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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The New Year has arrived, and with it that rush of urgency, most of us feel to get "it" done. I mean, I get it. It`s like the mother of all fresh starts.
BUT, that intensity in which we attack the New Year tends to fade quickly, and we eventually fall into the familiar pattern of starting tomorrow--every week--until the next New Year.
But what if this year you get "it"--whatever "it" may be for you--done one day at a time?
👉Practice consistency instead of intensity.
👉Treat each day as a fresh start.
👉 Every decision you make is an opportunity for self correction.
👉Celebrate your wins, and give yourself grace when you make mistakes.
👉Take a break, but don`t quit.
Most of all, remember that failure is not fatal, and success is never final; your journey is about progress, not perfection.
So, Happy New Day🎉
xo Lisa
The New Year has arrived, and with it that rush of urgency, most of us feel to get "it" done. I mean, I get it. It`s like the mother of all fresh starts.
BUT, that intensity in which we attack the New Year tends to fade quickly, and we eventually fall into the familiar pattern of starting tomorrow--every week--until the next New Year.
But what if this year you get "it"--whatever "it" may be for you--done one day at a time?
👉Practice consistency instead of intensity.
👉Treat each day as a fresh start.
👉 Every decision you make is an opportunity for self correction.
👉Celebrate your wins, and give yourself grace when you make mistakes.
👉Take a break, but don`t quit.
Most of all, remember that failure is not fatal, and success is never final; your journey is about progress, not perfection.
So, Happy New Day🎉
xo Lisa
Sunday, I enjoyed a few cookies during our family cookie bake.
Last night for dinner, I enjoyed half a turkey & cheese sub (from our favorite sub shop) and some seasoned waffle fries prepared in my air-fryer.
For breakfast today, I enjoyed mixed greens and a spicy feta mushroom omelet.
My point? Sometimes I choose the cookie, and sometimes I choose the salad.
See, our food choices aren`t the problem. Our mindset is. A few cookies don`t have the power to shove us off the proverbial wagon--that`s a mindset thing.
Embrace the joy of the season, and keep making progress one choice at a time!
xo Lisa
#transformationtuesday #weightlossmotivation #trusttheprocess #bigfatskinnydish
Sunday, I enjoyed a few cookies during our family cookie bake.
Last night for dinner, I enjoyed half a turkey & cheese sub (from our favorite sub shop) and some seasoned waffle fries prepared in my air-fryer.
For breakfast today, I enjoyed mixed greens and a spicy feta mushroom omelet.
My point? Sometimes I choose the cookie, and sometimes I choose the salad.
See, our food choices aren`t the problem. Our mindset is. A few cookies don`t have the power to shove us off the proverbial wagon--that`s a mindset thing.
Embrace the joy of the season, and keep making progress one choice at a time!
xo Lisa
#transformationtuesday #weightlossmotivation #trusttheprocess #bigfatskinnydish
Saturday shopping hits different in the fall. Don`t ya think?
#fallvibes #bigfatskinnydish #wegmanshaul #holidayseason
Saturday shopping hits different in the fall. Don`t ya think?
#fallvibes #bigfatskinnydish #wegmanshaul #holidayseason
The seasons in our lives serve us in many different ways--but very few had more of an impact on the trajectory of my life than my time in the United States Navy.
To serve was truly an honor, but for me, the experience of serving was a gift that helped shape the rest of my life.
So, to all who have served, and all who continue to make the choice to serve; thank you for your service.
Happy Veteran`s Day!
xo Lisa
#veteran #VeteransDay #givethanks #usnavy
The seasons in our lives serve us in many different ways--but very few had more of an impact on the trajectory of my life than my time in the United States Navy.
To serve was truly an honor, but for me, the experience of serving was a gift that helped shape the rest of my life.
So, to all who have served, and all who continue to make the choice to serve; thank you for your service.
Happy Veteran`s Day!
xo Lisa
#veteran #VeteransDay #givethanks #usnavy
Yesterday, I had wilty veggies in the produce drawer, leftover rotisserie chicken, and some frozen mini wontons; I turned it into lunch.
I did not follow a recipe, I used what I had, and mostly measured with my heart. But here`s what I do know:
3 (hearty) servings
3 WW points
24 mini wonton (got at Costco)
6 oz cooked chicken breast
4 c chicken broth
veggies (I used green beans, and boy choy, green & red pepper, jalapeno pepper)
about 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
about 2 tbsp Coconut Aminos
Garlic powder
Sriracha Sauce
Dried soup greens
PS. I know to most of you it`s just a recipe for soup, but there was a lesson in it for me; start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can!
