Good morning!
Last week was super exciting because the folks over at Chobani sent me some free yogurt in the mail! I was pumped for the refrigerated box that arrived with two 32 ounce containers in it for me to sample. I am a huge fan of Chobani yogurt (it’s on my grocery list week after week!) as well as free stuff, so… score!
2% Plain
With its creamy texture, this plain low-fat yogurt is ideal for using in your favorite recipes in place of sour cream, butter, creame fraiche or heavy cream.
0% Plain
Perfect for sweetening with fruit & granola or using as a substitute for sour cream, Chobani’s Plain will have you savoring its rich, tangy taste.
The containers arrived right in time for the two family parties I had this weekend. This was the perfect timing to use the 2% for appetizers to bring along!
Tim’s Super Awesome Spinach Artichoke Dip
First up? Tim’s Super Awesome Spinach Artichoke Dip. I’ve mentioned this dip a few times on the blog before (it’s already on my Recipes page!), but it’s definitely a tried and true recipe because it’s quick to make and a huge party hit. Tim’s cousin actually demanded we bring it back to their Christmas party next year! We used the 2% Chobani in lieu of the sour cream. As for the mayo and cream cheese, we went with the lighter versions of each.
As super awesome as this spinach artichoke dip is, I was more excited this weekend to try something new. A new and healthy appetizer recipe. Actually – a new, CUTE, and healthy appetizer recipe. And what’s even better than cute and healthy? Cute, healthy, and CHRISTMASY!
I now introduce you to…
Pita Christmas Trees!
Inspired by Betty Crocker
Ingredients
- 4 whole wheat pita breads
- Thin pretzel sticks
- 1/2 cup plain Chobani Greek Yogurt —> Note: The original recipe called for 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream, but I used the Greek Yogurt for a healthier option. More protein, fewer calories!!
- 1/2 cup guacamole —> Note: Instead of buying a really expensive container pre-made at the store, I used 2 avocados and Concord Foods guacamole mix. You could also make your own without the mix, but we were rushing around in the morning after our Friday night out.
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic-pepper blend
- 1/4 cup very finely chopped red bell pepper
Directions
- Cut each pita fold into 8 wedges. Insert pretzel stick half into center of bottom of each wedge to form “tree trunk.”
- In small bowl, mix the Chobani yogurt, guacamole, parsley and garlic-pepper blend.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of the mixture on each pita wedge.
- Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon bell pepper on each wedge or arrange to form a garland.
Aren’t those Christmas trees so adorable? Definitely also a hit – great presentation, delish, and a better appetizer option than some of the not so healthy choices on the table. Back when I asked you guys how you resist holiday temptations, many of you suggested bringing a healthier dish along to holiday parties so you know you have something to fall back on. Christmas pita trees are perfect for that!
And now I’m pumped to enjoy the 0% all week long. Last night I didn’t have time for cooking dinner, so I paired the 0% with my new Kashi Cinnamon Harvest Wheat Biscuits and blackberries too. Yum!
Free Chobani Giveaway!!!
Interested in making the switch to Chobani for healthier cooking and a delicious snack option? Well, one of you lucky readers could win some free yogurt!
TO ENTER:
Leave a comment a comment on this post telling me what you would use the yogurt for if you win!
Note – You can receive up to three additional entries in the giveaway by doing one of the following:
- Subscribing to Fitness & Feta via email (just click the Sign Me Up button on the left hand side of my page)
- Sharing this link on your Facebook / Twitter / Own Blog
- Liking the Fitness & Feta and Chobani pages on Facebook (you have to like both!)
THE RULES:
- The additional entries are NOT required for the giveaway, just the initial comment is.
- However, if you choose to enter with an additional entry option, each option needs a separate comment on this post to count. That means a max of 4 comments each!
- I will announce the winner in Friday morning’s post, so all entries must be in by Thursday at 10pm. Good luck!
Question of the Day: What’s your favorite way to eat yogurt?
Thank you for the recipes! Can’t wait to try them.
More importantly — this Irish girl loves your blog!
Athena
I like to put roasted almonds or cashews in my yogurt, sometime I add semi-sweet choc chips!!!!
Uncle Jimmy
I love making smoothies with Chobani! I usually make my smoothie with strawberry chobani, fresh strawberries, banana, ice and a little bit of oj. It’s a filling snack and a great way to get a serving of fruit and as well as some protein!
Adorable blog Athena!
