Mediterranean Lentil Salad

• 1 cup dried lentils, preferably Le Puy green lentils, rinsed well
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick, or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced small
• 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced small
• 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, rinsed and sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 ounces organic feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

1. Combine the lentils, garlic, oregano, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and cover with water or broth by 2 inches.
2. Bring to a boil, then cover, lower the heat, and simmer until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Drain the lentils thoroughly and discard the whole spices.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, and salt together.
5. Toss the lentils with the vinaigrette, then refrigerate for 20 minutes.
6. Stir in the bell pepper, cucumber, olives, mint, and parsley and combine, then do a FASS checkand season as needed with another pinch of salt, a few grinds of pepper, or lemon juice.
7. Serve with the feta cheese sprinkled over the top.
8. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
9. (per serving)
10. Calories: 210
11. Total Fat: 11.6g (1.5g saturated, 7.8g monounsaturated)
12. Carbohydrates: 21g
13. Protein: 7g
14. Fiber: 5g
15. Sodium: 195mg
16. For most people going through cancereven those having a really rough timetheres generally a point between treatment sessions when youll find yourself feeling a little more energetic and a little less blah.
17. Michael Broffman, an acupuncturist who also utilizes herbs and foods to help numerous cancer patients at his Pine Street Clinic in Marin County, says these good days are a great opportunity for a culinary workout: We encourage our patients to use those days to take the time to assess their cooking skills, cook something, get a recipe out of a book, start to play with it, go to cooking classes, and deepen their skill sets.
18. That way, once treatment is over, theyre well on their way to organizing this on a regular basis.

dried lentils, clove garlic, oregano, bay leaves, cinnamon, extravirgin olive oil, brown rice vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, ground cumin, salt, red bell pepper, cucumber, olives, fresh mint, parsley, feta cheese

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mediterranean-lentil-salad-379256 (may not work)