Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oatmeal

January 27, 2018 Amanda Plott

Weekends are for being lazy, and there is truly no more of a lazy way to cook steel cut oats than inside of a pressure cooker. I got my instant pot back for my birthday I think and I am absolutely in love with it. Not only does it work as a pressure cooker, but also as a slow cooker; which saves me valuable cabinet space.

So, while I'm slumming around still in my PJs today I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make some Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oatmeal for breakfast... around noon. That's still technically brunch, right?

Skinny Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

October 11, 2016 Amanda Plott

Onward with the pumpkin recipes!

Yes, we're in the thick of pumpkin madness around here. I've got my pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin candies, and all sorts of pumpkin amazingness to indulge in this month.

This pumpkin pie oatmeal was the perfect treat on this slightly chill Texas morning. Can you believe that it got down into the 50's here last night?! My air conditioner hasn't kicked on in nearly 12 hours and I couldn't be more pleased...

PB&J Oat Bars

September 1, 2016 Amanda Plott

So, there isn't much that makes me think of back-to-school and childhood other than the flavors of a good peanut butter and jelly. I've never felt inclined to limit PB&J to a mere sandwich though. In fact, one of my most favorite ways to enjoy peanut butter and jelly is in the form of a parfait. Seriously, it's good stuff. I'm a firm believer that you just can't go wrong when you mix the sweet and salty taste pf peanut butter with the tartness of fresh fruits.

Today I wanted to step outside the box even further to make these amazing PB&J Oat Bars. These would make for a perfect snack, an addition to a lunchbox, or even as breakfast; which is how I've been enjoying them all week long! Back-to-school as been crazy and this grab-and-go bar has been exactly what I needed. I've actually enjoyed them so much that I'm planning to make them again next week!...

Gluten-Free Protein Pancakes

May 14, 2016 Amanda Plott

To say that this week has been crazy, would be an understatement of epic proportions. With the school year coming to a close, getting things in order for school next year, my daughter being in two upcoming dance recitals, and the usual round of summer birthdays coming about, and my downstairs floor being replaced today, I'm just about to my limit.

One thing that did make this week more easy was having these wonderful protein packed pancakes ready to go for breakfast in the morning. Not only did they keep me full and satisfied to get through the craziness of the week, but they also tasted amazing.

I had to do a lot of my cooking ahead of time since my stove is currently out in the garage. Everything had to be up off the floor for it to be replaced. Like I said... madness is my life right now, hah!...

Skinny Tutti-Fruity Breakfast Muffins

January 21, 2015 Amanda Plott

So as many of you may know, I've been attempting to have less gluten in my life for a few months now. Of course, I'm not entirely gluten free (mostly because I don't personally need to be), but I do have family members that are gluten intolerant and/or diabetic and have the need to eat less gluten for one reason or another.

Gluten seems to be one of those things that most of us have in our everyday diet, but isn't something that the body necessarily needs. There are no nutrients in gluten, however gluten can be found in most of the whole grain items out there that are good for you. So long story short, you don't want to start a fully gluten free lifestyle until you've spoken to a medical doctor about it and learned the ins and outs of what all it entails.

A long while back I made these wonderful muffins that happened to be gluten free; which wasn't exactly what I was trying to accomplish, just a happy accident! So, when I decided to make some fruity breakfast muffins this week for my little one, I knew exactly where to start...

Healthy & Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

January 14, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've got to admit that I'm a little bit of an oatmeal fiend. Which is a little strange considering that my mom is anything but. However, I will say that she has almost always enjoyed any oatmeal that I've made for her. It's just that it isn't something that she would generally make for herself. So, when I was growing up, it was all about Malt-O-Meal and instant oatmeal packets on the weekends.

Yes, we all know those instant oatmeal packets that you can buy pre-made at the store. I think that most of us grew up on them. As with anything though, things have changed a lot over the years, including what's in those instant oatmeal packets.

Then again, I'm pretty sure that I can recall eating some of those packets that 'magically' changed colors or had mini dinosaur eggs in them that dinosaurs 'hatched' out of or something... I'm sure that those were super healthy. Hah!...