My Favorite Lentil Soup

Here in SLC we had an unusually grey and rainy winter, and so far spring has been grey, with two snowstorms and now days of grey and rain. Not to mention the earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks. Gloom on top of gloom.
Yesterday was another cool, grey day and my anxiety was getting out of control so I decided to make some lentil soup. Lentils are so nutritious, and inexpensive so I definitely try to always have them on hand. They have fed me through some of my brokeist days and I owe them a lot.  I wrote down the recipe because well, it's delicious and healthy and I know a lot of us are having to really watch our budget more than usual.

Lots of extra nooch on top!!

                                                            My Favorite Lentil Soup

• 1 Medium Yellow Onion Diced
• 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1/4 Tsp. Salt and Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp. Italian Seasoning
• 3/4 Tsp. Fennel Seed
• 1/2 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
• 3/4 Cup Green Lentils
• 1/4 Cup Brown Rice
• 1 T, Tamari or Soy Sauce
• 1/4 C. Tomato Sauce(or 2 T. Tomato Paste)
• 2 T. Nutritional Yeast
• 5 to 6 C. Water

Saute the onion and garlic in a little oil(or water if you're oil free) on medium heat for about three or four minutes with the salt and pepper. Next, add the Italian seasoning, fennel seed and crushed red pepper. If you're using tomato paste, add that now too to cook the rawness out. Saute for a few more minutes, and now add the lentils, rice tomato sauce if not using paste, water, tamari or soy sauce and the nutritional yeast. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for thirty to forty minutes. Depending on how thick you like your soup, you might need to add a bit more water. I ended up adding around seven cups of water total, and also added a bit more salt at the end.


The fennel seed gives it a sausage-y flavor without having to use any expensive faux meats. I've served this to many non vegans over the years and it's always been a hit. This will make a nice big pot and it's super inexpensive! Oh, and if you have kale on hand it's a great addition!

I had my soup with a gluten free grilled cheese with homemade cashew cheese!! I feel like soup and grilled cheese is such a classic comfort meal.

I went for a little morning walk yesterday and I saw this pretty tree with interesting leaves and tiny little pink buds. Spring is my favorite season, and usually I feel refreshed and renewed. It's hard this year though. So I'm grateful for all the signs of life and beauty.

My Favorite Home Workouts Plus Cats!

I know gyms are closed all over, and while you can still go out for walks, runs and hikes as long as you stay away from people, working out at home is also an option thanks to YouTube. I've always work out at home, even before YouTube. I remember years ago trying a gym membership and I went one time. That's all it took to realize working out in public is not for me.
I thought maybe I could pass on my favorite workout channels on YouTube. There are a lot of wonderful channels, and some real stinkers so maybe I can help save everyone some time. I like to do a variety of workouts, and I do yoga several times a week as well.
My favorite yoga channels are Fightmaster Yoga and Yoga with Jess. Both have so many videos, ranging from beginner to advanced, and videos ranging from ten minutes to over an hour.
As for more cardio and full body workouts, I love Popsugar Fitness so much. They have a HUGE variety of videos including cardio, dance, yoga pilates, kickboxing and so many I haven't even discovered yet! They have all kinds of different trainers with different styles and I truly feel like there's something for everyone! One of my favorite trainers is Jake Dupree. He's the sassy and funny but also means business trainer and I just want to hang out with him all the time!
Body Project is another favorite. They have beginner, advanced, high and low impact and they're just really encouraging and fun. Low impact options are important for those of us with downstairs neighbors!! I also like Fitness Blender. They have a huge variety of workouts, including lots of workouts for specific body parts like ten minute abs, or squats etc. They have a huge catalogue of workouts, so again something for everyone.
There are a million more workout channels, these are just my favorites and who I kind of always rely on. Most of these channels have really upped their content to help people who still want to workoutat home during this scary time.
I've always found working out to be very beneficial to my mental health, and of course it's good for physical health as well!

I took this picture this morning. Bubba is trying cuddling with a wee bit of social distancing. This is a whole new time for all of us! Kiki actually stayed calm and didn't whack him!

More Snow and Food!

