PLANT BASED HOMEMADE FAST FOOD. WEEKLY MEAL PLAN IDEAS #6.
I was living on fast food lately…
Now, you probably think.. What!??
😮
So let me explain…
I´m not talking about the kind of fast food people usually imagine. Because no, I don´t eat burgers, chips, kebabs or any food delivery either.
By this time you might know my preferences… they are always plant based, preferably organic and locally grown or at least the best quality food I can get.
I believe that our health is deeply connected to what we eat. Then, when you add exercise and a positive mindset you´ll get a healthy lifestyle, which in my opinion is the best health insurance.
The last week was marked with my son´s leaving to study at the university for the first time. New place, new country, traveling with all those restrictions and insecurities… Yes, it was a stressful week. And it still feels strange not having him at home after 19 years.
Emotionally stressful periods of time weaken the immune system, but when we are very busy and emotionally drained, we have the tendency to grab any kind of crappy food… exactly when we need some extra self care.
Knowing this, I love to have an easy to assemble menu, some comforting and warming soups that feel like a hug, refreshing salads, and quick to grab healthy options.
Apart from being true time savers, these recipes are rich in legumes and whole grains, because study after study has shown us that they are absolutely vital for our health, especially gut health. What we find when studying legumes is weight loss, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reversal of insulin, less inflammation and more good bacteria in the gut and the fact that people who consume lots of legumes and whole grains live longer.
The selection of recipes for this week is so easy and quick to prepare, that it doesn´t even need any serious Sunday meal prep.
So if you want to spend a Sunday out or just doing nothing, save this menu. You're gonna have a healthy meal on your plate within 30min… which is usually less than reading the menu, ordering a meal and waiting for it in a restaurant.
Ok, I admit it takes more time than grabbing a crappy burger from the Drive Through, but hey, you deserve better than that.
The menu of this week is exactly what I call fast food.
And if you know you have a crazy week ahead, this is what you can do this weekend to boost your efficiency.
Let´s dive straight in!
SATURDAY:
✅ Make sure you have all the ingredients ready for the next day - check my PANTRY LIST and get what´s missing… A full pantry always looks better 😉
✅ In the evening, soak 1 cup of chickpeas overnight. If you have some bottled organic chickpeas or white beans, you can omit this step, but I like to cook from scratch.
SUNDAY MEAL PREP:
✅ Make BEANS & CHILLI SOUP
✅ Cook chickpeas (if you have a bottle of white beans, you don´t need to do this step) and make PESTO HUMMUS.
✅ Make CREAMY PEA SOUP
✅ Make BERRY BROWNIES
Well done! Easy, right? Now, you are ready for a great and nutritious week with meals that will take less than 30min to prepare.
So, let's have a look at what meals you can create with this meal prep
MENU FOR A BUSY (AND STRESSFUL) WEEK.
🥒 CREAMY PEA SOUP - this soup was my kids favorite and probably the only way to make them eat some peas 🙈. You can store the leftover for another 3 days in the fridge and don´t forget to save the fiber for the next recipe - PEA FALAFELS.
🥒 PEA FALAFELS with HERBY CUCUMBER SALAD
🥒 BEAN & CHILLI SOUP - you can store the leftover for the next days or freeze portions for months.
🥒 SOBA GRAB & GO NOODLES - this is great to prepare a day ahead of a crazy busy day. There is nothing better than grabbing a healthy homemade packed lunch.
SNACK & TREAT OF THE WEEK.
Savory or sweet cravings? Here is something for any occation…
PESTO HUMMUS - you can prepare this recipe with fresh basil or using HOMEMADE BASIL PESTO and enjoy it with some raw veg (carrots, celery, cucumbers) or organic nachos..👌🏼
BERRY BROWNIES - gluten & lactose free treat, full of comforting chocolate that feels like a hug…🥰
This is it! Get ready for a new week full of energy and let me know in the comments what you think about these recipes.
Have an awesome week! 💙