Savvy Brown » Health Archive

Yes To Blueberries Smoothing Cleanser Review

Savvy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:23:38 +0000

Every now and then, I like to switch up my beauty routine, just so my skin doesn’t build up an immunity of sorts to what I’m doing. So, although my Homemade Morning Routine and My Nighttime Skin Reggie were working ok, I decided to change things up a bit.
I tried out some less than stellar makeup recently, and the ingredients made me break out a bit. After that, I noticed that the black soap I normally use seemed to be irritating my already enflamed skin. Time to find a more gentle cleanser.

After searching the web, I came across the Yes to Blueberries line. (First carrots, then cucumbers, now blueberries. Who knew?) Apparently blueberries are natural anti-oxidants, which are good for someone with skin in my…um…age range. ahem

Yes To Blueberries Age Refresh Smoothing Cleanser, 4.5 Ounce ($9.95)

Ingredients: water, vaccinium cyanococcus (blueberry) juice, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), ethylhexyl palmitate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, beeswax, glycerin, glyceryl stearate citrate, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, cetearyl alcohol, xanthan gum, phenethyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, glyceryl caprylate, fragrance.

The first thing I noticed with this cleanser is that it doesn’t really lather up much, (proof that there’s no surfactants in it. Yay!) and it actually feels more like lotion that soap.

The second thing I noticed is that if you use this product as directed. It doesn’t really work. When I wet my face and apply it, because of the amount of oils in it, it just kind of slides around, not really cleaning anything.

Hmmm.

The next day, I try something different. Instead of wetting my face first, I apply the product all over my dry skin like cold cream. Then, taking a damp washcloth I wipe it all off. All my makeup comes off easily and my skin is left feeling well moisturized and very, very clean.

Aha!

So, the verdict is. I really like this product. After using it for about a week, my skin feels great. I always use toner afterwards and then moisturizer. But I really like it. You just can’t use it like it says on the container is all.

RATING: 4 Smart!* – Great product, great ingredients, great price.

You can find this product in the Savvy Shop.

*Savvy Ratings: 5=Savvy 4=Smart 3=Suitable 2=Satisfactory 1=Stupid

Review: Amazing Botanicals Pumpkin Pomade I actually met Shelley, one of the creators of the...
Review: Shea Moisture Organic Shea Butter Shampoo I kept passing this stuff whenever I was at Target,...
Review: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Mop Our house is over 100 years old, and the oak...

DIY Workouts on a Budget

Savvy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:06:44 +0000

One of my New Year’s Resolutions (like half the country) is to shed a few pounds. But another New Year’s Resolution is to stick to a budget! A third New Year’s resolution is to keep things simple. That’s means I’m not going to pay for a gym membership that I will barely use, I will take exercise seriously, but I’m not spending half the day doing it. What I have been doing lately is a combo of cardio on my elliptical machine at home, along with a series of DIY workouts I’ve cobbled together from my new favorite hangout Pinterest. I’ve actually been doing twice-daily workouts of at minimum, 25 minutes, and usually max 40 mins.

I really don’t have a lot of time (or money) I can spare right now, so this works for me.

So far, this method, along with eating healthier, keeping a food diary and counting calories I’ve been able to drop about 5 pounds since the beginning of the year. Yaaay!!

So here’s what I do:

In the morning I do ONE of the following workouts:

Level 2 or 3 of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred – It’s like 22 minutes of P90X or Insanity but it’s less reps, without all the screaming…and like $200 cheaper.

OR I do a combo of one of the following workouts for 25 minutes:

Then in the evening, when I get back from work, I “wind down” by watching one of my favorite shows for 30 mins straight on the elliptical machine going at a moderate pace, or, if I have the energy, rolling hills or intervals.

That’s it! I’ve been doing this method at least 5 times a week since December and right now it’s working for me, because I totally have exercise ADD. I get bored easily, and I really need to mix things up in order to stay motivated. Also, even when the workout gets hard, I keep going, cuz I’m like “It’s only 20 minutes, come on!” I happen to already have free weights and an elliptical machine), but if you’re really on a tight budget, just start by doing one of the calisthenic workouts above.

But GET MOVING!

My goal is to lose 20 pounds by July. Wanna see my before pictures?

Nope. Not gonna happen. Nice try though.

For more workout ideas, check out my Workout Page on Pinterest. (Check back often, I find new stuff all the time!)

