Pesto Chickpea & Avocado Salad

August 8, 2014 Amanda Plott

I really cannot say enough about this salad. I would have never guessed that these 6-ish ingredients would have come together in such an awesome and delicious way. This mighty green salad was tossed together in less than 5 minutes and was unbelievably satisfying. Seriously. I've eaten it about four times already this week.

The lemon juice works to brighten up the pesto and together they actually end up as a rather substantial amount of flavorful 'dressing'. Yes, that's right - you don't need to add any dressing to this salad. The ingredients work together to make their own lemony pesto dressing that is de{light}ful and actually one of my newest favorite things...

Skinny Southwest Chicken Dip (Crock Pot)

August 6, 2014 Amanda Plott

I was craving something that was a little 'snacky' for a dinner this week. Sometimes, you just don't feel like having a meal for a meal. If that makes any sense at all to anyone else. So I settled on a chicken dip.

A while back I made a really tasty Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip before, but since this was going to be partially for dinner, I wanted something that was a little different and maybe had some more substance to it. I did, however, use the same basic idea from the buffalo dip to create this southwest version of it.

This southwest chicken dip was nothing short of amazing, and it totally didn't feel or taste as if there was anything skinny or light about it. It's always nice to feel as if you're indulging, even if you aren't!...

Lily's Lunch Box (Week 2) - Rainbow Shells

August 4, 2014 Amanda Plott

We spent the weekend being mermaids floating down the Comal River this weekend. So, when I was getting my little love's lunch together for Monday morning I asked her if she preferred 'macaroni' noodles or 'shells' - to which she responded, "Rainbow shells! ... With sprinkles!"

Well, of course sprinkles don't go too well with pasta, but... rainbow shells it is! And to make it even more fitting, let's make them in some fun 'under the sea' colors...

Greek Pita 'Pizza'

August 1, 2014 Amanda Plott

This is one of those stupid-easy and crazy-good sort of recipes. The kind of thing that you throw together on some lazy end-of-the-week night and then think... "Oh, man! I'm brilliant! This is amazing!"

I was seriously not looking forward to cooking today. I've been in a tremendous amount of pain with my neck and shoulders since I cracked my eyes open this morning. ...It's the type of pain that is nearly blinding. It creeps up into my eye sockets and even makes my ears hurt! I've been in so much pain, that it's been a challenge to even consider food without getting blatantly nauseous.

So, needless to say... once I got some of the pain (and nausea) behind me, this was the perfect dinner for me tonight...

Avocado & Egg Spaghetti Squash Boats

July 30, 2014 Amanda Plott

I want to start off by saying, my grandmother was very upset at me for making a spaghetti squash dish just days after she left. I was hissed at more than once for it. Sorry Neenaw, but the show must go on! The good thing is, this dish is so super easy that she can make it at home for herself and her husband to enjoy.

It's not winter, I know... but it seems like I always have to make at least one spaghetti squash meal during the summer. Even though its a winter squash, it seems like I crave it a lot more on hot days rather than cold ones. Perhaps it has something to do with the cooler toppings and bright sauces that I use on it...

Lily's Lunch Box (Week 1) - Homemade 'Lunchable'

July 28, 2014 Amanda Plott

With the new school year fast approaching, I've decided to do a whole 6 weeks worth of healthy lunch box ideas for the kiddos... and the parents! My little girl is in pre-k this year, and just like all parents out there, I too have struggled with brown-bag lunches.

It doesn't help that my little mini-me is still in the midst of a rather finicky food phase. She is as close to being a vegetarian as she can get without actually being a vegetarian. I can't blame her at all either. I was the same exact way when I was her age.

You reap what you sew, yeah?...