My Plant-Based Family

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

Blog

Meal Plan Monday: Where I’ve Been and What We Are Eating

by 3 Comments

Well I’m back. We’ve done a lot of traveling over the last month and I’m hoping we can settle back into our routine. We had two deaths in our extended family so we’ve driven and flew back and forth to Texas three separate times. I’ve stayed in touch with the 31 Day Plant-Based eCourse group but I’ve neglected updating this blog. On a happy note we’ve got to see a lot of family that we haven’t seen in a long time.

Up next on our schedule is the end of school. This is the last week for my youngest son and we have one more week for my kindergartener. We have a few year-end events but I am determined to cook.

I know why you are really here… You are wondering what we are eating. Am I right?

Breakfast and Lunch

I’ve been batch cooking steel-cut oats for breakfast. My favorite is Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal made in my Instant Pot but I recently made Blueberry Oatmeal too and my kids loved it. You can read my 10 Reasons I bought an Instant Pot to learn more about why I love them.

I’ve got two more weeks of packing lunches for my kids and I’ll be using us some of the items I bought for our trip like applesauce pouches, snap pea crisps and granola bars along with sandwiches or leftovers. I’ll be taking leftovers in my lunch and I often pack breakfast when I work out of the office (I work from home most of the time). I also take veggies and hummus to snack on.

My back up lunch is brown rice (I buy these steamed rice bowls at Costco for back up), half a can of black beans and some salsa.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

 

Easy Plant-Based Dinners

This week I’m keeping it easy in the dinner department. I don’t want to bite all more than I can chew, if you don’t mind the eating pun. I’ve already cooked some rice in my Instant Pot and I’m going to add cilantro and lime to it. I’m going to use canned black beans to keep it easy. I don’t do that often but they will allow us to stay plant-based and not go crazy.

Taco Salads or just bean and rice salads

Broccoli Rice Casserole in my Instant Pot (I’ve been meaning to share this recipe and will try to soon)

Some kind of veggie soup. I have plenty of potatoes, spinach, celery and carrots so I’ll come up with something

Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole in the Instant Pot (see Crock Pot version)

Veggie Fajitas if I need another meal

I’ve got carrots, cucumbers, peppers, celery and greens for snacks or salads and bananas, apples, blueberries and oranges as well.

What’s on your Meal Plan this week? I’d love to know. Follow me on Instagram too to see what we eat each day!

This page contains affiliate links. 

Next Plant-Based eCourse Starts May 1

by 2 Comments

Summer’s coming and it will be here before you know it. If you’ve been considering getting started on a plant-based diet now is the time to make the commitment and get ready for summer.

Many people are able to reverse disease and eliminate health problems on a plant-based diet. Others lose weight and clear up conditions like acne, asthma, and seasonal allergies. Whatever your reasons the 31 Day Plant-Based eCourse will lead you through a one-month journey that could ultimately change your life.

If you are new to the Plant-Based Diet or struggling to be successful in this new lifestyle you have come to the right place.

31 day plant-based ecourse 500x750

I created a 31 Day Plant-Based eCourse that will lead you through everything you need to know to start a plant-based diet.

There are two options:

  • Self-paced eCourse that you can start immediately, or
  • The group eCourse that starts May 1st

Susan took the January eCourse and says:

The simplicity yet thoroughness of the eCourse allowed even a novice Plant-Based person to educate themselves about why this lifestyle is better than the Standard American Diet and to implement steps to take to eat and be healthier. The meal plans were great and included a variety of recipes to suit many different sorts of tastes. I found many recipes that I can incorporate into my meal rotations and I would do this eCourse again, just to solidify my knowledge and share with others. The fact that there was a group of us all doing the same thing meant for a great camaraderie.

Jennifer says:

The eCourse helped me stay focused and gave me the encouragement to never bring anything non-Plant-Based into the house. The meal plans were wonderful ways to jump-start my shopping list and give me ideas of where I wanted to take my week in food and nutrition. The workout routines kept me motivated the first couple weeks when I was stuck in a hotel for 10 days. Overall it was a fun month and I really appreciate the hard work the design team put into the 31 Day Challenge eCourse.

