I receive a lot of questions about what I eat in a typical day and with my 2-year Veganniversary coming up in just a few short days, it seems like the perfect time to spill the beans.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe I once guzzled Diet Coke, ate Starburst lollies for breakfast and inhaled vast amounts of cheese.  I’ve shared my story about my time in diet hell and I really have veganism to thank for turning all that around for me.

I wouldn’t say I was a super healthy little vegan during the first year, but enrolling at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition at the start of this year changed my diet again.  We’re encouraged to experiment on ourselves and really listen to our bodies, and it’s largely because of this that I no longer eat gluten or refined sugar.

But do I ever eat potato chips, the occasional vegan soft serve ice-cream from Loving Hut, gluten-free cupcakes baked by my beautiful Mum, or drink wine?

Of course!  Every now and again I’ll deviate from my normal healthy eating habits but those times become more and more infrequent because I don’t like the way I feel afterwards.  And when healthy food tastes so amazing, I know I’m not missing out.

 
Pineapple Mint Green Juice
 

BREAKFAST

I rise and shine with a cup of hot water with fresh lemon juice, and then a glass of freshly squeezed  juice – usually one of these:

Green Juice

Carrot, Orange, Lemon & Ginger Juice

Pineapple & Mint Green Juice

ABC Sparkle Juice

 
Banana Bread Smoothie
 

SMOOTHIES

On the weekends I’ll usually mix it up and treat myself to a smoothie instead of a juice – like one of these babies:

Banana Bread Smoothie

Mint Choc Chip Smoothie

Choc Hazelnut ‘Nutella’ Smoothie

Wild Berry Fool Smoothie

Key Lime Pie Smoothie

 
Apple & Jaffa Cupcakes!
 

SNACKS

If  I’m hungry between meals, I’ll usually snack on:

A handful of raw nuts

Carrot sticks with hummus

Apple or Jaffa ‘Cupcakes’

Fruit

A couple of spoonfuls of home-made Muesli

Plus several cups of herbal tea per day and lots of filtered water.

 
Thai Noodle Salad
 

LUNCH

Lunch is almost always a large salad with lots of leafy greens, avocado and fresh, crunchy salad vegetables.  Sometimes I’ll throw in some quinoa, cooked brown rice, fresh mint or parsley, sesame seeds, or raw nuts or seeds, and I’ll usually dress it with splashes of apple cider vinegar, tamari, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil.

If I have a little extra time I’ll whip up one of these salads:

Thai Noodle Salad

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Asian Tempeh Salad

Spicy Taco Salad

 

sweet potato bruchetta
 

DINNER

I love a good stir-fry with lots of green vegetables, tempeh and cashews cooked in splashes of tamari, chilli, garlic and ginger,  and eat it for dinner at least once a week.

Other nights (especially lately while the weather’s been so chilly) I’ll have something more substantial like:

Sweet Potato Bruschetta

Eggplant Chana Masala

Beet & Basil Risotto>

Vegetable Dahl

Thai Red Curry

Veg Chilli

Green Spaghetti

 
Easy 10-Minute Raw Choc Mint Slice with Choc Ganache
 

DESSERTS

I may not eat refined sugar anymore and my taste buds have changed a lot but I still have a sweet tooth.  Luckily there are raw desserts to the rescue!

Just like with my sweet smoothies, I try to limit desserts to just a few days per week but when I do indulge, these bad boys really hit the spot:

Choc Mint Slice with Choc Ganache

Choc Fudge

Raw Choc Mint Mousse

DIY Raw Chocolate

1 Ingredient Banana Ice-Cream

 

Remember, beautiful, if you’re looking to improve your diet, above all be kind to yourself and congratulate yourself for even the smallest changes.  Making lasting lifestyle changes takes time and it’s extremely difficult to transition from an average diet to 100% organic, clean food in just one month or so.  Having realistic short-term goals rather than ideals based on perfectionism or fantasy will help you to progress with enthusiasm and avoid being overwhelmed.

