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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Fresh hair day is my favorite! Disguising my wisdom!!!
#transformationtuesday
Happy FriYaY-Weigh! So far this month my weight has not budged--I`ve been maintaining, which is (arguably) good, but my goal is to lose.
And there it is, my weekly struggle between gratitude and disappointment.
With that said, I choose gratitude. These two pictures are almost four years apart. I`ve come an incredibly long way, and am proud of all that I`ve overcome.
I am well aware of the work that is yet to be done, but for today, I am choosing to celebrate where I am right now and the strength and courage it took to get here.
What wins are you celebrating today?
xo Lisa
#celebrateeverywin #weightlossjourney #consistency #eatmovetracksleep #drinkyourwater #bigfatskinnywisdom #facetofacefriday #Face2FaceFriday
Happy FriYaY-Weigh! So far this month my weight has not budged--I`ve been maintaining, which is (arguably) good, but my goal is to lose.
And there it is, my weekly struggle between gratitude and disappointment.
With that said, I choose gratitude. These two pictures are almost four years apart. I`ve come an incredibly long way, and am proud of all that I`ve overcome.
I am well aware of the work that is yet to be done, but for today, I am choosing to celebrate where I am right now and the strength and courage it took to get here.
What wins are you celebrating today?
xo Lisa
#celebrateeverywin #weightlossjourney #consistency #eatmovetracksleep #drinkyourwater #bigfatskinnywisdom #facetofacefriday #Face2FaceFriday
Taking care of others can be both challenging, and exhausting.
Which is why making my own care a priority is absolutely essential. You know, the put your own mask on first thing...and I wasn`t very good at it for more years than I can count.
I have always been a supplement skeptic, but have since learned that (much like in life), sometimes a little bit of support goes a really long way.
In addition to eating well, moving, tracking, drinking my daily water, and getting plenty of sleep, I take supplements for:
👉 Hormone and Mood Support
👉 Stress and Weight Management Support
👉 Gut Health Support
👉 Inflammation and Autoimmune Support
While I know that taking a few supplements will not solve all my health issues, or make me magically thinner, I do know what a difference they have made for me on my health journey.
Do you supplement?
#myweightlossjourney #weightlossjourney #consistency #eatmovetracksleep #drinkyourwater
Taking care of others can be both challenging, and exhausting.
Which is why making my own care a priority is absolutely essential. You know, the put your own mask on first thing...and I wasn`t very good at it for more years than I can count.
I have always been a supplement skeptic, but have since learned that (much like in life), sometimes a little bit of support goes a really long way.
In addition to eating well, moving, tracking, drinking my daily water, and getting plenty of sleep, I take supplements for:
👉 Hormone and Mood Support
👉 Stress and Weight Management Support
👉 Gut Health Support
👉 Inflammation and Autoimmune Support
While I know that taking a few supplements will not solve all my health issues, or make me magically thinner, I do know what a difference they have made for me on my health journey.
Do you supplement?
#myweightlossjourney #weightlossjourney #consistency #eatmovetracksleep #drinkyourwater
Here`s the recipe for the No Bake Upside Down Cheesecake Cups I made Sunday night on my (Facebook) live.
The entire recipe ended up making 10 servings. I haven`t calculated the macros yet. I`ll do that when I post it on my website. But in the meantime...
10 servings (4oz cup)
3 WW Points (not including "crust" topping)
8oz Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
1 C Truvia or Swerve Confectioners Sugar
3/4 C Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
1-2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste (or Vanilla Extract)
1 tsp Lemon Juice
Pinch of salt
1 C Fat Free or Light Cool Whip
1/4 C Triple Berry Sauce (recipe on my website)
"Crust" of your choice, I use one or two crushed Dewey`s Bakery cookie thins.
With a hand mixer beat sugar and cream cheese. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt, mix well. Fold in whipped topping.
Divide Triple Berry Sauce among cups (a teaspoon or two in each) top with 2 heaping tablespoons of filling. Then with crushed cookie crust. Refrigerate for 6-12 hours.
#bigfatskinnyrecipes #tripleberrysauce #eatgreatloseweight #weightlossjourney
Here`s the recipe for the No Bake Upside Down Cheesecake Cups I made Sunday night on my (Facebook) live.
The entire recipe ended up making 10 servings. I haven`t calculated the macros yet. I`ll do that when I post it on my website. But in the meantime...
10 servings (4oz cup)
3 WW Points (not including "crust" topping)
8oz Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
1 C Truvia or Swerve Confectioners Sugar
3/4 C Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
1-2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste (or Vanilla Extract)
1 tsp Lemon Juice
Pinch of salt
1 C Fat Free or Light Cool Whip
1/4 C Triple Berry Sauce (recipe on my website)
"Crust" of your choice, I use one or two crushed Dewey`s Bakery cookie thins.
With a hand mixer beat sugar and cream cheese. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt, mix well. Fold in whipped topping.
Divide Triple Berry Sauce among cups (a teaspoon or two in each) top with 2 heaping tablespoons of filling. Then with crushed cookie crust. Refrigerate for 6-12 hours.
#bigfatskinnyrecipes #tripleberrysauce #eatgreatloseweight #weightlossjourney
Happy FriYAY-Weigh!!
