Heavenly, Hearty, Healthy Vegan Red Lentil Dal

I’m always on the lookout for easy lentil recipes, ones that are delicious, vegan, and retain flavor, even when leftovers are frozen, thawed, and heated for additional meals later on.

Lentils are an important staple in South Asian cuisines, especially in India. Masoor dal is a tiny red/orange lentil that doesn’t require pre-soaking, cooks  quickly, and I used for my recipe. 

Dal (also spelled dhal, daal, dahl) is a term to describe a split pulse(legume, pea, or bean dish) on the Indian subcontinent. Dal stars in both stew or soup recipes. 

I studied many red lentil dal recipes, but didn't find one that fit me to a T, so I created my own. 

This dish is very adaptable. You may add additional veggies including red pepper, zucchini, or ones you have on hand. When including optional ingredients, add a few extra minutes of cook time.

Make the soup version by adding extra vegetable broth or coconut milk to the liquid amounts specified in the ingredient list below.

Preparation details and food facts are shared along the way, because I'd like you to see how easy and nutritious it is to serve this yummy lentil dish for a meatless Monday main course, mid-week lunch or dinner, or as company faire. 

Want to know what I mean?

Heavenly, Hearty, Healthy Vegan Red Lentil Dal is...

Creamy-cooking the lentils in coconut milk and vegetable broth makes them sweet without sugar. These ingredients add  richness, good taste, and important nutrients.

Colorful-red lentils look orange and turn golden yellow as they cook. Vegetables and seasoning including carrots, celery, onion, and cilantro or parsley adds other hues, and make this meal antioxidant rich and attractive.

Comforting-there's something magical about lentils that makes them seem so comforting and homey. 

Nutrient-rich-every ingredient in this recipe has health benefits, and the links in this post provide detailed health information about several. 

Cholesterol free- this is a whole food plant-based recipe, and  each ingredient used has no cholesterol.

Filling-lentils are an excellent source of vegetable protein, folic acid, and potassium, as well as being cost effective. Lentils are naturally fat free and fit in with a vegetarian, vegan, and conventional eating plans.

Eating a serving of lentil dal with brown rice or other whole grain is a healthy way to satisfy even the most robust appetites.

Gluten Free-more and more people have developed an intolerance or allergy to gluten. This recipe doesn't cause that "too stuffed feeling" or other adverse reaction.

Heavenly-from the first spoon or fork-full to the last, notice how the spices and herbs meld together and energize the delicious flavors of this dish. 

Fiber packed-one cup of cooked lentils has high fiber/approximately 15.6 grams per serving. Fiber is associated with lower blood cholesterol levels and protection against cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.

Easy to prepare-dried lentils and canned coconut milk are readily available in most markets or online. Stock ingredients in your home pantry, and make prep time a snap. 

Whole food-the human body runs most efficiently on food that is in its natural form, or very close to it. Research shows that eating meals that consist of plant-based whole foods is a sound way to get the fuel (food) you need to be high functioning and feel vitally alive. 

Recipe for Heavenly Hearty Healthy Vegan Red Lentil Dal

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups dried red lentils 

1-2 inch knob of fresh ginger grated

1 14 oz. can unsweetened light coconut milk

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or 1-2 red chili peppers chopped, or 1-2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika (if you prefer, use regular paprika)

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon chopped coriander

3-4 carrots

3-4 stalks celery (include leaves) chopped

1 large onion chopped

4-6 garlic cloves chopped

6 cups Low Sodium Vegetable Broth (add 2 or 3 more cups of liquid when making the soup version)

juice from one fresh squeezed lemon or lime
sprig of fresh cilantro, parsley, or even celery leaves for garnish

Optional Ingredients: ½ cup mushrooms, 1 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes, and Yukon gold or other diced potatoes.

Note: I purchase organic when it's available, because it's important that food comes from a source that hasn't been genetically modified. My research and experience shows organic food has higher nutrient value and tastes better too. A local health food store and farmers’ market are good places to find organic products.

What to do:

1. Place dry lentils in a colander and rinse in cool water. Pick out any debris, and rinse again. Set aside.

2. Peel and chop onion and garlic cloves. Then clean and chop celery and carrots (no need to peel carrots). Skin is where a lot of the nutrients are). Set aside.

3. Heat two drops of water or 2 teaspoons of coconut oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika, chili or chili powder. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Be mindful about personal spice preferences. Feel free to make adjustments and cater the spice level to satisfy the taste buds of your mates and you.

4. Add lentils and chopped veggies. Add broth, coconut milk, and bay leaves and cook on low-medium heat, partially covered, until tender. That process will take 20-30 minutes. 

Note: Cook time varies, and is affected by how old the lentils are, your elevation, how much liquid you add, how small you chop your veggies, and whether you’re using tomatoes. The acid in tomatoes slows down the cooking process. Increase cook time by at least 15 minutes, when using tomatoes. Optional veggies need to be added, when you add other veggies.

