3 Dips—Perfect for healthy summertime munching

In the summer we want fresh and easy recipes we can enjoy in our own backyard, or that are ready in our refrigerator for a healthy, satisfying snack. Here are three of my favorite dips that make munching on veggies a delicious treat. They are dips with different flavors to suit your mood…and, of course…all easy to make!

Why these dips? They are easy to make ahead of time and are ready when you need them. Making your own ensures there are no extra ingredients…you control what goes in it and because it is fresh there are no needed additives or preservatives you find in store bought versions.

Dip #1

Wasabi Dipping Sauce

Why this dip? It’s unusual. A dip that is great to serve with blanched green beans for a different take on the predictable crudité. The flavor is spicy but not hot with heat.  It is super easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for at least a week. Did I mention it is a snap to make all in one bowl and only has 5 ingredients?!

Dip #2

Carrot Hummus with Turmeric

Why this dip? It is a great way to fit in more veggies! Turmeric is the “hot” new spice that is considered to have a number of health benefits…especially anti-inflammatory. You use a food processor for easy prepping and don’t forget the garnish of fresh mint or other herb from your garden.

Dip #3

Yummy “Cream Cheese” Dip 

Why this dip? It’s luscious and creamy. The yogurt “cream cheese” you make in the first step is a great base for a variety of dips. And for those needing to focus on higher protein foods this dip is loaded with it. It is so satisfying especially because of the high protein content.

What to serve these dips with? Think about fun and different vegetables you find fresh in the summer months. Think about blanching asparagus or green beans (our favorite with the Wasabi dip). Then there are these tasty and crisp veggies like jicama, Hakurei turnips, radishes, cucumber, zucchini or cherry tomatoes and all colors of sweet peppers. Celery makes for a great dipping veggie…keep the leaves on for extra visual flair. If you have a vegetable garden its great to see what you have a ton of and use it for your crudité!

Want some chips? Make homemade tortilla chips with tortillas you buy at the grocery store. Spray them with olive oil spray on both sides and baking them at 350 for about 15 minutes until they brown and become crisp. Voilá! You now have fresh chips to go with your fresh dip and veggies!

Want more dip ideas? Click here!


Enjoy! And Live vibrant!

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Carrot Hummus with Turmeric--Bright and Flavorful!

Eating healthy is a lot about the adventure of trying new combinations of foods or using a well known food in a different way. Someone gave me the idea to try out carrots as a way to make hummus. It struck me as fun and fresh as well as a great way to add in more veggies. Then I thought about the spices to use.

Turmeric is a great spice to use with carrots. It is also considered wonderful for our health. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a strong antioxidant. It is also linked to improved brain function and lowered risk of heart disease. And as if this wasn't enough, it can help with depression, arthritis, and delayed aging. What's not to like!?

This dish passes the Livliga test: healthy ingredients, visually appealing and tasty!

Carrot Hummus with Turmeric

Ingredients

• 2 cups carrots, peeled, cut into 1inch pieces

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 teaspoon turmeric (try fresh if you can find it…Whole Foods has it)
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Zest of 1 lemon (about 2 tsp)

• ¼ cup water (or enough to process the carrots smooth)

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and Pepper

• ½  Tablespoon toasted sunflower seeds to garnish

• ½ Tablespoon mint, thinly sliced to garnish

• Paprika to garnish
 (optional)
• Lemon zest to garnish

Directions

1. Blanche/Steam carrots for 5 minutes.
2. In a food processor add carrots, garlic, and turmeric with water and lemon juice and lemon zest.     Process until smooth. Add in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Serve in a small bowl, garnished with olive oil, mint, sunflower seeds, lemon zest and a dash of paprika.

Makes: 2 cups.
Serves: 16; serving size ⅛ cup.
Calories: 70 calories per serving.

Serve with cloud bread and/or crackers, cucumber and jicama. Great for backyard barbecues, picnics and potlucks.

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Eating the Awesome Artichoke—Hot or Cold

Eating the Awesome Artichoke—Hot or Cold (photo by LivligaHome).

Artichokes, once upon a time, were only available in the springtime. Now you can find artichokes available in your local grocery store year-round. Artichokes are really good for us to eat, low in calories, are easy to prepare, great hot or cold and are incredibly satisfying to eat…hence, I call them the “Awesome Artichoke.” Click here to read the entire article...

Re-posted from Sheila's Blog on TheEpochTimes.com.

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Yummy “Cream Cheese” Dip Made with Greek Yogurt

It is easy to make "cream cheese" out of Greek Yogurt for a yummy, crowd-pleasing dip (photo by LivligaHome)

There is nothing better than finding new ways to do things that are easier and better than what you have been doing. Recently, thanks to the State of Slim book, I have discovered how to make “cream cheese” out of Greek yogurt. This cream cheese is super easy to make and a great base for healthy dips and toppings. 

Besides having a fabulous texture and taste, Greek yogurt provides many health benefits. Like its regular yogurt cousins, Greek yogurt is known for having live and active cultures that contain good-for-you bacteria. Also, like all yogurts, Greek yogurt is made from milk products, which have been found to be beneficial for dieting.

Those who consume more healthy dairy products (low in fat, sugar, and salt) when dieting have been shown to lose more weight. And as is the case with all yogurts, they are packed with life enhancing vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and vitamin B12.

