (liquid egg whites that come in a carton and can be measured to match regular eggs), and a healthy oil substitute of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I also use a sugar free pancake syrup. All of these combine to make the lowest point / calorie chocolate chips waffles possible!

Let's Compare...

One serving of my skinny chocolate chip waffles (1/3 cup of liquid mix) is 280 Calories, 7 grams of Sugar, 3 grams of Saturated Fat, 7 grams of Protein, and 9 WeightWatchers Smart Points.

A regular Hungry Jack recipe without my skinny substitutions and regular chocolate chips and syrup (1/3 cup of liquid mix) is 385 Calories, 26 grams of Sugar, 3 grams of Saturated Fat, 6.6 grams of Protein, and 15 WeightWatchers Smart Points

Sooo you can see a pretty bug difference with some simple substitutions! Here's a recap of what I used:

What it takes:

• Hungry Jack Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix
• Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate Chips 
• Sugar Free Pancake Syrup
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  

  What to do:

  1. After purchasing the mix, take note of the instructions on the box for appropriate measurements.
  2.  Replace vegetable oil with extra virgin olive oil and eggs with the equivalent measurement of Egg Beaters.
  3. After mixing thoroughly, add the desired amount of Sugar Free chocolate chips (the nutrition information suggests 1 Tbs) to the mix and proceed with the directions on the box.

    

   

   And voila! There you have it. Skinny Chocolate chips waffles!! Top with Sugar Free syrup and serve with turkey bacon if you're so inclined! 

Very Berry Yogurt Bark

A Guilt Free, Healthy Dessert!

I waited WAY too long to try this. Now that I have, it's one of my number one go-to sweet treats! And its so easy to make. I can't take all the credit since this is literally all over Pinterest, however I always enjoy adding my own twist to recipes to make it my own (or skinnier!).

  This post is short and sweet, because it really is super easy! It's also extremely flexible. You have the freedom to choose whatever flavor of yogurt, whatever berries, and whatever add-ons you's like. For me, I grabbed my ingredients from what I already had in the fridge!

This is a low sugar, high protein snack or dessert! You can hardly go wrong. The key is choosing a nonfat yogurt that is already sweet but low in sugar, and choosing healthy toppings to make it your own.

Here's what I used:

• Small to Medium Sized Baking Pan 
• Parchment Paper
• Light & Fit Greek Vanilla Yogurt (approx 18 oz)
• Mixed Berries (I used Target's frozen Antioxidant Blend) 
• Splenda/Stevia/other sugar substitute (optional)

The How-To:

1. Cut or tear enough parchment paper to cover your baking pan entirely, and lay it across your pan
2. Pour the yogurt on to the pan and spread evenly. I like mine about a quarter inch thick.
3. Spread your toppings (in this case, berries!) evenly on top of the yogurt. I pressed some lighter berries in that didn't already sink.
4. Sprinkle your sugar substitute to give your your treat extra sweetness!
5. Set pan in the freezer for at least an hour.
6. When it is completely hardened, break bark into smaller pieces. (I essentially picked up the parchment paper with the slab of yogurt attached and began breaking in half multiple times).
7. Enjoy!!