I have a very close family.  It almost borderlines on too close.  Everyone knows everyone else’s business and everyone has an opinion about one thing or another.  That’s why I love it so much.  We are a big, loud family: slightly quirky and very charming.

On my dad’s side(the Italians), there is a perfect progression of granddaughters.  I am the oldest at 22, my cousin Sam is 21, my sister Melissa is 20, cousin Ali is 19 and my cousin Gabrielle will be 17.  We have a lot in common, especially a love of good food.

What’s sad is that we’ve never all lived in the same place at the same time.  My 3 cousins grew up traveling and living all over the world while my sister and I lived in the same house in Massachusetts our whole lives.  Summers were the months we looked forward to because the girls would come to visit.

Years later, I am back in the same house I grew up in after finishing my Bachelor’s Degree, my sister is south of Boston working on hers, Sam & Ali are in opposite ends of Virginia getting their BAs and Gabs is in high school in England.  This is when the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” really means something.

Nevertheless, each one of us has a passion and love for food.  Over the summers, I have tested my recipes on them (and them on me!) but one has consistently been Sam’s favorite.  It’s easy, healthy and she wants it desperately.  I considered not telling her, but hey, family is family… and she could probably beat me up.

(Healthy) Creamy Vanilla Fruit Dip
Recipe from Hungry Girl

3/4 cup Cool Whip Free
3 TB fat-free cream cheese, softened
3 TB Splenda granulated
1/2 TB sugar-free, fat-free jell-o instant pudding mix, vanilla

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.  Chill 30 minutes.   Serve with apple slices, strawberries, graham crackers or eat it straight with a spoon. 

Make a lot if the family is coming over.