Meal Plans

Meal Plan Monday: December is Here

December 1, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 1 Comment

If you still have Thanksgiving leftovers just eat them. Don’t cook another thing until those leftovers are gone. Thanksgiving leftovers are some of my favorite. I’ll eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I have them. I’m always sad when they are gone.

Did you over indulge on Thanksgiving? If you cooked healthy, plant-based recipes you probably only ate too much. If you used some of my recipes I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you don’t have any Thanksgiving leftovers you may need some dinner inspiration.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

I’m taking advantage of my Instant Pot this week. I love that I can cook dinner quickly after I get home or set a timer so it doesn’t begin cooking until I want it to start. If you don’t have an Instant Pot I recommend you buy one or at least put it on your Christmas list. You could also make these recipes in a Crock Pot or on the stove although it will take much longer.

Enchilada Soup made in the Instant Pot

Chili made in the Instant Pot

One Pot Pizza Pasta

Sautéed Mushrooms and Baked Potatoes (cooked in the Instant Pot) with steamed greens

Lentil Quinoa Tacos

Now that December is here things start to move more quickly, or so it seems. Don’t get caught off guard by everything you “have to do.” Prioritize your health!

Have you Heard?

The 31 Day Plant-Based eCourse and Challenge starts January 1st! It’s going to be a life changing experience for a lot of people. Are you one of them?

You’ll get daily tips and encouragement to turn your plant-based aspirations into a reality. If you’ve been meaning to make a change now is the time! The eCourse is packed with information and the challenge will give you the extra push you need to achieve your goals whether they include weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, or physical fitness.

Have you signed up yet?

Meal Plan Monday: Big Changes

November 24, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 6 Comments

There have been big changes taking place in our household.

I’ve gone back to work full-time for the first time in about 10 years.

Before becoming a Stay at Home Mom and then later a blogger I was very focused on my career. I even graduated college early (in 2 years and 9 months actually) so I could get out there and conquer the world.

Blogging started as a great creative outlet and a way to help people on their healthy living journey and became a business endeavor.I loved being able to earn a little money while doing what I love.

There may be some changes but My Plant-Based Family is not going anywhere! In fact I have some pretty aggressive goals for My Plant-Based Family. My husband has become more involved over the last few months and eventually I may hire a little help so if you are a Plant-Based Virtual Assistant let me know.

In my new job I’m a Social Media Coordinator for a faith-based, non-profit, social services organization that works with the homeless, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, refugees, foster children and more. I am so honored to use my skills as a blogger and social media strategist to make the world a better place.

Since I’ll have much less time at home our Meal Plans will be much more important however I may not always publish them so I can spend that extra time with my family.

Plant-Based Dinner Meal Plan

I will be doing a little batch cooking on Saturday’s. I also bought an Instant Pot so I could cook things like beans and grains quickly. I recently wrote about the Instant Pot and why I LOVE it.

Fiesta Pasta
Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole in the Instant Pot
Bean Burritos with Mexican Rice
Spaghetti with Marinara and a side salad
Pad Thai

What are your favorite quick meal? What meals do your family love?

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan week 3

November 17, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo Leave a Comment

If you are participating in the 21 Day Plant-Based Healthy Eating Challenge you are now in the homestretch. If you are just hearing about this a group of us endeavored on a 21 Day challenge of eating 90% unprocessed foods with pretty aggressive daily goals. It’s not too late to join in. Read more about it here. There are still lots of prizes available!

To keep in line with the challenge this weeks Plant-Based Meal Plan will focus on unprocessed foods.

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan

Breakfast

Apple and Banana Baked Oatmeal from our sponsor Sarah at Gazing In. (One copy of this book has already been won but there is still one up for grabs.)
Posh Porridge from our sponsor Julie at The Real Food Kids
Breakfast Taco Bowl I’ll skip the tortilla for an “unprocessed” option
Crock Pot Breakfast Hash
Sugar-Free Oatmeal

Lunch

BBQ Chickpea Salad
Leftover Soup and Salad
Lentil and Rice Bowl
Baked Potato topped with Roasted Veggies
Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad with Oil-Free Cranberry Salad Dressing

Dinner

Chickpea Noodle Soup but I’ll substitute rice for the noodles for an “unprocessed” option
Lentil Shepherds Pie
Minestrone Soup with quinoa instead of pasta
Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad with Oil-Free Cranberry Salad Dressing
Chili and Baked Potatoes

If you’ve been participating in the challenge I’d love to hear what you think about it!

