Easy Ratatouille & Cheesy Parmesan Polenta (Crock Pot)

July 29, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, I've been on the hunt for a good way of making ratatouille lately. I had tried it many many years back when I was a brand new mother. But, it didn't turn out at all the way that I had wanted. It soured my opinion on ratatouille and eggplant for years to come. Eggplant is not my most favorite vegetable, but ratatouille is one way that I will eat it.

I think that I'll eat almost anything if it's got pasta sauce and/or zucchini involved.

A few weeks back, I had tried this recipe out while my grandmother was still visiting. It got rave reviews from around the table. As it turns out, I got an eggplant and an acorn squash in my most recent local produce box, and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Another ratatouille!...

Skinny Mexican Style Caprese Salad

July 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've been in love with caprese salads for a long time now. I think that my love of them actually started some years ago when I worked as a waitress in a newly opening restaurant when I was visiting home for the summer one year from college. It was a horrific experience, but only because I am not good at the whole waitressing thing. That job takes a very skilled and specific type of person to do properly. And I am not skilled or specific to customer servicing!

It did give me an entirely new perspective though on restaurants and I have always had another level or respect for those that wait tables.

Anyway, the restaurant had a caprese salad and I felt like eating vegetarian that day; plus, I mean... I got half off meals and they had great food there so I was pretty set on trying almost everything on the menu. It was love at first bite...

Mediterranean Olive Salad

July 15, 2015 Amanda Plott

Thank you California Ripe Olives for sponsoring this post. Click here to enter the California Ripe Olives Facebook sweepstakes for a chance to win a Midsummer Mediterranean prize package!

As a health food blogger, I like to stay in the know about all the different diets and ways of eating that are currently being circulated. One of the ones that's become quite popular over the past few years has been the Mediterranean Diet.

The Mediterranean Diet is pretty simple and incorporates the basics of healthy eating; including fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and limited unhealthy fats. Any way of eating that allows for olive oil and a few glasses of wine is a bonus in my eyes.

The basis of the Mediterranean Diet is eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil. Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor your foods. Limiting red meat and eating fish and poultry at least two times a week. Plus, red wine in moderation!

All of these things are pretty much how we eat in my house on a day to day basis...

Skinny Greek Yogurt Egg Salad

July 9, 2015 Amanda Plott

Wholesome snacking and healthy eating in general has been important to me and my family for all of my adult life. One of my favorite better-for-you swap out staples is greek yogurt. I find that I can substitute greek yogurt for not only sour cream, but also generally for any recipe that calls for mayonnaise as well.

It makes a pretty great substitute when baking as well.

Egg salad one of my most favorite 'guilty pleasure' snacks. So today I decided to lighten it up and make it my own by incorporating greek yogurt. I'm sort of a traditionalist when it comes to egg salad, being that I basically like for it to taste like a well combined deviled egg, another 'guilty pleasure' of mine...

Healthified Spicy & Smoky Tomato Soup

June 28, 2015 Amanda Plott

It's sweltering here right now. I'm not quite sure how I've made it past the brutal Texas summers in the past, since this year is mild so far by comparison. Usually by now we're well into the 100's for many days in a row and you could literally fry and egg on the concrete. Even so, it's hot out. 90+ degrees lately and all the humidity you can stand. We actually had 100% humidity the other day. I think I'm officially growing gills this year due to the rains and humidity together.

Gills or no gills, I've officially banned the stove until late August or Early October.

Okay, okay, except for another birthday/party or two that I'll be making desserts for.

While the oven is out of commission until cooler weather arrives, my stove top, grill and crock pots have their work cut out for them. Even though it summer, I was really in the mood for some tomato soup; so I went to work coming up with a summer inspired variation of a winter staple in my home...

Skinny Summer Breakfast Parfait

June 16, 2015 Amanda Plott

I love a good parfait, especially for breakfast! Parfaits are the perfect summer time breakfast. Why? Because you don't have to heat up or cook anything, which is a pretty big deal here in the southern states when we start pushing 100 degrees. Every little thing will set off that expensive air conditioner bill. Yikes! Let's not do that...

This beautiful little breakfast is the perfect way to start off your day; keeping you full, satisfied, and so happy! I mean just look at all those fun bright colors. How could you not get a smile on your face with eating that rainbow?...