My Plant-Based Family

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

Next Step Challenge

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

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Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between my breakfasts and desserts! I usually like a sweet breakfast and these Pumpkin Muffins makes them perfect for the morning.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

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I’ve always had a sweet tooth. When I was a kid I’d often get donuts or sugary cereal for breakfast. I clearly remember going to the donut shop and getting a long John and a can of coke. Even when I make a savory breakfast, like my Breakfast Hash, I’ll want something sweet to follow.

I created these Pumpkin Muffins because I’m yearning for the cooler temperatures of fall. I didn’t want them to be super sweet and only appropriate for dessert. I wanted these Pumpkin Muffins to be a bit heartier and suitable for breakfast, even for people without a sweet tooth like me.

Pumpkin Muffins that are gluten-free

With or Without Chocolate Chips

With chocolate chips the Pumpkin Muffins are a decadent dessert. Without chocolate chips they are a delicious breakfast that pairs well with fruit and a cup of coffee (for the grown ups).

My husband is not a fan of chocolate so I’ll often scoop out half of the batter then pour chocolate chips into the remaining batter so we are both happy.

Allergy-Friendly Pumpkin Muffins

Allergy-Friendly

Like most of my recipes, these muffins are allergy-friendly. They are gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free. I use a gluten-free flour blend from Jewel’s Bakery (but you can use your favorite gluten-free blend) and dairy-free chocolate chips. I also use a peanut butter substitute. It has the look and feel of peanut butter and tastes comparable considering there are not nuts. It’s perfect for families with a peanut allergy.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

We’ve been enjoying these muffins for breakfast, after school snacks and desserts. You can’t really go wrong with these Pumpkin Muffins!

Pumpkin Muffins
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Muffins
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • ½ cup Peanut Butter alternative (or peanut butter if you don't have an allergy)
  • 1 15 oz can of pumpkin
  • ½ cup plant-based milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1½ cups gluten-free flour blend
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Measure out ½ cup peanut butter alternative into a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 20 seconds.
  3. Pour in the 15 oz can of pumpkin and plant-based milk, stir very well.
  4. Dump in the sugar and vanilla then stir again.
  5. Sprinkle all of the spices, salt, and baking soda into the batter.
  6. Pour in the gluten-free flour blend and mix everything together. After everything is mixed together you may add chocolate chips if desired.
  7. Spray cooking oil into muffin pan and scoop batter into muffin cups.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes (you can test at 25) but allow to cool for 10 minutes at least.

 

September 12, 2016 Meal Plan

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It may be September but it doesn’t quite feel like fall in Arizona. Thankfully, I work inside with the air conditioner. These 100 degree days always seem to last a little too long. I’m ready for a meal plan of soups and casseroles but the thermometer says salads and fruit.

I know, it is a great problem to have. I’m still living up what I call “Back to School” season with great giveaways and fun products. Soon I’ll be baking it up with some new muffin and granola bar recipes.

This weekly plant-based meal plan is ready for fall with savory soups and sweet breads.

 

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Monday

Oatmeal Cups

leftovers

Gluten-Free Pasta with Marinara Sauce and a side salad

Tuesday

Dairy-Free Yogurt and Granola (Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!)

Baked Potatoes

Instant Pot Brown Rice and Black Beans

Wednesday

Toast with SoyNut Butter and Banana Slices

Rice with steamed broccoli and Creamy Brown Gravy

Enchilada Soup 

Thursday

Instant Pot Oatmeal

leftovers

Pizza Pasta with veggies and salad

Friday

Banana Bread (or the gluten-free cinnamon version) with Fruit Salad

Taco Salad

Crock Pot Mexican Casserole

I’ll go ahead and admit that we may get off track on Thursday and Friday. I’ll be headed to the Blended Conference those days and my family will be fending for themselves part of the time. I love attending blog conferences because at least some of the people there “get me” and get excited about the same kind of stuff I do like SEO and mailing lists.

If you are interested in blogging and social media I’ll be sure to share photos of the conference on Instagram.

In November, I’ll be headed to the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference in Denver! If you’ve ever wanted to attend a conference it’s a great one to attend.

 

Also off topic, I’ve started a new blog with a few of my friends. It’s a called Mom the Brave! I hope you’ll check it out! We are on Facebook and Instagram too!

