My Plant-Based Family

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

Blog

Food Demo

by Leave a Comment

In less than a month I’ll be hosting my very first Food Demo! I’m so excited. I’ve been wanting to host one for a while but I’ve been crazy busy. I told a (new) friend yesterday that it’s like my calendar threw up. 

I want to host this demonstration so friends can see and taste new plant-based foods without worrying about how much they cost, if they will like them, or if they can cook them. Many items will be gluten-free too!

I haven’t completely decided on the menu; I plan to have some foods already prepared but make some dishes during the demo so that everyone can see how easy they are to prepare. I definitely want to make quinoa, I tried it at a food demo years ago, it sounds so intimidating but it’s easy. I’ll probably already have hummus prepared with lots of veggies. I also plan to have delicious desserts!

Now it is your turn! What do you think I should make? I’m hoping to win over some friends, or at the least help them incorporate healthier meals into their family’s diet. I’d love any suggestions! 

Gratituesday: New Relationships

by Leave a Comment

Over the last several weeks I have had the opportunity to meet several new friends. Some of these friends I haven’t actually “met” but I’ve been conversing with them online. I know that sounds kinda creepy but I assure you it’s not. Some of these new connections have been through my blog or through My Plant-Based Family on Facebook. Mostly they have been amazing women who are friends with Amanda, my friend who had a stroke 3 weeks ago.

Others I have met and we even had lunch together. Later this week I’m getting together with an acquaintance, but since she is such an amazing women I hope we become fast friends.

Most of these new relationships will probably stay casual friendships or even just acquaintanceship; but a few have the potential to be something more. Before moving to Arizona in 2006 I had a few really good friends. My friend Autumn since junior high, Crissy since high school, and Jessica who I worked with after college. We didn’t talk often but we appreciated each other and knew we could depend on each other. Since moving here I have made some friends that I believe will be life long friends. I know I can depend on these friends no matter what.

It’s exciting to think that right now may be beginning of a life long friendship. So this post is to all my new friends out there…Kelli, Krista, Breht, Angela, Melodee, Lisa, Susan, Heather, Nancy, Kathy, Angie, Danica, Kris, Ashley and the others that I am forgetting… today I am grateful for you.

Have you wondered why I post Gratituesday each Tuesday? It is because I like taking one day a week to share what I’m thankful, grateful for. Laura at Heavenly Homemakers has been doing it for years and she gives other bloggers an opportunity to “link up” their blog too. I enjoy clicking through the links and being encourage by what other people are grateful for, and seeing how God is working in their lives. Last week I had a crazy dream that Laura emailed me asking to stop commenting! I told you it was crazy! I think about what I’m going to post for Grati(Tuesday) all week-long. So all week I’m thinking about all of the things I am thankful for. You don’t have to blog about it but feel free to leave a comment so others can be encouraged.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

 

 

Meal Plan Monday:Quick Meals

by Leave a Comment

About a month ago several friends of mine were talking about how busy there summers were going to be. I just sat back with a smirk because I had almost nothing planned, that is until my calendar started filling up. This week is a very busy week in our household. We had a much busier weekend than normal and didn’t even do our normal grocery shopping. 

My goal is to make due with what we have, maybe make a fruit and almond milk run, and have all dinner take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Breakfast and lunches usually only take about 5 minutes to make. I like to cook beans and grains on the weekend so they can be heated for a quick meal, alas I did not do that this weekend. I’ll make sure I cook these when I find spare time in the afternoon. 

Meal Plan

Breakfast will be oatmeal, toast, cereal, and fruit.

Lunch will be sandwiches, wraps, or leftovers, inventive I know. 

Snacks will be fruit, mini muffins I made over the weekend, and chips and salsa.

Dinner 

Monday: Brown rice with taco seasoned lentils, corn, salsa and guacamole.

Tuesday: Baked Potato (busy evening)

Wednesday: Veggie Stir Fry (made with spinach, carrots, red bell pepper, onions, garlic, and some frozen veggies to round things out)

Thursday: Spinach Dal

Friday: Bean Burritos 

The only thing that will take over 30 minutes to make is the brown rice. I’ll make a big batch and use the leftovers through the week to save time later. 

Do you have any tips or tricks for saving time in the kitchen? What is your favorite quick meal? 

What About the Kids

by Leave a Comment

When people find out how weird I am that I eat a Plant-Based diet they always ask one (or three) of three questions. 1)What do you eat? 2) Where do you get your_________ (protein, iron, calcium, etc.)? 3) What about your kids?

My kids love the way we eat! Back when I was eating junk my 3 year old loved that too (My one year old hasn’t had a chance to eat junk). When given the chance my 3 year old will ask for “chicken and fries” but after a bite or two he says he doesn’t want them. We usually keep Laura Bars or other gluten-free vegan bars in our vehicle so he don’t have to be in that situation.  

It did take my older son a little while to fully transition just like it did for my husband and I. Before switching his favorite thing to eat way Plain, Organic Yogurt. He ate it everyday! Almost every time we went to the pediatrician (even for well baby visits) they said he had an ear infection. Thankfully my pediatrician would just write us a prescription and tell us to hold onto it just in case. We would usually just take him to the chiropractor and then he would be fine. My 1 year old has never had dairy or an ear infection! 

