Elf Cookies

December 8, 2016 Amanda Plott

A few years back now we had a silly little Elf on the Shelf named Candy Cane show up at our house shortly after Thanksgiving. And oh-what-a-joy it has been to see what shenanigans Candy Cane get's into every night after returning from her quick trip to the North Pole. She's got an important job, you know. She's in good with the big jolly man.

It's been even more interesting, the older my daughter has become. I don't know how in the world Candy Cane manages to come up with these things sometimes... ahem. Today I caught her in my kitchen making her famous Elf Cookies! Apparently she wants to surprise my daughter with them in the morning. Of course, you know I had to suggest to her that she make the cookies healthified and asked also if she would be so kind as to leave me the recipe to share! She's very nice that way...

Breakfast Egg Rolls with Sausage Gravy

December 6, 2016 Amanda Plott

I saw this fabulous idea a long time ago on Pinterest, and I just knew that I had to make a version of it for myself. I've never been one for frying things and I will do just about anything I can to lighten up food; whether it be lessening the calories, using more wholesome ingredients, or some other clever way in which I see fit.

These Breakfast Egg Rolls with Sausage Gravy are where it's at! This has to be one of the most tasty and fun breakfasts that I've put together in a good long time, and it's just a pity that I was the only one home this morning to enjoy them. Oh, well... maybe next time I'll have some company over to feed!...

Winter Berry & Citrus Salad (With Black Berry Vinaigrette)

December 4, 2016 Amanda Plott

Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you can't enjoy a salad! This Winter Berry & Citrus Salad with Black Berry Vinaigrette is full of winter fruits and flavors to satisfy you on even the coldest and gloomiest of days. I mean... look at those glorious bright colors there, it's a sure-fire way to climb your way out of the winter blues with some winter greens! Hah! See what I did there?

The deep red and green here make me think that this would make for a perfectly seasonal dinner salad or festive side salad to a Holiday meal. What I love most about this salad is that the dressing is completely homemade and super simple to make too!...

Healthified Crock Pot Turkey Taco Soup

December 1, 2016 Amanda Plott

So, one of my most popular recipes has to be my Healthified Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, which also happens to be a family favorite and has been for many years now. With that being said, I decided to make something similar, but more with the flavors of another favorite; tacos! This Healthified Crock Pot Turkey Taco Soup is going to knock your socks off with it's amazing flavors, even if it wasn't really what I had planned on making today.

Yep! Even I have fails in the kitchen still. My original recipe for today turned out to be a flop. Literally. It flopped straight over into the trash. I don't know what's wrong with me lately! My brain just can't seem to get things going quite as well as it usually does. It feels like I'm on auto pilot. I could blame that on the craziness of the holidays or... that it's a particularly hard time of the year for me, as I think it is for a lot of other people too...

Skinny Crock Pot Dulce De Leche

November 29, 2016 Amanda Plott

I know, I know... how can dulce de leche be skinny? Well, that's pretty simple actually, you make it using a reduced fat sweetened condensed milk. Tada! Really dulce de leche is similar to a caramel, though it's generally a little thicker and made with a slow cooking process using sweetened condensed milk. The slow cooking changes the taste and texture of the sweetened condensed milk, giving you a sweet caramel like sauce that literally only takes one ingredient and minimal effort!

It makes a great gift too. Especially when you put it in cute little jars with decorative notes and ribbons. Why? Because who doesn't like caramel?! Plus, like I said... it's easy to do, tastes great, and has very little hands-on time needed...

Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

November 27, 2016 Amanda Plott

A little chicken noodle soup for the soul, anyone? 2016 has been a year that will go down in infamy. I don't think this year hasn't touched everyone in a particularly strange (and I'll even dare to say negative) way. I for one, couldn't be more happy to see it in it's last several days. I know that 2016 will go out kicking and screaming the entire way, but I can't wait to see what next year brings.

Only good things, I hope.

My Christmas tree bit the dust last year, and I guess that should have been a sure sign of the things to come. So, I decided to add some extra Christmas tree to my life this year by including it in this soup as early as November. MOVE OVER DECEMBER. We're getting this year done and over with...