My Plant-Based Family

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

Plant Based Diet

December 12, 2016 Plant-Based Meal Plan

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As we get closer and closer to the holidays the food will get more and more tempting. The best way to combat cravings for unhealthy food is to have a plant-based meal plan, then actually cook and enjoy your meals.

I’ve got my plan, now I just have to make sure I cook and eat well. Plus, I always have a back up plan. This weekend I cut up veggies for easy snacks, I have healthy leftovers in the fridge and I include plenty of easy recipes in my meal plan that I can move up on the schedule when needed.

I also have a special deal coming to you tomorrow so make sure you check back here. In fact, you might want to set an alarm so you don’t miss it.

This plant-based meal plan is perfect for winter. It has healthy soups, casseroles, and more!

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Monday

Overnight Oats

Bean Burritos made with Unfried Beans

“Beefy” Lentil and Veggie Soup in the Instant Pot (Stove top directions listed as well)

Tuesday

Yogurt and Granola

leftover soup

One-Pot Pizza Pasta

Wednesday

Breakfast Rice

Baked Potato

White Enchiladas with Cilantro Lime Rice

Thursday

Smoothie Bowl

leftovers

Enchilada Soup

Friday

Instant Pot Oatmeal

Soup and salad

Chickpea Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy and steamed broccoli.

Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide

This week is still business as usual for us at work and school. That doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to Christmas and all the celebrations. If you are still planning your menu, I’ve got some ideas for you! Consider these for dinners, parties or cookie exchanges.

What are your holiday plans?

December 5, 2016 Plant-Based Meal Plan

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Our calendar is getting full of Christmas parties and holiday get togethers. Do you want to know my trick for staying sane? I say no! I can’t accept every invitation that comes up; I’m too introverted for that. We carefully choose the things that we can attend based on our over all schedule and our normal routine.

Sometimes that means we have to miss things that are really important to us but when we over do it, we suffer. It’s a hard lesson to learn.

Another thing that really helps is to have a plan. Right now I’m focused on eating healthy. My dishes and laundry may pile up but my priority is cooking real food and eating at home.

Plant-Based Meal Plan that is also allergy-friendly.

By the way, in the My Plant-Based Family Facebook Group, several of us are keeping each other accountable by sharing our daily meals and/or workouts. Each day I start a new thread (post) for everyone to leave comments on for that day. Those of us who commit to sharing daily are able to encouage each other and offer motivation. It’s a great group! Join HERE!

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Monday

Steel Cut Oats in the Instant Pot

leftovers

Dinner out for a Christmas party

Tuesday

Blueberry Pancakes and fruit

Chickpea Noodle Soup

Enchilada Casserole

Wednesday

Overnight Oats

Tostadas and Mexican Rice

Easy Asian Noodles

Thursday

Banana Bread and Smoothies

Veggie Burrito

Chickpea Quinoa Stir Fry

Friday

Cashew Chai Latte Oatmeal

Leftover stir fry

Veggie Burger, Oven Fries and Fruit Salad

What is on your meal plan for this week? Any Instant Pot Recipes? I’m working on some new ones for you! I also have a new resource for everyone that gets my Saturday morning emails! It’s a collection of my favorite Instant Pot recipes! Click the link to get your copy!

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.

 

Plant-Based Thanksgiving Menu

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In years past, I would start planning for Thanksgiving weeks ahead of the holiday. I would plan my menu, my shop days and when each recipe would be started and finished. I even planned what dishes I would need so that I would make sure to have everything ready. I wrote a rather long post about it years ago.

Thanksgiving Planning

I’d like to say I’m much more laid back now but that isn’t really the case. You see, I make the same recipes every year. A few years ago I wrote the Healthy Holiday Meal Plan and Cookbook and shared all my recipes and tips. Now I just follow the plan, adapting it each year based on our plans and what we will bring to dinner.

We usually start cooking a few days ahead of time. Some years we start cooking on Monday but this year it will be Tuesday or Wednesday. We are getting together with a few other families and everyone is bringing a few dishes. I’m bringing my Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, a few desserts and drinks.

Dividing up the cooking makes it so much easier. I still remember when I used to cook EVERYTHING for Thanksgiving and wear my self out. This year I’ll make a few dishes, enjoy spending time with family and friends, then relax (and prep for Gilmore Girls).

Whether you are making a dish or two or taking on the whole meal by yourself I have a meal plan that will help. My Healthy Holiday Meal Plan and Cookbook makes planning for Thanksgiving much easier.

A Healthy Holiday Meal Plan and Cook Book contains 20 plant-based recipes that are also gluten-free and allergy-friendly. Perfect for vegetarians and vegans during the holidays.

The Healthy Holiday Meal Plan & Cookbook

The Healthy Holiday Meal Plan & Cookbook contains 20 plant-based recipes that are meat, dairy, and gluten-free! The top 6* recipes also come with a detailed shopping list and your choice of 3 different planning guides that show you how to prepare the top 6 recipes ahead of time (or all on the same day) and have your food on the table as efficiently as possible.

Recipes include:

  • 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
  • Apple Pie
  • Creamy Apple Pie Bars

Order your PDF download of A Healthy Holiday Meal Plan & Cookbook for only $4.99. This is also available on at Amazon on Kindle. Please note that the PDF and Amazon versions have different covers but the content inside is the same. If you’ve used the Healthy Holiday Meal Plan and Cookbook please consider leaving a review on Amazon. You’re honest review will help other people make an informed purchase. 

If you have any Thanksgiving meal prep plans feel free to send them my way. I’ll be watching for emails with Thanksgiving in the subject line. I try to make myself available for those last minute questions on Thanksgiving Day too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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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!