I Heart Yoga + Lentil Veggie Soup Recipe

Good Sunday Afternoon!  It is another snowy and cold day here and I am counting down the days till our Miami trip to visit a friend (16 days!!).  I am so ready for some sun and warmth.  We are going to spend the day hanging out and prepping for a week of clean eating, and hopefully we will venture out to take Ariana out to a play place.  I am going to get a short walk on the treadmill in to loosen up my tight legs from my killer leg workout on Friday, and maybe a little shoulders and abs!  What are you doing this Sunday to prep for a healthy week?

I really love doing yoga classes, but it is hard as a stay at home mommy to find the time and sitter to get to a class.  Since I really enjoy doing my Jillian DVD workouts, I figured I'd give yoga DVDs a chance.  I did some research on Amazon and came across these to Shiva Rea DVDs.  I really like the both, and if I get them in while little A is napping then I can dim the lights and really get into my practice.  The daily energy video has a yoga matrix where you can build your own practice with as little or many series as you want or have time for.  This is a great option for me, since I can usually get 20 minutes in 4 times a week.  I have only tried the Fire and Water series thus far, but I really liked them both.  I am excited to try the rest throughout the week.  Yoga is definitely a great compliment to my weight training, it helps stretch my tight mucles and helps me to center and focus my mind.  She asks you to make a dedication for each practice and take it into your life.  I always feel lighter and more centered after a great yoga session.  Do you have any yoga DVDs that you enjoy?

Since it is such a cold day I am going to make a lentil veggie soup.  I always make extra to have for the week since it is a tasty and easy way to get more veggies in.  Here is a recipe my aunt shared with me from Joel Furman's cookbook and I made some modifications too.  If you make it let me know what you think.  I absolutely love it!

Photo credit

Lentil Veggie Soup
2 tablespoons organic canola oil
1 small onion diced
3 stalks celery diced
3 small carrots diced
2 large kale leaves (remove leaves from stalks)
1 head of broccoli
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons Braggs mixed herb spices
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 cup french lentils
7-8 cups chicken or veggie stock (I used a mix of both, use only veggie to make vegan)

In a large pot heat the canola oil on medium heat and saute vegetables until soft.  Add the garlic and tomato paste and continue to saute for a few more minutes, then add herbs and salt and saute until veggies begin to stick to the pan.  De-glaze the pan with 1/4 chicken/veggie stock and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the vegetable that may have stuck.  Add the lentils and 7-8 cups of stock, bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are soft.  (During the cooking you may lose some liquid, you can add more at the end to increase broth and simmer to warm.
Store unused portion in the fridge or freeze to use later.

I thought I would leave you this Sunday with a reminder of how amazing it feels to workout (whatever you love to do), and to get up and move that body!  Also, thought I'd share this little cutie doing her "pulls" as she calls them (she likes to copy mommy).  I am happy she gets to see me workout and that I am setting a good example for her.  I can't wait to teach her how to weight train (in like 13 more years).

Happy and Healthy Fit Sunday, 
Angelena