There are moments in life when everything feels loud, heavy, and overwhelming, when my body is exhausted in a way that words can’t quite capture. On those days, I turn to lentils.
Lentils are not flashy or trendy. They don’t shout for attention. But for me, they’re steady — like a trusted friend who shows up without fuss, no questions asked.
As I am deep in my healing journey, cooking sometimes feels like climbing a mountain. I’d often open my pantry and feel tired just looking at the ingredients. But lentils? Lentils feel like kindness.
I’d rinse those tiny brown gems, toss them in a pot with turmeric and cumin, and let them simmer while I sat quietly, breathing. The warm, earthy aroma would fill the kitchen, familiar, comforting, like a hug from home.
Initially, I didn’t fully understand their power. But now I know lentils are packed with nutrients that my body was silently craving.
1. Why Lentils? A Healing Powerhouse
Lentils offer more than just comfort. They are a true source of healing, especially for women like us.
They’re rich in iron and folate, two nutrients essential for replenishing energy and supporting healthy blood formation. Research confirms lentils provide bioavailable iron and folate, which are key in preventing anemia and promoting cell repair (Baye et al., 2017).
The magnesium in lentils helps soothe frazzled nerves and ease muscle tension, a gentle calm for the mind and body alike (de Baaij et al., 2015).
Lentils’ high fiber content supports digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar, which plays a crucial role in maintaining steady energy and mood (Venn & Green, 2007).
And their plant-based protein provides steady nourishment, helping repair tissue and keep hunger at bay without weighing you down (Messina, 2014).
These nutrients aren’t just scientific facts; they’re little lifelines woven into each lentil, quietly supporting healing from the inside out.
2. My Simple Lentil Stew — A Bowl of Soft Healing
When life feels too much, this is the bowl I come back to:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown lentils, gently rinsed
- 1 small onion, chopped (or whatever’s left in my fridge)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced — because flavor matters
- 1 teaspoon turmeric — golden warmth in every bite
- 1 teaspoon cumin — the spice that feels like home
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- A handful of fresh spinach or kale, because green is hope
- Salt and pepper to taste
2.1. Instructions:
I heat the oil slowly in a pot, letting the onions and garlic soften as I breathe in their scent. Then I stir in turmeric and cumin, watching the colors bloom. I add the lentils and water, bring everything to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
before it’s done, I toss in the greens and let them wilt softly. I season it gently, savoring the moment before I eat.
This isn’t just food it’s a small act of care, a reminder to slow down and be gentle with myself.
3. More Than Just a Meal
Lentils are more than nourishment. They are a reminder to honor the body’s quiet calls for care, to take healing slowly, and to embrace softness in a world that often demands hustle.
They carry the wisdom of generations of women who fed their families with love, resilience, and deep knowing that sometimes the simplest things hold the deepest medicine.
When I eat lentils, I’m not just filling my belly. I’m feeding my soul.