My Plant-Based Family

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

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Meal Plan Monday: The Week of Experimentation

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This week I’ll be experimenting with a lot of new recipe ideas. I hope I didn’t get your hopes up and make you think I was talking about scuba diving, rappelling, or wind surfing. I have done all of those things, but not recently. My idea of a good time is far less adventuresome these days.

Parfaits

Meal Plan

Breakfast is still oatmeal. No, I’m not tired of it yet; I change it up daily. It is the best way for me to get my omega 3s in early. If I don’t I usually don’t get them. Plus my boys love oatmeal and cheer when I made it. Some mornings I may have toast with almond butter and apple slices.

Lunch is usually leftovers but we are a little bare in that department right now. I’ll make extra for dinner this week so we acquire some. I also plan to have veggie stuffed pitas for me and almond butter sandwiches for my boys. Bean and grain bowls are easy to throw together too.

Snack will be fruit, parfaits, or smoothies. I haven’t been eating near enough fruit lately so I want to focus on intentionally eating more.

Dinner will be new recipes. This weekend I created a delicious plant-based lasagna that I’ll post soon. Monday I made an incredible soup with brown rice, black beans, green chilis, and cilantro. My husband didn’t get any because he had a dinner to attend, I was supposed to go but I was sick and so was my babysitter. Double Whammy! I’ll be making a much larger pot of it again tomorrow and hopefully I’ll get some better pictures. I took a few on my phone and posted them to Facebook but it was too dark and I was too hungry to spend any more time on it. I plan to take a swing at a Baked Mac and No Cheese. I have a specific vision in mind for this so I’m really hoping it turns out well. I will probably cook one other big meal but I don’t know what it is yet. I have some black-eyed peas soaking so it may involve them but I’ll also make more beans this week.

spaghetti squash
My First Attempt at Spaghetti Squash

I did some experimenting last week too. I made spaghetti squash for the first time. It was ok but I had forgotten why I stopped making spaghetti. It is too messy for a two-year old! I’ll stick to small noodles for a while. I also made a chocolate swirl banana bread that was pretty good but I was going for more of a coffee cake. I plan to tweak it more before I share it with the world. Lastly, I made my first tofu scramble. I know, I don’t use tofu. You’re right I don’t but I do like to try new things and I had some left from making Somer’s Ranch Dressing. My boys loved the scramble. I didn’t eat it because I had just had dental work and opted for Potato Soup. I don’t think the scramble will make it into our regular rotation but it may make an appearance every once in a while.

lasagna
Lasagna Side View Before Baking

So you like to try new things, either in the kitchen or in everyday life?

Super Bowl

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I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about the Super Bowl lately but honestly I have no idea who is playing. I do know that it is today and many of you have planned your food already. If you are a bit of a procrastinator you can still show up with great food.

Here are a few of my top picks…

The Best Chili EverThe Chili is completely customizable to suit your spice tolerance. I’ve even had some of the most committed meat eaters sing it’s praise to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus. Make it quickly by using canned beans, canned diced tomatoes, and peppers.Grilled Portobello Burgers and Vegan Potato Salad

If you’d rather have a burger try a Bean Burger or a Portobello Burger. Most grocery stores have something suitable in the freezer section; read the ingredients in because their could be something scary lurking. Potato salad or sweet potato wedges would make a great side dish.

NachosNachos are by far one of the best party foods. Try it with precooked quinoa (it comes in little pouches near the rice) seasoned with taco seasoning, canned refried Beans, then whip up some Faux Cheese Sauce.

Even if you don’t go that far you can still pick up some chips, salsa, and guacamole; yes it is easy but it’s also good.

Strawberry ParfaitOf course you will also need dessert. Try Making a large parfait, it’s easier than making individual cups. A large container of yogurt (I like coconut milk yogurt), fresh berries, and store-bought granola comes together in a few minutes. It makes an impressive presentation in a large clear bowl and you can even add dark chocolate chips for an unexpected indulgence.

large fruit bowlDon’t underestimate the power of a large bowl of fresh fruit. It is beautiful and tasty, more impressive than the customary veggie tray. Mix peanut butter and melted chocolate together (maybe a little maple syrup if needed) to make a delicious fruit dip; label the dip for anyone with peanut allergies.

What are your suggestions for last-minute Super Bowl Food?

Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan Banana Bread

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GF V banana bread 3Yes you read that right. This banana bread is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan. It was moist and delicious. There is only a tiny sliver left and I made it this morning. I did send a good portion of it home with a gluten-free sugar-free pal. I will be making this again.

Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Refined Sugar Free and Vegan)

Ingredients

  • 1 c sorghum flour
  • 1/2 c brown rice flour
  • 1/4 c potato starch
  • 1/4 c tapioca flour
  • 1 tsp xanthum gum
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 c date paste
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2-3 really ripe bananas, smashed
  • 1/2 c rice milk
  • 1/2 cup optional nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Do

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and spray pan lightly.
  2. Add all of the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add all of the wet ingredients to a medium mixing bowl.
  4. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. (You could stir in the optional nuts or chocolate chips here)
  5. Pour batter into pan and bake for 40 minutes.
  6. Insert toothpick to test for doneness.

Serve

This is best eaten same day although it can be frozen for another time. I served this with coffee. It isn’t “dessert” sweet although the chocolate chips may take it up a notch.

GF V Banana Bread 1

Meal Plan Monday

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Garden Salad

Believe it or not I haven’t been doing near enough cooking. To remedy that I plan to do more cooking this week. I’ve already made a BIG pot of beans today. There are so versatile when I need a quick meal. I know they will keep us from hitting the drive-thru.