5. Stir mixture two or three times during the cook time to prevent sticking or boiling over.  

6. Test for doneness and flavor by sampling a spoonful of dal; make sure lentils and veggies are soft and creamy. To finish this dish, turn off flame, pour on lemon or lime juice, dish out, and garnish with chopped greens. Serve hot.

Serving suggestion: Combine with one of the following: brown basmati or other brown rice, roasted veggies, quinoa, sweet potatoes, or a fresh type of Indian bread that's vegan. This recipe serves 4 hungry people. Extra portions freeze well, and keep for up to 3-4 months.  

Red Lentil Dal with roasted red pepper, celery, red cabbage, red onion, yellow squash

Please comment below and/or reshare with a link back to this post. 

Your interest and attention means the world to me.

I hope my post has inspired you to add this whole-food plant based meal to your cooking repertoire. Remember it's Heavenly, Hearty, and Healthy!

Wishing you a wonderful Repast and...

This post has been shared at A Pinch Of Joy Busy Monday 404

This post has been shared at Weekend Cooking at Beth Fish Reads

Creative Ideas to Help Us Open Our Hearts to Self-love

For those of us who strive to excel in our careers and/or ace relationships, we may drive ourselves too hard, and feel overwhelmed. Then, If we don't reach our goals, we focus on how bad we messed up, and get down on ourselves. 

Putting undue pressure on ourselves only works to make us frustrated, cranky, and may even stir up negative self-talk that can get loud and insulting.

This is a good indication that holding unrealistic expectations of ourselves is so destructive to our self-esteem.
  
If you can relate, please consider the creative ideas and self-care tips I spell out below. They have helped me in innumerable ways. 

Try them on for size, and let me know in the comments section under this post how it went.

Each helps reverse a self-defeating attitude, lightens things up, and opens our hearts to self-love.

But first, ask yourself ... do you think self-love is a selfish characteristic? 

Read the wise words of Andrea Brandt PhD, MFT, who is a therapist in private practice in CA. Her insights about self-love are right on. The quote below is shared with her permission.

“Self-love means having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. Self-love means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. 

Self-love means not settling for less than you deserve.”

She continues, "Self-love means giving yourself what your body, brain, and soul needs for the marathon that is life. 

It isn’t hedonism and it isn’t chasing a physical or emotional high. The practice of self-love is the practice of nourishing yourself."

💖

Since February is often thought of as the LOVE month, this post features tips and reminders to help us navigate and celebrate our love relationship with ourselves.

Now on to

Creative Ideas to Help Us Open Our Hearts to Self-Love!

Harness Color Energy. 💖

When we are mindful of the colors we choose to look at, wear, or surround ourselves with, we can absorb their color energy for our good. 

Colors bypass thinking and interact with us at the cellular level.  Envisioning certain colors is an easy way to convert negative to positive thoughts, balance or inspire passion, and influence us to act kinder and more compassionately with ourselves. 

Most of us are aware that Valentine colors are usually RED, PINK, and WHITE. There are several reasons this is so.

RED is the color of heart health, passion, excitement, enthusiasm, love, courage, fire, and Valentine's Day. Red speeds up metabolism and energizes us. Women may enjoy accessorizing with bright red shoes and purse, and men can don a red cap or tie to get pep and pizazz with red.

Here's what I mean. Debbie Ross from Debbie Styles Life shows us Subtle Ways to Incorporate Valentine Colors into Wardrobes.

PINK is a nurturing, supportive color, one that instinctively reminds us of warm feelings, unconditional love, and gentleness. 

Pink is red and white combined. This mix provides a helpful balance of male and female energies. Pink can reduce stress and exudes a gentle healing energy. 

We can use this sweet color to nurture ourselves, and calm us, and decrease loneliness. More about this color here.

Perhaps WHITE attracts us. It is an empowering color, one we can use to visualize white light around us. 

Its energy is cleansing, healing, protecting, and raises consciousness by helping support a spiritual connection.

Envision white for a sense of security, or buy white roses to represent self-love that is pure and steadfast.

When we wear white or lounge on white pillows or blanket, think of devotion.

We can use a white crystal called selenite in our homes or hold a selenite wand in front of our bodies. White has many rejuvenating and mystical properties.


Be Good to Ourselves. 💖

Wholesome self-care includes eating meals that consist of nourishing whole food, and getting regular exercise. 

It includes pursuing interests and work that makes us feel enthusiastic about life, getting adequate rest and sleep, and making time for people and things we love. 

Many of us find that contributing to a greater good, and creating a place of stillness inside ourselves (with prayer, meditation, yoga, or other healing practices) are lifestyle choices that help nurture us.

Each prepares us better to cope with critical, judgmental people and a sometimes harsh world. 

Look in the mirror each day and affirm  I love my mind, body, and spirit exactly as it is.

List our strong points/assets and our shortcomings/ vulnerabilities. Accept them all just for today.

Note personality traits with lovingkindness. These characteristics have gotten us this far and deserve a thank you.