I woke up to more snow this morning! And even though the big earthquake was two weeks ago, we've still been having aftershocks. I looked at a map and it showed we've had over two hundred! Some almost as big as the earthquake itself. It all just kind of adds to the general uneasiness.

I haven't been able to stock up on potatoes, but last week I did find four red potatoes at the Asian market. Here are two of them seasoned with Old Bay served with some mushroom bites I had in the freezer. Dipped in mustard and veganaise. Who ever imagined a time when potatoes and toilet paper would be such rare and precious jewels?

I made a Thai green curry the other night with tofu an enoki mushrooms. I also cooked about a half cup of red lentils until they were very soft, and then blended them with a can of coconut milk. My stomach has still been very testy and lentils are very soothing when it's acting up.

It's that glorious time of the month when my body is demanding chocolate, so I made some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies with almond flour. These turned out pretty close to perfect if I do say so myself. I really, really wish I would have written own the recipe, but I just threw everything in a bowl and hoped for the best.

Last night I made Kung Pao chickpeas. My favorite way to eat chickpeas besides hummus. I feel like beans are on the menu for a lot of people these days, vegan or not and this is a nice way to kind of change it up. Especially if tofu is hard to find in your area. I was pleasantly surprised to find some roasted peanuts in my freezer. They really add to the dish.
I'm thinking of everyone and hoping everyone is staying safe an sane. Between the constant sad news, the cheeto in chief being a total maniacal buffoon it's hard to keep it together. I'm grateful for this community and I hope everyone is hanging in there!

Springtime Snow!

I woke up to a kind of winter wonderland. This time last year I was already wearing flip flops. 2020 is keeping it weird and scary!I've been making sure I get outside for a walk and some fresh air everyday, (away from people) but I am definitely lacking vitamin D, it's been grey and dreary all week.

I saw that Kevita has changed their design. I was in between batches of my homebrew so I picked this up last week. Tastes the same which is good! I always tell people who don't like kombucha to try kevita. It's so smooth without much of a vinegar-y kick.

Last night I made a gluten free pizza with Bob's Red Mill gluten free crust mix. It comes with a yeast pack, you just have to make a flax egg and add water. I had some So Delicious vegan cheese in my freezer that I found before things got bad on clearance at Sprouts. I was so excited to find vegan cheese on clearance, I didn't notice that the so delicious cheese has palm oil. I was craving pizza, but honestly gluten free crust is always such a let down, and I've noticed a lot of vegan cheeses are made with mostly oil, and they just don't really agree with me. Miyoko's doesn't bother my stomach, but it's definitely out of my budget, especially now. I guess I need to dust off my copy of The Uncheese Cookbook.

what is social distancing??

 

Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

Last week I made this delicious red lentil and sweet potato soup. For dinner I had it with some Jasmine rice, and then for breakfast the next day I had it with some tofu croutons. I just love the color!

It's super simple to make and very budget friendly. I feel almost silly sharing the recipe, but I figured I will anyway. I feel like lentils and sweet potatoes are ingredients a lot of people probably have on hand right now.




                                                       Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

• 1 Medium Onion, sliced
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Inch Piece of Ginger
• 1 Medium Large Sweet Potato 
• 1 Cup red Lentils
• 1 Can Coconut Milk
• 1 Cup Water( depending on how thick or thin you want the soup you might need a little more)
• 1/2 Tsp. Turmeric Powder
• 1 Tsp. Curry Powder
• 1/2 Tsp. Garam Masala
• 1/2 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Slice the onion, garlic and ginger and saute in a little oil of choice(I used coconut oil) for a few minutes over medium heat. Next add your spices and saute for a few more minutes. Next add the potatoes and lentils along with one to one and a half cups of water, bring to a boil an then turn the heat to low and simmer for about twenty minutes. Turn off heat, let the soup cool for a bit and then add the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. You can also use an immersion blender right in the pot. Pour the soup back into the pot, add the coconut milk and simmer for ten more minutes. Enjoy!

 I know I'm not the only one feeling stressed and anxious, and sometimes anxiety can cause stomach issues as I've been learning. I found this soup to be very soothing.

