3 EASY & Affordable Vegan School Lunches ~Kid-Friendly (Video)

When we first started this vegan life, my kids would throw most of their lunch in the trash. They would complain that it didn't look like everyone else's lunch and how they just wanted "regular" food.

The key to simple and delicious vegan lunches your kids will actually eat? Make it as familiar as possible.  This is a lifestyle of abundance; not sacrifice. :-)

I came up with a simple lunchbox formula a few months ago to help you not overthink your kids' lunches.

Main Entree + fruit/vegetable + fruit/junk food + drink = Vegan school lunch

Read more about this and get more lunchbox suggestions on that blog post 

In this video, I put together 3 easy vegan lunches that you help you get started....

Lunch #1

Peanut butter & jelly sandwich, plain Lay's potato chips (yup, these are vegan) and strawberries

Vegan options for breads (This is just a short list-many more options are out there):

Cobblestone Mill Hoagie Rolls, Kaiser Rolls, Onion Rolls, Whole Wheat Bread
Dutch Country Soft Potato Bread & Whole Wheat

Arnold’s Potato Sandwich Rolls & Sesame Sandwich Rolls

Ezekiel 4:9 line of breads

Vermont Bread Company: Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread, Old Style Rye Bread, Organic Multigrain Bread, Organic Spelt Bread, Organic Soft Wheat Bread, Organic Soft White Bread, Organic Soft Multigrain Bread

 

Lunch #2

Vegan chicken pita pocket, orange slices & plain pretzels

Make sure you check the ingredients to ensure that there is no eggs/dairy in the pita bread you purchase. You can also make your own using this recipe

Vegan chicken brands (or you can just replace this item with black beans):

Beyond Meat

Gardein

Vegan Chicken Pita Pocket

by Brown Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of oil (to saute)
• 1 medium bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 9 oz vegan chicken (Beyond Meat & Gardein are options) or black beans
• 1 cup lettuce of your choice
• Fresh cilantro, to garnish
• 8-10 pita pockets

Instructions

In a large pan, saute the red bell pepper and onion on medium heat for about 6 minutes. Mix in the cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Add in the corn and vegan chicken (or black beans) and continue cooking for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Put a few pieces of lettuce at the bottom of each pita pocket and spoon about 2 tablespoons of vegan chicken mixture into each pocket.

Garnish with cilantro and enjoy

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Lunch #3

Pasta salad, hummus & carrot sticks, grapes and Oreo cookies (yup, the regular & golden Oreos are vegan

Here's the pasta salad recipe

You can buy pre-packed hummus or make your own using this recipe

Enjoy!

Goals for September 2015

Since I enjoy reading what other people are doing to move forward with their business and personal goals, I've decided to hold myself accountable with monthly posts about my goals.

I refuse to have my year end like it did in December 2014 - depressed, ashamed and with no real focus. 

My theme for the rest of the year is Confidence & Discipline because I really want to grow in those areas.

I've always considered September my new year (instead of January) because it's my born month and I tend to reflect more during this time.

Even though I plan to work on more than 5 tasks, I will keep it simple here and write about no more than 5 here.

Goals

1. Be present in Costa Rica - For the last couple of years I've struggled with being present while on vacation. I find myself thinking about how I haven't really "earned" a trip (since I'm still building my business) and whether or not we can truly afford it. I'm heading to Costa Rica next week and made the decision ahead of time to not beat myself up! I will instead spend quality time with my extended family and celebrate my dad's 60th birthday with JOY. 
2. Attend One Live Event - One of the reasons we moved closer to DC nearly a year ago is to get closer to the action. I haven't really done much to get out there, so this month I will get rid of my crazy excuses and attend Vegan Soul Fest or Naturalista Hair Show.
3. Promote A New Meal Planning Master Class - I've been working on course materials and a marketing strategy for this class and can't wait to help more families (I did a similar class to this last year) how to plan simple and delicious vegan meals. Get more details about the class here 
4. Homeschool Plan - Our family isn't new to the homeschool life but we really need to revamp our routine for the new school year. I want more structure and enrichment activities on our weekly schedule. I've been working on paper and in Google Calendar to theme our days to get more out of them.
5. Consistency Consistency Consistency - For the last couple of years I've struggled with keeping on a schedule with YouTube, the podcast, being active on social media and writing content here. My issue - I stay in my head and overanalyze to the point that I don't start or finish as much as I should. *shaking my head* I spent the last couple of days working on a content strategy and will work hard to start batching my work to get ahead. This will truly be a process but I'm down for the challenge.

That's it for this month!

Shout out to Think & Grow Chick, Be Free Project & Nectar Collective for inspiring this series. :-)

What are your goals for the new month? Leave me a comment :-)

Coconut Mushrooms & Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Here's an delicious dinner that doesn't take a million hours to put together and has inexpensive ingredients.

Even though I didn't include this in the directions, I usually add in a teaspoon of cumin because I will find any excuse to use it. I'm addicted!

Never used canned coconut milk in a recipe? You're in for a treat! There's no weird coconut flavor in this dish and it makes a nice light gravy to go with the potatoes.

Enjoy!

Coconut Mushrooms & Mashed Potatoes

by Brown Vegan

Keywords: saute entree vegan vegetarian

Ingredients (Serves 5)

Coconut Mushrooms

• 1 tablespoon coconut or olive oil
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 shallots, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 cups cremini mushrooms, chopped
• 15 oz can of coconut milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Mashed Potatoes

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, washed, peeled and cut lengthwise into quarters
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond or soy milk (add more if necessary)
• 1/4 cup vegan margarine (Earth Balance and Smart Balance are options)
• 1 teaspoon salt (1/2 teaspoon more salt for the cooking water)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Mushroom Instructions

Heat a large shallow pan on medium heat with oil. Add in bell pepper, shallots and garlic for about 3 mins. Then add in mushrooms, stirring frequently for 4 minutes.

