My Plant-Based Family

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

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Meal Plan Monday…September is Here

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Happy September and Happy Labor Day to my US readers!

We have had company on and off this summer but now we are attempting to get back into a routine. Regular homemade dinners are a big part of that.

We are also going to do a gluten-free experiment for our whole household. This week we will be finishing off any wheat/gluten based foods (although there isn’t much) so that next week we will be gluten-free. Feel free to join! If gluten isn’t an issue for you maybe you want to take that next step and remove dairy or oil from your diet.

Meal Plan

Breakfast Stir Fry

Breakfast

This week we will be taking a break from the processed side of breakfast and sticking to whole grains, fruit and greens. Yes you read that right. My husband enjoys raw spinach for breakfast so my kids do to.

 

Lunch

I’ve been testing out some new recipes at lunch lately. There is less pressure to make an awesome meal at lunch time.

  • Quinoa Veggie Wraps with a side of beans
  • Lentil Quinoa Veggie Salad (Recipe Coming Soon)
  • Veggie Sandwich made with hummus, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, and greens
  • Taco Salad
  • Enchilada Soup

Summer Berry breakfast quinoa 008

Snack

We usually stick to fruit and veggies but I like to surprise my kids with popcorn and other treats from time to time.

  • Apples with Sunbutter
  • Popcorn
  • Smoothies
  • Veggies with Hummus
  • Random Fruit

Quinoa-Lentil Tacos

Dinner

brownie 2

I plan to make these incredible Gluten-Free Brownies this week as well. If you haven’t tried them yet you have more self-control than I do! They are amazing!

Is your Meal Plan ready for the week? I was later than normal (I blame the holiday). 🙂

Do you have something you want to eliminate from your diet? Gluten, dairy, oil, etc. We’d love for you to join us! Leave a comment letting me now what you are removing and let us support each other!

10 Tips to De-Stress Your Lunchbox (plus a printer-friendly guide)

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Do you struggle with packing your child’s lunch every day? I’ve eliminated the guess-work and created this handy-dandy guide for you. You (or your child) can pick an item from each column. You may want to mix and match your favorite combinations.

You are welcome!

MyPlantBasedFamilyLunchboxGuidegraphic

I also have a FREE Printer-Friendly PDF version available for you HERE!

10 Tips to De-Stress Your Lunchbox

  1. Pack everything they need like napkins or utensils so they do not waste time waiting for assistance.
  2. Cut up fruit and veggies to make them easier to eat.
  3. Invest in quality lunch containers.
  4. Don’t pack too much food.
  5. Let your child help pack the lunch by giving choices, “pick one item from each column”
  6. Freeze items that need to be kept cold; they will defrost throughout the day. Use ice packs as needed.
  7. Prepackage things like sliced veggies or popcorn so they can easily be added to the lunchbox.
  8. Make sure the meal isn’t too messy. No Build Your Own Pizza on picture day.
  9. Peanut Butter (or Sunflower seed butter) and jelly is always a good standby.
  10. Buy rolls or mini loaves of bread to make sub style sandwiches with veggies.

The PDF has a few recommendations as to how to use the Lunchbox Guide as well. I have mine hanging inside my kitchen cupboard door. It’s easy to reference but not visible unless you open the cabinet (that tip is just a freebie).

It’s your turn! What is your best tip to de-stress the lunch time chaos?

 

Get Fresh with The Fresh 20

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It is your turn! Yesterday I told you about a contest I was participating in. Today I’m telling you about a contest for you AND your kids. It also has great prizes!

getfresh_banner

I think we all agree that feeding out kids REAL food is important. As schools all over the country are welcoming new students it is easy to get overwhelmed with school supplies, homework, and the dozens of forms that must be filled out (for each kid).

The Fresh 20 is offering a contest that may bring some fun into the back to school chaos. If you aren’t familiar with The Fresh 20 it is a company that offers weekly meal plans (and now a cookbook). The plans are not Plant-Based but they do focus on fresh ingredients and they have a Vegetarian option (as well as a Gluten-Free option).

The Fresh 20 supports healthy eating habits as kids head back to school this year. They’re on a mission to find The Freshest Kids in America by asking kids the question, “How do you #getfresh?” Utilizing any social platform, parents can submit either a video or a photo of how their children #getfresh on health.  The campaign offers children and their parents a unique opportunity to get creative with their fresh and healthy habits and to get kids involved in their own health decisions.

Check out The Fresh 20 for #getfresh back to school ideas.

They are also sponsoring a photo contest!

getfresh
I entered this photo on their Facebook Photo Contest Page just to see how easy it is! Who knows maybe I’ll win a prize.

Enter to win! Show us how kids #getfresh on health for back to school.

WAYS TO ENTER FOR DAILY PRIZES:
1. Post an Instagram with hashtag #thefresh20
2. Tweet: Use the hashtags #thefresh20 and #getfresh
3. Upload a picture to the Facebook Photo Contest page
4. Re-Pin to Win from the The Fresh 20 #getfresh Pinterest Board using hashtag
#thefresh20 and #getfresh
Grand prize package worth $1500 and dozens of daily prizes. What have you got to lose? I’m sure you have super cute pictures of your kids eating delicious plant-based foods!
FTC Disclaimer: Sponsored Post

A Little Help Please

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I like to think that this blog is my little corner where I can make a difference. Yes, I know I make a difference in my home, my family, my neighborhood, my church, etc. but on a larger scale my blog goes place I can’t. That idea is thrilling!

