My Plant-Based Family

Eating Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet recipes, On a Budget.

On the Go

On the Road Again part 3

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This is the third part of a series on eating well while traveling. Today’s segment will is about eating well while staying in a hotel. We have also discussed Eating Well in the Car (packing food) and Eating Well from Fast Food Joints.

Do you struggle to eat well while traveling? It can be difficult but it isn’t impossible even while navigating multiple food allergies and eating a plant-based diet.

Eating Well while Staying in a Hotel

I’m not talking about creating gourmet masterpieces while staying in hotels, I’m talking about eating well enough that you don’t get sick. We usually stay in mid-range hotels when we travel. We usually look for hotels with a microwave, mini fridge and a breakfast buffet. We can’t always get everything we want but it helps to keep us from eating out at every meal.

Breakfast Buffet

The last hotel we stayed at had the worse breakfast options I’ve seen at a hotel (that actually serves breakfast). There was no fruit! They had lots of pastries, packets of oatmeal (the kind with flavors and sugar already mixed in), sugary cereal milk, yogurt, a waffle maker, and juice. Had we not been plant-based it would have been ok. If my son wouldn’t have had a wheat/gluten allergy we could have made due with toast or bagels.

Many hotels have great breakfast areas. I’ll list some of the options that I’ve made work in the past. If you or someone you are traveling with has food allergies I would recommend skipping the hotel breakfast area completely due to cross contamination.

  • Oatmeal with raisins and walnuts
  • Bagels with peanut butter and sliced apples or bananas
  • Fruit
  • Whole grain cereal that is low on sugar
  • If they have an omelet area ask for just the veggies
  • Toast with peanut better and fruit

Some hotels have more options, others have less. Since we were concerned for our son’s allergies I packed most the food he ate for breakfast including cereal, rice milk, hot rice cereal (just add hot water), lots of fresh and dried fruit.

Mini Fridge & Microwave Options

  • Pre-cooked Rice Bowls
  • Instant Soups
  • Sandwiches
  • Steam in bag veggies
  • Frozen Food (store-bought or homemade)
  • Salad from a deli
  • Non-dairy yogurt
  • Hummus and raw veggies

This is a pretty simple list but we really wants to spend a lot of time cooking when you are traveling. We also had a bag with small sunflower seed butter packets that could be used in a food emergency.

Do you ever find yourself needing to cook in a hotel?

We’ve stayed in places with full kitchen’s and I hated all the time I spend cooking and cleaning. Now I opt for easier and quicker (microwave) cooking methods while on the go.

Do you have a suggestions I may have missed for eating at the hotel?

 

On the Road Again part 2

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This is the second part of a series on eating well while traveling. Today’s segment will revolve around eating well while on the go (restaurants). Last time I discussed Eating Well in the Car (packing food). In later segments I’ll discuss eating well in hotels, etc.

Do you struggle to eat well while traveling? It can be difficult but it isn’t impossible even while navigating multiple food allergies and eating a plant-based diet.

Eating Well on the Road Part 2

As you know we pack plenty of food when we travel but we still supplement by eating at restaurants throughout our journey. The following are healthy (or at least healthier) choices you can find along the way. I won’t be listing any Vegan restaurants but will focus on establishments that are easy to find and widely known.

Chipotle: My Happy Place! Chipotle has an amazing burrito bowl that can be ordered with black beans, brown rice, your choice of salsa, and guacamole. You could also get a salad or burrito, both are delicious! I frequent my local Chipotle so often I usually get free drinks.

Taco Bell: I know, not known as the healthiest option but their beans and rice are both vegan. I usually opt for a burrito without cheese and add rice. They also have a Cantina Bowl just that is customizable but avoid the dressing (it contains dairy).

Subway: Who says you need meat on a sub sandwich? I order the veggie delight with avocado. You could also try a salad or a wrap if a sub isn’t your thing.

