When it comes to sneaky tactics the switcheroo is my favorite. Take old product, exchange it for new, don't tell a soul, pray no one notices. Good strategy, right?
Tonight's Switcheroo was made possible by me and my awesome homemade Sneaky Valley *giggle* ranch dressing. We had baked potatoes and salad for dinner last night and instead of using the plastic-bottled toxic ingredient super yummy ranch we usually have on hand, I made up a batch of homemade salad dressing. This was only the second time I've tried to make dressing, and the previous one was a really easy balsamic vinaigrette. I was nervous that my ranch wouldn't be creamy or tasty enough. I assembled the plates, passed them out, and crossed my fingers that no one would notice. My husband usually has the most discerning pallet, and he's been suspicious of substitutions ever since I put soy crumbles in our Hamburger Helper as newlyweds. Everyone cleaned their plates and the only one who said anything was, of course, my husband. Know what he said? "Dinner was really great!" I wanted to milk the compliment for all it was worth so I skipped to the fridge, pulled out my jar of homemade ranch, wiggled it in the air and said, "I made the dressing!" He still stood by his previous comment that dinner was great... despite the fact that I had switcherooed our old faithful dressing for my homemade one.
I think we all, myself included, tend to be scared to use homemade products in place of store bought ones because we are worried that our families won't like them as much. Kids will complain that they taste funny, the texture might be off, or a husband with a picky palette might say it's just plain bad. But if you give it a try you will see that your successes far outweigh the failures. Not to mention that when you control the quality of the ingredients as well as the amounts, you can not only customize your foods to the exact taste preference of your family, but you can actually feel good about what you're feeding them. You know they are receiving nourishment and not just filling them up. Not to mention, it will do your self-esteem a world of good to have your hubby freely tossing compliments your way.
I encourage you to switch ONE store bought item for a homemade one this week. Just ONE. You can totally do that! Tell me what you switched and how it worked for you. If you want to try making some homemade ranch for yourself, here is my recipe.
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tb minced garlic (you can use garlic powder if that's all you have, but use much less)
1 tsp minced onion (chives, green onions, or onion powder work too. Adjust your amounts accordingly)
1 Tb parsley
salt and pepper to taste
milk
Add the mayo, sour cream, garlic, onion, and spices to a clean speghetti jar. Put the lid on and shake like you're trying to sculpt Michelle Obama's arms. Check your consistency and thin with a little bit of milk if the mixture if too thick for you. Shake again and enjoy! You can use it right away, but the flavors combine so much better if you let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours.
Tonight's Switcheroo was made possible by me and my awesome homemade Sneaky Valley *giggle* ranch dressing. We had baked potatoes and salad for dinner last night and instead of using the plastic-bottled toxic ingredient super yummy ranch we usually have on hand, I made up a batch of homemade salad dressing. This was only the second time I've tried to make dressing, and the previous one was a really easy balsamic vinaigrette. I was nervous that my ranch wouldn't be creamy or tasty enough. I assembled the plates, passed them out, and crossed my fingers that no one would notice. My husband usually has the most discerning pallet, and he's been suspicious of substitutions ever since I put soy crumbles in our Hamburger Helper as newlyweds. Everyone cleaned their plates and the only one who said anything was, of course, my husband. Know what he said? "Dinner was really great!" I wanted to milk the compliment for all it was worth so I skipped to the fridge, pulled out my jar of homemade ranch, wiggled it in the air and said, "I made the dressing!" He still stood by his previous comment that dinner was great... despite the fact that I had switcherooed our old faithful dressing for my homemade one.I think we all, myself included, tend to be scared to use homemade products in place of store bought ones because we are worried that our families won't like them as much. Kids will complain that they taste funny, the texture might be off, or a husband with a picky palette might say it's just plain bad. But if you give it a try you will see that your successes far outweigh the failures. Not to mention that when you control the quality of the ingredients as well as the amounts, you can not only customize your foods to the exact taste preference of your family, but you can actually feel good about what you're feeding them. You know they are receiving nourishment and not just filling them up. Not to mention, it will do your self-esteem a world of good to have your hubby freely tossing compliments your way.
I encourage you to switch ONE store bought item for a homemade one this week. Just ONE. You can totally do that! Tell me what you switched and how it worked for you. If you want to try making some homemade ranch for yourself, here is my recipe.
Sneaky Valley Ranch Dressing
1/2 cup mayo1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tb minced garlic (you can use garlic powder if that's all you have, but use much less)
1 tsp minced onion (chives, green onions, or onion powder work too. Adjust your amounts accordingly)
1 Tb parsley
salt and pepper to taste
milk
Add the mayo, sour cream, garlic, onion, and spices to a clean speghetti jar. Put the lid on and shake like you're trying to sculpt Michelle Obama's arms. Check your consistency and thin with a little bit of milk if the mixture if too thick for you. Shake again and enjoy! You can use it right away, but the flavors combine so much better if you let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours.
That seems so easy to do. I'll have to give it a try as soon as I'm up and about!
ReplyDeleteIt really is easy. You could even give the shaking job to the kiddos. ;)
ReplyDelete