Some days, a Badass just needs a treat. And as the heat turns up on summer, nothing tops off a killer, sweaty workout than a smooth, creamy cup of ice cream. Unfortunately there's that whole matter of fat and calories and added sugar -- a real endorphin killer when you start to think about how the ice cream just negated your killer workout.
Enter the better brand of frozen yogurt. I'm not talking about TCBY traditional soft-serve or the stuff McDonald's serves in those vanilla cones. I''m talking about REAL yogurt, the tart stuff, in frozen form. What started in 2005 as a Santa Monica, Calif., hot spot called PinkBerry (early fans aptly dubbed it CrackBerry) has spread to a number of other PinkBerry and competing tart frozen yogurt shops around the country.
Here in Tallahassee, the tart yogurt craze has found a following at Fuzions Frozen Yogurt. Open since February, it is locally owned and operated by a group of five investors. I am, I confess, such a frequenter of Fuzions that I think I should become an investor. I go at least once a week, and when I'm not there I admit I'm thinking about how good it tastes.
But guess what? This Fuzions Obsession does not bring me guilt. Why be guilty about a do-it-yourself place where I can make a yogurt parfait with healthy stuff like strawberry yogurt, sliced almonds, and fruit so fresh (and not covered in a sugary syrup) it looks like it was just handpicked and sliced.
Jamie McHaffie, a new mom who is part owner with her husband Matt, said they got the idea to open Fuzions after eating at a tart frozen yogurt place while vacationing in San Diego. The shop was different because everything was self-serve, from the yogurt to the toppings.
"We thought, this is so awesome, we have to bring this to Tallahassee," McHaffie, a registered dietician who works at a local gym, told me this week. "It's not just the healthy part of it - it's also the fact that it's fun to make your own thing."
Consider the Fuzions slogan: A healthy treat for the active lifestyle. We Badasses are active, and we deserve a healthy treat. Hence, my frequent post-workout visits. The steady parade of families, couples, college students and active types that I see whenever I go in suggests I'm not the only fan. The owners have tapped into something good.
So what's healthy about Fuzions and other tart fro-yo joints? First, it's real yogurt. It's made from nonfat milk and nonfat yogurt containing probiotics, or live cultures, that carry a laundry list of health benefits. Probiotics aid in digestion and overall health and have been shown to help lessen lactose intolerance, boost immunity, and combat inflammation. It's also a great source of vitamins, minerals, protein and calcium.
Top a cup with fresh fruit and almonds, and you've got a power food parfait. At Fuzions the fruit is sliced fresh daily, and the variety is notable - kiwi, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, pineapple, blueberries.
"It was important to me that we have that variety," McHaffie said. "That sets us apart. And I love that I could eat yogurt here right now and get half my fruit intake for the day."
Her lean figure, just four months after having little Cole, is proof that you can enjoy Fuzions as part of a healthy eating routine.
"It tastes great, but it doesn't make you feel guilty like you just ate a container of ice cream," she said.
Fuzions yogurt weighs in at 110 to 130 calories for 4 ounces, with zero fat and between 3 and 4 grams of protein, depending on the flavor. No cholesterol, and sugar is a modest 22 to 30 grams that comes primarily from the natural yogurt or real fruit. Badass-approved!
But in case you're wondering: The toppings offered at Fuzions also include the indulgent stuff. Cheesecake bites, crushed Oreos, M&Ms, etc. So yes, you can also enjoy it as part of an all-out "I'm going to let my diet loose today" kick.
Remember, Badasses: It's all about balance and moderation. So live a little. And find yourselves some real frozen yogurt!
Coming tomorrow: Badass Foodie gets dressed up -- and sauced!
