My Plant-Based Family

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

Plant Based Diet

Spring Break Week

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It’s spring break this week which means my kids are going to be eating at home more than usual.

If you follow me on Instagram you saw our Costco haul. We did our regular grocery shopping too. This week we have fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and strawberries to be excited about.

I bought store-bought hummus as a time saver.  I’m hoping this will make snacks easier. I’ll cut up some raw veggies for easy snacks.

Most of the time I’m focused on how to save time and cook less but I’m trying to rethink things. I want to spend more time cooking. Why? Because when I’m focused on eating healthy it usually requires that I spend a little more time in the kitchen.

My husband is on board and is taking on some of the cooking. He already made a huge batch of Minestrone Soup we will enjoy this week.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to spend hours in the kitchen every day. I work full-time and do freelance in the nights and weekends. I’ll still use my Instant Pot for quick meals but my focus will be on nutritious food, not quick food.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

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What to Eat Plant-Based Meal Plan

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What do you eat? I get emails from people asking what to eat on a plant-based diet, let me tell you, there is a lot of variety. Maybe nuance is the better word.

Typically people who eat a whole food plant-based diet avoid meat and dairy but that just tells me what they aren’t eating, not what they are eating.

It is easier to say what we don’t eat. 

There are people who high carbs, low carbs, no carbs. Others who are grain-free, or legume-free or nightshade-free. There are also food allergies, intolerances and other restrictions. The list goes on.

What to eat or not eat is a personal choice. I rarely offer opinions unless I’m specifically asked and even then I’ll usually evade the question. I don’t even try to talk people into going plant-based but once they decide for themselves I’m there to coach them along.

I say all of that to ask, what do you eat?

I regularly post meal plans so you can see what I eat, or at least what I plan to eat but what do you eat? Inquiring minds want to know!

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Weekly Meal Plan 02/15/16

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What a week! Two giveaways ended and the winners have been contacted, my boys have been sick and I was in a car accident. (I’m ok.) I’m not quite up to cooking but my friend Melodee brought us a couple of plant-based meals.

This week’s meal plan will be pretty sparse because I don’t plan on doing much cooking. Thankfully it isn’t slowing my pinning down. My 40+ Meatless Recipes for Lent post is doing well on Pinterest this week.

Weekly Meal Plan

Weekly Meal Plan

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Valentine’s Week Plant-Based Meal Plan

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Our Plant-Based Meal Plan this week will have a slight nod to Valentine’s Day. I’ll also have a new recipe (more like an allergy-friendly treat hack) later this week.

The great thing about living a plant-based lifestyle is that it’s already heart healthy. If that is not Valentine’s worthy I don’t know what is.

Plant-Based Meal Plan

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Plant-Based Recipes for Game Day

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I don’t care about football. I’ll admit it. I do care about food and friends and that is the important part of game day and the Super Bowl for me. Plant-Based recipes for game day is a must because I spend all my time chatting by the food.

I try to have a nice mix of healthy and not-so-healthy. I’m not talking complete junk but I’m not eating salad. I like to divide my favorite party snacks into two categories: sweet and savory.

I hope this list of recipes inspires your Super Bowl menu!

Sweet Plant-Based Recipes

Gluten-Free, vegan brownie

I love Brownies and these are perfect for any occasion.

Chocolate Fruit Dip

Chocolate Fruit Dip made from So Delicious yogurt is perfect for dipping fruit.

Chocolate No Bake Bites

Chocolate No-bake Bites are very addictive. You’ve been warned.

Savory Plant-Based Recipes

Jalapeno Hummus is plant-based and oil-free recipe will win over any critic.

Jalapeno Hummus is perfect for dipping veggies but chips are great too. See my other dips, I especially love the Spinach Artichoke Dip.

pizza mushrooms 600x400

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms are a healthier version of pizza. You can eat all of them guilt-free, but sharing is nice too.

Chickpea Nuggets are vegan, gluten-free, and a fun kid food. They are easy to make and delicious.

Chickpea Nuggets are a fun finger food and you can also put them on slide buns.

BBQ Cauliflower Bites

It may be my barbecue sauce addition talking but we can’t forget BBQ Cauliflower Bites.

Whatever you end up eating on game day (and no matter who wins) remember the important part is having fun with friends.

Smoothie Bowl

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If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary I invite you to try a Smoothie Bowl.

I know, I’m not really a smoothie drinker but sometimes smoothies are an easy dessert or meal on the go. A smoothie bowl is even more fun! You family will be delighted at this gluten-free treat that is made from fruit and a little bit of plant-based milk.

Smoothie Bowl Plant-Based Gluten-free

This bowl reminds me of when I was a kid. We’d regularly have ice cream as a dessert. I would usually add milk to mine and make it more of a milk shake consistency but still eat in from a bowl.

This Smoothie Bowl is very sweet, thanks to the strawberry and banana but the extra added fruit help me feel like I’m having something with a little more substance.

Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie Bowl
 
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Prep time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Smoothie
Ingredients
Smoothie Bowl
  • 4 ounces plant-based milk
  • 1 banana
  • 6 frozen strawberries
Toppings
  • 1 banana
  • 6 fresh strawberries
  • ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 tsp. hemp seeds (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp. raw pepitas (optional)
Instructions
  1. Pour plant-based milk into a high-powered blender.
  2. Add the banana and frozen strawberries.
  3. Blend in blender until smooth and pour into bowls.
  4. Top with fresh sliced banana and strawberries, blueberries and seeds.

You can change up your Smoothie Bowl to cater to your cravings. Who’s to say you can’t add some Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips on top of your Smoothie Bowl.

 

Smoothie Bowl

Sweets For Your Sweeties

I’ve partnered with some of my favorite gluten-free bloggers to offer you an incredible round-up and giveaway. All of these recipes are gluten-free but may contained ingredients that are not plant-based.

Sweets for Sweeties Gluten-free Recipes Collage 600

15 Sweets for Your Sweeties – Gluten-free recipes to share with your loved ones for Valentine’s Day or anytime. Listed in the order they appear in the photo, left to right, row by row:

This is a wonderful (and delicious) collection of recipes! Make sure you visit them and add them to your “I’ve got to make this” list.

KitchenAid Giveaway (Giveaway is Closed)

We have teamed up to offer a KitchenAid 5-Qt. (Artisan Design Series with Glass Bowl) Mixer with a Stainless Steel Bowl. Plus, you get to pick the color! How cool is that?

 

sweets for your sweeties kitchenaid mixer giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to U.S. residents only,18 and older. Winners will have 48 hours to respond before new winner picked. Contest ends 2/10 at 11:59pm Mountain Time. 

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