I am one of countless people who is trying to lose a few pounds this year. And like many of them I sacrifice all the "good" foods for all the "healthy foods".

For all of you that are like me we find out that this just doesn't work.

If you cut out all the "fun" foods then you quickly find yourself falling off the wagon and splurging yourself often.

I LOVE the site Pinterest and recently came across several recipes that say you can substitute a diet soda in cake and brownie mixes instead of using eggs, milk, or whatever the box recipe calls for.

I have to admit that I was skeptical. But to prove myself wrong, I attempted my own version of this genius notion.

Below you will find my recipe for

Low Fat, Absolutely Scruptous Lemon Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Box Lemon Cake Mix (try to find one that is low fat/fat free)

1 can Diet Sundrop (for all you non-Carolinians, this is a soda that is close to a Mt. Dew but so much better. Once you Sundrop you don't go back. :0)

That's it. No eggs. No milk. No oil.

Directions:

In a large bowl combine the cake mix and the entire can of Diet Sundrop. Mix.

Spray cupcake pan or use liners.

Pour mixture into cupcake pan/liners and bake using temp. on cake mix box.

Bake approximately 10-12 minutes or use the toothpick test to make sure that cupcakes are cooked thoroughly.

*Now here is where you can make or break the "healthy" aspect of the cupcakes.

For those who would like to remain healthy, go ahead and eat your cupcake without adding frosting. You will find that you don't miss the frosting at all.

For those of you who can't resist (my hand is in the air), I used a buttercream frosting, but only in moderation.

Calories: ~ 110 calories (without frosting) or ~ 180 calories (with frosting)

Even less calories if you use a low fat/fat free mix.