Southern Veggie Dip

During the holidays it's easy to get bogged down with heavy appetizers and snacks.  Try this creamy, low calorie dip with a festive veggie tray to lighten up cocktail party snacks.  This yummy dip will soon become a favorite go-to recipe!

Southern Veggie Dip

• 1/2 cup low fat cream cheese
• 3/4 cup plain fat free Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup fat free buttermilk 
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1/2 tablespoon Southern All Purpose Spice Blend
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small garlic clove, minced

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed for 2 minutes or until smooth.  Serve with raw vegetables.  

Easy Pizza Lunch

Easy Pizza

During the holidays, it's easy to fall into the trap of grabbing a quick fast food lunch in the midst of trying to get everything done.  Add to that the cocktail parties, sweet treats, and festive holiday meals, and come January,you are stuck with extra holiday weight!  

A little preparation at lunch time can save you stress as well as calories.  This quick, easy lunch can help you stay within your calorie budget (your Christmas shopping budget is another story!)  Bonus: when you eat a good lunch, it can help keep you from overeating later...so when that cocktail party comes around, you may be less likely to overindulge on calorie heavy appetizers.  

This can be made the night before and then heated in a microwave, or made on the spot in a toaster oven. 

Ingredients:

• 1 whole-wheat pita pocket
• 1/2 c. low-sodium tomato sauce
• 2 tsp. The Delicious Dietitian Italian Spice Blend
• 1 c. part skim shredded mozzarella
• 2 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 c. green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 c. tomato, diced
• 1/4 c. onion, sliced

Directions:

Add Italian Spice blend to tomato sauce. On a whole-wheat pita pocket, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce and top with shredded mozzarella. Top with feta, bell pepper, tomato, and onion. Bake in oven or toaster oven for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and edges are browned.