My Plant-Based Family

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

Meal Plans

My Plant-Based Meal Plan + Support Group

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The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be hard to navigate for plant-based eaters. There are more parties, potlucks and holiday dinners than any other time of year. The temptation will mount as you see all your old favorites, platters of treats and the “one won’t hurt” attitude.

I’m not immune to the barrage that is coming but I can counter it by being very intentional with my meal planning and food prep. Maybe most important is saying NO. Say no to the extra treats, gravy, parties, and quick run for fast food. If you’ve been around My Plant-Based Family for a while you know I’m not some crazy, hard-core, healthy eater. But, if you are really wanting to eat healthy through the next month (especially if you are new to the plant-based diet) then you have to be a little more stubborn about making healthy choices.

I want to help all of you who need the extra help. I’m determined not to overindulge during the holiday festivities this year. That doesn’t mean I’ll skip all of the Christmas fun, or even all of the desserts, but I won’t allow it to ruin my progress.

Join me in the My Plant-Based Family Facebook Group. I’ll post a daily thread where you can chime in with what you are eating, cooking, or planning. This group has been a little quiet but it is the perfect place to share. It’s a closed group so only group members can see what you post. Will you join me?

As mentioned, I’m going to be very intentional about my meal planning. It’s so important to have healthy food available. My husband has already done our grocery shopping for the week and we’ve decided what we will eat for the week.

This plant-based meal plan is perfect for the cooler temperatures of fall.

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Plant-Based Meal Plan

Monday

Steel Cut Oats made in my Instant Pot topped with Bananas

Leftover Soup

Mini Lentil Loaves, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Tuesday

Smoothie and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins

Leftover Lentil Loaf and veggies

Pizza made with Enjoy Life Food Pizza dough mix and a side salad

Wednesday

Toast topped with peanut butter (or peanut-free alternative) Bananas or Apple Slices

Big Salad

Recipe testing a new pasta recipe

Thursday

Steel Cut Oats in the Instant Pot with apples

Chickpea Noodle Soup

Lentil Tacos (in my Instant Pot), Mexican rice and Unfried Black Beans

Friday

Yogurt and Granola

Leftovers

“Beefy” Lentil and Veggie Soup

I’ve stepped up my cooking lately so we are sure to have healthy leftovers for lunch. If something changes we have to eat out we will grab Chipotle. It’s our go-to choice when we eat out. I always go for the Veggie Bowl.

 

November 14, 2016 Plant-Based Meal Plan

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I’ve been on a soup kick lately and I expect this week to be no different. I’ve been remaking my old favorites in my Instant Pot so I can share the directions for all my IPers. I also plan to start my bread baking again but every time I plan to do it, it gets hot again. Despite the warm weather here in Arizona, I’m on a fall kick and gearing up for Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, if you are struggling with what to make check out my Holiday Meal Plan and Cookbook! Trust me, it will make Thanksgiving so much easier!

This Plant Based Meal Plan is perfect for your family is fall. It has lots of soup, oatmeal and easy, family-friendly meals. [Read more…] about November 14, 2016 Plant-Based Meal Plan

Halloween Week Meal Plan

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Today is Halloween which means many of you will be eating candy for dinner. Don’t worry, I won’t judge you. I do recommend you make a big bowl of soup or chili before your candy eating begins. If you are full of something healthy you won’t eat as many treats.

I also recommend that you get rid of your leftover Halloween candy as fast as possible. Need ideas?

  • Some dentists will “buy” candy from you
  • Donate it to organizations that send it to soldiers
  • Find a local non-profit that serves children
  • If you work in an office you can leave it in a shared kitchen or break room

The longer you have the candy in your house the more you will eat. Halloween candy can sabotage your eating plans until Thanksgiving treats move in.

If your kids will be eating candy for the next week, make sure they are getting plenty of healthy meals. This week, I’m sharing a dinner meal plan to help you eat well.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

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Weekly Plant-Based Dinner Meal Plan

This week, I’m sharing our weekly dinner meal plan. We might switch meals around a little bit depending on our schedule. For breakfast we will have our usual suspects like toast with SunButter and fruit, Instant Pot Oatmeal or bagels.

Monday

Spaghetti, side salad and green beans

Tuesday

Minestrone Soup

Wednesday

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole (Crock Pot)

Thursday

“Beefy” Lentil and Veggie Soup

Friday

Lentil Tacos, Cilantro Lime Quinoa and Unfried Beans

This weekend I’ll be heading to Denver to the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference. This is one of my favorite conferences with some of my favorite bloggers. Even if you aren’t in the food allergy world, it’s a great conference for bloggers in general. I learn something new each year and make great relationships. If you are looking for a great conference join me at FAB Con!

What are you eating this week? Will you have to deal with extra treats around the house?

Want a more robust meal plan? Don’t forget to download my latest Fall Meal Plan! It contains a menu, a shopping list and recipes. Get more info here!

September 26, 2016 Meal Plan

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When your schedule is crazy and you don’t have time to cook regularly, batch cooking is a great option. Sure, I love my Instant Pot for fast meals but it’s hard to beat assembling food that is already cooked.

When I batch cook, I cook a few foods that I can mix and match together. The most common example in our house is black beans, brown rice and potatoes. We might throw in a pasta to mix it up a bit.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

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September 19, 2016 Meal Plan

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When I don’t have a lot of time to think about my meal plan I try to focus on the basics. For me, that means potatoes, beans, rice, veggies and fruit. After a great, on-the-go weekend I want easy meals that are filling and hearty.

This meal plan will focus on dinner because I plan to eat oatmeal every day this week! Why, because oatmeal is easy, filling and hearty. I know, I keep things simple.

I’ll switch between my Instant Pot Oatmeal, my favorite Oatmeal Cups and these super easy overnight oats!

I’ll eat leftovers for lunch every chance I get and when I’m out I’ll make a Baked Potato in my Instant Pot.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Plant-Based Dinner Meal Plan

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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!