My Plant-Based Family

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

Vegan

Meal Plan Monday: A Few New Things

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Do you regularly try new things? I have been lately although not necessarily relating to food.

Last Thursday I spoke to a group of 30 or so about our journey as a plant-based family and demonstrated making one of the most popular recipes on this site, Easy Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole.

Later that evening we hosted the first Healthy Cravings group of the semester at our home. We had a great turn out with 14 people (which is pretty much the limit on my dining room).

Saturday I was able to speak to another group and demonstrate a new recipe for Lentil Quinoa Veggie Salad. This group was a part of a 21 Day Clean Eating Cleanse with Simplicity Fitness.

Remember that recipe contest I was involved in about a month ago (where I shamelessly begged for your votes). Well the top 2 people won a trip and I’ll be heading to Miami in less than two weeks to compete in a cookoff at Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa!  Woot Woot!

So life is good; although I did reach for some almond milk ice cream earlier in a weak moment but put it away and had carrots and hummus instead.

mpm916

Meal Plan

Breakfast

I often cook breakfast’s late morning or in the evening for a quick reheat the next day.

Lunch

I like a lunch that is quick or at least a quick prep time. I’ll often throw leftover veggies together for a soup or boil some noodles for my kids.

Snacks

We usually have raw fruit or veggies for snack and something to dip them in. Even when your tempted to reach for the non-dairy ice cream you’ll be happy you opted for the apple.

  • Cucumber, carrot sticks and bell peppers with roasted red pepper hummus
  • fruit (apples, bananas, peaches, pears, grapes, and plums)
  • I have a new snack bar recipe debuting soon!
  • popcorn

Dinner

Last week I adapted a family favorite to a crock pot version I hope to do the same this week as well as experiment with a few new recipes.

  • Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry
  • Lentil and Potato Burritos
  • SW Barbecue Lentil Salad (New Recipe Coming Soon)
  • Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole (I’ll be adapting this to a low sodium recipe)
  • Pinto Beans and Gluten-Free Corn Bread

 Have you tried anything new lately? Was it a good or a bad experience?

Cinnamon Apple Raisin Breakfast Rice

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Do you need a cheap and easy breakfast idea? If you have an intolerance to oats or can’t handle the sticker shock of quinoa this may be the perfect whole grain breakfast for you.

Breakfast Rice

 

This has been a family favorite for weekend breakfasts for about a decade. But if your family is used to Fruit Loops they may need a little more sweetener than this recipe includes. I love that I can make this with pantry staples.

I say this was a weekend breakfast because it takes about 45 minutes to cook brown rice. Now we will make a large pot and reheat leftovers quickly. Even my 4 year old who has been very picky lately LOVES this. I also have an Instant Pot version for a more hands off approach!

Cinnamon Apple Raisin Breakfast Rice

Ingredients

  • 2 cups brown rice (I prefer short grain)
  • 4 c water
  • 1-2 cups plant milk
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 diced apple
  • 1/4 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (optional)

Do

  1. Pour rice, water and cinnamon into large sauce pan and cook over medium heat set timer for 45 minutes.
  2. When there is 15 to 20 minutes left add 1 cup plant milk, diced apples and raisins then give it a good stir.
  3. When the timer goes off the rice should be soft, most or all of the liquid will be absorbed and the apples will be soft.
  4. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving, stir in extra plant milk if needed.

Serve

This is a perfect fall breakfast and will keep you fueled for hours. Add a little liquid when reheating leftovers. My daughter always liked this with a lot of extra liquid (soupy) but most of us prefer it without it.

For more breakfast ideas check out my Recipe Page!

Meal Plan Monday: Cooking for the Weather

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Is it autumn in your town?

If so you may be dreaming of creamy soups and hot apple crisp. It’s not quite fall yet but it is below 100° for a few days and it’s rainy so I’m pretending. Yesterday I made soup and cookies.

So the beginning of the week I’ll keep living in denial of autumn bliss but by the end of the week I’ll be back to reality.

Weather is actually the biggest factor in my meal plans. When it is hot we eat more salads and cook on the stove or grill and when it’s cool I use the oven more.

Nutty Apple Cinnamon oatmeal

Meal Plan

Breakfast

Breakfast is usually quick and easy, as the weather cool down warm oatmeal and breakfast rice will take center stage. Fruit is usually added to every breakfast, or at least a mid morning snack.

Lunch

I’ve been enjoying baked potatoes  a lot lately. They are so easy that I’ll add them to most lunch options. I like to add a side salad or raw veggies to lunch also.

Snack

Usually fruit and veggies make up our daily snacks but if I get a chance to bake we may have muffins also.

  • Apples with sunbutter
  • Baby Oranges, a.k.a. Cuties
  • Carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and hummus
  • Veggie Wraps (because sometimes I need MORE)
  • Cookies, yes I made sunbutter cookies.

Dinner

While dinner is usually the most “complicated” meal of the day at our house it’s usually pretty easy. I like to make extra for lunches. If I’m cooking one thing on the stove I might as well cook something else next to it to save time later.

I’ll save time by cooking a lot of potatoes today to use throughout the week. The same thing goes for anything with beans and some of the dishes with grains. I washed and sliced veggies yesterday for grab and go snacks. I may even make a few dishes today since I’m in a cooking mood.

Is it autumn yet in your area? Are you ready for pumpkin recipes?

 

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box

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Vegan Cuts

Soon after switching to a plant-based diet we realized a lot of our products we were using around our house weren’t very good for us. We started trying new products that were more natural, healthier and often more expensive. We were lucky and only tried 2 different types of toothpaste before finding one we like. I went through several rounds of sub par deodorants before finding North Coast Organics incredible line of deodorants. Two words: Lifetime Customer!

