Delish Vegetable Lentil Soup in the Crock Pot

I have tried a lot of lentil soup recipes and this is my new favorite!  I love just throwing in a bunch of leftover veggies and having a delicious soup by dinner time!

Vegetable Lentil Soup

3 carrots chopped
1 sweet potatoe chopped into small cubes
1 chopped white onion
3 cloves of garlic, pressed
3 celery stalks chopped
2 cups of vegetable stock
6 cups of water
2 cups of dried lentils, rinsed
1 tsp dried thyme

Put all the ingredients into the crock pot, low for about 8 hours or hi for about 4 hours.  Check the lentils and sweet potatoes for doneness. 

Before serving add 2 cups of chopped kale. Cook for about 5-10 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Delish!!  Makes about 12 2-cup servings. Calories- 116, Fiber- 11.5g and Protein- 10g.

healthy carrot cake muffin

I have been working on a healthier carrot cake muffin and I think I finally have it!!  These are dense, flavorful muffins that really satisfy my sweet tooth.

Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar substitute, I used splenda with fiber
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped apple
1/2 cup milk, can use almond or soy
2 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil, could use any oil but I like the nutty taste of coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together.  Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  Mix will be thick.  Makes 12 muffins.  Bake 20-24 minutes until golden brown.

Per muffin: Calories- 135, Fiber- 3 g and Protein- 4 g