My Plant-Based Family

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

Meal Plans 2014

For the Love of Lentils Meal Plan

by Leave a Comment

This will be the last Meal Plan of the year! Let’s face it, this time of year I’m not so good at following a plan anyway. Besides, I’m getting the Meal Plans ready for those participating in the eCourse and Challenge starting January 1st so I won’t be posting Meal Plan here for a while. Feel free to look through the Meal Plan archives.

Last month I started working a full-time job, which I love, but I have a lot less time to cook. I’m been making all of my old favorites in my Instant Pot to save time. This weeks Meal Plan uses lots of Lentils. I love lentils. They taste great, are very versatile, so easy to make, are inexpensive and super healthy. If you haven’t given them a change yet do so this week.

Plant Based Meal Plan

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Quinoa-Lentil Tacos with Mexican Rice

Hearty Lentil and Barley Stew (I’ll substitute a different grain for the Barley)

One-Pot Pizza Pasta 

Green Chili, Cilantro and Lime Soup or Lentil Taco Muffins if you want to keep up with the lentil theme

Lentil Pot Pie

All of these meals are perfect for winter. Comfort food that will fill you up! I’ll probably be the envy of the office when they smell my leftovers each day.

The Meal Plans included in the eCourse will be much more in-depth than these. There will also be a section in the eCourse that will teach Meal Planning. The last Meal Planning Class was $30 and only open to people who could attend in person. The eCourse will cover so much more for the same price. It’s 31 days of Plant-Based training! Sign up today!

Meal Plan Monday: December is Here

by 1 Comment

If you still have Thanksgiving leftovers just eat them. Don’t cook another thing until those leftovers are gone. Thanksgiving leftovers are some of my favorite. I’ll eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I have them. I’m always sad when they are gone.

Did you over indulge on Thanksgiving? If you cooked healthy, plant-based recipes you probably only ate too much. If you used some of my recipes I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you don’t have any Thanksgiving leftovers you may need some dinner inspiration.

Plant based meal plan

Plant-Based Meal Plan

I’m taking advantage of my Instant Pot this week. I love that I can cook dinner quickly after I get home or set a timer so it doesn’t begin cooking until I want it to start. If you don’t have an Instant Pot I recommend you buy one or at least put it on your Christmas list. You could also make these recipes in a Crock Pot or on the stove although it will take much longer.

Enchilada Soup made in the Instant Pot

Chili  made in the Instant Pot

One Pot Pizza Pasta

Sautéed Mushrooms and Baked Potatoes (cooked in the Instant Pot) with steamed greens

Lentil Quinoa Tacos

Now that December is here things start to move more quickly, or so it seems. Don’t get caught off guard by everything you “have to do.” Prioritize your health!

31 Day Plant-Based eCourse and Challenge

Have you Heard?

The 31 Day Plant-Based eCourse and Challenge starts January 1st! It’s going to be a life changing experience for a lot of people. Are you one of them?

You’ll get daily tips and encouragement to turn your plant-based aspirations into a reality. If you’ve been meaning to make a change now is the time! The eCourse is packed with information and the challenge will give you the extra push you need to achieve your goals whether they include weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, or physical fitness.

Have you signed up yet?

Meal Plan Monday: Big Changes

by 6 Comments

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

by Leave a Comment

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

by Leave a Comment

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

by Leave a Comment

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.