The vegan diet can sometimes seem intimidating or restrictive to someone considering the switch or just starting. Food choices and eating habits become ingrained over time. Changing them can offer a real challenge, regardless of motivation. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Starting a vegan diet can be an opportunity to expand the palette and have some real fun trying new foods and cooking techniques. It can also be downright delicious! Armed with the right knowledge and a plan, animal-free eating can be a joyful and satisfying experience. The keys are framing meals around plant-based ingredients that are familiar and planning ahead with recipes that are easy to prepare.

Lifestyle changes are about being ready and willing to create a "new normal" whenever the opportunity arises. By gathering up a few staple recipes that won't break the budget or the learning curve, vegan eating can become a welcome, daily adventure. Here is a sample menu with simple solutions for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast: Oatmeal Extravaganza

Oatmeal is a hearty, warm start to the day. It's a classic and quick breakfast with the added benefit of being a blank canvas. A hot bowl of oatmeal can be topped with a whole host of tasty, vegan ingredients that are usually in the pantry and ready to go. This is the time to combine a cornucopia of fruits and nuts to create an effortless morning masterpiece. A banana or fresh raspberries with a handful of chopped pecans can add luscious sweetness, crunchy texture and a boost of nutrition.

If there is no fresh fruit on hand, dried apricots or cranberries can fill in beautifully with a few walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. The palette is endless! Healthy Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts is a fast and sweet weekday answer to vegan breakfast!

Lunch: Portable Bean-Wrap Flavor Explosion

Lunch is often a meal eaten on-the-go, and a sandwich is a popular and practical solution for a quick bite in the middle of the day. They can be packed away until the time is right. They are ready to eat anywhere from the corner of a desk to a sunny bench on a summer afternoon. However, leaving out the animal protein can sometimes leave a big hole where the sandwich should be. The humble yet versatile bean can be the perfect plant-based answer to filling that hole.

Different beans lend themselves to different flavor profiles. A chunky white bean and onion spread can inspire a Tuscan-style wrap with roasted red peppers, baby greens and a touch of balsamic glaze. Chickpeas simmered with Indian spices can take the lead, all wrapped up with julienned carrot and cucumber, splashed with a cumin-lime vinaigrette. Black beans will take these protein-rich sandwiches south of the border. Tucked into a tortilla with chimichurri sauce, baby spinach and vegan cheese, these little flavor bombs make a great weekday lunch.

This Vegan Wrap Recipe with Smoky Black Beans is a great starting point to experiment with bean wraps of all kinds.

Dinner: Perfect Plant-Based Pasta

Pasta is another blank slate that can be brushed with the flavors and colors of the season. Not only does it come in myriad shapes, but it can also be found in whole grain and gluten-free versions to suit any diet. The best thing about pasta is that dinner can be on the table in 30 – 45 minutes. Roasted artichokes and asparagus tossed with good olive oil, garlic and fresh mint can turn bow ties into a quick, Spring feast.

Angel Hair becomes a light, summery, go-to meal with the addition of sweet grape tomatoes sauteed in white wine until they just burst. Topped with a vibrant basil chiffonade, this is a delicate and flavorful main course that can be completed with a simple, fresh salad. For cold-weather comfort food, a vegan "Bolognese" sauce tossed into hearty rigatoni can make a snowy night sing.

Meatless "Meat" Sauce with Mushrooms and Chickpeas creates a meatless analog that is so flavorful and umami-rich, meat-eaters could easily be fooled. A loaf of crusty sourdough for some plate scraping and a little vegan "parmesan" makes this a perfect winter supper.

Recipes like these can act as a springboard to countless variations, proving that a few good recipes and a little planning can make vegan eating both delicious and effortless.