Crispy Kale Chips

January 4, 2014 Amanda Plott

I'll readily admit that I am generally not a fan of kale. I don't like it in my soup, especially.

Zuppa Toscana and Olive Garden? Please, no.

It's not the flavor of kale that I don't find pleasant... it's the... way it holds it's form and something about the texture of the 'curly' ends.

I much prefer my spinach. I love my spinach. Raw. Cooked. Sauted. In soup. As a salad. It doesn't matter.

I keep hearing and seeing things about kale chips. Supposedly you could do the same thing with spinach. Perfect! Well... not so perfect. Unfortunately, when I tried 'spinach chips' a few months back... it didn't fair too well. As we all know, spinach is good at wilting under heat. And while it tasted good, it was not something that you could readily snack on. It just... flakes into nothingness. Sad Face....

Detox Rainbow Salad

December 4, 2013 Amanda Plott

I'm busy getting my body back to health this week after over a month of being sick with one thing after the other. If there's anything that can help give the much needed health boost to my system, it's this salad.

There's so many good things in this salad that I can hardly stand it!...

Pomegranate Avocado

November 29, 2013 Amanda Plott

Think avocados are only something to enjoy in the summer? Hah! Think again.

These lovely pomegranate avocados make for a wonderful winter snack or even a perfectly fun and beautifully colored side dish.

That isn't to mention that these are so super easy to pull together and the bright and merry colors are more than impressive!...

Skinny Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

November 5, 2013 Amanda Plott

Yes. Skinny and loaded.

Alright, so let me just tell you a fun little story about these potatoes...

I've made them a hand full of times before. One particular time, my collegiate Longhorn of a brother was over for dinner. He is one of the more picky eaters in the family. And he quickly gobbled down a huge serving... followed by a second.

He had no idea that these loaded spuds were full of another sneaky veggie... cauliflower! Muahahaha! That's my 'evil' cackle...

Healthy Fall Salad

October 30, 2013 Amanda Plott

There are all sorts of spring and summer salads out there... but why not enjoy a salad in the fall or winter months?

Instead of working off the winter weight after the fact, just kick it in the pants ahead of time.

This salad is exploding with flavors of fall with baby spinach, bleu cheese, cranberries, pear, and even some pumpkin kernels!

Butternut Squash Faux Fries

September 11, 2013 Amanda Plott

These baked Butternut Squash Faux Fries are an amazing alternative to their potato brethren. They taste just as amazing as sweet potato fries, and are remarkably similar, but come in way less on their calorie count!

Not to say anything bad about zucchini, but the health benefits of winter squash far exceeds that of their summer time family. The butternut squash is high in fiber and low in fat, making it a very heart-healthy choice.

This fruit is full of potassium, B6, folate, and last but not least carotenoids! A 1-cup serving will give you nearly half the recommended daily dose of antioxidant-rich vitamin C. And what's more? It's an anti-inflamitory as well...