Sunny Summer Strawberry Lemonade

June 17, 2018 Amanda Plott

Summer time means lemonade. And lemonade for me means MUST BE FRESH. Fresh lemonade is some of the best lemonade, because obviously... it's made fresh and not all garbaged up with a bunch of junk that no one needs.

Now... it used to be when I was younger that my grandmother and my mom were in the habit of making a little something called 'sun tea'. Which is basically just like it sounds. A tea, that's made in the sun. The bad thing about it is that I can't drink tea anymore due to migraine issues. SNARF. So what's the next best thing to make in the sun? Lemonade!…

Mermaid Treasure Bagel Crisps

June 9, 2018 Amanda Plott

Ocean week is coming to a close over here, and you know that I couldn't go out without a mermaid inspired treat. Since my daughter currently has an obsession with mini bagels, I thought it would be fun to make a sweet kid-friendly version of bagel crisps. Being as we're going for the mermaid look, I decided to swap a traditional cinnamon sugar topping with a more colorful option.

As you can see, the end result is pretty cute and surprisingly good too! I've never made my own bagel crisps before, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But, they turned out perfectly crisp; just the right amount of crunch and chew together…

How to Cut a Watermelon (For a crowd!)

May 31, 2018 Amanda Plott

Hey! YOU. Yes, you! You've probably been cutting watermelon wrong for your whole life and didn't even know it.

So, you may not know it. But... I'm a room mom. That's right! I said it. I spend my fair share of time up at my daughter's school. Whether it's helping her teacher out, helping the school out, or planning and preparing things that go on behind the scenes. There's a wonderful group of us that have all become a lot closer this year and hopefully even more in the next to come!

Every year we have the dreaded end-of-the-year party. It's a pretty big deal. I mean... it's hot in Texas about this time of year. And the one fruit we like to serve up is watermelon. It's fresh, cold, and hydrating. Plus... almost every kid likes it. Win. Win…

Gluten-Free & Vegan Blueberry Peach Cobbler

May 22, 2018 Amanda Plott

It's about this time of year where my fridge is well stocked with fresh fruits and berries. Which is something I am not sad about. And there is little that tickles my pickle more than a homemade cobbler. So, when I got my hot little hands on local fresh blueberries and peaches, I knew it was high time to make a gluten-free and vegan version of a cobbler.

Being as cobbler is typically a fruit based dessert that's baked with a sweet 'crust' layer on top, how does one go about making it gluten-free or vegan? Well, to be honest, it's actually pretty easy! In fact, this has to be one of the most easy cobblers that I've ever made. And that's the truth of it…

Strawberry Grain-Free Granola (Gluten-Free too!)

May 18, 2018 Amanda Plott

Holy. Moly. We are well into the 90 degree days here in Austin Texas and summer is nipping at our heels. The house is stifling in the days, and even while the mornings are still decently cool, I am over here preparing for the onslaught that is about to befall us with raging 100 degree + days.

As the weather turns warmer, I'm starting to lean towards the cooler and more refreshing bites for breakfast. Cereals. Yogurts. Fruits. My only problem is that all the good granolas out there cost a pretty penny. That's why I've been opting to make my own. Plus, I love being able to make my own unique flavors and there is nothing more Summery to me than strawberries. Here in Texas, the strawberry season starts in Spring and seems to go almost all Summer long. We even have a festival for strawberries here in the summer! What's up Poteet Strawberry Festival!…

Skinny White Wedding Cupcakes

May 14, 2018 Amanda Plott

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #50ShadesatWMT http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Who doesn't love cupcakes, especially white wedding cake style cupcakes. Wedding cake has to be one of my most favorite flavors. Yes, I consider 'wedding cake' a flavor. That could have something to do with the fact that I grew up on 'wedding cake' flavored snow cones during the summer, or just that wedding cake is known for being rich and decadent.

You know... sort of like Christian Grey.

Speaking of Christian Grey, with the final movie of the trilogy coming out, I thought what better time than now to whip up some Skinny White Wedding Cupcakes to eat while watching the movie! There's nothing like celebrating the Fifty Shades wedding than with some wedding cake of your own…