Cross training day: No Running and No Walking. Ted was in charge of Shane. What a day to leave him with it: cold 24 degrees and snowy. Glad I got out of that one!
45 minutes Elliptical Trainer + 15 reps x 4 sets running high knee lifts. Chest and arms with weights. Finishing with 30 minutes on recumbent bike. Just not as rewarding as running.
Make Your Own Irish Cream (possible gifts for the holidays?)
The first time I ever had Bailey’s Irish Cream I thought I’d gone to heaven. It was the most wonderful tasting liquor I had ever had. But the price?! What teenager 25 year old could ever afford it? So Bailey’s Irish Cream went on the list for holiday indulgence. A once a year treat. UNTIL…I discovered a way to make my own Irish Cream and make it low fat. Did you realize that one serving of Bailey’s Irish Cream (1.5 oz) is a whopping 400 calories?! And the fat?! Let’s not go there.
I’m not promoting the following Low Fat recipe for Irish Cream as healthy but it is a way to enjoy this creamy liquor with a LOT less calories. *The liquor will mellow out as the mixture sits in the fridge. Add more (up to 1 2/3 cup Irish Whiskey if you want). Make sure to SHAKE IT before pouring.
- 1 clean empty bottle with a secure lid to store the liquor in the refrigerator
- 1 cup Fat Free half and half
- 1 14 oz can Fat Free sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/3 cup Irish Whiskey (This is what it’s all about!)
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- 2 TBS chocolate syrup *Make your own. See below
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
*If making your own chocolate syrup, do it first so it can cool.
Chocolate syrup
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
In a saucepan over medium low heat, add the cocoa and water and let the cocoa dissolve.
Add the sugar and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the salt and stir. Add the vanilla and stir. Let cool. Store in a sealed container for future use.
Making Irish Cream
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix on high speed until well blended.
Pour it over ice
You will want to keep pouring…
Baby, it’s cold outside. Keep pouring.
Store in the refrigerator and shake before pouring.
Have you ever made your own liquors? *If you care to share, I’ll post your recipe with a link.
one of my customers gave me some in a mason jar for a Christmas gift…it was the best gift ever!
It was Ted’s idea that this concoction would make a great gift. I agree. It’s so good.
Oh you angel! Forget the gift. It’s going to be all mine. I have always reserved Bailey’s as a holiday special treat. Thanks so much for taking it off the naughty list. I’ll be making a quart mason jar.
LOVE Baileys!
You are so thrifty and inventive! I love it! Part of the reason that I don’t drink much alcohol is because of the cost…and I had no idea there were so many calories in one of those delicious drinks. This looks like a great version…lighter on the waist and the pocket book. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you have a festive Tuesday!
True. It’s so expensive and has no nutritional advantage… wait! I guess if you drink enough it will pickle your liver.
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400 calories!!! Really?!?!? I’ll take your homemade version any day. What an ingenious idea!
Thanks Joanne
I modified the recipe a bit and came up with the following which is 23 calories per ounce. Thanks for the inspiration!
Tom’s Homemade low calorie baileys
Makes 45 ounces
23 calories per ounce
22 oz skim milk
1 and 1/3 cup Splenda
1 and 1/3 cup Jameson’s Irish whiskey
1 tsp instant coffee
1 Tbs chocolate syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
Put all in blender and blend then bottle and put in fridge. Shake before putting in coffee
Note: also good without almond extract doubling up vanilla for a slightly different flavor.
Enjoy!