My gear:

Eco Workout Mat

Free Weights

Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred
Elliptical Machine

What’s your budget DIY workout?

(Oh, and if you want to join Pinterest, just leave me a comment below with your email address, and I’ll send you an invite!)

12 Ways to Fight the Holiday Crazies Don’t let the holidays make you crazy, broke or gain...
Simple Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Recipe This is a great weeknight dish to make and is...
Sweet Vegan Cornbread I’m always looking for recipes that can make enough to...

12 Ways to Fight the Holiday Crazies

Savvy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:30:20 +0000

Don’t let the holidays make you crazy, broke or gain 30 pounds. That’s just putting more pressure on those New Year’s Resolutions you never keep. Here’s 12 ways to stay sane this holiday season with out breaking the bank, (or your cousin’s arm).

Shop online – There’s absolutely no reason to stand online for hours on end and fight the holiday crowds anymore. Not when just about everything we own can be ordered online. So save yourself the headache and cybershop this season. You easily find coupons for kinds of items at sites like Retail Me Not, Coupon Cabin, Current Codes, DealCatcher
Regift – Got a gift from someone already that doesn’t suit you but would be perfect for a co-worker? Regift! The only time this is not a good idea, when the original giver is present when you make the exchange.
Gift Cards – Have and uncle that needs everything but wants nothing? Yep. Time for a gift car. Some of the most generic to choose from are at Amazon. Check out Savvy Amazon Gift Cardsfor simple, last-minute gift giving.
Gift Yourself first – Don’t go crazy with this one. But don’t forget about yourself this holiday season. And it doesn’t need to be a physical gift either. How about getting a massage after a day of shopping? Or giving your self a facial and a bubble bath the evening before you visit the family.
Just Walk Away – Only friends and family can drive us that special brand of crazy. Don’t participate in negative behavior from attention seeking people. Walk away from arguments, ignorant, mean and (especially) drunk people. It’s not worth it and the anger alone will take years off your life. The best revenge? Live longer.
New Year’s Cards – Many of my friends and clients don’t celebrate Christmas, and I got tired of running around like a crazy person trying to get Christmas cards out in time. Now I just send out little notes that say “Happy New Year” and I mail them all the first week of January. much.less.stressful.
Get Creative – Just because a gift is handmade does NOT mean that it has to look like your child’s 3rd grade art project. (Which is genius by the way!) Use your crafty skills to make some great gifts this season. Knit, crochet, sew, give recipes or even things like cookies in a jar. Not crafty? You can still DIY gifts
Group Host a Party – These tough financial times can really stress you out. But you’ve gotta see your friends right? Well group-host a party, or have a potluck between Thanksgiving and Christmas or between Christmas and New Years so that the “day of” holiday pressure is off.
Eat Smaller Meals – Invited to a bunch of dinner/office parties? Don’t wanna go broke? Don’t want to gain 40 pounds over the holidays? Order smaller portions at dinner like a side dish or an appetizer. And drink a TON of water. Better yet. Eat dinner at home before hand and make your favorite low-cal dessert for yourself when you get home.
Get Sleep – This really is of vital importance to keep your immune system running at its optimal best. It’s a great way to handle stress, so if you’re not at a party, then get some rest, so that you can be.
Workout – Don’t wait until the New Year to get fit. This is the best stress reliever ever. What I’ve been doing is squeezing in two 20 minute workouts a day for no longer than 20 minutes. I workout with Jillian Michaels in the AM, then after work, I hop on my elliptical machine and watch one of my favorite shows. I can’t seem to spare an hour in my day, but 20 minutes I can do.
Volunteer - Don’t cook. Don’t clean. Don’t worry about your dad putting the silver-edged wedding china in the microwave (ahem). Go out and help someone else, and then catch up with friends or family later for a quick visit.

Review: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Mop Our house is over 100 years old, and the oak...
Simple Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Recipe This is a great weeknight dish to make and is...
10 Green, Frugal Last-Minute DIY Holiday Gifts (that they’ll actually like) 1. Brown Sugar Body Scrub – this can be made...

Guest Post: “Five Reasons To Exercise”

Savvy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:41:51 +0000

Fellow blogger Elizabeth Mitchell, is a Healthy Lifestyle Consultant, Fitness Trainer and author of the blog.thefitnesshustle.com and the website The Fitness Hustle. She was kind enough to be a guest blogger on Savvy Brown this week. Both Elizabeth’s blog and website have some great tips about clean eating, getting and staying fit the healthy way.

