My Plant-Based Family

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

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday: Big Changes

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There have been big changes taking place in our household.

I’ve gone back to work full-time for the first time in about 10 years.

Before becoming a Stay at Home Mom and then later a blogger I was very focused on my career. I even graduated college early (in 2 years and 9 months actually) so I could get out there and conquer the world.

Blogging started as a great creative outlet and a way to help people on their healthy living journey and became a business endeavor.I loved being able to earn a little money while doing what I love.

There may be some changes but My Plant-Based Family is not going anywhere!  In fact I have some pretty aggressive goals for My Plant-Based Family. My husband has become more involved over the last few months and eventually I may hire a little help so if you are a Plant-Based Virtual Assistant let me know.

In my new job I’m a Social Media Coordinator for a faith-based, non-profit, social services organization that works with the homeless, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, refugees, foster children and more. I am so honored to use my skills as a blogger and social media strategist to make the world a better place.

Meal Plan Monday

Since I’ll have much less time at home our Meal Plans will be much more important however I may not always publish them so I can spend that extra time with my family.

Plant-Based Dinner Meal Plan

I will be doing a little batch cooking on Saturday’s. I also bought an Instant Pot so I could cook things like beans and grains quickly. I recently wrote about the Instant Pot and why I LOVE it.

What are your favorite quick meal? What meals do your family love?

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan week 3

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If you are participating in the 21 Day Plant-Based Healthy Eating Challenge you are now in the homestretch. If you are just hearing about this a group of us endeavored on a 21 Day challenge of eating 90% unprocessed foods with pretty aggressive daily goals. It’s not too late to join in. Read more about it here. There are still lots of prizes available!

To keep in line with the challenge this weeks Plant-Based Meal Plan will focus on unprocessed foods.

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

If you’ve been participating in the challenge I’d love to hear what you think about it!

If you aren’t participating I’ve got great news! Our next challenge will start January 1st! More details to follow.

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan Week 2

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It’s the second week of the 21 Day Plant-Based Challenge! If you are participating in this challenge with us I’m sure you are feeling great and inspired. I hope you’ve become more confident and learned a few tips to help you make these healthy changes a sustainable part of your life.

If you are just learning about the challenge it’s not too late to join! Learn more about the challenge and get involved.

Join the My Plant-Based Family Facebook Group that is serving as Headquarters for the Challenge.

Our generous sponsors have provided some great prizes to help you on your plant-based journey! We have two drawings each week but you have to participate by telling me your points! Each point counts as an entry!

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan week 2

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan

Breakfast

Don’t forget about breakfast! If I make a poor choice at breakfast I often continue to make bad choices all day. Make the good choice to have a healthy breakfast.

Lunch

I start thinking about lunch the night before when I’m cooking dinner. Leftovers are a great way to ensure you have a healthy lunch available, no matter how busy you get.

Dinner

I’m using quinoa a lot this week so I’ll save time by making a large batch of it on prep day!

Don’t forget to eat your fruit! I often have an apple or banana between meals but you can add fruit to salads, wraps and stir fry’s for a delicious and unexpected flavor.

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan week 1

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On November 1st many of started the 21 Day Plant-Based Healthy Eating Challenge.

If you haven’t started yet now is the perfect time to make a commitment that could change your life for the better.

Read this post to find out all of the details then join the My Plant-Based Family Facebook Group that is serving as “Headquarters” for the challenge.

There isn’t a required Meal Plan for the challenge but I’ll offer suggestions each week.

Meal Plan Monday

21 Day Plant-Based Challenge Meal Plan for Week 1

Breakfast

Focus on unprocessed foods as much as possible. If you are crunched for time and need a bowl of cereal choose one made from whole grains and eat fruit to accompany it.

Lunch

Plan ahead to avoid making poor food choices out of desperation.

Dinner

Make extra at dinner so you can take the leftovers for lunch.

If you are participating in the challenge I’d love to hear how it’s going!

You can also watch this video where I talk a little about the challenge and answer a few frequently asked questions.

Meal Plan Monday: Halloween Week

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Don’t let the title fool you. I don’t really get into Halloween. I won’t be dressing up or decorating my yard. I will spend a few hours passing out candy and visiting with our neighbors. You see, in our neighborhood Halloween is the one night a year all of our neighbors get together and catch up. We all sit outside in our driveways and pass out candy. It’s a lot of fun.

Since it’s Halloween week I may bake a few treats but I have even more treats in store for my readers including a giveaway and a surprise new program. I’m extremely excited about both.

Plant-Based Meal Plan Hallloween

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

I just can’t get enough apples. We eat them all year but they taste best in the fall.

Lunch

My youngest son and I usually eat leftovers or something quick. I pack a lunch for my 5 year old to eat at school.

  • Baked Potatoes
  • Pasta and a simple sauce
  • Chickpea Salad and raw veggies
  • Veggie Soup and salad
  • Leftover Chili

Dinner

My husband has requested 3 things this week (the first 3 on the dinner menu). He doesn’t ask for much so I usually try to accommodate his request.

If you have food allergies you may have heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project. It was started by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET) a few years ago. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) spread the word this year. Read more about it here.

What are you plans for Halloween? Do you throw a party, hand out candy or turn off your lights and hide inside your house?

If I lived somewhere colder I’m sure we’d have a different tradition. I’d love to hear about yours.

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Meal Plan Monday: Family Favorites and Leftovers

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Are you struggling to consistently eat a healthy, plant-based diet? If so a meal plan is exactly what you need. Even if you aren’t struggling a meal plan can help save you time and money.

I share a Meal Plan almost every week. Hopefully it will provide you with a little inspiration. Once you find a few family favorites it becomes much easier.

This week in the My Plant-Based Family Facebook Group several of us were discussing this White Bean Green Chili Dip. I’ve decided I must make it (and you probably should too). Here is a tip, you can make this dip instead of the sauce for the White Enchiladas. So Good!

We also have a lot of soup leftover. I hosted Healthy Cravings last week and several people were sick and had to cancel at the last-minute so I bought and cooked way too much food. We have leftover Taco Soup and Broccoli Potato Soup so this week I won’t have to cook too many meals.

Plant-Based Allergy-Friendly Meal Plan

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

I’m planning to use my Crock Pot for a few breakfast meals this week.

  • Crock Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Crock Pot Breakfast Hash
  • Crock Pot Multi-Grain Breakfast with diced apples
  • Cereal

Lunch

I will rely heavily on leftovers for lunch while my kids and husband primarily pack their lunches.

Dinner

This plan may change as our week goes on but each of these recipes are favorites so I don’t think I’ll have too much push back.

Are you ready for the week? If not grab another cup of coffee and do your best!

Fall-Stoneware-Giveaway

Don’t forget to enter the Le Creuset Giveaway! We’ve had a lot of entries but you could be the winner!