Wishing you a "Splenda"d Valentine's Day (#Spon)

***Disclosure-This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

Got plans for Valentine's Day?  How many of you are stuck in this artic freeze?  Well you do not need to leave your house to make it special this Valentine's Day, create your own experience.

Make your loved one a Strawberry Orange Smash Smoothie-

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups frozen strawberries, unsweetened
• 2/3 cup SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
• 1 1/4 cups orange juice, calcium fortified
• 1 cup yogurt, plain, non-fat
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup ice cubes

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients to blender. Blender will be full. Mix on low speed for 10 seconds. Remove lid, stir with wooden spoon. Mix on medium speed for 15-20 seconds, remove lid and stir again. Mix on high speed for 15 to 20 seconds or until smooth. Pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

COttage Cheese and fruit parfait

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup nonfat cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener, 1 Gram of Fiber, Granulated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 mixed fruit cups, drained
• 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup granola

DIRECTIONS

1. MIX cottage cheese, SPLENDA^® Granulated Sweetener, 1 Gram of Fiber and vanilla in a small bowl.
2. SPOON 1/4 cup of cottage cheese into a large glass. Pour one fruit cup on top of cottage cheese. Spoon 1/4 cup cottage cheese on top of fruit. Pour 1/4 cup oranges on top of cottage cheese.
3. SPRINKLE 1/4 cup granola on top of the oranges.
4. REPEAT steps 2-3 for the second serving.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to make someone you love feel special.  My momma always told me a way to someone's heart is through their stomach.  Make something delicious to share.  

These recipes can be found online at splenda.com.  I love making goodies for my family.  Valentine's Day is not just for couples but for everyone.  I like to make my mom and kids feel special too.  Cooking for them is a great joy for me.  But my mom cannot do sugar.  Her doctor recommend she use Splenda.  At first I wondered if anyone would know the difference but they didn't.  Yummy full tummies have not complained.

What are you cooking up tonight?