Tips for Us to Get Started Living a Plant-Based Life (& Garlic Zucchini Noodles)

Planning our meals will make grocery shopping easier and will also make it harder to cheat when we have a lot of delicious options, instead!

According to Dr. Greger, most of us only eat about 9 different favorite recipes and keep those on rotation.

So, let's think about the meals we already eat and change our favorite recipes to be plant-based.
We can make chili with beans and no meat, burritos without meat or cheese, make kebabs with veggies like onions, summer squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

We can also try new recipes.

A Few Tips for a Successful Transition into a Plant-Based Diet: 

Start off by trying vegan alternatives for cheese and milk.

Frozen fruits and vegetables are an easy and low-cost way to have extra and eat more plans.

Also in the frozen section, you will find meatless burgers, "chicken patties", and even vegan hot dogs.

Collect recipes and make yourself a go-to book with them in it. It will be fun to cook a recipe and make it your own over time.

Bookmark HappyCow.net in your phone, or download their app to easily find restaurants wherever you are. It is fun to try new foods, so check out restaurants near you and keep in mind, you can learn to make anything at home.

Learn and research all you can about the Vegan lifestyle. Your friends and family will have questions and you will be motivated to keep up the lifestyle when you know all about the health benefits and the benefits of the world from being Vegan.

Plan meals and plan your grocery shopping list. Investing time into planning will ensure you are getting enough nutrients and that you are meeting Dr. G's Daily Dozen.

Honestly, I think the strategy to meet our goal should be to Simply Keep It Clean. 

No processed food, eat as much fruit and veggies as you can, be aware of salt & avoid too much oil. 

I know what you are thinking: 

"Just tell me what to eat instead of telling me what not to eat!"

Well, take a look at Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen. And, if you need more of an explanation in each category, check out his website or download the Daily Dozen App.

I want to make a and share with you my meal plan, but for now, I am going to leave you with a great recipe for lunch:

Easy Garlic Zucchini Noodles:
2 Zucchini or yellow squash
5-6 Cloves smashed and chopped garlic
1/2 Cup grape tomatoes
Salt and red pepper flakes

Directions:
Using a spiral veggie slicer or veggie peeler, cut 2 zucchini or yellow squash into long, thin strands.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tbs. olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add garlic to skillet, stirring until the garlic starts to turn brown.
Add zucchini to skillet, coating with the garlic oil and tossing with tongs for 1 minute.
Transfer garlic zucchini to plate.
Add grape tomatoes to skillet and roast 1-2 minutes, then add to zucchini.
Add salt and red pepper flakes to taste.



Do you want me to make and share a plant-based meal plan? Have you tried to go vegan for just a week? More? How did it go?