First we must Zumba!
Zumba
Yesterday ended up being a little more active than I anticipated. Late in the afternoon, I got a call from my friend Lindsay who wanted to meet up to take a Zumba class. I’ve taken Zumba a handful of times before and knew we’d have fun, so I changed into some workout clothes and headed out.
I was anxious to try out some new workout gear that Reebok sent to me to review and figured Zumba was the place to wear a new brightly colored tank! The Reebok yoga pocket tank top is actually part of Reebok’s new yoga line that they created with Tara Stiles, the founder of Strala Yoga.
While I generally prefer tank tops without words on them and am not sure that I’m really a “who made the rules” kind of girl, the minute I slipped the tank top on, I loved the fit. It was really light and long and covered most of my butt. It also wasn’t clingy around my stomach.
The tank allowed for lots of movement during Zumba and was incredibly comfortable. I paired it with the Reebok short bra sports bra in medium gray heather.
You can’t really tell from the picture, but it has a slight metallic look to it that I adore. And it was lightly padded which you know this small-chested girl appreciated. (If you’re interested in the top, I would recommend ordering it a size smaller than you might think because I think they run a bit big.) Thanks again, Reebok!
Hike
After Zumba, I came home, drank a snack-size smoothie and suggested taking Sadie on a hike before dinner. Ryan was more than game, so we headed out and walked around the trails for about an hour before heading home for another crockpot dinner!
The huntress in Sadie immediately spotted a squirrel and went into super-stalker mode. Don’t worry, no squirrels were harmed during our hike. Sadie stalks them and then once she gets really close, she looks back at us like, “Okay, I got it, now do something.”
Speaking of Sadie, the paranoid puppy mama in me surfaced again last week. Yet another bump appeared on Sadie’s shoulder last week and we have an appointment to get it checked out this afternoon.
(Sadie’s eyes in that picture are just too perfect. She looks like such a little drama queen.)
The good news is that Sadie seems unfazed and is acting like her normal crazy self. Unfortunately the bump is much larger than her previous lumps and popped up out of nowhere, so it’s a bit more concerning. Better safe than sorry.
Dinner
Last night’s Crock Pot Challenge dinner was a success!
Yes, it may look less-than-appetizing, but lentils aren’t exactly a thing of beauty. They are, however, quite tasty, especially when they cook for hours in a slow cooker with flavorful Indian spices.
Yesterday afternoon Ryan found a recipe for Slow Cooker Indian Spiced Lentils online that sounded great, so we bought everything we thought we’d need to make the dish, plus a few extras to change it up a little bit.
The end result was fantastic!
This recipe can easily be made vegetarian if you omit the chicken thighs and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. With or without the chicken, this recipe is a winner, especially if you’re a fan of curry and garam masala.
Please note that this recipe makes a ton of lentils. If you’re cooking for two people, I’d recommend cutting it in half. Ryan and I currently have enough leftovers to feed us for days. Anyone want to come over and eat some lentils? Par-tay!
Crock Pot Curried Lentils
Crock Pot Curried Lentils
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Category: dinner, recipes
- Cuisine: dinner
Description
This recipe creates a nice dish with flavorful Indian spices.
Ingredients
- 2 cups lentils
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cans (4 cups) chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1/2 tablespoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon corriander
- Dash of cayenne pepper to taste
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups cauliflower florets, chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 4 chicken thighs
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for cilantro in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Scoop lentils into bowls and top with cilantro.
Notes
This recipe makes a lot of lentils… feel free to cut into half if necessary.
Enjoy!
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i really like lentils but don’t make them near enough!!! i’ve got to try this recipe!! thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for the recipe. I’m actually trying out a slow cooker lentil recipe this week too. Mine’s southwestern spiced instead of Indian, but I’ll take any spices to open up my sinuses these days! ha
can’t wait to see the recipe! sounds great!
Oh I hope the bump is just a bump and nothing else! It’s definitely best to get things like that checked out. And that was quite the active day! My gym recently added several more zumba classes, so I’m trying to “test out” all the teachers and go more often. It’s just so fun that I forget I’m working out!
trying different instructors is key! hope you find one you love!
I think the curried lentils look wonderful – and lentils are so nutritious too!
Yes, definitely better safe than sorry concerning Sadie. fingers crossed everything turns out fine. My co-worker has an older dog (9 yrs old) who had a few lumps and bumps too. They just had one removed because it was around her shoulder and although it wasn’t causing her pain, they were concerned it would at some point. However the recovery was REALLY tough. So if it turns out to be nothing too concerning, might be something to think about… doesn’t “look” great but might be better to leave it than remove it if it’s just fatty tissue. Just a thought.
