Yogurt and Healthy Toppings!

Greek yogurt is all the rage right now!  It is full of so much good protein and calcium and is a healthy and filling breakfast.  And as hard as I try to eat it because I know it is good for me, I just really struggle with plain old boring yogurt.  I need some crunch and some fruit, something in it to make it a little more interesting while still keeping it healthy.  Try out some of these ideas and you will never think the same of your plain old yogurt again!

• Peaches + Maple + Cardamom + Pecans
• Toss together pitted and quartered peaches with a pinch of cardamom and drizzle of maple syrup. Roast in 350°F oven until tender. Eat warm or at room temperature over yogurt with chopped pecans.

• Carrots + Cinnamon + Honey + Walnuts
• Coarsely grate carrots and toss with honey and cinnamon. Spoon over yogurt and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

• Lemon + Almond Extract + Poppy seeds
• Stir lemon juice and a dash of almond extract into yogurt. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.

•  Pistachios + Crystallized Ginger + Honey + Orange
• Whisk together honey, orange juice, and orange zest. Drizzle over yogurt, and sprinkle with chopped crystallized ginger and chopped pistachios.

• Honey + Almonds + Apricots
• Swirl honey into yogurt. Top with coarsely chopped almonds and apricots. Drizzle with additional honey.

• Sweet Potatoes + Maple Syrup + Hazelnuts
• Wrap whole sweet potatoes in aluminum foil and roast in a 375°F oven until tender. Peel and mash with a drizzle of maple syrup. Dollop on top of yogurt and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

• Raw Corn + Lime + Agave
• Whisk together lime juice, zest, and agave. Slice fresh sweet corn kernels off the cob. Toss with lime mixture and sprinkle over yogurt.

• Coconut + Shaved Dark Chocolate + Cocoa Powder
• Toast large flaked coconut in a 350°F oven until lightly browned and fragrant. Cool slightly. Stir cocoa powder into yogurt and top with the toasted coconut and chocolate shavings.  

• Blueberry + Lemon + Sugar
• In a bowl smash together half of the blueberries with fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of granulated sugar. Swirl gently into yogurt. Top with whole blueberries and lemon zest.

• Strawberries + Vanilla + Brown Sugar + Pecans
• Stir vanilla extract into yogurt. Top with diced fresh strawberries. Sprinkle brown sugar and coarsely chopped pecans over top and serve.

• Banana + Cinnamon + Peanuts
• Mash banana and cinnamon together with a fork until smooth. Swirl gently into yogurt and top with finely chopped peanuts.

• Strawberries + Maple + Balsamic Vinegar
• Whisk together balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in a bowl. Add the berries and set aside to macerate for 30 minutes. Spoon over yogurt.

Source: The Buzz Feed

Yogurt Cupcake Bites

Strawberries are coming in season and I just can't seem to get enough of them.  I wanted to do a dessert with them but wanted something a little healthier.  These little cupcakes require no baking and only take a few minutes to put together.  The hardest part is waiting for them to chill and set up!  Give them a try, it will satisfy that sweet tooth and not undo all of your hard work of eating right.

Yogurt Cupcake Bites

Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4

1 container (6oz) light fat free strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup thawed reduced fat whipped topping
4 strawberries, cut in half

Place mini paper baking cup in each of 8 mini muffin cups.  Spoon slightly less than 2 T yogurt in each cup.  Top each with a small dollop of whipped topping.  Cover with foil or plastic wrap.  Freeze at least one hour.  Top with strawberry half before serving. 

1 serving (2 bites): 50 calories;  1 1/2 g fat