One thing I am trying to do this time around losing weight is to find a different way to do the things I love but in a better way.
What I am talking about people is chips and dip! My husband and I don’t go out much, having 3 kids and all, so our entertainment on weekend nights consist of renting movies, having a few beers and chips. But, as we all know, if you just have a bag in front of you mindlessly eating, the calories add up quickly!!
So instead of having chips, I have been making a veggie tray with some healthy dips. We are still enjoying watching movies, and having a beer, but the calories we are saving eating that instead of scarfing down Dorito’s is huge!
These two dips come from Women’s Health Magazine.
The first one is a spinach dip
Here is what you will need:
1 package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed
1/4 cup non fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 large scallions, chopped
2 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill (or omit that if you don’t like dill)
1-2 tsp. horseradish
Blend all until smooth.
Makes 12 servings: Each serving is 30 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 1 gram of fiber
The next dip is for hummus. I know you can buy that at the store, but its so easy to make!
2 TB. extra virgin olive oil
2-4 TB. fresh lemon juice
2-4 TB. water, depending on how thick you want it
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup non fat plain yogurt
Mix the liquids first, then add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Add more water and salt to taste.
This also makes 12 servings: Each serving is 75 calories, 5 grams of fat and 1 gram of fiber.
The key to making this work?? PLAN AHEAD! If the veggies aren’t cut up, or I didn’t make a dip, then we will definitely reach for the bag of chips instead. I might do this while making dinner and put it in the fridge for later.
What are your ideas for healthy snacks while staying in for the evening and watching movies??
Both dips look great. I especially like the feta/dill one.
Well, I like the popcorn you sent me! those are healthy, right? And what abt just plain roasted kabocha or butternut squash with a bit of brown sugar or maple and cinnamon? Hee hee.
Oh, and I can’t wait to try that spinach dip, it sounds amzing!
Great idea!
I’m not really munch of a muncher, so I’m usually pretty good while watching movies at home. I think if I get munchy I want something crunchy – so I do what you’ve been doing – reach for a crunchy veggie to trick myself. 🙂 hehe
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Spinach dip sounds extremely creamy and yum….Hummus is my all time favourite…
Oh , those both sound great!
Thanks for sharing!
Planning ahead is so essential – I know that if I have raw veggies in the fridge, ready to eat, I will grab them over some nuts or popcorn almost every time!
The hummus dip sounds so good – I really have to try making it one of these days!
As for snacking, I have fruit (grapes, cherries, whatever is in season), fruit smoothies, and like you, raw veggies.
I’ve been looking for a good spinach dip. I think I might play around with this one!
I didn’t answer the question: low fat microwave popcorn – TJ’s 94% is good. That’s the number one choice. Stacy’s Pita chips. My gorp recipe – I’ll post it, but basically cereal with some dried fruit and nuts, to make trailmix but healthier. There’s also a fab looking chocolate bark in this month’s issue of Cooking Light.
Yum! Those dips look gooood.
I like to snack on pre-portioned trail mixes, or sliced up fruit w/ yogurt as a dipper!