My Plant-Based Family

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

Meal Plan Monday

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide

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UPDATE: This book has been updated! Get the latest information HERE!

Happy New Year! If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy you’ve come to the right place! Yesterday I launched my new ebook, The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well.

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide Ebook
If you are new to a plant-based diet you NEED this ebook. It’s a quick and easy read that will teach you what your really need to know to transition to a plant-based lifestyle. Learn how to read labels, shop for healthy food, plan and cook healthy meals and so much more.

Resources like Forks Over Knives and The China Study teach you why you should eat a plant-based diet. The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide teaches you how. This ebook teaches you the basics of a whole food, no-oil plant-based diet. Need help getting your family to eat healthier? Check out the chapter Transitioning The Family that contains tips for getting kids to eat well and dealing with unhappy family members.

I also include some of my “Reader Favorite” recipes to help you get started on your plant-based journey.

Resolutions or not, isn’t it about time you take the plant-based plunge? Take advantage of the discount before it’s too late!

Attention Bloggers! If you are interested in becoming an affiliate send an email to myplantbasedfamily {at} gmail {dot} com for information on how you can make money selling The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide. 

Meal Plan Monday: The Week Before Christmas

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Meal Plan

Christmas is quickly approaching and like you I still have a lot to do. Realistically, I always have a lot do. I plan to cook large portions this week, but only a few meals so I can focus on other things. Thankfully, many of our favorite recipes are great as leftovers. I’m also trying some new recipes and new combinations of recipes we make often. This week’s Meal Plan will focus on simplicity.

Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

 

I haven’t been planning our snacks but my kids usually have apples and I’ve been having way too much dark chocolate. We also have hummus and veggies too. Since it’s cold I sometimes have coffee, chai, or hot apple cider. I’ve also recently made my incredible Gluten-Free Brownies and a new GF Apple dessert recipe.

I also need to offer congratulations to Stacey P. who won the Vegan Cheesecake Kit from Follow Your Heart!

I will take a break from blogging next week so I can spend more time with my family. If you aren’t ready for the holiday’s yet check out my Gift Guides. You can read about helping others through World Vision, Handy Kitchen Gear, Luxury Kitchen Items, Personal Gifts & Books, my Snack Guide or how to throw a Plant-Based Party.

Are you ready?

 

Meal Plan Monday: Processed Food

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Meal Plan Monday

I prefer to eat food that is on the unprocessed side of the spectrum, you know me, rice and beans are my thing. Sometimes we lean on processed foods to get through the week. Since most of our diet is unprocessed I don’t mind deviating from normal, on occasion. This week we have a lot of time away from home, a Christmas party, company, plus your general chaos that we enjoy on a daily basis.

I feel I must offer a disclaimer that while we will be eating more processed food this week it wont be your Standard American Diet (SAD) processed food. Additionally if any of us were fighting disease we would steer clear of highly processed food when possible. The processed items we will enjoy are “sometimes” foods in our house and not typical fare and will be carefully screened for allergens and scary ingredients.

Meal Plan

Breakfast

My kids will be eating a lot of cereal this week. I wont feel guilty about it. They may have oatmeal and an oat-free/gluten-free hot cereal mix as well. Unfortunately I’ll probably survive on coffee, granola bars, EnergyBits, and anything else I can grab quickly. I know, that was inspirational right. I may grab toast and fruit too if that helps.

Lunch

Leftovers and sandwiches will be king this week.

  • Tostadas
  • Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
  • Veggie Sandwich with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and anything else available
  • Baked Potatoes with leftover veggies or soup on top
  • Bean & Grain Bowl Salad , think beans, rice, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, and anything else available.

Dinners

We have a few dinners that are out of the house this week. I’m hoping to make the most of the days I can cook and make them delicious.

  • Gluten-Free Mushroom Stroganoff  (yes, vegan)
  • Gluten-Free Veggie Pizza
  • Cheezy Broccoli & Rice Bake, this can also be a side dish on another night
  • Veggie Burgers (straight from the freezer section) with Baked Potatoes or Potato Wedges

I’m also hoping to make some muffins or Brownies because we may have some drop in guests.

Where do you sit on the processed/unprocessed fence? While I try to avoid processed foods most of the time I think they can have a place in a healthy diet. I typically view processed items as a “sometimes” or special occasion food. Personally, I can’t imagine life without Enjoy Life Brand products, they make shopping for my son (and all of his allergies/sensitivities) doable and delicious!