In addition to these attributes, Greek yogurt is higher in protein, containing about 15 –20 grams per serving. And, unlike regular yogurt, it is much lower in sugar, containing about half the amount. There is even less salt in Greek yogurts. This is definitely a heart-healthy, diabetes-managing and dieter-friendly food. Eat it as a snack during the day, and you will avoid big mood swings too.

Greek yogurt is an easy substitute for sour cream. And now, I have discovered it can be a great substitute for cream cheese. This means it can be incorporated into just about any recipe. It is great for dips, sauces and toppings, adding a lot of health benefits without calories.

Here is an easy way to make Greek yogurt “cream cheese”:

Ingredients

• 2 cups nonfat Greek yogurt
• Cheesecloth
• Big rubber band
• Bowl, preferably with a cover

Directions

1. Cut the cheesecloth to cover the opening of the bowl. Make sure there is enough to go over the sides of the bowl.
2. Place the cheesecloth over the bowl and secure it with a big rubber band.
3. Plop the Greek yogurt on top of the cheesecloth. Spread it slightly so it covers the cheesecloth.
4. Cover it with the top or place plastic wrap loosely over the top. Put the bowl in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 8 hours until the moisture has seeped out and into the bottom of the bowl.
5. Place the cream cheese mixture in an airtight container to use as needed. It is good for at least a couple of weeks.

How to make a delicious, Greek yogurt “cream cheese” dip:

Ingredients

• 1 cup Greek yogurt cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1/4 cup roasted red pepper, chopped
• Raw vegetables for dipping: carrots, celery, jicama, endive, sweet peppers

Directions

1. Place the cream cheese in a bowl. Add the measured horseradish and roasted red pepper. Stir until well-mixed.
2. Clean and cut raw vegetables for dipping: carrots, celery, jicama, endive, and the like.
3. Place the dip in an attractive serving bowl on a plate surrounded by your favorite raw vegetables. It’s great for snacks and parties.
4. Serving size: good for one or many.

You can’t beat this yummy, healthy “cream cheese” dip made with Greek yogurt. Check out my blog for other dip ideas.


Enjoy and live vibrantly!

Re-posted from Sheila's Blog on TheEpochTimes.com.

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Green Beans with Wasabi Dip--REALLY GOOD!

This recipe is an all time favorite of this family. It is easy to make, can store well in the refrigerator for a few days,  and mixes the savory and sweet taste sensation in a dip. My guests always comment on it while gnawing on their second or third green bean. They are actually a little amazed at how much they like the dip AND the blanched green beans. One serving, which includes 2 tablespoons of dip and 6 ounces of green beans is a mere 38 calories.

When you think you are serving your loved ones and friends fresh veggies with a low cal dip and they love it, you know something right has just happened!

For more of my Livliga recipes that are easy to use and print out go to livligahome.com.

Live Vibrant!

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Snack Time!--Quick & Easy Yogurt Dip that's Tasty!

Homemade Dijon Mustard & Greek Yogurt Dip will Dill

I am always looking for quick and easy ways to make satisfying snacks. I also have the desire to have things handy in my refrigerator ready to go so I am not wasting time or reaching for the "bad stuff" because it is handier to eat.

My daughter and I were hungry and ready for a snack. I knew I had grape tomatoes and finger carrots ready to go in my icebox but didn't have a dip. I do on occasion have store bought dips handy, but like with most prepared foods you buy from the grocery store, they have additives to preserve the food and also add things like salt and corn syrup you just don't need. Being able to make something where you put all the ingredients together is definitely the way to go....but, it has to be easy!

As so many of us have discovered, Greek yogurt is a wonderful, creamy ingredient that is great by itself but also wonderful added to many other foods. It is particularly handy as a base for sauces and dip. The other day I was inspired to see if I could create a tasty dip, that didn't require any prep time and used few ingredients. I combined the Greek yogurt with Dijon mustard and a little Dill. It was yummy! Clearly this is a very flexible concept where different herbes and condiments can be added to change the flavoring around. I do think the Greek yogurt is why the dip turns out so well. For now we are very happy with this first version of the "Quick & Easy" Dip. Here is the recipe:

Quick & Easy Yogurt Dip
1/3 Cup Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (can adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon dried or fresh Dill (can adjust to taste)

Total calories: 102
2 Tablespoons: 32

Enjoy!

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Herb Hummus- great for wraps, pizzas, a dip for veggies & pastas!

I am always on the look out for tasty dips that are healthy and not too caloric. Good ones can add interest to a meal or an appetizer, keeping us from getting bored with the "same-old-same-old". Getting bored with your food is a definite danger zone for staying on track and eating healthy. Committing to finding and providing variety and being ever creative with our food has been proven to be the key to successfully maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I found a delicious herb hummus that can also be used as a pesto. It is light and flavorful...perfect for spring and summer menus. The recipe is as follows:

Herb Hummus/Pesto-

1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/3 cup basil leaves
2 tablespoons (1/2 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese 
1 tablespoon pine nuts
2 tablespoons lemon juice $
2 tablespoons Tahini (sesame-seed paste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, drained
2 garlic cloves

Place all ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides of processor bowl occasionally. Yield: 1 2/3 Cups; serving size 1 tablespoon for 21 calories per serving.

My new favorite habit is drinking a Bud Light (Golden Wheat) and eating carrots with this dip at the evening "cocktail hour", before I start fixing dinner (Beer- 118 cal, dip- 2T at 42 cal and 1/2 Cup carrots at 25 cal= 185 total calories). It is delicious and satisfying and adds a moment of transition in the day between my day and my evening activities. I like it!

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