Meal Plan

Breakfast will be oatmeal most days. I’m really trying to avoid the expense (and nutritional void) of store-bought cereal but I want to mix up a big batch of granola and maybe even some granola bars for those on-the-go mornings. I have busy mornings planned for almost everyday this week so having something I can grab as we run out the door will be a big help.

Lunch will probably be sandwiches as we rush in from those busy mornings. I can get creative with those but my boys don’t really require much creativity. I use gluten-free bread for my youngest and whole grain wheat for me and my almost 4 year old. Peanut butter, almond butter are regulars but I like to use different kind of fruit instead of jelly. We also use apple butter. When I’m in the mood for something different I’ll have a veggie sandwich with hummus. My husband takes leftovers to work most days.

Snack will probably be fruit. I bought blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, and bananas for a good price. I may make smoothies with spinach and some combination of fruit.

Dinner will be a little more labor intensive but my evenings are mostly free this week. Potato Soup will be my soup of choice after I go to the dentist. We plan to make a bunch of bean burritos one evening. Most of the burritos will be frozen for future meals. I have some tomatoes waiting to be made into pico de gallo and avocados waiting to accompany the burritos. Speaking of burritos, this Breakfast Stir Fry makes a filling meal, especially when served in a tortilla. I may also make some Mexican Rice to go along with any leftover beans. Lasagna (GF and vegan) will make an appearance late in the week along with a really colorful salad. If I need any other dinners I’ll make soup, possibly Enchilada Soup.

I’m meeting with a few people this week to help them with their meal plans. I prefer an unstructured meal plan that I can change based on the days events or groceries on hand. I know many people like a more structured meal plan with each meal scheduled. Which style do you prefer and why? 

Need Some Help?

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Some days I want to throw in the towel and just give up; it may be due to exhaustion, sickness, frustration, a feeling that I am not enough for the task before me or ________ (fill in the blank). Honestly it could be a combination of all of those.

When I feel overwhelmed with life or just certain tasks I have a few places I look for help. One is my husband; he is incredibly supportive and encouraging. I know that many people don’t have someone like that in their life and I’m very thankful for him. Second, I have friends and a babysitter who can take up some of the slack so I can take a break. Third, I look to blogs and websites for inspiration and help figuring out tasks. Most importantly I pray. Some of those prayers are long and excruciating while others are a quick “Lord help me” as I dive back into the fray.

Did you know that we pray for you too?

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Every day we lift up prayers of encouragement, blessing, creativity, conviction, etc. for my readers.

I get emails from some of you that are full of hope for healing but also frustrated because you don’t know how or where to start. We pray for you.

Some emails are full of questions and struggles you face while try to transition your childrens diet. We pray for you.

Other emails detail extremely difficult personal situations. We pray for you.

Most of you never write in (and that is ok) but we still pray for you.

I hope this is encouraging to hear. I know I feel better when people are praying for me.

– – –

This is your invitation! Do you need prayer? Send an email to myplantbasedfamily@gmail.com with your name, state, and need and we will pray for you. You don’t have to give me all the details and I wont share your information with outside sources. Whether you are wanting prayer to help transition to a plant-based diet, have a health issue, or just an unrelated need. We would be honored to pray for you.

Most of you are spread out so far away that we will never meet. I can’t come into your kitchen and teach you how to water sauté or go to your grocery store and teach you to read labels but I can pray for you and your family.

I also want to thank those of you who have prayed for us, our children, and our friends. Thank you for praying and thank you for the words of encouragement. It means a lot to us.

Chickpea Noodle Soup

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Chickpea Noodle Soup brings back memories from my childhood of my grandma making me chicken noodle soup from a can. I loved it.

Chickpea noodle soup Plant-Based Gluten-Free

Now that I’m grown up I want to create the same memories with my kids. Except, now we avoid chicken. What’s a mom to do?

Well replace the chicken with chickpeas of course. Not only are chickpeas a perfect stand in I think you’ll agree that this soup is better than it’s inspiration.

I used gluten-free noodle but you could use any kind of noodle you want. I’ve remade this using a variety of pasta shapes and sizes.

Chickpea noodle soup Plant-Based Gluten-Free

Macaroni is perfect for little 2 year old fingers, while long noodles work for adults.

Chickpea Noodle Soup

5.0 from 1 reviews
Chickpea Noodle Soup
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Soup
Serves: 2-3 servings
Ingredients
  • ½ diced onion
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 2 celery, chopped
  • 4 cups water OR veggie Broth
  • 2-3 Tbsp Veggie Broth Mix OR you can use bullion
  • 1½ cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 can)
  • 1 c gluten-free noodles
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a medium-sized pot add chopped veggies and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally. I like to let them soften a bit before adding water.
  2. Add 4 cups of water and dry broth mix or veggie broth along with the chickpeas. Allow to simmer until veggie are almost done.
  3. Pour in noodles adding more water if necessary. Cook noodles until done.
  4. Stir in dried parsley along with salt and pepper if needed.

I paired this soup with a big salad but it would be amazing with a loaf of crusty bread or some gluten-free crackers. My husband and I really liked this along with my youngest son. This isn’t the best choice for those who don’t like chickpeas but any white bean could be easily substituted in this recipe.

My dry broth mix uses nutritional yeast; if you use something else you may want to add a little nutritional yeast to your soup.

This is an easy dish for those families that only have one or two plant-based eaters. Meat could be cooked separately then added to appease the meat eaters. If you went that route I would cube cooked chicken to roughly the same size as the chickpeas; over time they may not even miss it.

This recipe can easily be doubled and tastes great the next day.

Chickpea noodle soup Plant-Based Gluten-Free