Meal Plan Mondays {Vegetarian Week}

Whether you're a vegetarian or not, it's hard to dispute the evidence that a plant-based diet is overall good for your health.  A vegetarian diet SHOULD BE high in fiber and whole foods.  If you're considering dabbling in this type of diet, give this week's meal plan a spin!  You won't miss out on flavorful foods, that's for sure.

Breakfast:

Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes

(make ahead - they keep in the fridge or freezer throughout the week for a quick breakfast)

Lunch:

Fried Rice Quinoa

Dinner #1:

Polenta-Stuffed Poblano Rellenos

Dinner #2:

Portobello Burgers with Roasted Tomato Goat Cheese Spread

Dinner #3:

Vegan Cheddar and Roasted Broccoli Soup

with

Arugula Pear Salad

Dinner #4:

Indian Butter Chickpea Lettuce Wraps

Dinner #5:

Butter Bean and Mushroom Fajitas with Roasted Avocado and Green Chile Cilantro Cream Sauce

Cocktail:

Cava Sangria

Dessert:

Sweet Coconut Loaf Cake

80--- Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Mint, Pistachio, and Feta Pesto

This is like a pre-game for summer.  We aren't quite there but you can taste it! So, you'd better get those taste buds ready too.

Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Mint, Pistachio, and Feta Pesto
Serves 4

4 cups cubed watermelon (1/2" cubes)
1 english cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup finely diced red onion

PESTO
1 oz shelled salted pistachios
4 oz reduced fat crumbled feta cheese (you may use regular if you desire)
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp avocado oil
10 fresh mint leaves

In a small food processor, combine pesto ingredients except for feta.  Chop finely.  Transfer to a small bowl and fold in feta crumbles. 

Toss salad ingredients together in a large bowl and add pesto.  Stir gently to coat.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes prior to serving.

Nutrition info per 1/4 recipe: 154 calories, 5.5 g fat, 9 g protein, 22 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber

80--- Jicama Fries {Air Fryer Recipe}

If you haven't fallen in love with jicama yet, it's time.

Jicama is a fantastic root vegetable.  It is low in calories, but contains a great amount of fiber  (6.5 grams cup) along with vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and potassium.  It is a bit sweet and super crunchy.  Most commonly it is used in salads or salsas, like my Jicama Chopped Salad.

You can roast jicama as well!  I have made this recipe in my oven before, but I now prefer the air-fryer method for ease.  If you do not have an air fryer, the oven works just fine!  The fries stay crisp on the inside yet being golden brown on the outside.

Jicama Fries
Serves 3

1 large jicama, peeled (I like to use a paring knife) and sliced into 1/4" sticks
1/2 tsp smoked sea salt flakes (regular sea salt is a fine substitute)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
Olive oil spray

Preheat air fryer (or oven) to 400 degrees.  In a small bowl spray jicama with olive oil spray then toss with spices to coat evenly.

Cook for 15 minutes in the air fryer or 20 minutes in the oven, until lightly browned.

Serve with a side of guacamole or salsa for dipping.

Nutrition info per 1 cup: 49 calories, 0 g fat, 1 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate, 6.5 g fiber