My Plant-Based Family

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

Next Step Challenge

Pumpkin Cake/Cupcakes

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Need some help figuring out what to do with all of that pumpkin you bought? Look no further!

pumpkin cake

Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup pumpkin (or 1 can)
  • 1 cup maple syrup (I’ve also used agave OR 1/2 cup maple syrup  with 1/2 cup turbinado sugar)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • vegan chocolate chips (optional)

Do

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. In a large bowl mix the first 5 ingredients.
  3. I medium bowl mix the remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips if using.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix.
  5. Grease pan or use cupcake liners.
  6. Pour into pan and bake until done. 30-40 minutes for a 9 inch cake pan and 15-20 for cupcakes

Serve

This first time I made this I cake I ate all but 2 pieces by myself. I just could not resist it. I mixed up a little glaze but wasn’t crazy about it. The next time I made this I went with cupcakes and added chocolate chips and made this Chocolate Mousse to use as frosting.

I made these for my last Healthy Cravings group, which I’ll write about tomorrow. Let’s just say they were a big hit. I cooked the cupcakes a little long and they stuck to the liners 🙁 so next time I’ll watch them a little more closely.

There is a little over a week left of the Vegan Month of Food, a.k.a. Vegan MoFo. I hope you’ve been enjoying all of the recipes. The Vegan MoFo ends October 31st. I’m excited to participate in the Virtual Vegan Potluck on November 1st. There are 105 participants this time so get ready for a ton of mouth-watering recipes.

My Favorite Lunch

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Veggie Stuffed Pita

I’m not a salad lover. But I LOVE this Veggie Stuffed Pita with hummus.

Hummus is the deal breaker for me, it is not as fulfilling without it. I also make this as a wrap with either tortillas or lavash bread. I’ll eat it everyday for weeks then not touch it for months. I use whatever veggies I have available. In this wrap I used spinach, red bell peppers, carrots, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and hummus.

These guys can easily be wrapped up for a lunch on the go, although I wouldn’t recommend eating them while driving. I have a hard time eating them while sitting still without making a mess. 🙂 They would be perfect for a picnic or brown bag lunch, especially paired with a piece of fruit and maybe even a Party Worthy Parfait.

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?

The World’s Best Banana Bread

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Is it possible that this is really the world’s best banana bread? I think it is. You’ll just have to bake it to see for yourself.

This easy and delicious banana bread is an old family recipe that has been updated with healthier ingredients. The best part is, no one knows its healthy!

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It is also beautiful and super easy to make. I’ve made it hundreds of times; during the holidays when I make several batches I don’t even have to use the recipe because it’s that easy. It makes a perfect gift when baked in a loaf or a festive bundt pan!

I used to make banana bread before we switched to a plant-based diet. This was one of the first recipes I had to update to make with healthier ingredients. The best part is, no one knows its healthy! It’s surprisingly vegan and oil free!

I love to double the recipe and use two loaf pans to make one loaf for us and one for a friend (or the freezer).

When I bake this in a bundt pan, I use one with a flat bottom. The banana bread will rise and look beautiful!

Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 cup turbinado sugar or raw sugar (I’ve used agave with a good result also)
  • 3 extra ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 Tbsp plant milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Do

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. In a large mixing bowl add 1 cup applesauce and 1/2 cup turbinado sugar. Mix with a wooden spoon.
  3. Add the bananas, plant milk and vanilla then mix well.
  4. Add baking soda, salt, and flour. Mix again.
  5. Add optional nuts and/or chocolate chips.
  6. Pour into a sprayed pan, I use a bundt pan for best results.
  7. Cook for 40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Using a loaf pan will require a longer baking time. When making muffins with this recipe they are usually done in 15 to 20 minutes.
  8. Remove from pan once cool.

Serve

Serve this to for a tasty dessert, snack, or even with a cup of coffee. If possible wait until the next day to slice this and it will taste like heaven! We have even taken this on a road trip for a sweet snack.

That a look at how amazing it can be when made with chocolate chips!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

You could also add your favorite nuts to this banana bread! We like it with walnuts but pecans are really good too!

Yield: 12

Vegan Banana Bread

Vegan Banana Bread

Tried and true vegan banana bread recipe your whole family will love! This plant-based banana bread recipe is oil-free and easy to make.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Applesauce
  • 1/2 cup raw sugar
  • 3 extra ripe bananas
  • 1 Tbsp plant-based milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (white flour will work too)
  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of applesauce and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix well.
  3. Add the bananas, I like to mash them with fork.
  4. Add in the plant-based milk and vanilla and stir.
  5. Add the baking soda, salt and flour and mix well.
  6. If using chocolate chips or nuts, add them now.
  7. Use parchment paper or lightly spray pan with cooking spray to keep from sticking.
  8. Pour batter into pan. I like to use a bundt pan or loaf pan. A bundt pan will be done in about 40 minutes. A loaf pan may take longer, check every 10 minutes after the first 40 minutes. Muffins are usually done in 15 to 20 minutes.
  9. Remove from pan once the muffins have cooled.

Notes

We love to make this in a bundt pan, wrap it up once cool and wait until the next day to cut it. It's moist with a perfect crumb.
If you can't wait it will still be good. Just store in an air tight container at room temperature. If it's exceptionally hot, store in the fridge.