If you are like me you don’t like spending money on a full size product that I may not like. I’m pretty frugal so I wouldn’t throw something away, I’d use it anyway.

The Beauty Box

Vegan Cuts has come up with a solution to this problem! The Vegan Cuts Beauty Box!

Each month Vegan Cuts sends out an incredible box with full and sample size products. All products are cruelty-free! My last beauty box introduced me to Perennial Soaps, Fanciful Fox Tinted Lip Balm, Schmidt’s Deodorant, Lip Glosserie’s Body Crème, Relogy’s Acne Spot Treatment, ncLA nail wraps, and Sunology face and body sunscreens.

My favorites are Fanciful Fox Tinted Lip Balm! It smells great, goes on smooth and provides just a hint of color. I also like Relogy’s Acne Post Treatment. I have pretty clear skin but get occasional blemishes. I tried this on unsightly (but small) pimples and they were cleared up by the next day. Lip Glosserie’s Body Crème smells incredible and makes me feel like I’m in a swanky spa.

If you are always on the lookout for new, cruelty-free products consider getting a Vegan Cuts Beauty Box subscription. I am so happy with mine. It is just $19.95 a month and that includes free shipping to US addresses.

Vegan Cuts

The Snack Box

If beauty products aren’t your think you could also check out their Vegan Cuts Snack Box. Who can pass up on cookies, bars, chips and a host of other snacks. It is also $19.95 per month with free shipping to US addresses.

Vegan Cuts

The Marketplace

If you like a product you receive through Vegan Cuts or if you just like to shop knowing your whole purchase is cruelty-free visit the Vegan Cuts Marketplace. It is full of clothes, accessories, body care, cosmetics, and of course food. I can get lost in there.

Have you heard of Vegan Cuts? I was hesitant to subscribe but I’m so glad I did! I admit, waiting for my box is like waiting for Christmas morning but I’ve discovered products that I must have!

Are you a Beauty Box or a Snack Box kind of person?

(This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using these links I’ll get a small cut but all opinions are mine and not influenced by Vegan Cuts.)

One-Pot Pizza Pasta (Gluten-free and Vegan)

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This gluten-free and plant-based Pizza Pasta is just what you need for a quick and easy dinner!

Who loves pizza? Let’s see a show of hands!

We love pizza too but if you are trying to eat gluten-free it’s a little tough. Gluten-Free Pizzas are expensive and usually tiny. It is difficult to find one without egg and dairy too. I could make my own GF crust but I live in Arizona where the high temperatures are still over 100° so I’m not really interested in turning on the oven. What’s a girl to do?

Easy and delicious gluten-free and plant-based Pizza Pasta!

I could make my own gluten-free crust but I live in Arizona where the high temperatures are still over 100° so I’m not really interested in turning on the oven. What’s a girl to do?

How about add all of our favorite pizza toppings to pasta instead!

Pizza Pasta Ingredients

One-Pot Pizza Pasta

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 oz) Gluten-Free Noodles (you can use wheat noodles)
  • 1 diced bell pepper
  • 2 diced roma tomatoes
  • 1/2 c diced onion
  • 4 diced baby Portobello mushrooms (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cups cooked lentils (optional)
  • 1 jar pasta sauce
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • Your favorite ingredients

Do

  1. Bring water to boil and add noodles. Cook according to package directions.
  2. As noodles begin to cook chop all veggies and set aside.
  3. Add veggies to boiling noodles half way through their cooking time and cover with a lid.
  4. Once noodles and veggies are soft, drain well then add lentils (optional), sauce, and nutritional yeast (optional) then stir well.

Serve

Serve the dish along side a green salad and Sweet & Tandy Oil-Free Salad Dressing! This is an easy dish to make and reheats well.

If it is still warm where you live try these try these Chocolate No-Bake Bites!

Easy and delicious gluten-free and plant-based Pizza Pasta! Don't stress about dinner!

What is your favorite Pizza topping?

Meal Plan Monday…September is Here

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Happy September and Happy Labor Day to my US readers!

We have had company on and off this summer but now we are attempting to get back into a routine. Regular homemade dinners are a big part of that.

We are also going to do a gluten-free experiment for our whole household. This week we will be finishing off any wheat/gluten based foods (although there isn’t much) so that next week we will be gluten-free. Feel free to join! If gluten isn’t an issue for you maybe you want to take that next step and remove dairy or oil from your diet.

Meal Plan

Breakfast Stir Fry

Breakfast

This week we will be taking a break from the processed side of breakfast and sticking to whole grains, fruit and greens. Yes you read that right. My husband enjoys raw spinach for breakfast so my kids do to.

 

Lunch

I’ve been testing out some new recipes at lunch lately. There is less pressure to make an awesome meal at lunch time.

  • Quinoa Veggie Wraps with a side of beans
  • Lentil Quinoa Veggie Salad (Recipe Coming Soon)
  • Veggie Sandwich made with hummus, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, and greens
  • Taco Salad
  • Enchilada Soup

Summer Berry breakfast quinoa 008

Snack

We usually stick to fruit and veggies but I like to surprise my kids with popcorn and other treats from time to time.

  • Apples with Sunbutter
  • Popcorn
  • Smoothies
  • Veggies with Hummus
  • Random Fruit

Quinoa-Lentil Tacos

Dinner

brownie 2

I plan to make these incredible Gluten-Free Brownies this week as well. If you haven’t tried them yet you have more self-control than I do! They are amazing!

Is your Meal Plan ready for the week? I was later than normal (I blame the holiday). 🙂

Do you have something you want to eliminate from your diet? Gluten, dairy, oil, etc. We’d love for you to join us! Leave a comment letting me now what you are removing and let us support each other!