Holy crap. It’s October and Wednesday yet again.
Oh how time flies, and let me point out, I literally don’t understand this phrase. I’m still coming to grips with the flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz, so time flying is definitely beyond my comprehension. I also suck at directions. North, East, South, and West continuously befuddle me and I don’t know who the hell ate my soggy Wheaties. Oh wait, no one did because you’re Never to Eat the Soggy Wheaties. Stupid mnemonic devices trapped in my head since childhood, along with flying monkeys.
What I do understand, and totally dig by the way, is our new What I Ate Wednesday theme: Spooky Snacks & Healthy Halloween Treats. Leave it to Peas and Crayons to create a cool and creepy new concept.
It’s almost as if Jenn knows I’m all about healthy fall snacks this week. Maybe she also has psychic abilities, or maybe other people eat snacks too, so her idea isn’t so far-fetched after all. Alright enough monkeying around, let’s get to it.
I’m going to share with you my Sunday eats, and I’m especially excited since I finally got around to checking out PicMonkey. I’m aware most of you are already familiar with this amazingly easy and user-friendly photo editing site, but I wasn’t. Yeah sure, I’ve read about it before and even had it on my list of things to investigate (Oh yes, I investigate things because I am a spy and now I have to kill you).
As of this weekend, I have officially checked PicMonkey off the list. “Celll-eeee-brate good times, c’mon let’s celebrate.” I’m actually mortified by how simple it is to use and how long it took me to look into it, but I’m there now, so hopefully you’re going to see some improvement in my photos. If not, well let’s just pretend then. As an aside, there is nothing wrong with living in a world of pretend and make-believe. It’s fun there: all peace, love, and unicorns.
I actually slept in pretty late on Sunday, which translates to getting up around 8:30 a.m., and that’s just fine by me. I’m a full-fledged card-carrying morning person (ok, I don’t have card, but I’d really like one), and I hate to sleep away my best moments. When I finally did get around to brunch a few hours later, I was looking for something quick and easy (just how I like my men). Fried eggs, fresh fruit, and some Apple Zucchini Spice Muffins, which I had whipped up the day before.
I got the recipe for these muffins from paleOMG, so they are completely flour free, which neither appeals to me, nor bothers me. I’m indifferent on the flourless front; I just know I had some apples and a zucchini, and this seemed like a good way to use them. I wasn’t wrong; the muffins were light and airy and gone in twenty-four hours. Besides, I kind of like the symbiosis of a vegetarian in the midst of Vegetarian Awareness Month borrowing recipes from the meat eaters. See, there’s no reason we can’t all get along. It’s all peace, love and monkeys over here. Sadly no unicorns though.
Alright no more monkey business. It’s back to food, and I can tell you I skipped a proper lunch on Sunday in favor of some serious snacking: Candied Almonds, Peanut Butter Granola Cups, and Pumpkin Cranberry Crunch. Not only did I make all this deliciousness on Sunday, but I had to taste test it too; make sure it’s not poisonous and what have you. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t, since I’m still alive to tell the tale.
Since I snacked my way through Sunday afternoon, I was looking for a more substantial dinner, and it’s safe to say, I delivered (despite all evidence to the contrary, I swear I’m not an egotistical maniac). It started with a fresh green salad with sliced strawberries, candied almonds and blue cheese. My dressing was a touch of olive oil with a dollop of peach balsamic vinegar. The whole thing was refreshingly light and crisp, so I paired it with some torn French Peasant bread and a dipping sauce of more oil and vinegar.
The main course was a nice hearty bowl of stewed lentils with carrots, onions, garlic and tomatoes, all seasoned with curry and a dash of cayenne pepper because I like a little spice in my life, and on my plate, or in my bowl. You get the idea.
I slightly tweaked the recipe I found on Pinterest, which hails from the Shrinking Kitchen. This is another simple dish to make. You chop a couple of things up, throw it all together in a pan, and then hang out for forty minutes while your flavors mingle (it’s like a singles scene) and your lentils cook. You could use the down time to browse Pinterest, check out PicMonkey or make a beautiful salad. Whatever you do with your time, it’s a meal you’ll definitely enjoy and one you’ll want to make again. Plus, lentils are easy and filling, so you can eat right without having to get a second job.
So what are your thoughts on lentils? And monkeys? Have you tried PicMonkey yet, and do you love it like I do?
Stewed Lentils with Tomatoes (Serves 4)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 1/2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed and minced
- 1 large beefsteak tomato, chopped or 1 15 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 2/3 cup red lentils
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
- Add the carrot and onion, cook and stir until the onion begins to brown, about ten minutes.
- Throw the garlic in the pan, cook for an additional minute.
- Rinse and pick over the lentils to make sure there are no stones. 5.
- Add the lentils, tomatoes, water, curry, cayenne pepper, thyme and salt to the pan, bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.
- Remove from heat and let stand for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the vinegar and serve hot.
Jessie says
Loving your picmonkey colleges 🙂 &&& your dinner, oh wow everything about it sounds fantastic!
Meghan says
Thanks Jessie. Happy WIAW.
Eating 4 Balance says
HA. Love all of the monkey references. That last picture just beats all!
And Gilmore Girls… Sometimes I didn’t get what she was saying. But I laughed nonetheless because she is just FUNNY.
Checking out the flourless muffins now…
Meghan says
I loved the Gilmore Girls; I was so sad when that show ended, and I loved the last monkey picture too! Yes, make the muffins. They were really good.
Sunnie@moderngirlnutrition says
Stewed lentils are the best, and their fiber is amazing! Those PB Granola cups look to die for:) Happy WIAw!
Meghan says
Thanks Sunnie; the lentils were really good. So much flavor with the curry and the cayenne. Happy WIAW to you too.
MassachusEATS says
Tasty looking eats as always! And omg I am dying laughing about that monkey prostitute picture hahahah!
Meghan says
Monkey prostitutes are always good for a laugh.
Laura Rees says
PB granola cups. MMMMM. I’m currently having a severe chocolate craving!
Meghan says
These will help those cravings.
Rebecca @ Blueberry Smiles says
Your stewed lentils look delicious- perfect for chilly days
Meghan says
Thanks they were pretty delicious. My first time stewing them too.
Luv What You Do says
Those lentils look awesome! Is there a recipe?
Meghan says
Yep, my modified version is at the very bottom of this post and you can find the original version here: http://shrinkingkitchen.com/stewed-lentils-tomatoes
You should make them; they were incredible easy and really flavorful.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
I am OBSESSED with PicMonkey! I can’t believe I wasted so much time with Google’s Picasa before checking it out…so easy to use and I still can’t get over how many options there are! And it’s all FREE?! Yeah, I get a little excited over the mundane! Plus, I’ve been known to waste half a day editing and RE-editing photos and then not even using them for the blog! Lol
Not a huge fan of lentils…or maybe I should say they’re not a huge fan of me. Insert sad face here. I did recently discover the wonderful world of Beano though (which makes me feel like a total old lady) so I’ve been thinking about giving them another shot. They are pretty tasty!
PS, I TOTALLY cracked up at that last pic! Omg!
Meghan says
Prostituting monkeys is always funny, and picMonkey is off the chain amazing. I can’t get over it or that it’s free.
I’m so sorry about the lentils. Can you do beans or are those a no-no too? No lentils makes me sad.