BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND LENTIL SOUP

Another cold day here in Canada, so I needed to make something to warm me up. This soup is so hearty and healthy, also really easy to make!

INGREDIENTS:

-> 2 Tspn olive oil.

-> 1 cup onion, chopped.

-> 2 garlic cloves, chopped.

-> 1/2 cup carrot, sliced.

-> 6 cups veggie broth (low sodium) , or 6 cups boiling water (I didn't have veggie broth and it was too cold to leave my house so I boiled water and used that instead of veggie broth, but veggie broth might make it taste better).

-> 3 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped.

-> 1 cup lentils (brown or green).

-> 2 medium tomatoes, chopped.

-> 2 tspns lemon juice

-> 1 bay leaf

DIRECTIONS: 

Sauté the garlic and onions on olive oil until soft. Then add all ingredients except the water or veggie broth into a pot and cover it on low heat and let it steam for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes add the boiling water or boiling veggie broth, and cook on medium heat for 1 hour, or until lentils and vegetables are soft. Add salt and pepper depending on your taste!

WHY ARE LENTILS HEALTHY FOR YOU??

Lentils are low in calories and high nutritions!

Lentils help reduce blood cholesterol because it contains very high levels of soluble fiber. 

The dietary fiber found in lentils help prevent constipation and other digestive disorders. 

Lentils contain the third-highest levels of protein. 26% of lentil's calories are attributed to protein!

Lentils are a really good source of iron, which transports oxygen throughout your body and is key to the production of energy and metabolism.

Lentils are very low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied!

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