If you aren’t participating I’ve got great news! Our next challenge will start January 1st! More details to follow.

Plant-Based Holiday Meal Plan and Cookbook

November 12, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo Leave a Comment

It’s almost Thanksgiving and Christmas will quickly follow. Do you have a plan for the holidays?

Favorite Foods made Healthier

Food may be at the center of most holiday traditions but that doesn’t mean you have to eat poorly. In fact, many of your traditional favorites can be adapted and made healthier (and allergy-friendly).

You may need to substitute eggs, butter or oil but it can be done. I highly recommend you test each dish before the big day or follow a trusted recipe.

The Holidays can be a Slippery Slope

The problem with straying away from healthy eating habits during the holidays is that most of us don’t stop with one meal. We polish off a turkey dinner and dairy-filled sides with a couple of pieces of pie, then start all over the next day with leftovers. Then we have a “hankering” for rich and fatty foods that can only be quenched with Christmas cookies, cakes and cheese.

Does that sound familiar?

Plan for Health

I’ve collected all of my favorite traditional Holiday foods in one place. The Plant-Based Holiday Meal Plan & Cookbook is a PDF download that contains 20 recipes. This collection is perfect for anyone who eats vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly.

Recipes

Let’s take a closer look at the recipes!

Thanksgiving Sage Dressing
Gluten-Free Cornbread for Dressing
Perfectly Whipped Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole with optional Pecan Glaze
Thanksgiving Mushroom Gravy
Green Bean Casserole
Creamy Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Dry Veggie Broth Mix
Cranberry Sauce
Holiday Lentil Loaf
Cheezy Potatoes (Vegan Scalloped Potatoes)
Faux Cheese Sauce
Butternut Squash & Quinoa Salad with Oil-Free Cranberry Dressing
Oil-Free Cranberry Salad Dressing
Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Veggie Pot Pie (this recipe contains gluten but can be made GF using the GF Pie Crust Recipe)
Recipe for Easy All Purpose Sauce for Veggie Pot Pie
Roasted Asparagus
Maple Glazed Carrots
Gluten-Free Pie Crust (contains vegan shortening)
Apple Pie
Creamy Apple Pie Bars

Most of the recipes are also oil-free, the only exception is the pie crust. (I’ve yet to create a truly great pie crust that is gluten-free and oil-free hence the vegan shortening used in the crust).

Last year I offered a Thanksgiving Meal Plan but this year I’ve taken that old Meal Plan, updated it with new recipes and made it more user-friendly. If you bought the old Thanksgiving Meal Plan I’m happy to send you this one for free. Just send me an email and I’ll verify your purchase and send you a new download link.

If you haven’t purchased it yet what are you waiting for? The Plant-Based Holiday Meal Plan is only $4.99!

It’s also available on Amazon but I HIGHLY recommend this PDF version. The Amazon version is e-reader friendly but the charts get difficult to read do to formatting changes. The larger you screen the easier it is so it will likely work fine on ipads but not as well on iphones.

I guarantee it will make your holiday meals healthy and delicious! It’s full of helpful information, a cooking guide and plenty of tips.

Healthy Eating Challenge Meal Plan Week 2

November 10, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo Leave a Comment

It’s the second week of the 21 Day Plant-Based Challenge! If you are participating in this challenge with us I’m sure you are feeling great and inspired. I hope you’ve become more confident and learned a few tips to help you make these healthy changes a sustainable part of your life.

If you are just learning about the challenge it’s not too late to join! Learn more about the challenge and get involved.

Join the My Plant-Based Family Facebook Group that is serving as Headquarters for the Challenge.

Our generous sponsors have provided some great prizes to help you on your plant-based journey! We have two drawings each week but you have to participate by telling me your points! Each point counts as an entry!