What can you eat?

That question cracks me up now. I had a conversation with a lovely young lady yesterday and she learned I was a plant-based eater and her face went into shock. “What can you eat? I can’t imagine even one meal!”

I chuckled. Not because of the craziness of the question, but that I probably would have asked the same thing myself one day. And now it just seems silly. I’m glad it now seems silly because  that means I have acclimated somewhat.

When I began this journey, I went from one who loves to meal plan and cook to one that couldn’t think beyond salad.

Ridiculous, I know.

But it was true. I know the struggle of changing your diet. Reach out and ask for help! People love to share what is working for them. Glean, my friend, glean!

Choices

How many choices do we make in a day? You know, big choices, like am I getting up now that I’m awake or now that the alarm went off, or am I not? Things like that.

What about this one: Am I going to take care of my self today?

Do What is Right For You aka Eat The Broccoli

Everyone is different. We all know that. HOWEVER, we feel uncomfortable when someone does something “different” than us. Doesn’t really make sense, though. If we are all, in fact, different; then we will do things differently.

And it is not just our personalities that are different. Our bodies are different, our minds are different, our purpose is different.

What is right for one person, may not be right for someone else.

And what someone has to walk through may not be something you have to walk through. And vice versa.

Best Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie EVER!

I don’t mean to brag, but seriously. . . SERIOUSLY! It is just so good. So good, in fact, that I thought I would share  it with you. I’m not a food blogger, so I’m not skilled at taking photos every step of the way. In fact, I find it a little frustrating to scroll through a dozen pictures to get to the recipe (sorry food bloggers). So, I’m just going to share it with you.

Why?

Because  it is the end of Thanksgiving week! And I am so thankful for discovering that cooking this way can be delectable. For me and for meat-eaters as well.

Vegan? REALLY?

I know what you are thinking. Vegan? What is that word doing on a post title?

On, more specifically, my post title???

Well, I’ve been on a health journey. I felt lead to put myself on a 60 day challenge (I talked about it already here.and here.) But I never would have expected it would take me here.

N.E.V.E.R.

I would have argued with you if you said it would. Actually, I think I did argue about it.

Tips for Getting Started in Meal Planning

 

Tip #1 — DON’T MAKE A BIG GIANT DEAL OUT OF IT.

Sometimes we drive our own selves crazy. Don’t go intensely into it. Just start. Scribble a list. Don’t make a list of gourmet meals you have never cooked before. Begin with your regulars. Don’t read 400 blog posts about it and 2,317 Pinterest recipes.

• Pull out a piece of paper
• Go to your kitchen
• Open your pantry, your fridge, and your freezer
• Write down the main dish items you have on hand
• Add a side dish or salad
• Wa-Lah!!!

So, I’m addicted …

It’s not really embarrassing, just sort of weird.

I’m addicted to meal planning.

Truly. I know, weird.

Hiding Vegetables

Do you hide vegetables in food? I have over the years.

Tons.

Shredded carrots go into my spaghetti sauce.

Shredded zucchini or summer squash are a part of my meatloaf.

Pureed butternut squash is a major player in my lasagna.

Instead of plain mashed potatoes I use one large potato, ¼ of a head of cauliflower and one large turnip.

Every single one gets rave reviews by family and friends alike.

I make the best ground turkey veggie soup. I get requests for it. I’ll put my recipe here for you. It is super yummy. You’ll love it. (I hope.)

One of my secrets is that I make homemade broth. Here is how I do that.

Sometimes stuff is hard, but …

It really doesn’t matter if something is hard. Does it? It just means it is difficult; not impossible. While this may seem unrelated to that statement, it isn’t:

I would like to share with you my best grain free muffin recipe.

Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

The best grain free muffin ever. And I make them every single week. My husband cannot function without his muffins. It reminds me of our fat cat, Howard. (My husband is not fat. Just the cat.)