I think that most of the people in the good ole US of A can fall into one of two categories:
1) Ranch
2) and everything else
Am I the only Ranch dressing lover?
I don't think so. I might like it more than others, but I think most people enjoy it... I love it.
I love it on salad.
I love it on veggies.
I love ranch with chicken fingers, nuggets and wings.
I love it in buffalo dip.
I love ranch dressing mix on potatoes.
I love to dip fries in it.
I could go on...
Needless to say, when I started this healthy journey and I took a good look at the label on my ranch dressing bottle...I was sad. There is nothing good about it. Nope. Not a thing. Of course there are brands that use real ingredients, but that's not what was in my hand. I wanted to eat salads because salads are easy, versatile, and can be prepared ahead of time...but I was ruining my healthy meal by covering it with ranch. I also had no intention of measuring out just 2 tablespoons of my favorite dip, so I think we can agree I had a problem.
But I didn't want to cut ranch out of my life, or my fridge, so I temporarily replaced it with healthier options, but it wasn't the same. I pressed on. Life goes on even when you aren't eating ranch.
I started reaching some of my goals. I was losing weight, feeling better about myself, inside and out, but I was still clinging to that ranch.
"I will just have it in moderation."
"Veggies taste good with only a little."
I was hanging on to Ranch as a crutch! Now, I can look back and see how ridiculous that was, but I just wasn't ready to let go of this comfort food. But the day I decided it was time to part ways, I dropped it in the trash and I didn't look back!
I still have ranch dressing once in a while with a cheat meal, but I am no longer smothering my food with it. I tried lots of healthy dressings for my salads, because I still love salads (side note: salad is code for "I opened the fridge, found some healthy stuff and put it on top of some spinach leaves"), and eventually I found one that I love just as much as ranch. Balsamic vinegar. Not the vinegarette, just balsamic vinegar. Someone told me a long time ago it could be used as a salad dressing and I LAUGHED! Oh hindsight, you are so smart. It's simple, easy, flavorful and cheap. I am no longer a slave to ranch dressing!
This change didn't happen over night. It took me months of trying alternatives and ignoring the ranch that called to me from the fridge. Eventually I found the "one" that I loved just as much, but doesn't compromise my health. Healthy eating is a process. I had several vices that I just couldn't let go of. I clung to them. But I still made other steps. Even though I wasn't ready to let go ranch, I made other changes to my eating. When I was ready I tackled the tough one. :)
Everyone has that "ranch" in their life. What's yours?
I should send you some passion fruit vinegar. It's my favorite.
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