Healthified Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes

September 17, 2018 Amanda Plott

It’s no secret that Halloween my favorite holiday and I always like to do something a little special for it. My little girl is quite a pancake fiend. I would venture guess that she eats pancakes for breakfast just about every other morning. Except for Saturday; that is 'donut' day around here.

At any rate, with all the great pumpkin flavors going around this time of year, I thought it would be a great time to make a healthier pumpkin pancake!

No matter your age or pancake preference, these whole wheat pumpkin pancakes are a great way to start off any Fall morning! They are really easy to mix up and cook. Plus, they taste amazing with just a subtle hint of pumpkin and spice in there…

Dark Chocolate & Pumpkin Swirl Bundt Cake

September 15, 2018 Amanda Plott

We’re finally in the 80’s around here, and I can feel Fall in the air just about. It’s one of my favorite times of year. Halloween is just around the corner and pumpkin spice is featured almost anywhere you look. Bring. It. On. I am so ready to get to use my stove and oven again without having to worry about spending the rest of the day cooling the house back off. The struggle is real, y’all.

Baking is not my favorite thing to do in the kitchen. It scares and intimidates me. And today was one of those reasons why. I turned my back for (what seemed like one second) and I over-beat my batter. Meaning my cake collapsed a bit in the middle. I was frustrated beyond belief with myself, but the family didn’t mind at all. In fact, they all said how good the cake was - even though I was mad at it…

Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal (Instant Pot too!)

September 13, 2018 Amanda Plott

Originally when I made this oatmeal, I had pretty recently posted a Skinny Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, but these two oatmeals are pretty far apart in the realms of texture and preparation. Plus, I’ve added in new instructions so this oatmeal can be made in an instant pot (pressure cooker) in under thirty minutes!

As usual, I've been running around like a crazy woman and I really needed a pick-me-up this morning to help boost me through the day. Back when I first made this recipe in 2013, my dear little girl had been sick for well over a week and only the day before was diagnosed with both a sinus infection and bacterial pneumonia. That was a tough time!…

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Dark Chocolate Truffles

September 11, 2018 Amanda Plott

Pumpkin spice and everything nice, that’s what these truffles are made out of! These little cuties are surprisingly easy to make and are pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. Making candies is sort of one of those kitchen fears of mine that ranks up there even higher than most baking projects! I suppose that’s because candy making and baking are the more scientific limbs of cooking. And I am no scholar.

Even so, I like to push myself to limits and test my skills when I can. Nothing good ever came out of fear of failure! These sweet treats are as simple as candy can be to make, filled with a delicious pumpkin spice cream cheese mixture that everyone can enjoy this fall! (Or any time of year really!)…

Pumpkin Spice Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

September 5, 2018 Amanda Plott

This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. All comments and opinions are my own.

The start of school means the end of summer, right? Right?! I have to say, that I have just about reached my limit on the heat over here in Texas right now. And I am more than ready for the cooler days of fall that are headed our way. Hopefully sooner than later. It's 100 degrees + here right now and I just can't anymore.

I'm hoping I'll be setting the tone for fall with this Pumpkin Spice Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders. What? Pumpkin spice and chicken tenders? Yes! I promise you that it's nothing to be scared of. It's a little outside of the box, but amazingly delicious and is so so SO easy to make with just 5 ingredients. I'm serious, y'all. Just count them!…

Strawberries & Cream Monkey Bread

September 3, 2018 Amanda Plott

What a weekend! It was a mix of fun, excitement, and even some drama - to say the least. While my house was a little more than full, It was FULL of people that I love and adore. And when I love and adore you, I feed you. That's why I decided to press on with making this Strawberries & Cream Monkey Bread for breakfast one morning.

