For the past two years, I’ve only eaten plants in January.
And I’m doing it again this year.
In all other months, I mostly eat plants too. I’m what you call a pescetarian: someone who eats primarily vegetarian, but also eats fish.
I’m vegetarian at home and pescetarian when dining out.
Eating a plant-based diet for a month (or longer) is a great way to get healthy and save some money after the indulgences of the holiday season.
a day in the life of a plant eater
Below is a sample of what I might eat in a typical day in January. And it shouldn’t surprise you that green smoothies and buddha bowls play a starring role.
Breakfast: Green smoothie with spinach, banana, cinnamon and water.
Lunch: Coucous buddha bowl with chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, olives and spinach.
Snack: Peppermint tea, grapes and dark chocolate.
Dinner: Oatmeal buddha bowl with pear, banana, raisins, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds and a dash of cinnamon. (It looks kind of gross, but it sure was tasty!)
Now you may be thinking that’s not enough food. Some days, it’s not. So I will either add more of everything to my buddha bowl or I’ll have some additional snacks.
I’ve been snacking on plain popcorn, dark chocolate and LaraBars. Luckily, my beloved unsweetened, soy, green tea lattes at Starbucks fall under the definition of plant-based. Unfortunately, so do Oreo cookies and plain potato chips. Needless to say, they’ve been banned from my home after a couple of “incidents.”
I also drink white, lemon and peppermint tea throughout the day.
31 days of eating in
I’ve decided not to eat out during January. It’s not that you can’t following this type of plan. It’s just another way to save money after an expensive December.
Even though I’m not eating out, it doesn’t mean I can’t make my own restaurant inspired buddha bowls.
- Chinese: Brown rice with stir-fried bok choy, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and peanuts.
- Greek: Coucous with chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, black olives and mixed greens.
- Italian: Pasta with lentil bolognese sauce.
- Japanese: Brown rice with nori seaweed, edamame, avocado and toasted sesame seeds.
- Mexican: Brown rice with black beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro.
I’ve purposely avoided using the word vegan when referring to eating plants. Being vegan is not just about food, it’s a whole philosophy. And until I give up my leather shoes and my occasional killing of fruit flies, I’m just not there yet.
Maybe one day. Maybe not.
Remember: I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. So please make sure to seek medical advice before following any new eating plan.
Plaaaaaaaaaaaaaants. Your couscous bowl looks DELICIOUS.
I’m what I like to call “functionally vegan.” When I leave the house, I am vegan. No meat, no eggs, no dairy. I do eat honey however – I think the health benefits outweigh the “exploitation” of bees. I only buy local honey, so I am fairly confident those beekeepers take decent care of their honey-producing insect charges. At home, I eat eggs from a friends’ hens – I know them to be happy, healthy chickens that get full run of the whole backyard. I can’t guarantee the health and safety of hens from grocery store eggs or restaurant eggs, so I don’t eat them except at home. Thus, functionally vegan. And I don’t wear leather shoes, but I will kill the crap out of a centipede in my house.
Also, lentil bolognese sauce sounds awesome.
Yum. I’ve also been doing a bit of a plant-based January diet (mostly because I just try to eat like locals – and the locals in most places in Europe are often semi-vegetarian)…and I’ve been feeling excellent. You’re right that it’s especially timely after the holidays, too.
It’s a great way to detox after all the heavy meals of December.
Wait. Wait wait wait. Is that a METAL STRAW?
Yes ma’am! Stainless steel to be exact. A+ for having the eye of the tiger! I was using too many of the plastic ones, so I made the switch.
Awesome. I don’t like straws much, but I have been increasingly dismayed by their existence.
I think I can fit a spork and a metal straw in my tiny minimalist purse. Too bad I can’t fit my coffee cup in there too, but I can carry it
I’m not veggie, or vegan, but I tend not to eat meat every day- good meat is expensive! I try and buy all animal products from the most kind/ethical/cruelty free source that I can.
Trying to be less lazy about cooking- I love the Buddha bowl thing!
Buddha bowls are perfect for us lazy chefs!
Your buddha bowl of oatmeal with fruits and seeds didn’t look bad to me, it actually looked delicious, a lot how my food looks. I would have to say I am vegetarian at home, I do allow myself honey, eggs, and occasionally (grass-fed) butter, but it has to be organic. When I am out, usually at someone’s home, I pick what I can to make a meal, but don’t make a big deal out of eating something that doesn’t fit with my ideal diet.
I rarely eat out, I don’t enjoy the experience. I know plenty of people who want to get together for lunch and enjoy the experience but I think it’s much more comfortable (and private) to eat at home with friends, and like you pointed out much cheaper.
Those oatmeal buddha bowls are a life saver for dinner! Especially on nights when you can’t be bothered to make “real” food.
Which is most nights now that I no longer have to plan meals for a family.
Then you’ll love the couscous bowl too! You can make a single serving by just adding some boiling water to couscous in a bowl, covering it and then letting it sit for about 5 minutes. Add in all your veggies, some beans and dinner is served!
We only eat meat from animals that are humanely treated, so, on our budget, we end up eating a lot of meatless meals. A bonus is that you really don’t need a fridge if you are eating a vegan diet at home!
Humanely is a tricky word. I think the only domestic animals that die a humane death are our household pets that are put down. Of course, this is coming from a girl that knows there’s no nice way to kill a fish and kills fruit flies with her bare hands.
I’ve been lurking for a while, but wanted to say, I enjoy your blog a lot! I’ve been vegan for about 2.5 years after being vegetarian for a long time. One-dish meals are my favorite, too…it’s like a special occasion if I ever make a side dish. I have a hard time focusing on more than one thing cooking at a time. Your couscous bowl looks yummy (I love anything with chickpeas), does it have any kind of sauce?
Thanks for breaking cover! No sauce. I’m not really a sauce person. I think veggies taste good on their own. But I did add some sea salt. Plus, the avocado gives it a creamy taste.
Not a vegetarian here either, but temporarily cooking for one much of the time, which often means not really cooking……so your “Buddha bowls” give me some much-needed ideas — thanks!
You’re welcome!
I tried my first Buddha bowl last night – organic quinoa, orange pepper, yellow pepper, edamame, and toasted sesame seeds. I topped it off with some hot sauce (adds flavor w/out sugar and calories). Absolutely delicious! And much healthier than my husband’s hot dog dinner
Thanks for the earth/wallet/diet friendly idea! I see many more of these coming up in my future.
YAY! It’s fun to play with combos!
Love your blog, and I know this is super-duper late but Couscous isn’t Greek. It’s African!
I have yet to met Berber Buddhists, but I love your Buddha bowl concept. 
It’s a Greek “inspired” buddha bowl!
Thanks for reading!