Fat Frog Diary

  Diabetic Holiday Eggnog I got my first copy of this magazine from my grandmother's collection when she passed. I puzzled over why she had so many when she herself was not diabetic. Maybe she understood even then that sugar wasn't good for you in such high quantities as in the American diet. Who knows? It's still a custard-based eggnog and therefore superior to the eggnogs in stores.  Sources: Diabetic Living Magazine (out of print) ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commissions on products. The links provided are examples of what's available on...

  Eggnog I can hear the screams even from my perspective in November. Yes, it has real eggs. This is a "custard" eggnog. And the original version is alcoholic. There's a non-alcoholic version at the bottom, but basically eliminate the booze and add in a bit more milk.  Notes: 1. Have the large bowl of ice waiting before you begin cooking the custard portion. Put a towel underneath the ice bowl to help keep it steady.  2. In this case, it's not advisable to substitute Cool Whip. The result would be oily in appearance. Take the time to whip the cream, and you can use a stand mixer for this if you wish.  3. I have doubled the amounts and served this in a punch bowl. It still was gone very quickly. Gauge your guests carefully.   ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but ...

  AUTUMN PUNCH Notes: This is a Do-Ahead! I saved this one for one of the last recipes of November because it transitions well into the winter holiday season and can be served hot.  The ginger ale alternative is nice if you must serve a non-alcoholic version.  Sources:  Gewurztraminer:  Cooper's Hawk | Gewürztraminer (chwinery.com)   ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commissions on products. The links provided are examples of what's available online.  Lena Austin www.fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com

  Yes, it's that easy. If you happen to have cocktail skewers for the cranberry garnish, just lay the filled skewer across the rim and don't bother trying to float it. That just forces the guests to use their fingers to fish the thing out. Remember that your cocktail picks can be a way to mark a guest's drink, so consider skewers that are not all the same, or use beads/charms on hoop earrings to make each glass distinctive. Inexpensive charms for jewelry making are available cheaply at Amazon and craft stores.   Sources: I recommend Cooper's Hawk Sparkling Bubbly Rose  Cooper's Hawk | Bubbly Rosé (chwinery.com) ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original pos...

  Cranberry Apple Crush This is a hot drink, so be prepared with plenty of heat-resistant coffee mugs. Frankly, the kumquats are for looks, so skip them and simply use lime slices.   Sources: BHG.com ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commissions on products. The links provided are examples of what's available online.  Lena Austin www.fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com

Bubblin' Swamp Juice No chocolate hot chocolate? I'm in! Yes, I'm one of those individuals who doesn't like chocolate. However, I'm aware I'm in the minority and I'm happy to make chocolate for those do love it.  Notes: 1. I often have trouble finding the centipede gummies, but other creepy crawlies gummies are all over the place. One year I found gummy roaches, another gummy rats. Have fun with this!  2. Buy your food coloring bottles early this year. Every year, it's a fight to find green and black for Halloween, and even worse as the year progresses to the winter holiday season. By the time December rolls around, the baking section of the grocery store may look like a war zone. Better yet, buy online.  Sources: Ghirardelli White Premium Baking Chips - 11oz: Target   were listed as far superior in taste and meltability to other baking chips. I can believe this, because I buy Ghirardelli white beverage chocolate so I can have "hot chocolate...

  Haymakers’ Gatorade aka Switchel Note: This recipe makes a LOT of liquid. Use a gallon jug/pitcher for my recipe, 2 gallons for the original. ************** Original Recipe: 1-1/4 gal water (5 qts) 2 cups molasses, honey, and/or maple syrup 1 cup apple cider vinegar 2 T. powdered ginger Rum (optional) *************** My Reduced Version 2-1/2 qt water 1 cup molasses, honey, and/or maple syrup (Mix it up until it equals 1 cup. Molasses is too bitter to be used alone. I personally use 1/2 honey and 1/2 molasses) ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1 T powdered ginger, though candied ginger can be substituted. Rum (to taste, still optional)   No, seriously. That’s it. Mix it up in the jug, jar, or pitcher. Chill and serve. I know, it’s weird, but oddly refreshing. This is an old New England recipe used during the hay harvest to refresh the weary farm hands while they worked in the summer heat to bring in the hay for winter. I discovered it works best for ...