Speaking of delicious, I have to tell you about a great deal!

Sarah at Gazing In has a new ebook available at Amazon, Sweet Treats Done Naturally. Trust me, you need this book! She is also giving away FREE copies of 3 of her other ebooks this week.

December 9th get Naturally Fabulous Vegan Cupcakes

December 11th get The Natural Barista Latte Syrups and Drinks

December 13th get Oatmeal on the Go

I’ve read and love Oatmeal on the Go and The natural Barista and I just bought my copy of Naturally Fabulous Vegan Cupcakes. I can’t wait start reading it!

Meal Plan Monday: A Super Easy Fall Meal Plan

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111813mealplan

This week I’m planning a simple Meal Plan that wont require too much work. Like many of you I’ll be doing lots of cooking next week and need to take a break while I can. I will be sharing plenty of Thanksgiving related ideas and recipes this week so make sure you check back often.

Quinoa-Squash Salad

Saturday was the Virtual Vegan Potluck and I brought a Butternut Squash & Quinoa Salad with Oil-Free Cranberry Salad Dressing. I also prepared it for Simplicity Fitness’ 21 Day Clean Eating Cleanse.

Meal Plan

Breakfast

  • Overnight Oats
  • Oatmeal with Maple Syrup and Cranberries
  • Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Breakfast Tacos

Lunch

Snacks

  • Apples with sunbutter
  • Sunbutter & Fruit Roll Up
  • Chips, salsa & Guacamole
  • Popcorn

Dinner

Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving? I’d love to hear what you are making! I’ll share my favorite Thanksgiving menu later this week!

Meal Plan Monday: Cold Weather Recipes to Keep Warm

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Plant-Based Meal Plan for NovemberThis Plant-Based Meal Plan is full of warm recipes that are perfect for cold weather. Of course I still add a few salads in here an there.

Recently my boys (age 2 and 4) wanted a snack. I excitedly asked, “want some lettuce” and to my surprise they said yes. Ever since I’ve been offering them lettuce for snack. The 4 year old prefers “crunchy” lettuce.  It just goes to show that if you keep offering your family healthy choices eventually they will eat them.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lunch

  • Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salsa with Baked Potato and Salad
  • Gluten-Free Veggie Wraps with warm Roasted Veggies
  • Sunbutter Sandwiches with sliced fruit
  • Black Bean Quesadillas and Mexican Rice
  • Leftover soup or noodles

Snacks

Dinner

This weekend I’ll have a booth at the FITT for Life Expo in Florence, Arizona. It’s a free event for the whole family.

Meal Plan Monday: The Post Road Trip Detox

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mpm 10-28

We just returned from a week-long, 3300 mile road trip and boy do I feel bleh. Even making the best choices (most of the time) I feel pretty gross. Now that we are back I’m determined to detox all of the sugar, caffeine, chocolate, and grease I ingested during the trip. Tomorrow I’ll let you in on part of my plan for this detox but today I’ll just fill you in on my Plant-Based Meal Plan. My approach with this Meal Plan has two parts, first is to include as many fruit and veggies as possible and second is use up a lot of stuff from my freezer. I have a lot of odds and ends in the freezer and they take up a lot of room. I’d really like to empty it out as much as possible.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lately I’ve been struggling to eat breakfast in the morning. I always encourage oatmeal but this week I’ll eat other options too.

Lunch

I plan to eat a lot of soup this week because I eat more veggies in a bowl of soup that I would ever eat on their own. To make your soup stretch a little further try pouring it on top of a baked potato.

Snacks

We have eaten so many unhealthy snacks lately they I really want to so better this week.

  • Smoothies for my hubby and boys, I’m not a smoothie unless it is chocolate peanut butter smoothie
  • Apples and Sunbutter
  • Raw Veggies and Hummus
  • Soups
  • Baked Goods in my freezer

Dinner

I always strive to prepare a filling dinner, beans is the not-so-secret ingredient that keeps us feeling comfortable full all evening.

Last week I shared The Cheapest Plant-Based Meal Plan Ever! I hope you took a look at the FREE Printable Shopping List that accompanied it. I was sad to see apple prices shoot up this week at my local grocery store, that would wreak havoc on keeping the Meal Plan under $55. I’d just switch to pears which were about 77¢ per pound. Do you need a “recovery” period after vacations to get back on track?