Skinny Mini Mexican Pizza Bites (Sponsored)

March 31, 2016 Amanda Plott

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

For me, this week has been all about Tex-Mex flavors. Seriously, I think nearly every meal aside from breakfast so far has been Tex-Mex inspired, and today was no different! One of my most adored 'guilty pleasures' is a Mexican Pizza. I'm always looking for new and clever ways to turn my would-be guilt into something productive.

So, I gathered up my handful of what has come to be staple ingredients together, to make a Mexican Pizza that is not only better-for-you, but also into an easy snack or appetizer! These are quick, tasty, and definitely curb that Tex-Mex craving...

Cuban Black Beans (Crock Pot)

December 12, 2015 Amanda Plott

I was trying to use up some of the odd-and-end things that I had leftover in the kitchen this week (mostly to start making room for Christmas foods), and one of the ways that I like to do that is with a nice pot of homemade beans.

Black beans are one of out family favorites, in fact for several years there it was one of the only sources of protein that I could manage to get my little girl to eat. She was basically a vegan for the first four years of her life, by her own choice of course. She's always had a pretty sensitive palette, especially when it comes to spice, so I'll blame it on that.

Beans have always been in her 'safe zone' so, I've made myself rather familiar with making beans in my crock pot over the years. I've found that beans are one of my favorite and most versatile ingredients...

Healthified 7 Ingredient Chili (Sponsored)

November 4, 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. #YesYouCAN#CollectiveBias

Oh, man! I'm just settling in after another weekend away. I took my little one out of town to see friends and family for our Halloween celebration this year. It was so much fun to get out and do something different, but with traveling and holidays always comes stress!

To make things easy on myself this week, I decided to again have easy, stress free cooking going on in my kitchen as I settle back into my groove and also start preparing for the next holiday. One of my favorite too. Who doesn't love a holiday centered around food?

As it gets cooler outside, one of the first things that comes into my mind as a great dinner option is chili, and my mom makes one of the best, but... it takes time.

So, can you make a better-for-you chili with just a few ingredients without sacrificing any flavor?...

Healthified 5 Ingredient White Chicken Chili

September 29, 2015 Amanda Plott

This week is sure to be more than a little extra crazy. My parents are in the middle of moving, and of course complications always arrive with moving! Basically their new digs aren't going to be ready on time, so they're going to be bunking with me through the weekend; which is more than fine with me since I've had a rough few weeks of it myself. It's the bonus cat and dog in the house that will really make things interesting. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the company and the distraction.

It's been a lonely few weeks for more than one reason!

With all the chaos that's about to ensue on my humble abode, I planned a week of rather easy meals. I've got to save braincells and time where I can these days...

Lily's Lunch Box (Week 5) - Tex-Mex

August 25, 2014 Amanda Plott

There's two things I can always count on getting my little one to eat. Beans and rice! In fact, she takes her beans and rice plain. No salt. No 'spice'... just a sprinkle of cheese and she's done. She has been that way with beans and rice for her entire life.

Though it's not my way of eating them, I'm more than happy to oblige her with this small request. Thankfully, corn and mandarine oranges are two more things that are on the top of her 'will always eat' list. What does that give you? A fun tex-mex lunch idea!...

Skinny Southwest Chicken Dip (Crock Pot)

August 6, 2014 Amanda Plott

I was craving something that was a little 'snacky' for a dinner this week. Sometimes, you just don't feel like having a meal for a meal. If that makes any sense at all to anyone else. So I settled on a chicken dip.

A while back I made a really tasty Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip before, but since this was going to be partially for dinner, I wanted something that was a little different and maybe had some more substance to it. I did, however, use the same basic idea from the buffalo dip to create this southwest version of it.

This southwest chicken dip was nothing short of amazing, and it totally didn't feel or taste as if there was anything skinny or light about it. It's always nice to feel as if you're indulging, even if you aren't!...