How to Cut a Watermelon (For a crowd!)

May 31, 2018 Amanda Plott

Hey! YOU. Yes, you! You've probably been cutting watermelon wrong for your whole life and didn't even know it.

So, you may not know it. But... I'm a room mom. That's right! I said it. I spend my fair share of time up at my daughter's school. Whether it's helping her teacher out, helping the school out, or planning and preparing things that go on behind the scenes. There's a wonderful group of us that have all become a lot closer this year and hopefully even more in the next to come!

Every year we have the dreaded end-of-the-year party. It's a pretty big deal. I mean... it's hot in Texas about this time of year. And the one fruit we like to serve up is watermelon. It's fresh, cold, and hydrating. Plus... almost every kid likes it. Win. Win…

Strawberry Grain-Free Granola (Gluten-Free too!)

May 18, 2018 Amanda Plott

Holy. Moly. We are well into the 90 degree days here in Austin Texas and summer is nipping at our heels. The house is stifling in the days, and even while the mornings are still decently cool, I am over here preparing for the onslaught that is about to befall us with raging 100 degree + days.

As the weather turns warmer, I'm starting to lean towards the cooler and more refreshing bites for breakfast. Cereals. Yogurts. Fruits. My only problem is that all the good granolas out there cost a pretty penny. That's why I've been opting to make my own. Plus, I love being able to make my own unique flavors and there is nothing more Summery to me than strawberries. Here in Texas, the strawberry season starts in Spring and seems to go almost all Summer long. We even have a festival for strawberries here in the summer! What's up Poteet Strawberry Festival!…

Dairy-Free Mermaid Ice Cream (Sponsored)

April 23, 2018 Amanda Plott

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

It's almost mermaid season, y'all! That's right, we're almost on the last month of the countdown until the kiddos are out of school for Summer over there and I am busy planning fun things for my girl and me to do. Right now, I'm thinking we will spend many-a-day waterside this Summer and with hair like mine, we shall henceforth call it the Summer of mermaids!

To celebrate the warmer weather, and the nearing of the Summer of mermaids, I've got a special mermaid treat coming at you today that is 100% beach body approved and guilt-free to boot. In fact, I think I might just call it nice cream instead…

Instant Pot Summer Vegetable & Chicken Curry

August 4, 2017 Amanda Plott

I've kind of completely and utterly fallen in love with my new pressure cooker, y'all. Before I got this baby, I was all about the slow cooker. But, now? Just toss it in the pressure cooker for a few minutes and you've got yourself a full on meal that would have taken HOURS in the slow cooker. And the best thing is, if you like a slow cooker - it can slow cook too! It's amazing for one pots too, like this curry right here.

Curry is another one of my favorite 'use up leftover' meals. No matter what veggies or meat you have on hand, you can most likely make a curry with it...

Avocado Chickpea Feta Salad

July 13, 2017 Amanda Plott

Who doesn't love a good cool avocado dish on a hot HOT summer day? Okay, you caught me. I'm not going to lie. I love avocados year round, but there's just something about them during the summer that just brings even more joy and rapture to my soul.

This 'salad' is being called a salad because it sort of reminds me of what a vegetarian style 'chicken salad'. It's loaded up with plenty of avocado and summer flavors that bring a perfectly fresh and refreshing bite, and I've been looking for a good reason to use chickpeas again since they're one of my personal favorites...

Mermaid Noodle Salad

July 5, 2017 Amanda Plott

So, I've decided that this week on the blog is going to be all about... drumroll please... Mermaids! Ta-da! That's right. It's going to be a week full of mermaid inspired dishes; eats and treats alike. This Mermaid Noodle Salad is an old family favorite that originated in one of my daughter's cook books, but has been tweaked and adjusted so much that it's a whole new recipe by now.

After carefully transcribing all of my notes on it in the cookbook, I finally settled on the perfect end result. One thing that I love most about this noodle salad is that you can serve it hot or cold. Being as it's the middle of summer here in Texas though... I'm naturally opting for a cold noodle dish myself. However, if you still feel like being a mermaid in the winter months, feel free to enjoy it warm! Just serve it right away instead of giving it an hour+ of chill time...