Plant-Based But How?

I understand the concept. I agree with the science. I love the animals and planet I'm on. But, when I search the internet, I get 1000's of site explaining that I should, but never exactly how to implement it.

I grew up eating a traditional American wasteland of foods. No one taught me to cook. The directions were right there on the box. No one ever ate a "meal" without a meat, a high-fat side or two, and some bread. I don't know what a "meal' looks like in the plant-based world. A salad to me means we went some place fancy and it was served at the beginning of the meal to whet our appetites to get to the "real" food!

Anyone out there have actual meals out there with recipe and 'how-to' on cooking/preparing them? My body seems to think food isn't a food unless it's heated/warmed. Cereal and salad does nothing to alleviate my appetite whatsoever. I assure you.

Side note: I do NOT like the consistency of smoothies, so please don't add those to the suggestions. :P