My Plant-Based Family

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

Planning

A Plant-Based Meal Plan using Basic Pantry Staples

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Last week I shared my list of Basic Pantry Staples, as well as Refrigerated Staples, for Plant-Based living. This week I wanted to share an easy Meal Plan that could be made using those staples. Truthfully, most of my Meal Plans can be made with basic pantry staples but this plan will be extra easy.

Meal Plan Monday

Breakfast

We usually opt of easy breakfasts most days but even the longer cooking items on this list can be made ahead and reheated in the mornings.

Lunch

I love having leftovers for lunch. Some days I use leftovers to create a whole new meal. Having basics like potatoes, beans and chopped veggies can bring lunch together quickly.

Dinner

I’m willing to spend more time on dinner but that doesn’t mean I want to spend an hour in the kitchen. Most of these choices can come together quickly, especially if you batch cook beans and grains on the weekend.

This is definitely more food than we would eat in a week. I offer this menu as a guide, pick and choose what you would like to try. I prefer to cook larger portions less often.  Some weeks I eat Baked Potatoes everyday with different toppings. Last week for example, I ate baked potatoes with Steamed Broccoli, Pico de Gallo, Black beans and Pico, Barbecue sauce, well you get the idea.

What does your Meal Plan look like this week? Did you get the Basic Staples for a Plant-Based Diet yet?

Basic Fridge/Freezer Staples for a Plant-Based Diet

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Yesterday I shared my list of Basic Pantry Staples for a Plant-Based Diet. Today I want to share my list of Fridge and Freezer Staples for a Plant-Based Diet. These are staples that need to be kept cold in the refrigerator or freezer with a few exceptions for fresh produce. Making changes to a healthier lifestyle can be difficult. Use this guide to make your journey toward a plant-based diet a little easier.

Fridge and Freezer Staples for a Plant-Based Diet

Fridge and Freezer Staples for a Plant-Based Diet

Freezer 

  • bananas
  • blueberries
  • breads
  • broccoli
  • cherries
  • corn
  • herbs
  • mixed veggies
  • stir fry veggies
  • strawberries
  • whole wheat pastry flour

I also like to freeze leftover soups and baked goods like muffins and breads. If I chop too many veggies I’ll store them in the freezer to use in a quick stir fry or soup.

 Refrigerator

  • applesauce
  • Braggs Liquid Aminos
  • chia seeds
  • coconut milk coffee creamer
  • fat-free balsamic vinaigrette
  • flax seeds
  • jelly (with no added sugar)
  • lemon/lime juice
  • milk (we use rice milk)
  • mustard
  • natural nut butters
  • nutritional yeast
  • dates
  • maple syrup
  • salsa
  • sunflower seed butter

Many of these items are more like add on’s or condiments. I often feel like our fridge is full of things that aren’t really food. Some of these items could be stored in the pantry instead of the fridge but I live in the desert so it is typically hotter here so I store them in the fridge.

Fresh Produce 

  • apples
  • bananas
  • broccoli
  • carrots
  • garlic
  • onions
  • oranges
  • peppers (jalapenos, bell peppers and sweet peppers)
  • potatoes
  • sweet potatoes
  • spinach and other lettuces
  • tomatoes
  • other seasonal produce (cucumbers, pears, peaches, melons, etc.)

These are our basic produce picks. We buy these regularly and at any given time you will find them in our fridge. We try to stick to seasonal produce so you’ll rarely find asparagus in our fridge. We don’t store all of our produce in the fridge. Some things like potatoes and onions are stored in the pantry. Broccoli and spinach are always in the refrigerator. Other items like apples and peppers could be stored at room temperature or refrigerated.

I’m about to make this even easier! Here is a printer-friendly compilation of all my Basic Staples for a Plant-Based Diet! <<Click on the link for a PDF!

What are your top picks for Basic Pantry (and fridge staples)?  I’d love to see how they differ.

For more helpful information about getting started on a plant-based diet check out my ebook, The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well.

Plant-Based Diet Ebook

Basic Pantry Staples for a Plant-Based Diet

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When starting a new journey it’s helpful to have a map. I often liken a Plant-Based Diet to a journey because for most of us it is a completely new adventure. I know I was unprepared for all of the changes. I’ve vowed to make it easier for those who come after me.

I wish I could take each of you to the grocery store and point out the best products. Since I can’t do that I think the next best thing is to share this list of Basic Pantry Staples. I almost always have these on hand. Our list has changed over the years do to allergies and intolerance’s but I believe it will give you a good idea of where to get started.

Basic Pantry Staples for a Plant-Based Diet

Basic Pantry Staples

Spices

  • black/white pepper
  • chili powder
  • cinnamon
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • sea salt
  • turmeric

Pantry

  • agave nectar
  • applesauce
  • baking soda & baking powder
  • brown rice
  • canned beans
  • (whole grain) cereal
  • chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Brand is my favorite)
  • cocoa
  • coffee
  • dried beans (pinto, black, chickpea’s, lentils, etc.)
  • dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.)
  • flour (whole wheat and gluten-free)
  • grains
  • (shelf stable) non-dairy milks
  • nutritional yeast
  • nuts/seeds
  • old-fashioned oats
  • pasta
  • pasta sauce
  • quinoa
  • raw sugar
  • red wine vinegar
  • tomato sauce
  • tortillas
  • tortilla chips
  • turbinado sugar
  • vanilla 

This list is based the items we have kept in our pantry over the last few years. Your list may look different depending on your preferences and restrictions. I can make most of my recipes with these ingredients. I did not buy them all at once and I don’t use them all the time but these are my essentials.

