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!...

Black Bean & Squash Enchiladas

August 31, 2016 Amanda Plott

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Veetee Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.

've been wanting to make some red sauce enchiladas again for a while now since it's been such a long time since the last ones. Enchiladas have always been one of my favorite Tex-Mex things to eat, though more often than not they are a guilty pleasure from a restaurant. For whatever reason, the last few batches I've made have all been with a verde sauce, so I wanted to get back to the basic today.

While my little brother is staying with me, I've made it my mission to put him to good use with being my guinea pig with a lot of vegetarian dishes. He was a vegetarian a couple years ago, so I figure if anyone has experience with a good vegetarian dish, it's him. I always want meatless dishes to be filling and not feel like their missing something; as some vegetarian dishes tend to...

Healthified Chicken Salad Stuffed Tomato

August 23, 2016 Amanda Plott

Maybe it's the south in me, but I love me some chicken salad. And I don't mean chicken... on a salad. I mean actual chicken salad; shredded chicken combined with all sorts of wonderfulness to make for a perfectly sweet, salty, crunchy, soft, simply-complex bite.

The first time I ever saw chicken salad stuffed into a tomato was at this place I worked in the summer while I was in college, Stone Werks Big Rock Grille in San Antonio Texas. They had this wonderful salad that mainly consisted of a stuffed tomato that you could get loaded with either chicken or tuna salad. It was simple and also ended up being one of my favorite dishes at the place with the more rich chicken salad being brightened up with the citrus of the tomato. Yum!...

Turkey, Apple & Cheese Wrap Lunchbox

August 18, 2016 Amanda Plott

Thank you SkinnyPop Popcorn for sponsoring this post. Feel good about adding SkinnyPop Popcorn to your kids' lunchbox this back-to-school season, a better-for-you snack made with ingredients your kids can spell and pronounce!

Ah! Today is the first day of first grade for my little girl, and there is definitely a big difference between dropping her off today and dropping her off for her first day of kindergarten. I think every mommy in the world knows exactly what I'm talking about too. What can I say? It was an exceptionally long and drawn out summer.

Needless to say, I was super excited about making her lunch and getting her ready last night. Of course, to keep her little mind active, I wanted to be sure that she had the tools that she needed in her lunchbox to keep her going through her day. This better-for-you lunch has everything a growing kiddo needs and wants without having to make any compromises...

Chipotle & Spinach Quinoa Cakes

August 16, 2016 Amanda Plott

I'm not sure really who knows this yet or not, but I sort of have a giant fear of eating fish. I know, I know! It's a problem that I've been dealing with my entire life. I wish that I could bring myself to eat seafood at all. So far though, I haven't found success with it. What I tend to do instead, is make an otherwise fish-related recipe into something vegetarian.

I've always been curious about 'fish cakes', since they look like they could be mighty light and tasty if done right. In the past, I've made Chickpea & Quinoa Cakes, which turned out really good. But, today I wanted to try something a little different; adding in a kick of spice and bright bold Mexican-style flavors...

Protein Pack

August 10, 2016 Amanda Plott

Yes, even though I work from home - I still tend to pack my lunches and snacks! Especially during the school year. Why? Because more often than not, when I don't have lunch ready to go... I've found that it's easy for me to forego lunch all together or settle for something that isn't always a good option. With snacks, it's the same way.

If my lunch is all made up and prepared for me, there isn't much of an excuse not to enjoy it. Once my little one starts school back up this next week, I'll be back in action at the gym... and let me just say that I'm really looking forward to it. I know that protein is something I'm going to need once I fall back into my routine of exercising and this protein pack is loaded with it!...