3 Step Red Lentil Stew

3 Step Organic Red Lentil Stew - 8 servings (all for under $10) What?! Yep. Bargain organic.

I know what you're thinking. Putting that orange mush on pretty china doesn't make lentils look any better. I tried. Well, lentils are just not the prettiest of foods. But they are really good and most importantly, good for you. 

This is an easy, delicious and protein packed meal courtesy of my sister in law (the same one I wrote about who just raw detoxed) 3 easy steps, organic, AND under $10? Yea it is. Convinced yet? Put this on your to-make list. 

Ingredients: 

Brown Rice (2 cups: Organic: around $2?)

2 c. Red Lentils (Organic: $3)

1 Med. Green Pepper - Chopped (Organic: $ 1.50)

1 Red Onion - Chopped ($0.83)

1 Small can of organic tomato paste (0.89)

Chopped fresh basil (grow it in the garden - or in a pot if you live in an apartment)

S & P (yea, not sure how much that is)

3 Step Directions

1. Brown red onion and green pepper in pan with olive oil. 

2. Add 2 c. red lentils and one small can organic tomato paste. 

3. Add chopped fresh basil and salt and pepper and cover with about 1 1/2 inch water and simmer stirring consistently (you may need to add a little more water if it cooks too quickly). 
You'll know when it's done by tasting the lentils - they should be soft and the water should be mostly evaporated. 

Serve over organic brown rice (Costco has best deal on organic rice). 
Optional: top with grated Pecorino Romano Cheese (sheep's milk cheese has smaller proteins than cow's milk, and if you're going to eat cheese, makes it a little better). 



Can also serve with organic grilled veggies like these.

Happy health!


P.S. Another THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Oxylent Giveaway. Kirsten was the winner - Congrats! Look for more fun giveaways soon! 

Veggie Mexican Bowl

Ok y'all - this is a really good recipe. Promise.

My hubby asked me to make this every week. It's super easy, even he could make it ;)

An added bonus - it's really healthy. Full of fiber, protein, vitamins and nutrients. Great if you are trying to lower cholesterol or lipids.
It's dairy free, gluten free, and vegan. Even though we aren't completely vegan, we try to eat lots of vegan food and mostly avoid dairy and animal products. Try making one of your meals vegetarian every week. I bet you'll end up eating more veggies!

I came up with this because I wanted to eat at Moe's, but I was already at the grocery store, and figured I'd try to make a burrito bowl (minus the tortilla).

Grocery List:

• Brown Rice
• 1 Cucumber (Chopped in small pieces)
• 1 Avocado (Chopped in small pieces)
• 1 Bunch Cilantro (Chopped)
• 1 Can Olives (Chopped)
• 1 Can Black Beans (with or without sauce)
• 1 Jar Salsa

Cook the brown rice. (boil 2 1/4c. water, then add 1 c. brown rice for 30-45 minutes)
Add the brown rice to the bottom of the bowl.
Add your toppings (chopped cucumber, avocado, cilantro, olives, beans and salsa). I used extra, extra cilantro because I love it. Plus, it has some amazing properties - aids in digestion, anti-inflammatory agents, and even reduces mood swings and cramping associated with PMS. Check out more about the amazing power of Cilantro! Here's another article on cilantro and detoxing.

Easy enough?

Happy health!

I ate it with blue corn chips. YUM                            Hubby ate his in about 5 minutes.

Save Time - Make Your Cooking Count

Most people don't have time to cook nutritious foods every day for every meal. That's why it's important to learn how to make your cooking count. When you cook foods, try to multi task and make multiple meals out of a few ingredients.

Here's some ideas of how to do this and make 2 meals in 60 minutes. (Vegetable Bean Soup and Black Bean & Quinoa Burgers with baked sweet potatoes)

Gather all of your ingredients

Chop all of your veggies

Boil 2 cups water and cook 1 cup quinoa for 10 minutes. 

Stick the sweet potatoes in the oven - (pierce them with a fork and cook 400 for about 45 min)

Put the chopped veggies in a big pan to saute for the soup and whatever other veggies left over in another pan for the burgers (I added kale because I had some extra)

Let them all cook at once and keep track of time (but even if you don't, you can't really mess up these dishes too badly). 

Once the quinoa is ready, follow the recipe to make the burgers. And add the rest of the ingredients to the soup pot. 

The more you practice cooking, the easier it becomes. 

I decided to food process some of the soup and sweet potatoes for the baby. 

Once it's pureed, put in ice cube trays, freeze, then take the cubes out and put in freezer bags. Store for up to a month. 

 Happy cooking!