My Plant-Based Family

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

Uncategorized

The Liebster Award

by Leave a Comment

I’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award by Fine Frugality. If you haven’t stopped by Fine Frugality in a while you should. She has been very busy de-cluttering during the month of May (I know I need to do it too) and is pretty busy exercising her powers of frugality day in and out.

The Liebster, which means favorite in German, is a way to recognize your favorite blogs that have fewer than 200 followers. What a great way to get the word out about up and coming blogs!

When you receive the Liebster award, you are supposed to do the following:

  •  Choose five up and coming blogs to give the Liebster award to.  Blogs must have less than 200 followers.
  •  Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
  •  Post the award on your blog.
  •  List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites.  Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they’ve received the award.
  •  Share five random facts about yourself.

I am picking 5 blogs (with less than 200 followers) that I have recently discovered. If they are new to me they will be new to you too, right?

  1. Veggies Not Wedgies-Aly shares her family’s journey beginning a plant-based and gluten-free diet.
  2. 12for2012– This is unlike any blog I have read. This blog choronicles the bloggers attempt to learn 12 new things and do 12 charitable deeds this year.
  3. Vegan Sparkles – Rebecca post awesome recipes and witty repartee, she is a brilliant photographer as well.
  4. The Educated Life-Clara shares reflections as a busy wife, mom and Ph.D. student.
  5. Toxic Vegan-What can I say, she had me at Toxic Vegan. I love this authentic blog about good and not so good for you food.

I also have to share 5 random fact about myself.

  1. When carrying groceries into the house I’ve been kicking off my sandal and opening the door with my foot. (I’ll also headbutt the button to close the garage door).
  2. It drives me crazy to start a movie and not finish it, it doesn’t matter how horrible the movie is, I need closure.
  3. There is a 15 year age difference between me and my husband.
  4. I got certified to scuba dive when I was a teenager but only got to go a few times. It was never anywhere tropical, mostly lakes in Oklahoma.
  5. I am a horrible housekeeper, I have to invite people over regularly as an incentive to keep things tidy. Having two little Tarzan’s determined to work against my progress doesn’t help.

Gratituesday: Weakness

by Leave a Comment

Years ago, when we lived in Oklahoma, we had a really tall tree in our backyard. Our kids would occasionally climb it but there was a point in the tree that if they got any higher they would get stuck. When they got stuck they would get scared and call for their Daddy. My husband does not like heights even if it is just a tree but he would climb the tree, cradle his scared little child in his arms and climb back down.

My tree climbing days are (probably) over but sometimes I get stuck. I feel like I can’t get down to a safe spot, I feel insecure where I’m sitting, and I need someone strong and safe to rescue me and take me home.

 But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

In these moment’s of weakness I call to God. He rescues me. I may still be in my situation but I find strength in Him. So whether it is a financial hardship, a broken relationship, a broken body or despair that overtakes you, maybe even everyday frustration from which there is no escape. When you are weak, He is strong!

Lord, I pray that you would comfort my friend reading this today. That you would show yourself to be real and powerful, able to provide a way of escape from burdens that are too much to carry. Amen

If you need someone to talk to you can call 1-888-NEED HIM or click here. Thank you for sharing today with me. When we don’t truly know someone we often put them on a pedestal thinking they really have it together. I assure you I don’t and I’m betting you don’t either. When we are open about our weakness we allow other to come along side and encourage us. So Be Encouraged Today! 

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Resources

by 12 Comments

Do you eat a plant-based or vegan diet? Most of the people I’ve met only considered it because they were sick. That was me, sick and desperate for help. Thankful a friend introduced me to Eileen, a Whole Food Educator who taught me about how food is directly related to our health. To learn more about my story click here.

When I first started looking for resources I really didn’t know enough to tell the difference in the good verses the bad information. I got frustrated looking for recipes that were full of processed, food like substances. I don’t know how many recipes I saw that had white flour, white sugar and oil but the cup full. Eeewww! That was not for me.

The Wellness Forum

Thankfully Eileen introduced me to the Wellness Forum. The Wellness Forum is headed by Dr. Pam Popper and has been providing health-giving education and resources for 15 years. When I became a member I was sent a book and dvd’s that taught me almost everything you need to know about making the switch to a plant-based diet, including all of the reasons to make the switch. I also get newsletters, weekly conference calls and many other opportunities to ask questions. It was definitely worth the price. I just called the Wellness Forum and the member ship price is now $77 for a 1 year membership. So if you are just getting started this is perfect for you.

Other Docs

There is a growing number of doctor’s who now prescribe a Plant-Based diet. Here is a list of a few of them. Feel free to list others in the comments.

Dr. T. Colin Campbell

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn

Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Dr. John A McDougall

Blogs

Who doesn’t love reading blogs? I am a fan of so many.

You simply must check out An Unrefined Vegan. She uses the same type of ingredients that I do but her food looks so much better and more creative. When I refer to her blog I say, “my friends blog” even though we have never met because she feels like a friend. She has a wonderful writing style too.

Fat Free Vegan has ton’s of healthy vegan recipes. Another favorite is the Happy Herbivore, if you’ve read my blog you know I cook a lot from her cookbooks and recommend them wholeheartedly. I also love her Herbie of the Week segment. Each week she recognizes someone who has made the switch to a plant-based diet and drastically improved their health.

