Savory Ham & Cheese Cornmeal Waffles

September 17, 2015 Amanda Plott

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Waffles are a big thing in my family, it's one of the few things that my little girl will readily eat without question. While I'm in the process of broadening her food horizons, I decided to take a few of her favorite things today to combine them into one perfect savory dish. Waffles, ham and shredded cheese!

Savory waffles are all the rage right now. They certainly are not just for breakfast anymore. I can remember back in my school age days that my parents would, on occasion, do a 'breakfast for dinner' night in our house, so this is somewhat an ode to that memory.

Plus, I just got done watching an episode of The Great Food Truck race where there's a fun food truck on there called 'Waffle Love' that is blowing the race out of the water. I tend to draw my inspiration from several unique places...

Skinny Hawaiian Crunch Cake

September 15, 2015 Amanda Plott

Every year at the end of summer my mom has had a Luau, a tradition that has been going on since she moved here to Austin; so let's say this was the fourth year. Each time the Luau gets bigger and better than the year before, always inviting new and old neighbors or friends. The Luau is done sort of in pot-luck style with my mom and I making a few main things that go along with the theme while guests bring their additions to the spread.

There are a few select things that I have perfected over time and made each year for this Luau. A few things have changed but for the most part it all stays the same; a pineapple salsa, Hawaiian queso, and some sort of dessert...

Eggplant 'Meatballs'

August 28, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've been eating less and less meat around here, not for any particular reason other than that's really just how it's worked out, oddly enough. I've been telling my family for years now that I could be a vegetarian at the drop of a hat and with little to no cravings creeping up.

Vegetables are my best friends, however, I have a well known love-hate relationship with one of my friends; eggplant. I happened to get an eggplant in my local produce box this last week, and I didn't want to do the same things that I've done with it before.

I find that I sort of have to disguise and hide eggplant from myself otherwise I tend to have a hard time with eating it and I'm not entirely sure why...

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!

Homemade Healthified Pizza 'Lunchable'

August 7, 2015 Amanda Plott

My little one is starting kindergarten here in the next couple of weeks (Ahhh!), and naturally I'm trying to get ready for that. Thankfully for us both, I think it will be a pretty easy transition since she'll be remaining in her current school with her current teacher and familiar faces of her friends that she's been around for a couple of years already.

Unfortunately, I have one of the world's most picky eaters on my hands somehow. She came home from her summer camp pre-kindergarten the other day though and asked about a familiar 'lunchable' that one of the other kids had that day for lunch.

I immediately got excited by that notion and put my head to work to come up with a healthier alternative for her own lunch box...

Skinny Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes

July 2, 2015 Amanda Plott

I'm sort of in love with greek yogurt, if you hadn't noticed. I tend to find any reason and excuse to use it in almost every meal and in every way possible; not just as breakfast in the morning!

Wholesome snacking and summer fun is what it's all about for me right now. And any way that I can escape using the oven right now is key right now during these hot summer months. This no bake cheese cake is the perfect hot weather snack or dessert; cool, refreshing, and super easy to do.

Key limes are definitely one of my favorite flavors, especially in the summer, they're sweet, tangy and with just the right amount of lime flavor without giving too much of a sour punch to your taste buds. So, when I got a bagful in my local produce box this week, I knew exactly what I wanted to do; no bake key lime cheesecakes!...