Pesto Chickpea & Avocado Salad

August 8, 2014 Amanda Plott

I really cannot say enough about this salad. I would have never guessed that these 6-ish ingredients would have come together in such an awesome and delicious way. This mighty green salad was tossed together in less than 5 minutes and was unbelievably satisfying. Seriously. I've eaten it about four times already this week.

The lemon juice works to brighten up the pesto and together they actually end up as a rather substantial amount of flavorful 'dressing'. Yes, that's right - you don't need to add any dressing to this salad. The ingredients work together to make their own lemony pesto dressing that is de{light}ful and actually one of my newest favorite things...

Lily's Lunch Box (Week 2) - Rainbow Shells

August 4, 2014 Amanda Plott

We spent the weekend being mermaids floating down the Comal River this weekend. So, when I was getting my little love's lunch together for Monday morning I asked her if she preferred 'macaroni' noodles or 'shells' - to which she responded, "Rainbow shells! ... With sprinkles!"

Well, of course sprinkles don't go too well with pasta, but... rainbow shells it is! And to make it even more fitting, let's make them in some fun 'under the sea' colors...

Lily's Lunch Box (Week 1) - Homemade 'Lunchable'

July 28, 2014 Amanda Plott

With the new school year fast approaching, I've decided to do a whole 6 weeks worth of healthy lunch box ideas for the kiddos... and the parents! My little girl is in pre-k this year, and just like all parents out there, I too have struggled with brown-bag lunches.

It doesn't help that my little mini-me is still in the midst of a rather finicky food phase. She is as close to being a vegetarian as she can get without actually being a vegetarian. I can't blame her at all either. I was the same exact way when I was her age.

You reap what you sew, yeah?...

Mashed Avocado & Chickpea Sandwich

July 18, 2014 Amanda Plott

What came first? The chicken or the egg?

I guess we'll never know, because neither are used here!

I really can't say enough about this sandwich. I am in love. This sandwich actually reminds me a lot of a chicken salad or egg salad sandwich, but without the chicken or the egg. It has the same general idea and texture though...

Mexican Summer Tomato Salad

July 14, 2014 Amanda Plott

If you're looking for a super easy and fresh Mexican inspired side dish for the summer, this is it! This salad takes all of 5 minutes to prepare and toss together while tasting absolutely amazing with it's bright and bold flavors.

This dish actually reminds a bit of a greek antipasto salad, except that it's meatless and hints towards Mexican roots. There's queso fresco instead of feta, jalapeño in place of peperoncinni and the proud zing of some lime and cilantro added in there...

Skinny Purple Monster Smoothie

July 8, 2014 Amanda Plott

I needed a bit of a lift today after the exceptionally long weekend of festivities. Not only was it the 4th of July, where I was busy BBQing and roasting in the Texas heat... but, it was also my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!

Now, I feel as if I should start off by saying that I am generally not a smoothie fan. I would much rather indulge in eating my calories rather than drinking them (unless they are in the form of wine, of course - hah!) Plus, the task of actually making a smoothie always seems incredibly daunting to me... That is until I got my new handy emersion blender for my birthday!...