Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I used to really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in college. The University of Illinois celebrates an “Unofficial” St. Patrick’s Day. Some say it’s just an extra day to engage in binge drinking. Others say it is because the Engineering Open House always used fall over St. Patrick’s Day and the students couldn’t “celebrate” properly….if you know what I mean.
Drinking festivities on Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day would start at sun rise and end when everyone had had their fill of green beer. Of course this took place on a Friday, so you can imagine the class attendance and/or debauchery that ensued. But still today, St. Patrick’s Day is only properly recognized with a green beer 😀 I’ll wait til after work and my workout for that, though 😉
If you ask Mr. Prevention, St. Patrick’s Day is all about the Shamrock Shake from McDonalds. Our neighborhood is right off a main road that passes right by a McDonalds — there’s no dodging it. For the past month, I’ve had to deal with a pouting, begging passenger, or a side-tracked driver who “needs” a Shamrock Shake.
Admittedly, they’re good…but I wouldn’t be crushed if I never had another one. And quite frankly, I’d take a beer over a Shamrock Shake any day! 😉 But for love, and the sake of health, I recreated the Shamrock Shake at home with a few less calories and fat.
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Lightened Up Shamrock Shakes
2 cups low-fat vanilla bean ice cream
1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 tsp mint extract
6 drops green food coloring
Directions:
Blend until smooth and serve. Yield: 2 servings.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 240 calories; 7 g. fat; 42 mg. cholesterol; 150 mg. sodium; 36 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 10 g. protein
Result: A very acceptable re-make! Mr. Prevention gives a thumbs up to the taste, portion, and nutrition info! Enjoy!
[/print_this]Yesterday was long. I am exhausted. My first quarter of teaching is over — it was fun, exciting, and I’m sad it’s over! My students were wonderful and I hope next quarter brings with it another fun bunch 😀 But I’m not gunna lie, 14-hour days are exhausting. I left the house at 6:50am and walked in the door at 9pm. Poooooped.
Question: Are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day today??
Love from an Irish RD,
Love you shake! Sounds yummy!
I don’t think we’ll celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a traditional way, but we’ll eat plenty of green foods! 🙂
We had a decently big engineering school at Mizzou, too, so you can imagine they went absolutely wild… I never really participated too much, but have learned to love all that is green beer… 🙂
I looooove shamrock shakes too!!! I think I’ll stop and get the fixings so Belle and I can enjoy one on our back patio this afternoon together! YUM!
Haha…they have a fake St. Patty’s day here too– State Patty’s Day (it was a few weeks ago). Something tells me they’ll be celebrating AGAIN today. 🙂
I’ve actually never had a shamrock shake, so maybe I’ll just skip McDonald’s altogether and make your version first! 🙂
I’ve never had a shamrock shake, but yours looks good! I had a quick question for you. Do you have your blogroll listed anymore, and I’m just overlooking it?
Mmm…the shamrock shakes look great! I’m not celebrating St. Patty’s Day because I’m working….not fun!
I have never had a Shamrock shake 🙁 AND I stupidly gave up ice cream for Lent, so…looks like I’ll have to wait until next year!
I’m not really celebrating today, because I have to work tonight and swim with my sister…..but at least it’s a BEAUTIFUL day here in the Midwest, right??!
I have never had the McDonald’s shake but I’ve made plenty of mint milkshakes with the Edy’s Slow Churned Mint Chip – I love them!
I’m wearing green but not really celebrating otherwise – I hope to go for a run after work!
shamrock shake trumps green beer anyday! lol
corned beef and cabbage in two crockpots as I write this….Irish soda bread coming with my mom for dinner later. I eat corned beef and cabbage ONE time a year….soooooo excited! slather it with horseradish ( don’t know if that is irish or not) and enjoy every bite!
I always do corned beef because I am a Reuben whore – and I plan on making a reuben quiche for my lunch tomorrow with the leftovers! 😀
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
This shake looks delicious!
I am going out with friends tonight downtown on the strip. It should be a fun time! Never done the Vegas thing really for St. Patty’s Day..should be interesting to say the least. 🙂
So far no st pattys plans but maybe we’ll go out for a green beer after dinner at my parents tonight. A shake sounds nice though!
I had a Shamrock Shake for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I kept hearing how amazing they were. It was good, but not sure it was worth all the calories. I love the idea of your lightened version!
I’ve never had a Shamrock Shake but I like the idea of making a lighter version of them at home! I just got mint extract 🙂
I agree, the McD’s Shamrock Shakes are good! But overall, yours sounds better just because it’s alot healthier!