There are others but these are my go-to blogs when I need an meal idea and are most closely in line with my dietary guidelines. What are your favorite whole food, plant-based blogs or websites. Feel free to list your own. 

A last list of a few more favorites are In Pursuit of More, Veggie Grettie, and Kid Tested Firefighter Approved. Also check out the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine headed by Dr. Neal D. Barnard.

Who am I missing?

Gratituesday: Testimony

by Leave a Comment

This morning I got to listen to a good friend share her testimony. There were about a dozen of us listening and I can assure you we were all riveted with her life story. She shared about loss, love, and ultimately God’s faithfulness through her life, even when she was unaware of his presence.

I’m so thankful for stories like that. Stories that remind me I am not alone. Most, if not all of us have been through difficult experiences. Some of us lean on friends or family to be our anchor, while others rely on our faith.

My friend shared this verse with our group.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

I like the thought of that. I live in Arizona, it is dry and hot; the idea of a “sun-scorched land” is not hard to imagine. I also know the feeling of being spiritually dry, the longing for something cool and refreshing that will satisfy my soul. Do you know that feeling?

Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:37b-38

Ahhh, now that sounds refreshing.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Basic Supplies

by 20 Comments

The top shelf has seeds, chickpea’s, cocoa, almonds, and barley.
The bottom shelf has noodles, pinto beans (back), quinoa (back), brown rice (back), brown and red lentils (front), white and black beans.

Before we began our plant-based eating there were certain ingredients I always had in my pantry, freezer, or fridge. Some of those ingredients have changed but not all of them. I like to be able to go into the kitchen and make something without having to run to the store. When I run to the store for one thing I usually make it home with at least five, the trip that would have cost me a few bucks now cost $20! That is not frugal!

I stock up on some things when they are on sale and buy in bulk when it makes sense. Below you will find a list of ingredients I try to keep on hand at all times.

Spices

  • black pepper
  • chili powder
  • cinnamon
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • sea salt
  • vanilla
Various canned foods, Juice Plus+, gluten free bread, craisins, and peach cups (we don’t eat peach cups at home but take for occasional treats on the go).

Pantry

  • agave
  • applesauce
  • baking soda & baking powder
  • brown rice
  • canned beans
  • cereal
  • chocolate chips (non-dairy)
  • cocoa
  • coffee
  • dried beans (pinto, black, chickpea’s, lentils, etc.)
  • dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.)
  • grains
  • non-dairy milks
  • nuts
  • old fashioned oats
  • pasta
  • pasta sauce
  • quinoa (I buy a 4 lb bag at Costco for $9.99)
  • raw sugar
  • tomato sauce
  • tortillas
  • tortilla chips

Freezer

  • bananas
  • blueberries
  • breads
  • cherries
  • corn (my husband can’t have it so I scoop out what I need)
  • other veggies
  • strawberries
  • whole wheat pastry flour

Refrigerator

  • almond milk
  • apple butter (L&A Unsweetened is delish!)
  • applesauce
  • Bragg Liquid Aminos
  • creamer (soy or coconut milk creamer)
  • Earth Balance
  • fat-free balsamic vinaigrette
  • jelly (with no added sugar, I like Crofter’s)
  • lime juice
  • mustard
  • natural peanut and almond butter (I buy both at Costco)
  • nutritional yeast
  • salsa
  • veggie base ( I use Better than Bouillon)

Fresh Plant Foods

  • apples
  • bananas
  • broccoli
  • carrots (I buy 5 lbs at a time for $2.49)
  • garlic
  • onions
  • potatoes
  • sweet potatoes
  • spinach

I can make almost anything I could want with these ingredients. I did not buy them all at once and I don’t use them all the time but these are my essentials. When I have people over they are usually overwhelmed by how full my pantry is. Right now it is extremely disorganized but it is normally just semi-disorganized.

Depending on your tastes and cooking style you may have a different list of essentials. Your list could change over time too. Now that I’m discovering my son has an issue with gluten I’m sitting on quite a bit of gluten filled grains and trying to transition to others.

Did I forget anything? What is in your must have list that differs from mine? If you’re new to plant-based is there anything that stands out as weird to you?

Gratituesday: Being Home

by 4 Comments

After traveling for ten days I am thankful to be home. I thoroughly loved the time away and visiting my family but I’m glad to be back home and starting to get back in a normal routine. I am also so happy to live where I live. As we drove through several states my heart was longing for the Valley of the Sun! I was never so happy to see My Mountains! I am grateful that God chose this place for us, I grow to love it more each year.

For more stories of Gratitude visit Heavenly Homemakers!

While we traveled we were not able to eat the optimal plant based diet. If you are just beginning a Plant-Based diet I feel I must warn you. If you eat the Standard American Diet (SAD) your body is addicted to all manor junk; fast food, butter, cheese, sugar, oil, caffeine, etc. If you are serious about getting this stuff out of your system it will take time and you may not feel great for a while. 

The last two days of our trip we were on the road and having to eat fast food a lot, not to mention the road trip snacks to keep us alert. After we got home we were ILL from all of the junk we ate. Our body knew it didn’t belong. 

Now that I’ve warned you I will also encourage you that giving up the junk

IS WORTH IT!

Soon you will feel so much better. You will have more energy and clarity. People will pay big money for a pill that promises that, but I assure you no pill is necessary. 

Have you experienced the withdrawal that comes from giving up the Standard American Diet? Thankfully it didn’t last long for me but I’ve heard it takes longer for some. What is your story?