Hello, Lover!

RED VELVET WAFFLES

Cream Cheese Whipped Cream “Frosting”

Valentine’s Breakfast for a special someone?  Perfect.  Lazy Sunday morning for those you love all year?  Amazing gesture!

These are gorgeous and have the familiar red velvet flavor that’s coveted.  A hint of cocoa, slightly sweet…and a fun deep red that makes them seem more work than they are!  I topped them with a traditional cream cheese-whipped cream “frosting”, and a drizzle of syrup.   

No matter when you make them, or who you make them for…you’ll be loved in return!

I also think this batter would work as pancakes, if you don’t have a waffle maker…might as well give it a shot! 

(These are not low carb…simply low in sugar.  But for a special day, we’ll live through it!)

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Waffles:

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup Whey Low Granular (Splenda or sugar)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 cup skim or 2% milk  (if making into pancakes reduce to 1 1/4 cup)

3 eggs, separated

6 tablespoons melted butter

1 tablespoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

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In a large bowl whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, Splenda (sugar), salt, and baking powder.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together the milk, egg yolks, melted butter, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.  Add to the dry ingredients and whisk just until combined.

In another bowl beat the egg whites until stiff.  With a spatula, fold into the batter mixture.  (It’s okay if a few fluffs remain.)

Make in a preheated waffle iron per instructions.  Serve immediately with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream.

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Cream Cheese Whipped Cream:

1 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup Splenda (or powdered sugar)

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened

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Beat the whipping cream, Splenda, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.  Beat in the cream cheese until smooth.

Makes approx 7 servings, depending on your waffle maker.  I used a Belgium maker and the photo below is from one batch in the maker.  Stats are for seven servings (two waffles, each about 5 inches square; approx 1/3 cup of topping) that look like the photo.

Per Serving:  Calories 341; Fat 15 g, Protein 13 g; Carbs 30 g, Fiber 2 g; Sugar 7 g; Sodium 399 mg

 

 

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How I do love you…!

QUINOA PUDDING

Well, well!  I’ve been thinking about trying to do this for a long time and have found a new favorite!  Made with quinoa, this dish has a nuttiness and a little more “chew” than traditional rice pudding where the rice gets very soft.  

I’ve given a simple vanilla recipe here, but made with part coconut milk, almond milk, or added cocoa powder, spices, or citrus zest, there can be lots of  variations.  (And I can’t wait to try them all!)

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Quinoa does have quite a few carbs – which sort of goes against my low-carb approach to eating – but with more protein than rice, it is absorbed more slowly into the system and, therefore, doesn’t cause a spike in blood sugar or carb cravings…for me at least.  And that’s a very good thing!

(White rice has a glycemic load of approx 23, quinoa as a glycemic load of approx 13.  This is a link of common questions concerning GL and GI info, if you’re interested.)

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1 1/4 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup fat free half & half
1/4 cup Splenda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed in a fine sieve and well drained
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or paste (or a vanilla bean, split and scraped)

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1/4 cup heavy whipping cream + 1 tablespoon Splenda

Cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, pumpkin pie spice, lemon or orange zest, brandy extract, etc.

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In a large saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring milk and half & half to a boil. Add the Splenda, salt, quinoa, and vanilla extract/paste.
Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 45 min, stirring frequently.  Cool.

Transfer to a dish, and chill, completely.   Whip the 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1 tablespoon Splenda until quite stiff; fold into the chilled pudding.

(You may eat it warm before adding the whipped cream, but it’s SO good after!)

Makes approx 6 servings (1/3 cup each)

Per Serving: Calories 130; Protein 5 g; Fat 4 g; NET Carbs 16 g; (Fiber 1 g); Sugar 6 g; Sodium 140 mg

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Gotta Crunch?!

PUMPKIN-CRUNCH GRANOLA

When I get to eat a sweet and satisfy a crunch with good-for-me complex carbs – that’s a good day!  This mix is everything you love a granola to be.  Slightly sweet, spicy, nutty, crunchy, nice-sized chunks, and lots of oats.  

Oh, and it makes your house smell like Pumpkin Pie.  There’s never anything awful about that.

Add this to some Greek-style yogurt with a Gold Caramel Sauce swirl – super.   In a bowl with a little almond milk – fabulous.  Sprinkled as a crust on Apple Crisp – so good.  

Don’t leave out the egg yolk – it’s for the “clump factor”.  Without the stickiness that sugar gives the clumps are lost!  Adding some chopped dried cranberries/cherries/raisins or some chocolate chunks would be wonderful, too.

