Based on this picture, I am sure that you are thinking that this is a recipe from my new cookbook, but actually it is not. I had the opportunity to have a slumber party with my best friend and her two adorable kids (ages 14 months and 6 weeks) Sunday night. We had the best time playing with her cuties and catching up over Law&Order SVU. Times sure have changed since our college days and life is so busy now, so it was such a pleasure to have some quality time together. Plus, her kids are REALLY cute!
Although I am not a parent, I do spend TONS of time around kids. They amaze me each and every day with how bright and resilient they are. I swear I learn at least one new thing a week, and here are a few of the life lessons I picked up from the kiddos this weekend…
1) Keep moving
2) If you fall, there is nothing else to do but get back up and keep moving
3) Eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full
4) Nap often
5) When you hear music, stop what you are doing and dance
6) No doesn’t always mean No
7) Always say ‘Thank You’
8) It’s a good idea to ask for help
9) There is always time for a good cuddle
10) Surround yourself with the people that make you laugh
I also took home with me a recipe for a filling new soup that I was so eager to make that I stopped by Trader Joe’s to pick up the ingredients on my way home. This was passed down through the Ya Ya’s and surprisingly, I think I am the last to get it. Unless you don’t have it yet Mom…but no worries, I have a cup to bring home to you tonight!
This recipe is super easy since it just takes a few ingredients from your local TJ’s.
The BOY was a huge fan of the lentil soup!
Which is pretty surprising considering how healthy this soup is.
Man, those Ya Ya’s know their recipes!
I am a huge fan of this lentil soup and how healthy and tasty it is. I think you will be too! I thought that this was the easiest dinner ever, but this soup is pretty simple. Perfect for a weekday lunch!
What was the last thing you learned from a kid?
Trader Joe’s Lentil Soup
Recipe from the Ya Ya’s
Ingredients
Garlic cloves
1 container of Mirepoix
1 package steamed lentils
1 32 oz vegetable broth
1 bullion cube (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Spray soup pan with cooking spray. Add garlic cloves and Mirepoix mix. Stir often for ~7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Add in packaged lentils, vegetable broth, bullion cube if using and any seasonings.
Bring to a boil. The let simmer for about 1 hour until flavorful.
Store in fridge or freezer.
Note: I didn’t have a bullion so I made the soup without it, and I didn’t miss it. I think this is a great basic soup, but feel free to add in butternut squash, kale, curry, etc.
Luv What You Do 
YUM! That soup looks so good! And I need to stop by TJ’s tomorrow anyway!
Fridays is usually my TJ shopping day on my way home from work!
I copied and printed the ‘words to live by’-amazing! Working in a grammar school, I too am amazed by children and their ability to do all these things.
I think it’s their ability to learn and grow every day that impresses me the most! Thanks for the comment!
Tis the season for soups and a bowl of this lentil soup sounds delicious. Loved your 10 Commandments for a Happy Life. 🙂
That is the perfect way to describe this list! I felt a little guilty about not making the soup from scratch (and chopping my own veggies), but I got over that really quickly!
Great “lessons learned”. Such good reminders. I like your soup idea–easy and healthy! I hate eating soup that comes from a can, but I don’t always have the time (or foresight) to make soup from scratch. This is the perfect compromise. 🙂
I am anti canned soup too. It just doesn’t taste as good as homemade. This really was the perfect compromise!
We can learn so much from kids. I am always dancing around and trying to have fun, because life is too rough not too. Saying thank you is one of the most important things to do. I am always amazed at how many grown adults don’t do this. It drives me insane and makes me kind of sad. Being nice only takes a few seconds sometimes.
Thanks for the comment. I loved reading it after a rough week! It’s amazing how many people don’t say please and thank you and you are totally correct, it makes such a difference!
I firmly believe that half the reasons kids have SO much energy is because they nap – gives them time to rest then gear up for whatever they want to do next.
I totally agree! How is it that naps end after kindergarten? I’d love to institute nap hour at our office. We have a lot of pillows and mats…ha ha!
Great lessons! I just hung out with my 2.5-year-old niece today. The lessons are so true!
How fun! I love kids at that age because they are on the go and full of questions and funny sayings!
I love #9 “There is always time for a cuddle!” 🙂 This soup looks fab and all TJs ingredients sounds like my kind of thing.
I’m not sure that we do that enough as adults! I had the best snuggle with the baby when he fell asleep on my chest. It was so sweet!
Those life lessons..are so simple…but so perfect. Kids are amazing and live life how we all should!
That’s a great one to add to the list. Wake up each day looking for fun and loving life! Thanks for the comment!
I love that you have a ball pit in the picture. That was my ultimate dream play place as a kid!!
It is my friend’s basement. Super easy to make with a kiddie pooland balls and the girls loved it.
Kids are so wise! Adults need to listen to them more 🙂