Cranberry & Walnut Brussel Sprouts

December 9, 2014 Amanda Plott

Can you believe that I've never cooked brussel sprouts before?! Honestly, I'd never even eaten a brussel sprout until about a year ago when I was downtown at this fun little restaurant called The Lucky Robot. They have these crispy pan seared (or fried) brussel sprouts that are served with some sort of kicked up soy dipping sauce. A-ma-zing!

I've been looking for an excuse (as if I needed one) to make brussel sprouts ever since.

With another major foodie-holiday rolling up on us all quickly, I thought that a side of some brussel sprouts with cranberries, walnuts, and blue cheese would make a great tasty side dish for any holiday meal!...

Healthified Homemade Ramen

December 1, 2014 Amanda Plott

Okay, okay... so we all know what Ramen noodles are. Guilty as charged! I think that I almost survived in college off of Ramen, microwave burritos, pizza bites and hot pockets. And please... don't ask me about my colored ketchup phase.

Several months back now, my mom was going through (I mean... raiding) my pantry as she usually does when she comes over. She happened to stumble upon a single package of reduced sodium chicken flavored Ramen that I had in there. I was in the process of turning over the stuff in my emergency food preparation packs that I keep on hand just in case of power outage or... you know... Z-Day (haha.) Anyway, my mom immediately started to bust my chops. Hard.

'I would have never thought I'd see RAMEN NOODLES in YOUR pantry AMANDA. HAHA. Sooo healthy!' - My mom...

Skinny B.L.T. Soup

November 25, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'm busy in the kitchen this week as I prepare for Thanksgiving so... I needed something super simple to make myself for lunch that I could then enjoy for a few days after the one preparation. I've been craving a nice BLT sandwich lately, but I'm also trying to stay away from gluten a little bit too. So, with bread out of mind (and BLT Lettuce Wraps already done), I started to think about how else I could enjoy the flavors of a BLT in a different form. Ta-da! BLT soup.

This soup is pretty amazing. When topped with the shredded lettuce, the greens wilt just enough to soften but still retain a bit of texture; adding another dimension to an otherwise rather smooth soup. And of course, the bacon adds all the awesome. How can you go wrong with anything involving bacon? You can't!...

Skinny Pumpkin & Cranberry Bread

November 7, 2014 Amanda Plott

With the cooler crisp fall air breezing through Texas now, I've been super inspired to do any and all things involving pumpkins lately. What better way to start your day than with a nice warm slice of pumpkin, spice, and cranberry whole wheat bread to go with your coffee or tea?

This wonderfully fall inspired bread would make the perfect addition to any breakfast plate, especially around the upcoming holidays! No one will be the wiser to the fact that this is actually a pretty healthy breakfast bread, and that's okay. Let them think they are indulging...

Eggs in Pepper Rings

October 22, 2014 Amanda Plott

I know, I know... I've been doing a lot with pesto lately. My basil plant is slowly but surely taking over the back yard again this year. What better to do with it than to make some yummy Skinny Spinach & Basil Pesto?

I've done the whole Lighter Egg-in-a-Basket thing, but I've been trying to be a little more gluten conscious lately. So, I thought to myself... why not take the same idea, but use a vegetable instead of the bread? Perfect! Bell peppers work great for this. They are firm and hold up well with the cooking process, since they don't sweat or soften too awfully much in such a short amount of time.

Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash Primavera

September 27, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've had this spaghetti squash staring at me from the kitchen counter for a week or two now, and I figured... I ought to put that beauty to some use before it went bad on me.

Now, you may or may not notice that this spaghetti squash is a little smaller than the ones you will find in the grocery stores. That is because... this bad boy was fresh off the farm, and from a local and organic farmer too - which makes it all the more exciting to me!

Fresh local ingredients are always the best and are generally higher in nutrients.

I wasn't quite sure at first just how I was going to do my farm fresh spaghetti squash justice. I suppose I felt as though it needed some careful love and devotion.

During my thought process, I remembered this idea I had seen somewhere about a spaghetti squash primavera that was done in a terribly naughty and yet totally delectable manner. I basically took that idea and ran with it; making it easier, lighter more economical, and still amazingly full of flavor...