When you move to the plant based lifestyle there are many things that you need to find substitutions for, so let’s start exploring part 2 of the series.
Popcorn: I absolutely love popcorn but when you buy it packaged and ready to pop a lot of times it has a lot of oil or butter in it, which is a no go on a low fat WFPB lifestyle. With a lot of searching and then eventually trying air popped (not a huge fan) I found one packaged and it is by Rip Esselstyn. His popcorn (sold in 3 packages per box) at Whole Foods is wonderful. So much so that last weekend I bought 12 boxes to have at my house just so I have some on hand when I want it. My favorite seasonings to add the popcorn is salt, pepper and nutritional yeast right when it comes out of the microwave. Please try and let me know what you think.
Cereal: I grew up on cereal and have eaten it for almost my entire life for breakfast except when I was a kid on Sunday mornings. My dad used to get up early and fix bacon, eggs, waffles and other items that I no longer eat along with my favorite – broiled cinnamon/sugar toast. I know that this Sunday breakfast theme holds a lot of memories for all of us, but now I enjoy the more heartier cereals such as Shredded Wheat, Whole Grain Raisin Bran (check the sugar ratio on this cereal because sometimes they are loaded) and one of my old favorites Grape Nuts with a nondairy milk. I have tried other whole cereals but I keep coming back to my three favorites above. Here are some other substitutions for the sugary versions we all enjoyed as children:
- Cheerios – enjoy instead Trade Joe’s O’s Toasted Whole Grain Oats.
- Nabisco Shredded Wheat – enjoy instead Kashi’s Autumn Wheat (yummy).
- Frosted Mini Wheats – enjoy instead Arrowhead Mills Unsweetened Shredded Wheat.
For oatmeal here are some wonderful choices:
- Trader Joe’s Instant Oatmeal
- Arrowhead Mills Hot Cereals
- and always look for Steel Cut Oats
Here is one of my favorite breakfast food recipes. Please try and let me know what you think:
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 banana – really mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nondairy milk
Place all ingredients in a glass bowl with a lid or mason jar and stir well. The next morning pour the mix into a bowl and place in microwave for about 1 minute to warm. To really enjoy slice bananas, strawberries and place them on top along with fresh blueberries. This is a wonderful and filling breakfast.
It looks like we are focusing on breakfast substitution so let’s continue.
Waffles: Nothing like having a warm waffle in front of you with fresh fruit or pure maple syrup. My favorite brands are Nature’s Path Organic Waffles or Van’s Waffles. Both are great and there are many different flavors available. Be creative with waffles and think about making them savory sometimes with adding some hummus between two toasted waffles and possibly some hash browns and wrapping them for “on the go food”. Adding a sugar free jam is another way to enjoy waffles.
Breakfast Burritos or Anytime Burritos: I don’t eat a lot of burritos but they are a great portable breakfast. Here are some really good ones; 1)Evol Burritos, and 2)Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Burrito. Yummy and easy to take with you anywhere.
I hope that you enjoyed this Plant Based Pantry Substitutions and many more to come.
With Much Cooking Love,
Kelley
Plant Based Kitchenista