Wendy’s: I know this is a burger joint but it has some workable options. I like to order the baked potato, some locations have guacamole I use to top my potato. They also have salads that can be made without meat and apple dippers.

Starbucks: Do I really need to say anything here? I order my coffee with soy milk instead of dairy and leave off whip cream. Thanks to a friend who works at Starbuck’s I now know you can order the oatmeal with soy milk also. I once picked up a veggie and hummus pita at an airport but I don’t know if those are found everywhere.

Pizza: I love a good veggie pizza without cheese. My son can’t have gluten so we only get pizza when we find pizza place’s with a gluten-free crust. You may want to do a little research before choosing a restaurant to find out what is the crust.

We’ve also eaten at “regular” restaurants and found things that work for us. Chips and salsa (and guacamole) are usually acceptable. Most restaurants offer salads and baked potatoes. Most vegetables are made with butter or oil so inquire about their preparation.

We found a great restaurant that worked for us on our last trip. I’ll share more about that another time when I offer suggestions for finding hidden gems while traveling. Do you have a favorite and maybe even unexpected restaurant I should mention? Email them to me or leave them in the comments.

Where do you eat while on a trip? Is there a special spot that shouldn’t be missed?

On the Road Again

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This is the first part of a series on eating well while traveling. Today segment will revolve around eating well while in the car. In other segments I’ll discuss eating well in hotels, restaurants, etc.

Do you struggle to eat well while traveling? It can be difficult but it isn’t impossible even while navigating multiple food allergies and eating a plant-based diet.

Eating Well on the Road Part 1

With proper planning you can eat well while on the road. I’m not saying that you have to eat 100% healthy, we tend to buy special snacks for road trips but you don’t have to hit every drive-thru and gas station for food along the way.

I highly recommend a cooler or two if you have the room. We typically have a small cooler and a box for non-perishable snacks that we can easily reach. I also like to keep small cups that can be filled and refilled to pass back to my kids.

Fresh Fruit and Veggies

It may sound boring but fresh fruit and veggies can help with the car ride munchies. I prefer to buy pre-sliced or bite-sized options when possible. On our most recent road trip we packed blueberries, cherries (only for adults because the pits are choking hazards), apples, oranges, peaches, nectarines, grapes, and broccoli. Carrots and bananas are other easy options but my little guy can’t handle those right now. I was too busy to slice up cucumbers and bell peppers but those would have been great options.

Sandwiches

Don’t underestimate the power of sandwiches. If you are traveling 100s of miles without real food a sandwich can be your best friend. We used to freeze sandwiches before a trip and let them thaw as we traveled. Now I usually just make them right before we leave. This time I used GF bread for my 2 year old and whole wheat bread for the rest of us along with sunflower seed butter with jelly. You could make a good ol PB&J if you prefer.

If you are already packing sliced veggies you might as well pack some tortillas too. With tortillas you can make a quick wrap. I’ve seen (but haven’t tried) small packages of hummus that is doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

Snack Attack

We are snackers when we travel. We alternate between sweet and salty often. I’m not condoning this behavior I’m just admitting it. To keep us from buying Doritos and Little Debbie’s I made sure we had a full box of “healthier” snacks. I had applesauce pouches, every variety of granola bar I could find, air popped pop corn, fruit strips, lollipops, tortilla chips, roasted chickpeas and dried fruit. I’m sure there were other snacks as well but these are the ones I remember. Normally I’d throw in some chocolate too but I didn’t want it to melt.

Drinks

We also drink a lot while we travel. I always carry a reusable water bottle (it isn’t pretty but I need my water) for me and my boys. I also bought a large pack of water bottles because I’m quite the water snob and can’t handle yucky tasting water. We also brought a few Zevia Soda’s in case we needed an extra boost. My husband loves them but I still haven’t found a flavor I love yet. Of course coffee is highly sought after by me so we packed a coffee creamer in our cooler.

