I Am Not a Nutritionist but Lentils Make Me Happy
My relationship with lentils has been on and off for years, their deliciousness keeps drawing me in. I started out adding a few to homemade chicken noodle soup. In place of the noodles, I’d use lentils which I thought were healthier than noodles and half the time I don’t like eating flour products anyway, because I find they make me feel sluggish.
I used to make this soup and drop it off to friends who were feeling under the weather. I have no doubt that the lentils helped to raise their spirits because each and every one of them did get well soon.
Eventually, I evolved to making chicken lentil soup without the chicken, adding carrots, celery and lots of other veggies. Sweet potatoes and peppers are hearty and scrumptious additions, and of course it all starts with loads of onions and garlic (sorry Ayurveda fans).
I am in no way saying that lentils will make YOU happy. This is my personal experience.
In the beginning, I didn’t even realize the lentils were affecting my mood. I think the art of cooking, the presence in chopping and combining, the pleasure of taste testing and the knowing that you are fueling your body with wholesome goodness, can all play roles in our happiness levels. When we take the time to make our food, we feel a sense of accomplishment and we are actively caring for our body.
Over the years I have experimented with and tried different recipes for lentil soups, lentil burgers, lentil loaf, lentil stew, lentil curry, lentil tacos, lentil salads, lentil shepherd’s pie. Next up will be lentil Bolognese, lentil dal and lentil ‘meat’ balls.
There have been many studies done and articles published, so if you want the scientific proof or data, just enter ‘lentils make me happy’ in your search engine and you will find an abundance of articles about the nutritional content and the health benefits of lentils.
Things I like about lentils:
- they are delicious, have you tried eating lentils yet? They come in green, brown, yellow and red, and they will have a party on your taste buds.
- they are inexpensive, you can get a big bag for a few bucks, they expand when you cook them so you have dozens of meals in just one bag.
- they have a long shelf life, you don’t need to be running to the grocery store every couple of days, they keep in the cupboard for years.
- they aren’t dead animals, this is an interesting argument. I love eating meat sometimes, but I don’t like cutting up raw meat right now. And if I can save an animal by not wanting to eat it, maybe that’s a good thing? I could go on and on about meat, but you do what is best for you. I love getting protein and iron from non-animal products, or at least having that option.
- they are packed with protein, fiber and iron. They boost immunity and are beneficial for gut health. Since brains and guts communicate, when your gut is healthy your brain will be too! And your brain may just start telling you, you are happy, more often!
When we gradually add nutritious foods to our diet, a lot of times we don’t notice the tiny little improvements. That is, until we stop eating them and replace the goodness with low vibrational food! So, as I said earlier my relationship with lentils has been on again, off again, but with the latest relapse back into junk food oblivion, came a huge revelation.
LENTILS MAKE ME HAPPY!
Going through a drive-thru because I am too tired to cook, does not make me happy. It makes me feel gross and heavy. It bloats my gut and my gut tells my brain that I am sad and abused, and my brain gets foggy. I am drained of energy and it’s downhill from there. Thankfully this time, I am fully aware of the effects and I can jump back on the lentil wagon and start feeling happy again in no time.
Let me know if you like lentils; do they make you happy? Have you noticed any changes since you have started eating them? What are your favourite ways to eat lentils?
Love and happiness,
Lorelai
