I’m so excited for today’s post! Many of you have been asking me to put together some plant-based meal plans or menus – What does a full day of plant-based eating look like? How do I combine easy, healthy recipes into a full day of eating? It’s something I struggled with in the beginning too – and even now, on occasion – so I totally get it. With the summer season in mind, this 2-day meal plan below is filled with healthy, energizing, quick-to-prepare options. All of the recipes (except the avocado sauce and smoothies) can be made in advance and keep well in the fridge. Yes!
This post was also crafted for a selfish reason too; I tested cake and frosting all last week for the next cookbook. The end result turned out pretty mind-blowing, but to say I was looking for a bit of a “reset” is an understatement. I try my best to eat balanced, but that doesn’t always happen as a recipe tester. When the dessert chapter needs to be wrapped up, the dessert chapter needs to be wrapped up! So in an effort to bring back balanced meals, I came up with this easy, veggie-packed menu to get back on track. I think we can all relate to this desire now and then, especially after summer holidays and traveling. After just half a day, my energy levels returned and I had a kick to my step again! The power of plants. I hope you enjoy it too whether you follow it to a tee or just mix and match some recipes into your normal routine. If you are just making these for yourself, you’ll likely have leftovers that carry over into day 3…never a bad thing.
Note: All the recipes are linked in the chart below. From there, you can print the recipes if desired.
Oh She Glows 2-Day Summer Reset Button Meal Plan
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Day 1 |
Day 2 |
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Breakfast |
Lemon water and/or White Tea (see tip) |
Lemon water and/or White Tea |
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Lunch |
Chickpea Salad with Endurance Crackers (or Mary’s Crackers) |
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Snack |
Sliced apple with almond or sunflower seed butter |
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Dinner |
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Dessert |
Basic Chia Seed Pudding with fresh berries |
Basic Chia Seed Pudding with fresh berries |
Tips:
– Lately I start my morning with white tea and I drink it until about 2-3pm. I find it gives me really consistent energy throughout the day (without the crash that coffee often gives me, but feel free to drink what YOU prefer). If I’m on the ball I will also try to have some warm lemon water (squeeze half a lemon into a couple cups of warm water – sweeten to taste if desired) first thing in the morning or I simply add lemon slices into a 1-litre mason jar filled with water and sip on it throughout the day. Between outdoor summer workouts and breastfeeding, it’s a constant effort for me to stay hydrated.
– See here for a printable grocery list!
– All recipes can be made in advance except for the smoothies (I always prefer those fresh as the flavours start to change as they sit) and Avocado pasta sauce.
– Be sure to try out my Hidden Greens Chocolate Protein Smoothie – it’s a new recipe to the site and is bursting with nutrients! Not to mention…chocolate for breakfast. You can thank me later.
– Please keep in mind that this meal plan is not intended to be a one size fits all plan; tweak and personalize it as you see fit! I often have a mid-morning snack such as hummus and crackers to get me through to lunch.
– You can serve the 15-Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta with whole-grain pasta or zucchini noodles. I use this spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. It’s a great summer option!
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Well, this was a beast of a post to put together so if I’ve forgotten anything feel free to let me know. Do you like these kinds of posts? I’m open to your feedback as always.
Wishing you boundless energy this week and all summer long!
Made the smoothie today, used some soaked oats instead of avocado (allergies), and collard greens instead of kale. Turned up perfect, almost dessert – like. I always mix greens with fruits thinking the taste is best masked that way, but this was a revelation for me, the cocoa powder seems to mask everything so you can barely detect there are greens in here. Thanks again for a great recipe and a great meal plan!
Started this meal plan today and love it :)!!
Thank you for this post! I’ve been struggling lately with figuring out fast, easy, and healthy meal plans. This helps a lot!! This type of post probably takes a lot more time to write and put together, but I would love to see one for each season.
Yes Yes Yes!! I sincerely love all your posts but this was a fantastic idea and I would loooove to see more like this in future! Thanks :)
I love these kinds of posts with the total meal plan and grocery list! Makes my life easier. Keep them coming!