Yogurt and Granola

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My youngest son does not like cereal. Every morning I have to figure out something he will eat. He prefers a mound of fruit. While a bowl full of fruit isn’t bad I want him to have something that will stick with him a little longer Yogurt and Granola are two of his favorites!

Dairy-Free Yogurt and Gluten-Free Granola make a great breakfast, snack or dessert.

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My son loves fruit. Before he lost one of his front teeth, he would easily eat 5+ apples per day. His missing tooth has slowed him down some, but not much. I end up cutting up a lot of fruit for him now which means he can eat it faster than ever.

As much as he loves a big bowl of fruit for breakfast, I feel like he needs something a little more complex. Thankfully he loves the granola. I love it too.

Yogurt and Granola

Yogurt and Granola

This isn’t an actual recipe, it’s more of a “put all of this together” type of thing.

I use dairy-free yogurt, fresh fruit and granola for an easy breakfast, snack or dessert.

I like to start with granola in the bottom of the bowl, then add yogurt, then fruit. I repeat layers until I’m satisfied.

You can mix and match granola flavors, yogurt flavors and different types of fruit so you always have something interesting to try.

If you have food allergies, carefully inspect all the labels. Gerb’s has a great allergy-safe product (unfortunately it has honey). Bob’s Red Mill has great vegan granola (but it’s not gluten-free).

gluten-free, peanut free granola banana

I have to put the granola away in the pantry every time or I’ll make little pit stops all day long munching on it. I’ll often dip a piece of fruit in SunButter then roll it in the granola.

I also put granola on dairy-free ice cream! What can I say, I’m a sucker for this stuff.

 

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Fast and Easy Breakfast Ideas

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If you’ve been enjoying lazy mornings all summer the beginning of school can be a shock to the system. These fast and easy breakfast ideas will help you acclimate to the new school year.

Some of these breakfast ideas need to be eaten at home but others are perfect for enjoying on the way (unless your the driver). Almost every item on the list can be made in 5 minutes or less. The others can be baked ahead of time.

Fast and Easy Breakfast Ideas

Fast and Easy Breakfast with SoyNut Butter Toast and fruit

Toast with SoyNut Butter and Fruit

It doesn’t get much easier than toast. We love SoyNut Butter spread on our toast and fruit on the side. Sometimes I’ll slice the fruit and put it right on the toast. Speaking of fast and easy, get it on Amazon!

Bobs Red Mills Oatmeal Cups

Oatmeal Cups

I’m a huge fan of oatmeal! It’s easy to make but Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal Cups are simple enough for my kids to make by themselves. Plus, clean up is a breeze! These gluten-free cups only need water and they are ready in minutes.

On days I don’t have time to make my Instant Pot Oatmeal, these oatmeal cups come to the rescue! I get them on Amazon!

Strawberry Banana Muffins gluten-free and gluten-free

Strawberry Banana Muffins

These Strawberry Banana Muffins have to be baked ahead of time but they are a filling breakfast that you can give your kids on the way to school.

Gluten-free granola

Granola

I always keep granola on hand for “emergency” breakfasts and snacks. It’s a ready to go meal when I don’t have anything else available. I love the I’m Healthy gluten-free granola; it’s gluten-free and peanut-free with flavors that do not disappoint. Available on Amazon.

Yogurt and Granola

Granola and Yogurt

If I only have a little time, I’ll pour some dairy-free yogurt, fresh fruit and granola in a bowl for a breakfast that takes less than 2 minutes to make. My youngest son loves this treat! I’ll admit, it makes a great dessert too!

Plant-Based Gluten-Free Breakfast Cookies that are allergy-friendly and delicious. These cookies are a great choice for breakfast on the go.

Breakfast Cookies

Cookies for breakfast, yes please! These Breakfast Cookies are closer to a granola bar than a dessert. They are great on the go but healthy enough to call it breakfast. Make them on the weekend for easy weekday meal.

Bobo's Oat Bars

Bobo’s Oat Bars

I fell in love with Bobo’s Oat Bars. These hearty bars are like mini loaves of baked goodness. I was surprised to love every flavor I tried. I keep them in my purse and they easily pass for a meal. I’ve begrudgingly shared a few with friends and they loved them too. Get them on Amazon.

