My Plant-Based Family

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

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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?

Is Food the Answer?

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I think it really depends on the question. A lot of people turn to food to meet their emotional needs but does it really help? When I’m having a challenging day I often think a quick trip to Starbucks or a chocolate treat will make everything better but it won’t. I look to coffee, chocolate, soda or fast food to feel better. Doesn’t that sound ridiculous?

I’m not saying I’ll never eat those things but I should think about my motivation. I’ve said to myself, “I know this ________ will not change my situation but I’m choosing to eat it anyway.” I’m not sure if that is any better, I hope the fact that I’m not completely deluding myself makes it at least slightly more favorable.

If the question is “how can I get healthy/lose weight/reverse a medical condition?” then I believe food is the answer. We have been poisoning ourselves for generations and seeing disease overcome us. Many individuals think changing their diet is far too drastic but view heart bypass surgery as a regular or unavoidable part of life. There is a problem here. Surgeries like getting tubes in children’s ears could be completely unneccessary with a simple diet change. Asthma suffers find relief and give up their inhalers; diabetics are able to eliminate the need for medication.

I think back to 1 year ago when I was still transitioning to a plant-based diet. I was still having some bladder problems and getting frustrated that I wasn’t symptom free. It’s been one year since I last had a urinary tract infection; in 2011 I had 7 UTI’s. You can read more about my story here. My husband will be sharing more of his story soon as well.

I think most of us have a really messed up view of food. We don’t look at it as a way to nourish and fuel our bodies but as entertainment. I’m guilty of this as well. I’m much more objective when it comes to my kids. My 3 year old will say he is hungry, I’ll offer him an apple but he isn’t hungry for an apple, he “want’s something kind of new and different.” I am rarely “hungry” for a salad but if I was truly hungry I’d eat one. Instead I’ll grab something else, usually something less healthy.

So back to the question, “is food the answer?” No, food will not meet an emotional need in a healthy way. Yes, the food you eat may be killing you. Yes, eating a whole food, plant-based diet can help you overcome your health issues and live a fulfilling (and delicious) life.

Just so we are clear, I do love Starbucks, chocolate, and other goodies. I enjoy them occasionally and I don’t feel guilty. Yes, sometimes I want to turn to them to make me feel better but I know those things won’t bring me life or health. When I have a desperate longing and start looking for a fix I’m better off praying and asking God to meet that need than drowning it in sugar.

Meal Plan Monday: Eating Well When Short on Time

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Yesterday was such a busy day I didn’t get to post my meal plan. I attended a Christmas Party with my husband at a nice Italian restaurant. They brought special food for my husband and I so we were able to enjoy salad, dinner and dessert without animal products. 🙂

We have been so busy lately that I don’t have a lot of time to cook. Honestly, I do have time (usually). I just prioritize poorly. I know you know what I’m talking about because YOU do the same thing. Go ahead and admit it.

This week I’m going to (attempt) to pay closer attention to how long it actually takes to prepare meals. I’ll report back on My Plant-Based Family’s Facebook page. A little note, if you already like my page but don’t see regular posts you may need to add it to your interest list. 🙂

Meal Plan

Breakfast is always easy; oatmeal, granola, cereal, toast with nut butter (or seed butter), and fruit. My husband usually eats fruit but he eat several pieces, he loves smoothies too. Oatmeal is my favorite right now, packed with flax and chia seeds, dried fruit and cinnamon.

Lunch is often leftovers that can be quickly assembled. This Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole is great reheated. Veggie Stuffed Pita with hummus is my favorite lunch. Sometimes my boys get a parfait for lunch. I start with 3/4 cup of non-dairy yogurt, about 1 Tbsp of chia seeds, 2ish Tbsp ground flax seeds, 1/4 cup walnuts, some granola if we have it and dried or diced fruit. Almond butter sandwiches on gluten-free bread make a regular appearance too.

Snacks are often fruit sometimes with almond butter, smoothies, or veggies with hummus. Sometimes something like chips and salsa (and guacamole) are just what I need.

Dinner Time! We eat dinner together as a family, have I mentioned that before? It’s important to us to have that time together. It doesn’t always work but it is the norm. Last night we had salad and pasta at a Christmas party. Later in the week I’ll be making dinner for another family so I plan to make the Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole and take some tortillas and guacamole. Today or tomorrow I plan to make BBQ Chickpea Salad and Three Bean Chili. We still have some cooked black-eyed peas and quinoa that are ready to eat.

