Go Organic for one week Challenge ~ My Meal plan

The month of September is Organic September and I have agreed to participate in the "Go Organic for one week Challenge" in association with Waitrose and Soil Association. In this challenge, each day I have been swapping one of my daily meals  for a meal created with organic ingredients.

I found a great selection of organic fruits and Vegetables in the Waitrose Duchy Organic Range together with some organic store cupboard stables such as oats, milk, rice and eggs.Weekdays are very rushed for me at I leave home most days by seven and don't return till 6.30 in the evening. I plan my meals so that they are quick and simple and ones I can prepare with minimal fuss and are healthy too. Breakfasts tend to be fresh fruits and yoghurt or smoothies on the go which I prepare and take with me if I am in a hurry.Lunches generally are salads or soups which I prepare and pack to take to work so that I can easily warm the soups up or eat salads in the summer. Dinners I prepare stirfries with plenty of vegetable, savory rice dishes that can be made very quickly and pies that I prepare in advance and can be cooked in the oven on the day. Being vegetarian fruits, vegetables, grain and lentils are my kitchen cupboard staples as are herbs and spices.

For my Go Organic challenge I did not have to make any specific changes to my daily food intake, I just  made sure that when I made my shopping list I purchased organic produce that could be used in my recipe plan and together with my basic store cupboard ingredients that I already had. The challenge was not difficult and I must admit that the fruits and vegetables did taste nicer than non organic or value ones that I have bought in the past. However the only drawback was that my shopping bill was a little more than I would normally spend as the organic produce was more expensive in comparison to non organic produce but definitely worth it for the taste.

My Organic shopping list:
Bananas, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Honeydew Melon, Papaya, Lemon, Lime,Tomatoes,Couscous,Oats, Lettuce, Cucumber, Carrots, Bread Flour, Milk, Yoghurt, Feta Cheese, Olives, Onions, Peppers and Courgettes. Additional ingredients I used, I already had in my pantry.

Day 1- Breakfast
Breakfast Porridge made with Organic oats, Organic milk bananas and honey.

Day 2- Lunch
Organic tomatoes and basil soup made with organic tomatoes. I roasted the tomatoes in the oven with garlic, olive oil, basil leaves and oregano and then blended them to a puree before straining the tomatoes. I reheated the soup and seasoned it with salt and pepper.

Day 3- Breakfast
Organic Strawberry and honeydew melon smoothie with teaspoon of flax seeds .This was my breakfast smoothie on the go that I prepared by blending strawberries and melon with half a cup of water.No sweetner was necessary as the melon was very ripe and sweet.

Day 4- Dinner
Greek Salad made with Organic lettuce leaves, baby tomatoes,cucumber, carrots, red onion and Feta cheese all drizzled with a dash of olive oil, lemon juice and seasoned with oregano,freshly ground black pepper and salt. I served this with homemade Bread made from Organic flour and the left over Tomato and basil soup.

Day 5- Breakfast
Mixed Berries and Banana Smoothie made by blending organic mixed berries, teaspoon of chia seeds and banana in a blender.

Day 6-Dinner
Organic Couscous Salad, I made this by preparing the couscous in vegetable stock. I seasoned it with a pinch of turmeric, chilli flakes, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and then I stirred in some cooked chickpeas, fresh coriander and fresh diced tomatoes.

Day 7- Breakfast
Fresh Fruit Salad made with Honeydew Melon, Papaya and Fresh Strawberries drizzled with lime juice and Honey.

I took part in this challenge in collaboration with Waitrose who sent me a shopping voucher for the ingredients.