What are your favorite fast and easy breakfasts?

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7 Tips for Simple School Lunches

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When I think of “back to school” I think of packing lunches. They go hand in hand for me. We have a 10 year gap between our older set and our younger set of kids. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been packing lunches FOREVER.

With my youngest starting kindergarten I know that my lunch packing days will be coming to an end in the next few years. Until then I’ll continue my lunch packing routine.

Simple School Lunches

Have a lunch packing routine means you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every day. I’m all in favor of simplicity. I typically choose 3 main items for my kids lunch boxes. They get a main dish, a fruit or veggie and a snack type item.

I don’t pack a lot of food in my kids lunches because most kids waste a lot of food at lunch. If you’ve ever visited your kids at lunch you can see why. It’s a mad house, especially at the kindergarten table. A lot of the kids can’t open their containers or individual packages. If this is their first school experience they probably don’t know how to manage their time. You end up with a 5 year old who can’t open their apple sauce and just talks to their new friends.

Tips for Simple School Lunches

  • Use easy to open containers.
  • Stick to just a few foods.
  • Get your child’s “buy in” or let them see the lunch before it’s packed away
  • Have older kids pack their own lunch (with guidelines) See my printable!
  • Let younger children have some choices like apples or strawberries, crackers or pretzels.
  • Include every thing they need like a spoon or napkin.
  • Use a frozen insert to keep cold foods cold.

I love EasyLunchBoxes because they make lunches easier to pack. My kids have always been able to open them without help, we started using them in preschool. We still use that original set that is over 2 years old. We’ve had a few crack but if you’ve seen how my boys treat their back pack you would understand. They are durable.

My boys love that the EasyLunchBoxes keep their foods separate so nothing touches. That means the strawberries won’t get the pretzels all wet and soggy. I also use their mini dipper containers occasionally when I need a small container.

My 7 year old will sometimes pack his own lunch but usually I need to intervene. He would be happy with a piece of bread, a granola bar and crackers. I have a “at least one fruit or veggie” rule that he likes to sneak around. He doesn’t eat a lot at lunch so I usually stick to 3 things.

My 5 year old wants his lunch box FULL! If there is the tiniest bit of empty space he goes looking for something to stick in it. He will eat it all too. He normally gets two types of fruit, a main dish, something a little “snacky” like pretzels or Plentils, and anything else he can fit in there.

I adapt to each of my kids needs but in a way that works for our needs.

Enter the Easy Lunch Boxes giveaway!

EasyLunchBoxes Giveaway

I want you to have a chance to simplify your lunch box routine too! You can win your own set of EasyLunchBoxes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t win a set of containers you can always buy them from EasyLunchBoxes or Amazon! Make sure you read this first so you get the real deal.

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August 29, 2016 Weekly Meal Plan

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You’ve probably heard that grocery shopping on an empty stomach is a bad idea. I think meal planning when your hungry is an equally bad idea. In fact, I’m officially adding “eat a snack” to my meal planning tips. Your weekly meal plan will turn out healthier if you aren’t thinking of pizza while you plan it.

Mmmmm, pizza sounds good! See, it’s a problem anyone can fall into. Fortunately, it is still too hot for pizza so that won’t make it into my meal plan but Pizza Pasta will. Sometimes people will ask me why I’ll eat soup or chili in the summer; since it’s so hot here in Arizona we keep our air conditioner really cold so soup is actually enjoyable. On the other hand, turning on the oven will heat up the house so I usually only do that in the mornings or for company.

Just thinking about turning on the oven made me think of cookies. Thankfully, I have a no-bake alternative for those too.

See, I have a problem. That just goes to show how much I need a meal plan to keep me focused. I’m also thinking about trying Veestro to have “just in case” I need a quick and easy meal. If you have experience with them let me know!

We’ve had family in town two of the last three weeks so and haven’t been eating the healthiest meals. This week we are ready to get back on plan. This meal plan will focus on dinners because we’ve been living on the Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal Cups for easy breakfasts.

Weekly Meal Plan

If you are stuck and can’t figure out what to have for dinner, this plant-based meal plan should give you some ideas!

A plant-based meal plan the whole family will enjoy. Easy swaps make it gluten-free.

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