Whether you decided to start on May 1st with the group or go at your own pace the 31 Day Plant-Based eCourse provides you with everything you need to be successful with the plant-based lifestyle. You’ll have the additional benefit of a private Facebook community for support.

This 31 day class is less than $1 a day!

You’ll get:

  • The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide ebook
  • Weekly Meal Plans
  • optional Weekly Exercise Guides
  • Daily lessons that will teach you the basics of plant-based living
  • Group support in a private Facebook group

All of that for only $30!

Find out about the limited-time individual coaching opportunities!

Buy Now

Need Extra Help?

For those participating in the 31 Day eCourse that need a little extra help consider purchasing the 31 Day Coaching add-on!

The 31 Day Coaching add-on is an individualized coaching program that will:

  • Help you set and track goals
  • Assist in Meal Plan development (work together to customize a meal plan to meet your goals)
  • Daily accountability via email/messaging and a daily food log
  • Weekly 20 minute phone call/skype/google hangout (only one) to discuss progress and next steps.

Whether your goal is to lose weight, eliminate processed foods or finally go plant-based this 31 Day Coaching add-on can give you the individualized help that you need.

Space is limited!

Add this one-on-one coaching to your 31 Day eCourse experience for only $95 dollars. Email me at myplantbasedfamily @ gmail.com (remove spaces) to purchase or inquire about the one-on-one coaching.

Buy Now

Meal Plan Monday: Back in the Groove

by Leave a Comment

We are returning from a nine-day trip to visit family. You may have noticed I’ve been mostly silent on social media.

We visited family members in 5 different cities/towns and drove from Arizona, through New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and back home again. We loved our time away but I’m more determined than ever to eat well now that we are home and I’m back in my own kitchen.

I’ll be working a lot this week so I’m sticking to some of my favorite, easy recipes. My body is craving healthy plant-based foods after being on the road.

This week I’m going to be diligent about packing my lunch every day and actually eating it. Too often I get busy working and don’t take a break to eat but I know it’s important for optimal health.

Plant Based Meal Plan

Meal Plan

For Breakfast we will have gluten-free steel-cut oats along with overnight oats, baked sweet potatoes, multi-grain porridge and use toast as a backup for busy days.

My kids will take their regular lunches or leftovers or sandwiches along with fruit and pretzels. We have stuff for wraps and veggies with hummus!

Dinner

Mexican Bean and Rice Casserole

Lentil and Rice Burritos (with Lentil Taco Meat)

Taco Salad

Potato and Kale Soup

Brown Rice and Broccoli Casserole

You may have noticed that I’m using my Instant Pot for almost every meal. It’s so easy that it is my go-to method of cooking. If you don’t have an Instant Pot I provide either a Crock Pot or Stove Top version for all of my recipes.

I’ve got more great things planned this week including the Instant Pot version of one of our favorite recipes!

This page contains affiliate links.

Instant Pot Mexican Casserole

by 83 Comments

I’ve been promising this recipe for a while but keep putting it off. Today I’m going to share my Instant Pot version of my Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole, a.k.a. Mexican Casserole. It uses dry beans so you don’t have to cook anything ahead of time.

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.

This page contains affiliate links.

If you’ve tried the Crock Pot version, the Stove or Oven version you know that this is really good and really easy. Some people don’t like the texture of the rice when cooked in the Crock Pot.  The Instant Pot Mexican Casserole comes out perfect every time; if you have a pressure cooker I challenge you to make this.

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.

 

Instant Pot Mexican Casserole

If your family is just starting to try plant-based living, this recipe is for you! You can enjoy it in a bowl topped with your favorite ingredients, wrapped in a tortilla, or with chips.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked brown rice
  • 1 cup uncooked dry beans (if you have trouble with beans not cooking enough, try soaking them first)
  • 5 cups water
  • 1 6 oz can of tomato paste (or 1 8 oz can tomato sauce with slightly less water)
  • 1 tsp garlic
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt (optional)

Do

  1. Dump all of the ingredients into your pressure cooker and stir once or twice.
  2. Close the lid and cook on manual for 28 minutes.
  3. Once done, allow the pressure to come down and open carefully. If you are in a hurry you can do a quick release.

