My Plant-Based Family

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

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday: Fall Break Menu

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It’s Fall Break so my kids are home from school this week. That means I’ll be doing a lot more cooking with at least 3 times as many interruptions. The weather has finally started to cool off meaning it’s not supposed to be in the 100s. That also means I’m back to using my oven. I’ve been testing a lot of new recipes that will go into an UPDATED version of my Thanksgiving Meal Plan! Stay tuned for more details. I’ve been sharing them on Facebook.

I’m also preparing some food for a Naturopathic Medicine Week Open House at Keystone Natural Family Medicine. If you live in the Phoenix area mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 8th and stop by between 3:00 and 6:00. There will be classes starting every 30 minutes and raffle prizes at the end. I’d love to meet you!

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Plant-Based Meal Plan

This is my Fall Break Menu because when it’s Fall Break I need lots of food available.

Plant-Strong Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon and Raisin Breakfast Rice

Breakfast

I’m taking advantage of the seasonal flavors for most of our breakfasts. Organic Gala Apples were a great price at my local Sprout’s Farmers Market.

Bean and Grain Bowl that is gluten free and vegan

Lunch

I will keep it pretty simple for lunch. My kids will beg for sandwiches everyday and I might give in. I met the Soy Nut Butter folks at the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference so we are trying it out.

Vegan Shepherds Pie

Dinner

If you haven’t made a Meal Plan for the week yet take a few minutes and jot down some ideas. Feel free to use these to check out my Meal Planning Pages for Free Meal Planning Ideas. If you’d like all of the work done for you can purchase a ready-made meal plan complete with a shopping list and recipes.

So, what are you eating this week. Your Meal Plan my inspire others. If it’s Fall Break for you what are you plans?

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Custom Meal Plan

3 Reasons YOU Need a Meal Plan

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I’m just gonna ask…do you have a Meal Plan? If you come here for Meal Planning inspiration thank you. I hope you are able to take some of these ideas (or my Plant-Based Meal Plan Pinterest Board’s ideas) and make them into something that works for you. If you want to meal plan but haven’t gotten around to it stay tuned. Today I’m giving you 3 Reason YOU need a Meal Plan!

3 Reasons YOU Need a Meal Plan

1. Meal Planning Saves Time

While it’s true, you need to set aside some time to Meal Plan that time is an investment that saves time all week long. After you’ve planned a few weeks of meal plan you will be able to create one very quickly. I can create one for my family in a few minutes. I’m willing to get you can set aside 20-30 minutes and have a Meal Plan ready for the week.

2. Meal Planning Saves Money

How many times each week do you go out to eat instead of eating at home? You could have had a home cooked meal for a fraction of the cost.

3. It gets Easier with Practice

The more Meal Plans you create the easier it gets. You don’t have to start off fancy or complicated, just start! You also don’t need a new Menu each week. Make a few then alternate them. You have learned how to do a lot of things that are harder than this. Whether you keep a list in your phone, scratch it on the back on an envelope or buy special products I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Need Help?

If you need more practical help I’ve written several posts that offer very practical tips that will have you planning your meals in no time. Read Meal Planning Tips that Really Work Part 1 and Part 2. If Batch Cooking is more your thing read Back to (Batch Cooking) School Meal Plan for ideas. The September Plant-Based Meal Plans are still available if you’d rather just buy one (or two). Buying a Meal Plan will still save you time and money plus you will be that much closer to reaching your healthy goals.

MealPlanning

Still More?

If you need more Meal Planning help I can plan an online class. So comment, email or message me if you want an online Meal Planning class.

Custom Meal Plan

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September’s Plant-Based Meal Plans

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Have you been waiting on these? I’m sorry to make you wait but I had to get them perfect, well as perfect as possible.

The new Plant-Based Meal Plans are here. If you’ve wanted to purchase a Custom Meal Plan but didn’t want to spend the money then these Meal Plans are for you.

plant based meal plans

There are 2 plans to choose from and both are oil-free and allergy-friendly.

Learn more on my Plant-Based Meal Plan Page.

Here is a peek at what you get.

Plant Based Meal Plans

Order Plan 1 Add to Cart

Order Plan 2 Add to Cart

Or buy both and save!

September’s Plant-Based Meal Plans are allergy-friendly, contain no oil and just like the other recipes you find here they are easy and delicious.  Read more HERE.

