Skinny Watermelon Agave Margarita Poptail

June 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

I love a good margarita, especially in the summer. Who doesn't? Recently, with the temperature climbing quickly here in Texas, I've become somewhat addicted to the idea of poptails. What's a poptail...? Well, it's the amazing notion of putting a popsicle and cocktail together into one amazing treat!

I've seen poptails done in a few different ways, whether mixing your ingredients and freezing together or adding a nice fresh popsicle to your favorite mix-ins. Today I decided to do my take on a Watermelon Agave Margarita using these amazing, local to me, GoodPops.

As the popsicle melts down the fresh fruit inside the GoodPop shows it's beautiful self with small chunks of watermelon and the cold frosty ice of the melting popsicle working together to tame the tequila and triple sec; working as a healthier replacement of a 'sweet and sour' mix...

Skinny Butternut Squash & Carrot Soup

May 28, 2015 Amanda Plott

Oh, man - I've survived the great storm and flood of 2015 here in Austin! Not everyone was as fortunate as us. We had a 6+ hour power outage, multiple trees blown over, and several fences that were ripped apart by 70 mph straight-line winds here in my immediate neighborhood. At one point many places were evacuated to ground level central rooms, and I was ready to jump into the closet under my stairs with my grandmother and daughter at a seconds notice when we were under a tornado warning. Scary stuff!

Our wonderful lake is thriving off all the recent rain, which is one great thing that has come out of all this crazy weather here lately; going up from 37% full to 63% full!

Of course, as I was watching the weather on the news during the most recent storm, I was taking my mind off things as best I could by cooking. What goes better with a stormy day than a nice warm bowl of soup?...

Skinny Kale & Carrot Top Pesto

May 26, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've made a few pestos before. One that's a bit more traditional, and another that's more my style. No matter how you make it, pesto is definitely one of my favorite things to eat, and I am happy to find any excuse at all to use it in a recipe.

This week I got another local produce box that contained a large bunch of kale and some lovely carrots with their tops. Since I was going to be making a soup with the carrots, I began to wonder if the tops of the carrots were edible, and if they were, would they work well in a pesto?

Waste not, want not - right?

I immediately began to do some research. Apparently the tops of the carrots are edible, though they were once thought to be poisons because of their bitter taste; supposedly bitterness is often associated with poisonous foods. Either way, it was all a myth and carrot tops are perfectly safe and delicious to consume when used right!...

Skinny Spinach & Sundried Tomato Omelette

May 14, 2015 Amanda Plott

This yummy vegetarian and gluten-free omelette is a great thing to wake up to. Seriously, I can't think of much else that I'd rather wake up to. I promise that you won't miss any meat here either, and as an added bonus it's still pretty packed with protein and good-for-you things; spinach, tomato, and even some mushrooms!

Breakfast has been a tricky meal for me lately. Somewhere between work and being a mommy, it's one of the last things that I happen to think about. And often by the time I have the time to make breakfast for myself... it's time for lunch!

I guess that's why I'm more of a brunch person.

That and brunch also comes with a mimosa or bloody mary!...

Vanilla Chia Pudding & Strawberry Puree

May 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

As warmer weather starts to roll in, I'm always looking for meals and snacks that are easy, healthy, and also not requiring any source of heat. Chia pudding is and has been one of my favorite quick breakfast and snack options. Toss it together the night before and bam, the next day you have an easy breakfast or a beautiful treat.

Chia pudding is generally gluten-free so there's that as an added bonus, but I wanted to do something a little different today. I also wanted to make it dairy-free as well. I try to do what I can to provide recipes for all special dietary needs, and I often times feel like I lack a little when it comes to lactose/dairy-free.

This perfectly de{light}ful pudding is great for either a breakfast, snack, or even a dessert option. It's sweet enough for dessert and yet healthy enough for breakfast!...

Crock Pot B.B.Q. Shredded Beef

May 7, 2015 Amanda Plott

It was Teacher's Appreciation this week at my little one's school, and the parents all hold an Annual potluck accordingly; serving the teachers breakfast, lunch, and even a dessert. As part of the potluck for the teacher's I decided I wanted to take something that was versatile and well liked by all, shredded barbecue beef!

B.B.Q. anything is a staple around here and it's probably even a law somehow that every Texan is required to eat something barbecued at least once a week. Otherwise you might lose your license to grill. Hah!...