My Plant-Based Family

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

Plant Based Diet

Tossing the Junk

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New to a plant-base diet? You really need to get rid of the junk food that will keep you from fully committing.

A few months ago my husband and I went to eat at a restaurant where all of the seating is really close together. There were six people sitting next to us. At elbows length from me was a lady with the largest breast I have ever seen, additionally they were on display for all to see.

My husband and I wouldn’t look over there but could not keep from hearing their conversation. Right across from the lady was a man and next to him another woman. In a jovial manner the woman said, “I’m sorry but I cannot stop looking at your chest, it’s like they are talking to me!” Everyone at both of our tables laughed like crazy. The rest of their dinner the conversation was on the boobs.

I tell that story to say that some things are impossible to resist, just like staring at that lady’s chest. If your kitchen is full of your favorite junk food it will be near impossible to not eat it. I know from experience. If there are others in your house eating the junk don’t get yourself in trouble by throwing it away. I think it is important to get “buy-in” from  your spouse or room mate. When we had big kids in the house I gave them a corner of the pantry where they could keep their snacks. If there was a bag of Chips Ahoy in my pantry right now I would probably only last a few hours before digging in.

I want to add that the same principle goes for trolling cookbooks or the internet for unhealthy foods!

So what food am I labeling as junk?

Anything that you should not be eating as part of a whole food, plant-based diet I consider junk. I think there is room for some transition (splurge) foods like Earth Balance, faux cheese, non-dairy ice cream. These foods should only be used to help you wean off of the real stuff or for an occasional treat, NOT EVERY DAY!.

The first clue that your food is junk is the packaging. Typically the fancy the package the junkier it is. Second, look at the ingredients list; is it a mile long or does is contain ingredients you can’t pronounce, if so it is probably junk. If you see the words MSG, Monosodium glutamate, Anything “hydrolyzed”, aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, more than three kinds of sugar, etc. then it is junk. This is my list, it is not all inclusive just random things I try to not buy. This list wasn’t endorsed by anyone just me. Third, is it food or a food-like product. Does it resemble food that was being eaten even 100 years ago?

Instead…

I would much rather make healthier treats like muffins, cookies, and banana bread than get the store bought counterpart that is full of mystery ingredients. Baking healthier (than store bought) treats helped me transition. Check out my recipe section for some suggestions.

I fully realize that I am not the healthiest eater. That ate item in my pantry that other would not allow in theirs. I am on this journey too. (As I sit here sipping my coffee sweetened with agave, a no no to some, and a touch of soy creamer). I am not to hard on myself and you should be either.

Do the best you can, forgive your mistakes, and move on!

I think this is good advice in any situation!

What junk do you have a hard time letting go of? I know still have a little meat in my freezer but I have friends who gave away $100s worth of meat when they went plant-based. So what about you, is there a secret stash of Oreo’s in your house?

Gratituesday: Being Home

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After traveling for ten days I am thankful to be home. I thoroughly loved the time away and visiting my family but I’m glad to be back home and starting to get back in a normal routine. I am also so happy to live where I live. As we drove through several states my heart was longing for the Valley of the Sun! I was never so happy to see My Mountains! I am grateful that God chose this place for us, I grow to love it more each year.

For more stories of Gratitude visit Heavenly Homemakers!

While we traveled we were not able to eat the optimal plant based diet. If you are just beginning a Plant-Based diet I feel I must warn you. If you eat the Standard American Diet (SAD) your body is addicted to all manor junk; fast food, butter, cheese, sugar, oil, caffeine, etc. If you are serious about getting this stuff out of your system it will take time and you may not feel great for a while. 

The last two days of our trip we were on the road and having to eat fast food a lot, not to mention the road trip snacks to keep us alert. After we got home we were ILL from all of the junk we ate. Our body knew it didn’t belong. 

Now that I’ve warned you I will also encourage you that giving up the junk

IS WORTH IT!

Soon you will feel so much better. You will have more energy and clarity. People will pay big money for a pill that promises that, but I assure you no pill is necessary. 

Have you experienced the withdrawal that comes from giving up the Standard American Diet? Thankfully it didn’t last long for me but I’ve heard it takes longer for some. What is your story?

Meal Plan Monday: Simple Food, Simply Good

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Minestrone Soup

For the next few weeks (at least) I want to focus on how to begin eating a Plant-Based Diet. Even if you’re not ready to give up meat and dairy entirely I hope to encourage you to include more fruit and vegetables in your diet.

If you are an all or nothing kind of person I would advise you to commit to a diet free of any animal products for at least 30 days. If that seems more difficult than climbing Everest then try to add more whole foods and slowly eliminate animal products. It was definitely easier for me than I thought, more difficult for my husband, and the hardest on my now three year old. My husband still wants steak occasionally and my three year old asks for cheese regularly. My one year old has always been plant-based and has a love of fruit and veggies of which I am envious.

