Weekly Menu Plan Focusing On Nutrition, Health and Optimal Performance
I love the excitement and anticipation of a new year and the endless possibilities!
Yesterday I mentioned I wasn’t sure being 100% vegan was right for me. I received emails and comments asking me why. My uncertainty is basically due to not feeling great, my body composition changing to less muscle definition and, contrary to everything I’ve read, I don’t feel like I can get enough protein without an abundance of carbs.
I never found being vegan difficult, I don’t miss eating meat, I’d rather not go back to eating dairy and I’m in a routine of planning our weekly menus with meals that please everyone, well, as much as you can please 2 teenagers. I was sure that being vegan was right for me.
I’m back in search of optimal nutrition!
Although I’m not quite sure how, maybe I just need to tweak my vegan menus? Maybe a vegan diet isn’t right for me? Maybe Paleo? Probably not. Who knows?
What would be amazing is to have Rich Roll, Brendan Brazier or Scott Jurek review my weekly menus! Since that isn’t likely to happen, I have ordered a few books, It Starts With Food, Eat To Live and The Raw Food Revolution. It’s a good thing I love to read. More on finding optimal nutrition coming soon.
You’ll notice something new on the menu this week. I have the timely opportunity to try 9 ovo-lacto vegetarian meals from Diet-To-Go (DTG), a delivery service that provides nutritionally balanced meals with your choice of meal plans designed to fit easily in your busy life. The idea of starting the week with 9 meals already prepared is awesome!
On the Menu:
Sunday
Breakfast: Fajita Omelet with Mozzarella, Seasoned Artichokes (DTG)
Snack: post-workout recovery drink
Lunch: Black Bean Feta Cheese Wrap, Guacamole, Wild Rice Salad (DTG)
Snack: dried edamame and cranberries
Dinner: Veggie Tamale Pie, corn, Sesame Breadsticks (DTG)
Monday
Breakfast: Mushroom Strata, Soy Sausage, V-8, yogurt (DTG)
Snack: Green Monster Smoothie
Lunch: Moroccan Lentil Salad, Whole Wheat Pita, Yogurt Mint Sauce (MDTG)
Snack: dried edamame and cranberries
Dinner: New Year’s Eve
Tuesday
Breakfast: Raisin Bran Muffin, Yogurt, OJ, Strawberry Preserves (DTG)
Snack: post-workout recovery drink
Lunch: Vegetables in Curry Sauce, Basmati Rice, Indian Bean Mix (DTG)
Snack: Green Monster Smoothie
Dinner: Eggplant Parmesan, German Vegetable Blend, Sesame Breadsticks (DTG)
Wednesday
Breakfast: Green Monster Smoothie
Snack: post-workout recovery drink
Lunch: Baked Spaghetti Pie, Cauliflower, Sesame Breadsticks (DTG)
Snack: dried edamame and cranberries
Dinner: Spiced Red Lentil, Tomato and Kale Soup, green side salad
Thursday
Breakfast: Green Monster Smoothie
Snack: post-workout recovery drink
Lunch: Big Fat Greek Veggie Burger (bunless), green salad
Snack: dried edamame and cranberries
Dinner: Naked Vegan Burrito, homemade salsa and guacamole
Friday
Breakfast: Green Monster Smoothie
Snack: post-workout recovery drink
Lunch: Naked Vegan Burrito, homemade salsa and guacamole
Snack: KIND Bar
Dinner: pasta (?)
Saturday
Breakfast: Banana Almond Butter Overnight Oats
Snack: eating during 18 mile run (that’s a whole other post)
Lunch: Apple, Cinnamon & Oatmeal Protein Shake (recovery)
Snack: —–
Dinner: Big Fat Greek Veggie Burger (bunless), green salad
What is your optimal nutrition? Have you ever tried a meal delivery service?
Fitfluential LLC compensated me for this campaign. All opinions are my own.
Tagged: #FitFluential, blog hop, books, Fit Approach, food and drink, Girls Gone Sporty, menu planning, nutrition, on the menu, plant-based diet, Sweat Pink, vegan, vegetarian, What's For DInner
I'm a wife, mom of 2, Swiftwick, FitFluential, Sweat Pink and Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador that is passionate about running, plant-based nutrition, fitness and an overall healthy lifestyle. Living a healthy life is not about perfection. It's about commitment, effort and progress! 
I love Eat to Live- fabulous book!!
Happy to hear you like it. I can’t wait to read it.
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
I just finished reading It Starts with Food. It certainly had interesting points. While I can’t say I’m convinced I need to eat more meat, it has made me think more about dairy and grains. Everyone has different needs for optimal health. Trial and error is what it takes to find the right balance. Eat & Run is also a great book. Great recipes!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Meal Planning: Week of December 30
Hi Angela. Eat & Run is a favorite of 2012! “Eat more meat”? I didn’t realize based on the brief excerpt I read. Never say never but I’m almost positive eat more meat isn’t for me.
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
Have you ever thought about working with a nutritionist? That might be helpful.
Christine recently posted..Goals 2012 – How did I do?
I would love to work with a nutritionist. Maybe I’ll look into it if my trial and error continues. Thanks Christine
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
No meal delivery service…I like cooking my food
Your menu sounds yummy!