RUSSIAN REFRESHER This delicious hot drink was the thing to give your friends and family in a fancy jar set  back in the 1970's. I loved it as a kid, and my mother was happy to make a big batch every fall.  Tang can be purchased via Amazon using this link:  Amazon.com : Tang Jumbo Orange Naturally Flavored Powdered Drink Mix 2 Count 63 Oz Canisters : Grocery & Gourmet Food My choice for the lemonade mix is Countrytime Lemonade, but you can decide based on what's available to you.  Please note that I personally substituted instant tea for 1 cup of the orange drink mix (aka Tang.)  Get creative with this, especially for any tea drinkers in your friends and family. What if you sealed this in a fancy jar and included it with a fun and fanciful tea set for a host(ess) gift or housewarming? 

This recipe is so naughty, I can't believe I'm publishing it where my bariatric friends can see. Well, mainly it's for me. I don't drink hardly at all, but when I do, this is my drink of choice. Why is it called Monkey Coffee? I have no clue. I call it sinful and that's enough.  Squirt the syrup on the sides of an old-fashioned glass. Add coffee cubes or ice cubes. Coffee cubes are simply coffee poured into an ice cube tray and frozen. Once solid, put them in a zip-top bag for storage. (You did label that bag, didn't you?)  Now pour in the vodka, Bailey's, and amaretto. Top off with some half-and-half. I like mine fairly blonde, but that's a "to taste" thing.  You may garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Diet Kool Pops Kool Aid pops were a part of my childhood, and probably kept Mom from killing us in summer. They're a cheap and easy snack even now, with some modifications to avoid all that sugar. Who says Mom can't enjoy a frosty treat, too? I got my kool-pops mold from someone who no longer wanted them, but you can pick them up in dollar stores or even online. In a pinch, use Dixie cups, cover with foil, stick in a stick (available at craft stores by the box), and freeze. But frankly, the mold is worth the purchase. Most molds can also be used to freeze fruit smoothies, juices, and yogurts. Here's a link for cheap ice pop molds. https://www.amazon.com/SODIAL-Popsicle-Yogurt-Icebox-Freezer/dp/B00TJPYEMW/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1523650631&sr=1-2&keywords=popsicle+molds&refinements=p_36%3A1253523011 No , I don't get a kickback from Amazon, or anyone else. I just happen to be an Amazon Prime member.

Bittersweet Hot Chocolate Makes: 12 (3/4-cup) servings Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 5 to 6 hours (low) or 2-1/2 to 3 hours (high)   mnmilnes1 says: Excellent, but VERY rich! Ingredients 4   cups  half-and-half or light cream 4   cups  milk 2   3-inch pieces  stick cinnamon 1   12-ounce package  bittersweet chocolate pieces or two 6-ounce packages bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1   tablespoon  ...

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/96/five-kitchen-gadgets-that-save-you-money-and-time.html For me, the soda machine is not necessary, even ridiculous. However, I agree on the others. C'mon, give up the carbonated beverages. You know they're bad for you, so stop lying to yourself. This is very, very true even though I no longer use my bread machine the way I used to. However, baking my own bread in the bread machine does save money. I make the dry ingredients in ziptop bags all at once, and then all I have to add is the wet ingredients and the yeast. Fast and easy! Most bread machines come with recipes. The slow cooker is a godsend! Right now, I have Carolina Slow Pork in there, and have since about 6:30 AM. By the time the guys come home, even I will be able to choke down a little well-cooked pork, something my band usually hates. The coffeemaker is my biggest money saver. While I was never a Starbucks addict, I do love flavored coffee. I use the DaVinci Sugar...

You can get diet Cranberry Cocktail without sacrificing flavor, but this one's going to remain a high-carb treat. However, for those on Liquid diets, any flavor is a welcome change.

You can definitely cut the carbs and calories on this one without sacrificing taste. I buy the Diet Swiss Miss (25 calories) and use Cool Whip Free instead of whipped cream. Every little bit helps, but I admit I serve this to guests more often than just myself.

Yes, that's 27g of carbs that was cut off. Ouch, I know. You can significantly reduce the carbs by using whipping cream or half-and-half, and of course substituting the honey with Splenda. The idea still works, and it's a great winter day warmer.

Okay, so it's heavy on the carbs. Let's face it, once in awhile won't kill you. This is much, much lower in carbs than going to a fancy gourmet coffee shop. Trust me. Don't believe me? Go to Starbucks.com and get the nutritional info.