THE SEXY SUPERFOOD OF 2016… MMMmmm YES.

HELLO 2016.

You know how it goes, there’s always an IT, MUST TRY, OR YOU’RE NOT COOL food of the year? Like remember when kale was THE thing? And acai was a nearly magical, unattainable fruit? And of course, you must have had a wheat grass moment, no?

Well let me introduce you to the superfood of 2016, k: pulses.

Wait huh…???

Pulses, guys are like chickpeas, lentils, dry peas, & beans.

They also happen to be the most inexpensive proteins AROUND. You heard that right, lentils are freaking 10 cents to quinoa’s 59 cents or beef’s $1.49. WHOA ( apparently I’m full of facts today ).

Here’s another weird-ass, random fact: people are using them in smoothies, main dishes, AND EVEN in ice cream.

Try first before you judge.

Here’s why I’m in love with this hot, sexy superfood:

♡ they’re loaded with protein, fiber ( << great if you wanna keep things moving—- wink, wink ), vitamins, & minerals.

♡ pulses have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease & diabetes, lower blood pressure & cholesterol, ANDDDD help with weight loss.

♡ the fiber thing is BIG because that’s linked with weight loss & feeling fuller.

♡ pulses have more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranate juice.

♡ …AND GUESS WHAT? They’re considered a protein AND a vegetable.

My favorite part of this superfood is it’s also kind of a SUPERHERO. Why? Because it will play an intense, life-changing role in meeting future food needs for people who need more food supply.

I’m in.

My favorite ways to eat these superfoods:

I’m kind of obsessed with steaming spinach & then adding cooked lentils with raw goat cheese, lemon, & chile flake. THIS IS SO GOOD, & SO EASY. Lentils are in my fridge pretty much all the time.

Chickpeas= bombass hummus. If you follow me on Snapchat ( username is laurynevarts ) then you know we made fresh hummus the other day. Seriously tastes SO much better than store bought crap.

As far as dry peas: cook them & add them to pastas, salads, or soups!

Lastly, I love adding the beans to organic sausage, kale, & white bean soup. Literally insane. Here’s my favorite recipe:

White Bean Kale Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 large carrots, finely diced
3 large celery sticks, diced
1 1/2 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cups of white beans
1 to 2 bunches kale, stems removed & roughly chopped
52 oz. good quality low-sodium chicken stock or bone broth
Pink Himalayan sea salt
Ground pepper
Little bit of chile flakes
Meyer lemon
A sprinkle of Gruyere cheese

+ Directions: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, & bay leaves. Add some kosher salt & cook until vegetables begin to soften for about 10 minutes. Add garlic & organic white beans, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add kale, & cook until it becomes a bit wilted. Add chicken stock, season with salt & pepper. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat & leave it at simmer for about 45 minutes. Cool soup completely & then refrigerate it for the following day. Sprinkle with grated Gruyere cheese, lemon, & chile flakes & broil for 2 minutes, until cheese is melted. YUMMMM.

MMM, MMMM, mmmm— HELLO HEAVEN RIGHT.

Next time I whip this soup up, I’ll take some pictures. For the record, Michael slurps this down like his pork ramen ( you get it if you watch Snapchat ).

Anyway, what’s your favorite superfood & why?

Really, I feel like kale is kind of 2014 now, HA! Lentils are key.

Until next time, lauryn x

+ research via USA Pulses & Pulse Canada.