“Five Reasons to Exercise”
by Elizabeth Mitchell

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was constantly telling my dad to “stay away from those ribs and chopped pork”. And asking, “How long has it been since you’ve been on that bike?” Years later, he finally took heed to what I was saying (and his doctors) and became active. But it was too late; the heart disease had already taken its toll. He died at the age of 48.

And I think about it often: if he had exercised just a little sooner, eaten better, and taken the right supplements, he might still be here today. There are millions of people fighting the same fight: heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. and they need to be educated on healing themselves.

The reasons to exercise are endless. The thought of stiff joints and sagging arms in 30 years keep me active. Better yet, a weak heart or failing organs are things that are not on my bucket list. Your reasons may be the same or something all together different. Whatever the reason, you are taking charge of your health. And should you be in need of a little motivation to get off the couch, out from behind your desk, or away from whatever is holding you down, check the list below:

Lose Weight
Science has proven repeatedly, that 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week can significantly reduce your weight or help you to maintain a healthy weight. Of course this all comes when combining with a healthy diet and healthier habits. Walking, jogging, dancing, cycling: whatever your vice, get out and get moving!

Gives You Energy
When most people start an exercise program, they complain of fatigue. This is a common symptom when beginning a new, active lifestyle. But do not fear! You will begin to have endless energy to get you through, even your toughest days.

Helps Ward Off Disease
I concern myself with four diseases when assessing a clients health: C.A.D. (coronary artery disease) also known as heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolmia (high cholesterol) and obesity. Exercise helps to erase and prevent all of these and others not mentioned. Repetitive exercise creates a more efficient body, resulting in less efforts by all organs, even in everyday activities.

Lets You Eat More
Yes, it is true. This doesn’t mean however, that you can down a greasy burger and fries after a workout. It does mean that you can eat more of your healthy favorites, because exercise raises your metabolic rate for a period of time, which allows your body to use fats (from the foods you eat) as energy, therefore burning fat at the same time.

Helps Reduce Stress
Exercise has been linked to relieving stress for the following reasons: It increases your brains ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters, endorphins. And exercise helps to boost self-confidence while simultaneously reducing symptoms associated with depressions. Nothing cures sadness better than a 5-mile run first thing in the morning. Or at night.

Elizabeth works tirelessly training and educating her clientele on the benefits of living ‘clean’. She spends her free time cooking, running trails and participating in any activity that helps raise awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle. Elizabeth also works part-time as a visual specialist in a retail store. And when she’s not involved in any of those activities, she enjoys spending time with her family. You can find more information about Elizabeth at her blog: blog.thefitnesshustle.com and her company website The Fitness Hustle.

So run on over and check out her sites people, and show Elizabeth some Savvy love!

Guest Post: Daisy Raybould on The Top 5 Oils For Healthy Beautiful Hair Daisy Raybould has a passion for solving health...
Savvy Guest Blogger: MissLycia! I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know yet another...
Top Ten Healthy Food Myths Dr. Dae is BACK folks. This time with some timely...

Savvy’s On the Kinky Hair Chick Show!

Savvy — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:45:53 +0000

If you have natural hair, or you are striving towards natural living you should definitely check out Kinky Hair Chick. Lily Ashe has tips on hair, eco-freindly fashion, green product reviews and her very own podcast! Lily interviewed me for her podcast last week. I talked about some of the natural recipes and hair ideas I’ve shared here on Savvy Brown as well as what propelled me to make healthy changes in y life. Check it out by clicking the link below!

Click here for the interview.

The Savvy Brown Kinky Curly Giveaway! This contest is over folks, thanks for participating! Here it...
Savvy’s on The Nappturalite Radio Show Tomorrow! Hey folks! I’m going to be on the Nappturalite Radio...
Savvy Mailbag: “Help With Hair Growth” Here’s a message that landed in my inbox a few...

My Visit to Georgia, NY

Savvy — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:33:59 +0000

I was SO excited last Thursday when I was invited to the “We Only Blog With the Best” Event at the Georgia NY Boutique in the Nolita section of Manhattan along with fellow fab greenie blogger Yoli Ouiya.

