Our Homeschool Reviews: Menu Plan Monday

Showing posts with label Menu Plan Monday. Show all posts

Monday, September 15, 2014

Menu Planning and Plant Based Eating

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I was beginning another 29-Day Plant Based Eating Challenge. Today is Day 14, and I have to say, although it hasn't gone perfectly, I'm still trukin' along.

If you have never attempted a plant-based diet and are interested in learning more, here are a few helpful resources:

Engine 2 Diet
Happy Herbivore
Fat Free Vegan Kitchen
Plant Based on a Budget

If you are thinking about starting a challenge or you just want to learn more about eating plant-based, I'd love to hear from you!!

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Menu Planning and Plant Based Eating

Today starts Day 1 of another 29-Day Plant Based Eating Challenge. My first goal is to try to eat almost entirely plant based with as few oils and processed foods as possible. My second goal is to keep it simple so others can easily follow along.

Over the weekend I made sure there was only a limited amount of unapproved foods in the house. We don't usually have meat, unless it's deli meat for Funny Bunny's lunches. And the only "milk" in the house is Almond Milk. We have some processed foods like packaged crackers and snacks but those are for Funny Bunny and hubby. I just need to steer clear.

I bought lots of fruits and veggies and planned my meals so I'm not stuck staring in the fridge when I'm hungry.

Here are my meal plans for the week:

Breakfasts - Each day I plan to make my big bowl of cereal, oats, grains, and fruit. Super filling and healthy!

Lunches - I'll either be eating leftovers from the night before, Quinoa bowls, or rice bowls. They are very easy to make, filling, and there is no cooking involved. I'll post some recipes later.

Dinners - Spaghetti with homemade sauce, veggie and noodle stir fry, black bean and veggie fajitas, and veggie and bean soup. All very simple and easy to make.

Snacks - Fresh fruit and I found a recipe for vegan chocolate chip cookies. Baking yummy snacks can be hit or miss so I'm hoping these turn out yummy!

Monday, June 23, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - June 23

This past week was super busy so I'm trying to catch up on housework and menu planning today. Last week VBS and rehearsal for Funny Bunny's dance recital totally through off my eating. Time to get back on track!

For dinners this week our meals will include:

Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce and a Salad
Black Bean Fajitas
Quinoa Chili and Happy Herbivore Fat Free Cornbread

For desserts I'm going to make:

Single Serve Blueberry Muffins
Easy Pumpkin Muffins {from The China Study Cookbook}

Monday, June 9, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - June 9

Happy Monday!! I was FINALLY able to sit down and plan our menu for the week so this week's dinners are going to be yummy!!

I was also visiting a local bookstore and found a book called The China Study Cookbook. I had heard about The China Study but didn't know there was a cookbook. I sat for a few minutes flipping through the pages and some of the recipes looked really good!! I'm trying to decide if I should buy it. In the meantime, I found a preview on Amazon and found a muffin recipe I'm going to try.

Last week we had one of our favorite meals, Bean and Veggie Fajitas.

For dinners this week our meals will include:

Vegan Stuffed Shells
Spanish-Rice Enchiladas
Quinoa Chili with Happy Herbivore Fat Free Cornbread
Quick Burgers
Spaghetti with homemade sauce and a side salad

For desserts I'm going to make:

Single Serve Blueberry Muffins
Easy Pumpkin Muffins {from The China Study Cookbook}

Monday, June 2, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - June 2

Summer time is near and my posts are starting to show it. Sorry I haven't posted much lately. Just trying to get some things done around the house.

I'm still trying to eat as plant-based as I can. Hubby has been very supportive when he cooks meals or we eat out. Last night he made veggie sushi again with a peanut sauce over lo mien noodles. I'll be having leftovers for lunch today. Yum!

Below you can see he made half with imitation crab meat and half with cucumbers and avocado.

For dinners this week our meals will include:

Black Bean Fajitas
Black Beans and Brown Rice Extravaganza
Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce and a Salad

Monday, May 19, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - May 19

For the most part my meals were pretty boring this week, but we did get a chance to eat out a few times. We just love eating at Your Pie and veggies are free so you can see below I like to load them on! Here's my no cheese, whole wheat, veggie pizza.

Last night we decided to do a fruit and veggie tray for dinner, along with homemade sushi rolls and pitas with hummus. These were hubby's first three rolls...they got better as he made more. Mine had cucumber and avocado. Yum!

For the menu this week our dinners will include:

Cheater Pad Thai
Spaghetti and a Salad
Black Bean Fajitas

And for dessert I'm going to try these Sunshine Muffins. Don't they look good?!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - May 12

This weekend we took a 3-day trip to Disney and I tried my very best to eat plant-based. I didn't eat perfect by any means, but I just wanted to show that you can eat healthy while on vacation, even at Disney. Below is the rundown of my weekend meals while away. For breakfast I ate fruit and I did bring a couple raw granola bars for snacks. I also had samples of Funny Bunny's and hubby's desserts!! :)

Friday

Lunch at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot - Tamarind vegan meat with jasmine rice

Dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot - Couscous with vegetables

Saturday

Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom - Quinoa salad

Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table at Magic Kingdom - Salad, roasted veggies and rice, and no sugar added lemon sorbet with blueberries

Sunday

Lunch at a food cart in Animal Kingdom - Pitas, carrots, celery, and hummus

This week I'm eating a lot of the same old things, so I'm not going to post my boring menu. Planning to have some new recipes next week!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - May 5

Today starts Day 1 of a new 28-day plant based challenge with a few friends. I've been mostly plant based since February 3rd but I'm hoping this challenge will re-energize me and I'll find some new and fresh recipes.

