A Meat Free Family + Zucchini Steel Cut Oats with Pumpkin Almond Topping

Would you believe me if I told you going vegetarian for 6 (to 9) weeks was my husbands idea?

It’s no lie.

Over the weekend in Seaside Jacob and I had many walks + talks. It’s my absolute favorite part of vacations… Or really any day. I love our long walks because we can take a step back from everything going on and really talk + reconnect from this crazy go-go-go life.

One of our talks was about food, health and feeling good.

We both got into the vacation trap of making less than stellar choices in foods. It’s tough being surrounded by it. We get sucked in, then feel our energy sucked out.

Jacob would love to start actually liking veggies (and craving them like me?) and enjoying healthier foods. I want that for him too.

So he, with no influence from me, decided that by going vegetarian and focusing in veggies, fruits and whole plant foods would be the first step toward his love for good for you foods.

A big focus will be on eliminating the crap ~ processed foods, white flours and just not naturally energizing and nutrient dense foods.  You can eat vegetarian and still eat not so good foods.  This isn’t so much about becoming a vegetarian, it’s more about eating healthy good-for-you foods and learning to LOVE them.

Of course I said I’d do it with him. I cook the food, meal plan and basically decide what he mostly eats now, why make it challenging for him with me still eating meat?  Plus this was perfect timing.  We actually used all the meat in our fridge/freezer before leaving for the beach so now I just don’t have to restock.  Win-Win. 

After 6 weeks we will add meat back in, but still not at every meal just like we how we ate before becoming a meat free family.

I’m already so proud of him for making this choice.  Yesterday, Monday, was the first day of going meat free and the first day back to work.  Where he works they have donuts + pizza at lot of the time.  He was offered a donut and turned it down.  I’m sure it was vegetarian, but he’s looking to cut the crap and eat healthier. 

I got a text later that day telling me know how tough it was and how he was still thinking about those donuts (I totally know that feeling).  Hopefully me telling him I’d make him donuts when I got home made it easier.  I even let him choose the flavor ~ which was lemon poppyseed.   

Now we have tasty donuts in our house that are not only vegetarian, I’m sure like those other donuts, but filled with whole grains and good for you ingredients.  Plus we think they taste better (and you will too once I share the recipe!). 

I will have many many more updates going forward. Maybe I can even get Jacob to write a post during or after the 6 weeks.

Coming up from the meat free family series….

• Vegetarian stable foods
• Meal planning vegetarian eats
• Star foods that pack a nutritional punch
• Finding those vitamins + minerals in veg foods
• Non-dairy milks: the taste test
• Recipes, recipes and more recipes starting today!

Aren’t these the cutest bowls and spoons?  I picked them up while outlet shopping in Seaside… 50% off too!

Zucchini Steel Cut Oats with Pumpkin Almond Topping
Serves 3-4

Ingredients

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 4 cups liquid (I used half water, half soymilk)
• 1 medium zucchini, finely grated (skin left on)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup milk (of choice – I used almond milk)

Directions

1. Add the oats + liquid to a pot.  Bring to a soft boil and reduce the heat to medium-low.  Stir in the zucchini, cinnamon and sea salt. 
2. Allow to cook (stirring every so often) for 35-45 minutes until your steel cut oats have softened and the liquid has been mostly absorbed.
3. Pour into serving dishes.
4. Mix together the almond butter, pumpkin seeds and milk.  Divide the topping on your oats.
5. Serve with a side of fruit (we had orange slices).

What would you like to see in the meat free family series? 

Do you eat vegetarian meals often? What’s your favorite quick and easy lunch or dinner?  Links are welcome!!

Heather

PS: Just bought my first ever Living Social Deal ~ spent $10 to get $20 at Whole Foods (available for purchase through today 9/13).  Yes Pu-leez!.  Talk about saving money!!  I will take 50% off thank.you.very.much.

PSS:  Today was my 500th post ~ WOW!

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