Crock Pot Blueberry & Banana Irish Oatmeal

July 16, 2014 Amanda Plott

A big heaping bowl of irish oatmeal for breakfast almost always hits the spot for me, but I haven't had any for quite a while now. I guess I have it in my mind that oatmeal isn't exactly a summer sort of breakfast, so I tend to brush it aside for these grueling few months of 100 degree weather.

However, oatmeal was a specific request on the part of my grandmother, and since it's getting down to her last few weeks here... I thought I would finally oblige!

I didn't want to make the same irish oatmeal that she had before when she was here last summer to visit. No, no. I wanted to try something a little different.

Blueberries and bananas anyone?...

Baking Bacon

July 12, 2014 Amanda Plott

Baking bacon is a handy trick that I picked up a few years ago and quickly fell in love with the idea.

So, why bake your bacon?

Baking your bacon will save you the usual mess in the kitchen (or your microwave.) Plus, it cooks evenly and crisps up nicely while a vast majority of the grease is discarded! Another bonus? You can make a rather large batch of baked bacon rather effortlessly as compared to pan frying. Baking your bacon also tends to keep it from curling up, leaving your bacon straight and perfect!...

Crock Pot Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

June 23, 2014 Amanda Plott

Today, I was lucky enough to have an expert chef join me in my kitchen. Her lifetime of knowledge and her very particular palette are what I aim to please with each dish I create. She is my inspiration through and through!

Yes. That's right... Chef Lily spent some of her very valuable time lending me a hand with dinner...

Roasted Honey & Cinnamon Peaches

June 20, 2014 Amanda Plott

Okay, so... I know I've done the whole... broiled grapefruit thing, which is pretty amazing. But, as I've found out, there are actually a lot of people out there that cannot enjoy grapefruit for one reason or another. Yes, even a few in my own family! Now, I looove peach season. I think that I may have mentioned that once or twice before. So naturally, I've been waiting rather eagerly for the prices of peaches to go down and huzzah! It finally happened this last weekend!

I rather enthusiastically plucked a few gorgeous ones up and immediately began planning. Though... I pretty much knew exactly what I wanted to try. Honey roasted peaches!...

Healthified Crock Pot Pulled Pork & Mustard B.B.Q. Sauce

June 10, 2014 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by the makers of French’s Yellow Mustard. I received compensation to write this post through the French’s Naturally Amazing Program … but, all opinions expressed are my own.

This BBQ sandwich is to-die-for.

The mustard BBQ sauce has quite a kick to it on it's own, but when you combine it with the natural sweetness from the pork... it's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I'm from Texas, so I'd like to think that I came out of the womb knowing a thing or two about BBQ.

I had suddenly found myself with an overwhelming about of French's mustard that was provided at no cost to me. I was then poised with some serious internal debate. What am I going to do with all this mustard?

Of course, one of my very first thoughts... was BBQ sauce...

Healthified Patriotic Toast

June 5, 2014 Amanda Plott

The count down to the 4th of July is on and I'm always super excited for this holiday! There's just something to be said about the heat of the summer, (healthified) BBQ, and fireworks. How could you not be excited to celebrate the independence of your nation in such a way?

Happy Birthday 'Merica!

Well, in a month or so anyway...

Now let's honor you with cute toast for breakfast.