If you're looking for a super healthy food that's also easy to prepare, not to mention extremely affordable, try lentils.  These legumes are packed with nutrients, protein and fiber while containing no fat.   Reasons to have them regularly in your meal plan: -Very inexpensive! A whole bag can cost as little as $1.50. -They decrease your risk of colon cancer with 15 grams of fiber per serving. -They help reduce cholesterol. -Lentils are rich in protein. -They give you 90% of your daily dose of folate in on serving. -They reheat like a dream, making them a great option for meals on the go.   On another note, where most legumes require you to soak them overnight before you cook them, lentils require no overnight soaking.  Just quickly rinse them off, looking for any foreign particles, then you can start cooking them immediately.   Still not sure what to do with them?  Try them in my super food stew below! MY GIFT TO YOU!  Lentil, Quinoa, Millet and Carrot Stew I love this combination of easy to prepare grains and lentils with sweet carrots, spicy and fragrant aromatics and healthy fresh herbs so much that I have it daily for lunch. At work, it is so easy to simply pop into a bowl and enjoy a healthy, low fat and completely warming, filling meal that doesn't seem as good for me as I know it is. People always ask me what I'm eating, well, now you know!   Ingredients: -1 cup lentils -1/2 cup quinoa -1/2 cup millet -5 carrots, washed and grated -2 garlic cloves, minced -2 TBSP olive oil -2 bay leaves -3 whole allspice pods -1 TBSP ground Turmeric -1 TBSP Himalayan pink salt (or sea salt) -10 turns of a black pepper grinder -1 TBSP fresh rosemary fronds (sub in 2 tsp dried rosemary if needed) -1 TSP ground cloves -1 TSP ground cinnamon or 1/2 cinnamon stick -8 cups fresh water Directions: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, over medium heat, add the olive oil, carrots and garlic.  Stir frequently for 4 minutes and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Simmer over medium low heat for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally and remove.  Allow the stew to cool slightly before storing in glass mason jars.  Makes 5 servings. Kelly Bowlin Administration Director & BAC Foodie :)  Bay Athletic Club 989.356.5600