Mexican Style Breakfast Toast

July 25, 2014 Amanda Plott

There's something about me that many of you may not know. I have gone my entire life turning my nose up to any sort of egg that wasn't either scrambled or hardboiled. I didn't make such a decision based on taste. No, no. My dislike for runny yolks was merely fear of the unknown.

Just over a year ago, I was out having brunch with my mother. I ordered an item that, unbeknownst to me, came with a fried egg on top. The place was pretty busy and I had a mimosa in me, so I figured, why not? Liquid courage at it's finest! I tried it and I liked it. Oh, happy day!

Over the last year, I hadn't really been fearing the previously inapproachable yolky versions of eggs. And in the past weeks, I've had more and more. Dare I say... I actually like runny yolks now? Gasp...

Skinny Bluechai Tea Muffins

July 23, 2014 Amanda Plott

I was contacted quite a long while back by Bluechai, an organic tea company based out of Thailand. They wanted to send a free sample packet of their loose Bluechai tea to me to try out. All natural and organic blue... tea? Amazing!

I was in not compensated by Bluechai, and all of the opinions and views expressed here are my own.

The tea is made from some beautiful blue butterfly pea flowers and is the world's first and only blue tea. It's caffeine free (which means that I can give it to my little blue-loving princess without a bit of guilt) and has some amazing health benefits to boot!...

Garlicky Parmesan & Rosemary Roasted Chickpeas

July 21, 2014 Amanda Plott

I was turned on to roasting chickpeas several years back when seeking out healthier snack alternatives. Roasted garbanzo beans are seriously so easy to do that my four year old could almost pull it off all on her own. Well, almost. Plus, they taste absolutely amazing!

If you are a fan of hummus or chickpeas in general, then you will love toasted garbazo beans. I've been on a bit of a chickpea kick lately, if you hadn't noticed already. So... I thought what better time than now to roast some up for a grazing snack to have on hand...

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?...

Mexican Summer Tomato Salad

July 14, 2014 Amanda Plott

If you're looking for a super easy and fresh Mexican inspired side dish for the summer, this is it! This salad takes all of 5 minutes to prepare and toss together while tasting absolutely amazing with it's bright and bold flavors.

This dish actually reminds a bit of a greek antipasto salad, except that it's meatless and hints towards Mexican roots. There's queso fresco instead of feta, jalapeño in place of peperoncinni and the proud zing of some lime and cilantro added in there...

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!...