Holly Yzquierdo

February 6, 2017 Plant-Based Meal Plan

February 6, 2017 by Holly Yzquierdo 1 Comment

Do you get overwhelmed trying to figure out what to eat? You’re not alone!

You have to eat, so you might as well spend a little time trying to think about it ahead of time. I post meal plans each week to help give you ideas of what it can look like to eat a plant-based diet.

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Hopefully, when you read through the meal plan you get inspired to make a few recipes or create a meal plan of your own.

Things don’t always go as planned. Often, we will eat leftovers so we can avoid cooking. We like soups in the winter (really most of the year) and they are great for lunch the next day. We will use our Instant Pot as much as possible because it makes cooking and clean-up easier. Most of my Instant Pot recipes have regular, stove top versions too.

If you feel stuck, try something basic like baked potatoes or spaghetti and marinara sauce. Once you have more experience cooking plant-based meals you’ll be able to convert your favorite recipes to healthier versions.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Monday

Breakfast Hash with fruit

Leftover soup

Veggie Pad Thai

Tuesday

Banana Nut Oatmeal in the Instant Pot

Veggie Sandwich

Broccoli Potato Soup

Wednesday

Strawberry Banana Muffins and Smoothies

Leftover Soup

Broccoli Mushroom Stir Fry

Thursday

Instant Pot Oatmeal topped with Apples

Chickpea Noodle Soup

Taco Soup

Friday

Fruit, Yogurt and Granola with Muffins

Leftovers

Pasta in the Instant Pot or Pizza Pasta

What is on your plant-based meal plan this week? Will you be trying any of these recipes? I’ve got some good recipes coming up this month!

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January 30, 2017 Plant-Based Meal Plan

January 30, 2017 by Holly Yzquierdo Leave a Comment

Although it rarely happens, I’m sick. Thankfully, my husband has been cooking delicious, homemade soups that make me feel so much better. This week, I’m only creating a dinner meal plan because I will be doing the bare minimum in the kitchen.

When I’m sick I crave warm, comfort foods. Some of my favorites like Lentil Shepherd’s Pie and Veggie Pot Pie are too much work. Instead, I’ll be planning easy one pot meals and soups.

I have to say, having my dry Veggie Broth Mix on hand will make soups a lot easier. I recently updated that post to clear up some confusion about how much broth mix to use. If you are concerned you might be getting sick, stop what you’re doing and make that broth mix now!

Weekly Plant-Based Dinner Meal Plan

Monday: Minestrone Soup

Tuesday: Busy Night Pasta (Instant Pot version)

Wednesday: Potato Broccoli Soup

Thursday: Chickpea Noodle Soup

Friday: “Beefy” Lentil and Veggie Stew

All of these meals are easy. The Minestrone is the most time consuming to prepare but my husband made it for us on Saturday so we are enjoying the leftovers.

Other Meals

Although the breakfasts and dinners aren’t planned, we will have leftovers from dinner, toast, Banana Nut Oatmeal, and anything else that is easy!

I’m hoping I’m completely recovered by the Super Bowl next weekend! If you need some snack inspiration I have a few ideas. I love snacks and finger food. Here are a list of my favorites.

Along with traditional chips, salsa, guacamole, etc. I might try my hand at some new recipes if I’m feeling better.

What are you cooking this week? Will you be eating plant-based snacks for the Super Bowl?

Banana Nut Oatmeal (Instant Pot and Stove top directions)

January 25, 2017 by Holly Yzquierdo 1 Comment

We made Banana Nut Oatmeal in my Instant Pot and it was good! I wasn’t sure what I would think of warm banana. I regularly use banana in my baked goods so I thought it was worth taking the chance and I’m so glad I did!

Instant Pot Banana Nut Oatmeal takes the flavors of Banana Bread and adds the wholesomeness of oatmeal.

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After all, when I was a kid I loved Banana Pudding. I remember eating it while it was still warm.

