Skinny Matcha Granola

January 8, 2016 Amanda Plott

There's two things that I haven't tried before, making my own granola and matcha. Okay, well... I have tried matcha since my favorite tea room here dusts it over their fabulous brownies, but outside of that - no. I've had my fair share of green tea, but matcha is different. Since I haven't tried it before, but have heard good things... I decided to do a little research.

At the end of my research, I ended up buying myself a package of the green stuff.

Matcha is made by using specially shade-grown green tea that's then ground down into a find green powder. It's supposed to be effective in improving mental focus with it's higher amounts of theanine. The theanine and caffeine together help to give a boot of energy without causing the crash that comes with the caffeine in coffee. The antioxidants are what I'm after though!...

Skinny Beet Pesto

January 6, 2016 Amanda Plott

You're wanting me to... beet it, beet it!

Lettuce turnip the beet and dance.

I'm dropping fresh beets, yo.

Okay, okay. I'm done with the beet puns and word-play for now. But, seriously - this beet pesto is amazing, easy to make, and super versatile too! Plus, I mean... look at that color. With Valentine's Day creeping up on us already, this would be a perfect thing to make and use around the day of love.

This beet pesto is full of flavor too; it's a little sweet, a little earthy, and super delicious. I recently this year became a beet fan, so I've been trying to come up with fun ways to use them. Especially with February coming up, beets are the perfect natural red and/or pink food coloring...

Greek Stuffed Avocado Bistro Box

January 4, 2016 Amanda Plott

So initially I wasn't going to post an actual recipe for this, it was going to just be some fluff for Instagram since I'm always posting pictures of my little lunches and the like. But, it was so good that I just had to share it in it's full majesty!

While it only takes a handful of ingredients to make up this quick little lunch, it's packed with great flavor and healthy fats that will help you get through your day with ease. Plus, let's face it, I'm a sucker for almost anything greek inspired. Feta has been a favorite cheese of mine forever now, so that kalamata olives, and avocado and I'm sold...

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...