It’s that time of year again – New Year’s resolution time. What’s on your list this year? If you are like most of us, you’re probably aiming to make healthier choices in 2015. A recent study shows that losing weight is often the #1 New Year’s resolution of most Americans – beating out saving money and even falling in love!

But making better choices doesn’t necessarily mean giving up the treats you love. Through portion control and making sensible decisions at the store, you can have your ice cream and eat it, too. Here are some creative ways to enjoy better-for-you treats as you work toward fulfilling your resolutions this year.

Trim Added Sugar

Sweetened with Splenda^® Brand sweetener Slender No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Ice Cream is a better for you option that offers big, big taste. In fact, Slender is available in some of your favorite flavors of traditional ice cream – from Moose Tracks^® to Butter Pecan to Mint Chocolate Chip — but with up to 30 percent less fat. Slender Vanilla makes a great sundae starter – or a guilt-free treat served on its own.

Probiotics + Frozen Yogurt = Delicious

Thanks to recognition from the medical community, probiotics are popular these days. They are commonly available at grocery stores and pharmacies in the form of supplements — but where’s the fun in those? Yovation® Probiotic Frozen Yogurt offers a flavorful way to introduce probiotics to your diet. Note: Not all frozen yogurt brands are probiotic, but Yovation® specifically contains a superior probiotic culture, GanedenBC30®. Look for it on the label!

Forget those high calorie coffeehouse beverages. Add a cool and creamy twist to your coffee at home! Simply top a mug of black coffee or a shot or two of espresso with a scoop of Yovation® Vanilla Probiotic Frozen Yogurt and let this bold, creamy delight wake you up.

Raise the Bar on Snacks

Whether you need to quell a sweet tooth or want a delicious pick-me-up while you’re on the go, ¡Hola Fruta!® Fruit Bars are fresh-tasting, flavorful snacks on a stick that will help you stick with your resolution goals. Made with real fruit, these bars are naturally fat free and cholesterol free, and each flavor – Pomegranate Raspberry, Raspberry Blueberry and Strawberry – is under 60 calories and a good source of Vitamin C.

Looking for more real fruit fun? Try ¡Hola Fruta!® Pure Fruit Sherbet – seven flavors of delicious, antioxidant-rich, low fat delights.

Treat Yourself and Still Trim the Fat

When you think of making better for you choices for dessert or for a snack, indulgent treats like Banana Cream Pie, Waffle Cone Sundae and Chocolate Fantasy might not come to mind. But our Smooth Churned Light Ice Cream brings the creamy richness of your favorite ice cream flavors with half the fat and 30 percent fewer calories. Delight in Peanut Butter Cup, Espresso Chip, French Vanilla and other great flavors while still keeping your promise to make better dessert choices.

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Enjoy a couple of scoops at your watch party while cheering on the Buckeyes with family and friends, or curled up on the couch wrapped in your lucky blanket.

Below are a few winning plays we drew up for our roster of winning recipes. You can find other party ideas here on our blog.

Nuts About Buckeye Sundaes

Sundaes are as fun to make as they are to eat. Let your imagination run as wild as a ball carrier staring down a field of open daylight. Gather your favorite chocolate sauce or warm up a jar of hot fudge. Top your creation with salted cocktail peanuts, whipped cream and cherries (one is never enough)!

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Small scoops of ice cream between pairs of peanut butter or chocolate chip cookies are fast and easy to make, so you don’t miss a play!

Buckeye Ice Cream Pie

Ice cream pies are easy to make and delicious. You don’t need to have the talents of a champion pastry chef and, like sundaes, they can be as simple or creative as you like.

Start with a container of Nuts About Buckeyes and a pre-made chocolate cookie pie crust. Let the ice cream soften at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. Don’t soften it too long, or else it will crystallize when it is refrozen. Spread the softened ice cream into the pie shell, cover with foil and return it to the freezer until ready to serve.

For fun, decorate the pie with your favorite ice cream sauces and toppings, like crumbled peanut butter cups or your favorite buckeye candies.

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New Year’s Eve Sundae Bar

Keep those restless kids – and the rest of your guests – occupied with a build-your-own sundae bar. Line up a sampling of ice cream flavors – choose among your favorites! Set bowls of your favorite toppings next to plastic cups and spoons, and, voila – it’s self-service sundaes for all.

Don’t forget: Pierre’s also offers lactose free vanilla and chocolate ice cream and a variety of no sugar added ice cream flavors in case you have any guests with special dietary considerations.

Punch Up Your Punch

Of course, the secret to any perfectly planned party is a pleasant bowl of punch. Brew up a batch of Pierre’s Sherbet Santa Punch, a lip-smacking concoction of pineapple, lime and ginger.

Midnight Sorbet Toast

Add a scoop of Sorbet to a glass of champagne for a fresh twist on your standard New Year’s toast. Strawberry and Peach pair remarkably well with bubbly, but Mango and Passion Fruit are delightful, flute-worthy flavors, too.

Bring on 2015 with Blended Cocktails

Party like it’s 1999 on the last night of 2014 with some of our favorite frozen cocktail recipes:

• Lemon and Mango Sorbet Pierre-tinis
• Easy Piña Coladas, Daiquiris and Margaritas
• Cinnamon Apple Milkshake with Spiced Rum

Savor Our Seasonal Flavors

Our limited time flavors – Peppermint Stick, Pumpkin Pie, Cinnamon and Brownie Touchdown Sundae^® – won’t be around again until next fall! Grab a carton while they last. View our store locator or order ice cream by phone.

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