My goal is to eat plant strong by following a plant based diet with no extracted oils and limited processed foods. My two challenges this month will be an upcoming three day trip and a family gathering Memorial Day weekend.

In the past three months I've only eaten meat three times {two times were just a bite to taste hubby's meal when he asked me} and the last was this weekend. I totally caved and had my pig out day yesterday. :)

So today I'm starting fresh!! We went grocery shopping yesterday and today I'll be picking up my organic produce bag from our local co-op.

Breakfasts:
My Own Variation of Rip's Big Bowl

Lunches:
Leftovers
Quinoa Bowl with Vegetables

Dinners:
Burritos with Spanish Rice and Black Beans
Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce and a Salad

Black Beans and Brown Rice Extravaganza

Baked Potatoes with Broccoli

Snacks:
Fresh Fruit
Fruit and Nut Bars {will be taking with me on the trip}
Vegan Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cake
Single Serve Blueberry Muffin

If there is anyone who would like to join me in this challenge, please comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Menu Plan...Tuesday

I've been a little behind in posting my menu plans. Really though, we've been in a rut and I've been making the same meals for the past few weeks, so it's not too exciting.

Just so I have it documented, here's our meals for this week:

* Grilled Portobello Mushroom and Corn on the Cob
* Rice Noodles and Vegetable Stir Fry
* Brown Rice and Black Bean Enchiladas {enough for two nights}
* Baked Potatoes with Broccoli
* Spaghetti and Salad {with some sort of bread}

I don't even have any pictures...sad I know!

As far as the plant based {vegan} eating goes, I've mostly stuck with it. Definitely no meat or fish but my sweet tooth has gotten me in trouble a few times. Trying my best. ;)

Monday, March 31, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - March 31

If you've been following my food journey, you know that I started eating plant-based on February 3rd. Today ends two months of my journey.

We took a trip to Legoland and Disney over the weekend. I tried my best to stick with it so my goal was to eat vegan, or at the very least, vegetarian. I just didn't want to stress over oil and sugar.

Here are a few of the highlights -

Friday afternoon - Garden salad at Legoland and a few healthy snacks that I brought.

Friday evening - Vegetable Jambalaya at Boatwright's Dining Hall at Port Orleans Riverside. {A lighter take on a New Orleans Classic with Asparagus, Mushrooms, Peppers, Onions, and Tomatoes with Rice} I also had several pieces of Cornbread. Not plant based but I just couldn't resist!!

Saturday afternoon - Quinoa Salad at Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom. {Quinoa Salad with Green Beans, Potatoes, Olives, Roasted Bell Peppers, Golden Beets and Tomatoes}. It was really good!!

Saturday evening - Buffet at The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom. The chef came out and showed me all the meat and dairy free options at the buffet. Then he brought me some Tofutti ice cream from the back. I was totally stuffed!!

Sunday afternoon - Vegetarian Platter at the Tangierine Cafe in Morocco at EPCOT. {Hummus, Tabouleh, Lentils, Falafel and Marinated Olives with fresh Moroccan Bread}. This meal surprised me the most. It was very good and a great deal for the amount of food I got.

I brought my own snacks but did get a pretzel on Sunday, just because I was craving it!

I wish I had taken some pictures but I wasn't even thinking about it at the time. Of course, most of the food had lots of oil, but my goal was to eat as close to plant-based as I could.

Here are a few of the meals I had last week before we left.

Lazy Pasta

Pancakes, Grits, and Fruit

For the menu this week our dinners will include:

Quick Burgers
Vegetable Stirfry {Hubby made this one and I'll share the recipe next week}
Black Beans and Brown Rice Extravaganza
Spaghetti, Salad, and Happy Herbivore Fat Free Cornbread

Monday, March 24, 2014

Menu Plan Monday - March 24

Today is DAY 50 of plant-based eating for me. I started with the Engine 2 Challenge on February 3rd and have been continuing through March with motivation from the No Meat March Challenge.

It really hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. I think I do better with eliminating entire food groups because it just keeps me away from it all. ;)

I've been pretty successful eating out as well. I think the hardest thing is avoiding oil, but I just pick what I think are the best selections and don't worry about it.

Yesterday we ate at a new restaurant called Bentos. I ordered the noodle bowl with tofu and vegetables. Of course it had soy sauce...and was very greasy, but it was good, and I think the best selection I could have made {hopefully}. And I did go for a run after eating it because I was feeling grease guilt...lol!

Last week we had Spaghetti, a salad, and Happy Herbivore Fat Free Cornbread. It was yummy and easy to make.

We also had Alphabet Soup, which was good but could have used more flavor and seasoning. Definitely wasn't hubby's favorite.

Oh, I also made Peanut Butter Banana Soft Serve Ice Cream and it came out the way it was supposed to!! It was just what I needed for a late night snack!!

For the menu this week our dinners will include:

Lazy Pasta
Quick Burgers
Grandma's Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Grandma's Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

A probably a variation of a Brown Rice Bowl

Snacks will be the same as last week because I've found what I like and I'm sticking to it!! ;)

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

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.