(Thanks to Lynne  for the inspiration!)

Personally, I think this is better as it sits, so I’d make it ahead and store for a day or two!

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1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree

1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup (OR agave)

1/3 cup  Whey Low Gold (OR Splenda Granular)

2 tablespoons sugar free Caramel Syrup (OR Vanilla, Toffee, Hazelnut…etc) OR add 2 T. more of maple syrup

1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice (OR 1 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. ginger, 1/4 t. cloves, 1/8 t. nutmeg)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup chopped pecans (OR walnuts, macadamia nuts, coconut, etc)

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In a medium bowl combine the pumpkin, agave, WL Gold, caramel syrup, egg yolk, spice, vanilla, and salt.  Stir in the oats and nuts until every flake is coated.

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.  Coat a 11 inch baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray and spread the oat mixture evenly.  Bake for 45-60 minutes (stirring every 15 minutes) or until deep brown.  Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.  Store in an airtight container.  Makes approx 15 (1/4-cup) servings.

Per 1/4 cup: Calories 119; Protein 6 g; Fat 8 g; NET Carbs 11 g; (Fiber4 g); Sugar 4 g; Sodium 41 mg

With Agave:  Per 1/4 cup: Calories 135; Protein 6 g; Fat 8 g; NET Carbs 16 g; (Fiber 4 g); Sugar 8 g; Sodium 41 mg

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Quick little quickie!

SPINACH-GORGANZOLA QUICHE CUPS

 

I love quiche in any way, shape, or form.  It’s comforting to me…the possibilities are innumerable…and they are protein-filled while being fairly low in calories.  A complete meal in a finger food!  (I love LOADED quiche, so I added a little more spinach in the ones photographed.)

These freeze wonderfully, so make lots.  It’s not any more work to do a double batch!

(This is my interpretation but, thanks to Shelly of TheWorldAccordingToEggface for the inspiration and tons of variations!)

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1 medium sweet onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons butter

One 10-ounce package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

6 eggs

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Dash cayenne pepper

Dash freshly grated nutmeg

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In a small saute pan, heat the butter over medium-low heat.  Add the onion and garlic and cook for 10 minutes, or until softened.   Transfer to a bowl and stir in the spinach and cheeses.

In a medium bowl whisk the eggs until frothy.  Whisk in the milk, salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a regular-sized muffin pan (12 count) with vegetable cooking spray.  Divide the spinach mixture amongst the cups.  Pour the egg mixture over the spinach.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until puffed and just set.  Makes 12.  (Can also be done in a deep dish pie plate,  mini muffin tins, or custard cups – depending on what serving size you prefer.)

Per each “cup”:  Calories 101, Protein 8g, Fat 6g, NET Carbs 3g, Sugar 1g, Sodium 112mg

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Summer Berries Star Again

LEMON RASPBERRY PARFAITS

It’s time to take advantage of nature’s gorgeous jewels and this is the perfect light ending to a hot summer day.  Strawberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, cherries…anything fresh is wonderful in this.

This is another recipe where adding in a scoop or so of unflavored, or vanilla, protein powder would be wonderful…and unnoticable, too.  

(I got these adorable individual Trifle bowls at Walmart. Can’t tell by my photo, but they have the pedestal and everything!!)

This photo is from Crate & Barrel…but same thing.

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One 8-ounce pkg. fat free cream cheese, softened
2 cups skim milk
One 4-serving size sugar-free instant Lemon pudding mix
1/2 cup Splenda-sweetened whipped cream  (1/4 cup heavy cream with 1 teaspoon Splenda)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Splenda
Zest of half a lemon
2 cups fresh raspberries ( or straw, black, blue…whatever is available)
3 kiwi, diced (peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries…)

In a large bowl whip the cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add the milk until blended. Beat in pudding mix, vanilla, Splenda, and lemon zest. Allow to thicken and fold in whipped cream.

In 8 small dessert cups or glass, layer fruit and cream cheese mixture, dividing ingredients evenly among them. Garnish with additional fruit and lemon zest, if desired. Chill for 1-2 hours. Makes 8 servings.

Per Serving: Calories 112; Protein 6 g; Fat 2 g; NET Carbs 12 g; (Fiber 3 g); Sugar 3 g; Sodium 319 mg

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Not your Gramma’s rice pudding…

“RICE” PUDDING

Okay…so it’s not rice by ANY stretch of the imagination.  But it’s for sure pudding!

