Share a Straw - Sangria Blanca

LIBer's!  It's Share a Straw over at the Tank today, so I thought I would share over here as well.  I have some tips I have dug up for you all too.  Seriously, there is no quicker way to TANK a diet than to insert alcohol.  Well hell, you insert alcohol and it can do in friendships, reputations, dignity and definitely a diet.

Alcohol is a dirty little whore who can lower your blood sugar to make you feel hungry.  It lowers your inhibitions so you think "I need just one more."  It dehydrates your body which makes you think you need to drink more.  And last but not least, it will cause you to eat without thought because that resolve you had about sticking to your diet is a distant thought and the buzzing call of the social butterfly has bitten your diet squarely in the ass.

Oh...those butterflies.  So pretty.  Just like all those fruity cocktails the bartender is mixing up.  BEWARE of mixed drinks bitches!  They have lots of juice, and sugary mixes, and calories galore!  Many of them have more calories than a dessert!  NOT. EVEN. KIDDING.  Mixologists add calories in the details of their craft.  A sugared rim, a chocolate martini with all the pretty drizzles of chocolate and graham cracker rimmed glass and oh it looks so good?  438 calories! <---doesn't look so good in numbers huh?  The giant Frozen Mudslide at TGIFriday's has 1100 CALORIES!  OH MY HELL!  There goes an entire day's calories.

However, there are many things you can do to avoid those drinks, and still enjoy a cocktail if that is your prerogative.  When attending a party, or going out with the girls, or dining out, you need to have a "GAME PLAN".  Determine what you plan to drink before going out.  Make allowances for those extra calories in your day.  Always drink lots of water that day.  Eat before you go to a bar or happy hour so you are less inclined to dive into that food.  Wine and light beers for the most part are a low-cal option.  There is a common misconception that light beer has less alcohol, meaning you have to drink more.  Not so.  Light beer has exact same alcohol content.  Single servings of light liquors such as vodka, gin and light rum with a splash of fresh fruit juice and tonic or sparkling water are also low-cal options.

If you must have a high calorie "dessert" type drink, then make it dessert.  Cut back on your meal and have an indulgence.  But only have one.

For a nice at home low-calorie option try this White Sangria or Sangria Blanco

1 Bottle Barefoot Pinot Grigio
2 oranges sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen peaches sliced
1 cup of Brandy

In a large picture combine all the ingredients and refrigerate for a couple of hours.  If you enjoy some bubbles in your drink add a bit of sparkling water or club soda in glass.

Servings = 6  125 calories per serving

Holly over at 504 Main posted a Light Mojito recipe for you rum lovers today as well.  Go check it out.