I am definitely a creature of habit when it comes to food. Sure, I am always trying new things in the kitchen to keep it interesting for my family (and you guys), but I tend to eat a lot of the same things week to week. If you follow me on IG, you probably have already noticed this. Maybe you are the same way?
So this week I wanted to share what those 7 meals are because they are super easy to make, healthy, and oh-so-satisfying.
#1: Chocolate Oats with Fruit
I eat this for breakfast 5 out of 7 days a week. My day just doesn’t feel complete without it! When I first became pregnant, I started eating more bagels and vegan cream cheese but thankfully in my second trimester, I got right back on that oatmeal train. There’s so much you can do with oats, but I almost always have mine made with unsweetened cocoa powder and topped with ground flaxseed, almond butter, frozen cherries, and fresh berries. Sometimes bananas. This breakfast is fast, sweet, and keeps me full until mid-morning/lunchtime. It feels good to start my day with this and I don’t plan on quitting unless I am painfully bored of it (if that ever happens!) Recipe here.
#2: Lentil Soup
My Nana likes to tease me about my love for lentil soup. She is also a big fan, but she always laughs when she sees it on the stove. “LENTILS AGAIN?” It is literally the cheapest meal in the world and packed with SO MUCH iron and protein! I love it! So now she will bring me over bags of lentils whenever she gets the chance. She’s the sweetest. If you need a meal that uses ingredients that cost next-to-nothing and can simmer easily while you are busy at home, this is it. Serve with rice or grain of your choice and you have yourself a meal. Recipe here.
#3: Burrito (Any Kind!)
I’m a huge fan of burritos because not only do they fill me up for hours, but you can pack in whatever the heck you have lying around your fridge. I cycle through what kind if burrito I am into, but lately it has been breakfast burritos with tofu scramble, spinach, onion, avocado, salsa, and vegan sour cream. I also love black bean burritos. This is an easy way for me to get in a ton of veggies, protein, and healthy fats. Sometimes I’ll enjoy sans burrito, but… I really love flour wraps. Recipe for this breakfast burrito here.
#4: Escarole and Beans
This is a meal that I grew up with and I’ll probably never stop loving. Greens and beans, basically… but escarole in particular is my favorite. Super garlicky and is soooo good when you serve with a nice chunk of Italian bread. I will send my husband out to the bakery down the road for one! And fun fact, I think this was the second or third recipe I ever posted on the blog back in 2014. That’s how much it means to me! Recipe here.
#5: Cashew Cheese Pizza
I make this every week at least once not only because it is quick and easy (and pizza) but we just love it as a family. My toddler especially – she is pizza crazy. And I feel great serving this to her with the healthy cashew cheese… it is a fantastic way for her to get in some nuts, since she cannot eat whole nuts yet. Homemade pizza is much much healthier than ordering out, so no guilt here. If there is no dough in my freezer, we opt for tortilla pizzas, which is just as delicious and easy. Recipe here.
#6: Loaded Sweet Potato
I always bake at least 4-5 large sweet potatoes on the weekend to have for the week. I poke some holes in them and let them sit in a 400 F degree oven for an hour, let them cool, and store in air-tight containers. When I am too busy or need a healthy snack, I will load up one of them with whatever toppings I have on hand. Sometimes it is just tahini and other times it’s beans, corn, salsa, avocado, etc. Here are some of my favorites ways to enjoy one.
#7: Toast with Cream Cheese + Tomato (or Cucumber or Avocado)
If I am not eating oats for breakfast, this is probably its replacement. And if not that, then this is definitely on my snack list. It’s so fast and simple but so delicious. Willow loves it just as much as me. Simply add vegan cream cheese to your favorite toast and layer up with either tomato, avocado, cucumber, or all three.
So there they are – seven of my very favorite meals that are guaranteed to make an appearance each week.
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