Nourishing Lentil Salad with Carrots & Cilantro: A Recipe for Deliciousness and Essential Holiday Self-Care

This Lentil Salad with Carrots and Cilantro is more than just a dish; it’s a filling, protein-packed vegetarian meal that promises both exceptional flavor and significant nutritional benefits. Perfect as a satisfying main course, a vibrant side dish, or a wholesome snack, this recipe offers a delicious way to nourish your body, especially during the demanding holiday season.

The end of the year always seems to sneak up on us. One moment you’re enjoying fall festivities, and the next, you’re knee-deep in holiday preparations, wondering where the time has gone. This period, from Halloween through New Year’s, often feels like a blur of activity, leading to a pervasive sense of being “busy” and sometimes, overwhelmed. It’s a common experience, but it doesn’t have to define your holiday season.

Personally, I resist the feeling of time racing by and constant busyness. It requires a conscious effort to stay grounded, a practice my husband often helps me maintain. Embracing a slower pace allows us to truly appreciate the moments, rather than just rushing through them.

My dear friend Sandy recently penned a thoughtful post about savoring the holidays, and her words resonated deeply with me. She highlighted the crucial need to pause and breathe amidst the seasonal rush. Her advice is particularly pertinent for women who often find themselves shouldering the bulk of holiday responsibilities.

DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE.

I think as women we sometimes forget to breathe during the month of December! So today I’m sharing my 5 tips for a less stressful month of December. I’m sharing from the perspective of a 50+ year old, married woman, mama of 3 adult kids, and what I’ve learned from some crazy holiday seasons. Seriously, I think in our 30s we’re just trying to do too much and impress one another. In my 40s I learned to slow down, but still piled quite a bit on. Now today, I’m savoring every moment that I can by planning, spreading out the activities, having down time, and not overdoing. Basically, the holidays for our family mean being with the people we love.

Sandy’s wisdom and the practical tips shared in her post are absolutely spot-on. I highly recommend reading her article and reflecting on how you approach your own holiday season. I am incredibly grateful to have friends who remind me to slow down and prioritize my well-being, not just during the holidays but year-round.

Beyond the emotional and mental stress, this time of year often brings physical exhaustion. The relentless pace, coupled with insufficient rest, irregular exercise, and less-than-optimal nutrition, can leave us feeling drained, rundown, and susceptible to seasonal illnesses. This reality struck me during a recent walk with my son. I realized that over the past month, my self-care routines had slipped—a situation exacerbated by a recent bout of the flu and a sinus infection. It’s a common trap: neglecting basic wellness practices when life gets hectic. This realization prompted me to revisit fundamental self-care strategies. These aren’t groundbreaking new ideas; they are simply the essentials we often overlook. Consider this a friendly reminder and an encouragement for all of us to prioritize our well-being during this vibrant yet often demanding time of year.

5 Essential Ways To Nurture Yourself During The Holidays:

1. Prioritize Adequate Rest. In our hyper-connected world, this often means intentionally disconnecting. Put away your laptop and phone, ideally far from your bedroom, earlier in the evening. This might also mean adjusting your children’s bedtime slightly to ensure everyone gets sufficient sleep. While it’s tempting to stay up late with a good book or binge-watch a show, sacrificing sleep ultimately diminishes your overall well-being. For me, eight hours of sleep is non-negotiable for feeling my best. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, whatever your ideal number of hours may be, profoundly benefits your immune system, mood stability, and cognitive function. A well-rested body is better equipped to handle stress and ward off illness, making sleep one of the most powerful tools in your self-care arsenal.

2. Recommit to Your Vitamins. It’s easy to fall out of routine, especially with supplements. A few months ago, I admittedly became lax with my daily vitamin intake, without any specific reason other than simply getting out of the habit. Currently, my routine includes a prenatal vitamin (which I continue to take because I appreciate its comprehensive blend), vitamin B12 strips for energy support, and turmeric capsules for their anti-inflammatory properties. While these work for me, it is always important to consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new vitamin or supplement regimen to ensure it’s appropriate for your individual health needs.

