Skinny Faux 'Fried' Tomatoes

December 19, 2014 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. andQuaker®. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #CollectiveBias #LoveMyCereal #QuakerUp

I'm a southern girl. You know, the born in Texas sort... It's not an uncommon place to find fried anything all around you here in the Lone Star State. I mean, have you been to our State Fair? Eek gads, man! Even so, I've got to be honest here. The only thing I care for at all that is fried would be french fries, pickles, and of course... tomatoes!

As you can imagine, fried tomatoes (especially green ones) were once a common place and a staple to southern food. Now though? You're hard pressed to find a single place in a giant city that fries them anymore.

A couple months back I was venturing out and trying a newly opened movie theater over closer to my mother's end of the world here in Austin. I don't know about you, but from what I remember, back when I was a young girl your options at movie theaters were fairly limited. I'm talking hot dogs, pop corn, soda, and an array over overly priced candies. In today's world though, the most of the movie theaters that I go to are all about beer, wine, and gourmet foods! This particular place was no different, featuring an amazing wine selection and beautiful food options that put those old-time hot dogs to bed...

Skinny Broccoli Cheese Soup

December 17, 2014 Amanda Plott

I gotta say, I'm a sucker for cheese! And I'm not cheese picky either, oh no-no. I will eat just about any kind of cheese that is out there. Blue, pink, soft, hard, sweet, sharp... You name it, I'll probably try it if I haven't already!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'm weak for cheese. So what's a girl to do about this known weakness? Certainly not cut cheese out of my life. I mean... that's just cruel and unusual punishment.

Nope! This girl needs her cheese fix. So, instead I'll opt to pack as much veggies in with my cheese as I can and do a little Jedi mind trickery on myself.

This is -not- the cheese that you want... but, this is!...

Whole Wheat Lasagna Roll-Ups

December 11, 2014 Amanda Plott

Yes, that's right... you can have your lasagna and eat it too!

What's better is now you don't have to feel guilty about indulging in it anymore. Most places I looked, a typical serving of one lasagna roll-up was anywhere between 350-550 calories. What?! That's madness!

If you're going to have pasta, you better at least do it right and make those carbs and calories well worth it. With this lightened up version of lasagna roll-ups, you won't feel like you're missing out on anything and that's because you're not!

These noodles are loaded with cheesy spinach goodness. They're rich, decadent, full of flavor, and even more full of vegetables...

Cranberry & Walnut Brussel Sprouts

December 9, 2014 Amanda Plott

Can you believe that I've never cooked brussel sprouts before?! Honestly, I'd never even eaten a brussel sprout until about a year ago when I was downtown at this fun little restaurant called The Lucky Robot. They have these crispy pan seared (or fried) brussel sprouts that are served with some sort of kicked up soy dipping sauce. A-ma-zing!

I've been looking for an excuse (as if I needed one) to make brussel sprouts ever since.

With another major foodie-holiday rolling up on us all quickly, I thought that a side of some brussel sprouts with cranberries, walnuts, and blue cheese would make a great tasty side dish for any holiday meal!...

Healthified Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

December 5, 2014 Amanda Plott

The first time I made these chocolate chip pudding cookies, I was in love. I'm not sure what it is about adding in a packet of vanilla pudding mix to the dough that completely transforms the texture and flavor of the cookie into perfection. But, it does. And it's brilliant.

These cookies turn out sweet, but not too sweet... with a crunchy edge and an ooey-gooey warm and soft center. Just the way that a chocolate chip cookie is supposed to be!

Seriously, my dad will fight you over his belief that a proper chocolate chip cookie is suppose to have a soft and chewy center. Never hard and/or crunchy...

Skinny Holiday Confetti Cake Mix Cookies

December 3, 2014 Amanda Plott

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I'm getting into the holiday spirit with some festive, fun, and healthier takes on some of our favorite Christmas treats. Since we had a birthday this week, I thought it would be fitting to bake up some confetti cake mix cookies, but with holiday colors, of course!

And by birthday... I mean for my kitty-fur-baby-boy, Orion.

My four year old was pretty adamant on doing something for our kitty's first birthday. So, confetti cookies for all! Well, except for the cat, obviously. He got some new toys to play with while my daughter and I baked these cookies up...