Just Another Manic Monday

I was supposed to start my new job yesterday. As of last Friday anyway. Then Sunday I found out that the store is closing until further notice, which is understandable, but unfortunate for me. I still have the job, just who knows when I will start. So, my anxiety was pretty high Sunday and Monday.
This is a terrible time for us all so I'm not going to say much else, we're all scared and worried and at least I'm healthy right now.
I figured why not show what I ate with a very stressed out tummy. And what I drank besides water of course.

Reishi mushroom coffee with So delicious vanilla creamer and a little hazelnut syrup. I know coffee probably doesn't help with anxiety, but restless sleep makes it hard to function.

This was a very tasty sandwich! Gluten free bagel with carrot sriracha hummus, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, and pickle. I love alfalfa sprouts on sandwiches! My favorite sandwich in my pregan days was a toasted onion bagel with cream cheese and alfalfa sprouts!

grapefruit, carrot, orange and ginger juice

perfectly ripe ataulfo mango

For dinner I made spicy peanut noodles with some tofu puffs, lettuce an alfalfa sprouts. With extra sriracha on top.

I of course didn't eat this! I have been hoarding these two precious bath bombs for when I'm having a really hard day and need to feel a little pampered. Yesterday felt like a good day to use one. This was honeysuckle scent. really lovely.

enjoyed with my bath

Asain Market Haul!

I went to the Asian market for a few things yesterday. Last week it was pretty pleasant, yesterday was way more of a madhouse.
I also stopped at Winco for cat food, an it's so weird. They have a line of blue tape at each check stand, and you have to stand behind the tape until the person is completely one checking out. There are also signs basically saying to not talk to the cashier, and leave as soon as possible. Scary and weird times.

Here's the vegan meats freezer I mentioned. Thanks anonymous for telling me about the shrimp. I decided to skip trying anything because a) I don't even crave a lot of that stuff and b) it is more pricey than tofu, and I really can't afford to buy something and not like it. But it is awesome that this is available.

Enoki mushrooms, fuji apples, miso paste, Japanese sweet potato, lemons and limes, gluten free hoisin, tofu strip noodles(!!), carrots, soft, medium and firm tofu,yellow onions,reishi coffee,mandarins and oranges,spicy tofu, fried tofu, grapefruit,red onion, ginger

Even when things are back to normal, I need to remember to shop here more. I'm saving a lot of money by shopping here! Organic enoki mushrooms are only $.99!! Specialty mushrooms are so expensive at a regular grocery store!

Sorry this picture is so blurry, but look at Bubba and Kiki! If he quietly sneaks up while she
s sleeping he knows he won't get punched! We're still having good and bad ays, I never realized Kiki was such a possessive little fighter, but here we are!

It Keeps getting Weirder!!

On Wednesday morning around seven am Utah had a pretty big earthquake. My entire apartment building swayed, it seemed like I was surfing. It almost felt like a tornado, like the building was going to be swept away. And we had some pretty big aftershocks, one was almost as big as the earthquake. Kitties were so scared, I was trying to reassure them, but I was crying and scared shitless, so they somehow didn't believe me. We even had an aftershock yesterday morning!
I experienced a few earthquakes in Seattle, and I never felt any building shake the way my apartment did. I've sent an email to my landlord asking if this building has ever even been inspected for earthquake safety.
So how is everyone else doing? These are just such strange times. I feel like this is the strangest time in my lifetime for sure.

I'm trying to be really healthy because it helps with my mental health. Back in the day I would have been drinking beer after beer after beer, so it's nice to see growth. Green juice, booch and water are my thing now. Bonus, no hangover!!

Twas the night before the quake and all was well. I made this delicious gochujang stew with rice cakes, a little leftover rice, and my favorite, enoki mushrooms. This was AMAZING and I can't believe I went so long without gochujang and rice cakes in my life! I think I might do all my shopping at the Asian market until things calm down!

I noticed a whole new freezer at the Asian market full of vegan seafood and meats. They have sliced Korean BBQ pork or beef, I can't remember, and all kinds of seafood. The prices are of course higher than tofu, but also way less than beyond, or the Sophie's line of vegan seafood. I want to try either the shrimp or crab, any suggestions as to which one I should try?

