1. Soften the Cream Cheese: Take your cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to make the dip. This ensures it’s soft enough to blend smoothly without lumps. If you’re short on time, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds until just softened, but be careful not to melt it.

2. Combine Cream Cheese and Yogurt: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and the plain Greek yogurt. Use a sturdy spoon or a rubber spatula to mix them together until they are well combined and smooth. This might take a couple of minutes of steady stirring.

3. Add the Dry Seasonings: Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix these thoroughly into the cream cheese and yogurt base until evenly distributed.

4. Stir in Fresh Ingredients and Cheese: Add the shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped green onions, and fresh parsley to the bowl. Pour in the lemon juice. Gently fold all these ingredients into the mixture until everything is uniformly incorporated. Avoid overmixing once the fresh ingredients are added.

5. Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Take a small spoonful of the dip and taste it. This is your chance to adjust any seasonings. You might want to add a little more salt (if not already added, depending on your cheese), pepper, or even a touch more lemon juice for brightness.

6. Chill for Flavor Development: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dip for at least 20 minutes. This chilling period allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the dip to firm up to an ideal consistency for dipping.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Once chilled, give the dip a final stir. Transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few extra green onion slices, if desired. Serve with your favorite low-carb dippers like celery sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or healthy crackers.