FOOD DIARIES: RED LENTIL CURRY SOUP

I have recently made a big change in my life. I have completely changed the way I eat and have lost 12 lbs in the last few months! I wasn't too big but I had that last stubborn 10-12 lbs that just wouldn't budge. Without any excessive exercising, and mostly changing the diet, I have truly transformed my body. I have recently discovered that some of the food groups have been bothering me, such as gluten and dairy. I have always felt tired and weak, even my sleep was terrible. I would wake up 3-4 times a night; and was just unable to get through the day without drinking 4-5 cups of tea/coffee. 

Since I have started my new clean (but delicious) diet, I have never felt better! I sleep like a baby, and wake up feeling refreshed. It keeps my caffeine cravings low which helps me sleep better at night. See how I was stuck in a vicious cycle?! Basically, I have eliminated ALL simple carbs from my diet, and of course no sugar at all, not even honey. On day 3 of this diet I knew I have done something amazing for myself. My skin was "glowing" according to everyone who met me. I was already sleeping better, I felt lighter and had already dropped a pound! I started this journey three months ago and have never looked back.
Having this diet been so successful to me, I have decided to share some of my favorite go-to comfort food recipes. I don't know about you, but I can't do salads for more than a week.I have about a week in a month when I, for some reason, crave salads (odd, I know), but then I want warm comfort food.

{I would recommend speaking to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet}

So, let's start with the Red Lentil Curry, it is easy, fast, and oh so good. This dish is vegan, vegetarian, carb-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and high in protein!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Red Lentils
• 4 cups Water
• 1 tbsp of Turmeric Powder (a MUST)
• Salt to taste (I start with 1.5tsp, then add more if needed)
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds (optional)
• 1/2 chopped Onion
• 2 cloves of minced Garlic
• 1-2 green Chillies (if you like it hot!)
• 2 tbsp Cooking oil (vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil, etc.)

Directions:

• In a medium sauce pan add cooking oil and cumin seeds - Heat: Med-High
• Let the seeds sizzle and slightly brown, then add onion, garlic, chilies.
• Add salt and turmeric and stir - add a splash of water if they start to burn
• Wait 2 mins before adding the lentils and water
• Increase the Heat to High and bring it to boil, then reduce to med-low
• (But, honestly, if you don't have the time, you can get away with throwing all the ingredients in at the same time!)
• Keep heat on Medium, and let it cook for 25 mins

Easy as that. It is delicious and healthy. Garnish with cherry tomatoes or coriander/cilantro leaves.

TIP: Once cooked, you can puree the curry in a blender (once cooled) or with hand blender for a creamy soup look! 

Infused Water

So I have been totally slacking on gym lately...or more like for the last 6 months. I do minor cardio here and there but nothing dedicated, which makes it harder to stick to a schedule. So, now that I am back from a mini vacation, I decided to finally do it. And along with that start eating healthier.

One thing I recently tried is Infused Water. I love the taste of water so I never felt the need to change the taste of it, but this is something I can do. And for a lazy bum like me, it is very realistic habit to stick to! I tried two different types, but it seems you can do pretty much anything you want when it comes to infused water.

Lemon and Mint. Basically 1-2 sclices or lemon and 3-4 leaves of mint per glass. Fill it up with water and leave in the fridge for about 2 hours min, and no more than 8. I find mint gets bitter over time so 2-4 hours is what I liked. It tastes very refreshing, esp on a hot summer day even during a workout!

I was making a smoothie and decided to throw some leftover berried in a glass, following the exact same method. Result: AMAZING! It was like drinking a strawberry shake,  but lighter and healthier. I love the taste of strawberries, so this could be an easy way to trick your mouth into having something "sweet" without all the calories. I know our brains are smarter than that, but hey at least you get some good old antioxidants in your system this way!

So, there you have it. Really simple infused water recipes for beginners. More recipes below.

Image Via Pinterest

Green Bowl: Chapters Indigo

Glass Bottles: Homesense

Straws: Homesense/ Target

Health: Smoothie Madness!!

So I finally purchased my very own Vitamix last month. I was obsessesing over it for a while, well since I went to the Booster Juice after a workout and it just changed my life! I had their "Ripped Berry" smoothie and it was nothing like what I made at home! It was so smooth and beautifully blended, needless to say I became an addict.
Well after doing some math I figured it is better for me to just buy the blender they use and I can make my own crazy smoothie concoctions! And well like I said I did buy one and it is the best purchase ever. Even though it is a bit pricey but to be honest it's worth it, especially for someone like myself who is lazy and I never make time to eat fuits and veggies.
So anyway after i got Vitamix, I found some great recipes online which I would like to share. I am going through the green smoothie phase right now and loving it!

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