Our Homeschool Reviews: Engine 2 Challenge

Showing posts with label Engine 2 Challenge. Show all posts

Monday, March 17, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - March 17

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! My GREEN menu for today contains lots of fruits and veggies!! It's like St. Patrick's Day everyday! ;)

If you were following along with me through February, you know that I was taking the Engine 2 Challenge. It went great so I decided to stick with it!

This month I've been getting encouragement and recipes from Girls Gone Green and their No Meat March Challenge. Even if you don't want to go meat free, it's a great way to get some good meatless recipes!

Oh, and if you are keeping track, I've lost 9lbs by eating no meat, fish, dairy, eggs, oil, and about 99% of processed foods. When eating out I just try my best to pick what I think would be plant-based.

Last week we tried Pizza Potatoes. Funny Bunny and liked them but hubby likes them better without the pizza sauce.

We also tried Spinach-Rice Enchiladas from The New McDougall Cookbook. We are really liked these! I added corn and black olives. I would have added black beans too but we were out.

For the menu this week our dinners will include:

Spaghetti and Happy Herbivore Fat Free Cornbread
Alphabet Soup {we didn't get to this last week}
Black Beans and Brown Rice Extravaganza
Grandma's Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

For lunch I'm going to try:

A variation of this Garden Quinoa Salad

And snacks will include:

Fruit and Nut Bars
Single-Serving Blueberry Muffin
Peanut Butter Banana Soft Serve

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Monday, March 10, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - March 10

Last Sunday was the final day of my 28-day Engine 2 Challenge, but like I said before, I'm still continuing on with it and eating a plant-based diet.

I don't have any pictures of food this week {I took a break from photographing my meals} but what we did have was really good. We ate out a lot over the weekend and didn't get to the Pizza Potatoes or Happy Herbivore Pancakes, so those are on the menu again this week.

Friday night Funny Bunny had a sleepover at church, which I attended too. The theme was Italian so thankfully they had spaghetti and marinara sauce for dinner. I topped that with a ton of broccoli, and with the side salad, I was full most of the night. I brought my own healthy snacks. :)

Saturday night we ate at Chilis and I ordered the Garden Salad with no cheese, a side of black beans, and a side of broccoli.

Sunday afternoon we ate at J. Alexander's and I had the Veggie Burger with a side of broccoli.

Oh, and if you like stats, I've lost 7lbs since Feb 3rd!! Still need to get my cholesterol checked, but I'm very happy with how I am feeling!

For the menu this week our dinners will include:

Alphabet Soup
Super Easy Vegan Pan Thai
Pizza Potatoes
Happy Herbivore Pancakes

And snacks will include:

Easy Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Brownies
Vegan Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cake {this was really good}
Single Serving Blueberry Muffin {made this last night and will make again!!}

Monday, March 3, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - March 3

Yesterday was the final day of my 28-day Engine 2 Challenge!! Honestly, I wasn't sure how the past month was going to go. I've attempted plant based eating in the past and wasn't successful. But I'm happy to report that it was a success this time!!

So much of a success that I plan on continuing it!!

My Successes:

* I lost 6lbs, several inches, went down a clothing size, and feel great
* My energy level is up
* I haven't had any soda
* I've only had coffee three times and didn't finish any of them
* My tummy troubles have gone away
* My headaches have almost completely gone
* I didn't make anything with meat, dairy, eggs, or oil at home
* When eating out, I picked vegan options {to the best of my knowledge}
* I've found many restaurants will try their best to help
* I've been able to find quick and simple recipes my family has {mostly} enjoyed

My Challenges:

* Eating out is not always easy and I sometimes have to plan ahead
* My family has not always been excited to eat what I've made
* Not all recipes turn out like I'd hoped
* The grocery bill has been higher than budgeted on some weeks

Not too bad though, right? And I'm hoping to get my cholesterol checked soon.

Last week we tried a new bean burger recipe and liked it so much we are having it again this week.

Happy Herbivore Quick Burgers

Over the weekend we ate at YourPie again. We love it there!! I got whole wheat crust, no cheese, and tons of veggies!

And last night we tried a new stuffed shells recipe but had mixed reviews. Funny Bunny and I liked it but hubby just wanted some real cheese. It made so much we'll be having it again tonight. Sorry hubs. :(

Vegan Stuffed Shells

Friday night Funny Bunny danced at a basketball game so I made a last minute dessert to take. I think it tastes really good, but did use carob chips {bought by mistake} instead of vegan chips and there is a taste difference. I guess they could tell. I really like it though so that's just more for me. ;)

Vegan Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cake

Oh, and a last minute trip to the beach with friends on Saturday sent me into a spin to find something to bring that would fill me up. I know it's not ideal, but it's all I could come up with.

