Like you, I'm a ranch addict. Here are a few things I've found:

1. Change the salad - I've found it easier to use a different dressing or even no dressing when the salad itself is different. Make radical changes, too, even change the lettuce. Some salads are simply better suited to a vinaigrette or oil-and-vinegar dressing than they are to ranch.

2. It's okay to make concessions (just try not to make too many, and always strive for improvement) - Unless you're doing a Whole 30 or something similar, you're embarking on a lifestyle change. This means that you won't always be perfect with it, and that's okay. You can work on getting better over time. In the meantime, don't beat yourself up if you use a little ranch dressing (yes, even at a restaurant, with the conventional ranch) while you try to find a better alternative.

3. Check out Annie's Cowgirl Ranch dressing - http://www.annies.com/products/dressings-oils/organic-cowgirl-ranch-dressing-8oz/ . It's not perfectly paleo (it still used vegetable oil, but at least it's not soy, and buttermilk, which isn't strictly paleo), but it has good flavor and consistency and can serve to get you away from the soybean oil based versions until you can find an alternative that you like.

"Trying" doesn't sound like committed to "doing"... It's not hard to make one's own mayo and salad dressings. I love ranch. I use my homemade mayo and add a bunch of seasonings (Google for ideas). If I have nothing made up, just oil (olive, avocado, macadamia, etc) and balsamic (or red wine vinegar, lemon, lime juice) works too. I even make coleslaw and ceasar dressings. Yum. Keep trying different things and I promise you will find some that you like.

"Trying" doesn't sound like committed to "doing"... It's not hard to make one's own mayo and salad dressings. I love ranch. I use my homemade mayo and add a bunch of seasonings (Google for ideas). If I have nothing made up, just oil (olive, avocado, macadamia, etc) and balsamic (or red wine vinegar, lemon, lime juice) works too. I even make coleslaw and ceasar dressings. Yum. Keep trying different things and I promise you will find some that you like.

I always forget about mayo for salad dressing!

What's your favorite oil for mayo?

I like the light olive oil for a "normal" flavour. I also like bacon grease, avocado oil and macadamia oil (which tastes awesome on fish). When using the other oils I usually mix with olive oil too since they, like macadamia, can be over powering. I like baconnaise with all bacon grease though and it lasts forever in the fridge. Some of my primal cookbooks recommend sunflower oil but I don't use it. I use mayo for making ranch, coleslaw or any "creamy" dressing. Over time, I've gotten used to homemade condiments and am much less picky that the flavour match store-bought junk. In fact, my stuff tastes way better.

Mayo base dressings are good. I make a creamy Caesar with homemade mayo, olive oil, anchovy paste, Worcestershire, and garlic or garlic powder, s & p. Almost paleo. Close enough for me

I am going to give this a try, I get tired of vinegar based dressings and after a few months I need a change too.

Good for you for TRYING, soon you will be doing all sorts of new things and learning what works for you. I second using balsamic (but I like to add good olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper). Keep trying new things, don't get discouraged!

I take my homemade mayo and add Adobo seasoning and there ya go, ranch dressing

what makes a worthy balsamic vinegar to buy? organic?

Like others, I'm big on mayo-based dressings because I love a creamy dressing (though I do it from time to time, I find making my own a bit of a pain, so for the most part, we cheat and get Hellman's Olive Oil Mayo - it still has canola oil, but otherwise, it's quite clean).

We'll also often just do oil and vinegar (usually balsamic).

I find my good balsamic at a oil and vinegar store in our mall (I know not everyone has one:)
I have also found them at good wineries. (online would always be an option for sure).

$20 for a bottle on the top shelf of a good grocery store is about the minimum I would spend. I prefer the better stuff but I have become a vinegar snob. $40-$50 for a 8oz bottle is about where I land, and remember a little goes a LONG way.

I just started *trying* to live the paleo lifestyle today. I have tried and failed miserably in the past, so this time I did a lot of research and prepared myself. I love grilled chicken salads so this will be my normal lunch, but the problem I am having is what to use for dressing. I love ranch and know that it is not acceptable now. I found a few recipes online and gave one a try: http://paleotable.com/2012/11/paleo-ranch-dressing/ I think it's too runny and not very good. Not sure if it will just take some getting used to. I am trying to be successful this time, so I was hoping to find a salad dressing that I will enjoy.

Any suggestions? TIA...

I try to avoid Paleo recipes that try too hard to mimic non-Paleo stuff.

I just switched to oil and vinegar (either red wine or balsamic)

Making your own dressing is easy as pie. For the most part it is just spices and oil.

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/category/recipes/sauces/
I have made some of these and they are very good.
The eggplant relish-y stuff was good on salad too.

I usually just plop mayo on salads now with a splash of lemon or lime juice to thin it out.

what makes a worthy balsamic vinegar to buy? organic?

I recently found Spectrum organic balsamic vinegar on Amazon. Tastes nice.