Skinny Chicken Parmesan Casserole (Sponsored)

June 23, 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. #GetSaucy #CollectiveBias

I love Chicken Parmesan, and since I'm always trying to come up with new and innovative ways to put my spin on old classics, I decided to make a Skinny Chicken Parmesan Casserole! I wanted this dish to be light, easy (with only a handful of ingredients), and super delicious.

This is one of those great weeknight meals that you can pull together easily. Almost all of the ingredients are pantry staples in nearly every house. Such a simple and honest dish got rave reviews from the household. Full bellies and a clear conscience is what it's all about!

One of the biggest bonuses was that I was able to cook this one dish meal in just 30 minutes, with the oven being on only minimally in this warm Texas summer heat!...

Skinny Cherry Cheesecake Dip

June 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

So this weekend a pretty amazing thing happened, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. He was the first horse to do so in 37 years and also the first to do so the entire time I've been alive! (And I'm turning 30 this year!) My family has been watching the derbies together for the past several years now, a tradition that I believe started sometime when I was fresh out of college. I've been dreaming of the day since then that I would get to see a horse take the triple crown. And man... was it worth it.

A few horses have come close, winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness... but, falling short of winning the final of the three at the long track of Belmont. For whatever reason, this year was different. There wasn't nervous tension in the air, but more of an excitement. Everyone just wanted American Pharoah to get it done. Let's see it already. Let's do it!...

Skinny Ice Cream Scoop Pops (Sponsored)

June 2, 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. #SunsOutSpoonsOut #CollectiveBias

Now that we're over the torrential rain here for a while and the sun has peeked back out from behind the dark and gloomy clouds, it's starting to warm back up here in Texas! I think it's been about a month (if not longer) since I last saw the sun like I've seen it today.

I'm so happy to be getting back into the swing of summer foods, though I know in a couple of months when it starts tipping the thermostat at 100+ degrees outside, I'll be singing an entirely different tune.

For the time being though, I'm ready for some ice cream!

Ice cream is a summer staple for just about anyone. Since my little girl is all about cake pops, I thought it might be fun to do the same thing with ice cream. Ice cream scoop pops; a small school of ice cream on a wooden spoon that's topped off with an array of sprinkles...

Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni & Cheese Casserole

April 20, 2015 Amanda Plott

My little one is a macaroni and cheese fiend... and also one of the most strangely picky eaters that I've ever known. For most of her five years go life, my little girl has been a vegetarian for the most part. Of course, it's not been a conscious decision on her part or for any other reason than the mere texture of meat. Apparently it's a pretty common trend among toddlers and preschoolers.

I can't say that I was much different when I was about her age. I drank water instead of any soda or juice, and had to be told that meat came from a meat tree and not from an animal. I also required that all meals be cooked by my mother. Yeah, I've always been a bit special about food.

Over the past few months, my little girl has made some great strides in adding more and more to her list of acceptable foods. I'd like to think that it has a lot to do with the fact that I encourage her to spend time with me in the kitchen. I also do my best to encourage her to simply try new things. No pressure though!...

Tomato Cobbler

April 13, 2015 Amanda Plott

I know what you're thinking. Tomato Cobbler?

Yes, and yes.

Lately, I've seen a lot of savory takes on treats that most would consider desserts or sweets. So, this is my savory take on a cobbler. I mean... a tomato is technically a fruit anyway. Right? Right!

"Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad."

Well, at least I'm not putting the tomatoes into a fruit salad.

Tomatoes are one of my favorite things. I'm pretty sure there are not many circumstances to which I would turn one down. Pie, soup, ketchup, baked, raw, stuffed... I think I've had tomatoes in just about every manner in which you could eat possibly eat them...

Skinny Fairy Bites

April 1, 2015 Amanda Plott

I'm about to head off for a few days of vacation for my little girl's 5th birthday and for Easter! We're only going about 2 hours away, but... with an overly excited almost 5 year old in the car, that's like an eternity. Since we're going on a small road trip, and the birthday is going to be 'fairy' themed, I decided we need a tasty treat to take with us to snack on!

My tinker fairy is absolutely in love with sprinkles, and I happened to come across this great idea for short bread fairy bites a while back. Of course, I had to put my little spin on the cute little magic treats.

Faith, trust, and little bit of pixie dust!...