Champagne Soaked 'Drunken' Gummy Bears

December 30, 2015 Amanda Plott

It doesn't get much better than this!

For part of my New Year's celebration I wanted to include as much champagne as I could and in as many ways I as I could imagine. One of the first things that I got my hands on was some champagne flavored gummy bears. Yep. True story. My gummy bears were created using Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne too! So they're extra fancy in two flavors, Brute and Rose.

I knew right away what I wanted to do with them, soak them in champagne. Now... I've seen gummy bears soaked in lots of things, mostly hard liquors and never in merely champagne. So, I decided it was my duty to attempt such a luxury...

Skinny Mixed Berry Mimosarita (Mocktail + Cocktail)

December 28, 2015 Amanda Plott

With New Year's just around the corner it's always a party around my house. And with all of that, I wanted to be sure to get some fun lighter takes on my favorite sparkling treats and eats that could also be family friendly! One of our family traditions is to go pajama bowling on New Year's day, and this year is no different. Almost everyone is piling up at my house on New Year's Eve and I'm planning on making up some yummy breakfast enchiladas and these lovely mimosaritas to go along with them for New Year's day brunch!

Since I always like to involve my little girl in everything, and not everyone cares for alcoholic beverages, I decided to be sure and have a mocktail of this cocktail ready to go for her and anyone else that might want the same. This way, everyone can be a part of the fun and no one is left out in any way...

Skinny 'Soft Batch' Chocolate Chip Cookies

December 24, 2015 Amanda Plott

So, every year my mom and I get together before Christmas to spend a day baking up some of our most favorite cookies. This year a request was put in, by another health-nut in the family, for some extra special chocolate chip cookies - soft and full of dark chocolate goodness; chunks and chips alike. Of course, I was more than happy to oblige!

These cookies are soft, fluffy, and full of the good stuff that I know my father-in-law loves. To make them even more special, I topped a few with festive sprinkles, others with dark chocolate candies, and some were just left perfectly plain...

Mexican Cottage Cheese Stuffed Avocado Salad

December 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

This week I wanted something quick and easy for my lunches since I knew that with the holidays coming up I was going to need as much time open as I could manage to get! Light and filling salads have been my go-to lunch time meal lately. But, of course I can't have just any salad. And anything with avocado is a bonus in my book.

The idea for this stuffed avocado salad came from my Skinny Mexican Style Avocado Caprese salad that I did a good while back. That too is one of my favorites! However, I wanted something a little different this time around and cottage cheese was calling my name...

Mixed Berry Chia Jam (Sponsored)

December 17, 2015 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MinionsMovieNight #CollectiveBias

My mom and I are all about themes, and anyone that knows the two of us will tell you that through and through. Whether it's birthday parties, get togethers, or sometimes even just movie nights at home. It's a trait that I'm instilling in my daughter too as she gets older.

One of my little one's favorite movies of this summer, Minions © 2015 Universal Studios. All rights reserved., just came out on December 8th to own. I just knew that we were going to have to whip up a fun family friendly movie night in honor of it. So, Illumination Entertainment's Minions movie is the inspiration for this Mixed Berry Chia Jam.

For me, the first thing that comes to mind for me when I think of those cuddly little yellow characters is that famous jam scene. The one all about Mr. Gru's Old Fashioned Jelly in Despicable Me when we're first introduced to the minions...

Skinny Italian Salad Dressing (Sponsored)

December 16, 2015 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StouffersHoliday #CollectiveBias

Things always get so hectic around the holidays, and for me this year is no exception. In fact, that is even more so the case. Chaos is my life right now. I got one of the best presents ever a little early. It was a complete surprise and delight that came out of no where, quick, fast, and in a hurry. It's left my mind in another place, and rightfully so.

A 'long lost' family member just came into my life; one that I wasn't sure would ever be a part of my world outside of merely knowing of their existence. It's been an amazing experience, although I have been entirely distracted between that and the holidays. I can't seem to focus on anything. I've left groceries in the car, misplaced numerous things, and at points can barely remember what it is I was talking about five seconds ago.

On top of that my little one managed to, at very least, sprain her ankle this past weekend. She's been kept home from school for two days now, which always puts me behind with tending to her. Here's to hoping we don't need to go get x-rays!...