Ahhhhh let’s talk ICE CREAM! I’m smitten with any and all ice cream.  Like, I could honestly eat a creamy, cold, delicious cup (or cone) of ice cream for breakfast, for a snack between breakfast and lunch, for lunch, for a snack between lunch and dinner, for dinner, and for dessert before bed.  Yes, I’m talking about all in the same day.  Yikes!  Did I just admit that out loud??  Ok ok let’s be real here: I would never do that and have never done that, but my gosh I seriously could.  Oh, and it doesn’t JUST have to be real ice cream, I also love frozen yogurt. LOVE it. ADORE it. OBSESSED with it all.It’s okay, go ahead and judge me. I admit it: I have a problem… even if it’s not officially a problem, the fact that I could really do that is a problem.

If it’s real ice cream, my favorites typically include any flavor that includes the words “mint-chocolate-chip” in it’s name (have you read my “about me” blurb to the top right-hand side of the page?).  31 Flavors/Baskin Robbins is and always will be a front runner reminiscent of my childhood days – courtesy of my momma – but if I can’t get to the local shop, Edy’s Slow Churned is where it’s at. When I’m yearning for the frozen yogurt variety, I’m the type of gal that likes to mix 3-6 different flavors in my cup (yes, you heard that right – 3 to 6 flavors) and then top it all off with low-fat granola, bananas, maybe strawberries, a little coconut, and maybe some sprinkles if I’m in the mood.  While I do tend to frequent the self-serve shops, like Forever Yogurt or Yogurt Land, my true-preference is Pinkberry (I mean, do you remember when I made it my goal this month to eat it as much as possible in my August must-dos??}

As if I haven’t thought about this before… go ahead, continue judging.  I get it.

The thing is, though, that all this talk of ice cream and frozen yogurt is making me gain 1000 pounds just as I type.  Because let’s be honest, while yogurt is definitely a healthier frozen treat choice (sans the toppings), none of it really is that good for you.  It’s all filled with sugar and sugar and heavy cream and sugar and corn syrup and most of the time, lots of big words that I can’t even pronounce.

So what’s a ice cream loving girl to do????????

Dig into a whole pint of Arctic Zero!  Yes, you heard me right: A WHOLE PINT!  Wait, let me explain.  A few years ago I discovered this miracle ice cream, called Arctic Zero that is only 150 calories for the whole pint… that’s right people… only 150 calories for the whole pint!!!  Now think about it: a half-cup of Edy’s Slow Churned is typically equal to 150 calories. A whole pint of it would be 600 calories! No thank you! (Though, again, I probably could do it haha)

Furthermore, Arctic Zero is all natural, gluten free, low glycemic and acceptable for anyone with an intolerance to lactose.  There are no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols of any kind in this tasty treat and in the end, if I have a really healthy day I know that I won’t feel guilty eating a scoop of it for my after dinner dessert!The fact is that it’s okay to indulge every once in a while, but if you’re an ice cream enthusiast, errr addict, like me, than you have to find a healthy alternative that still leaves you satisfied.  Arctic Zero does that for me.  While it doesn’t have the exact texture as my all-time favorites, it always lives in my freezer and is really quite delicious!

What’s more is that the company offers 7 different tasty flavors to enjoy… from Strawberry to Cookies & Cream to Coffee.  But guess which one is THE BEST (in my opinion)?!?!

Mint Chocolate, of course!!

Oh, and this is where the judging stops – because when most really would eat the whole pint, I usually choose to go with the recommended serving size of a half-cup for only 37.5 calories.  Ummm, too good to be true?!  I think NOT!

ONE MORE THING:
Back in the day, I would buy Arctic Zero by the half-dozen and have it sent to me in dry ice via Amazon.  Fortunately for me, now I’m able to head to Whole Foods, Plum Market, Walmart Supercenters or even Dominick’s and pick it up locally.  Check here to locate a store that carries this miracle ice cream near you… these days it should be pretty easy to track down!