Did somebody mention Starbucks???

Hi all, Well, I love Starbucks Lattes--hot and cold--but I don't love the caffine- and I certainly don't love the $4.99 per cup price! (I like the VENTE size) -So, I went to Starbucks --bought some bottles of Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup and a bag of the Starbucks decaffinated coffee beans (from B.J.s ) and made my own Lattes--I also purchased the three pack of Vanilla powder, chocolate powder and cinnamon . The syrup was in a liter bottle($6.75) the powders($12.00) and the two pound bag of coffee $10.00) Now, I am making my own Vente Lattes (decaf, with skim milk and SF Vanilla syrup) --I am saving a whole bunch of money! I get Starbucks Flavor--use the same products they use. I am NOT paying almost $5 dollars a cup (I figure it costs about .30 cents a cup) and I can have it any time I want. It is just a suggestion--but most of the Starbucks will sell you the syrup (vanilla and hazelnut come in a sugar free form) and you can even serve guests a delicious drink (hot or cold) I have even been known to put the cold latte into the blender and then end up with a frappe. Try it --you'll like it! Be Blessed, Marian S.C. 242.4/177.2/goal125-130??

Nice idea Marian, I'll try that! Hope all is well with you. Amy

Thanks Amy --and I am doing well down 65 pounds and feeling great. I mentioned the Starbucks --because I love them but they were soooooo high in calories--I had to have analternative. Be blessed MarianS.C.

Marian: Can you tell me what is in the 'powders'? Meaning ingredients/nutritional breakdown? How much powder, milk, syrup in a latte? I have a friend who is drinking these at Starbucks and the Frapps (PURE SUGAR and all) and has gained quite a bit (shes 2 yrs out). Looking for options for her perhaps...I worry about drinking calories longterm, especially sugar ones that are 100% absorbed. I also know she has tried the Cappucinno flavored proteins warmed and enjoyed them (PVL, Syntrax, IDS)...Thanks for any info. I looked on Starbucks site: couldnt find info... PS DAvincis Torani, artisan all sell SF syrups! TJMAXX has em, www.netrition.com has em and many other sites also.... Jamie

Hi Jamie, Truthfully , I was really worried about drinking those calorie filled drinks too--But I love them so I had to make an alternative that would satisfy me. I find that most of the protein drinks have an after taste --so I wanted The REAL thing! First of all those powders that the starbucks coffee houses feature at the "add your own station" ar extremely low in calories--the vanilla powder is only 25 calories per teaspoon. The chocolate powder is 10 calories a teaspoon the cinnimon is zero calories. I only sprinkle a shake or two on the top--so the calorie count is negligable. The Vanilla and the hazelnut syrups have Zero calories--The coffee is Zero calories . So the only thing that I count is the fat free or skim milk ( and that has protein. Each large drink is approximately 70 calories--That is a far cry from the 600 calories in a normal latte or frappe--By the way if you put the coffee, milk and vanilla syrup in a blender with lots of Ice--you get a HUGE amount enough to serve three people at least--and you have used maybe eight ounces of milk. By the way --just stop in at Starbucks --they do sell the syrup --if you ask for it! If I feel festive I top the latte with a dollup of cool whip and dribble some sugar free chocolate syrup on top of the cream. I don't miss the sugar..It is wonderfully sweet and tasty hot or cold. By the way Starbucks will make you latte with sugar free syrup and skim milk --so your friend shouldn't feel deprived and yet she doesn't have to gain weight either. The workers at Starbuck are very accomodating --so you can still drink your morning coffees--the have no problem adding equal--or splendra. Like I said I love Starbucks--but I don't always want to gain weight an I don't always have four or five dollars to spend for coffee. Be Blessed and I hope that your friend is able to control her weight. I worry too--that's why I try to find alternatives. Marian S.C.

Marian, OH MY!!! How I love to get my Venti, Decaf, SF Hazelnut, Nonfat Latte.....what a mouthful, but it's my treat. Great Idea to make it yourself......I dont know.....maybe for an evening drink or company I would....but I like to stop and get it on my way to work in the morning...my daily indulgence. Janean

Hi Janean, I stop by the shop about once a week--but my everyday treat is my latte at home--that's what my esspreso machine is for! I love the steamy foam it makes MarianS C

Thanks for the idea! I am a grande non-fat no foam latte girl myself, heehee. I looooove a cold latte in the summer, oh my gosh, pure heaven if you ask me.

Isn't it absolutely sinfully tasty? I do love it --hot or cold and the blender smoothie is great too! Marian S.C.

My addiction is triple venti skim latte... But I have been making them at home alot instead of spending almost $5 a cup, I use three shots of espresso made at home and about 12 oz's skim milk frothed and one pack of Equal... I do have a addiction ... I can drink like 3 or 4 a day or more Alberto