Have an awesome day!
xo Lisa
#bigfatskinnydish #bigfatskinnyrecipes #weightlossjourney #eatgreatloseweight #soupweather
Yesterday, I had wilty veggies in the produce drawer, leftover rotisserie chicken, and some frozen mini wontons; I turned it into lunch.
I did not follow a recipe, I used what I had, and mostly measured with my heart. But here`s what I do know:
3 (hearty) servings
3 WW points
24 mini wonton (got at Costco)
6 oz cooked chicken breast
4 c chicken broth
veggies (I used green beans, and boy choy, green & red pepper, jalapeno pepper)
about 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
about 2 tbsp Coconut Aminos
Garlic powder
Sriracha Sauce
Dried soup greens
PS. I know to most of you it`s just a recipe for soup, but there was a lesson in it for me; start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can!
Have an awesome day!
xo Lisa
#bigfatskinnydish #bigfatskinnyrecipes #weightlossjourney #eatgreatloseweight #soupweather
"If you do not change direction, you might end up where you are heading." -Lao Tzu
Change is hard. I get that it`s unavoidable—but still, for me, it`s hard.
I like things the way they are. I like my routines, the way I take my coffee, and my side of the bed. I don`t want different; I want familiar and comfortable. Can you relate?
But here`s the thing, comfort is usually in direct opposition to growth. In order to grow, change is a necessity. Transformation starts with a change in thinking.
How we think spills into how we act, and even how we identify ourselves. As challenging as it is, I am continuing to learn to embrace change, not just in my actions--but also in how I think.
So, here`s to thinking differently, acting boldly, and becoming the best version of ourselves.
Change might be tough, but it`s where your personal journey of transformation will truly begin.
xo Lisa 💜
#transformationtuesday #ChangeYourMindset #mindsetmatters
#bigfatskinnydish
#bigfatskinnywisdom
"If you do not change direction, you might end up where you are heading." -Lao Tzu
Change is hard. I get that it`s unavoidable—but still, for me, it`s hard.
I like things the way they are. I like my routines, the way I take my coffee, and my side of the bed. I don`t want different; I want familiar and comfortable. Can you relate?
But here`s the thing, comfort is usually in direct opposition to growth. In order to grow, change is a necessity. Transformation starts with a change in thinking.
How we think spills into how we act, and even how we identify ourselves. As challenging as it is, I am continuing to learn to embrace change, not just in my actions--but also in how I think.
So, here`s to thinking differently, acting boldly, and becoming the best version of ourselves.
Change might be tough, but it`s where your personal journey of transformation will truly begin.
xo Lisa 💜
#transformationtuesday #ChangeYourMindset #mindsetmatters
#bigfatskinnydish
#bigfatskinnywisdom
#Saturdaysnack idea.
This is one from way back. Quick, easy and super delicious!
Crispy Fried Parmesan Zucchini served with my almost famous Mama Mia Marinara. (OR use your favorite marina sauce!)
Here`s how to make it.
1/2 small zucchini sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
9g Extra Crispy Shake `n Bake
2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 tsp farm dust
Avocado Oil cooking Spray
Slice zucchini into rounds, add farm dust (or salt) to beaten egg. Mix Shake `n Bake and cheese. Dip zucchini rounds into egg then coat with the Shake `n Bake mixture. Give a nice, healthy spritz of avocado oil cooking spray and air fry for 11 minutes at 390, flipping once halfway through. #notadiet #eatgreatloseweight #bigfatskinnysnacks #weightwatchers #wwcommunity
#Saturdaysnack idea.
This is one from way back. Quick, easy and super delicious!
Crispy Fried Parmesan Zucchini served with my almost famous Mama Mia Marinara. (OR use your favorite marina sauce!)
Here`s how to make it.
1/2 small zucchini sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
9g Extra Crispy Shake `n Bake
2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 tsp farm dust
Avocado Oil cooking Spray
Slice zucchini into rounds, add farm dust (or salt) to beaten egg. Mix Shake `n Bake and cheese. Dip zucchini rounds into egg then coat with the Shake `n Bake mixture. Give a nice, healthy spritz of avocado oil cooking spray and air fry for 11 minutes at 390, flipping once halfway through. #notadiet #eatgreatloseweight #bigfatskinnysnacks #weightwatchers #wwcommunity
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!
I love that you make it your own! I like to use what I have on hand!
Fantastic! I didn’t have skim or half n half, so I just added 2 percent until I got the consistency I wanted. Instead of salt I used a dash of celery salt. Definitely keeping this one now that I have a gigantic thing of ranch seasoning from Costco haha
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ll have to give the celery salt a go!