An introduction to color theory: what color theory is, ways you can incorporate it into your spaces, and how I’ve applied color theory in my own home.
The post A Color Skeptic’s Guide to Color Theory in Interior Design appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.
Stay home, stay warm, stay safe, stay cozy, stay presentable.
The post High/Low Outfit: Hibernation appeared first on Primer.
This is hands down the best lentil soup recipe—and once you try it, you’ll see why. It’s cozy, nourishing, full of rich flavor, and incredibly easy to make, even on a busy weeknight.
This healthy lentil soup is also one of the most affordable meals you can make. For about $10, you’ll have a big pot of soup that feeds 6–8 people, making it perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or freezing for later.
With simple pantry ingredients and minimal prep, this easy lentil soup recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop (or in a slow cooker). It’s naturally high in plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, so it’s filling, satisfying, and genuinely good for you.
If you’re new to lentils, this is the recipe that will convert you.
Lentil soup is so flexible and can be made in a huge variety of ways. While I prefer to make this soup on the stovetop to bring out each ingredient’s flavor while sauteing, you can just throw it all in a slow-cooker and come home to a great meal.
Lentils are legumes, similar to beans, peanuts, and soybeans. They’re technically a “pulse,” meaning the dried edible seed of a legume plant. Lentils cook faster than most beans, don’t require soaking, and are one of the easiest plant proteins to work with.
Base Ingredients
Flavor Boosters
Optional Add-Ins
See the full recipe in the printable recipe card below.
I love using small dark green lentils (French lentils) because they’re sturdy, cook quickly, and hold their shape beautifully.
That said, all lentils work well in this soup:
They’re all affordable, nutritious, and worth rotating depending on the texture you like.
Short answer: No, soaking is not required.
Lentils cook faster than most legumes and don’t need soaking to be digestible. I usually skip it.
That said, soaking can help if:
If you soak:
This can make lentils easier to digest for some people.
Yes — lentils are naturally gluten-free.
Just check the label to make sure they weren’t processed in a facility that handles gluten.
This lentil soup stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
This is one of the best recipes for meal prep; it’s hearty, filling, and holds up incredibly well.
This is exactly the kind of recipe that makes healthy eating feel easy.
I can’t wait to hear from you and how you like this recipe. Make sure to comment below and give it a star rating.
The post Easy Lentil Soup Recipe appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are an easy, healthy dinner made with ground turkey, rice, crushed tomatoes, and melty cheese baked inside tender bell peppers. This family-friendly stuffed peppers recipe is ready in under an hour and perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
They’re cozy, satisfying, and endlessly customizable—one of those reliable dinners you’ll want on repeat.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Do I have to boil the peppers first?
No—this no-boil method gives better flavor and texture with fewer steps. If you prefer, you can parboil them for 5 minutes, then turn them upside down to drain. They will cook faster in the oven, but we skip this step for fewer dishes and cleanup. Cooking them a little longer in the oven is enough to get the peppers soft.
What should I serve with stuffed peppers?
A simple green salad or cilantro lime slaw pairs perfectly.
Are turkey stuffed peppers healthy?
Yes! They’re packed with lean protein, veggies, and whole grains.
If you liked this stuffed pepper recipe, here are some more Mexican-inspired recipes to try next:
The post Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers (Easy & Healthy!) appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are an easy, healthy dinner made with ground turkey, rice, crushed tomatoes, and melty cheese baked inside tender bell peppers. This family-friendly stuffed peppers recipe is ready in under an hour and perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
They’re cozy, satisfying, and endlessly customizable—one of those reliable dinners you’ll want on repeat.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Do I have to boil the peppers first?
No—this no-boil method gives better flavor and texture with fewer steps. If you prefer, you can parboil them for 5 minutes, then turn them upside down to drain. They will cook faster in the oven, but we skip this step for fewer dishes and cleanup. Cooking them a little longer in the oven is enough to get the peppers soft.
What should I serve with stuffed peppers?
A simple green salad or cilantro lime slaw pairs perfectly.
Are turkey stuffed peppers healthy?
Yes! They’re packed with lean protein, veggies, and whole grains.
If you liked this stuffed pepper recipe, here are some more Mexican-inspired recipes to try next:
The post Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers (Easy & Healthy!) appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
Need something quick, easy, and healthy to grab on your way out the door?
Meet the Homemade Lunchable, your new favorite no-stress lunch.
It’s nostalgic, totally customizable, and perfect for meal prep. Even better? You can make most of it without turning on the stove. These little bento-style lunches keep well in the fridge for days, give you real variety, and somehow make lunch feel fun again.
Kids love them. Adults rely on them.
To build a balanced lunchable, aim for:
Here are some easy ingredient ideas to get you started.
