My Plant-Based Family

Feeding My Family a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, On a Budget

Holly Yzquierdo

Handling Food Allergies at School

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If you have a child with food allergies, the beginning of the school year can be a scary time. If you don’t have a child with food allergies you probably don’t understand what the big deal is. Let me explain and offer some helpful tips for navigating food allergies at school (even when it’s not your problem).

For kids with food allergies, the smallest amount of their allergen can be life and death. Imagine for a moment having to be concerned about staying alive at school. I’m not exaggerating.  Between breakfast, snack and lunch time there are many opportunities for kids to come into contact with foods that could hurt them.

Food Allergies at School

Thankfully, or maybe I should say miraculously, my son outgrew his peanut allergy. I had been dreading the start of kindergarten because I was very concerned about him coming into contact with peanuts. Even if kids washed their hands, food comes in on clothes and faces (my kids can’t be the only ones who leave breakfast on their shirts).

Even though I don’t have to worry about food allergies any more I will always be aware of how food allergies impact families.

What You Need to Know About Food Allergies At School

Food allergies aren’t once size fits all. Some allergies are more common than others but without knowing which food allergies are in your child’s classroom it is hard to keep all the kids safe. Ask teachers if you should avoid certain foods due to food allergies. Some teachers will inform you on their own but some will not. [Read more…] about Handling Food Allergies at School

Free Printable Lunch Box Cards

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This week I’m not even going to attempt a meal plan because it’s a crazy week. I know I should but I don’t know what this week holds. I do have some fun lunch box cards that I’m offering as a consolation.

Two of our kids are visiting from out of town. We have some fun stuff planned like a Diamond Backs game but most of the week is still up in the air. We’ve also eat out almost every meal since they got into town. Yikes!

Instead of a meal plan I’m offering two sets of fun lunch box cards that are perfect for younger kids. I’d say the target age range is probably 1st grade to 4th grade, but that is just a guess. (download info below)

The Fruit and Vegetable Lunch Box Jokes

Fruit and Veggie Lunch Box Jokes

Star Wars Lunch Box Cards

We also have Star Wars themed lunch box cards that are a little more inspirational.

Star Wars Lunch Box Cards

If you have little one’s who take a lunch box to school give these fun lunch box cards are try.

If you are already on my email list you were given a chance to download these a week ago. If you aren’t on my list you are missing out! Every other week I send out plant-based tips that will help you on your healthy eating journey. Some times it’s about meal planning, other times shopping tips, meal ideas and more!

You can get on my list and download these fun lunch box cards by signing up HERE! You’ll be asked to verify your email address then you’ll get a new email with the download link.

Also, don’t forget to enter the Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal Cups giveaway! You don’t want to miss your chance to try those delicious gluten-free oatmeal cups!

 

Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal Cups Giveaway

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This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Once school starts our mornings are packed. We eat breakfast, get ready, make lunches, and are out the door. I’ve found a healthy, hot breakfast that my kids can make themselves, Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal Cups.

Bobs Red Mills Oatmeal Cups

We had gotten into a cereal rut because I needed something easy and fast in the mornings. My kids will often wake up before me; I’m not one of those wake up before your kids kind of moms (I get every minute of sleep I can). That meant the kids would usually have cereal. I preferred for them to have something healthier but our busy mornings didn’t always allow it.

Then I discovered Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal Cups. At first I was skeptical but the ingredients list won me over. The oatmeal cups vary by flavor but use real ingredients that I would typically put in homemade oatmeal like flax and chia seeds. My favorite flavor is Apple Cinnamon!

Bobs Red Mills Oatmeal Cups

My kids are 5 and 7 and they can prepare the Oatmeal Cups all by themselves. If you are a parent of little kids you know this is life changing. They pour the water into the cup, microwave it for one minute, let it set for two minutes, then it’s ready to eat.

There are a lot of things I love about these oatmeal cups:

  • Delicious flavors
  • Healthy Ingredients
  • Easy to prepare (even my kids can do it)
  • Fast
  • Easy clean up
  • Vegan and Gluten-Free

We will still make oatmeal the old fashioned way or in my Instant Pot but these oatmeal cups are a great option, especially during those hectic first days back to school.

Bob’s Red Mill is happy to sponsor a giveaway for an assortment of oatmeal cups! One lucky winner in the continental U.S. will win a selection of oatmeal cups.

