Greek Stuffed Avocado Bistro Box

January 4, 2016 Amanda Plott

So initially I wasn't going to post an actual recipe for this, it was going to just be some fluff for Instagram since I'm always posting pictures of my little lunches and the like. But, it was so good that I just had to share it in it's full majesty!

While it only takes a handful of ingredients to make up this quick little lunch, it's packed with great flavor and healthy fats that will help you get through your day with ease. Plus, let's face it, I'm a sucker for almost anything greek inspired. Feta has been a favorite cheese of mine forever now, so that kalamata olives, and avocado and I'm sold...

Healthified Hoppin' John (Crock Pot)

January 2, 2016 Amanda Plott

Here in the south, black-eyed peas are a staple when bringing in the New Year. Funny enough, my mother was actually telling me the story this morning of how black-eyed peas became known in the south as a symbol of 'good luck'. Apparently though, there's a lot of stories out there that tie black-eyed peas and luck to one another.

No matter the actual and factual truth, having black-eyed peas on New Year's day has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. Seriously, my mom wouldn't let us go to bed on New Year's day until we had at least one spoonful of what were then plain old canned black-eyed peas.

Thankfully, as soon as cooking came into my life our take on black-eyed peas changed. It sort of became my mission around New Year's to create better-for-you and delicious ways to enjoy black-eyed peas...

Mexican Cottage Cheese Stuffed Avocado Salad

December 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

This week I wanted something quick and easy for my lunches since I knew that with the holidays coming up I was going to need as much time open as I could manage to get! Light and filling salads have been my go-to lunch time meal lately. But, of course I can't have just any salad. And anything with avocado is a bonus in my book.

The idea for this stuffed avocado salad came from my Skinny Mexican Style Avocado Caprese salad that I did a good while back. That too is one of my favorites! However, I wanted something a little different this time around and cottage cheese was calling my name...

Cuban Black Beans (Crock Pot)

December 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

I was trying to use up some of the odd-and-end things that I had leftover in the kitchen this week (mostly to start making room for Christmas foods), and one of the ways that I like to do that is with a nice pot of homemade beans.

Black beans are one of out family favorites, in fact for several years there it was one of the only sources of protein that I could manage to get my little girl to eat. She was basically a vegan for the first four years of her life, by her own choice of course. She's always had a pretty sensitive palette, especially when it comes to spice, so I'll blame it on that.

Beans have always been in her 'safe zone' so, I've made myself rather familiar with making beans in my crock pot over the years. I've found that beans are one of my favorite and most versatile ingredients...

Citrus Fennel Salad & White Wine Vinaigrette

December 5, 2015 Amanda Plott

What can I say? I needed something bright and sunny in my life this week. This salad is just that. Bright and sunny.

Grapefruits tend to be aplenty here in Texas during the winter time, so I always like to do something fun with them to stave off the winter blues. Not like it's been very much like winter around here lately with a high of 75 in the forecast for the upcoming week here in Austin.

Even so, my spirits needed some lifting and this bright salad was definitely a step in the right direction since it has some of my most favorite things in it. Two of which I've been absolutely obsessed with lately; grapefruit and avocado!...

Avocado Egg Salad

December 1, 2015 Amanda Plott

What can I say? After the large meals and treats that often come with holidays, I always end up feeling as if my body needs a reprieve from it all. Especially when there's a few more still just around the corner!

This avocado egg salad is the perfect way to fill my plate and I with the good stuff while keeping it light, healthy, and super delicious. I've been a huge fan of avocado for a while now, but lately's it's almost been out of control. So much so that I'm now putting in my egg salad!

That might sound a little strange, but hear me out. Avocados are often a great swap for mayonnaise because of their creamy texture. Plus, those avocados have a lot more vitamins than you'll find in mayo anyway. So it's just a win, win...