For the menu this week our dinners will include:

Vegan Stuffed Shells
Pizza Potatoes
Happy Herbivore Quick Burgers
Quinoa Chili
Happy Herbivore Pancakes {which we didn't get to last week}

And snacks will include:

Fruit and Nut Bars {these were really good}
Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding

To learn more about this challenge, visit the Engine 2 Diet.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

My Engine 2 Challenge is Almost Complete

Tomorrow is the last day of the 28-day Engine 2 Challenge for me and I'm so excited to share my results with you. I'll be posting on Monday about my successes, challenges, and plans for the future!

So stay tuned...

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Recipe Edition

If you have been following me with the Engine 2 Challenge, here are a few of the recipes we have used the past two weeks. We have enjoyed them all!

Burritos with Spanish Rice and Black Beans

Vegetable 'Fried' Quinoa

Sweet Potato Stew

Loaded Potato Soup

Pre-made Salad from Publix

Fruit and Veggie Salad

Fruit and Nut Bars

To learn more about this challenge, visit the Engine 2 Diet.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - February 24

http://orgjunkie.com/2014/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-2414.html

Today is Day 22 of the Engine 2 Challenge and this weekend we took a trip to Whole Foods!

I'm always excited to go to Whole Foods because it is about 30 minutes away and we don't get there very often. See, don't I look excited?!

I love Whole Foods because you can always locate that hard to find ingredient and no matter what, you are leaving with some cool new snack you didn't have before. ;)

I found Engine 2 cereal and almond milk on the end of an isle.

And I found some Engine 2 in the frozen food isle. Sorry about the blurry picture. The store was packed and Funny Bunny was trying to quickly get a shot before we got in someone's way.

We succeeded in finding everything that I was looking for, and headed to checkout. It was too much for hubby, he was ready to go...lol!

Mission accomplished!

Here are a few of the things that we purchased on the last two trips to Whole Foods.

And for the menu this week, our dinner will include:

Quick Burgers
Vegetable "Fried" Quinoa
Loaded Potato Soup {without the Tofu bacon}
Pancakes with fruit

And snacks will include:

Fruit and Nut Bars
Pear Crisp

Oh, and I'm finally down 5 lbs! I'm hoping to increase my exercise as the weather clears up.

To learn more about this challenge, visit the Engine 2 Diet.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Engine 2 Challenge - Beyond the Salad!

I have friends {you know who you are} ;) that think I'm eating only lettuce and cardboard for this 28-day challenge. And I totally get how some people could think that eating whole, plant-based foods wouldn't be enjoyable. But you have to look beyond the salad!!

So let's talk about what I can eat:

Bread: Whole grain, low fat, low salt bread. I have been purchasing Food for Life bread that's found in the freezer section. It's very hearty and filling and tastes great too.

Cereals: There are some approved brands {and thank goodness for that}! Every other morning I make a big bowl of mixed cereals like Shredded Wheat, Grape Nuts and Oatmeal, mixed with fruit, honey, and other yumminess.

Whole Grain Pasta: I'm still working on finding the best tasting one for our family, but there are several out there. :)

Soups: We love soups over here! We usually add beans and vegetables but with the right mix and seasonings, there are so many varieties.

Salads: And, yes, there are salads. But I make mine large and put pretty much everything I can find in them, including fruit and beans.

Brown Rice: Rice can be used as a side or used to make the meal. My bean burger below is held together with rice.

Whole Grain Flours: You can make a ton of yummy desserts with whole grain flours but still not use any dairy, eggs, or oil!!

And there are a ton more approved foods like dried fruit, certain jellies, sauces, condiments, and even crackers and chips!! So I'm definitely not starving myself, and I'm actually more full than I am just eating a bunch of junk. And I'm making my inside healthier, while losing a little weight too!

If you'd like to get recipes for some of these dishes, visit my Engine 2 Challenge thread for the links. And visit the Engine 2 Diet for more information on the Challenge.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - February 17

http://orgjunkie.com/2014/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-1714.html

Today is Day 15 of the Engine 2 Challenge and I'm still hanging in there! Even with Valentine's Day last Friday, I have stuck to the plan. I've been amazed that those little chocolates in the kitchen haven't even been calling my name. ;)

This week my goal is to up my veggies and whole grains. Although I stuck with the plan over the weekend, I did make some pretty yummy plant-based desserts that I've been munching on since Friday.

Here's a look at some of my foods

Black Bean Burgers from FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Black Bean Moxarella Fajitas

Adonis Cake from Engine 2

Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo from Fo Reals Life and

Blueberry Banana Bread from FatFree Vegan Kitchen

This week our dinners will include:

Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo {pictured above}
Sweet Potato Stew
Burritos with Spanish Rice and Black Beans

Sides and snacks will include:

Blueberry Banana Bread {pictured above}
Fat Free Cornbread

Lunches will mainly be leftovers and salads.

Oh, and I'm still down about 4lbs and haven't had a soda since I started. Yesterday I did have a half cup of Starbucks coffee with soy milk and raw sugar, but that is it! Feeling great!

To learn more about this Challenge visit Engine 2 Diet.