Feeling pretty chipper today for having gotten up to get work by 7am!

Let me tell you this is an hour earlier than normal!!  The problem doesn’t really lie with the getting up early, but in the figuring out how to get to sleep earlier the night before! (doesn’t really happen in case you are wondering)

My beautiful little 8 year old girl is playing ice hockey, (I know! Scary isn’t it???).  This means I have to leave early on Thursday’s to get her on the ice in time for practice…As much as I love hockey (and I really do!)…I really, really love her face and teeth all in the place in which they currently reside, and am a little concerned about any accidental rearranging of this…but we have to let go and let God don’t we?  Or in Juliespeak is relax, don’t worry, it is what it is…yada yada yada!

Nuff about me and my STUFF.  I know you are really looking for a little yummy yummy for your tummy tummy!  How about this?  Spinach and Artichoke dip!! Here is a little comparison info.  I calculated the Points Plus value for this appetizer at a restaurant chain that I am sure we have all visited…Applebees and the Points Plus value for the entire thing is 43!! Ok to be fair, the recipe below is listed at 12 servings and that would equal 36 Points Plus, however I am sure that we would probably never go to the Big A and order one of these for 12 people…I am guessing it would be more like 4…and also keep in mind what you are dipping, when you are not in control!

Healthier Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip II 

3 Points Plus

12 Servings

Ingredients

1/4 c reduced-calorie mayonnaise    

2 oz Romano cheese, grated    

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 t dried basil    

14 oz canned artichoke hearts, without oil, drained and chopped    

1 c chopped frozen spinach, thawed, drained and chopped    

1/4 c shredded part-skim mozzarella cheeses    

1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese    

8 oz Neufchatel cheese, softened, (this is basically reduced fat cream cheese!)   

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic and basil. You can also salt and pepper to taste. Gently stir in artichoke hearts and spinach.

3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake in preheated oven 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.

I would serve this with some sort of Points Plus friendly multigrain chips, or hmmm I might have already given you the recipe for some baked Wonton crisps!!