Healthified Chili Con Carne

January 17, 2018 Amanda Plott

Even though I originally made this recipe back in 2014 - I thought after we made it this past weekend that it needed an update! The recipe is the same-same, only updated instructions, and images.

So, here's the original post as it was:

My mom has this infamous chili recipe that she's made for many years now. It's something that the whole family can agree on. We all love it. It always became a staple in the family's weekly meal plan during the cooler winter months.

I've wanted to post the recipe for a long while now, well pretty much ever since I started all this... but, it just never came to be for one reason or another. In fact, I never even had the recipe in my hot little hand until about a week ago...

Asiago Roasted Garlic & Purple Cauliflower Soup

January 8, 2018 Amanda Plott

Colorful foods are where it's at and I've had my eye on colored cauliflower for a couple of years now. A lot of people think that colored cauliflower is made using food coloring, but they couldn't be more wrong! These rainbow cauliflowers are natural to nature and have been hanging around farmer's markets for a long time now.

And well... it finally happened. I got my hands on not only 1 color of cauliflower, but on 3 different colors; lime/green, orange/cheddar, and you guessed it - purple! The colored cauliflower doesn't really taste any different than a traditional head. The only real difference that I could find is that they're so freakin' gorgeous!...

Crock Pot Beef Stew

December 31, 2017 Amanda Plott

The New Year is on the horizon and I couldn't be more excited! I've got my brother and my nephew in town visiting and one thing that my brother requested I make for dinner one night while he's here is Beef Stew! Now, I've made my fair share of beef stews in the past but since we're out and about this weekend I figured I would make a simple crock pot version.

Beef stew is pretty traditional. Beef. Veggies. Broth. And an extended cook time. Using the crock pot or instant pot is a great alternative to standing over the stove and having to worry over the stew all day. Instead, let the crock pot do all the work for you!...

Grandma's Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

December 28, 2017 Amanda Plott

This year my family and I decided to do something a little outside of our usual for Christmas and for the first time in as long as I can remember, we went out of town for the holiday. While it was a bit of an undertaking to pack up everything involved and schlep it all the way from Texas to Oklahoma, I would have to say that the venture was well worth it. Even with the 5-hour trip home taking nearly 8 hours.

We were visiting my Uncle Johnnie and my Aunt Mildred who lives there. This is where I should probably explain that he is really my mother's uncle and more of a grand or great uncle to me - however that title would actually work is beyond me! He and I always seem to reminisce about one particular thing, my Great Grandma, and her amazing simple old-fashioned southern cooking. The sort you really don't come across anymore...

Low-Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup (Keto Friendly)

December 18, 2017 Amanda Plott

It finally seems like the cool weather has settled here in Austin Texas. Cool weather. Not cold weather. I'll take anything below the 80's we had around Thanksgiving though, especially as we get closer and closer to Christmas. So, between the cool weather and a second round of what I've deemed 'the plague' descending on the house, I thought that a nice hearty warm soup would be just what the doctor ordered!

This has quickly turned into one of my new favorite soups, and let me just tell you that I'm pretty fond of soups. So, for me to say it's made the list of favorites... is a pretty big deal. It wasn't just me either. My mom (the sickest of us right now) got seconds, and my little brother who happened to be visiting me as well was mighty impressed...

Creamy Dreamy Sleepy Time Drink (Sponsored)

December 4, 2017 Amanda Plott

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

The Holidays are upon us in a huge way and we all know that the countdown is on until the big man makes his appearance. In my house, it's always rather chaotic the night before Christmas, and everyone tends to have a tough time falling asleep. I know that my family isn't alone in this so... now I've got a solution; this Creamy Dreamy Sleepy Time Drink!

We've all heard the old adage to drink a cup of warm milk to settle the mind and the stomach before bed. Even Santa himself enjoys milk and cookies during his one night trip around the world. This Creamy Dreamy Sleepy Time Drink is a more wholesome version of the classic warm milk that's sure to help soothe and send you off to dream land...