To save time I plan to use my slow cooker some this week and eat more big salads; also cooking double batches of things like rice and beans to save time on other days. I’ll also use my microwave to quickly steam veggies and “bake” potatoes. I try to keep cooked beans frozen in 2 cup portions for easy meals.

What are your tips to save time in the kitchen?

Easy Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole

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This casserole is gluten-free, family friendly and made with pantry staples. It takes no time at all to toss together and you can let it cook mostly unattended. I only use one pan for easy cleanup.

Instant Pot Mexican Casserole

The first time I made it in a large casserole dish, the second time I just cooked it on the stove and served it on a bed of greens with some homemade pico de gallo. The oven version is the easier of the two because you just put it in the oven and leave it until the timer goes off.  Both ways are incredibly easy, someone just learning to cook can make these and impress everyone at their table.

The Instant Pot Mexican Casserole will amaze your family and impress your guests! This should be your go to plant-based recipe for your Instant Pot.

I love eating this with chips or in tortillas. Add a little avocado or your favorite salsa to spice it up.

Mexican Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 2 1/2 cups water (3 cups for casserole version)
  • 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 2 cups cooked beans (or 1 can drained beans) I’ve used pinto and black beans.
  • 1 cup corn (optional)

Do

For Casserole Version

  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Add all ingredients to a 9×15 casserole dish and stir gently.
  3. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until rice is tender.

For Stove Top Version

  1. Add all ingredients except beans to a pan (I use a skillet) and cover cooking over medium heat.
  2. Stir occasionally, add more water if necessary.
  3. Rice should be nice and soft after 45 minutes, add the beans and corn if using then stir to mix.
  4. Heat until everything is warm.

Serve

This is an easy potluck meal. You could easily double the beans too. We loved it on a bed of greens with a bit of guacamole and homemade pico or salsa. If you’re on the go throw it in a tortilla. I’ll be having leftovers wrapped up in romaine leaves.

I love how versatile (and delicious) this is; it can easily be made with pantry staples when you have no fresh ingredients in the house.

UPDATE: I now have a Crock-Pot version that is even tastier! Check it out HERE if you love good food! Or if you have an Instant Pot try this version!

The Instant Pot Mexican Casserole will amaze your family and impress your guests! This should be your go to plant-based recipe for your Instant Pot.

Check out my Pico de Gallo for a easy and delicious topping!

Meal Plan Monday: Eat to Live

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I had a nice week off to spend with my family and friends and I hope you did too. During Thanksgiving weekend I read Eat to Live by Dr. Fuhrman. My husband had read/listened to it multiple times and had been trying to incorporate Dr. Fuhrman’s plan for a while. I’m sure it was difficult for him since I had not yet read the book.

Now that I have read the book I’ll be trying to incorporate it into our diet. I’m sure I wont do it perfectly, especially since we have little kids who need to eat a little differently but I can strive toward it. 🙂

If you haven’t read Eat to Live I will say that it is a must read, but you may want to spread it out and not read it all in one weekend because it is a lot to take in. I’ll share more about what I learned another day.

Meal Plan

Breakfast will be a combination of oatmeal, Breakfast Quinoa, fruit, and smoothies. Today’s oatmeal contained oats, chia seeds, ground flax, and cranberries.

Lunches should be a big salad but I usually prefer them stuffed in a pita or leftover soup. My soups and salads will be made up of a variety of beans, celery, carrots, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. My kids will eat plenty of PB and almond butter sandwiches.

Snacks will be veggies and hummus, muffins and yogurt parfaits for the boys, smoothies, and fruit with almond butter.

Dinner will be big salads and hearty soups. I also hope to remake and post the recipe for an incredible Mexican Casserole I made a few weeks ago. It was easy and delicious. I’m not a big cauliflower fan but I’m thinking of trying cauliflower rice I’ve seen on numerous blogs. I’m also craving the flavors in my Enchilada and Taco Soups and I have a big fat avocado that is slowly ripening. I may pair it with Spicy Black Bean Soup.

Most of the meals this week will be quick since they use fresh veggies but I need to make another batch of my Veggie Broth Mix. I got dried mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes to add to the mix like Somer at Vedged Out recommended in the comments. She had made a version and added them with great results. Then Sarah at Gazing In made her version and I just had to expand my base mix and add the mushrooms and tomatoes.

I also plan to make some quinoa this week for a little whole grain variety.

Have you read Eat to Live? If so, do you follow it?