While last week was a fun take on all things love and Valentine's Day, this week I am sharing a little insider scoop from my marriage and a few things that my husband does not-so-love (aka is "still learning to like") himself!

Veggies & Virtue Meal Plan: Week of February 18

STEP 1: PLAN

I’m going to be really honest here.

My husband is a born and raised Texan. With that, it is safe to share that vegetarian meals are the one thing I offer that he is usually less than excited about. He is super supportive of all the healthy new recipes I attempt (even when I know they aren't what he would pick on his own). But I admit, I have yet to find many completely vegetarian (let alone vegan!) meals that he would gladly eat again. Maybe it is my cooking or that I just haven't found a real winner yet, but that’s what I am working with. Do you have a similar struggle in your home?

As much as I try to emphasize at least half our plates as veggies at each meal and lessening the amount of meat we eat (even if a meal isn’t entirely meatless), I know that realistically, vegetarian meals in our house are a tough go on a weekly basis.

It seems many of us are divided in either being vegetarian or vegan, wanting a more plant-based lifestyle, or our families being, let’s say, less than on board with the idea of even a "Meatless Monday."

So from now on, my Meatless Monday meal suggestion is going to be an idea that I prepare for me to enjoy as lunch over the week. This reduces the amount of meat I eat by promoting plant-based meal ideas at the lunch time meal. I will also offer this as part of one night’s dinner, but the truth of the matter is it will likely be served alongside rotisserie chicken, a simple seafood, or something my husband grills up as well. This helps keep a “love it food” for even my husband…because his taste preferences matter too 😉

Interested in walking through the steps to meal plan like a pro?

STEP 2: PICK

A special thanks to each of the following contributors for the delicious recipe ideas this week!

Dinner Menu:

1 ǁ Sunday Family Dinner: The Best Marinated Salmon (Recipe by @veggiesandvirtue)

2 ǁ Meatless Monday: Chickpea Avocado Salad (Recipe by @twopeasandpod)

3 ǁ Taco Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup (Recipe by @veggiesandvirtue)

4 ǁ Asian Night: Cashew Chicken (recipe by @eaturselfskinny)

5 ǁ It's Almost the Weekend Wild Card: Leftovers

6 ǁ Family Night Out

7 ǁ Soup/Stew Saturday: Vegetable Beef Soup (recipe by @smilesandwich)

STEP 3: PAIR

Since I addressed my husband's lack of zeal towards vegetarian dishes, or moreso, meat alternatives above, I thought I would include the following question for this week's subscriber-submitted question!

SUBSCRIBER SUBMITTED QUESTION: "I’m always confused how much meat I should give to my toddler (once a day or a few times a week) considering that she doesn’t always eat tofu/tempeh/beans I prepare. She’s also going to nut-free school so nuts are out most of the time."

DIETITIAN MOM TIP: Protein is hands down one of the nutritional concerns I get asked the most about. I could talk on how much kids need, how to ensure they're getting enough, as well as how to also recognize that they may be getting TOO much!

Majority of moms I know are fearful their kids aren't getting enough. I am here to tell you that even with a child who refuses all forms of meat, the chances are they are likely still eating enough. If you want to know how much YOUR child needs to gauge if/whether they're eating enough, I encourage you to check out my post: How much protein does my toddler need?

This post walks you through how to calculate your toddler's protein needs, as well as what an actual serving is and how much is "enough" each day. So whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, or meat and potatoes family, this is a great resource to give you both peace of mind over how much protein is "enough," while also providing the education on other important nutrients to emphasize with this age.

Want to learn more about how "Love it, Like it, Learning it" works?
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STEP 4: PURCHASE

What I Buy and Why:

Edamame: Do you ever think to buy it?

It is such an easy addition to any meal, but I use it particularly often as a love it food on Asian night. When served in the pods, it keeps my girls so entertained and has been a welcomed “love it food” for them. Knowing they love this, it also helps us when we go out to eat at Asian restaurants to find them an item on the regular (non-kids) menu.

So when buying consider this:

1. Do your kids tend to prefer it in the pods or out of them? Incorporate the edamame both ways and keep a frozen bag of each on hand for a healthy addition to Asian night.

2. Opt for organic. I try not to overly push organic for everything I buy, as I don't think it is necessary nor financially the best option to always invest in. For soy products, most on the market in the U.S. are from genetically modified (GMO) soybeans. Since GMOs are not labeled in North America, the only way to ensure you don't get GMO soybeans (edamame) is to buy organic (which doesn't allow GMOs).

3. For more information on the safety of soy, visit these credible articles by Today's Dietitian:

STEP 5: PREP

Tips on items to prep ahead:

This week, here are some ways I plan to meal prep to get ahead on our menu: