Skinny Cheeseburger Soup

October 22, 2015 Amanda Plott

I must admit that I have been in total soup mode lately. I think it's something that happens to me every fall once it finally starts to cool off here in Texas. Of course, it doesn't help that there's been a head cold running around the house for a couple of weeks now too.

Thankfully, we're going to even be getting down into the 70's during the days this week along with some chances for rain, whoohoo! Just in time too. There's a fall festival at my daughter's school this weekend and I'm ready to get into the spirit of Halloween all the more. Pun totally intended.

One of our traditional family favorites no matter the time of year is definitely cheeseburgers. Generally, if we can't think of anything else to grill/cook we end up with burgers and hotdogs. Today I'm taking this delicious staple and transforming it into a better-for-you hearty soup!...

Skinny Buffalo Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

October 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

This stuff right here is what dreams are made up of. I've a southern girl, so deviled eggs are a staple to any holiday or 'special event'. Instead of the same ole' same ole', I love to play around with different combinations.

My last adventure with deviled eggs was quite a big hit, so I decided to try my hand at it again. This time though, I wanted to make my deviled eggs 'game day friendly'. How do you make something more game-day inspired than to throw buffalo sauce at it and call it a day?

Plus, their orange and white just like the colors of my favorite local college football team. Hook'em!...

Healthified 5 Ingredient White Chicken Chili

September 29, 2015 Amanda Plott

This week is sure to be more than a little extra crazy. My parents are in the middle of moving, and of course complications always arrive with moving! Basically their new digs aren't going to be ready on time, so they're going to be bunking with me through the weekend; which is more than fine with me since I've had a rough few weeks of it myself. It's the bonus cat and dog in the house that will really make things interesting. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the company and the distraction.

It's been a lonely few weeks for more than one reason!

With all the chaos that's about to ensue on my humble abode, I planned a week of rather easy meals. I've got to save braincells and time where I can these days...

Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip

September 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

Not only can plant-based diets be good for people and better for the planet, but they taste amazing too! I've been working with my own family and our diets, eating less and less meat each week it seems. So, I'm taking the #MeatlessMondayNight challenge to spark real change.

Adopting a more plant-based diet can start with making a change just one day a week – so why not start by sidelining meat during Monday Night Football games this season?

One of my favorite dips in the world is spinach and artichoke dip. I had a great recipe for it years ago that I kept tucked away even though I haven't made it in a while. Today I decided to take that recipe out, dust it off, and give a good dairy-free once over...

Healthified Shredded Buffalo Chicken (Crock Pot)

September 3, 2015 Amanda Plott

This is one of those great base recipes that could be used in many forms and fashions. It would be great in a sandwich, a wrap, incorporated into a chicken salad, or even in a grilled cheese. There's really so many uses for it that I thought it needed to be here as it is to stand on it's own.

I've kept this dish light and flavorful by letting the chicken remain simmering all day in a broth full of large chunks of fresh vegetables; allowing it to absorb all those great natural flavors. At the end of cooking, all you do is shred the chicken, toss it with a buffalo sauce of your choosing and use it as you see fit...

Skinny Brown Bag Taco Popcorn (On the Cob or Not!)

August 26, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've got to admit, I'm not exactly a huge fan of popcorn. Ugh! I know. I really wish I was. But, I do have a lot of popcorn fans in my family. ... Okay, so pretty much everyone else but me is a huge over-the-top popcorn lover.

As the season has it, I happened to get popping corn on the cob in my local produce box the past couple of weeks. I've had it sitting with my other dry produce on the counter for a while, looking at it and waiting. I was trying to decide what exactly I wanted to do with it when popped. Personally, if I'm going to eat popcorn, I like for it to have a really fun and amazing flavor. I find that it helps get me more interested in it.

Yes, I'm the one always wanting cheddar, ranch, or any other seasoning on my popcorn...