Eggnog’s one of those holiday traditions I have a love/hate relationship with; love the flavor, hate the fat. So when Horizon [1], the nation’s leading producer of organic [1] dairy products, came out with a low-fat organic eggnog, I was really pleased.

Horizon’s eggnog is about as good as any low-fat eggnog could be; with only 3 grams of fat per 1/2 cup serving, it’s got less than half the fat of most standard eggnogs. So we can feel good about drinking it, right?

If calories are your only concern, the answer is yes. If (like me) you’re one of those sticklers for strictly upholding organic standards, the answer is more ambiguous. Because stories are circulating in the blogosphere [2] claiming that the only happy cows at Horizon are the ones you see on the carton [3]; reportedly, the company’s claims that “one of our top priorities as an organic food company is the respectful treatment of animals” may be mostly methane [4], to put it nicely.

It looks like the only way to get a healthier, eco-friendly eggnog is to make it yourself. So here’s the recipe for a low fat eggnog [5] and a clear conscience. Enjoy!