Fabulous Find Friday #7

If you have a sweet tooth like me, it can be tough to tame sweet cravings.  There are only a handful of things I love more than sweets (chocolate, in particular), so it's really important for me to find satisfying alternatives to sugar filled desserts so that I can feel good about myself (i.e. fit into my favorite jeans) and not deprive myself.  If there's anything I've learned in my 24 years, it's that deprivation eventually leads to overindulgence. That goes for all aspects of life.



Perhaps my favorite alternative to traditional sweets is Chocolate Mint Tea, a caffeine-free herbal tea.  It's healthy and flavorful with hints of vanilla, chocolate, peppermint and Rooibos. I first had it a couple of months ago at a local coffee shop in Baton Rouge called Highland Coffees. Since then, I've indulged a few times. The best part? You can actually order this tea online from Highland Coffees!  I highly recommend it to people who are avid tea drinkers and even those who aren't.

If Chocolate Mint isn't your jam, there are a wealth of other delicious teas you can order from Highland Coffees. They have an assortment of coffees too.  If you're new to tea or aren't sure what you'd like, I'd recommend looking at their Tea Profile Chart.  It may help you to identify a flavor combination you'd enjoy.

Still not sold on the Chocolate Mint Tea? Well, don't think I haven't thought this one through! Another one of my favorite healthful desserts is Bethenny Frankel's Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Think of it as a lightened up version of a traditional cookie. These cookies are just sweet enough to satisfy even the toughest craving and a nutritious at the same time.  Insider tip: Add a little cinnamon and/or powdered peanut butter to the mix to change the flavor a bit from time to time.  Also, sometimes I find that adding a second medium-sized banana makes these cookies more fluffy and cookie like, so try that too.  On occasion I've made these cookies without the second banana and people comment that they are "too dry."  If you like soft cookies, go with the second banana.

Happy eating and drinking!

Amanda