Category Archives: Drinks

Drinks, Recipes

Pumpkin Nog for the Holidays

A few days ago, I concocted the most marvelous hot nog that I’ve had in quite some time… and it’s low carb! The cream version is rich and so satisfying. The lower car’d almond milk version for those who can’t handle milk products is also delicious although not as thick. Either way, it’s a great way to toast the holidays with a warm drink. It will become my midnight NewYear’s drink.

I used a sugar free Pumpkin Spice Syrup in it, but you can just add extra cinnamon, nutmeg and clove instead.

Hot Pumpkin Nog

Rich and Creamy Version – Serves 2

1 tablespoon Vanilla whey protein powder *
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Pumpkin puree
1 oz. Pumpkin Spice Syrup
1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie spice
2 tablespoons Rum
6 drops liquid sucralose or 3 packets of sugar substitute

In a small sauce pan, mix together the protein powder, heavy cream and water. Cook over low heat until the powder is completely mixed in. Add the pumpkin, sweetener and Pumpkin Spice Syrup and stir until it is blended in. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture just starts to bubble around the edges. Turn off heat. Pour into small cups, 1/2 of mixture in each cup. Add 1 tablespoon of dark rum to each cup and stir it in, then sprinkle a bit of pumpkin pie spice over the top.

Nutrition Info – 1 serving
Calories: 241 Fat: 22 g Net Carbs: 2.3g Protein: 1.3 g

Less Rich Version with Almond Milk – Serves 2

1 tablespoon Vanilla whey protein powder *
1 1/2 cup Unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon Pumpkin puree
1 oz. Pumpkin Spice Syrup
1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie spice
2 tablespoons Rum
6 drops liquid sucralose or 3 packet if sugar substitute

In a small sauce pan, mix together the protein powder and almond milk. Cook over low heat until the powder is completely mixed in. Add the pumpkin, sweetener and Pumpkin Spice Syrup and stir until it is blended in. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture just starts to bubble around the edges. Turn off heat. Pour into small cups, 1/2 of mixture in each cup. Add 1 tablespoon of dark rum to each cup and stir it in, then sprinkle a bit of pumpkin pie spice over the top.

Nutrition Info – 1 serving
Calories: 59 Fat: 1.9 g Net Carbs: 0.6 g Protein: .9 g

* You may omit the Vanilla whey powder and add 2 teaspoons vanilla.  The powder makes it taste richer and thicker, besides adding protein, but it isn’t necessary.

To make the fully-charged sugar version, just follow the recipe using 3/4 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup water and 3 to 6 teaspoons of sugar to your preference. About 10.6 net carbs and 179 calories.

POSTED BY RENE AVERETT AT 12/19/2013 12:25 PM

Drinks, Recipes

Hot Gingerbread Nog

Here’s another delicious hot winter drink for a bit of celebration this year end. It combines the flavors of gingerbread with espresso for a yummy holiday nog. This recipe makes two drinks but can be increased easily for more people.

Hot Gingerbread Nog

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar substitute
1 tablespoon sugar free maple syrup
1 tablespoon gingerbread sugar free syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1/3 cup cream
2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon Espresso powdered coffee
2 tablespoon rum or boubon
Sugar substitute (to taste)

Have two 1 cup mugs ready.

In a small pot, add butter and brown sugar substitute and stir until melted. Add 1both syrups and mix in, then add cream and water, powdered coffee and spices. Stir and cook until the nog is hot but not boiling.

Put 1 tablespoon of rum in each mug, then pour hot nog into the mug and stir. Add sugar substitute to make it sweeter if needed.

Serves 2.

For a lower carb version, use 1 cup of almond milk in place of the cream and water in the recipe.

Nutrition Info for 1 serving using cream:
Calories: 229 Fat: 20.8g Net Carbs: 2 g Protein: 1 g

Nutrition Info for 1 serving using almond milk:
Calories: 104 Fat: 7.1 g Net Carbs: 0.9 g Protein: 0.7 g

POSTED BY RENE AVERETT AT 12/28/2013