Skinny Cold Brew Coffee Protein Shake (Sponsored)

September 21, 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. #BestLifeProject #CollectiveBias

For the past month or two now I've taken on the challenge of starting to exercise. Healthy eating has been a part of my life for a good long while now, but I've never really been one to actually 'exercise'. I think the last time that I actually didn't anything with fitness was well before I had my little girl. That was over 5 years ago!

I've been 'hitting the gym' 3-4 days a week, doing everything from the treadmill, to tabata, cardio, pilates, barre, yoga and back again. I thought that starting in with a fitness routine would be hard, but I guess I was just mentally ready for it since I became addicted pretty much instantly. I haven't given myself a chance to quit or find an excuse not to go.

In fact, I've found myself considering it as 'part of my job duties'. It's a must do to complete my weekly tasks sort of thing. I feel so much better. Even after the first initial week of exercise I felt lighter, healthy, and more grounded...

Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip

September 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

Not only can plant-based diets be good for people and better for the planet, but they taste amazing too! I've been working with my own family and our diets, eating less and less meat each week it seems. So, I'm taking the #MeatlessMondayNight challenge to spark real change.

Adopting a more plant-based diet can start with making a change just one day a week – so why not start by sidelining meat during Monday Night Football games this season?

One of my favorite dips in the world is spinach and artichoke dip. I had a great recipe for it years ago that I kept tucked away even though I haven't made it in a while. Today I decided to take that recipe out, dust it off, and give a good dairy-free once over...

Skinny Brown Bag Taco Popcorn (On the Cob or Not!)

August 26, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've got to admit, I'm not exactly a huge fan of popcorn. Ugh! I know. I really wish I was. But, I do have a lot of popcorn fans in my family. ... Okay, so pretty much everyone else but me is a huge over-the-top popcorn lover.

As the season has it, I happened to get popping corn on the cob in my local produce box the past couple of weeks. I've had it sitting with my other dry produce on the counter for a while, looking at it and waiting. I was trying to decide what exactly I wanted to do with it when popped. Personally, if I'm going to eat popcorn, I like for it to have a really fun and amazing flavor. I find that it helps get me more interested in it.

Yes, I'm the one always wanting cheddar, ranch, or any other seasoning on my popcorn...

Melon, Mozzarella, Tomato & Prosciutto Snack

July 17, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, I've found lately that eating a couple of lighter snacks in the afternoon instead of an actual lunch has been fitting into my crazy schedule a bit better. Especially when at least one of the snacks includes cheese, I mean... come on. Who doesn't look forward to a little indulgence with cheese? I know I do!

This past week I ordered up a local fresh mozzarella from my grocery service, which I have to say... tastes about a hundred times better from the fresh mozzarella that you get from the grocery store. I was absolutely shocked with the difference between the local fresh mozzarella and what I've become used to. So if you can get your hands on some local mozzarella, I implore you to do so.

You won't regret it!...

Skinny Greek Yogurt Egg Salad

July 9, 2015 Amanda Plott

Wholesome snacking and healthy eating in general has been important to me and my family for all of my adult life. One of my favorite better-for-you swap out staples is greek yogurt. I find that I can substitute greek yogurt for not only sour cream, but also generally for any recipe that calls for mayonnaise as well.

It makes a pretty great substitute when baking as well.

Egg salad one of my most favorite 'guilty pleasure' snacks. So today I decided to lighten it up and make it my own by incorporating greek yogurt. I'm sort of a traditionalist when it comes to egg salad, being that I basically like for it to taste like a well combined deviled egg, another 'guilty pleasure' of mine...

Skinny Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes

July 2, 2015 Amanda Plott

I'm sort of in love with greek yogurt, if you hadn't noticed. I tend to find any reason and excuse to use it in almost every meal and in every way possible; not just as breakfast in the morning!

Wholesome snacking and summer fun is what it's all about for me right now. And any way that I can escape using the oven right now is key right now during these hot summer months. This no bake cheese cake is the perfect hot weather snack or dessert; cool, refreshing, and super easy to do.

Key limes are definitely one of my favorite flavors, especially in the summer, they're sweet, tangy and with just the right amount of lime flavor without giving too much of a sour punch to your taste buds. So, when I got a bagful in my local produce box this week, I knew exactly what I wanted to do; no bake key lime cheesecakes!...