Grown Up 'Lunchable'

March 24, 2014 Amanda Plott

While I was putting together my weekly meal plan this weekend, I was racking my brain to come up with some fun lunch ideas for my little girl. Somewhere along the way I realized that she has never had the 'joy' of trying a Lunchable.

A few other things that she's never had? Spaghetti O's... McDonald's anything... or a frozen meal (such as Kid Cuisine.)

So, I decided that I would make her a home version of a Lunchable to take for lunch this week at school. And in the process... I realized I wanted to be a kid again this week too!...

Mixed Berry Salad

March 20, 2014 Amanda Plott

This salad has been my lunch regularly for about two weeks now. I just can't get enough of it! Everything I love the most is in there. Fresh berries, blue cheese, spinach, and this amazing Energy Crunch Trail Mix. I found the mix at my local grocery store, HEB. It has soybeans, dried cranberries, almonds & pumpkin kernels.

When it started out, I was using a bottled dressing. But this week I decided to switch it up and make my own - which turned out fabulous and even more healthy!...

Skinny Raspberry Vinaigrette

March 18, 2014 Amanda Plott

I have been in love with a specific salad for about a week and a half now. After going through a full bottle of Annie's Natural & Organic Raspberry Vinaigrette I pondered to myself how I could go about making something similar to it.

I've made a lot of salad dressings in the past... but vinaigrettes always seem to throw me for a loop. I always try and use the less oil approach by substituting half of the oil called for in a recipe for water. It doesn't tend to work out very well with homemade dressings since it sort of waters everything down. Including the flavor. Ick!...

Skinny Mixed Berry Cobbler

March 16, 2014 Amanda Plott

A few weeks back I was sent a Wilton Armetale Casserole/Baker, at no charge to me, to try out and give my honest opinion on. Since today starts up March Madness, I wanted to do something inspired by Tailgating!

Of course, there were the usual suspects... but, I wanted to do some dessert since I feel that it's a severely overlooked additional to any proper Tailgating experience.

Since I wanted the dish to be Tailgating friendly it had to be something that could be prepared a few hours in advance, was versatile, and could be cooked on the grill just as easily as it could be in the oven...

Skinny Eggs Florentine Breakfast Tacos

March 13, 2014 Amanda Plott

Breakfast is the one meal of the day that I tend skip most often. I think it's just... somehow easily lost in the shuffle of life and missed somewhere between getting up and ready or rushing around to get my little girl out the door and off to school.

I have found that if I have a breakfast in mind that is planned, easy, tastes amazing and is somewhat portable... I have no excuse to miss out on the most important meal of the day.

These have been my go-to breakfast for about two weeks now. After all, how do you say no to bacon and eggs? Easy. You don't!...

Healthified Irish Nachos

March 11, 2014 Amanda Plott

Irish nachos get their name from the fact that they are basically like any other traditional 'nacho' except that they are made by using potato rather than tortilla chips, and are often served in any pub along side a beer!

Of course, they are not generally the most healthy option that you can find. With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I thought I would give this classic a healthy twist in honor of my Irish heritage...