Skinny Italian Salad Dressing (Sponsored)

December 16, 2015 Amanda Plott

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

Things always get so hectic around the holidays, and for me this year is no exception. In fact, that is even more so the case. Chaos is my life right now. I got one of the best presents ever a little early. It was a complete surprise and delight that came out of no where, quick, fast, and in a hurry. It's left my mind in another place, and rightfully so.

A 'long lost' family member just came into my life; one that I wasn't sure would ever be a part of my world outside of merely knowing of their existence. It's been an amazing experience, although I have been entirely distracted between that and the holidays. I can't seem to focus on anything. I've left groceries in the car, misplaced numerous things, and at points can barely remember what it is I was talking about five seconds ago.

On top of that my little one managed to, at very least, sprain her ankle this past weekend. She's been kept home from school for two days now, which always puts me behind with tending to her. Here's to hoping we don't need to go get x-rays!...

Eggplant 'Meatballs'

August 28, 2015 Amanda Plott

I've been eating less and less meat around here, not for any particular reason other than that's really just how it's worked out, oddly enough. I've been telling my family for years now that I could be a vegetarian at the drop of a hat and with little to no cravings creeping up.

Vegetables are my best friends, however, I have a well known love-hate relationship with one of my friends; eggplant. I happened to get an eggplant in my local produce box this last week, and I didn't want to do the same things that I've done with it before.

I find that I sort of have to disguise and hide eggplant from myself otherwise I tend to have a hard time with eating it and I'm not entirely sure why...

Skinny Baked Eggplant Parmesan

June 10, 2015 Amanda Plott

I feel that I should explain right off the bat here that I am in no way a fan of eggplant. I don't particularly dislike it, but it just isn't something that I would order of a menu or pick up from the grocery store for my own indulgence. However, if it were offered to me in the form of baba ganoush or... eggplant parmesan, I would most likely eat it and enjoy it as well.

The only reason that I had eggplant on hand today was because I was given some in my recent 'local box' that came to me from organic local farmers. And let's face it, I'm not about to toss out any vegetable or fruit that is local and/or organic.

Since I had the eggplant already, I thought it would be a great opportunity to turn it into eggplant parmesan. I love anything that's doused in tomato sauce and cheese. I mean... who doesn't?...

Whole Wheat Lasagna Roll-Ups

December 11, 2014 Amanda Plott

Yes, that's right... you can have your lasagna and eat it too!

What's better is now you don't have to feel guilty about indulging in it anymore. Most places I looked, a typical serving of one lasagna roll-up was anywhere between 350-550 calories. What?! That's madness!

If you're going to have pasta, you better at least do it right and make those carbs and calories well worth it. With this lightened up version of lasagna roll-ups, you won't feel like you're missing out on anything and that's because you're not!

These noodles are loaded with cheesy spinach goodness. They're rich, decadent, full of flavor, and even more full of vegetables...

Skinny Italian Stuffed Peppers (Crock Pot)

June 18, 2014 Amanda Plott

I've had a few stuffed peppers in the past. When I was younger, I remember my mom making some spanish style stuffed peppers that I thought were pretty good even though at the time I wasn't a huge pepper fan.

Oh, how times have changed.

These stuffed peppers are pretty amazing and ridiculously easy to do. With around 10-15 minutes of preparation, you can have these babies set to cook through the day in your crock pot with hardly any fuss at all!...

Italian Grinder (On a Stick)

January 21, 2014 Amanda Plott

Nearly at every party thrown, there is almost always a plate of prepared sandwiches. Mini subs, silver dollar, tea sandwiches... It doesn't matter which you pick, they are always a hit!

One of my favorite sandwiches is the Italian Grinder. It contains so many of my favorite things. Salami, cheese, peppers... pepperoni, more cheese... Mmm...

But, how can you make something like that light?...