I love the flavor of a gorgeous rice pudding, but those white carbs will gettcha quick. I got this idea from a message board (thank you McNee) and added a touch or two of my own.  It has all the flavors of the traditional and even the “feel” of rice (if you close your eyes and imagine a little bit).  Add a little unflavored protein powder for the perfect excuse to eat dessert for breakfast or lunch.

Even if you don’t love cottage cheese, this may convince you of it’s awesomeness!

Kristina has a great idea…I’ll be trying this asap! “ … since it’s fall now I was inspired to change up this recipe a bit. I used about 1/2 a small box of butterscotch pudding (instead of the vanilla) and I added 3 Tbs. of Pumpkin puree, and substituted pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon. I also added a bit more splenda. OMG!! Awesome. Like a pumpkin pie.”

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One (4-serving size) pkg sugar-free Instant Vanilla pudding mix

1 3/4 cups milk

One 16-ounce container small curd cottage cheese

1/2 cup sweetened whipped cream OR Cool Whip

2-3 tablespoons Splenda – if desired

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

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In a large bowl whisk together the pudding mix and milk until thickened.  Fold in the cottage cheese, whipped cream, Splenda, if using, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Cover and chill for at least two hours.

I changed my mind on letting it sit!  I love this as soon as it’s made and the next day…after that it’s good, but not AS good.  Also, the raisins get too soft for me.  I like them CHEWY!  So  from now on I will make it without the raisins and add them fresh to each serving.  (After how many years of making this did I finally figure that out?)

Makes approx six 1/2-cup servings.

Per Serving: Calories 105; Protein 3 g; Fat 3 g; NET Carbs 17 g; Sugar 8 g; Sodium 236 mg

 

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Easter Brunch Menu…Swiss Asparagus Quiche, Lemon-Glazed Oat-Blueberry Muffins, Sunrise Nog

EASTER BRUNCH MENU

Everything can be made ahead and gently reheated for a quick meal on a busy morning.

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SWISS ASPARAGUS QUICHE   

 

Vegetable cooking spray
1/2 pound fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
5 slices turkey bacon , cooked and crumbled (OR veggie version:  5 Morningstar Breakfast strips)
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 inch pie plate with vegetable cooking spray. In a saucepan, place asparagus into boiling water and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain well. Sprinkle crumbled bacon and asparagus into pie plate. Top with cheese.

In a bowl beat together, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and onion powder. Pour egg mixture on top of cheese. Bake, uncovered for 25 minutes or until golden and just set in the center. Makes 8 servings.

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Per Serving: 151 Cal; 11 g Protein; 10 g Tot Fat; 3 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 3 g Sugar; 165 mg Sodium

LEMON GLAZED OATMEAL-BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

 

Vegetable cooking spray

3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup Whey Low Granular OR Splenda Granular in a pinch
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a regular or mini muffin pan with vegetable cooking spray. In a small bowl beat, with electric mixer, the butter and Whey Low Granular. Beat in, until combined, the egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and buttermilk. Stir in, just until moistened, the oatmeal, almond flour, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for 12-15 minutes or until tester comes out with moist crumbs. Drizzle with lemon glaze while still warm. Makes 12 regular or 20 mini muffins.

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Per mini muffin: 59 Cal; 2 g Protein; 3 g Tot Fat; 6 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 41 mg Sodium

Lemon Glaze

1/2 cup Whey Low powdered OR Splenda Granular
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 drops vanilla extract

In a small bowl, whisk together the Whey Low powdered, lemon juice and vanilla. Drizzle over warm muffins.

SUNRISE NOG

 

1 tub Orange Sunrise crystal light powder (the tub that makes 2 quarts)
4 cups water (not the full 8 cups that’s called for on the drink mix container)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup fat-free or regular half & half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon orange zest
One 4-serving size instant sf vanilla pudding powder

To a blender container add drink powder, water, milk, half & half, vanilla, orange zest, and pudding powder. Process until smooth and frothy.
Pour over crushed ice if desired. (This mixture will seperate when allowed to sit in the fridge for a couple hours. Just give a quick whisking or blend again and it will be perfect!) Makes 10 servings 2/3 cup each.

PerServing: 30 Cal; 1 g Protein; 1 g Tot Fat; 3 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 1 g Sugar; 150 mg Sodium

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Sunday Brunch never had it so good!

CHEESE BLINTZES

My low-carb crepes are good for so many things, but this is the original use I had in mind.  Sweet, rich, yet light and fluffy – an indulgent treat that will make you feel very special!

