Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip

September 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

Not only can plant-based diets be good for people and better for the planet, but they taste amazing too! I've been working with my own family and our diets, eating less and less meat each week it seems. So, I'm taking the #MeatlessMondayNight challenge to spark real change.

Adopting a more plant-based diet can start with making a change just one day a week – so why not start by sidelining meat during Monday Night Football games this season?

One of my favorite dips in the world is spinach and artichoke dip. I had a great recipe for it years ago that I kept tucked away even though I haven't made it in a while. Today I decided to take that recipe out, dust it off, and give a good dairy-free once over...

Skinny Cherry Cheesecake Dip

June 8, 2015 Amanda Plott

So this weekend a pretty amazing thing happened, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. He was the first horse to do so in 37 years and also the first to do so the entire time I've been alive! (And I'm turning 30 this year!) My family has been watching the derbies together for the past several years now, a tradition that I believe started sometime when I was fresh out of college. I've been dreaming of the day since then that I would get to see a horse take the triple crown. And man... was it worth it.

A few horses have come close, winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness... but, falling short of winning the final of the three at the long track of Belmont. For whatever reason, this year was different. There wasn't nervous tension in the air, but more of an excitement. Everyone just wanted American Pharoah to get it done. Let's see it already. Let's do it!...

Skinny Jalapeno Popper Dip (Sponsored)

March 23, 2015 Amanda Plott

This post was brought to you by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. I received compensation to write this post … but, all opinions expressed are my own. #BigGameSnacks #CollectiveBias

Game day food is so important in my family, it's always been a big part of our traditions. In fact, cooking on game day was so important that when I was younger we even had a television set up on top of the fridge so that those preparing food could multi-task and watch the game at the same time!

One of the most famous game day eats in our house has always been jalapeño poppers. My dad makes some of the best, next to my own of course. Hah! But, I'm also a big BIG fan of dips and spreads! So, today I've decided to combine the two into one amazing lighter version of a jalapeño popper dip...

Skinny Spinach & Basil Pesto

September 8, 2014 Amanda Plott

My basil plant is suddenly going a little crazy. Of course it is at the very end of summer. One of my favorite things to do with my fresh basil is to make pesto! I think that I've loved pesto most of my life. The first time I ever had it was atop a pizza, and I was hooked from then on.

Pesto is an amazing blend of fresh greens, cheese, pine nuts and olive oil. It's usually a pretty fattening thing! I like to cut mine down by using a lot less oil and pine nuts. Plus, adding spinach gives an extra little boots to protein and vitamins. At least I don't feel as guilty with eating it with all of my justifications, right?

Right!...

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'...

Skinny Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Whole Wheat)

August 15, 2014 Amanda Plott

You know when you're making some cookies and you just can't help but eat a spoonful or two of the dough? ... Even though you're not supposed to because of the raw egg or other 'icky' stuff that could be in there? It's one of those shameful moments that we all take part in at one time or another.

Yeah, well. Problem solved!

That's right. This cookie dough is meant for eating. Not for baking.

Please, do not attempt to bake this cookie dough...