Zucchini and Lentil Soup

Lentils....I know, they don't sound good. I never had any desire to try them myself and didn't know how to make them. I didn't want to eat just plain boiled lentils. This soup is so good and warming. Lentils taste great! They are a great addition to your diet! With just 70 calories in a 1/4 cup dry (3/4 cup cooked) serving, you get 9 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein plus a ton of other nutrients like iron and folate! Mix that with broth and veggies and you have a great clean meal!

Zucchini and Lentil Soup

1/4 cup oil, coconut or olive
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. italian herbs seasoning
2 large carrots, chopped
8-10 cups water
1 lb. lentils, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
2 medium zucchini, chopped (opt.)
1-2 cups cooked brown rice, quinoa or millet (opt.)
1 TBSP. sea salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion, garlic, carrots and seasonings. Saute 4 minutes. Add water and lentils. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add brown rice, zucchini, salt and pepper. Cover and cook and additional 5-10 minutes or until veggies are soft. Serve.

*This soup gets thicker as it sits. I like to wait a little bit and then eat it. Also, unless you are like me and my husband and can eat leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner until it is gone, cut this recipe in half. It make a lot!