Luckily the girls feel safe again, an things are back to business as usual, Cuddle piles for life!

What I Ate to Calm My Nerves!

I've been feeling really queasy the last five days or so. Ever since I saw the state of the empty shelves and the way people are hoarding. My stomach is just in the worst knots. and even when I feel hungry, I'll take a few bites and then either feel ill or feel really full like I've stuffed myself. So, I've been trying to get in the nutrients any way I can. So, I figured I'll show what I'm eating to try and calm my nerves.

I started the day with this very green celery, romaine and pear juice. This actually calmed my stomach a bit.

I had some kitchari and a gluten free bagel with cream cheese for breakfast. I ate a little of the kitchari. and a few bites of the bagel, but my stomach got weird again. Also, this cream cheese is the worst!

While I appreciate Kroger/ Smith's / Fred Meyer coming out with more and more vegan options, they kin of need to be good and this just isn't. The texture is so freaking weird, kind of like whipped yogurt and the taste makes daiya look like it doesn't have a weird taste.
I don't know what I'm going to do with this container. I don't want it to go to waste, but she nasty. Someone on Instagram suggested I could use it for a creamy pasta sauce, but the taste is so blecch I don't know if I could hide it!! 0 out of ten do not recommend!

Tangerine, blood orange, ginger and carrot juice

Formally blackberry sage

For dinner I made some miso soup with tofu and rice. I added this chili sauce I found at the Asian market. It's pretty similar to sriracha maybe a tad sweeter. It's a ten out ten for me dawg!
The miso soup ca,med my stomach a bit.
Hopefully I feel better soon because I'd like to make some easy pantry recipes. I've lived at or below the poverty line for as long as I can remember, and I have a lot of lentil recipes up my sleeve!
And not to brag but I make a mean lentil soup!!!
I hope everyone is hanging in there!

I Found Groceries!

Last week when I git groceries life was still pretty normal. No one had gone into panic mode. In SLC it seems the panic started Thursday. I was at Winco getting bird and cat food last Wednesday and everything was fine and normal, although it was weird that many dried beans were gone from the bulk bins. Then, I stopped in Friday morning very early and it was shockingly busy for the time, and the shelves were cleared out of so many things.
I went to Sprouts on Saturday, and I kind of thought they wouldn't be as bad. I felt like Sprouts shoppers would be more rational and not panic shop so much. Boy was I WRONG!! It was scary and depressing, an honestly at one point I had a panic attack in the store. I had to really talk myself down.

Oranges,lemons,tofu,peach fizzy water, blackberry kombucha,peanut butter, gluten free bagels, romaine hearts, dragon puffs,mangoes,hummus,gluten free crackers, vegan cream cheese, miyokos scallion cheese, celery, ice cream sandwiches,tofu,coconut milk, clearance vegan shres($1.99) pears, coconut oil crinkle fries and a clearance candle

This is stuff mostly from Sprouts and a few items are from Smith's. I had no list and no rhyme or reason, I just tried to find food I can eat.
On Sunday I decided to go to the Asian market for some gochujang and rice cakes. Also just to see what their shelves are like. I have to say, I'm glad I went because it eased some of my anxiety. Their shelves are well stocked, and they have all the tofu and rice I could ever want or need!

Rice cakes, coconut cream, dried chili flakes, enoki mushrooms, rice, tofu, sriracha, ginger, fried tofu(my fave!!!) gochujang, coconut milk, rice noodles, massaman curry paste, spicy chili sauce

 If you have an Asian market in your area I highly recommend checking them out. Just like we need food, they need business. And it's really helpful if you have anxiety about not being able to find food to feed yourself and your family.
To me, seeing how people are acting and hoarding is much scarier than the virus. I'm not making light of the virus, it's just that this has brought out the worst in so many people.

You guys know I feed the feral neighborhood cats. That's how I met Bubba! Well, this is Al Jr. He's named after another feral cat in Erie I fed who was named Al. They could be twins! He won't let me touch him, but I've gained a little trust over the years! He's a very handsome boy!!!

