Truth and Dare!

I think one of the biggest challenges when becoming vegan is changing the way you look at your plate.  Pre-vegan (generalized) your plate was divided, like a school hot lunch tray, animal protein, carbohydrate (most likely white and highly processed), vegetable (probably one variety and covered in some kind of dairy product) and maybe an apple or orange slice.  So, now that you're vegan (or trying to add more vegan meals to your plate) how do you replicate this familiar school hot lunch tray - simple answer - you don't!  I feel in order to be a successful vegan you need to change the way you look at your plate.  This includes changing the way you perceive protein on your plate.  Protein is in the green vegetable on your plate, the nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, tofu, tempeh, seitan, nutritional yeast...yes, most EVERYTHING on your plate contains protein!!!  Embrace this and add it to your plate!  Now, instead of dividing your plate to look like your school lunch tray, remove the lines of segregation and pile all these whole foods onto your plate to make a symphony of flavors!  My plates have become more colorful, appealing, and satisfying - and not because I'm trying, but because it's easy!

DARE!!!!

Try eating whole plant vegan diet for a day and track everything you eat on:  https://cronometer.com/  See if you reached your daily requirement of protein.  Better yet, track your regular diet!  You might just surprise yourself 😜

Need a little help with your menu, here are a couple suggestions to get you started:

Breakfast:

• Smoothie (spinach/kale, banana, strawberry, mango, pineapple, pumpkin seeds, flax meal, soy milk)
• Oatmeal with dried fruit, raw nuts (I like slivered almonds), cinnamon, vanilla, nut milk with whole wheat toast (I like Dave's Killer Bread White Done Right) and vegan butter/avocado/almond butter, 
• Bagel with peanut butter and banana.

Lunch:

• Brown rice with steamed broccoli, carrots, onion, sesame seeds, topped with vegan teriyaki sauce or BRAGGS.
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple/banana/favorite fruit, carrots and hummus. 
• Spinach/kale salad topped with sliced apple, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, raw or roasted cashews, and vegan vinaigrette.    

Dinner:

• Buddha bowl (ie: brown rice, black beans, edamame (shelled), cabbage, avocado, tomatoes, olives, cilantro, sauce of choice - peanut, vinaigrette, BRAGGS, etc...) 
• Burritos (ie: whole wheat tortilla, brown rice, black or refried beans, sauteed onions and peppers, mango salsa, cabbage, and avocado slices) and a side of chips and salsa.
• Vegetable noodle soup (carrots, celery, onion, spinach/kale, whole wheat noodle of choice, in vegetable broth) and a side of whole wheat bread with vegan butter.  

Snacks/Dessert:

• Trail Mix (raw nuts, dried fruit, vegan chocolate chips)
• Air popped popcorn with vegan butter/nutritional yeast
• Hummus and vegetables
• fresh fruit
• vegan ice cream (there are so many choices - try them all!!!)

All these ideas are quick, easy, most can be premade, and don't have any "weird" ingredients.  Try one day of vegan meals, see what you think, how you feel, how it tastes!!!

---favorite quote I hear from my husband daily...."I can't believe there isn't any animal products in this - it tastes so good!"----

PS: I'll start posting more recipes soon!  

No Meat March