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I could not stop thinking about my mom’s cooking growing up and her ever lasting use of lentils. I was seriously craving something filled with lentils and ready to soothe and spice up my soul on a cold winter day. I love thick and chunky soups that incorporate protein for a solid meal! Let’s get cookin…

Ingredients list for soup:

1. 1 Tbs olive oil
2. 3 medium size carrots (chopped)
3. 1/2 cup celery (chopped)
4. 2-3 large finely garlic cloves (or pressed in a garlic presser)
5. 1 Tbs finely chopped ginger
6. 1 Tbs curry powder
7. 1 cup red lentils (rinsed and drained)
8. 3 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
9. 2 14.5 ounce cans of petite diced tomatoes (I like to mix it up and use the fire roasted petite diced tomatoes with chipotle peppers or garlic, add some spice
10. 1 15 ounce can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
11. 1 cup cooked quinoa (I actually love love to use Seeds of Change quinoa and brown rice with garlic mix )

Additions if you so desire:

1. chopped cilantro
2. a dash of chili sauce (sometimes I use, A Taste of Thai Sweet Red Chili Sauce) Curry Red Lentil Soup

Directions……

1. Heat oil in a deep large pan
2. Add carrots, and celery and sauté until lightly browned (about 10-20 min)
3. Add garlic, ginger, and curry powder and sauté for about 30-60 seconds
4. Add lentils, stock (or broth) , tomatoes and if used, chili sauce
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender (about 10-15 min)
6. Add the chickpeas and quinoa, stir to heat them evenly
7. Garnish with cilantro is desired and voila….enjoy!

Original recipe here zestycook.com

My husband was working crazy hours over the holidays so I had to find fun ways to fill my time on a cold wintery day. I am Jewish by blood, and my husband is Christian, so he is slowly but surely getting me into the holiday spirit and what better way to start with holiday decor than to make snow globes!!! I of course tend to like untraditional decor, especially since I did not grow up with typical Christmas decorations. I have a love for all things gold, so I went with my first thought, mason jar snow globes with gold spray painted dinosaurs!

Let’s Get Started:

1. Spray paint the dinosaurs gold and let dry for a few hours to a day.
2. Set out the tops of the mason jars so they are ready for action.
3. Grab some molding clay and mold two half circles (one for the dinosaur and one for the trees).
4. Prop up the dinosaur and trees on the clay and position them (make sure that they fit nicely once the jar is placed on top).
5. When everything is in place, glue the clay to the jar top, the trees in the clay and the dinosaur to the clay.
6. Fill the mason jar with water and add a few drops of Glycerin.
7. Finally add the fun with some fake snow, sparkles and/or iridescent snow flake sprinkles!