I like to eat Chobani straight, with a little honey 🙂
-Nina
I think I would use them for breakfast. It is the easiest way to for me to get protein, and we know with how many times I hit snooze, I need a quick, high protein option!
I would eat it at my desk for breakfast along with a hot cup of green tea.
-James
I love Chobani Yogurt and use it with almost anything. Mostly I mix with blueberries, strawberries, or pineapple. It is great in the morning to stop the hunger and temptations at work. It is also great in the evening while watching TV!
Love that you have a Chobani giveaway on your blog…this is so awesome! I am definitely going to make Tim’s Spinach Artichoke Dip in a more healthy version using Chobani. Spinach Artichoke Dip is one of my go-to’s when out with friends for drinks and apps- it wouldn’t hurt to cut some of the calories in it when I make it at home!
I love love love Chobani and I found a really awesome tzatziki sauce recipe using the plain variety. It looks awesome! I think your dip also looks delish! I’m also excited for all the new flavors coming out like blood orange!
I’d cover it in fruit and granola and go to town!
Replace it for cheese/sour cream! It’s what I do now for tacos, dips, etc. ALSO, just fine on its own. YUM!
I’d use it as a topping on some chicken fajitas!
mix with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. maybe mix in some granola if i’m feeling crazy.
Oh wow! With fruit, nut butter and cereal!!
Yogurt in my oatmeal every morning!
With the success we had using the yogurt in the Spin art dip, I would like to try to and replace sour cream in more dishes like twice baked potatoes.
Thanks for the very generous giveaway! I would definitely use the Chobani plain for breakfast, but I’ve also been wanting to try baking muffins with it since I’ve seen so many delicious recipes using Greek yogurt!
I used the Blood Orange on my spin on Beef Stroganoff. Fantastic
I use it to help my daughter with her stomach issues. She is 16 and has had trouble with gerd and colon issues since she was little. She loves Chobani yogurts as much as I do. They help to relieve her symptoms and make a good dessert or snack. They are so much better than medicines. Thank you so much for the best “medicine” for my baby girl.
I love to use Cho in my holiday pies. It makes a nice creamy and thick pie. My family looks forward to our holiday yogurt pies and now I can give them a bit more protein packed healthy desert.
hi! I would use the Chobani (nonfat plain) to continue my weight loss efforts. I’m down 19.6 lbs in 12 weeks on Wt. Watchers. I honestly think that the yogurt is my secret weapon. Every day I make a smoothie using the plain yogurt, light chocolate silk soymilk, frozen banana, chia seeds and vanilla. I certainly don’t feel like I”m suffering when I wake up to a chocolate banana smoothie!!
Eating! We love Chobani! I also use it to make “ice cream” for my little guy, and to cook with. We love the honey Chobani with fruit for dessert.
If I won, I would eat all the yogurt…
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As a Registered Dietitian, I love good food, but I espeically love Chobani! The awesome flavors and oh so many options for cooking. With my CHO Conversion Chart, anything is possible! I always tell my patients to try Chobani. Keep up the great work Chobani 🙂
I would eat all the Chobani up by itself. YUM!! I have Chrohn’s and yogurt is one of the few foods that makes me feel good! I’m also Greek and LOVE spinach pie (although can’t eat it much anymore). Do you think your Spinach artichoke dip would work as a filler for the Pita Christmas trees or should I stick to the guacamole stuffing? Thanks!
I love to add ‘packets of dip mix’ into my chobani for a delish and low fat dip! It goes perfectly with carrots, celery and homemade pita chips! pick me and ill share my next batch with ya!!
I love eating Chobani plain or with fruit it’s the best!!!
I tried the Chobani yogurt for the first time today – the pomegranate. It is fantastic.
Crush up a Pecan Sandie and put on top of vanilla yogurt. So good. You can also put a squirt of lemon juice in the yogurt before the adding the cookies and it’s like a low fat version of lemon cream pie.
I love making a banana split with the 2% pineapple; add sliced strawberries and banana on top, then drizzle with a little chocolate syrup. It takes the place of nightly ice cream!
I love the pomegranate one the best so far.. I like to put nuts on mine.
I eat Chobani yogurt every morning for breakfast and as a snack in the evening. It is delicious and stops me from munching on junk. Hence, I would use the yogurt with some fresh fruit to keep up my recent healthy ways. The Greek Gods probably ate Chobani yogurt!
Chuck K.
I like it plain with biscoff spread and a bit of uncooked oatmeal. It’s like eating very creamy graham cracker flavored granola.