Georgia NY is a great little boutique and spa that specializes in mostly natural/green products for hair and skin. It’s the brainchild of Jodie Patterson (the store is named after her daughter Georgia), and Kiara Ellozy. They sell many products that you’ve already heard me talk about like Aubrey Organics, Carol’s Daughter, Jane Carter, and Oyin Handmade just to name a few. They also sell KO (KnockOut) Nail Polish which is cruelty-free and comes in those cool “matte” looks. Georgia also has their own skincare product line called Georgia by G and Company that has all-natural ingredients. You can also purchase these products online. Don’t be put off by some of the boutique prices. Most of their items can be purchased for $20 or less. (I’ll be reviewing a product or two in an upcoming post.)

Georgia also has a little salon in the back where they do ALL TYPES of hair, including super-curly 4a, 4b hair (like mine). In fact they were highlighted in a video on Daily Candy last year. Check it out here. (You have to join DC to watch it, but it’s free). Georgia NY also has a great blog called “All Things Beautiful” with all kinds of tips, tricks and insight on the products they carry and thoughts on how to be beautiful naturally. If you’re in New York, or are coming to visit, check ‘em out!

Georgia New York
89A East Houston Street
(between Elizabeth and Bowery)
New York, 10012
646 827-2428
support@georgiany.com

Georgia NY website

Georgia NY on Facebook

Georgia NY on Twitter

Have you ever been to Gerogia New York? What products have you tried?

Hair Product Review: Oyin Handmade “Juices & Berries” Leave-In Conditioner So during my visit to Georgia NY, I was happy...
Review: Wonder Curl Butter than Love My girl Scarlett is back with some new products in...
Review: Trader Joe’ Tea Tree Tingle Condish I know I’m like the last person to try using...

Savvy Guest Blogger: MissLycia!

Savvy — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:20:10 +0000

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know yet another fabulous blogger, MissLycia and her fabulous healthy blog alldaynatural.com Her motto is “Body.Mind.Spirit…Redefined”. Her blog is all about being healthy and nurturing to ourselves and has some great tips, tricks and recipes to help you get there. She was nice enough to answer a few questions and give us some advice for us in this timely guest post…

1. What inspired you to start All Day Natural?

In the last few years, I developed a reputation among friends and family as the resident advisor for all things natural—from hair to diet to an overall wholistic lifestyle. They would often ask me for advice and tips on improving their health. I felt overjoyed when I was able to witness the positive changes in my loved ones’ lives, but mentally and physically. It inspired me to share my natural nuggets of advice with the virtual world.

2. . What inspired your natural lifestyle?

Ironically, I would say that the catalyst was my hair. When I started to grow my hair naturally, I began to reflect on not only what I put on my hair, but also on my skin and in my body. I started doing research on whole foods and alternative health, as well as attending classes and workshops. As I gradually progressed towards a healthier lifestyle, adopting a vegetarian diet and using all natural products, I began to notice dramatic changes in my hair, body, even in my mental state of being. To this day, my interest in natural living has continued to evolve. I am fortunate to learn a lot from my readers and other naturalistas in the blogosphere.

3. What are some budget-friendly ways for us to make healthy diet changes?

A lot of people think that you have to spend a fortune to eat healthy, but it is easier than you think! The first thing I would suggest is to learn to cook, or alternatively, find a friend that knows his or her way around the kitchen. J It is much less expensive to prepare your own meals than to spend twenty dollars a day (or more) eating out. You can find an array of healthy recipes on the web—including Savvy Brown’s tasty creations! I share recipes on my blog and make sure they are appetizing, yet easy to make. I would also recommend shopping at farmer’s markets to find, economical, local foods, and even growing your own food in a backyard or terrace garden. Finally, for those who think that healthy food is not worth the cost…think about how much you’ll save in medical bills in the long term!

4. What is one of your favorite recipes?

Every time I think I have a favorite food, I find another dish that I fall in love with! Right now, my go-to recipe is Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Nut Cream. The basic ingredients are spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. The nut cream consists of pine nuts, onion and garlic. It is simple to prepare, and I bring it to every family event. It’s a hit!

5. What is alternative medicine? And why do you think it’s important?

Alternative medicine is considered to be any healing method that falls outside of the norms of conventional, Western forms of treatment. Why is it important? I know of people who take tons of medication daily, and the side effects of these medications are far worse than the cure! I have seen firsthand, loved ones with chronic conditions—some very severe—whose symptoms have been alleviated by alternative medicine, when traditional approaches have been futile. I think that modern society has developed an over reliance on chemical substances and forgotten that our body has amazing inherent healing powers of its own. Practices like acupuncture, meditation, chiropractics, and massage therapy help to restore our body’s balance, which fosters natural healing. I will be exploring these and other forms of alternative medicine on my site in upcoming months.

