I went to dinner with a group of girlfriends last Saturday for restaurant week. As we chatted about our 8 a.m. workout classes over our salads I realized that man, we had evolved. Six years ago we were piling as many of us that could fit into one car to make Sonic $50 corn dog runs. We were taco Tuesday regulars, washing them down with Bud Light and sleeping until 11 instead of hitting an early morning gym session. While we still love to have a good time and will most likely never turn down a glass of wine, our priorities have shifted.
I’ve noticed lately that even my reasoning for working out has changed with my age. My mental health and physical strength are the most important result of a good workout as opposed to the desire of losing weight or looking good in a pair of jeans. I’ll still take those results if it’s coming as a packaged deal, let’s be real. But knowing that my mind will be sharper, my energy levels will be higher, and I’ll make better decisions with my meals throughout the day is all the motivation I need to hit the elliptical.
A true designer at heart, I enjoy my food even more than usual when it tastes good AND it looks good. Raw vegetables plate so beautifully and when paired with cheese – hellooo crowd pleaser. You can use a variety of vegetables in a crudité arrangement – peppers, carrots, radicchio, cauliflower, snap peas. Seriously, anything goes. Any vegetable under the sun is going to taste INSANE covered in whipped feta.
This crudité and dip combo is the definition of effortless entertaining. The whipped feta takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. It’s the perfect dish for entertaining the girls for a guilt-free evening!
CRUDITÉ PLATTER WITH WHIPPED FETA
Ingredients
8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 Tbsp greek yogurt
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a food processor or bowl with electric mixer, combine feta crumbles, cream cheese and greek yogurt and pulse until smooth, scraping down sides when necessary.
Add in olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Blend until creamy (about 3-4 minutes).