Yogurt: the flexi-food, 8 great creations

By Ann Martin

As we near the end of June, I find myself really getting into a yogurt craze – with the rising heat and humidity I tend to seek out lighter foods that are delicious, sweet, and satisfying. Here are eight of my favorite ways to use low or non-fat yogurt that take less than five minutes each to prepare. Grab a pretty bowl from your Oneida flatware set, choose your favorite brand of yogurt, and let’s go!

1. A Berry good breakfast – Combine a cup of plain low or non-fat yogurt with a few squirts of honey, some flax seed, and your favorite berry for a delicious summer breakfast, or even dessert. Try raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries!
3. Peanut punch – I love adding a tablespoon or so of almond or peanut butter to my yogurt alongside a generous sprinkling of cinnamon. The flavors complement each other surprisingly and make a really satisfying snack
5. Summer in a dish – add small chunks of fresh pineapple or mango along with some shaved coconut and a few drops of vanilla extract. Delicious!
7. Trail mix yogurt – Add bits of pecan, kashi cereal, dried fruit, and sunflower seeds to your yogurt, plus maybe a drop or two of vanilla extract to taste. You’re ready to hit the trail!
9. Pancakes…without the cake – Or the pan, really, but the taste is great! Take a few drops of maple extract and drop into your yogurt, along with some cinnamon powder or a tiny bit of brown sugar.
11. Caffeine kick – Combine 3 tablespoons of instant coffee with ice, maybe a banana, and of course the yogurt, in a blender to make a sippable summer pick-me-up.
13. Get the Goji – Grab some goji berries with another berry of your choice, some granola, and a little bit of agave nectar. With this one, I like to mix it all together a la ice cream and stick it in the freezer awhile before eating. It works without freezing, as well.
15. Creamy comfort – Who says all comfort food has to be warm and bubbly? Chop up a golden delicious apple into fine bits, and add nutmeg and pumpkin spice powder. Instant summer comfort food!

*Bonus idea: Have a yogurt bar at a birthday party or other summer event. Set out a variety of toppings, lots of yogurt, and you new flatware for an elegant and healthy addition to any summer event!

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