I also loved Banana Bread. I thought about the flavors I like in my banana bread and incorporated those into my oatmeal, cinnamon and almonds. If you can’t have tree nuts, try hemp seeds. I love the nutty flavor that hemp seeds infuse in recipes. I’ll probably make it with hemp seeds instead of nuts about half the time.

Since I was cooking with steel cut oats I decided to do a spin off of my Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe. You could make this with rolled oats as well. I’ll include directions for both.

I don’t like to cook steel cut oats on the stove because they take too long. The Instant Pot still takes time to come to pressure, cook and depressurize, but I can walk away and do other things while it cooks.

I always buy gluten-free oats. If you don’t need gluten-free you can buy regular oats. I buy these steel cut oats for pressure cooking. See other varieties of oats here.

If you are in the mood for a warm banana nut treat, try this Banana Nut Oatmeal!

Banana Nut Oatmeal Stove Top directions

If you are making this on the stove top with rolled or instant oats, you’ll want to check the side of the package to see how much oats and water you need for you (or your family). I generally use 2 cups of water for every cup of rolled or instant oats.

Ingredients

gluten-free rolled oats + water
2 Bananas, sliced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons chopped nuts, I used almonds
maple syrup to taste

Instructions

Bring your water to boil. Once boiling, add your oats.
Reduce heat to a simmer.
Chop one banana and add it to the cooking oats. Add the cinnamon.
Stir regularly. Once done, add in the other banana slices, nuts and maple syrup to taste.

Banana Nut Oatmeal in the Instant Pot

If you are making this with steel cut oats I highly recommend using the Instant Pot. I typically cook my oats plain, then add in any toppings but I wanted to have the banana cooked in too.

The oatmeal seemed to be a little more watery than normal when it was done. I just shut the lid for 5 minutes. When I came back it was perfect. I topped it with a the remaining banana slices, extra sliced almonds and a little maple syrup.

Ingredients

1 cup steel cut oats (gluten-free if needed)
3 cups water
2 Bananas, sliced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup almonds, sliced
maple syrup to taste

Instructions

Pour steel cut oats, water, one banana sliced and cinnamon into the Instant Pot and give it a little stir.
Close the lid, seal the vent and press the Manual button. Use the arrows to move down to 3 minutes.
The Instant Pot will come to pressure in about 15 minutes or so. Then it will start counting down as it cooks. When it’s done, it will beep. I usually turn it off and allow the pressure to naturally come down (natural pressure release).
After about 10 minutes, open the lid carefully so the steam doesn’t burn you. Scoop out your oatmeal into a bowl. Add the extra banana slices, almond slices and maple syrup to your bowl.

Yield: 3 Servings

Instant Pot Banana Nut Oatmeal

Instant Pot Banana Nut Oatmeal takes the flavors of Banana Bread and adds the wholesomeness of oatmeal.

Ingredients

1 cup steel cut oats (gluten-free if needed)
3 cups water
2 Bananas, sliced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup almonds, sliced
maple syrup to taste

Instructions

Pour steel cut oats, water, one banana sliced and cinnamon into the Instant Pot and give it a little stir.
Close the lid, seal the vent and press the Manual button. Use the arrows to move down to 3 minutes.
The Instant Pot will come to pressure in about 15 minutes or so. Then it will start counting down as it cooks. When it's done, it will beep. I usually turn it off and allow the pressure to naturally come down (natural pressure release).
After about 10 minutes, open the lid carefully so the steam doesn't burn you. Scoop out your oatmeal into a bowl. Add the extra banana slices, almond slices and maple syrup to your bowl.

Notes

If the oatmeal seems watery, shut the lid for 5 minutes.

January 23, 2017 Plant-Based Meal Plan

January 23, 2017 by Holly Yzquierdo Leave a Comment

It’s cold and all I can think of is soup. Well, maybe soups and casseroles. You could say I’m on a comfort food kick. If you are cold, or just looking for hearty, comforting recipes, this meal plan is for you.

Soups are also a big winner for me because I don’t love raw veggies. I’d much rather have them cooked and all mixed together in a yummy broth. For me, soups are a way to get extra veggies without feeling like I’m eating a lot of veggies.