Pour in coconut milk and bring to a boil until liquid has reduced by half. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Mashed Potatoes Instructions

Place potatoes into a large saucepan. Add cold water to the pan until the potatoes are covered by at least an inch. Add in 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Bring the potatoes and water to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer and cover.

Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until you can easily poke through them with a fork.

When the potatoes are done, drain the water and place the potatoes back into the pot.

Add in the milk, margarine, salt and pepper and mash with a potato masher.

Add more milk to smooth out the potatoes, if necessary. Don't over­beat the potatoes or the mashed potatoes will end up gluey.

Adjust seasoning.

To serve: Scoop mashed potatoes into a bowl. Top with about 1⁄2 cup of coconut mushrooms and cilantro

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Let me know what you think when you try this recipe :-)

It's Okay to Be A Vegetarian FIRST

I was talking to someone a few weeks ago and realized one of the main reasons families have a hard time transitioning to vegan life is because it's too much of a leap.

It can be pretty difficult to jump from Chick Fil'A to fried tofu & kale salads overnight.

That's a fact.

The missing link is being a vegetarian first.

I was a vegetarian for 2 years before becoming a vegan, so I don't know why I didn't really think to encourage this for other families.

In fact, when I was a vegetarian, I didn't even think I would start a vegan journey (since I tried before and it didn't work).

I just want to give you permission to do what works best for your family. Don't discount the progress! There's so much power in making gradual changes.

 I believe making gradual changes will lead to a long-term vegan life.

 Even if you commit to eating more vegetables daily, it's a step in the right direction.

Spring mix, cucumber, red onion, tomato & avocado. I used an oil and lemon dressing

In this latest video, I give you 4 tips on how to transition to more plant-based meals. Click below to watch....

Tips to move forward:

• Replace your butter & milk with plant-based alternatives - This is a easy change because you won't notice it too much. Instead of conventional butter, use Earth Balance or one of these options. Also, for plant-based milk you can use soy, almond, coconut or hemp milk for cereal and cooking.
• Add an extra vegetable to your plate or commit to a daily salad like the one above - This will help crowd out some of the foods you shouldn't eat
• Do some research - Watch a few documentaries (Vegucated is a good one) and read some books (Sistah Vegan & Diet for A New America are good ones)
• Commit to Meatless Monday - Your family is more likely to embrace this small change opposed to feeling overwhelmed with being vegan overnight.

Be gentle with yourself and open to new experiences and I promise you'll make great strides forward.

You've got this!

Replay From YouTube Live Stream | Do You Take Supplements & Other Vegan Questions

I did my first YouTube live stream the other day and all I can say is WOW!

So many awesome questions about family, meal planning, protein, supplements, kitchen equipment, eating out as a vegan, etc.

Click to watch the Q&A here and get the timestamp under the video.....

~The chat doesn't start until 10:40 ~ Fast forward to that point

11:14- How do you put vegan meals together?

15:15 - How do you prepare tofu?

19:30 - How to get started on a vegan journey with young children?

22:13 - Have you tried the Daiya boxed macaroni & cheese? (I mentioned Earth Balance mac & cheese too)

24:47 - What dishes should you make that would be inviting to non-vegans?

27:19 - Advice on how to get started on a vegan journey with a small budget & when cooking for omnivores

30:59 - Have you tried hemp tofu?

31:20 - How do I handle eating out as a vegan?

Click here to get the FREE "How to Eat Out As A Vegan" workshop

35:20 - Is being vegan expensive?

37:02 - What kitchen equipment do you need? I did a blog post about this here

38:55 - Any advice for a new vegan?

40:32 - How do you feel about Raw Til 4?

42:10 - Any tips for single vegans? The portions are too big for most recipes.

43:20 - Any tips for college students eating vegan? I mentioned Tofu Guru & this article from Happy Herbivore 

44:20 - How do you need enough protein?

45:35 How do you store your greens and other fresh produce?

47:48 - Can you recommend any vegetables that have a similar texture to meat? I said eggplant but mushrooms (especially portobello and oyster) have a more meaty texture. When I want a true meat texture I seek out brands like Gardein, Beyond Meat & Field Roast.

50:30 - How do you clean your produce? I use apple cider vinegar or activated charcoal powder. GeT more info on charcoal powder on Hey Fran Hey's video 

51:24 - Do you take supplements?

52:00 - How do you handle picky eaters? I wrote a post about this here

55:03 - How do I pack lunches? I wrote a post about school lunches here

55:10 - How do your friends and family feel about you being vegan?

1:00 - What cleaning supplies do you use?

1:02:20- What do you think of vegan soul food and can you recommend any recipes? Cornbread recipe is here & vegan macaroni & cheese recipe is here

1:03:00 - Chit chat about how my dad inspired me to start a vegan life and business

1:05:11 - How do you get teenage boys to embrace vegan life?

1:07:39 - What your favorite part about YouTube?

1:08:40 What are your go-to snacks while out and about? I mentioned Larabars

1:10:28 - How do I handle my husband who goes back & forth with a vegan lifestyle?

1:13:49 - Do you make your own almond milk -Here's a video I made on how to make almond milk here