Tomorrow I’ll share my list for Basic Staples for the Refrigerator and Freezer.

Does your list of Basic Pantry Staples differ?

To find out more helpful information about getting started on a Plant-Based Diet check out my ebook, The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well.

Plant-Based Diet Ebook

Meal Plan Monday: Fast Food Detox

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We had a great time last week with our family in town visiting, but man, oh man did we eat out. A lot! It was just easier. Excuses, excuses. Our bodies are in need of a fast food detox.

This week my husband and I are ready to eat nothing but real, whole food, that is made in our kitchen. The kids will just have to go along with my plan because they don’t get a say. They may get sandwiches if we decide to eat something that isn’t “kid-friendly.” As I type I have people working in my house, and the water turned off to make repairs. If they are not done soon it may challenge my resolve but I have enough bottled water to cook rice and lentils. I think.

This week is also Healthy Cravings. I’ll be showing everyone who attends how to eat healthy without breaking their budget.

Meal Plan

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

I’ve been craving savory foods for breakfast but since I don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking I’ve been eating leftover casseroles, soups or baked potatoes. Not quite typical but it’s been really good.

Lunch

I’m planning salads this week. Restaurant salads usually contain a lot of unhealthy ingredients. I always feel like I have to remove more items than I keep. My salads are big, filling and really hit the spot. I’ll do a few other things too. We usually have fruit with all of our meals. 

  • Lentil & Rice Salad
  • Bean and Grain Bowl
  • Taco Salad
  • Baked Potatoes with Steamed Broccoli and raw veggies
  • Sandwiches for the kids

Dinner

I want all of my dinners this week to be veggie-centric feasts. It’s easier to accomplish a “fast food detox” when I’m eating delicious foods in hearty portions.

I need to add a few other touches but I haven’t done my grocery shopping yet so I will wait and see what produce looks best. I will also bake some potatoes and cook some beans for quick meals and snacks like these Bean and Potato Burritos. If you saw the Green Chili White Bean dip I posted last week you’ll want to make some beans too.

 

Meal Plan Monday: I’m Back

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Did you miss me? I was away for almost 2 weeks. I had an unfortunate computer problem that left me on an extended break from blogging. I appreciate all of you that reached out to me during that time.  Even though I wasn’t blogging I was scheming, I mean planning and I’m excited for what the future holds.

I still need to reload software onto my computer so I don’t have access to all of my files yet but I’ll sort that out this week. Then I’ll be back to creating Custom Meal Plans and working on new projects.

meal plan monday

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

This week I didn’t buy any cereal so we will be taking a different approach for breakfasts.

Lunch

My youngest son, who is allergic to everything, now has an aversion to his bread. I’ll have to get creative with lunches. Our fridge is loaded with fresh veggies so I’ll start there. 

  • Baked Potatoes
  • Leftover Gluten-Free pasta with red sauce and steamed veggies
  • Veggie Rollups with GF tortillas, spinach, cucumbers, red bell peppers, etc.
  • Fruit Rollups with GF tortillas, Sunbutter or Soynut Butter and fruit like apples, pears and bananas.
  • Bean and Grain Bowl topped with raw veggies

Dinner

Our dinners have taken a shift lately. My husband is going mostly grain-free and I haven’t had much time to cook. I try to make a few big dinners each week and keep it simple the rest of the time.

  • Veggie Pad Thai
  • Spiced Lentil Burgers with Baked Potatoes and random veggies
  • Lazy Veggie Pasta (GF) with red bell peppers, broccoli, onions, tomatoes, and spinach (one pot meal)
  • White Bean and Green Chili Dip with chips from Way Better Snacks and homemade salsa
  • Cheesy Brown Rice Casserole with added broccoli or peas (Crock Pot)

Many of the new recipes I’ve been making lately aren’t on the blog yet but I often post pictures on Instagram if you are interested.

Have you made your Meal Plan for the week? Take 10 minutes and jot down a few ideas.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using an affiliate link I may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. This helps offset the cost of running a website. 

Meal Plan Monday: Are You Snowed In?

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Meal Plan Monday

Just in case you are snowed in, this week’s Meal Plan will focus on comforting meals that use basic ingredients that I usually have on hand. Here is an old list of basic supplies but I warn you it is in desperate need up an update, which I’ll try to do soon. If you bought my ebook The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide then you already have an updated copy in the book.

Plant-Based “Snowed In” Meal Plan

Breakfast

Lunch

  • Sandwiches (peanut butter, sunbutter, veggie, etc)
  • Taco Soup with Baked Potato
  • Bean Burritos make with Unfried Black Beans and grains or veggies
  • Leftover Chili with Bake Potatoes
  • Veggie Soup

Dinner

These recipes do not use a lot of fresh fruit or veggies but if you have them I recommend you add them. I wanted this Meal Plan to be pretty basic and rely on beans and grains. Add any extra veggie you have. If you are snowed in, I hope you have plenty of food stored.

I’m in the process of cleaning out my freezer and it is amazing some of the stuff I find in there. If your freezer is full try planning a meal or two based on food you have in your freezer. I have several soups stored in 2 serving containers including Green Chili, Cilantro and Rice Soup, Chili, and Enchilada Soup.

Are you snowed in? What foods do you rely on during emergencies?