Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Baby Greens Salad (Sponsored)

October 14, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #PotPiePlease #CollectiveBias

Halloween is almost upon us, and that means that the rest of the major Holidays are going to follow there shortly after! I'm so excited for the upcoming Holiday season, but I've got to say that as usual I'm already planning and stressing out over it all.

It comes with the territory, what can I say?

We're always busy around here hosting family and going to all the fun holiday events that they have around my great city. It's always so much fun, but a very chaotic time for everyone I think. Somewhere between getting little ones off to school, working, decorating, shopping, and holiday events, a better-for-you dinner can get lost in the mix...

PB&J Cups (Sponsored)

October 1, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #SpreadTheMagic #CollectiveBias

Peanut butter is my jam. Pun totally intended.

I know that when I think of peanut butter, I immediately think of peanut butter and jelly. It's a timeless classic that we all know, love, and appreciate. There's just something about the sweet and the savory/salty notes coming together that instantly take you back to a simpler time. Childhood.

Another thing that comes to mind with peanut butter is that age old question, creamy or crunchy? It seems as if though such an easy question could completely divide the world. Well, what if I told you that you could have both? What if I told you that we could all live in peace and harmony, never being forced to choose sides again?...

Skinny Cold Brew Coffee Protein Shake (Sponsored)

September 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #BestLifeProject #CollectiveBias

For the past month or two now I've taken on the challenge of starting to exercise. Healthy eating has been a part of my life for a good long while now, but I've never really been one to actually 'exercise'. I think the last time that I actually didn't anything with fitness was well before I had my little girl. That was over 5 years ago!

I've been 'hitting the gym' 3-4 days a week, doing everything from the treadmill, to tabata, cardio, pilates, barre, yoga and back again. I thought that starting in with a fitness routine would be hard, but I guess I was just mentally ready for it since I became addicted pretty much instantly. I haven't given myself a chance to quit or find an excuse not to go.

In fact, I've found myself considering it as 'part of my job duties'. It's a must do to complete my weekly tasks sort of thing. I feel so much better. Even after the first initial week of exercise I felt lighter, healthy, and more grounded...

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...

Chickpea, Butternut Squash & Green Pea Curry

September 11, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've had this love-hate relationship with curry lately. I made a new vegetarian version of it a few weeks ago and it turned out great. I then made it again about a week ago and it was horrible. So, I went back to the drawing board.

I wanted to keep this version of curry somewhere between summer and fall with flavors and vegetables blending over from both seasons. So, I decided to use fresh green peas and spinach as an ode to summer, while the butternut squash was my fall inspiration.

This curry is full of flavor, but not very spicy if you ask me. The sweetness of the peas and butternut squash naturally tone down the spicy kick of the curry. So, if you're not one for hot and spicy things, this curry is right up your alley!...

Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip

September 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

Not only can plant-based diets be good for people and better for the planet, but they taste amazing too! I've been working with my own family and our diets, eating less and less meat each week it seems. So, I'm taking the #MeatlessMondayNight challenge to spark real change.

Adopting a more plant-based diet can start with making a change just one day a week – so why not start by sidelining meat during Monday Night Football games this season?

One of my favorite dips in the world is spinach and artichoke dip. I had a great recipe for it years ago that I kept tucked away even though I haven't made it in a while. Today I decided to take that recipe out, dust it off, and give a good dairy-free once over...