My Plant-Based Family

Eating Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet recipes, On a Budget.

Archives for December 2012

I’m Looking for YOU!

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Like most of you I’m also looking ahead to 2013. I’m hoping to get healthier, be a better wife and mom, and make a difference in the world around me.

Do you want to help?

I’m looking for a few people who want to come along side me.

Who Am I Looking For?

Individuals or families who are either currently eating a Plant-Based Diet or will be transitioning to one in January 2013.

What Do You Have to Do?

Be interviewed once a month and allow me to post your response and pictures.

What Do You Get Out of It?

The chance to encourage others, individual coaching, and accountability.

If you are interested send me an email at myplantbasedfamily@gmail.com. I’m happy to answer any questions.

I think 2013 is going to be a great year!

UPDATE: I’m overwhelmed with responses! Thank you! I can’t accept any more at this time. If you have emailed me and I haven’t contacted you please let me know.

FAQ’s: Giving Toddlers Milk

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I get a lot of questions through email but one of the most common is about milk. I think most of us have been misled to believe cow’s milk is a nutritionally superior food and we must give it to our kids for them to be healthy. There are many respected doctor’s out there who can properly dispel that lie. Additionally the PCRM (Physicans Committee for Responsible Medicine) has some great literature that can answer a lot of your questions, there is even a section on Nutrition for Kids. Check out Parents’ Guide for Building Better Bones or Health Concerns About Dairy Products. I’ll focus on what works for us. And if it’s ok with you I’ll be completely real.

In Our Cups

We don’t drink dairy. I buy almond milk, rice milk, and occasionally coconut milk. We prefer almond milk to the others. When we first switched to eating plant-based I gave my son (who was 2 years old) a variety of the three. I was afraid of him becoming dependant on one type (or worse one brand) and not being able to find it. In the beginning he drank a lot of plant milk and it was getting expensive. Then our youngest got a little older and we started giving him plant milk too, it became even more expensive.

My boys got to the point that they always wanted milk. I didn’t like that. I decided to start cutting back on the plant milk and offering it less. I didn’t rush this. They always have water available now and love it. Anytime we leave the house we all have our water bottles. I don’t want them to feel like they need a “special” drink, most people drink way too many calories anyway. Now we are down to offering them milk a few time as week. I think this is a success, we were going through 1/2 a gallon a day in the beginning.

In Our Bowls

We eat cereal. I know it’s mostly processed junk but I like to have quick, gluten-free options available. I buy cereal that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to have seen in my pantry but will admit I let my kids eat it too often. We prefer almond milk in our cereal and buy both sweetened and unsweetened. Rice milk is too thin for our liking, although our 16 year old daughter prefers it.

In Our Mixing Bowls

When I bake it is usually for an event so I usually use rice milk. So many people have nut allergies so I try to limit the top allergens if I have other options available. Rice milk has a very neutral flavor and seems to work well for baking.

In the Real World

This has been a journey for us. We started eating Plant-based over a year ago. We don’t do it perfectly. Dairy is one of the areas that I am more strict. Last January I was still allowing my son (who was about to turn 3 year old) to have occasional cow’s milk or cheese. I even wrote a post about it called Evil Chocolate Milk Vomit that you may or may not want to read. If we go to a party and my 3 year old wants a piece of cheese I may let him have one but we will talk about how it will make his tummy hurt and he might decide against it. If there is birthday cake I’ll let him have some and not obsess about what is in it. Last week he ate pizza that had cheese on it. Now my youngest son who has a wheat, peanut, and likely dairy allergy is NOT allowed to have any of that. And don’t you even try to sneak him ice cream because I will hurt you!

A little tummy ache is one thing, a full on allergic reaction or flare up that will last days is another. Exposing him to something that will really hurt him is like letting him play with a knife and I won’t knowingly let that happen.

I’ve done my best to keep this mostly focused on giving toddlers milk but focus isn’t really my strong suit. Do you give your kids cow’s milk or plant milk?

New Babies

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We do not have a new baby and we are not expecting! I do have a lot of friends with new babies though. I can easily be transplanted back to those days.

Exhausted, helpless, hungry, cranky, and that was just me. 🙂

I still remember the first time my son really spit up. I thought something was wrong and we needed to take him to the Emergency Room. It was all over me,the baby, the couch, and the floor. My husband, who already had 3 kids, assured me our son was fine and that much spit up/vomit was normal. Poor little guy also had horrible gas pains, the word colic was thrown around a bit too. He also had very sensitive skin and the worse cradle cap I’ve ever seen. Our pediatrician advised me to eliminate dairy from my diet to help with the gas and the skin issues. I hate to say it but I didn’t completely eliminate dairy although I did cut back.

