Southwest BBQ Smoked Chicken Tacos

September 22, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Birds Eye®, and Farm Rich® but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FullnRichFlavor http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Life has been pretty crazy around here lately and it doesn't seem as if things are going to slow down any time soon. With that being said, it's still vastly important to me to feed my family healthy meals from my own kitchen as much as possible while keeping it all rather guilt-free.

When most people think of making a better-for-you and balanced dinner, they generally think of the time it takes. I'm here to tell you that isn't the case! You can have a well balanced meal that's quick, filling, and easy to do! These Southwest BBQ Smoked Chicken Tacos are an easy dinner that hits all the important food categories while having great bold flavor.

Flavor doesn't have to be sacrificed because of time...

Multi-Grain Chicken Tenders (Sponsored) + Give a Box

September 18, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #GiveABox #CollectiveBias

Starting this month, and for a limited time, you're able to gift some love (in the form of Cheerios ™) to a friend or loved one by picking up a specially marked package Walmart stores. There are currently five Cheerios ™ products that will contain a unique code that shoppers can enter online to give an e-card and mailed coupon for a free box to a recipient of their choice. Pretty nifty and thrifty, right?

I'll be gifting my free box to my Dad to re-live and remind him of the fond memories we have of the time we spent together when I was growing up. Many of those memories are still alive with my Grandfather (Papa) as well.

It's been a rough year for our family with the loss of my Grandfather weighing heavy on us all. My dad has become the rock that everyone has needed; moving back with my Grandmother to help her take care of things around her property, as well as being there for my Aunts and Cousins as well...

Skinny Hawaiian Crunch Cake

September 15, 2015 Amanda Plott

Every year at the end of summer my mom has had a Luau, a tradition that has been going on since she moved here to Austin; so let's say this was the fourth year. Each time the Luau gets bigger and better than the year before, always inviting new and old neighbors or friends. The Luau is done sort of in pot-luck style with my mom and I making a few main things that go along with the theme while guests bring their additions to the spread.

There are a few select things that I have perfected over time and made each year for this Luau. A few things have changed but for the most part it all stays the same; a pineapple salsa, Hawaiian queso, and some sort of dessert...

Healthified Shredded Buffalo Chicken (Crock Pot)

September 3, 2015 Amanda Plott

This is one of those great base recipes that could be used in many forms and fashions. It would be great in a sandwich, a wrap, incorporated into a chicken salad, or even in a grilled cheese. There's really so many uses for it that I thought it needed to be here as it is to stand on it's own.

I've kept this dish light and flavorful by letting the chicken remain simmering all day in a broth full of large chunks of fresh vegetables; allowing it to absorb all those great natural flavors. At the end of cooking, all you do is shred the chicken, toss it with a buffalo sauce of your choosing and use it as you see fit...

Eggplant 'Meatballs'

August 28, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've been eating less and less meat around here, not for any particular reason other than that's really just how it's worked out, oddly enough. I've been telling my family for years now that I could be a vegetarian at the drop of a hat and with little to no cravings creeping up.

Vegetables are my best friends, however, I have a well known love-hate relationship with one of my friends; eggplant. I happened to get an eggplant in my local produce box this last week, and I didn't want to do the same things that I've done with it before.

I find that I sort of have to disguise and hide eggplant from myself otherwise I tend to have a hard time with eating it and I'm not entirely sure why...

Cheesy Spinach & Kale Verde Enchiladas

August 10, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, I made a test run of these enchiladas a few weeks back. I've had some enchilada scares in the past before, and always made them way more complicated than they needed to be. They were so good the first time that I just knew that I had to make them again with just a few minor tweaks!

These bad boys were so awesome that my brother's finance left me a note (or two) which I found the next morning after our family dinner saying that she loved them so much. Thanks Jess, that really tickled my pickle!

With it being so hot here right now, I was forced to bake these on our outdoor grill, which ended up working out just as well as in the oven so long as I kept an eye on the grill's temperature. How's that for being clever? The Texas heat will force you to be resourceful!...