Skinny Baked Tortellini Bites (Sponsored)

July 27, 2016 Amanda Plott

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

I've been so busy with the end of summer and getting my little one ready for back-to-school that it's been a task to be a the balanced mom I know that I am. I'm all about using quality ingredients and offering better-for-you options to my family, but let's face it... sometimes schedules and lifestyle will try and to force us to make compromises.

These baked tortellini bites are the perfect balance of being quick and easy to make while also being more health conscious without sacrificing any taste! Another great thing about these little bites is that they make for a great after school snack or even used as part of a dinner; served with a side salad and some sauce for dipping...

Granola Cups

July 7, 2016 Amanda Plott

I've been looking to make breakfast a little more interesting and fun round here lately while I've got my little one home for the summer. Ugh! I can't believe she's about to be a big first grader. Anyway, these cute little granola cups were the perfect way to do that! They're cute, and little, and so easy to make!

What I love about these cups is that they are so versatile. You can use them as mini pie crusts, fill them with yogurt and/or fruit (like I did) for breakfast, or even as the base of a tart or other sort of dessert. I'm thinking mini cheesecakes!

By the way, did I mention that they are also vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free? Yep, yep, and yep! These little cuties definitely hit all the right notes. If all that isn't convincing enough, there's also chia seeds in them too; adding super crunch and even more texture...

Skinny Mixed Berry Monkey Bread

June 23, 2016 Amanda Plott

I know what you're thinking... how in the world could monkey bread be considered skinny? Well, I've lightened this up as best I imagine anyone possibly could considering that it's a sugary, decadent, gooey, caramel mess of a breakfast treat. So bear with me for a bit while I try and explain all the good that I've done here.

Monkey bread is one of my favorite breakfast or brunch treats, largely in part to the fact that it's so easy to toss together and always comes out in an impressive form. I mean, you know... look at it. It's truly drool-worthy. The only down-fall of it is that it's usually one of the most sugary and unhealthy breakfast bites out there. So, I've taken this traditional treat and revamped it into something a little more guilt-free...

5 Ingredient Whole Wheat Stromboli

May 19, 2016 Amanda Plott

Holy Stromboli! Lately for me, it seems like I've trying to get back to the more simple and wholesome meals. Things that were and still are familiar to me from my childhood. One thing that we cooked a few times when I was younger was Stromboli. Though, if I'm not mistaken, my mom would use refrigerated pizza dough and something more like pepperoni for the meat.

Me though? I'm all about salami. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't throw pepperoni out of my Stromboli. I just like the fact that salami has a few less calories and fat, while still having the same amount of protein. So, why not?...

Southwest 'Fried' Pickles

May 5, 2016 Amanda Plott

Recently, I had the honor to speak with Brooke Griffin, creator of SkinnyMom.com! I've been part of the SkinnyMom community for a while now, and it was truly a pleasure to get my hands on and review the new SkinnySuppers Cookbook that Brooke just released. It's full of 125 lightened healthier meals for your family.

She has some super yummy looking recipes, plenty of tips, tricks, and advice for the kitchen and surviving dinner time! It's a great read with plenty of home style and southern flavors. One of the first recipes that stood out to me was her Southwest 'Fried' Pickles. After all, who doesn't love a good fried pickle?...

Skinny Pizza Bite Dippers

May 3, 2016 Amanda Plott

It's no secret that pizza (in one form or another), is in my weekly rotation. When you have a little one, it sort of has to be a staple on the menu. Today I wanted to step outside the box a bit, using up a few of my favorite versatile ingredients that I almost always have on hand.

Cheese is definitely an integral part of my eating habits. It's one of those things that I couldn't see myself living without. I've also found that wonton wrappers are a perfect vehicle for many different sorts of finger foods and small bite meals; which is exactly what this is. These little bites are perfect for dipping, dunking, and enjoying for a guilt-free bite of amazingness...