Lentil Soup and Kale, Tomato and Feta Salad

Lately, I've been on a real health kick. And by lately, I mean for about three days. My mom loaned me this great book called Power Foods with fantastic recipes and information about the healthiest foods out there. Last night for dinner we made the easiest lentil soup and an even easier sautéed kale salad. Lentils and Kale are delicious and nutritious.

Vegetarian Optional Lentil Soup

The recipe for this soup calls for vegetable broth. Instead, I used chicken broth to give it more flavor. Also, I am not a vegetarian.

You will need (4 servings):

1tsp EVOO

1 small onion, diced

1 large carrot, sliced

4 or 5 mushrooms (I added these because I am a mushroomaholic)

4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup dry lentils

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp dried thyme

dash salt

1 tbsp lemon juice (as I type that, I'm realizing I forgot to add that last night. It was still delicious!!!)

In a big pot, sauté onions, carrots and mushrooms in EVOO until onions are translucent. Then add everything else. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until lentils are soft (30-45 minutes). Add lemon juice just before serving.

Sautéed Kale, Tomato and Feta Salad

We found this recipe on budgetbytes. Its super easy, super delicious and incredibly good for you. Kale is a fantastic superfood (loaded with vitamins A, C, and K and have tons of Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids). As are lentils (hello protein!). These recipes are healthy, delicious and so easy, your dog could make them.

Happy, healthy eating friends!

C

Tiered Serving Trays DIY

Tiered trays fit for a queen! Using mix-and-match plates, saucers and tea cups you can make fabulous trays for next to nothing!

You will need:

• Three decorative plates in different sizes (perfect excuse to run to the thrift store)
• Two tea cups
• Pencil
• Gorilla glue
• Rubber gloves (as per gorilla glue instructions)

Start by playing around with your plates and cups to see which combinations you like. For extra sturdy towers, stack your plates largest at the bottom to smallest at the top (see above.) Find the center of your plate and following the gorilla glue instructions, glue a tea cup between your two largest plates. Gorilla glue recommends clamping the items your gluing. This is tough to do with china. Use heavy books instead. In about two hours you'll have a beautiful tiered tray! I used mine for jewelry. Enjoy and have fun!

Wait! Useful tip: Always carry your tray from it's base!

XO

C

LUNCH!

Sauteed mushrooms and red peppers with black beans, turkey bacon and cucumbers. In a pita.

• Sautee turkey bacon in evoo until crisp.
• In the turkey bacon evoo, sautee mushrooms and peppers. Add a little balsamic.
• Drain beans, chop cukes.
• Mix together and plop in pita.

I have to say, the cucumbers made this fantastic. Fantastic, I say! Next time, I'm adding cheese. Experiment and enjoy!

C