Skinny Pumpkin Pasta Skillet

October 10, 2015 Amanda Plott

Pumpkin, pumpkin, everywhere! It's that time of year when pumpkin spice and everything nice has once again taken the world by storm, and I love it. I wish the weather was this nice and pumpkins were admired year-round.

Seriously. I'd be one happy girl if it were fall all the time.

This recipe is entirely pumpkin and fall inspired. It's full of creamy pumpkin goodness which is an amazing alternative to some of the more creamy heavy cheese loaded sauces that you come across all too often. This dish is hearty without being overly rich or heavy...

Healthy Fall 'Green Egg' Scramble

October 6, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, I've been eating this for a few days a week for breakfast for a while now. I wanted something that was filling, would power me on through my day, but not be overly heavy. This has been the perfect breakfast bowl for me. It's full of fall flavors with the brussels, pumpkin seeds and the cranberries, but still so very healthy.

When my mom was here this past week, she saw my bag of strange looking shredded brussels and kale and quickly pulled it out of the fridge to ask 'What is this?!' I explained to her what it was and she gave me a pretty strange look. Then I mentioned it was something I put in with my eggs and the morning and she actually gave a somewhat interested nod of approval...

Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash Sauce

September 25, 2015 Amanda Plott

Welcome Fall! You are a breath of fresh air. Oh, how I've missed you!

But, I think anyone here in Texas misses Fall and welcomes it with open arms. By the time the end of September rolls around, I'm always more than ready for the cooler weather and the change of the seasons. I'm done with these 90+ degree days, dang it.

To further welcome in the fall equinox, I decided I wanted to do something fun with butternut squash. I know when I think of fall foods, squashes and gourds are often the first things that come to mind.

I had gotten a mixed bag of 'super greens' in my local box a few weeks ago that I sautéed up and placed in the freezer - sort of in the same manner that you get frozen chopped spinach. I knew that it would pair perfectly with what I had in mind for fall!...

Chickpea, Butternut Squash & Green Pea Curry

September 11, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've had this love-hate relationship with curry lately. I made a new vegetarian version of it a few weeks ago and it turned out great. I then made it again about a week ago and it was horrible. So, I went back to the drawing board.

I wanted to keep this version of curry somewhere between summer and fall with flavors and vegetables blending over from both seasons. So, I decided to use fresh green peas and spinach as an ode to summer, while the butternut squash was my fall inspiration.

This curry is full of flavor, but not very spicy if you ask me. The sweetness of the peas and butternut squash naturally tone down the spicy kick of the curry. So, if you're not one for hot and spicy things, this curry is right up your alley!...

Apple Cinnamon Detox Water

August 17, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, I've been working out for about two weeks now, about three days a week. I gotta say, I've been feeling pretty good already! I'm all for getting lean this year. The place that I go for my classes offers ice water and also fruit or vegetable infused water. The water recipe changes daily. So far, I've noticed a lemon water, cucumber lemon mint water, lemon cantaloupe water, and a fresh berry water. They've all been delicious and perfect to drink before, during, and after a good workout.

Needless to say, the notion of the infused water got my wheels spinning once again on my healthy detox waters. I've made a few of these waters in the past, all of which I've loved. I'm an avid water drinker, outside of my morning cup of joe I'm a water all day sort of girl and I always have been!

Holiday Cheer White Sangria

November 28, 2014 Amanda Plott

This past weekend we had a little pre-holiday family get together with my dad's side of the family. After our recent loss of my grandfather to liver cancer a couple months ago, my mother and I thought it would be a great idea to get all of my cousins and our children together for a fun family sleep over to try and keep my families' spirits up this season.

While there, and amidst all the chaos of screaming kids, one of my aunts pulled me aside and gave me an unexpected gift; these wonderful wine-friendly drink coasters! What can I say? She knows me well! I was told that they better be seen being used in some of my photographs, so here you go Aunt Donna!...