Add any flavoring or extract you like to the cheesecake filling and top with berries, sliced fresh peaches, chocolate sauce, or warm orange marmalade. There is no bad way to serve these!

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Crepes:
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
4 eggs
4 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt
4 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Splenda
Vegetable cooking spray

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In a medium bowl beat the Ricotta with the eggs. Beat in the flour, salt, milk, vanilla, and Splenda. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.

Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Coat with vegetable cooking spray when hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of batter and swirl the pan to coat the entire surface in a thin layer. Allow to cook, without turning, until completely done. The top should be no longer shiny and when you touch it it’s not wet. The bottom will be have a very slight golden color. If it’s too dark, lower the heat. (These can be impossible to flip and they don’t need to be, so you don’t have try!) Gently loosen the edges with a spatula and slide out of the pan onto a plate. Very lightly spray the top with vegetable spray – this way you can stack them on top of each other.

Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray before each crepe. Proceed with above directions until batter is gone. Allow the crepes to cool to room temperature and then wrap the plate tightly with plastic wrap. These keep well in the fridge – unfilled – for several days.

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Filling:
One 8-ounce pkg. fat free or reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 – 1/2 cup fat free half & half
3 tablespoons sugar-free instant cheesecake or vanilla pudding powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Splenda

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In a medium bowl beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the half & half, pudding powder, vanilla, and Splenda. If it becomes too thick add more half & half. It should have the consistency of the ‘whipped’ cream cheese you can buy in a tub. Not soft like pudding, but not as hard as regular cream cheese.

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Extras:
Fresh or frozen berries
Chocolate sauce
Whipped cream

To assemble blintzes: Place 1 tablespoon of the filling on the edge of the crepe. Fold the crepe in half over the filling dollop and then fold the empty side over the dollop so that it is folded in fourths. Place two crepes on each plate and scatter with berries, drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with whipped cream. Makes 6 servings (2 blintzes each)

Per Serving: Calories 180; Protein 16 g; Fat 6 g; Carbs 11 g; Sugar 5 g; Sodium 415 mg

 

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Ricotta-apple pancakes…just right for a lazy day breakfast

RICOTTA APPLE PANCAKES

These little wonders are light and fluffy. They actually hold together like pancakes should!

I’ve only used apples, but zucchini would work well, too.   Change up the spices or add some different extracts…

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3 eggs, separated
1 whole egg
1 cup part skin ricotta
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice OR cinnamon
1 tablespoon Splenda
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup grated apple – can leave the skin on

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Beat 3 egg whites until stiff; set aside. Combine remaining ingredients just until blended. Fold in egg whites. Spray skillet with non stick spray and heat over medium-low. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into hot skillet and cook until golden brown, turning once. Make 8 – three pancakes servings.

Per Serving: Calories 94, Protein 7 g; Fat 5 g; Carbs 4 g; Sugar 2 g; Sodium 119 mg

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Gingerbread Custard… breakfast-dessert!

GINGERBREAD CUSTARD

There is not much more comforting than the silky, velvety, creamy, decadent feel of old-fashioned baked custard!

These are so good…spicy and not too sweet.  I love them warm, but chilling seems to accent the flavors.  Breakfast, dessert, midnight-snack – you can enjoy  a guilt-free  little cup of love anytime.

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4 eggs

Pinch of salt

3/4 cups 2% milk

One 12-ounce can evaporated skim milk

1/4 cup DaVinci or Torani sugar free Gingerbread syrup OR 2 tablespoons molasses

1/2 cup Splenda Granular

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Cinnamon to sprinkle
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place six 4-ounce custard cups/ramekins in a 9×13 baking pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, salt, milk, evaporated milk, syrup, Splenda, vanilla, ginger, and cloves. Pour, through a fine mesh sieve, into the custard cups.  Sprinkle liberally with the cinnamon.

Pour very hot (not boiling) water into the baking pan coming halfway up the cups. Bake for 25-45 minutes. The time will vary depending on the humidity, altitude. They should jiggle slightly, but a sharp knife inserted into the middle comes out clean and nothing oozes out of the cut when gently pressed.

Remove from the water bath and allow to cool on a wire rack.  Makes 6 servings.

Per Serving (with molasses): 121 Calories; 7 g Protein; 5 g Tot Fat; 10 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 5 g Sugar; 111 mg Sodium

Per Serving (with sf syrup): 100 Calories; 7 g Protein; 5 g Tot Fat; 5 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 109 mg Sodium

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