Squash, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

This recipe was shared with me from my Weight Watchers meeting leader. I love hearty soups, stews, and chillis and can't wait to make this one. It looks like a great way to get in some savory veggies and healthy carbs and proteins.

Squash, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

From EatingWell: February/March 2006

Modeled on North African stews, this aromatic vegetarian main course can be served over brown rice or steamed spinach.

8 servings / POINTS per serving: 6 / Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 8 hours (including the 1-hour quick-soak for chickpeas)

Ingredients

· 3/4 cup dried chickpeas

· 2 1/2 pounds kabocha squash, (see Note) or butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes

· 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

· 1 large onion, chopped

· 1 cup red lentils

· 4 cups vegetable broth

· 2 tablespoons tomato paste

· 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

· 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 1/4 teaspoon saffron, (see Note)

· 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

· 1/4 cup lime juice

· 1/2 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts

· 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Preparation

1. Soak chickpeas in enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches for 6 hours or overnight. (Alternatively, use the quick-soak method: Place beans in a large pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.) Drain when ready to use.

2. Combine the soaked chickpeas, squash, carrots, onion, lentils, broth, tomato paste, ginger, cumin, salt, saffron and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.

3. Put on the lid and cook on low until the chickpeas are tender and the lentils have begun to break down, 5 to 6 1/2 hours.

4. Stir in lime juice. Serve sprinkled with peanuts and cilantro.

Nutrition

Per serving : 294 Calories; 7 g Fat; 1 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 48 g Carbohydrates; 14 g Protein; 11 g Fiber; 578 mg Sodium; 1029 mg Potassium

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving / Exchanges: 2.5 starch, 1 vegetable, 1.5 lean meat

Tips & Notes

· Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

· Notes: Kabocha is a squash with a green-streaked rind and tender, sweet orange flesh. An average kabocha weighs two to three pounds.

· Considered the world's most expensive spice, saffron contributes a pungent flavor and intense yellow color. It is sold in threads and powdered form.

Put a space in your schedule...

Put a little space in your schedule.


(1) STOP


Take a little time every day to think-not just about what you're doing but also why you are doing it.

(2) PREPARE


Prepare for the "wrecks" of life. Even when things go wrong, planning ahead can help us pick up the pieces and keep moving forward.


(3) ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE


Focus on the good in the situation.


(4) CONCENTRATE


You must discern what your gifts are and what they are not. Say yes to the best, and don't rise up to everything others want you to do.


(5) ENERGIZE


Engage in energy renewing activities. The difference between space and stress is the difference between your limit and your load. If your load and your limit are the same, you need to work on the limit, because sometimes you can't do much about your load.

Source: http://aboveyourcircumstances.nextmeta.com/content.cfm?id=151&blog_id=311

Let's Get Organized:Digital Photo Files

Here is the next part of Southern Living's Easy Ways to Get Organized . If you missed the previous parts, check them out here

Easy Ways to Organize Digital Photo Files

Memories are misty and water-colored, Barbra Streisand sang. Without a photograph to reveal true colors, the way we were becomes muddled in memory. You might even believe that ex-boyfriend looked like a young Robert Redford. (Note to self: He didn't.)

If you're not careful, you can lose all photographic evidence of your life and times. Today too many people see their photos only on a digital camera's tiny screen, a precarious place to be. Good news: It’s easier than ever to set those pictures free and get them in order.

Once you print out your photographs, don't tuck them away in an album on a bookshelf. Fill inexpensive flip books with photos, and set them out in a decorative box. This is a personal alternative to coffee table books. Family and friends won't be able to resist flipping through them.

Make the Case for Style

Print out decorative holders for all of your photo-filled CDs. Organize photos by theme, from parties and holidays to vacations and sporting events. The directions are oh-so-simple (you just need a color printer and adhesive), and the designs are colorful and fun.

No More Lost Photos

Turn a photo album's inside cover into CD storage with simple gel disc hubs from www.5inch.com, a site devoted to disc storage. The small, raised circle has adhesive on one side that sticks to paper or plastic. The hole in the center of the disc will snap in place on the hub. Label your CD, and also mark prints. You can write on the back of the photo or buy a photo album with a memo area. For example, mark the photo Disc 1, Photo 10. Next time you need a reprint of a photograph, you'll know just where to find it on the disc―and you'll know just where to find the disc too.