Practical Things Make a Difference

When I graduated from college I went on a month-long mission trip to Romania. We made repairs to a church, helped in an orphanage, delivered food and clothes to families, put on clown shows but the best part was just talking to people, encouraging them, and praying for them.

We did practical things, offered everyday help and it made a difference.

Plant-Based Help

I remember when I began the transition to whole food, plant-based eating. I didn’t even know what words to Google with. I couldn’t find any appropriate recipes and I was completely overwhelmed. Of course I learned more and found an abundance of resources. I kept thinking it shouldn’t be this hard.

I set out to provide a resource for others transitioning to a plant-based diet, especially families. I love getting feedback from you all. I feel like when I share my struggles, mistakes, victories, and yes even recipes I make it easier for you to be successful, or at least realize you can do this.

Quinoa and Black Beans

I Could Use A Little Help

I’m in a recipe contest for Pritikin’s Recipe of the Year. I submitted this recipe for Cilantro-Lime Infused Quinoa with Black Beans. It is delicious and easily adaptable! The voting ends August 30th.

Casting a vote for your favorite recipe is real simple. Just share your favorite recipe with your social media community on your favorite social sites by clicking on any social share button within the recipe page. Every click & share counts as a vote! Pritikin’s Contest FAQs

If you would take the next 60 seconds and click over to my recipe for Cilantro-Lime Infused Quinoa with Black Beans and share it via the social media buttons I’d really appreciate it. Feel free to check out the other recipes too, most are not plant-based but could be adapted.

The top 2 recipe creators win a trip to Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, Florida (with a guest) to compete in a cook-off. I’d love to win this trip. It would be a much-needed vacation and an opportunity to spread the plant-based message.

Thanks

If you took a few seconds to vote, Thank You! I hope to give you all an update as soon as I know the results. Even more than winning the contest I appreciate that you care and you keep coming back and making me a part of your journey.

 Update

I wanted to let you all know that my recipe was in the top two and I’ll be going to Miami to later this month! Thank you all for voting and the support you are faithful to provide.

 

 

 

Meal Plan Monday: Prepped and Ready to Go

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Feeding your family is hard work! I get it. Sometimes I wish I could just ignore the fact that we all need to eat, AGAIN and wish for a dinner fairy to magically churn out healthy meals and snacks. Unfortunately that isn’t going to happen.

This week I am a little more prepared. I spent some time yesterday chopping veggies, I bought hummus (I could have made it but I didn’t want any excuses) and today I’ll share my Meal Plan. I’m trying a few new things this week.

Meal Plan

breakfast tacos

Breakfast

I like a quick breakfast so I prefer something I can cook or reheat quickly.

Taco Potatoes

Lunch

I usually make lunches from dinner leftovers. You can do this by packing up your lunch when you are putting away dinner. Add a salad or a baked potato if you need something to make it more substantial.

Summer Berry breakfast quinoa 008

Snacks

Snacks are usually very simple, but still delicious!

  • Fruit (apples, plums, nectarines, peaches, grapes, blueberries and bananas are all on hand)
  • Hummus with Fresh Veggies (carrots, cucumbers, bell pepper strips are cut and ready for dipping)
  • Sunbutter and Banana Quesadillas (oh yes I did! Thank you Rudi’s gluten-free tortillas!)
  • Popcorn

Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole

Dinner

The weather is still warms but my taste buds are beginning to crave autumn flavors. I’ll try to balance my wants (hearty spicy foods) with my needs for fresh foods that don’t overheat my kitchen.

You may have noticed that I use a lot of the same ingredients in many of these recipes. I do that so I can save time by cooking larger portions one night so I can reheat and save time another night. Here are a few ways I do that with this Meal Plan.

  • I already have about 6 cups of lentils cooked. I’ll potentially use these in Breakfast Tacos, lunch quesadillas, bean and grain bowls, Lentil-Taco potatoes, Lentil-Quinoa Veggie salad, and chili.
  • I have 8 cups of cooked quinoa. I’ll likely use it in a couple of breakfasts, the bean and grain bowl, and the Lentil-Quinoa Veggie Salad
  • I’ll bake potatoes to use in the Breakfast Tacos, Lentil Taco Potatoes, to serve with chili and the leftovers will go in the Broccoli and Potato Soup.
  • Chopped veggies and fruit will make their way into the main dishes, salads, or become side dishes.

I’m hoping this weeks preparation will save time and keep us from getting take-out.

Has the weather cooled off in your area? Are you still making “summer” food or have you moved on to your favorite fall foods?

Summer Berry Breakfast Quinoa

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Summer Berry breakfast quinoa HT1

Summer Berry Breakfast Quinoa (1 serving)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • ¼ tsp vanilla
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp rice milk
  • ½ cup assorted berries (we like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and black berries)
  • A generous shake of chia and hemp seeds (we call these sprinkles)
  • Stevia or maple syrup (optional)

Do

  1. Gently mix quinoa (warm or cold) with vanilla, rice milk, berries, and seeds.
  2. If desired, use a little stevia or maple syrup to sweeten the breakfast quinoa.

Serve

My kids were suspicious of Breakfast Quinoa in the beginning but now love it and ask for it daily. They prefer it cold, I like it warm. Walnuts make a great addition but sadly we are now a nut-free household.

 Do you eat quinoa for breakfast?