Slow Cooker Spicy & Easy Lentil Chili
Content
About Me
Lentils... Have you tried them? Did you know that they are high in nutrition & fiber? Not only are they a good source of protein (3rd highest among the legumes), they can lower cholesterol, reduce heart disease, keep your digestion on track, stabilize blood sugar and they can increase your energy. Although they are satisfyingly filling, they are low in calories and they are very easy to incorporate into your meals. Lentils are a versatile food source you can enjoy using in salads, dips, spreads, soups & chili.
Slow Cooker Easy & Spicy Lentil Chili*
Ingredients
2+ tbsps extra virgin olive or coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion chopped
4-5 garlic cloves minced
1 jalapeno seeded (unless spicer preferred) & minced
2 cups carrots unpeeled & chopped
2 tsps chili powder
2 tsps curry powder
2 tsps ground cumin
1 can or jar (28 ounces) diced or strained tomatoes
1 3/4 cups lentils rinsed & drained of choice
1 15 ounce can of black beans rinsed & drained
4 cups vegtable or chicken broth
2+/- cups water depending on desired thickness
pinch of salt to taste
fresh ground pepper to taste
sprinkle of red pepper flakes
Optional
meat lovers can add 3-4 chicken breasts or meat of choice and shred before serving
1 cup chopped spinach to add just before serving
Garnishes
chopped or sliced avocado
feta or sheep cheese crumbled
juice of 1/2 lemon or lime to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
pinch of cayenne pepper
Prep
Place all the ingredients except the optional spinach and garnishes into your slow cooker and put it on high for 4-6 hours. Just before serving if desired add the chopped spinach, cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes until spinach reaches desired doneness.
Note: we like to add our fresh chopped spinach directly to our bowls and cover with the lentil chil. The heat will soften the spinach but not too much if you like your veggies less cooked or if not at all add on top before garnishing.
Garnish & serve!
*Please use organic ingredients when availableš
Samantha McConnell
About Me
My passion about health started in my teens when I first hand saw the effects of how illness can wreck havoc in a family growing up with parents who had serious health issues. I too struggled with losing weight & developed an eating disorder that I was able to heal by educating myself on healthier habits. Itās amazing what our bodies can do when we learn to take care of them like God intended. These experiences & challenges fueled my passion to be a life long student in pursuit of learning how to create healthier lifestyles where one can thrive at their optimal best. As a mother of 3 children & a wife of a traveling husband, I quickly learned how to implement healthy habits on the go so that I could be my healthy best for my family. This has evolved into my health coaching business Thriving With Health where I coach people to integrate simple & fun healthy 'bitesā throughout their day even on their most busiest & challenging ones. You are never too busy to take care of your health & I can show you how. Everyone has busy lifestyles and living at their optimum best is not only doable but can be fun as well!
