Ranch Revamped!

We are ranch dip junkies in our house!  I have put Ranch dressing on everything since I was little.  It was how I was "tricked" into eating veggies when I was a kid.  Even the light version though has a TON of calories and I don't think I ever eat just 2 tbsp- do you?  For example Hidden Valley Light Ranch has 80 Calories and 7 grams of fat. Definitely better than the full fat version but WE can do better!!

Enter Greek Yogurt...and dried Ranch Dip. I use Hidden Valley Ranch because that's what we like.  I get the jar because we make it often and it saves money instead of buying the individual packets.  I haven't tried making my own yet but I've seen a lot of recipes on Pinterest.

Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning and Fage 2% Greek Yogurt

Now for the recipe:

Ranch Revamped

1 Cup Greek Yogurt (I prefer 2% Fage)

3 Tbsp Ranch Seasoning or 1 Packet

1-2 Tbsp Fat Free Milk 

Combine Yogurt and Ranch Seasoning in a bowl mix until smooth.  Add one Tbsp of milk and mix.  If you would like it thinner add more milk.  You can add more milk if you would like to use it as a salad dressing!

1 Cup of Greek 2% Yogurt 170 Calories 4.5 g fat plus 23g of protein!!

Seasoning is only 5 Calories

2 Tbsp of dip is aprox 22 Calories, .5 g of fat, 3 g of protein (there are 16 tablespoons in a cup)

Now I'm not saying eat the whole cup in one sitting because that would be a good amount of sodium but don't you feel better about eating this dip?

       vs  

 Let me know what you think!


**I am in no way associated with the companies featured in this post.  All opinions and ideas are my own.

Homemade Healthy Granola Bars!!

Cranberry-Almond Granola Bars
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By Jessica Percifull

Ingredients
• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• ¼ cup milled/ground flax
• 1 tsp teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Craisins
• ½ cup thinly slice almonds
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (I just turn a couple grinds of my sea salt grinder)
• ½ cup honey or agave nectar
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¾ cup applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional zest of one orange (REALLY GOOD!!)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, Flax, cinnamon, flour, Craisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, applesauce, oil and vanilla (zest or orange if desired). Mix well, fold in almonds. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm.

Banana Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Walnuts
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By Jessica Percifull

Ingredients
• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• ¼ cup milled/ground flax
• 1 tsp teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Mashed Bananas (dry measuring cup)
• 1 cup peanut or almond butter (dry measuring cup)
• ½ cup thinly chopped walnuts
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (I just turn a couple grinds of my sea salt grinder)
• ½ cup honey or agave nectar
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, Flax, cinnamon, flour, walnuts and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, banana, peanut butter, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm.*These are best eaten when cooled*

I was trying to think of some new flavors to make. A few I'm going to try are: Pumpkin-Walnut, Apple Cinnamon Raisin and Carrot-Walnut. Let me know if you think of any others!!

Jessica Percifull