Category Archives: Nico

Jan 6

Veganuary So Far

I’m keeping a running post of how my day-to-day goes as I venture into Veganuary. I think I’ll be posting it on Monday’s. I’m also going to share some photos of what I’m eating. So far the Veganuary challenge is going really well. The first few days were a little tricky, but now it is smooth sailing.

Quinoa Tacos have become one of my favorite. We eat a lot of Mexican food in our house, and this way I can make regular tacos for the family, and something vegan for me.

For dinner I made, Vegan Baked Beans,and a Baked Sweet Potato with “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” It’s VEGAN!!! Possible my favorite vegan-butter spread so far. James said he liked the vegan baked beans, but the kids didn’t care for them at all. I had plenty of leftovers for a second meal for me.

 

Within the first three days, I was still a little hungry between meals. So I started packing my plate with more fruits and veggies.

I found some pretty Avocados on sale for 5/ $5 at the store, and they made the best side for quinoa tacos. They also make a great snack whenever I’m super hungry.

I’ve been looking for vegan ready to go foods. One thing I miss is the convenience of grab-and-go meals. It seems like so far all I am doing is cooking, cooking, cooking. Sometimes I don’t feel like cooking a meal for myself after I’ve made a meal for my family.

Luckily there is canned vegetarian veggie soup that I added a few more veggies to, and some quinoa for good measure. This made a fast lunch for when I didn’t feel like cooking.

Another of my favorites is Yves Kale and Quinoa bites. You just throw them in the oven, and they are ready in no time.

They make an amazing main dish,

and they are tasty sauced up on top of a mountain of pasta.

I’ve been using the crock pot whenever I can. It is a great way to have food ready to go in the fridge, and stored for future meals in the freezer.

Vegan Chili is a favorite of mine to make in the crock pot. It freezes well, and it is very versatile dish.

Lastly, my favorite dish so far… Homemade Vegan Taco Salad

I baked a flour tortilla shell in the oven to make a little bowl. It wasn’t the prettiest, but it was absolutely delicious. I made a layer of vegan refried beans in the base of the bowl, added a layer of homemade vegan Mexican Rice, then a good helping of shredded lettuce. Finally, I topped it off with some chunked avocados that I marinated in a bit of homemade salsa and lime juice. It was amazingly delicious, and I seriously ate every bite.

I’m almost a week into the challenge, and I’m feeling better. We’ll see what next week brings. The kids will be back to school, so I hope I can get the house tidied up a bit, and get back in the kitchen making vegan dishes.

 

 

 

 

Jan 1

January’s Monthly Menu

Hello 2018! Time for an all new monthly dinner menu.

  • 1/1/2018: Panko Chicken, Vegan BBQ Beans, Mashed Potatoes, and Fresh Baked Bread
  • 1/2/2018: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Guacamole, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/3/2018: Vegan Chili, Regular Chili, Saltines, and Homemade Cornbread
  • 1/4/2018: Chicken Soft Tacos, Vegan Mexican Rice, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/5/2018: Chicken Noodles, Vegan Pho, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Dinner Rolls
  • 1/6/2018: Homemade Biscuits & Gravy, Sausage, and Fresh Fruit
  • 1/7/2018: Panko Chicken and Fries
  • 1/8/2018: BBQ Chicken Sliders, Fries, and Vegan Pasta Salad
  • 1/9/2018: Tostadas (vegetarian/vegan), Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/10/2018: Snack Dinner
  • 1/11/2018: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/12/2018: Burgers, Grilled Cheese, and Fries
  • 1/13/2018: Toast, Pancakes, and Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
  • 1/14/2018: Marinated Steak, Baked Potatoes, and Vegan Roasted Veggies
  • 1/15/2018: Bacon Sandwiches, and Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
  • 1/16/2018: Beef Sanchos, Vegan Refried Beans, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/17/2018: Chicken Noodles, Vegan Pho, Mashed Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls
  • 1/18/2108: Chicken Fajitas, Vegan Veggie Fajitas, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/19/2018: Vegan Chili, Regular Chili, Saltines, and Homemade Cornbread
  • 1/20/2018: Waffles, Bacon, and Fresh Fruit
  • 1/21/2018: Pot Roast with Potatoes, and Homemade Dinner Rolls
  • 1/22/2018: BBQ Beef Sliders, Fries, and Vegan Corn Salad
  • 1/23/2018: Steak Burritos, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/24/2018: Burgers, Grilled Cheese, and Fries
  • 1/25/2018: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/26/2018: Panko Chicken and Fries
  • 1/27/2018: Homemade Pizza, Vegan Veggie Homemade Pizza
  • 1/28/2018: Baked Ziti and Homemade Vegan Breadsticks
  • 1/29/2018: TAKE-OUT Thade’s Birthday, his choice!
  • 1/30/2018: Tostadas (Vegan and Vegetarian), Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 1/31/2018: Panko Chicken and Fries

This month I am taking the Vegan for January challenge, but still cooking regular meals for the family. I think it is going to be a month filled with a lot of extra dishes to wash.

Happy New Year! Cheers!

 

 

Dec 28

Veguary

In December I decided to flex my flexitarian wings, and eat Chicken, Turkey, and even Pork… I also ate all of the junk food that filtered into the house through Christmas. I abandoned my menu planning, and pretty much ate what my family was eating, with the exception of red meat. I ate take-out, fried chicken from the new deli, everything that I possible could with cheese, and you know what?!? I feel like crap!!!!!

I am disappointed with myself because all of that progress that I made as a vegetarian was wiped out in a matter of days. Physically, I’m achy, lethargic, unable to sleep at night, but I can sleep all day, my skin is itchy and dry, and I just feel physically awful. My depression is terrible too, I have zero motivation to do anything, and no energy to start anything. IT STINKS!!!

I’ve been reading about the vegan challenge for January, and I want to give it a try. I only made it a week vegan, and I stopped because I was just too hungry all the time. This time though I’m motivated to get myself feeling better, and I’m going to plan out my months meals before hand.

Today I’m starting by cleaning out the fridge, freezer, and pantry, and taking inventory of everything vegan that I have on hand already. I think that will help me start my meal planning. I’m also thinking of vegan snacks that I can have ready, because I’m a bit of a grazer. I think that is going to be the trickiest part of all.

I’ll be posting how this goes, and I hope to have some success in January. I know I need to do better, I can’t keep feeling like this.