So, I made it through one whole week!! If you read my post last Monday, then you know I’m doing a Plants Based Vegan Challenge! For 30 days I’m eliminating all animal products from my diet. I’m doing this for mostly ethical reasons, but I’m liking the way I feel and I’m enjoying some yummy, heathy eats. Id like to share a few simple snack and meal ideas and I’m hoping you will feel inspired to eat more plants!
Oats! Breakfast really wasn’t a challenge because I totally LOVE my oatmeal. There’s just so much hidden potential in a bowlful of ‘ordinary oats’. One thing I’ve noticed this past week is that, since eating plants based, I’ve been waking up earlier and hungrier each morning. I feel lighter (less belly-bloat) and more energized, but… I’m hungry!
Top your oats with loads of fresh fruit and a drizzle of PB2/PB. It’s so the perfect nutritious and delicious plants based fuel to wake me up and power me through the day.
ZOODLES!! I’m obsessed with oodles and oodles of delicious green zoodles!! If you follow me on Instagram then you know I eat them all the time! Zoodles are simply spiralized zucchini! I love to carb it up in the afternoon and I usually opt for some zoodles with salsa or red sauce and a couple small potatoes with mashed avocado. Plus, of course, fresh fruit for “dessert!” I’ve been loving watermelon and frozen mango lately! ‘Tis the season for more and more budget friendly farm fresh fruits.of ALL kinds!
I’m not a huge snacker. I usually consider myself more of a ‘meal person’ but with this lifestyle, I DEFINITELY need to have an afternoon snack. The thing about most plants based food is that it’s quite low in calories. So I usually opt for some fresh fruit and a tablespoon of almond butter if I get hungry around 3 or 4 pm.
For dinners I’ve been enjoying sweet potatoes, chickpea pasta, large salads and fresh veggies! I always follow up my dinners with a bit of fresh fruit… and you can’t forget a little organic vegan dark chocolate in the evening!
To sum it up, I’ve loved my first week of plants based eating. I have not craved meat at all. The only “con” so far has been my increased hunger. I’m still realizing that I have to eat more than I’m used to (or comfortable with) so I’m in the process of finding what works for me. Aside from that, I feel happier, more energized, ethically responsible, and my skin is clearing up!! I’m excited that this week has gone well and I look forward to the next one!
xoxo Cailee!
23 Comments
All of your eats look seriously, ridiculously delicious! You make vegan diets look like a walk in the park 😉 xo
May 23, 2016 at 5:01 amAwww! Thanks Kristy!! You’re too sweet!!
May 29, 2016 at 3:00 pmIt literally looks like if I tried doing vegan too, I wouldn’t miss animal products at all. All of your eats look SO super delicious and colorful. I’m thankful nut butter is vegan. 🙂
May 23, 2016 at 7:27 amNUT BUTTER!! So good! Thanks Emily!
May 29, 2016 at 3:00 pmI love zoodles!!!! I went vegan for 6 months a few years ago and really the only thing I missed was cheese and Greek yogurt! I still eat mostly plant based these days because there are just so many delicious things you can eat!
May 23, 2016 at 2:05 pmWow!! 6 months! That’s impressive! I don’t think I could go that long! …and yesssss to zoodles! They’re just so fun!!
May 29, 2016 at 2:59 pmLove looking at your simple and delicious meals! Great post!
May 23, 2016 at 3:05 pmThank Mira!!
May 29, 2016 at 2:58 pmThis all looks so yummy! Good luck to you as you continue figuring out how much you need to be eating to keep that hunger at bay! 🙂
May 23, 2016 at 6:06 pmThanks Rach!! You’re so sweet and I hope that you’re having a great weekend!!
May 29, 2016 at 2:56 pmCongrats on making it through week 1 girlfriend! Looking at what you ate, it looks like you are still eating tons of deliciousness! Who needs meat when you can have oodles of zoodles?! Lol! Cheers, friend! 🙂
May 23, 2016 at 7:55 pmOodles and oodles of zoodles!! Thanks love!! <3
May 29, 2016 at 2:56 pmYou go girl! Your eats look delicious! I’m obsessed with zoodles too. Are you keeping track of your macros at all? I’m wondering if maybe you’re feeling more hungry because you’re not getting enough protein. As a plant-based eater, it’s very doable to get enough protein, but I find that I have to pay attention to how much protein I’m eating to make sure I’m getting enough. Maybe try adding beans into your diet on a daily basis if you don’t already – great for protein + fiber + a ton of other goodness! 🙂
May 24, 2016 at 4:31 pmGreat ideas Nicole!! Thanks for the advice!! And I totally hear ya, I definitely think it’s important to pay more attention to protein when eating plant based (something I haven’t been very good at :/) Thanks girl!!
May 29, 2016 at 2:55 pmYay for week one! And so much delicious looking food! Not eating dairy has done wonders for my skin (it started to break out like crazy after going off a medication) … it’s kinda crazy how directly related it seems to be for me (the eating dairy that is!).
May 24, 2016 at 8:44 pmYES! I’ve been dairy free for over a year now, and it was hard at first, but now it’s not even a thought! Isn’t it funny how our bodies adapt??
May 29, 2016 at 2:54 pmi used to think that I could never go plant based for a long time but your eats look so good I think I would last haha!
May 25, 2016 at 5:20 pmHehe!! Thanks Rachel!! Yay for more plants!
May 29, 2016 at 2:52 pmLove all the colors that you’re eating, so bright and nutrient fresh! I think we can all benefit from going “plant-based” more often, even just a few days a week!
May 25, 2016 at 8:37 pmYES! I completely agree! Even if it’s just a few more meals! The benefits of plants are amazing!! Thanks Sarah!
May 29, 2016 at 2:52 pmAll of your meals look delicious, Cailee! I hope your challenge is continuing to go well! Maybe you could add some more beans and nuts into your diet, since they are protein-packed and will help you feel less hungry. Looking forward to seeing your next update!
May 28, 2016 at 4:25 pmThanks Julia!! You’re so sweet! …and I’ll have an update on week 2 coming at ya tomorrow!! Happy long weekend!! <3
May 29, 2016 at 2:40 pmLook at all those colours! You’re really eating the rainbow every day, Cailee! I’d happily be a guest at your place.
May 30, 2016 at 2:01 pmGiven I’m eating around 85-90 % plantbased every day – yes, I actually did a rough calculation in my head out of curiosity 😀 – I wouldn’t have big trouble eating all vegan. Aside from craving Quark at times.
While I’m not a huge proponent of calorie counting maybe tracking your intake in one of those online calculators would help you figure out how to feel more saturated? Before adding it into the calculator I’d take notes of how satisfied you feel after every meal so you can then probably see a pattern [like amount of carbs/fat/protein]? Good luck in any way!