WOOT! It’s my two month veganniversary! I am happy to report that I still feel wonderful about this lifestyle. It just keeps getting easier and more exciting as I learn about vegan health issues, nutrition, animal rights, environmental impacts of factory farming, etc etc.
However, as The Queen of All That Is Lazy, I have found that my new diet and interest in nutrition has gotten in the way of my usual procrastination. In the beginning, I was spending more time cooking, shopping, reading up on recipes, and the like. This cut into my zombie slaying time and mindlessly watching TV time. But more recently, I have set aside one afternoon/morning a week to do all my planning and shopping. Thus, I once again have ample time to engage in console-aided combat simulation.
I usually spend an hour or so on Sunday mornings making a seven day meal plan. Then, I do the shopping that afternoon. This also helps with staying on budget and buying only the things I need, reducing spoilage and waste. When I get home from the store, I’ll do some prep work, like starting bean sprouts, pre-washing veggies, or cooking grains. I will even arrange things in the fridge according to when they’ll appear on the menu. This speeds up cooking time each day and allows maximum lazy-time during the week.
I only plan out lunches and dinners. For breakfast, I’ll eat leftovers grains, miso soup, or even make a quick sandwich. It just depends on how early I happen to wake up. For a bit of inspiration, here’s my menu plan for October 3rd to 9th. You can tell that my passions involve international cuisine and alliteration.
Marvelous Monday – Vietnamese themed
Lunch
- Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich) – Veggie slices, Avo Bean Pate, pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, jalapenos, and creamy vegan mayo on a fresh French loaf.
Dinner
- Rice noodle salad – cold vermicelli dressed with garlic & chilli sweet vinegar, tossed with bean sprouts, crunchy vegetables, and topped with spicy seared tofu. This is also great warmed up; which I would do if the weather was particularly cold.
Terrific Tuesday – Japanese themed
Lunch
- Brown rice sushi – cucumber rolls, pickled daikon & carrot rolls, and avocado & inari nigiri
- Miso soup
Dinner
- Teriyaki veggies on brown rice
- Spinach gomaee (cold, blanched spinach topped with peanut sauce)
Wonderful Wednesday – Mexican Themed
Lunch
- Baked Bean & Mexican Rice Burritos
Dinner
- Black Bean & Cheese Tamales
Thankful Thursday – South Indian Themed
Lunch
- Idli – steamed cakes made from rice and lentil flour
- 3 different chutneys – coconut, tomato, green mango
- Spinach & Lentil soup
Dinner
- Eggplant curry – Sri Lankan style
- Idli
- Spinach & Lentil soup
Fantastic Friday – Italian themed
Lunch
- Fetticini Alfredo – fresh, handmade pasta with yummy, creamy alfredo sauce
- fresh salad
Dinner
Sensational Saturday
Lunch
- UBLT – The un-bacon, lettuce & tomato sandwich.
- fresh salad
Dinner
- Dine out night
Funday Sunday
Lunch
- Leftover Roundup Stir fry- This is usually a consists of various foods that need to get eaten
Dinner
- Leftover Roundup Soup – A soup of any leftovers I might have on hand
I hope this gives you some ideas. How do you usually decide what to eat during the week? Do you wing it or plan it out?
