Interview with Fabulous Healthy food blogger Amanda Plott of the Skinny Fork- It isn’t easy making healthy decisions in the kitchen, luckily, Amanda the brains behind the Skinny Fork is teaching one follower at a time how to put a healthy spin on their unhealthy favorites.
If you’re trying hard to shed some extra pounds, find yourself short on spare time, or may not be such a skilled cook, then Amanda’s recipes complete with nutritional values, calorie counts, and serving suggestions are a perfect place to begin.
At what point did you begin to think about what sort of foods you put into your body and decide to make more conscious meal choices? Or have you always leaned towards the healthier side of life?
I actually began eating a lot more carefully when I became pregnant with my little girl. I wanted to be sure that everything I put in my body was something that not only my body could use, but hers could use as well. After I had her, I had my share of baby-weight to lose and I was breastfeeding, so still I was ever more conscious about what I was eating. I came up with my little meal plan that was right for me at the time. I cooked almost all of my meals. Nothing from a box or prepackaged – or if it was, I had to be able to read and understand what was on the ingredient list. About six months in I had lost all of my baby-weight and even some extra. I knew that I was onto something! I was hooked from then on.
What is one dish you enjoyed growing up that showed you eating healthy could be really delicious?
Honestly healthy eating wasn’t a priority in my house when I was growing up. I think that’s where my love for putting my “healthy” twist on otherwise “unhealthy” dishes comes from – almost like it’s become my lot in life to prove that you can eat healthy and deliciously! My Dad was more of the cook and grill expert in our house once I hit high school. One thing he did a lot was grill up a nice steak, little red potatoes, and bell peppers – that’s about as healthy as it got when I was younger though. I will say that my Mom makes a mean Hamburger Helper and my little Brother has a flawless execution of Ramen noodles.
If a loved one asked you to recommend just one small change they could make in their diet (with the biggest rewards) – what would it be?
There’s actually two things that I am rather avid about: (1) Read the labels on everything you buy to eat! If you can’t read or understand something on the ingredient list, put it back. Don’t put something in your body unless you know what it is. Odds are, if you can’t recognize it – don’t expect your body to. (2) Cook more at home.
Besides preparing healthy food, what are some other things that you do regularly to take care of yourself?
I have a rowdy and rambunctious five year old that keeps me on my toes and an even more rowdy and rambunctious Mother that also does her part to keep me active as well. Outside of my active family, I am always sure to get lots of good solid rest – 8 to 9 hours a night if I can! I also drink a good eight cups of water a day to stay hydrated and, of course, take my vitamins. The past year or two I’ve been working with trying out essential oils to help keep myself happy and healthy.
Food holds many special memories and traditions; what treat comforts you most and why – whether it is a healthy one or not?
The most comforting treat to me would be anything involving bacon. Ha! I always buy reduced sodium center cut bacon or smoked bacon from a local source here in Austin. I’m also a sucker for cheese of any kind, though! Seriously, queso is my Achilles’ heel.
Try Amanda’s Skinny Chicken Caesar Wrap or her Skinny Thai Chicken Zucchini Boats for a satisfying lunch or dinner – and be sure to whip up some Skinny Pink Champagne Cupcakes. Finding a good Champagne Cupcake recipe is no easy task – especially one that is easy to bake and not at all guilt-worthy!
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