Moving On

I had a job interview near Whole Foods yesterday so I stopped in to pick up a few things. Whole Foods has their own brand of fizzy water and they have a ginger flavor which I love! I also got my beloved millet tots. And, most importantly I got the job!!
I've been really, really unhappy at Natural Grocers. I thought I would fit in and feel right at home at Natural Grocers, but it was quite the opposite. My main problem is for a store that is more expensive than Whole Foods you would think it would pay a liveable wage. It states in the handbook that the reason the founder came up with the vitamin bucks program is so that employees could afford a healthy lunch. It seems more logical to pay a liveable wage so people can have other meals besides lunch. And they pressure us to schill things like all the mushroom stuff and I refuse so it's always causing issues. Anyway, it doesn't matter because I am moving on!

It was a beautiful day and I needed some vitamin D so I walked home. I cut through a cute little neighborhood and saw this sign!!

To celebrate my new job I had some millet tots with jalapeno mustard and chipotle mayo for dinner. Thumbs up to whoever thought of millet tots!

Hump Day!

Sprouts has all kinds of vegan candy in their bilk section, but it all contains gelatin. Which is unfortunate. I feel like even if you aren't vegan, the thought of bones and other yuk in candy should just be a no.

I couldn't resist and I picked some up. Since they're bunny shaped I assume these are only here through Easter. What a shame because they're really, really good.

I made some muffaletta hummus this week. I just blended some white beans, garlic, lemon, black and green olives and some pepperoncini together and added some crushed red pepper to the top. It doesn't look the prettiest but it's so dang tasty!!

I've been enjoying the hummus as a snack with gluten free pretzels, and yesterday I topped some baked potatoes with the hummus for an easy breakfast. Who needs expensive vegan sour cream when you have hummus?

Last night I made a Thai red curry with red lentils, potatoes and soy curls. Always and forever one of my favorite meals!
I went to Winco yesterday for some bulk rice and lentils, and there wasn't a green lentil on site! None in the bulk section, and none in the dried bean aisle! I guess in addition to toilet paper people are hoarding lentils!!!

Stuff I Saw and Stuff I Bought!

Since I didn't get groceries over the weekend, I went yesterday. What a difference a few days makes! Sprouts is never really insanely busy, but Monday mid morning is just so relaxing an peaceful! I even got a few pictures of some new to me things that I saw but didn't buy.

I remember in my vegetarian days I liked to buy shredded colby jack, or whatever cheese was white and yellow for certain dishes where I just didn't know which cheese to buy. I've always wondered why Daiya didn't offer a combo of their shreds and now I guess they do!!

I don't go down the boxed vegan milk aisle very often, it's milk and cereal and granola bars which is stuff I don't buy. But I meandered down the aisle anyway and saw this. I feel like sesame milk would be bitter, but maybe I'm wrong? It's pretty pricey so I don't see myself trying. Has anyone had this?

Remember when Amy's was the only brand of frozen meals and most of them weren't vegan? Now there's Gardein entrees and even Sprouts has their own line! They have a few other "chicken" frozen meals. My problem is they all are made with cauliflower rice and I don't like that. But, it's great that these exist, and I know I'm in the minority on cauliflower rice, it's everywhere!!!
Sprouts has vegetarian and vegan options, and I appreciate that they label the meals as such. Remember back in the dark ages before labeling? I remember those days and having to rea and reread everything!!!!

Coconut milk, coffee, mandarins, apples, Cara Cara oranges, avocado, jalapeno, baby carrots, gluten free pretzels,potatoes, ginger, garlic, tofu,celery, onion,lemons, cannelini beans

I had a five dollar off thirty dollars coupon, so that haul was twenty nine dollars! I have a few bulk items like rice and lentils that I will be getting at Winco. I'll probably spend about four or five dollars bringing my weekly haul to around thirty five dollars. I've said it a million times, but I'll say it again, I'm so grateful to have a Sprouts. I would never be able to have so much fresh fruit and veg on my budget if it weren't for Sprouts.

Spring is Sprunging!