So I was walking by my local Starbucks and noticed a sign advertising a new drink- salted caramel hot chocolate! MMM did that sound GOOD! I've been pretty satisfied with Starbucks in the past offering lower-cal versions of their treats (using nonfat milk, no whip, sugar free syrups and light frap base) I went right to their website to figure out how I can work this delicious sounding drink into my meal plan. IMPOSSIBLE! A tall, nonfat, no whip one is STILL 400 CALORIES! WTF is in that thing?

Instead I give you a pumpkin smoothie recipe to get you in the mood for fall!
http://www.recipezaar.com/140445 I'll be making this one tonight using skim milk, pureed pumpkin, 1/2 a frozen banana and some ice!

OMG, I am soooo trying that smoothie. And carmel, that is my freakin favorite!

This sounds YUMMY! Thanks!

I saw that salted caramel cocoa today, too. According to the website, a short (8 oz. v. tall = 12 oz), nonfat, no whip is 270 calories, 10 grams of fat. With whip takes is to 320 cal, 15 grams of fat. What I don't know is if any of the stores actually sell the new 'short' size yet...

Caramel Frapuccino Light.. the smallest one of course is like 180 cals... not bad for a treat... although I prefer an ice cream..

My friend has the world's tiniest stomach and orders a short at every Starbucks she goes to - no problem. Pity about that salted cararamel calorie count. I might get one ONCE just to try it

We don't have a starbucks on our island, but I have a starbucks barista espresso machine at home so I can pretend. I make my own lattes at home every morning with carmel sauce. A 12 oz double latte with non fat milk and carmel sauce that I make is 220 calories. Ya, I usually stick with a liquid breakfast.

I didn't know a place on earth existed where there wasn't a starbucks on every corner...lucky you. There are about three starbucks a block from my house. I thnk peets is better.

In Chile the first Starbucks opened just 2 years ago... LOL!

I've never seen anyone order a short before! I wonder if they really exist? Hmmm I might be able to swing 270 calories...

To those making the smoothie, I recommend adding some a bit of honey to it!

All Starbucks (at least the ones I've been to, and I live in Washington, so that's a lot) offer the "short" size, they just don't advertise it.

I have tried "shorts" but it's literally like a shot glass. I drink americanos which are only 5 calories (espresso and water) but I was reviewing my budget the other day and saw that the boy and I spent 253 dollars a month on starbucks. That's about 1-2 drinks there a day.

After that I got my coffee maker outta the closet and bought some espresso blend coffee from starbucks and we are gonna make our own coffee at home!

We use coffee shops as a treat...usually on weekend mornings. During the week, we make a pot of coffee each night and put it in the fridge overnight. In the morning? Iced coffee! My partner uses it to make coffee ice cubes...with the ice cubes, the coffee, some milk, and some sugar free syrup, she has a low-cal Frappucino every morning.

Salted caramel is one of my very favorite things. I wish they hadn't done whatever they did to get that astronomically high calorie count!

Starbucks is fine and all, but Peets is the BEST

Starbucks is my wallet's enemy. I love their hot chocolate in the winter. I make room in my diet for them. I want to try with non fat milk but I don't know if it will taste the same and ruin the experience.