It`s been a busy week. But I stayed consistent. I`m not even lying when I say that I danced a little jig this morning after I weighed myself. It was the kind of loss we all want to see EVERY week, except that it just isn`t realistic.
But that didn`t stop me from high-fiving my bad self.
It also made me think about the scale and the power I give it to influence my mood depending on its reading.
Here`s the thing, the scale isn`t my enemy, and the numbers don`t lie. BUT numbers are just the data. Simple metrics--one of lots of ways I measure my progress. It`s me who brings meaning (true or not) to the numbers on the scale.
My goal this week is to stay consistent, and when next week rolls around and it`s time to weigh in, I`m going to celebrate no matter what the numbers are, because the truth is, I have that choice.
Happy Friday!!
xo Lisa
#weightlossjourney #gratitudeattitude #myweightlossjourney #bigfatskinnywisdom #weighlosswisdom #consistency
Happy FriYAY-Weigh!!
It`s been a busy week. But I stayed consistent. I`m not even lying when I say that I danced a little jig this morning after I weighed myself. It was the kind of loss we all want to see EVERY week, except that it just isn`t realistic.
But that didn`t stop me from high-fiving my bad self.
It also made me think about the scale and the power I give it to influence my mood depending on its reading.
Here`s the thing, the scale isn`t my enemy, and the numbers don`t lie. BUT numbers are just the data. Simple metrics--one of lots of ways I measure my progress. It`s me who brings meaning (true or not) to the numbers on the scale.
My goal this week is to stay consistent, and when next week rolls around and it`s time to weigh in, I`m going to celebrate no matter what the numbers are, because the truth is, I have that choice.
Happy Friday!!
xo Lisa
#weightlossjourney #gratitudeattitude #myweightlossjourney #bigfatskinnywisdom #weighlosswisdom #consistency
It`s FriYAY-Weigh!
I`m down .2lbs this week for a total of 6 lbs this month.
I caught myself grumbling when I stepped off the scale. I had to remind myself that I`m not in a race, and there`s no deadline or expiration date for taking better care of myself.
I turned my frown upside down, stopped grumbling and started gratitude-ing! And you know what I learned?
Gratitude is the cure for disappointment!!!
I`ve come a long way in three years and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with you!
What are you grateful for today?
#Face2FaceFriday #weightlossjourney #weightlosswisdom #gratitudeattitude
It`s FriYAY-Weigh!
I`m down .2lbs this week for a total of 6 lbs this month.
I caught myself grumbling when I stepped off the scale. I had to remind myself that I`m not in a race, and there`s no deadline or expiration date for taking better care of myself.
I turned my frown upside down, stopped grumbling and started gratitude-ing! And you know what I learned?
Gratitude is the cure for disappointment!!!
I`ve come a long way in three years and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with you!
What are you grateful for today?
#Face2FaceFriday #weightlossjourney #weightlosswisdom #gratitudeattitude
Happy FriYAY-WEIGH!
The last two weeks have definitely challenged my resolve. But I refused to allow my emotions and/or circumstances control my choices.
AND accountability has been key in helping me in that area. I know that for some of you tracking is a dirty word, but it`s been my secret to success all along.
Since I started holding myself accountable again (ie. tracking) I`ve lost 5.8 lbs.
I make better choices when I`m accountable.
I`m more consistent when I`m accountable.
I`m more disciplined when I`m accountable.
I`m more mindful when I`m accountable.
I`m more focused when I`m accountable.
I`m more empowered when I`m accountable.
Accountability is POWER!
How do you hold yourself accountable?
#weightlossjourney #weightlosswisdom #bigfatskinnywisdom #accountability
Happy FriYAY-WEIGH!
The last two weeks have definitely challenged my resolve. But I refused to allow my emotions and/or circumstances control my choices.
AND accountability has been key in helping me in that area. I know that for some of you tracking is a dirty word, but it`s been my secret to success all along.
Since I started holding myself accountable again (ie. tracking) I`ve lost 5.8 lbs.
I make better choices when I`m accountable.
I`m more consistent when I`m accountable.
I`m more disciplined when I`m accountable.
I`m more mindful when I`m accountable.
I`m more focused when I`m accountable.
I`m more empowered when I`m accountable.
Accountability is POWER!
How do you hold yourself accountable?
#weightlossjourney #weightlosswisdom #bigfatskinnywisdom #accountability
Happy Fri-Weigh!!!
It feels good to be consistent again. I have a clear understanding of what works for me--and what doesn`t. But as I always say, knowing isn`t doing.
The lesson I learned in 2022 was to stay in my own lane.
So here`s to more of the doing!
Have a great day!
xo Lisa ❤️
#weightlosswisdom #weightlossjourney #mywwjourney #happynewyear2023
Happy Fri-Weigh!!!
It feels good to be consistent again. I have a clear understanding of what works for me--and what doesn`t. But as I always say, knowing isn`t doing.
The lesson I learned in 2022 was to stay in my own lane.
So here`s to more of the doing!
Have a great day!
xo Lisa ❤️
#weightlosswisdom #weightlossjourney #mywwjourney #happynewyear2023
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!