For fruits and vegetables, go big on fresh, colorful options:
For proteins, choose something satisfying that holds up well in the fridge:
For cheese, simple slices or cubes work best:
For something crunchy or starchy, pick one you actually look forward to eating:
For dips, fats, and a little something sweet, add one or two extras:
You’ll want containers that keep everything neat and easy to grab. Use divided bento-style boxes or small reusable containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass divided containers are especially great because they keep food fresh and don’t hold onto odors.
I bought these divided glass containers on Amazon, and these would be a good option, too.
.Want more ideas? Check out these 34+ ideas for healthy meal prep.
Putting these together is fast and flexible:
That’s it. No cooking required unless you want to hard-boil eggs or roast chickpeas.
Here’s what makes Homemade Lunchables such a game-changer:
Once you start making these, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for anything else.
Once assembled, these lunchables stay fresh in the fridge for:
Grab one as you head out the door, and lunch is done.
The post Homemade Lunchable Recipe appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
Need something quick, easy, and healthy to grab on your way out the door?
Meet the Homemade Lunchable, your new favorite no-stress lunch.
It’s nostalgic, totally customizable, and perfect for meal prep. Even better? You can make most of it without turning on the stove. These little bento-style lunches keep well in the fridge for days, give you real variety, and somehow make lunch feel fun again.
Kids love them. Adults rely on them.
To build a balanced lunchable, aim for:
Here are some easy ingredient ideas to get you started.
For fruits and vegetables, go big on fresh, colorful options:
For proteins, choose something satisfying that holds up well in the fridge:
For cheese, simple slices or cubes work best:
For something crunchy or starchy, pick one you actually look forward to eating:
For dips, fats, and a little something sweet, add one or two extras:
You’ll want containers that keep everything neat and easy to grab. Use divided bento-style boxes or small reusable containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass divided containers are especially great because they keep food fresh and don’t hold onto odors.
I bought these divided glass containers on Amazon, and these would be a good option, too.
.Want more ideas? Check out these 34+ ideas for healthy meal prep.
Putting these together is fast and flexible:
That’s it. No cooking required unless you want to hard-boil eggs or roast chickpeas.
Here’s what makes Homemade Lunchables such a game-changer:
Once you start making these, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for anything else.
Once assembled, these lunchables stay fresh in the fridge for:
Grab one as you head out the door, and lunch is done.
The post Homemade Lunchable Recipe appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
This simple avocado salad is fresh, creamy, and full of bright lime flavor.
It comes together in minutes with just a few real-food ingredients, making it the perfect side dish for busy weeknights, summer dinners, or anytime you want something light but satisfying. It’s full of fiber and great flavor, too.
It’s also flexible; you can substitute the lime for lemon or swap out the cilantro for parsley or another green if you don’t like cilantro.
If you’ve ever needed a fast, healthy dish that feels special without being fussy, this is the one. Crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, fresh herbs, and a lightly sweet lime dressing make this salad refreshing, nourishing, and endlessly versatile.
Tip: Toss gently so the avocado stays in chunks instead of turning into a mash.
This salad pairs beautifully with:
This avocado salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Press a piece of parchment or plastic wrap directly onto the surface to help prevent the avocado from browning.
This Simple Avocado Salad Recipe proves that healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s light, flavorful, and comes together fast—exactly the kind of recipe you’ll keep in your weekly rotation.
If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know how you served it!
The post Simple Avocado Cucumber Salad Recipe appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
This simple avocado salad is fresh, creamy, and full of bright lime flavor.
It comes together in minutes with just a few real-food ingredients, making it the perfect side dish for busy weeknights, summer dinners, or anytime you want something light but satisfying. It’s full of fiber and great flavor, too.
It’s also flexible; you can substitute the lime for lemon or swap out the cilantro for parsley or another green if you don’t like cilantro.
If you’ve ever needed a fast, healthy dish that feels special without being fussy, this is the one. Crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, fresh herbs, and a lightly sweet lime dressing make this salad refreshing, nourishing, and endlessly versatile.
Tip: Toss gently so the avocado stays in chunks instead of turning into a mash.
This salad pairs beautifully with:
This avocado salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Press a piece of parchment or plastic wrap directly onto the surface to help prevent the avocado from browning.
This Simple Avocado Salad Recipe proves that healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s light, flavorful, and comes together fast—exactly the kind of recipe you’ll keep in your weekly rotation.
If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know how you served it!
The post Simple Avocado Cucumber Salad Recipe appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.
These 5-minute tasks help me get back on track when I’m tempted to procrastinate. Sometimes all we need to move forward is a brief reset.
The post 28 5-Minute Tasks That Help Me Make Better Use of My Time appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.
