Morning Detox Honey Lemon Peppermint Water

February 20, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've heard a lot over the past year about the health benefits of drinking honey lemon water in the morning. So, a few months back I decided to begin testing this theory. But, instead of using plain-jane lemons and honey, I wanted to make an upgrade.

For a long while now, I've been taking a more therapeutic and wholesome approach to my chronic neck/shoulder pain, massive headaches, and debilitating ocular migraines. I've been dabbling with DoTerra Essential Oils quite a bit to help with common household illness, pain, mood, and even with my cooking! I figured that my essential oils would be a great addition or substitution to my new-found morning drink...

Skinny Guinness & Irish Cheddar Crustless Quiche

February 18, 2015 Amanda Plott

When I was growing up, quiche was basically a staple in our house. My dad would usually go through the fridge and use up any leftover meats, cheeses and vegetables to make a hearty quiche which was typically served with soup or a salad of some sort.

Quiche is definitely a good way to use up leftovers.

I've always loved quiche. It's sort of like having breakfast or brunch for dinner in my opinion and generally when you think of quiche, you don't think healthy or low calorie by any means.

The quiche of my childhood always had the usual pie crust at the bottom, so when I started off cooking I tended to follow suit. A few years ago though, I stumbled upon the idea of a crustless quiche. ...Why not? The crust to me always just seemed like wasted calories anyway...

Healthified Home-Corned Beef

February 16, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've always been a bit intrigued with St. Patrick's day. Perhaps it's because I've got some Irish roots. It could also have something to do with some over zealous teachers when I was in elementary school making a big hub-ub about the holiday. I remember that we had a little Leprechaun visit our room, and all though none of us children saw him he managed to leave glitter and rainbows in his wake. As far as I remember he did some rather naughty things too. Turned desks upside down and even turned our milk green. Those mischievous and sneaky little Leprechauns!

When I started making corned beef a few years back, I began doing so with the pre-brined corned beef briskets that you can buy at the store. But, this year I wanted to try and do something a little different. I began to do some research into the matter and found that - YES, you can corn your own beef and that it is really easy to do!...

Açaí Breakfast Bowl

February 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

Start your day off right with this bright and healthy fruitastic breakfast bowl! The only thing in this bowl of awesomeness is fruit, fiber, and enough fuel to get you powered through your morning with ease.

Seriously, this is a really filling breakfast.

As I've said before, I'm not really much of a smoothie sort of person. I suppose that the idea of drinking my breakfast is something that escapes me. I'd much rather sit, chew, and enjoy. This breakfast bowl is basically a smoothie in a bowl; you've got your smoothie on the bottom and your tasty tidbits on top...

Loaded Green Goddess Sweet Potato Fries

February 10, 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. #GameTimeGrub #CollectiveBias

For me homegating is the way to go with any sport. Who doesn't like tailgating from the comfort of home? It's the best of both worlds! I get to watch my favorite teams live on television without the hassle of the hustle and bustle of crowds, lines, and over priced concession stand foods. Of course, to me, that's the best part - creating my own game day grub!

I always strive to put my own fun and healthful twist on what some might consider traditional. Fries and dips are always a staple of any good game day spread. So, today I give to you these rather guilt free, sophisticated, fiber full sweet potato fries.

My inspiration for this dish started with a stuffed sweet potato that I made a few weeks back. I had loaded a baked sweet potato up with sautéed spinach, black beans, and some homemade green goddess dressing. It was definitely not your typical baked potato, and was amazingly delicious. So, when I was deciding what to do with my Alexia Sweet Potato Fries, I had the perfect direction to start heading in...

Healthy Mixed Berry Gummy Bears

February 4, 2015 Amanda Plott

My little one is entirely obsessed with anything that is gummy. Hearts, bears, and bunnies - oh my! Lately, I've been buying some fancy all natural, gluten free, organic gummies to put in her lunch, because it makes me feel a bit better. But, oh-my-goodness those things are expensive! Especially when she's eating her weight in them every day.

Sort of defeats the health benefits I'm trying to get into her too!

So as I was sitting here pondering my gummy dilemma I happened to remember a while back I came across this great idea on how to make your own gummy fruit snacks. I was a little early since I've tried to do this a time or two before and could never seem to get them to come out right. But, I thought it was time to give the homemade snacks another try anyway.

And boy am I glad that I did!...