Better Than Skinny Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is arguably the most requested dressing out there. I guess you could make an argument for Italian, but since I’m doing the writing, I’m going with ranch. I have been making my own version of ranch dressing for a really long time, and have gone through many variations, and I still do change it up on occasion depending on my mood. The one I’m sharing with you is a family favorite and always in my refrigerator. The best part is that no one even knows it’s lightened up, thanks to my recent discovery of the many uses for plain Greek yogurt.
Many of my recipes include shortcuts, because, let’s face it, life is busy, I refer to those recipes as “halfway homemade,” and this is one of them. To make skinny ranch dressing, I replaced the sour cream with non-fat plain Greek yogurt, full-fat cream with a mix of fat-free half and half and skim milk, and I used light (and a little less) mayo. This is also the base I use for most of my dressing recipes, including my blue cheese dressing. The halfway homemade part is the use of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix. I do add a couple of additional spices; garlic and chives. Why chives? Mostly because I love the delicate onion and garlic flavor that chives bring to the table, and well garlic is like that old SNL skit, you always need more cowbell — or garlic as the case may be. Of course, depending on your own tastes, they are completely optional, but you should add them, you’ll thank me later!
Better Than Skinny Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt my faves are Fage and Choboni
- 3 tbsp Light Mayo (I use Kraft)
- 2½ tbsp Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (or one packet)
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Fresh or Freeze-dried Chives optional (I usually put in more, I love chives)
- ¼ cup Skim Milk (I use Fairlife)
- ¼ cup Fat Free Half n' Half
- ½ tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, mayo, ranch mix and other spices together.
- Add the milk and half and half a little at a time, stirring between each addition.
- Add the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
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After I posted on Saturday, a friend suggested that I was being too hard on myself, and that I should take another look at where I was when I started and where I am today to remind myself how far I`ve come--despite gaining some weight back.
I did just that, and it helped me realize that the idea of "starting at square one" after we experience a setback is a big lie.
In fact, I don`t think we are ever really "right back where we started," rather, we are at a new beginning--usually with an army of valuable information gained from the mistakes we`ve made.
I guess what I`m trying to say is, embrace your setbacks, they are the fuel for your journey forward.
xo Lisa
#transformationtuesday #bigfatskinnywisdom #weightlossjourney #healthjourney
After I posted on Saturday, a friend suggested that I was being too hard on myself, and that I should take another look at where I was when I started and where I am today to remind myself how far I`ve come--despite gaining some weight back.
I did just that, and it helped me realize that the idea of "starting at square one" after we experience a setback is a big lie.
In fact, I don`t think we are ever really "right back where we started," rather, we are at a new beginning--usually with an army of valuable information gained from the mistakes we`ve made.
I guess what I`m trying to say is, embrace your setbacks, they are the fuel for your journey forward.
xo Lisa
#transformationtuesday #bigfatskinnywisdom #weightlossjourney #healthjourney
When I start to categorize certain foods as bad, I set myself up for failure. I feel like this meme nails it!!
#weightlossjourney #bigfatskinnywisdom #eatgreatloseweight
When I start to categorize certain foods as bad, I set myself up for failure. I feel like this meme nails it!!
#weightlossjourney #bigfatskinnywisdom #eatgreatloseweight
"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." -Margaret Thatcher
Two years ago, I thought I had finally done it--I conquered the weight-loss thing, once and for all.
Fast forward to now--up 40 pounds from this time two years ago. And boy oh boy have I been having a field day with the self- loathing, shame, and negative self talk.
I have been struggling to stay consistent, and waging war on myself with comparison. It has been a downward spiral that I feel powerless to control. Shame sent me into hiding--and go ahead, ask me how that has worked out!
Today I am choosing to come back, take control, and reset because when I started this journey three-plus years ago, I knew it would be hard, but choosing to give up would be harder.
xo Lisa
#weightlossjourney
"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." -Margaret Thatcher
Two years ago, I thought I had finally done it--I conquered the weight-loss thing, once and for all.
Fast forward to now--up 40 pounds from this time two years ago. And boy oh boy have I been having a field day with the self- loathing, shame, and negative self talk.
I have been struggling to stay consistent, and waging war on myself with comparison. It has been a downward spiral that I feel powerless to control. Shame sent me into hiding--and go ahead, ask me how that has worked out!
Today I am choosing to come back, take control, and reset because when I started this journey three-plus years ago, I knew it would be hard, but choosing to give up would be harder.
xo Lisa
#weightlossjourney
Happy FriYAY
I know it`s been a while since I`ve posted or done a live video, in part because I feel a bit like a fraud.
I`ve gained some weight back, and the shame I feel has been paralyzing. And let me tell you, the negative self talk has been strong, and LOUD.
But also totally UNTRUE.
Here`s the truth. I`m not back where I started. I may have lost a little ground, gotten distracted and even lost my focus--but I haven`t given up on my goal.
Never give up. Do not stop. Practice consistency. AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF--even when you don’t! 😉
#facetofacefriday #weightlossjourney #consistency #accountability #bigfatskinnywisdom
Happy FriYAY
I know it`s been a while since I`ve posted or done a live video, in part because I feel a bit like a fraud.
I`ve gained some weight back, and the shame I feel has been paralyzing. And let me tell you, the negative self talk has been strong, and LOUD.
But also totally UNTRUE.
Here`s the truth. I`m not back where I started. I may have lost a little ground, gotten distracted and even lost my focus--but I haven`t given up on my goal.
Never give up. Do not stop. Practice consistency. AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF--even when you don’t! 😉
#facetofacefriday #weightlossjourney #consistency #accountability #bigfatskinnywisdom
My daughter asked me to get her chicken McNuggets while I was out today.
