National Margarita Day! // Skinny Margarita

Happy National Margarita Day! Margaritas can pack quite the punch when it comes to calories, sugar and carbohydrates, especially the frozen kind. Frozen, fruit-flavored margaritas tend to have more calories because they contain some kind of fruit or juice. A margarita on the rocks can have up to 100 calories less than a frozen margarita. Avoid the sugar-induced stomach ache and excessive empty-calories by making your own margarita at home. Enjoy a healthier version of the sweet cocktail with this recipe or if you're itching to go out for a drink, try Applebees' SkinnyBee Margarita which is around 100 calories. Remember, it's important to not deprive yourself of your favorite things in order to stay on track in your fitness and nutrition journey. Food deprivation, or restrictive eating, may cause you to dislike healthy nutritious foods. And what happens when you chronically feel deprived? In most cases, once you have access to these “forbidden” or restricted foods, you binge or overeat. Find the healthier alternative to your favorite food or drink and remember moderation is key! Cheers!

Skinny Margarita // CookieandKate.com

Super fresh, skinny margaritas made with fresh lime juice, orange juice and agave nectar. 

Ingredients

Kosher salt or coarsely ground sea salt

2 ounces (1/4 cup) silver tequila

1½ ounces (3 tablespoons/about 1½ small limes) fresh lime juice

1 ounce (2 tablespoons/about ½ of a medium orange) fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon light agave nectar

1 lime wedge or round, for garnish

Instructions

Pour a layer of salt onto a small plate (preferably one just slightly larger than the top of your margarita glass). Slice off a small piece of lime and run the wet edge of the slice along half of the rim of your glass. Dip the top of the glass into the salt at a 45-degree angle and roll it from side to side to catch the salt. Add ice cubes to your glass and set it aside.

Fill a small cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the tequila, freshly squeezed lime and orange juice and agave nectar. Put on the lid and shake for 30 seconds. Strain the liquid into your glass and garnish with a slice of lime.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 Calories: 184 Carbohydrates: 12 grams Sugar: 9 grams

Want to make a pitcher of margarita? 

For 10 drinks (about 45 ounces, or 5½ cups), combine 2½ cups silver tequila, generous 1¾ cup fresh lime juice (around 15 limes), 1¼ cup fresh orange juice (about 5 medium oranges) and 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon light agave nectar. Mix well, and add ice. Don’t forget to garnish your rims with lime rounds and coarse salt.

Thirsty Thursday // Low-Calorie Cocktails

Just because you're trying to reach new fitness and health goals, it doesn't mean you have to skip out on happy hour and give up your glass of wine. Happy hour doesn't have to be a diet downer. With a little planning, you can avoid diet disaster, and there are some alcoholic drinks that are relatively low in calories.

5 Ways to Keep from Overloading on Alcoholic Calories

ALTERNATE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

CHOOSE WINE, LIGHT BEER, OR SIMPLE COCKTAILS MADE WITH LOW-CALORIE MIXERS // Just like you ask for your salad dressing on the side, don't be shy to ask for your cocktail exactly the way you want it. 

SKIP THE MIXER // Try a new flavored liquor on the rocks or with some water. No added calories. Save 100 calories with a diet soda instead of regular. 

DILUTE YOUR DRINK // Use club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with a wedge of citrus or pineapple to add flavor and few calories. 

HAVE A GAME PLAN // Decide in advance the number of cocktails you are going to drink and cut back on calories during the day in anticipation. But eat a light snack before you go so you won't get tipsy with the first drink and it will be less tempted to dive into the food. Always be aware of your own personal limits. Don't drink too much, and, of course, don't drink and drive.

Some mixers that won't pack on the pounds include:

• Diet soda or diet tonic: 0 calories
• Orange juice (6 oz): 84 calories
• Cranberry juice cocktail (8 oz): 136 calories
• Light orange juice (8 oz): 50 calories
• Light cranberry juice (8 oz): 40 calories
• Light lemonade (8 oz): 5 calories
• Coffee, tea: 0 calories
• Baja Bob's sugar-free margarita or sweet 'n' sour mix: 0 calories
• Lemon or lime juice (1/2 oz): 10 calories
• DaVinci or Torani's sugar-free syrups: 0

Low-Calorie Cocktail // Mojito
Although a drink made with sugar screams “back away!” for the waistline-conscious, you can request half the simple syrup—or ditch it altogether. Mint, lime, and soda water are all naturally low-cal, a shot of rum is about 100 calories, and 2 tbsp. of sugar (half the normal serving) in the form of syrup is about 40 calories.

What's your favorite low-calorie cocktail? Share as a comment below and we'll share them on our Facebook page! 

Happy Thirsty Thursday! 

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/low-calorie-cocktails

http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2008/12/5-best-low-calorie-cocktails#slide=1