Had ’em again for a quick fix meal: Lentil Soup! Gotta rely on the staples during busy weeks.
This soup was nothing to brag about though. It was bland. bland. bland. The only thing going for it was an excellent nutritional profile !
Not that I would really recommend this but….
Throw together in a pot until all is cooked:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup lentils
- 1 cup stir-fry veggies
- 4 big handfuls kale
- Garam masala
- Red curry powder
- Coriander
- Salt + Pepper
- Top with Parmesan cheese
I kept going back for seasonings because it was so bland. The spices sank to the bottom. I added more salt and fresh basil with not much luck. And it was scortching hot and I only had 5 minutes to eat! I ended up pouring out most of the broth and just eating the veggies because there was no way I could eat all that hot broth in such a short time.
On the side I had an Ezekiel english muffin ( LOVE them!!!!!!! They are so filling) with Smart Balance . I had to take half with me in the car because I ran out of eating time.
Chem Lab actually went well tonight and we got out at ………..7:30!!!!!!! Of course I wanted to celebrate the end of a looooooong week with a drink 🙂
I called the husband, who was Uptown to see Zoso (the famous Led Zepplin cover band), and met him for a gi-normous free outdoor concert that we have here on Thursdays called "Alive After Five." Wish I could go every Thursday! I parked about a 15 minute walk away to avoid paying for parking, so I got in 30 minutes walking round trip.
I had a Reisling when I got there and split it with the hub. (I’m looking rough because I came from lab…)
There was quite a crowd !!
We went to a bar for more drinks. I ordered the Mojito special for an exciting change only to find out it was Bacardi Mojitos …..I don’t really drink things in bottles like that – too sugary tasting. So I settled on a house pinot noir . But ended up drinking about 1/3 of the husband’s Sam Adams Summer Ale – YUM! Needless to say, I calmed my chemistry nerves 🙂
NOTE: I had about 5 Kashi crackers when I got home as the husband snacked on dinner.
I can’t believe I get to sleep in tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!! This week was long, but hopefully the other 4 will go faster. I have FOUR tests Mon-Wed. of next week so I need to be really productive tomorrow. I have to get my oil changed and drive Uptown for a meeting with a chem friend in the afternoon, but other than that it’s all study from 8-5. Gotta get this stuff in my brain!
madison says
Hi Kath, I recently tried the Ezekiel muffins and love them too! Only problem is when they’re frozen they’re so hard to split in half and its just kind of annoying. Do you have this problem at all too?? just wondering how you prepare/eat them. Thanks!
Little Black Dress says
Congratulations on making it to the end of a tough week, Kath! You have really done a great job staying healthy and motivated. So glad you had fun tonight!
Sarah says
“(I’m looking rough because I came from lab…)”
Psh! More like absolutely stunning!
Juls says
Hey Kath,
Love your blog! I read in your FAQ that you don’t weigh yourself regularly anymore because you are maintaing. Do you ever weigh yourself anymore (once a month or so?) or did you completely give it up?
Thanks, keep up the good work!
smilesara says
hi kath –
since you are the expert on foot injuries (or anyone else on the blog who wants to chime in):
i badly sprained my ankle today and they gave me crutches, although i can sort of hobble without them if i don’t put much pressure on the injured foot…
how long before i can do exercise again? (i exercise daily, so i’m not used to this situation!) i don’t mean anything weight bearing, but how long until something like stationary biking, which wouldn’t put pressure on the foot…
thanks!
Sara
Becca says
What a great way to celebrate the end of a busy week!
Heather says
Oh wow- we used to watch Zoso at fraternity parties in college! I hadn’t though of them in ages.
Sam Adams Summer Ale is the best 🙂 Have you tried the Honeymoon Ale from Blue Moon? It’s pretty similar.
Richelle says
That looks like so much fun for a Thursday night! I wish we had something like that over here!
Lili says
heres a lentil soup recipe that I love:
1/2-3/4 can canned chopped tomatoes
couple spoonfuls of tomato paste
1/2 dry red lentils
1 sweet potato
1 cup cauliflower
spices like curry, coriander, some hot paprika
put everything in a pot and cook for about 25-30 or until lentils are soft and a little mushy. top with greek yogurt.
