This post was sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. Here I’m sharing 5 Ways to Indulge – Without the extra calories! Plus, two easy recipes: a Denver Omelette and Vanilla Cupcake Iced Coffee — as well as tips for having your cake and eating it too in the New Year! #HowdTheyDunkThat

This year I determined to lose 10 lbs. in the first quarter of 2016. So far, I’m well on my way and I’ve lost four lbs. Wahoo! So, here I’m sharing fun for the New Year with 5 Ways to Indulge – Without the extra calories! I’ve found that it’s easier for me to “have my cake and eat it too” (eat right and lose weight at the same time) when I make sure to do the following things:

1. Try New Easy Recipes
2. Find New Favorites
3. Enlist Friends
4. Create Accountability
5. Celebrate Success

Try New Easy Recipes

One of the ways that’s helped me to stay on track to reach one of my New Year’s goals is to find new easy recipes that allow me to indulge in rich flavors without all the calories. Now, you may not have heard of it yet, but Dunkin’ Donuts has a new coffee flavor called Vanilla Cupcake. Even with 1 tablespoon of regular creamer it’s only 50 calories a cup.

The Vanilla Cupcake Coffee is rich and dark with a slight hint of vanilla cupcake flavors. Yum!

I also found a delicious iced coffee recipe online using Dunkin’ Donuts new Vanilla Cupcake coffee. This easy recipe for a Creamy Blended Cupcake Coffee drink was created by Lisa Lillien (a.k.a. Hungry Girl). This frosted drink is so easy make and it includes something a little extra special to sweeten things up and make for a more delicious iced coffee (and it’s still only 50 calories!)

Ingredients for Vanilla Cupcake Iced Coffee

1/2 cup light vanilla soymilk
4 oz. strong-brewed Dunkin’ Donuts® Bakery Series® Vanilla Cupcake Flavored Coffee, chilled
2 no-calorie sweetener packets
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups crushed ice (about 10 ice cubes)

Directions for Vanilla Cupcake Iced Coffee

A short video to show you how I made this easy recipe for Vanilla Cupcake Iced Coffee.

You can blend the vanilla soy milk with ice in one blending cup, and then the coffee and ice in another blending cup to try and achieve a “layered” look. I found that the coffee and milk ran together. In the end, I just mixed it all together.

Vanilla Cupcake Iced Coffee Video Tutorial

My first try was for a layered look, then I created another, and mixed for the final and darker version of iced coffee.

Find New Favorites

While I was checking out the Hungry Girl website I found a new personal favorite for breakfast. It’s called a Denver Omlette in a Mug. It’s a filling but low-calorie meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrients. It’s only 122 calories, so the coffee and omelette, even when consumed together, are a breakfast combo that is less than 180 calories. 

Denver Omelette Video Tutorial

And, since you can make the Denver Omelette in a Mug in the microwave it’s quick and easy to make. A short video to inspire a super simple breakfast:

Ingredients for a Denver Omelette

 Directions for a Denver Omelette

• Spray mug with non-stick spray and add 2 tbsp. onion and 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers. Microwave for 1 & 1/2 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup egg substitute, stir and microwave 1 minute.
• Add 2 oz. chopped ham and 2 tbsp. cheese and microwave 1 minute.
• Mix and Serve.

Enlist Your Friends

Dishes this easy to make and which allow you to have your cake and eat it too — are worth celebrating, so I had a few friends over for a little Dunkin’ Donuts coffee sampling party. The girls and I meet regularly for a book study, so it was only natural I serve them coffee and a tasty breakfast. Of course, I whipped up some yummy Denver style omelettes to make sure everyone enjoyed this easy to make, nutritious and low-calorie recipe. 

Now a coffee sampling party is easy to host, just pick up a few bags of Dunkin’ Donuts Vanilla Cupcake Coffee and whip up some egg scramble using the same ingredients used in the Denver Omelette recipe above. 

I served the Vanila Cupcake Coffee as a brewed coffee and as an iced coffee – for some of my iced coffee loving friends. Vanilla Cupcake Coffee is now available in supermarket aisles nationwide, Vanilla Cupcake Flavored Coffee is the perfect treat for any guilt-free occasion.

Create Accountability

To keep track of my progress, and to keep me on track to lose 10 lbs. in the first quarter, I’m using a fitbit zip. I love my zip and I wear it everywhere to track how many calories I eat and how many calories I burn. It helps me stay on task and if I eat too much at the beginning of the day, I adjust with a smaller meal in the evening. If you’ve never tried a fitbit, I highly recommend it.

It also helps to have a girlfriend or two (like Mary Ann and Janna – pictured below, and Dianna and Lorraine – above) to encourage you as you strive to achieve new milestones. I love my girlfriends!

Celebrate Success

Sharing your success with friends is one of the ways to encourage yourself as you reach for new goals. The girls in my book study loved being able to sample Dunkin’ Donuts’ new Vanilla Cupcake Coffee and everyone was thrilled to have their “cake” and eat it too! Plus with DunkinatHome.com you can enjoy a bakery style treat like Vanilla Cupcake Coffee in the comfort of your home. The girls were even able to  take home bags of the new coffee to try with their favorite breakfast eats.

Where to find Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series Vanilla Cupcake Flavored Coffee

Vanilla Cupcake Flavored Coffee is now available in supermarket aisles nationwide. I purchased my Vanilla Cupcake coffee at Walmart. You can also find party supplies at Walmart. The “Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake” coffee mug can be found on Amazon. And the special tall pink coffee mug and Dunkin’ Donuts scoop can be found at your local Dunkin’ Donuts bakery.

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What is your favorite way to have your cake and eat it too?

Do you have a favorite treat that combines delicious flavors and low calories all in one? How do you reach your goals for health and fitness? Please leave a comment or recipe idea below and join the conversation. I love hearing from my readers.

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