I love lentils but I hardly ever make them. No idea why….
I’m jealous the weather is warm enough for shorts and a tank. I did my long run in 25 degrees yesterday. Brrr…
Your crock pot challenge is going so well! Definitely inspiring me to make a few! 🙂
Good luck with Sadie’s appointment! Sending positive vibes your way! I am sure it is nothing but better to be safe than sorry!
Hope Zumba was fun! I am more of a spin gal though!
I love that top!! Ah I would be freaking out as well, glad you got an appointment at the vet, hope its nothing to be concerned about! Those lentils look and sound delicious!
I love the workout tank! And that picture of Sadie with her eyes closed is just priceless! Thanks for the recipe…my fiance’ loves lentils and I am forever searching for great recipes and this looks like a winner!
Zumba!! I’m so excited to have more Zumba in my life. I recently changed up my workout routine to make sure I was having more FUN and Zumba definitely ticks that box for me.
Sending out good no-worries-lump vibes to Sadie!
You seem to make frequent comments about being small chested. are you pretty self conscience about it? I was too and ended up getting a boob job. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Have you ever considered doing that?
if i awoke one day with bigger boobs would i be happy? you bet! but i’m fine w/ the size of my chest and am terrified of medical things (i don’t even have my ears pierced b/c i hate needles that much). i’m glad you’re happy with your decision! 🙂
I never really got into Zumba. I am getting ready to take a new class called turbo kick though that I’m really excited about. It’s a mixture between kick boxing and dancing.
I have a whole bag of red lentils I need to use up! Did you use red or green ones?
green – but only b/c they were cheaper!
Cute top!! I love the loose and flowy ones – they’re always so comfy! I’ve actually never even tried lentils, so maybe this recipe is a good place to start?! Sounds delicious!
I LOVE Sadie’s face in that picture!! “Mom, I simply do not have time for this photo.” She is hilarious!
it cracked me up when i saw it, too. she is so ridiculous. 🙂
Oh no! I hope Sadie’s ok! Good call making an appointment with the vet, definitely better safe than sorry. One of my roommates just joined the same gym as me, and I’m so excited to have a friend to go to classes with now, I really want to try Zumba one of these days. The lentil dish looks great, I’ve never tried lentils before!
I can’t believe I’ve never had lentils. This recipe looks delicious. I’ll admit though, I had to Google “Garam Masala”….. 🙂 Never heard of it!
i tried it for the first time a week or so ago and fell in love!!!
Mmmm love lentils. I had lentil soup last night for dinner! This recipe sounds great. I hope everything goes smoothly with Sadie!
Poor Sadie, I hope her vet appointment goes well! Keep us updated! Those lentils sound really good, I love those flavor combinations.
I’ve never had lentils before but I’ve always wanted to try them! This looks great! 🙂 Good luck with Sadie at the dr!
I am LOVING that outfit! Especially the workout top! I love how it’s kind of loose fitting. It looks like something I’d wear to zumba too. I’m glad you enjoyed it- it’s my favorite type of workout class 🙂
I LOVE lentils! I recently got turned onto them when looking for a different protein source to add to my vegetarian diet (It only took me 4 years, where have i been?) and i LOVE my crock pot. Can’t wait to make these!
Oh no, Ms. Sadie! I hope she’s okay! Zumba sounds so fun, I’m dying to take a class!
I really like that picture of you and Sadie. Super cute! I really want a doggie now.
My dog had issues with bumps and the doctor told us they were lipomas. They are benign but definitely noticeable. They’re pretty well defined which made me think of it when I saw the picture of Sadie. They can happen mid-age in dogs. So, age five is common. Just a thought…
http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/lipomas-dogs
I work at a vet clinic when I am not in school and some dogs we see just tend to get a bit “lumpy” as they get older. Most of the time they are just fatty masses but vigilance is key for those rare cases. I’m sure Ms. Sadie will be just fine!
Would it make a difference to do just regular chicken breasts? I’m excited to try to this recipe…thanks for sharing 🙂
you can definitely use chicken breasts. the recipe/cooking time wouldn’t change.
Zumba is so fun- I only take it if I have a friend with me so we can laugh with/ at each other.
Hope Sadie is ok!! I was a paranoid pet owner and brought my dog to the vet because she was limping- by the time we left the vet she was practically waking fine!
Do you find that you get a good workout doing Zumba? I know a lot depends on the instructor, but is it something you would do regularly?
