Hi friends!
I want to share some of my go-to staple meals as of lately. You know the meals that nourish your core? The ones that fill you up, have lots of fiber to keep things moving, don’t make you feel bloated, and simply make your gut happy? Those are the ones I’m talking about.
Over the last year, I fine-tuned my diet a bit more because I was feeling awfully sluggish and not myself. I cut back on processed snacks, eliminated most sugar (not perfect but close to it), eliminated oils, and opted for whole grains vs. white. I reread How Not to Die and read The Starch Solution (affiliate links). I turned to High Carb Hannah and Plantiful Kiki for new recipes. And let me tell you that these have all been game changers for me in my relationship with food. I have never felt better in my body. And bonus side effects: my skin is clearer and I slowly lost 15 lbs. I have felt more me than I have in a very long time!
So today, I want to share the meals I eat over and over again (and surprisingly have not gotten sick of). These are made with staple, budget-friendly ingredients and require fairly minimal food prep. I can do a whole post on how I food prep, if that is something you are interested in, too. Let me know in the comments or on Instagram.
1. Warm Oatmeal
This will come as no surprise because if you follow me on IG, you know I eat oats probably 5/7 days a week, if not the whole week. My favorite way to enjoy them is with ground flax stirred in and mashed banana for sweetness. I top with frozen cherries and sometimes include some chocolate date syrup (recipe for this in my eBook). Or any berries and chocolate syrup, really.
Some other ways I like it: apple oats and mug oats
2. Cold Overnight Oats
If I want something cold (particularly in spring and summer), I like overnight oats. My simple formula is just 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1 tbsp maple or date syrup, 1 tbsp ground flax, and pinch of cinnamon. If I want chocolate, instead of cinnamon, I add 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder. Add all to a jar or container, shake it up, and let sit overnight. I top with fruit the next morning.
3. Vegan Sushi Bowl
This is something that High Carb Hannah inspired me with. I do not like vegan sushi (nori isn’t my thing) but when’s without that and in a bowl, I really enjoy it. To a bowl of brown/white rice, I like to add carrots, cucumber, edamame, mushrooms (cooked in soy sauce), avocado, and sesame seeds. I will top with a little soy sauce and rice vinegar and yummmmm.
4. Potatoes and Broccoli w/ Vegan Queso
Gosh, this is the simplest ever and my favorite lazy meal. I like to boil potatoes ahead of time so when I need them, they are ready to roll. I cut into fried or chunks and cook them in my air-fryer with a little salt, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder. Steam broccoli on the side and lots of vegan queso. Some ketchup sometimes, too!
5. Lentil Stew
I make a batch of soup every week but lentil stew seems to be the one that I make the most. It’s easy, filling, and great with a side of rice. My base recipe is linked but feel free to add to it whatever you have on hand. I often like to add some sweet potato, kale, and mushrooms. The more veg, the better!
6. Buffalo Tempeh Salad
I love buffalo anything, and tempeh is especially delicious when it is doused in buffalo sauce. I use Frank’s buffalo sauce and air fry until crispy. I enjoy on romaine or mixed greens with a cashew-based ranch dressing (recipe in eBook).
7. Apple Chickpea Salad in Pita
This is a simple lunch and it is great in a pita wrap or over salad. Recipe here (sometimes I use the blended cashews but lately I use 1-2 tbsp of tahini instead).
8. Tostadas
If there is one thing on the list that I can eat every single day and never get sick of, it is tostadas. I crisp up some corn torillas in the oven or air fryer and layer on some mashed black/pinto beans, queso, vegan cashew lime crema (in eBook), corn, salsa, hot sauce, avocado… whatever I have in the fridge. SO so filling and delicious.
9. Burrito Bowl
Another meal I eat at least once or twice a week because it is so easy and cheap and filling. Anything goes in a burrito bowl… give me all the colorful veg.
10. Loaded Sweet Potatoes
I love a good ‘ol sweet potato topped with all the yummy things. I shared a few different ways to eat a loaded potato here, but above I have some mashed chickpeas and avocado, kale, and cashew cream and hot sauce drizzle.
For more budget-friendly recipes and information on how to save money on a plant-based diet, download my eBook: My Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Kitchen.