Go for Picture-Perfect

The best digital prints begin with the appropriate resolution. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your camera to change the resolution settings. Two megapixels is good for 21?2- x 31?2-inch wallet-size photos or album-size prints (4 x 6 inches or 5 x 7 inches). To print 8- x 10-inch photo, you will need images with at least three megapixels.

Photo Display Project Ideas: Downloadable Color CD Templates to Store Photos
* If you are not seeing the image appear in your browser after you click on a link, go to "File: Save As" (located at the top of your browser's commands) and save the file to your desk top. At that point, find the file on your desk top and double-click it. The image should appear.

Fight that Fatigue

Day to day activities can be exhausting, whether it's work, school, daily drama, family issues, etc. Use these tips from Ladies Home Journal to help fight your fatigue and keep yourself from getting overly exhausted.

10 Fatigue Fighters

When you're feeling run-down and exhausted, try one of these methods for an energy -- or attitude -- boost.

By Theresa Tamkins

A Well-Rounded You

You know you haven't run a marathon, climbed a mountain, or even done much more than slog through a giant stack of paperwork -- so why do you feel exhausted at the end of every day? That's the tricky thing about stress: it can make you feel mentally and physically exhausted. If you're so pooped you can't socialize, enjoy hobbies, or participate in activities that make you happy, it's time to reassess. Find the fatigue fighter that leaves you feeling relaxed, refreshed, and invigorated.

1. Exercise. It may seem counterintuitive -- you're so tired you can barely drag yourself home at the end of the day, so why would running a few miles help? The fact is, exercise is one of the best ways to combat fatigue. More movement, not less, boosts energy levels. And you can exercise without leaving the comfort of your own home. Invest in some 8- or 10-pound weights and do some work on your arms while you're watching TV or talking on the phone. Or buy an aerobic workout video and do 20 minutes in the morning for a before-work cardio-boost.

2. Sleep. It sounds simple, but how often are you getting a good night's sleep? If you actually keep a log of your sleep habits, you may find that your late-night puttering is robbing you of precious hours of shut-eye. Set a bedtime for yourself, and stick to it.

3. Healthy diet. Stick to a healthy diet. While sugary snacks and caffeine-laden soft drinks may give you a short-term boost, they will quickly dump you into a low-energy slump. So what should you eat instead? Try dried apricots along with one ounce of almonds for a low-fat energy boost -- this combo snack gives you up to 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A, and 20 percent of your daily iron allowance. Raisins and yogurt, or a fresh peach are some other nutrition-packed snacks that can help you boost your energy levels.

4. Cooling eye mask. Okay, you may feel a little silly, but who cares how you look? These eye masks typically contain a cold-retaining gel. Keep a few in the fridge and pop them on at the end of the day when your eyes are burning from computer glare or throbbing with tension. Look a little funny, feel fantastic.

5. Pounding beat. Put on some music that gets you going. Remember when you could dance until dawn and watch the sun rise? Those days may be long gone, but your old AC/DC album may give you just enough energy to clean the kitchen. Or try an energizing yoga workout to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Wash Your Fatigue Away

6. Astringent. Whether they contain herbal extracts, essential oils, or pore-tightening alcohol, astringents are a slightly tart face wash that are meant to be invigorating and refreshing. Choose your favorite and give it a try. At the very least, you'll smell nice and have squeaky-clean skin.

7. Just say no. To too many commitments, that is. Are you feeling exhausted because you're trying to do too much? It may be time to say no every once in a while. And if the negative is super-hard for you to say, then practice with a qualified yes. As in, "Yes I can serve on the PTA committee, but I can't do it this month. How about next month?"

8. Soak your fatigue away. Take a hot bath -- the warm water loosens tight muscles and cuts stress, leaving you with more energy. A hot soak can erase the day's tensions and leave you ready to face the rest of your evening with a little bit of pep. Plus, it will help you sleep better.