Can I just say, going through the drive-thru when you`re hungry is hard. But I haven`t had McDonald`s (other than an Egg McMuffin a time or two) since 2019. And I wasn`t going to start today...although I do plan to try the strawberry shortcake McFlurry before it`s gone! But that`s another post!
I decided to ask for a few extra sauces (my favorite is Hot Mustard) and came home to make my own copycat nuggets.
I wish I could take the credit for this piece of culinary genius, but I found the recipe while scrolling Instagram--it was a reel, so I`m not sure who it was!
Copy Cat Chicken McNuggets
Serves 1 (12 nuggets)
4 WW Points
443 Calories
12.5 oz can Kirkland Canned Chicken, drained
1 egg
65 grams 75% Reduced Fat Cabot Cheddar
1 tbsp grated parmesan
Seasoning of your choice, I used some spicy ranch seasoning.
Avocado Oil cooking spray
Preheat oven or airfryer to 400.
1. Mix all ingredients well, shape into nuggets (I got 12 out of this), place on pan spritzed with avocado oil cooking spray, then give them another quick spritz.
2. Air fry or bake 25 min or until golden and crispy, turning them over halfway through. I use the air fry function on my Ninja XL oven.
I enjoyed these with my favorite McDonald`s nugget sauce!
As a side note, the point/nutritional values will be different depending on the cheese you use.
#bigfatskinnyrecipes #eatgreatloseweight #weightlossjourney #healthyswaps
My daughter asked me to get her chicken McNuggets while I was out today.
Can I just say, going through the drive-thru when you`re hungry is hard. But I haven`t had McDonald`s (other than an Egg McMuffin a time or two) since 2019. And I wasn`t going to start today...although I do plan to try the strawberry shortcake McFlurry before it`s gone! But that`s another post!
I decided to ask for a few extra sauces (my favorite is Hot Mustard) and came home to make my own copycat nuggets.
I wish I could take the credit for this piece of culinary genius, but I found the recipe while scrolling Instagram--it was a reel, so I`m not sure who it was!
Copy Cat Chicken McNuggets
Serves 1 (12 nuggets)
4 WW Points
443 Calories
12.5 oz can Kirkland Canned Chicken, drained
1 egg
65 grams 75% Reduced Fat Cabot Cheddar
1 tbsp grated parmesan
Seasoning of your choice, I used some spicy ranch seasoning.
Avocado Oil cooking spray
Preheat oven or airfryer to 400.
1. Mix all ingredients well, shape into nuggets (I got 12 out of this), place on pan spritzed with avocado oil cooking spray, then give them another quick spritz.
2. Air fry or bake 25 min or until golden and crispy, turning them over halfway through. I use the air fry function on my Ninja XL oven.
I enjoyed these with my favorite McDonald`s nugget sauce!
As a side note, the point/nutritional values will be different depending on the cheese you use.
#bigfatskinnyrecipes #eatgreatloseweight #weightlossjourney #healthyswaps
I stumbled across an old journal entry from late 2020. And boy did I need the reminder.
I thought I`d share just in case any of you needed a reminder too:
"Transformation is a process. It takes time, and patience. Sometimes you`re gonna hit it on all cylinders, and sometimes you`re gonna struggle. In either case the requirement is to show up, and do the best that you can."
(December 13, 2020)
Don`t ever underestimate your own wisdom, because most times the only expert you need is looking back at you in the mirror.
xo-Lisa
#transformationtuesday #weightlossjourney #bigfatskinnywisdom
I stumbled across an old journal entry from late 2020. And boy did I need the reminder.
I thought I`d share just in case any of you needed a reminder too:
"Transformation is a process. It takes time, and patience. Sometimes you`re gonna hit it on all cylinders, and sometimes you`re gonna struggle. In either case the requirement is to show up, and do the best that you can."
(December 13, 2020)
Don`t ever underestimate your own wisdom, because most times the only expert you need is looking back at you in the mirror.
xo-Lisa
#transformationtuesday #weightlossjourney #bigfatskinnywisdom
I had a bad hair day..
I was letting my hair grow because, for like a minute I was loving it long--and then yesterday on a whim I decided that I didn`t.
I sent a quick text to @nikitajohns, the best hairstylist ever, and a few hours later my hair was four inches shorter, my bad hair day was over, and I was ready for spring!
The moral of the story is: making a change doesn`t require over thinking--just do it!
I had a bad hair day..
I was letting my hair grow because, for like a minute I was loving it long--and then yesterday on a whim I decided that I didn`t.
I sent a quick text to @nikitajohns, the best hairstylist ever, and a few hours later my hair was four inches shorter, my bad hair day was over, and I was ready for spring!
The moral of the story is: making a change doesn`t require over thinking--just do it!
My eyes have been bothering me off and on for a few days, I figured it was just a Sjogrens flare, until this morning when I woke up with sore, red, goopy eyes.
So I scheduled a quick video visit with my doctor...
and the winner is:
Bacterial Conjunctivitis (aka) Pink Eye!!
I`m getting some antibiotic drops, but spam me with your best home remedies to soothe sore, achey eyes 👀!
My eyes have been bothering me off and on for a few days, I figured it was just a Sjogrens flare, until this morning when I woke up with sore, red, goopy eyes.
So I scheduled a quick video visit with my doctor...
and the winner is:
Bacterial Conjunctivitis (aka) Pink Eye!!
I`m getting some antibiotic drops, but spam me with your best home remedies to soothe sore, achey eyes 👀!
Ha! I make mine the same way except I use Greek yogurt and a bit of sour cream and regular mayo plus skim milk. No half and half. I also add the garlic powder and it’s freaking delicious! Nobody can tell the difference!