Skinny Purple Monster Smoothie

July 8, 2014 Amanda Plott

I needed a bit of a lift today after the exceptionally long weekend of festivities. Not only was it the 4th of July, where I was busy BBQing and roasting in the Texas heat... but, it was also my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!

Now, I feel as if I should start off by saying that I am generally not a smoothie fan. I would much rather indulge in eating my calories rather than drinking them (unless they are in the form of wine, of course - hah!) Plus, the task of actually making a smoothie always seems incredibly daunting to me... That is until I got my new handy emersion blender for my birthday!...

Cutting Watermelon

July 6, 2014 Amanda Plott

If you have tiny hands in your house (like I do) or are just looking for an easier and less messy way of cutting your watermelon this summer - then this idea is for you!

I've done my fair share of watermelon butchering, and it's almost always been a rather unpleasant task that more often than not ends up with my kitchen in the midst of a sticky mess that lasts for days. Thankfully, about a year ago, I came across a method of cutting watermelon that skips the waste and saves so much time. Plus, it's great for little fingers to grab up...

Healthy Veggie Wrap

July 3, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've had this wrap at the back of my mind for quite a long time now. It has been suggested to me more than once that I should post a 'wrap' friendly lunch (thanks, mom!) I'm trying to cut out some of the meat in my life this week; eating cleaner and leaner in the process.

I'm going a little Mediterranean here!

This wrap is definitely full of good stuff. Once again, we're eating the rainbow, which is never a bad thing.

Well, unless it's in the form of candy... and even then it's debatable!

Avocado & Egg Breakfast Toast

July 1, 2014 Amanda Plott

This summer breakfast toast has been a staple among my weekly menu. It's quick. It's easy. And it doesn't heat up my poor little kitchen much at all. While one lonely slice of toast might not seem like much, this is a rather filling little dish that's full of healthy fats and protein to keep you going and powering through your morning!

Healthy fats? What - you thought all fats were bad? Nope!

Your body needs healthy fats.

Healthy fats keep your skin smooth, energize you, provide essential fatty-acids, and even help with vitamins that your body needs!...

Skinny PB&J Sandwich Cookies

June 27, 2014 Amanda Plott

Who doesn't love peanut butter and jelly? (Well, other than those unfortunate souls that have nut allergies.) It's such a classic combination... you just can't go wrong with it!

These cookies are soft, decadent, and actually very reminiscent of little peanut butter and jelly whoopie pies. When I originally began to make plans for this tasty treat, I thought I wanted more of a crunchy peanut butter cookie... but for one reason or another it didn't work out that way.

In hindsight, this was a rather happy accident. A firmer cookie wouldn't have worked out nearly as well, since taking a bite of a hard sandwich cookie would force all that lovely jelly to squish out and make for gooey fingers. This softer more cake-like cookie seems to absorb the jelly a bit so it doesn't make a giant and unwanted mess.

Crock Pot Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

June 23, 2014 Amanda Plott

Today, I was lucky enough to have an expert chef join me in my kitchen. Her lifetime of knowledge and her very particular palette are what I aim to please with each dish I create. She is my inspiration through and through!

Yes. That's right... Chef Lily spent some of her very valuable time lending me a hand with dinner...