Love the plan. And the pictures of your food, as always… MESMERISING!
Angela,
I know that you hear this all the time, but you have changed my life! I discovered your blog about a year ago while looking to add more vegetarian meals into my life. I’m a 28-year-old living in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I don’t even know anyone who is a vegetarian, let alone vegan! When I started cooking your recipies, I realized that I didn’t miss the meat or dairy. I started looking into health research and visiting other plant-based blogs. This summer I decided that I wanted to try going vegan/plant-based, and I have made it two weeks with only a few difficult moments! I just wanted to let you know that I think you are an amazing person with a crazy ability to get anyone to consider a more healthy diet. Please ignore all the negative people who are trying to bring down your beautiful glow. I look forward to many more inspiring, healthy, delicious recipes!
~ Jamie
I loved this post sooo much! Gives me so much inspiration and ideas, thank you!
Really great post! Nice to see an individual plan that shows just how easy it can be to make healthy meals! Also love seeing what other health-minded people are eating. :) Thanks so much for sharing. Love your site!
Angela! Thank you for sharing this and thank you for having time to write posts on blog. I’m not a vegan, nor even vegetarian, but I really like to incorporate some plant-based recipes in my daily meals. However I have been overdoing raw treats, so recently I have cut out those from my meals for a while. :)) As you know healthy doesn’t mean low calorie – oops! :) I will definitely try your meal plan soon! Thank you!
Sometimes we can trail off our usual routine and this is such a great way to get back in the groove of healthy eating. I am glad to see a reset plan that actually contains real food and not just liquids or something else extreme. Chocolate smoothie for breakfast? I can commit to that! :)
Every recipe (as usual) looks delicious! Vegan meal plans are typically hit or miss and this looks to be right on target. I can’t wait to try every recipe! Thanks so much!
This is great! I just got back from a mini trip and am definitely in need of a reset!
Hi angela, this is a good post to read. Thanks for putting this up beside creating a new book. You must be swamped with works. it will be all worth in the end!
I love that your chocolate smoothie doesn’t call for protein powder! I’m too cheap to buy it (ha!) and would rather eat real food anyway.
Hi there! I made each and every one of these dishes this past weekend. They were fantastic! I’m completely obsessed with the chickpea salad!! I used almost half the recommended amount of mayo and it was still perfection! Angela, I have a very similar back story to yours and have truly fell back in love with food with the help of your blog! I even have your book. Thank you for inspiring me to create meals and nourish my body :)
I’ve just started eating a plant-based diet, and I would say the things that really helped me adapt were porridge, grilled veggie sandwiches and rice dishes! I have a vegan food blog documenting my journey to becoming vegan, with my favourite recipes, you should check them out! https://laurenheartsfood.wordpress.com
Coconut and pistachio porridge: https://laurenheartsfood.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/coconut-and-pistachio-porridge/
Grilled mushroom and courgette bagel burger: https://laurenheartsfood.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/grilled-mushroom-and-courgette-bagel-burger/
Thai red rice and quinoa risotto: https://laurenheartsfood.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/red-rice-and-quinoa-thai-risotto/
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’m really excited to have this on stand-by when I need to re-set. I’ve done pretty well this summer so far (my appetite changes drastically with the hot weather, leaving me craving veggies and fruit and I have been shying away from ice cream more than usual), but know this will come in handy when life gets crazy, the weather gets below zero and my body thinks it needs to pack on the fat to get me through the winter, or over the holidays. Even though I’m not a vegan (not even a vegetarian), I do like to eat plant-based throughout the week, especially in the warmer months, and love your recipes!
I have yet to try a recipe of yours that I didn’t love. I have your cookbook and come to your blog regularly for recipe inspiration, but I stopped by today specifically hoping that you might have meal plan posted somewhere. Lo and behold, my wish was granted! I’ve made a couple of these recipes before, and most of the ingredients are in my pantry, or easy to pick up. Thank you for a perfectly timed post and a wonderful combination of delicious food that I can’t wait to eat over the next few days!
i Know that some vegans eat honey and some do not, I am a new vegan and still eat honey what is your opinion?