I based this monkey bread off of one that I had made before, with just a few simple adjustments to use up the last bits of fresh strawberries in the season. To say that this sweet treat is delicious, would be a sad understatement! It's loaded with strawberries and sweet ooey-gooey goodness among every nook and cranny…

Recent Forkable Bites

Gochujang Roasted Potatoes

If roasted potatoes and Korean chili paste had a love child, this would be it. These Gochujang Roasted Potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender and pillowy inside, and coated with a sweet-spicy glaze that’s totally addictive — but without the guilt trip. I’ve given the classic roasted spud a health-conscious twist that keeps the flavor big and the oil minimal. Perfect as a side, snack, or the star of a casual weeknight dinner…

Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake "Dutch Baby"

You’ve just found your new kitchen obsession: the Korean Scallion Pop Over Pancake. Think of it as the love child of a light-as-air popover and the garlicky, green-onion-forward goodness of pajeon. It’s quick, a little bit showy, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as an appetizer that will convince friends you are doing something wildly gourmet without breaking a sweat…

Tex-mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake

If breakfast had a fiesta, this Tex-Mex Tortilla Breakfast Bake would be the life of the party. It’s cheesy, bright with salsa, and full of Tex-Mex flavors—yet uses smart swaps so it’s lighter and still utterly satisfying. Think of it as nachos-turned-breakfast-casserole: layers of tortilla base, eggs, veggies, black beans, and just enough melty cheese to keep things comforting without sending your health goals running for cover…

Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake (No Bake)

If your dessert game needs a tropical mic drop, meet the Passion Fruit Filled Upside-Down Cheesecake. It’s the best kind of culinary contradiction: bright, tangy passion fruit tucked into a creamy, lighter-than-it-looks cheesecake sitting below a crumbly cookie base. It’s sweet, tart, slightly exotic, and perfectly guilt-free when you use a few smart swaps. Yes, you can have cheesecake and feel like you did something good for your future self…

German Pancake "Dutch Baby"

If you grew up thinking pancakes were just flat cakey discs drowned in syrup, German pancakes (also called Dutch babies) are here to re-educate your brunch brain. These dramatic oven-baked beauties puff up like savory soufflés, then collapse into golden, creased pools of custardy goodness. They’re loud, theatrical, and oddly wholesome — the perfect plate to start a weekend with a little flair and a lot less guilt…

Black Bean Street Corn Tacos

Street corn and tacos: two food-world celebrities that, when teamed up, create a headline-making flavor duet. Add black beans—protein-packed, wallet-friendly, and endlessly comforting—and you’ve got a weeknight superstar that’s healthy, colorful, and obnoxiously easy to make. These Black Bean Street Corn Tacos bring together charred corn, smoky spices, creamy jalapeño sauce, and hearty black beans for a taco that hits every note: tasty, creamy, bright, and slightly rebellious…

French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake

If you love the idea of classic French vanilla but want something a little unexpected, meet the French Vanilla Upside-Down Cheesecake — a playful flip on an indulgent favorite that keeps the texture silky and the flavor bright without dragging you into full dessert regret. This recipe flips the script with a golden french vanilla filling inside a light, creamy cheesecake so when you flip it, you get a crunchy crown of cookie and a tender, cloud-like cheesecake underneath. It’s fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight celebration.

Why French vanilla? French vanilla is all about the custard-forward flavor. In this cheesecake, that custardy depth and a crispy crunchy cookie crust shell is just perfect. The result is familiar and elegant — like dessert wearing a beret.

Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce

Bright, crunchy, and ridiculously satisfying — this Veggie Wrap with Peanut Sauce is my go-to when I want lunch that feels indulgent but doesn’t leave me sluggish. Think crisp raw veggies, tender marinated mushrooms (or tofu), fresh herbs, and a creamy, tangy peanut sauce wrapped up in a whole-grain tortilla or rice paper. It’s fresh, protein-packed, and perfect for meal prep. Best part: the peanut sauce doubles as a dip for snack carrots, because nobody should deny themselves that level of deliciousness.

