Healthified Cowboy Spaghetti

May 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

One of my families favorite recipes growing up was my mom's Cowboy Spaghetti. In fact, it is so much a favorite that we all still ask her to make it for us even to this day. I've been trying for a couple of years now to make the recipe more better-for you without compromising the taste of it. Which oddly enough has been somewhat of a challenge, especially when it comes to getting my mom's seal of approval on the end result.

I always ended up adding too much vegetables or... somehow changed the flavor too much for it to be dubbed the famous 'Cowboy Spaghetti' in any way, shape, or form. So, once more I went back to the drawing board. I left the base of the recipe entirely pure to it's original with just a few minor tweaks here and there...

Everything but the... Kitchen Sink Skillet

May 19, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post is sponsored by Clorox — helping you clean on the go for a happier home.

So, I had this brilliant soup that I was intending to make this week, and actually did make this week... I'm told that it was delicious! The sad thing is I was feeling under the weather that day and in the process of my fuzzy mindset I thought it would be a good idea to use purple carrots in the soup; which then resulted in a less than atheistically pleasing brown broth. Ugh.

Since I didn't want to remake the same soup over again for a second time this week, I went into my pantry, fridge, and freezer and cleaned everything out that I had leftover from other recent meals. Rice. Vegetables of all kinds. Cheese. Salsa. That's why I dubbed this 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink' Skillet.

Some of the best kitchen advice that I've ever received was to clean as you go, and that especially holds true when you're also using up your leftovers! I put my new Clorox® Pump ‘N Clean™ Kitchen & Dish Cleaner to the test with my 'spring cleaning' venture today. Just put a sponge or paper towel to the dispenser, pump and clean; it's that easy!...

Skinny Spinach & Sundried Tomato Omelette

May 14, 2015 Amanda Plott

This yummy vegetarian and gluten-free omelette is a great thing to wake up to. Seriously, I can't think of much else that I'd rather wake up to. I promise that you won't miss any meat here either, and as an added bonus it's still pretty packed with protein and good-for-you things; spinach, tomato, and even some mushrooms!

Breakfast has been a tricky meal for me lately. Somewhere between work and being a mommy, it's one of the last things that I happen to think about. And often by the time I have the time to make breakfast for myself... it's time for lunch!

I guess that's why I'm more of a brunch person.

That and brunch also comes with a mimosa or bloody mary!...

Vanilla Chia Pudding & Strawberry Puree

May 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

As warmer weather starts to roll in, I'm always looking for meals and snacks that are easy, healthy, and also not requiring any source of heat. Chia pudding is and has been one of my favorite quick breakfast and snack options. Toss it together the night before and bam, the next day you have an easy breakfast or a beautiful treat.

Chia pudding is generally gluten-free so there's that as an added bonus, but I wanted to do something a little different today. I also wanted to make it dairy-free as well. I try to do what I can to provide recipes for all special dietary needs, and I often times feel like I lack a little when it comes to lactose/dairy-free.

This perfectly de{light}ful pudding is great for either a breakfast, snack, or even a dessert option. It's sweet enough for dessert and yet healthy enough for breakfast!...

Crock Pot B.B.Q. Shredded Beef

May 7, 2015 Amanda Plott

It was Teacher's Appreciation this week at my little one's school, and the parents all hold an Annual potluck accordingly; serving the teachers breakfast, lunch, and even a dessert. As part of the potluck for the teacher's I decided I wanted to take something that was versatile and well liked by all, shredded barbecue beef!

B.B.Q. anything is a staple around here and it's probably even a law somehow that every Texan is required to eat something barbecued at least once a week. Otherwise you might lose your license to grill. Hah!...

Spicy Chipotle & Poblano Spaghetti

May 5, 2015 Amanda Plott

Mother's day is nearly upon us! I'm pretty excited because I've got some fun things planned, for not only me but for other special women in my life. I'm fortunate enough to have four generations in my family right now of ladies that are all perfectly beautiful and amazingly inspiring to me.

The first is my grandmother (we call her Neenaw around here though!) She's a fierce little firecracker bundled up into a cute little blonde that gives some of the most amazing hugs on the plant! Don't let her short stature and usually quiet demeanor fool you though, much as myself, she's a live-wire.

The next is my mother who is a unique, quirky, effervescent and bubbly spirit that I could only do justice by comparing to a fine champagne! She's all about fun. I mean, her favorite color is 'glitter', how fun is that? She's as beautiful as they come, both on the inside and the out; an old soul that just wants everyone around her to be happy!

I'm the third generation. A well blended combination of the other three.

Finally, there's my little girl. Not that I'm bias or anything, but she's pretty amazing! What can I say? She's a girl after my own heart. She knows what she wants and gets it; as hard headed as they come. This one is against the grain, her favorite color is blue and she's the only left-handed person in our family. How's that for standing out?...