A Year of Clean Plant-based Food

Last year, we started out with 21 days of clean food.  We made radical changes, for us.  We focused on eating not only unprocessed and clean food, but also vegetarian meals and snacks.  It has been a year now, so I thought I should let you know how it went and how we "made it through."  At the beginning, Blane would firmly state, "I am not a vegetarian!"  Now, when we are having something that he likes, he says that he is.

We have enjoyed this way of eating so much, that we are continuing.  There are so many delicious options, that it really isn't that hard.  The main thing, for me, is having a plan and keeping good options in the pantry and fridge.  I go through times when I enjoy cooking and planning, but mostly, it is a chore.   It has to be done, so I try to have a positive attitude and write down a plan, so I don't have to decide last minute.  I also like changes, so when I'm stuck in a rut, I like to get some new cookbooks at the library or visit Trader Joe's for some special easy food that still has good ingredients.

Two of my new favorite cookbooks are :
Wow! This is Sugarfee by Deborah Steiner and Mary Yoder
Healthy Choices by Keepers at Home Readers (No sugar.  No white flour.  No artificial anything.)


Also, we have learned that it is okay and good to celebrate.  For example, two of my kids were sick this week.  On Tuesday, Blane said he wanted to eat a chocolate cake.  So, I said that if everyone was better by Friday, we would celebrate with a chocolate cake.  So today, that is what we did!  Not having sweets and meat all the time, makes the celebrations extra special.

Some of my special memories of the year were Uncle Jason's barbecued smoked pork, Grandma Czaja's ham at Christmas, tacos and burritos in Mexico, Grandma Charles' ham loaf, birthday cakes, apple snitz pie at our Amish friend's house, cinnamon rolls on Thanksgiving and deer hunting day, and making (and eating) venison jerky with Slade's first deer.

Here is our menu for this week:

Breakfasts:  
cereals (Bran flakes, Organic Cheerios, High Fiber Cereal (from Trader Joe's)
10 grain cereal (Mike's favorite with bananas and chia seeds)
egg sandwiches with 100% Whole-wheat bread)
special days:  baked oatmeal, pancakes, blueberry clafoutis

Lunches (mostly leftovers) and Dinners:
Tues:  Skillet noodles with white beans, kale, and chili powder
Wed:  Lunch:  Vegetable Noodle Soup, Dinner:  Rice and Stir-fry with egg rolls
Thurs:  Baked Penne and Spinach
Fri:  Pizza
Sat:  Veggie Sandwiches/ White bean Soup and Baked Potato Fries
Sun:  Veggie burgers and Soup
Mon:  Zucchini Fritatta or Quiche
Tues:  Tofu tacos with corn tortillas (from Trader Joe's)
Wed:  Baked Penne and Spinach (from the freezer)

If you want any of these recipes, let me know and I can post some of them.

So, our journey continues...
Happy Eating!