9. See a doctor. If your fatigue is persistent, and you have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, or a loss of interest in your usual activities, you may want to talk to your doctor. Such symptoms can be a sign of depression.

10. Take a walk. Take a break at work or at home. Some fresh air can help clear your mind and fight that foggy feeling. Believe it or not, walking can help you fight off the blues. A recent Duke University Medical Center study found that a quick 10-minute walk may be enough to make clinically depressed people feel better. The study involved a group of inactive, depressed people who were 50 and older. After just eight minutes of walking, 82 percent of them said they felt less tense, tired, and angry.

the positives

LairBarbie @becomingTHEyou My dad's birthday is tomorrow and we had a fun party for him.

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou had a great weekend, met some cool people, and had fun today with my friends at our wine tasting

BedazzlerJay @becomingTHEyou tix purchased for hanson 7/28/10. yay me! :)

sunnysideupb @becomingTHEyou road my bike even though I didnt want to

Soothe Away Your Stress Part 3

If you missed the other parts, check them out here

Here are five more tips from Good Housekeeping's Kate Hanley on how to reduce and soothe away your stress.

Study Yourself:

Ask yourself the following questions, preferably on a daily basis, to develop objectivity on how stress is affecting your life: How did I sleep? What is my mood? How did I respond when something unexpected happened? How does my body feel? Did I have any time to myself? Taking stock in this way can help you see your relationship with stress more clearly, which helps you develop a stress-reduction plan that fits your unique needs.

Homemade Ginger Tea:

Ginger — a brown, knobby root that will never win any beauty awards — is a powerful antistress tool hailed by herbalists for its ability to soothe upset stomachs, alleviate headaches, and reduce inflammation. Create a relaxing ritual out of making fresh ginger tea: Peel 1 inch of fresh ginger root and cut it in to thin rounds. Cover with 2-3 cups of water and boil for 10-20 minutes. Sweeten with honey for a deliciously spicy nighttime soother.

Honey Mask:

Prepare your skin for winter and build a little relaxation time into your day by giving yourself a DIY moisturizing mask. The secret ingredient? Honey. The golden sweet stuff has natural antibiotic properties and leaves skin noticeably softer and moister. Apply about a tablespoon (avoiding the eye area) and rest for 10 minutes as it dries, then rinse with warm water. (Honey can also help blisters heal – use it as you would antibiotic ointment.)

Detox with a Twist:

Help your body recover from the eating extravaganza with a simple twist that encourages elimination. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor, and arms straight along the floor at shoulder level. Pick your feet up and drop your legs to the floor on your left. Look at your right hand, or, if this isn’t comfortable on your neck, at the ceiling. Take 5 deep breaths, then switch sides.

Uncork a Bottle of Whine:

Talking about your problems can seem unproductive. But vocalizing your thoughts about things that are bothering you is actually a great stress release — it gets what’s troubling you out of your head so you can stop dwelling and start moving forward. Make a date with a friend to take turns venting. When you’re the listener, don’t commiserate or offer advice. Just be an attentive audience. If you don’t want to vent to someone else, write in your journal.

Friday Follower

Yesterday's Friday Follower was @lizek316

dbackscynthia @becomingTHEyou We love, love, love @LizeK316 because, in case someone didn't know, she's an awesome singer. But not only that.....

dbackscynthia @becomingTHEyou @LizeK316 is beautiful, super friendly, a good tour guide ;), good pillow-talker, and not to mention.....


dbackscynthia @becomingTHEyou @LizeK316 also has great taste in music, and, oh yeah, boys! She's just an all around fun time :) Love her!

SunnySideUpB @becomingTHEyou she is always soo positive and happy! <3

CaraLikeWhoa @becomingTHEyou the fact that she is the easiest person to talk to. She has the biggest and kindest heart. And is fantastic friend.

LairBarbie @becomingTHEyou Ok catching up from computer problems. She is awesome, funny, sweet, a blast at concerts & always entertaining to yak with!

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou she's so down to earth and fun to talk to...such a great listener and a real sweetheart and true friend