'Healthier' Mummy Dogs

October 2, 2014 Amanda Plott

My mom started this tradition several years back where we turned our hot dogs into mummy dogs around halloween. I believe our first few years doing this, we used little smokies instead of actual hot dogs, so we had about a million and one mini-mummies. They were cute... but also a little bit of a pain in the rear to make.

After we learned our lesson, we began to use regular size weenies and it was a whole lot easier of a process! Now that my daughter is older and more sentient (as my brother would say), I really enjoy sharing all the fun and festive holiday stuff that my mother used to do for my brother and I.

While it's a silly and rather minimal tradition, it's ours and we love it.

It helps too that my daughter is a hot dog fiend.

It's seriously one of the only forms of meat that she will actually eat.

Skinny Pizza Potato Skins

September 29, 2014 Amanda Plott

I gotta admit, my lunch today was pretty amazing. As you can see.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... potatoes always seem to get a bad reputation. Maybe it's because the vast majority of people that eat them always go for the greasy fried versions of potatoes. But, honestly there's a lot of good packed into these things!

Potatoes are a good source of B6, potassium, vitamin C, and fiber! Oh, and did you know that they are actually fairly low in calories? A whole spud is about 160 calorie on average, not too shabby.

Plus, they're filling enough to keep you satisfied and energized to get through your day, which is something that I desperately need today!...

Skinny Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

September 5, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've been doing my best to eat less and less gluten lately. Not for any particular dietary reason other than general health and well being. So, when I planned on making my own honey mustard dressing this week, I was more than surprised to come to realize that almost all dijon or stone ground mustards have gluten in them.

It's mustard! Isn't it just ground up mustard seeds? You would think so! But, apparently not.

The only brown mustard I found that was gluten free was 'French's Spicy Brown', though I'm sure there has to be others out there as well. I just didn't happen to venture down the gluten free isle. Spicy brown would work perfectly for what I wanted it for.

Something it be aware of if you're wanting to actually make this dressing 'gluten free'...

Refrigerator Dill Pickles

September 3, 2014 Amanda Plott

We love pickles in this house.

My little girl alone goes through about a jar every week or two this summer. She's especially fond of pickled carrots as I've found out recently. And have you seen the price for pickles? Holy moly! If you're wanting a good pickle, you're going to be paying $3-4 bucks a jar. Eep!

The past few weeks I've been playing around with a grocery service that delivers organic and local produce straight from nearby farms to your home. I've been getting the 'local box' which comes with a variety of that weeks 'special' produce, fruits and herbs. It's been fun and very interesting. I get to work with a lot of new-to-me ingredients that you normally wouldn't find at the grocery store either; such as sweet potato greens, hon tsai tai, and cucamelons.

Well, I was supposed to get cucamelons, but unfortunately they were swapped for something else after I had planned on pickling them. Bummer. Oh well! I did still get some fresh organic dill in my delivery so I decided I'd just pickle some cucumbers and carrots instead!...

Sandwich on a Stick

September 1, 2014 Amanda Plott

Sometimes... my little one gets tired of eating a sandwich in it's usual form, and who could blame her? So sometimes I just have to get creative with what I already have on hand and planned out for the week.

One helpful tip I have recently fallen in love with, is to use dry spaghetti noodles in place of skewers for little ones. I know, right...? Super clever and a lot safer! This helps to keep from anyone getting hurt in the midst of lunchtime. Plus, they're edible. Who doesn't take a bite or two of a dry noodle when available?...

Skinny Buffalo Meatballs (Crock Pot)

August 20, 2014 Amanda Plott

Uhm, yum. I don't really need to explain to you just how amazing these buffalo meatballs are. The pictures speak for themselves, yeah? What I will tell you is that these are a healthier, easier, and absolutely amazing way to get your 'buffalo' wing fix without all that guilt.

These would be perfect as an appetizer on game day or just as great served in a meatball sub or as fun little sliders! And no one has to know that they are full of sneaky vegetables and lean turkey meat. Trust me, they won't even realize they're there...