Healthy Mixed Berry Gummy Bears

February 4, 2015 Amanda Plott

My little one is entirely obsessed with anything that is gummy. Hearts, bears, and bunnies - oh my! Lately, I've been buying some fancy all natural, gluten free, organic gummies to put in her lunch, because it makes me feel a bit better. But, oh-my-goodness those things are expensive! Especially when she's eating her weight in them every day.

Sort of defeats the health benefits I'm trying to get into her too!

So as I was sitting here pondering my gummy dilemma I happened to remember a while back I came across this great idea on how to make your own gummy fruit snacks. I was a little early since I've tried to do this a time or two before and could never seem to get them to come out right. But, I thought it was time to give the homemade snacks another try anyway.

And boy am I glad that I did!...

Skinny Tutti-Fruity Breakfast Muffins

January 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

So as many of you may know, I've been attempting to have less gluten in my life for a few months now. Of course, I'm not entirely gluten free (mostly because I don't personally need to be), but I do have family members that are gluten intolerant and/or diabetic and have the need to eat less gluten for one reason or another.

Gluten seems to be one of those things that most of us have in our everyday diet, but isn't something that the body necessarily needs. There are no nutrients in gluten, however gluten can be found in most of the whole grain items out there that are good for you. So long story short, you don't want to start a fully gluten free lifestyle until you've spoken to a medical doctor about it and learned the ins and outs of what all it entails.

A long while back I made these wonderful muffins that happened to be gluten free; which wasn't exactly what I was trying to accomplish, just a happy accident! So, when I decided to make some fruity breakfast muffins this week for my little one, I knew exactly where to start...

Healthy & Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

January 14, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've got to admit that I'm a little bit of an oatmeal fiend. Which is a little strange considering that my mom is anything but. However, I will say that she has almost always enjoyed any oatmeal that I've made for her. It's just that it isn't something that she would generally make for herself. So, when I was growing up, it was all about Malt-O-Meal and instant oatmeal packets on the weekends.

Yes, we all know those instant oatmeal packets that you can buy pre-made at the store. I think that most of us grew up on them. As with anything though, things have changed a lot over the years, including what's in those instant oatmeal packets.

Then again, I'm pretty sure that I can recall eating some of those packets that 'magically' changed colors or had mini dinosaur eggs in them that dinosaurs 'hatched' out of or something... I'm sure that those were super healthy. Hah!...

Keurig 2.0 & Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte

December 20, 2014 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #Keurig400 #CollectiveBias

So this past week was pretty amazing and spectacular. I was give the chance to review a new Keurig® 2.0. Naturally, I was more than excited for this opportunity, especially being as I'm about to have a houseful of guests next week for the holidays.

I've had an older Keurig® on my kitchen counter being used each day (usually more than once - especially when my grandmother or mother visit), for well over two years now. It's been true and faithful to me, and I to it.

Being a mom, coffee is my life's blood. I never really was a fan of coffee until I became an adult and I was always told that it was an acquired taste. These days though? I can't go a morning without my cup of joe!...

Skinny Pumpkin & Cranberry Bread

November 7, 2014 Amanda Plott

With the cooler crisp fall air breezing through Texas now, I've been super inspired to do any and all things involving pumpkins lately. What better way to start your day than with a nice warm slice of pumpkin, spice, and cranberry whole wheat bread to go with your coffee or tea?

This wonderfully fall inspired bread would make the perfect addition to any breakfast plate, especially around the upcoming holidays! No one will be the wiser to the fact that this is actually a pretty healthy breakfast bread, and that's okay. Let them think they are indulging...

Eggs in Pepper Rings

October 22, 2014 Amanda Plott

I know, I know... I've been doing a lot with pesto lately. My basil plant is slowly but surely taking over the back yard again this year. What better to do with it than to make some yummy Skinny Spinach & Basil Pesto?

I've done the whole Lighter Egg-in-a-Basket thing, but I've been trying to be a little more gluten conscious lately. So, I thought to myself... why not take the same idea, but use a vegetable instead of the bread? Perfect! Bell peppers work great for this. They are firm and hold up well with the cooking process, since they don't sweat or soften too awfully much in such a short amount of time.