I had several friends who took their newborn’s to a chiropractor. I thought it sounded ridiculous but when my son was about 1 month old I decided to try it. We went to Hill Chiropractic and immediately felt like we made the right decision. Dr. Hill explained to me how traumatic birth is for some babies, for many it’s their first neck injury. If you are in a car accident and injure your neck you may experience pain in more places than one. That could be similar to what a baby experiences. My son received an exam and an adjustment. I was taught a few massage techniques I could do on my son’s tummy to help with his gassiness. If I remember right we went back 1 week later. Our son’s tummy troubles and sleeping dramatically improved.

We had learned our lesson. When our next son was born I called to set up an appointment from the hospital. He was adjusted a few days after he was born and we never had the same digestive issues. My friend Heather at Cultivated Lives recently shared about her daughter’s experience with allergies and colic. Part of her story mentions chiropractic care.

I’ve also taken my son’s to the chiropractor when they had colds or diarrhea that wouldn’t clear up. Many times we choose chiropractic treatments instead of antibiotics for ear infections. All of this took place before we switched to a plant-based diet. I can only imagine how much healthier my kids would have been if they had been eating healthy instead of the Standard American Diet.

I’m thankful that our chiropractor now has a free kid’s day once a month. My boys love going. They went last week and have been asking to go back everyday.

Do you or your kids visit the chiropractor? We have had good and not so good experiences with them but love the office we use now.

Meal Plan Monday: It’s Almost Christmas

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Salad and GF Pasta

Right now I’m sitting on my couch eating chocolate chip cookies. Shh! Don’t tell anyone.

We’ve had more than our fair share of Christmas parties over the last few weeks. Our overly busy schedule has resulted in quite a bit of takeout too. Last week I failed to make a Meal Plan and we definitely paid for it.

nachos (1)

Meal Plan

Breakfast is usually oatmeal with ground flax, chia seeds, walnuts, and maple syrup. I love it! It’s my favorite breakfast right now and my boys love it too. Some mornings we have a quick bowl of cereal or toast with almond butter instead.

Lunch is usually leftovers. I typically have beans and grains already cooked and waiting in the fridge. I pair them with some veggies for an easy lunch. My husband usually has a huge salad for lunch or leftovers with a generous helping of steamed broccoli.

Snacks are usually fruit, green smoothies, and lately chips and salsa. Some friends made us a big batch of delicious homemade salsa. 🙂

Dinner will be eaten out a couple of times this week. I also plan to make Nachos one night, put that salsa to good use! I still have some leftover Chili and baked potatoes from the weekend. I’ve been craving marinara sauce so we may have gluten-free pasta, we don’t eat pasta very often so it will be a treat for the kids. I usually serve it with a giant salad. I’m considering making Brown Rice and Broccoli Casserole if we start to run low on leftovers; I doubt that will happen because it’s pretty full of Mexican food leftovers from a party I co-hosted on Sunday evening. 🙂

I also hope to do a little baking this week. I bought some fresh cranberries for a loaf of cranberry bread. I may even attempt a gluten-free version. I’ve also been playing around with a new chocolate mousse recipe that I’m very excited about.

What are you eating this week? Do you find it’s more difficult to stay on track during the holidays and how so you combat the craziness?

 

 

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

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Ok, it isn’t exactly frightful here in Arizona but I am cold. Give me 100° F and I am alright, 60° F and we might have a problem. Truthfully, I am thankful to live in such a warm climate; since I am acclimated I spend the “winter” bundled up in sweatshirts (I don’t have a warm coat, it’s Arizona after all).

Chances are you live somewhere much colder; this week’s high is 72° F and the low is 36° F. So if you really need to warm up may I offer you a few suggestions?

The Best Chili Ever

This Very Vegan Chili is Texas style and very satisfying. I eat it plain or as a Baked Potato topping.

taco soupMake a double batch of this Taco Soup because you will not be able to stop eating it. It’s easily customizable and perfect to serve guests. If the Taco Soup had a cousin it would be this Enchilada Soup.

Minestrone SoupIf you are craving a bowl full of veggie goodness then look no further. This Minestrone Soup is truly amazing. You will love it and love me. 🙂 It is easily made gluten-free by using rice pasta.

Potato Soup

If you’d like to pull out a slow cooker and let dinner make itself you must try this Potato Soup. Feel free to add other veggies as well.