Do you have a favorite food to eat in the car (or on a long plane ride)? In the coming weeks I’ll offer tips for eating well in the hotel and how to search for restaurants that will cater to your needs.

 

Meal Plan Monday: When Time is Short

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French Bread Pizza

We have a lot of things scheduled this week and I may be adding a few more. Our busyness is nothing compared to the craziness we experienced when our big kids were younger and lived with us, especially once we added a baby to the mix. They were all very active in sports and played on three different teams that each practiced twice a week, of course none of the practice locations were near each other or our house. We survived that season of life, you may be there now. I know we will return to it in a few years.

Our little boys love sports. Sometimes I start thinking how much fun it would be to start them playing. I day-dream for a moment them I’m taken back to the craziness of it all and decide to wait, at least a little bit longer.

Your kids may not be busy with sports but there are still plenty of lessons, groups, friends, birthday parties, and let us not forget those projects that are usually forgotten until the night before. That doesn’t include the things parents have going on, work, meetings, ministry, housework, cooking, yard work, and projects that are usually forgotten until the night before. Does any of this sound familiar?

In honor of all of those crazy schedules out there this meal plan will focus on mostly easy and quick meals. If you have to pull through a drive thru for bean burritos I wont judge; and if you happen to get a soda it will be our secret.

Meal Plan

Breakfast will be simple, as it should be, cold cereal, nut butter toast, or oatmeal. Have you tried making oatmeal overnight in the crock pot? The enticing smell may make waking up a little easier in the morning.

Lunch is usually leftovers for my husband and I, my boys like some leftovers but they still get excited over sandwiches, they are little weirdies. You can always take sandwiches to a new level; layer your favorite veggies between two pieces of bread and use humus or avocado for the spread. You still get your veggie but enjoy the portability of a sandwich. Likewise a make a wrap and cover in plastic wrap to keep it all together. When I’m short on time (pretty much everyday) I can eat a sandwich or wrap much quicker than a salad. If you need more volume/calories to keep you fueled add a baked potato or cup of beans as a side. I like eating a baked potato with beans or even leftover soup poured on top.

Snack is simple too, you can’t get much simpler than apples, oranges, or bananas. If your kids are younger you may need to peel or cut them up but it can be done ahead of time. My 2 year old loves raw veggies especially with hummus as a dip. His favorite veggie right now is bell pepper. You may think your kids would never eat raw veggies, so did I, but if it is offered regularly you’d be surprised. If your kids will need some extra fuel before heading to practice give them a nut butter sandwich (or a half) or an apple with nut butter. Granola bars can be a quick snack while on the go too, I keep some in the car at all times.

Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. Sure, a prep day is helpful but not always available. We had many nights of the kids eating sack dinners on the way to church or other ball games. Don’t stress, ok maybe that isn’t possible, how about just do the best you can. Here are a few suggestions that may work for you.

  • Cook a big pot of beans and a big pot of rice or use canned beans and cooked packaged rice for easy Bean & Grain Bowls adding veggies to customize each meal.
  • Slow Cooker Potato Soup is extremely easy and oh so good. Make a double (or triple) batch.
  • Burritos or Nachos using Unfried Beans if you have the time but if you don’t use canned vegetarian refried beans.
  • Try bagel or french loaf pizzas and let the kids customize their portion. While they are heating up in the oven serve a garden salad or raw veggies with hummus. If everyone is at the table they will probably nibble on the veggies.

These options may cost a little more if you use canned or other convince products. I keep them stocked in my pantry but try to use them as a last resort. When you have time cooking beans and grains and freezing them can be a big time and money saver down the road. I cooked a big pot of beans today. I hope to make bean burritos for the freezer.

Are you in a busy season of life? Do you have any tips to share or favorite meals that work well on a busy night?

Super Bowl

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I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about the Super Bowl lately but honestly I have no idea who is playing. I do know that it is today and many of you have planned your food already. If you are a bit of a procrastinator you can still show up with great food.