3. Embrace Exercise! Let’s be realistic about fitness goals during this bustling season. My primary aim is simply to move my body and get a good sweat in for 30-45 minutes. I’m not currently training for a half marathon (though I have in the past during this season, and hope to again someday!), nor am I striving to attend every gym class (a confession: I haven’t been to the gym in months!). Instead, my current exercise routine involves taking enjoyable, brisk walks with my little boy. This allows me to get fresh air, elevate my heart rate, and enjoy quality time with him. The key is to find what works for YOU. This could be an outdoor walk if your local weather permits, a quick session on the elliptical or a class at the gym before or after work, or on the weekends. Alternatively, consider home workouts like Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred (20-minute intense workouts!) or Yoga Meltdown. The important thing is to engage in some form of physical activity. Regular exercise not only boosts your mood and energy but also helps to balance out the extra indulgences common during the holiday season.

4. Commit to a Daily Salad. If you’re familiar with my blog, you know my profound affection for salads! Yet, I’ll admit, even I sometimes lose my enthusiasm for them. It happens. However, I know that during this time of year, salads are more crucial than ever. Make time to prep a batch of fresh greens, experiment with a new, exciting salad dressing, or try a unique recipe like the Lentil Salad shared today, to keep things interesting and prevent palate fatigue. The core objective is simply to consume a substantial bowl of vegetables—a “salad”—every day. This practice provides essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making you feel invigorated and balanced. As I mentioned, achieving balance is key right now, and a daily dose of nutrient-rich greens is an excellent way to counteract richer holiday fare.

5. Regularly Stretch Your Body. You don’t need to be a marathon runner or an intense gym-goer to experience tight muscles. My most significant aches often stem from prolonged periods of sitting at my computer, compounded by poor posture. This morning, a simple yoga stretch, specifically the Triangle Pose, brought immense relief and gratitude from my body. I hadn’t realized the extent of my muscle tension until I dedicated a few minutes to stretching. Yoga remains my favorite method for both stretching and strengthening my body, and I’ve discovered this incredibly helpful page featuring various yoga poses and guides suitable for all levels. Even if structured “yoga” isn’t your preference, incorporating some form of stretching will benefit your neck, back, and legs immensely. Don’t forget about useful tools like a foam roller, which can work wonders for muscle release and flexibility.

Having covered the crucial aspects of self-care, I’m now ready to shift our focus to the delicious and nourishing part of our discussion. It’s time to eat! 🙂

My love for lentil salads runs deep. Over the years, I’ve crafted numerous variations, with my Mediterranean Lentil Salad being a long-time favorite. So, when I stumbled upon this specific Lentil Salad with Carrots and Cilantro recipe in my new America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, I was eager to try it immediately. Not only did I have all the necessary ingredients on hand, but the recipe also introduced me to a brilliant new method for cooking lentils – a testament to the innovative approaches often found in America’s Test Kitchen publications! This cookbook has already proven its worth; I previously made their chickpea cakes, and they were absolutely amazing.

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of baking lentils in the oven! This method is surprisingly easy and yields beautifully firm, distinct, and flavorful lentils, far superior to mushy stovetop versions. The oven’s gentle, even heat allows the lentils to cook through perfectly, retaining their shape and satisfying bite. This “hands-off” cooking approach frees you up for other kitchen tasks or simply to relax, making it an ideal technique for busy home cooks.

This Lentil Salad with Carrots and Cilantro is the quintessential make-ahead meal. It’s perfect for meal prepping at the start of the week, ensuring you have healthy, satisfying options readily available for quick lunches or nutritious snacks throughout the day. It’s light, yet incredibly filling due to its high protein and fiber content, providing sustained energy without weighing you down. The delicate sweetness of shredded carrots complements the earthy lentils, while fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note. A dressing featuring lemon juice, cumin, and cinnamon infuses a warm, zesty flavor profile that makes this salad truly unforgettable. It stands deliciously on its own, but also serves as an excellent, vibrant side dish to accompany simply broiled fish or grilled chicken, adding both color and substance to any meal.

Explore More Healthy Vegetarian Salad Recipes:

Balela Salad | Reluctant Entertainer – A refreshing and vibrant Middle Eastern bean salad.

Vegan Ancient Grain Salad | The View From Great Island – A hearty and wholesome salad packed with nutritious grains.

Fireworks Orzo Salad | It’s Yummi – A colorful and pasta-based salad perfect for any occasion.

For even more healthy and inspiring recipes, be sure to check out my Pinterest board. Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Healthy Recipes on Pinterest.