Guest guest Posted October 1, 2005 Report Share Posted October 1, 2005 --- Barb, the easiest thing for me to get started was to decide how to plan menus. I looked at the recipes I had and if they couldn't be modified--they went to a shoebox for storage : ). then I made a plan. here is what I do and as I get more experienced it might change a little : ).... breakfast --I usually have hot cereal with dried fruit/few nuts, esp almonds which are a favorite of mine. I now use soymilk and actually prefer it. other things I like occasionally are natural PB on wheat toast with fresh fruit, muffins (not very filling though for me), and smoothies (I can't make a good one for the life of me though). generally I stick with whole grain hot cereal since it's very filling. snacks are generally fresh fruit or veggies, hummus or a bean dip with pita bread (a favorite here), sometimes a slice of whole-grain bread with soy margarine. keep it simple though : )........ lunches --I like soup for lunch with either a sandwich or fresh bread. also depending on supper from night before I might have leftovers and if it was really stellar, I might have it for breakfast too (esp Mexican) : ). soups that are filling for me have beans, grains, and veggies. I like to make a pot or two of soup on weekends and toss into freezer in 2-cup containers. then I can pull one for lunch next day. suppers --this was by far the hardest to figure out as this is our main meal when everyone is home. we decided to do a theme night each night based on family favorites. so... Mondays- pasta/Italian--spaghetti marinara, lasgana, manicotti, etc with homemade breadsticks, salad Tuesdays-Mexican-tacos, burritos, enchiladas, soups, fajitas--you name it with a big salad, rice, and usually a chocolate dessert (kids' like chocolate after something spicy) Wednesdays-breakfast for supper--quiche, scrambled eggs for daughter, homemade cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bread, coffecake, etc. served with plenty fresh fruit and smoothies for youngest. Thursdays-Chinese--fried rice, stir-fried veggies with tofu/tempeh-- there are tons of different sauces to use and endless veggie combinations. Friday-homemade pizza night with kids. we have this designated as kids in kitchen to make their own pizzas. this is the night they can have more of the junk food stuff--ice cream and chips are their choice : ). Saturdays-burger night---bean burgers, bean & grain (homemade and store-bought), etc. the only burgers we buy from grocer are Boca burgers (vegan)--we only have 2 choices anyway : ). kids like Boca burgers with slice cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles. experiment with some of recipes in files--homemade burgers are awesome : ) plus they taste better homemade--seasonings can be adjusted and they can be frozen individually for quick meals. we usually have a pasta salad, potato salad, home made oven fries, etc to go with it. this is the one time kids will really eat their raw veggies esp with a dip. my daughter's fav is a bean burger with a side of baked beans : ). Sundays- I used to get hung up on having a " traditional " meal after church but it is nearly impossible. so my motto on Sundays is " everyone for themselves and clean out the fridge " --it's a potluck of leftovers : ). whatever you decide, keep it simple at first and expand out as you get comfortable and know that mistakes happen and will happen but keep plugging away : ). it does get easier : ). take care : )... Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2005 Report Share Posted October 1, 2005 Thanks so much Ann, That was a great help! I am building on my vegetarian kitchen a little at a time. I buy a few things every time I go to the store and market. I love dried fruit and mom is giving me a crock pot to cook beans in. I have fixed a notebook to put my new recipes in and so I am really getting into this. It has been 5 days now and so far I don't miss meat at all. I am very satisfied with what I eat. I graze all day on stuff.. a hand full of almonds here, a pita bread with hummus there, and a cup of soy milk... last night I roasted some veggies such as peppers, a potato or 2, some carrots and put them in containers to have with meals. Thought that they would go great on a pizza... thanks again for the ideas! Love Barb ---- jandemommy 10/01/05 08:44:52 Re: Barb/ideas--LONG : ) --- Barb, the easiest thing for me to get started was to decide how to plan menus. I looked at the recipes I had and if they couldn't be modified--they went to a shoebox for storage : ). then I made a plan. here is what I do and as I get more experienced it might change a little : )....breakfast--I usually have hot cereal with dried fruit/few nuts, esp almonds which are a favorite of mine. I now use soymilk and actually prefer it. other things I like occasionally are natural PB on wheat toast with fresh fruit, muffins (not very filling though for me), and smoothies (I can't make a good one for the life of me though). generally I stick with whole grain hot cereal since it's very filling.snacks are generally fresh fruit or veggies, hummus or a bean dip with pita bread (a favorite here), sometimes a slice of whole-grain bread with soy margarine. keep it simple though : )........lunches--I like soup for lunch with either a sandwich or fresh bread. also depending on supper from night before I might have leftovers and if it was really stellar, I might have it for breakfast too (esp Mexican) : ). soups that are filling for me have beans, grains, and veggies. I like to make a pot or two of soup on weekends and toss into freezer in 2-cup containers. then I can pull one for lunch next day. suppers--this was by far the hardest to figure out as this is our main meal when everyone is home. we decided to do a theme night each night based on family favorites. so...Mondays- pasta/Italian--spaghetti marinara, lasgana, manicotti, etc with homemade breadsticks, saladTuesdays-Mexican-tacos, burritos, enchiladas, soups, fajitas--you name it with a big salad, rice, and usually a chocolate dessert (kids' like chocolate after something spicy)Wednesdays-breakfast for supper--quiche, scrambled eggs for daughter, homemade cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bread, coffecake, etc. served with plenty fresh fruit and smoothies for youngest. Thursdays-Chinese--fried rice, stir-fried veggies with tofu/tempeh--there are tons of different sauces to use and endless veggie combinations. Friday-homemade pizza night with kids. we have this designated as kids in kitchen to make their own pizzas. this is the night they can have more of the junk food stuff--ice cream and chips are their choice : ).Saturdays-burger night---bean burgers, bean & grain (homemade and store-bought), etc. the only burgers we buy from grocer are Boca burgers (vegan)--we only have 2 choices anyway : ). kids like Boca burgers with slice cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles. experiment with some of recipes in files--homemade burgers are awesome : ) plus they taste better homemade--seasonings can be adjusted and they can be frozen individually for quick meals. we usually have a pasta salad, potato salad, home made oven fries, etc to go with it. this is the one time kids will really eat their raw veggies esp with a dip. my daughter's fav is a bean burger with a side of baked beans : ).Sundays- I used to get hung up on having a "traditional" meal after church but it is nearly impossible. so my motto on Sundays is "everyone for themselves and clean out the fridge"--it's a potluck of leftovers : ). whatever you decide, keep it simple at first and expand out as you get comfortable and know that mistakes happen and will happen but keep plugging away : ). it does get easier : ). take care : )... Anne ************************************************************** Scanned by eScan Anti-Virus and Content Security Software. Visit http://www.mwti.net for more info on eScan and MailScan. ************************************************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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