My Plant-Based Family

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

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Got Greens?

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It’s Week 2 of the Vegan Month of Food, a.k.a the Vegan MoFo! I hope to have several new recipes to share this week!

I recently made a smoothie for my loves and thought I’d document the process. I’m not one for following recipes well, especially when it comes to smoothies.

This particular smoothie was made with spinach, oats, bananas, and blueberries. I added a little almond milk too.

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This was tasty! My husband and boys LOVED it! My husband was leaving for a meeting so I added the oats to give it more substance.

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Isn’t it pretty! What are your favorite things to add to a smoothie?

Black Bean Soup for Two

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Normally when I cook anything I make enough for a small village. About 14 months ago there were 7 hungry tummies living under our roof. When our three teenagers moved to their mom’s house I had to completely change my style of cooking. That was pretty close to the same time I found out my youngest couldn’t handle gluten.

Right now we are back up to 5 mouths that are always hungry. I’ve been craving Black Bean Soup but I know my husband and I are the only ones who will eat it. My little guys probably would but this is a mess soup for little hands and I get tired of cleaning up messes, especially Black Bean Soup on my white tile dining room floor.

If you have kids with a little more spoon control this soup is mild enough for them. I made this with my food processor but you could make it without one, it would just take more knife wielding. 🙂

Black Bean Soup for Two

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked black beans (or two cans drained and rinsed)
  • 1/2 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1-2 Peppers, I used a pepper from a friends garden but jalapeno or bell peppers are okay too
  • 1 1/2 cups water (or veggie broth)
  • 1 cube veggie bullion of using water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke (add more for a smokier flavor)
  • 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar

Do

  1. Process onions and garlic in food processor or finely mince. Add them to a medium-sized pot on medium heat, stirring regularly. If they begin to burn add a tiny bit of water or broth. Cook these until they are translucent and starting to brown.
  2. Peppers can be processed also or left in big chunks. If they are processed the soup will be spicier. I removed the seed and left peppers in big chunks for a mild soup.
  3. Add the beans (processed and whole), water (or broth) and spices to the pot and stir.
  4. Let soup simmer a few minutes then taste to adjust spices.
  5. Finally add liquid smoke and vinegar.

Serve

This soup makes about 4 cups but can be doubled for extra eaters. It would taste great with Mexican Rice or topped with fresh avocado or cilantro.

Are you enjoying the Vegan Month of Food (Vegan MoFo)? If you are participating let me know so I can see what you’ve been cooking.

The V Word

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Virgin

Vasectomy

Vulcher (this one is from my 3 year old)

No I’m talking about the word Vegan!

I was afraid to use this word for a long time. Growing up in rural Texas and Oklahoma definitely played a role in my ideas of this V word. It was always used negatively. This last weekend I visited my dad in Texas. We went to a quaint little bistro, there were less than 10 things on the menu and they all contained meat or dairy. I asked for a veggie sandwich with avocado, no meat, no dairy. The lady looked at me like my boobs were on backwards. The sandwich was delicious by the way.

I usually use the term “Plant-Based” to describe my diet. Primarily because that is how it was introduced to me. I first eliminated meat and dairy for my health. After that I became much more compassionate toward animals but that never would have happened if it wouldn’t have been for my Plant-Based mentor Eileen trying to help me regain my health. Additionally, when I tell someone I’m Plant-Based they look at me crazy and say what’s that. When I tell someone I’m vegan they just look at me crazy before running away. 🙂

This month I’m going to change all of that. I signed up to participate in the Vegan Month of Food a.k.a. the Vegan MoFo. I know how it sounds but don’t worry it is harmless. My husband has had an unending string of jokes since I told him I signed up. You may be wondering what to expect. Well I still plan to write about plant-based/vegan eating, recipes, and tips that make life easier for me. I’ll just be posting those things more often. I’d been in a bit of a slump with posting, you can thank our busy schedule for that. 🙂 Many of my recipes are gluten-free and kid friendly but sometimes I have to bring on the whole wheat and live it up!

