Lentil Soup with a Hint of Fruit

A friend of mine, who happens to be a dietician, recently shared this recipe with me. It has become a go-to winter soup for me and my family. I don't know the nutritional value, but it has be low in calories based on the ingredients. Not only does it have to be low in calories but it is inexpensive and easy to make. I usually put the leftovers in the fridge and they make yummy, quick lunches. I'm not sure what the serving size is, so I eat one cup. It is really filling.

2 c. red or brown lentils, rinsed and picked over
8 c. water (maybe more)
2 c. minced onion
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 c. minced dried apricots
1 1/2 to 2 tsp. salt (to taste)
3 to 4 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (or, to taste)
black pepper and cayenne to taste

Optional garnishes: Extra slivers of dried apricot, a drizzle of yogurt, a sprig or two of cilantro or parsley

1. Place the lentils and water in a soup pot or dutch oven and bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat to a simmer, and cook for about 15 minutes. Add the onion, cumin and mustard, and continue to simmer, covered, until the lentils are very soft (about 15 more minutes.) Add small amounts of additional water, if it seems too thick.

2. Add the garlic, apricots, and salt, cover, and let sit for another 15 minutes or so. Stir in the vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne to taste (and correct the salt too, if necessary.) At this point the soup will keep for several days.

Skinnytaste

I'm sure many of you are aware of the blog, Skinnytaste. But if you are not familiar with it, it is amazing! It is full of healthy, delicious recipes. I feel like it is my secret weapon during this competition, but I decided to share. I created a yummy Super Bowl menu, every dish was from Skinnytaste and I didn't feel guilty at all on Super Bowl Sunday. You should also be able to find something delicious and somewhat guilty-free for you and your special someone for Valentines Day.

So, if you have not visited Skinnytaste, do it soon and enjoy!

Revealing Me

Hi, I’m Heather, #6. I’m working on losing my baby weight; my baby is now 15 months, and making healthy eating a habit. My downfalls are acting as my kids’ garbage disposal at meals, unnecessary and unhealthy snacking and anything with sugar and chocolate. Yes, my name is Heather and I AM A CHOCOHOLIC. I enjoy working out and have a set routine, so, like Jenna, working out is not a problem. But strictly working out, not watching my diet more closely, is obviously not doing it for me. I am excited to be part of this competition. My goal is to reach 130 lbs. and anything more than that will be a major bonus!

"Mess" Burger

"Mess" Burger 

Ingredients:

100 grams     Ground Beef/Ground Turkey

1 Large          Tomato

1/2 tsp           Chili powder

1/2 tsp           Onion powder

1/2 tsp           Garlic powder

1/4 tsp           Cayenne

To taste          Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

Preheat grill or frying pan. 

Mix spices and meat together.

Form meat into patties.

Cook until done.

Cut the hamburger patty in half and then

put your tomato in the middle. You can

also add lettuce, onion, cheese, etc. Anything 

else you like on it. This way you avoid the

carbs that come with using a bun. 

I like to prepare the patties and mix it with the spices ahead of time and put them in a zip lock baggie. Then I can quickly throw them on to cook for a fast lunch or dinner. Add a small salad or just a fruit and veggie.

Team Sorenson :)

 Hello, my name is Jenna and I am #3. I'll introduce my husband as well since I'm pretty sure he would never get around to writing a blog post. :) His name is Justin and he is #4.  We both had lost a lot of weight over this past summer and fall. I teach BodyStep at Gold's Gym and I was doing my training and teaching a lot of classes over the summer! We were eating well and feeling great. This is when I started to lose that last bit of my baby weight!! (My baby is almost 2... How long can I blame that weight on my "baby?") This winter we have been a little lazy with our eating habits and I gained about 8lbs and Justin gained about 15. My goal weight is 120-125 and Justin's is 200.  We were so excited for this competition to give us that extra motivation to kick it back in to gear!

We have been traveling a lot over the past few weeks so it has been a rough start so far but we have still lost and not gained. Wahoo! But this week we are motivated and ready to do better. Exercising is something that is fun and fairly easy for us to do but eating is where we really need to focus. So here's to some better planning and healthier meals! :)

For the weekend!

I definitely need extra motivation for the weekends!!!!

Do you?

Held Accountable

I competed in a Biggest Loser competition back in September-November of this past year.  It was a group of girls in Twin Falls and it was Erika, the girl that posted below, that invited me to the competition.  I learned quickly in that competition and I'm learning quickly in this competition that being a number and nobody knowing who I am makes me feel less accountable for my progress and for those slip-ups.  I want to respect those that would like to keep their identity as a number.  But, for ME, I do better when everyone knows me and my number and my weight loss (and hopefully not my weight gain)!!!  :)   It makes me feel like I can't hide under the radar!  :)  Because seriously, who wants to put up a number that has gained weight for the week and have everybody know!!!  LOL ...  But, if nobody knows "who" I am, it's easier for me to "slip" by! 

Therefore, for my own progress and motivation purposes, I am revealing who I am and my goal weight.
I am #2.  I started at 179 pounds and my goal weight is 135.  I weighed about 140 prior to getting pregnant with my little Zak Attack and I felt great!  I'd be happy anywhere between 135 and 140!
There you have it!  My darkest and deepest secret!!!!!

If any one would like to "reveal" themselves and if you think it would help you with motivation, please do so!  But, I respect those of you that would not like to.

Hope everyone is having a good week!  I've had a really good week thus far, but the weekend will test me!  We're headed out of town and it's ALWAYS hard for me to eat healthy when I leave town!  There are just so many good restaurants in Utah!!!!  Zuppas and Kneaders CALL MY NAME when I'm there!  So here's to staying strong through the weekend!

Does anybody have any tips or secrets to staying on track when you're staying with other people, not the one cooking, and eating out???  Any tips would be appreciated!!!

And one more thing......
Unless I'm missing something and need new glasses to see better, I sure haven't seen those healthy recipes make their debut on the blog!  C'mon people.....help a girl out!!!!  ;)