Green Options

Lentils are fantastic little legumes, packed with soluble fiber, folate, and magnesium. In addition to their nutritional qualities, they are also quite inexpensive. Most chain grocery stores should have lentils, and Whole Foods type establishments and your local Organic Co-op have them available in bulk, making them even cheaper and helping to stretch your food dollars.

I usually sneak a handful lentils into a variety of dishes including chili, soups, and casseroles, where they easily blend in with no fanfare. Often lentils serve as a side dish, but in this recipe they’re the main attraction. Assemble the following ingredients and you’re off.

• Carrot chopped
• Small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup dry lentils
• 14-16 ounces of veggie broth (or chicken broth if you don’t need it to be vegan/veggie)
• 1 Cup water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Do you ever have an insatiable craving for a delicious, summery burger — but don’t want the autolyzed yeast extract and soy protein isolates contained in many commercial veggie patties? There’s no need to go without!  You can make your own grain-free version using just a handful of healthy ingredients. Organic french lentils and fresh portobello mushrooms combine to make a nutritious, mouthwatering vegan burger.