So welcome to any new readers who found me through the Vegan MoFo. I hope you’ll stick around. 🙂 We are a pretty easy going bunch around here. If you are a regular reader get ready for a busy month. I hope you enjoy it!

Gratituesday: A Weekend with My Dad

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Last Friday I hopped on a plane without my husband or kids, flew to Texas, and spent a weekend with my Dad and little brother. I had a great time and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to hang out with them.

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Here is a picture of me (without makeup) and my dad (also without makeup). 😉

I had a truly relaxing weekend. My dad and I spent a few hours Saturday walking around “the Square” downtown going in and out of great little shops. I loved visiting an old jail museum too. It was educational and fun, I think I could have spent half a day in there. I also got to sit down a lot. Normally I have to jump up every few minutes to intervene before disaster happens.

Since I moved to Arizona in 2006 I haven’t spent more that a few hours a year with my dad and brother. I was very blessed to have the opportunity to visit them. Here are a few more pictures from my trip, I took them with my phone so they aren’t great but maybe they will give you an idea of the Square.

What are you thankful for this week?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

A Few of My Favorite Blogs

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I love reading blogs. My list of favorite blog’s is always evolving. I don’t have to agree with everything aspect of their blog to enjoy it just as I’m sure some people read my blog who don’t care about some of the things I write about. Most of the blogs I read are about plant-based eating but I also read some that are about saving money or spending time with family. I’m sure I’ll forget to mention a few of my favorites so feel free to add them in the comments.

  • Nutty Alternatives is written by Kelly, they are corn, wheat, soy and sugar free.
  • My Daily Bread Crumbs is a blog I’ve just found but totally love. Katie is just beginning a plant-based journey.
  • Vedged Out is another new blog but I’ve been following Somer for a while when she wrote at Good Clean Food.
  • Blissful Britt is a fun blog I’ve been reading for a while, she post about running and eating vegetarian.

I’ve previously posted other blogs I like to read. The blogs I’m about to mention and I go way back, some as far back as January, I know, a long time right.

  • An Unrefined Vegan real food, whole food, without added fats. Her baking skills make me green with envy.
  • In Pursuit of More is written by Shira who strives to live with less but still has some of the most amazing pictures and delicious food.
  • Veggie Grettie has great product reviews and recipes, many are gluten-free.
  • Vegan Bloggers Unite  is hosted by Lidia at Air Eater  and is a great place to find other blogs.
  • Jason and the Veganauts I don’t really know what to say about Jason, you’ll just need to read it for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!
  • Emily Cooks Vegan is an amazing young lady from London. I always read her blog with an English accent.

I know I’m leaving people out and I’m sorry. Leave a comment with links to your favorite blog so no one misses out on the awesomeness. 🙂

Gratituesday: More Simple Things

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Normally I share something or someone who I am thankful for on Tuesday but occasionally I like to mention a lot of things.

I can’t list everything I’m grateful for but today I’ll leave you with few of the things that are impressed upon my heart.

I’m grateful for…

Stormy Nights

Rainy Mornings

Homemade granola bars

Proof-reading- The previous comment almost said “homemade granola bras” yeah that is different

Incredible friends who bless me daily

That song that comes on at just the right time

Being able to pray and express my deepest hurts and fears

My crazy kids

My 3 year old’s ability to escape all his crazy stunts relatively unscathed

My 1 year old’s happy disposition (most of the time)

Our teenage daughter living with us

Looking back at how far I’ve come in the last year

Being aware of my sin and selfishness and choosing Jesus

Learning to make Tia Tofu’s 30 Calorie Venti Frappuccino

Helping people in practical ways

Hearing my son say, “I’m three cheers old”

Being able to adjust the volume on the baby monitor

Not giving in to cravings

Giving in to cravings and not feeling guilty

Trying new things

Visiting family

Buying a smaller size in clothes

Reading other blogs from my bloggy friends

My incredible husband who loves me so well

 

What are you grateful for today?

Do you want to be a part of a community of other people who are thankful?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!