Do you have a favorite soup to keep you warm in the winter? If not try any one of these easy, frugal, gluten-free soups. They are all full of fiber that will keep you full and fueled. You wont be sorry. If you decided to name you next child after me I’ll understand. 🙂

200th Post

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Today marks my 200th post! I have to say I feel a bit like celebrating. I also thought it be fun to share some random tidbits about me and my family.

I hope I don’t convey any unintended ideas of grandeur, I don’t think I do. I’m just a regular wife and mom. I make a lot of mistakes and let me kids watch way too much age-appropriate Netflix. I’m not looking for praise with this post but I do want to share about me so that you can see I’m probably a lot like you.

Husband and son sharing salad

Family

I love my husband! He is incredible and loves me more than I thought possible. I’m so proud of him and appreciate all he does for our family. He does his best to live out his faith. I love my kids! I’m still trying to figure out how to “parent” teenagers, especially when they don’t live with us. It’s a tough road sometimes. My little boys are crazy, fun, super cute. They are a bit like wild animals sometimes. I’m constantly impressed by how smart they are.

Friends

I love my friends. I have a small group of very close friends that I would do almost anything for; I love them and their kids. I can’t tell you have blessed I feel to have them in my life. When I’m struggling I know I can call on them for help and prayer. I have other friends that are not as close that I also appreciate. I am not good at starting new friendships because new friendships take time to really be invested and I don’t have a lot of extra time at this stage in my life. I also have some virtual friends that I’ve “met” through blogging. I just know we’d hit it off if we met in real life.

sharing

Eating

I am not always a healthy eater. That may come as a shock to you. I sometimes choose to have “bad” food I know I’ll regret. I don’t love all things fruit and veggie related but I try to make good choices most of the time. When people tell me, “I don’t like ____” or that their husband/wife/kids won’t eat _______ I’m sympathetic but don’t completely believe it. My tastes changed and I eat a lot of things now I wouldn’t eat before going plant-based. Another confession is I sometimes drink soda. It’s not an all the time indulgence but I especially like it with junk food. 🙂

Blogging

I’m not a great writer and often find mistakes when I go back and read old posts. I’m a worse photographer but do my best. I’m very envious of great bloggers/photographers. I have an old camera that needs to be replaced but I’m too cheap to splurge for a “good” camera, especially one that I’d have no idea how to use. I do love blogging and sharing ideas and recipes. I love getting email from readers sharing their stories and asking questions. I’m not quick to reply because I spend hours on each one, researching, thinking, bouncing ideas off my husband, and of course writing. I also love connecting with readers on Facebook.

A little soaked

Health

I do not take my kids to the doctor for Well Child visits. I sort of lost confidence in their pediatrician and now only take them to a doctor when they are really sick and actually need to go. I found a great family practice that specializes in natural medicine near our home. I also don’t vaccinate my kids. We see our chiropractor for most medical issues. If you live in the Phoenix area check out Hill Chiropractic; they have helped us over the years deal with colic and ear infections  when our 3 year old was younger, digestive issue with my husband, TMJ with me, and traditional back and alignment issue’s for me, my husband, and our oldest (teenage) son. My husband and I have also had Science Based Nutrition testing done through the office.

Faith

My faith is extremely important to me. I belive Jesus is the son of God, and that His sinless life and death on the cross paid the price for my sin. I don’t live it out well all the time. I try to be a good representative of my Savior but I fail daily. I believe the Bible and that it commands us to LOVE one another. That commandment says nothing about loving those who belive the same as you or who have it all together. If you’ve had a bad experience with Christians I can relate because I have too. Can I apologize for them? I’m sorry if they hurt you. My faith doesn’t require me to hate anyone, it commands me to love! In case you are wondering your choices, lifestyle, orientation, religion, or even your look don’t exclude you from God’s love or mine.

Licking the spoon

A Few Random Things

I am a horrible housekeeper and sometimes wonder if people who come to the group I host are bothered by it. I am very careful about cleanliness when cooking. I’m constantly washing my hands and any tools/dishes I’m using. I do all I can to avoid an allergen cross-contamination. I do clean up before company comes over but I live with two little animals boys so my house doesn’t look like a catalogue. Also, I hate doing dishes!

I am fashion-challenged and always ask my husband and teenage daughter if what I’m wearing is ok. I do get compliments from others so I guess it works. I’ll often stay in my pajama’s or workout pants most of the day, sometimes waking up, showering and getting in a clean pair.

I have naturally curly hair, sometimes I’ll straighten it and some people don’t recognize me right away.

We do not have and do not want pets; we have two animal boys remember. 🙂

Thank you for reading, not just this post but any other you may have read.  I wouldn’t have made it to 200 without you! THANK YOU!

Did I forget something? What do you want to know?