Giveaway

Update: Congrats to our winner Donna K!

Bobs Red Mill Oatmeal Cups Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t win the giveaway you can find these oatmeal cups at local retailers (I found them at Target), or order them from Bob’s Red Mill or Amazon.

This post was sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. The opinions and thoughts are my own. This page contains affiliate links. 

August 15, 2016 Weekly Meal Plan

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What’s for dinner? I really get tired of this question but if you have a weekly meal plan it’s a lot easier to answer. Take a look at our weekly meal plan and find out what we are having for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

I’ll do my best to stretch these dinners into multiple meals so I can cook less. My latest recipe, Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice is getting some great reviews. One reader even made it in the Crock Pot for 10 hours with great results! We are having it for dinner on Monday night with plenty of leftovers for lunches!

A gluten-free, plant-based weekly meal plan the whole family will enjoy.

Weekly Meal Plan

I hope our weekly meal plan will give you some inspiration as you plan your own. Don’t forget to take your schedule into consideration. Enjoy leftovers on busy nights or have something simple like potatoes.  [Read more…] about August 15, 2016 Weekly Meal Plan

Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

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If you’ve been here for a while you know I’m all about easy recipes. I think this Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice recipe is my new favorite. Why? Because you can cook black beans and brown rice together in the Instant Pot! No soaking or precooking. It turns out great, like magic. 

Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

I’ve always been a fan of quick and easy meals. Years ago, when I was a stay at home mom I would still stick to simple meals. I had my hands full with kids, the house, and everything that comes with that role.

Now I work full time, still have to handle all the “mom stuff” and cooking can easily take a back seat to getting a little down time.

That is one of the main reasons I love my Instant Pot. It makes life easier for me. You may love your slow cooker, I used to use mine a lot more. Which ever you choose, having tools that make life more efficient and that set you up to be successful in your goals is a good investment.

Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

This recipe is pretty simple. I wanted it to be a blank canvas so I could add difference spices and flavors. Before you skip over this no-fuss meal give it a try.

It took a few tries to get the beans and rice ready at the same time but this totally worked for us. If you want something with a slightly more complex flavor try my Instant Pot Mexican Casserole!

Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

This super easy recipe feeds a crowd. It's mild flavor is perfect for kids who don't like spicy foods. Feel free to spice it up for adults.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 4 cloves of garlic, crushed and minced
  • 2 cups brown rice
  • 2 cups dry black beans
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 limes (optional)
  • Avocado (optional)
  • 4 ounce can of diced green chiles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Dump diced onion and garlic into the Instant Pot liner.
  2. Add the brown rice and black beans.
  3. Pour the water into the pot liner and add the salt. If using, add the diced green chiles.
  4. Secure the lid with the vent sealed.
  5. Select Manual, using the arrows decrease time to 28 minutes.
  6. Once the time is up you can press cancel or unplug the Instant Pot. Allow the pressure to naturally release. (I let it set for 20 minutes before opening the lid.)
  7. Scoop into bowls and squeeze a lime wedge over bowl and stir. Then add a few slices of avocado for garnish.

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© Holly Yzquierdo
Category: Instant Pot

This recipe makes a lot of food! I estimate at least 6 servings depending on how much you eat.

If you want more flavor, try adding your favorite salsa, this homemade Pico de Gallo, homemade guacamole or your other favorite flavors. I almost always make this with a can of green chili now but when I first started making this I left it plain and would spice it up later.

Find more easy and delicious Vegan Instant Pot recipes on my Instant Pot page!

August 8, 2016 Meal Plan

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My kids don’t know it yet but we have company coming this week. Our Meal Plan will be a little loosey-goosey since I don’t know what all we will have planned. The kids are in school and we are working so most of our “together” time will be in the evenings.

If you are new here, you came at a great time!

I tend to jump into back to school mode early for two reasons; first, I’m a planner and second, my kids have already started school. Over the next month (or two) you can expect to see lunch box ideas, easy breakfast ideas, busy morning productivity hacks, recipes and more! Back to school season is kind of like my Christmas. I love Christmas but I get way more into the back to school planning compared to Christmas planning.

This week we don’t have a lot planned. With family visiting I want to keep my options open. I have a few things in mind but I don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.

Meal Plan Monday with a plant-based meal plan! Almost gluten-free too.

Weekly Meal Plan

[Read more…] about August 8, 2016 Meal Plan