Mexican Cottage Cheese Stuffed Avocado Salad

December 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

This week I wanted something quick and easy for my lunches since I knew that with the holidays coming up I was going to need as much time open as I could manage to get! Light and filling salads have been my go-to lunch time meal lately. But, of course I can't have just any salad. And anything with avocado is a bonus in my book.

The idea for this stuffed avocado salad came from my Skinny Mexican Style Avocado Caprese salad that I did a good while back. That too is one of my favorites! However, I wanted something a little different this time around and cottage cheese was calling my name...

Skinny Italian Salad Dressing (Sponsored)

December 16, 2015 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StouffersHoliday #CollectiveBias

Things always get so hectic around the holidays, and for me this year is no exception. In fact, that is even more so the case. Chaos is my life right now. I got one of the best presents ever a little early. It was a complete surprise and delight that came out of no where, quick, fast, and in a hurry. It's left my mind in another place, and rightfully so.

A 'long lost' family member just came into my life; one that I wasn't sure would ever be a part of my world outside of merely knowing of their existence. It's been an amazing experience, although I have been entirely distracted between that and the holidays. I can't seem to focus on anything. I've left groceries in the car, misplaced numerous things, and at points can barely remember what it is I was talking about five seconds ago.

On top of that my little one managed to, at very least, sprain her ankle this past weekend. She's been kept home from school for two days now, which always puts me behind with tending to her. Here's to hoping we don't need to go get x-rays!...

Cuban Black Beans (Crock Pot)

December 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

I was trying to use up some of the odd-and-end things that I had leftover in the kitchen this week (mostly to start making room for Christmas foods), and one of the ways that I like to do that is with a nice pot of homemade beans.

Black beans are one of out family favorites, in fact for several years there it was one of the only sources of protein that I could manage to get my little girl to eat. She was basically a vegan for the first four years of her life, by her own choice of course. She's always had a pretty sensitive palette, especially when it comes to spice, so I'll blame it on that.

Beans have always been in her 'safe zone' so, I've made myself rather familiar with making beans in my crock pot over the years. I've found that beans are one of my favorite and most versatile ingredients...

Citrus Fennel Salad & White Wine Vinaigrette

December 5, 2015 Amanda Plott

What can I say? I needed something bright and sunny in my life this week. This salad is just that. Bright and sunny.

Grapefruits tend to be aplenty here in Texas during the winter time, so I always like to do something fun with them to stave off the winter blues. Not like it's been very much like winter around here lately with a high of 75 in the forecast for the upcoming week here in Austin.

Even so, my spirits needed some lifting and this bright salad was definitely a step in the right direction since it has some of my most favorite things in it. Two of which I've been absolutely obsessed with lately; grapefruit and avocado!...

Skinny Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies

December 3, 2015 Amanda Plott

Thank you Splenda for sponsoring this post.

We all know that the holidays are all about the sweet stuff. I know that in my family, my mom and I get together once a year (close to Christmas) and spend a day baking up some of our most favorite holiday cookies.

The two of us each have several of our own favorites that we bring to the table; and tend to rotate between a few each year. These butterscotch cookies have been in my deck for a good long while now. I think the first time that I made them was many years back now when I was in search of a soft gingerbread that wouldn't be too spicy for my toddler at the time.

These definitely did the trick. They are perfectly spiced with just enough of that gingerbread flavor that we all know and love while being softened with the sweetness of the butterscotch morsels...

Avocado Egg Salad

December 1, 2015 Amanda Plott

What can I say? After the large meals and treats that often come with holidays, I always end up feeling as if my body needs a reprieve from it all. Especially when there's a few more still just around the corner!

This avocado egg salad is the perfect way to fill my plate and I with the good stuff while keeping it light, healthy, and super delicious. I've been a huge fan of avocado for a while now, but lately's it's almost been out of control. So much so that I'm now putting in my egg salad!

That might sound a little strange, but hear me out. Avocados are often a great swap for mayonnaise because of their creamy texture. Plus, those avocados have a lot more vitamins than you'll find in mayo anyway. So it's just a win, win...