The Plant Milk Project: My Year of Living Organically

I am attempting something I’m not even sure is possible in 2022. It’s not a resolution, per se. It’s more of an act in solidarity for every mom who wants to do better for her family—every mom who wants her family to eat more vegetables and eat less sugar—but finds that with every list of ingredients, the task becomes more and more complicated. 

There is sugar in places sugar does not belong—like vitamins and hummus—and there are supplements to do a job that was intended for food. 

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know our dive into plant-based living came about as a solution for my daughter Margot’s gut issues. In researching and finding a brilliant doctor, I found that eating only plant has a million benefits for all of us. 

But eating only plants is really hard. 

I am a stay at home mom. My only true responsibility is to keep my children fed, clothed, and alive. I thought cooking was just part of the gig. I thought cooking for a family of 4 wouldn’t be a big deal. 

Quick background: I’ve cooked largely plant-based meals at home for the better part of the last 15 years. 

Mostly eating at home and only eating at home are two very different endeavors. By Thursday night, I’m always asking my husband to pick up takeout from the only vegan place nearby, and I’m scrounging up some limp vegetables and lentil pasta for the kids—or I’m giving them a slice of Ezekiel bread with hummus and calling that dinner. 

A mediocre meal or two or three isn’t that big of a deal, but it got me thinking…

One of my primary jobs is cooking for my family. I put a ton of time and energy into planning and cooking meals. It wouldn’t be off base to say my life revolves around food, and before the week’s end, I’m still getting takeout because I’m tired, I’m out of fresh vegetables, and I’m out of ideas.

Which makes me wonder, how does everyone else do this?

Which makes me realize, they probably don’t. 

Which makes me think, what about all the working moms? Or the moms without a solid understanding of nutrition? Or the moms with a lot more kids than me? 

If it feels impossible for me to cook at home all the time, it actually is impossible for them to. Somehow, this thought process led me to my seemingly impossible goal for 2022.

The Plant Milk Project: a year of living organically. 

I’m attempting year of plant-based, sugar-free, nutrient-rich, preservative-free food—not just for me, but for my kids. 

Yes, it’s a lot of unnecessary stress. 

No, you don’t need to eat 100% of your meals at home to be healthy. 

Yes, it’s extreme. 

No, it’s not for everyone. 

But hear me out, if I can make 1,095 plant-based meals at home this year, I am sure I will learn something that will make plant-based home-cooking easier for moms everywhere. 

If I can make—and get my toddlers to eat—365 salads with homemade dressing this year, I will learn something that makes salad more palatable for toddlers everywhere.

If I can make a million milliliters of homemade oat milk this year, I will learn which kitchen appliances hold up, and which ones don’t. 

So, I’m going for it.

I’m going for it because I know a whole food, plant-based diet prevents disease and improves brain function. I know it adds years to your life. I know there’s not a mom among us who wouldn’t do anything to add decades to their kids’ lives.

And I know that living a whole food life in a sugar-fueled society is a seemingly impossible task, but I want to make it possible for all of us. 

Happy New Year.