My Plant-Based Family

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

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Planning Week

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Meal Planning

I hereby declare this week as Meal Planning Week! You can expect our Meal Plan Monday (below), Tips to get you Meal Planning and all of your Meal Planning questions answers. Make sure to leave questions in the comments or email them to me. You can also follow my Plant-Based Meal Plans Board on Pinterest!

Meal PlanMonday

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

Let it be known, I don’t cook a big breakfast every morning. I’ll cook oatmeal or something else that is relatively quick but I like to keep it simple; anything that takes a long time is made the day before.

Lunch

We like leftovers for lunch or quick things like sandwiches. I don’t mind making noodle dishes for my kids because they don’t require a lot of time an attention (the noodles, my kids require a lot of time and attention).

  • Sunbutter Sandwiches with fruit
  • Leftover Faux Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
  • Baked Potatoes with side salads
  • Veggie Wrap and leftover soup
  • Bean and Grain Bowl

Dinner

I don’t mind spending some time in the kitchen preparing dinner. I’ll often cook extra food to eat at other meals, like many of the items on the Breakfast Menu.

I’ll save time this week by soaking the chickpeas and cooking them in bulk. I can easily add them to any dish including soups, salads and wraps to make them more filling.

Do you Meal Plan each week? If you have questions about Meal Planning I’d love to answer them! Just leave them below in the comments.

If you need more help check out my Custom Meal Plans, meal plans created with your specific preferences in mind.

Meal Plan Monday: A Little Bit of Everything

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Plant-Based Meal Plan

I’ve been up to my ears in Meal Plans since I launched my Custom Meal Plan service last week. It is hard shifting back to OUR preferences when I’ve been thinking about other people’s meal plans. Some of the Meal Plans I’m designing are for families with omni members. Other plans are Plant-Based Meal Plans for people who have been eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) but are hoping to jump into a plant-based lifestyle.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

I like to keep breakfast simple. I have a lot of leftover cooked quinoa that can be made into a quick breakfast if I’m ever unprepared.

Lunch

My kids keep me busy during the day so I opt for quick lunches, or recipes I can get started and forget about for a while.

  • Baked Potatoes
  • Sunbutter and Jelly Sandwiches
  • Noodles, steamed veggies and marinara sauce
  • Veggie Wrap
  • Leftover Soup

Dinner

I spend the most time cooking dinner but I save time by cooking, at least part of it, in bulk. This week I’ll cook beans for the burritos and nachos early in the week. I may also cook enough rice for the burritos and stir fry on Tuesday.

I really wanted to make my Crock Pot Mexican Casserole this week and another secret recipe I’ve been perfecting but my Crock Pot broke this weekend! It’s so sad! I need to buy one but I’m fighting my frugalness. I’m not sure which will win out.

I’m also in the mood for muffins! If I take a break from my Custom Meal Plans I may whip up a batch or two.

Plant-Based Diet Ebook

Need Help with Your Meal Plan

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  New Custom Meal Plans

Custom Meal Plan

I’ve been posting Free Weekly Meal Plans for 2 years! That is a lot of Meal Plans (they are archived on the “Meal Plans” Page). These Meal Plans have been a huge help to readers just starting out on a plant-based diet. These Free Meal Plans will continue, at least for a while, so you can always look to them for inspiration.

If you need a bit more help with your Meal Plan my Custom Meal Plan service may be for you. I learn about your food preferences and restrictions through a questionnaire then create a 4 week Meal Plan just for you. Each plan includes a weekly menu, shopping list and prep sheet.

Custom Meal Plan

 

Why Use a Custom Meal Plan?

If you eat a specialty diet most meal plan services wont work for you. A Custom Meal Plan is created based on your preferences and goals. It takes the guess work out of what to buy, prep and cook. It’s an investment that will pay off.

You will save money by using our Shopping List, no more buying unnecessary ingredients. You’ll also save money because you won’t rely on fast food as often. The Meal Plan suggests uses for leftovers as well, which will result in less food waste.

If you live in an omni household the Meal Plans are exceptionally helpful. Meals will be designed to be plant-based but show how meat can be added after they are cooked. It’s a win-win.

If you have questions the answer may be on the Custom Meal Plans Page.

The Meal Plan are a lot of work so I can only accept a few orders at a time. Email me to request a questionnaire and I’ll give you an estimated delivery date. You will not be billed until the work begins.

The first 10 customers will receive a FREE copy of my new ebook The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook Shop and Eat Well.

Do you like my Free Weekly Meal Plans? 

Join our Meal Planning conversation on My Plant-Based Family’s Facebook Page.

Meal Plan Monday: Back in the Swing of Things

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Meal Plan Monday

Have you missed my Plant-Based Meal Plans over the last few weeks? The holidays are over, school has started, and it’s time to get back in the swing of things, that includes meal planning.

