"Love It" Lentil Soup Recipe

I changed the name from "Hearty" Lentil Soup to "Love It" Lentil soup because this is a recipe that is wonderfully healthy for you and also VERY, VERY delicious. It has been "tested" on my own children, and several of their friends with the very same results: "Can we have some more?!!!" I hope you will have the same amazing results that I have had when you make it for your family!

Ingredients:

2 Celery Ribs, thinly sliced
1 Med. Onion, chopped
1 Garlic Clove, minced
2 TBS Olive Oil
6 Cups Water
1 Can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
3/4 Cup Dry Lentils, rinsed
3/4 Cup Pearl Barley
2 TBS Chicken Bouillon granules
1/2 TSP Dried Oregano and 1/2 TSP Dried Rosemary
1/4 TSP Pepper
1 Cup Thinly sliced carrots
1 Cup Shredded Swiss Cheese (Optional - I have never included this)

What To Do:

In a large stock pot saute onion, celery and garlic in oil until tender. Add water, tomatoes, lentils, barley, bouillon and spices; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until lentils and barley are almost tender. Add carrots and simmer for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese.

8 Servings

Preparation "H"

Ever heard of Preparation H? Most people have...but this is a different kind, although it does have some similarities. For instance, it is sometimes embar"ass"ing to talk about and it can cause a fair amount of anguish. I'm talking about being prepared to "take on the day". For some people, this is a piece of cake. For others, myself included (this is where the "H" comes in - it stands for my last name) this is something that does not come naturally...AT ALL!!! I'd like to share a bit of what I have learned, in hopes that I can help to make your life just a wee bit easier, to take some of the stress of everyday life away and give you some much needed "me" time! I have learned sooooooo much through a very helpful website: http://www.flylady.net and I just cannot say enough about it. Take 15 minutes and just check it out. There are step by step instructions to establishing routines, dividing your house into zones for ease of housework, great suggestions for decluttering and getting rid of hotspots (those little areas, we all have them...that just seem to collect piles of junk - for me, this is the top of the washer and dryer), the "Weekly Home Blessing" (set the timer for 10 minutes for each task: vacuuming, dusting, washing floors, etc.) This is just the tip of the iceburg - you can also subscribe to receive FREE e-mail reminders about the zones for the week, hotpot fire drills and even a reminder to get to bed early so you can take care of your family. Did I mention it was FREE!!! Yehaaaaa! I Love free stuff!!! For myself, I have seen how much smoother the day goes when I do a few simple things before I go to bed, like setting the breakfast table, laying my clothes out and leaving the kitchen tidy. There is nothing worse than getting up in the morning to a messy kitchen - especially when you know you won't have time to tackle it before taking the kids to school. Something else that has been an amazing help is planning my meals one week at a time. I generally sit down on Sunday night with my daytimer and pencil in meals for the week and make up my grocery list at the same time. This takes so much stress out of the day. I don't have to waste anytime trying to think up meals and when I go grocery shopping I save money by sticking to my list - only buying what I have to, plus maybe a couple of items for the pantry (a well stocked pantry is a must!!!). When I cook, I sometimes like to make a big batch of whatever it is for freezing - for those times when we're just having too much fun as a family to stop and make supper. What about "taking time for me" you ask? If you're like me, you may at times feel guilty for a little bit of this "me time" - you haven't spent much time with your kids, there's still heaps of household chores to finish - but have you ever noticed how refreshed and energized you feel even after a 15 minute siesta? Give your kids the heads up - let them know what's going on and then "retreat". When you come back a new momma,they'll be so happy that they let you be, they'll be begging you to take those little breaks more often!!! Some other advice that I have been wanting to implement is getting up at least 15 minutes before your kids - this is a huge struggle for me, even though I can see it's validity and the times I have tried it have been the most amazing stress free mornings.
So, grab some "Preparation H" - there's no BUTT'S about it - you'll be glad you did!

Are You Under Your Umbrella?

I just finished listening to Dennis Rainey on Praise 106.5 and I was so blessed - just have to share! Maybe blessed isn't the best word to describe it....maybe majorly convicted would be more like it. Let me explain. Dennis talks about "being under your umbrella." By this he means (in a nutshell)doing what it is that you do best (or what God has called you to do) no matter what temptations come your way. For me, this would be a financial temptation. I have been a stay at home mom 8 years now. My youngest will be entering school full time in just a few short weeks. Shouldn't I be going back to work now? I have been struggling with this for quite some time. Deep down, I really would be quite content if I never donned the doors of a workplace again. But there is that sneaky little voice (or Pier 1 Imports flyer!) that every once in a while chimes in with all sorts of wonderful purchases I could be making if only I was contributing financially to our household -and my husband hadn't just started a new job!!!). This brings me back to "doing what I do best" and for me at this season of life, it is being a mom and wife - to be sidetracked from this most important calling - would be sin, because that is not what I have been called to do. James 4:13-17 is an excellent passage that talks about our lives "being a mist" (I like the translation that says vapour - for me it gives a more fleeting visual, we have incessant mist here where I live!), and how we need to be making every second count. The passage ends by saying: "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." Are you under your umbrella? Here's the link if you'd like to catch the whole program:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/FamilyLife_Today/archives.asp?bcd=6/12/2007