6. Do you have any more tips for my readers?

Yes, adopting a healthy lifestyle is a process. Don’t feel like you have to make a dramatic overhaul when adopting changes. Think about small steps, for instance, if you have a daily Starbucks fix, cut out caffeine for a few days and see how you feel. If you want to get fit, take a walk once a week after work. These seemingly minor changes eventually make a big difference.

Also, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a support system. Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle can be intimidating. It helps immensely if you have people in your life that will support you and hopefully even join you along the journey.

Lastly, I want to stress that a natural lifestyle is fun! Making healthy changes should not be boring or painful. Find an aspect of natural living that interests you and explore. You’ll be amazed at the increased vitality and energy you have. As always, stay tuned to All Day Natural and Savvy Brown for tips on looking and feeling your best…naturally.

Thank you so much MissLycia! As always, please check out her blog, comment, subscribe and support!

Here’s where you can find her:

Blog: alldaynatural.com

Facebook: All Day Natural FB Page

Twitter: MissLycia on twitter

Savvy’s First Guest Blogger: EcoKaren Lee! If you’ve followed @savvybrownblog on twitter, almost every week you...
Savvy Mailbag: “Help With Hair Growth” Here’s a message that landed in my inbox a few...
Guest Vlogger: missymistique’s Henna tutorial I mentioned missymistique in my last post My Henna Gloss...

What’s the Problem With Cotton?: Part 1

Savvy — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:51:34 +0000

This is the first of a series of posts about cotton, how it’s cultivated, how it’s harmful to the environment and to us, and some options on what we can do about it in our everyday lives.

How cotton is harvested..

50 years ago cotton-growing involved sustainable techniques, was not harmful to the environment and the surrounding wildlife, and did not deplete resources or create a health hazard. There’s a big difference between the way cotton used to be cultivated, and the way it is harvested now. Cotton is now considered one of the dirtiest crops to produce. It uses large amounts of insecticides and synthetic pesticides. Some of which were developed as toxic nerve agents during WWII! An example of this is the insecticide Parathion which is 60 times more toxic than DDT. (Check the links below for more info on those two chemicals).

Crop Duster

Conventionally-grown cotton occupies only 3% of the world’s farmland, but uses 25% of the world’s chemical pesticides. These pesticides are routinely sprayed from the air from “crop-dusters”. These highly toxic chemicals can then drift into surrounding neighborhoods, poison farm workers, contaminate air, ground and surface water and cause major eco-system imbalances. The crazy part is, insects always grow resistant to insecticides, so the formulations have to get stronger every year.

During processing, cotton is doused in large amounts of chlorine bleach to make it white. (Oh yeah, cotton is NOT naturally bright white it’s more light beige in color). One of the reasons white cotton starts to get “dull” looking is because the bleach is coming out. (Then we turn right around and add MORE bleach to it!) Even colored cotton fabrics use heavy metal dyes and formaldehyde resins (that’s the “special” ingredient in most “easy care” cotton fabric). It’s no wonder we have such high rates of excema, allergies and respiratory problems!

Genetically Modified Cotton…

As a result of the problems with insecticides and the environment, scientists have developed a type of genetically modified cotton that resists insects that can destroy them. The problem is not only is this cotton harmful to those pests, but it also kills off other types of helpful insects such as monarch butterflies. When GM cotton crossbreeds with weeds, it creates a type of “super-weed” which then requires a strong…you guessed it…pesticide to get rid of it. Also these crops are insect -resistant, but they still need some chemicals to maintain, and those chemicals, like glyphosphate , (the main ingredient in the weed killer “Round Up”) and Bromoxynil have been proven to be harmful to the development of babies and children.

Organic Cotton doesn’t use any of the above tactics and is much cleaner and healthier to produce and to wear. But, as we all know, it’s more expensive. I’ll go into more detail about organic cotton, how it’s made and the reason behind it’s cost in the next post in this series.

Do you use/buy organic cotton?

Pariathon factsheet
DDT factsheet
Organic Cotton info
Genetically Modified Cotton

What’s Wrong with Cotton Pt 2 In Part 1 of this series I talked about what’s...
The Problem With Parabens Parabens are widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and...
What’s the Deal With High Fructose Corn Syrup? Part 2 There’s a current series of TV ads running right now...

