Buttermilk Ranch Yogurt Dip

Kids love ranch dressing because it's delicious. I think adults do too but they become more concerned about all the fat and calories and learn to live and die by balsamic vinaigrette. But it's not as good. We all know that. We grow older, things change, like our waistlines, and we all pretend to love boring dressing. That's the beauty of cooking though. We can make ranch, a far superior ranch, with loads of spices and some yogurt to ease our guilt. That's what this ranch is. It allows us to embrace our inner kid again and dip carrots into ranch with abandon.

Speaking of growing up, I said to Blake this weekend, while we were hiking through a delightful Colorado April snow storm, these years are going to be big ones. Last year we were married. This year I finished graduate school and in the next year Blake will finish law school. We both will get new jobs. In a few years there may be kids. It's an exciting time. It can also be exhausting. Homework, job applications, and uncertain futures. But ultimately we both appreciate what is certain. We have each other, a lovely home, an awesome dog, and wonderful family. I also am choosing to appreciate what is uncertain and embrace the excitement.

When you are younger, you think anything is possible. You think when you grow up, you can be anything you want to be. I try to maintain that attitude throughout life. We can always be and do whatever we want. We don't have to get stuck down one path. Life can continue to be an adventure. It's the decisions we make that dictate our adventures. These coming years will be exciting ones. They will be what we make them. We can choose ranch, we can choose balsamic, as long as we enjoy every step of the way. Yes, I did just making a dressing metaphor, which means I'm done for the day.

Buttermilk Ranch Yogurt Dip
Makes 1 cup of dip, adapted from Foodie with a Family

1 1/2 tbs dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dill
1 tbs fresh or dried chives
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup buttermilk

Whisk together parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, chives, salt, and pepper.

Whisk buttermilk and greek yogurt together. Add mixed ranch seasoning from above to yogurt mixture. Enjoy a delicious snack.