Here are a few of my top picks…

The Best Chili EverThe Chili is completely customizable to suit your spice tolerance. I’ve even had some of the most committed meat eaters sing it’s praise to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus. Make it quickly by using canned beans, canned diced tomatoes, and peppers.Grilled Portobello Burgers and Vegan Potato Salad

If you’d rather have a burger try a Bean Burger or a Portobello Burger. Most grocery stores have something suitable in the freezer section; read the ingredients in because their could be something scary lurking. Potato salad or sweet potato wedges would make a great side dish.

NachosNachos are by far one of the best party foods. Try it with precooked quinoa (it comes in little pouches near the rice) seasoned with taco seasoning, canned refried Beans, then whip up some Faux Cheese Sauce.

Even if you don’t go that far you can still pick up some chips, salsa, and guacamole; yes it is easy but it’s also good.

Strawberry ParfaitOf course you will also need dessert. Try Making a large parfait, it’s easier than making individual cups. A large container of yogurt (I like coconut milk yogurt), fresh berries, and store-bought granola comes together in a few minutes. It makes an impressive presentation in a large clear bowl and you can even add dark chocolate chips for an unexpected indulgence.

large fruit bowlDon’t underestimate the power of a large bowl of fresh fruit. It is beautiful and tasty, more impressive than the customary veggie tray. Mix peanut butter and melted chocolate together (maybe a little maple syrup if needed) to make a delicious fruit dip; label the dip for anyone with peanut allergies.

What are your suggestions for last-minute Super Bowl Food?

CHICKpea Salad…Two Ways

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fruity chickpea salad

I have a few friends who have been dying to get their hands on these recipes. I’ll warn you this isn’t one of my typical healthy recipes and it isn’t low in fat. It uses vegan mayo which isn’t an ingredient I typically use or encourage others to use. I made these for a party; they are party food, not everyday food! I repeat, these are not healthy, you can’t eat as much as you want, you’ll get sick or fat.

I hope that wasn’t too mean. Since most of the recipes I present are whole food, plant-based, and no added oil I didn’t want to mislead anyone but I’m gearing up for the Super Bowl and attempting to make some of my favorite party foods a little more accessible to my new lifestyle.

Veggie Chickpea salad wrap

Veggie CHICKpea Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked and drained chickpeas
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 stalk of celery
  • 1/4 cup diced onion (optional)
  • 1/2 cup vegan mayo
  • dash of black salt, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast

Chickpea Salad

Do

  1. Chop chickpeas in a food processor until they are course, this takes 15 to 30 seconds depending on your processor. Then place in a mixing bowl.
  2. Shred carrot and celery in food processor then add to the chickpeas.
  3. Add mayo and spices and gently stir until combined.

Serve

I served these in lettuce wraps, but they would be great as sandwiches or on crackers too. It keeps well for a few days and travels well with an icepack to keep it cold.

Fruity Chickpea salad in wrap

Fruity CHICKpea Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked and drained chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup grapes, cut in half
  • 1 apple, diced (I used granny smith)
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (OPTIONAL)
  • 1/2 cup vegan mayo (or for a twist use vegan yogurt)
  • dash  of black salt
  • dash of onion powder

Do

  1. Chop chickpeas in a food processor until they are course, this takes 15 to 30 seconds depending on your processor. Then place in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir gently until everything is combined.

Serve

I served these in lettuce wraps too but it would be amazing on top of a bed of greens. I also tried the yogurt version and put it in fillo shells for a fun and delicious dessert. You could also eat this in a sandwich or on crackers, it’s very versatile.

You could make your own vegan mayo for a healthier version.

For more inspiration check out my PARTY FOOD board on Pinterest! Or check out my Faux Tuna Salad Recipe! I think you like it.

How would you enjoy these, on a salad, sandwich, or as part of a wrap?

I submitted this recipe to the Virtual Vegan Linky Potluck!