Two recipes in one post.  TWO!

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The old blog has been lacking in recipes lately, huh?  You see, I have developed an affinity for potato chips and hummus (the Trader Joe’s creamy kind – know what I’m talking about? So good). And by ‘affinity,’ I mean that I’m regularly eating chips and hummus for lunch.  With a creamy coffee on the side.  Yum.

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…. But not so healthy.   And does not bode well for healthy recipe development.  While chips and hummus are delicious, easy to ‘prepare,’ and totally satisfying, eating chips as a meal is not ideal.  Clearly!  Smile 

 

So I’ve really been trying to cook more and eat healthier.  I feel like I’ve been saying this on repeat for six months (pretty much since Half Ironman training started!), but once the race (and my giant appetite) was over, the holidays came and then…. Well, you know.  Life gets busy; being a healthy eater requires time and energy and… I’ve just totally let it slide.  This time around, however, I feel will be different because I’m really focusing my mental energy on how good I feel when I eat well and how physically and mentally sluggish I feel when I don’t.   The difference is really tremendous. It’s worth the effort.

 

That all being said, here are two recipes that I recently whipped up and LOVED.  These mini millet loaves are warm, filling, and satisfy my taste buds.  And the lentils are a basic comfort food staple.  Plus, both recipes makes enough for several meals.  Perfection!

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Mini Millet Loaves (makes 10 – 11 loaves)

 

  • 3 cups cooked millet (about 1 cup dry)
  • 1 cup cooked green lentils (for a recipe, see below)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened soy milk)
  • 1/2 sweet yellow onion, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup packed baby spinach, thoroughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup BBQ sauce (I used a yellow brand of sauce, not a red)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

 

Directions:

 

  • If you haven’t already, cook the millet and green lentils.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a dozen cupcake tin.
  • In a large bowl, mix the cooked millet, cooked lentils, beaten eggs, and milk.
  • In a sauce pan, cook the chopped onion in the oil on medium high for five minutes. Then, add shredded carrots and stir.  Cook for another few minutes.  Add in chopped baby spinach and stir.  Cook for another few minutes.
  • Add BBQ sauce to the veggies and mix well.  Pour BBQ/veggie mix into the millet and lentil mix.  Add salt to taste. Mix thoroughly.
  • Spoon into cupcake tins.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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And now for the lentil recipe…

 

I like making lentils in the slow cooker because I feel like it requires way less ‘watching’ then on the stovetop.  Also – I love the way it makes my house smell!  (Is that weird?)

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Green Lentils

 

  • 1.5 cups dried green lentils
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil

 

Directions:

 

  • Cook lentils, curry powder, shallots, and broth on the slow cooker / CrockPot for 2.5 hours.  Stir halfway through ONLY ONCE and repeat the top as fast as possible!
  • Add salt and olive oil.  Stir thoroughly.
  • Serve and enjoy.

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So. There you have it.  Two healthy recipes! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  Let’s pray that I continue to keep chips and hummus on the side – where they belong! Winking smile

{ 15 comments }

 

  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change December 27, 2013, 1:05 pm

    I have not thought of using my slow cooker for my lentils, that is genius! I can’t wait to try these recipes.

  • Sara @ LovingOnTheRun December 27, 2013, 1:10 pm

    Yum! These look great and healthy! I know I need to get back into my health kick after the past week of being home – TOO MANY SWEETS! 🙂 I think I am on a permanent sugar high!

  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles December 27, 2013, 2:14 pm

    I have been obsessed with making mini meatless bites using my muffin tins – cooks so quick and neat and they freeze well for leftovers. I need to now try your recipe.

  • Runner Girl Eats December 27, 2013, 4:56 pm

    You and potato chips are like me and chocolate. I just can’t stop.

  • laura December 27, 2013, 5:04 pm

    I am a huge fan of millet but never thought to make loaves before. This recipe looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.

  • Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties December 27, 2013, 7:24 pm

    I’ve never attempted to cook millet or lentils, but these recipes make them look pretty easy!! Healthy and easy is always a good combo 🙂

  • Alisha @ Gluten Free Perspective December 27, 2013, 7:37 pm

    The mini millet loaves sound awesome! I’m experimenting with more gluten free grains, but the first time I tried millet I wasn’t a fan. I still have a whole bag in the pantry, so I’ll definitely be trying this.

  • Leighann December 27, 2013, 9:23 pm

    I make “cups”/loaves like this all the time! I always add in different combos of veggies each time. I’m excited to try it with a GF grain I have never had before.

  • Keri December 28, 2013, 10:54 am

    I’ve totally been singing the same song with cooking healthy meals lately–in favor of easy, tasty food. My fix has been crackers & hummus (probably worse than potato chips!) and cheese sticks :/. Thanks for a little recipe inspiration! Will be making the millet loaves soon & love any recipe that involves leftovers! I finally made mini lentil meatless loaves the other day & had enough for 4 meals!Makes the effort completely worth it 😉

  • Janelle December 28, 2013, 2:35 pm

    Somehow I didn’t even realize that millet is gluten free – silly me! This opens new doors… haha.

  • Diane T. Your Auntie. December 28, 2013, 6:56 pm

    i love your lack of resolutions. you have learned what it has taken many of us many more decades to figure out! Great going! Love Aunt D.

  • Nick Velde December 29, 2013, 7:18 am

    Lovely Recipe! I going to try it at home, I love the loaves

  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance December 29, 2013, 8:46 pm

    Love the texture of millet! These mini loaves are adorable and look delicious!

  • Morgan January 3, 2014, 9:35 pm

    Those millet cups look good! They would be great for when I’m running late to class, which is always haha

  • Sara January 10, 2014, 12:00 pm

    Is there something wrong with my browser? I haven’t been able to see updates to the website since this post at the end of December – I miss reading the new posts on the blog!

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