Did you make this recipe?

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Category: Recipes

I use this recipe as a base for many of my muffins too! I just change up the add-ins depending on what flavor we are going for! If you need a gluten-free version, check out this Strawberry Banana Muffin recipe!

Almond Dream Dessert Bites Review

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For the record no one asked me to do this review. Recently I was checking out the freezer section at my local Sprout’s when I saw these little yummy looking bites. I picked them up, looked over them, then put them back. The lady next to me said, “those are really good.” She told me how she will often have three pieces (serving size is 15) after dinner for a nice little treat.

I decided to try them. When I got home and got the groceries put away you better believe I tore into that little container. I ate one and it was heaven. Yes, I’m sure I could have eaten the whole container but I did not. After all these are not a health food, but sometimes you need something a little on the junk food side.

Since these are made with almond milk they are non-dairy but they don’t taste different from the normal treats I grew up eating. It kind of reminded me of Snickers ice cream bars.

All in all I loved it. These probably wont make it into my shopping cart every week because I try not to eat this type of dessert often. These are perfect for an occasional treat and very tasty. I think they will make the perfect after dinner taste of chocolate that often crave.

Have you tried these Almond Dream Dessert Bites? What did you think about them?

Planning a Party (Really 3)

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I’ve had a lot going on lately and it’s not slowing down any time soon. This week I’m hosting another Healthy Cravings group in my home. Healthy Cravings is simply a gathering of ladies who want to learn more about eating a whole food, plant-based diet. Ok, a lot of them just want to learn how to lose weight, some just want to show up for the food, but others are poised to make one of the biggest changes in their lives and reclaim their health.

This months menu isn’t completely decided but most of it is worked out, at least in my mind. I’ll be making Chili and Taco Soup. I’m also planning to serve pumpkin cupcakes or cakes (haven’t decided on that) and I’ll be sharing that recipe no later than next week. Last time I had twice as many people RSVP than actually showed up and way too much left over food. I plan on playing it way more conservative this time.

November’s Healthy Cravings is on the 8th so I really need to be on the ball with that one. It’s theme will be Thanksgiving foods so send me links to your favorite healthy or healthyish Thanksgiving dishes.

I’m also helping a friend plan a baby shower for one of my besties. The food will all be brunch fare. So far I’m making my Party Worthy Parfait’s, Pumpkin Bread (Muffin Style), and a smokin Fruit Platter, tray, bowl or something schmancy. I’m gonna bring my favorite So Delicious Coffee Creamers and Chai. The other hostess is making all of the food that requires meat, dairy, or eggs. Isn’t she a gem!

These three parties all take place in the next three weeks. Did I mention I’m headed off to a retreat this weekend? No, I don’t think I did. This is the part where I should gloat right, just kidding.

Do you have any suggestions for my party menus? I’m really needing help for my Thanksgiving Healthy Cravings, so many recipes to discover and test before November 8th. YIKES!

Date Night Food

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My husband and I are pretty passionate about keeping a regular date night. When we first got together he had three kids already so we didn’t really go on dates. It was too expensive to get a baby sitter and go out.

Now we make dates a priority. When we changed our diet a year ago we were a little nervous about what we would be able to eat. We aren’t really into expensive fancy places, but we have a few favorites where we can order healthy meat-free and dairy-free food.

Pita Jungle

By far our favorite place to go is Pita Jungle. We are kind of regulars now. We have our favorite server, Benjamin and we try to always sit in his section. When we walk in we can tell that they are really happy to see us. 🙂 We like that. They have delicious food; although meat and dairy are served at Pita Jungle they have plenty of vegan options too, you can check out this chart.

We usually order the large Jalapeno Hummus. It is AMAZING! The hummus is served with pita’s that come out soft and warm. If you are gluten-free you can order cucumber slices. I’m in love with their Lentil Fetoosh Salad. I wish I knew what spices are on it because I’d recreate it often. My husband orders a Lavosh Pizza without cheese and adds hummus. They have a few new seasonal specials that we tried recently; the coconut curry soup and curry pita pizza. They were delicious and my first time trying curry. The soup comes in a huge bowl and is very inexpensive, I think I’ll make it my regular order this winter.

We have also ordered food for carry out and it was excellent as well.

Chipotle

Occasionally we decide we are in the mood for something else and decide to go to Chipotle. I always order a veggie bowl with black beans, brown rice, corn salsa, mild salsa, spicy salsa, and guacamole. I love it! My husband prefers the pinto beans and white rice. I love that I can share this with my son who is gluten-free too.

Vito’s

Vito’s is a local Italian restaurant that is incredibly good and has been around since the 80s. I always order a Vegetarian Pizza without cheese. You can order it on a gluten-free crust for a small up charge. It is a little pricier so we don’t go there often but I’ve never been disappointed. We like to pick Vito’s when we are going out with other couples because it has something for everyone. If you sign up to receive emails from them you’ll regularly get coupons for buy one pizza get one free.

Sorry for the poor pictures, they were all taken with my phone on actual dates. I hope you enjoyed a peek at our date night cuisine.

Are you keeping up with the Vegan Month of Food? Check it out!