Why you’ll love it

Fresh and crunchy textures with a creamy, savory sauce.
Flexible — easily vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb.
Quick to assemble, great for lunches, picnics, or a light dinner.
Balances fiber, healthy fats, and plant protein for a filling meal without heaviness…

Upside Down Blueberry Filled Cheesecake (No Bake)

If cheesecake could wear a pair of comfy sneakers and a party hat, this would be it. Meet the Upside Down No-Bake Blueberry-Filled Cheesecake: a glossy, jewel-toned blueberry layer that INSIDE of a pillowy, tangy no-bake cheesecake, all cradled by a lightly sweet, cookie-forward crust.

It looks fancy. It tastes like summer. It requires zero oven time and minimal effort. Translation: perfect for heat waves, last-minute company, or when you want dessert that’s both impressive and unapologetically easy…

Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No Bake Cheesecake

If banana pudding and cheesecake had a love child it would be this: silky, banana-forward, and just sweet enough to satisfy a dessert craving without sending you spiraling into sugar regret. This Skinny Caramel Banana Pudding No-Bake Cheesecake keeps all the cozy, nostalgic flavors—banana pudding, creamy cheesecake, and a touch of caramel—while trimming calories and ditching heavy baking. It’s perfect for hot days, last-minute gatherings, or whenever you want dessert that feels indulgent but behaves itself…

Chimichurri

Chimichurri: bright, herby, slightly spicy — and a total game-changer for everything from grilled steak to roasted veggies. If you’ve ever had a bite of anything sauced in Argentina or Uruguay, you probably met this vibrant green condiment: an herb-forward sauce that’s equal parts punchy and versatile. Here’s everything you need to know to make a fresh, health-conscious chimichurri that tastes like it belongs at a backyard grill party — without the guilt…

Hawachae

If you're hunting for a drink that’s fruity, fun, and somehow both festive and entirely guilt-free, say hello to hwachae. This Korean fruit punch is like summer in a shallow bowl: colorful, bubbly, and built for sharing. Think of it as a fruit salad you sip—refreshing, lightly sweet, and endlessly adaptable. Perfect for warm afternoons, brunches, or whenever you want something more exciting than plain water but less indulgent than a soda cocktail…

Miso Caesar Dressing

The tangy, umami-packed upgrade that your salad has been waiting for!

If you love the bold, savory comfort of classic Caesar dressing but want something lighter, brighter, and just a smidge more interesting, say hello to miso Caesar dressing. It keeps everything you adore about a Caesar—creamy texture, salty tang, garlicky bite—then swaps in miso for depth, and ties it all together with citrus brightness. It’s umami-forward, slightly funky in the best way, and totally guilt-free. Also: it makes kale feel like a party guest instead of a punishment…

Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats

If you love the nostalgic bliss of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars but want a breakfast that’s fast, healthy, and won’t require a spatula duel at 7 a.m., meet Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats. This guilt-free spin captures the flavors you love — sweet strawberries, fluffy strawberry and vanilla oat vibes, and a few topping options— but in a nutrient-packed, make-ahead jar. It’s breakfast that feels like dessert and behaves like a responsible adult…

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Salads deserve better than boring dressing. Enter strawberry vinaigrette — a sweet-tart, blush-pink dressing that makes greens sing, fruits dance, and even roasted veggies look forward to showtime. It’s the kind of dressing that tricks your brain into thinking you’re indulging, while your body high-fives you for picking something wholesome. I’ve taken the classic fruit vinaigrette, given it a Skinny Fork twist, and kept it guilt-free without sacrificing flavor…

Breakfast Tomato Eggs

Tomato + eggs = morning magic. This humble combo is a breakfast staple around the world — from shakshuka to Chinese tomato-and-egg stir-fry — and for good reason. It’s fast, comforting, and jam-packed with flavor and nutrition. Think vibrant tomatoes, silky eggs, and a few tricks to boost protein and fiber while keeping things bright and fresh…

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