If our self-confidence level is low, be proactive and do things to help us change our beliefs about self-worth. 

Be willing to increase skills by enrolling in courses, apprenticing, and trying out new things. 

It's never too late to increase our knowledge about topics we know little about, and an excellent way to find new passions. 


Make it a priority to cherish ourselves by admitting everyone has qualities that make them unique and special. Since we are all part of the human race, we all qualify. We are ALL GOOD ENOUGH. 

A word of caution. Maintain personal values, ethics, and morals. Refrain from people pleasing to get ahead or be "liked." We need to get validation by being honest, honoring our truths, and loving ourselves. 

Being true to ourselves is the best policy for self-love and life satisfaction. 

When we need motivation to be more self-compassionate, say affirmations, get support from people who recognize our goodness. and hang out with people who bring out the best in us. 

When it seems as though we don't like who we are, imagine we are a beloved child, grandchild, or dear friend. How would we treat them? Then just treat ourselves that way. 

Take a moment to applaud and appreciate even the smallest forward motion. 


Take additional moments scattered throughout the day to observe whether we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. These are times to HALT.

Forgive ourselves for past mistakes. Learn from slips-ups and use them as stepping stones for personal growth. 

Journal to open our hearts more fully to self-love. Write, draw, or color in a guided journal to discover simple ways to take tender loving care of ourselves. 

See details about the self-care journal I wrote and published, Colors of Joy: A Woman’s Colors of Joy: A Woman's Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss. For book reviews read this.

Colors of Joy presents self-care tips and exercises in an easy to read, attractive journal format. 

An added feature of the journal is a section that has been written by Kay Lesh, PhD, a family counsellor and educator, to illustrate how the psychological aspects of colors, affirmations, and journal writing can help you.

Colors of Joy highlights guided journal exercises, color-coded activities, and affirmations you can do at your own pace. Each journal prompt supports you as you learn effective ways to evolve and grow.

Grab your copy of Colors of Joy, and journal in its colorful pages to boost energy, enhance well-being, and spark delight in daily living. 

Order it Now!

Thank you for the visit. Wishing all my dear friends, family, and blog viewers a wonderful month this February. Before you go, please comment below. 

If you like what you see, please reshare on social media and provide a link back to this post.

Here are some possible things to comment about:

What ideas do you like or use to improve self-care?

Where do you still need work?

Did you know low self-esteem is a learned habit and can be unlearned? What do you think about that?

What steps have you taken to help improve your opinion of yourself?

This post was written for information and entertainment purposes only. If you need or want medical or psychological advice, consult with a professional provider.

This post has been shared at midlife-share-the-love-party-102

This post has been shared at unlimited-monthly-link-party-9

This post has been shared at a-themed-linkup-10-for-all-things-love-and-valentines-day

Phenomenal Reasons Yoga Enhances Health

There is a growing body of evidence to validate yoga's health benefits. According to a 2017 national survey one in seven U.S. adults have started to do yoga in the past 12 months, and the numbers are rising. 

This low impact fitness/lifestyle practice has been adopted by two billion people around the world, because "it works!" 

An all-inclusive yoga program detoxes and conditions mind, body, and spirit. It combines strength training, stretching, balance,and toning poses called asanas, with breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation. 

Want to Know What OM Means?

Phenomenal Reasons Yoga Enhances Health

increases flexibility and tones body

creates muscle strength 
improves respiration, energy, and vitality
helps balance metabolism and hormones
nurtures mindfulness

raises body awareness

contributes to cardio and circulatory health

improves coordination and athletic performance

helps improve balance and protect against injury

reduces muscle tension, body aches and strain

reduces inflammation

relieves stress

improves power of concentration with calming effect

may help alleviate anxiety, depression, and insomnia 



boosts self-compassion

helps promote healthier eating habits

 supports weight reduction goals

provides motivation to exercise more regularly

encourages substantial longevity benefits

enhances overall wellness and life satisfaction

Those who maintain an ongoing yoga practice, notice it improves their physical condition. It also helps them release stress and psychological challenges more effectively than before they started doing yoga. 

Note: It's advisable and user friendly to take several classes in a yoga studio with a certified yoga teacher, before embarking on a home practice. 

Proper body alignment is an important element of a safe, succesful plan. 

This post is intended for informational purposes. See a health care professional for medical attention. Before starting a new physical activity, check with your health care provider.

Do you do yoga, and how does it help you? Please share in the comments section below. 

If you haven't tried yoga yet, will you consider it? Please share your answer below.

I encourage you to take steps to learn how to do yoga. It's been a valuable part of my self-care routine for close to forty years.

We love to read your comments and respond, so please write a few words below.

We appreciate social media shares as well. Please provide a link back to this post, when you do. 

Thanks for the visit and ...

This post has been shared at wellness-weekend-01-2020-warming-up

This post has been shared at midlife-share-the-love-party-99

This post has been shared at unlimited-monthly-link-party-8