Kierston recently posted..Sick…
Honestly Kierston? Me too
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
Sounds wise to listen to your body and keep experimenting. I didn’t last long as a vegan either, I enjoy fish, yogurt and eggs. I also just read “It Starts with Food” and was so intrigued- it’s the opposite of a vegan diet, other than lots of veggies and fruit. I don’t think I could handle that much meat. But I noticed the thing all diets seem to agree on is cutting out the processed foods and limiting dairy. I’ll be curious to hear what you think of it!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Marathon Countdown + Menu Planning Link up
Based on the excerpt of ISWF I didn’t realize the emphasis on meat. Never say never but I’m almost positive going back to eating meat isn’t for me. Funny you mentioned processed foods. I’ve been thinking about my nutrition changes over the year and realized when I felt the absolute best and noticed the most overall improvement was when I did the 30 day clean eating challenge and cut out all processed foods. Now waiting for my books
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
I’ve never tried a meal delivery service but I’ve thought about it. Although meal planning lately has helped my problem with not knowing what to cook now that I’m planning in advance!
I’ve been wanting to read It Starts With Food too.
Maria @ Lil Mys Ninja recently posted..Fit In Fitness Weekly Recap {12/29/12} & Meal Planning {12/30 – 1/5}
Agreed. Meal planning makes life easier
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
YOU need to include black-eyed peas into your menu on New Years Day!!!! It’s GOOD LUCK!!! One spoonful (or more if you love them like me!) I cannot wait to CHOW ON DOWN! Ha Ha, 2013 needs to be LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted..Santa Claus, You Have Been Naughty!
I had thought that vegan would be the way to go for me, as well. But like you, I never felt like I was getting enough protein. I read It Starts With Food, and will try the Whole30 this January (with thousands of others). I was leery of removing entire food groups, but when I eliminated sugar and dairy and restricted grains in October, I never felt better. The challenge for me will be affording the meat from compassionately raised animals and learning to stretch every dollar (well besides giving up all sugar again).
Jacki recently posted..My Fitness Bucket List
Hi Jacki
Based on the excerpt of ISWF I didn’t realize the emphasis on meat. Never say never but I’m almost positive going back to eating meat isn’t for me. And I’d rather not go back to eating dairy. Ugh! I will figure this out!!!
I’m looking forward to following your Whole 30 experience
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
I’ve never tried a meal delivery service but some of those meals sound yummy! My optimal nutrition is just sticking to a clean diet. We do not eat red meat, though, just poultry and fish/shellfish.
Carli recently posted..2013: The Year of Being Fearless
Clean eating was where it all started for me and I remember feeling remarkably better overall!
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
I should read Eat and Run, I’ll probably make it one of the books for my virtual book club.
I’m a “pollotarian” since the only meat I eat is chicken and turkey, I don’t even eat seafood and I’m from Maine! I used to but I stopped around 8th grade.
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..Recap of My 2012 Goals
Eat & Run is one of my favorite reads of 2013! I love FRESH seafood but living in OH has made it easy to give it up. No seafood and living in Maine would be a challenge
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
It Starts with Food is a fantastic read! I’ve done two Whole30s and plan to do another in early 2013. Good luck figuring out what’s right for you!
Hyedi recently posted..13 in 2013
Thanks Hyedi. I’m looking forward to reading ISWF.
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
Impressive meal planning. I could never plan my snacks. I’m more intuitive with those.
Carissa recently posted..Last Workout of 2012
Hi Carissa. I started planning my snacks when I noticed how mindlessly I would grab something to eat in between meals.
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
[...] This post is also shared at What’s For Dinner on Mommy Run Fast and Fitness, Health, and Happiness [...]
I would consider a meal-planning service (at least to try it out) when I get back to school. What a stress relief it would be to not have to “worry’ about meal prep. And dang-lordie-almighty, it would keep me from eating crap because I’m starving and it is too late to cook! I’m also reading “It Starts With Food” — LOVE.
Kacie @ Savvy Sassy Me recently posted..Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor Review
Thanks Kacie. I like the convenience of the meal delivery but I also like to cook my own food. My husband says I have control issues LOL
I’m looking forward to reading ISWF!
jillconyers recently posted..What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning
I’ve been mostly vegetarian for several years. I’ve spent so much time looking at the optimal diet and I’ve tried unsuccessfully to go vegan several times. Which made me feel like a totally fail, incidentally. At this point, I still can’t convince myself vegan is the way to go. I think I am finally coming to terms with this conclusion. It’s okay to be not be vegan! I don’t think I will ever go back to eating meat – but eggs and fish make regular appearances in our menus. I’m adding It starts with Food and The Raw Revolution to my reading list. Eat to Live is a great book.
Trish recently posted..Sunday Soup: Garlic and Potato Soup
Hi Trish. Thanks for commenting. Yes, I’m still searching for optimal nutrition. I think vegan is the way to go but as I mentioned I need to tweak my menus. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s not vegan. Ugh! I know what you mean about feeling like a failure. At this point, that’s not the reason I’m not giving up on being vegan. Of everything I’ve read it seems to make the most sense and is more in line with how I eat.
I’m reading Raw Food Revolution now. Never say never but I don’t think I will ever be a 100% raw foodist. But, I do like the recipes and I’m going to use the menus to tweak my own.
Thanks again for commenting
jillconyers recently posted..Living Life with Intention || Goals for 2013
[...] can about nutrition and optimal performance I’m realizing a big part of my ongoing search for optimal nutrition is more than finding what works best for me. I’m fascinated by what we eat and the how it [...]
[...] week’s What’s For Dinner menu plan included three days of meals from Diet-To-Go, a diet delivery service. When the 9 meals arrived it [...]
[...] few weeks ago I mentioned searching for optimal nutrition and remembering what makes me feel and perform the best. I think, I realized what happened and [...]