My dog has some bumps too and they ended up being nothing! I hope the same for you!!
i think it really depends on the instructor, but i’ve never left a class drenched in sweat and usually take a zumba class as a way to have fun with fitness and move a bit. i think it could be more challenging if i were a better dancer and felt more comfortable improvising and increasing the difficulty level of some of the moves, but i just have to immitate the instructor because i’m not that advanced!
Yum, this looks delicious! I’ve been on a total crock pot kick too since the weather has been so grumpy lately – so I definitely might have to test this out. Also, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Sadie! I know as a puppy mama how scary those things can be. Hang in there!
Sadie’s face cracked me up! I hope the bump isn’t anything harmful!
Those lentils actually look pretty delish. I’m loving these crockpot meals!
I need to look into that sports bra.
Sounds like a great weekend! I love that tank! I’m 5’10”, so I am always on the hunt for long tanks/tees! I made some lentil soup a few weeks ago in my slow cooker and put half in the freezer. I think it’s time to defrost it since temps in Boston have been pretty chilly!
Julie, did you use dried lentils or canned? I can’t wait to try this
dried. hope you love it as much as we did!
pinning this recipe right now!
That looks delicious! I’m going to have to try this one.
im in love with sadie…If you ever need a dog sitter Ill drive to you 🙂 lol
Julie I have a lab and took her into the vet a few weeks ago because we noticed she had some lumps. The vet said that they are normally non cancerous and just fatty tumors that dogs get with age. They said that dogs can have up to 10 on them and be perfectly fine! If they get too big though then they usually remove them so the dog is comfortable and not rubbing against it all the time. Hopefully that’s the same case for Sadie
this makes me feel better! i’m hoping this is the case for sadie. thanks for sharing, danielle!
Ah Garam Masala makes its return! The crockpot is my favourite way to make curries. This one looks super delish, I might be tempted to toss some sweet potato or zucchini in there too for extra veg.
Long and loose is EXACTLY what I look for in work-out tops – sounds like this Reebok tank is a winner. I like the look of the sports bra too!
Thanks for sharing!
P.S. My family dog gets lumps every few years and although we freak out EVERY time, they turn out to be harmless fat deposits. Fingers crossed it is the same for Sadie Fagan!
My vizsla gets those weird bumps too! My vet doesn’t seem worried with them though & they don’t seem to bother her. hope Sadie has a good appointment! If she’s anything like Ob, she probably hates the vet. Ob is terrified at the vet!
My dogs are covered in bumps too. I had a few biopsied and they turned out to be fat. I just keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t growing.
What did Sadie’s bumps turn out to be that she had removed?
loved the tank so much i ordered it in aqua vapor! can’t wait to get it.
i hope sadie’s bump is okay. keep us posted.
i hope you love it! it’s so, so soft!
Poor baby!!! Hope she is alright. That’s cute that Ryan finds recipes though! I ask Michael when I’m meal planning what he wants to eat and he just gives me that deer in the headlight look…
I am SUCH a worry-wart with Elmo. I get nervous when he coughs because I’m afraid he’s going to choke. It’s kindddd of ridiculous, but what can I say? I’m a worried mother. Perfectly normal, right?….
I love that top! I like the way it fits a lot. The worst thing is when your top rides up during a workout. UGH.
Gosh I wish I liked Indian food! Maybe I should go have it somewhere where I know they can cook it right and I’ll change my mind!
Yum! I made a recipe via cooking light this weekend for the week. A crockpot version would be wonderfully easy though!!!
I loved that dramatic pic of Sadie and your description of it. It made me laugh out loud!
Mmm why do I always forget about lentils?!? They are so cheap and always delicious. Love this recipe.
I have all of the ingredients to make the other slow-cooker garam masala recipe that you had up last week or so; how does this one compare to that one? I may have just changed my mind!
That Reebok top is super cute. I love how bright it is and it looks super comfy!
Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. You are right, lentils may not be pretty, but they sure are tasty! I absolutely love them and cannot get enough of them. This recipe sounds delicious, and it is so nice to see a way to cook them using a slow cooker :).
Despite the big letters on the tank top, it’s really pretty and it looks great on you Julie. I love how long waisted you are, hehehe. And this recipe sounds delicious especially because Indian is one of my absolute favorites.
Hope that pretty Sadie girl is okay! Keeping you in my prayers!
Btw, I love the tank top! I like that it isnt clingy around the stomach and such!
-Katelyn
fastfood2fitness.com
Sports bras that actually allow for a bit of cleavage = 100% necessary.
And I haven’t had lentils in so long! That recipe looks so good