Sarah says
Just curious, Kath, if you ever worry about getting *too* thin? I’ve had this problem. I went from being overweight, lost 30 pounds, and ended up too skinny where it just wasn’t healthy anymore and was told by the doctor to gain 5-10 pounds.
You’re looking good, I was just curious…:)
Lili says
edit for my recipe posted above:
1 1/2 cups water (or more if you want it thinner)
Kath says
madison ,
I just microwave them first. If you need 1 half at a time, separate them before you freeze them.
Sarah ,
Awww shucks….thanks
Juls ,
I pretty much completely gave it up. I was 122 at the doctor with clothes on and a big bowl of oatmeal in my belly so I think I’m probably between 119-120 still. Every time I think about weighing myself, I start to get those “what if it’s too high??” thoughts that used to drive me crazy and I just think I’m better off without those thoughts. I would want the timing to be right (first thing in the AM, no alcohol or restaurants the night before, etc.) and it seems those days are hard to come by or I don’t remember first thing before I eat something!
smilesara ,
I would ask your doctor, who knows more about the details of the sprain than I would. If you didn’t go to the doctor, wait until you can function your foot normally before you put it under any exercise challenges.
Heather ,
They played at our college too 🙂 I LOVE Blue Moon, but I don’t really think the Honeymoon is that great! Maybe it was the timing of when I had it.
Sarah ,
I wouldn’t say that’s something I ‘worry’ about and since I’m pretty in tune with my body, caloric intake, health, etc., I don’t think I’d ever let my weight get low enough to be a health hazard. I think my recommended weight for height is 110? And my BMI is still like 21.5-22. So both are pretty far away from the “danger” zones.
Kath
Anne P says
Morning! So glad you had a chance to unwind and have some fun after your hard week. Happy Friday! 🙂
Rachel says
That concert looks fun!!! You look so TINY!
PS says
I tried the Honeymoon Ale this week…yum!
Kath says
You know, I think I’m doing the turtle neck in that photo! Maybe that’s the key to looking smaller in photos because it makes your head look bigger!?
K
Trina says
Hi Kath! I tried kale recently to make your butternut squash soup…Well, I happened to have a lot left over so I went in search of recipes to make something with it. I ended up finding a REALLY good recipe and thought I would share with you since you love kale so much.
Sweet and Savory Kale
You sautee about 2 cloves of garlic and a small onion in olive oil until tender. Then you add 1 T. dijon mustard, 1 T. cider vinegar, 1-1/2 C. chicken stock/broth about 1 tsp. brown sugar-and bring to a boil. Add about 4 cups of kale and a handful of dried cranberries. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and some cayenne or red pepper flakes if you like heat. Keep boiling until liquid is reduced almost all the way. Top with some cheese (I did parm. but goat cheese would be good) and toasted almonds.
I also know you share my love for things that are sweet/savory, so I think you will really love this recipe!! Goes great with the pistachio/honey mustard chicken you made (Robin Miller’s) a while ago…
Happy Friday 🙂
Kath says
Trina ,
Sounds delicious! We’ve done almost the same thing with both collard greens and kale before. Sweet/savory is the way to go!
Kath
Allison K. says
We have Alive After Five too! Only ours are on Tuesdays. Always such a good time, although I wish ours wasn’t at the beginning of the work week!
DaisyMay says
we have live at 5 here on thursdays. this years line up is awesome. blues traveler and boys to men to name a few. i am SO PUMPED
Sherri says
Hi Kath,
Just wanted to say that I love the shirt you are wearing in the picture from last night. Any idea on where you might have gotten it? I am always looking for another cute black shirt!!
Thanks again for all of your insight on the elliptical, I really appreciate it. I am still trying to figure out how many strides to aim for…but hopefully I will get in some sort of groove soon.
Thanks again,
Sherri
Kath says
Sherri,
The shirt is Ann Taylor. I like the neckline and the fabric 🙂
Kath
Sherri says
The neckline is what caught me as well….thanks for passing along the details!!
Chelsea says
I have that shirt 🙂 In white and red too. Too bad I can’t wear it right now!