Skinny Cold Brew Coffee Protein Shake (Sponsored)

September 21, 2015 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. #BestLifeProject #CollectiveBias

For the past month or two now I've taken on the challenge of starting to exercise. Healthy eating has been a part of my life for a good long while now, but I've never really been one to actually 'exercise'. I think the last time that I actually didn't anything with fitness was well before I had my little girl. That was over 5 years ago!

I've been 'hitting the gym' 3-4 days a week, doing everything from the treadmill, to tabata, cardio, pilates, barre, yoga and back again. I thought that starting in with a fitness routine would be hard, but I guess I was just mentally ready for it since I became addicted pretty much instantly. I haven't given myself a chance to quit or find an excuse not to go.

In fact, I've found myself considering it as 'part of my job duties'. It's a must do to complete my weekly tasks sort of thing. I feel so much better. Even after the first initial week of exercise I felt lighter, healthy, and more grounded...

Skinny Hawaiian Crunch Cake

September 15, 2015 Amanda Plott

Every year at the end of summer my mom has had a Luau, a tradition that has been going on since she moved here to Austin; so let's say this was the fourth year. Each time the Luau gets bigger and better than the year before, always inviting new and old neighbors or friends. The Luau is done sort of in pot-luck style with my mom and I making a few main things that go along with the theme while guests bring their additions to the spread.

There are a few select things that I have perfected over time and made each year for this Luau. A few things have changed but for the most part it all stays the same; a pineapple salsa, Hawaiian queso, and some sort of dessert...

Simple Berry Skillet Cobbler (Sponsored)

August 24, 2015 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. #PurelySimple #CollectiveBias

I'm a southern girl, so cobbler is in my blood and I'm pretty sure that cast iron is part of my very fiber. What's funny is that I actually got my current cast iron, which belonged to my parents, by total accident; it was left over at my house and they needed one so they were forced to buy a new one and I got to keep the one left behind. Score!

There isn't much better than a pre-used and well seasoned cast iron, any southern girl will tell you that! Okay, except maybe cobbler. Cobbler is greater than cast iron. It actually seems like one of the first things that the grill master of the family makes in his new cast iron products, whether it's a skillet or a dutch oven...

Fig, Chia & Flax Granola Cereal

August 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

While it's still pretty warm here in Texas, I'm trying to start sneaking in fall flavors where I can and as I can without burning myself up with the oven or stove too much. This granola cereal is the perfect end to the summer and beginning transfer into fall; one of my most favorite seasons! The warm spice of cinnamon, pecan, and fig warm the tastebuds while the crisp of the granola and cool milk keep me grounded into the last few days of summer.

A moment of honesty? Before today, the only fig that I ever had was in the form of a jelly or within that familiar sandwich cookie that we all know and love. I had full intentions of using fresh fig here, unfortunately my local grocer was all out - so I had to go with dried figs.

Skinny Margarita Cupcakes

July 13, 2015 Amanda Plott

I'm getting it done.

We have one more family birthday left this summer and then we're pretty much done for the year! Almost all of my immediate family has summer birthdays, so it get's a little punchy around here in the warmer months.

This past weekend we celebrated my mother's birthday in true Tex-mex style. We went out to eat a proper Tex-mex meal and I was left in charge of the cupcakes. A few months back my mom had specifically requested margarita cupcakes, so I immediately went to work with putting a proper recipe together for one.

What I ended up with was nothing short of one of the most amazing boozy cupcakes ever...

Skinny Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes

July 2, 2015 Amanda Plott

I'm sort of in love with greek yogurt, if you hadn't noticed. I tend to find any reason and excuse to use it in almost every meal and in every way possible; not just as breakfast in the morning!

Wholesome snacking and summer fun is what it's all about for me right now. And any way that I can escape using the oven right now is key right now during these hot summer months. This no bake cheese cake is the perfect hot weather snack or dessert; cool, refreshing, and super easy to do.

Key limes are definitely one of my favorite flavors, especially in the summer, they're sweet, tangy and with just the right amount of lime flavor without giving too much of a sour punch to your taste buds. So, when I got a bagful in my local produce box this week, I knew exactly what I wanted to do; no bake key lime cheesecakes!...