Plant Based Living
I have been interested in a vegan lifestyle since high school, I was 15 the first time I tried being vegan and my family was really against it so I ended up reverting to ‘normal’ eating after only 3 months. My favorite book to this day is called My Year of Meats and is about a Japanese American girl producing a documentary on the horrors of the meat industry in the U.S. I am the first to order a steak and martini at The Palm, but in my day to day life I have really found a big impact on how I feel when I eat vegan 80% of the time. Not only have I lost weight but gained so much energy and just feel leaner and cleaner. On top of not supporting the meat industry that’s really corrupt, eating plant based also helps the environment and that is one of my all time passions.
Above you’ll find a video about a plant based meal plan I absolutely love called SAKARA. I went plant based long before SAKARA but this meal plan that I’ve done twice now really inspires me each time I do it on how many delicious recipes there are that don’t involve meat or dairy. If you don’t know where to start on your healthier journey I highly recommend starting with SAKARA, you’ll be shocked at just how good you feel on day 3. Feel free to use my code XOMICHELLE for 20% off on any order, they don’t only have meal plans but also a 10 day re-set box that includes recipes and their favorite supplements to get you going.
Beyond SAKARA I also wanted to share some of my go to snacks, meals, whole foods that I have now been really accustomed to eating and look forward to when I am eating plant based during the week (and most times through the weekend except on certain social occasions or restaurants that source locally and know the butcher type thing):
green juices (pressed Juicery is my favorite)
berry banana spinach protein smoothies
chia seeds, good for smoothies or to make chia seed pudding
almond milk/cashew milk yogurt
vegan granola - so many good brands at whole foods
all kinds of nut milks! oat milk is my favorite, but been wanting to try hemp milk
allll the greens, arugula, spring mix, spinach are my favorites
hummus on veggie wraps or with baby carrots
veggies…there are a lot… roasted zuchinni, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, eggplant, sweet potato, spaghetti squash to make healthy pasta, all types of mushrooms, cucumber and tomato for salads
avocado on everything
chickpeas, black beans - help keep me full if I am really hungry
beyond meat burgers are amazing
right rice - healthier plant based rice, and brown rice is great too
all the sauces: green goddess vegan dressing is my favorite, vegan pesto, vegan miso ginger asian type sauces, they even have vegan ranch which I also love
red onion for pickled onion to add to veggie wraps, salads, on top of plant based burgers, olives are great too
Daiya shredded cheese for veggie burritos
Cauliflower mac and cheese from Whole Foods
Lentil Pastas and all the pasta alternatives, with Raos sauce is my favorite or sometimes I’ll make red sauce from crushed tomatoes and tomato paste
HU chocolate makes amazing vegan chocolate
Van Leeuwin is my favorite vegan ice cream brand but there are a ton of others out there that are amazing
More or less at the beginning of the week I cook up all my veggies and then eat whatever I am feeling throughout the week, I make all sorts of bowls, wraps, or pasta with veggies. Check out some pictures below, but I am by no means a cook :)
