We have been dairy free due to food allergies for over 4 years. I’m continually asked what we eat. That’s a big part of how this blog started. I wanted to share our story and some of my recipes to help other families. Lately I’ve had several people ask me to be more specific in what we eat on a regular basis and how I actually prepare it all, so a new blog series is born!
I have tried a whole variety of meal planning approaches from monthly plans to freezer cooking to stocking a pantry. The best for our family is to plan meals a week at a time. The type of meals we cook depends on the weather and what activities we have going on during the week. I’m in the middle of a personal sugar fast, so the meals in this week’s plan are sugar free. All are dairy free, and many are paleo. This is the way we prefer to eat on warm summer days when fresh produce is abundant.
Breakfasts
Breakfast most day is a variation on eggs with smoothies or fruit salad.
Strawberry Banana Breakfast Smoothies
Paleo “Faux”tmeal – I’ve modified this recipe quite a bit to make enough for all three boys, but it will get you started for an individual serving.
Lunch
We usually eat leftovers for lunch. The boys all seem to be growing lately, so leftovers seem to disappear before lunchtime. When that happens, lunches usually quick protein packed salads with fruit and veggies on the side.
Tuna Salad
Egg Salad
Lunch Meat Lettuce Wraps
Dinners
With our warm weather, dinners are recipes I can make without turning on the oven. You will see a few things listed that are roasted or baked. I make them in our counter top toaster oven. Its not listed specifically in the meal plan, but I always have fresh fruit available at dinner time. Its the “dessert” and serves as a great motivator to get the littlest boys to eat his dinner.
Monday – Slow Cooker BBQ Pork (Just dump the meat and BBQ sauce in the crockpot on low for 8+ hours), Green Beans, & Baked Sweet Potato
Taco Tuesday – You’ve seen the Lego Movie Right? Bebop requested Taco Tuesdays after watching the movie for the 100th time. I don’t have a set recipe for tacos, but it usually ends up being ground beef or meatless tacos, tomato, lettuce, avocado, Nacho-Not-Cheese Sauce, and sometimes chips.
Wednesday – Grilled Chicken, Vegetable Kabobs
Thursday – Sweet Potato Hash, Fruit Salad
Friday – Hot Dogs, Carrot Sticks, Steamed Peas & Corn {and Movie Night}
Saturday – Split Pea Soup with Bacon, Side Salad
Sunday – Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken (Second attempt, I cooked it too long last time), Sautéed Carrots & Zucchini, Mashed Potatoes
Snacks
Planning out snacks are a must if I’m going to stick to the meal plan and stay on budget! Planning one day a week to make snacks instead of buying allergen free prepared foods really saves us a lot of money.
Cranberry Almond Granola Bites
Trail Mix
Sweet Potato Chips (We love the ones from Aldi)
