So I am doing this detox diet, and for some strange reason, I’ve been craving lentils. I know enough about my body (and you should too) to listen when I am craving a certain type of food. No that doesn’t mean when you crave candy, cake, mac and cheese, or anything else that isn’t healthy for your body.
But when you truly crave something that is good for you, then listen. It’s most likely your body telling you it needs a particular nutrient.
So what about lentils? Well, I try to eat a mostly Paleo style diet, and legumes are a ‘no-no’ on a Paleo diet. I’m not sure why, it seems that primitive folks would want to eat lentils if they had ’em. Maybe they didn’t cozy up around the camp fire to a big bowl of steaming lentil soup, but really, there are worse things, right?
Well, for starters, lentils are full of fiber. Guess that’s good for a detox diet, don’t ya think?
And, lentils help lower cholesterol, and stabilize blood-sugar. Lentils are also very high in magnesium, that calming mineral that the majority of us are short on. Got leg cramps? Get magnesium. Trouble sleeping and relaxing? Get magnesium. You get the idea…
On top of that, lentils also provide plenty of B vitamins and protein and are not heavy on the calories. Good thing for a detox diet, it sounds like. Plus they are tasty, go great in a salad or soup and fill you up. I’m all for that.
So here is the salad I whipped up while I was craving lentils and on my detox diet. I have to say it was delicious and satisfying. You can play around with the ingredients as you like, but this combo was pretty tasty! Just be sure to use organic veggies as much as possible.
Lentil-Veggie Salad
1 cup or so dry lentils, rinsed
1 bunch of radishes, chopped or sliced
6-8 asparagus stalks, chopped and lightly cooked
1 medium size cucumber
1 firm tomato chopped
1 firm avocado chopped
1 red onion chopped or 4-5 green onions sliced
1 clove or 2 of garlic
handful of fresh cilantro chopped
1 tsp or so of curry powder
red pepper flakes
sea salt and pepper
juice of one fresh lemon
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Rinse and cook lentils till tender. Rinse with cool water and drain. Add veggies, lemon juice, olive oil and seasonings. Stir and chill. Enjoy! Serves 2-4, and makes great leftovers too.
Till next time,
Stay healthy and lean!
Catherine 
(Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. Get the latest Gluten Free, Superfoods Recipe book HERE–The Fat Burning Kitchen Superfoods Recipes. Cat also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.
Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.
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