Serve

This meal can be eaten alone or served with tortillas or chips and salsa. It travels well and we often take it in our lunches.

This photo shows what it looks like right out of the pressure cooker! It’s quite a bit darker than the Crock Pot and Stove Top versions.

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.

Instant Pot Cooking Info

If you are new to the Instant Pot or pressure cookers, in general, it’s important to know that it takes time for them to come up to pressure and time for the pressure to come down when they are finished cooking. This will take about 45 minutes to an hour even though it only “cooks” for 28 minutes.

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.

Note: If using beans other than black beans make sure you are cooking this long enough. The rice takes 28 minutes to cook but some beans may take longer. Consult the Instant Pot cooking guides and cook it as long as necessary.

I’ve had feedback from some that their black beans are not soft enough after cooking. Most people do not have a problem. If this is the case for you, make sure you are using beans that are not old. Beans that have been in your pantry for a year will take longer to cook than fresh beans. (This is why I stopped buying giant bags of beans in bulk.)

Also, hard water could make the beans cook more slowly.

If your beans could be older or if you have hard water, I recommend soaking the beans in warm water before cooking.

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.

Get More Instant Pot Recipes

Love Instant Pot Recipes? Get my free Instant Pot Recipe Collection! It’s my gift to you! Sign up and you’ll get it delivered to your inbox! You’ll also get a weekly update with plant-based tips! It’s a win-win!

Choose Your Own Adventure Meal Plan

by 1 Comment

When I was in elementary school in the 80s the Choose Your Own Adventure books were all the rage. If you are unfamiliar with these books I’ll explain. You would read to a certain point then it would say something like “If you want to fight the snow monster turn to page 75, if you want to disappear into the secret passage turn to page 87.”

I loved those books.

Today’s meal plan will be kind of like that. I’ll recommend a type of food and you can find your own recipe but I’ll offer some suggestions.

Plant Based Meal Plan

Choose Your Own Dinner

Veggie Pizza

Check out this Best Vegan Pizza Roundup by Meghan at Rootiful. For a quick solution try my One-Pot Pizza Pasta.

A Quinoa Recipe

Choose from Tacos, Salads, Wraps, Stir-Frys or even Breakfast!

Soup and Salad

I’ve got a great Salad Pinterest Board featuring some of my favorite bloggers. Pair one of those with one of my delicious soups.

Mexican Food

Choose one of my recipes or my Mexican Food Pinterest Board.

Kids Choice

If you have kids let them choose dinner. It may be the biggest adventure of all. If you don’t have kids enjoy a night out.

Now come back here and let me know what you choose for dinner! 

Strawberry Lemonade

by 5 Comments

I love short cuts in the kitchen. If there is an easier way of doing things I want to know.

My kids have been asking for “Lemon Juice” which is their way of asking for lemonade. We never buy the store-bought stuff. Last week a kid in our neighborhood was selling lemons door to door and I bought three; I appreciate a boy trying to earn a little cash. A lot of our neighbors have citrus trees but we don’t.

We have a Blendtec. Why not just peel the lemons and blend away? This probably wouldn’t work with an inexpensive blender Blendtec or a Vitamix you’re in business.

I’ll give a quick note, this recipe has a lot of room for variation. Start slowly adding a little at a time because lemons are different sizes, have differing amounts of juice and varying levels of tartness.

Strawberry Lemonade

Lazy Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients

  • 1-3 lemons (I used one giant lemon) peeled with seeds removed
  • 1 cup of strawberries with stems/leaves removed
  • water
  • sugar or other sweetener

Do

  1. Put lemons, strawberries, 2 cups of water and 1/4 cup of sugar in your Blendtec.
  2. Blend until everything is liquefied.
  3. Add another 2 cups or water and 1/4 cup of sugar (if desired) and blend. Repeat this step until your lemonade has the perfect sweet/sour mix.

I used 6 total cups of water and 3/4 cup of sugar for the whole pitcher. My starting lemon was the size of a grapefruit.

This is so easy I call it Lazy Strawberry Lemonade but you could leave out the strawberries and just have Lazy Lemonade.

This page contains affiliate links.