Keep it interesting, keep it fun, listen to your body, and enjoy the journey.  Your life will be so much richer for it. xx

 

14 Comments on My Day on a Plate

  1. The Dame Intl
    September 19, 2013 at 7:46 pm (11 years ago)

    PERFECT! Thanks for this, I am often at a loss for what to eat and this is a great go-to, have you thought about making this into a a free ebook? 😉

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 23, 2013 at 2:32 pm (10 years ago)

      hehe, there is something in the works! Stay tuned! 🙂

  2. Becky
    September 19, 2013 at 8:03 pm (11 years ago)

    Ooh what a lovely healthy diet you have 🙂 It all looks really colourful and tasty too!! I’m half way there with juices and salads/ soups during the day but this freezing weather is making me crave a lot of mashed potatoes in the evenings hehe.

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 23, 2013 at 2:33 pm (10 years ago)

      Ooh, comfort food is so needed in the chilly weather and a good dose of mashed potatoes sounds like just the ticket. 🙂

  3. Barb@ThatWasVegan?
    September 20, 2013 at 7:26 am (11 years ago)

    First of all, all this time I thought your blog was down! When I try to view it from work it always says something about page will not load! Clearly, I just need to be looking at home and also now I have a lot of catching up to do 😉 I’ve missed all your faboo creations- those chocolate mint desserts look to die for!

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 23, 2013 at 2:34 pm (10 years ago)

      Oh, so glad you found your way back, Barb! I missed you! 🙂

  4. demabu
    September 21, 2013 at 10:27 pm (10 years ago)

    Talk about FOODSPIRATION! (That IS a thing now, I’ve checked!) Just a quick question: having just moved to Perth, I need to get myself set up with a good food processor … or blender. I do cook and prepare raw vegan foods at home fairly regularly (a couple of times each week), so I know anything I buy will be put to good use. Product recommendations would be much appreciated; do you use a fairly high-end/pricey food processor, and/or blender? Lusting after a Magimix or Kitchenaid, but it is quite a lot of money to put down for one kitchen appliance. I know a few people who’ve used (cheaper) hand blenders and attachments for everything, but I fear I’d put the motor out fairly quickly. Really looking forward to your suggestions! (:

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 23, 2013 at 2:44 pm (10 years ago)

      Ooh, well I invested in a Vitamix almost 2 years ago and I am still madly in love with it, so if there’s one appliance I recommend, that would be it! I use it almost every day to whiz up smoothies, nut butters, hummus, nut cream, pesto, ice slushies, etc. I’m rather a messy cook too and yet it never misses a beat. It’s love, I tell you. 🙂
      I haven’t tried the Magimix or Kitchenaid. I use a cheapie food processor (Breville Kitchen Whizz) to make fudge, mousse and other raw desserts and it works fine for now, although it doesn’t seem to have the in-built strength to last many years, so we shall see. I hope this helps. Happy shopping!

  5. Emily Ehlers.com.au
    September 22, 2013 at 7:34 pm (10 years ago)

    What a beautiful well rounded diet!

    Sounds delicious and isn’t it funny how IIN changes you. I had the same! Thought I was healthy and now its swipped again!

    Love your diet and your recipes.

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 23, 2013 at 2:47 pm (10 years ago)

      Thanks Em and absolutely! SO many changes during our studies – that’s gotta one of the best side-effects of study ever, huh? 🙂

  6. Nicole Marie Story
    September 23, 2013 at 4:56 pm (10 years ago)

    This might just have almost inspired me to dust off my February-purchased VitaMix which I have used all of 5 times. So fabulous. 😉

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 25, 2013 at 7:46 pm (10 years ago)

      Ohhhh get it out, Nicole! Do it, DO IT!!! 🙂

  7. Alison
    February 23, 2014 at 11:11 am (10 years ago)

    Hi Bex, Thanks for sharing this, I wanted to ask, if you have days you go to the gym or do a workout, do you have a more substantial breaky like homemade muesli, or is the juice enough? Does your lunch or snacks change at all after a workout?
    Thanks, Alison xx

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      February 24, 2014 at 2:59 pm (10 years ago)

      Hi Alison! Yes, absolutely, if I have a tough work-out I’ll definitely eat more. I’ll have a smoothie or muesli as well as a juice for breakfast, and possibly add more brown rice or quinoa to my lunch, and snack on more bananas, nuts, or avocado. I up my water intake too. 🙂
      Each day is slightly different – I listen to my body and let it guide me. xx