This weeks Meal Plan is made up of simple foods that can be found in any grocery store, with the exception of maybe couscous. Couscous is really yummy and easy to make, if you’ve never tried it, you should. The taste reminds me of pasta. If this Meal Plan doesn’t seem tasty to you take a look at previous Meal Plans or Recipes.

Meal Plan

Breakfast is usually quick things like oatmeal, toast, smoothies, fruit with almond butter or left over pancakes. Also we usually eat twice in the morning, once when we get up and once mid morning. I recommend rolled oats or steel cut oats, they take a few extra minutes to cook but they keep you full longer. A typical bowl of oatmeal for me will include cinnamon, diced banana, craisins, and maybe some seeds or nuts, a splash of real maple syrup adds an extra sweet touch as well.

Lunch is often leftovers, PB&J, Not So Tuna Salad, leftover Baked Potato, a spinach and hummus wrap or something easy. If I’m feeling really motivated I might make pancakes or soup with veggie odds and ends.

Snack is a must at our house. Hummus makes a regular appearance. I shared on Facebook how I could not find hummus or chickpea’s in the small town my mom lives in and had major hummus withdrawal. Some of my family members had never heard of or had hummus but it is one of my favorite things these days. I like to eat hummus with raw veggies like carrots or spinach. I don’t always have humus so sometimes I eat leftovers for snack or fruit or smoothies.

Dinner is the meal that gets the most attention. We all eat the same thing even my one and three year old’s. My one year old has a wheat/gluten allergy so most of what I make now is wheat/gluten free. I’m new to this so I’m still transitioning and figuring it out.

Monday: Baked Potatoes (make extra for easy lunches) topped with steamed veggies, beans, or chili.

Tuesday: Beans and Brown Rice served in a bowl or tortillas. You can used canned beans or make your own which is cheaper. Make extra brown rice for a quick lunch. If you’re not sold on eating brown rice try mixing white and brown rice until you acquire a taste for it, it will happen just ask my husband.

Wednesday: Minestrone Soup is easy to make and soooo delicious. I’ll be using wheat/gluten free noodles in this soup. Last time I made it I didn’t make nearly enough and graciously let my husband take some of the leftovers for lunch even though I secretly wanted to hide it and keep it all to myself. Shh don’t tell him! He was always the guy who didn’t like soup so just give this one a chance.

Thursday: Couscous with roasted veggies like onions, peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms. I may even marinate them in balsamic vinegar and veggie broth for a little while before cooking them if I am organized enough that day.

Friday: Typically a date night for me and my husband so the kids get baked sweet potato or something just as easy while we eat hummus from Pita Jungle.

I don’t plan out our weekend meals because I like to use up leftovers and cook as little as possible. I will usually soak beans and cook them on the weekend. If you cook a big pot you can save some to eat during the week and store some to put in the freezer for a quick meal.

Do you have any questions about eating a plant-based diet? Feel free to ask in the comments, email me at myplantbasedfamily@gmail.com, or for the quickest reply ask on My Plant-Based Family’s Facebook page. 

Are You Ready for a Change?

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Are you ready to change your life? If not what will it take; sky high cholesterol or blood pressure, too much weight that won’t go anywhere, or a dire diagnosis?

I’ve been speaking to a lot of people lately who are interested in making the switch to a plant-based diet and I can assure you it is not as difficult as you may think. For the next few weeks I’ll focus on the “how to’s” of making a change to a plant-based diet. Topics will include Tossing the Junk, How to Shop, Eating Out, What to Eat, plus the usual Meal Plans and recipes.

So what are you waiting for?

On a side note I’ve been traveling since the middle of last week so my blogging has been a bit irregular. Next week I’ll be back in a in a routine and return to the regularly scheduled program. 😉

Tomatoes

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It is happening, first with mushrooms and now with tomatoes.

My whole life I have loathed the taste of tomatoes. I liked tomato products like ketchup, salsa, and marinara. I did not like raw tomatoes at all or huge chunks of cooked tomatoes. Blech!

A few weeks ago I went to favorite pizza place of ours and ordered the vegetarian pizza without cheese. It came out with LARGE AND IN CHARGE pieces of tomatoes on top. I psyched myself up and took a bite of this tomato laden pizza and enjoyed it.

That was the first time I enjoyed tomatoes. Ever! I have since made french bread pizza’s with tomatoes, Italian Bake, “taco” salad, and a host of other tomato-full foods. I’m not planning on snacking on whole tomatoes anytime soon but who knows!

Do you have a surprise food you like after years of revulsion?