When I create a Meal Plan I focus on meeting our nutritional needs, including our food restrictions (due to allergies) while staying on budget. I also have to make sure I plan for enough meals to keep us fed but not so many that I’m stuck in the kitchen all the time. It’s a balancing act that I figure out each week. I typically plan for 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners and use leftovers as needed. This week I’m hosting Healthy Cravings and teaching a cooking class so I’ll plan for “easier” items on my Meal Plan.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

I use Meal Plans as a guideline. I don’t stress about getting everything made. On any given day we may change our minds and move things around. We may decide to make pancakes or nachos. Using a Meal Plan also helps me make sure I have the ingredients I need for the week and prep anything that takes a little extra time.

Do you Meal Plan?

Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide

Meal Plan Monday: The Week Before Christmas

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Meal Plan

Christmas is quickly approaching and like you I still have a lot to do. Realistically, I always have a lot do. I plan to cook large portions this week, but only a few meals so I can focus on other things. Thankfully, many of our favorite recipes are great as leftovers. I’m also trying some new recipes and new combinations of recipes we make often. This week’s Meal Plan will focus on simplicity.

Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

 

I haven’t been planning our snacks but my kids usually have apples and I’ve been having way too much dark chocolate. We also have hummus and veggies too. Since it’s cold I sometimes have coffee, chai, or hot apple cider. I’ve also recently made my incredible Gluten-Free Brownies and a new GF Apple dessert recipe.

I also need to offer congratulations to Stacey P. who won the Vegan Cheesecake Kit from Follow Your Heart!

I will take a break from blogging next week so I can spend more time with my family. If you aren’t ready for the holiday’s yet check out my Gift Guides. You can read about helping others through World Vision, Handy Kitchen Gear, Luxury Kitchen Items, Personal Gifts & Books, my Snack Guide or how to throw a Plant-Based Party.

Are you ready?

 

Meal Plan Monday: Processed Food

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Meal Plan Monday

I prefer to eat food that is on the unprocessed side of the spectrum, you know me, rice and beans are my thing. Sometimes we lean on processed foods to get through the week. Since most of our diet is unprocessed I don’t mind deviating from normal, on occasion. This week we have a lot of time away from home, a Christmas party, company, plus your general chaos that we enjoy on a daily basis.

I feel I must offer a disclaimer that while we will be eating more processed food this week it wont be your Standard American Diet (SAD) processed food. Additionally if any of us were fighting disease we would steer clear of highly processed food when possible. The processed items we will enjoy are “sometimes” foods in our house and not typical fare and will be carefully screened for allergens and scary ingredients.

Meal Plan

Breakfast

My kids will be eating a lot of cereal this week. I wont feel guilty about it. They may have oatmeal and an oat-free/gluten-free hot cereal mix as well. Unfortunately I’ll probably survive on coffee, granola bars, EnergyBits, and anything else I can grab quickly. I know, that was inspirational right. I may grab toast and fruit too if that helps.

Lunch

Leftovers and sandwiches will be king this week.

  • Tostadas
  • Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
  • Veggie Sandwich with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and anything else available
  • Baked Potatoes with leftover veggies or soup on top
  • Bean & Grain Bowl Salad , think beans, rice, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, and anything else available.

Dinners

We have a few dinners that are out of the house this week. I’m hoping to make the most of the days I can cook and make them delicious.

  • Gluten-Free Mushroom Stroganoff  (yes, vegan)
  • Gluten-Free Veggie Pizza
  • Cheezy Broccoli & Rice Bake, this can also be a side dish on another night
  • Veggie Burgers (straight from the freezer section) with Baked Potatoes or Potato Wedges

I’m also hoping to make some muffins or Brownies because we may have some drop in guests.

Where do you sit on the processed/unprocessed fence? While I try to avoid processed foods most of the time I think they can have a place in a healthy diet. I typically view processed items as a “sometimes” or special occasion food. Personally, I can’t imagine life without Enjoy Life Brand products, they make shopping for my son (and all of his allergies/sensitivities) doable and delicious!

Speaking of delicious, I have to tell you about a great deal!

Sarah at Gazing In has a new ebook available at Amazon, Sweet Treats Done Naturally. Trust me, you need this book! She is also giving away FREE copies of 3 of her other ebooks this week.

December 9th get Naturally Fabulous Vegan Cupcakes

December 11th get The Natural Barista Latte Syrups and Drinks

December 13th get Oatmeal on the Go

I’ve read and love Oatmeal on the Go and The natural Barista and I just bought my copy of Naturally Fabulous Vegan Cupcakes. I can’t wait start reading it!