Slow Cooker - Lentils

I shared this recipe last year but am reposting it in honor of my friend Lisa who just took the Crock Pot plunge. This lentil recipe is easy, healthy, and inexpensive. It takes me about 5 minutes total (including chopping) to prepare. Yummy and quick! Bon Appetite Lisa!

1. 1 bag lentils
   
2. 1 box chicken or vegetable stock
   
3. 1 cup water
   
4. 1 diced onion
   
5. 1 red pepper chopped
   
6. 2 chopped and seeded jalapenos
   
7. palm full or approx. 2 tbls. paprika
   
8. " " " cumin
   
9. " " " chili powder
   
10. minced garlic to taste (heaping tablespoon for us)
    
11. dash of cayenne
    

put in crockpot on low for 6 or high for 4

serve as burrito or taco filling or nacho topper with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream

freezes beautifully

Quote of the Day.....

Eat when you're hungry. Drink when you're thirsty. Sleep when you're tired.

- Buddhist proverb

Corral your Chaos

You can manage to keep pretty organized by utilizing boxes, bins, and such to corral the little things in your home. By keeping like items together it cuts down on clutter and created a less chaotic environment. You also will save time because everything has a home. Below are some pictures from my home on ways I keep the mayhem to a minimum. 

Knitting Supplies kept neatly in a basket by the couch, ready to use at any time

Bedtime potions and supplies

After school snacks and water bottles kept in wine boxes in the pantry

Ipod and chargers in an antique bowl

Resurrecting the Bread Maker

In an effort to practice what I preach I decided that if I did not use my bread maker on a regular basis it would have to go. So I have documented my bread making experience below. I picked up the mix at Whole Foods, it was cheap, healthy, and easy.... No preservatives or high fructose corn syrup, just lots of whole grain goodness... and my house smelt like a bakery.

Here are the pictures:

What appliances do you need to resurrect? Take inventory of what you really use and what collects dust or just takes up space, & decide if you should keep it or pass it on. My vow to you all is if the bread is all gone and the bread maker sits idly by while I pick up a loaf at the market I will pass it on.