My boys are fully transitioned now! They usually eat what we eat, when they don’t it is because I don’t want to clean up the mess if we are having something difficult for little hands to hold. When we ate Portobello Burgers a few days ago I diced up the portobello to make it easier. I didn’t give them the grilled onions or peppers because I new they wouldn’t eat them. 

I’ve written before about foods my boys eat when I wrote about raising plant-based kids. Just this morning my 1 year ate a container of blueberries and some toast for breakfast. I buy seasonal produce so I wont be feeding him blueberries when they are expensive. I typically wont let him eat a whole container himself but since they were a little past their prime and needed to be eaten he was a willing participant. 

I love that it is summer time here and fruit and veggies are so inexpensive right now. I’ll be cutting into a honey dew melon and a cantaloupe this afternoon. There is a big bowl of washed grapes and cherries in my refrigerator (I cut them in half because they are a choking hazard, and a few stray strawberries that will find their way into smoothies soon. My kids love fruit! 

If your kids aren’t crazy about fruit like mine try cutting it up and making a fruit salad. You can add So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt to the fruit. The kids will feel like they are having dessert. If they are old enough put it in a fancy glass. 

If you know what your kids like you should be able to adapt those things and make them plant-based, or at least take a step in the right direction.

I love my kids so much, I want to protect them from harmful things and that includes food that is harmful. 

Do you have any tips to share for parents trying to switch their kids to a plant-based diet? 

Portobello Burgers and Potato Salad

by 5 Comments

When it comes to classic comfort foods with a plant-based twist, few combinations are as satisfying and delicious as Portobello burgers paired with a creamy potato salad. This duo makes for an impressive meal that’s perfect for a summer barbecue, a cozy family dinner, or a casual gathering with friends.

My husband and I used to grill A LOT! In fact, he is known for his grilling abilities in some circles. When we went plant-based we pretty much gave up grilling, until now.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger

Choosing the Perfect Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are the stars of the show when it comes to creating a juicy, flavorful burger without the meat. When selecting Portobello mushrooms, look for ones that are large, firm, and have a smooth, unblemished cap. The gills underneath should be dark and dry, not slimy. Freshness is key to achieving the best texture and flavor.

The secret to a truly mouthwatering Portobello burger lies in the marinade. Because mushrooms are like sponges, they readily absorb the flavors they’re soaked in. Follow my Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger instructions for the perfect marinade and instructions for finishing the burger.

Simple and Creamy Potato Salad

No Portobello burger is complete without a side of creamy potato salad. This classic dish is a staple at picnics and barbecues for good reason—it’s deliciously comforting and complements the smoky flavors of grilled foods perfectly. Here’s how to elevate your potato salad game.

Start by cutting your potatoes into evenly sized chunks to ensure they cook at the same rate. Boil them in salted water until they’re just tender when pierced with a fork. Overcooking can lead to a mushy salad, so keep a close eye on them. Once cooked, drain and let them cool slightly before mixing them with the dressing.

A classic potato salad dressing is rich and tangy, often made with mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar. For a plant-based version, vegan mayonnaise works beautifully, providing the same creamy texture without the eggs. Find the full recipe for my Vegan Potato Salad here.

Creamy Vegan Potato Salad

Portobello Burgers and Potato Salad Recipes

The combination of Portobello burgers and potato salad creates a meal that’s both satisfying and balanced. The hearty, umami-rich mushrooms paired with the creamy, tangy potato salad offer a perfect contrast in flavors and textures. This duo is not only delicious but also showcases the versatility and richness of plant-based ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

For a complete meal, consider adding a few extra sides. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the burgers and potato salad. Grilled vegetables, like asparagus or corn on the cob, are also excellent additions that can be cooked alongside your Portobello burgers.

Crafting the perfect Grilled Portobello Burgers and Vegan Potato Salad is more than just cooking a meal—it’s about embracing a culinary adventure that celebrates the richness of plant-based ingredients. With the right techniques and a bit of creativity, you can create a delicious, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

More Plant Based Dinner Ideas

If you like this dinner idea, you’ll love these plant based recipes too:

Gratituesday: A Great Babysitter

by Leave a Comment

When my husband and I first moved to Arizona we didn’t know a soul here. We had three elementary aged kids at the time. Everything we did was as a family, in other words there was no escaping our children. We are very protective of who we let our kids be around so we had no baby sitter. As time went on we became close to a few neighbors and friends through church that we could depend on to baby sit when necessary. 

Fast forward 6 years and we have a 1 and a 3 year old. We have a lot of friends with kids around the same ages so we can sometimes swap babysitting. We also have to most Fantastic, Responsible, Caring, Sweet, teenage babysitter. She LOVES our boys! 

I have heard stories from other mom’s of sitters ignoring kids, wrecking the house, or just doing enough to get by but not my sitter. I can’t express what a blessing it is to have someone you can trust with your kids; someone who know’s their personalities, and understands and adhere’s to your standard for feeding your kids (food allergies included). She plays and interacts with our boys!

Yesterday I mentioned date nights. Six years ago when we had date nights it consisted of making dinner for the kids, turning on a movie for them, threatening them not to bother us, then taking our meal to our bedroom’s “date night table” for our dinner. Now we can go to dinner, a movie, some shopping if we are up to it or whatever else we want to do. 

Now that it is summer break she is available during the day too. Our sitter watches kids for other families as well. I can only imagine that she is a blessing to them as well.

I’m so grateful for her! What are you grateful for today?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!