If you are a blogger check out my Affiliates Page for affiliate opportunities.

Meal Plan Monday: Simple Plant-Based Meals

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This week my focus is on keeping meals simple. We’ve got our normal stuff this week like school, sports and homework but I also have a kid home sick, my new meal plans will debut and I’m going out of town to the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference!

Simple Plant-Based Meals

In order to keep things flowing as smoothly as possible I’ll focus on SIMPLE plant-based meals. I know, most of my recipes are already simple but these are going to be even easier, requiring no prep work and minimal effort.

Breakfast

This week we are eating cereal and oatmeal, well oatmeal may be a little optimistic.

Lunch

My kids will eat sandwiches this week with fruit and Gluten-Free Pretzels. I’ll have leftovers and if I need to make something it will probably be veggie soup. I don’t know about you buy soup is my favorite way to eat veggies.

Dinner

These are my goal meals. There is a good chance my kids will live on sandwiches and cereal. Is that wrong to admit? I have no idea what they will eat when I’m out of town, my hubby’s got it under control, I’m sure it will include lots of broccoli.

Gluten-Free Pasta with Marinara Sauce and a side salad.

Crock Pot Brown Rice and Broccoli Casserole (because it’s my hubby’s favorite).

Baked Potatoes and Steamed Veggies

Taco Soup I’ll use canned beans and veggies in this. I haven’t decided if I’ll use the Crock Pot or stove yet.

Each of these should make enough for dinners and leftover lunches.

I also held my Gluten-Free Lunch Box Class this weekend. It was a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to offering an online version in the future.

What does your week look like? Any big plans? What are you doing this week to keep it simple?

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Meal Plan Monday: Quick Meals and Comforting Soups

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September signals fall sports, dropping temperatures and back to school activities (read homework). Thankfully, I’ve found my back to school routine for the most part. Our evening sports practices make for hurried dinners at least twice a week. I love making quick meals and comforting soups, especially when they are easy.

This weekend is my Gluten-Free Lunch Box Class. If you live in the Phoenix area you don’t want to miss it! The deadline to sign up is Tuesday! Next week I’ll be releasing the New Meal Plans so be on the lookout for more clues this week on Facebook and Twitter!

Meal Plan Monday

Breakfast

I know I’ve mentioned it before but I’ve fallen in love with Oatmeal again. The slightly cooler mornings make it my go to breakfast. I always use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats (it’s a 4 packs).

  • Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal
  • Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
  • Cereal (on busy mornings)

Lunch

I pack a lunch for my kindergartener but my preschooler and I eat at home.

Dinner

I just restocked my pantry so I get to have some of my favorites this week.

I’m thinking of doing a little baking too! Maybe these Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins or Gluten-Free Apple Muffins with hit the spot. They would taste amazing with Sarah’s Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Creamer (warning: contains nuts).

What do you have planned for the week? Have the temperatures cooled down enough for warm soups and comfort foods?

Meal Plan Monday: It May Be Fall But…

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This time a year poses a conundrum for me. As you know if you’ve been here for a while I live in Arizona. I should be on the Arizona Tourist Bureau I love AZ so much.

The problem is that the weather here is different from the rest of the country. Most people here aren’t quite ready for soup and chili even though it’s “Fall” in many places. I try to strike a happy medium, plus I am ready for those delicious comfort foods. I made Veggie Pot Pie last night.

So I try to keep a middle of the road approach to Meal Plans. I know I can’t make the perfect meal plan for my friends in Michigan, Africa or Australia. Hopefully you will find something that inspires you. Or do what I do and take a look at the Recipe Page.

Plant-Based meal plan

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

We recently reintroduced oatmeal to our house and we are loving it. We have a few other breakfasts for busy days though.

Lunch

I usually utilize dinner leftovers for my lunch and pack a lunch for my 5 year old. I usually post his lunch pictures on Instagram.

  • Taco Salad
  • Chili topped Baked Potatoes
  • Soup and a Baked Potato
  • Veggie Wraps
  • Leftover Veggie Pot Pie ( I have an older recipe here but I’m working on a new one. This one uses a little Earth Balance and wheat flour. The new one I’m working on is GF and oil-free.)

Dinner

Have you planned your meals for this week? What season are you cooking for?

Don’t forget! I have some very special Meal Plans available soon! Especially if you’ve been curious about my Custom Meal Plans.

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