Why are Sulfates in toothpaste?

Savvy — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:17:00 +0000

In my post “My Health Turning Point” I linked to a video regarding the dangers of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). I also went into more detail about SLS in “Why I Don’t Shampoo My Hair: Pt.1″.

So I was really surprised when I was brushing my teeth one day and I flipped over my Tom’s of Maine peppermint toothpaste and read that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is one of the ingredients!

I spit it out and ran to my laptop.

Apparently, SLS is used in toothpaste for the same reasons it’s in soap, shampoo, and car de-greasers.

Suds.

We are used to the sudsing action of toothpaste to get our teeth clean, and the ability of those suds to carry food and debris out of our mouth when we brush. SLS is used in toothpaste to emulsify (mix) oil and water based ingredients together.

If putting SLS on your skin is bad, putting it in your mouth is even worse. Apparently, the leading cause of canker sores is SLS in toothpaste. The same way SLS removes grease from car engines and oils from your hair and scalp, it also causes the membranes of the mouth to dry out by removing the oils from the inside of the cheeks, lips and corners of your mouth. (Causing cracked, chapped lips as well). As a xenoestrogen SLS can also be absorbed into the skin inside your mouth and mimic estrogen in your body as well.

A quick/cheap way to clean and whiten your teeth is to mix water, a capful of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda until they make a thick paste. Then dip your toothpaste in and brush away!

There are also several sulfate-free toothpastes on the market today that weren’t around years ago. There are three of them in the Savvy Shop right now! (see link below) I will be doing a review of a few of a couple of those toothpastes soon. PLUS. I’m still researching how to MAKE my own!

Sulfate-Free Toothpaste

Do you use Sulfate-Free Toothpaste? What brand do you use?

12 Ways to Fight the Holiday Crazies Don’t let the holidays make you crazy, broke or gain...
Review: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Mop Our house is over 100 years old, and the oak...
How to Unclog a Drain Without Killing Yourself… I am really scared of the ingredients in things like...

Savvy Mailbag: Green Lentil Soup Recipe

Savvy — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:40:28 +0000

This Meatless Monday contribution comes from subscriber Amanda. It’s a yummy soup that I think I will make tonight! (This should last most of the week!)

Green Lentil Soup Recipe

Ingredients
2 c Green lentils ( I buy in bulk from Whole Foods)
1 large bag spinach – try not to buy baby spinach, larger tougher leaves hold up better in the soup
8 oz sliced mushrooms – optional. I love mushrooms so I put them in EVERYTHING!!
32oz Vegetable Stock – I like Kitchen Basics, also available at WF
2C water
1 large finely chopped onion
4-5 stalks finely chopped celery
1 chopped carrot
2 bay leaves
1 lemon and/or 2-4Twhite wine or champagne vinegar
salt and pepper
olive oil

Directions

I used an enameled dutch oven. Any largish soup pot with a lid will work. I always prep EVERYTHING before cooking. It makes it so much easier.

Wash the lentils in a few changes of water. I wash my lentils in a bowl, pour the water off into another container and use it for my plants instead of dumping down the drain!

Saute the onions, celery, carrot and bay leaves in olive oil over medium high heat. Add the drained lentils, the veggie stock and water.

Bring to a boil, then cover and lower to a simmer. Cook for 30-45 minutes. (add more water if they start to dry out). Once the lentils are tender, add mushrooms, pepper and salt to taste (adding salt before the lentils soften up can make them tough and they take longer to cook). Cook for 5-10 min and then stir in the spinach and cover the pot. Turn off heat and let sit for 5 min.

Once the spinach is wilted, check the seasoning, adjust to taste. The last thing is to squeeze the lemon and/or add a little vinegar – but not too much!! The acid gives the soup a little je ne sais quoi….Like my grandmother used to say, “Delish!”

I hope you’ll try it!

I will Amanda! Thanks! (And for those of you doing Vida Star’s “Life Star Beauty Health and Hair Challenge”, this will give you 2 servings of veggies and 1 serving of water in one sitting!

Simple Red Lentil Curry Recipe Here’s my contribution to Meatless Monday. This is one of...
Savvy Mailbag: Chicken Soup with Yucca I don’t know about you, but here in New York,...
Sweet potato-Coconut Soup YUM! It was rainy and crummy on Monday, so I decided...