Recipes and Beautiful Days

Today I woke up, and it was still kind of dark out.  I felt even grumpier than I usually do at 6:30 AM and didn't feel like going on a bike ride.   Mostly because getting ready to bike is such an ordeal.

Running?  You just put on shorts and a shirt and shoes.

Biking?  Pain in the butt to get out there.  "OMG ARE THE TIRES INFLATED. Do I have my phone, where are my sunglasses, do I have a tube, where are my gloves"....and...ya get the idea.  

But I haven't biked much this week so I forced myself to pull it together and go.  Also, I got new shorts and wanted to wear them.  :)

And Ooohhhmaaahhh y'all.  Very seldom do I have those moments where I'm not in the mood for working out and I get out there and feel like all is right with the world, but I did this morning.  

It rained all day yesterday (I realize this is only an event for So. Cal. and the Sahara, but it's a big deal here).  And today, it was crisp, and clear and amazingly beautiful.   The cool air rushed by me (as did the fast road biking dudes) and I felt great.  Hello fall!   

I also wanted to share two recipes, Lentil Soup, and Snickerdoodles.  And no, they have nothing to do with each other.  I think think they are good stuffz and wanted to share. 

  

Lentil Soup

Why is it good? This is a mid-week go to meal for me.  My parents used to make a similar version when I was growing up.  And now that I'm a grownup (in age), I'm makin' it too! 

Basically I'll eat it for lunch three days in a row.   No, it will not blow your culinary senses, but it is pretty good while being ridiculously easy, cheap, and healthy.   It could also easily be vegan if you use veggie broth.  

You'll need:  

8 oz. lentils.

2 cups chicken broth (I use low sodium...it's overpowers less)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup diced or crushed tomatoes (depending on whether you want tomato chunks or a tomatoey broth)

Lemon or Lime Juice

Jalepeno or 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (to taste..be careful if you don't like it spicy)

2 cups water

Any other veggies you really like.  I don't like onions but I realize the rest of the world does.  

Black Pepper

For most soups, you're supposed to put stuff in in a particular order, but honestly for this soup, it doesn't really matter unless you're adding veggies that take more than 20 minutes to cook. Just put it all in a soup pot, and turn to high.   When the soup starts to boil, turn the heat down to simmer and put the top on the soup.  

Basically cook until the lentils are tender (usually 20-30 minutes), but keep an eye on the soup to make sure there is enough liquid.  Add more water if too much evaporates.  

Enjoy!  And now that you've eaten a healthy meal, here's your desert.  

Snickerdoodles

I got the recipe here: Snickerdoodle Cookies.  This is a cookie that is lighter and puffier than most cookies.  Which is what makes it fun and delicious.  Only change I made is I used lemon juice instead of cream of tartar.  Apparently they are interchangeable!  The internetz teach me something new every day!  

Bon Appetit!