Has living larger over the holidays left you larger as well? I'm with you. Following are my favorite ideas and ingredient picks to cut calories, sugar and other yucky stuff while still allowing you to enjoy a daily indulgence or two at the home bar.

• Vegetable juice. Whether it's V-8, basic tomato, or your own homemade concoction, making a conscious effort to include veggie based juices with your vodka drinks instead of always going with the fruit version can really cut down on your sugar intake. Sex it up with Tabasco or Worcestershire, and some fresh cracked peppercorns. Can you say zippy?
• Fat free half and half. I love this stuff! Whenever I want to indulge in a super yummy cream based drink, but am watching fat grams, this is what I make sure to pick up at the grocery store. To my knowledge, Land O' Lakes is the only company that makes it. Great for those Kahlua and vodka based white Russian cocktails. Did I mention I'm a vodka girl?
• Find juices without high fructose corn syrup. There may be entire brand lines out there that skip this ingredient (and PLEASE post if you know of any). Speaking as someone who usually sticks to the generic versions, I've found that the frozen concentrates for things like grapefruit and apple juice usually don't have this obnoxious ingredient. Apple is a bit sweet, but it is fun for mulled cider in the fall, and this is an affordable way to enjoy a yummy warm rum drink. Grapefruit juice is great for mixing up vodka for a frozen slushy freezer drink.
• Celebrate seltzer. Great for thinning out a fruit juice and spirit cocktail, and much healthier than regular soda. It's also great for wine spritzers, another reduced calorie lunch beverage idea.
• Agave nectar. Gurus galore have been gushing about the glycemic benefits of this stuff. I still love honey, but I have to admit this stuff is pretty tasty and WAY easier to pour and use. Bonus? It doesn't crystalize. Here's a fun recipe using Partida tequila, a product I've reviewed before and enjoyed.

The Look Better Naked Margarita:

1.5 Ounces Partida tequila
1/2 Ounce Sambazon organic Acai Smoothie pack (available at Whole Foods)
3/4 Ounces agave nectar
One 4-inch sprig rosemary (top inch reserved for garnish)
1/2 ounce organic egg white
1 fresh squeezed lime 

Rim with equal parts of organic salt and fresh cracked organic green peppercorns

Remove rosemary leaves from the woody stem. Muddle in a 16 ounce pint
glass until aromatic. Add Liquid ingredients through a strainer and float a one inch rosemary sprig on top.

There you have it. My favorite picks for cutting calories while still enjoying my home bar. As usual, I welcome any and all other ideas. It's five o'clock somewhere!